Line #81 Recap/BabylonFiveS01E13SignsAndPortents


1	'''Season 1, Episode 13''':
2	!Signs and Portents
3	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b5signsandportents_2583.jpg]]
4	[[caption-width-right:350:"[[ArcWords What do you want?]]"]]
5	-->'''Morden''': ''I've been out of circulation. Spent the last few years doing some exploration out on the rim.''
6	-->'''Security''': ''Find anything interesting?''
7	-->'''Morden''': ''(''[[SmugSmiler smiles]]'') Yes.''
8
9	-----
10
11	The "day" dawns aboard the station, and Ivanova is awoken by an overly cheerful sounding computer wake-up call. In C&C she tells the commander she has trouble waking up when it's dark out.
12
13	-->'''Sinclair''': But in space it's always dark.
14	-->'''Ivanova''': ({{Beat}}) I know.
15
16	They are interrupted by a distress signal from a Starfury. It's been ambushed by Raiders and is being overwhelmed. Sinclair scrambles a response but it's too late.
17
18	In the customs area, a well-dressed man, Mr. Morden, has just arrived. Despite his identicard being a little out of date, to which he explains that he's been out on the Rim for a while, he is allowed aboard without incident.
19
20	Sinclair, Ivanova and Garibaldi are discussing the Raider situation. They've been getting bolder and are attacking closer and closer to Babylon 5, too close to escape through any jumpgates. Sinclair puts Delta Wing on alert, then asks to talk to Garibaldi. He recounts what happened when he was forced to re-live his experience at the Battle of the Line and what he remembers from it. He's gone as far as he can and asks Michael to see if he can get any further.
21
22	Londo is sitting in the Dark Star, when he is approached by a group of humans. The lead one gives him a box which he opens. Inside is a jeweled orb, the Eye, an artifact of great importance to the Centauri Republic. The man is glad it means something to him, but considers it just another job. Londo leaves, with Morden watching from a distance.
23
24	Some time later G'Kar is in his quarters when Morden visits. He only wishes to ask the ambassador a question: "What do you want?" G'Kar is initially confused but after repeated askings finally begins to tell him: To destroy the Centauri, to ruin their homeworld and visit everything they did to the Narns back upon them. Morden listens and when G'Kar is finished, he asks, "AndThenWhat" G'Kar is not sure. Morden leaves, looking disappointed. G'Kar stares after him a bit then says, "Nonsense!"
25
26	Londo is in the docking area where he greets a Centauri noble, Lord Kiro. Kiro's family was the original possessor of the Eye and he has come to deliver it to Centauri Prime. He is accompanied by Lady Ladira, his aunt and a seeress, but as soon as she comes on board she begins having a vision, fire, death, and destruction, foretelling the doom of the place. She then faints. Some time later, Londo and Kiro are discussing what she said. Kiro says she's been wrong before, and that when he was born she predicted he would be killed by a Shadow. He then asks to see the Eye, and Londo takes him to his quarters. A shady-looking character begins following them, and speaks into a communicator, "Six to One, have located target."
27
28	Morden has gone to Delenn next, but he never gets an answer of any kind; a silver triangle appears on her forehead which she covers before he can see as she turns to face him. An unnatural darkness falls over his face and she demands Morden get out. As he leaves (and the triangle fades), she fearfully whispers "They're here."
29
30	As Kiro looks at the Eye, and wonders aloud why he should give it back, it ought to be rightfully his. Londo talks him down, saying any attempt to secure the throne for himself would only result in his death. Ladira is asleep, but having fitful dreams of what seems to be a battle on the station, which ends with the sound of an explosion as she awakes.
31
32	A freighter, the ''Achilles'', is cruising to the next jumpgate when Raiders suddenly appear. They immediately go to full thrust and send out a distress signal. Babylon 5 receives the call and launches Ivanova leading Delta Wing to assist. Six speaks into his communicator, saying they've taken the bait and to keep them busy.
33
34	Kosh's ship arrives at the station, and docks. Morden sees Kosh in one of the corridors and ducks out of sight as he passes.
35
36	Londo receives a call from Kiro saying he is ready to leave, and Londo grabs the case holding the Eye and heads out. At the transport tube, he is accosted by Morden. He tells him to make an appointment, which Morden had already done. Londo then asks him what he wants, to which Morden replies in amusement, "That's what I was going to ask you." Londo is not in the mood for games, but Morden is persistent, and eventually Londo gives in and tells him.
