Watching Farscape: They've Got a Secret

I quite liked this one. Good character moments for both D'Argo and Moya. Moya's a regular character, as far as I'm concerned. :)

D'Argo finds a Peacekeeper seal in a shaft on Moya. An explosion vents D'Argo into space until Aeryn retrieves him with her Prowler. Everyone assumes that a biomechanoid virus is afflicting Moya, but they're wrong. Moya is doing everything it can, including knocking out Pilot, to protect its unborn baby. Speaking of offspring... meanwhile, D'Argo mistakes Zhaan, Rygel, and Crichton as his wife, son, and brother-in-law, respectively. This was the best D'Argo material yet, and I liked the episode overall.

I also must mention the music. During some of the D'Argo scenes, the music was very emotional and rather lovely.

Rating: 8 / 10

Watching Farscape: DNA Mad Scientist

A great one, and the best episode since the Premiere.

A scientist by the name of Nam'tar offers the locations of D'Argo, Zhaan, and Rygel's homeworlds in exchange for one of Pilot's arms (Nam'tar can't find Earth, though). He later starts turning Aeryn into a Pilot as well, but is deposed by his assistant who is in fact his creator.

A great concept, and Nam'tar is a wonderfully realized character. A truly impressive creation of Jim Henson wizardry. There are lots of character moments in here, as well as conflict within the Moya crew; especially among harsh D'Argo, greedy Rygel, and newly troubled Zhaan.

Everyone gets a strong showing, but Aeryn probably has the most development here. Pilot's arm does grow back, doesn't it?

Rating: 8.5 / 10

Watching Farscape: That Old Black Magic

An episode that doesn't live up to its potential, but still has definite good elements. Pilot wasn't in this episode.

An evil sorcerer named Maldis pits Crichton and Crais in a battle to the death. Zhaan struggles to inflict pain so as to counteract Maldis' power.

I like Crais as a main antagonist, but I'm not so sure about the steps taken with his character here. It's almost as if the episode gives him an extra dimension, but then takes it away unceremoniously.

I loved Maldis' evil laugh and random screams. On the other hand, the extent of his powers is left unclear, and thus so are his motives for wanting Crais' Carrier. Maldis can extend his powers to bring Crais to the arena from the Carrier, but it's left unclear what else he can do regarding that ship. Can he mentally control people? Can he mentally control the ship?

I hope that Zhaan's trauma here is reflected in later stories. An okay one that could have been better.

Rating: 6.5 / 10

Watching Farscape: PK Tech Girl

I sort of liked this episode, but not an outstanding one.

The Zelbinion, a Peacekeeper ghost ship, is boarded by Crichton and Aeryn; they find a tech by the name of Gilina Renaez there. Meanwhile, the Sheyangs are threatening to fire on Moya.

The Sheyang were cool if a bit overly goofy, and the general plot of the episode was decent. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of it was Rygel confronting the memory of his torturer, Selto Durka.

Rating: 7 / 10

Watching Farscape: Thank God it's Friday... Again

A pretty good one. On the planet Sykar, the masses are brainwashed via tannot root. On Moya, Pilot encourages Aeryn to find her inner scientist.

I loved the "Mad Max" reference! ("Mel Gibson. Tina Turner. Cage match... no-one saw the third one anyway.") I find Crichton's line particularly hilarious because I myself have only seen the first two!

Both plots were interesting and I enjoyed details like the meaning of the title, but what is it with alien characters talking slowly and slinkily? I understand the reasoning behind it, but it gets on my nerves.

Rating: 6.5 / 10

Watching Farscape: Back and Back and Back to the Future

Another very average episode. A couple of scientists are extended every courtesy by D'Argo, while Crichton sees flashes of the future.

The story was okay, but things like Lisa Hensley's performance as Matala lowered my enjoyment of the episode. Liked the Starburst, though.

Rating: 5 / 10

Watching Farscape: Throne for a Loss

Doesn't that image look like something out of "Eraserhead"?

Anyway, a rather marked improvement over the last two but still in the "okay" range.

After a group of Tavleks kidnap Rygel, rescue plans are formulated (not for Rygel per se, since he has with him a vital control crystal for Moya). But before anybody can do anything, Crichton and Aeryn have to knock out D'Argo, who is addicted to the effects of an armband that injects a stimulant into the wearer.

Nice to see the Prowler and D'Argo's sword in action. I also liked the Jotheb character that Rygel was stuck with. Nothing about the episode is too outstanding but it is better than the last two.

Rating: 6 / 10

Watching Farscape: Exodus from Genesis

An episode that has too many flaws for me to commend.

An insectoid hive of Draks is found on Moya. These Draks can create replicants of anyone they receive a DNA sample of. To further complicate matters, Peacekeepers board Moya.

This could have been a really good "Body Snatchers"-type story but the concept was never executed that well, although I enjoyed the fights Crichton had with his own duplicate and duplicates of others. Someone actually visits Pilot in his Cockpit, and we learn the Hynerian version of Hezmana, Yotz.

I honestly have no idea why the PKs had such ridiculous make-up. Really makes me wonder about the ruthless Peacekeeper crop. Actually, the okay episode rather took a turn for the worse when these guys showed up.

Rating: 5 / 10

Watching Farscape: I, E.T.

A pedestrian story with some nice "Farscape" flavoring.

As a result of the control collar coming off Moya, a Peacekeeper beacon is set off. Moya lands on a planet rich with an element that Moya needs to fly. While John, Aeryn, and D'Argo venture out, Rygel, Zhaan, and Pilot work to disconnect the beacon.

I like the subtle but effective character moments. Crichton's longing for Earth, Aeryn's bitterness regarding her situation, Rygel's first heroic moment, Zhaan's empathy for Moya (both literal and figurative). These help the episode because without them, it could be any story for any show.

I didn't care much for the actual meat of the story, though. A decent but very slight episode.

Rating: 5 / 10

Watching Farscape: Premiere

"And there's life out here, Dad. Weird, amazing, psychotic life... in Technicolor."

"Impressed" is not nearly a strong enough word for how I felt about the "Farscape" Premiere. It is delightfully fresh and unique in almost every way. The characters, the concept, the effects, the music, and everything else are completely refreshing in their look and feel.

I wonder if D'Argo will get his wish to kill Bialar Crais... Hmm...

It should also be noted that in my opinion, "Farscape" has the 2nd best theme song of any show. ("Firefly" is king in that department) I also love the puppets. I look forward to more great creatures like the many-teethed alien salesman.

Overall, an extremely satisfying and dynamic pilot. I cannot say how excited I am to finally be watching this series. I've been meaning to for a long time.

Rating: 9.5 / 10