####Overview

A violent attack on a Minbari poet rocks B5 and leaves Sinclair scrambling to flush out a vicious pro-Earth group. Two star-crossed young Centauri lovers seek Londo’s protection. Ivanova is shaken when a man from her past arrives at the outpost.
####Guest Stars

Nancy Lee Grahn as Shaal Mayan. Danica McKellar as Aria Tensus. Rodney Eastman as Kiron Maray. Tristan Rogers as Malcolm Biggs. Michael Paul Chan as Roberts.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/007.html
####Backplot

The Homeguard, a radical pro-Earth group, has wide support among humans, and is growing in popularity back on Earth.

Shaal Mayan is a renowned Minbari poet. “I create and perform Tee’la,” she says: “poem songs that attempt to recall old memories and prompt new ideas.”

The only two human beings ever to have direct contact with a Vorlon have since been transferred to Earth – Dr. Kyle to work closely with the president (cf [[Infection]]), and the telepath Lyta Alexander just a week later. Neither of them shared their experiences with anyone on the station. (cf [[The Gathering]])

Londo has three wives, all of them arranged marriages, all of them “great sacrifices.” “They inspire me! Knowing that they are waiting at home for me is what keeps me here, 75 light years away.”

Ivanova used to be involved with a fellow named Malcolm Biggs, but left him when she enlisted in Earth Force 8 years ago.

More insight into Londo’s personality and Minbari beliefs:

Mayan: Ambassador, you should listen to the girl. We Minbari consider love to be a most potent force for healing. She cares deeply for him. Such feelings can turn the tide when all else fails.

Londo: Oh I see. And if he dies, despite this great power of lo-

Mayan: If he dies, she will suffer enormous grief, but every moment together will make her grief a little less.

Londo: I would expect such logic from a poet. What can a Minbari know about Centauri feeling?

Mayan: Ambassador, I have traveled far and seen much. And what I have seen tells me that all sentient beings are defined by their capacity and need for love.

Londo: And she will learn to live without it!

Mayan: As you did?

later…

Vir: Kiron may die because our “glorious” tradition values wealth and power over love.

Londo: My shoes are too tight.

Vir: Excuse me?

Londo: Something my father said. He was old, very old at the time. I went into his room, and he was sitting alone in the dark, crying. So I asked him what was wrong, and he said, “My shoes are too tight, but it doesn’t matter, because I have forgotten how to dance.” I never understood what that meant until now. My shoes are too tight, and I have forgotten how to dance.

Unanswered Questions

The black light camouflage suits worn by the Homeguard henchmen were developed by Earth Force; friends of Malcolm’s procured some prototypes for them. Is a faction of Earth Force actually backing the Homeguard for its own reasons?

Londo seems to have had a troubled childhood (see Backplot). What happened that he’s so aggressive and melancholy? None of the other Centauri seem particularly so.

Why is Kosh studying human history, as Sinclair’s conversation with him appears to reveal, especially when he says “We have no interest in the affairs of others?” Perhaps for some reason Kosh does not consider humans “others.” Or perhaps by “affairs” he meant the passing events of the day, as compared to the millennia of a civilization.
####Analysis

The Homeguard sign branded onto Shaal Mayan’s forehead is a combination of male and female symbols from ancient Greek mythos. Perhaps it’s a contemporary symbol for humankind.

Vir passed himself off as the Centauri ambassador in letters to his cousins, and later rebukes Londo to his face about his decision on the matter. This is quite bold compared to the quavering fop he’s been before.

Londo’s nicknames for his wives are “Pestilence, Famine, and Death” – three of the four horsemen of the apocalypse from ancient Christian mythos. Who is the fourth horseman War? Perhaps Londo himself.

Talking to Kosh about the attacks on non-humans, Sinclair breaks off right after asking him to “lend a hand.” Not long later Sinclair wonders aloud to Ivanova how an assassin had managed to poison Kosh on the “hand,” through his encounter suit. (cf [[The Gathering]])

Sinclair was brusque and callous to Delenn and the Abbai agricultural representative at the diplomatic reception. He also declared to the assembled Council that the hate-crime investigation was closed, offering neither arrests nor evidence of safety. This was part of his ruse to win the Homeguard’s trust, but he may still have injured his reputation with other races.

The Homeguard plot on the station was, according to its leader Malcolm Biggs, part of a much bigger plot to kill prominent aliens all over the Earth Alliance.

Black light camouflage is a similar technology to the chameleon net the assassin used in “The Gathering.” However, it requires an entire body-suit and only works while the user is motionless. No mention was made of what was done with the four suits captured with the Homeguard henchmen – Garibaldi may have stashed them away somewhere. And it’s unlikely that those were the only four suits in existence; perhaps the technology will be seen again (cf. [[Babylon Squared]].)
####Notes

Mayan, a childhood friend of Delenn’s, arrived on the station on a tour of other worlds. Earth was to have been her next stop.

Mayan (of her attacker): “All I could see was a shadow. It was a shadow, that is all I know.”

(cf [[Signs and Portents]], perhaps?)

Ivanova is illegally growing coffee in the station hydroponics area.

Kosh speaks.

…

Sinclair: Meanwhile it might be helpful if you spoke with the other ambassadors.

Kosh: We take no interest in the affairs of others.

Sinclair: Well I hope you’ll reconsider. If you could give us a hand, we –

Kosh: Yes?

Sinclair: Nothing. We’ll respect your wishes. pause

That’s quite a viewer. I’ve never seen anything like it before. What is it?

Kosh: Efficient.

Sinclair: Those are images from my world. If I may ask, what are you –

Kosh: I am studying.

Sinclair: Studying what?

Kosh: shuts down

The images on Kosh’s levitating viewer were zoom-ins on pictorial records from Earth history throughout the span of its civilization.