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scifi_rewatchBoy, does this episode bring the feels. :/ I listened to an episode of the Scaper Chronicles where most of the podcasters described themselves as relatively unemotional in countenance, but even they had the mushy feels by the end of the hour.
Perhaps the ultimate conclusion feels inevitable on a wholly rational, show objective level. But much like Rygel is no longer a puppet to “Farscape” fans, these characters, their motivations, drives and feels, are also real. And the big picture chess board machinations don’t mean nearly as much as identifying with the pieces.
Back to the Scaper Chronicles, one of the podcasters actually brought up the Daedalus and Icarus mythological inspiration this time. And she mentioned things that hadn’t even crossed my mind—it’s stuff too spoilery to tell you above the cut, too. :P I will say this—I think I’ve always interpreted “abides” to mean something more agreeable than it actually is. According to the Meriam Webster dictionary, the simple definition of to abide means to accept or bear something or someone unpleasant, so hmmm.
It’s also worth noting that John, who is definitely Icarus, flies a bit too close to a star here. :P But I’m already divulging relative spoilers! Anywho, the rest of the episode is a treat as well, from Furlow’s intriguing characterization to Crais and Stark’s b plot, to the damnably fine acting of Claudia Black. That’s no spoiler, hee.
Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.
Aeryn and Harvey have a tense stand off before Jack wakes up and assures our former Peacekeeper that the chip is dying. John is free at last! Rygel, as well, seems to have recovered enough from his stomach wound that he can eat again, or maybe food is the cure, heh. Meanwhile, on Talyn, a Scarran from the dreadnaught scouting party has gotten aboard. Jack unlocks the wormhole knowledge in John’s head, and together they start constructing a device that will destroy a dreadnaught. Stark half tells the truth/ half makes up a story about Crais’s involvement with Talyn; yes, he was a former peacekeeper who stole the ship, and now Stark is his resentful slave. He’s able to withstand the Scarran heat probe, even when lying! The Scarran demands a transponder for himself so that he can control Talyn. Meanwhile, back on the planet, things get a little existential between John and Jack about how far the Ancient is willing to go to contain the damage that’s been done by having wormhole tech available to so many questionable elements. Suffice to say, Jack re-trusts John again. But perhaps he’s right to be wary of Furlow, because when John and Aeryn are gone, she kills Jack! :o She then attempts to sell the half-finished weapon to the Charrids, whom she’s actually been in secret cahoots with, along with the Scarrans; but they turn her down because Rygel’s killed too many of their men. Furlow gets the better of them, and when John and Aeryn come back, she concocts a sob story about the Charrids sneaking in, hurting her and mortally wounding Jack. As the alien dies, John vows to continue his work. Aboard Talyn, our B plot crew members are ultimately able to kill the Scarran when he’s incapacitated by the neural transponder insert; Talyn shoots him to death. Furlow turns on John openly now, as she wants to sell wormhole related technology to the Scarrans, even if just for self preservation now. They engage in a car chase, and when Furlow’s vehicle rolls, a security mechanism on the weapon pops open, leaving radiation zapping into the public. Furlow walks away, and John sacrifices himself for the greater good. After exposing himself to the lethal radiation he doesn’t have much time, but he’s able to conjure up a wormhole, and use the device to call forth the power of a star to destroy the dreadnaught, while Aeryn destroys Furlow’s facility on the planet. He makes it back home to Talyn in order to say his goodbyes, the most emotional of which is with Aeryn, of course. He claims he’s in a good place in his life, with her, right now, having never felt better, and he dies on her watch. Wibble.
The Scaper Chronicles pointed out a mirror image of the Daedalus and Icarus myth in this episode. In the original tale, the son dies while the father lives, while in this tale, Jack dies when John lives. Not Talyn John, of course, or at least he doesn’t live for long, but Moya John is still kicking. There’s no way that he won’t be affected by all that his twin has been through and what he was trying to accomplish at the end of his life. It won’t be an easy road, hence the “abiding,” but John is always the hero, no matter the cost. To go into things concerning Moya John any further would be spoilers, of course, so I’ll stop there! More closely similar, of course, we have Talyn John flying too close to a sun in order to harness his power, and later he dies. Not directly related to the sun, but it was related to the displacement engine (wings?) that he used to harness said sun. Meanwhile, this action, under Jack’s tutelage, is really quite horrendous. He basically flips the switch on the atom bomb, destroying a densely packed society of living beings for the “greater good.” At least this “greater good” makes more sense than anything the Nebari had ever uttered, but literally moving stars and exploding them into wormholes? Destroying a densely populated spaceship along the way? It’s still a steep price to pay. As the Scape Chroniclers themselves thought of, Stark’s “I have no prayer for this” is rather close to Oppenheimer’s “I am become death.” Like I wrote before, the atom bomb. Since we only see that one Scarran we don’t really deal with the full consequences of all that; it’s one of the rare things that I think cheapens this episode a little bit. To be fair, they had a lot of ground to cover.
Both Rygel and Jack have shown some sadistic tendencies in this duology. Well, Rygel’s technically isn’t talked about much in this episode, much like the grievous wound that he sustained in the last one. I have to agree with the Scaper Chronicles here; it was a cheap shot. They should have never put it in if they were going to resolve it so quickly. Honestly, show, we had enough cliffhangers at the end of part one anyway. :P But Jack is still gung ho about that displacement engine, no matter what the Ancients might think. A newly intellectually awakened John tries to grasp what that means for all of them—like if it’s too dangerous for Charrids and Scarrans to have the wormhole technology, could Jack justify hurting him or Aeryn or Furlow in deference to “the greater good”? I guess I should give Jack credit for having some parameters—our known characters didn’t make the cut for death. The Scaper Chronicles went into the alien’s relationship with John, and about how much closer it is than John’s connection to the real Jack Crichton. That seems like a little bit of a stretch to me, even if we do have some knowledge about John living in his real father’s shadow. It’s also true that our human shares experiences with the Ancient Jack that he couldn’t with his real father, given the extreme turn that his life has taken since leaving Earth. But I’m still a little squicked out by the relationship that John has with his fake father. It’s an interesting comparison to Aeryn’s, too, whose relationship with her father is now only signified through the ship, Talyn. I don’t think it is coincidence that one of the things that John said to her on his death bed is a wish that they could have met each other’s fathers. Both of them are missing that connection with their parents, for different reasons, of course.
Two other figures who don’t seem to have much connection with their parents anymore—Crais and Stark! :P Bad transition, I know. Stark in particular is having an intriguing turnaround from his kooky “Meltdown” days. Although he sounds a little unhinged, he seems to be thinking quite clearly with coming up with a plan to defeat the Scarran. And we all know how “Farscape” plans can go awry! :P This plan really doesn’t, in part because Stark’s species or abilities apparently precludes him from having his mind read. I can roll with it…mind powers are kind of his thing. :P Anywho. Crais, too, seems to regain control of himself as Stark’s plan bears fruit. Certainly regaining a little eyesight doesn’t hurt matters, either, but I like the theory of the team being stronger when they work together, hee. And talk about how touching it was when Crais confirmed that no one (meaning Talyn) was going anywhere until John destroyed the dreadnaught. Talk about loyalty! And relationships…all of the menfolk had interesting goodbye scenes with John. Stark got to “cross John over,” or at least give him his final vision of an afterlife. They don’t share any words; it’s all about gestures and emotional contact. Crais, who started out as John’s number one enemy, can at least respect the human deeply, if they’re not chums. In return, John gives him a version of the “you can be more” speech. His “speech” now to Rygel about not taking his stuff is pretty much a mirror of their convo in the first episode of the show, hee. But it stands to reason…Rygel is still being true to form. He is the unemotional guy who said goodbye to Zhaan with “you big beautiful bitch.”
