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scifi_rewatchOne of my favorite episodes, but probably not my absolute favorite Chiana-centric one. That honor still goes to “Home on the Remains,” which really delves into Chi’s psychology and what makes her tick (plus provides the First Big Moment for her and the D man. :P Also Chiana’s back in that tight-fitting black outfit, but there’s more leather this time. Yowza.) This one was far more about fleshing out her backstory—and it was frelling awesome. Major, major props to Gigi Edgley.
The Nebari are a villainous race unto their own. Sadly, this is the most time we get to spend with them and their agenda—the show went off in different directions, and, I assume, it was impractical to have a big Nebari plot, given all the makeup required. But…I’ve been looking for an opportunity to squee about this for awhile…apparently a new “Farscape” tv movie is in the works! :O After all this time, we’re still alive and kicking. (Props to all the comics, conventions and etc, too.) …dare I hope that this new installment might deal with the Nebari? Honestly, I think they are the most major, untapped source for conflict from the show. Plus, the whole Establishment’s “greater good” agenda, as uncovered in this episode that was named for novel-turned-movie “A Clockwork Orange” about induced behavior modification, is completely dystopian. And dystopian drama is totally in right now, yeah, dude! /bad impression of John’s stoner surfer dude whatever :P
But for now, onto the episode! Really…not much I want to complain about, other than, you know, this whole, major “getting to Jothee before he’s sold into slavery” plot isn’t moving so fast, is it? Lots of interruptions…but of course, we’re also building this up to be a big endgame for the season. And herein lies the Wynona intro! Always a good thing.
Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.
So! The major setup plot is that Estabishment Nebari Varla is able to ambush Rygel and Aeryn on their way home from a commerce planet, and temporarily mind cleanse them in order to get aboard Moya and bring Chiana back in to Nebari Prime. This also requires the temporary mind cleansing of the rest of the crew, with the exceptions of Chi and Pilot; doesn’t work on them. There’s some…interesting reactions from the crew. Aeryn is the most straight about it; she apologizes for past bad behavior, doesn’t wear her pulse pistol (first sign that something’s wrong here,) but then gets down to business. D’argo does, too, but not before a guilty crying jam with John about his past violence (Anthony must’ve had fun with that.) Both warriors are more zen, but also a little slower to detect subterfuge, which works for the plot. Anywho. We don’t see much of Zhaan, likely due to Virginia Hey’s makeup concerns. When we do she’s completely under mind control, and I guess I could raise an eyebrow here…should it be so easy to subdue someone with as much experience as she has with meditation? It’s not a big enough issue to get mad about; drugs can be mighty powerful. But I do sorta wish we got to see more of Zhaan after, seeing how repelled she’s always been, in previous episodes, when it comes to taking away free will. But it was probably more important to stay with our main storylines.
John and Rygel didn’t go down so easily—Rygel because of his three stomachs and fast digestion flushing out his system (really appreciate this biological continuity, teehee,) and John because of the Harvey chip. As per “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” we know what’s going on here but John still seems confused…or maybe just distracted by plot. I love how Rygel pretended to act cleansed by offering up his food—maybe even better than John’s stoner surfer dude affect. Our Hynerian dominar also claims what might be the best line in the entire series, when arguing with John about undergoing more cleansing—“I’m nobody’s puppet!” :P John also gets out the Caddyshack references and hokey stick from “Beware of Dog” to hunt down Rygel and get him to cooperate with one of his plans…only to have Rygel turn him in at one point. As a ScapeCast commentator noted, “Farscape” crew members should always include a clause in their plans for Rygel betraying them. :P (Rygel and John were absolutely hilarious this episode…omg, when John was giving Ryg a drunken piggyback ride away from unsuspecting Aeryn. :PPP Can’t imagine how much work that took with the “nobody’s puppet” either, teehee.)
Luckily, Rygel betrayed John to Varla’s associate Meelak, and Meelak had an agenda of his own. Well, to backtrack, John gets Chiana to explain a bit about why the Nebari might want her…it turns out that she and her brother, Nerri, didn’t escape Nebari Prime; they were allowed to leave. Unbeknownst to them and the hundreds to thousands of others who were offered such a deal, they were infected with a contagion to be passed on by sexual contact. Nerri and Chiana rid themselves of said contagion two cycles later, but not after infecting their fair share of people. Then they split, because Nerri got the antidote from someone high up in the Establishment, so his life’s now in danger. Chiana didn’t see him again, before “Taking the Stone” when his life disk was terminated. But…turns out he’s alive! And working for the Nebari resistance, which Meelak is also part of. His mission is to deliver a holograph message to his sis, assuring her he’s ok but telling her not to come to him (gah, it was heartbreaking; Gigi had such chemistry with this actor, Simon Bossell.) Meelak also has a more covert military mission, stealing from Varla and escaping her at the impending Nebari outpost, so he’s not much help to our crew. Still, I love all the layers, and all the acting.
