Ep 2. The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari

The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari is the second episode of the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. The show is set in the 23rd century and revolves around the eponymous space station, which serves as a hub for various alien races to peacefully coexist and conduct diplomacy.

The episode follows Ambassador Londo Mollari, a former antagonist turned protagonist of the series, as he grapples with the consequences of his past actions and the looming threat of his future. Londo is visited by an old flame, Adira Tyree, who reveals that she has a fatal disease and has come to Babylon 5 to die. Londo is shocked and saddened by the news and attempts to make her remaining days as comfortable as possible, even though their relationship ended on a bitter note.

As Londo tries to come to terms with Adira's impending death, he is also visited by two powerful beings, known as the Drakh. The Drakh were introduced in a previous season as the minions of the show's main villain, the Shadows, who have since been defeated. The Drakh inform Londo that they have taken over from the Shadows and will be enacting a new phase of their plan, which involves using him as a pawn in their schemes.

Londo is understandably shaken by this news, and he spends the majority of the episode in a drunken stupor, reflecting on the choices he has made and the consequences they have had on both himself and those around him. Meanwhile, his aide, Vir Cotto, tries to keep the station running smoothly in Londo's absence and uncovers some alarming information about the Drakh's plans.

The episode is a character study of Londo and his internal struggles, but it also has significant implications for the overall plot of the series. The Drakh's plan involves a mysterious artifact known as the Eye, which has been introduced in previous episodes and will play a pivotal role in the upcoming plotline. The episode also sees the return of several recurring characters, such as Adira, Vir, and the Drakh, and their appearances serve to deepen the show's mythology and add layers to its already complex narrative.

Overall, The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari is a somber and introspective episode that explores the consequences of power and the ways in which our choices shape our futures. It is a standout episode of the series and offers a compelling look at one of its most fascinating characters.