History Recap / BabylonFiveS04E01TheHourOfTheWolf

* AGodAmI: Caligula first reveals his chilling wish to become a living god in this episode.

* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Lyta is beginning to suspect the Vorlon ambassador is hiding something from her.

-->'''G'Kar''': It is now seven days since we lost Captain Sheridan and Mr. Garibaldi, and in a way I think we have also lost Ivanova. It is as though her heart has been pierced and her spirit has poured out through the wound. [[ItsAllMyFault She blames herself]]. It is foolish, it is destructive, it is...human. Ambassador Mollari has returned to Centauri Prime to take up his role as Advisor on Planetary Security. I suppose he is quite happy with his new position, it's what he always wanted, power, title, responsibility. [[SympathyForTheDevil I think he is more alone than anyone else in the universe]]. Delenn has [[DeniedFoodAsPunishment refused to eat for seven days]], fasting, praying and waiting. Delenn believes, I think she is the only one who does. The Shadows have paused in their pursuit of war and everywhere there is a sense of [[NothingIsTheSameAnymore imminent change]]. Whether it is a change for good or ill, no one can tell, because no one has yet answered two very important questions: where is Mr. Garibaldi? And what happened to Captain Sheridan at Z'ha'dum?

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. When Londo tries to forcefully demand it, one of the guards holods a knife to his throat. Cartagia seems to think the Shadows have the power to make him a god, something for which he is glad to sacrifice countless subjects. Londo retreats from the throne room.

* CrazyPrepared: Lennier anticipated that he might become compromised at some point, so he programmed the ''White Star'' to jump back to hyperspace if he didn't regularly touch a certain control.

* GenreSavvy: Milo Virini may act like a camp buffoon, but he's well aware he's in the midst of a DeadlyDecadentCourt with TheCaligula as ruler so he has become an StepfordSmiler. He shares with Londo the rumors about courtiers who have vanished after displeasing Cartagia.

* GenreSavvy: Milo Virini may act like a camp buffoon, but he's well aware he's in the midst of a DeadlyDecadentCourt with TheCaligula as ruler. He shares the rumors about courtiers who have vanished after displeasing Cartagia.

* FacialDialogue: Minister Virini rolls his eyes at Londo's StealthInsult towards Cartagia.

** 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.

The White Star arrives at Z’ha’Dum and jumps into normal space. They begins scanning while Lyta falls into a near trance keeping the Shadows at bay. Ivanova sends a signal and Delenn tries to reach him through Lyta, but the only ones who hear them are the Shadows. Before they are overtaken, the White Star suddenly returns to hyperspace. Lennier explains that he programmed the ship to jump back if he were disabled. Unfortunately there was no reply signal right up to the end. Crushed, they can only return home.

Vir meets with Londo who, after scanning for listening devices, explains what his intention is. He tells Vir the emperor is insane, offering the Shadows 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.

On Z'Ha'Dum Sheridan is huddled in front of a small fire when a tall figure appears from the shadows.

* SympathyForTheDevil: Despite their long animosity, and Londo being a key player in the downfall of his homeworld, G'Kar seems to genuinely pity Londo while describing him as the loneliest being in the universe.

Londo doesn’t like the idea, but those who opposed have vanished. Morden reminds Londo that Cartagia is his responsibility, but Londo says he won’t do it, but Morden just tells him to be ready when they arrive.

Minister Virini is escorting Londo to a meeting with Emperor Cartagia, something Londo is not all that enthused about. As they enter the throne room, they see the emperor admiring his crest, which is much shorter than would be expected for one of his station. Cartagia says that it allows him to go places that the emperor would normally never go. And he seen things... After a few more minutes discussion about what the emperor does in his spare time, he tells Londo why he called him there. He needs someone with experience with the other races, who can see the big picture. He also orders Londo to handle some arrangements, but doesn’t say what they are. Cartagia also says that Londo was requested for this positon by someone.

Minister Virini is escorting Londo to a meeting with Emperor Cartagia, something Londo is not all that enthused about. After a few minutes discussion about what the emperor does in his spare time, he tells Londo why he called him there. He needs someone with experience with the other races, who can see the big picture. He also orders Londo to handle some arrangements, but doesn’t say what they are. Cartagia also says that Londo was requested for this positon by someone.

* 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."

Vir is in Sheridan’s office with news. He tells Ivanova what happened when Sheridan went to Z’ha’Dum, and what he did there. He was seen falling into a 2 mile chasm right before the White Star crashed into the planet carrying two 500 megaton explosives. The good news is that he’s thrown the Shadows into chaos, but that doesn’t make it any easier. And with any luck [[TemptingFate Morden won’t be around anymore]].

* SympathyForTheDevil: Despite their long animosity, and Londo being a key player in the downfall of his homeworld, G'Kar seems to genuinely pity Londo while describinig him as the loneliest being in the universe.

* 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."

* 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 [[TheFool you have not been paying attention]].

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 for which he is glad to sacrifice countless subjects. Londo retreats from the throne room.

-->'''G'Kar''': It is now seven days since we lost Captain Sheridan and Mr. Garibaldi, and in a way I think we have also lost Ivanova. It is as though her heart has been pierced and her spirit has poured out through the wound. She blames herself. It is foolish, it is destructive, it is...human. Ambassador Mollari has returned to Centauri Prime to take up his role as Advisor on Planetary Security. I suppose he is quite happy with his new position, it's what he always wanted, power, title, responsibility. I think he is more alone than anyone else in the universe. Delenn has refused to eat for seven days, fasting, praying and waiting. Delenn believes, I think she is the only one who does. 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, because no one has yet answered two very important questions: where is Mr. Garibaldi? And what happened to Captain Sheridan at Z'ha'dum?

Vir is in Sheridan’s office with news. He tells Ivanova what happened when Sheridan went to Z’ha’Dum, and what he did there. He was seen falling into a 2 mile chasm right before the White Star crashed into the planet carrying two 500 megaton explosives. The good news is that he’s thrown the Shadows into chaos, but that doesn’t make it any easier. And with any luck Morden won’t be around anymore.

->''You ever heard of the hour of the wolf? My father told me about it. It's the time between three and four in the morning, when you can't sleep and all you can see is the troubles and the problems and the ways that your life should have gone but didn't. All you can hear is the sound of your own heart. I've been living in the Hour of the Wolf for seven days.''

->''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?''
-->-'''G'Kar'''

It’s been 7 days since Sheridan went to Z’Ha’Dum, and things have come to a tense pause. Ivanova acts as though part of her has died as well, Delenn has been on a fast for all this time, still hoping, Londo is back on Centauri Prime for his new position, the League is starting to pull back, and the Shadows are still out there.