First aired – January 16, 2023
Join Jesse, Karen, & Lou as we discuss the Season Two Episode – The Coming of Shadows.
The Emperor of the Centauri Republic comes to Babylon 5, but his failing health results in his peaceful mission being transformed into an opportunity to ignite all out war between the Centauri Republic and the Narn Regime.
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Great episode, I give it 10 Centauri wigs! 😀 I do disagree with some of what you said about Sheridan and Gkar's conversation at the beginning. Sheridan clearly states he understands 100 years of blood isn't something you forget, so he totally understands him. If anything, G'kar dismissing him as not understanding is strange, because who else around could understand him better? The Minbari almost wiped out humanity totally, so of course he understands. He's like we've gotten over it, why can't you? Also for the hand in Londo's dream/vision I've always interpreted it as Londo adding the image of what the Technomage told him in "Geometry of Shadows earlier in the season. "I see a great hand reaching out of the stars. The hand is your hand…."
8:00 I agree that Sheridan was not as understanding as he could have been, and I think part of the reason is that he was dealing with a toddler having a tantrum. Maybe he was being an a-hole so he could get through to G'Kar, when kinder words would not have worked?
This episode is where G'Kar starts to grow into what he's going to become, and Sheridan will not treat him like this again. On the contrary.
11:16 Not quite yet. You are getting ahead of yourself. This is the Book of G'Quan.
It's Cantauri, not Centuri.
28:50 In Signs and Portents, Lady Ladira sees the destruction of B5, and tells Sinclair it's a possible future.
So the Centauri do not believe the premonitions are fixed. But they do have a strong tendency to come true. And you don't necessarily understand the context at the time.
40:30 There's even a delay in communications between the Earth and the Moon.
But in this case, "StellarCom is an Earth Alliance interstellar communications network comprised of tachyon transceivers on EA ships, outposts, jumpgates, and relay stations." So that's why you have virtually instantaneous communications between different planets. It's literally faster than light. It's not a plot hole, it's a plot device.
The scene at the bar between Londo and G'Kar is the difference between suspense and tragedy (knowing the thing beforehand) and twists (revealing the thing after the fact). Both work, but the effect they have depends on what the writer wants out of the scene/work. The audience knowing what Londo has done gives that immediate tradgedy for G'Kar and suspense as to what will happen. Had the audience not known, Londo's reaction would have been confusing and not made sense, and you cannot guarantee everyone would rewatch the episode to get the twist, so doing it this way is the right call.
This is certainly one of B5's 'wham!' episodes and culmination of the last one and a quarter seasons, it makes dragging yourself over some of the hot coals of season 1 worth it 🙂
Whilst we never see it in-show, I have to wonder what Turhan's death dream was like.
My headcanon is of images from the attack on the Narn colony, followed by him on his deathbed being told about the start of the war and (crucially) only hearing Londo's false statement giving his consent to the war (possibly followed by images from the forthcoming conflict…)
This would explain his desperation to make reparations to the Narn up to this point (e.g. orders to give Raghesh 3 to Narn which Londo ignored). It also means that risking his health like this was his last Hail Mary attempt to find peace before the end.
It seems to me that Centauri culture is absolutely influenced by their death dreams – their constant drinking, gambling, risk taking and excess is probably how I'd behave if I knew the circumstances of my death (unless that death involved drinking, gambling, risk-taking and excess!)
Great reactions for a great episode. I love the acting with G'Kar and Londo. I enjoyed seeing Sinclair again.
I don’t understand why you have a problem with Sheridan in the scene with G’Kar in his office. We (the audience) come in after the start of the conversation and we don’t know how long G’Kar has been ranting.
I can see where G’Kar is coming from, but he blames the Centauri emperor PERSONALLY for all that the Centauri has done in 100 years and the actions of his father.
The emperor himself had given lost territories back to the Narn. He didn’t declare war against the Narn, when they attacked the colony with Londo’s nephew in season 1.
Besides Sheridan has to consider the neutrality of Babylon 5 as well as the political implications for Earth. The 4 main powers on the council is the Minbari, Earth, the Centauri, the Narn and off course the Vorlon.
A WARNING TO ANYONE WHO HASN'T SEEN BABYLON 5. Do not watch this show if you're watching Babylon 5 for your first time. The host of this show both couches his questions and phrases his statements the way a child who was told not to tell Mommy what her birthday present is. "Daddy told me not to tell you what your gift is, but I can tell you it has four wheels and and goes vroom. But daddy said not to tell you he bought you a car so I'm not telling you he bought you a car". In this episode in particular, the host JUST OUTRIGHT tells his panel spoiler information regarding Vorlon and Shadow ship technology that isn't given out until the VERY NEXT episode. Even more irresponsibly, before divulging this information he actually says he is not sure if this has already been revealed. Rather than shut up and find out he goes ahead and spoils it. He use this excuse on other programs while giving away spoilers. I would hate to be one of his two panel members who, they themselves are watching the show for the first time. Having to sit there and listen to their host constantly hint at and outright giveaway spoilers must be very disappointing. Not to mention rude.