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Greeting Scapers!
Sci Fi Channel frequently runs 'chain reactions' -- just a fancy name for mini-marathons basically. Last Sunday, we were finally treated to a Farscape four-episode chain reaction. While the first episode was a stand alone piece, and pretty dull at that, the next three got the ball rolling on what would eventually lead up to the season one climax. In my mind, this is where farscape really started picking up momentum. So without further ado...episode two of three.
Nerve - Season I - Original Air Date - 1.07.00
Farscape's first 17 episodes mostly stood by themselves. A few characters recurred and backstory was developed, but there wasn't much connection between the episodes. That all changed with "A Bug's Life." We now have ourselves some ongoing subplots and story arcs. Excellent.
At the end of "Bug's Life", Aeryn had barely escaped with her life after being stabbed by PeaceKeeper Captain Larraq. Although that wound healed, it damaged Aeryn's peripheral nerve -- and without an immediate tissue graft from a PK donor, Aeryn's toast. That simple, deadly fact sends Crichton on his most dangerous mission ever: impersonate Larraq and infiltrate a top-secret, maximum security PK base to get a tissue match. Easier said than done.
Enter Scorpius. Super bad-ass villain of the universe. Loads of evil, plus he exudes intelligence and arrogance. A real bastard. Kind of reminds me of Skeletor in black leather. He's on to John, and assuming he's a spy, puts him in the "aurora chair" -- a device he uses to trace neural pathways and literally put somebody's memories up on the screen.
This was definitely Farscape's finest hour at the time. Gilina, the guest heroine from "PK Tech Girl" comes to John's aid, and even Captain Crais returns. We also get the introduction of Stark, the mysterious recurring character, who also happens to be a prisoner of Scorpius. The episode makes good use of past elements as well. Crichton's growing affection for Aeryn complicates his relationship with Gilina, while Scorpius uses Crais' renegade status to force his cooperation. And did I mention that by the end of the episode, the chair has almost turned Crichton's mind to mush?
The mission is ultimately successful. Gilina is able to help Chiana escape with the tissue that Aeryn needs to survive. Scorpius knows at this point, someone is helping John from the inside. He doesn't know who the accomplice is yet, but, he muses, "Crichton will tell us."
To be continued...
Episode Rating: 10 out of 10
Highlights:
- The Aurora Chair
- Chiana makes one PK officer extra crispy using a makeshift flamethrower
- Scorpius, Scorpius, Scorpius
Quotes:
Crichton: "New weapons in Peacekeeper hands, yeah, that's just what this galaxy needs."
Crichton (to Chiana): "Do you think that before they elect you centerfold of the month, we could get on with the business of saving Aeryn?"
Chiana (to Gilina): "Spare me the technobabble, gadget girl, let's just get on with it."
- your resident Farscape guru, Ultra Magnus
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