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Misunderstandings

© Losthiriel

I will be going back to studying Londo, but I was re-watching the episode "And Now For a Word", second season, and I was struck by so many thoughts in that episode that I thought I would put some of them down here.

First of all, this episode starts by a Narn and a Centauri ship getting into a battle and the Narn ship destroys the Centauri one. In every other battle the Centauri have destroyed the Narn. But why? They had the Shadows. This time they were on their own, and it was a fair fight. So either one had a chance here. What does that say about fighting capability, technology, weapons, ships, military knowledge, etc? I think it is pretty revealing. The Centauri have not been in a war since the last time they occupied Narn. They have gotten complacent. Maybe too complacent. The Narn have stayed strong and have worked hard on their skills. They do not want this day to come.

One very important thing that struck me in the episode was the use of a phrase that we know consider commonplace: "weapons of mass destruction." G´Kar´s government has him issue a statement to the media after the Narn ship blows up the Centauri one.

"I've just been briefed by my government, and I'm prepared to issue the following statement. The Centauri ship that was attacked by one of our vessels was not simply a commercial transport. It was secretly transferring weapons of mass destruction (my bolding) to ships bound for the front lines where they were to be used in the war against our people. They have turned Babylon 5 into a weapons supply post, and we cannot allow this to continue, even if it means shutting down Babylon 5 completely." (Lurker´s Guide)

What was interesting is that G'Kar was right. The Centauri were transporting weapons and bombs through Babylon 5, which is supposed to be neutral. During the council meeting G'Kar again uses the phrase.

"Enough! They're doing what they always do--using details to distract us from doing what must be done! There are seven more Centauri vessels berthed outside, and I have reason to believe that they also carry weapons of mass destruction (my bolding) to be used against our people. My government demands that these ships be impounded and their weapons seized!"(Lurker´s Guide)

And while they were arguing about all of this, both sides started shooting at each other again. What's interesting is that a Narn ship destroyed another Centauri vessel. Then Sheridan had to defend the station and put an end to the fighting.