JMS said in one of his posts that this episode was another experimentation episode. I would agree to some extent (Londo's dream sequences reminded me of Sheridan's torture sequences from "Intersections in Real Time" in many ways)and I think it was a very successful one at that.

This entire episode deals with the character development of Lennier, Delenn, Sheridan, Londo, Vir, and G'Kar. The main theme of series is seen in all its forms in this episode: choices, consequences, and their reponsibilities. The three of these themes have deep impacts in this episode on the character development of Londo and Lennier especially.

With Londo he finally took reponsibilility for the consequences that came about by the choices he made in the first few seasons. Not surprisingly it took a very big event (facing his impending death)to make him consider taking on the full responsibility of those consequences by apologizing. In the process of Londo's dream there are some interesting revelations about Londo and Vir's friendship. Also Sheridan's "transformation" was interesting. Londo's apology at the end is probably the biggest step (although probably not last either) towards the relationship between G'kar and him hinted at in "War Without End".

Finally, just to answer a nit-pick about Londo's never apologizing. The time Londo apologized for the choice he made (in the pilot) he had been blackmailed by G'kar. Also Londo's apology to the technomage, Elric, was a reluctant and forced apology (as JMS said in a post he was sorry he got caught that time).

Also, one of my own nitpicks. While I didn't mind using straps to restrain Londo, the Iron Paddles used to shock Londo seemed a bit too twentieth century for Babylon 5.

Interesting how Vir through thick and thin has been Londo's one true friend even though he would have preferred otherwise quite a few times. In this episode we see how both Lennier and Vir have changed a lot. Both have matured and have become more sure of themselves than when they first arrived. Also, they both watch out for their respective higher up (although that similarity splits ways in this episode with Lenniers decision to leave).

Lennier's role in the episode I believe was the exact opposite of Londo's role in many ways. Lennier made a choice to leave the station and become a ranger (which I think is a result of both his feeling about Delenn and his guilt over Marcus which he expressed somewhat in "Rising Star"). Lennier's actions could easily be seen as running away from a hard situation (not a noble thing). While Sheridan was somewhat insensitive to Delenn's loss, however his being uncomfortable in the situation is understandable. It will be interesting to see what consequences his choice will have down the road.

This episode is kind of a counterpoint to "Dust to Dust". In "Dust to Dust" we saw G'kar's redemption and it looks like we have seen the highpoint of Londo's redemption in "The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari".

This episode deals with the themes that JMS has IMHO handled the best during the series and proves it yet again.

Rating: 9.0

Next Week:The fragile Alliance is put to the test