Farscape Episode 1.18: “A Bug’s Life”

[chavalah.livejournal.com]

This episode sets up some very important plot development for future one, but unlike when I usually say that, there’s immediate payoff! Expect major things to occur starting next ep that will take us not only through the rest of the season but the rest of the series.

All that being said, this ep can get lost in the shuffle of the more important aftermath. But it’s a highly enjoyable episode on its own—Aeryn confronts more of her lost dreams as new Peacekeepers board, John has to pretend to be one with a really awful accent, D’argo reacts to being a prisoner again, Chiana builds up a repartee with Rygel, and none of this even touches upon the main plot of a virus being loose on the ship. :P It’s probably the weakest part of the episode but with all of the character beats, both within our crew and in reaction to the outsiders, it’s easy to let that slide. Especially since, as I said, it leads to bigger and better “Farscape” down the line!


We open on Zhaan chaining D’argo in his quarters and yanking Rygel’s thronesled away. A Marauder is approaching! John has a plan, but the other boys aren’t happy about it. He and Aeryn are changing into Peacekeeper outfits that I guess were left on board from when Moya was a prison ship. The Marauder ship, leaking steam, approaches the hangar bay. Zhaan comms from inside her quarters and the doors close ominously on the former prisoners.

Four suited PKs enter the docking bay where Aeryn greets them with a big ass gun. She demands identification and rank, but first answers for herself when the dark-haired captain with the 5’o-clock shadow orders it. He introduces himself as “Larraq. Captain. And my assignment is none of your business.” Aeryn notes that he’s having ship troubles, which he identifies as a fuel leak before going on to flirt with her: “awfully big ship for one little girl.” Sidenote: I wonder if it was intentional to embed PKs with the same, sexist undertones as many human organizations have—our species are certainly related—or if it was an oversight on behalf of the writers, given how ingrained that dismissive sexism is in our culture. Anywho. Cos Larraq does stand to stricter attention as John strolls in, the camera panning up on his PK outfit like a supermodel. And holy hell, his British/Australian/neither accent is awful. :P But he is playing Aeryn’s superior, and she lowers her gun on his order. Larraq addresses John now, saying that due to their special assignment, he hereby assumes control over Moya and all on board. Weapons are locked!

One thing Larraq didn’t count on, however, was that the DRDs seemed to have certain loyalty issues. :P After shooting at the real PKs, John suggests that Larraq ask “nicely” for his help. Seems like Larraq and his cronies get on board, because we cut to John showing off the “prisoners” in their cells. They have to make up a story about Moya’s lack of prison control collar, so John goes with Pilot being outfitted with a neural control chip. John tries to get more intel on Larraq’s mission—turns out he’s bringing aboard a crate, and due to his Marauder problems, he needs Moya to hightail it to a secret Gammak base. Ooo. A base in the Uncharted Territories? This is not good…

The PK lackies are dragging a big crate into the cargo bay. And here’s Chiana with refreshments. Not sure why they didn’t dress her up as a prisoner, but then again she wasn’t in PK custody originally. Who knows what type of arrangement they have with the Nebari. The male crew are very taken with Chi, much to the female, Hassan’s disgust. She barks at them to check on the contents, which our girl takes interest in. What’s in the crate?? Afterwards, one of the goons flirts with her, which she of course takes in stride. She “accidentally” spills a drink on him, apologizing girlishly while she wipes him off…he certainly doesn’t seem to mind. Once Hassan finally shooes her, Chiana goes in private to look at her prize—an imprint of the crate key in a food cube.

Later, in the mess hall, Aeryn notes how the grunts don’t stand to attention when Larraq enters. He brushes it off; these people would die for him. “Make them stand up just because I walk into a room? Come on; I respect them too much for that.” He’s part of special ops, or what more mainstream PKs like Aeryn call “black ghosts.” Aeryn teases that the only one she ever saw was completely undisciplined, which Larraq laughs off. There’s some chemistry brewing here…

John unchains D’argo while Zhaan looks on. D’argo is ready to call off the charade and attack, but our human is still happy with his ruse, and hopes to extract more info from the unwanted guests. But there’s also Moya’s pregnancy to consider and the proximity of the Gammak base…or just Aeryn getting sick of taking his orders. :P Part of it comes down to how adamant D’argo is about being chained or locked up again. John says fine, and the three of them move to tell Rygel the news. But he’s gone! Hynerians and their hidden escape routes! :P Worse still—the PKs are coming! John tries to get D’argo back into his chains, despite their earlier conversation, but D still ain’t having it. Instead he goes into “hyper rage” as the goons approach, so that all John can do is back out and lock the door. So he’s still locked in. :( John plays alpha male; instead of thanking a goon for assisting him he threatens to bring him up on charges if he ever touches him again. OK then.

