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Posted By: Nomad Mar 03, 2003 - 06:20 am

Journal of His Royal Eminence
Rygel XVI – Dominar of Hyneria
(currently in tragic and unjust exile)

(Note to snoopers: You've already learned many of the disgusting things I can accomplish with my body's organs and orifices. If I find you reading this, you will learn more. Caw matan?)

Aeryn had gotten herself abducted by Scarrans. We believed that they were taking her to a military base called "Katratzi," and Crichton had learned the location of the base. We proceeded forthwith to the appropriate border station to enter Scarran space.

Upon our arrival, Scorpius introduced us as spies returning to our Scarran handlers. (It would be difficult to mistake me for a common spy, but don't underestimate my acting abilities.) To our excited surprise, we learned that Aeryn was aboard a freighter docked for inspection at that same border station.

But the station, with its contingent of Scarran officers and Kalish functionaries, had tight security. Worse, the freighter had cleared quarantine and was about to depart for the even tighter security of Katratzi. Our Leviathan would be held here for several more solar days, at least.

Typically, Moya's crew panicked. All would have been lost had I not intervened. I vomited as only a true Hynerian royal can, then explained to the Kalish medical officer, Dr. Trayso, that I had suffered from Hynerian dermaphollica many years ago. He immediately suspected that I might be suffering from a relapse of the disease. Ah! How the nik-nik trembled! Dermaphollica is highly contagious, but it shows visible symptoms only in Hynerians. Other species, if they are infected, die without warning.

The quarantine was extended indefinitely, and all ships — including the one aboard which Aeryn was imprisoned — were held at the station. My share of the task accomplished, I settled in for a nap in the medical isolation ward while Crichton and the others plotted to finish Aeryn's rescue.

To my irritation, Trayso soon grew doubtful that I was actually infected. I had everything under control, but Noranti took it upon herself to prove my lie true. That fahrbot barkan gave me a real case of Hynerian dermaphollica! Everyone on the station was now at risk of infection, except for the Scarrans and Nebari (two species undeserving of their natural immunity).

Aeryn's rescue was going to hezmana. Sikozu struggled to access the station's schematics behind the back of Karohm, the station's Kalish operations officer. Crichton, meanwhile, attempted to seduce Aeryn's nurse with promises of a Sebacean cure for the disease. Intrigued, the nurse took him aboard the Scarran freighter. Crichton actually spoke to Aeryn herself before he was captured by the Scarrans. Scorpius covered for him, but both were forced to return to Moya without our quarry.

Everyone was scared that Aeryn might succumb to dermaphollica. Her captors were particularly concerned; they wanted her fetus alive. Learning of the Nebari immunity to the disease, those bartantic Scarrans abducted Chiana and prepared to transplant Aeryn's fetus into her.

I would have stepped in and solved everything, but my infernal illness prevented me. Noranti had taken me back to Moya, where she worked to find a cure. I bore my torment with stoic calm, excepting only those moments when I strategically stated my feelings to motivate Noranti. Did she show sufficient gratitude for my subtle leadership? I think not. Did anyone, for that matter, thank me for my sacrifices? No. Typical.

Then, just as that three-eyed feznik was on the verge of finding a cure for me, the Scarrans took Noranti to the freighter to help them perform the fetal-transplant procedure. I was left alone on Moya, and I was quickly slipping into unconsciousness. ... Why can't these yotzes ever do anything without frelling it up?




Raelee Hill . . . . . . Sikozu
Melissa Jaffer . . . . . . Noranti
Jason Clarke . . . . . . Jenek
Sandy Gore . . . . . . Vreena
Shane Briant . . . . . . Trayso
Rel Hunt . . . . . . Karohm
Patrick Ward . . . . . . Ralnaht
Ben Dalton . . . . . . Zepa

Writer . . . . . . David Peckinpah
Director . . . . . . Geoff Bennett

Posted By: Nomad Mar 03, 2003 - 06:31 am

Well, I guess Rygel says a lot here. I would have to re-watch the ep to get more infor for a good commentary, howver I do have one twist. What's up with Sikozu's Scarran abilities. She fried thos circuiots with a heat blast from her hand. Man, is she part Scarran? No wonder she and Scorpi gets along so well.

