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scifi_rewatchWelcome to the Liars, Guns & Money trilogy! I remember when I first watched this, it was so exciting, because of the dramatic focus on the quest for D’argo’s son. Granted, the “D’argo’s son” theme has been hopping for several eps now (so much so that the podcasters on the ScapeCast have grown quite weary of it. :P) But this is the first time we’re not distracted by dispersal hubcaps or time-traveling lovers lockets or dystopian Nebari; it’s finally become the A storyline.
In fact, I’m not sure there’s a B storyline this ep. Everything flows together so seamlessly, and although their goals and motivations may be different, the Moya crew all contribute to the shadow depository plan. This episode is basically “Farscape”’s bank heist show; I’m not usually into that sort of thing, but put Zhaan in an eyepatch and make Chiana her cutesy minion, and I’m game. :P Also, give me a villain like Natira, cos woooow. Talk about compelling. My props to both actress Claudia Karvan and the makeup team.
It’s an interesting one for characters, too, cos we see how they react under the pressure of the mission. Finally, of course, we’re nearing the end of the season, so we get some good Scorpius beats, and our best affirmation to date about what’s been going on in John’s head all this time. We end with a mildly hopeful calm, then the promise of a slow-growing new menace; a great end to the first part of a trilogy.
Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.
OK, so a brief recap of the heist, cos I dunno, it’s kind of confusing. First, no one but D’argo and Stark want in on the plan, so they kind of force the rest of the Moya crew by having D’argo get captured. Also, said capture would allow for Stark to hack into the security system in the six hours while they’re rescrambling their codes or whatever. Once D is captured, Rygel is sealed into some metal casing to look like an expensive statue, so that Zhaan and Chiana can smuggle him in as a deposit. Stark supplies a thingamagig so that Rygel can switch containers while inside the vault (which, quick sidestep, still looks so cool automated and massive,) and then when Zhaan and Chi come to collect, they’re actually taking someone else’s massive wealth to use as currency in the auction where son Jothee is being sold. Meanwhile, John and Aeryn are involved as Zhaan’s “guards,” but they quickly get distracted by Scorpy stuff. You know, looking back on it, besides some minor hiccups like a brief John/Scorpy encounter and a few locked doors that were opened just in time, the “not so simple plan” kinda went off ok. Too bad their stolen currency looks to be metal bugs, but what are you going to do. :P
D’argo and Stark seem the most unhinged this episode. Well, first of all, Stark’s back! :P He said in “The Ugly Truth,” that because he’s mostly an energy being that creates a physical form to live in this realm, he’d stand the best chance of re-coalescing after dispersal. (He repeats it for our benefit now. :P) Luckily, his mask, in Zhaan’s possession, guides the Moya crew to him. He’s spent his time gaining knowledge from the shadow depository’s architect, whom he crossed to the other side, so that he could get them in. Like Gandalf who came back from the dead, I guess Stark had a job to do. :P Paul Goddard played him to a T, but I would not want to be around that guy during a time of crisis. He could barely hold his shit together as he fumbled to get his security feed to work—D’argo even tongued him once. Also, he gets rather mean-spirited to those around him, which resulted in him lying to John about something, a big no no for our human. And this is before John found out that Stark knew Scorpy had holdings here. :P Meanwhile, D’argo’s the only one, understandably, on board with the plan of going immediately down to the shadow depository, guns blazing. Although no one else, particularly Aeryn and Chiana, are too keen on this, it’s John whom he singles out to not forgive. Well, technically I’m not sure about Aeryn. But I think with John, it’s the alpha male thing again. John is his wingman in ways the girls can’t be. (Plus, he’s the only other one on the ship—besides the ship herself :P— who’s a parent, but I kinda doubt that factors into it much.) The betrayal just goes deeper. But it’s good to see him keeping his word from “The Ugly Truth” about being more trusting towards Bannik slaves. :P
Let’s head on down to the shadow depository, and get to know the alien in charge, Natira. I feel like she was one of the better villains that “Farscape” had to offer—memorable for both her arachnid form and her elegantly manipulative personality. I loved the sleek tone to her voice, or the fact that even though Zhaan’s cocky attitude in disguise was among the best, Natira still got the best of her when her container came out. :P Everything about this character oozed of the femininely confident “don’t frell with me.” Including with Scorpius, whom, it would seem, she frelled more literally. :P Sci-Fi only showed us the leather licking part, but come on now. This is “Farscape,” with all of it’s leather kink. I mean, even when Scorpy thought he was calling the shots, by demanding triple for the assets Natira stole from him when she assumed him dead on the Gammak base, she seems relatively unconcerned when the Moya crew steals them…maybe because she knows her replacement assets are metal bugs. I should zip my lips, but yup. Much more to come for this character in the next two episodes.
