“The Hour of the Wolf” is episode one of season four of Babylon 5.
In the season three finale, “Z’ha’dum”, Sheridan had taken the White Star to Z’ha’dum with just himself and Anna on board. He knew by this time what Dr Franklin had discovered – that Anna had been used to power a Shadow vessel and the original Anna was gone. So Sheridan had also taken over 1,000 megatons of nuclear boom with him. Sheridan had crashed the White Star which contained the bombs and is partially made from Vorlon technology which the Shadows appear to be allergic to into the underground city where he had been taken. Just before contact Kosh’s voice told Sheridan to jump off the balcony overlooking a deep hole. With this explosion, the Shadows who had surrounded Babylon 5 awaiting Sheridan’s yea or nay to joining the Shadows departed. And Garibaldi’s Starfury is attached, or perhaps within, one of the Shadow vessels.
The episode opens with G’Kar narrating that it is seven days since they lost Sheridan and Garibaldi and that, in a way, they have also lost Commander Ivanova. It is as if her heart has been pierced and her spirit poured out through the hole. G’Kar comments that this is foolish, destructive – human. Londo has returned to Centauri Prime to take his position as the advisor for planetary security. G’Kar supposes that Londo is happy, as he has what he always wanted – power, titles, responsibility – and more alone than anyone else in the universe. Delenn has refused to eat for seven days; she believes that Sheridan is still alive, G’Kar thinks she is the only one who does. The Shadows have paused in their pursuit of war – and G’Kar is writing his thoughts down – and there is a sense of imminent change. Whether for good or ill cannot be told. And that no-one has answered two very important questions. Where is Mr Garibaldi? And what happened to Captain Sheridan at Z’ha’dum. Shadow vessels are currently hovering about the significant hole Sheridan made where one of their cities used to be. The opening credits have lines from the major characters, each with different examples of what type of year it is. And that this is the year everything changed, 2261.
Ivanova’s alarm goes off and the computer starts telling her all the messages she ahs and the meetings for the day. Ivanova is not in bed though; she appears to have been sitting in the dark all night. At the council meeting, one of the League representatives is telling Ivanova they have already discussed this. She replies that they are not finished – and they will be finished when the others agree to the proposal. G’Kar, Delenn and Lennier are with Ivanova, who starts showing her usual talent for diplomacy – namely none.
Delenn and Lennier remind the league that they agreed to keep ships here for the defence of Babylon 5 and to work together against the Shadows. Yet they have recalled almost all their ships. That’s because they think the war is over. G’Kar tells the ambassadors that it is not over; the Shadows will regroup.. One ambassador replies that this is time to redress their wounds and tighten their defence of their homeworlds. To being told that this destroys their chance of winning. The League thinks they cannot win; only survive. And they intend to survive.
The League representatives want to know if the rumours are true. They are told they may be. It’s not known what happened, only that there was a thermonuclear explosion on Z’ha’dum. That this is the time to attack. Ivanova, on being told they cannot attack, replies that Sheridan showed them how. To be told that Sheridan is dead – for no-one returns from Z’ha’dum. If they go, they will not return, and it’s implies that Delenn has personal reasons for going. Admittedly, she does. The ambassadors leave and Delenn tells Ivanova to let them go. Sheridan was willing to risk his life for their benefit; the same is theirs. Afterwards, Lennier asks if he did not come again. Delenn replies yes – and she intends to find out why.
Londo is on Centauri Prime being escorted to a private audience with Emperor Cartagia and the minister accompanying him is babbling on about what a great honour this is Londo replies that he has already met Cartagia three times. Twice as an infant – he drooled most of the time; Londo wonders if he still does – and the third time when Cartagia was 15 and was trying to peek up the dresses of young women. Londo believes he will be just as impressed now with Cartagia as he was then. On entering the throne room, Londo tells the emperor that he could swear he hasn’t changed since the last few times Londo saw him. Cartagia tells Londo he is too generous. No, he really isn’t – Londo basically just called Cartagia a drooling pervert. This is the first time Cartagia has been seen, not just mentioned – and no-one has really had a good word to say about him.
The Emperor’s crest of hair is shorter than usual for his position; Cartagia tells Londo it allows him to walk amongst the people and see things. He has also started a trend, for the emperor is always right. Londo replies that is their tradition. Which is not the same as agreeing. Cartagia wanted Londo back on Centauri Prime for two reasons. His experience with offworlders; the others are more provincial and do not see ‘the big picture’ as a human put it. They are going to change the world forever and Londo will handle the arrangements. Londo will find out later what these are, he is told. And the second reason, when Londo inquires – Londo was requested. Again, he will find out by whom later.
