Classics: Farscape 1:3 - Exodus from Genesis

Overall: 7.0

Star Trek has already done this plot -- but the writers deserve some credit for the gradual way they are fleshing out the characters.

Plot Synopsis:

Farscape World has a synopsis here.

The Skinny:

I hate to say it, but this episode is also a bit slow -- and rather unoriginal. A human angers an extremely alien alien mother when he inadvertently kills one of her young? As I remarked above, there was a very good episode of the original Star Trek series - Devil in the Dark, I believe - that was based on pretty much the same trope.

However, there are a few things that save this episode from being a complete waste of time:

• D'Argo is still largely a meat-head at this point, but it is interesting to see him express some sincere concern for Aeryn's well-being.
• Zhaan's role as ship mother/master manipulator is really starting to take shape. For example, I love the way she persuades Rygel to help by stroking his royal ego.
• And speaking of Rygel, we get to see his hidden capacity for bravery this week, which is rather nice.
• Meanwhile, the scene between Aeryn and Pilot in which Pilot holds Aeryn up in one of his arms and tells her she's the only Peacekeeper he hasn't feared? Simply beautiful. That's the first - but certainly not the last - time that the writers give Pilot some personality.
• And lastly, the fact that Crichton is still trying to adjust to his peculiar situation three episodes in is a good sign. I also feel that the connection between Crichton and Aeryn is developing quite organically. That Crichton would gravitate to Aeryn makes perfect sense, as Aeryn is the only vaguely familiar thing in his new environment.

Writing: 7.0

The story idea is pretty stale, but the character development is decent.

Acting: 7.0

I'm still not completely satisfied with Anthony Simcoe's performance, but I'm not sure if that's due to the material the writers are giving him, the direction, or his own discomfort with his new role.

Message: 7.0

One of the subtextual themes of this series comes to the fore here: that we must expand our conception of what form sentient life may take. I don't disagree with this message, but as it is presented here, it is a bit of a sci-fi cliche.