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scifi_rewatchThe ScapeCast refers to this episode as the first great one of season two, and wow is it incredible. Not just for the character focus, how it probes Aeryn, Pilot, their past histories and relationships, but just the way everything fit together. There didn’t seem to be a scene out of place in this one (particularly impressive given the amount of flashbacks)—everything had a purpose and felt believable, even the childish snark of D’argo, Zhaan and Rygel, remembering where they were when all this past history was going down with Pilot and Aeryn. I’m more of a fan of “Taking the Stone” than most of the fandom, I believe, because Chiana is my favorite character, but even I have to admit that there’s a professionalism and an emotional payoff throughout this entire episode that the earlier one cannot match. (And Melissa Jaffer, last seen in the iffy “Vitas Mortis,” is back as the voice of the female Pilot!)
Speaking of the ScapeCast again, I’ve heard arguments there that Aeryn is the true main character of the series, even moreso than John, and it’s easy to see why here. More than just Claudia’s performance (which was stunning,) Aeryn’s struggles to tap into her—for no better word—humanity against the backdrop of a ruthless upbringing is something with which many fans can identify. She’s kind of a “Xena” in her way. :P Pilot, too, is less puppet and more sentient being in this episode as he grapples with some dark secrets, and I’ve always been a huge fan of the relationship between him and the former Peacekeeper. (Props to Lani and the puppetmasters, yes!) It’s one of those incredible things that is unique to this show. Plus, we get some backstory, of a sort, about Crais and Talyn, our long-lost companions. :P
Finally, a shoutout to Velorek, his actor Alex Dimitriades, and the writers who created him: for a character who comes and goes so quickly, he really leaves a mark; not just on the plot or on Aeryn and Pilot specifically, but just in terms of being so fully realized. People like this could make me believe that the Uncharted Territories are real, hee.
Summary:
We open on some DRDs—pretty standard—but then a Peacekeeper troop marches in to some robust music. They go to Pilot’s den…but the Pilot who answers them is female. :O She’s very upset, and refuses to cooperate with the PK lieutenant, Velorek, on his “secret project.” He says they have a replacement Pilot but she’s still uncooperative, as Crais enters the room. Despite Velorek’s proffered explanation that he’s trying to get the Pilot to see reason, Crais orders the other PKs to shoot her dead, and they do. Still furious over time being wasted, Crais orders Velorek to get the dead Pilot out and the new Pilot in ASAP. Perhaps feeling a bit stressed, Veloreck orders his henchmen to get chopping, and as they remove their helmets we see that one is a woman—Aeryn, in fact. :O The video takes on a grainy quality, and we realize that John and Chiana are watching a holochip that the Nebari found. As the human mumbles about inconsequential details, Chi urges him to recognize the damning—Aeryn’s been on Moya before and she killed another Pilot.
Later, the rest of the crew watches the holochip together. Aeryn whips it out of its machine as her face comes on screen and admits, defensive and upset, that it’s her. She figures that it was three cycles ago, but she didn’t know she was aboard Moya. D’argo, Zhaan and Rygel , who were aboard Moya as prisoners at the time, aren’t too understanding about this new development. Rygel even goes as far as to accuse Aeryn of possibly torturing him without realizing it. As Aeryn gets increasingly upset, John tries to play referee. Nice moment of continuity when Zhaan scoffs angrily at Aeryn’s killing of a “defenseless creature,” and Aeryn points out that in season one Zhaan was okay with chopping off one of Pilot’s arms. Chiana steps in as well, pointing out to the others that it’s not too surprising that Aeryn acted like a Peacekeeper when she was one. The others slowly leave the room after D’argo takes the chip to keep from Pilot, leaving Aeryn with John to reflect about how her “priorities” and “relationships” were different three cycles ago.
Flashback to past Moya…Velorek, Aeryn et al arrive in the hangar. The two main Peacekeepers quickly fill in the backstory of Aeryn being reassigned from prowler duty to transport duty. Velorek points out that she’s shown no interest in their cargo, which is partially because she’s been trained not to ask questions and partially because her real interest lies in getting back to her normal life. We all find out, however, what that cargo is when Velorek pulls back some mesh from his face—our gagged Pilot. Pilot seems pretty frightened by his new surroundings, and babbles in his native tongue, which Velorek explains can’t be translated because he’s too frightened to speak slowly enough. He’s being pretty paternal to Pilot, in fact, until Crais walks in, and then he gets out a taser and gets nasty. :/ Lovely.
In the present, Aeryn is beginning to shut down. Despite John’s entreaties to talk to him, she exits quickly but then doubles over in the corridor. Back in flashback mode, she, Velorek and Crais walk said corridors. As the men go into backstory about quickly installing our young, inexperienced Pilot as Moya’s new companion/Crais’s new puppet (ta d aching!), Aeryn actually witnesses a shrouded Zhaan being led elsewhere by guards. I liked the spooky music and camera work to signify that the Delvian is viewed as Other. Anywho. They threaten each other with write-ups, because Crais wants things done quickly and Velorek wants things done effectively. Crais is the superior officer, however, and Aeryn steps up to him to request reassignment back to her prowler—he simply stalks off. :P We can see why maybe Aeryn isn’t happy with her new assignment, as some compatriots, who obviously think she’s a snob, smear her with the guts of the old Pilot and promise that she’ll be doing grunt work with them soon.
