Season 2, Episode 9:
The Coming of Shadows
- Emperor Turhan: How will this end?Kosh: In fire.
On the planet Centauri Prime, the Emperor of the Centauri Republic is preparing to make a State Visit to Babylon 5. He is informed by the prime minister that everything is ready but he has concerns about the emperor's poor health. The emperor is only more determined to do this now, since he has little time left.
On Babylon 5, G'Kar is in Sheridan's office vehemently protesting the approaching visit, listing atrocities committed against the Narns by the emperor's father, but which he himself, Sheridan points out, did not take part in. In fact the current emperor has gone out of his way to make reparations to the Narns. G'Kar is not placated, and blows off Sheridan's suggestion that he try to open a dialogue, before storming out. Sheridan warns him not to do anything they'll both regret. G'Kar replies that it's too late for that.
Meanwhile a man arrives on the station seemingly looking for Mr. Garibaldi.
As the emperor arrives, Londo meets with Lord Refa. Refa has prepared a speech for Londo, predicting several changes that Refa has already arranged in an effort to make the emperor appear foolish and short-sighted. After he leaves, Vir expresses his discomfort with the whole notion, and Londo agrees. The emperor comes aboard, and is greeted by Sheridan and his senior staff. They exchange greetings and Sheridan offers a tour of the station. The emperor wonders if it would be possible to meet Ambassador Kosh, as he is curious about the Vorlons.
G'Kar, meanwhile is on a call to the Narn homeworld. The Kha'Ri have approved his plan; he intends to assassinate the emperor. He reflects for a moment on the possible outcomes: "In the moment that I strike, the emperor and I will both die. Or, he will die and I will spend my life in prison. Or, I will fail and be killed. For the first time in my life, the path is clear."
The emperor, meanwhile, is in the observation dome, looking out into space. Sheridan finds him there and the two spend a few minutes talking about choices, the emperor regretting that he never really made any in his life. G'Kar, his choice made, is preparing a will in the event he is killed or captured. He says that he acted alone and that the Narn government should not be held accountable for his actions, nor Na'Toth.
At the reception, Sheridan and his officers talk about the veiled Centauri women following the emperor, who are apparently telepaths who have been raised together since birth, so they all know each other's thoughts no matter how far apart they are. When the emperor travels, two go with him and two stay behind on Centauri Prime, enabling instant communication with the homeworld. The crew suddenly notice G'Kar arriving, and when asked, G'Kar says that he will listen to the emperor.
Meanwhile, the man who arrived earlier has been following Garibaldi, who finds it suspicious and has him locked up for the time being.
As they wait for the emperor, G'Kar clutches at his dagger. The opportunity to use it never arrives, as the emperor suddenly collapses while on the way to the reception. On Centauri Prime, the other two telepaths enter the court, and the prime minister rises, seeming to fear the worst. Sometime later, the emperor wakes up in Medlab. Despite his health, he has a very important message, and he asks Franklin to deliver it for him.
Londo and Refa are meeting again. The competition is already lining up to take the throne when the emperor dies, and Refa wants something that will separate them from the pack. Londo has a sudden flash of inspiration. He proposes they take over a Narn outpost in Quadrant 14. He tells Refa to arrange for a military force to be sent there. After Refa leaves he tell Vir to find Mr. Morden. Vir desperately tries to talk him out of it, but eventually relents and goes to find him, warning Londo that one day he'll remind him of this conversation. Londo darkly replies that he already understands:
- Londo: By this time tomorrow, we will be at war with the Narns. May the Great Maker forgive me.
G'Kar is in his quarters when Dr. Franklin arrives. He has an important message from the emperor; he wanted to apologize. He risked his own health to come to Babylon 5 and apologize for everything the Centauri have done to the Narns. G'Kar is floored, he never imagined the emperor would come here for that reason.
Londo is sleeping in his quarters, and begins to dream. He sees a hand reaching out of what appears to be a star, then Centuari Prime, then himself standing on it as Shadow ships fly overhead. He then sees himself being crowned emperor, then himself as an old man, and finally G'Kar strangling him...
He suddenly wakes up and checks the time. "It has begun."
