@BunkerGearGal When I think of Mass Drivers, I think of Star Wars: Empire at War Forces of Corruption, except the mass drivers here are much MUCH more powerful than in that game.
This is the crucial moment that breaks Londo - after witnessing the bombardment, his funny and outgoing self disappears for a very long time, replaced by something darker and colder.
His guilt eventually manifests itself - as a heart attack in Season 5. Then, Londo has to confront his own conscience over all the poor choices he made for 5 years.
@AlexeiVoronin Perhaps he became dark and cold because he felt like he didn't deserve to have friends or be happy, I know that in his shoes, I'd feel that way.
i still don't care about the regret, the horror on his face, and his eventual fate at the hands of the drakh. i still hate londo for causing so much anguish upon the narn people.
@silaku You aren't supposed to feel sorry for Londo... he's not a hero.
He's a man who is utterly damned by his choices and even though he knows it's too good to be true, he makes the deal with the devil and can't turn back.
To paraphrase the man himself, he went from having all the choices and no power, to having all the power and no choices.
He didn't want this for the Narn but such is the fate of men such as he.
@ProphetTenebrae I think you can still feel sorry for him, just not in the same way you'd feel sorry for a "good guy." That is, when bad things happen to good people it feels unfair. What happens to Londo doesn't arouse that kind of sentiment. But you can definitely feel pity for somebody who thought he knew what he wanted, but who discovers in the end that all he's worked for is ash and rendered meaningless in light of what it cost to attain.
@Neichus This is true enough but I'd say you're supposed to empathise more than sympathise. You're supposed to feel his guilt, his gut wrenching realisation of what his actions have wrought and how he's responsible.
For some reason, I can picture Lord Refa watching the bombing with wicked glee and drinking some wine while laughing at all the pain and suffering he's inflicting on the Narns. If the writers had shown that sort of scene, Refa would likely have been ranked the top bad guy on Babylon 5!
@darkshvein Here is the difference. Obama is rescuing the Lybians. it would be like the Vorlons stopping the bombardment of the Centauri and protecting the Narn.
@Ryooken Whenever there is an oil nation involved, I question the actual unstated motives of modern military actions by the powerful western world (ie, not talked about much if at all in mainstream or "extremely-wealthy-owned" media). Iraq switched oil sales to Euros in 2000 and soon, it was under attack. If people don't know that US dollar value is propped up by a near monopoly of 'oil nations' using US dollars for oil sales (creating demand/value for US $) then they miss a key point.
... this isn't to suggest some sort of "blame the US" because in my opinion, there are powerful people transcending national boundaries (ie, found in multiple nations and not just the US) and their concerns aren't really contained and restricted within a lower level of "nations" (IMHO, the concept of "nations" is mostly just a concept for the masses to cling to). The interaction of bound up economic forces manipulating money and whole economies seems to me to go beyond simple national borders.
@mediaservant1 You're not wrong. Epic, intelligent storytelling at it's very best. Brilliant performances from the entire cast and CGI used to enhance the story and not used mearly as decoration. This one scene illustrates Londo's spiral into darkness.
I love when the view shifts to behind Londo you see the shadow of the other ship covering his face. Given his working relationship with Morden it's probably symbolic especially since he allowed this to happen.
Let's not forget what the technomage said to him:
I see a great hand reaching out from a star and I hear billiojns of people calling your name.
I never get all this super-weapon planet destroyer thing. From space it's simpler and cheaper to snag a few handy asteroids and throw them at the planet.
An old sci-fi book 'Footfall' by Niven and Pournelle showcased the concept.
Generally Kinetic weapons would be much more cost-effective in space warfare than hugely expensive energy systems (and much harder to shield against too )
And for that matter if you are going to build a ship in space, why not make it mostly of wood instead of metal?
@2009worstyearever I can only assume the blast radius of using these mass drivers is massive... thus a major risk to the Centauri ships that fired them.
@2009worstyearever Reload time limits their use against mobile targets like warships. These things don't have magazines that carry rounds for the mass driver. Each asteroid has to be pulled into place and loaded into the mechanism.
@frostvectron Nah, it was a Vorlon. They were angry that we didn't get to see their Planet Killer in action but got to see the Centauri Mass Drivers and Shadow Death Cloud do their thing.
