The Incomparable

737 Scream Queen (Farscape S3E03-04)

We have our first two parter of season 3 already. And it’s not a happy, fun time for our wayward crew.

First up — “Self-Inflicted Wounds (Part 1): Could’a, Would’a, Should’a”. While on their way to a planet that can help Zhaan heal, Moya runs across a wormhole. Before anyone can do anything, a ship comes out of it and materializes part way inside Moya. The crews of both ships work on ways to separate themselves, but it seems the aliens on the other ship have ulterior motives. And we meet our newest crewmember - Jool.

Finally in “Self-Inflicted Wounds (Part 2): Wait for the Wheel”, we learn that the aliens are sabotaging Moya so their ship can be the only one to escape the wormhole. Our crew must put their differences of opinions and desires aside to save them all before the aliens’ plans are realized. And one of our crew makes the ultimate sacrifice.

736 Where Art Thou, Farscape? (Farscape S3E01-02)

Eric and Jason are back after an extended time away, some of which was out of their control. They jump into the beginning of season three — which now has new opening theme music, “new” cast members and a new narration.

First up, the exciting conclusion to the end of season two, “Season of Death”. That’s the name of the episode, not the name of the last season… Does Aeryn come back to life? Does Crichton get his head back together, both literally and psychologically? Does Rygel really like what Chiana’s cooking?

Then we wrap up with “Suns and Lovers”. Where we hopefully put the whole D’Argo / Chiana / Jothee love triangle behind us, never to be spoken of again. And not just because the crew is trapped on a disabled space station about to be destroyed by a mysterious wave of energy soon approaching. Can they find the source of the signal attracting the wave in time? Can they saved the trapped children and themselves? And can Aeryn and Crichton finally find some “alone time”?

735 Chekhov’s Halitosis (Farscape S2E21-22)

Eric and Jason close out season two of Farscape with a pair of episodes reviews and then the season two review, lowlights and highlights.

First up, “Liars, Guns and Money (Part 3): Plan B”. Instead of using their newly obtained mercenaries to rescue D’Argo’s son, now they’re off to rescue Crichton from Scorpius’ clutches. But don’t worry, Stark has another foolproof plan… ah, frell that, it’s time for a guns blazing, frontal assault! They manage to rescue Crichton, but at what cost?

Finally, “Die Me, Dichotomy”, the (mostly) exciting season two cliffhanger. The crew locates a healer who can both heal Moya and get the neural chip out of Crichton’s head. But the chip isn’t having any of that and does its best to get itself, and Crichton, back to Scorpius. And then some other things happen that we’d like to forget about, before the exciting cliffhanger ending that sets up season three.

734 Relax, It’s All Part of the Plan (Farscape S2E19-20)

Eric and Jason review the first two parts of Farscape’s second ever three part storyline, “Liars, Guns and Money”. And during all that, wander off on tangents about Star Wars, the A-Team and past episodes of this here podcast.

First up, “Part 1 - A Not So Simple Plan”. Which is pretty much as advertised. Stark (hey, isn’t he dead?) has a not so simple plan to steal enough money to buy D’Argo’s son Jothee from the slavers holding him captive. With such a complicated plan, it goes off without any issues at all. No… who are we kidding? Of course not. The crew must deal with a heavily secured depository, its leader, and our old buddy Scorpius to get what they need.

Finally, “Part 2 - With Friends Like These…”. After learning that all their efforts last time weren’t quite good enough, this time it’s Crichton who comes up with his own somewhat simpler plan to free Jothee. But it involves recruiting several people we met in season one who they didn’t leave on the best of terms with. It goes better than you’d expect, but there’s yet another complication that might make their hard work all for naught. And Crichton has to make a hard choice…

733 I’m Nobody’s Puppet (Farscape S2E17-18)

Eric and Jason have been gone for a little while due to real life, but we’re back with two above average episodes to make up for it.

First up, “The Ugly Truth”, where Crais tries to get Moya’s crew to help him disarm Talyn. But things don’t go according to plan and the crew has to recount, from each of their perspectives, what went wrong or else face summary execution.

Finally, “A Clockwork Nebari”, where Chiana learns some truths, some ugly, some not-so-ugly, about her people and her brother. Meanwhile the crew is mentally cleansed by the aforementioned Nebari and have to snap out of it if they’re going to get away. It’s like totally bitchin’, man. Far out.

732 Boogie or Die! (Farscape S2E15-16)

This time we review two really amazing episodes. Granted, in the grand scheme of things, they didn’t really happen but they’re still amazing.

