Farscape: Episode Guide (1999-2003) [Blu-ray]  (88 episode synopses, full cast notes plus more...)

Understanding the Episode Numbers -- The first number (i.e. 101) is the episode number, with the season in hundreds and the episode in tens, as released both on the air and on DVD. The second smaller number in parentheses (i.e. (1) ) is the preferred viewing order. The DVD Extras number in parentheses (i.e. (101-102) ) are the episodes on that DVD that contain those extras.

101(1). Premiere -- Scientist John Crichton is pulled through a wormhole while testing a space module of his own design for IASA. On the other side of the wormhole: the Delvian Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan, Luxan warrior Ka D'Argo, and deposed Hynerian Dominar Rygel XVI have just succeeded in liberating themselves -- and Moya, their Leviathan biomechanoid prison transport ship, helmed by Pilot -- from the control of the Peacekeepers, a merciless race of mercenaries. Crichton finds himself involuntarily added to the crew roster, along with Peacekeeper Officer Aeryn Sun, who's (equally involuntarily) been deemed "irreversibly contaminated" by her former commanding officer, Captain Bialar Crais. Crais, whose brother was killed accidentally during Crichton's unscheduled arrival via the wormhole, is now determined not only to recapture Moya and her prisoner crew, but to exact vengeance on Crichton, as well. (19 Mar 1999)

102(7). I, E.T. -- The crew discovers, the hard way, that the Peacekeepers have left a locator beacon on board Moya. To get rid of it, they must make planetfall on an uncharted world, locate a specific substance to use as anesthesia, and perform surgery on their Leviathan -- all while avoiding contact with the local population, which has never before encountered extraplanetary life. Crichton hides out from pursuers on a farm owned by a woman (Mary Mara) who takes to him. (07 May 1999)

103(2). Exodus from Genesis -- The crew does their best to dodge a Peacekeeper Marauder, while playing unwitting incubator to a galactic insectoid species. Ever open-minded, our heroes are willing to host the colony's queen while she spawns. There are just two little problems: the queen sets Moya's thermostat to a level that may well destroy Aeryn, and that Marauder isn't leaving the area anytime soon. (26 Mar 1999)

104(4). Throne for a Loss -- Rygel attempting to impress clients transporting cargo, steals a crystal essential to the ship and finds himself — and the crystal — kidnapped by the very people he tried to impress. Now they need to get him back, not because they particularly want him, but because he's taken a vital component that Moya needs in order to maintain orbit. Complicating matters, the local thugs are pharmaceutically enhanced -- and our crew isn't exactly immune to the drug's effects. (09 Apr 1999)

105(3). Back and Back and Back to the Future -- D'Argo insists that the crew rescue a pair of Ilanic scientists (whose ship has been destroyed under mysterious circumstances) but one of them is a spy (Lisa Hensley), who tries to seduce Crichton and D'Argo — and steal weapons technology. Meanwhile, Crichton is acting more unhinged than usual (although that may be due to the fact that something in the Ilanics' shuttle seems to have disconnected him from the space-time continuum). Now John's living -- and reliving -- horrific versions of the future, over..and over..and over... (02 Apr 1999)

106(6). Thank God It's Friday. Again. -- When D'Argo flies into a rage and leaves the Moya, the rest of the crew pursue him to the planet Sykar, a seemingly idyllic workers' paradise with a deadly secret. The crew must adjust to the possibility of saying goodbye to one of their number. But first, they want to know where all that tannot root is going...and why in D'Argo's new home, tomorrow is a Rest Day, but tomorrow never comes. (23 Apr 1999)

107(5). PK Tech Girl -- Moya comes across the remains of the Zelbinion, the most famous of all Peacekeeper ships. Exploring the wreckage for clues to its past (and any surviving scraps of navigational data), the crew discovers Gilina Renaez (Alyssa-Jane Cook), a PK technician recently left onboard by Capt. Crais. Their salvage efforts are further complicated by Rygel's flashbacks to his captivity and torture aboard the Zelbinion by Capt. Durka, and the arrival of a Sheyang scavenger vessel whose crew is bent on claiming the wreckage for themselves. (16 Apr 1999)

108(8). That Old Black Magic -- Supernatural forces transport Crichton to the ephemeral realm of the sorcerer Maldis (Chris Haywood), who pits the commander against Crais (Lani John Tupu) in a battle that hinges on Zhaan's (Virginia Hey) ability to gets in touch with her dark side to defeat Maldis. (11 June 1999)

109(9). DNA Mad Scientist -- The crew visits a scientist who claims he can provide them with maps back to their homeworlds, based on their genetic profiles. In payment, he demands one of Pilot's arms. But, when Aeryn asks him to provide her with directions to a Sebacean colony, she winds up being used as a test subject herself, and only John steps forward to defend her. (18 Jun 1999)