Speaking of bitches…better transition when you’re talking about Furlow, right? :P She sure showed her true colors this episode. The Charrids weren’t her enemies (or at least not entirely her enemies); she was purposefully keeping them around! None of this outside infiltrator dren! The Scarrans didn’t hack into her computer system (probably); she was willfully selling them the wormhole technology! Furlow makes for one scary villain, because she’s the type that we are all more likely to run into on the street. OK, for me, working in Capitol Hill, maybe I’m more likely to come across a nefarious, mustache-twirling “take over the world” type. :P But there are a lot of people out there who put their greed first. They’re not exactly trying to start a war for ideological reasons, but they’re also not afraid to game the system for their own personal gain. And I gotta say...her motto about walking away while the hero dies is kinda like the mercenary’s version of “cool guys don’t look at explosions,” hee. For how horrible this character is, I like her humorous layers, and complex history. Because it seems obvious that her relationship with the Scarrans and Charrids isn’t entirely friendly…and her arc on the show doesn’t wrap up neatly, either. I wonder where she will go, with her shop blown up (and shouldn’t her planet be hugely uninhabitable, now that John has taken away the sun? :P Hope she had a spaceship stashed somewhere.) But in her final scene, walking away from John the hero, she pretty much gets to give her own mic drop, hee. Thank you, Magda Szubanski, for all you did for the show in so little screen time!
Look, in an objective drama way, Talyn John’s death seems a little inevitable. It would be too cumbersome to continue the show with two Johns, particularly with the Moya and Talyn crews now attempting to reunite. The John to die has to be the one to cause the most conflict for the rest of the characters and hence the story over all, which of course comes down to Talyn John. He and Moya John are biologically the same person, but after all of this time apart, they are emotionally different. And the John who Aeryn finally opened her heart to, learned English for and wanted to go to Earth with was the one who died on that bed beside her. Moya John doesn’t have any of that, a fact that he’s been keen to remind all of us through his consistent moping. :P I admit, when I first watched these episodes as a teenager I liked Moya John, but really I just liked the idea of a John still playing a role in the Chiana story arc. :P Now, I can see how he’s a much more annoying version of John than TJ. And I can even see that within their narrative structures, the Moya episodes have been less impactful than the Talyn ones. So the audience is missing out, too, by sticking with MJ over TJ, hee. But within the context of the story, this is just John who is dying. Sure, we might have a spare, but this is still our human whom we’ve been with for cycles, and who individually has had quite the arc these past few episodes. Perhaps it’s an uplifting death, because despite the fact that he never gets to go home, he finds new meaning in his life. He’s probably more fulfilled in his relationship with Aeryn than he ever was on Earth, even. And anywho. If you can’t bring yourself to care that one of two Johns is dead (hell, I was even a bit wibbly about the D’argo and Chiana spares back in “Eat Me,”) at least think of it from Aeryn’s perspective. She’s just lost the love of her life, one of, if not the only person she’s ever truly opened up to and grown for, as a person. Her reaction to his death—for lack of a better term—is very human. She’s angry and overwhelmed and even a little bit elegiac. Claudia Black is not playing a mushy character, so when Aeryn’s raw emotions are on stage, the audience tends to notice. John’s death is made even more real by the pain that it causes Aeryn. “Farscape” has crafted this relationship that is nuanced and tender, and I agree with the Scapecast Chroniclers—it makes me feel. I teared up a little bit watching that final scene, all these years later. This is character development that stands the test of time. This is what makes for a memorable story.
Favorite Crichtonism: Oh there's my flare. Mama Crichton’s baby boy - makin' wormholes.
Favorite Quotes:
*Harvey’s final stand*
Harvey as John: How unfortunate you must lose as well. And Zhaan - gave herself for you. What a waste - wouldn't you say? *end up standing and facing off* Well! That's - hardly sporting is it? I should have a weapon as well. Then we can settle this. One on one.
Aeryn: Don't – *strikes him back as he goes for a gun*
Harvey as John: It's not - easy - is it? Putting a pulse blast in John Crichton.
Aeryn: You're not John.
Harvey as John: Not up here - no. But the rest of his body is intact. Be a shame to spoil it with that. I'm much more reasonable - than John is. (mildly regretful) He didn't want to share his mind with me. But I'm more than willing to share - his body with you.
Jack / Ancient: NO! *intercepts as she shoots at Harvey*
Aeryn: Stand - clear!
Jack / Ancient: NO DON'T!
Aeryn: It isn't John!
Jack / Ancient: It IS John! Look!
Harvey as John: Thank you - daddy.
Jack / Ancient: Look at him! The clone is dying - he wants you to shoot him - so John dies too.
Aeryn: What?
Harvey as John: Officer Sun - next time... Be more decisive. Shoot... quicker. A soldier - must not be weak. Weakness means defeat.
*the stakes grow more tense on Talyn before the ultimate Scarran scout arrives!*
Crais: I know this ship! And -and something is - out of balance!
Stark: Eh - you're imagining things. Although this is strange.
Crais: What?
Stark: Docking Bay 2 recently performed an atmosphere replenish as if it'd been opened. But we landed the pod in Bay 1.
Crais: TALYN! SEAL ALL HATCHES!
*John in a Harvey-free world at last*
John: I've had Scorpy in my head for so long - that I've gotten used to it and- and not having him... It's like being in pain - your whole life. And suddenly it's gone.
*wormhole knowledge unlocked!*
Jack / Ancient: John? It's time to go to work. If you're feeling strong enough.
John: I'm good. But ah - you better unlock that wormhole information inside my head.
Jack / Ancient: I just did.
John: You did? Really?
Jack / Ancient: It doesn't happen instantaneously. Your mind couldn't process all those equations at once. Give it a little time.
*Stark’s imperviousness to the Scarran heat probe makes him the most likely to come up with a plan :P*
Alcar: This is some sort of Peacekeeper ship.
Crais: I am - I - am not - a - Peacekeeper. I have no rank.
Alcar: How did you get this ship?
Stark: I will tell you. He stole it.
Alcar: What?
Stark: Ah- he was a captain - but now he's a renegade. He stole this Leviathan mutant from the Peacekeepers and now they want him dead! They want all of us dead!
Alcar: Who are yoouu?
Stark: I am a Banik slave - his slave. And I haaaaaate him! He brought me on board this ship to help him fix it! Kill him! And make me your slave!
Alcar: Kill him? *uses heat probe* Is this the truth?
Stark: Yes! Yes! Every word!
*the way the wormhole intel unlocks*
John: You sure this thing's unlocked? I'm not feelin' any smarter.
Jack / Ancient: Give it some time.