Over all this was a good episode. Had some good action. Now lets see what happens in part 2.

Posted By: Iznardi Mar 03, 2003 - 12:48 pm

Great episode except for THE END!! Harvey's back and now they have to go on yet another rescue mission? I swear these guys rescue more people than Baywatch! And it's always the same bloody people! I say, if they can't stay out of trouble, frag 'em. Guess we'll never get to see the Hynerian Empire (although the budget would never have allowed it anyway, too much CGI; never get to the end of the Chiana Nebari story; apparently won't be seeing the Ancients again; and we're still stuck with Grandma!)

Oh well, I'll stick it out to the bitter end, but I am really tiredof the rescues. This is one time too many.

iz

Posted By: Nomad Mar 03, 2003 - 02:51 pm

Oh Yeah! I forgot about that little Harvey moment. Must have been hiding in the very far reaches of is mind.

Actually, grandma is growing on me. She really is her own character and I am beginning to see how she thinks. Loved the part about killing and being a healer. Like breaking the oath to save and not take lives that Earths doctors take, THe Hypcratic Oath.

Yeah, I not surprised that they have to go back after that Blood oath the Chrighton and Scopy took together.

Posted By: ZimNova Mar 03, 2003 - 06:49 pm

This was an interesting episode but did have a few flaws. I agree that Melissa's character of Noranti was better used here. I for the first time was able to relate to Noranti, who for me, has mostly been a convenient plot device and even though she has played a role in most episodes during S-4 with her witchcraft it has always appeared to me to be an "add-on" lame attempt to replace Zhann. Virginia however can not be replaced.

Couple of things. I thought it was not a coincidence at all that both Jenek's freighter and Moya ended up at the same Kalish base because it was stated that everybody entering Scarran space goes through there and those not cleared will be destroyed no questions asked. The question of course being; "Why are you here?". If this is the last check point on the way to Katratzi anyone passing through should be scrutinized closer.
The 5 day wait fits time wise as Jenek was getting ready to leave as Moya arrived.
About Farscape being "wrapped". [in answer to another poster at another BBoard]
Sad to say it ain't going to happen as we are going to be left swinging in the breeze as ep. 4.22 ends as a major cliffhanger with a "to be continued". The entire production was informed of the cancellation as 4.22 was filming the "pick-up" shots so there was no chance to make it right. DK has stated in a chat that they did a re-edit of the scenes filmed to try to give the series some kind of closure but it will not finish the story in any way because they had already mapped out season 5 and were planning the next 4 [5.01-5.04] episodes shooting schedule for after the summer break. Frell the gorram Sci-Lie channel!

I too agree that there were a bunch of gaps in "plot logic" in WSS:FA which I attribute to a new writer. Jenek should have known of Scorpius as he's the second most wanted being in the known universe behind Crichton. A leviathan showing up without a "control collar" should have set off alarms because we know Grayza has wanted beacons everywhere [Chiana from "Crichton Kicks"] looking for John and crew. In "Liars, Guns & Money" Scorpy was alerted because it's well known that a [Delvian: Zhann, now gone] Nebari, Luxan and Hynerian are part of the crew of escaped prisoners aboard a "free" leviathan.

Other questions. When we first met Sikozu [CK] she claims to John; "My brain can not handle translator microbs so I'll have to learn your language". Now is that unique to her or Kalishians in general because the inspector, not knowing english, would not have been fooled that John was a Sebacean hearing him speak? I was also surprised John was not killed by the ruthless Jenek when found aboard the freighter with the lame excuse he was there to "recreate". That was too convenient.