Zhaan, Chiana and Rygel provided much of the comic relief this ep. Virginia Hey got to put on a different set of pants—really her first set of pants and her first eyepatch, and she pulled off the role of cocky pirate with aplomb. :P Even better was having Chiana as a minion to repeat her lines in staccato whispers. Was great for these two actresses to explore a different, but authentic, I thought, sort of chemistry between the characters. Meanwhile, poor Rygel. No pills to protect him from Zhaan’s sleeping gas, having to endure being lasered into a tomb, only for a stealth inside mission that almost lost him his life—certainly his dominar clothes! Either way, he was hanging by a hair as he struggled to get into the rapidly moving container. But Zhaan and Chiana both got to explore more dramatic parts of their personalities, too. We open on Zhaan who is convinced Stark is trying to contact her, though the rest of the crew less sure, and they want her to turn Moya around. Later, Chiana speaks truth to D’argo—not only when she tries to dissuade him from immediately embarking on Stark’s plans, but more importantly when she chastises him for not forgiving John. She’s even a little hard on John, who comes into D’s quarters, basically to try and justify his earlier decision, which leads to a fight, while the Nebari is just trying to attend to the Luxan’s wounds. It may not be often that Chiana is the voice of reason on this show, but boy when that testosterone is running. :P I also can’t help but to think that Chiana’s empathetic attitude is linked to the events of “A Clockwork Nebari.” She doesn’t want those boys to lose each other, d’aaaaaw.
One person whom John may be keen on losing is Scorpius. The voice is in his head baaaad this ep, and of course we have that bit of foreshadowing in the beginning when he thinks he sees Scorp talking to Natira. Though honestly, it makes sense that Harvey might get stronger when Scorpy is near. Certainly makes more sense than the shadow depository security allowing John and Aeryn to have free reign over the security cameras. Plot device! Got some great Crichtonisms out of it, though. :P Meanwhile, John…didn’t precisely act the hero this ep. He was supposed to be focused on the mission at hand, but instead he takes a little side trip to try and kill Scorp via cooling rods. For my money, I’ll say the Scaper Chronicles had a point; I don’t think it’s about revenge as much as it’s about John trying to neutralize a very constant threat. But still, that takes his attentions off of the mission at hand—and his friends, like Zhaan, who’s in the line of fire. Makes him a more complex character, and I love it. I also love Ben Browder’s acting as he portrays John’s internal conflicts, both when trying to coat Scorpy’s cooling rods, then with the man himself. Was quite the showdown, as John fought tooth and nail to not save his enemy’s life. (Also, Scorp gave a definitive answer that Harvey is real, and has been helping our human out all this season. So that’s a wrap!) Is Scorp still alive? Weeell…we know his nurse (is this PK Barbie, or was that the red-headed woman on the Gammak base?) didn’t make it. (At least Braca’s still with us—Braca sighting! :D He’s such a yes-man thug here, too. Anywho.) The nurse had been with us all season, in various Scorp-related episodes. My kudos to actress Jennifer Fisher.
But in closing, let us turn to our leading lady, Aeryn Sun. Poor girl basically spends her day as a glorified babysitter; whether for John or D’argo we’re not certain. :P But someone’s gotta toe the line—whether with helping Zhaan et al carry out the smuggling plan, including acting a diversion so they can load the treasure onto the shuttle—or with John, coating Scorpy’s rods with the paste when he can’t. She also keeps John on track emotionally—convincing him, and us, with elegant minimalism, that she knows how he feels about her. (This culminates in the next to final scene of the episode when she does a Han by responding to his “I love you” with “I know.” :P Classic.) It’s not exactly a huge day of character development for her, except, perhaps in accepting John’s feelings as much as she does. But if ever there was proof that Aeryn can be the rock for people to lean on in important and emotional missions, this is it. She better keep bringing her A game, cos we’re only one part down in this trilogy. :P
Favorite Crichtonism: Bonnie and Clyde. Oh no - forget about that one, it's a bad ending.
Favorite Quotes:
*ethics about who to save, before Moya crew knows for sure that Stark is alive*
D’argo: We should return the slave auction immediately!
Zhaan: And do what? We have no currency D'Argo. We cannot save your son. But we can save Stark.
Chiana: Zhaan, maybe, uh-
Zhaan: What?
Chiana: Well - maybe - I'm just saying maybe - you didn't communicate with Stark. You know Zhaan, sometimes, when we want something really badly, we think things happen and they don't.
Zhaan: I do not need a lesson from you child. THIS MASK TALKED TO ME! Unless you all think I'm imagining it.
D’argo: I do. Stark is gone. But my son is still alive. So I want you - to turn - this ship - around.
*a more flashy, but still flawed, “Farscape” plan*
Aeryn: Well I saw a shadow depository once that had more firepower than a Gammak Base.
Stark: Yes, but with these - *brandishing data chips* - I can control the internal depository door motion detectors. And these - *brandishing blueprints* - these are a complete set of blueprints - vault layout, everything. In one container is enough wealth to buy an entire shipment of slaves and still have enough left over to make all of us filthy rich forever!
John: Where did you get these?
Stark: I helped the deposit designer cross over to death. His last thoughts led me to these. They're genuine.
John: Did you kill him?
Stark: Not exactly.
Aeryn: Did the designer have enough time to explain to you how much firepower is actually inside this depository?
Stark: Not - not precisely.
John: Oh that's comforting.
*D’argo feels betrayed, but he mostly takes it out on John*
D’argo: We're gonna have to go down and have a look for ourselves.
Aeryn: Their arsenal would be massive. This is suicide D'Argo!
D’argo: Well if it's the only way we can save my son we must consider it.