On Babylon 5, Ivanova comes to see Vir. He tells her he knows what happened to Captain Sheridan. Londo has sources close to the Shadows and in Londo’s absence they leave information with Vir. Vir says that Sheridan detonated a thermonuclear device in the Shadows’ largest underground city – their capital if you will – and was last seen falling into a great chasm with a two mile drop moments before the blast. Vir says that Sheridan is dead and the Shadows are in chaos with the destruction of their biggest city. Still, with any luck they will not see Mr Morden again.
Vir is not so lucky. When Londo enters his quarters on Centauri Prime, a familiar voice greets him. Morden. Although Morden is rather the worse for wear. Given what happened, and that he was pretty close to a nuclear explosion, Morden is in pretty decent shape all told. Morden tells Londo he is unwell, but his associates say he will be better soon as he was not as near to the incident. When asked about Sheridan, Morden asks which one. He sounds more than a little off and not entirely together.
Morden tells Londo that he is the person Cartagia told him about. The incident has made his associates need to seek outside support sooner than intended. They are going to move forces off Z’ha’dum in case certain parties take advantage. Morden says they did this before, a thousand years ago, planting ships around the galaxy like seeds. In return for certain favours. Emperor Cartagia has agreed to loan them part of Centauri Prime.
Londo tells Morden that the Centarum will not stand for this. But it was quietly passed and the 14 who opposed – have not been seen since. Londo says the emperor is mad and Morden tells him that if there is a madman on the throne, Londo and Refa – the late Refa, as Londo lured him into a fatal trap in “And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place” – put him there. Cartagia is Londo’s responsibility. Londo is Morden’s. He wants Londo to be their liaison to the royal court. Londo says he won’t do it. Morden replies that of course he will. Because Londo is drawn to power. Because he is Morden’s friend. And because he will be afraid of what someone else might do. Morden’s associates will arrive soon and Morden tells Londo to make sure everything is ready.
Lyta Alexander and Kosh’s replacement as the Vorlon ambassador approach Delenn and Lennier on Babylon 5. Lyta apologises for them being late but the ambassador was in the middle of a discussion with the Vorlon homeworld. Delenn says that the League is breaking up and the alliance is fracturing. One word from the Vorlon will help but ‘Kosh’ has not returned to the council nor returned Delenn’s calls. She asks about the stories, if they are true. The Vorlon says yes. When asked what he intends to do the answer is nothing. For Sheridan is irrelevant. He opened an unexpected door and now they must do what needs to be done. Sheridan’s purpose is fulfilled. Delenn asks if the Vorlons will send a force to Z’ha’dum to be told that no-one returns from Z’ha’dum. She states that they were wrong about Anna (well, sort of) and says that the Vorlons will lose her respect. Respect, too, is irrelevant.
Zack approaches Garibaldi’s quarters to see that the door is open. He calls it in and enters, and sees a shadowy figure wearing a hat. When he asks if it’s the chief, G’Kar reveals that it is him. G’Kar saw Garibaldi wearing the hat and thought if he wore it, it might help G’Kar. For G’Kar feels that in the fuss about Sheridan Garibaldi has been forgotten. Zack tells him that he hasn’t, but he thinks the chief would want Sheridan found first.
G’Kar asks Zack about a picture of Daffy Duck on the wall and asks if it’s one of Garibaldi’s household gods. Zack starts saying what it actually shows and then says that in a way it is. The Egyptian god of frustration. G’Kar feels it reminds him of Garibaldi’s soul. For it is rare for one to see the possibility of change or redemption in another; Garibaldi gave G’Kar that chance and now he must repay it. He is going after Garibaldi, even though he doesn’t know where to look, or even where to start to look, and if the chief is alive, G’Kar will find him and bring him back.
On Centauri Prime Londo is looking for his coat when the minister – who does not sounds like a useful advisor – tells him to come outside, as he will not want to miss this. What Londo sees when he goes out is Shadow vessels flying overhead. Many, many Shadow vessels, just like Londo saw in a dream in “The Coming of Shadows”.
The reason the minister does not sound useful is because he’s afraid of Cartagia. With good cause as it happens. Fear is all well and good, but if those supposed to be giving advice are too afraid to give it… well, that’s a different matter. Londo realises that he has helped put a man on the throne of the Centauri Republic who is totally, utterly, dangerously mad (Wortham Krimmer, who plays Cartagia, was apparently chosen for his resemblance to Caligula – a Roman emperor known for his decadent insanity). Lyta has an idea about finding out if Sheridan is alive. It’s a dangerous one.