Plot Synopsis: Can be found here.
Steph's Comments: You shouldn't have mentioned T'raltixx, guys. That just invites an unfavorable comparison between this episode and the earlier "mindfrell." Whereas Crackers Don't Matter featured several genuinely scary psychotic moments, this episode is disappointingly tame. Despite the craziness brought on by the giant brain-sucking spider, nobody really gets hurt (except, perhaps, for Sikozu, but she's a frelling starfish or something), and there are no permanent consequences. In other words, this is monster-of-the-week filler and nothing more.
Steph's Rating: 5.0
*****
4:15 - Mental as Anything
Plot Synopsis: Can be found here.
Steph's Comments: I really want to give this episode a higher rating. I mean, D'Argo confronting his past and conquering his biology? What's not to love? Unfortunately, this feels like a twenty minute story that was stretched out to the requisite forty-five. Many of the mind-training scenes run waaaaay too long and are simply not interesting to watch.
Steph's Rating: 6.0
*****
4:16 - Bringing Home the Beacon
Plot Synopsis: Can be found here.
Steph's Comments: Political intrigue! Now this is more like it!
Grayza's attempt to cede Czechoslovakia to the Nazis - er, I mean, cede the Luxan territories to the Scarrans - makes me want to cheer for Scorpius just a little. Say what you will about ol' Leather Face, but at least he's highly unlikely to pull a Neville Chamberlain.
Also: Nice cliffhanger at the end. The switcheroo the Scarrans pull with Aeryn is actually fairly devastating. Bioloid or no, it can't be easy to fire a plasma discharge at your lover's likeness.
Grayza's attempt to cede Czechoslovakia to the Nazis - er, I mean, cede the Luxan territories to the Scarrans - makes me want to cheer for Scorpius just a little. Say what you will about ol' Leather Face, but at least he's highly unlikely to pull a Neville Chamberlain.
Also: Nice cliffhanger at the end. The switcheroo the Scarrans pull with Aeryn is actually fairly devastating. Bioloid or no, it can't be easy to fire a plasma discharge at your lover's likeness.
Steph's Rating: 7.5
*****
4:17 - A Constellation of Doubt
Plot Synopsis: Can be found here.
Steph's Comments: Grah! More elitism! And it's elitism that doesn't even make sense!
I don't understand why John is so disgusted by the "Alien Visitation" broadcast -- or why Rygel would use it to conclude that human beings are xenophobic and provincial. Sure, that host is a putz, but many of the speakers interviewed evince an entirely innocent curiosity regarding Earth's recent guests. The Crichtons in particular are quite adamant in their belief that John's friends have peaceful intentions. And Drs. Hamilton and Fletcher seem pretty excited to discover that Earth is not alone.
No -- if you absorb Monroe's program in its entirety (and accept that it represents an accurate cross-section of Earth's reaction to recent events), the worst you could possibly conclude about humanity is that it is diverse. Some found the alien visitation alarming - a viewpoint, by the way, that is not entirely unreasonable given Earth's relative technological backwardness and the fact that there are evil extraterrestrials out there who would threaten Earth if it meant they could get to John - while others were and are eager to join the larger interstellar community.
The upshot? Stop being such a self-righteous bastard, John, and just acknowledge that your people are imperfect -- like every other species in the universe. Or have you forgotten the Nebari love of mind-control, the legalized slavery on Hyneria, or the Peacekeepers' countless depredations? Jeez! You of all people should know that stupidity and evil are not solely human phenomena. Indeed, one can argue that the high technology wielded by the races surrounding the Uncharted Territories has enabled even greater cruelty. Do we have Aurora Chairs on Earth? I think not.
Steph's Rating: 3.0
*****
4:18 - Prayer
Plot Synopsis: Can be found here.
Steph's Comments: Two plot elements make this a solid episode. Number one, it's nice to see Aeryn develop a real emotional connection to her unborn child. Number two, it's fascinating to see just how far John will go to get Aeryn back. Oh, he can't quite bring himself to commit cold-blooded murder -- but one suspects he brought Scorpius along to do his dirty work for him.
Plus, a side note: Even though the entire concept is ridiculous, I love Sikozu!Stark. She is almost as precious as the real thing. Nice job, Raelee Hill!
Plus, a side note: Even though the entire concept is ridiculous, I love Sikozu!Stark. She is almost as precious as the real thing. Nice job, Raelee Hill!
Steph's Rating: 7.5
I'd have given the first episode an even lower score due to the incorrect assertion it makes regarding the strong suits of some of the characters. Evidently, D'argo's defining strength is anger, Chiana's is sex drive (???), etc. It's not fair to reduce a character's virtues down to one trait...and I'm really REEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAALLY tired of Chiana being reduced to a one-dimensional slutbomb.
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