More backstory—before capturing Aeryn and Rygel, Varla’s ship was attacked by a nearby Peacekeeper patrol, probably from Scorpy’s carrier. Adds tension, but mostly in the fake variety; John and Pilot ultimately decide the best way to regain control from the Nebari (Pilot himself is restrained from going off course or starbursting by his collar, which was installed by Aeryn /feels,) would be to fake a PK attack. John and Rygel have to do minor maintenance work for this, as the DRDs are incapacitated, and this of course allows for layers of drama with D’argo and Aeryn coming upon them and Chiana trying to stall Varla in command. Ultimately, the simulation is ready to be played—they have a doctored version of Crais say he’s after the Nebari, and then attacks begin. As things apparently turn dire, Varla decides to kill Chiana rather than let the PKs, the Establishment’s enemy, have her. Like most extremists, she invokes “the greater good” cause, which I can’t say anymore without laughing about the “Hot Fuzz” movie scene, teehee. John tries to get Meelak to compromise his other mission and step in on Chiana’s behalf. When the Nebari won’t do this, John has Pilot stop the simulation and out himself as un-cleansed. Meelak is the one, in the ensuing struggle, who ultimately kills Varla, but John is a true friend. His genuine selflessness feels even more amazing in this episode where the selfish Nebari Establishment agenda parades as fake altruism.
The Nebari are surely the cream of the crop when it comes to despotic regimes. Not just content to control their own people, they invent this contagion that sits, dormant, in the hosts until triggered by Nebari Prime.; Badass plan coming up—they’re waiting until some opportune moment in the figure to trigger all contaminated people on the same day, throwing tons of planets into chaos. They figure enough people will be neutralized that they’ll be met with limited resistance. Turns out the Establishment has been sending off contaminated kids for 20 cycles now…their trigger date should “hopefully not too long from now.” *gulp* (Seriously, what about in time for the next “Farscape” movie??? It’s a built-in, canon conflict, show runners!!!) Anywho. (Another part of their charm—medieval-looking torture devices where you yank out alien eyes in order to install drugged chips along the veins. Uuuuuuugh. Might be the most unsettling thing to ever pop out of “Farscape,” no pun intended.) I also like Chiana’s offhand admission at one point that she’s just “a slum kid from the sub Warden Primes;” is there a socioeconomic component to the Nebari dystopia? Would make sense; despotic regimes usually breed these things. Maybe the rich don’t even need to be real-cleansed; they’re on board with the Establishment’s agenda; maybe they benefit politically, or financially, with the colonization of other worlds. Whereas the poor reap fewer benefits, have to do more menial work, or have their kids sent out to be unwilling lab rats like Chiana and Nerri (and we never hear anything about their parents. I’d love to know more about that story.) Have I made my point yet about the wealth of material here? And I know these showrunners could make it creative and compelling, too. (Hmm. Wonder if there’s fanfic out there already.)
Finally: Chiana and John. They’re the main relationship of this episode, and I wuv them. I admit—maybe it’s because I was a teenager, more shallow in my understanding of gender relations, but I’ve always harbored the J/C ship torch. I mean, look at my icon. :P And you can’t deny there’s some sexual chemistry. Even in this episode, John does the pelvic thrust on her. :PP But honestly…I get that they’re friends. Hell, that doesn’t diminish their relationship at all; it adds to it. The two of them are really quite similar; ScapeCast pointed out a number of ways. First of all, they’re both quite quiet when things really hurt them; it’s a pattern that will continue through the series. Neither John nor Chiana ever directly mention what happened in this ep ever again, and it’s quite possible that they just bury it under the rug. Nerri’s fate, and Chiana’s lack of being able to go to him, is obviously painful for the girl, as handled so heart-rendingly in the final few scenes (I get still get misty-eyed.) Side note, however—it does kind of bother me that Chi and D’argo never really reference what happened with the Nebari. But then again, Chiana is secretive and D’argo is focused on his son. So anyway. John still has the lid on, best he can, about the Harvey situation. John is being pursued by Scorpius for the wormhole knowledge in his head, and Chiana is being pursued by the Nebari Establishment because she may know Nerri’s whereabouts, or be able to be used against him. John is now a danger to Earth because he can lead these power-mad, highly advanced societies to our doorstep, and Chiana is a danger to the Nebari resistance because she can be used against her brother, who is now high up. (And gah, I’ll list another complaint—the Nebari never really cause anymore problems for Chi. Which I suppose I get because of the makeup issues or this being John’s story, but…gah. Feels like a copout in it’s way. Have I mentioned the movie option yet this paragraph? :P) I’m so excited for “Farscape” in the future…and I’m also excited to start recapping the major crux of season two, starting next ep! :D
Favorite Crichtonism: OoOoOoh - munchies! Good idea, man. Don't eat so much though. You'll Belushi-out cat.