110(10). They've Got a Secret -- When the crew does a sweep of Moya's systems to remove any remaining PK devices, D'Argo hits pay dirt. But, when he smashes the device, he's accidentally spaced in the resulting explosion, and even though Aeryn picks him up in her Prowler, his mind still seems a bit spaceburned. Meanwhile, Moya's systems are malfunctioning left and right, and the DRDs are running amok. The crew struggles to diagnose their Leviathan... and figure out why D'Argo thinks John is a murderer. (25 Jun 1999)

111(11). Til the Blood Runs Clear -- John and Aeryn create a proto-wormhole using the Farscape 1 module, which is damaged by the event. They set down on the local planet for repairs, only to discover an announcement beacon left by Capt. Crais advertising a bounty for the capture of Zhaan, D'Argo, and Rygel. While the crew plays cat and mouse with a team of bounty hunters, Zhaan enjoys the side-effects of solar flares, and John and D'Argo forge a new alliance. (09 Jul 1999)

112(13). Rhapsody in Blue -- Inner demons induced by a Delvian sect plague Zhaan, whose dark side is released again, and Crichton, who's enveloped in a highly sensual experience called "Unity". (23 Jul 1999)

113(12). The Flax -- An invisible "drift net" in space, which is controlled by ruthless Zenetan pirates, traps Crichton and Aeryn, whose survival hinges on an eccentric alien — and reformed pirate. (16 Jul 1999)

114(14). Jeremiah Crichton -- Temporarily lost in space aboard a module, Crichton ultimately lands on the planet Acquara, a seemingly utopian world where he becomes "the other man" in a romantic triangle. (30 Jul 1999)

115(15). Durka Returns -- (introducing Chiana) -- Menacing Peacekeeper Durka (David Wheller) resurfaces after he's undergone a "mental cleansing" by the powerful Nebaris. Yet Rygel still seeks revenge against his former tormentor. (13 Aug 1999)

116(16). A Human Reaction -- A return to Earth invites chaos for Crichton, whose military father figures in the fates of the Moya crew and especially the destiny of his son, who reveals his passion for Aeryn. (20 Aug 1999)

117(17). Through the Looking Glass -- A rip between dimensions threatens Moya, whose crew are stuck in a time warp engendered by an alien creature on a destructive mission. (10 Sep 1999)

118(18). A Bug's Life -- Peacekeeper commandos and the Moya crew join forces to contain a virtually undetectable and deadly virus that has infested the ship and moves from host to host. (17 Sep 1999)

119(19). Nerve -- Part 1 of two. To save Aeryn, Crichton infiltrates a Peacekeeper base, where he's captured, tortured and faces his sworn enemy: Capt. Crais. (07 Jan 2000)

120(20). The Hidden Memory -- Conclusion. The Moya crew mounts a rescue to save Crichton, imprisoned by Peacekeepers led by the evil Capt. (14 Jan 2000)

121(21). Bone to Be Wild -- Moya and her unsuspecting crew encounter a carnivorous alien. Francesca Buller, the wife of series star Ben Browder, makes a guest appearance as M'lee. (21 Jan 2000)

122(22). Family Ties -- Intriguing plot twists and clever action sequences mark this episode, which finds the Moya travelers imperiled by the pursuing Peacekeepers. (28 Jan 2000)

201(23). Mind the Baby -- Scheming Crais seizes command of Moya's offspring, a living spaceship that has separated from its mother and is hiding out in an asteroid field. (17 Mar 2000)

202(24). Vitas Mortis -- A dying Luxan matriarch with holy powers is transformed under D'Argo's care into a young beauty, whose regenerative energy has dire consequences for Moya. (24 Mar 2000)

203(25). Taking the Stone -- A death wish overcomes Chiana (Gigi Edgley), who, shattered by a loved one's passing, debarks on a planet inhabited by teens bent on daring, life-threatening behavior. (31 March 2000)

204(26). Crackers Don't Matter -- Strange things begin happening to Crichton and the others when a strange alien life-form is brought on board. (07 Apr 2000)

205(27). The Way We Weren't -- Chiana discovers an old PK recording showing that Aeryn was one of the PKs who murdered Moya's original Pilot. With John's help, Aeryn faces the memory of her past, but the rest of the crew -- and Pilot -- are less forgiving. (14 Apr 2000)

206(28). Picture If You Will -- The saying that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" takes on a whole new meaning when a shape-shifting painting is brought aboard Moya, exposing the crew to an old enemy, the sorcerer Maldis. (21 Apr 2000)

207(29). Home on the Remains -- Crichton, D'Argo and Chiana land on Chiana's home planet, searching for food for Zhaan. However, Chiana's people are not too happy about the visitors, and even less happy to see Chiana. (16 Jun 2000)

208(30). Dream a Little Dream (Re:Union) -- On a strange planet overwhelmingly populated by lawyers, Zhaan finds herself framed for murder as part of a political plot. Chiana and Rygel must defend her in court and win their case within three days or Zhaan will be executed. Meanwhile, Crichton, D'Argo and Aeryn are nowhere to be found. (23 Jun 2000)
Special Note: This episode has two versions. It was produced initially as "Re:Union", and intended as the Season 2 premiere. However, "Mind The Baby" was used as the premiere instead, and "Re:Union" was held back; new opening and closing scenes were shot, the body of the episode became a flashback, and it aired later in the season as "Dream A Little Dream". Eventually, the SciFi Channel aired the original version of "Re:Union" (in June 2001) as a special event.