In the present Aeryn has entered the gym and is taking her frustrations out on her punching bag as she continues to flash to images of the past. She finally falls, hands bloodied, and John is there to comfort her. In tears, she’s more amenable to talking it out now. After she calms down and she and John sit across from each other, she focuses her story on how she’s kept our human at a distance and how she’s been trained that sexual contact, “recreation,” was ok in Peacekeeper circles, but you weren’t meant to get emotionally attached. John’s picking up on the Velorek vibes, and in the past we see him approach a disrobing Aeryn from behind, grab her bodily and tumble to the bed where they start to make out. The music betrays the truth that this was more than just a “frell-buddy,” teehee—as Aeryn said, they were lovers, even if she didn’t recognize it then.
They’re interrupted, however, when a stony Pilot comes over the clamshell, holding up the holochip and saying he and Aeryn must talk. John tries to tag along but Aeryn rebuffs him this time. Pilot is furious as she approaches him, snarling about “barbaric slaughter.” Once again Aeryn can barely contain her emotions as she reminds him that they share DNA (another continuity win) and that she also feels horrified to remember this and realize what ship she was on. This is not what Pilot wants to hear as he grabs her by the neck and lifts her up. :O We flash back to the past where Pilot is slowly being lowered into his new console. We see Velorek and other Peacekeepers on the lower tier of said console, where Pilot’s lower body will be connected to Moya—some really interesting visuals here. As Pilot is secured, Velorek comes up to the top tier to soothe him and remove the gag. Once he can speak with calm reverence, Velorek introduces him, in a way, to his new home, Moya.
In the present Aeryn gasps to John, and he and D’argo go running. The Luxan wonders how the holochip got out of his possession—to be answered later, of course. :P For the moment they rush to Pilot’s console, are heavily thrown backwards, and then Pilot starts venting the chamber. Three cycles ago in this chamber, Velorek explains that Moya is sedated, and although she’ll be shocked, to say the least, about having a new Pilot, they have to get things done quickly. On the lower tier, he seems to pull something intestinal out of Pilot to connect to the ship—Pilot screams. In the present, Pilot tosses Aeryn to the boys and then commands in a fit of rage that for killing “the Pilot that belongs here,” Moya won’t be moving until Aeryn is off the ship.
In Command, John and D’argo ineffectively try to wrest control back from Pilot as Chiana as Rygel in a headlock. :P She names him as the thief who showed Pilot the holochip, likely for personal gain. The boys confirm that they’re not moving; John is pretty unnerved by Pilot’s behavior. As he ruminates over what’s not on the holochip, D’argo acridly points out that he was chained up helplessly the entire time.
Zhaan, too, is a little passive-aggressively bitchy as she sees to Aeryn’s wounds. Perhaps to her surprise Aeryn agrees with her and promises to leave, cos the Delvian immediately apologizes and reminds the former Peacekeeper that her choices were limited back then. Something makes Aeryn pause when Zhaan mentions this, and we flash back to her and Velorek, post-sex. Aeryn immediately gets up to leave—I mean, we’re done here, so back to work—but Velorek entices her to stay. He calls her special, which she immediately rebuffs; she’s a soldier like everyone else. Velorek challenges her…you really just want to fly a prowler like a thousand others or serve a “madman” like Crais? :O Aeryn calls him out on his insubordination, but Velorek stands firm that his “project” is an abomination that will likely kill Moya, which Velorek can’t allow. Aeryn’s a bit nervous now, as she’s not exactly in the place to go against orders, and doesn’t want to be privy to such talk. But Velorek entreats her—we feel for each other and I want you to come with me; “you can be so much more.” :O Iconic line!
In the present, Zhaan leaves Aeryn’s quarters and John enters to the news that the former PK is leaving the ship. So John goes to talk to Pilot, who immediately flashes back to where we left off. He’s grafted to Moya but in a lot of pain because thanks to Crais they can’t wait the cycle it would take for Pilot to bond with Moya naturally. But the pain is only beginning, because once Moya is reawakened, she’ll sense that her Pilot is different. So not only does Pilot have to deal with the sensory intrusion of another being (which we see through flashbacks of starbursts and etc,) but he has to deal with her fear AND the jabs to her control collar to torture her into accepting her new mate. Sheesh…there’s just no letting up for Pilot right now and it’s pretty heartbreaking. In the present, wracked by grief, Pilot forcibly tears himself to sever his connection to the ship! :O He explains to a completely bewildered and grossed out John that the two of them are no longer bonded. Uh oh.
So things are getting worse for the rest of the crew, as D’argo reports life support fluctuations and etc. with Moya trying to fix it all on her own because Pilot is “offline.” D’argo comms angrily to John who in turn is frantically climbing aboard Pilot’s console to assess the damage. Pilot rasps wonderingly that the pain is finally gone. Command, however, has turned to darkness. John and Aeryn rejoin the others to quickly recap before they’re overtaken by explosions and lurching. They need Pilot’s help to save the ship, but John points out that he’s not exactly in a “Leviathan for dummies” mood right now. :P
Three cycles ago Aeryn enters Pilot’s den to spy on Velorek and the others. Velorek is busy working with Pilot on his new connections—he can now sense the DVDs—but when a tech comes up, they start whispering together under Aeryn’s hidden gaze. Pilot, through his Moya connection or overhearing the officers, is now aware of a “secret project,” but Velorek assures him that he’s just made sure it won’t threaten Moya or Pilot again. Aeryn turns away.
In the present, Aeryn wants to go towards Pilot and talk to him about the past. She’ll have to sneak in because Pilot’s sealed off and the DRDs have taken defensive positions. John and D’argo fight over who should accompany her, and then a rock, paper, scissors game goes in our human’s favor. :P Poor D has no luck with that game.