John: All right. But something better kick in before that Dreadnought gets here.
Jack / Ancient: It will. *about device in hand* This may require a - an oscillation damper.
John: *absentmindedly hands over doohickey* Here ya go. Use that.
Jack / Ancient: Perfect! Thanks. Why'd you pick this one?
John: You said you wanted an oscillation damper. I figured you could modify the rillon valve.
Jack / Ancient: I can - but how did you know that?
John: *realization* That's - cool.
*Rygel’s fatal injury from last episode can apparently be fixed with food. Yawn*
Rygel: (he turns around, dazed) Mmph - oh! What - what happened?
Aeryn: What happened to you?
Rygel: Piece of shrapnel... Why are we still here? Where the yotz is Talyn?
Aeryn: Don't know. The comms are still out. Here, I'll take over.
Rygel: No, no - you're still mobile. I'm not. Just - bring me food!
Aeryn: You want to eat - now?
Rygel: Bring me food - and I'll keep going.
*as realization of the weapon dawns, John asks the big questions*
John: Jack, what the hell are we building?
Jack / Ancient: A displacement engine.
John: Yeah and whatever it is will take out a Scarran Dreadnought.
Jack / Ancient: Yes.
John: And then?
Jack / Ancient: What do you mean?
John: I mean - how far are you gonna take this? Is this the end? Or are you gonna try and put all the toothpaste back in the tube?
Jack / Ancient: I doubt that's possible.
John: But you're gonna give it the old college try, aren't ya? You're gonna kill - me, Furlow, and Aeryn.
Jack / Ancient: Aeryn poses no threat. Furlow? I'm uncertain.
John: And what about me?
Jack / Ancient: I no longer doubt your intentions John.
*foreshadowing… :/*
Jack / Ancient: I need a quarter arn. I have to install the partanium and build the emitter array. I want you to stay clear of this hangar until I give the okay. I don't want you exposed to this radiation.
*more foreshadowing…and Furlow’s true colors revealed!*
Furlow: Here ya go. This all you need?
Jack / Ancient: Yeah. This case could be stronger.
Furlow: EE-yee!
Jack / Ancient: Don't worry, I haven't initiated the partanium reaction yet.
Furlow: Uh-huh. When you do - just in case somethin' goes wrong - where is the emergency shut-down control?
Jack / Ancient: There isn't one. Once the device is activated, you can't shut it down.
Furlow: Then what does it do? Blow up? You buildin' a bomb here Jack?
Jack / Ancient: Not at all. After 1.4 arns, a meltdown occurs and destroys the device.
Furlow: So - you only got one shot at - whatever it is this thing does.
Jack / Ancient: That's all I should need. I'm launching soon.
Furlow: You're flyin' the module?
Jack / Ancient: Yes.
Furlow: Does Johnny know about this?
Jack / Ancient: No - and I don't want to have an argument with him about it. As soon as he and Aeryn give the all-clear from outside, I want you to open those hangar doors. Now go on. Well go on! I'm about to start the reactor.
Furlow: I can't let you do that Jack. *has gun on him* Back off.
Jack / Ancient: This is the only chance we have to keep the Scarrans from-
Furlow: -From payin' me -- a lot of money. Now - you ain't goin' - nowhere.
*the Charrids turn on Furlow for real!*
Charrid Leader: You had to kill him! He would have made a useful prize!
Furlow: You think he'd'a cooperated? Forget it. This - *beckoning to displacement engine* - my friend, is the prize!
Charrid Leader: TCH! What is it?
Furlow: Well - it's a - um - I don't exactly know what it is. But I do know that our friend here seemed to think that it could kill a Dreadnought.
Charrid Leader: It hardly seems finished!
Furlow: Oh - sure it is. Just a little here, there - y'know. Aah - anyway you know, I really think we oughta - scoot - while we got the chance.
Charrid Leader: Agreed!
Furlow: 'Scuse me! Ah - where ya goin? 'Cos ah - see I-I'm the one who's flyin' the module here. Not - not you.
Charrid Leader: Incorrect. *now the guns are trained on her!*
Furlow: No - c'mon! You know I need you guys to cover me when I retreat and-
Charrid Leader: No! See - we don't trust you any longer.
Furlow: What?
Charrid Leader: 'Cos you've - allowed too many of us to die!
Furlow: I had to do that. Y'know - don't you get it? If they knew I was on your side then-
Charrid Leader: We're not sure - whose side you're on! *I* - will fly the module alone!
*Furlow’s cover up and John’s goodbye to Ancient/Jack*
Furlow: Charrids! They snuck in - I nailed 'em but - they got Jack.
John: No - oh nononono- It's okay. It's okay - Jack. I'll finish it. We'll keep your Ancients safe and sound.
*the boys on Talyn get their plans in order*
Stark: Talyn’s senses are beginning to recover - once they do - he can target the Scarran and shoot him!
Crais: It would take heavy and prolonged fire to bring down the Scarran. He won't just stand-
Stark: *covering up as Scarran walks in* WORK! WORK!
Alcar: I can find no Pilot on board this Leviathan.
Stark: There isn't one. It doesn't need it. There is a direct interface!
Crais: Stark!
Alcar: Let - him - speak!
Stark: *to Crais* SHUT UP! *to Scarran* The best way to operate this ship is via neural transponder - look! *grabs Crais to show off goods* Here's the socket! You see - his transponder was damaged, so he had to remove it. But the ship- can construct a replacement.
Alcar: You will have the ship make one - for me.
Stark: Yes, yes. Whatever you say. *when alone with Crais* I had to tell him. He would have forced it out of you anyway.
Crais: You did well. Instruct Talyn to prepare - a neural transponder. Two - in fact.
Stark: Two?
Crais: One for me - and one for the Scarran.
*foreshadowing about the breadth of damage that the displacement engine can do*
John: It's - gonna work. It's all comin' together. I got it. Aeryn! I got it! (It all fits - everything fits! I-I-I know how to do this! I-I-I can build this thing! I know what it does!
Aeryn: Can it destroy the Dreadnought?
John: Um... It could destroy a planet. Ja-ack... All right - he's uh - built it so it self-destructs after one use. That's... That's good, That'ssss... smart.
*Alcar is having an evil villain mustache twirling moment*
Alcar: Feeble Sebacean. You believe that even with vessels like this you can defeat - - Scarrans? Slave - the neural transponder?
Stark: Soon. Nearly finished. Soon.
Alcar: It will give me absolute control of the ship?
Stark: Yes, yes! You will think as one!
Alcar: Assist your - captain.
*Furlow is ever the mercenary—making new business deals with John*
Furlow: How many other people have this weapon?
John: No-one.
Furlow: That's right. Gettin' the idea?
John: *asking for gadget* Elucitin capacitor.
Furlow: See, ah - we can sell it to everyone as deterrence, give it to no one - and charge 'em to maintain the balance. Or - of course, we could just keep it ourselves and find a - peaceful application.
John: Furlow - is it always about the money?
Furlow: Is there anything else? I mean - how much sex can ya have?
John: I don't know - I haven't maxed out yet. The Scarrans - have - your data - that's a blueprint that has to be destroyed.
Furlow: Okay so - we use this box to stop 'em. But later -- we talk business.
