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scifi_rewatchThis is a bridging episode, to large extent. Last time, John stated his motive to infiltrate Scorpius’s command carrier. But it’s not like he can just waltz on in, even if Scorpius is having wormhole problems. There’s too much bad blood between men. Luckily, the Moya crew sends their brightest and their brawniest to set up terms. :P
Amidst all of that, the showrunners set up two subplots. One involves the folks left on the ship, and particularly the other ship, aka Talyn. The other is an attempted robbery meant to spruce up the negotiation game. Results are mixed, but kudos for trying, show.
Overall, I’m impressed how this episode keeps things moving forward. There are a lot of balls in the air, from the culmination of the major plot to some deep-seated character moments like the tension between John and Aeryn, Chiana’s growing psychic powers and Talyn’s continued rebelliousness. Even Jool gets a few moments to assess her wants and needs. At the negotiating table, unusual partners Rygel and D’argo also get a chance to shine. And of course it’s great to see Scorpy (and Braca!) again. The robbery stuff is undoubtedly the weak part, but that’s a small niggle in an ultimately complex hour of television.
Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.
Apparently the tides have changed with the Moya crew, or at least enough so that D’argo and Rygel travel to a nearby planet diner in order to negotiate with Scorpius and Braca for John’s access to the command carrier. They say that John would rather the Peacekeepers have wormhole tech than the Scarrans, and the rest of them just want safe passage home. Negotiations stumble, however, with the issue of security. Scorp produces these I-Yensch bracelets which make the wearers feel the same physical stimuli. Of course John will have to wear one but will Scorpy wear the other? The dispute is tabled when two blue, furry aliens come into the diner looking for a robbery. …or at least that’s the first impression. It turns out they’ve been hired by the cook (another guest actor) to burn the place down for the insurance. But with this many hostages, and Peacekeepers among them no less, the plan quickly devolves. Also, Braca gets shot while wearing the I-Yensch bracelet with D’argo, so soon both of them are out of commission. Scorpius and Rygel slowly steer the situation back to their advantage, and in the course of this learn that they can trust each other. Meanwhile, on Moya, Jool is ready to leave for a med freighter with Naj Gil from last ep, but Chiana stops her with another vision. It turns out that Talyn, a little trigger happy after destroying some Peacekeeper interlopers, also destroys the med freighter! Drama ensues when Crais, Aeryn and John debate over what to do about this. They finally decide on essentially lobotomizing Talyn until some of his more aggressive personality traits can be replaced. He won’t be the same but he won’t be as violent, either. First Aeryn has to convince Moya that this is the right thing to do. But when Moya assents, a spooked Talyn attacks his own mother! Also not nice for the people on board. :P It takes some time, but Aeryn, Crais and John ultimately board Talyn and convince him to do this, too. Back on the planet, after some back and forth, the cook ends up dead and the goons decide to ransom Rygel. But our boys trick them, and end up taking them out. This also seals the deal on the I-Yensch situation. On Moya, Aeryn tells John that though she can’t go through losing “him” again, they will “end it” by taking out the wormhole tech on the command carrier.
Such a rambling paragraph, yet so much more was going on! :P Some of the stuff in the diner could feel a little tedious. Like first it looked like Scorpius and Braca might kill D’argo and Rygel, and then there was so much back and forth when Scorp and Ryg were trying to play the new aliens named Sko and Wa, and also trying to one up each other. Also, any aliens named “Sko” and “Wa” are obviously just there to be a roadblock, right? :P In the commentaries, David Kemper said that he introduced the robbery/arson plot to add something unique, but I’m also wondering if they couldn’t figure out a way for the John crew and the Scorp crew to come to an agreement otherwise. Which, to an extent, I suppose I get, though it’s also obvious that Scorpius and Rygel also admire each other’s cunning. This was a nice change of pace for Ryg, where he gets to seal a very political (and not on the level) deal, vs his lovelorn victimhood in the last ep. :P I think it is fair to say that Rygel is a fully realized character (the newbs on the ScapeCast don’t seem to refer to him as a puppet anymore) which means that in some situations he shines and in other ones...not so much. Anywho. Also linked into both diner storylines was D’argo having to wear an I-Yensch bracelet. First to showcase how they work and then to act as a ticking time bomb when the going goes rough. Can Rygel neutralize Sko and Wa before D’argo’s experience of Braca’s injury does him in? Dun dun duuuun. And then there’s the diner employees (I’m gonna say they are both Sebaceans because that’s shoddy alien makeup otherwise), Essk the waitress and Voodi the cook. They add dimension to the robbery/arson subplot, but it is also fair to say that they add additional ambiance to the diner. It’s kind of nice that it doesn’t just feel like an abandoned place that our main characters happened to find for their negotiations. It has a past.
Speaking of someone with a past, ok that is a bad segway. :P But Moya’s son, Talyn, is well known for having...behavioral issues. Granted, for the last little while he’s been pretty chill. But that was before some of Scorpius’s peacekeeper vessels started swooping near him. Perhaps that reminded the young ship of the retrieval squad. Or even the scariness of flying around the Scarran wormhole craziness. Basically he was freaked out enough to shoot everything in his path (exempting his mother...for the moment) including the medical freighter that came for Naj Gil. He, and a bunch of other innocents, ended up dead. Speaking of inanimate things that become living beings on this show, I love how Moya lurched dangerously as the crew discussed Talyn’s future. Technically what Crais suggests is a mechanoid systems shut down that would put his biologics in stasis until they can repair Talyn’s “character anomalies.” We may be talking about a scifi ship here, but when Aeryn and the others express trepidation over how a medical procedure can alter someone’s personality...well. Isn’t that the reason why many people with mental disorders refuse to take medicine? Yup. Talyn expresses remorse, though once Aeryn convinces Moya of the logic of this plan, he kinda changes his tune. :P Again, isn’t this reminiscent of real life? :P There’s a difference between expressing remorse for wrongdoing and actually going through with the help that you need. Anywho. At least he didn’t mean to kill his mother or else the show would be over! (Either that or we’d shift to the D’argo/Rygel buddy sitcom, hee.) Jool and Chiana clean up the mess Talyn made, while the boy finally allows his former crew to board. ...and John, who he might target with his guns because he’s not Talyn John? Seems like those two had mended their rift. Either way, of course it’s Aeryn and Crais who are able to get through to him. Aeryn hearkens back to their storied history this season, which of course packs a punch for all of us since it’s so recent. Then Crais shuts him down and walks off in the darkness. It’s a somber plot!
