TNMC
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Well, here we are at last - Farscape's fourth season. As this episode has yet to air, even in the UK., I will avoid giving away any significant spoilers or plot points. For now, I'll just give a simple synopsis and my general thoughts.
Episode 4.01, "Crichton Kicks"
Air Date: 6.07.02
Written by David Kemper
Directed by Andrew Prowse
When Farscape's third season ended, the producers left us with quite the cliffhanger. Having just been left behind by most of his friends, and having just seen Moya inexplicably sucked into a wormhole, Crichton was utterly alone in his module, in the middle of nowhere, and running out of fuel fast. In short, his situation seemed hopeless.
Well, it's certainly no spoiler that John does manage to get out of this. (otherwise, we really wouldn't have much of a show anymore) We open on him still in his module, as the text simply explains, "some time later." We never find out how much later, but I'd guess anywhere from a quarter to a half cycle later based on the length of his hair.
Crichton, as it turns out, managed to get picked up by old, dying Leviathan named Elack, where he ekes out a pretty lonely existence. His only companions - an equally old and dying pilot, and a spunky little DRD which he's dubbed 1812. (you'll understand why) He pretty much spends all his time working out wormhole equations on any surface he can find and drinking homemade wine. When we first see him, it's not certain if he's simply drunk, of if all this alone time has made him a little loony. Of course, for what it's worth, he's still got Harvey to kick around, too, and fans of that character will most certainly not be disappointed by his brief appearance.
But soon enough, as it tends to happen, all hell breaks loose as a ship careens out of control into the maintenance bay, piloted by an exotic female alien (god I love Farscape), named Sikozu. (Raelee Hill) She warns Crichton that a bunch of mercenaries intent on harvesting leviathan neural tissue will arrive any minute. Crichton tries to save his new home with the help of his new acquaintance, but it's not going to be easy. The mercenaries are many in number, heavily armed, and have a nice little "hound" they carry around with them.
Well, this is a very hard episode to rate. I honestly suspect many people will not like it at first. The simple reason being that, like David Kemper said before, "it's different, while being the same." I don't know how to say it better than that. The show, for the time being at least, is very different. But having had the luxury of watching it multiple times already, I can say that different doesn't necessarily mean worse. (and I'm usually a status quo-kinda guy) Knowing that a fifth season is guaranteed, the producers have the luxury of taking the show in a new, exciting direction. From the opening credits, you'll sense this as well. The tone of Crichton's opening narration is very different now, but you'll to wait to see why. Suffice it to say, it's good stuff.
Written by DK, this episode has the usual great dialogue, and Prowse's direction is solid as well. The soundtrack to this episode is great stuff, too. There are many moments of subtle humor, and even one or two laugh-out-loud ones. As for Sikozu, the latest hot alien babe, I really like her. She's super-intelligent, capable, and has a very unique ability. A highlight of the episode is her displaying the ability in a confrontation with a very familiar character.
As for the letterboxing, the screener I saw wasn't, so I can't wait to see it on television where it will be. Also, I have a sneaking suspicion that the episode I saw wasn't the final cut. In the "previously on Farscape" lead-in to 4.02, there are very important scenes shown that must have happened during this episode, but were not anywhere in it. So I'm a little mystified by that.
In any case, tape this episode, because you'll need to watch it more than once for it all to sink in. The bottom line, once again, Farscape delivers.
Episode Rating: 7 out of 10
- your resident Farscape guru, Ultra Magnus
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