John: D'Argo, wait - nonono - I know this is important, I know you want to do this - but it is not possible.
D’argo: You won't even consider this?
John: I just don't see how we-
D’argo: Well fine! We'll go without you! We'll go without all 4 of you! Chiana, it's just you, me and Stark.
Chiana: Well sure, b-b-but you know, maybe - maybe we should just-
D’argo: What? Now you're against me too?
Chiana: No! No! I'm with you! it's-
D’argo: *to John* WHEN YOU ASKED ME TO DO SOMETHING, DID I EVER QUESTION IF IT WAS POSSIBLE?
John: D'Argo, I-
D’argo: NO! I DIDN'T! You're cowards. All of you.
*a reminder that Pilot’s job isn’t to police the crew when D’argo wants a shuttle*
Pilot: He does not need my permission!
*John’s makeshift plan—kinda weak but very funny. :P Also interesting how he repeats Scorpy’s line about “unique”…is Harvey getting to him? Has Scorp influenced him? It’s a great little detail to ponder in this funny bit*
Akkor: What is your business here Peacekeepers?
John: Good! Very - very good! You in charge here?
Akkor: What is your business?
John: This is a depository, right? We have something to deposit.
Akkor: What makes you think we'd be interested?
John: You ever hear of KFC?
Akkor: KFC?
John: It is, to my knowledge, unique in the universe, and unique - is always valuable. Now we have managed to procure all 11 secret ingredients.
*Natira’s elegant and alliterated introduction*
Natira: As a race - Luxans can be - inartful at love. Inadequate at war - and intrinsically inept. But this one - is intelligent.
Guard: Shall I execute him?
Natira: No. He also expects to be interrogated. Don't you?
D’argo: Ka - D'Argo.
Natira: See? It's a dance, gentleman. Let's not disappoint him.
*Stark flips under pressure and John flips at lies*
Stark: *attempting to insert chips in device* No! No! No! Wrong chip! Bad chip! Bad!
John: Have you accessed their security systems yet?
Stark: Soon.
John: You said we had less than 6 arns.
Stark: I know what I said.
John: That means you have less than an arn left.
Stark: All bad. It's a matter of precision timing. I must create my link at the precise moment they reset their lock- *shadow depository security appears as hologram* I'm in. I'm in!
John: Are you sure this is gonna work?
Stark: Yes it will work, I've spent too much time thinking it through.
John: *reaching over to touch something* I spent too much time thinking through the Farscape project.
Stark: *stops him frantically* Your side, my side! My side, your side! Now GO! Go back to your quarters, get something to eat, take a nap- do nothing - - That's what D'Argo said you do best.
John: *puts Wynona at Stark’s neck* Ground rule: You don't lie to me. Did D'Argo say that?
Stark: No. I'm sorry. He didn't.
John: Do you have any other lies you want to confess?
Stark: No.
John: You want to guilt trip me that's fine, just --don't lie to me.
*Zhaan the pirate plays a pissing game with Natira*
Akkor: May I help you?
Zhaan: No. Bring me whomever is in charge here.
Akkor: I assure you, madam, I am more than capable-
Zhaan: Don't try to elevate yourself. I know a functionary when one crawls in front of my face. Now fetch me your master like a good little minion.
Natira: I'm Natira. Are you here to make a transaction?
Zhaan: I am Aralla.
Natira: You act as if that name should means something to me.
Zhaan: I understand you've been having security problems.
Natira: You've been misinformed.
Zhaan: Reeeaaally? I had one of my operatives test your systems himself. He got halfway into your vault before you even noticed him.
Natira: The Luxan? He barely made it through the first door. He belongs to you?
Zhaan: He's still alive?
Natira: Last I checked.
Chiana: They couldn't even kill a Luxan.
Zhaan: Unbelievable. I will take him back now.
Natira: You'll take whatever I give you. How did he get our code?
Zhaan: It is not my job to plug your security leak.
*Chiana’s job as minion*
Natira: Then why have you come here?
Zhaan: Time sensitive goods. Short-term deposit.
Chiana: Short term!
Zhaan: I need storage for one solar day.
Chiana: One solar day!
*Natira wins one battle*
Natira: The vault is made from madium steel. Strong enough to withstand a metavec explosion. Does that alleviate your security concerns?
Zhaan: I'll let you know in one solar day.
Natira: Please. The code to your container is now linked to your genetic profile. Only you will able to gain access. Here comes your container now. *hurtles towards them at high speed; Zhaan stumbles when it stops an inch away from her* Mm. The first time can be a little intimidating.
*Scorpius and Natira establish their relationship*
Scorpius: I'm here to claim my property.
Natira: Is that it? Straight to business? Mm - Scorpius - for a half-Scarran you can sometimes be so - cold. We have so much to catch up on. I heard about the destruction of your Gammak Base.
Scorpius: And you thought I was dead.
Natira: Well I'm glad I was wrong.
Scorpius: You seized my property.
Natira: Well of course! But I'll provide you with merchandise of equal value.
Scorpius: No. For my inconvenience you'll provide me with triple the value.
Natira: Double.
Scorpius: Triple.
Natira: I'll make the arrangements.
*John and Stark share post-prisoner humor*
John: Hey Stark! Riddle me this - what's black and white, and black and white, and black and white, and black and white...
