History Recap / BabylonFiveS04E01TheHourOfTheWolf

The alien asks if he can share the fire and Sheridan lets him. The figure sits down, and the exchange stares, each measuring the other up.

Londo is looking for his coat when Virini comes to take him outside. Londo grabs his old purple one and follows, stopping in horror when he sees a fleet of Shadow vessels flying overhead. He runs off the see Cartagia, trying to talk him out of it, but Cartagia won’t hear of it. He demands to know what they offered the emperor in return. He seems to think the Shadows have the power to make him a god, something he is glad to sacrifice countless subjects. Londo retreats from the throne room.

Vir meets with Londo who, after scanning for listening devices, explains what his intention is. He tells Vir the emperor is insane, offering them a base in exchange for godhood. The others know, but no one is willing to do anything, except them. That is why he called Vir there, he needs someone he can count on, a friend and a patriot. Vir agrees to help. They must do what is necessary to preserve their world: kill emperor Cartagia.

Sheridan is huddled in front of a small fire when a tall figure appears from the shadows.

The alien asks if he can share the fire and Sheridan lets him. The figure sits down, and the two stare, each measuring the other up.

* GenreSavvy: Lennier programmed the ''White Star's'' computer to fly them away on autopilot [[DeadManSwitch if the crew was incapacitated.]]

-->'''Londo''': Vir, there is a terrible truth: [[LonelyAtTheTop As one accumulates power, one loses friends]]. One only has those who wish to use you, and those you wish to use. And yet, in all of this, you have somehow managed to walk through the corridors of power and not be touched. I can only assume you have not been paying attention.

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!This episode contains examples of:
* ActionFilmQuietDramaScene: The entire episode is basically one.
* TheCaligula: Emperor Cartagia makes his first appearance.
* CallBack:
** Morden survived the "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS03E22ZHaDum incident]]", though he's covered in severe burns.
** Londo's [[Recap/BabylonFiveS02E09TheComingOfShadows dream]] finally comes to pass. By coincidence[[note]]Basically, his regular coat was at the cleaner's[[/note]], he's even wearing the old purple jacket for the scene.
* TheChainsOfCommanding: Discussed.
-->'''Londo''': Vir, there is a terrible truth: [[LonelyAtTheTop As one accumulates power, one loses friends]]. One only has those who wish to use you, and those you wish to use. And yet, in all of this, you have somehow managed to walk through the corridors of power and not be touched. I can only assume you have not been paying attention.
* ContinuityNod: When Londo asks about Sheridan, Morden replies, "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS03E21ShadowDancing Which one]]?"
* DarkestHour: To Ivanova and Delenn, at least, and quite possibly the whole Babylon 5 Alliance.
* DeadManSwitch: What saves the ''White Star's'' crew when they fall under the Shadows' control.
* DrowningMySorrows: In typical Russian fashion, Ivanova solves her problems -- or, in this case, conspicuously ''fails'' to solve them -- with vodka.
* FacialDialogue: Minister Virini rolls his eyes at Londo's StealthInsult towards Cartagia.
* GenreSavvy: Lennier programmed the ''White Star's'' computer to fly them away on autopilot [[DeadManSwitch if the crew was incapacitated.]]
* HeroicBSOD: The Army of Light is in one as the episode begins, especially Ivanova, who's lost her best friend, captain, and comrade-in-arms, and Delenn, who's lost the love of her life. Well, they ''think'' they've lost him, anyway....
* ItsAllAboutMe: Cartagia is acting in the interest of the greater good: [[AGodAmI His.]]
* ItsAllMyFault: G'Kar's opening monologue mentions that Ivanova blames herself for what happened, and his opinion that it is foolish, destructive...and human.
* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Lyta is beginning to suspect the Vorlon ambassador is hiding something from her.
* SlummingIt: Cartagia reveals he keeps a shorter crest so he can do this.
* StealthInsult: Londo describes the last few times he's seen Cartagia in less than flattering terms (''"twice when he was an infant, he drooled a lot, I wonder if he has continued the habit, and again when he was 15 trying to peek up the skirts of some young women"''), and when he meets the Emperor in person he says, "I could swear you have not changed since the last few times I saw you."
* TrueCompanions: Londo calls Vir to assist him for this reason.

** FridgeLogic: The genitals of Centauri women are located on their backs. Why was Cartagia peeking up their skirts? ''What are they keeping up there?''
*** WordOfGod, in response to an argument that trying to look up a Centauri woman's skirt was like trying to look down a human woman's sock:
---> '''Creator/JMichaelStraczynski''': Tell that to a foot fetishist.

* WhatAnIdiot: Zack discovers someone has forced entry to Garibaldi's quarters. He then enters the darkened room alone, without announcing himself as security/law enforcement, and ''stands perfectly framed against a brightly lit doorway'' for several seconds. He's lucky G'Kar was friendly ...

* DrowningMySorrows: In typical Russian fashion, Ivanova solves her problems with vodka.

* DarkestHour: To Ivanova and Delenn, at least, and quite possibly the whole Babylon 5 Alliance.
* DrowningMySorrows: In typical Russian fashion, Ivanova solves her problems with vodka.

** Londo's [[Recap/BabylonFiveS02E09TheComingOfShadows dream]] finally comes to pass.

* HeroicBSOD: The Army of Light is in one as the episode begins, especially Ivanova, who's lost her best friend, captain, and comrade-in-arms, and Delenn, who's lost the love of her life. Or so they think.

* TrueCompanions: Londo calls Vir to assist him for this reason.

->''The Shadows have paused in their pursuit of war and everywhere there is a sense of imminent change. Whether it is a change for good or ill, no one can tell, as no one has yet answered two very important questions: where is Mr. Garibaldi and what happened to Captain Sheridan at Z'ha'dum?''

->The Shadows have paused in their pursuit of war and everywhere there is a sense of imminent change. Whether it is a change for good or ill, no one can tell, as no one has yet answered two very important questions: where is Mr. Garibaldi and what happened to Captain Sheridan at Z'ha'dum?

** Londo's [[Recap/BabylonFiveS02E09TheComingOfShadows dream]] finally comes true.

* CallBack: Morden survived the "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS03E22ZHaDum incident]]", though he's covered in severe burns.

* StealthInsult: Londo describes the last few times he's seen Cartagia in less than flattering terms (''"twice when he was an infant, he drooled a lot, I wonder if he has continued the habit, and again when he was 15 trrying to peek up the skirts of some young women"''), and when he meets the Emperor in person he says, "I could swear you have not changed since the last few times I saw you."

* ContinuityNod: When Londo asks Morden about Sheridan, Morden replies, "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS03E21ShadowDancing Which one]]?"

* TrueCompanions: Londo calls Vir to assist him for this reason.

-->'''Londo''': Vir, there is a terrible truth: As one accumulates power, one loses friends. One only has those who wish to use you, and those you wish to use. And yet, in all of this, you have somehow managed to walk through the corridors of power and not be touched. I can only assume you have not been paying attention.

->The Shadows have paused in their pursuit of war and everywhere there is a sense of imminent change. Whether it is a change for good or ill, no one can tell. As no one has yet answered two very important questions: where is Mr. Garibaldi and what happened to Captain Sheridan at Z'ha'dum.

* DrownYourSorrows: In typical Russian fashion, Ivanova solves her problems with vodka.

* DrowningYourSorrows: In typical Russian fashion, Ivanova solves her problems with vodka.

* HeroicBSOD: The Army of Light is in one as the episode begins, especially Ivanova and Delenn.