John: You help me and I'll make you Miss 21st Century Wormhole.
*more foreshadowing…Aeryn in the bunker with Rygel as the Charrids are silent*
Aeryn: There's still plenty of them out there. Enough - of them to squeeze us into a crossfire. Why haven't they?
*Furlow crosses John!*
John: This is a big mistake.
Furlow: You wanna save your life - you're gonna have to cooperate. I know it looks great on ya - but ah -two fingers - pistol. *John tosses Winnona away* And uh - goggles. Drop 'em. Now step on 'em. *does so; now he won’t be able to see, outside during the solar flares*
John: There's a Scarran Dreadnought on the way. Where you gonna go Furlow?
Furlow: To meet 'em. To save my life. Y'know when the Scarrans get this baby - *pats displacement engine* - they'll go away.
John: Don't do this.
Furlow: Wormhole fulla reasons why I should. And no upside in crossin' the Scarrans. I gotta go while I got cover. Don't stand in my way John.
*John and Aeryn flirt and argue and talk about Earth plans amidst a battle, of course :P*
Aeryn: You know this new knowledge you've got in your head?
John: Yeah?
Aeryn: Can you use it to get home?
John: Yah.
Aeryn: Let's do what we have to do here and then we'll go. *blasted from behind*
John: WHAT THE-?
Aeryn: Frell! = YOU'LL NEVER GUESS!
John: IT DOESN'T WORK? *concerning rear-mounted gun on their buggy* HOW THE HELL CAN WE HAVE THE ONLY GUN ON THE PLANET THAT DOESN'T WORK?
Aeryn: IT'S YOUR FAULT.
John: MY FAULT?
Aeryn: WELL YOU KNOW IF I WAS HERE ON MY OWN IT'D BE WORKING RIGHT NOW!
John: WELL I HOPE YOU GOT A PLAN BABY! 'COS I'M FRESH OUT OF IDEAS!
Aeryn: DRIVE STRAIGHT!
John: STRAIGHT?
Aeryn: IT'S A PLAN - HE HAS TO FOLLOW OUR TRACKS. ALL RIGHT YOU GET FURLOW - I'VE GOT YOUR BACK! I LOVE YOU!
John: I LOVE YOU!
*Aeryn’s badass moment after she destroys a Charrid’s buggy, and he crawls for his gun on the ground*
Aeryn: Run away. Be smart. Run away! *he points his gun at her; she shoots him dead* Should've run.
*Furlow and John are at a stand off*
Furlow: Y'know you shoulda git while you had the chance!
John: You shoulda done the right thing.
Furlow: How well you know me? You think I like the Scarrans? They sent in the Charrids, slaughtered my crew, tortured me. You think I faked all my wounds?
John: Turn around and walk away.
Furlow: Rather be dead John. Too old to start over. Got nothin' left. Won't leave without that. *cocks her head towards displacement engine*
John: Furlow I don't have time for this.
*Crais gets a badass moment, too :P*
Crais: Scarran! *I* subvert your commands.
Alcar: You deny me the transponder?
Crais: Do you - still want it?
Alcar: Without delay!
Crais: Then - you shall have it. *Talyn abruptly imbeds the transponder in the Scarran’s neck, causing him overwhelming pain* TALYN! FIRE!
*the tables shift abruptly in the John/Furlow standoff—and in John’s life :/*
John: Furlow look! The device - it's active. You can't shut it off. By the time you get it to the Scarrans it'll be useless - it'll be slag!
Furlow: Frell!
John: I can't deactivate it but you gotta let me use it to take out the Dreadnought.
Furlow: Casing's open John.
John: I can close it.
Furlow: Uh-uh - it's too late already. The reaction's building too fast. I think we both better get outta here.
John: No, you go.
Furlow: Don't be the hero John. Always be the one to walk away while the hero dies. That's my motto.
*the Talyn crew works together—mostly—to destroy the dreadnaught*
Crais: Crichton! Aeryn! Rygel! What is your status?
Rygel: Frelled. Mivonks-on-a-plate frelled! What's your status?
Crais: I am partially sighted. Talyn has recovered sufficiently to attempt starburst.
Rygel: Well - pick me up and let's go!
Crais: Crichton? Aeryn?
John: Crais! We got one shot at this. The ah - displacement engine will take out the Scarrans - you need to pick up Sparky and get the hell outta here.
Aeryn: Yes - starburst immediately.
Stark: No.
Crais: It is unanimous. We stay.
John: Aw dammit Crais - knock it off. You're gonna make me start liking you.
*John tells Aeryn about his new mortal coil, and things get very dramatic*
Aeryn: John? Are you hurt?
John: No. No I'm fine.
Aeryn: What happened? What did she do to you?
John: Nah - she didn't do anything.
Aeryn: What's the matter?
John: She didn't-
Aeryn: What - is the matter?
John: Radiation. Massive radiation. I couldn't help it. I couldn't stop it.
Aeryn: There has to be something you can do.
John: No I have to finish this.
Aeryn: You're finished here, I'm flying the mission.
John: Aeryn you don't know what to do.
Aeryn: You will talk me through it. You will get help! And you will not argue with me on this one!
John: DAMMIT! This is NOT something I can COACH you through! It's half intuition - it's half feeling! I know it like I invented it!
Aeryn: So it's your life for everyone else’s?
John: And you're different how?
Aeryn: I'm different because I love you.
John: Then you know I have to do this. I'm coming back.
*Crais breaks the tension with a “terrifying” speech to the Scarrans in order to lure them towards John’s soon-to-be-appearing wormhole*
Crais: Scarran Dreadnought! This is Captain Bialar Crais. Peacekeeper. Approach any closer - you will be engaged and destroyed.
Stark: They must be terrified.
*the dreadnaught is completely destroyed*
Stark: The wormhole is touching the star. It's touching the star...
John: Okay Jack - this one's for you. *John uses the wormhole to direct Dam-Ba-Da’s sun into the path of the dreadnaught, where it explodes in fire. The sun then vaporizes into the wormhole*
Stark: I have no prayer for that.
*John’s verbal goodbyes to Crais and Rygel*
Crais: Your sacrifice... does not go unnoted, Commander.
John: Crais... you... find the better part of yourself. You... have to take care of them.
Crais: I will. I - hope you can believe that. Goodbye Crichton.
John: Hey, hey, hey - Spar-ky!
Rygel: They say... it's not good.
John: Sparky - come here. My stuff- You can't have it. )
Rygel: It will be hard... not to think of you.
John: I'm gonna miss you Dominar.
*John and Aeryn’s final moments together…our human coming to terms with where he will end his life*
Aeryn: I'm very angry.
John: Me too.
Aeryn: We had good times.
John: I wouldn't change it for the world. You made me - a better person.
Aeryn: That wasn't hard. I love you... so much...
John: I love you.
Aeryn: I would have gone to Earth.
John: I'm... sorry you never got to meet my dad - my real dad. I'm - sorry I never met your dad. I'm sorry about a lot of things.
Aeryn: Don't be, I don't want you to go that way.
John: I won't. Huh.
Aeryn: What?
John: They say - it's a lucky - or an unambitious man who goes when he's ready. That said - Scorpius is gone. I'm at peace. I don't - hurt. I... I did some good things. I'm proud of my life. And I'm with you. Don't worry about me... I've never felt better.
