From the time that Londo actively refuses to comply with the arrest order, through the time he's staying in the cell with G'Kar, he's actively choosing G'Kar over his own people, his own world, his duty.
Yes!! And it's very clear in hindsight that he would not have been allowed to halt the war no matter what, but he's out of the action for an acknowledged three days before it is drastically borne in on him that he has to get back into it—it's not a token protest. "You picked a terrible time in your social evolution to develop principles" is both classic G'Kar snark and honestly kind of true.
it's G'Kar who forces him out (using the most "bratty 8-year-old in the backseat of Mom's car" tactics that I have ever seen on a sci-fi show before).
The ability of this show to find time in the midst of a slo-mo trainwreck of a wrenching tragedy for a hilariously gross hold-my-beer moment is truly unparalleled.
But the turnaround in just a few hours from taking G'Kar's side over his whole world, to sending G'Kar away, absolutely cannot have been lost on G'Kar.
I really think that is some of what's behind the farewell salute, that recognition: G'Kar can't quite read it and Londo can't explain it, but they both know it's there.
(Also I'm now realizing that there's a symmetry between Londo choosing G'Kar over his own world, openly and repeatedly, as some of his last free choices in the 24 hours before his Drakhening ... and G'Kar choosing Londo - over his world, his people, his own life - 15 years from now. Because this show is made of pain.)
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Yes!! And it's very clear in hindsight that he would not have been allowed to halt the war no matter what, but he's out of the action for an acknowledged three days before it is drastically borne in on him that he has to get back into it—it's not a token protest. "You picked a terrible time in your social evolution to develop principles" is both classic G'Kar snark and honestly kind of true.
it's G'Kar who forces him out (using the most "bratty 8-year-old in the backseat of Mom's car" tactics that I have ever seen on a sci-fi show before).
The ability of this show to find time in the midst of a slo-mo trainwreck of a wrenching tragedy for a hilariously gross hold-my-beer moment is truly unparalleled.
But the turnaround in just a few hours from taking G'Kar's side over his whole world, to sending G'Kar away, absolutely cannot have been lost on G'Kar.
I really think that is some of what's behind the farewell salute, that recognition: G'Kar can't quite read it and Londo can't explain it, but they both know it's there.
(Also I'm now realizing that there's a symmetry between Londo choosing G'Kar over his own world, openly and repeatedly, as some of his last free choices in the 24 hours before his Drakhening ... and G'Kar choosing Londo - over his world, his people, his own life - 15 years from now. Because this show is made of pain.)
THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT.