Ladies, start your engines! Londo’s getting two divorces and the race is on to see who'll be the only Mrs. Mollari when the dust settles. Meanwhile, the former Mrs. Matthew Stoner crosses paths with her ex-husband.
(First aired on December 14, 1994)
Written by Peter David
Directed by John C. Flinn III
| Bad Relationships |
| VIR: I'm here[in the docking area] to pick up some women.GARIBALDI: You'll have better luck at bars. |
TIMOV [to Londo]: The secret of our marriage's success is our lack of communication. |
TALIA: I'm tired of being part of an organization that scares the hellout of me. |
GUEST STARS
Jane Carr – Timov
Lois Nettleton – Daggair
Blair Valk – Mariel
Keith Szarabajka – Matthew Stoner
David L. Crowley – Lou Welch
Carel Struycken – Trader
SF fans will recognize the looming Carel Struycken as Lwaxana Troi’s laconic manservant "Mr. Homn", as well as "Lurch" in the Addams Family movies. For once, he’s not the butler.
WATCH OUT FOR
* What’s on display at the Earth History Exhibition. In addition to the Fender Stratocaster in the foreground, there are prayer bells, a beautiful vase – and a mixer.
* A balding, bearded guy whooping it up in the background of Londo’s party. It’s episode scribe Peter David, and you can see him best during Delenn and Garibaldi’s conversation.
ANALYSIS
Welcome to Londo’s last dance as a comic character. He’ll always have funny moments, but the darkness is coming fast upon him.
Even this whimsical story is rooted in shadows, because Londo’s multiple divorce is a direct result of his rise to power. We can sympathize with his wishes -- Timov, Daggair and Mariel really are awful wives -- but the circumstances are worrisome.
That said, his choice sounds a note of hope. His wives echo three aspects of his character, and Londo chooses the most positive one.
Mariel and Daggair are good matches for his worst flaws -- Mariel, his playboy aspect, devoted to sensuality, while Daggair represents his vicious social climbing, his obsession with power and respect.
If they are his flaws, though, then Timov is his strength. Despite her acid tongue, she is loyal, straightforward and a little idealistic. This is the part of Londo Mollari that apologized to Garibaldi in "
".
Unfortunately, we never see Timov again. Londo’s conscience and idealism are about to go dormant for a very long time.
The shadow on the stairs
Meanwhile, Psi Corps lurks. This episode’s Talia storyline is a bit thin, but it’s a good reminder that larger events are still in motion.
If Talia’s wish to get out of Psi Corps seems a little sudden after "
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