Re: Interludes & Examinations: my review

Nymeria wrote:

For me there is a substantial difference: Bester is awed by what happened
with Caroline, and yet it does not seem he's embracing this 'miracle'
wholeheartedly - there is always a part of him (maybe the greatest part of
him) that keeps back and observes the proceedings like a scientist
observes a strange phenomenon; Londo, on the other hand, is almost
overcome by his childlike joy and anticipation of Adira's arrival, maybe
unconsciously understanding that the time when his shoes will become too
tight to dance is drawing near ..


Very true. The parallel I was drawing between Londo and Bester only
extends so far, and is purely a situational one (and, quite possibly,
an accidental one). In respect to personality, the two men couldn't be
more different. Londo is entirely emotional. He's driven by his
emotions, and his ultimate downfall is largely a consequence of
decisions he made in an emotional state (from his very first outburst
to Morden in "Signs & Portents" to his actions in this episode, almost
all of the decisions that seal Londo's fate are driven by emotion).

Bester is the opposite extreme. He's entirely guided by intellect, and
tends to shut out and shut down emotion on the rare occasions he
encounters it. I get the feeling that he's always playing to an
audience, to an extent. Even when he's alone, he has an audience of
himself: Al Bester, star and audience in the movie of Bester's life.
If Londo is all about emotion, Bester is all ironic distance, with
virtually every gesture and every smirk carefully pre-planned to give
the maximum effect (which, as you noted in the "Ship of Tears" thread,
makes the rare moments when he does genuinely respond all the more
effective).


Given where both characters end up, there may be a lesson. One
character shuts emotions out completely, the other lets his emotions
dominate him. Both paths prove to be equally bad - both for the
characters themselves and for those who come in contact with them
(though yes, of the two there's no question Londo arouses more sympathy
in the viewer).


.

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