37
38	-->"I want my people to reclaim their rightful place in the galaxy. I want to see the Centauri stretch forth their hand again and command the stars. I want a rebirth of glory, a renaissance of power. I want to stop running through my life like a man late for an appointment, afraid to, to look back or to look forward. I want us to be what we used to be. I want... I want it all back, the way that it was. Does that answer your question?"
39
40	Morden watches him leave with a satisfied look and says, "Yes, yes it does."
41
42	In C&C, Sinclair is bothered by the fact that this attack is considerably further than the others have been. He asks for the ''Achilles''' manifest. Meanwhile, as Londo, Kiro and Ladira are walking, they are ambushed by Six and an accomplice. They take the Eye, then march the three of them forward at gunpoint. Sinclair finds nothing but farming equipment on the manifest, and figures that the attack is a diversion. He calls Delta Wing back to the station. A check of ship schedules shows Kiro's ship is soon to leave, and he heads for the docking bay. There, Six puts the gun to Kiro's head and threatens to burn through the station's hull if he has to. Sinclair allows him to leave. He intends to allow the ship out then have Garibaldi and Alpha Wing disable it. Londo tries to lead Ladira away, but she is muttering about the Shadows coming for them.
43
44	The ship leaves the station and Alpha Wing launches and begins pursuit, but a jump point forms nearby and a large ship with Raider fighters appear. A firefight erupts and Kiro's ship docks with the Raider mother ship in the confusion. Sinclair orders Garibaldi to drive the Raiders toward the back of the station and when they are in position orders Delta Wing in through the jumpgate.
45
46	On the station, alarms are going off and people are running scared, when Morden finds himself face to face with Ambassador Kosh. The Vorlon gives a warning: "Leave this place, they are not for you. Go. Leave. Now." As Kosh speaks, Morden's heretofore pleasant expression melts into a look of absolute loathing.
47
48	With the fighters in place and station defenses ready, Sinclair orders both wings and the defense grid to fire, creating a gauntlet that obliterates the Raider ships. The mother ship, however opens a jump point and escapes.
49
50	Later, Sinclair and Garibaldi discuss the aftermath of the battle, with Garibaldi mentioning that Kosh's encounter suit was damaged but the Vorlon won't say how. Sinclair then has Londo and Ladira come into his office and demands to know what was on that ship that the Raiders wanted. As he speaks Ladira picks up a drink, but as she looks into it she sees the Raider ship emerge from hyperspace. Inside, Kiro is speaking with the Raiders, sounding more like a partner than a hostage. He was working with them to get the Eye so he can make an attempt to become Emperor. The Raiders have different ideas. They have no illusions that the Centauri nobility will follow him just because he has the Eye, but they know how much it's worth and if they can ransom it, and Kiro, they might be able to buy another mother ship, maybe even two.
51
52	An alarm suddenly sounds and they go to see what the problem is. Outside, the space in front of the ship seems to shimmer and a huge and terrifying alien ship materializes before them, then fires a beam weapon which carves the Raider ship up like a hunk of well-aged spoo. Aboard the station, Ladira drops her mug on the floor.
53
54	Later, Ladira is preparing to leave. Londo is despondent, certain his career is over, and that nothing short of a miracle could save him now. After he leaves the door chime sounds and Morden comes in. Londo is not in the mood, but Morden is not there for questions this time. He gives Londo a package, calling it a gift from some "friends you didn't know you had." Londo opens it and is stunned to find the Eye. He rushes out to find Morden, who is nowhere to be seen. "Let me buy you a drink!" he calls. "Let me buy you a whole ''fleet'' of drinks! How can I ever find you to thank you?"
55
56	Morden's disembodied voice responds, "We will find you, Ambassador."
57
58	Garibaldi meets with Sinclair and tells him what he's found out. Jeff was very far down the line for command of Babylon 5, but everyone else -- generals, admirals, ambassadors, the whole brass -- were rejected by the Minbari. They gave their support to the Babylon Project as the other major source of funding with the condition that they would have veto power over who was put in command, and they wanted him. As for why, neither of them can think of a reason.
