"Signs and Portents" discussion [spoilers]

[ruuger]

Sorry for the delay - my internet connection was down last night.

This is the discussion post for the episode 1X13, "Signs and Portents". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Extra reading:

The article for "Signs and Portents" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[beccastareyes]

One thing that I noticed this time was how Morden was able to get G'Kar and Londo to give answers that were decidedly non-trivial. Some of that was because of timing -- G'Kar had his fight with Londo*, and Londo was dealing with Kiro and the realization that his Republic isn't what he thought it should be. But, if you want real answers -- not flippant responses or what we think it's socially acceptable to tell a weird alien (to the ambasssadros' POV) guy -- to a pretty unusual question**, it takes a special person to get that.

(I like the comment from JMS in the Lurker's Guide about the florist and the actor playing Morden abut how darn creepy the approach is.)

* Not that I don't think "G'Kar fights with Londo' isn't a regular thing, but sometimes they end better for G'Kar.

** Shouldn't be unusual, but it's just so open-ended.

I remember in previous viewings, I always got the impression that Kosh drove Morden off before he spoke to Sinclair -- probably a combination of the 'they are not for you' scene and the subconscious note that Morden or his handlers (deliberately?) were working when Kosh was out for a trip. Interesting to note that that wasn't the plan. (Would have liked to know Sinclair's response. Or Delenn's, if she hadn't had the 'WTFBadNews' reaction. Somehow, I doubt either would give as good as response as Londo did.)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Or Delenn's, if she hadn't had the 'WTFBadNews' reaction.

deborah_judge once pointed out that Lennier in season 5 asks her "what do you want?" and that she then doesn't really answer, either.