####Overview

When the Narn attack a Centauri colony, Londo and G’Kar nearly come to blows. Meanwhile, raiders are attacking transport ships near the station.
####Guest Stars

Paul Hampton as The Senator. Peter Trencher as Carn Mollari.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/001.html
####Backplot

Earth’s first contact with an alien race was with the Centauri. At the time, the Centauri claimed to be the dominant species in the galaxy, a “huge empire” – but (according to Garibaldi) this hasn’t been true for almost a hundred years. Furthermore, they tried to convince the Terrans that they were actually a Centauri lost colony, which genetic analysis proved also false.

All Centauri foresee the circumstances of their deaths in a dream. In Londo’s dream, it is 20 years in the future and he and a Narn have one another by the throat. When Londo first saw G’Kar, he recognized him as the one from his dream.

According to G’Kar, the Centauri occupation of his homeworld was a “hundred year reign of terror.”

The Sinclairs have been fighter pilots since the Battle of Britain. Jeffrey Sinclair’s father taught him everything he knows about flying and combat.

The Narn sold weapons to Earth during the Earth/Minbari war.

The first Mars colony was destroyed by an enemy sneak attack.

Ivanova’s mother was a long-undiscovered telepath, never able to use her powers very well. When the Psi Corps finally caught up to her, they put her on very potent psi-retardant drugs. “Every day we just watched her drift further and further away from us. The light in her eyes went out bit by bit. And when we thought she could go no further, she took her own life.” (cf. [[Eyes]] and [[Legacies]].)

Londo has enough clout to get a member of his family assigned to an agricultural colony rather than admitted to the military.
####Unanswered Questions

There are two references in this episode to a major event in the Centauri empire about a hundred years ago. What happened back then? (cf: [[Signs and Portents]], perhaps)

How did Kosh get into his encounter suit so quickly? When Sinclair visits to ask about his position on the Ragesh 3 situation, Kosh’s suit is in plain view but un-animated, the “shoulders” at rest about two feet below the “head” (which they normally encircle). Sinclair can see a large light moving behind a translucent screen; Kosh’s voice also appears to come from behind the screen. When Sinclair turns his back to go, the light flashes across him for a moment, and when he spins around the encounter suit is just reaching its full height, with Kosh as in it as he ever is.

When Londo tells Garibaldi he couldn’t possibly understand his situation, Garibaldi replies, “I understand better than you’ll ever know. I know it burns, I know the things it makes you want to do.” What was he referring to? (cf: [[Survivors]], perhaps)

How did G’Kar know about the Centauri decision to make no response to the Ragesh 3 attack?

Why did Kosh attend the council session?

Is it part of a larger Narn plan to supply the raiders with weapons?

What is Garibaldi’s most favorite thing in the universe?
####Analysis

From the things they say about each others’ races at various times during this episode, neither Londo nor G’Kar seem likely to strive for lasting peace:

• Londo: “We should have wiped out your kind when we had the chance!…On the issue of galactic peace I am long past innocence and fast approaching apathy. It’s all a game, a paper fantasy of names and borders. Only one thing matters: blood calls out for blood.”
• G’Kar: “Your time has come and gone! It’s our turn now. One night you’ll wake up and find our teeth at your throat…I will confess that I look forward to the day when we have cleansed the universe of the Centauri and carved their bones into flutes for Narn children. ‘Tis a dream I have.”

Londo was absolutely consumed by anger and hatred. He would have sacrificed peace and justice for personal vengeance. (cf: [[By Any Means Necessary]])

The Narn attack a distant easy target with little military value. This must have been to test the Centauri reaction – see how many ships they send in response, how hard they’re willing to fight to defend any part of their territory. The Narn are forced to withdraw for non-military reasons, but they learn a great deal about their enemies with that move.

Ivanova is surprised to hear Sinclair defend the honor of the Minbari. (cf: [[The Gathering]])

The EA is not in a strong enough position at home to take an ethical stance toward its neighbors. “The Earth Alliance can’t go around being the galaxy’s policemen,” says the senator, “They want to fight it out, let’em. Just keep us out of it – at least until after the election.”

One of the most alien moments was watching Delenn try to understand Garibaldi’s cartoons and popcorn. She is at times a sage, and sometimes an innocent.

Sinclair claims he confiscated data crystals detailing Narn communications that confirm Londo’s claims about the situation at Ragesh 3. However, Sinclair has bluffed before (cf: [[The Gathering]]). There is no proof that the crystals actually contained data.
####Notes

Centauri have no major arteries in their wrists.

Garibaldi knows about the habitual movements of the senior staff (Sinclair turning off his link during down time at C&C, Ivanova going to the bar after work).

Garibaldi has had prior experience with the raiders. (“I knew they’d be back sooner or later.”)

Ships move to and from the “secondary jump point” through hyperspace via the primary.

Starfuries can take multiple hits from Narn heavy weapons without losing function.

Earth is ruled by a Senate and a popularly elected President, though it remains to be seen how much these positions resemble those of today’s USA. America, Russia, and China are among the “states” in this democracy.

A Senate subcommittee can dictate Sinclair’s vote on the council.

G’Kar’s spoo was quite fresh that week.

Sinclair attributes two aphorisms to his father:

• “The best way to understand someone is to fight him, make him angry. That’s when you see the real person.”
• “Ignore the propaganda. Focus on what you see.”

Kosh speaks:

• K: They are alone. They are a dying people. We should let them pass.
• S: Who, the Narn or the Centauri?
• K: Yes.

Shipping companies buy access to the jumpgates in bulk, then sell it on the open market. However, the schedules are kept secret to protect against piracy.

All incoming ships log their routes through Ivanova’s console.

A Narn weapons deal always includes an advisor who instructs the buyer in the weapons’ use and insures they aren’t sold to a third party.

All Earth Telepaths are given three options: join the Psi Corps, go to jail, or take drugs. Unlicensed telepaths are heavily controlled in the name of protecting public privacy.

Luis Santiago wins the presidential election over challenger Marie Crane. His platform included promises to cut the budget and keep Earth out of war. His agenda for his coming term includes cultivating a closer relationship with the Mars colony and “preserving Earth cultures in the face of growing non-Terran influences” (cf: [[The War Prayer]], [[Survivors]])