209(31). Out of Their Minds -- The crew of Moya have a collective out-of-body experience after a weapon fired by an enemy ship causes their minds to transfer into different bodies. (07 Jul 2000)

210(32). My Three Crichtons -- After Moya is struck by a strange beam of light, Crichton finds himself split into three separate stages of evolution. Now he must work with his other selves to solve the problem and reintegrate himself into one whole being. (14 Jul 2000)

211(33). Look at the Princess, Part 1: A Kiss Is but a Kiss -- In uncharted territories, the crew comes across an inhabited system that is about to crown a new queen. But she is still in need of a king — and Crichton is a perfect candidate. (21 Jul 2000)

212(34). Look at the Princess, Part 2: I Do, I Think -- As Crichton tries to decide if he should marry the princess or try to flee Scorpius, conspiracies abound, threatening to make his decision for him by ending his life. Meanwhile, Zhann and Pilot follow a course that only Moya knows and Aeryn decides to reveal her feelings for Crichton. (28 Jul 2000)

213(35). Look at the Princess, Conclusion: The Maltese Crichton -- Crichton's statue has been made headless and the search is on for the culprit — and the head. Meanwhile, Aeryn is lost in the wilderness, and no one has any idea where she is. (04 Aug 2000)

214(36). Beware of Dogs -- A shape-shifting parasite called a Vorc gets aboard Moya and attacks D'Argo, leaving him with a mortal wound. The crew must track down the Vorc and use it to make a serum to counteract the creature's venom and save D'Argo's life. (11 Aug 2000)

215(37). Won't Get Fooled Again -- Crichton awakens to find himself back on Earth, apparently having never entered the alternate universe where Aeryn and the Moya exist. But strangely, he starts seeing his old friends all around him, including Scorpius (Wayne Pygram), which can't possibly be a good thing. (18 Aug 2000)

216(38). The Locket -- Moya runs into a "hyper stream" of time that causes Aeryn and Crichton to age at an accelerated — and alarming — rate. The crew must find a cure before the pair die of old age. (25 Aug 2000)

217(39). The Ugly Truth -- Moya's wayward son, the gunship Talyn, returns to known space but destroys another ship in the process. Moya's crew is in turn captured and questioned about the attack. They are ordered to give Talyn up — or face execution. (08 Sep 2000)

218(40). A Clockwork Nebari -- Moya is hijacked by members of the Nebari, who reveal Chiana's unknowing role in their scheme to take over part of the galaxy. A brainwashed Aeryn and Rygel return from a Commerce Planet with a surprise for Chiana -- two fellow Nebari to take her home and "mind cleanse" her as well. Chiana learns her brother, Nerri is still alive and now the head of the Nebari resistance movement.(15 Sep 2000)

219(41). Liars, Guns and Money, Part 1: A Not So Simple Plan -- Stark's plan to rob a seemingly impregnable bank to raise money to buy D'Argo's son Jothee from the Slave Traders goes terribly wrong when D'Argo is captured in the heist. The crew's attempt to rescue him is complicated by the arrival of Crichton's nemesis Scorpius. (05 Jan 2001)

220(42). Liars, Guns and Money, Part 2: With Friends Like These... -- The crew makes good their escape from the Shadow Depository, but Scorpius wants to make a deal: D'Argo's son in exchange for Crichton. A plan to use the stolen loot to hire old foes and rescue Jothee makes sense, until it is discovered that the valuable ingots are actually alive... and eating Moya!
(12 Jan 2001)

221(43). Liars, Guns and Money, Conclusion: Plan B -- Crisis aboard the Moya: the ship is dying, and Crichton is at the mercy of Scorpius, who plans to lobotomize his archenemy unless the crew can organize a desperate rescue with the help of a motley group of mercenaries. No money. Angry mercenaries. An injured Moya. And Crichton in the hands of Scorpius! Only an all-out assault has any chance of rescuing him. But even if Aeryn's plan succeeds, can Crichton rescue his own mind from Scorpius? (19 Jan 2001)

222(44). Die Me, Dichotomy -- Crew members pool their resources to get a surgeon for Moya and Crichton, who's falling further under the sway of Scorpius. The neural chip Scorpius put in Crichton's brain finally takes over, turning him against our crew. Aeryn is forced into a deadly confrontation with Crichton/Scorpius that only one will survive.
(26 Feb 2001)

301(45). Season of Death -- Moya's crew, still reeling from Aeryn's death, returns to the Ice Planet to check on Crichton's progress, unaware that Scorpius has already paid their friend a visit and is lying in wait. (16 Mar 2001)