Stark: Scorpy!
*who wants revenge here?*
Stark: I didn't know he'd BE here!
John: NO NO NO NO, YOU JUST WANTED, YOU WANTED BOOST, BOOST, BOOST HIS STUFF! YOU JUST WANTED REVENGE!
Stark: That is NOT true! My people and D’Argo’s son are the reason I'm here. Now, if it's Scorpius' wealth that frees them, well, that's an added bonus. You want revenge!
John: No I don't. I want to kill him. That's justice.
*the foreplay begins*
Natira: I'm procuring a quarter sakmar of borinium ingots for you. At least 3 times the value of the property you had stored.
Braca: And where are you stealing them from?
Natira: Do you care?
Scorpius: No. How soon will we have them?
Natira: The arrangements are rather complex.
Scorpius: And what am I supposed to do while I wait?
Natira: Accept my apologies.
Scorpius: *to his people* Return to the Marauder; I will summon you if I need you. *to the nurse, with the medical bag* Leave that. Natira will attend to me - should I require it.
Natira: True. I know many ways to bleed off your excess heat.
*John and D’argo fight while Chiana tries to keep the peace*
John: Yeah we're uh - we're going ahead with the plan.
D’argo: Because now it's begun you have no other choice.
John: Yeah who exactly got us into this great plan anyway?
D’argo: Well someone had to act.
John: You mean someone had to take matters into their own hands?
D’argo: And you never do?
Chiana: Crichton just - just leave him alone ok?
John: No that's fine. He wants to get into it, we can get into it.
Chiana: Well yeah sure. Now's just a great time. Hey how about I just go grab some rags in case he starts bleeding again?
John: I didn't come here to fight. Came to see how you are.
D’argo: Well. We've already covered that. Is there anything else?
*Rygel comically lays out the plan for us from inside the vault*
Rygel: 1- Get out of statue. 2 - Use gadget to retrieve prize. 3 - Jump into containers full of riches! The problem is - Step 1! *breaks free of constraints* Frell! The blue bitch said this would be easy!
*flipping through the security feeds to find Scorpius*
Aeryn: What are you doing?
John: Doing what guys do best - I'm looking for Baywatch. *finds Scorpy and Natira in their leather licking phase* Better yet - the Discovery Channel.
*Aeryn lays in on D’argo, too*
Aeryn: Stark! Just - you and D'Argo get Zhaan, Chiana and Rygel out and we'll act as a diversion.
D’argo: That is suicide Aeryn.
Aeryn: Almost as suicidal and strolling in and walking through a security door.
*Natira tries to regain control with Scorpius, but he offers an enticing deal to allow free reign to look for John*
Natira: This is my facility Scorpius. You'll go nowhere without me.
Scorpius: *Scarran voice; burning through his cooling rod* Natir- *gasps and resumes Sebacean voice* Natira. How much -- do you owe me? In every way?
Natira: Too much - that I cannot repay.
Scorpius: If I leave with this man in custody - then all is forgiven.
*Aeryn and John check in on their feelings amidst crisis*
John: Aeryn if Scorpius gets me-
Aeryn: I know, shoot you.
John: No. Nonono! Shoot him! Look, we have to talk.
Aeryn: Not here! You'll get us both killed!
John: Aeryn I have to tell you how I feel, I have to tell you-
Aeryn: No, you don't.
John: Yes, I do. I do.
Aeryn: *pointedly* No. You don't.
*poor Rygel, always neglected*
Zhaan: Chiana! Get your pill for the melar gas. Take it now!
Rygel: Where's my pill?! This time I get a pill!
*the John/Braca encounter, before John knocks him out through the door*
John: Hiya, Braca. Tell me, is the rematch ever better than the original fight?
*confirmation on whose got what in their heads*
John: Well, since I got you here, tell me - what the frell did you put in my head?
Scorpius: Some awareness. A neuro-biotracer. Call it what you like. A tiny chip, a tiny seed that's been growing in your brain, and touching every aspect of your - personality, your - memory.
John: Didn't happen to see Luanne Johnson, dijya?
Scorpius: And whispering advice. I trust - it's helped save you once or twice, since escaping my Gammak base!
John: Whatsamatter Scorpy? You don't look too good!
Scorpius: Neither do you Crichton!
John: I got a piece of you in me - now you got a piece of me in you!
*Get some R-rated humor into last decade’s Sci-Fi at 9 pm :P*
Scorpius: Take it! Take it! Take it! *forces the rod into John’s hand* Now insert the rod! Insert the rod! Insert the rod! Insert it! Insert the rod John!
John: You're really not my type Scorpy-
*John’s patriotic way of ignoring Harvey and Scorpius ganging up on him*
John: DIE YOU GROTESQUE BASTARD! Even if it means I die too!
Scorpius: Neither one of us can die!
John: *finally able to crawl away* O-OH SAY CAN YOU SEE?
Scorpius: I command you John Crichton! Help me! I command you to help me!
*Chiana should go into psychiatry*
D’argo: *about Stark* After all these desolate cycles, I'm about to see my son, and that tortured being there is the one who's made it possible.
Chiana: What about your other tortured friend?
