Recap and discussion of 4 x 6 – Into the Fire

This episode contains my favorite scene in the entire series. I’ll bet you can guess which one it is!

Ivanova is searching for the First Ones and Lorien tells her there is one more. It appears.

John arrives at the battle and says “take us into the fire!”

Londo arrives home. The little minister mentions they’re in mourning for the emperor and Londo tells him to get busy; he needs the head of intelligence, transportation and war right away. He know they must get rid of the Shadows or they will be destroyed by the Vorlons. He tells the minister to get rid of all of Cartagia’s people. He says they must tell Mr. Morden the bad news.

Delenn tells John that Ivanova is on her way.

Lorien talks to Susan, telling her how a short life is a gift – because ‘only those whose lives are brief can imagine that love is eternal. You should embrace that remarkable illusion; it may be the greatest gift your race has ever received.’ (Don’t tell me JMS isn’t a romantic!)

The minister of Intelligence comes to Londo and tells him that Morden, not Refa, ordered Adira’s death. Londo is so angry that he cries and trashes the room after the man leaves.

Morden is brought before Londo. He tells him to remove the Shadows from the island that Cartagia gave them and Morden laughs, saying the Vorlons won’t kill 3 billion people. Londo has his associates shot. Morden refuses to have them leave and Londo nukes the island then has Morden taken away.

Susan arrives with Lorien and the Shadows and Vorlons face off.

Londo tells Vir he has removed the last of the Shadow influence - go look in the garden. He does. Morden’s head is on a pike. Vir thinks of the day Morden asked him what he wanted and Vir had told him that he would wave to his head one day… and he does.

The First Ones come in and blow up the Vorlon planet killer.

The planet killer arrives just as Vir reminds Londo that there is one more Shadow influence and Londo asks Vir to kill him - just as the Vorlons call all their ships to Coriana VI. The planet killer leaves.

Lorien comes onboard as the Vorlons and the Shadows try to explain themselves to John and Delenn, which Lorien broadcasts to all the fleet. They each explain their philosophies and in the end, the alliance members are willing to die to protect John and Delenn. Lorien tells the Vorlons and Shadows that they are no longer needed and that the younger races can stand on their own. He will go with them beyond the rim… and John says “Now get the hell out of our galaxy, the both of you!"

He and Delenn declare it the third age.



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Quotes:
Delenn: …Not gone. Now we make our own magic. Now we create our own legends. Now we build the future. Now we stop...
John Sheridan: Being afraid... of Shadows.
Marcus: Did we just win?
Susan: Don't jinx it.
John, in answer to Delenn asking why a third age: Well, we began in chaos, too primitive to make our own decisions. Then we were manipulated by forces from outside that thought *they* knew what was best for us. And now, - Now we're finally standing on our own.


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Questions:
1. Was the actual end of the war a letdown? The whined and asked mommy could they go home? Really?
2. What about Londo? Was he lovable again for you? Not?
3. Did you love the Vir and Morden’s head scene?
4. Now what? Did you ask yourself that the first time you saw it?


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Sources:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Fire_(Babylon_5)
Wikiquote: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Babylon_5#The_Long_Night
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517661/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu
Lurker’s Guide to Babylon 5: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/072.html\