Perhaps the ultimate conclusion feels inevitable on a wholly rational, show objective level. But much like Rygel is no longer a puppet to “Farscape” fans, these characters, their motivations, drives and feels, are also real. And the big picture chess board machinations don’t mean nearly as much as identifying with the pieces.
Back to the Scaper Chronicles, one of the podcasters actually brought up the Daedalus and Icarus mythological inspiration this time. And she mentioned things that hadn’t even crossed my mind—it’s stuff too spoilery to tell you above the cut, too. :P I will say this—I think I’ve always interpreted “abides” to mean something more agreeable than it actually is. According to the Meriam Webster dictionary, the simple definition of to abide means to accept or bear something or someone unpleasant, so hmmm.
It’s also worth noting that John, who is definitely Icarus, flies a bit too close to a star here. :P But I’m already divulging relative spoilers! Anywho, the rest of the episode is a treat as well, from Furlow’s intriguing characterization to Crais and Stark’s b plot, to the damnably fine acting of Claudia Black. That’s no spoiler, hee.
Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.
Aeryn and Harvey have a tense stand off before Jack wakes up and assures our former Peacekeeper that the chip is dying. John is free at last! Rygel, as well, seems to have recovered enough from his stomach wound that he can eat again, or maybe food is the cure, heh. Meanwhile, on Talyn, a Scarran from the dreadnaught scouting party has gotten aboard. Jack unlocks the wormhole knowledge in John’s head, and together they start constructing a device that will destroy a dreadnaught. Stark half tells the truth/ half makes up a story about Crais’s involvement with Talyn; yes, he was a former peacekeeper who stole the ship, and now Stark is his resentful slave. He’s able to withstand the Scarran heat probe, even when lying! The Scarran demands a transponder for himself so that he can control Talyn. Meanwhile, back on the planet, things get a little existential between John and Jack about how far the Ancient is willing to go to contain the damage that’s been done by having wormhole tech available to so many questionable elements. Suffice to say, Jack re-trusts John again. But perhaps he’s right to be wary of Furlow, because when John and Aeryn are gone, she kills Jack! :o She then attempts to sell the half-finished weapon to the Charrids, whom she’s actually been in secret cahoots with, along with the Scarrans; but they turn her down because Rygel’s killed too many of their men. Furlow gets the better of them, and when John and Aeryn come back, she concocts a sob story about the Charrids sneaking in, hurting her and mortally wounding Jack. As the alien dies, John vows to continue his work. Aboard Talyn, our B plot crew members are ultimately able to kill the Scarran when he’s incapacitated by the neural transponder insert; Talyn shoots him to death. Furlow turns on John openly now, as she wants to sell wormhole related technology to the Scarrans, even if just for self preservation now. They engage in a car chase, and when Furlow’s vehicle rolls, a security mechanism on the weapon pops open, leaving radiation zapping into the public. Furlow walks away, and John sacrifices himself for the greater good. After exposing himself to the lethal radiation he doesn’t have much time, but he’s able to conjure up a wormhole, and use the device to call forth the power of a star to destroy the dreadnaught, while Aeryn destroys Furlow’s facility on the planet. He makes it back home to Talyn in order to say his goodbyes, the most emotional of which is with Aeryn, of course. He claims he’s in a good place in his life, with her, right now, having never felt better, and he dies on her watch. Wibble.
The Scaper Chronicles pointed out a mirror image of the Daedalus and Icarus myth in this episode. In the original tale, the son dies while the father lives, while in this tale, Jack dies when John lives. Not Talyn John, of course, or at least he doesn’t live for long, but Moya John is still kicking. There’s no way that he won’t be affected by all that his twin has been through and what he was trying to accomplish at the end of his life. It won’t be an easy road, hence the “abiding,” but John is always the hero, no matter the cost. To go into things concerning Moya John any further would be spoilers, of course, so I’ll stop there! More closely similar, of course, we have Talyn John flying too close to a sun in order to harness his power, and later he dies. Not directly related to the sun, but it was related to the displacement engine (wings?) that he used to harness said sun. Meanwhile, this action, under Jack’s tutelage, is really quite horrendous. He basically flips the switch on the atom bomb, destroying a densely packed society of living beings for the “greater good.” At least this “greater good” makes more sense than anything the Nebari had ever uttered, but literally moving stars and exploding them into wormholes? Destroying a densely populated spaceship along the way? It’s still a steep price to pay. As the Scape Chroniclers themselves thought of, Stark’s “I have no prayer for this” is rather close to Oppenheimer’s “I am become death.” Like I wrote before, the atom bomb. Since we only see that one Scarran we don’t really deal with the full consequences of all that; it’s one of the rare things that I think cheapens this episode a little bit. To be fair, they had a lot of ground to cover.
Both Rygel and Jack have shown some sadistic tendencies in this duology. Well, Rygel’s technically isn’t talked about much in this episode, much like the grievous wound that he sustained in the last one. I have to agree with the Scaper Chronicles here; it was a cheap shot. They should have never put it in if they were going to resolve it so quickly. Honestly, show, we had enough cliffhangers at the end of part one anyway. :P But Jack is still gung ho about that displacement engine, no matter what the Ancients might think. A newly intellectually awakened John tries to grasp what that means for all of them—like if it’s too dangerous for Charrids and Scarrans to have the wormhole technology, could Jack justify hurting him or Aeryn or Furlow in deference to “the greater good”? I guess I should give Jack credit for having some parameters—our known characters didn’t make the cut for death. The Scaper Chronicles went into the alien’s relationship with John, and about how much closer it is than John’s connection to the real Jack Crichton. That seems like a little bit of a stretch to me, even if we do have some knowledge about John living in his real father’s shadow. It’s also true that our human shares experiences with the Ancient Jack that he couldn’t with his real father, given the extreme turn that his life has taken since leaving Earth. But I’m still a little squicked out by the relationship that John has with his fake father. It’s an interesting comparison to Aeryn’s, too, whose relationship with her father is now only signified through the ship, Talyn. I don’t think it is coincidence that one of the things that John said to her on his death bed is a wish that they could have met each other’s fathers. Both of them are missing that connection with their parents, for different reasons, of course.
Two other figures who don’t seem to have much connection with their parents anymore—Crais and Stark! :P Bad transition, I know. Stark in particular is having an intriguing turnaround from his kooky “Meltdown” days. Although he sounds a little unhinged, he seems to be thinking quite clearly with coming up with a plan to defeat the Scarran. And we all know how “Farscape” plans can go awry! :P This plan really doesn’t, in part because Stark’s species or abilities apparently precludes him from having his mind read. I can roll with it…mind powers are kind of his thing. :P Anywho. Crais, too, seems to regain control of himself as Stark’s plan bears fruit. Certainly regaining a little eyesight doesn’t hurt matters, either, but I like the theory of the team being stronger when they work together, hee. And talk about how touching it was when Crais confirmed that no one (meaning Talyn) was going anywhere until John destroyed the dreadnaught. Talk about loyalty! And relationships…all of the menfolk had interesting goodbye scenes with John. Stark got to “cross John over,” or at least give him his final vision of an afterlife. They don’t share any words; it’s all about gestures and emotional contact. Crais, who started out as John’s number one enemy, can at least respect the human deeply, if they’re not chums. In return, John gives him a version of the “you can be more” speech. His “speech” now to Rygel about not taking his stuff is pretty much a mirror of their convo in the first episode of the show, hee. But it stands to reason…Rygel is still being true to form. He is the unemotional guy who said goodbye to Zhaan with “you big beautiful bitch.”