D’argo: Friends support one another unconditionally.
Chiana: They also forgive one another.
*just call her Aeryn Sun Solo :P*
John: Hm. Aeryn -I, um - I meant what I said... Didn't say.
Aeryn: *J/A embrace* I know.
___
In fact, I’m not sure there’s a B storyline this ep. Everything flows together so seamlessly, and although their goals and motivations may be different, the Moya crew all contribute to the shadow depository plan. This episode is basically “Farscape”’s bank heist show; I’m not usually into that sort of thing, but put Zhaan in an eyepatch and make Chiana her cutesy minion, and I’m game. :P Also, give me a villain like Natira, cos woooow. Talk about compelling. My props to both actress Claudia Karvan and the makeup team.
It’s an interesting one for characters, too, cos we see how they react under the pressure of the mission. Finally, of course, we’re nearing the end of the season, so we get some good Scorpius beats, and our best affirmation to date about what’s been going on in John’s head all this time. We end with a mildly hopeful calm, then the promise of a slow-growing new menace; a great end to the first part of a trilogy.
Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.
OK, so a brief recap of the heist, cos I dunno, it’s kind of confusing. First, no one but D’argo and Stark want in on the plan, so they kind of force the rest of the Moya crew by having D’argo get captured. Also, said capture would allow for Stark to hack into the security system in the six hours while they’re rescrambling their codes or whatever. Once D is captured, Rygel is sealed into some metal casing to look like an expensive statue, so that Zhaan and Chiana can smuggle him in as a deposit. Stark supplies a thingamagig so that Rygel can switch containers while inside the vault (which, quick sidestep, still looks so cool automated and massive,) and then when Zhaan and Chi come to collect, they’re actually taking someone else’s massive wealth to use as currency in the auction where son Jothee is being sold. Meanwhile, John and Aeryn are involved as Zhaan’s “guards,” but they quickly get distracted by Scorpy stuff. You know, looking back on it, besides some minor hiccups like a brief John/Scorpy encounter and a few locked doors that were opened just in time, the “not so simple plan” kinda went off ok. Too bad their stolen currency looks to be metal bugs, but what are you going to do. :P
D’argo and Stark seem the most unhinged this episode. Well, first of all, Stark’s back! :P He said in “The Ugly Truth,” that because he’s mostly an energy being that creates a physical form to live in this realm, he’d stand the best chance of re-coalescing after dispersal. (He repeats it for our benefit now. :P) Luckily, his mask, in Zhaan’s possession, guides the Moya crew to him. He’s spent his time gaining knowledge from the shadow depository’s architect, whom he crossed to the other side, so that he could get them in. Like Gandalf who came back from the dead, I guess Stark had a job to do. :P Paul Goddard played him to a T, but I would not want to be around that guy during a time of crisis. He could barely hold his shit together as he fumbled to get his security feed to work—D’argo even tongued him once. Also, he gets rather mean-spirited to those around him, which resulted in him lying to John about something, a big no no for our human. And this is before John found out that Stark knew Scorpy had holdings here. :P Meanwhile, D’argo’s the only one, understandably, on board with the plan of going immediately down to the shadow depository, guns blazing. Although no one else, particularly Aeryn and Chiana, are too keen on this, it’s John whom he singles out to not forgive. Well, technically I’m not sure about Aeryn. But I think with John, it’s the alpha male thing again. John is his wingman in ways the girls can’t be. (Plus, he’s the only other one on the ship—besides the ship herself :P— who’s a parent, but I kinda doubt that factors into it much.) The betrayal just goes deeper. But it’s good to see him keeping his word from “The Ugly Truth” about being more trusting towards Bannik slaves. :P
Let’s head on down to the shadow depository, and get to know the alien in charge, Natira. I feel like she was one of the better villains that “Farscape” had to offer—memorable for both her arachnid form and her elegantly manipulative personality. I loved the sleek tone to her voice, or the fact that even though Zhaan’s cocky attitude in disguise was among the best, Natira still got the best of her when her container came out. :P Everything about this character oozed of the femininely confident “don’t frell with me.” Including with Scorpius, whom, it would seem, she frelled more literally. :P Sci-Fi only showed us the leather licking part, but come on now. This is “Farscape,” with all of it’s leather kink. I mean, even when Scorpy thought he was calling the shots, by demanding triple for the assets Natira stole from him when she assumed him dead on the Gammak base, she seems relatively unconcerned when the Moya crew steals them…maybe because she knows her replacement assets are metal bugs. I should zip my lips, but yup. Much more to come for this character in the next two episodes.
