Discussed in these episodes
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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?