This post is our last before our Memorial Day hiatus.
Regular posting will resume on May 31st
*****
Overall: 7.8
The concepts and character development are pretty strong here, but the guest performances occasionally leave something to be desired.
Plot Synopsis:
Farscape World has a summary here.
The Skinny:
Though this isn't a perfect episode (see my discussion of the acting in particular), there really is much to like here. For one thing, I think the writers should be commended for injecting a little realism into the proceedings. Given that Our Heroes are all on the Peacekeepers' Most Wanted List and are flying through a sector of space where they are not always likely to come across a convenient commerce planet, it was inevitable that they would run out of food sooner or later.
Further, since I've already suspended my disbelief and have accepted the possibility that there can be such a thing as a sentient, mobile plant, I can actually follow the writers' logic when it comes to Zhaan's -- adaptation. All living things need nitrogen in order to build their proteins. In the real world, plants get their daily recommended dose of nitrogen from nitrogen-fixing organisms in the soil -- or, if they grow in nitrogen-poor areas, they trap and digest insects. Obviously, since Zhaan is walking around, she's not going to get nitrogen from soil. Thus, like a Venus fly trap, she needs to eat meat. And like a Venus fly trap, she would have some means to disable any source of meat which happens to come her way. I get it. It makes sense. And that's relatively unusual for this show; Farscape tends to prioritize the Rule of Cool over the rules of biology. See also: the space-dwelling budong featured in this episde -- or D'Argo's ability to survive for a brief time in a vacuum.
Lastly, we get to learn a little more about Chiana's background here -- and we get to see her continue to grow as an individual. As I've noted in previous reviews, Chiana has learned to survive through thievery and prostitution -- and here, when B'Soog refuses to show her and her shipmates charity, she does temporarily default to what she knows best. But as Altana states in one scene I've highlighted below, Chiana also has a heart of gold and the potential to become something more. That's why I believe, ultimately, that D'Argo is good for her. Some fans take the view that D'Argo is far too paternalistic where Chiana is concerned, but I think his attitude is just about right. Scrappy though she is, Chiana still needs, on some level, to be protected from predators like B'Soog who will only use her for their pleasure and then throw her away.
Writing: 8.5
The strong character work and the imaginative premises make this a very good Farscape script. See above.
Acting: 7.0
The acting is a weak point, however. While the regulars put in their usual strong performances, some of the guest characters are portrayed with a little too much affectation and stylization. They don't feel like natural, realistic people.
Message: 8.0
Apologies to all the feminists out there, but I like that D'Argo is so traditional and therefore wants to protect Chiana. I think it's very sweet.
Highlights:
Aeryn: What's that appalling smell?
John: Breakfast.
Aeryn: Dentics? You can't eat dentics!
John: Fried dentics. You can eat anything as long as it's fried.
Aeryn: I'll pass.
John: Suit yourself, Jenny Craig, but I'm hungry. (He takes a big bite out of it - then gags and quickly spits it out as Rygel makes a sound of revulsion. John picks up one of the fried dentics and crams it into the Hynerian’s gaping mouth.)
Aeryn: (a little smug) Obviously not that hungry. (Heh.)
Chiana: What were you thinking, attacking B'Soog like that? What, did you think he'd just hand over the meat?
D'Argo: It seemed like a better plan than waiting for you to frell him into submission.
Chiana: Well if that's what it takes, then that's what it takes! I thought this was supposed to be about saving Zhaan!
D'Argo: There are other ways to get the crystals that we need. I will not allow you to stay here with him.
Chiana: Don't tell me what to do!
D'Argo: Well somebody has to! (Awww. I love you, D'Argo.)
Rygel: Sorry, Crichton!
(Crichton runs in with the keedva at his heels and makes a frantic grab at Rygel's throne sled.)
John: OH NO YOU DON'T! YOU'RE NOT DITCHING ME!
Rygel: GET OFF! LET GO!
John: NO WAY!
Rygel: There is no reason for both of us to die! I am a Dominar! You're just - YOU!
John: SHUT YOUR YAP AND GIVE IT MORE GAS!
Rygel: There is no more gas! Let go! I can't die!
John: Screw you!
Rygel: WE'RE GOING DOWN!
John: RY-GEEEEELLLLL!
Rygel: Let go! I won't die! For the last time - let go now or I'll bite your fingers off!
John: Oh yeah? Screw you! (Rygel bites down as promised, and John howls with pain.) AAAAHHHH!!! RYGEEELLL! (But at that moment the shrill whistle is heard again and the keedva abruptly stops its attack. John and Rygel continue to swat at each other, but John hisses at him as he realizes the beast has withdrawn.) Rygel! Rygel! Hold it! (With that, he bites Rygel’s ear to get his attention. They let go of each other in the sudden silence.)
Rygel: Lucky for you! (John head butts him and Rygel howls.) AAAAHHHH! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?
John: I ain't your lunch!
Rygel: (spitting) The dentics tasted better!
John: (spitting) You tasted worse! (ROTFL! I love it when these two fight. Their chemistry is fabulous. And yes -- I just said that a live-action actor has chemistry with a muppet. Deal with it.)
Altana: Couldn't have done this without you.
D'Argo: Both of our purposes are served. We save Zhaan, and you get out of here.
Altana: I'm not gonna miss the stench. But I'll miss the thrill of it.
D'Argo: Thrill?
Altana: Always living, constantly on your guard - alive and fighting!
D'Argo: You sound like Chiana.
Altana: Oh, that girl! She's a wild one. But she's got a heart of gold.
D'Argo: Her loyalties are certainly flexible. That's for sure.
Altana: She'll do whatever it takes to get meat for your friend.
D'Argo: That's what worries me.
Altana: Nah, we always came out on top, the two of us. We had our fun, even when she and Temmon were together. Oh, that fellow. He was good for her and her brother.
D'Argo: And yet she repays his kindness by stealing from him. That's why it is very difficult to trust her.
Altana: (pausing in her work) D'Argo, are you and Chiana together?
D'Argo: No.
Altana: No, or not yet?
D'Argo: That's up to her.
(And finally...)
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