Peter David, it bears repeating is one of those writers who know how to use an ensemble instead of just two or three characters. As with Soul Mates, we get three plots here (or four if you count Sheridan and Kosh as a seperate one) which occasionally intersect, and all of them are entertaining to watch. (Though I have my preferences, which will suprise no one when I get to them.)

To get the nitpick out of the way first: "They're making us sound like some deep space franchise! This station is about something!" Look, guys, I don't care whether this was David or a JMS-insert in the script, but as far as pot shots at Star Trek go, that's a rather hypocritical one. Not because DS9 happens to be a fabulous show, which it is, but because this very episode has a main plot that is directly stolen definitely inspired from Star Trek, that tried-and-true formula of the Captain/First Officer/Other Beloved Member of Crew who gets framed and tried for a crime he/she didn't commit. TOS did, all subsequent Trek shows did it, but let me tell you, none of the subsequent Trek shows stole paid homage so directly as to actually use the "Vulcans Minbari don't lie" line.

Back to the episode. Predictable as the Sheridan-gets-framed plot was, I did enjoy it, and not just because we briefly get to see Julie Caitlin Brown again. (Why oh why couldn't she stay as Na'Toth? That was a rethorical question.) It's good continuity in terms of using Sheridan's backstory and the Minbari resentment again, and it shows that for Sheridan at this stage despite his attraction to Delenn, those issues aren't settled, either; he's awfully quick at first to believe Delenn is involved in the frame job. The casual racism shown towards Delenn from our Minbari guest character made me feel for her in a way Neroon's hostility did not, btw.

Cheap shot aside, the merchandising plot is worth it for the "so you feel yourself symbolically cas---t in a bad light" quip and the teddy bear alone.

But the price for best character scenes, uncontested in my mind, goes to Vir and Londo. Their subplot has the least space and yet manages to pack a lot of punch and do some crucial things regarding both Vir's character and their relationship. It shows Vir's mixed feelings - on the one hand, he suffers under keeping Londo's secrets and the aiding and abetting that goes with this, on the other, he doesn't want to return home because, and this is important to understand what Vir's loyalty to Londo originally was based on, Londo is the first person who actually wants him around, who notices Vir as a person. We see the similarities between them - both originally got their jobs as a joke, out of disregard from others - as well as the differences; Vir, as Londo says much later, did not get cynical as a result. We also see that the relationship goes both ways by now and isn't one sided. (And note how the tone is shifting towards more equality; Vir's "what you want, what they want, how about what I want?" outburst would have been unthinkable for first season Vir.) Londo tries to help not just with the immediate problem (the threat to Vir's job) but the underlying one (disrespect towards Vir from his family and on Centauri Prime). Mind you, I think here he also miscalculates, because the relationship between Vir and his uncle (with descriptions like "swallowed up in silence" and Vir's later "and to find someone who could actually love someone like me" hinting at complete emotional neglect) doesn't sound as if it could be patched up by a visit and Londo praising Vir. But it's good to see him try.