I think it's at this moment that he realises he has damned himself. This is one of the most poignant scenes in the entire movie - the music is powerful and that facial expression ... is simply beyond words. He knows exactly what he has done and he hates himself for it.
I've just started to watch B5 again, just saw this epsoide, it amazing how well some of the CGI holds up specailly this scene I think rocks! But the storie is still the best bit I so wish there could be another sci fi series that could match this.
Poor old Londo ... you can see here how his mind is pulled away from the cultural ego-centric teachings his own society has ingrained in him towards a realization of what is truly right an correct. He is caught in a quicksand of having obligations that trap him into fulfilling his role as a Centauri and what he feels as not right and just!. Zooming in, he looks like an astonished ghost against the window showing his reflection of regretful astonishment at what he has been part of!
@AlbertaWildman Londo made decisions based on what he thought was right but he never betrayed his Love for Centauri Prime...anyone who would do harm to his people he would either KILL or get rid of them
@vigorosoPIMPJr Oh yes, you are 100% correct in saying that he would destroy anyone who wished harm on the Centauri species or home planet.
But he is still a betrayer. He would rescind on any deal made if said deal benefitted himself or his planet. His love for his species and home world formed him into becoming the betrayer that he is.
@AlbertaWildman I agree but in B5 every person is a Betrayer one way or another to their conscious, love and beliefs. You have Delen who Betrayed her people by chaging into half human/mimabari before the approval of the Satai's, then you have Captain Sheridan who betrayed Earth by going rogue then you have Lenier who betrayed Delen when sheridan was stuck in the room w/the radiation leak, then you have the Vorlon who attacked the shadows interfering on behalf of the Humans etc...
This scene reminds me of the Technomage's final parting words to Londo, and it is an odd coincidence.
"Well take this for what little it will profit you. As I look at you ambassador Mollari, I see a great hand reaching out of the stars. The hand is your hand. And I hear sounds. The sounds of billions of people calling your name."
@ambiancesb Yes, that was a powerful scene... such small amount of words but such power when the technomage said "your victims!"! Londo and G'Kar were such interesting characters. They both changed so much and to simplify Babylon 5 down to the core, it could be said the entire series was an interaction between Londo and G'Kar! But they are just symbols within our own situation as humans with egos trying to understand a greater goal beyond the ego of group, nation, race!
@KiwiKugai, albeit he does manage to vindicate himself in part in series 4 - in his Crowning Moment Of Awesome.
(copied form TV Tropes) Londo: "Yes, your ships are very impressive in space, or in the air. But they are on the ground now." Morden: "So? They can sense an approaching ship from miles away! So what are you going to do, Mollari? Blow up the island?" Londo: "Actually..." [produces detonator from his jacket] "Now that you mention it..."
@alcockell True, but in the end, it did him no good. Despite his best intentions, Londo dug himself a hole so deep that there was very little in the way of options for him in the final analysis.
I'm surprised there were so few casualties from this attack.
flaviusclaudius7510 1 month ago in playlist Liked videos
Poor Narn. It was boned the moment the Centuari came out of hyperspace.
BONED!
C0mmanderEddingt0n 1 month ago
Funny thing about Londo. This used to be what he wanted (sort of), but when the moment finally comes he has to look away.
themissncfan 2 months ago
@themissncfan It's one thing to say a you wish a thing to be done . Actually witnessing that thing being done is totally different.
Fbueller129 2 days ago
Mass drivers/rail guns were first conceived by Robert A. Heinlein in his book, "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress". Just, y'know, so you know.
narnsrule 2 months ago
@narnsrule And in this video the Mass Drivers are visualised als he meant them to be.
ingotjuh 2 months ago
the Centuari got what they deserved in the end
xadam2dudex 3 months ago
What a damned weapon those Mass Drivers are!!!
BunkerGearGal 4 months ago
@BunkerGearGal When I think of Mass Drivers, I think of Star Wars: Empire at War Forces of Corruption, except the mass drivers here are much MUCH more powerful than in that game.
starflame34 3 months ago
@starflame34
Mass drivers are already in development as a weapon by the US Navy. As in their rail gun project.
mecher3k 3 months ago
Babylon 5, what a SciFi show is supposed to be like.
Nanofuture87 4 months ago 3
1...2...3... goose bumps.
