Okay, this is the moment most of the fans have been looking for--an all-out offensive against the Vorlons and Shadows, and Londo's assassination of the insane Emperor Cartagia are finally here! As far as the Vorlons and Shadows go, it's now obvious that neither cares one bit about the fate of anyone and they have been using people in a game of "one-upsmanship" against each other. However, in this game, they never directly attack each other but use the "lower" species as pawns. Sheridan decides to intervene when this stupid contest threatens to destroy a planet with six billion beings living there! As for Londo, it's the last possible moment. Cartagia MUST die as soon as possible because the Vorlon are coming to destroy their planet just to get rid of the Shadows hiding out there. He plans on using a fast-acting poison to stop the Emperor's heart and then order the removal of the Shadows. However, the plan is gummed up when Cartagia catches Londo in the act of trying to kill him, so how all this is resolved is BRILLIANT--and I truly think no one could have done a better job of this than the episode's writer. It's just the perfect moment in the show and how Morden is then dealt with is just MAGNIFICENT. This is a super-satisfying and terrific show--one not to be missed.
3 Reviews
Centauri crisis comes to a head
actionsub23 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Finally, the question of "just how far will crazy Cartagia try to go?" has been answered. Londo's plan to murder Cartagia has more than a few moving parts, one of which is his nemesis G'Kar, whose future and that of the Narn homeworld is dependent on Londo's complicated scheme working.
Let's just say things get very chaotic as the scheme unfolds. Londo, however, is placed (literally) in a position where he cannot finish the job he started. The responsibility falls to the happy-go-lucky Vir who seizes the moment and delivers a literal "kill shot".
And this is the point where Stephen Furst will make you forget he was ever in "Animal House". The next scene shows Vir trying to drink himself into a stupor so he can calm his conscience. The lighting, etc. Is totally on point here, as the "moon-faced assassin of joy" (as Londo first called him) is replaced by a hardened fellow who realizes that he's forever changed by this incident...and doesn't like it one bit.
Londo's fatherly reaction to Vir's distress makes for an exquisite piece of acting from both Stephen Furst and Peter Jurasik.
Let's just say things get very chaotic as the scheme unfolds. Londo, however, is placed (literally) in a position where he cannot finish the job he started. The responsibility falls to the happy-go-lucky Vir who seizes the moment and delivers a literal "kill shot".
And this is the point where Stephen Furst will make you forget he was ever in "Animal House". The next scene shows Vir trying to drink himself into a stupor so he can calm his conscience. The lighting, etc. Is totally on point here, as the "moon-faced assassin of joy" (as Londo first called him) is replaced by a hardened fellow who realizes that he's forever changed by this incident...and doesn't like it one bit.
Londo's fatherly reaction to Vir's distress makes for an exquisite piece of acting from both Stephen Furst and Peter Jurasik.
Meh...
Mischief81017 September 2014
The past two episodes have spent a lot of time exploring Londo's rise to the top of the command chain of the Centauri Republic. Too much time, if you ask me.
I find Londo Mollari to be the most annoying character in the entire series, and to have the better part of two episodes focusing on that buffoon grated on my nerves.
Not enough time was spent during these two episodes developing the overarching series plot involving Babylon 5's role in provoking open warfare between the Shadows and the Vorlons. That comes in later episodes, but those episodes' fabric would be richer had more time been spent here and less time spent on those Centauri goofballs.
If you like the Londo character and his plot lines, then you'll love this episode. If, like me, you regret that B5 didn't kill him off in season 1, you'll go "meh..."
I find Londo Mollari to be the most annoying character in the entire series, and to have the better part of two episodes focusing on that buffoon grated on my nerves.
Not enough time was spent during these two episodes developing the overarching series plot involving Babylon 5's role in provoking open warfare between the Shadows and the Vorlons. That comes in later episodes, but those episodes' fabric would be richer had more time been spent here and less time spent on those Centauri goofballs.
If you like the Londo character and his plot lines, then you'll love this episode. If, like me, you regret that B5 didn't kill him off in season 1, you'll go "meh..."
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