Overall: 8.0
And here is yet another episode in which one plot is standard filler and the other is damn near feature-worthy. And who are the lead characters in the superior plot? I'll give you one guess.
Plot Synopsis:
The Lurker's Guide has a summary here.
The Skinny:
Although this episode is not one of the series' absolute best when considered as a whole, it is a very dear favorite of mine because of what it does for Londo and, to a lesser extent, Vir.
Londo's greatest strength is his willingness to invest all of his emotional energy and trust in companions who are stronger and more moral than he is -- and his filial attachment to Urza Jaddo is yet one more illustration of that redemptive quality. Urza tells Londo things Londo doesn't wish to hear about Refa's faction - indeed, Urza falls just shy of shouting warnings at Londo from the proverbial rooftops - but Londo doesn't dismiss his old friend. Instead, for just a instant, he becomes a better man. He becomes a man who won't hesitate to stand up for a comrade. He becomes a man who keeps his promises. He becomes a man who is incapable of killing wholly without compunction. The Londo that Urza brings to the surface is the tragic hero we will see in later seasons -- and that Londo is absolutely heartbreaking to watch.
Meanwhile, Larry DiTillio also brings us more of that BEAUTIFUL LOVE that exists between Londo and Vir. On the lighter side, watching the two of them argue over opera composers - opera composers! - makes me grin like mad. On the more serious side, I love how Vir takes on the role of wise friend and comforter as Urza's doom unfolds. He urges Londo not to dwell too much on his Edenic vision of the Republic's past. He tries to convince Londo not to go through with the Morago, but when it becomes clear that Londo's made up his mind, he quietly provides his support. And when Urza finally commits suicide-by-duel, Vir attempts to offer Londo both solace and sound advice. Vir's relationship with Londo doesn't reach full maturity until the early fourth season, but even here, Vir and Londo share a magnificent intimacy that is replicated nowhere else.
There was also a plot in this episode that featured Sheridan, but who cares about that?
Writing: 8.0
The Centauri plot? Awesome. The Sheridan plot? Not bad, really, but it pales in comparison to the saga of Londo and Urza. To be honest, I usually fast-forward through the Sheridan bits to get to the good stuff.
Acting: 8.0
Peter Jurasik is phenomenal. The emotion you see on Londo's face when Urza dies really kicks you in the gut. Carmen Argenziano's performance, on the other hand, feels strained and awkward in several places; I suspect the Centauri accent* made him uncomfortable, and that discomfort got translated into some unnecessary affectations. Elsewhere, we see some nice, quiet work from Stephen Furst, and the human performers generally hit the correct notes.
(*Regarding the accent, I honestly can't imagine Londo being portrayed any other way, but it's an unfortunate truth that Jurasik's quasi-Transylvanian pronunciations and inflections are damnably difficult to replicate. Will Forward (Refa) comes the closest, but even he doesn't get it quite right.)
Message: 8.0
When you make deals with shady men, don't be surprised when your decent friends start to bite the dust.
Highlights:
Appreciation of the first highlight requires video:
(Hee! I love my Centauri so much.)
LONDO: Oh, those were great times, Vir! We were young. Proud. Fierce. Bursting to prove ourselves to each other and to the world. Our starships ruled the space ways, and our power was rivaled by that of the gods only. Ah, Great Maker - it was good to be a Centauri then.
VIR: Every generation of Centauri mourns for the glory days when their power was like unto the gods. It-it-it's counter-productive. I mean, why make history if you fail to learn by it? (Indeed.)
(After Sheridan shoots a phantom grylor in his quarters...)
SHERIDAN: It was no nightmare. I saw it. At least... I think I did.
GARIBALDI: Hey, it happens. I mean, I once saw a whole chorus line of purple wombats doing show tunes in my bathtub. Of course, I was pretty drunk at the time. (LOL!)
REFA: What can I do for you, Mollari?
LONDO: I am told Vocator Jaddo will be declared a traitor by the Centaurum?
REFA: He is a traitor.
LONDO: Don't be a fool. Urza may differ with a few politicians, but he would never betray the Republic. I will vouch for him personally.
REFA: Have you said this publicly?