Orca8472 4 months ago
One of the most powerful moments in TV History...Londo's silent glare out the window...
garak0410 5 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Narn = Palestinians in space
jamessavik 5 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Narn = Palestinians in space
jamessavik 5 months ago
This is the crucial moment that breaks Londo - after witnessing the bombardment, his funny and outgoing self disappears for a very long time, replaced by something darker and colder.
His guilt eventually manifests itself - as a heart attack in Season 5. Then, Londo has to confront his own conscience over all the poor choices he made for 5 years.
AlexeiVoronin 5 months ago
@AlexeiVoronin Perhaps he became dark and cold because he felt like he didn't deserve to have friends or be happy, I know that in his shoes, I'd feel that way.
girlgarde 4 months ago
i still don't care about the regret, the horror on his face, and his eventual fate at the hands of the drakh. i still hate londo for causing so much anguish upon the narn people.
silaku 6 months ago
@silaku You aren't supposed to feel sorry for Londo... he's not a hero.
He's a man who is utterly damned by his choices and even though he knows it's too good to be true, he makes the deal with the devil and can't turn back.
To paraphrase the man himself, he went from having all the choices and no power, to having all the power and no choices.
He didn't want this for the Narn but such is the fate of men such as he.
ProphetTenebrae 6 months ago
@ProphetTenebrae I think you can still feel sorry for him, just not in the same way you'd feel sorry for a "good guy." That is, when bad things happen to good people it feels unfair. What happens to Londo doesn't arouse that kind of sentiment. But you can definitely feel pity for somebody who thought he knew what he wanted, but who discovers in the end that all he's worked for is ash and rendered meaningless in light of what it cost to attain.
Neichus 6 months ago
@Neichus This is true enough but I'd say you're supposed to empathise more than sympathise. You're supposed to feel his guilt, his gut wrenching realisation of what his actions have wrought and how he's responsible.
ProphetTenebrae 6 months ago
For some reason, I can picture Lord Refa watching the bombing with wicked glee and drinking some wine while laughing at all the pain and suffering he's inflicting on the Narns. If the writers had shown that sort of scene, Refa would likely have been ranked the top bad guy on Babylon 5!
girlgarde 7 months ago 2
Comment removed
Tori23ily 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Quite a monkey's paw deal he made with them.
Make his people powerful and influential throughout the galaxy. The shadows provided that. A hundred times over in fact.
They gave him everything he wanted. Everything he asked for.
And in doing so he lost what made him, for lack of a better word, human.
His people feared as mass murderers. Assosiated with a race bent on galactic domination and losing all friends.
Makes you wonder how high a price is too high for what you want.
TheJboy88 8 months ago
BTW, any body can replace Londo on Barack Obama (Libya) ? It is more actually
darkshvein 9 months ago
@darkshvein Here is the difference. Obama is rescuing the Lybians. it would be like the Vorlons stopping the bombardment of the Centauri and protecting the Narn.
Ryooken 8 months ago
Comment removed
darkshvein 8 months ago
@Ryooken
Mr. Freud, here are you? What the psychology rescue mechanisms?
...shit... Londo,By their actions you stirred the entire quadrant! How wide are your ambitions? (q)(google translate)
darkshvein 8 months ago
@Ryooken Whenever there is an oil nation involved, I question the actual unstated motives of modern military actions by the powerful western world (ie, not talked about much if at all in mainstream or "extremely-wealthy-owned" media). Iraq switched oil sales to Euros in 2000 and soon, it was under attack. If people don't know that US dollar value is propped up by a near monopoly of 'oil nations' using US dollars for oil sales (creating demand/value for US $) then they miss a key point.
pugcasso 7 months ago
... this isn't to suggest some sort of "blame the US" because in my opinion, there are powerful people transcending national boundaries (ie, found in multiple nations and not just the US) and their concerns aren't really contained and restricted within a lower level of "nations" (IMHO, the concept of "nations" is mostly just a concept for the masses to cling to). The interaction of bound up economic forces manipulating money and whole economies seems to me to go beyond simple national borders.
pugcasso 7 months ago
@pugcasso Correct! Very few people know this or care but all wars are about economics no matter the ideology involved.