While crawling through access shafts towards Pilot, John employs some reverse psychology—since the former PK’s plan is to get Pilot to talk, why won’t she talk? She’s pretty nonresponsive until he brings up Velorek, and we flash back to another past intimate encounter. Aeryn rubs a shirtless Velorek’s shoulders and admits that she wants to stay with him for their next assignment. Due to his rank, he’s pretty confident he can go wherever, though Aeryn seems a little tentative to fully give up on her routine, prowler duty life. “In the right new place you’ll thrive,” Velorek promises her, but Aeryn is not contented. She moves to face him and pleads that he fix whatever he did to Crais’s “secret project.” Velorek barely has a chance to become confused before the doors open and Crais plus guards march inside. The soldiers start to drag him off as Crais accuses him of treason. He outs Aeryn as “the informant”—Velorek is wide-eyed and Aeryn looks extremely guilty. Crais then offers her the assignment she wanted before, which suddenly seems much more hollow. As he’s dragged off, Velorek tells Aeryn she proved she was special, since no ordinary Peacekeeper would do what she did.
In the present, John and Aeryn are now overlooking Pilot’s den. Aeryn reports dully that she got her job back, and a look passed between them conveys all that needs to be said about Velorek’s fate. Aeryn does reveal that the Peacekeepers never did get out of him how he sabotaged Crais’s project, but Aeryn herself has been able to put the pieces together—the “secret project” was to breed a Leviathan warship, aka Talyn. Velorek must have installed the shield, which D’argo accidentally shattered last season. All of the pieces are falling into place!
On command, D’argo, Zhaan and Chiana rehash how internal life support is in Pilot’s hands as Moya jolts them around. They rehash some old issues from this episode while tensions run high. Meanwhile, a still Pilot looks up as John and Aeryn drop down several feet from him. He has the DRDs start shooting at them, which ends in a brawl that the human and sebacean win. Aeryn tries to remain calm, but as Pilot keeps bringing up her past murder she pulls her pulse rifle on him, demanding that they talk. John steps in with more conciliatory tactics, reminding Pilot that if he doesn’t reconnect, they’ll all starve. Pilot asserts that Moya will be better off without him, and John says he’s being too hard on himself. So what if you weren’t Moya’s first Pilot? Aeryn is calm again, though crying, as she puts down her gun and begs Pilot to kill her and spare everyone else. But Pilot is no longer angry with Aeryn, he’s angry with himself.
We flash back again to the past, this time to Pilot’s homeworld, which is a lot of fog and rocks against a starry background. He’s meeting with Velorek to discuss being bonded to a Leviathan, though he asserts that his elders say he’s not ready yet. But he wants to so badly…Velorek promises that he can make it happen. Take control of your own destiny, he encourages our Pilot. If you want to be among the stars, then come with me. But Pilot already knows that “the Old One” will have to die…Velorek assures him the female Pilot will die anyway. But in the present, Pilot says he sealed the old Pilot’s fate when he said yes, but he did so out of selfish desire. He’s crying now, as is Aeryn, who reaches out to stroke him saying that as much as she couldn’t fathom Velorek doing it before, “now I couldn’t fathom not doing it.” Intensely powerful scene, really. She claims they still have longer to go together, and Pilot admits that he knows a procedure to reconnect him rudimentarily, to Moya.
Later, D’argo is working on reconnecting Pilot, but in the natural way where it won’t be complete for a cycle. D’argo says Pilot deserves that and Pilot marvels at being connected to Moya but not feeling pain. In command, John wants to know if she still remembers Velorek fondly, and she discloses that he told her she’d thrive in a new environment. John agrees with this. Aeryn takes it a step further, saying John reminded her of Velorek when he told her, so long ago, “you could be more.” And…you loved this man? John says hopefully. The music sways and Aeryn looks at him as if contemplating their relationship. And we fade to black!
Thoughts:
Such a powerful episode with so much emotional payoff. Most of it was between Aeryn and Pilot, where they kept up that theme of their special bond. I love how the brief holochip could unfold into something so much deeper for both of them. It’s supposed to be about moving beyond Aeryn’s murder of the old Pilot, but instead Aeryn has to move past betraying Velorek and Pilot has a part to play in the murder as well. So much great backstory that I wish we could have returned to—like Pilot’s cool looking homeworld! :P So much meaningful world building, too, about Pilot’s culture, the bond between Pilots and Leviathans (to think of our poor Pilot in pain this whole time!), and Peacekeeper methods of controlling emotions and how that affects their people.
It’s a shame, too, that this is the only episode we get with Velorek. He’s probably one of the most fully formed , charismatic and complicated guest stars—I love how he tries to subvert the Peacekeeper system for good without actually leaving it. He obviously thinks he has more power than he ultimately does. :/ In a way I guess he’s a plot device—the explanation for the contraception shield, the reason Aeryn took a chance on John in the premiere. But he’s so damn complicated on his own—I mean he and Aeryn had chemistry, John or no John. :P Plus, for all of his good intentions he could be pretty damn manipulative. His relationship with Pilot was certainly partially about using propaganda to get him where he wanted him. Though you gotta admire his work ethic given the horrible time conditions Crais demanded. :P
It was our first time of seeing Pilot quite so young, scared and even selfish. For Aeryn, we got her vulnerabilities as well. I’m always wary of stories that paint just one person as a “special little snowflake,” as in every other Peacekeeper was content to keep their heads down, not be distinct, and not form attachments, but Aeryn was like hell no! :P Still, there’s more to her backstory coming, so *zips lips* To be fair, we already know from last season (and perhaps Aeryn knew three cycles ago) that the conditions of her own birth were highly unusual/emotional. And there’s something to be said about people who take risks (like Aeryn did when informing on Velorek) in order to better their circumstances. It’s a level of ruthlessness that we see in Scorpius and Crais that rose them through the ranks—and it’s something Aeryn feels intensely guilty about now. With John, and in “a different sort of environment,” she found a different type of strength.