Aeryn is supposed to be grilling Larraq for intel but at the moment they are talking about the types of ships she’s flown. Girl started young—scrub runners at 14, then KL-80 and 81 before Prowler Attack School at 16. “Why’d you wait so long?” Larraq asks. “I had to. My feet didn’t touch the pedals.” Cute. Aeryn finally gets on the subject of the crate, but Larraq switches to serious; he just wants it off his hands, and you better stay away from it. Aeryn’s able to pick up on some clues regardless—Larraq’s gun is for stunning, not killing, and the Gammak base is for science military.

Chiana employs a DRD to make a mold of the key, but it’s Rygel who’s already in the empty cargo hold. He yelps when Chi enters. “I should make you wear a bell around your neck!” “Keep your fantasies to yourself, frog boy.” :P They continue on in this vein until Chiana calls him out on his “snurching.” “I don’t snurch. I procure,” says our Hynerian. But since they’re here for the same purpose they quickly strike up a deal. Chiana unlocks the crate and vapors escape. Inside there’s a more elaborate metal box, and it’s hot to the touch! But Chi gets it open and we see a red, pulsing creature, kinda like E.T. in cryo-freeze! :P They don’t recognize the gurgling species, but it’s time to vamoose; the goons are back to do rounds! Our crew members hide by more crates as goon one approaches his…he groans and shudders. Goon 2 walks in and is able to call Larraq just before goon one shoots him in the face! :O

Ryg and Chi aren’t the only ones concerned; Pilot relays the news to the “prisoners.” Now they definitely want this charade over. In the cargo hold, goon one strangles the poor creature, which squeals horribly…who says we can’t feel for puppets?? Maybe Rygel senses a theme, cos he makes to escape, leaving Chiana alone. The surviving goon has heard their commotion…he makes it to Chi and then picks her up by the neck, kissing her violently to strange, atonal music. It’s not pleasant. They’re both woozy when he releases her; Chi’s eyes go green, and she kisses him and flees!

Larraq, Aeryn and Hassan have made it to the cargo hold; the boy’s not too thrilled at what has escaped. “What’s escaped?” John asks from behind. He’s obviously concerned, but at least he hasn’t dropped his atrocious accent. :P Chiana, in the shadows, looks quiet and lethal. Larraq confirms that the crate creature is dead. Aeryn approaches the surviving goon as he stirs, though Larraq orders her quite forcefully to keep her distance. A-wha? He finally gives in and tells the Moyans what his mission was…they were on fugitive recovery for a virus inside the now-dead creature. The virus was at a stage that it can only infect one host at a time, but within an arn it can lay spores. And now it’s inside someone walking around on Moya. Hassan explains that the virus is passed by physical proximity. So whoever was in the room when the crate was opened…

Larraq orders his goon to talk, but he doesn’t remember anything. Chiana speaks up from the ground, addressing John as “Captain.” Our human plays into the charade, telling the PKs to lower their weapons and asking her to stand and explain herself. She says she was walking by when she saw Rygel open the crate, and then he attacked the two goons. Hassan confirms that the virus increases it’s host’s strength. He then escaped through the access shaft. The PKs leave to search, but not before Larraq snarls to John about one of his prisoners getting loose.

Alone, John and Aeryn turn to arguing. Huge crisis with the virus, and PKs on edge to shoot anything suspicious…looks like this nightmare of a charade is over. “It is a grave misfortune that uniform didn’t fit me,” she seethes before leaving. John sighs and tells Chi to stick with him for safety’s sake…she grins quietly at that. :/

In the corridors, Zhaan and D’argo wait to ambush the PKs, who are approaching. As D’argo fires with his Qalta blade, John and Chi run to intercept the situation. “Surrender yourselves!” D’argo demands. Larraq is obviously considering just killing them since they have no time for a standoff. John counteracts that these “prisoners” could help with the search, and calls out to D’argo and Zhaan in character, telling them of their situation and then approaching them to confirm that it’s real. D’argo reluctantly lowers his weapon and the PKs follow. Chiana is still quiet and unlike herself.

In command, everyone stands in a circle to discuss the battle plan. They’ll search quickly in pairs. The virus tends to move from host to host when no one’s watching, then waits and lays spores. There’s no way to know who the virus is in until after, when the former host body is acidic. Once someone finds Rygel, s/he should hit comms and alert the others so Larraq can shoot him with the stun gun. Looks like Ryg will be the next crate creature. :/

We move to the groups—John comms Pilot; they’re still keeping up the charade now that everyone is patched in, but Pilot’s definitely a little snitty about it. :P With the DRDs finding no sign of Ryg he’s probably in the access system. Meanwhile Aeryn and Larraq, D’argo and Goon, and Zhaan and Hassan search as well. Hassan is continuing to explain how the virus leaves the host dizzy and confused after it leaves. Zhaan is remembering an experience with a similar virus, which wiped out an exploration colony. The two foes share an awkward look with this common-ground information.