If Talyn’s is somber, then maybe Jool’s is tragic and Chiana’s is a tense mystery/thriller. Chiana is a bit on edge from the very beginning as she kvetches to John about D’argo and Rygel being alone Scorpius…and Peacekeepers, she sees! That’s part of the test that Scorp sets on the boys to affirm that they are telling the truth that they are alone. Also I imagine it’s what alerts the crew to the fact that PK vessels might be a problem for them. Anywho. The next big prediction she sees is herself “in mourning,” which she takes to be for Jool. She even knocks the girl out when she says that she wants to join Naj Gil on the medical freighter! It turns out that Chiana ended up mourning the loss of the medical freighter, but still. These visions are coming fast and furious and they are frightening our girl. Jool, meanwhile, still wearing her eye patch because of Tammy MacIntosh’s irritation from last episode, is now the only member of the Moya crew who is considering jumping ship rather than staying aboard in order to fight Scorpius. That makes sense. Unlike the rest of them, she doesn’t really have a history with the Peacekeepers. Even Chiana does now, though she wasn’t primarily on their radar. Chi is part of the crew in a way that Jool can’t be after only one season, though she does seem to be getting better along. And wuddaya know, the show improvised a way to force her to stay on board. :P (And the same with Chiana, really, who claims she’s about to split before she gets her Peacekeeper vision.) I’m kind of glad, because I like the dimension that she brings to the crew. She can be a little bit of a brat, but when she attacks Crais over the loss of the medical freighter, it’s from a place of empathy for other people. Jool is far from monstrous. She made me feel more for those people, too.
But if we want to talk character drama, well. :P There is only one place that absolutely radiates that. I appreciate the show for inserting John and Aeryn’s feelings into the larger plot. Also, Aeryn keeps moving forward, despite herself. I think this is a good thing, particularly because ever since John was twinned, this outcome was probably one of the least surprising possibilities. And yet, so long as the emotions are deep and real, I find it all rather arresting. And this is after multiple viewings! :P Anywho. At the beginning of their angst fest for the hour, Aeryn broaches the idea that the two of them can still work together. She’s looking to John for advice about how to handle Moya’s trepidation about Talyn’s predicament. This makes sense to me, since John is easily the more emotionally evolved of the two, and Aeryn knows it. Later, after all is said and done with the ships and the command carrier access, the two of them inadvertently talk about duty and loss. Aeryn has a bad feeling about what will go down in the end of season three, but they have no choice but to go forward if they want to stop Scorp from utilizing wormhole knowledge. But what’s really freaking her out is the thought of going through losing John again—John himself frames his mission as “some things are worth dying for.” True, but Aeryn already watched him die. She needs to shut herself off from him in order to avoid the pain of going through that again. She doesn’t say that to him, but it seems like the logical next step from her words. John’s pain, of course, is about being shut off from her. He didn’t go through the song and dance, to paraphrase his Chrichtonism, of dying on Talyn, so he’s divorced from the grief she feels for that John Crichton. He tells her that she shouldn’t come with them, maybe to spare her from that grief she fears, and/or maybe to save her from her own possible demise. But of course that is not Aeryn’s way. She is loyal to Talyn John, and I think morally driven against wormhole tech, which I described in my last recap. So basically, both John and Aeryn are tied into their own angst. Man, it’s tough to be the main ship of a show. :P
And finally, some bonus material! The ScapeCast crew pointed out that Anthony Hayes, who played Wa, also had a role as Molnon in “Taking the Stone.” Man, that guy had to sit through a lot of makeup! :P And Peter Mendrikis, the director, was so impressed with Hayes’s work that he cast him in his next project, “Heroes’ Mountain,” according to the wiki! Also, Tammy Macintosh wasn’t credited this hour; talk about an oversight, “Farscape”! :/ To be more specific concerning David Kemper’s commentary about the robbers/arson storyline, they based it off of the 1974 movie, “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino. Pacino was apparently big on their minds during this writing session, because another of his movies, 1995’s “Heat,” inspired the dinner meeting between Rygel, Scorpius, D’argo and Braca. Ben and Claudia deliberately did not lock eyes until the final scene of the episode so as to underscore the John and Aeryn estrangement. Good move, guys. And speaking of which, according to the wiki, Guy Gross wanted to convey with the score that the outcome of the storyline would be unpredictable. I still think I found the back and forth between the arsonists and our main characters to be a little tedious, but I really liked the starring cast's dialogue. Was a nice episode for unusual pairs of people to interact!
Favorite Chrichtonism: Aeryn: I just can't watch that happen - again. It was perfect. We were so - perfect and you're just like him I mean - you are him.
John: No. I'm me. I was here. I missed that dance.
Favorite Quotes:
*Naj Gil’s farewell reminds us of Jool’s unique circumstances*
Jool: I'm a squillion metras from anywhere I want to be.
Naj Gil: Then come with me.
Jool: I can't.
Naj Gil: Jool - your friends are negotiating with Peacekeepers. You stay here - you'll end up dead. I'm sure - on the medical facility - there'll be someone who can help you find your home.
*Chiana’s visions and anxiety concerning John’s plan*
Chiana: Any word from D'Argo and Rygel?
John: No - they're out of range.
Chiana: So after we leave here we're really gonna do this - there's no turning back. We're-we're gonna go on a Command Carrier - with Scorpius.
John: Well that's the plan if they can hammer out a deal.
Chiana: Scorpius doesn't deal!
John: Rygel thinks he will.
Chiana: Nononono - right now - Scorpius is probably frying D'Argo in the Aurora Chair a-a-aand then he's gonna find us and he's gonna kick us to death! But ya know what? It doesn't matter because-because I won't be here. I'm splittin' Crichton - the next planet we pass. *sudden vision* Peacekeepers. I - I see Peacekeepers.
*some local flavor*
Rygel: How can you smell anything but these ganoks on the table? Try one.
D’argo: No - how can you eat that? It smells like - prout.
Essk: They're our specialty. People come from planets you've never heard of - just - to eat our marjools.
D’argo: Look - can you please just - get out of my way? Gogo - GO!
*Scorpy’s Peacekeeper test*
Scorpius: Lieutenant. Prepare to execute them.
Braca: Where's your rescue squad? MmHm? Where's Aeryn Sun?
D’argo: Get frelled.
Scorpius: Not afraid of death?
Rygel: Oh just let me finish these - and please don't miss. Aim for the head. Hm? Look - we're ready to deal - when you've finished your little game.
Scorpius: I had to make sure you were both - alone.
Rygel: Mm. Of course.
*Chiana likely saves Jool’s life*
Jool: Naj Gil! Has he gone yet?
Chiana: Yeah - the transport pod just left for the med ship. What're ya doing?
Jool: Listen Chi - I've got nothing against the Peacekeepers - I was never a prisoner. So you guys want to fight 'em or stop 'em - or whatever it is you're planning - fine. Good luck! But I'm leaving.
Chiana: Ah - you're goin' on the med ship!
Jool: Yep. Naj Gil said they'd check out my eye - and then they're gonna take me home.
Chiana: You can't go.
Jool: Why not?
Chiana: Because I saw myself mourning for you.
Jool: Okay - ONE - I don't think you can see dren - and - TWO - it's really none of- *Chiana knocks her out*
*the boy’s impart John’s fake story of cooperation*
Scorpius: Let me understand -- you wish to board my Command Carrier. You want full amnesty and relocation to your own planets as free citizens. And in return - Crichton will help me - in my wormhole research.