302(46). Suns and Lovers -- Moya's life hangs in the balance after the ship is entangled in docking cables during a visit to commerce facility to invest the crew's ill-gotten gains from the Shadow Depository. D'Argo, reeling from personal betrayal, risks his life to release Moya. (23 Mar 2001)

303(47). Self-Inflicted Wounds, Part 1: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda -- Crichton's efforts to speed Zhaan to a recovery planet are thwarted when an alien research vessel inadvertently fuses with Moya inside a wormhole, forcing the two crews into an uneasy alliance made all the more tenuous by the collision's life-threatening damages to Moya. (30 Mar 2001)

304(48). Self-Inflicted Wounds, Conclusion: Wait for the Wheel -- Faced with a threatening wormhole, Moya's crew members prepare to abandon ship for Neeyala's vessel — until they discover Moya's disintegration is the result of sabotage. (06 Apr 2001)

305(49). Different Destinations -- Moya's crew arrives at the site of an ancient battle in which Peacekeepers surrendered to a superior army. A mishap sends them back in time, where they accidentally change the course of the fight. In order to save their own futures, they must find a way to correct their mistake. (13 Apr 2001)

306(50). Eat Me -- Damage to their transport pod forces Crichton, Chiana, Jool and D'Argo to make an emergency landing aboard an abandoned — and ominous — leviathan. (20 Apr 2001)

307(51). Thanks for Sharing -- The crew finds that their reputation isn't helping, as they negotiate for medical supplies amidst local political intrigue. But John's dual identity (difficult as it may be for him to endure) proves useful, as they race to to heal Talyn and Crais before a face out of Aeryn's past can catch up to them.. (15 Jun 2001)

308(52). Green-Eyed Monster -- An encounter with an enormous space creature leaves Talyn and his crew fighting to stay out of the belly of the beast when the leviathan is swallowed whole in an episode penned by series star Ben Browder (who plays Crichton). (22 Jun 2001)

309(53). Losing Time -- A malevolent energy being infiltrates Moya and buries itself in the body of one of her crew, leading to frantic efforts to uncover the identity of the unwitting host. (29 Jun 2001)

310(54). Relativity -- Crichton lands Talyn on a jungle-like planet to allow the ship to recuperate from battle wounds, but the layover is disrupted by a Peacekeeper force led by Aeryn's mother (Linda Cropper). (06 Jul 2001)

311(55). Incubator -- Scorpius takes a new tack with his archenemy by trying to forge an alliance with Crichton. To do this, Scorpius reveals details of his own troubled past to earn Crichton's sympathy. (13 Jul 2001)

312(56). Meltdown -- Talyn is drawn into a sun by Mu-Quillus, a being with a hunger for leviathans. Complicating matters is Stark's determination to free a female from Mu-Quillus' clutches, and a mist affecting the personalities of Crichton, Aeryn and Crais. (14 Jul 2001)

313(57). Scratch N' Sniff -- A planet specializing in hedonism ensnares Crichton, D'Argo, Chiana and Jool with its pleasures, but the four are unaware of the price they are to pay for their debauchery. (20 Jul 2001)

314(58). Infinite Possibilities-Daedalus Demands: -- after the Scarrans launch a fierce attack on Crais and a blinded Talyn, Crichton and Aeryn resort to constructing a potential doomsday weapon to save their comrades. (27 Jul 2001)

315(59). Infinite Possibilities, Conclusion: Icarus Abides -- Conclusion. As the Scarran dreadnaught draws closer, Aeryn races to free Crichton from the influence of Scorpius' clone and activate the doomsday weapon with the help of an alien who has taken the likeness of Crichton's father (Kent McCord). (03 Aug 2001)

316(60). Revenging Angel -- Crichton's incapacitation forces D'Argo to assume command of a mission to save Moya from being crippled by a self-destructing ship. (10 Aug 2001)

317(61). The Choice -- Aeryn's search for her missing father leads her to a murky world populated by mystics, seers and frauds. Here, she discovers the pursuit of truth to be a formidable challenge. (17 Aug 2001)

318(62). Fractures -- Moya's crew encounters a ragtag group of fugitives on the run from the Peacekeepers, including a Nebari, a Scarran and a female Hynerian. (24 Aug 2001)

319(63). I Yensch, You Yensch -- Talyn, the offspring of the living spaceship Moya, turns psychotic in a gripping story that kick starts a season-ending four-episode cycle. After detecting a medical vessel on their scanners, Crichton and the Moya crew — with Talyn in tow — decide to drop off the wounded Naj Gil for treatment. But their plans are thwarted when Talyn inexplicably attacks the medical vessel. According to Crais, Talyn's captain, the only way to treat Talyn is to shut him down — over Moya's objections. Also, the insidious Scorpius barters with Rygel and D'Argo for vital wormhole technology, but negotiations are disrupted by a pair of motley aliens. (05 Apr 2002)