Zhaan, Chiana and Rygel provided much of the comic relief this ep. Virginia Hey got to put on a different set of pants—really her first set of pants and her first eyepatch, and she pulled off the role of cocky pirate with aplomb. :P Even better was having Chiana as a minion to repeat her lines in staccato whispers. Was great for these two actresses to explore a different, but authentic, I thought, sort of chemistry between the characters. Meanwhile, poor Rygel. No pills to protect him from Zhaan’s sleeping gas, having to endure being lasered into a tomb, only for a stealth inside mission that almost lost him his life—certainly his dominar clothes! Either way, he was hanging by a hair as he struggled to get into the rapidly moving container. But Zhaan and Chiana both got to explore more dramatic parts of their personalities, too. We open on Zhaan who is convinced Stark is trying to contact her, though the rest of the crew less sure, and they want her to turn Moya around. Later, Chiana speaks truth to D’argo—not only when she tries to dissuade him from immediately embarking on Stark’s plans, but more importantly when she chastises him for not forgiving John. She’s even a little hard on John, who comes into D’s quarters, basically to try and justify his earlier decision, which leads to a fight, while the Nebari is just trying to attend to the Luxan’s wounds. It may not be often that Chiana is the voice of reason on this show, but boy when that testosterone is running. :P I also can’t help but to think that Chiana’s empathetic attitude is linked to the events of “A Clockwork Nebari.” She doesn’t want those boys to lose each other, d’aaaaaw.
One person whom John may be keen on losing is Scorpius. The voice is in his head baaaad this ep, and of course we have that bit of foreshadowing in the beginning when he thinks he sees Scorp talking to Natira. Though honestly, it makes sense that Harvey might get stronger when Scorpy is near. Certainly makes more sense than the shadow depository security allowing John and Aeryn to have free reign over the security cameras. Plot device! Got some great Crichtonisms out of it, though. :P Meanwhile, John…didn’t precisely act the hero this ep. He was supposed to be focused on the mission at hand, but instead he takes a little side trip to try and kill Scorp via cooling rods. For my money, I’ll say the Scaper Chronicles had a point; I don’t think it’s about revenge as much as it’s about John trying to neutralize a very constant threat. But still, that takes his attentions off of the mission at hand—and his friends, like Zhaan, who’s in the line of fire. Makes him a more complex character, and I love it. I also love Ben Browder’s acting as he portrays John’s internal conflicts, both when trying to coat Scorpy’s cooling rods, then with the man himself. Was quite the showdown, as John fought tooth and nail to not save his enemy’s life. (Also, Scorp gave a definitive answer that Harvey is real, and has been helping our human out all this season. So that’s a wrap!) Is Scorp still alive? Weeell…we know his nurse (is this PK Barbie, or was that the red-headed woman on the Gammak base?) didn’t make it. (At least Braca’s still with us—Braca sighting! :D He’s such a yes-man thug here, too. Anywho.) The nurse had been with us all season, in various Scorp-related episodes. My kudos to actress Jennifer Fisher.
But in closing, let us turn to our leading lady, Aeryn Sun. Poor girl basically spends her day as a glorified babysitter; whether for John or D’argo we’re not certain. :P But someone’s gotta toe the line—whether with helping Zhaan et al carry out the smuggling plan, including acting a diversion so they can load the treasure onto the shuttle—or with John, coating Scorpy’s rods with the paste when he can’t. She also keeps John on track emotionally—convincing him, and us, with elegant minimalism, that she knows how he feels about her. (This culminates in the next to final scene of the episode when she does a Han by responding to his “I love you” with “I know.” :P Classic.) It’s not exactly a huge day of character development for her, except, perhaps in accepting John’s feelings as much as she does. But if ever there was proof that Aeryn can be the rock for people to lean on in important and emotional missions, this is it. She better keep bringing her A game, cos we’re only one part down in this trilogy. :P
Favorite Crichtonism: Bonnie and Clyde. Oh no - forget about that one, it's a bad ending.
Favorite Quotes:
*ethics about who to save, before Moya crew knows for sure that Stark is alive*
D’argo: We should return the slave auction immediately!
Zhaan: And do what? We have no currency D'Argo. We cannot save your son. But we can save Stark.
Chiana: Zhaan, maybe, uh-
Zhaan: What?
Chiana: Well - maybe - I'm just saying maybe - you didn't communicate with Stark. You know Zhaan, sometimes, when we want something really badly, we think things happen and they don't.
Zhaan: I do not need a lesson from you child. THIS MASK TALKED TO ME! Unless you all think I'm imagining it.
D’argo: I do. Stark is gone. But my son is still alive. So I want you - to turn - this ship - around.
*a more flashy, but still flawed, “Farscape” plan*
Aeryn: Well I saw a shadow depository once that had more firepower than a Gammak Base.
Stark: Yes, but with these - *brandishing data chips* - I can control the internal depository door motion detectors. And these - *brandishing blueprints* - these are a complete set of blueprints - vault layout, everything. In one container is enough wealth to buy an entire shipment of slaves and still have enough left over to make all of us filthy rich forever!
John: Where did you get these?
Stark: I helped the deposit designer cross over to death. His last thoughts led me to these. They're genuine.
John: Did you kill him?
Stark: Not exactly.
Aeryn: Did the designer have enough time to explain to you how much firepower is actually inside this depository?
Stark: Not - not precisely.
John: Oh that's comforting.
*D’argo feels betrayed, but he mostly takes it out on John*
D’argo: We're gonna have to go down and have a look for ourselves.
Aeryn: Their arsenal would be massive. This is suicide D'Argo!
D’argo: Well if it's the only way we can save my son we must consider it.
John: D'Argo, wait - nonono - I know this is important, I know you want to do this - but it is not possible.
D’argo: You won't even consider this?
John: I just don't see how we-
D’argo: Well fine! We'll go without you! We'll go without all 4 of you! Chiana, it's just you, me and Stark.
