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selenakWiki summary: After a partial recovery, Aeryn leads Zhaan and D'Argo to the Gammak Base to rescue Crichton. At the base, Gilina does her best to help Crichton who is being repeatedly subjected to the Aurora Chair by Scorpius and Crais. Elsewhere, Chiana and Rygel have problems of their own when the pregnant Moya goes into labor.
Part the second, in which even more torture is going on. I'm always a bit torn about the fact John and Stark can keep their respective memories hidden while Crais can not, because I'm not keen on pop culture implying good guys can resist torture, not least due to all the rl implications. But I don't think this is what the show is saying here, and of course knowing the future helps, which firmly doesn't present John heroically immune to you know what. And Crais is pretty unhinged before he ever gets into the chair.
The effect of the chair on Crais is fascinating, though. Or is it the effect of Aeryn presenting him with his life in the the most brutal fashion imaginable? The awareness that after this, there's no more future for him in the Peacekeepers? Because this is literally the last time of Crais in his original incarnation as Insane Military Commander (tm), and the next time we see him, he has a different agenda (and modus operandi). Maybe even staring at his murder of Teeg for a long time has some effect. I certainly think it has one on Aeryn that this is the image of Crais' memory that she sees when she comes upon him. Not that I assume she wouldn't have given him her "...and I don't even want to go back!" conclusion otherwise, she totally would have, but I think it destroyed whatever respect she might have left for Crais as a commander, because this is him rewarding loyalty from a subordinate with murder, going directly against Aeryn's ethics as a soldier.
However, as I said, even if the memory had been Crais handing over flowers to Teeg instead: this is Aeryn's big cathartic scene wrapping up something that started in the pilot the moment she spoke up for John. We've seen her changing behavior through the season while also seeing she still has some pangs of longing for the past in her now and then. But this scene serves the double purpose of not only confronting the man who cost her her old life but saying out loud, for the first time, that she doesn't want that old life back anymore, that she's come to see her new life as better.
Gilina dying in retrospect irritates me because not only did I like her more than ever in this rewatch, but there's no plot need for it. She could have escaped with the Moyans and asked them to let her go at the next suitable planet, having made up her mind that she doesn't want to play third wheel to the John/Aeryn relationship, and it would not have made one bit of difference in how the rest of the series unfolded. We certainly did not need her death to make us (or John) realise that Scorpius is bad news. It's all very Turandot, with Gilina as Liu, and it annoys me. Because she really despite this being her only her third and last appearance is a vivid and endearing character: brave, smart (outsmarting Scorpius, not something many characters in this series are capable of), taking advantage of the fact no one looks at the techs, kind, and for all that she feels for John neither blind nor a "woman scorned" cliché; she doesn't suddenly take against Team Moya when realising how serious the John/Aeryn situation has become, she continues to help just as much, she just wants honesty. #JusticeforGilina
Stark despite his earlier brief appearance makes his true debut here. During my original watch, I came to find Stark incredibly irritating, not least because I had liked him in this episode but had assumed it meant to show me his earlier ticks were faked to fool Scorpius & Co., and that Stark in his quiet mode, administring to John and later Gilina, was how he really was. So him going back to rambling Stark in later eps felt like a let down. During this rewatch, I've changed my mind a bit, because I think his ticks are like John's pop culture taunts and jokes, a defense mechanism that's not so much faked as, well, defense and becomes ingrained.
Meanwhile on Moya: Rygel and Chiana get to compete with Worf on TNG as least like characters chosen to be present at chldbirth for the hiltarity. But this subplot is not all comic relief compared to the drama at the Gammak base, because here characters and audience learn for the first time Moya's child isn't like other leviathans but comes with weapons. (Thematically, it strikes me very fitting this reveal happens in the episode when Crais' chickens' come home to roost for him.) Oh, Talyn. Impossible to watch his first appearance without getting a constricted throat for me.
Scorpius in this episode: to me the best scene was when he started to address Crais' entourage and and effortlessly took over. It demonstrates how Scorpius doesn't just rely on his position to exude authority but has learned to read people - not just their heat signatures - and play the system to get where he is now. And of course it signals to a new audience that it really is about the wormholes for him. He's not (yet) driven by any personal feeling about John Crichton; whether Crichton or Crais in the chair, it makes no difference.
The other days
Part the second, in which even more torture is going on. I'm always a bit torn about the fact John and Stark can keep their respective memories hidden while Crais can not, because I'm not keen on pop culture implying good guys can resist torture, not least due to all the rl implications. But I don't think this is what the show is saying here, and of course knowing the future helps, which firmly doesn't present John heroically immune to you know what. And Crais is pretty unhinged before he ever gets into the chair.
