"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

[selenak.livejournal.com]

IMO, G'Kar and Londo both had the potential for that path, and to turn away; they weren't inherently better or worse than each other, but they made different choices, from which their paths diverged (though ultimately met again). (I.e. later season 2 and 3 G'Kar is definitely a better man than Londo, but he is so because of the choices he made, not because he was always destined to be.) Definitely agreed that Londo's lack of qualifiers and more universal "great empire" request (instead of a specific "I want the Narn defeated" request) made him more appealing to Morden.

Human exceptionalism: I don't think the show as such has it, but the Vorlons definitely have a worthy/unworthy standart to which they hold the younger races. (These are the people who think nothing of destroying entire planets, no matter the bystanders, if that means dealing a blow to their enemies, after all.)

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

"Human exceptionalism: I don't think the show as such has it.."

I see it much more in the fandom than the show proper I must admit.

Londo and G'Kar's paths are fascinating, and I am looking forward to following it again with company this time. I still think this is the first hint that G'Kar can think beyond what he wants to what happens next. Londo seems to feel that what he wants is an end in and of itself. Also neither wants it for themselves, but for their people...isn't the capacity for self-sacrifice one of the principles of sentient life?