Rygel: That's about the short of it. Yes.
Scorpius: And why would Crichton do this?
Rygel: Do you know who the Charrids are?
Scorpius: Yes - not very friendly towards Hynerians if I recall.
D’argo: The Charrids have formed an alliance with the Scarrans.
Scorpius: I am aware of the political situation.
D’argo: The Scarrans goal - is to build wormhole technology. We stopped them - but it won't be long until they start again. So Crichton - has a choice. And he would rather you had it - than them.
*the diner staff are a little bit high strung*
Voodi: We gotta get them outta here!
Essk: So what're you gonna do?
Voodi: Essk I gotta tell you something-
Essk: Oh - don't worry - this could turn out good! If you cook 'em the greatest leervink ever - maybe - we could get a Peacekeeper supply contract-
Voodi: Owh - we can't! We're gonna get killed!
Essk: Nonononono! Why would they kill us?
Voodi: I don't know how to make leervink! I haven't got the skills!
Essk: You do! You do! You were a great chef once Voodi. You - can do it!
*in his anxiety, Talyn overdoes it and the crew reels from the consequences*
Crais: Prime - main - cannons only! Do not fire until my signal.
Pilot: Peacekeeper ships in visual range - Moya senses they've targeted us!
Aeryn: We don't have any choice. Do it now Crais.
Crais: Talyn - fire at will!
Aeryn: Pilot - status of the Peacekeeper vessels?
Pilot: They are- no longer on Mayas scans.
Crais: Good work Talyn.
Pilot: Starburst in 50 microts. The hospital craft is moving away and - its commander sends us his gratitude for destroying the Peacekeeper ships.
Crais: Wait - wait - Talyn! The med ship is not a threat!
Aeryn: What is he doing Crais?
Crais: NO TALYN! THE MED SHIP IS NOT A THREAT!
John: Crais - what is going on out there!?
Crais: NO TALYN! POWER DOWN NOW! POWER DOWN NOW!
Jool: *attacking Crais once the med ship is destroyed* YOOUU! THERE WERE INNOCENT PEOPLE ABOARD THAT SHIP!
Crais: I KNOW!
Jool: NAJ GIL!
Crais: There was nothing I could do! Talyn attacked on his own accord!
Jool: You could've stopped him!
Chiana: Jool!
Jool: Somehow you could've stopped him. Now they're dead. 600 souls. And you - you knew.
Chiana: No. I-I only saw myself in mourning. I-I thought it was for you.
*introduction of the I-Yensch bracelets*
Scorpius: We are agreed. You will all board my Command Carrier.
D’argo: We're not quite finished yet. We will need a guarantee for our safety when we're on board your ship.
Rygel: And I'm afraid we'll need something more tangible than reassuring words.
Scorpius: I-yensch bracelets.
Braca: Sir! *presents one*
Scorpius: Put one on Braca. Ka D'Argo - If you will.
D’argo: What does it do?
Scorpius: This gets you onboard my ship.
Rygel: We have almost closed the deal. Put it on.
D’argo: It's easy for you to say.
Rygel: Do you feel anything?
D’argo: No.
Scorpius: Braca - pay homage to the Dominar. *Braca reluctantly bows his head near Rygel’s arms*
Rygel: What?
Scorpius: I invite you Dominar - to attack the Lieutenant.
Rygel: I - have no quarrel with him.
Scorpius: Humor me. *Rygel head butts Braca, but both he and D’argo stagger from the impact. In fact, D’argo hits a wall!* Synchronized nerve impulses. Those wearing the bracelets will feel each others pain. If one is injured - then both will be.
Rygel: Very good - and if one is killed?
Scorpius: Both will be dead.
Rygel: Eh-heh. The bracelets seem acceptable. But - who wears them?
Scorpius: Why Crichton of course - and my second in command - Braca.
Rygel: *laughing* Brah-haca?
D’argo: You would not hesitate to kill him!
Scorpius: I will not wear an I-yensch bracelet.
Rygel: Crichton wears one - you wear one. Each of us gets to configure the arming sequence so we can be assured there's no tampering. The only way we'll trust you Scorpius - is if we know we can control you.
Scorpius: Unacceptable.
Rygel: Then we have no deal.
Scorpius: So be it.
*introduction of the robbery/arson plot*
Sko: This - is a robbery. *drags Voodi and Essk out of the kitchen* How many more are there? Huh?
Essk: There's no one!
Sko: No one?
Essk: No one!
Sko: Get over there! Manam, grivvas - whatever you got! Give it to me in a pile - nice and slow!
Rygel: I have nothing.
Wa: Sko! I'm tryin' to tell you something!
Sko: I know - they're Peacekeeper officers. Who gives a frell?
Wa: He never told us about the Peacekeepers!
Sko: You! You! Up! UP! UP! UP! up! UP! up! UP! UP! UP! *Scorpius rises slowly* We go out there now - your troops - they shoot us in the head - how many? How many are there?
Scorpius: There are none.
Sko: A liar! Peacekeeper officer can't even stiv without his troops!
Scorpius: I can stiv on my own thank you very much.
Sko: Up! Up! Up! Up! UP! You! Comm them! Tell them - show themselves! Hands up! In the air!
Scorpius: I have no comms. The Luxan destroyed them. *a frustrated Sko backhands Voodi*
Voodi: AAAHHH! Why'd ya hit me? Wha-wha-what did I do?
Sko: YOU! JUST - GO! COOK!
*Crais comes up with a harrowing but perhaps necessary plan for Talyn*
Crais: Talyn is in shock. He has expressed absolute remorse for his mistake.
Jool: 600 dead. That's a little more than a mistake Crais.
Crais: Yes. And I believe that unless we act - it may happen again.
Pilot: What will happen again?
Crais: Extreme paranoia. Reactions unwarranted to the situation. Talyn is a danger to himself - as well as us.
John: Crais - what do you want to do?
Crais: I believe - we should shut down all his mechanoid systems.
Pilot: *as Moya lurches* Stay calm Moya. We're just discussing a plan. No one's doing anything yet.
Chiana: You're talking about killing Talyn?
Crais: Of course not. His biologics will remain on artificial support. But we must get him to a place where the anomalies in his character can be repaired.
John: Then you bring him back?
Crais: With full system replacement.
Aeryn: When he comes back - will he still be Talyn?
Crais: No. He will be ah - different. Brand new. But something has to be done.
*Rygel figures out the real scheme!*
Rygel: Ahem - can I offer a suggestion?
Wa: Shut up!
Rygel: Why don't you forget the robbery and think bigger? If I were you - I'd hold the Peacekeepers for ransom. Let us go - you don't need us. But they'll pay anything to get those two back.
Braca: Rygel! Shut-up!
Rygel: This robbery doesn't seem to be turning out like you planned. If you had a plan which -- don't get upset - doesn't seem to be the case.
Wa: We're doing fine!
Rygel: This is fine? I'd hate to see when you do badly.
Wa: When we burn this place down - - we'll make sure - you're in it!
