Midnight On The Firing Line - Arc Significance

Arc Significance

• "Midnight on the Firing Line" marks the first mention of Londo's dream foretelling his own death. The fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in "War Without End," although it takes place in a markedly different context than that which Londo anticipates in this episode.

• The Narn conquest of Ragesh III which included the abuse of his nephew to justify it, his own humiliation in council chambers over the issue and his government's impotent response to the incident establishes a personal motivation for Londo's dream of restoring Centauri dominance. Although Commander Sinclair managed to resolve the issue in Mollari's favor, this experience would lead to him being open to Morden's temptation, which would drive much of the later events of the series.

• The first part of the episode touches on the Earth presidential election, involving the re-election campaign of President Luis Santiago and Vice President Morgan Clark. Ivanova mentions that she distrusts the pair, a feeling that would be justified later in the season & series.

• The attack by the Narn against the Centauri Republic foreshadows a war that would formally end in the second season episode The Long, Twilight Struggle.

• Ivanova despises the Psi Corps because of her mother's death.

• Vir Cotto is introduced as the new aide of Ambassador Mollari.

• Ambassador Kosh has a mysterious way of leaving and entering his encounter suit very quickly.

• When Londo approaches G'Kar to confront him about the attacks, G'Kar offers Londo spoo, noting that it is "quite fresh." In the fifth season episode "A Tragedy of Telepaths," we learn that the Centauri consider an offer of fresh spoo an insult.

• A relationship worth exploring, is clearly set up between Ivanova and Talia.

• Delenn's confusion over the Daffy Duck cartoon is understandable. As shown in the fifth season episode "Day of the Dead," Minbari have a rather sophisticated sense of humor.