The effect of the chair on Crais is fascinating, though. Or is it the effect of Aeryn presenting him with his life in the the most brutal fashion imaginable? The awareness that after this, there's no more future for him in the Peacekeepers? Because this is literally the last time of Crais in his original incarnation as Insane Military Commander (tm), and the next time we see him, he has a different agenda (and modus operandi). Maybe even staring at his murder of Teeg for a long time has some effect. I certainly think it has one on Aeryn that this is the image of Crais' memory that she sees when she comes upon him. Not that I assume she wouldn't have given him her "...and I don't even want to go back!" conclusion otherwise, she totally would have, but I think it destroyed whatever respect she might have left for Crais as a commander, because this is him rewarding loyalty from a subordinate with murder, going directly against Aeryn's ethics as a soldier.
However, as I said, even if the memory had been Crais handing over flowers to Teeg instead: this is Aeryn's big cathartic scene wrapping up something that started in the pilot the moment she spoke up for John. We've seen her changing behavior through the season while also seeing she still has some pangs of longing for the past in her now and then. But this scene serves the double purpose of not only confronting the man who cost her her old life but saying out loud, for the first time, that she doesn't want that old life back anymore, that she's come to see her new life as better.
Gilina dying in retrospect irritates me because not only did I like her more than ever in this rewatch, but there's no plot need for it. She could have escaped with the Moyans and asked them to let her go at the next suitable planet, having made up her mind that she doesn't want to play third wheel to the John/Aeryn relationship, and it would not have made one bit of difference in how the rest of the series unfolded. We certainly did not need her death to make us (or John) realise that Scorpius is bad news. It's all very Turandot, with Gilina as Liu, and it annoys me. Because she really despite this being her only her third and last appearance is a vivid and endearing character: brave, smart (outsmarting Scorpius, not something many characters in this series are capable of), taking advantage of the fact no one looks at the techs, kind, and for all that she feels for John neither blind nor a "woman scorned" cliché; she doesn't suddenly take against Team Moya when realising how serious the John/Aeryn situation has become, she continues to help just as much, she just wants honesty. #JusticeforGilina
Stark despite his earlier brief appearance makes his true debut here. During my original watch, I came to find Stark incredibly irritating, not least because I had liked him in this episode but had assumed it meant to show me his earlier ticks were faked to fool Scorpius & Co., and that Stark in his quiet mode, administring to John and later Gilina, was how he really was. So him going back to rambling Stark in later eps felt like a let down. During this rewatch, I've changed my mind a bit, because I think his ticks are like John's pop culture taunts and jokes, a defense mechanism that's not so much faked as, well, defense and becomes ingrained.
Meanwhile on Moya: Rygel and Chiana get to compete with Worf on TNG as least like characters chosen to be present at chldbirth for the hiltarity. But this subplot is not all comic relief compared to the drama at the Gammak base, because here characters and audience learn for the first time Moya's child isn't like other leviathans but comes with weapons. (Thematically, it strikes me very fitting this reveal happens in the episode when Crais' chickens' come home to roost for him.) Oh, Talyn. Impossible to watch his first appearance without getting a constricted throat for me.
Scorpius in this episode: to me the best scene was when he started to address Crais' entourage and and effortlessly took over. It demonstrates how Scorpius doesn't just rely on his position to exude authority but has learned to read people - not just their heat signatures - and play the system to get where he is now. And of course it signals to a new audience that it really is about the wormholes for him. He's not (yet) driven by any personal feeling about John Crichton; whether Crichton or Crais in the chair, it makes no difference.
The other days
no subject
Date: 2020-07-19 07:56 am (UTC)Meanwhile on Moya: Rygel and Chiana get to compete with Worf on TNG as least likely characters chosen to be present at childbirth for the hilarity.
Even funnier was Worf scheduling his trip home to his parents specifically to avoid Yoshi's birth. (I don't recall if he actually went home or if they forgot the joke by the time the birth came around.)
no subject
Date: 2020-07-19 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-20 04:53 am (UTC)This was an episode that had everything--torture, daring escapes and a gunfight. Oh, and a living ship giving birth. I laughed out loud at the scene where Chiana and Rygel were trapped in the tiny pod together, especially when he started farting helium. (What can I say? If I didn't enjoy fart jokes I wouldn't be watching Farscape.) Seriously, it was an excellently timed bit of light relief while all the heavy stuff was going down on the planet.
Speaking of which... Over the years I'd forgotten most of the details of this episode, except for two scenes: the Radiant Aeryn Sun breaking Crichton out of his cell, and Aeryn leaving Crais trapped in the aurora chair.
And of course it also plays into his role of Crichton's "shadow self" later in the series. I'm still disappointed that we didn't get to see Braca speak in this episode. I'm a big fan of "Smithers", and I'm dying to see him make his debut as Scorpy's henchman.
It's also a bit cliched (not to mention she looked ridiculously healthy while dying).