Rygel: Burn it down? I thought you were robbing it. This isn't a robbery is it? It's for insurance! Garanzai currency yes? Before - you said "He didn't tell us there'd be Peacekeepers here." It's the cook. You're burning it down for the cook!
*I like that Essk has a personality amidst the broader drama*
Wa: The worm knows - Voodi hired us to burn this place down!
Essk: You did - what?
Voodi: I woulda told you - I should've Essk- but-but-
Essk: You wanna burn this?
Voodi: But - I-I wanted to tell ya-
Essk: But I love this place Voodi!
Voodi: I shoulda told ya!
Sko: SHUTUUUUUP! SHUTUP! UP!
*Aeryn attempts to have two conversations. She does better with the ship :P*
Aeryn: Talyn has activated a full lockdown. He's not letting Crais onboard.
John: Moya is still refusing to move. She won't even talk to Pilot.
Aeryn: What do you think we should do?
John: You asking me?
Aeryn: Yes. We can still work together John. We always did that well.
John: The only voice - that Talyn is going to listen to is Moya. Someone needs to talk to her and convince her that we're not hurting Talyn because we want to. I think - maybe you - should talk to Moya. She knows that you love Talyn.
***
Pilot: There's nothing I can do. Moya knows Talyn is acting irrationally - but she believes he will heal himself.
Aeryn: May I speak with her?
Pilot: I'll ask. Moya will listen to you. Proceed.
Aeryn: Hello Moya. Talyn has been our home. And, on more than one occasion he has saved our lives. I - personally - have shared with him some of the best - and also some of the worst times. You must know that I would never harm him. Crais is right. We have to shut Talyn down - and it is for his own good and I swear - that we will all work to bring him back just as he was. It’s the only way.
*Scorp turns the tables!*
Sko: I can handle Peacekeepers. I know what they'll do. They'll send out a Prowler, maybe two. *to Scorpius* I will keep this gun at your head to make sure there's no funny guhnak.
Scorpius: Then you'll organize a ransom and get them to give you a very fast ship.
Sko: That's right!
Scorpius: The moment you comm them - you're dead. And you won't even see them coming. Why risk it -- when you have a far greater prize here and you don't even know it. Behold Rygel XVI. Sovereign of Hyneria. Heir to all its wealth and fabled star planets. He - you should ransom.
*Voodi has a change of heart. If only Wa were in control!*
Essk: They want more - leervink.
Voodi: All right all right...
Essk: Come on!
Voodi: Why don't they stick their leervink up their fekik? Nonono - why don't we put a frelling sign out the front? Huh? Huh? Yeah? "Leervink not done here!"
Essk: What - sign? You were going to burn the place down Voodi!
Voodi: No! This place is killing us - don't you understand that? Essk I want to start over! I want to start over together.
***
Wa: I've been thinking about it. We shouldn't kill anyone. We should just burn the place down. If we do this ransom - thing you know someone's gonna --end up dead.
Sko: Have you looked in the mirror lately? Are you getting any younger?
Wa: No!
Sko: We take the score that's fallen in our lap. We mortgage the runt!
*Chiana still has some sass*
Chiana: Give us a hand here Princess.
Jool: I can't believe Talyn blew up Moya.
Chiana: I'm sure it was an accident. I bet he was really aimin' for you.
*ransoming people is hard work!*
Sko: Okay. Here's what we do. We call your people. Weeeee... ask for 10,000.000 krepnas ransom. We leave. We wait. They come. When they come - we arrange the exchange.
Rygel: His - ship will decode the transmission.
Sko: Hah! So? We'll be metras away!
Rygel: In something that can outrun an attack Marauder?
Scorpius: Uh - he's right you know.
Sko: AWWWWW! WHY SO DIFFICULT?
Rygel: Uh - you could take my ship. It's fast. They won't ever catch us But - *pointing to incapacitated D’argo* - he's the only one that can fly it.
Sko: I don't believe you.
D’argo: It's true. Responds to DNA particles and voice ident.
Sko: WHY SO DIFFICULT?
*Voodi’s new plan backfires*
Voodi: GET THE FRELL OUTTA HERE! I WANT YOU GONE NOW! NOW!
Sko: Get back to the kitchen.
Voodi: NO! THIS IS MY PLACE! YOU WORK FOR ME! NOW - BURN IT SOME OTHER TIME I DON'T CARE! JUST GET OUT OF HERE. NOW!
Sko: I'm warning you. *Voodi charges and Sko shoots him*
Why?
Voodi: I... I wanted to give you something...
Essk: Voodi...
Voodi: B-burn this place down in my honor.
*a test of loyalty*
Sko: You pull the trigger. Kill the Peacekeeper. I'll trust you - and we'll both be happy. Pull the trigger. Kill him now or Wa kills you. Pull the trigger! I'm waiting!
Rygel: I told you before - if I kill him - D'Argo dies. If D'Argo dies - no one can fly the ship. If no one can fly the ship - you don't go anywhere.
Sko: Pull the trigger!
Rygel: You want me to kill someone so you'll trust me. How - about - *he points the gun at Scorpy*
Scorpius: Dominar...
Rygel: Butcher.
Sko: You said this one is more valuable.
Rygel: That was a microt ago.
Sko: All right. *Scorpy goes down!* Good. We're outta here.
*Crais’s goodbye speech to Talyn*
Crais: Yes Talyn. I promise you that I will do everything I can and - Crichton and Aeryn will as well. We are all here with you. You have not disappointed me. I don't hold you responsible. Neither does Moya. Oh no no - on the contrary Talyn - you are very brave.
*Rygel sticks his neck out for someone!*
Sko: Waitress! Waitress! Time to join your cook boyfriend
Rygel: No! I'll - get you all the currency you could ever want. Leave her alone.
*Rygel and “dead” Scorpius take stock from behind the counter*
Scorpius: How did you know I was wearing body armor?
Rygel: I wasn't sure, but - 131 cycles in Peacekeeper captivity teaches you a few things.
Scorpius: What if you were wrong?
Rygel: Hm!
*Rygel double crosses/distracts the aliens while Braca is able to remove his bracelet and attach it to one of them*
Rygel: I've changed my mind.
Sko: WHAT? WHAT?
Rygel: I'm not going with you. You can kill those two if you like.
D’argo: Why you dirty little--
Sko: What's this about?
Rygel: Regrets. I'd rather be dead than deal with the likes of you.
Sko: WHY SO DIFFICULT!?
Rygel: Because you didn't think it through fekik! You didn't have a plan!
*always a good idea to fend off a random attack with your enemies :P*
Rygel: Now - about our deal.
Scorpius: Yes. I believe perhaps - there is a basis for us to trust one another.
*D’argo and Chiana fill each other in*
Chiana: What happened to you guys? Wh-why didn't you call in? Come here-
D’argo: Well - the restaurant it ah -- sortaburntdown. I don't wanna talk about it - it's a long story. Anything happen here on Moya?