Favorite Quotes:
*John lectures Chiana and introduces us to his gun*
Chiana: Look, you needn't worry, okay? I can look after myself.
John: Yes, yes I know. You can "kick, kiss and cry" your way out of any situation. I just wish you would stop getting into them. You know we barely got your ass out of there before that guy and his buddies turned nasty.
Chiana: You're just crying because Wynona jammed!
John: Hey! Wynona has been very reliable. It's not her fault that she jammed.
*Aeryn and Rygel’s creepy behavior, leading to a scary observance*
John: We just had our asses whupped saving Chiana and you're apologizing to her... That's scary.
Aeryn: That was in the past John. Now we look toward the future.
Rygel: We have a surprise for you!
Chiana: For me. Oh will it explode when I open it?
Aeryn: No Chiana, you don't open this. You embrace it.
Rygel: Yes, a feeling of joy and contentment so powerful you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Chiana: *noting Aeryn’s empty holster* Something's not right. Aeryn doesn't even shower without a pulse pistol.
*Aeryn and Varla force Pilot to cooperate with calm eeriness*
Aeryn: Pilot, Varla’s ship had a run in with a Peacekeeper patrol, probably from Scorpius' carrier. Please make sure that Moya’s senses are on full alert. The patrol may still be in the area.
Pilot: If there's even a chance that it is, then we need to starburst immediately! *responds with convulsions and drool to collar shock* Bisaric acid!
Varla: If this Leviathan goes into starburst, the collar will detect it and automatically inject a lethal dose. We must get to the outpost.
Aeryn: Please do so Pilot. We would not like to lose you.
*D’argo’s one real moment with Chiana before Meelak and Zhaan interrupt*
John: Chiana let me ask you a question. When you first came on board, Elvis had you in cuffs, dragging you back to Nebari Prime. Now we got Debra Harry doing the same thing. Why are your people so jazzed about getting you home?
Chiana: I dunno.
John: That woman looks like she's been through the bad part of hell just to get near you. Now why would she do that?
D’argo: Chiana - you must tell us.
Meelak: So, you are the sister.
D’argo: *after trying to pin Meelak to the door* ZHAAN! HELP US!
Zhaan: Worry not. *activates John and D’argo’s collars*
Chiana: Leave them alone!
Zhaan: Soon you will know the bliss that I know.
*time to disclose some secrets*
John: Chiana! Stop. Stop it. Stop! Look, everybody on board has secrets. We all have secrets. You got one? That's fine. Keep it. Right up to the point where they come to fry my brain.
*Chiana and Nerri’s flashback goodbye*
Nerri: Chiana. I'm not coming with you.
Chiana: What? What are you talking about?
Nerri: Somebody high up in The Establishment gave me the antibody. I saw him. He's the one they're after. I can identify him.
Chiana: Well then we run! We hide! That's-that's what we're good at!
Nerri: This is serious this time Chiana! The Establishment is trying to infect as much of the galaxy as it can with this contagion of theirs, and they're going to want to find out - who gave it to us - and then they're gonna mind-frell me -
Chiana: I'm coming with you. Yeah.
Nerri: No. We're less conspicuous if we split up.
Chiana: But Nerri...
Nerri: We will see each other again sister. I swear to you we will.
*Varla has John in the eye torture device while cleansed D’argo has a sobbing breakdown*
Varla: The treatment will help you by removing all negative impulses. Tell him D'Argo.
D’argo: Um - it's true John. All the things I've done as a warrior - all the horrible thoughts I've had all the cycles of my life - even about you - I am so sorry!
John: That's okay D'Argo. We'll talk later.
D’argo: Okay!
*Varla first invokes “the greater good” as justification for murder*
Varla: It is either mind-cleansing or death.
John: Hey, isn't that against your Nebari Prime Directive?
Varla: We are in difficult times. I'm afraid we must do whatever necessary to serve the greater good.
*Rygel pretending :P*
Varla: Welcome Chiana. Would you care for some food?
Chiana: I'd rather starve.
Rygel: Please - take my plate.
*Varla and Meelak explain the contagion to Chiana*
Meelak: The Establishment has sent out many messengers like you and Nerri, spreading the contagion for nearly 20 cycles.
Varla: The contagion spreads quickly. It shows no outward symptoms. It merely waits.
Chiana: Waits for what?
Varla: A specific time Chiana - ordained by The Establishment.
Meelak: We don't expect it to have infected entire civilizations. Only enough to throw those worlds into chaos, so that when our emissaries arrive, they'll be met with minimal resistance.
Chiana: The contagion will take control of everybody it's infected. All on the same day.
Meelak: Hopefully not too long from now.
*Harvey fights the Man for John*
Harvey: Frell the greater good. Frell it. Resist. Fight it. Fight them.