First up, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, where Crichton is back on Earth again. Or is he? This time it’s completely different… and just keeps getting crazier and crazier. And we also prove conclusively that the 2000’s line-up of the Guardians of the Galaxy is a complete rip-off (homage?) of Farscape.

We wrap up with “The Locket” where the crew gets all timey-wimey inside a misty space bubble. Aeryn and Crichton are stranded on nearby planet that seems to only appear every 55 years while Moya and the rest of the crew never age. How can they all get reunited and back to their normal ages before it’s too late? And our old buddy Stark is back with some dire news for D’Argo.

731 How to Get a Head in Politics (Farscape S2E13-14)

We conclude the amazing three part “Look at the Princess” trilogy and then talk about a not-so-amazing story.

First up, the exciting conclusion of the trilogy, “Look at the Princess, Part 3: The Maltese Crichton”. They manage to wrap up all the plotlines from the last two episodes in a very satisfying way. And start up a new plotline that will run for many more episodes. Everyone gets a happy ending. Well… almost.

Finally, “Beware of Dog” gets a mixed review from both of us. We felt the main plot was a rehash of a couple of different season one episodes. However, we really loved the subplot about Crichton’s continuing interaction with visions of Scorpius that are becoming more and more frequent and intense.

730 Sex, Lies and Farscape (Farscape S2E11-12)

Eric and Jason watch the first two episodes of an amazing three part Farscape epic — “Look at the Princess”.

In “Part 1: A Kiss is but a Kiss”, we enter a world full of political and social intrigue. Crichton can’t catch a break between Aeryn, who can’t commit more to their relationship, a princess to whom Crichton is the only one genetically compatible who needs a husband so her scheming brother doesn’t become ruler, and our old buddy Scorpius who wants to dissect Crichton’s brain. While those relationships are complicated, D’Argo and Chiana’s budding new relationship is getting more intense.

In “Part 2: I Do, I Think”, Crichton has no choice but to marry the princess to escape Scorpius. But there’s a downside to married royal life… he and the princess must spend the next 80 cycles as statues. What will the crew do to prevent that? What will all the scheming political envoys do to either prevent the marriage or make it succeed? Oh, and Zhaan and Pilot meet Moya’s creator. And it’s not happy that she gave birth to a gunship and proceeds to shut her down, for good.

729 This Defense Screen Goes to Eleven (Farscape S2E09-10)

We’re almost halfway through season two! Farscape season two is in its groove as Eric and Jason review another two really good episodes (hey, spoilers!)

First up, “Out of Their Minds”, where an unfortunate side effect of a strange alien ship’s weapon and Moya’s defense screen causes the crew to switch bodies. Several times. We also learn that the DRD’s have more functions than we previously realized. Oh, and the attacking aliens have programmable vomit. Yes, you read that correctly.

Finally, we review “My Three Crichtons”, where the crew has to deal with the clones of Crichton Past and Crichton Future that some strange ball of energy created. Which Crichton winds up as the “Last Crichton Standing”? But where’s Uncle Charley? Okay, that last one was probably too old a reference to “My Three Sons”, go look that up on Wikipedia kids…

728 Don’t Beat a Dead Keedva (Farscape S2E07-08)

We continue our rewatch of season two.

First up, “Home on the Remains”, where Eric and Jason struggle with the pronunciations of the guest star character names. The crew is starving (what, no more crackers?) and go to a place Chiana used to call home to try to find some more food. Only to get caught up in the local power scheme of keeping people working in the mines to pay for food and protection from the mysterious, deadly creature that roams the mines.

Finally, we review “Dream a Little Dream”, where we learn what happened to the rest of the crew after the ending of season one while Aeryn, John and D’Argo were away from Moya. The crew winds up on a planet full of lawyers. And for once, it’s not Chiana or Rygel that you’d think would run afoul of the law… no, it’s Zhaan. Can Chiana and Rygel prove Zhaan’s innocence and get off the planet before Moya leaves?

727 Never Accept Free Stuff From Strangers (Farscape S2E5-6)

Season two is back to being what we know and love about Farscape. Yay!

First up, “The Way We Weren’t”, where we finally get the backstory on Pilot and how he came to be bonded to Moya. We also learn that Aeryn was there as well, much to the crew’s shock and anger after seeing her on a previously undiscovered recording. Will they and Pilot forgive her for what she did back then?

Finally, we review “Picture If You Will”, where a shopkeeper gifts Chiana with a picture that can seemingly foretell the future. Or can it? Nope, it’s just the crew’s old maniacal super powerful adversary Maldis getting his revenge on them for what they did to him last season. They barely beat him last time with help they no longer have. Can they defeat him this time?