Chiana: Oh you know -just the usual. *they pass a burned out room*
*An ominous end*
John: Aeryn -- don't come with us.
Aeryn: No we started this together Crichton. That's how we'll end it.
Amidst all of that, the showrunners set up two subplots. One involves the folks left on the ship, and particularly the other ship, aka Talyn. The other is an attempted robbery meant to spruce up the negotiation game. Results are mixed, but kudos for trying, show.
Overall, I’m impressed how this episode keeps things moving forward. There are a lot of balls in the air, from the culmination of the major plot to some deep-seated character moments like the tension between John and Aeryn, Chiana’s growing psychic powers and Talyn’s continued rebelliousness. Even Jool gets a few moments to assess her wants and needs. At the negotiating table, unusual partners Rygel and D’argo also get a chance to shine. And of course it’s great to see Scorpy (and Braca!) again. The robbery stuff is undoubtedly the weak part, but that’s a small niggle in an ultimately complex hour of television.
Episode summary is here, courtesy of the John and Aeryn Fansite.
Apparently the tides have changed with the Moya crew, or at least enough so that D’argo and Rygel travel to a nearby planet diner in order to negotiate with Scorpius and Braca for John’s access to the command carrier. They say that John would rather the Peacekeepers have wormhole tech than the Scarrans, and the rest of them just want safe passage home. Negotiations stumble, however, with the issue of security. Scorp produces these I-Yensch bracelets which make the wearers feel the same physical stimuli. Of course John will have to wear one but will Scorpy wear the other? The dispute is tabled when two blue, furry aliens come into the diner looking for a robbery. …or at least that’s the first impression. It turns out they’ve been hired by the cook (another guest actor) to burn the place down for the insurance. But with this many hostages, and Peacekeepers among them no less, the plan quickly devolves. Also, Braca gets shot while wearing the I-Yensch bracelet with D’argo, so soon both of them are out of commission. Scorpius and Rygel slowly steer the situation back to their advantage, and in the course of this learn that they can trust each other. Meanwhile, on Moya, Jool is ready to leave for a med freighter with Naj Gil from last ep, but Chiana stops her with another vision. It turns out that Talyn, a little trigger happy after destroying some Peacekeeper interlopers, also destroys the med freighter! Drama ensues when Crais, Aeryn and John debate over what to do about this. They finally decide on essentially lobotomizing Talyn until some of his more aggressive personality traits can be replaced. He won’t be the same but he won’t be as violent, either. First Aeryn has to convince Moya that this is the right thing to do. But when Moya assents, a spooked Talyn attacks his own mother! Also not nice for the people on board. :P It takes some time, but Aeryn, Crais and John ultimately board Talyn and convince him to do this, too. Back on the planet, after some back and forth, the cook ends up dead and the goons decide to ransom Rygel. But our boys trick them, and end up taking them out. This also seals the deal on the I-Yensch situation. On Moya, Aeryn tells John that though she can’t go through losing “him” again, they will “end it” by taking out the wormhole tech on the command carrier.
Such a rambling paragraph, yet so much more was going on! :P Some of the stuff in the diner could feel a little tedious. Like first it looked like Scorpius and Braca might kill D’argo and Rygel, and then there was so much back and forth when Scorp and Ryg were trying to play the new aliens named Sko and Wa, and also trying to one up each other. Also, any aliens named “Sko” and “Wa” are obviously just there to be a roadblock, right? :P In the commentaries, David Kemper said that he introduced the robbery/arson plot to add something unique, but I’m also wondering if they couldn’t figure out a way for the John crew and the Scorp crew to come to an agreement otherwise. Which, to an extent, I suppose I get, though it’s also obvious that Scorpius and Rygel also admire each other’s cunning. This was a nice change of pace for Ryg, where he gets to seal a very political (and not on the level) deal, vs his lovelorn victimhood in the last ep. :P I think it is fair to say that Rygel is a fully realized character (the newbs on the ScapeCast don’t seem to refer to him as a puppet anymore) which means that in some situations he shines and in other ones...not so much. Anywho. Also linked into both diner storylines was D’argo having to wear an I-Yensch bracelet. First to showcase how they work and then to act as a ticking time bomb when the going goes rough. Can Rygel neutralize Sko and Wa before D’argo’s experience of Braca’s injury does him in? Dun dun duuuun. And then there’s the diner employees (I’m gonna say they are both Sebaceans because that’s shoddy alien makeup otherwise), Essk the waitress and Voodi the cook. They add dimension to the robbery/arson subplot, but it is also fair to say that they add additional ambiance to the diner. It’s kind of nice that it doesn’t just feel like an abandoned place that our main characters happened to find for their negotiations. It has a past.
Speaking of someone with a past, ok that is a bad segway. :P But Moya’s son, Talyn, is well known for having...behavioral issues. Granted, for the last little while he’s been pretty chill. But that was before some of Scorpius’s peacekeeper vessels started swooping near him. Perhaps that reminded the young ship of the retrieval squad. Or even the scariness of flying around the Scarran wormhole craziness. Basically he was freaked out enough to shoot everything in his path (exempting his mother...for the moment) including the medical freighter that came for Naj Gil. He, and a bunch of other innocents, ended up dead. Speaking of inanimate things that become living beings on this show, I love how Moya lurched dangerously as the crew discussed Talyn’s future. Technically what Crais suggests is a mechanoid systems shut down that would put his biologics in stasis until they can repair Talyn’s “character anomalies.” We may be talking about a scifi ship here, but when Aeryn and the others express trepidation over how a medical procedure can alter someone’s personality...well. Isn’t that the reason why many people with mental disorders refuse to take medicine? Yup. Talyn expresses remorse, though once Aeryn convinces Moya of the logic of this plan, he kinda changes his tune. :P Again, isn’t this reminiscent of real life? :P There’s a difference between expressing remorse for wrongdoing and actually going through with the help that you need. Anywho. At least he didn’t mean to kill his mother or else the show would be over! (Either that or we’d shift to the D’argo/Rygel buddy sitcom, hee.) Jool and Chiana clean up the mess Talyn made, while the boy finally allows his former crew to board. ...and John, who he might target with his guns because he’s not Talyn John? Seems like those two had mended their rift. Either way, of course it’s Aeryn and Crais who are able to get through to him. Aeryn hearkens back to their storied history this season, which of course packs a punch for all of us since it’s so recent. Then Crais shuts him down and walks off in the darkness. It’s a somber plot!