59
60	Later, Sinclair meets Ladira in the boarding area. She tells him of her vision, and warns him that although they survived this crisis, their doom still hangs over them. She offers to let him see for himself. As she puts her hand on his face, he sees a single shuttle leave the station which then explodes behind it. As he comes back to himself, he asks if this is what will be, or what might be. She responds, "The future is always changing. We create the future, with our words, with our deeds, and with our beliefs. This is a possible future, Commander. And it is my hope that you may yet avoid it."
61
62	She bows then walks off, leaving a disturbed and worried commander behind her.
63
64	!This episode contains examples of:
65	* AndThenWhat: Morden rejects the Narn as instruments of chaos when G'Kar lacks the vision to know where his ambitions could take him ''after'' he's achieved the destruction of the Centauri.
66	** More specifically, G'Kar implies the Narn don't HAVE any ambitions beyond {{Revenge}}. They'd stop:
67	---> '''G'Kar:''' As long as the safety of the homeworld is assured, I don't see that it matters.
68	** This also demonstrates that the destruction of the Centauri isn't ''really'' G'Kar's answer to "what do you want". What he ''really'' wants is for his people to be safe, and he simply, at this point, assumes ''prima facie'' that "keeping Narns safe" must involve "the Centauri cease to exist".
69	* ArcWords: Morden's [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor most dangerous of questions.]]
70	* ArmorPiercingQuestion: What do you want?
71	* BadFuture: Ladira's vision. This is the first of several times this will crop up over the course of the series.
72	* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Though we have yet to see the consequences of Londo's and G'Kar's wishes, we get every impression that neither will be happy with the results.
73	* BigDamnHeroes: Delta Wing shows up just in time to complete Sinclair's trap.
74	* CallBack: Sinclair recounts what he saw when [[Recap/BabylonFiveS01E08AndTheSkyFullOfStars the Knights forced him to relive the Battle of the Line]].
75	* CavalryBetrayal: The Raiders are actually on Kiro's side, until he is aboard their ship, at which point they take him prisoner and announce their intention to ransom him and the Eye back to the Centauri.
76	* ContinuityNod: The last time we saw Delenn with a triangular mark on her forehead, [[Recap/BabylonFiveS01E08AndTheSkyFullOfStars she was standing with the Grey Council]].
77	* CurbStompBattle: The Raiders lose against Babylon 5 but they do put up a decent fight and their main ship escapes. When the Shadows appear it's over in a single shot.
78	* CracksInTheIcyFacade: the mysterious Morden ask the same question of G'kar and Londo: "[[ArcWords What do you want?]]".
79	-->'''G'Kar:''' Wait. What do I want? The Centauri stripped my world. I want justice.
80	-->'''Morden:''' But what do you want?
81	-->'''G'Kar:''' To suck the marrow from their bones and grind their skulls into powder.
82	-->'''Morden:''' What do you want?
83	-->'''G'Kar:''' To tear down their cities, blacken their sky, sow the ground with salt...to completely, utterly erase them.
84	-->'''Morden:''' AndThenWhat??
85	-->(Dramatic Pause)
86	-->'''G'Kar:''' ...I don't know. As long as my homeworld's safety is guaranteed, I don't know that it matters.
87	-->'''Londo:''' ...All right. Fine. You really want to know what I want? You really want to know the truth? I want my people to reclaim their rightful place in the galaxy! I want to see the Centauri stretch forth their hand again and command the stars! I want a rebirth of glory, a renaissance of power! I want to stop running through life like a man late for an appointment, afraid to look back, or to look forward! I want us to be what we used to be. I want... I want it all back, the way that it was! Does that answer your question?
88	* DetectEvil: Delenn seems to be able to sense the presence of the Shadows. WordOfGod confirms this is thanks to the implant in her forehead that all Grey Council members have. [[invoked]]
89	* DevilInPlainSight: None of the ambassadors (save Kosh) seem to notice the air of menace around Morden, though Delenn eventually realizes what he is after her DetectEvil ability senses the presence of the Shadows nearby.
90	* DramaticDrop: When Ladira sees Kiro's death aboard the Raider ship. Followed by DramaticShattering.
91	* EvilerThanThou: Kiro hiring the [[SpacePirates Raiders]] to steal the Eye leads to them planning to ransom him and the Eye. The Raiders' plans don't get off the ground, as [[MakeWayForTheNewVillains the Shadows kill them all]].
92	* FaintingSeer: Lady Ladira has an episode when she first comes aboard the station and foresees its destruction. Later, when she sees the ship Lord Kiro is on destroyed by the Shadows, she drops her mug.
