"The Coming of Shadows" discussion

[ruuger]

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.

Comments

Re: III. Consequences

[kathrid.livejournal.com]

MacBeth might die full of sound and fury, signifying nothing; his death, brought about by the man whose children he killed, doesn't have any meaning for him

I have to disagree with you here. MacBeth continues to value his life and power, even after all the prophecies come true. When MacDuff shows up the embodyment of them he chooses to fight on. He backs up his violence and ambition with the stubborn determination and courage that saw him lauded at the beginning of the play for his deeds in battle. Although he recognises the wrong in his actions, he is quite happy to live with the results and defy the prophecies if he can.

Londo, on the other hand has realised his errors much more fully as crimes and regrets them. Although he has played the part of the tyrant for the Drakh he always intended to rebel when he could, and has accepted his death so he can use it as a weapon against them. By choice he would not have fought it. It was the compulsion put on him that drove the prophecy to it's conclusion. As you say it is part of his decision to apologise that changes the meaning, but it is different from MacBeth's story in more than just meaning. From the freeing of Narn it is different in intent as well.

Re: III. Consequences

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Actually, I don't think we disagree. My MacBeth/Londo comparison doesn't apply for their respective deaths at all which are indeed very different. It's something that struck me during s2 and 3 (especially in episodes like Coming of Shadows and Knives), but Londo's story through the last two seasons is one of redemption, which is the opposite of MacBeth's. (BTW, when I said MacBeth's death doesn't have any meaning for him I didn't want to say he wants to die. But he knows that even if he should defy prophecy and defeat MacDuff, his kingdom is lost to him, his wife is dead, all his crimes were in the end for nothing. Whereas Londo when dying knows that Centauri Prime will be free of the Drakh again, Sheridan and Delenn will keep their promise, Vir will be Emperor. Which is as much the result of Londo's later choices - free Narn, pursue a friendship with G'Kar, apologize, accept the Keeper and the living hell this means instead of dying immediately and letting Centauri Prime be destroyed - as the Drakh on Centauri Prime are the result of his earlier choices (Morden, the war, keeping Turhan's words secret etc.).