Harvey. This is the biggest issue being discussed at the FS BBoard. I too wonder how, all of a sudden, he returns. Ah, but there are clues. In "A Constellation of Doubt" Scorpius knew things that only Crichton had experienced. Like he knew the Sikozu/Stark from "Unrealized Reality" had uttered the word "Katratzi" but he was not there. The best theory I've seen was Scorpius did not remove the neural clone as he claimed during "Promises" but altered it to A) go dormant and B) record everything John has experienced since then. This makes the reason for the "blood pact" in ACoD so important because Scorpy may have "nanobots" in his blood that woke up Harvey? That would explain how Scorpy could "know all that Crichton knows" about wormholes making his rescue from the Scarrans on Katratzi of supreme importance. How all this might work remains a mystery.

The other interesting twist was Sikozu apparantly using a kind of Scarran heat ray from her hand to melt the control panel. What the frell was up with that? Scarran spy all along? Scarran/Kalish halfbreed? Some strange creature like Trance [from Andromeda]?

Overall WSS:FA was one of the best Farscape episodes to date. Ben, Claudia, Tony, Gigi, Wayne, Raelee, Melissa & Rygel were all first rate. Every single aspect from the writing, sets, make-up, extras, acting, directing on down is the finest SF being produced on television second to none. We can only hope that someday, somewhere the story will be completed.

Posted By: Nomad Mar 04, 2003 - 06:43 am

I read that all Kalishians have the microbe problem. Here is Sikozus profile from SFC.

---

Quote:

KALISH

While Moya and I find Sikozu herself irritating, we must admit that her Kalish physiology is fascinating.

As Sikozu is proud of stating, Kalish bodies are highly efficient. For example, they need to eat only 10 times per cycle. At these meals, they gorge on more food than even Rygel could choke down at a single sitting. There follows a period of digestion (which generates an increase in body temperature that Kalish find pleasant). Recharged, Kalish can then ignore all thought of food for many solar days at a time.

Another example of their biological efficiency is their surprising ability to "shift their gravity center," as Sikozu puts it. This talent allows them to walk on walls and even cling upside-down from ceilings and other surfaces. It is an amazing survival skill.

Sikozu seems more immune to allergens then the rest of Moya's crew, and, as a final proof of Kalish efficiency, she can reattach severed limbs and digits to her body. Since joining us, Sikozu has lost a hand and a finger — and she has reattached both with absolutely no surgery, restoring them to normal function usually within arns or a few solar days.

Kalish do have a few physical weaknesses, however. First, their brains cannot tolerate Translator Microbes, which means that Kalish must learn any language they wish to understand. (Fortunately, Sikozu is a very fast learner and has a particular gift for languages.) Second, Kalish are extremely vulnerable to radiation; even a small amount of ion exposure destroys three of their internal organs. Despite these vulnerabilities, I must say that the strengths of Kalish bodies outweigh their few flaws.

According to Sikozu, Kalish culture prioritizes education. Sikozu's great dream as a young Kalish was to learn enough to work for "the Organization," a mysterious but prestigious employer. If Sikozu's traits are any indication, Kalish tend to value intellectualism and pragmatism; they take pride in their "rationality" above all else. Personally, I feel that their rationality has failed them with regard to Leviathans. Moya and I have been insulted by Sikozu's condescension and fundamental lack of respect for us.

The Kalish have lived under Scarran domination for some time, but they don't enjoy it. Most Kalish, according to Sikozu, hate the Scarrans. Unfortunately, they lack the military strength to free themselves from Scarran control and so must endure as best they can.

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Posted By: Iznardi Mar 09, 2003 - 09:40 am

Okay, I would have to say the episode airing last Friday on March 7th is the best in a long time. I liked the plan, I liked the timing, I liked the ending, and was very relieved to find out there is indeed another episode to wrap some of this stuff up. Scorpius has now double-crossed so many people I can't tell whose side he's on. I think he's on nobody's side, and still has some secret agenda of his own. I'm guessing that Stark will play some role next week, maybe he's gonna change sides again, too.

iz

Posted By: Bmat Mar 09, 2003 - 10:09 am

I was out of town and missed the ep. I hope they show repeats some time.