If Talyn’s is somber, then maybe Jool’s is tragic and Chiana’s is a tense mystery/thriller. Chiana is a bit on edge from the very beginning as she kvetches to John about D’argo and Rygel being alone Scorpius…and Peacekeepers, she sees! That’s part of the test that Scorp sets on the boys to affirm that they are telling the truth that they are alone. Also I imagine it’s what alerts the crew to the fact that PK vessels might be a problem for them. Anywho. The next big prediction she sees is herself “in mourning,” which she takes to be for Jool. She even knocks the girl out when she says that she wants to join Naj Gil on the medical freighter! It turns out that Chiana ended up mourning the loss of the medical freighter, but still. These visions are coming fast and furious and they are frightening our girl. Jool, meanwhile, still wearing her eye patch because of Tammy MacIntosh’s irritation from last episode, is now the only member of the Moya crew who is considering jumping ship rather than staying aboard in order to fight Scorpius. That makes sense. Unlike the rest of them, she doesn’t really have a history with the Peacekeepers. Even Chiana does now, though she wasn’t primarily on their radar. Chi is part of the crew in a way that Jool can’t be after only one season, though she does seem to be getting better along. And wuddaya know, the show improvised a way to force her to stay on board. :P (And the same with Chiana, really, who claims she’s about to split before she gets her Peacekeeper vision.) I’m kind of glad, because I like the dimension that she brings to the crew. She can be a little bit of a brat, but when she attacks Crais over the loss of the medical freighter, it’s from a place of empathy for other people. Jool is far from monstrous. She made me feel more for those people, too.
But if we want to talk character drama, well. :P There is only one place that absolutely radiates that. I appreciate the show for inserting John and Aeryn’s feelings into the larger plot. Also, Aeryn keeps moving forward, despite herself. I think this is a good thing, particularly because ever since John was twinned, this outcome was probably one of the least surprising possibilities. And yet, so long as the emotions are deep and real, I find it all rather arresting. And this is after multiple viewings! :P Anywho. At the beginning of their angst fest for the hour, Aeryn broaches the idea that the two of them can still work together. She’s looking to John for advice about how to handle Moya’s trepidation about Talyn’s predicament. This makes sense to me, since John is easily the more emotionally evolved of the two, and Aeryn knows it. Later, after all is said and done with the ships and the command carrier access, the two of them inadvertently talk about duty and loss. Aeryn has a bad feeling about what will go down in the end of season three, but they have no choice but to go forward if they want to stop Scorp from utilizing wormhole knowledge. But what’s really freaking her out is the thought of going through losing John again—John himself frames his mission as “some things are worth dying for.” True, but Aeryn already watched him die. She needs to shut herself off from him in order to avoid the pain of going through that again. She doesn’t say that to him, but it seems like the logical next step from her words. John’s pain, of course, is about being shut off from her. He didn’t go through the song and dance, to paraphrase his Chrichtonism, of dying on Talyn, so he’s divorced from the grief she feels for that John Crichton. He tells her that she shouldn’t come with them, maybe to spare her from that grief she fears, and/or maybe to save her from her own possible demise. But of course that is not Aeryn’s way. She is loyal to Talyn John, and I think morally driven against wormhole tech, which I described in my last recap. So basically, both John and Aeryn are tied into their own angst. Man, it’s tough to be the main ship of a show. :P
And finally, some bonus material! The ScapeCast crew pointed out that Anthony Hayes, who played Wa, also had a role as Molnon in “Taking the Stone.” Man, that guy had to sit through a lot of makeup! :P And Peter Mendrikis, the director, was so impressed with Hayes’s work that he cast him in his next project, “Heroes’ Mountain,” according to the wiki! Also, Tammy Macintosh wasn’t credited this hour; talk about an oversight, “Farscape”! :/ To be more specific concerning David Kemper’s commentary about the robbers/arson storyline, they based it off of the 1974 movie, “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino. Pacino was apparently big on their minds during this writing session, because another of his movies, 1995’s “Heat,” inspired the dinner meeting between Rygel, Scorpius, D’argo and Braca. Ben and Claudia deliberately did not lock eyes until the final scene of the episode so as to underscore the John and Aeryn estrangement. Good move, guys. And speaking of which, according to the wiki, Guy Gross wanted to convey with the score that the outcome of the storyline would be unpredictable. I still think I found the back and forth between the arsonists and our main characters to be a little tedious, but I really liked the starring cast's dialogue. Was a nice episode for unusual pairs of people to interact!
Favorite Chrichtonism: Aeryn: I just can't watch that happen - again. It was perfect. We were so - perfect and you're just like him I mean - you are him.
John: No. I'm me. I was here. I missed that dance.
Favorite Quotes:
*Naj Gil’s farewell reminds us of Jool’s unique circumstances*
Jool: I'm a squillion metras from anywhere I want to be.
Naj Gil: Then come with me.
Jool: I can't.
Naj Gil: Jool - your friends are negotiating with Peacekeepers. You stay here - you'll end up dead. I'm sure - on the medical facility - there'll be someone who can help you find your home.
*Chiana’s visions and anxiety concerning John’s plan*
Chiana: Any word from D'Argo and Rygel?
John: No - they're out of range.
Chiana: So after we leave here we're really gonna do this - there's no turning back. We're-we're gonna go on a Command Carrier - with Scorpius.
John: Well that's the plan if they can hammer out a deal.
Chiana: Scorpius doesn't deal!
John: Rygel thinks he will.
Chiana: Nononono - right now - Scorpius is probably frying D'Argo in the Aurora Chair a-a-aand then he's gonna find us and he's gonna kick us to death! But ya know what? It doesn't matter because-because I won't be here. I'm splittin' Crichton - the next planet we pass. *sudden vision* Peacekeepers. I - I see Peacekeepers.
*some local flavor*
Rygel: How can you smell anything but these ganoks on the table? Try one.
D’argo: No - how can you eat that? It smells like - prout.
Essk: They're our specialty. People come from planets you've never heard of - just - to eat our marjools.
D’argo: Look - can you please just - get out of my way? Gogo - GO!
*Scorpy’s Peacekeeper test*
Scorpius: Lieutenant. Prepare to execute them.
Braca: Where's your rescue squad? MmHm? Where's Aeryn Sun?
D’argo: Get frelled.
Scorpius: Not afraid of death?
Rygel: Oh just let me finish these - and please don't miss. Aim for the head. Hm? Look - we're ready to deal - when you've finished your little game.
Scorpius: I had to make sure you were both - alone.
Rygel: Mm. Of course.
*Chiana likely saves Jool’s life*
Jool: Naj Gil! Has he gone yet?
Chiana: Yeah - the transport pod just left for the med ship. What're ya doing?
Jool: Listen Chi - I've got nothing against the Peacekeepers - I was never a prisoner. So you guys want to fight 'em or stop 'em - or whatever it is you're planning - fine. Good luck! But I'm leaving.
Chiana: Ah - you're goin' on the med ship!
Jool: Yep. Naj Gil said they'd check out my eye - and then they're gonna take me home.
Chiana: You can't go.
Jool: Why not?
Chiana: Because I saw myself mourning for you.
Jool: Okay - ONE - I don't think you can see dren - and - TWO - it's really none of- *Chiana knocks her out*
*the boy’s impart John’s fake story of cooperation*
Scorpius: Let me understand -- you wish to board my Command Carrier. You want full amnesty and relocation to your own planets as free citizens. And in return - Crichton will help me - in my wormhole research.
Rygel: That's about the short of it. Yes.
Scorpius: And why would Crichton do this?
Rygel: Do you know who the Charrids are?
