Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Larry DiTillio
Directed by John C. Flinn III

The one thing that has been a recurring theme to me as I rewatch the series Babylon 5, was just how prescient J. Michael Straczynski was with what he wrote. Of course, a lot of it is that we don’t learn from our past mistakes and repeat the same thing over and over again despite the fact that we should know better. Could Straczynski have predicted the American public would willingly elect someone into the White House who promoted fascism and authoritarianism twice? I doubt it, but apparently, as those who lived through the second world war died off and people forgot what the Nazis were like to live under, the next generation decided to embrace them with open arms. The same is true of those who are embracing the Shadows in Babylon 5.

As the Centauri in general, and Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik) in particular, embrace the help the Shadow Race has given them, they don’t realize what the cost will be. Some of it begins here, as Londo finds himself ostracized by the very people on Babylon 5 he once thought of as friends.

Londo is on Centauri Prime and meets with Lord Refa (William Forward) and asks why he has been summoned there. Refa tells him that the Narn/Centauri War is about to end and that he (Londo) is the architect of that victory.

Meanwhile, Minbari Ambassador Delenn (Mira Furlan) is meditating on Babylon 5 and seems to connect with someone. In C&C, they detect an unusual energy signature from the planet below. Lt. Commander Susan Ivanova (Claudia Christian) is letting Captain Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) know when the connection is interrupted and Draal (John Schuck) appears in his quarters, saying they need to talk. He invites Sheridan down to Epsilon III for a visit.

The background on Draal is in the first season episodes A Voice in the Wilderness Part 1 and A Voice in the Wilderness Part 2. He is a Minbari of the Religious Caste who has taken control of The Great Machine on the planet Epsilon III which is nearest to Babylon 5 in space.

Narn Ambassador G’Kar (Andreas Katsulas) meets with other Narn on Babylon 5 and receives a report that the war isn’t going as well as they have been trying to project. G’Sten (W. Morgan Sheppard) argues that they need to commit all of the Narn forces to a strike on the Centauri supply lines. This would mean leaving the Narn homeworld with a skeleton crew guarding them.

Unfortunately, the Centauri are already very well aware of the Narn plan. Lord Refa plans to launch an assault on the Narn Homeworld while they are off attacking the supply lines. Londo argues against the plan because the weapons Refa intends to use will break numerous treaties. Londo agrees to go along with it, but he is troubled.

Draal tells Sheridan and Delenn that he is placing the capabilities of Epsilon III at his disposal. He can see what is coming and wants to give them hope. He also cautions Sheridan about telling Earth government about this alliance.

This has been a hard and trying year for you, Captain Sheridan. It might be helpful for you to know that you are not alone. And that in the long, twilight struggle which lies ahead of us there is the possibility of hope.

– Draal

The Shadows ambush the Narn ships that are attacking the Centauri supply base. G’Sten is forced to attack them when the fleet can’t jump back into hyperspace. A battle ensues and the Narn are decimated. As they are attempting to initiate a jump point, The Shadows fire into it and the remaining fleet is destroyed. G’Kar has been meditating on Babylon 5 and senses what has happened.

Security Chief Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle) tells Ivanova about the attack on the Narn homeworld. They attempt to prepare Babylon 5 for the rioting that will result once the news hits Babylon 5. Sheridan and Delenn arrive back to major rioting as fighting has broken out all over the station.

Londo watches as the Centauri fleet bombs the Narn homeworld. He seems to sense he has set events in motion over which he no longer has any control.

After receiving a message from the Narn homeworld, G’Kar goes to Sheridan and asks for sanctuary, as they have instructed him. He is the last member of the Narn governing body, the Kha’Ri who is safe at this point in time.

Londo arrives back on Babylon 5 and tells the Advisory Council that the Narn have unconditionally surrendered to the Centauri. He tells them the Kha’Ri is disbanded and they will be tried for war crimes. Sheridan asks for Earth to be able to send observers to the hearings and Londo denies that request. He also informs them that the penalty for the murder of any Centauri by any Narn will result in the execution of 500 Narn. The Centauri will also install their own government on the Narn Homeworld and treat it as one of the Centauri colonies. He also informs them that G’Kar can no longer be the Ambassador for the Narn.

Sheridan then informs Londo he has granted sanctuary to G’Kar and he can remain here as long as he wants and he will not be sent to the Narn Homeworld for trial. Londo demands G’Kar be removed from the Advisory Council since he can no longer represent the Narn.

There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand.

– G’Kar

Sheridan meets with G’Kar and tells him how much he values his insight. Sheridan promises to help him as much as he can. Delenn asks Sheridan to meet with her in the Conference Center. She introduces him to the Rangers who have been operating under her command. She tells Sheridan he now has equal command. He states that Babylon 5 stands with this “army of light” in drawing a line against the darkness.

The Long Twilight Struggle is a pivotal episode of the series. It’s also where viewers will become lost if they don’t know the backstory. This is particularly the case with Draal, who was introduced in the first season and whose presence is confusing if you haven’t watched those episodes. I must say that I preferred the actor who initially portrayed Draal, Louis Turenne, to John Schuck. John Schuck really overacts here a bit and doesn’t have the serenity of the religious caste that Turenne seemed to project. Unfortunately, due to health issues, Turenne was not available and Schuck would portray Draal for the remainder of the series. I don’t like Schuck’s bombastic portrayal of Draal here at all.

Londo may have misgivings about what is happening, but he doesn’t do anything about them. He’s an observer of the events he’s set in motion with The Shadows and the Centauri. This is the way power corrupts insidiously. If Mr. Morden and The Shadows had shown Londo this, he might have balked at the destruction. However, couched in his humiliation and lack of standing among the Centauri, he’s willing to use the Narn to better his own standing without taking into account the toll that will take.

Acting here is perfect among so many of the cast. I especially noted Mr. Garibaldi’s face as he met Londo when he returned to Babylon 5. He can’t stand him at that point but stays polite. Jerry Doyle convinces us all he’s barely holding it together and absolutely furious with Londo, but must stick with station protocols. Andreas Katsulas is also tremendous as G’Kar. He’s under quite a bit of makeup and costuming and uses body language to show us G’Kar is nearly emasculated as he must first beg Sheridan for sanctuary and then stay silent as Londo challenges the Advisory Council and demands he must be removed. He is at a point where the future looks rather bleak, but he needs to find a little something to keep him going. He also realizes he can’t leave Babylon 5 or he will be arrested and executed by the Centauri.

Near the end of the episode, Londo is listening to a news broadcast about the Centauri annexing other worlds surrounding the Narn homeworld. The newscaster states that Earth Dome is not buying into the promise by the Centauri not to expand beyond the retaking of the Narn Homeworld. This is all eerily similar to the current situation between Ukraine and Russia. And it would seem we’ve just put Lord Refa in charge.

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