VIIIIIIRRRRRRR! I love you!
Ahem.
What? What's that you say? You say Sheridan and the Minbari are the stars of this episode? Huh. I'm afraid I didn't notice.
Plot Synopsis:
The Lurker's Guide has a summary here.
The Skinny:
This is another one of those episodes that separates Centauriphiles like me from the rest of the fan base. I would be remiss, though, if I didn't comment on the central plot, so:
I like how Sheridan's storyline keeps alive his "Starkiller" reputation among the more militant Minbari. Likewise, I like how said storyline again reveals the rift between our newly transformed Delenn and those same Minbari. And I believe Lennier acquits himself quite well throughout. However, I do suspect this episode would've been better if Peter David had not revealed the truth to us at the start. It is clear from minute one that Sheridan killed Levell in self-defense, and that really kills a lot of the plot's potential.
Okay, that's enough impartiality. Now let's discuss what I really care about: Vir in his cups. This episode is entirely run-of-the-mill until Vir gets drunk (on two drinks, naturally) and tells Londo how he truly feels about recent events. This scene alone is responsible for roughly seventy percent of my personal fanon where Vir is concerned because it packs in so much in such a very small span of time. As I wrote years ago:
Truly, in just a few minutes, this scene presents us with everything that makes Vir who he is - the conviction that Londo is better than his actions reveal him to be and all the despair that accompanies that belief; the above-mentioned damaging relationship with his kin; the profound loneliness; the struggle against years of conditioning to find the strength to assert himself and act according to the dictates of his heart; and lastly, his hesitance to share his burdens with others, for as soon as he finishes pouring out all of his anger, frustration, and sorrow, he apologizes and retreats, upset and very, very alone.
And Stephen Furst portrays all of this beautifully. In my opinion, it is his second best performance in the entire series. And alas, it gets lost amidst [the mediocrity that is] the rest of the episode.
So, bottom line, this would be a low-par episode if not for Vir. The intrigue surround Levell's death is only okay, Kosh's "lesson" feels a little out of place (likely because JMS inserted it later), and the souvenir emporium plot is only mildly humorous. But Vir? Vir is the pleasant surprise - the fleck of gold that somehow found itself in a lead bar.
Oh, and by the way, a little public service announcement: Gratuitous slams directed at The Other Space Station Show We Review go over like a fart in church 'round these here parts. I suggest avoiding them in the future.
Writing: 7.0
About five of these seven points are earned in Vir's scene.
Acting: 7.5
Is Stephen Furst the most under-rated actor on this show? Yes, I believe he is.
Message: 7.0
Sheridan's statement - highlighted below - that smaller principals make up the foundation upon which larger principals are built is quite true. Unfortunately, that's something that leaders of all political persuasions tend to forget.
Highlights:
LONDO: Well, well. How many drinks does that make for you now, hm?
VIR: (holding up four fingers) Two.
LONDO: Vir, drowned in your problems... (He stops, surprised.) Two? In all this time?
VIR: I like nursing my drinks.
LONDO: Vir. (He touches Vir's wrist.) This isn't you.
VIR: (his voice gradually rising) You're gonna lecture me on what is or isn't like someone? Everything you've done?
LONDO: (warning) Your voice, Vir. We're in public.
VIR: Yes, voices. The voices that keep me awake. The voices that I have to bottle up inside me so I can do my job!
LONDO: And you're doing it -- excellently.
VIR: Oh, yes, I'm keeping your secrets. Londo, I feel like I'm falling in a pit, and there's no way of climbing out.
LONDO: (defensive) Do you want to leave? Is that it? I can arrange it. You can go back home to --
VIR: To what? To my family? Do you think that if they wanted me around that I'd even be here? They just wanted me anywhere - anywhere - away. They had me sent here two years ago because, frankly, there wasn't much competition for the job. This was a joke to them. Before I left, my uncle said to me that you and I deserve each other.
LONDO: Well, Vir, you must know that is changing.
VIR: (darkly) Oh, don't I know that. (He reaches over the bar and hands Londo a communique.) This came this morning. Centauri Prime is sending a replacement for my position. It seems the job has become too important. They're sending someone that they've groomed for the role. (A beat.) Everywhere I go, I don't fit in, or I'm asked to leave.
LONDO: All right. I will talk with them. They cannot make you leave if I wish you to stay.
VIR: What you wish, what they wish -- I don't even know what I wish! I mean, back home, I'm swallowed in silence, and here I'm swallowed up by secrets! I'm caught between fire and flood, and if there's a way out, I sure don't see it. (Absolutely devastating. The best scene of the episode - and another one of Vir's top three.)
DELENN: You must understand, Captain, that there is no greater honor among my people than to serve. They work for generations to create a legacy - a tradition. In the service of their clan, they're willing to sacrifice everything. Their individuality. Their blood. Their life.
SHERIDAN: Their honor? Well, we've had plenty of that ourselves: conspiracies of silence because the larger ideals have to be protected. But you can't have larger ideals if the smaller ones get compromised. It's like building a house without a foundation, Delenn. It can't stand! (Indeed.)
LONDO: Feeling better, are we?
VIR: I don't know. I can't seem to count past... (He looks at his hands and counts.) ... fourteen.
LONDO: Your first hangover. Enjoy it! I remember my first hangover. Well, actually, that's not true. If I remember it, it wouldn't be a real hangover. (He leans closer to Vir's ear and shouts.) MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION?
VIR: (wincing) Anything, anything! Just... don't do that... again. (LOL! Oh, Londo, you still kill me even in your villain phase.)
LONDO: (suddenly serious) How quickly can you pack? (Vir looks up.) Your replacement arrived a few hours ago. Just in time, I might add.
VIR: (grim) I see. (He gets up and starts to leave.)
LONDO: Where are you going?
VIR: (sighing) To my quarters to pack.
LONDO: Why is it that you can never follow instructions? Start with this stuff first! (His gesture takes in the room.)
VIR: This is yours.
LONDO: Good, Vir, you're sobering up! I can see the synapses beginning to fire behind your eyes - a frightening sight, I might add. (A beat.) I informed Homeworld that if you were leaving, then I was leaving with you.
VIR: (stunned) What?!
LONDO: Yes, I gave them an extensive report of your work here to date. I told them that you were absolutely invaluable to me. That in all my years of service, I have never had a more skilled or capable assistant. I'm told your family was quite astonished. I spoke to your uncle personally.
VIR: You-you spoke to-to my uncle?
LONDO: Yes, Vir. By the time I was finished with him, he was ready to nominate you for godhood. I was quite magnificent really. You should have seen it - would have, had you been conscious at the time. I imagine they'll be talking about it for some time. (He chuckles, then softens.) Vir - I have perhaps not treated you as well as I should. I cannot change the past, but the present? Yes. (With affection.) Vir - stay. If you go, then as a matter of honor, I will have to go with you. And if I am forced to leave this place with all its marvelous opportunities, I will have to kill you. What are friends for? (Londo moves to leave.)
VIR: Londo? (Londo turns, and Vir delivers his next words with genuine emotion.) Thank you. (Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww. I love this relationship so much.)
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