"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

[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.).