Scorpius: Yes - not very friendly towards Hynerians if I recall.
D’argo: The Charrids have formed an alliance with the Scarrans.
Scorpius: I am aware of the political situation.
D’argo: The Scarrans goal - is to build wormhole technology. We stopped them - but it won't be long until they start again. So Crichton - has a choice. And he would rather you had it - than them.
*the diner staff are a little bit high strung*
Voodi: We gotta get them outta here!
Essk: So what're you gonna do?
Voodi: Essk I gotta tell you something-
Essk: Oh - don't worry - this could turn out good! If you cook 'em the greatest leervink ever - maybe - we could get a Peacekeeper supply contract-
Voodi: Owh - we can't! We're gonna get killed!
Essk: Nonononono! Why would they kill us?
Voodi: I don't know how to make leervink! I haven't got the skills!
Essk: You do! You do! You were a great chef once Voodi. You - can do it!
*in his anxiety, Talyn overdoes it and the crew reels from the consequences*
Crais: Prime - main - cannons only! Do not fire until my signal.
Pilot: Peacekeeper ships in visual range - Moya senses they've targeted us!
Aeryn: We don't have any choice. Do it now Crais.
Crais: Talyn - fire at will!
Aeryn: Pilot - status of the Peacekeeper vessels?
Pilot: They are- no longer on Mayas scans.
Crais: Good work Talyn.
Pilot: Starburst in 50 microts. The hospital craft is moving away and - its commander sends us his gratitude for destroying the Peacekeeper ships.
Crais: Wait - wait - Talyn! The med ship is not a threat!
Aeryn: What is he doing Crais?
Crais: NO TALYN! THE MED SHIP IS NOT A THREAT!
John: Crais - what is going on out there!?
Crais: NO TALYN! POWER DOWN NOW! POWER DOWN NOW!
Jool: *attacking Crais once the med ship is destroyed* YOOUU! THERE WERE INNOCENT PEOPLE ABOARD THAT SHIP!
Crais: I KNOW!
Jool: NAJ GIL!
Crais: There was nothing I could do! Talyn attacked on his own accord!
Jool: You could've stopped him!
Chiana: Jool!
Jool: Somehow you could've stopped him. Now they're dead. 600 souls. And you - you knew.
Chiana: No. I-I only saw myself in mourning. I-I thought it was for you.
*introduction of the I-Yensch bracelets*
Scorpius: We are agreed. You will all board my Command Carrier.
D’argo: We're not quite finished yet. We will need a guarantee for our safety when we're on board your ship.
Rygel: And I'm afraid we'll need something more tangible than reassuring words.
Scorpius: I-yensch bracelets.
Braca: Sir! *presents one*
Scorpius: Put one on Braca. Ka D'Argo - If you will.
D’argo: What does it do?
Scorpius: This gets you onboard my ship.
Rygel: We have almost closed the deal. Put it on.
D’argo: It's easy for you to say.
Rygel: Do you feel anything?
D’argo: No.
Scorpius: Braca - pay homage to the Dominar. *Braca reluctantly bows his head near Rygel’s arms*
Rygel: What?
Scorpius: I invite you Dominar - to attack the Lieutenant.
Rygel: I - have no quarrel with him.
Scorpius: Humor me. *Rygel head butts Braca, but both he and D’argo stagger from the impact. In fact, D’argo hits a wall!* Synchronized nerve impulses. Those wearing the bracelets will feel each others pain. If one is injured - then both will be.
Rygel: Very good - and if one is killed?
Scorpius: Both will be dead.
Rygel: Eh-heh. The bracelets seem acceptable. But - who wears them?
Scorpius: Why Crichton of course - and my second in command - Braca.
Rygel: *laughing* Brah-haca?
D’argo: You would not hesitate to kill him!
Scorpius: I will not wear an I-yensch bracelet.
Rygel: Crichton wears one - you wear one. Each of us gets to configure the arming sequence so we can be assured there's no tampering. The only way we'll trust you Scorpius - is if we know we can control you.
Scorpius: Unacceptable.
Rygel: Then we have no deal.
Scorpius: So be it.
*introduction of the robbery/arson plot*
Sko: This - is a robbery. *drags Voodi and Essk out of the kitchen* How many more are there? Huh?
Essk: There's no one!
Sko: No one?
Essk: No one!
Sko: Get over there! Manam, grivvas - whatever you got! Give it to me in a pile - nice and slow!
Rygel: I have nothing.
Wa: Sko! I'm tryin' to tell you something!
Sko: I know - they're Peacekeeper officers. Who gives a frell?
Wa: He never told us about the Peacekeepers!
Sko: You! You! Up! UP! UP! UP! up! UP! up! UP! UP! UP! *Scorpius rises slowly* We go out there now - your troops - they shoot us in the head - how many? How many are there?
Scorpius: There are none.
Sko: A liar! Peacekeeper officer can't even stiv without his troops!
Scorpius: I can stiv on my own thank you very much.
Sko: Up! Up! Up! Up! UP! You! Comm them! Tell them - show themselves! Hands up! In the air!
Scorpius: I have no comms. The Luxan destroyed them. *a frustrated Sko backhands Voodi*
Voodi: AAAHHH! Why'd ya hit me? Wha-wha-what did I do?
Sko: YOU! JUST - GO! COOK!
*Crais comes up with a harrowing but perhaps necessary plan for Talyn*
Crais: Talyn is in shock. He has expressed absolute remorse for his mistake.
Jool: 600 dead. That's a little more than a mistake Crais.
Crais: Yes. And I believe that unless we act - it may happen again.
Pilot: What will happen again?
Crais: Extreme paranoia. Reactions unwarranted to the situation. Talyn is a danger to himself - as well as us.
John: Crais - what do you want to do?
Crais: I believe - we should shut down all his mechanoid systems.
Pilot: *as Moya lurches* Stay calm Moya. We're just discussing a plan. No one's doing anything yet.
Chiana: You're talking about killing Talyn?
Crais: Of course not. His biologics will remain on artificial support. But we must get him to a place where the anomalies in his character can be repaired.
John: Then you bring him back?
Crais: With full system replacement.
Aeryn: When he comes back - will he still be Talyn?
Crais: No. He will be ah - different. Brand new. But something has to be done.
*Rygel figures out the real scheme!*
Rygel: Ahem - can I offer a suggestion?
Wa: Shut up!
Rygel: Why don't you forget the robbery and think bigger? If I were you - I'd hold the Peacekeepers for ransom. Let us go - you don't need us. But they'll pay anything to get those two back.
Braca: Rygel! Shut-up!
Rygel: This robbery doesn't seem to be turning out like you planned. If you had a plan which -- don't get upset - doesn't seem to be the case.
Wa: We're doing fine!
Rygel: This is fine? I'd hate to see when you do badly.
Wa: When we burn this place down - - we'll make sure - you're in it!
Rygel: Burn it down? I thought you were robbing it. This isn't a robbery is it? It's for insurance! Garanzai currency yes? Before - you said "He didn't tell us there'd be Peacekeepers here." It's the cook. You're burning it down for the cook!