Chiana looks happy to follow John into a shaft…uh oh. Larraq, meanwhile, is being more forthcoming with Aeryn now; the Gammak base wants to study the virus, perhaps to use against an enemy army. But capturing it cost them three members of their crew…maybe more now. :-/ John’s getting antsy in his shaft; Rygel’s hour is almost up, and they have to make sure the PKs don’t kill him. Chi is scooting in close behind John…Aeryn’s voice suddenly breaks over the comms. They’ve found Rygel!

Poor Rygel is cornered and frantic in a small shaft in the mess hall. Aeryn advises that Larraq doesn’t have a clear shot as the others enter. The stun gun doesn’t recharge quickly, either. Chiana suggests a regular rifle, causing Zhaan to stare at her. Fortunately Larraq still wants him alive, though Rygel’s moaning as the flashlight shines on him. Although Rygel sounds like himself, Hassan confirms that the virus blends in with the host that way. Rygel tries to babble a story about what really happened in the cargo hold, distracting almost everyone as Chiana licks a finger and moves towards John again. Larraq shoots him and he goes down; the PKs set to getting inside the shaft to retrieve him. Zhaan looks towards John and Chiana again; they’re in strange proximity, but both look dazed until John draws a hand over his lips and snarls. Uh oh…

D’argo, Zhaan and John are walking down a corridor trying to think up a new plan…but John doesn’t seem on board with his crew mates. D’argo wants to send Zhaan to her apothecary so she can work on an antibody that can get the virus out of Ryg, but John protests—you could kill him! Let me talk to the PK science girl, “the one with the nice lips.” …now, John isn’t prudish when it comes to admiring the ladies, but this sounds a little creepy. He theorizes that she might know the most about antibodys. Also, they should still find out about the Gammak base, even if the others are concerned about their proximity. John finally gets the two of them to their cells…and as the goon rounds a corner, he backends Zhaan! His crewmates look at him in shock but can’t say anything.

Aeryn, Hassan and Larraq are placing Rygel in the crate, and Larraq confirms that Rygel will die. Wait, is that because of PK protocol or because of the virus?? Where be my Chiana?! Hassan turns to leave, but pauses in the doorway as Larraq speaks softly to Aeryn. Nice subtle moment there. He says our PK should do special ops; she’s being “wasted” here, and it’s nice having her around. Aeryn sits in sad silence, but she confirms that it’s not what’s going on right now that has her conflicted. Larraq realizes that she has some loyalty to her own captain. He offers to talk through things with her at a quieter moment. Aeryn smiles briefly at him…but obviously there is no future for her with the PKs anymore. :-/ More nicely done moments.

John approaches Hassan in the apothecary where she’s admiring Zhaan’s herbs. As she prattles about the diversity of the selection he comes behind, slams her head down and brutally kills her! :-O He then destroys the stun gun and leaves. Meanwhile, D’argo and Zhaan talk from across their hall. They’re not so sure the virus is in Rygel…they’ve asked Pilot to bring Chiana to them. Zhaan asks the girl if she’s been feeling dizzy; in fact, she has. She then shoves some silky sheets towards Chi and asks her to lick it. Chiana calls the Moyans “kinkoid;” lol. But when se licks it, she leaves an acidic residue behind! She had the virus in her! Chiana, of course, doesn’t remember anything. But the important thing now is that the virus is in someone else.

Aeryn and Larraq enter command where John is at the helm. Pilot’s reported an increase in speed…Pilot bewilderingly tells her that the Captain, aka John, is speeding them towards the Gammak base. Larraq is, of course, on board with this. Alone, Aeryn hisses what the frell? John barks that he’s just playing out his part; now she should do hers and get intel. Done with her, he starts sneering at Larraq about how he’s tracked the virus so “patiently,” so “methodically.” They’re interrupted by the goon entering to say that the stun gun is destroyed and Hassan is dead. D’argo and Chiana enter with weapons, and all hell breaks loose! Everyone gets their gun…then Zhaan comes in with the damning news that the virus is on the loose; she thinks it’s in John. In response, John grins and attacks Aeryn and Larraq. D’argo restrains him and everyone else rushes in until Zhaan realizes that they’ve all now been in close proximity with the virus.