*John’s first attempt at surfer dude*
Varla: What are you doing?
John: Oh y'know Moya’s amnexus system? Is like, in flux? So I'm just sorta y'know - lookin' for the source?
Varla: Will that affect the safety and speed of this ship?
John: Sh-yah! It'd totally screw the pooch babe!
*John comes out to Chiana*
Chiana: What is this? Some half-count attempt to make me tell you where Nerri is- *John hits her, then moves behind her bum to do the pelvic thrust* You're - you're really not cleansed?
John: No. My thoughts are as dirty as ever.
*the best exchange from the whole series*
John: You, me and Pilot - we're the only ones who aren't Nebari puppets
Rygel: I'm nobody’s puppet!
*Rygel sells John out*
Meelak: Exactly what do you want the Hynerian to help you do Crichton?
Rygel: OH! I'm so grateful you're here! He needs help! Lots of help! I don't think the mind cleansing is working- *John backhands him*
Meelak: Obviously not.
*Nerri’s message to Chiana*
Nerri: Hey little sister. I told you we'd see each other again. Well, at least you're seeing me. A lot of things have changed since we saw each other last. I don't know how much you know about what it is I'm doing, but it's important work - very important. Work! You believe I've been doing something like that? I wish you could be part of it, but it's kinda dangerous. Wherever it is you are right now, you'd probably be better off there. Whoever gave you this image disc is one of my people. Treat them well. They are our friend. But they are also under my strictest orders not to take you to me. It's far too hazardous. Maybe someday when things get safer- *interrupted by whispered warning* Look - I just wanted you to know that I'm alive and well. For now at least. Keep yourself well-hidden little sister, and out of harms reach. I love you dearly.
*John and Chiana are at a standoff with Meelak*
John: All right. So what do we do now? You know our secret, we know yours. We're kind of at a stand off.
Meelak: I have some data that I've got to get back to Nerri and the others. As soon as we hit the outpost, I'm going to take the express out of there. You two are on your own.
John: So he cares enough to send you with a message, but he doesn't care if she gets mind-cleansed?
Meelak: If I help you, then I jeopardize my position and all those that are depending on me.
Chiana: If you don't take me with you, I'll tell Varla everything!
Meelak: Go on. Threaten me with that. Tell her how your friend here somehow avoided the temporary mind-cleanse.
*Rygel reveals his plan to John after John finds him via “Caddyshack” and helium farts*
John: Oh, Ryyy-gelll! Where are you my little husky? I have a stick for you! *whistles* Where are ya boy? *helium fart emission* Oh my - eenie, meenie, miney, mo! *finds Ryg*
Rygel: Oh, uh, Hel-lo! Ah - I felt it best if I, uh-
John: Best if you hid until all my violent thoughts had been wiped?
Rygel: I didn't want to disturb the process. You are cleansed aren't you?
John: *putting his foot on Rygel’s chest* No. Rygel. As you may notice, my nasty urges have not been suppressed.
Rygel: Crichton! What in the yotz are you-
John: Shut up you miserable excuse for a life! I'm sick of having you sell us out every chance you get!
Rygel: I don't do it every chance! Believe me the-
John: DON'T YOU B.S. ME GUIDO! YOU'RE ON THE FIRST TRANSPORT OUTTA HERE!
Rygel: On the contrary! I was looking forward to reaching the Nebari outpost. We're not getting out of this one! These are the Nebari! Ne-ba-ri!
John: What happens when you get to the outpost Buckwheat? You let them strap you in and give you the deluxe brain wash?
Rygel: They only cleanse those who don't conform. I can be the 'go-along guy' if it means being part of the action.
John: You aren't into self preservation. YOU ARE THE KING OF IT!
*D’argo crashes John and Rygel’s maintenance work*
D’argo: What are you two doing?
Rygel: Oh great. Just what we need, a lobotomized Luxan.
*Chiana’s bluff to get Varla onto command*
Varla: *after torturing her* This is not a game child. You said that you had information about Nerri’s whereabouts. Either you do - or you don't.
Chiana: You gotta give me some time. I'm a slum kid from the sub Waldren Prides.
*Varla embraces violent extremism again*
Varla: If the Peacekeepers get the girl, she'll lead them to Nerri. And that will mean Peacekeepers aid to the Resistance! *makes to kill Chi*
Chiana: NO!
John: HEY! NO! Hey y'know? That goes against everything Nebari’s stand for man! You can't just kill her in cold blood!
Varla: All is forgiven if it is in the service of the greater good.
*competing ideologies with Varla’s death*
Varla: You see Meelak, discipline and faith defeat any insurgence.
…
Varla: You betrayed me.
Meelak: And you have betrayed the spirit of our people.
*John comforts Chiana as Meelak leaves to rejoin Nerri*
Chiana: Ne - Nerri's alive. I just gotta - I wanna to see him!
