Overall: 7.0
The script is pretty funny this time, but the message is a bit clumsy.
Plot Synopsis:
Farscape World has a summary here.
The Skinny:
Interesting. At this point in the series, it seems Rygel is the best written of the regular characters. If Rygel thought he could come out the winner, he'd sell the others down the river -- but you also get the sense that he really wants to be liked. Notice, for example, how depressed and insecure he looks in this episode when he finally faces the reality that, for all his haughty bluster about his royal blood, he really has no admiring subjects to command. Indeed, all he can depend upon right now is his fellow refugees -- and even they fundamentally distrust him (for good reason).
Isn't it amazing that the writers have invested a muppet with so much personality?
As you can see in the Highlights section below, there are a number of laughs to be had here. I do think, though, that the ending is rather convenient. In the final scene, the Tavleks have an overwhelming physical advantage over Crichton. Moreover, they are being pumped full of a drug that apparently enhances aggression. That they are swayed by Crichton's talk seems a highly unlikely outcome.
I also think the message this episode is trying to send about drug abuse is a bit muddled. Outside of the sickness that comes with withdrawal, we don't really see how the gauntlet has negatively affected the Tavleks. True, the Tavlek civilization isn't terribly advanced. True, the Tavleks appear to live off crime. But on the whole, they seem far too organized to be junkies -- and far too healthy.
Writing: 8.0
As I remarked above, quite a few moments make me chuckle.
Acting: 7.0
A few cast members are still not clicking for me, but I know the performances only get better with time.
Message: 6.0
Drugs are bad, m'kay? Except none of the Tavleks are keeling over from heart attacks or coughing up blood, which is what happens to real addicts.
Highlights:
Aeryn: Who are you to order me around?
John: Order? I was offering a suggestion.
Aeryn: Well, who are you to offer suggestions?
Zhaan: Am I the only species in creation who doesn't thrive on conflict?
D'Argo: All of you! Shut up!
Rygel: Yes, that's right. Shut up. Now the Tavleks believe --
D'Argo: (to Rygel) Shut up includes you. (Heh.)
Rygel: I demand to speak to the creosh in charge! I will NOT be treated like this. How DARE you bury me in mud! Are you listening? You're nothing but barbarians! Don't you know this is an act of war? When my counsel hears of this, the Hynerian Navy will scorch this hellhole! (A beat.) That should get `em thinking. (LOL!)
Aeryn: This is my turn. My plan. Now let's go.
John: No! Absolutely not! There are other things that we can do. We can try negotiating with the Tavloids, we can --
(Aeryn loses patience and punches Crichton in the face. Crichton goes down, unconscious.)
Aeryn: Tav-leks! (ROTFL!)
D'Argo: The gauntlet has drained you.
Aeryn: Huh. You called me a coward!
D'Argo: You called me a barbarian.
Aeryn: Well you are!
D'Argo: Well, perhaps coward is too good a word for a Peacekeeper.
John: Both of you - knock it off. You didn't mean what you said. It was the gauntlet talking.
D'Argo: I meant everything I said.
Aeryn: Yeah, so did I.
John: You also mean everything you did? (to D'Argo) You attacked us, tried to take over the ship. And you - (to Aeryn) You were ready to slaughter every Tavloid-
Aeryn: Tavlek.
John: Whatever. If the gauntlet brings out the real you, both of you think long and hard about therapy. (Indeed.)
Aeryn: Crichton should be back by now.
D'Argo: Well he's probably at the wrong end of some Tavlek weapon somewhere.
Aeryn: Imagine - somewhere out there there's a whole world of Crichton’s. How useless that must be!
D'Argo: It's amazing he could actually provide us with some common ground. (LOL!)
John: Where's the you-know-what?
Rygel: I knew you wouldn't come back just for me!
John: What'd you do with it?
Rygel: It's safe and sound.
John: Did you swallow it?
Rygel: Swallow it? Yes. Yes. Which means you're going to have to take me back as I am or disembowel me here.
John: Don't tempt me, Fluffy. (I love Crichton's nonsensical nicknames. :))
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