Farscape Episode 2.08: “Dream a Little Dream”

[chavalah.livejournal.com]

I’m struck, again, while listening to the ScapeCast how different my opinions are on certain characters. In this case Zhaan, the prime focus of the episode, which flashbacks before the beginning of season two to when she, Chiana and Rygel were searching for John, D’argo and Aeryn after the Gammak Base incident.

That being said, this is one of the worst episodes of “Farscape”; I might even name it as second worst after “Jeremiah Crichton.” Zhaan always gets the worst villains. Think back to Chiana, the focal point in the last eppy, who had to battle her own thieving proclivities as well as the scum that led her to. Zhaan just gets the one-dimensional mustache-twirlers like Maldis and now Ja Rhumann. (I miss the “Rhapsody in Blue” Delvians!) Litigara, with it’s most on-the-nose planet name ever, and it’s whole backstory, is just a big mess of lack of credibility, tied up with a desperate “we can’t think of a way out of this plot mess” ending. Aurgh.

Chiana and Rygel were desperately needed bright spots. And Zhaan, I think, wasn’t as off-kilter as the podcasters did. Maybe in the scene where she nearly chokes a guy. Or her relationship with the Aeryn hallucination—I pick that specifically because Zhaan historically trusts the Peacekeeper the least. But out of everyone on Moya’s crew, Zhaan is the one trying to keep the “family” together. So she’s stressed out and scared as the chances for survival for three crewmates fades, or when she’s incarcerated, bringing back all sorts of traumatic memories. As for her spirituality, I wonder sometimes if people hear “priest” and automatically assume said person is this ethereal source of self-confidence and clarity, rather than another schlub struggling to find faith and enlightenment. As someone who goes up and down every day with my own Jewish heritage, I have sympathy for our Delvian, and the fact that she doesn’t have it all figured out either.

Still, the fact that her renewed dedication to the Seek led to the beginning-of-the-season break from reality during a time of crisis seemed a bit far-fetched. And of course, watching that episode without seeing this one first, made the whole thing confusing and annoying. So yeah, I could’ve done without this entire clusterfuck, and found other ways to explore Zhaan’s spiritual crisis and maternal feelings towards the crew.

Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.

( Spoilery thoughts )