John: I understand. But you cannot compromise what he's doing. Your brother's alive. He's alive. Take that. It's more than you had yesterday.
Chiana: I want to go to him.
John: I know... But since when do people like us get what we want?
___
The Nebari are a villainous race unto their own. Sadly, this is the most time we get to spend with them and their agenda—the show went off in different directions, and, I assume, it was impractical to have a big Nebari plot, given all the makeup required. But…I’ve been looking for an opportunity to squee about this for awhile…apparently a new “Farscape” tv movie is in the works! :O After all this time, we’re still alive and kicking. (Props to all the comics, conventions and etc, too.) …dare I hope that this new installment might deal with the Nebari? Honestly, I think they are the most major, untapped source for conflict from the show. Plus, the whole Establishment’s “greater good” agenda, as uncovered in this episode that was named for novel-turned-movie “A Clockwork Orange” about induced behavior modification, is completely dystopian. And dystopian drama is totally in right now, yeah, dude! /bad impression of John’s stoner surfer dude whatever :P
But for now, onto the episode! Really…not much I want to complain about, other than, you know, this whole, major “getting to Jothee before he’s sold into slavery” plot isn’t moving so fast, is it? Lots of interruptions…but of course, we’re also building this up to be a big endgame for the season. And herein lies the Wynona intro! Always a good thing.
Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.
So! The major setup plot is that Estabishment Nebari Varla is able to ambush Rygel and Aeryn on their way home from a commerce planet, and temporarily mind cleanse them in order to get aboard Moya and bring Chiana back in to Nebari Prime. This also requires the temporary mind cleansing of the rest of the crew, with the exceptions of Chi and Pilot; doesn’t work on them. There’s some…interesting reactions from the crew. Aeryn is the most straight about it; she apologizes for past bad behavior, doesn’t wear her pulse pistol (first sign that something’s wrong here,) but then gets down to business. D’argo does, too, but not before a guilty crying jam with John about his past violence (Anthony must’ve had fun with that.) Both warriors are more zen, but also a little slower to detect subterfuge, which works for the plot. Anywho. We don’t see much of Zhaan, likely due to Virginia Hey’s makeup concerns. When we do she’s completely under mind control, and I guess I could raise an eyebrow here…should it be so easy to subdue someone with as much experience as she has with meditation? It’s not a big enough issue to get mad about; drugs can be mighty powerful. But I do sorta wish we got to see more of Zhaan after, seeing how repelled she’s always been, in previous episodes, when it comes to taking away free will. But it was probably more important to stay with our main storylines.
John and Rygel didn’t go down so easily—Rygel because of his three stomachs and fast digestion flushing out his system (really appreciate this biological continuity, teehee,) and John because of the Harvey chip. As per “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” we know what’s going on here but John still seems confused…or maybe just distracted by plot. I love how Rygel pretended to act cleansed by offering up his food—maybe even better than John’s stoner surfer dude affect. Our Hynerian dominar also claims what might be the best line in the entire series, when arguing with John about undergoing more cleansing—“I’m nobody’s puppet!” :P John also gets out the Caddyshack references and hokey stick from “Beware of Dog” to hunt down Rygel and get him to cooperate with one of his plans…only to have Rygel turn him in at one point. As a ScapeCast commentator noted, “Farscape” crew members should always include a clause in their plans for Rygel betraying them. :P (Rygel and John were absolutely hilarious this episode…omg, when John was giving Ryg a drunken piggyback ride away from unsuspecting Aeryn. :PPP Can’t imagine how much work that took with the “nobody’s puppet” either, teehee.)
Luckily, Rygel betrayed John to Varla’s associate Meelak, and Meelak had an agenda of his own. Well, to backtrack, John gets Chiana to explain a bit about why the Nebari might want her…it turns out that she and her brother, Nerri, didn’t escape Nebari Prime; they were allowed to leave. Unbeknownst to them and the hundreds to thousands of others who were offered such a deal, they were infected with a contagion to be passed on by sexual contact. Nerri and Chiana rid themselves of said contagion two cycles later, but not after infecting their fair share of people. Then they split, because Nerri got the antidote from someone high up in the Establishment, so his life’s now in danger. Chiana didn’t see him again, before “Taking the Stone” when his life disk was terminated. But…turns out he’s alive! And working for the Nebari resistance, which Meelak is also part of. His mission is to deliver a holograph message to his sis, assuring her he’s ok but telling her not to come to him (gah, it was heartbreaking; Gigi had such chemistry with this actor, Simon Bossell.) Meelak also has a more covert military mission, stealing from Varla and escaping her at the impending Nebari outpost, so he’s not much help to our crew. Still, I love all the layers, and all the acting.