LONDO: It will not be necessary. I want the resolution dropped.
REFA: It is already accomplished!
LONDO: Well then unaccomplish it! Urza is a friend - more than a friend. A dueling comrade! My house and his have been allied since the earliest days of the Republic. I will stand up for him!
REFA: That is unfortunate. I'm afraid the political repercussions will be very grave. House Jaddo is crumbling - and anyone who defends it will crumble as well. We'll try to protect you, of course, but if your link with this man gets out, you may no longer fit in with our plans.
LONDO: I fit in with your plans? Perhaps you are forgetting who made your plans a reality - and how it was done!
REFA: Mollari - if you insist on clinging to the coat of a doomed man, there is little I can do. But - I will try.
LONDO: (seething) Yes. (Londo then cuts the connection.)
VIR: (who has been watching all of the above unfold) You know, on rare occasions, I am proud to be your attaché. (I'm with you there, Vir. This is in fact one of Londo's better moments.)
LONDO: Quite an impressive array of guests. Nobles, every one, hmm?
URZA: They are friends. And when I announce our alliance against those who seek to dishonor my house and the Republic, they will make sure word is spread throughout the court.
LONDO: It will not be necessary. I've taken care of it.
URZA: What do you mean?
LONDO: Well, you've asked for my help. I've given it. No charges will be made against you or your house.
URZA: The resolution has already been brought before the Centaurum - and my sources assure me it will pass.
LONDO: Well, that's not possible. Lord Refa promised --
URZA: Refa? What do you have to do with him?
LONDO: He is a friend - a man of great influence. With his help, we intend --
URZA: I will get no help from that assassin! It was he who brought the resolution before the Centaurum!
LONDO: You must be mistaken.
URZA: Knowledge is a basic tool of politics. Mine is considerable. But I never dreamed you would be a part of his schemes. Why, Londo?
LONDO: I have a destiny to fulfill - one which will take our people back to a golden age. We are Centauri, Urza. We are meant to conquer, to rule, to build empires. You, the hero of Gorash, should know that!
URZA: I am an old hero - and what I saw ended at Gorash still haunts me in the night! I do not want to return to that kind of glory, Londo.
LONDO: You listen to me, Urza: no one can stop this. A new day is coming to our people - a great day. And I can help you be a part of it.
URZA: You cannot build an empire based on slaughter and deceit! Turhan knew that. I thought you did too. (Ouch.)
VIR: What were you thinking? You can't fight a duel to the death!
LONDO: I must. Urza and I are Couro Prido - proud knives. It would bring disgrace to our house if I were to decline his challenge. Those noble friends of his would see to that.
VIR: Disgrace is preferable to death!
LONDO: There was a time when I would've agreed with you. That time has passed.
VIR: Londo, this is insane!
LONDO: Insanity is part of the times! You must learn to embrace the madness - let it fire you.
(After Londo strikes his fatal blow...)
URZA: A fair stroke, Paso Leati.
LONDO: Why did you make me do this, Urza?
URZA: My family. I could not let them share my disgrace. This way, I die with honor, and you will see they are protected.
LONDO: Yes, yes. I promise it. I will guard them as if they were my own.
URZA: Thank you, old friend. I will miss you... (And this scene features one of Peter Jurasik's finest performances. There are many, yes, but this is definitely one of them.)
VIR: Londo - you had no choice. He could've killed you.
LONDO: He could've killed me any time. He was right, you know. I never could best him with a coutari. But my death would not have saved his family.
VIR: I don't understand.
LONDO: By the laws of the Morago, the victor must accept the loser's family as part of his own. They are House Mollari now. They cannot be harmed by the resolution passed against Urza. He sacrificed himself. (Londo sighs.) I have made many choices lately, Vir. And today, for the first time... I am not sure those choices were right.
VIR: Perhaps some good has come out of this tragedy. It's not too late to make some new choices. (Vir's hope here causes physical pain, especially since we all know Londo won't listen.)
LONDO: No. The blood is already on my hands. Right or wrong, I must follow the path to its end. (I am in blood/ Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more,/ Returning were as tedious as go o'er. - Macbeth)
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