93	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
94	** Kosh's confrontation with Morden, most particularly the fact that his encounter suit was actually damaged afterward.
95	** Earlier, Delenn has a strange reaction to Morden's presence, which causes her to whisper, "They're here."
96	** Kiro mentions that Ladira had predicted he would be killed by a shadow.
97	** Garibaldi's investigation reveals that Sinclair was not the first choice to be the commander of Babylon 5, or even close to the first choice, and that officers of higher rank and greater prominence were in line to receive command of the station but all were rejected by the Minbari until the list reached Sinclair. It hints at a further connection with the Minbari, but also sets up the later episode [[Recap/BabylonFiveS01E16Eyes "Eyes"]].
98	** Lady Ladira's vision of Babylon 5's destruction does come true... but under [[Recap/BabylonFiveS05E22SleepingInLight much happier circumstances than what was initially implied.]]
99	* GetOut: When she realizes what Morden is, Delenn promptly kicks him out of her quarters.
100	* MacGuffin: The Centauri Eye.
101	* MakeWayForTheNewVillains: The Shadows announce their presence by blowing the Raiders' mothership out of space.
102	* MeaninglessVillainVictory: The Raiders steal the Eye, but their success is short-lived as they are soon killed by the Shadows.
103	* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Morden, whose name is close to the various Romance language words for "death."
104	* NeverMyFault: An excellent illustration of this attitude happens with Londo and G'Kar's heated discussion outside a transport tube. G'Kar blames a famine on his world's southern frontier on the Centauri occupation; Londo blames it on the Narn stripping their own world for resources to build their war machine. Likely BothSidesHaveAPoint, but the point of this argument is that they refuse to acknowledge their ''own'' culpability. The argument escalates, and they're so engrossed that they miss the transport tube. Naturally, they both shout the same thing at each other when they realize this:
105	-->''Now'' look what you've made me do!
106	* NGOSuperpower: Discussed. Kiro thinks that the Eye gives him enough leverage to overthrow the Centauri government with Raider backing. The Raiders have to explain to him that no, a few dozen pirates with cheap fighters and a cut-rate carrier can not go toe-to-toe with a major galactic power (even if said power is in decline).
107	* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: The usually cryptic Kosh tells Morden (and also presumably the Shadows accompanying him) in plain English to leave Babylon 5.
108	* PointDefenseless: Averted. Babylon 5's defense grid turns out to be quite effective, especially when working in concert with the Starfuries to herd enemy ships into the kill zones. Two of the Raiders are killed almost immediately once the guns start firing.
109	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: The human waiting for the elevator with G'Kar and Londo. While their argument continues to escalate, he quickly jumps into the newly-arrived elevator and closes the doors behind him.
110	* ShoutOut:
111	** Sinclair's question to Ladira after seeing the vision is the same one [[Literature/AChristmasCarol Scrooge asked the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come of his own future]].
112	** The numbers used by the pirate operative on the station, "Six" and "One", are a shout-out to ''Series/{{The Prisoner\|1967}}''.
113	* SpacePirates: The Raiders.
114	* StarterVillain: The Raiders, who have been a recurring villain up until this point, are [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness dismissed]] by the [[BigBad Shadows]], and won't appear again on the show until the 5th season.
115	* StealthHiBye: After handing over the Eye, Morden disappears while Londo's back is turned.
116	* TechnologicallyAdvancedFoe: We get our first look at the Shadows, as a ship simply shimmers into view, turns the Raiders' base ship to mincemeat in seconds, and disappears as mysteriously as it came.
117	* TitleDropChapter: "Signs and Portents" is the title of the season, and this episode gives us our first taste of the main villains.
118	* VaguenessIsComing: A horrified Delenn proclaims, "They're here" after meeting Morden. Ladira is utterly hysterical about the same threat, repeatedly screaming that "The Shadows" are coming.
119	* WhamEpisode: We see the Shadows for the first time, Morden's first appearance, and a vision of the destruction of Babylon 5.
120	* TheWorfEffect: The Raiders in this episode are established as a competent threat and are set up to pose a danger in the future with their plans to sell the Eye. However, they end up as mere fodder to demonstrate the threat of the Shadows.
121	* YouAreNumberSix: The Raider aboard the station goes by the alias of Six, and communicates with a "One" who is presumably the leader of the group.

Context Recap / BabylonFiveS01E13SignsAndPortents