Final note on Aeryn: I love how her hair was down, soft and vulnerable in the present, vs in a hard, stiff braid during her Peacekeeper days. Great emotional layering (and continuity!)
Quick note on John and Chiana—I do appreciate how they were the first ones to see the holochip. They’re the ones with the least amount of connection to Moya or the horrors that happened when she was Peacekeeper-controlled. In that way, Chi shows real sensitivity in bringing the holochip to John first. They are both the ones who come to Aeryn’s defense—John more out of emotion and Chi out of honest practicality; it’s not like they didn’t know on a deeper level that Aeryn did horrible things as a Peacekeeper. They just didn’t want to face it because they’d grown to care about her.
Still, I have to give my sympathy to D’argo, Zhaan and Rygel. I mean, at least Aeryn, Pilot and Velorek had choices before them; the other three were second-class prisoners. A quick note on Zhaan: I think she gets a little slack for not being perfect. She’s supposed to be an “enlightened” priest, but even the best of us have flaws, and Zhaan’s are tied up in her emotions about torture and death. It does seem like she’s partially lashing out at Aeryn because she recognizes that darker part of herself. Anywho. I like flawed characters. :P
Seeing Psycho!Crais in the past really made me miss him in the present! :P This episode gives reasoning as well as to his extreme interest in Talyn, but he’s a much changed man as well. Another example of how the rigidity of the Peacekeeper culture can warp a person. So many fascinating characters on this show and so many moving relationships. And kudos, too, for pulling off this dramatic episode immediately after the hilarity of “Crackers Don’t Matter.” :P “Farscape” is versatile awesomeness.
Favorite Quotes:
*the crew argues after seeing the holochip*
John: Look - the Aeryn on that tape, is not the Aeryn we know. That was a looong time ago.
Rygel: 3 cycles isn't that long! Heh! I was aboard Moya by then.
Zhaan: As was I.
Rygel: Maybe you were one of the ones who took a turn at torturing ME! Ever torture a Hynerian?
D'Argo: Perhaps you helped torture me too.
*calling out hypocrisy*
Zhaan: But I still can't accept the cold-blooded slaughter of such a helpless creature.
Aeryn: Oh! It's perfectly fine to cut off one of his arms then, is it Zhaan!?
*Chiana tells it how it is*
Chiana: What have you guys been thinking all this time? What? She was out picking baskets of rolliss buds while all the other mean Peacekeepers did all the really nasty stuff? She was a Peacekeeper.
*Aeryn’s former personality*
Velorek: You're a very fine pilot. I'm glad you were reassigned to fly my transport. We were in space for - 22 solar days? And not once did you ask what the cargo was.
Aeryn: I get yanked from Prowler duty - without cause, and reassigned to transport duty. That's fine - I do what I'm ordered to do. But it doesn't mean I have to be interested.
Velorek: Healthy curiosity isn't against regulations, Officer.
Aeryn: Asking questions is. And besides, if I had a question to ask of my superiors, it would be `Why was I pulled from Prowler detail and when do I get to go back?'
*Aeryn explains her relationship to relationships*
Aeryn: Crichton - you might have noticed that at times I've - kept you at a distance.
John: Many times. Vast - distances
Aeryn: There's a reason for that.
John: Just one? Go ahead.
Aeryn: Most Peacekeepers are bred and reared, for one purpose. Military service. Procreation is - assigned. There's no such thing as a lifelong mate.
John: But you have relationships. The male-female kind?
Aeryn: Of course. As many and as often as you want. Peacekeeper High Command understands the troops biological needs. Only, you don't connect with anyone openly. And never with any longevity. I guess - the point is - my relationships, back then, tended to be somewhat-
John: Empty?
Aeryn: Painful.
*different realities*
John: There's more to it than what's on that recording. Kind of makes you wonder how bad things were back then.
D'Argo: I wouldn't know. I spent the whole time with my collarbones chained to the walls of my cell.
*the iconic line*
Velorek: Aeryn, I know how I feel about you. And I think I know how you feel about me. When I leave here - I want you to come with me. You can be so much more.
*the Crichtonisms emerge in a time of crisis*
John: Kids! Save it- for after school! Right now, how do we fix this thing so we stop bobbing about like three men in a tub?
Aeryn & D'Argo: We don't.
D'Argo: We need Pilot's help. He's got to instruct us through the process manually.
John: Yeah well - I don't think Pilot's in a - "Leviathan’s For Dummies" kind of mood right now.
*Aeryn and Velorek’s final conversation*
Velorek: I can make this as exciting for you as flying any Prowler could ever be. I promise.
Aeryn: Where would we go?
Velorek: What does it matter? Somewhere else.
Aeryn: I don't know how to live somewhere else.
Velorek: You only say that because this is all you've ever known. In the right new place - you'll thrive.
*Velorek convinces Pilot to come to Moya*
Pilot: I want to be joined so badly...
Velorek: I can make that happen, young one.
Pilot: But the Elders - the Elders have not yet decreed it to be my destiny.
Velorek: I offer you the chance to make your destiny. Look up. What do you see?
Pilot: Stars!
Velorek: That is what I offer you. Stars.
Pilot: I dream of nothing else.
Velorek: I offer you a Leviathan. All you have to do is agree to help me.
Pilot: But you said - that - for me to be joined, the Old One would have to die.
Velorek: That Pilot will die no matter what you do. If you don't come with me, I'll find someone else who will. Someone who isn't afraid to take their place amongst the stars.
*Aeryn and Pilot make amends*
Pilot: The fate of Moya's true Pilot was sealed at that moment. So you see, Aeryn - it wasn't really you who caused her death. It was - me. If I hadn't agreed to come, Velorek may never have found a replacement Pilot. But... But I just wanted so desperately to see the stars.
