G'Kar and Londo carry this episode on the strength of great acting from those two. And there, as in so many other ways, the trend of the series is started in episode one. All kinds of plot threads begin hear: the Narn/Centauri war, the raiders sub-plot that will be spun around mid-season, the Earth presidency and its fallout, the PsiCorp and the Talia-Ivanova storyline. Just about the only thing missing is the Minbari. I guess JMS felt the pilot movie got that one going. But I don't think the episode could handle any one more thing jammed into it.

Poor Jerry Doyle, given the role of Captain Exposition. He struggles through that dialog gamely, but sigh. Michael O'Hare doesn't fare as well. I love Sinclair so much, but man, on this rewatch years later, I have to admit I understood the "wooden" accusation. But be fair, the dialog he was given was pretty lame. Though again, Katsulas and Jurasik make it work. They remind me that it's gonna get good before too long.