More backstory—before capturing Aeryn and Rygel, Varla’s ship was attacked by a nearby Peacekeeper patrol, probably from Scorpy’s carrier. Adds tension, but mostly in the fake variety; John and Pilot ultimately decide the best way to regain control from the Nebari (Pilot himself is restrained from going off course or starbursting by his collar, which was installed by Aeryn /feels,) would be to fake a PK attack. John and Rygel have to do minor maintenance work for this, as the DRDs are incapacitated, and this of course allows for layers of drama with D’argo and Aeryn coming upon them and Chiana trying to stall Varla in command. Ultimately, the simulation is ready to be played—they have a doctored version of Crais say he’s after the Nebari, and then attacks begin. As things apparently turn dire, Varla decides to kill Chiana rather than let the PKs, the Establishment’s enemy, have her. Like most extremists, she invokes “the greater good” cause, which I can’t say anymore without laughing about the “Hot Fuzz” movie scene, teehee. John tries to get Meelak to compromise his other mission and step in on Chiana’s behalf. When the Nebari won’t do this, John has Pilot stop the simulation and out himself as un-cleansed. Meelak is the one, in the ensuing struggle, who ultimately kills Varla, but John is a true friend. His genuine selflessness feels even more amazing in this episode where the selfish Nebari Establishment agenda parades as fake altruism.
The Nebari are surely the cream of the crop when it comes to despotic regimes. Not just content to control their own people, they invent this contagion that sits, dormant, in the hosts until triggered by Nebari Prime.; Badass plan coming up—they’re waiting until some opportune moment in the figure to trigger all contaminated people on the same day, throwing tons of planets into chaos. They figure enough people will be neutralized that they’ll be met with limited resistance. Turns out the Establishment has been sending off contaminated kids for 20 cycles now…their trigger date should “hopefully not too long from now.” *gulp* (Seriously, what about in time for the next “Farscape” movie??? It’s a built-in, canon conflict, show runners!!!) Anywho. (Another part of their charm—medieval-looking torture devices where you yank out alien eyes in order to install drugged chips along the veins. Uuuuuuugh. Might be the most unsettling thing to ever pop out of “Farscape,” no pun intended.) I also like Chiana’s offhand admission at one point that she’s just “a slum kid from the sub Warden Primes;” is there a socioeconomic component to the Nebari dystopia? Would make sense; despotic regimes usually breed these things. Maybe the rich don’t even need to be real-cleansed; they’re on board with the Establishment’s agenda; maybe they benefit politically, or financially, with the colonization of other worlds. Whereas the poor reap fewer benefits, have to do more menial work, or have their kids sent out to be unwilling lab rats like Chiana and Nerri (and we never hear anything about their parents. I’d love to know more about that story.) Have I made my point yet about the wealth of material here? And I know these showrunners could make it creative and compelling, too. (Hmm. Wonder if there’s fanfic out there already.)
Finally: Chiana and John. They’re the main relationship of this episode, and I wuv them. I admit—maybe it’s because I was a teenager, more shallow in my understanding of gender relations, but I’ve always harbored the J/C ship torch. I mean, look at my icon. :P And you can’t deny there’s some sexual chemistry. Even in this episode, John does the pelvic thrust on her. :PP But honestly…I get that they’re friends. Hell, that doesn’t diminish their relationship at all; it adds to it. The two of them are really quite similar; ScapeCast pointed out a number of ways. First of all, they’re both quite quiet when things really hurt them; it’s a pattern that will continue through the series. Neither John nor Chiana ever directly mention what happened in this ep ever again, and it’s quite possible that they just bury it under the rug. Nerri’s fate, and Chiana’s lack of being able to go to him, is obviously painful for the girl, as handled so heart-rendingly in the final few scenes (I get still get misty-eyed.) Side note, however—it does kind of bother me that Chi and D’argo never really reference what happened with the Nebari. But then again, Chiana is secretive and D’argo is focused on his son. So anyway. John still has the lid on, best he can, about the Harvey situation. John is being pursued by Scorpius for the wormhole knowledge in his head, and Chiana is being pursued by the Nebari Establishment because she may know Nerri’s whereabouts, or be able to be used against him. John is now a danger to Earth because he can lead these power-mad, highly advanced societies to our doorstep, and Chiana is a danger to the Nebari resistance because she can be used against her brother, who is now high up. (And gah, I’ll list another complaint—the Nebari never really cause anymore problems for Chi. Which I suppose I get because of the makeup issues or this being John’s story, but…gah. Feels like a copout in it’s way. Have I mentioned the movie option yet this paragraph? :P) I’m so excited for “Farscape” in the future…and I’m also excited to start recapping the major crux of season two, starting next ep! :D
Favorite Crichtonism: OoOoOoh - munchies! Good idea, man. Don't eat so much though. You'll Belushi-out cat.
Favorite Quotes:
*John lectures Chiana and introduces us to his gun*
Chiana: Look, you needn't worry, okay? I can look after myself.