In Quadrant 14 Shadow ships appear in the surrounding space and quickly destroy everything in the area. Back on the station, Londo informs Refa that he can move at any time. Refa walks off, saying something about removing one last obstacle, and G'Kar appears moments later. Londo panics, thinking the Narn has already found out about the attack but G'Kar offers to buy him a drink. As Londo listens in astonishment and dismay, G'Kar tells him how he finally found decency in a Centauri, which gives him hope that maybe someday their two races can be reconciled after all. "To the health of your emperor, and perhaps to your health too."
A force of Centauri warships arrive at Quadrant 14 as well as a Narn patrol. The Narns assume the Centauri are responsible and move to attack. On Centauri Prime, the prime minister is pacing in the darkened throne room when he is attacked and stabbed in the stomach by an unseen assailant.
Garibaldi is in his office when he is informed the prisoner wants to speak to him. The man gives him a datacrystal, which has a message for him from someone he knows.
- Jeffrey Sinclair: Hello, old friend.
Sinclair says the messenger is a Ranger, part of a force he and the Minbari are building to combat a darkness that is growing. He can't say much but he asks for Garibaldi's help.
Meanwhile the news about Quadrant 14 starts to arrive. Sheridan is informed by Ivanova, and G'Kar finds out from the Kha'Ri. G'Kar flies into a rage, and heads off toward Londo's quarters. Before he gets there, he meets Sheridan and a force of security guards. The captain tells him to return to his quarters and no charges will be pressed. G'Kar is not willing to leave, he wants to make Londo pay. Sheridan tells him to make a choice: revenge, or doing what he can to help his people. G'Kar slams his fist into the wall, then breaks down in tears. Sheridan decides to leave him be for now.
In Medlab, the now severely weakened emperor lies in bed, wishing he could have seen a Vorlon. He suddenly becomes aware of a presence next to him and looks up to see Ambassador Kosh over him. "How will this end?" he asks.
"In fire," Kosh tells him.
Garibaldi tells Sheridan some of what he learned from the message. There have been rumors about some new race out there, and he has found out there are links to the Centauri government, possibly even the ones who attacked Quadrant 14. Sheridan thinks they can use this information to bluff Londo.
Londo and Refa are gathered with others around the emperor's bed. Refa gives him the "good news" that they have taken Quadrant 14 without a single Centauri casualty. The emperor whispers his response to Londo, then dies. When asked, Londo tells them that the emperor said, "Continue. Take my people back to the stars." The others leave, and Refa asks Londo what the emperor really said.
Refa laughs, and says it's a small price to pay for immortality.
Sheridan comes to G'Kar and invites him to a meeting of the Council. G'Kar says he will be there, then thanks Sheridan for stopping him. At the meeting Sheridan demands of Londo to know how the survivors at the colony will be treated. He then says Earth will be sending observers to check on the situation, and find out how the colony was defeated so quickly. Londo agrees that they could be released to return to the Narn homeworld, as long as no observers are sent.
G'Kar then arrives with grim news. He has received a message from his government declaring a state of war with the Centauri Republic.
Refa's gambit has paid off, and Cartagia, the emperor's nephew, has been crowned. After he leaves, Vir asks Londo why he didn't ask for a high government position. Thinking about his dream, Londo says he prefers to work from behind the scenes.
As Garibaldi sees the Ranger off, he asks if anyone else knows about this. The Ranger replies, "Just one other." In her quarters, Delenn watches a message: "Hello, old friend...."
This episode contains examples of:
- The Atoner: Emperor Turhan seeks to start the process of true peace by publicly apologizing for the crimes of his people and family against the Narn. He knows it won't fully make up for all that has been done, but he knows that the hatred will never stop until one side says, "I'm sorry."
- Berserker Tears: G'Kar starts here, then breaks down into Broken Tears after Sheridan puts a stop to his rampage.
- Blatant Lies: Mollari lying about the Emperor's Last Words.
- The Bus Came Back: Garibaldi gets a message from Sinclair, which was actually filmed at the same time as the season one finale, before Michael O'Hare left for what was later revealed to be an intensive treatment for his schizophrenia.
- Call-Back:
- Some of the things Londo sees in his dream are a hand reaching out of the stars, and himself as an old man being strangled by G'Kar.
- "He said, 'Just pick a target.'"