Aeryn: Do you remember when you first came aboard Moya? Velorek stroked your cheek like this to calm you. Back then, I couldn't fathom why he would do a thing like that - and now, I couldn't fathom not doing it. We've come a long way since then Pilot. And we've still got a long way to go. Take the journey with me.
___
Speaking of the ScapeCast again, I’ve heard arguments there that Aeryn is the true main character of the series, even moreso than John, and it’s easy to see why here. More than just Claudia’s performance (which was stunning,) Aeryn’s struggles to tap into her—for no better word—humanity against the backdrop of a ruthless upbringing is something with which many fans can identify. She’s kind of a “Xena” in her way. :P Pilot, too, is less puppet and more sentient being in this episode as he grapples with some dark secrets, and I’ve always been a huge fan of the relationship between him and the former Peacekeeper. (Props to Lani and the puppetmasters, yes!) It’s one of those incredible things that is unique to this show. Plus, we get some backstory, of a sort, about Crais and Talyn, our long-lost companions. :P
Finally, a shoutout to Velorek, his actor Alex Dimitriades, and the writers who created him: for a character who comes and goes so quickly, he really leaves a mark; not just on the plot or on Aeryn and Pilot specifically, but just in terms of being so fully realized. People like this could make me believe that the Uncharted Territories are real, hee.
Summary:
We open on some DRDs—pretty standard—but then a Peacekeeper troop marches in to some robust music. They go to Pilot’s den…but the Pilot who answers them is female. :O She’s very upset, and refuses to cooperate with the PK lieutenant, Velorek, on his “secret project.” He says they have a replacement Pilot but she’s still uncooperative, as Crais enters the room. Despite Velorek’s proffered explanation that he’s trying to get the Pilot to see reason, Crais orders the other PKs to shoot her dead, and they do. Still furious over time being wasted, Crais orders Velorek to get the dead Pilot out and the new Pilot in ASAP. Perhaps feeling a bit stressed, Veloreck orders his henchmen to get chopping, and as they remove their helmets we see that one is a woman—Aeryn, in fact. :O The video takes on a grainy quality, and we realize that John and Chiana are watching a holochip that the Nebari found. As the human mumbles about inconsequential details, Chi urges him to recognize the damning—Aeryn’s been on Moya before and she killed another Pilot.
Later, the rest of the crew watches the holochip together. Aeryn whips it out of its machine as her face comes on screen and admits, defensive and upset, that it’s her. She figures that it was three cycles ago, but she didn’t know she was aboard Moya. D’argo, Zhaan and Rygel , who were aboard Moya as prisoners at the time, aren’t too understanding about this new development. Rygel even goes as far as to accuse Aeryn of possibly torturing him without realizing it. As Aeryn gets increasingly upset, John tries to play referee. Nice moment of continuity when Zhaan scoffs angrily at Aeryn’s killing of a “defenseless creature,” and Aeryn points out that in season one Zhaan was okay with chopping off one of Pilot’s arms. Chiana steps in as well, pointing out to the others that it’s not too surprising that Aeryn acted like a Peacekeeper when she was one. The others slowly leave the room after D’argo takes the chip to keep from Pilot, leaving Aeryn with John to reflect about how her “priorities” and “relationships” were different three cycles ago.
Flashback to past Moya…Velorek, Aeryn et al arrive in the hangar. The two main Peacekeepers quickly fill in the backstory of Aeryn being reassigned from prowler duty to transport duty. Velorek points out that she’s shown no interest in their cargo, which is partially because she’s been trained not to ask questions and partially because her real interest lies in getting back to her normal life. We all find out, however, what that cargo is when Velorek pulls back some mesh from his face—our gagged Pilot. Pilot seems pretty frightened by his new surroundings, and babbles in his native tongue, which Velorek explains can’t be translated because he’s too frightened to speak slowly enough. He’s being pretty paternal to Pilot, in fact, until Crais walks in, and then he gets out a taser and gets nasty. :/ Lovely.
In the present, Aeryn is beginning to shut down. Despite John’s entreaties to talk to him, she exits quickly but then doubles over in the corridor. Back in flashback mode, she, Velorek and Crais walk said corridors. As the men go into backstory about quickly installing our young, inexperienced Pilot as Moya’s new companion/Crais’s new puppet (ta d aching!), Aeryn actually witnesses a shrouded Zhaan being led elsewhere by guards. I liked the spooky music and camera work to signify that the Delvian is viewed as Other. Anywho. They threaten each other with write-ups, because Crais wants things done quickly and Velorek wants things done effectively. Crais is the superior officer, however, and Aeryn steps up to him to request reassignment back to her prowler—he simply stalks off. :P We can see why maybe Aeryn isn’t happy with her new assignment, as some compatriots, who obviously think she’s a snob, smear her with the guts of the old Pilot and promise that she’ll be doing grunt work with them soon.
In the present Aeryn has entered the gym and is taking her frustrations out on her punching bag as she continues to flash to images of the past. She finally falls, hands bloodied, and John is there to comfort her. In tears, she’s more amenable to talking it out now. After she calms down and she and John sit across from each other, she focuses her story on how she’s kept our human at a distance and how she’s been trained that sexual contact, “recreation,” was ok in Peacekeeper circles, but you weren’t meant to get emotionally attached. John’s picking up on the Velorek vibes, and in the past we see him approach a disrobing Aeryn from behind, grab her bodily and tumble to the bed where they start to make out. The music betrays the truth that this was more than just a “frell-buddy,” teehee—as Aeryn said, they were lovers, even if she didn’t recognize it then.