320(64). Into the Lion's Den, Part 1: Lambs to the Slaughter -- Crichton begins his gambit to thwart Scorpius' efforts of mastering wormhole technology by meeting with his archenemy aboard a Peacekeeper command carrier, where renegade Peacekeepers Aeryn and Crais encounter old comrades. (12 Apr 2002)

321(65). Into the Lion's Den, Conclusion: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing -- To counter Scorpius's threat to annihilate Earth, Crichton conspires with his shipmates to destroy the Peacekeeper Command Carrier and all the wormhole data aboard. But a comrade alerts Scorpius to the scheme. (19 Apr 2002)

322(66). Dog with Two Bones -- In the third-season finale, Moya's mystical new cook (Melissa Jaffer) guides Crichton through foreboding visions of life on Earth with his comrades, while Moya spars with a rogue leviathan at a burial site. (26 Apr 2002)

401(67). Crichton Kicks -- In the fourth-season opener, Crichton takes refuge in a dying leviathan targeted by pirates determined to strip the ship of its valuable hide. (07 Jun 2002)

402(68). What Was Lost, Part 1: Sacrifice -- Crichton, Chiana and Rygel meet up with old friends, but Grayza (Rebecca Riggs) spoils their reunion by luring Crichton into her clutches. (14 Jun 2002)

403(69). What Was Lost, Conclusion: Resurrection -- Captured by Grayza and facing imprisonment, Crichton and his comrades plot their escape, but the gambit fails to go as planned. (21 Jun 2002)

404(70). Lava's a Many Splendored Thing -- A crash landing deposits the crew members in a lava-engulfed cave where they are confronted by mercenaries with a suspicious agenda. (28 Jun 2002)

405(71). Promises -- Crichton is forced to play nice with the back-from-the-dead Scorpius after he proves to be the only one who can save an ailing Aeryn, who has a hard time coming clean about her pregnancy. Meanwhile, a new nemesis takes aim at the Moya crew for harboring a wanted assassin; and a mole within Peacekeeper ranks ruins Braca's latest plot. (12 Jul 2002)

406(72). Natural Election -- Crichton's efforts to reconcile with Aeryn are put on hold when he makes a breakthrough in his wormhole research and Moya is threatened by a parasite. (19 Jul 2002)

407(73). John Quixote -- Crichton (Ben Browder, who also wrote the script) and Chiana become unwilling participants in a brutal virtual-reality game based on Crichton's exploits. (26 Jul 2002)

408(74). I Shrink Therefore I Am -- Crichton and Noranti return from a shopping expedition to find Moya hijacked. Crawling through the Leviathan's ducts looking for a way to rescue his crewmates, John gets assistance from an old enemy; he'll need it, since the rest of the gang is in the attackers' pockets...literally.. (02 Aug 2002)

409(75). A Perfect Murder -- Venturing into Tormented Space, it doesn't take Moya's crew long to run afoul of the locals. It's no surprise when they're drawn into a tribal conflict, but for a change it's Aeryn who starts the trouble...by assassinating the leader-elect. (09 Aug 2002)

410(76). Coup By Clam -- The crew makes a pit stop for a Leviathan tune-up, but sampling the local cuisine turns out to be a really bad idea when their meal turns into an attempted extortion-by-food-poisoning. Buying a cure would be no big deal -- except that the vital ingredient is being kept as a secret weapon of the planet's underclass, in preparation for a coup. (16 Aug 2002)

411(77). Unrealized Reality -- An interdimensional entity, convinced that Crichton's efforts to master the wormhole are a threat to the stability of the universe, targets the earthling for execution. (23 Aug 2002)

412(78). Kansas -- The Moya crew finally gets to Earth, 1985. Unfortunately, Crichton discovers that he has somehow disastrously changed the course of time — his father Jack is now slated to fly the doomed Challenger mission. Lying low in Crichton's hometown, the "aliens" use the timely Halloween celebrations to remain (almost) anonymous, while Crichton tries to revert the timeline - in the process putting his younger self in mortal danger. (January 10, 2003)

413(79). Terre Firma -- The crew returns to Moya - in orbit around modern-day Earth - to find Jack and a contingent of Earth dignitaries waiting for them. The aliens are introduced to an amazed and apprehensive public, but soon find life in the public eye difficult. As Crichton tries to readjust to life on Earth, his relationships become strained, especially with Aeryn. Meanwhile, a monstrous assassin is sent by Grayza to hunt for Crichton. (January 17, 2003)

414(80). Twice Shy -- The crew stops a passing trading ship to try to barter for maps of Tormented Space. Chiana feels compelled to purchase an abused slave girl, Talikaa (Paula Arundell), from the traders. When the crew starts acting strangely, Aeryn becomes extremely emotional, Rygel displays a generous streak, and Chiana finds herself ready to declare celibacy - could it have anything to do with the meek slave they liberated from the traders? And just what are Scorpius and Sikozu up to, when they team up as allies? Soon Talikaa disappears and they realize she may not be as innocent as she seemed. (24 Jan 2003)