Speaking of bitches…better transition when you’re talking about Furlow, right? :P She sure showed her true colors this episode. The Charrids weren’t her enemies (or at least not entirely her enemies); she was purposefully keeping them around! None of this outside infiltrator dren! The Scarrans didn’t hack into her computer system (probably); she was willfully selling them the wormhole technology! Furlow makes for one scary villain, because she’s the type that we are all more likely to run into on the street. OK, for me, working in Capitol Hill, maybe I’m more likely to come across a nefarious, mustache-twirling “take over the world” type. :P But there are a lot of people out there who put their greed first. They’re not exactly trying to start a war for ideological reasons, but they’re also not afraid to game the system for their own personal gain. And I gotta say...her motto about walking away while the hero dies is kinda like the mercenary’s version of “cool guys don’t look at explosions,” hee. For how horrible this character is, I like her humorous layers, and complex history. Because it seems obvious that her relationship with the Scarrans and Charrids isn’t entirely friendly…and her arc on the show doesn’t wrap up neatly, either. I wonder where she will go, with her shop blown up (and shouldn’t her planet be hugely uninhabitable, now that John has taken away the sun? :P Hope she had a spaceship stashed somewhere.) But in her final scene, walking away from John the hero, she pretty much gets to give her own mic drop, hee. Thank you, Magda Szubanski, for all you did for the show in so little screen time!
Look, in an objective drama way, Talyn John’s death seems a little inevitable. It would be too cumbersome to continue the show with two Johns, particularly with the Moya and Talyn crews now attempting to reunite. The John to die has to be the one to cause the most conflict for the rest of the characters and hence the story over all, which of course comes down to Talyn John. He and Moya John are biologically the same person, but after all of this time apart, they are emotionally different. And the John who Aeryn finally opened her heart to, learned English for and wanted to go to Earth with was the one who died on that bed beside her. Moya John doesn’t have any of that, a fact that he’s been keen to remind all of us through his consistent moping. :P I admit, when I first watched these episodes as a teenager I liked Moya John, but really I just liked the idea of a John still playing a role in the Chiana story arc. :P Now, I can see how he’s a much more annoying version of John than TJ. And I can even see that within their narrative structures, the Moya episodes have been less impactful than the Talyn ones. So the audience is missing out, too, by sticking with MJ over TJ, hee. But within the context of the story, this is just John who is dying. Sure, we might have a spare, but this is still our human whom we’ve been with for cycles, and who individually has had quite the arc these past few episodes. Perhaps it’s an uplifting death, because despite the fact that he never gets to go home, he finds new meaning in his life. He’s probably more fulfilled in his relationship with Aeryn than he ever was on Earth, even. And anywho. If you can’t bring yourself to care that one of two Johns is dead (hell, I was even a bit wibbly about the D’argo and Chiana spares back in “Eat Me,”) at least think of it from Aeryn’s perspective. She’s just lost the love of her life, one of, if not the only person she’s ever truly opened up to and grown for, as a person. Her reaction to his death—for lack of a better term—is very human. She’s angry and overwhelmed and even a little bit elegiac. Claudia Black is not playing a mushy character, so when Aeryn’s raw emotions are on stage, the audience tends to notice. John’s death is made even more real by the pain that it causes Aeryn. “Farscape” has crafted this relationship that is nuanced and tender, and I agree with the Scapecast Chroniclers—it makes me feel. I teared up a little bit watching that final scene, all these years later. This is character development that stands the test of time. This is what makes for a memorable story.
Favorite Crichtonism: Oh there's my flare. Mama Crichton’s baby boy - makin' wormholes.
Favorite Quotes:
*Harvey’s final stand*
Harvey as John: How unfortunate you must lose as well. And Zhaan - gave herself for you. What a waste - wouldn't you say? *end up standing and facing off* Well! That's - hardly sporting is it? I should have a weapon as well. Then we can settle this. One on one.
Aeryn: Don't – *strikes him back as he goes for a gun*
Harvey as John: It's not - easy - is it? Putting a pulse blast in John Crichton.
Aeryn: You're not John.
Harvey as John: Not up here - no. But the rest of his body is intact. Be a shame to spoil it with that. I'm much more reasonable - than John is. (mildly regretful) He didn't want to share his mind with me. But I'm more than willing to share - his body with you.
Jack / Ancient: NO! *intercepts as she shoots at Harvey*
Aeryn: Stand - clear!
Jack / Ancient: NO DON'T!
Aeryn: It isn't John!
Jack / Ancient: It IS John! Look!
Harvey as John: Thank you - daddy.
Jack / Ancient: Look at him! The clone is dying - he wants you to shoot him - so John dies too.
Aeryn: What?
Harvey as John: Officer Sun - next time... Be more decisive. Shoot... quicker. A soldier - must not be weak. Weakness means defeat.
*the stakes grow more tense on Talyn before the ultimate Scarran scout arrives!*
Crais: I know this ship! And -and something is - out of balance!
Stark: Eh - you're imagining things. Although this is strange.
Crais: What?
Stark: Docking Bay 2 recently performed an atmosphere replenish as if it'd been opened. But we landed the pod in Bay 1.
Crais: TALYN! SEAL ALL HATCHES!
*John in a Harvey-free world at last*
John: I've had Scorpy in my head for so long - that I've gotten used to it and- and not having him... It's like being in pain - your whole life. And suddenly it's gone.
*wormhole knowledge unlocked!*
Jack / Ancient: John? It's time to go to work. If you're feeling strong enough.
John: I'm good. But ah - you better unlock that wormhole information inside my head.
Jack / Ancient: I just did.
John: You did? Really?
Jack / Ancient: It doesn't happen instantaneously. Your mind couldn't process all those equations at once. Give it a little time.
*Stark’s imperviousness to the Scarran heat probe makes him the most likely to come up with a plan :P*
Alcar: This is some sort of Peacekeeper ship.
Crais: I am - I - am not - a - Peacekeeper. I have no rank.
Alcar: How did you get this ship?
Stark: I will tell you. He stole it.
Alcar: What?
Stark: Ah- he was a captain - but now he's a renegade. He stole this Leviathan mutant from the Peacekeepers and now they want him dead! They want all of us dead!
Alcar: Who are yoouu?
Stark: I am a Banik slave - his slave. And I haaaaaate him! He brought me on board this ship to help him fix it! Kill him! And make me your slave!
Alcar: Kill him? *uses heat probe* Is this the truth?
Stark: Yes! Yes! Every word!
*the way the wormhole intel unlocks*
John: You sure this thing's unlocked? I'm not feelin' any smarter.
Jack / Ancient: Give it some time.
John: All right. But something better kick in before that Dreadnought gets here.
Jack / Ancient: It will. *about device in hand* This may require a - an oscillation damper.
