The Coming of Shadows

From The Great Machine

Episode Title: The Coming of Shadows
Episode Number: S2E09
Original Air Date: February 1, 1995
DVD Release Date: April 29, 2003
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Director: Janet Greek
Guest Stars: Turhan Bey, Malachi Throne, William Forward

1 Preview
2 Synopsis
- 2.1 Main Plot
3 Characters
- 3.1 Season 2 Cast

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The aging Centauri Emperor travels to Babylon 5.

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot, character development, or ending details follow.

When Emperor Turhan of the Centauri Republic decides to pay a surprise visit to Babylon 5, G'Kar decides to assassinate him. He's not the only one with designs on the throne.

Lord Refa, a power-hungry associate of Londo's, wants Londo to deliver an address that will decry the Emperor's politics, a speech which will be remembered after the Emperor's death, already planned by Refa and his backers.

Before the Emperor can even be touched by either party, he falls to heart attacks for the final time. In medlab, he entrusts Franklin to deliver a royal apology to G'Kar.

Meanwhile, Refa panics, fearing that a competing assassin has struck first. Londo offers to summon the Shadows to destroy a Narn colony in Quadrant 14, and Refa sends a flotilla of Centauri warships to claim the territory. Arriving Narn ships are shot down by the Centauri, and the Narn respond by declaring war on the Centauri.

It is revealed, though only to Garibaldi and Delenn, that Sinclair's duties on Minbar are to prepare for the coming of the Shadows. His warning, though it cannot be revealed to anyone else is to beware... and stay close to the Vorlon.

(Attrib: B5 LogBook [1])