415(81). Mental As Anything -- Scorpius takes Crichton, D'Argo and Rygel into an advanced training camp where students learn mental discipline. D'Argo is confronted with the arrival of Macton (Blair Venn), the Peacekeeper who murdered his wife, Lo'Laan (Rachel Gordon), then framed him for the crime. While Scorpius, knowing Crichton will need this training to withstand Scarran interrogation if captured, forces Crichton into torturous anti-Scarran training, D'Argo must face the demons from his past ... alone. (31 Jan 2003)

416(82). Bringing Home the Beacon -- The females, Aeryn, Sikozu, Chiana and Noranti, go to a commerce settlement housed on a Leviathan carcass fused with a planetoid in the hopes of obtaining outlawed mods as way to camouflage Moya against long-range scans. There they happen to stumble upon a secret meeting, one that will change the future of the Uncharted Territories. (07 Feb 2003)

417(83). A Constellation of Doubt -- A human TV show displays the reaction to the recent alien visitation, as John tries to recall the name "Katratzi"... "Officer Aeryn Sun. General Ka D'Argo. Sikozu Svala Shanti Sugaysi Shanu. Dominar Rygel, the 16th. Chiana. Utu Noranti Pralatong. The Pilot. These are the first extraterrestrials known to have visited the planet. It has now been several months since they left with Commander John Crichton, aboard their ship Moya. And besides their names, what else do we really know about them? -- Help me get her, and I will give you wormholes. I have an idea of how to find the Scarran base. Aeryn for wormholes. That's the deal." -- After trapping Crichton and the others on a Scarran base, Scorpius reveals his true agenda. (14 Feb 2003)

418(84). Prayer -- John and Scorpius search for the location of the Scarran base, while Aeryn is tormented by her captors... Crichton and Scorpius travel through a wormhole to try and locate the Scarran base where Aeryn is being held hostage. -- "Now, Djancaz-Bru, you haven't listened, and you haven't helped. And I'm running out of time. So I'm going to forget about you. I am now willing to make a deal with anyone, with anything to save my child. Not because I can... but because I have to." (21 Feb 2003)

419(85). We're So Screwed, Part 1: Fetal Attraction -- The crew docks at a Scarran Border Station in an attempt to rescue Aeryn from her captors. Rygel fakes a case of dermaphollica. Scorpius tells everyone that all vessels on route to Katratzi must stop for inspection and quarantine. In the mean time, the nurse is giving Aeryn drugs to keep her docile, and says that she could make things so much easier for Aeryn, if only she'd trust her. Noranti feeds Rygel some herbs that cause him to resurrect a dormant case of highly contagious dermaphollica, this time for real. (28 Feb 2003)

420(86). We're So Screwed, Part 2: Hot to Katratzi -- Moya's crew travels to Katratzi, a Scarran base where Scorpius is being tortured for wormhole information. The base is home to both Kalish and Charrid forces - underlings for the Scarrans. The crew plans to incite a confrontation between these two contingents, hoping this diversion will allow them to free Scorpius, and prevent wormhole knowledge from falling into Scarran hands. (07 Mar 2003)

421(87). We're So Screwed, Part 3: La Bomba -- Trapped on Katratzi, the crew are caught up in a deadly power struggle that could spell their end... After thwarting Crichton's escape plan, Scorpius denies that he's a Scarran spy, and demands Crichton's help to destroy a cavern of vital Scarran flora - claiming it will also provide them with a better means of escape. And while Rygel and Noranti fight an evil Stark, Sikozu must reveal her true colors if they are all to survive. (14 Mar 2003)

422(88). Bad Timing -- Now safely back on Moya, Crichton learns of the Scarrans’ intention to invade Earth. He feverishly analyzes his wormhole data and comes up with a way to collapse the wormhole to Earth - but the method is not one that he can implement alone. Meanwhile, Braca demands Scorpius be released from Moya and returned safely to his Command Carrier - and Aeryn has a few surprises of her own, including telling John that the baby has been released from its stasis so she is going to have it and that John is the baby’s father. As John and Aeryn kiss in the boat, a ship approaches out of nowhere. The the alien in the ship hears "Neutralize invaders for analysis." The alien ship swoops down and fires at them. John and Aeryn shatter into small pieces. We see a final image, of their remains on the boat, and close on the engagement ring, which is upright in the remains. The "TO BE CONTINUED" phrase ends the series. (21 Mar 2003)

Frell – Probably the most versatile word in the Uncharted Territories,

  frell is an expletive for all occasions.

Example - Your favourite coat has just been ruined by a stray shot from a pulse pistol.

"Frell! You've destroyed my frelling favourite coat you frelling piece of dren (qv)"

Dren – A noun used to describe something unpleasant or of little or no value,

  also referring to the by-products of biological creatures.

Example - The vital threekay wire purchased recently on a commerce planet turns out to be string.

"Why the frell(qv) did you let yourself be talked into buying this dren, Rygel, you son of a drannit(qv)!".

Drannit – We know very little about the drannit except that it is a vile and noisome creature,

      and being compared to it is no compliment.

Example - An uncouth, slavering madman with too many eyes has just laid hands on you and is going through your pockets.

"Get your hands off me you six-eyed offspring of a drannit!"

Hezmana — A Hynerian curseword, meaning Hell, more-or-less. Often used by Rygel.

Example - Landing upon a planet, you find yourself hundreds of metras away from your target, in a reeking swamp full of acid-spitting plants.

"Where in Hezmana have you landed us D'Argo, you gleebo(qv)! There's dren(qv) up to my loomas (qv) and that frelling(qv) flower's just burnt a hole in my boot!"

Greebol — A Nebari word for a daft, inexperienced or foolish person.

Example - Whilst under heavy fire by hostile aliens, John manages to blow up his pulse rifle.

"You frelling(qv) greebol Crichton! Why not just shoot us all, save those thoddos(qv) the trouble?"

Loomas — Nebari slang for breasts.

Example - A man in a bar has been eyeing up Chiana for some time, and she's finally become annoyed.

"Hey, frelnik(qv) breath! Stop staring at my loomas or I'm going to come over there and give you a frelling(qv) hard slapping."

Fahrbot — An adjective meaning crazy or mad.

Someone especially crazy might be described as megra-fahrbot.

Example - Stark is gibbering around claiming that he's seen Zhaan floating off Moya's treblin side, and won't be quiet.

"I knew you were fahrbot, Stark, but that is the most megra-fahrbot load of dren(qv) I've ever heard. She's dead, Stark, she's not out there!"

Tralk — Insult implying that a woman is a lady of easy virtue.

Example - D'Argo and Crichton find themselves invited into the boudoir of a four-breasted, sultry alien woman, to Chiana's annoyance.

"I can't believe those two just went with that rancid little tralk! She's leading them around by the mivonks(qv)!"

Mivonks — A Nebari word for an intimate male body part, which normally comes in pairs.

Example - All of D'Argo's money and most of his clothes have been stolen by a female thief.

"She wouldn't have tricked you if you'd been thinking with your head instead of your mivonks you thick piece of dren(qv)."

Frelnik — What exactly frelniks are has never been made clear, but whatever it is, they smell awful.

Example - Jool has dropped Moya's synaptic crystal into the lake of Hodian Trill-Bat droppings at the bottom of Moya's neural cluster.

"You dim frelling(qv) tralk(qv). It smells like a dead frelnik down there - you dropped it, you fetch it."

Thoddo — One who isn't the sharpest tool in the box. An unintelligent person.

Example - While trying to have a heart-to-heart chat with Aeryn, Crichton sits on the control panel causing Moya to yaw violently

"John, you thoddo! I wouldn't have you if the only other option was a drannit(qv)"

Yotz — Hynerian expletive used a lot by Rygel, meaning something like hell.

Example - a shimmering, twirling blue tunnel appears ahead of Moya, threatening to suck her in.

"What the yotz is that? Has that thoddo(qv) Crichton been frelling(qv) around with the controls again?"

The (very abbreviated) story so far:

American astronaut John Crichton is lost on the other side of the galaxy, or maybe even the universe. He's on the run in a living ship [picture] full of aliens -- escaped prisoners who are now, after three years, also his friends. He's been hunted by the military, tortured by experts, and had his head messed with in too many ways to count. Along the way he's learned how to survive in this strange new world -- primarily by being tougher and smarter than anyone in his way.

Shortly after Crichton came to this part of the universe, some mysterious aliens gave him the ability to understand and manipulate wormholes. Unfortunately, they didn't tell him they'd done so, and the information remained locked in his subconscious until he was captured and tortured by Peacekeeper scientist Scorpius [link to picture]. Scorpius was also interested in wormholes, and when Crichton escaped, taking his wormhole knowledge with him, Scorpius set out after him, and spent the next few years doing everything he could to get inside Crichton's head.

Since that time Crichton's been shot, decapitated, driven insane by the presence of Scorpius' "neural clone" inside his own brain, has killed his comrade and lover Aeryn Sun [link] while under the clone's influence, and has seen her resurrected at the cost of another crewmate's life. Finally, and most annoyingly, Crichton was twinned [link to picture of 2 Johns] by an insane scientist on a dying leviathan. On the run from the Peacekeepers, one of the two Crichtons went off with Aeryn Sun on Moya's unstable son Talyn [link], while the other Crichton stayed on Moya.

The Crichton on Talyn finally managed to consummate his on-again, off-again relationship with Aeryn, and shortly thereafter lost his life keeping the Scarrans from obtaining wormhole technology. His twin, left behind on Moya, picked up the responsibility for keeping wormhole technology out of dangerous hands. Through the self-sacrifice of Moya's son Talyn and the exiled Peacekeeper captain Bialar Crais, Crichton destroyed Scorpius' Command Carrier and shut down the Peacekeeper wormhole project forever.