Chiana: Well sure, b-b-but you know, maybe - maybe we should just-
D’argo: What? Now you're against me too?
Chiana: No! No! I'm with you! it's-
D’argo: *to John* WHEN YOU ASKED ME TO DO SOMETHING, DID I EVER QUESTION IF IT WAS POSSIBLE?
John: D'Argo, I-
D’argo: NO! I DIDN'T! You're cowards. All of you.
*a reminder that Pilot’s job isn’t to police the crew when D’argo wants a shuttle*
Pilot: He does not need my permission!
*John’s makeshift plan—kinda weak but very funny. :P Also interesting how he repeats Scorpy’s line about “unique”…is Harvey getting to him? Has Scorp influenced him? It’s a great little detail to ponder in this funny bit*
Akkor: What is your business here Peacekeepers?
John: Good! Very - very good! You in charge here?
Akkor: What is your business?
John: This is a depository, right? We have something to deposit.
Akkor: What makes you think we'd be interested?
John: You ever hear of KFC?
Akkor: KFC?
John: It is, to my knowledge, unique in the universe, and unique - is always valuable. Now we have managed to procure all 11 secret ingredients.
*Natira’s elegant and alliterated introduction*
Natira: As a race - Luxans can be - inartful at love. Inadequate at war - and intrinsically inept. But this one - is intelligent.
Guard: Shall I execute him?
Natira: No. He also expects to be interrogated. Don't you?
D’argo: Ka - D'Argo.
Natira: See? It's a dance, gentleman. Let's not disappoint him.
*Stark flips under pressure and John flips at lies*
Stark: *attempting to insert chips in device* No! No! No! Wrong chip! Bad chip! Bad!
John: Have you accessed their security systems yet?
Stark: Soon.
John: You said we had less than 6 arns.
Stark: I know what I said.
John: That means you have less than an arn left.
Stark: All bad. It's a matter of precision timing. I must create my link at the precise moment they reset their lock- *shadow depository security appears as hologram* I'm in. I'm in!
John: Are you sure this is gonna work?
Stark: Yes it will work, I've spent too much time thinking it through.
John: *reaching over to touch something* I spent too much time thinking through the Farscape project.
Stark: *stops him frantically* Your side, my side! My side, your side! Now GO! Go back to your quarters, get something to eat, take a nap- do nothing - - That's what D'Argo said you do best.
John: *puts Wynona at Stark’s neck* Ground rule: You don't lie to me. Did D'Argo say that?
Stark: No. I'm sorry. He didn't.
John: Do you have any other lies you want to confess?
Stark: No.
John: You want to guilt trip me that's fine, just --don't lie to me.
*Zhaan the pirate plays a pissing game with Natira*
Akkor: May I help you?
Zhaan: No. Bring me whomever is in charge here.
Akkor: I assure you, madam, I am more than capable-
Zhaan: Don't try to elevate yourself. I know a functionary when one crawls in front of my face. Now fetch me your master like a good little minion.
Natira: I'm Natira. Are you here to make a transaction?
Zhaan: I am Aralla.
Natira: You act as if that name should means something to me.
Zhaan: I understand you've been having security problems.
Natira: You've been misinformed.
Zhaan: Reeeaaally? I had one of my operatives test your systems himself. He got halfway into your vault before you even noticed him.
Natira: The Luxan? He barely made it through the first door. He belongs to you?
Zhaan: He's still alive?
Natira: Last I checked.
Chiana: They couldn't even kill a Luxan.
Zhaan: Unbelievable. I will take him back now.
Natira: You'll take whatever I give you. How did he get our code?
Zhaan: It is not my job to plug your security leak.
*Chiana’s job as minion*
Natira: Then why have you come here?
Zhaan: Time sensitive goods. Short-term deposit.
Chiana: Short term!
Zhaan: I need storage for one solar day.
Chiana: One solar day!
*Natira wins one battle*
Natira: The vault is made from madium steel. Strong enough to withstand a metavec explosion. Does that alleviate your security concerns?
Zhaan: I'll let you know in one solar day.
Natira: Please. The code to your container is now linked to your genetic profile. Only you will able to gain access. Here comes your container now. *hurtles towards them at high speed; Zhaan stumbles when it stops an inch away from her* Mm. The first time can be a little intimidating.
*Scorpius and Natira establish their relationship*
Scorpius: I'm here to claim my property.
Natira: Is that it? Straight to business? Mm - Scorpius - for a half-Scarran you can sometimes be so - cold. We have so much to catch up on. I heard about the destruction of your Gammak Base.
Scorpius: And you thought I was dead.
Natira: Well I'm glad I was wrong.
Scorpius: You seized my property.
Natira: Well of course! But I'll provide you with merchandise of equal value.
Scorpius: No. For my inconvenience you'll provide me with triple the value.
Natira: Double.
Scorpius: Triple.
Natira: I'll make the arrangements.
*John and Stark share post-prisoner humor*
John: Hey Stark! Riddle me this - what's black and white, and black and white, and black and white, and black and white...
Stark: Scorpy!
*who wants revenge here?*
Stark: I didn't know he'd BE here!