They’re interrupted, however, when a stony Pilot comes over the clamshell, holding up the holochip and saying he and Aeryn must talk. John tries to tag along but Aeryn rebuffs him this time. Pilot is furious as she approaches him, snarling about “barbaric slaughter.” Once again Aeryn can barely contain her emotions as she reminds him that they share DNA (another continuity win) and that she also feels horrified to remember this and realize what ship she was on. This is not what Pilot wants to hear as he grabs her by the neck and lifts her up. :O We flash back to the past where Pilot is slowly being lowered into his new console. We see Velorek and other Peacekeepers on the lower tier of said console, where Pilot’s lower body will be connected to Moya—some really interesting visuals here. As Pilot is secured, Velorek comes up to the top tier to soothe him and remove the gag. Once he can speak with calm reverence, Velorek introduces him, in a way, to his new home, Moya.
In the present Aeryn gasps to John, and he and D’argo go running. The Luxan wonders how the holochip got out of his possession—to be answered later, of course. :P For the moment they rush to Pilot’s console, are heavily thrown backwards, and then Pilot starts venting the chamber. Three cycles ago in this chamber, Velorek explains that Moya is sedated, and although she’ll be shocked, to say the least, about having a new Pilot, they have to get things done quickly. On the lower tier, he seems to pull something intestinal out of Pilot to connect to the ship—Pilot screams. In the present, Pilot tosses Aeryn to the boys and then commands in a fit of rage that for killing “the Pilot that belongs here,” Moya won’t be moving until Aeryn is off the ship.
In Command, John and D’argo ineffectively try to wrest control back from Pilot as Chiana as Rygel in a headlock. :P She names him as the thief who showed Pilot the holochip, likely for personal gain. The boys confirm that they’re not moving; John is pretty unnerved by Pilot’s behavior. As he ruminates over what’s not on the holochip, D’argo acridly points out that he was chained up helplessly the entire time.
Zhaan, too, is a little passive-aggressively bitchy as she sees to Aeryn’s wounds. Perhaps to her surprise Aeryn agrees with her and promises to leave, cos the Delvian immediately apologizes and reminds the former Peacekeeper that her choices were limited back then. Something makes Aeryn pause when Zhaan mentions this, and we flash back to her and Velorek, post-sex. Aeryn immediately gets up to leave—I mean, we’re done here, so back to work—but Velorek entices her to stay. He calls her special, which she immediately rebuffs; she’s a soldier like everyone else. Velorek challenges her…you really just want to fly a prowler like a thousand others or serve a “madman” like Crais? :O Aeryn calls him out on his insubordination, but Velorek stands firm that his “project” is an abomination that will likely kill Moya, which Velorek can’t allow. Aeryn’s a bit nervous now, as she’s not exactly in the place to go against orders, and doesn’t want to be privy to such talk. But Velorek entreats her—we feel for each other and I want you to come with me; “you can be so much more.” :O Iconic line!
In the present, Zhaan leaves Aeryn’s quarters and John enters to the news that the former PK is leaving the ship. So John goes to talk to Pilot, who immediately flashes back to where we left off. He’s grafted to Moya but in a lot of pain because thanks to Crais they can’t wait the cycle it would take for Pilot to bond with Moya naturally. But the pain is only beginning, because once Moya is reawakened, she’ll sense that her Pilot is different. So not only does Pilot have to deal with the sensory intrusion of another being (which we see through flashbacks of starbursts and etc,) but he has to deal with her fear AND the jabs to her control collar to torture her into accepting her new mate. Sheesh…there’s just no letting up for Pilot right now and it’s pretty heartbreaking. In the present, wracked by grief, Pilot forcibly tears himself to sever his connection to the ship! :O He explains to a completely bewildered and grossed out John that the two of them are no longer bonded. Uh oh.
So things are getting worse for the rest of the crew, as D’argo reports life support fluctuations and etc. with Moya trying to fix it all on her own because Pilot is “offline.” D’argo comms angrily to John who in turn is frantically climbing aboard Pilot’s console to assess the damage. Pilot rasps wonderingly that the pain is finally gone. Command, however, has turned to darkness. John and Aeryn rejoin the others to quickly recap before they’re overtaken by explosions and lurching. They need Pilot’s help to save the ship, but John points out that he’s not exactly in a “Leviathan for dummies” mood right now. :P
Three cycles ago Aeryn enters Pilot’s den to spy on Velorek and the others. Velorek is busy working with Pilot on his new connections—he can now sense the DVDs—but when a tech comes up, they start whispering together under Aeryn’s hidden gaze. Pilot, through his Moya connection or overhearing the officers, is now aware of a “secret project,” but Velorek assures him that he’s just made sure it won’t threaten Moya or Pilot again. Aeryn turns away.
In the present, Aeryn wants to go towards Pilot and talk to him about the past. She’ll have to sneak in because Pilot’s sealed off and the DRDs have taken defensive positions. John and D’argo fight over who should accompany her, and then a rock, paper, scissors game goes in our human’s favor. :P Poor D has no luck with that game.
While crawling through access shafts towards Pilot, John employs some reverse psychology—since the former PK’s plan is to get Pilot to talk, why won’t she talk? She’s pretty nonresponsive until he brings up Velorek, and we flash back to another past intimate encounter. Aeryn rubs a shirtless Velorek’s shoulders and admits that she wants to stay with him for their next assignment. Due to his rank, he’s pretty confident he can go wherever, though Aeryn seems a little tentative to fully give up on her routine, prowler duty life. “In the right new place you’ll thrive,” Velorek promises her, but Aeryn is not contented. She moves to face him and pleads that he fix whatever he did to Crais’s “secret project.” Velorek barely has a chance to become confused before the doors open and Crais plus guards march inside. The soldiers start to drag him off as Crais accuses him of treason. He outs Aeryn as “the informant”—Velorek is wide-eyed and Aeryn looks extremely guilty. Crais then offers her the assignment she wanted before, which suddenly seems much more hollow. As he’s dragged off, Velorek tells Aeryn she proved she was special, since no ordinary Peacekeeper would do what she did.