But Crichton didn't make any friends in his heroism. Season Four opened with Crichton and the rest of Moya's crew on the run again -- from the Peacekeepers, the Scarrans, and anyone else they'd managed to annoy. They picked up some new crewmembers and lost a few others, and finally got around to imposing some order on themselves by electing Ka D'Argo their captain. They've even accepted Scorpius as a resident of Moya, although no one actually trusts the Scarran half-breed -- particularly not Crichton.

But they're still in trouble. All these interstellar empires want wormhole technology, but only Crichton fully understands how truly destructive wormholes can be. The mysterious aliens who gave him the wormhole knowledge want him to keep anyone else from developing these weapons, and they've given him some tips on how to use the knowledge safely. The most important lesson is that wormholes can take you backwards in time or into new realities if you're not very very careful, and the mere fact of your presence in these new realities can cause catastrophic effects. But despite their instructions, Crichton's first experiment in solo wormhole travel doesn't take him back to Moya and his friends like he planned. As episode 411, "Unrealized Reality", ends, Crichton finds himself hanging in space above a blue-green planet that looks remarkably like Earth...

Sci Fi Cancels Farscape

Monday, September 9, 2002

FAR OUT -- In a shocking move, Sci Fi Channel has pulled the plug on its critically acclaimed drama Farscape. The show's fourth season — the second of which launches in January — will be its last. "There are no bigger fans of Farscape than we here at Sci Fi Channel," the network said in a press release. "It was one of Sci Fi's first original series and quickly became a critical and fan favorite. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to reach a broader audience, Farscape has been unable to grow beyond its core fan-base. That, coupled with the extreme and growing cost of production, has led to the difficult decision to end the series at the conclusion of season four." Naturally, the show's loyal fans are already spearheading "Save Farscape" campaigns.

A Happy Ending for Farscape?

Wednesday, September 11, 2002

Lost-in-space Farscape hero John Crichton was supposed to have had two more years to find his way home. But since the news broke Friday that he and his intergalactic gang of fellow felons will find their starship in dry dock at the conclusion of the cult hit's fourth season, executive producer David Kemper just might turn out to be the only person ever to know for sure how their journey winds up.

"We're a year ahead of what fans are seeing," he explained to TV Guide Online before being informed that the end of the road was right around the corner for the Sci Fi Channel series. "If I were told tomorrow we have six episodes [left], I'd have a hard time getting to where we would need to be."

While the charismatic former Star Trek scribe could tell Earthling Crichton how to get back to where he once belonged, giving him specific directions might be tougher than translating Delvian to English. "I know where the end of the series is," Kemper explained, then offered a convoluted analogy to express how many light-years away from that place the program is now. "It's in New York. And what I mean is, we're in San Diego, and the ending is in New York. Are we going to drive straight through or take a whole lot of detours? Are we on a plane, a train or being pulled on a skateboard by a big dog? Nobody knows. But we know that, in the end, weary and beaten, Crichton will end up in New York." (Huh?)

At least that was Kemper's original plan. As soon as the axe fell, he joined his colleagues in a race against time to find the show formerly known as Space Chase a new venue — either a different network or perhaps even a company to finance a feature-film finale. It's the loyal audience that's his main concern at this point, not his own career. "I figure if I come back after Farscape and nobody wants to hire me, I won't get hired," he said matter-of-factly. "But I know enough about how to make a television show now that I can contribute to the people.

"I'm not worried about the future," he concluded, "only the immediate future." —; Richard M. Simms

Farscape: The Greatest Love Story Ever Retold

Wednesday, August 29, 2001

It took nearly three years for Farscape's lost-in-space lothario, John Crichton, to turn butt-kicking, leather-wearing alien babe Aeryn Sun into girlfriend-worthy material — and all this week at 8 pm/ET, the Sci Fi Channel is replaying every episode in the couple's unorthodox mating dance.

"It was never two normal humans having a conversation," Claudia Black, who plays the modern-day Barbarella, explains to TV Guide Online. "Rather, they had exchanges which carried the strain of couples whose languages and cultures are not the same — let alone the fact that they are from different planets!"

Ironically, the Farscape love story only began to feel strange to the Pitch Black bad-ass when it at last began to seem normal to everyone else. "I get creeped out when it feels too Earthbound," the actress admits, "when Aeryn could be walking around in rollers and fuzzy slippers, and at any moment, Crichton's going to walk in and say, 'Honey, I'm home!'"

While fans were taken aback by the warrior's turn as a housefrau ("They were glad to see she was smiling, if a little untrusting of the sticking power of those smiles"), the Aussie has enjoyed the challenge presented by dueling personality traits. "Aeryn's tough, yet extraordinarily vulnerable at the same time. She'll be a hard role to beat."

Despite the series being more popular than ever, the actress already is contemplating the end of both Aeryn's affair with John, and her own working relationship with his portrayer, Ben Browder. "He and I have a natural synchronicity," she says fondly. "When I look back in years to come, I'll always be extremely proud of what he and I achieved on this show." —; Richard M. Simms