John: NO NO NO NO, YOU JUST WANTED, YOU WANTED BOOST, BOOST, BOOST HIS STUFF! YOU JUST WANTED REVENGE!
Stark: That is NOT true! My people and D’Argo’s son are the reason I'm here. Now, if it's Scorpius' wealth that frees them, well, that's an added bonus. You want revenge!
John: No I don't. I want to kill him. That's justice.
*the foreplay begins*
Natira: I'm procuring a quarter sakmar of borinium ingots for you. At least 3 times the value of the property you had stored.
Braca: And where are you stealing them from?
Natira: Do you care?
Scorpius: No. How soon will we have them?
Natira: The arrangements are rather complex.
Scorpius: And what am I supposed to do while I wait?
Natira: Accept my apologies.
Scorpius: *to his people* Return to the Marauder; I will summon you if I need you. *to the nurse, with the medical bag* Leave that. Natira will attend to me - should I require it.
Natira: True. I know many ways to bleed off your excess heat.
*John and D’argo fight while Chiana tries to keep the peace*
John: Yeah we're uh - we're going ahead with the plan.
D’argo: Because now it's begun you have no other choice.
John: Yeah who exactly got us into this great plan anyway?
D’argo: Well someone had to act.
John: You mean someone had to take matters into their own hands?
D’argo: And you never do?
Chiana: Crichton just - just leave him alone ok?
John: No that's fine. He wants to get into it, we can get into it.
Chiana: Well yeah sure. Now's just a great time. Hey how about I just go grab some rags in case he starts bleeding again?
John: I didn't come here to fight. Came to see how you are.
D’argo: Well. We've already covered that. Is there anything else?
*Rygel comically lays out the plan for us from inside the vault*
Rygel: 1- Get out of statue. 2 - Use gadget to retrieve prize. 3 - Jump into containers full of riches! The problem is - Step 1! *breaks free of constraints* Frell! The blue bitch said this would be easy!
*flipping through the security feeds to find Scorpius*
Aeryn: What are you doing?
John: Doing what guys do best - I'm looking for Baywatch. *finds Scorpy and Natira in their leather licking phase* Better yet - the Discovery Channel.
*Aeryn lays in on D’argo, too*
Aeryn: Stark! Just - you and D'Argo get Zhaan, Chiana and Rygel out and we'll act as a diversion.
D’argo: That is suicide Aeryn.
Aeryn: Almost as suicidal and strolling in and walking through a security door.
*Natira tries to regain control with Scorpius, but he offers an enticing deal to allow free reign to look for John*
Natira: This is my facility Scorpius. You'll go nowhere without me.
Scorpius: *Scarran voice; burning through his cooling rod* Natir- *gasps and resumes Sebacean voice* Natira. How much -- do you owe me? In every way?
Natira: Too much - that I cannot repay.
Scorpius: If I leave with this man in custody - then all is forgiven.
*Aeryn and John check in on their feelings amidst crisis*
John: Aeryn if Scorpius gets me-
Aeryn: I know, shoot you.
John: No. Nonono! Shoot him! Look, we have to talk.
Aeryn: Not here! You'll get us both killed!
John: Aeryn I have to tell you how I feel, I have to tell you-
Aeryn: No, you don't.
John: Yes, I do. I do.
Aeryn: *pointedly* No. You don't.
*poor Rygel, always neglected*
Zhaan: Chiana! Get your pill for the melar gas. Take it now!
Rygel: Where's my pill?! This time I get a pill!
*the John/Braca encounter, before John knocks him out through the door*
John: Hiya, Braca. Tell me, is the rematch ever better than the original fight?
*confirmation on whose got what in their heads*
John: Well, since I got you here, tell me - what the frell did you put in my head?
Scorpius: Some awareness. A neuro-biotracer. Call it what you like. A tiny chip, a tiny seed that's been growing in your brain, and touching every aspect of your - personality, your - memory.
John: Didn't happen to see Luanne Johnson, dijya?
Scorpius: And whispering advice. I trust - it's helped save you once or twice, since escaping my Gammak base!
John: Whatsamatter Scorpy? You don't look too good!
Scorpius: Neither do you Crichton!
John: I got a piece of you in me - now you got a piece of me in you!
*Get some R-rated humor into last decade’s Sci-Fi at 9 pm :P*
Scorpius: Take it! Take it! Take it! *forces the rod into John’s hand* Now insert the rod! Insert the rod! Insert the rod! Insert it! Insert the rod John!
John: You're really not my type Scorpy-
*John’s patriotic way of ignoring Harvey and Scorpius ganging up on him*
John: DIE YOU GROTESQUE BASTARD! Even if it means I die too!
Scorpius: Neither one of us can die!
John: *finally able to crawl away* O-OH SAY CAN YOU SEE?
Scorpius: I command you John Crichton! Help me! I command you to help me!
*Chiana should go into psychiatry*
D’argo: *about Stark* After all these desolate cycles, I'm about to see my son, and that tortured being there is the one who's made it possible.
Chiana: What about your other tortured friend?
D’argo: Friends support one another unconditionally.
Chiana: They also forgive one another.
*just call her Aeryn Sun Solo :P*
John: Hm. Aeryn -I, um - I meant what I said... Didn't say.
Aeryn: *J/A embrace* I know.
___
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