John: *absentmindedly hands over doohickey* Here ya go. Use that.
Jack / Ancient: Perfect! Thanks. Why'd you pick this one?
John: You said you wanted an oscillation damper. I figured you could modify the rillon valve.
Jack / Ancient: I can - but how did you know that?
John: *realization* That's - cool.
*Rygel’s fatal injury from last episode can apparently be fixed with food. Yawn*
Rygel: (he turns around, dazed) Mmph - oh! What - what happened?
Aeryn: What happened to you?
Rygel: Piece of shrapnel... Why are we still here? Where the yotz is Talyn?
Aeryn: Don't know. The comms are still out. Here, I'll take over.
Rygel: No, no - you're still mobile. I'm not. Just - bring me food!
Aeryn: You want to eat - now?
Rygel: Bring me food - and I'll keep going.
*as realization of the weapon dawns, John asks the big questions*
John: Jack, what the hell are we building?
Jack / Ancient: A displacement engine.
John: Yeah and whatever it is will take out a Scarran Dreadnought.
Jack / Ancient: Yes.
John: And then?
Jack / Ancient: What do you mean?
John: I mean - how far are you gonna take this? Is this the end? Or are you gonna try and put all the toothpaste back in the tube?
Jack / Ancient: I doubt that's possible.
John: But you're gonna give it the old college try, aren't ya? You're gonna kill - me, Furlow, and Aeryn.
Jack / Ancient: Aeryn poses no threat. Furlow? I'm uncertain.
John: And what about me?
Jack / Ancient: I no longer doubt your intentions John.
*foreshadowing… :/*
Jack / Ancient: I need a quarter arn. I have to install the partanium and build the emitter array. I want you to stay clear of this hangar until I give the okay. I don't want you exposed to this radiation.
*more foreshadowing…and Furlow’s true colors revealed!*
Furlow: Here ya go. This all you need?
Jack / Ancient: Yeah. This case could be stronger.
Furlow: EE-yee!
Jack / Ancient: Don't worry, I haven't initiated the partanium reaction yet.
Furlow: Uh-huh. When you do - just in case somethin' goes wrong - where is the emergency shut-down control?
Jack / Ancient: There isn't one. Once the device is activated, you can't shut it down.
Furlow: Then what does it do? Blow up? You buildin' a bomb here Jack?
Jack / Ancient: Not at all. After 1.4 arns, a meltdown occurs and destroys the device.
Furlow: So - you only got one shot at - whatever it is this thing does.
Jack / Ancient: That's all I should need. I'm launching soon.
Furlow: You're flyin' the module?
Jack / Ancient: Yes.
Furlow: Does Johnny know about this?
Jack / Ancient: No - and I don't want to have an argument with him about it. As soon as he and Aeryn give the all-clear from outside, I want you to open those hangar doors. Now go on. Well go on! I'm about to start the reactor.
Furlow: I can't let you do that Jack. *has gun on him* Back off.
Jack / Ancient: This is the only chance we have to keep the Scarrans from-
Furlow: -From payin' me -- a lot of money. Now - you ain't goin' - nowhere.
*the Charrids turn on Furlow for real!*
Charrid Leader: You had to kill him! He would have made a useful prize!
Furlow: You think he'd'a cooperated? Forget it. This - *beckoning to displacement engine* - my friend, is the prize!
Charrid Leader: TCH! What is it?
Furlow: Well - it's a - um - I don't exactly know what it is. But I do know that our friend here seemed to think that it could kill a Dreadnought.
Charrid Leader: It hardly seems finished!
Furlow: Oh - sure it is. Just a little here, there - y'know. Aah - anyway you know, I really think we oughta - scoot - while we got the chance.
Charrid Leader: Agreed!
Furlow: 'Scuse me! Ah - where ya goin? 'Cos ah - see I-I'm the one who's flyin' the module here. Not - not you.
Charrid Leader: Incorrect. *now the guns are trained on her!*
Furlow: No - c'mon! You know I need you guys to cover me when I retreat and-
Charrid Leader: No! See - we don't trust you any longer.
Furlow: What?
Charrid Leader: 'Cos you've - allowed too many of us to die!
Furlow: I had to do that. Y'know - don't you get it? If they knew I was on your side then-
Charrid Leader: We're not sure - whose side you're on! *I* - will fly the module alone!
*Furlow’s cover up and John’s goodbye to Ancient/Jack*
Furlow: Charrids! They snuck in - I nailed 'em but - they got Jack.
John: No - oh nononono- It's okay. It's okay - Jack. I'll finish it. We'll keep your Ancients safe and sound.
*the boys on Talyn get their plans in order*
Stark: Talyn’s senses are beginning to recover - once they do - he can target the Scarran and shoot him!
Crais: It would take heavy and prolonged fire to bring down the Scarran. He won't just stand-
Stark: *covering up as Scarran walks in* WORK! WORK!
Alcar: I can find no Pilot on board this Leviathan.
Stark: There isn't one. It doesn't need it. There is a direct interface!
Crais: Stark!
Alcar: Let - him - speak!
Stark: *to Crais* SHUT UP! *to Scarran* The best way to operate this ship is via neural transponder - look! *grabs Crais to show off goods* Here's the socket! You see - his transponder was damaged, so he had to remove it. But the ship- can construct a replacement.
Alcar: You will have the ship make one - for me.
Stark: Yes, yes. Whatever you say. *when alone with Crais* I had to tell him. He would have forced it out of you anyway.
Crais: You did well. Instruct Talyn to prepare - a neural transponder. Two - in fact.
Stark: Two?
Crais: One for me - and one for the Scarran.
*foreshadowing about the breadth of damage that the displacement engine can do*
John: It's - gonna work. It's all comin' together. I got it. Aeryn! I got it! (It all fits - everything fits! I-I-I know how to do this! I-I-I can build this thing! I know what it does!
Aeryn: Can it destroy the Dreadnought?
John: Um... It could destroy a planet. Ja-ack... All right - he's uh - built it so it self-destructs after one use. That's... That's good, That'ssss... smart.
*Alcar is having an evil villain mustache twirling moment*
Alcar: Feeble Sebacean. You believe that even with vessels like this you can defeat - - Scarrans? Slave - the neural transponder?
Stark: Soon. Nearly finished. Soon.
Alcar: It will give me absolute control of the ship?
Stark: Yes, yes! You will think as one!
Alcar: Assist your - captain.
*Furlow is ever the mercenary—making new business deals with John*
Furlow: How many other people have this weapon?
John: No-one.
Furlow: That's right. Gettin' the idea?
John: *asking for gadget* Elucitin capacitor.
Furlow: See, ah - we can sell it to everyone as deterrence, give it to no one - and charge 'em to maintain the balance. Or - of course, we could just keep it ourselves and find a - peaceful application.
John: Furlow - is it always about the money?
Furlow: Is there anything else? I mean - how much sex can ya have?
John: I don't know - I haven't maxed out yet. The Scarrans - have - your data - that's a blueprint that has to be destroyed.
Furlow: Okay so - we use this box to stop 'em. But later -- we talk business.
John: You help me and I'll make you Miss 21st Century Wormhole.