Lastly, once again kudos to the set designers. Their uses of particularly jarring shades of red and green (not to mention black) on the gammack base set the right atmosphere for the story, and contrasted nicely with the golden tones of Moya.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-20 05:11 am (UTC)True. Mind you, the whole reason for her existence
re: Braca: consider these episodes from his pov.
Day 1: Captain Crais got summoned a Gammak Base. We're finally going to be among PKs again. V. v. relieved, as am hoping for new Commander. Surely anyone taking a good look at Crais can see he needs to be replaced?
Day 2: Escaped human actually on Gammak Base, which was a surprise, given he wasn't anywhere else we went to this year. Captain Crais as unhinged as ever. Officers at base not willing to take initiative, but leader of scientific project might be. Has unconventional looks but lovely blue eyes. Am trying to signal we need rescuing from Crais as subtly yet efficiently as I can.
Day 3: Score! Science Project leader turns out to be supreme authority on base anyway and has decyphered my signals, putting Captain Crais into the Aurora Chair. Officiall reason wormholes something wormholes, but clearly Scorpius can't make it known he needs to rescue a whole carrier from their rotten commander. Would be bad for service morale. Now there's a responsible leader to follow! (Also those eyes of his are lovely.)
no subject
Date: 2020-07-20 08:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 01:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 05:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-21 12:36 am (UTC)Notice that whereas Aeryn didn't want to have anyone take risks for her when she was dying, she's immediately focused on saving John, and while she still underestimates Zhaan's combat abilities, she has no problem with D'Argo endangering himself by joining her.
Crais not being able to keep the murder of Teeg from the chair - well, Season One Crais is not exactly mentally in control of himself in any way whatsoever. Also, from what we see of him before and afterwards, part of him must have been feeling guilty about killing someone who trusted him and who he was morally responsible for, for entirely selfish reasons.
More amusingly on Crais, I notice that his hair is very wild in this episode even before he gets tortured. There's a running tendency throughout Farscape that when Crais's hair gets untidy it's a sign that he's seriously losing it - in a way a reversal of the tendency in Buffy for Spike's hair to be more tousled the more sympathetic he was meant to be in the scene.
I wonder if people who were watching Farscape with absolutely no knowledge of what would happen later would expect this episode to be the last we saw of Crais, with the implication that either he died under the stress of the Chair being turned on full or that he was executed or imprisoned for killing his first officer? I don't think it's the last case of the show continuing to depict a character's story after what would have been an emotionally and morally neat ending for them.
I've also seen a few people online who are completely unable to forgive Aeryn for leaving Crais being tortured, with at least one case of a male fan declaring that it was a case of pop-feminist double standards with a Strong Female Character being depicted as justified for doing something which if a male character had done it would have been seen as utterly repugnant villainy.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-21 05:04 am (UTC)True, and this reminds me of your Farscape-is-the-Mirrorverse- story, where Alt!Crais has of course no beard and perfect hair. :) Anyway, yes, Crais' s1 general state of mind is why I don't think the show either wants to or does imply good guys resist torture and bad guys don't.
I wonder if people who were watching Farscape with absolutely no knowledge of what would happen later would expect this episode to be the last we saw of Crais, with the implication that either he died under the stress of the Chair being turned on full or that he was executed or imprisoned for killing his first officer?
Crais' fate did not belong to the very few things I was spoiled for when first watching, so I definitely thought that was the last we'd see of him. The season finale (and subsequent developments) entirely caught me by surprise in this regard.
I've also seen a few people online who are completely unable to forgive Aeryn for leaving Crais being tortured, with at least one case of a male fan declaring that it was a case of pop-feminist double standards with a Strong Female Character being depicted as justified for doing something which if a male character had done it would have been seen as utterly repugnant villainy.
Not in this show, given that John puts someone in the Aurora Chair in the s3 finale in circumstances that are still the one element that ticks me off in what is otherwise my favourite Farscape finale, because they are so blatantly designed to excuse him from resonsibility while also letting him do it. Hacking somoene's arm off definitely counts as torture in my book, too, even if torture wasn't the point, and we're meant to forgive Zhaan, D'Argo and Rygel for what they did to Pilot. And that's just on the hero side of things; Scorpius himself became an incredibly popular character in the fandom as I recall, and not just in the "love to hate" sense.
Now I do think the scene is meant - and works -as a catharsis for Aeryn, but it also shows her own capacity for vengefulness. Which is different from her learned "shoot first" attitude she starts the show with, and because it shows so rarely highlights just how how deeply the anger about what Crais did to her - for all that she prefers her current life - goes.
Btw, leaving aside the Doylist pov, on a Watsonian level I'm always a bit stunned that Crais, who until and including this episode never shows any interest in Aeryn as a woman (or as a person, full stop, which is not the same thing), completely changes his attitude towards her after she did this to him. Talk about someone having an inner masochist.