"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

[shapinglight]

I'm wondering how the fact that I haven't rewatched the show since first airing until now is impacting on my viewing. I've forgotten so much that happens later that whether or not certain storylines are eventually fulfilled passes me by.

As such, this episode strikes me as near-perfect - a culmination of so much that's already been set up in the early part of the season, with the rivaly between G'Kar and Londo, which has at times been played for comedy and is here seen for the first time in all its ugliness (well, we see some of its ugliness in previous episodes too, but here we see the bitterness and hatred that motivates G'Kar -and no wonder - given full expression when he answers Morden's question. Likewise, we see Londo's nostalgia for olden days - better days- and weary cynicism also given voice in a way that is perfect for Morden's purpose. Morden's little smile says it all.

Morden is a great villain, and you know he's a villain right from the start, because he's so normal and plausible. You wouldn't look twice at him in the street, and yet Delenn fears him and Kosh retires from an encounter with him bruised. That makes it pretty sure the audience will never, ever forget him.

The raider subplot, that isn't, IMO, really a subplot works beautifully, only falling down because the actor playing the chief raider is a bit rubbish, and the actress playing Lady Ladira is a bit OTT. That said, I appreciate the further enriching of Centauri culture that her character gives. Somehow, the fact that Ladira is Lord Jiro's aunt rather than his mother, gives me a happy. It's the extended family thing.

A great, great episode. I remember when I first saw the series that it was after seeing this one I was well and truly hooked.

[beatrice_otter]

I know what you're talking about, with the raider guy and Lady Ladira. (Well, the dialogue for both of them is slightly OTT and corny, but their acting doesn't help.) I've always wondered why Babylon 5 could get such consistently great actors for the major roles--and such consistently bad actors for the episode guest stars.

[shapinglight]

It is odd, though they aren't always bad. I rewatched Grail on Monday and though I don't care much for David Warner's character, he's a decent actor.

Amusingly, I saw the actor who played the Ombuds playing Bishop Brennan in an episode of Fathter Ted later the same day.