In the present, John and Aeryn are now overlooking Pilot’s den. Aeryn reports dully that she got her job back, and a look passed between them conveys all that needs to be said about Velorek’s fate. Aeryn does reveal that the Peacekeepers never did get out of him how he sabotaged Crais’s project, but Aeryn herself has been able to put the pieces together—the “secret project” was to breed a Leviathan warship, aka Talyn. Velorek must have installed the shield, which D’argo accidentally shattered last season. All of the pieces are falling into place!
On command, D’argo, Zhaan and Chiana rehash how internal life support is in Pilot’s hands as Moya jolts them around. They rehash some old issues from this episode while tensions run high. Meanwhile, a still Pilot looks up as John and Aeryn drop down several feet from him. He has the DRDs start shooting at them, which ends in a brawl that the human and sebacean win. Aeryn tries to remain calm, but as Pilot keeps bringing up her past murder she pulls her pulse rifle on him, demanding that they talk. John steps in with more conciliatory tactics, reminding Pilot that if he doesn’t reconnect, they’ll all starve. Pilot asserts that Moya will be better off without him, and John says he’s being too hard on himself. So what if you weren’t Moya’s first Pilot? Aeryn is calm again, though crying, as she puts down her gun and begs Pilot to kill her and spare everyone else. But Pilot is no longer angry with Aeryn, he’s angry with himself.
We flash back again to the past, this time to Pilot’s homeworld, which is a lot of fog and rocks against a starry background. He’s meeting with Velorek to discuss being bonded to a Leviathan, though he asserts that his elders say he’s not ready yet. But he wants to so badly…Velorek promises that he can make it happen. Take control of your own destiny, he encourages our Pilot. If you want to be among the stars, then come with me. But Pilot already knows that “the Old One” will have to die…Velorek assures him the female Pilot will die anyway. But in the present, Pilot says he sealed the old Pilot’s fate when he said yes, but he did so out of selfish desire. He’s crying now, as is Aeryn, who reaches out to stroke him saying that as much as she couldn’t fathom Velorek doing it before, “now I couldn’t fathom not doing it.” Intensely powerful scene, really. She claims they still have longer to go together, and Pilot admits that he knows a procedure to reconnect him rudimentarily, to Moya.
Later, D’argo is working on reconnecting Pilot, but in the natural way where it won’t be complete for a cycle. D’argo says Pilot deserves that and Pilot marvels at being connected to Moya but not feeling pain. In command, John wants to know if she still remembers Velorek fondly, and she discloses that he told her she’d thrive in a new environment. John agrees with this. Aeryn takes it a step further, saying John reminded her of Velorek when he told her, so long ago, “you could be more.” And…you loved this man? John says hopefully. The music sways and Aeryn looks at him as if contemplating their relationship. And we fade to black!
Thoughts:
Such a powerful episode with so much emotional payoff. Most of it was between Aeryn and Pilot, where they kept up that theme of their special bond. I love how the brief holochip could unfold into something so much deeper for both of them. It’s supposed to be about moving beyond Aeryn’s murder of the old Pilot, but instead Aeryn has to move past betraying Velorek and Pilot has a part to play in the murder as well. So much great backstory that I wish we could have returned to—like Pilot’s cool looking homeworld! :P So much meaningful world building, too, about Pilot’s culture, the bond between Pilots and Leviathans (to think of our poor Pilot in pain this whole time!), and Peacekeeper methods of controlling emotions and how that affects their people.
It’s a shame, too, that this is the only episode we get with Velorek. He’s probably one of the most fully formed , charismatic and complicated guest stars—I love how he tries to subvert the Peacekeeper system for good without actually leaving it. He obviously thinks he has more power than he ultimately does. :/ In a way I guess he’s a plot device—the explanation for the contraception shield, the reason Aeryn took a chance on John in the premiere. But he’s so damn complicated on his own—I mean he and Aeryn had chemistry, John or no John. :P Plus, for all of his good intentions he could be pretty damn manipulative. His relationship with Pilot was certainly partially about using propaganda to get him where he wanted him. Though you gotta admire his work ethic given the horrible time conditions Crais demanded. :P
It was our first time of seeing Pilot quite so young, scared and even selfish. For Aeryn, we got her vulnerabilities as well. I’m always wary of stories that paint just one person as a “special little snowflake,” as in every other Peacekeeper was content to keep their heads down, not be distinct, and not form attachments, but Aeryn was like hell no! :P Still, there’s more to her backstory coming, so *zips lips* To be fair, we already know from last season (and perhaps Aeryn knew three cycles ago) that the conditions of her own birth were highly unusual/emotional. And there’s something to be said about people who take risks (like Aeryn did when informing on Velorek) in order to better their circumstances. It’s a level of ruthlessness that we see in Scorpius and Crais that rose them through the ranks—and it’s something Aeryn feels intensely guilty about now. With John, and in “a different sort of environment,” she found a different type of strength.
Final note on Aeryn: I love how her hair was down, soft and vulnerable in the present, vs in a hard, stiff braid during her Peacekeeper days. Great emotional layering (and continuity!)