John: Yes, yes I know. You can "kick, kiss and cry" your way out of any situation. I just wish you would stop getting into them. You know we barely got your ass out of there before that guy and his buddies turned nasty.
Chiana: You're just crying because Wynona jammed!
John: Hey! Wynona has been very reliable. It's not her fault that she jammed.
*Aeryn and Rygel’s creepy behavior, leading to a scary observance*
John: We just had our asses whupped saving Chiana and you're apologizing to her... That's scary.
Aeryn: That was in the past John. Now we look toward the future.
Rygel: We have a surprise for you!
Chiana: For me. Oh will it explode when I open it?
Aeryn: No Chiana, you don't open this. You embrace it.
Rygel: Yes, a feeling of joy and contentment so powerful you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Chiana: *noting Aeryn’s empty holster* Something's not right. Aeryn doesn't even shower without a pulse pistol.
*Aeryn and Varla force Pilot to cooperate with calm eeriness*
Aeryn: Pilot, Varla’s ship had a run in with a Peacekeeper patrol, probably from Scorpius' carrier. Please make sure that Moya’s senses are on full alert. The patrol may still be in the area.
Pilot: If there's even a chance that it is, then we need to starburst immediately! *responds with convulsions and drool to collar shock* Bisaric acid!
Varla: If this Leviathan goes into starburst, the collar will detect it and automatically inject a lethal dose. We must get to the outpost.
Aeryn: Please do so Pilot. We would not like to lose you.
*D’argo’s one real moment with Chiana before Meelak and Zhaan interrupt*
John: Chiana let me ask you a question. When you first came on board, Elvis had you in cuffs, dragging you back to Nebari Prime. Now we got Debra Harry doing the same thing. Why are your people so jazzed about getting you home?
Chiana: I dunno.
John: That woman looks like she's been through the bad part of hell just to get near you. Now why would she do that?
D’argo: Chiana - you must tell us.
Meelak: So, you are the sister.
D’argo: *after trying to pin Meelak to the door* ZHAAN! HELP US!
Zhaan: Worry not. *activates John and D’argo’s collars*
Chiana: Leave them alone!
Zhaan: Soon you will know the bliss that I know.
*time to disclose some secrets*
John: Chiana! Stop. Stop it. Stop! Look, everybody on board has secrets. We all have secrets. You got one? That's fine. Keep it. Right up to the point where they come to fry my brain.
*Chiana and Nerri’s flashback goodbye*
Nerri: Chiana. I'm not coming with you.
Chiana: What? What are you talking about?
Nerri: Somebody high up in The Establishment gave me the antibody. I saw him. He's the one they're after. I can identify him.
Chiana: Well then we run! We hide! That's-that's what we're good at!
Nerri: This is serious this time Chiana! The Establishment is trying to infect as much of the galaxy as it can with this contagion of theirs, and they're going to want to find out - who gave it to us - and then they're gonna mind-frell me -
Chiana: I'm coming with you. Yeah.
Nerri: No. We're less conspicuous if we split up.
Chiana: But Nerri...
Nerri: We will see each other again sister. I swear to you we will.
*Varla has John in the eye torture device while cleansed D’argo has a sobbing breakdown*
Varla: The treatment will help you by removing all negative impulses. Tell him D'Argo.
D’argo: Um - it's true John. All the things I've done as a warrior - all the horrible thoughts I've had all the cycles of my life - even about you - I am so sorry!
John: That's okay D'Argo. We'll talk later.
D’argo: Okay!
*Varla first invokes “the greater good” as justification for murder*
Varla: It is either mind-cleansing or death.
John: Hey, isn't that against your Nebari Prime Directive?
Varla: We are in difficult times. I'm afraid we must do whatever necessary to serve the greater good.
*Rygel pretending :P*
Varla: Welcome Chiana. Would you care for some food?
Chiana: I'd rather starve.
Rygel: Please - take my plate.
*Varla and Meelak explain the contagion to Chiana*
Meelak: The Establishment has sent out many messengers like you and Nerri, spreading the contagion for nearly 20 cycles.
Varla: The contagion spreads quickly. It shows no outward symptoms. It merely waits.
Chiana: Waits for what?
Varla: A specific time Chiana - ordained by The Establishment.
Meelak: We don't expect it to have infected entire civilizations. Only enough to throw those worlds into chaos, so that when our emissaries arrive, they'll be met with minimal resistance.
Chiana: The contagion will take control of everybody it's infected. All on the same day.
Meelak: Hopefully not too long from now.
*Harvey fights the Man for John*
Harvey: Frell the greater good. Frell it. Resist. Fight it. Fight them.
*John’s first attempt at surfer dude*
Varla: What are you doing?
John: Oh y'know Moya’s amnexus system? Is like, in flux? So I'm just sorta y'know - lookin' for the source?
Varla: Will that affect the safety and speed of this ship?