*more foreshadowing…Aeryn in the bunker with Rygel as the Charrids are silent*
Aeryn: There's still plenty of them out there. Enough - of them to squeeze us into a crossfire. Why haven't they?
*Furlow crosses John!*
John: This is a big mistake.
Furlow: You wanna save your life - you're gonna have to cooperate. I know it looks great on ya - but ah -two fingers - pistol. *John tosses Winnona away* And uh - goggles. Drop 'em. Now step on 'em. *does so; now he won’t be able to see, outside during the solar flares*
John: There's a Scarran Dreadnought on the way. Where you gonna go Furlow?
Furlow: To meet 'em. To save my life. Y'know when the Scarrans get this baby - *pats displacement engine* - they'll go away.
John: Don't do this.
Furlow: Wormhole fulla reasons why I should. And no upside in crossin' the Scarrans. I gotta go while I got cover. Don't stand in my way John.
*John and Aeryn flirt and argue and talk about Earth plans amidst a battle, of course :P*
Aeryn: You know this new knowledge you've got in your head?
John: Yeah?
Aeryn: Can you use it to get home?
John: Yah.
Aeryn: Let's do what we have to do here and then we'll go. *blasted from behind*
John: WHAT THE-?
Aeryn: Frell! = YOU'LL NEVER GUESS!
John: IT DOESN'T WORK? *concerning rear-mounted gun on their buggy* HOW THE HELL CAN WE HAVE THE ONLY GUN ON THE PLANET THAT DOESN'T WORK?
Aeryn: IT'S YOUR FAULT.
John: MY FAULT?
Aeryn: WELL YOU KNOW IF I WAS HERE ON MY OWN IT'D BE WORKING RIGHT NOW!
John: WELL I HOPE YOU GOT A PLAN BABY! 'COS I'M FRESH OUT OF IDEAS!
Aeryn: DRIVE STRAIGHT!
John: STRAIGHT?
Aeryn: IT'S A PLAN - HE HAS TO FOLLOW OUR TRACKS. ALL RIGHT YOU GET FURLOW - I'VE GOT YOUR BACK! I LOVE YOU!
John: I LOVE YOU!
*Aeryn’s badass moment after she destroys a Charrid’s buggy, and he crawls for his gun on the ground*
Aeryn: Run away. Be smart. Run away! *he points his gun at her; she shoots him dead* Should've run.
*Furlow and John are at a stand off*
Furlow: Y'know you shoulda git while you had the chance!
John: You shoulda done the right thing.
Furlow: How well you know me? You think I like the Scarrans? They sent in the Charrids, slaughtered my crew, tortured me. You think I faked all my wounds?
John: Turn around and walk away.
Furlow: Rather be dead John. Too old to start over. Got nothin' left. Won't leave without that. *cocks her head towards displacement engine*
John: Furlow I don't have time for this.
*Crais gets a badass moment, too :P*
Crais: Scarran! *I* subvert your commands.
Alcar: You deny me the transponder?
Crais: Do you - still want it?
Alcar: Without delay!
Crais: Then - you shall have it. *Talyn abruptly imbeds the transponder in the Scarran’s neck, causing him overwhelming pain* TALYN! FIRE!
*the tables shift abruptly in the John/Furlow standoff—and in John’s life :/*
John: Furlow look! The device - it's active. You can't shut it off. By the time you get it to the Scarrans it'll be useless - it'll be slag!
Furlow: Frell!
John: I can't deactivate it but you gotta let me use it to take out the Dreadnought.
Furlow: Casing's open John.
John: I can close it.
Furlow: Uh-uh - it's too late already. The reaction's building too fast. I think we both better get outta here.
John: No, you go.
Furlow: Don't be the hero John. Always be the one to walk away while the hero dies. That's my motto.
*the Talyn crew works together—mostly—to destroy the dreadnaught*
Crais: Crichton! Aeryn! Rygel! What is your status?
Rygel: Frelled. Mivonks-on-a-plate frelled! What's your status?
Crais: I am partially sighted. Talyn has recovered sufficiently to attempt starburst.
Rygel: Well - pick me up and let's go!
Crais: Crichton? Aeryn?
John: Crais! We got one shot at this. The ah - displacement engine will take out the Scarrans - you need to pick up Sparky and get the hell outta here.
Aeryn: Yes - starburst immediately.
Stark: No.
Crais: It is unanimous. We stay.
John: Aw dammit Crais - knock it off. You're gonna make me start liking you.
*John tells Aeryn about his new mortal coil, and things get very dramatic*
Aeryn: John? Are you hurt?
John: No. No I'm fine.
Aeryn: What happened? What did she do to you?
John: Nah - she didn't do anything.
Aeryn: What's the matter?
John: She didn't-
Aeryn: What - is the matter?
John: Radiation. Massive radiation. I couldn't help it. I couldn't stop it.
Aeryn: There has to be something you can do.
John: No I have to finish this.
Aeryn: You're finished here, I'm flying the mission.
John: Aeryn you don't know what to do.
Aeryn: You will talk me through it. You will get help! And you will not argue with me on this one!
John: DAMMIT! This is NOT something I can COACH you through! It's half intuition - it's half feeling! I know it like I invented it!
Aeryn: So it's your life for everyone else’s?
John: And you're different how?
Aeryn: I'm different because I love you.
John: Then you know I have to do this. I'm coming back.
*Crais breaks the tension with a “terrifying” speech to the Scarrans in order to lure them towards John’s soon-to-be-appearing wormhole*
Crais: Scarran Dreadnought! This is Captain Bialar Crais. Peacekeeper. Approach any closer - you will be engaged and destroyed.
Stark: They must be terrified.
*the dreadnaught is completely destroyed*
Stark: The wormhole is touching the star. It's touching the star...
John: Okay Jack - this one's for you. *John uses the wormhole to direct Dam-Ba-Da’s sun into the path of the dreadnaught, where it explodes in fire. The sun then vaporizes into the wormhole*
Stark: I have no prayer for that.
*John’s verbal goodbyes to Crais and Rygel*
Crais: Your sacrifice... does not go unnoted, Commander.
John: Crais... you... find the better part of yourself. You... have to take care of them.
Crais: I will. I - hope you can believe that. Goodbye Crichton.
John: Hey, hey, hey - Spar-ky!
Rygel: They say... it's not good.
John: Sparky - come here. My stuff- You can't have it. )
Rygel: It will be hard... not to think of you.
John: I'm gonna miss you Dominar.
*John and Aeryn’s final moments together…our human coming to terms with where he will end his life*
Aeryn: I'm very angry.
John: Me too.
Aeryn: We had good times.
John: I wouldn't change it for the world. You made me - a better person.
Aeryn: That wasn't hard. I love you... so much...
John: I love you.
Aeryn: I would have gone to Earth.
John: I'm... sorry you never got to meet my dad - my real dad. I'm - sorry I never met your dad. I'm sorry about a lot of things.
Aeryn: Don't be, I don't want you to go that way.
John: I won't. Huh.
Aeryn: What?
John: They say - it's a lucky - or an unambitious man who goes when he's ready. That said - Scorpius is gone. I'm at peace. I don't - hurt. I... I did some good things. I'm proud of my life. And I'm with you. Don't worry about me... I've never felt better.
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