As everyone pulls away, guns still raised, John, accentless and confused, asks what’s going on. Everyone is in attack mode, eying each other like hawks, which heightens his agitation. Zhaan explains that the virus is in one of them! Aeryn quickly dissociates herself from among the infected, but John is more freaked about the virus having been in him. As the Moyans try to work it out together, Larraq realizes that these people aren’t who they said they were. But no one’s really interested in that ball of wax anymore, not with crazy viruses on board! Once John confirms that the virus can’t re-enter an old host, he grabs Chiana and takes her to the side of the stare down. Things are tense as they wonder who will start shooting first. The goon suggests to Larraq that they “cut their losses,” but Larraq fires back; how do I know it’s not in you? John wants to know where the stun gun is—of course he destroyed it. So we’re back to the antibody idea with Zhaan at the helm.

In the apothecary everyone still has their guns up. Chiana tries to soothe John over his guilt at killing Hassan—he’s looking guiltily at her body—but she kinda mucks it up. She’ll get better at this. :P Zhaan has finished her antibody; it has enough alkaline in it that an acidic-based life form like the virus will have a noticeable reaction. She takes the antibody first, snapping at their distrustful expressions since they all saw her make it. John lets her over with him and Chi when she shows no reaction.

Aeryn volunteers to go next; John inserts her while guns cock in her direction, but she shows no reaction either. “Told you,” she huffs as she joins the innocent. The goon offers to go next but once he’s injected he points his finger at D’argo! I’m sensing some prejudice here, especially since he calls him “the Luxan.” The guns and the yelling goes haywire again. But either way the goon showed no reaction, so John steps in to do an “eenie, meanie, miney mo” with Larraq and D’argo. But as his friend is getting injected, Larraq makes his grand escape! It’s him! Many of the other bolt after him and on John’s instruction, Pilot pens him onto a tier.

The goon and Aeryn prowl separate corridors to tense music. The goon hears Aeryn’s voice on comms before Larraq grabs her, knocking her gun away! No use hiding his identity now; the virus confirms that he’s using Larraq to get onto the Gammak base. The goon arrives in time to be shot dead, alas. Aeryn is able to knock his gun away when John and D’argo arrive, fortunately. But Larraq draws her dagger and holds her hostage! He knows that they’re fugitives and want to get away from the PKs, so he offers to go to the Marauder ship before they blast off. Sounds like a good plan for the Moyans…but the virus could contaminate thousands before it’s contained again. Larraq!virus obviously wants this. Aeryn tells John that he should “do what you have to do!” Larraq!virus laughs cruelly and tells her that Larraq liked her…a lot…and then stabs her in the stomach. :-O The boys react as Larraq!virus flees. Aeryn’s in really bad shape, but D’argo tells John he has to go after the virus since he can’t be infected. Poor guy. :-/ But John does his duty as D’argo comms Zhaan and Chiana for immediate help.

Chiana, as a former host, is dispatched to help John, and she jumps Larraq!virus in the hangar bay. He throws her off but she’s lifted his identification—this may come in useful later…*whistles* But for now, she tells Pilot to seal the outer doors. John comes in and says wait—is the Marauder still leaking fuel? It is, so John says Moya should prepare for starburst. What the frell? Wasn’t he around last episode? :P But nope—they just need the first stage of starburst. Also, have Moya pull a 180! Looks like John has a plan. The Marauder, still leaking fuel, speeds away, but when Moya starbursts a trail of fire rides up the tail and explodes the ship! John, bathes in orange, mutters “boom.” The virus is destroyed!

Later, Zhaan arranges towels around Rygel as D’argo looks on. The boys are, once again, out of spirits. Rygel did not enjoy his time in the heated crate and D’argo, once again, touches on how he’ll never be chained again. After his real experience in PK prisons, can you blame him? He has no sympathy for Rygel, though, since he opened the crate. Chiana is lucky to avoid blame. :P But Rygel blames John—he never could have pulled the ruse off anyway. Maybe next time we have to allow Peacekeepers on board we’ll do one of your plans, Zhaan promises. “I pray there will never be a next time,” D’argo says stonily.

Aeryn, wrapped in a blanket in her quarters, wakes up under John’s watch. For awhile she was in real danger, but it seems she’s ok now. John confirms that the virus…and Larraq…are dead. “You got lucky he missed your heart.” “Closer than you think.” Loaded talk right there. As is the “Thank you [for watching over me.]” “Don’t mention it.” “Why would I ever mention it?” Aeryn’s got some issues with luurve. :P BTW, that Gammak base is totally in the past now! Never gonna hear from that place again…*whistles*

I’d best shut up before I spoil future episodes. :P But again, even on its own this episode stands well. There’s so many subtle moments as D’argo confronts his Peacekeeper past, Aeryn confronts the Peacekeeper future she’ll never have, and Rygel and Chiana work up a thieving repartee. :P And let’s not forget John’s work with accents! ;) I love our crew of Moyans. We’re nearing the end of the first season, and they seem completely real.

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