Quick note on John and Chiana—I do appreciate how they were the first ones to see the holochip. They’re the ones with the least amount of connection to Moya or the horrors that happened when she was Peacekeeper-controlled. In that way, Chi shows real sensitivity in bringing the holochip to John first. They are both the ones who come to Aeryn’s defense—John more out of emotion and Chi out of honest practicality; it’s not like they didn’t know on a deeper level that Aeryn did horrible things as a Peacekeeper. They just didn’t want to face it because they’d grown to care about her.
Still, I have to give my sympathy to D’argo, Zhaan and Rygel. I mean, at least Aeryn, Pilot and Velorek had choices before them; the other three were second-class prisoners. A quick note on Zhaan: I think she gets a little slack for not being perfect. She’s supposed to be an “enlightened” priest, but even the best of us have flaws, and Zhaan’s are tied up in her emotions about torture and death. It does seem like she’s partially lashing out at Aeryn because she recognizes that darker part of herself. Anywho. I like flawed characters. :P
Seeing Psycho!Crais in the past really made me miss him in the present! :P This episode gives reasoning as well as to his extreme interest in Talyn, but he’s a much changed man as well. Another example of how the rigidity of the Peacekeeper culture can warp a person. So many fascinating characters on this show and so many moving relationships. And kudos, too, for pulling off this dramatic episode immediately after the hilarity of “Crackers Don’t Matter.” :P “Farscape” is versatile awesomeness.
Favorite Quotes:
*the crew argues after seeing the holochip*
John: Look - the Aeryn on that tape, is not the Aeryn we know. That was a looong time ago.
Rygel: 3 cycles isn't that long! Heh! I was aboard Moya by then.
Zhaan: As was I.
Rygel: Maybe you were one of the ones who took a turn at torturing ME! Ever torture a Hynerian?
D'Argo: Perhaps you helped torture me too.
*calling out hypocrisy*
Zhaan: But I still can't accept the cold-blooded slaughter of such a helpless creature.
Aeryn: Oh! It's perfectly fine to cut off one of his arms then, is it Zhaan!?
*Chiana tells it how it is*
Chiana: What have you guys been thinking all this time? What? She was out picking baskets of rolliss buds while all the other mean Peacekeepers did all the really nasty stuff? She was a Peacekeeper.
*Aeryn’s former personality*
Velorek: You're a very fine pilot. I'm glad you were reassigned to fly my transport. We were in space for - 22 solar days? And not once did you ask what the cargo was.
Aeryn: I get yanked from Prowler duty - without cause, and reassigned to transport duty. That's fine - I do what I'm ordered to do. But it doesn't mean I have to be interested.
Velorek: Healthy curiosity isn't against regulations, Officer.
Aeryn: Asking questions is. And besides, if I had a question to ask of my superiors, it would be `Why was I pulled from Prowler detail and when do I get to go back?'
*Aeryn explains her relationship to relationships*
Aeryn: Crichton - you might have noticed that at times I've - kept you at a distance.
John: Many times. Vast - distances
Aeryn: There's a reason for that.
John: Just one? Go ahead.
Aeryn: Most Peacekeepers are bred and reared, for one purpose. Military service. Procreation is - assigned. There's no such thing as a lifelong mate.
John: But you have relationships. The male-female kind?
Aeryn: Of course. As many and as often as you want. Peacekeeper High Command understands the troops biological needs. Only, you don't connect with anyone openly. And never with any longevity. I guess - the point is - my relationships, back then, tended to be somewhat-
John: Empty?
Aeryn: Painful.
*different realities*
John: There's more to it than what's on that recording. Kind of makes you wonder how bad things were back then.
D'Argo: I wouldn't know. I spent the whole time with my collarbones chained to the walls of my cell.
*the iconic line*
Velorek: Aeryn, I know how I feel about you. And I think I know how you feel about me. When I leave here - I want you to come with me. You can be so much more.
*the Crichtonisms emerge in a time of crisis*
John: Kids! Save it- for after school! Right now, how do we fix this thing so we stop bobbing about like three men in a tub?
Aeryn & D'Argo: We don't.
D'Argo: We need Pilot's help. He's got to instruct us through the process manually.
John: Yeah well - I don't think Pilot's in a - "Leviathan’s For Dummies" kind of mood right now.
*Aeryn and Velorek’s final conversation*
Velorek: I can make this as exciting for you as flying any Prowler could ever be. I promise.
Aeryn: Where would we go?
Velorek: What does it matter? Somewhere else.
Aeryn: I don't know how to live somewhere else.
Velorek: You only say that because this is all you've ever known. In the right new place - you'll thrive.
*Velorek convinces Pilot to come to Moya*
Pilot: I want to be joined so badly...
Velorek: I can make that happen, young one.
Pilot: But the Elders - the Elders have not yet decreed it to be my destiny.
Velorek: I offer you the chance to make your destiny. Look up. What do you see?
Pilot: Stars!
Velorek: That is what I offer you. Stars.
Pilot: I dream of nothing else.
Velorek: I offer you a Leviathan. All you have to do is agree to help me.
Pilot: But you said - that - for me to be joined, the Old One would have to die.
Velorek: That Pilot will die no matter what you do. If you don't come with me, I'll find someone else who will. Someone who isn't afraid to take their place amongst the stars.
*Aeryn and Pilot make amends*
Pilot: The fate of Moya's true Pilot was sealed at that moment. So you see, Aeryn - it wasn't really you who caused her death. It was - me. If I hadn't agreed to come, Velorek may never have found a replacement Pilot. But... But I just wanted so desperately to see the stars.
Aeryn: Do you remember when you first came aboard Moya? Velorek stroked your cheek like this to calm you. Back then, I couldn't fathom why he would do a thing like that - and now, I couldn't fathom not doing it. We've come a long way since then Pilot. And we've still got a long way to go. Take the journey with me.
___
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