In the wake of discovering that Scorpius has left Wanted Beacons at the commerce planet they have just visited, D'Argo brings aboard an alien called T'raltixx, who claims that he can mask Moya's emissions so that they can evade detection.

However, in order to install the device they must travel to the alien's home planet, which involves passing through a hazardous area of space close to three pulsars, the effects of which soon have consequences for the crew...

I don't know where to start. Fantastic episode.

More crazy Crichton (although a little scary at times, especially with Chi) and a guest appearance by Scorpy himself. How bizarre :huh:

And LOL at John's heat/light resistant 'suit'. Strike a pose :lol:

I'll think of more later :D

Thank God! Someone else has posted first! Thanks Karen :D :lol:

I think I have posted first quite a few times if you'll care to look mister.

I wasn't criticising you! Read the start of the Taking The Stone thread! ;) :lol:

I know that, and what do you mean about the taking the stone thread?

Lisa jokingly said I should leave something for everyone else to talk about :lol:

Aha. I think that was on the Mind the Baby thread.

Sorry, was all confuzzled there for a min.

And besides, you always do such a good review :D

And don't forget......

Nobody has margaritas with pizza

Thank you. And :lol: at the margaritas!

So I guess that means they don't serve margaritas at Eye-talian restaurants?

:innocent:

(BTW- this will make more sense after you have viewed the episode :D )

Great episode!

The initial loopiness gradually descending into full on nutzville was well played by all but especially Ben Browder.

I agree that John was seriously scary at certain points in the ep.

One thing I wasn't quite sure of was the badies motives, were they ever fully explained?

and big lol at the dark suit :lol: :lol: "we soaked it in Zhaans fluids for as long as we could" :x :lol:

"Have you noticed anything different around here, shellhead? In case you haven't, let me be the first to inform you that people are starting to act a little strange."

So just when you might have thought that Farscape had lost the plot along comes not only one of the craziest episodes of the whole endeavour but also one of the very best. It's mad, it's funny, it's scary, it's bold, it's swaggeringly confident and it is totally freaky. And it's right up there with season 3's Scratch 'n' Sniff in terms of inspired insanity.

It is truly an ensemble episode: all of the cast have something to do, all of them get to play with their characters and all of them look to be having an absolute blast. Ian Watson's direction sets a new benchmark for the series with its constantly shifting camera angles, swooping panning shots and extreeeeeme close-ups.

Okay, so T'raltixx is one of the least convincing aliens yet seen on the series, and Paul is absolutely right in that his motives are never really explained. Fortunately it doesn't really matter, because his interference is just a means to an end. We've spent a good number of episodes watching the crew bond and grow closer to each other: Crackers Don't Matter lobs a hand grenade into the mix and watches what happens. In their irritated states they each say and do things that have been bubbling under the surface for some time, and some of which are quite disturbing (not least of which is Crichton's attack on Chiana - apparently Browder and Edgley had a big hug afterwards because filming the scene was so intense). Personally I find the scene where D'Argo force feeds the crackers to Rygel one of the most upsetting.

John: I've been acting twisted as well. Still am. Been seeing Scorpius like he's guest-starring on Hawaii Five-0. How crazy is that?

Ben Browder has already given a number of stunning performances and he just keeps getting better. Were it not for the fact that there is even more to come from him I'd be describing this as a tour de force. Crichton's behaviour has been strange for a few episodes now, and the events in this episode send him further and further out there. His visions of Scorpius are really quite scary as well as being incredibly funny (Scorpy in a Hawaiian shirt anyone? :lol: ), although the sight of Crichton's protective garb at the end is totally priceless.

Chiana and D'Argo believe Crichton, Aeryn and Zhaan are conspiring against them, and Rygel just thinks everyone's after him. Even poor Pilot is not unaffected by all that is going on, and confesses to not particularly liking or trusting the crew. It seems like everything they have strived to achieve is in danger of being ripped apart.

John: This is becoming a problem you're going to need professional help with. First you betray the Peacekeepers, and every vow you've made since you were born, and now poor Sparky here? Tell me, Princess, when you're old and fat, will you have anything to look back on with pride?
Aeryn: Is that it? Oh, don't stop. Why don't you make another speech, you self-important, deficient little man! All you ever do is talk! Your father was the hero, you know. He did things. You're just a test monkey that screwed up your first experiment!
John: That is good! That is fantastic, coming from a frigid, flat-butted, Peacekeeper skank!