726 Somebody Hates These Crackers (Farscape S2E03-04)

Farscape has seemed to hit what can only be described as a “Sophomore Slump” with the first part of season two. But Jason and Eric power through these next episodes as we know better things are to come.

First up, “Taking the Stone”, where Chiana is having a rough time and goes to a nearby cemetery planet (yes, you read that right) to clear her head. We learn that Crichton really wants her to come back to Moya, even if he has to do things way out of character to make that happen. And Rygel “borrows” some nice shiny objects from one of the graves on the cemetery planet. Nothing bad ever happens to grave robbers, right?

Finally, we review “Crackers Don’t Matter”, where an alien has offered to make Moya undetectable by scans. Which will surely come in handy since Scorpius has left lots of wanted beacons on the planet they just came from where they only had time to buy food crackers… lots and lots of crackers. However, the crew starts acting abnormally when going to the alien’s planet… to the point of insulting, assaulting and even attempting to kill each other. What’s going on? Can they figure it out before it’s too late? And what about all those crackers? Oh right, they don’t matter.

725 They All Can’t Be Winners (Farscape S2E01-02)

We kick off season two of Farscape with somewhat of a mixed review. First up, episode one, “Mind the Baby”, where we pick up after the exciting events of the season one finale. Can the crew be reunited in time before Scorpius finds both Moya and her offspring Talyn? Can they finally escape this asteroid field? John and D’Argo get some more bonding time. And Talyn is being a pain in the neck, literally, for Crais. And then we “discuss” episode two, “Vitas Mortis”. There are some good “Farscape nuggets” to mine from the episode despite what we thought of the main plot. Oh well, they all can’t be winners.

724 Zen and the Art of Disappearing Secondary Characters (Farscape S1E21-22)

After a little bit of a delay, we have way too much fun wrapping up season one of Farscape.

First up, “Bone to Be Wild”, where we discuss where the heck Stark disappeared to after leaving with the crew last episode; how does gravity work on an asteroid; how do Leviathans have their inorganic parts installed; and the fall of Commander Crais and the rise of Scorpius as the big bad for the series.

Then we cover the season one finale, “Family Ties”. Where we discuss where the heck one of the guest stars of the last episode disappeared to after leaving with the Peacekeepers; did Rygel really try to sell out the whole crew to save himself; how planning your big escape plan is shown and not skipped over; and some more great character development and interaction that we’ve come to expect from Farscape.

Finally, we recap our thoughts about the entire season… the lowlights and the highlights. And that even the lowlights have some bits worth watching… not just because we have to for the podcast.

Next time, onward to season two!

723 Fetch the Comfy Chair! (Farscape S1E19-20)

Farscape delivers its first two-part episode and it does not disappoint! In the first part, “Nerve”, Aeryn’s still suffering from the wound she received in the last episode. And the only cure just happens to be on the secret Peacekeeper base nearby. Crichton and Chiana go there to get it and wind up meeting an old friend, a potential new friend and a new enemy. The Peacekeeper Scorpius captures Crichton and subjects him to the Aurora Chair, a device that rather painfully extracts your memories. We leave Crichton trapped in the comfy chair as we end on our first cliffhanger…

But we don’t have to wait months for a resolution, no, it’s right on to the next episode, “The Hidden Memory”. Scorpius learns of Crichton’s feud with Captain Crais and summons him to the secret base. While the crew mount a rescue mission, Moya goes into labor! But there’s something not right with the baby. Can the crew rescue Crichton before he breaks in the chair? What’s up with Moya’s baby? What will Aeryn do when she finally meets Crais again? Listen and find out!

722 One Mippippippi, Two Mippippippi (Farscape S1E17-18)

Season One is getting closer and closer to being over. In our first episode, “Through the Looking Glass”, Crichton does a lot of running around, through four different Moyas in multiple dimensions due to Moya getting stuck in Starburst. And apparently they are not alone as something really wants them to leave. On top of that, each dimension has a different negative effect on the crew. Can they overcome these strange environments and the lurking presence and get back to normal space? And what’s with all the food at dinner? Both times!

Finally, we review “A Bug’s Life”. No, not the 1998 Pixar movie — the 1999 Farscape episode with the same name. Moya welcomes a Peacekeeper Special Ops unit on board whose ship is damaged. They’re taking their top secret cargo to an also top secret Peacekeeper base hidden in the Uncharted Territories. So of course, Rygel and Chiana open up the cargo and release the deadly body-possessing, body-hopping virus inside. It’s a race against time to find out who’s got the virus and neutralize it before it can escape the ship and infect whole worlds!

721 Head Games (Farscape S1E15-16)

Eric and Jason cover two really great episodes. First up, “Durka Returns”, where — you guessed it — the Peacekeeper Durka who imprisoned and tortured Rygel for 130 years returns seemingly from the dead. But now he’s a kinder, gentler Durka courtesy of the Nebari and their “mental cleansing”. Or is he? Let’s see how Rygel reacts to this. The Nebari also have a prisoner, Chiana, who doesn’t wish to be cleansed and wants asylum on Moya. Will the crew let her stay?

Finally we review “A Human Reaction”. Crichton finds a wormhole back to Earth! But after being gone for seven months, and having translator microbes in his head, and strange technology on his spaceship, he’s not exactly welcomed back with open arms. Things get even worse when the rest of the crew show up unannounced. Can they get away before they’re poked, prodded and dissected by the military? Why does Crichton think everyone he sees in Australia is someone he knows from his past? Is there some unseen force behind all this?

720 Doctor Crichton, I Presume? (Farscape S1E13-14)

Eric and Jason continue their rewatch of every episode of Farscape. This means that sometimes you watch some that are good and sometimes some that are not so good. First up, the mostly not good “The Flax”. Where Aeryn and John finally reveal their true feelings for one another (the good) and the rest of the crew do things we don’t really care about (the not-so-good).

We wrap it up with “Jeremiah Crichton”. We didn’t dislike it as much as the cast and crew apparently did. It’s a mostly good episode where Crichton goes native and where Rygel finally appears to care about other people instead of just looking out for himself.

719 Evil Blue Man Group (Farscape S1E11-12)

In “Till the Blood Runs Clear”, Crichton finally manages to recreate a wormhole, but it isn’t stable. Crichton and Aeryn meet a new friend who can repair his ship — for a steep price, while D’Argo meets some not so friendly, and not so bright, bounty hunters.

Finally, “Rhapsody in Blue”, where the crew are summoned to a planet with some other Delvian priests like Zhaan. We learn some of Zhaan’s darkest secrets and what some of her people will try to do to throw off Peacekeeper rule. And our crew has to struggle with what’s real… and what’s not.

718 What to Expect When a Leviathan’s Expecting (Farscape S1E9-10)

A little bit of a mixed review this time around. First up, “DNA Mad Scientist”, where we like the plotline about the villain and Aeryn and John, but not so much the one with the rest of the crew acting way out of character.

But they redeem themselves with the next episode, “They’ve Got a Secret”. Where we learn what D’Argo really was imprisoned for. Plus what a pregnant Leviathan will do to protect her developing baby from any potential threat… meaning Moya’s crew.

717 Reach Out and Touch Someone (Farscape S1E7-8)

We’re a third of the way through season one and already Farscape has hit its stride. We review two great episodes this time. First up, “PK Tech Girl”. Earth tech boy meets Sebacean tech girl on a derelict Peacekeeper ship. Romance ensues despite being interrupted by some scavenging explosive reptiles.

And we wrap up with “That Old Black Magic”. Thanks to some evil being’s magicks, Crichton gets the chance to finally explain in person that it was an accident that Captain Crais’ brother died way back in episode 1. Things don’t go so well. Can the rest of Moya’s crew save John before it’s too late? And what will it cost some of them?

716 Time Loops and Roots (Farscape S1E5-6)

Next up in our Farscape rewatch — “Back and Back and Back to the Future”.  Surprisingly not all three movies about a kid and his time travelling DeLorean. More like Groundhog Day, where Crichton relives the same day over and over until he gets it right and saves Moya and her crew.

We conclude with “Thank God It’s Friday, Again”.  Surprisingly not another Groundhog Day episode given the title. Who’s forcing an entire population to farm Tannot root for them?  And what’s someone got to do to have a day off?  And which “bug in the navel” idea came first — this episode or the Matrix?

715 Space Roach Motel (Farscape S1E3-4)

We continue our rewatch of Farscape season one. Up first, “Exodus from Genesis”, where the crew must deal with two invaders, the potentially dangerous Drak and the definitely dangerous Peacekeeper Commandos. Can they get both groups off Moya before Aeryn succumbs to Sebacean Heat Delirium?

Then we review “Throne for a Loss”, Farscape’s “very special episode”. The crew must deal with kidnapping, drug addiction and its after effects. Remember kids, just say “no” to space drug injecting gauntlets!

713 Muppets in Spaaaace! (Farscape S1E1-2)

Welcome to a new TeeVee podcast covering the 1999-2004 series Farscape. In this inaugural episode, sci-fi fans Eric and Jason discuss the first two episodes. Eric revisits his love for the series while Jason experiences it for the first time. It’s got everything! Action! Comedy! Space! Muppets in space!