Signs and Portents

Season 1, Episode 13, Aired
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Episode Summary

A Centauri noble comes to Babylon 5 to transport an important Centauri relic in Londo's possession back to the homeworld. A mysterious man visits all the alien ambassadors asking them an unusual question.
9.2
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Fan Episode Reviews (5)

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  • Signs and Portents

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Jan 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    Signs and Portents was a perfect and very entertaining episode of Babylon 5. This was a classic episode of Babylon 5. There was a great story, introductions to new characters, intriguing drama, and action. I enjoyed watching this episode and thought the story's were interesting. I liked the way the writers blended the story lines introducing the shadows into the series via a mysterious man aboard Babylon 5. There was a lot of character development as well as plot development in this episode. The music in this series deserves praise as well, and it was part of making this episode classic and engaging. I look forward to watching more Babylon 5!!!!!!!moreless

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    0 0

  • A turning point...

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By Parricida, May 31, 2008 Report Abuse
    This episode really marks the position when everything turn. It is very enjoyable episode itself but the storyline it opens, the effect it will have on future events - it is huge. It with "Geometry of Shadows" can really be called story settelers. And I adore them.

    I very much enjoyed the dynamic of this episode - the whole motion. Like the title suggest - this episode gives us the signs and portents for future - Delenn and the symbol on her forehead, then Kosh damaged countershot. Londo yelling what he wants.. It could be said that this will lead to the fall of Centauri Prime (if not Adira)..

    Very special and important episode.moreless

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  • The coming of the Shadows kicks Babylon 5 to a whole new level

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By nazthedeep, Oct 13, 2007 Report Abuse
    In many ways this episode is the proper start of the story arc that will go on for five seasons. Much of what has been going on so far is developing the characters, the various alliances and some of the backstory - all of this is pulled together in this episode that I rate as the best so far.

    The core story revolves around an ancient Centauri artifact, how Mollari gets hold of it, and how it then becomes part of a kidnap plot (which in itself has a double-cross involved). But there is so much more going on in the background that lays massive foundations for the overall story.

    1. We get the first glimpse of the mysterious Mr Morden with his 'what do you want?' questioning. He finds a malleable contact in Mollari, but is clearly known in very different ways by both Delenn and Kosh.Hmmmm

    2. For the first time we see the Shadow ships. Later we learn how the Shadows are connected to Morden.

    3. Sinclair makes further progress, with the help of Garibaldi, on discovering the real truth behind his missing 24 hours and his appointment to Babylon5 at the behest of the Minbari government.

    4. There is dark and brooding atmosphere over this episode (hence' Signs and Portents) with prophecies in abundance, including the future destruction of the station. This sets the tone for a lot that follows later.

    Looking back on this episode now from the perspective of having seen all five seasons, it is incredible just how much that later pans out is set up by this one episode.

    Amazing.moreless

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  • what do you want?

    10
    "Perfect"
    By seaqueastdsv, Aug 16, 2007 Report Abuse
    and here it beings?. the arrival of the sinster mr mordon.
    as here arrival on the station he gos and asked the ambassador a single question " what do you want.? " a powerful force of interstellar mercenaries. the shadow men threaten babylon 5 with total destruction after a merciless campaigne of piracy in the station's vicinity and ambassador londo plots to retrieve a long lost sacred artefact, the eye, in a bid to depose the centaurian emperor. meanwhile there are terrifying signs and portents that babylon 5 may soon suffer the fate of the prevoious other four babylon space stations.moreless

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  • The story begins here.

    8.9
    "Great"
    By mr_m704, Oct 14, 2005 Report Abuse
    Londo manages to get his hands on a Cantauri artefact that has been lost for years and welcomes Lord Kiro and Lady Ladira who come to the station to collect it. While on the station Ladira has a vision of it's destruction some time in the future. A mysterious man known only as Mr. Morden visits each of the ambassadors asking them a strange question while Sinclair, Ivanova and Garibaldi try to stop raiders from attacking ships near the station.

    This is the episode that really begins the whole story arc that will happen for the next four series, we are introduced to Morden who has a huge part to play in the future and Londo's deal with the devil begins. This episode opens up plenty of new questions such as who is Mr. Morden? What does Delenn know about him? What does Kosh have to do with it? And what was that strange ship that appeared at the end? All these questions will eventually be answered but it will take some time.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • One of the items listed on the news screen as the Prophetess has her vision is "Rolling Stones Farewell Concert." Edit
    • Ed Wasser had previously appeared in the pilot movie "The Gathering" as part of the C&C crew. Edit
    • This is the first episode we see Mr. Morden and the Shadow ships. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • When Ladira has her first vision, in the background is a electronic bulletin board with various events, including a "Mojo Mind Rave." "Mojo" is the nickname of visual effects artist Adam Leibowitz. Edit
    • Norman Corwin, one of J. Michael Straczynski favorite writers, did a radio drama called "On a Note of Triumph." This B5's episode title is considered a homage to this radio production which examined the WWII's cause, toll, and postulated effect on history and mankind. The quote from the show was "Signs and portents! It was no furtive tapping on the window sill at night, But clamorous pounding in the public square. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • G'Kar: What do I want? The Centauri stripped my world. I want justice. Morden: But what do you want? G'Kar: To suck the marrow off their bones, and grind their skulls to powder. Morden: What do you want? G'Kar: To tear down their cities, blacken their sky, sow their ground with salt. To completely, utterly erase them. Morden: And then what? G'Kar: ...I don't know. As long as my home world's safety is guaranteed, I don't know that it matters. Morden: I see. Well, thank you very much for your time, Ambassador. Good day. Edit
    • Londo: All right. Fine. You really want to know what I want? You really want to know the truth? I want my people to reclaim their rightful place in the galaxy. I want to see the Centauri stretch forth their hand again and command the stars. I want a rebirth of glory, a renaissance of power. I want to stop running through my life like a man late for an appointment, afraid to look back or to look forward. I want us to be what we used to be! I want...I want it all back, the way that it was. Does that answer your question? (leaves) Morden: Yes. Yes it does. Edit
    • Londo: Take the famine as a blessing, Ambassador - a weeding out of the excess population. G'Kar: One more comment like that, Mollari, and you will become part of the excess population. Edit

  • Allusions

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