- The Chains of Commanding: Turhan never chose to be Emperor; he was born into the role. By virtue of his position, Turhan caught heat for atrocities that were set in motion by his family. Near the end of his life, Turhan confides the irony that despite his vast power, he never really had a "choice" in much of anything.
- Cue Card Pause: When G'Kar encounters Londo after the attack plan is set in motion, he cries, "Londo, I'm going to get you..." Londo tries and fails to get away before G'Kar continues "...a drink!", revealing that he does not yet know about the attack.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: A progressive leader blamed for atrocities committed by his ancestors by an oppressed people is nearly assassinated by a member of those oppressed people, and this provides the spark that will light a war involving almost every single existing nation. Remove the "nearly" from "nearly assassinated," and you have the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the start of World War I.
- Dream Sequence: Londo has one that shows him a number of things that will happen to him later.
- Dying Curse: Turhan's final words are telling Londo and Refa they are damned for what they've done. Refa isn't bothered by it, but Londo seems shaken up. Later seasons will show that both do meet tragic ends due in part to what they've done here.
- The Good King: Emperor Turhan. Not only was he loved by many of his people, he pulled back and ended the Narn subjugation that his whole family participated in for over the past century. His last choice in life, and in his mind the only true choice he ever made, was to openly apologize to the Narn in neutral territory for the actions the Centauri did to them. While his illness prevented him from the public apology, he is able to send a direct message through Dr. Franklin to Ambassador G'Kar. The man, who at the beginning, was foaming at the mouth to keep the Emperor off the station, is so moved he shares a drink with Londo to the health of the Emperor.
- Facial Dialogue: When Emperor Turhan dies, Refa asks Londo what he said. Londo lies and says that the Emperor gave his blessing to the Centauri conquest. The two Centauri telepath companions, however, look at each other (but say nothing), letting us know that THAT was not what the Emperor said.
- Foreshadowing:
- In Londo's dream he sees himself looking up as Shadow ships fly overhead, then being crowned emperor — and then dying as he and G'Kar strangle each other.
- A milder form: Emperor Turhan's greatest regret is that, despite his great power, he never really had choice. Londo ends up in the same situation late in season 5.
- The dying Turhan asks Kosh "how will this end?". Kosh's response: in fire
- Heel Realization: G'Kar, when Franklin visits him to relay Turhan's apology. G'Kar is floored by this as he's spent all his life hating the Centauri. This, of course, doesn't last long, given Londo's machinations later on.
- Hive Mind: The Centauri emperor's four veiled telepath attendants are raised since birth to be constantly mind-linked.
- Ignoring by Singing: Exasperated at G'Kar's refusal to take the opportunity to open a dialogue, Sheridan suggests G'Kar stay in his quarters, stick his fingers in his ears, and hum real loud until the emperor leaves.
- The Kingslayer: G'Kar intended to become one, but Turhan's health got there first, much to G'Kar's annoyance.
- Layout of a Season: Although it's the ninth episode instead of the fifteenth, it elevates the classical mid-season shift to the point that it won a Hugo Award.
- Man Behind the Man: Londo would prefer to be this if possible.Londo: The reward is nearly as great, and the risk far, far less.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Londo has this moment when G'Kar, who has just received the Emperor's apology, buys him a drink, saying he finally found decency in a Centauri, and that it's a start. Londo shakily accepts the drink, knowing he's shot down perhaps the only real chance for reconciliation between their peoples before it even took off.
- Mysterious Stranger: No indication is made of the Ranger's purpose or motive (or name) until he shows Garibaldi the message from Sinclair.
- No Name Given: The Centauri Emperor and Prime Minister - though later episodes will revealed they are named Turhan and Malachi, respectively. Meanwhile, the name of the Ranger is never revealed in the entire course of the series.
- Oh, Crap!: When Londo sees G'Kar and thinks he's already found out about the attack on Quadrant 14.
- Old Friend:
- Sinclair's messages to Garibaldi and Delenn open with a greeting to his old friend/s.
- Emperor Turhan and Prime Minister Malachi are also old friends.
- Oblivious Guilt Slinging: G'Kar does this when buying Londo a drink to the emperor's health, making Londo feel like an absolute heel since he's pretty much just started a war between them.