John: Sh-yah! It'd totally screw the pooch babe!
*John comes out to Chiana*
Chiana: What is this? Some half-count attempt to make me tell you where Nerri is- *John hits her, then moves behind her bum to do the pelvic thrust* You're - you're really not cleansed?
John: No. My thoughts are as dirty as ever.
*the best exchange from the whole series*
John: You, me and Pilot - we're the only ones who aren't Nebari puppets
Rygel: I'm nobody’s puppet!
*Rygel sells John out*
Meelak: Exactly what do you want the Hynerian to help you do Crichton?
Rygel: OH! I'm so grateful you're here! He needs help! Lots of help! I don't think the mind cleansing is working- *John backhands him*
Meelak: Obviously not.
*Nerri’s message to Chiana*
Nerri: Hey little sister. I told you we'd see each other again. Well, at least you're seeing me. A lot of things have changed since we saw each other last. I don't know how much you know about what it is I'm doing, but it's important work - very important. Work! You believe I've been doing something like that? I wish you could be part of it, but it's kinda dangerous. Wherever it is you are right now, you'd probably be better off there. Whoever gave you this image disc is one of my people. Treat them well. They are our friend. But they are also under my strictest orders not to take you to me. It's far too hazardous. Maybe someday when things get safer- *interrupted by whispered warning* Look - I just wanted you to know that I'm alive and well. For now at least. Keep yourself well-hidden little sister, and out of harms reach. I love you dearly.
*John and Chiana are at a standoff with Meelak*
John: All right. So what do we do now? You know our secret, we know yours. We're kind of at a stand off.
Meelak: I have some data that I've got to get back to Nerri and the others. As soon as we hit the outpost, I'm going to take the express out of there. You two are on your own.
John: So he cares enough to send you with a message, but he doesn't care if she gets mind-cleansed?
Meelak: If I help you, then I jeopardize my position and all those that are depending on me.
Chiana: If you don't take me with you, I'll tell Varla everything!
Meelak: Go on. Threaten me with that. Tell her how your friend here somehow avoided the temporary mind-cleanse.
*Rygel reveals his plan to John after John finds him via “Caddyshack” and helium farts*
John: Oh, Ryyy-gelll! Where are you my little husky? I have a stick for you! *whistles* Where are ya boy? *helium fart emission* Oh my - eenie, meenie, miney, mo! *finds Ryg*
Rygel: Oh, uh, Hel-lo! Ah - I felt it best if I, uh-
John: Best if you hid until all my violent thoughts had been wiped?
Rygel: I didn't want to disturb the process. You are cleansed aren't you?
John: *putting his foot on Rygel’s chest* No. Rygel. As you may notice, my nasty urges have not been suppressed.
Rygel: Crichton! What in the yotz are you-
John: Shut up you miserable excuse for a life! I'm sick of having you sell us out every chance you get!
Rygel: I don't do it every chance! Believe me the-
John: DON'T YOU B.S. ME GUIDO! YOU'RE ON THE FIRST TRANSPORT OUTTA HERE!
Rygel: On the contrary! I was looking forward to reaching the Nebari outpost. We're not getting out of this one! These are the Nebari! Ne-ba-ri!
John: What happens when you get to the outpost Buckwheat? You let them strap you in and give you the deluxe brain wash?
Rygel: They only cleanse those who don't conform. I can be the 'go-along guy' if it means being part of the action.
John: You aren't into self preservation. YOU ARE THE KING OF IT!
*D’argo crashes John and Rygel’s maintenance work*
D’argo: What are you two doing?
Rygel: Oh great. Just what we need, a lobotomized Luxan.
*Chiana’s bluff to get Varla onto command*
Varla: *after torturing her* This is not a game child. You said that you had information about Nerri’s whereabouts. Either you do - or you don't.
Chiana: You gotta give me some time. I'm a slum kid from the sub Waldren Prides.
*Varla embraces violent extremism again*
Varla: If the Peacekeepers get the girl, she'll lead them to Nerri. And that will mean Peacekeepers aid to the Resistance! *makes to kill Chi*
Chiana: NO!
John: HEY! NO! Hey y'know? That goes against everything Nebari’s stand for man! You can't just kill her in cold blood!
Varla: All is forgiven if it is in the service of the greater good.
*competing ideologies with Varla’s death*
Varla: You see Meelak, discipline and faith defeat any insurgence.
…
Varla: You betrayed me.
Meelak: And you have betrayed the spirit of our people.
*John comforts Chiana as Meelak leaves to rejoin Nerri*
Chiana: Ne - Nerri's alive. I just gotta - I wanna to see him!
John: I understand. But you cannot compromise what he's doing. Your brother's alive. He's alive. Take that. It's more than you had yesterday.
Chiana: I want to go to him.
John: I know... But since when do people like us get what we want?
___
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