Ryooken 7 months ago
I love this show! And the music is great too! Does anyone know the specific name of the music used in this scene?
starflame34 10 months ago
@starflame34 yes i have all the soundtracks
chockn 10 months ago
The Centauri attacked the Narn homeworld against Londos explicit advice.
michaelhviper 11 months ago 2
Babylon 5 - quite possibly the most well directed and scripted and most cohesively written sci fi series ever.
mediaservant1 11 months ago 27
@mediaservant1 You're not wrong. Epic, intelligent storytelling at it's very best. Brilliant performances from the entire cast and CGI used to enhance the story and not used mearly as decoration. This one scene illustrates Londo's spiral into darkness.
TheFamilySlitheen 2 months ago
I love when the view shifts to behind Londo you see the shadow of the other ship covering his face. Given his working relationship with Morden it's probably symbolic especially since he allowed this to happen.
Let's not forget what the technomage said to him:
I see a great hand reaching out from a star and I hear billiojns of people calling your name.
My Followers?
Your victims.
Raziel3025 11 months ago 14
I never get all this super-weapon planet destroyer thing. From space it's simpler and cheaper to snag a few handy asteroids and throw them at the planet.
An old sci-fi book 'Footfall' by Niven and Pournelle showcased the concept.
Generally Kinetic weapons would be much more cost-effective in space warfare than hugely expensive energy systems (and much harder to shield against too )
And for that matter if you are going to build a ship in space, why not make it mostly of wood instead of metal?
AidanDonnelly 1 year ago
Comment removed
AidanDonnelly 1 year ago
Mass drivers create alot of recoil, which in space can be a tactical nightmare. Against a planet that point is moot.
marsneedstowels 1 year ago
why didnt the cantuari use mass drivers on their warships? earth force...blasters or whatever seemed just as slow as these ..
2009worstyearever 1 year ago
@2009worstyearever I can only assume the blast radius of using these mass drivers is massive... thus a major risk to the Centauri ships that fired them.
Gruumsh4 1 year ago
@2009worstyearever Reload time limits their use against mobile targets like warships. These things don't have magazines that carry rounds for the mass driver. Each asteroid has to be pulled into place and loaded into the mechanism.
Fbueller129 9 months ago
Every single time I see that scene, when londo looks at the world being blown up, I feel like a bullet is being shot into my chest.
Soc245 1 year ago
wtf is this? it looks cool though is it a show or something?
maxamojaxamo 1 year ago
@maxamojaxamo Dude this is Babylon 5, one of (if not the) best shows in TV history. Google it, get Netflix, and watch it online!
Falcon988 1 year ago 4
I always hated the fucking narns. They deserved this...
mikeyh817 1 year ago
1 Narn disliked this video.
frostvectron 1 year ago
@frostvectron Nah, it was a Vorlon. They were angry that we didn't get to see their Planet Killer in action but got to see the Centauri Mass Drivers and Shadow Death Cloud do their thing.
Fbueller129 1 year ago
I think it's at this moment that he realises he has damned himself. This is one of the most poignant scenes in the entire movie - the music is powerful and that facial expression ... is simply beyond words. He knows exactly what he has done and he hates himself for it.
flaviusclaudius7510 1 year ago 3
Or better yet, the symbolism in seeing his face slowly darken in his own reflection... this whole scene is a work of genius!
Edeus 1 year ago 3
@Edeus I agree, one of the great scenes among many great scenes.
Athalston 1 year ago
I've just started to watch B5 again, just saw this epsoide, it amazing how well some of the CGI holds up specailly this scene I think rocks! But the storie is still the best bit I so wish there could be another sci fi series that could match this.
amigang 1 year ago
I guess this isn't what you want is it Londo.
smcneal057 1 year ago 2
londo is most powerful man in this entire scene ,but he is still powerless to stop the onslaught, very moving scene
Ltdeacon 1 year ago 2
This has to be one of the most powerfull moments in the B5 story arc. Seeing the horror and disgust on Londo's face is just... epic1
Sintelias 1 year ago 4
it's the dawning awareness that if he'd been a better and stronger man that this wouldnt be happening which I like.
angrydead 1 year ago
Poor old Londo ... you can see here how his mind is pulled away from the cultural ego-centric teachings his own society has ingrained in him towards a realization of what is truly right an correct. He is caught in a quicksand of having obligations that trap him into fulfilling his role as a Centauri and what he feels as not right and just!. Zooming in, he looks like an astonished ghost against the window showing his reflection of regretful astonishment at what he has been part of!
zetetic0void 1 year ago 2
I love this scene, the garbage Narn home planet was conquered again
centauri506 1 year ago
@centauri506 Damn Centauris! We will kick your collective asses out Narn soon! XD
Anoleis 1 year ago
@centauri506 AMEN!!!!!!! Centauri Prime is the Best!!!!!
vigorosoPIMPJr 1 year ago
Londo the Betrayer.