*I like that Essk has a personality amidst the broader drama*
Wa: The worm knows - Voodi hired us to burn this place down!
Essk: You did - what?
Voodi: I woulda told you - I should've Essk- but-but-
Essk: You wanna burn this?
Voodi: But - I-I wanted to tell ya-
Essk: But I love this place Voodi!
Voodi: I shoulda told ya!
Sko: SHUTUUUUUP! SHUTUP! UP!
*Aeryn attempts to have two conversations. She does better with the ship :P*
Aeryn: Talyn has activated a full lockdown. He's not letting Crais onboard.
John: Moya is still refusing to move. She won't even talk to Pilot.
Aeryn: What do you think we should do?
John: You asking me?
Aeryn: Yes. We can still work together John. We always did that well.
John: The only voice - that Talyn is going to listen to is Moya. Someone needs to talk to her and convince her that we're not hurting Talyn because we want to. I think - maybe you - should talk to Moya. She knows that you love Talyn.
***
Pilot: There's nothing I can do. Moya knows Talyn is acting irrationally - but she believes he will heal himself.
Aeryn: May I speak with her?
Pilot: I'll ask. Moya will listen to you. Proceed.
Aeryn: Hello Moya. Talyn has been our home. And, on more than one occasion he has saved our lives. I - personally - have shared with him some of the best - and also some of the worst times. You must know that I would never harm him. Crais is right. We have to shut Talyn down - and it is for his own good and I swear - that we will all work to bring him back just as he was. It’s the only way.
*Scorp turns the tables!*
Sko: I can handle Peacekeepers. I know what they'll do. They'll send out a Prowler, maybe two. *to Scorpius* I will keep this gun at your head to make sure there's no funny guhnak.
Scorpius: Then you'll organize a ransom and get them to give you a very fast ship.
Sko: That's right!
Scorpius: The moment you comm them - you're dead. And you won't even see them coming. Why risk it -- when you have a far greater prize here and you don't even know it. Behold Rygel XVI. Sovereign of Hyneria. Heir to all its wealth and fabled star planets. He - you should ransom.
*Voodi has a change of heart. If only Wa were in control!*
Essk: They want more - leervink.
Voodi: All right all right...
Essk: Come on!
Voodi: Why don't they stick their leervink up their fekik? Nonono - why don't we put a frelling sign out the front? Huh? Huh? Yeah? "Leervink not done here!"
Essk: What - sign? You were going to burn the place down Voodi!
Voodi: No! This place is killing us - don't you understand that? Essk I want to start over! I want to start over together.
***
Wa: I've been thinking about it. We shouldn't kill anyone. We should just burn the place down. If we do this ransom - thing you know someone's gonna --end up dead.
Sko: Have you looked in the mirror lately? Are you getting any younger?
Wa: No!
Sko: We take the score that's fallen in our lap. We mortgage the runt!
*Chiana still has some sass*
Chiana: Give us a hand here Princess.
Jool: I can't believe Talyn blew up Moya.
Chiana: I'm sure it was an accident. I bet he was really aimin' for you.
*ransoming people is hard work!*
Sko: Okay. Here's what we do. We call your people. Weeeee... ask for 10,000.000 krepnas ransom. We leave. We wait. They come. When they come - we arrange the exchange.
Rygel: His - ship will decode the transmission.
Sko: Hah! So? We'll be metras away!
Rygel: In something that can outrun an attack Marauder?
Scorpius: Uh - he's right you know.
Sko: AWWWWW! WHY SO DIFFICULT?
Rygel: Uh - you could take my ship. It's fast. They won't ever catch us But - *pointing to incapacitated D’argo* - he's the only one that can fly it.
Sko: I don't believe you.
D’argo: It's true. Responds to DNA particles and voice ident.
Sko: WHY SO DIFFICULT?
*Voodi’s new plan backfires*
Voodi: GET THE FRELL OUTTA HERE! I WANT YOU GONE NOW! NOW!
Sko: Get back to the kitchen.
Voodi: NO! THIS IS MY PLACE! YOU WORK FOR ME! NOW - BURN IT SOME OTHER TIME I DON'T CARE! JUST GET OUT OF HERE. NOW!
Sko: I'm warning you. *Voodi charges and Sko shoots him*
Why?
Voodi: I... I wanted to give you something...
Essk: Voodi...
Voodi: B-burn this place down in my honor.
*a test of loyalty*
Sko: You pull the trigger. Kill the Peacekeeper. I'll trust you - and we'll both be happy. Pull the trigger. Kill him now or Wa kills you. Pull the trigger! I'm waiting!
Rygel: I told you before - if I kill him - D'Argo dies. If D'Argo dies - no one can fly the ship. If no one can fly the ship - you don't go anywhere.
Sko: Pull the trigger!
Rygel: You want me to kill someone so you'll trust me. How - about - *he points the gun at Scorpy*
Scorpius: Dominar...
Rygel: Butcher.
Sko: You said this one is more valuable.
Rygel: That was a microt ago.
Sko: All right. *Scorpy goes down!* Good. We're outta here.
*Crais’s goodbye speech to Talyn*
Crais: Yes Talyn. I promise you that I will do everything I can and - Crichton and Aeryn will as well. We are all here with you. You have not disappointed me. I don't hold you responsible. Neither does Moya. Oh no no - on the contrary Talyn - you are very brave.
*Rygel sticks his neck out for someone!*
Sko: Waitress! Waitress! Time to join your cook boyfriend
Rygel: No! I'll - get you all the currency you could ever want. Leave her alone.
*Rygel and “dead” Scorpius take stock from behind the counter*
Scorpius: How did you know I was wearing body armor?
Rygel: I wasn't sure, but - 131 cycles in Peacekeeper captivity teaches you a few things.
Scorpius: What if you were wrong?
Rygel: Hm!
*Rygel double crosses/distracts the aliens while Braca is able to remove his bracelet and attach it to one of them*
Rygel: I've changed my mind.
Sko: WHAT? WHAT?
Rygel: I'm not going with you. You can kill those two if you like.
D’argo: Why you dirty little--
Sko: What's this about?
Rygel: Regrets. I'd rather be dead than deal with the likes of you.
Sko: WHY SO DIFFICULT!?
Rygel: Because you didn't think it through fekik! You didn't have a plan!
*always a good idea to fend off a random attack with your enemies :P*
Rygel: Now - about our deal.
Scorpius: Yes. I believe perhaps - there is a basis for us to trust one another.
*D’argo and Chiana fill each other in*
Chiana: What happened to you guys? Wh-why didn't you call in? Come here-
D’argo: Well - the restaurant it ah -- sortaburntdown. I don't wanna talk about it - it's a long story. Anything happen here on Moya?
Chiana: Oh you know -just the usual. *they pass a burned out room*
*An ominous end*
John: Aeryn -- don't come with us.
Aeryn: No we started this together Crichton. That's how we'll end it.