- Pacifism Breaking Point: As the Centauri emperor comes for a State Visit to the station, G'Kar is up in arms about it, until the emperor gets the message to him that he was coming to apologize for all the atrocities the Centauri committed against the Narns. This makes G'Kar believe for the first time in his life that peace between their peoples may actually be possible to the point he actually has Ambassador Mollari join him for a drink, unaware that Londo has just sent a force to attack and occupy a Narn colony. When G'Kar hears of it, he flies into a rage, storming toward Londo's quarters, stopped only when Captain Sheridan and a force of security stand in his way. Later, he arrives in the council chambers and solemnly declared the Narn Regime has declared war on the Centauri Republic.G'Kar: The time for peace has passed. We are now at war. We are now at war.
- Pet the Dog: The Emperor really wanted to see a Vorlon and, despite the old man not having a further part to play in the unfolding plot, Kosh decides to grant the dying old man that one last wish.
- Real Life Writes the Plot: The Emperor's personality was inspired largely because, having established that Centauri hairstyles get larger with higher social standing, his would have to be so huge it would be impossible to take seriously, let alone be a bitch to create and wear. So he was made a rebel against tradition who goes around bald instead.
- Refuge in Audacity:
- When the Emperor falls ill, Refa tells Londo that their political enemies are moving to position and they must make a big move to outmaneuver them. Londo suggests a plan which Refa finds incredible but goes along with regardless.
- Sheridan's bluffing Londo into releasing the Narn prisoners from Quadrant 14 also counts as one.
- La Résistance: We are introduced to the Rangers.
- Royal Cruiser: The emperor travels to Babylon 5 on a personal battlecruiser.
- Silent Whisper: We don't hear what the Emperor tells Londo, until Londo tells Refa:He says we are both damned.
- Sins of Our Fathers:G'Kar: His father personally ordered the execution of a hundred thousand Narns.
Sheridan: But he himself did nothing, am I correct?
G'Kar: A technicality! - Sketchy Successor: Cartagia. Refa and his unseen cohorts believe the man to be foolish and malleable enough to use to their ends.
- Start of Darkness: This the first point when Londo seeks out Mr. Morden for his services. In addition the attack was his idea and he picked the target himself, without any prompting other than Lord Refa saying they need something to gain influence.
- State Visit: The emperor of the Centauri Republic makes a visit to Babylon 5 for an important speech, but his health takes a turn for the worse before he can deliver it. It also thwarts G'Kar's intention to kill him in retaliation for the years of Centauri oppression of the Narn.
- The Conscience: Vir tries so desperately to dissuade Londo from enacting his plan to use the Shadows to attack the Narn base at Quadrant 14. Londo, of course refuses to listen, knowing full well the consequences.
- The Only One Allowed to Defeat You: G'Kar is dismayed that the Centauri Emperor might die of illness before he gets a chance to kill him.
- Title Drop Chapter: "The Coming of Shadows" is also the name of the season, and here their influence begins to be felt more acutely.
- Tranquil Fury:
- During the cold open when G'Kar was protesting the Emperor's arrival to Sheridan, he was initially loud and bombastic. But when Sheridan calls his protests "a tantrum", G'Kar's mood changes and he lowers his voice, his teeth almost seething with anger and frustration.
- G'Kar, again, later while announcing the beginning of the Narn-Centauri war.
- Unstoppable Rage: When G'Kar learns of the attack on Quadrant 14, he storms toward Londo's quarters leaving battered security guards in his wake.
- Wham Episode: One of the Whammiest: The as-yet unseen Centauri Emperor dies, allowing for a change in government of one of the major powers, the Shadows intervene directly in favor of the Centauri, and the Narn declare war on the Centauri. The relative, tense peace of the first season and a half is finally broken, paving the way for the Shadow War.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: G'Kar's reaction when the Emperor falls ill just as he's about ready to assassinate him.
- Your Approval Fills Me with Shame:
- Londo has a little of this after Refa expressed his disdain for the Emperor's Last Words.
- Near the end of the episode as Refa recounts how they are now in control of the Centauri government via Cartagia, he shares a toast with Londo. When he hands his cup to Vir, Vir merely glares at him, barely concealing his disgust.