No matter how likeable he is at times, you can never really trust him.
Peter Jurasik did an awesome job with that character. One of the best antagonists ever, in my opinion.
AlbertaWildman 2 years ago
He is patriot and does all to improve Centauri status i think he is not bad
Kuula10 1 year ago
@AlbertaWildman Londo made decisions based on what he thought was right but he never betrayed his Love for Centauri Prime...anyone who would do harm to his people he would either KILL or get rid of them
vigorosoPIMPJr 1 year ago
@vigorosoPIMPJr Oh yes, you are 100% correct in saying that he would destroy anyone who wished harm on the Centauri species or home planet.
But he is still a betrayer. He would rescind on any deal made if said deal benefitted himself or his planet. His love for his species and home world formed him into becoming the betrayer that he is.
AlbertaWildman 1 year ago
@AlbertaWildman I agree but in B5 every person is a Betrayer one way or another to their conscious, love and beliefs. You have Delen who Betrayed her people by chaging into half human/mimabari before the approval of the Satai's, then you have Captain Sheridan who betrayed Earth by going rogue then you have Lenier who betrayed Delen when sheridan was stuck in the room w/the radiation leak, then you have the Vorlon who attacked the shadows interfering on behalf of the Humans etc...
vigorosoPIMPJr 1 year ago
This scene reminds me of the Technomage's final parting words to Londo, and it is an odd coincidence.
"Well take this for what little it will profit you. As I look at you ambassador Mollari, I see a great hand reaching out of the stars. The hand is your hand. And I hear sounds. The sounds of billions of people calling your name."
"My followers?"
"Your victims."
ambiancesb 2 years ago 5
@ambiancesb Yes, that was a powerful scene... such small amount of words but such power when the technomage said "your victims!"! Londo and G'Kar were such interesting characters. They both changed so much and to simplify Babylon 5 down to the core, it could be said the entire series was an interaction between Londo and G'Kar! But they are just symbols within our own situation as humans with egos trying to understand a greater goal beyond the ego of group, nation, race!
zetetic0void 1 year ago
I think that this is the moment when Londo finally realises just how far the dark path he has gone.
From here on out, there's very little hope for a way back for him
KiwiKugai 2 years ago 4
@KiwiKugai, albeit he does manage to vindicate himself in part in series 4 - in his Crowning Moment Of Awesome.
(copied form TV Tropes) Londo: "Yes, your ships are very impressive in space, or in the air. But they are on the ground now." Morden: "So? They can sense an approaching ship from miles away! So what are you going to do, Mollari? Blow up the island?" Londo: "Actually..." [produces detonator from his jacket] "Now that you mention it..."
alcockell 1 year ago 3
@alcockell True, but in the end, it did him no good. Despite his best intentions, Londo dug himself a hole so deep that there was very little in the way of options for him in the final analysis.
KiwiKugai 1 year ago
@KiwiKugai , good point, but at least he tried.
alcockell 1 year ago
@alcockell And THAT makes what happened to him even more tragic.
KiwiKugai 1 year ago
One of the best scenes in the entire B5 franchise
Hakaze 2 years ago 4
at :44, the shadow fully engulfs Londo for good.
marky2112 2 years ago 6
I guess you don't want this Mollari. Tell me what do you want?
smcneal057 2 years ago 3
It's great how his reflection is consumed by the shadow there.
Vishvakarman 2 years ago 4
thats fucked up stupid centuari
lexlutherr 2 years ago
the best scene in babylon 5 ^^
melechdesmotes 2 years ago 4
what about when zahadum goes boom?
Intranetusa 2 years ago
Yes, it is. Few of the people who cause great destruction ever get a front row seat.
marky2112 2 years ago
There's your rebirth of "glory", Mollari...
BigOrang10 2 years ago 5
The sheer horror and digust on Lando's face, who needs dialogue in such a powerful scene.
hanmerh 3 years ago 77
i agree, the emotions Londo show are all tht need to be said about this scene
barmyguy900 3 years ago 45