Insults have been thrown and salt has been poured on gaping wounds. And, refreshingly, there isn't a happy ending.

This is Farscape on a lunatic high.

Absolutely frelling marvellous!

Hey you Mister, I was joking, see I'm hurt now :sad: :cry: :cry: :sad:

;) :lol: :lol:

Ooh look, I quoted myself :lol:

Note the word "jokingly" :P :P :lol: ;)

Sorry Steve,

I saw your that post, after I'd already posted :fear: :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Just finished watching Crackers Don't Matter. Absolute class, freaky, nutty, dramatic, absolutely side splitting in parts. Loved it.

I couldn't stop laughing at Crichton, shooting the crackers over everyone., especially when in the middle of name slinging, Aeryn casually munches on a few. Yeah, she loooked terrified, of gun toting Crichton :lol:

What can be possibly be said about Crichton's suit, loved the 'look I'm a superhero' pose. ewwwwh to the puke face pack, and helmet soaked in Zhaan's juices :x

The Scorpy appearances, seriously freaky on an unnatural scale. You have to wonder why, Crichton envisaged him, in that 'hawaii five o' getup. Is this to make him less scary in his subconcious. :unsure:

Zhaan having her pleasures again, I swear, she has a one track mind :lol:

The more serious parts of the episode, with John attacking Chianna, D'Argo flying off the handle with Rygel, you could feel there was a real menace to it. Intercut with Crichton doing his best 'Shining' impersonation, wow

All the best lines have been quoted already, but LOL again, at the 'frigid, flat-butted Peacekeeper skank' Marvellous stuff

The whole 'I need more light', I couldn't help but think, of the beginning of The Fifth Element ;)

Hmmmmm... :)

Personally I thought the Hawaiian shirt made him even scarier :fear: :lol:

I was going to comment on Scorpy but wandered whether I should

So long as it isn't anything spoilery ;)

Feel free to spoil away in Harvey's Neural Clone Clinic, though ;) :lol:

A wonderful episode one of my favourites.

Love the bickering and arguing and suspicion throughout this ep, also the first time we see a not so nice John :o

The appearance of Scorpius in John's mind :thumbsup:

Poor Rygel having the crackers stuffed down his throat by D'Argo :tear:

My favourite moments super strong Aeryn arguing with John and making jokes

John turning on Chi

and the wonderful final, that image of John is hilarious, could a grosser outfit ever be created

naughty Rygel counting longer
:lol:

You know, about 10 minutes in I really didn't think I was going to be much for this episode.

It was obvious that the shifty-looking bloke was upto something, but fortunately the point of the episode wasn't figuring that out, rather than it was finding a way to first stop themselves, and then him.

The acting on this one was superb throughout, but especially BB and CB, they play quite convincing psychos :fear:

Great to see Scorpius again, even if was only in Crichton's mind, and :lol: at his Hawaii 5-0 getup :lol:

The picture of Crichton in his 'superhero' costume has to be seen to be believed. "It's puke ??????" :lol:

Great episode, finally breaking the back of a mediocre run of last few episodes :thumbsup:

2 eps is not a run and 2 weak eps ain't bad :thumbsup:

Absolutely :thumbsup:

More than one is a run ;) and 2 weak episodes out of 3 ain't good :p

:lol: See how you get on - treats are in store :)

No, I know. I'm particularly looking forward to the next one, I've heard plenty of praise for it :)

And very much deserved too :)

I watched this again last night and I need to add a couple more comments.

Aeryn & D'Argo face off after he hits John - fantastic, John is trying to explain that something is affecting them but they are not at all interested, just staring each other out fantastic.

Also Pilot is also quite sinister in this, when Traltix asks them if he likes the crew and he says NO :o

He also throws Crichton back who is completely shocked.

Another DRD RIP in this ep :tear:

Lastly its been a while since I have seen this so I was really jolted when the scorpy beacon suddenly moves and starts talking to John, very freaky :thumbsup: