b5_revisited | "The Coming of Shadows" discussion

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"The Coming of Shadows" discussion

This is the discussion post for the episode 2X09, "The Coming of Shadows". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Summary:
The Centauri emperor visits Babylon 5.

Extra reading:
The article for "The Coming of Shadows" at Lurker's Guide.

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I believe there were multiple factors in play.

In the early second season, Vir's confidence is only just emerging; though he has been speaking out more since The Geometry of Shadows (which I consider Vir's coming out episode), there is no evidence to suggest that he is at all convinced of his own agency at this point. Indeed, I'm not even sure he has good reason to be so convinced. Remember, after all, how he arrives in Midnight: by all appearances, someone has beaten this young Centauri down. Thus, I agree that here, he is frightened and swept up by events.

I also believe, however, that Vir's developing concern for the state of Londo's soul is also apparent. Otherwise, why be so visibly disappointed? Otherwise, why should Vir phrase his ardent objection in precisely the way he does - not "what you are doing is morally repugnant" (though Vir certainly knows this), but "you can never go back"? Given this concern and what he knows about Londo thus far (and in the narrative, it is Vir who knows more about Londo than any other regular character), I think it is also plausible that Vir would want to preserve Londo's growing trust in his loyalty.

In short: I believe both lines of argument are right. ;)

As for Vir's guilt, I don't think we're meant to see him as entirely innocent. I'm definitely sure Vir doesn't see himself that way. He is, after all, the first Centauri we see apologize to a Narn. Given the way JMS wiggles between portraying the Centauri as "The Declining Roman Empire - IN SPACE!" and "The Third Reich - IN SPACE!", I think we are supposed to read Vir as the decent, patriotic German who gradually - and with horror - realizes that the nation he loves has been hijacked by mass-murdering thugs and grows into heroism as a consequence of this realization. It's a very, er, human narrative - which is why I love it - and Vir - so very much.

(I have a very clear weakness for "loyal" characters of every stripe.)

Edited 2009-08-22 21:40 (UTC)

This has been a fascinating debate, and here are my two cents: aside from boringly agreeing with everyone a bit, I think we also have to factor in yet more circumstances.

On the one hand, as far as loyalty is concerned, Vir, even if he didn't object to Londo instigating a Narn/Centauri war per se (which he clearly does), could have chosen loyalty to the Emperor/Centauri Prime over loyalty to Londo; he could, when Londo tells him to fetch Morden, and after listening to Refa's and Londo's conversation which include plans to sabotage on Refa's part and going directly against the Emperor's wishes in starting the war on Londo's, report all of this to the Emperor. He doesn't. Why not? In addition to all the reasons given, let's look at what would happen if he did. Say Vir, instead of fetching Morden for Londo, goes to Turhan instead, and tells the Emperor what he just heard. If Turhan doesn't get an immediate heart attack (a risk Vir isn't aware of), his response will on the one hand prevent another Narn/Centauri war (at least for now), but it will most definitely mean the end of Refa and of Londo as far as their careers are concerned. If not their lives. We have no idea what the penalty for unsuccessful plotting is with the Centauri, but I imagine that depending on what you're plotting, and depending on who the Emperor is, you get either banishment or an urgent hint to take your own life. But okay, Turhan is a benevolent fellow, so let's say the most Vir has to fear for Londo is removal from his post as ambassador and banishment from Centauri Prime.

Not the worst price to pay to prevent a war, surely? Well, yes. Except - Vir has to fear one more thing. That such an action would mean the end of his relationship with Londo. He has seen Londo forgive Adira her betrayal, but that was a different case; Londo loved Adira, and Vir with his self worth issues probably doesn't think Londo has more than some general good will towards him. (See a few episodes later his expectation Londo will be glad to have another aide and his surprise this isn't so.) And Londo, as far as we know, is the only person Vir has as a friend at this point. The only person who gives a damn about whether Vir lives or dies, no matter how vaguely Vir suspects this regard is. And this affection would be gone from Vir's life.

In addition to all the other reasons, I think this, too, is what makes Vir decide to abet Londo against his better knowledge.

Agreed.

And here's another thought I had just now - if Vir can be considered guilty for his choices, what shall we conclude about Sheridan and Delenn? As Delenn herself acknowledges later, they were well aware of the connection the Shadows had with the Centauri government - and yet they too did nothing.

Well, to play devil's advocate, Delenn and Sheridan found out post facto (i.e. after the war had already started) and kept quiet with the goal of winning the Shadow war in mind, which can't be claimed for Vir. But I doubt G'Kar at the moment when Delenn tells him sees that so very differently...

This has just made me start wondering about Vir and Zack as parallels in a way I haven't before, although Zack is for a while actively complicit with evil in a way Vir isn't at any point.

I'd say Vir isn't buying into the Back-to-the-Stars-War being a good thing for one moment while Zack does believe Night Watch is harmless and patriotic until rather late in the game, but which of them that makes more or less complicit I couldn't say.

Speaking of Zack, though, reminds me of that scene between Vir and Garibaldi in "No Surrender, No Retreat", when they briefly talk about Garibaldi's fallout with Sheridan and decision to leave B5, and Vir says "I don't always like the way Londo is doing things - well, me and most of the universe" but that he decided to stay with Londo nonetheless, and suggests Garibaldi should do the same with Sheridan. Leaving aside Garibaldi's mind-manipulated status as irrevelant right now, this equates, on Vir's part, s4 Sheridan with s2 Londo, which is... interesting.

"this equates, on Vir's part, s4 Sheridan with s2 Londo, which is... interesting."

May I just say that I am going to go off and hug this idea quietly for a while? Because I love it?
The idea that JMS floated of the Alliance being seen as a threatening hegemony and the Rangers as jack-booted thugs/enforcers is one I would have loved to have seen worked out.

*cough The Learning Curve really makes them look that way cough*

Edited 2009-08-23 18:25 (UTC)

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"The Coming of Shadows" discussion

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