Farscape meta

[minxy]

In which my love for Aeryn, John, D'Argo, Pilot, the Cute guy and Chiana only grows.

The Way We Weren’t 2.05

Hook: Ooooh, bad guys. Or rather, one Peacekeeper bad guy flanked by about 6 Kull Warriors from Stargate. Cool. Looks like they’re aboard Moya. Except the Pilot is clearly a girl Pilot, so they maybe are reusing sets.

I love it when they talk Peacekeepery. All the clicks and stuff. Coolest made up language evah.

And the Peacekeeper bad guy is a cutie. I love dark eyes. And mah man Crace seems to be in the full-fledged crazy mode. Wasn’t he… somewhere else? Like on Talyn perhaps? Maybe this is a flashback? Except I thought the death of his brother followed by the Aurora chair made him crazy. Huh. Maybe it's different flavors of crazy.

The headset things are cool, are they on the PK guys or the DRDs? Do they just record everything?

Wow. They killed the Pilot. And the cutie is perhaps not such a bad guy after all. They are really selling the horror of killing the Pilot, those two. (Acting! Brilliant! Thank you!) Wonder if there’s a reason Cutie is so sympathetic to the pilot…

Lkupoiugyskhukei(*&^&*(097866wtfAERYN?!?!? Aeryn killed Moya’s Pilot? Tha…. Whoa. Really? Kick ass. Because the blending with sharing DNA thing… and then the thing with Talyn…

I love this episode. Aeryn was a kull warrior and killed someone Moya loved a lot and they’re both carrying that around in their broken little psyches. There are no words for how much I want to see Claudia Black play this out.

Act I: Because already John and Chiana’s reactions are marvelous and different and complex. And D’Argo and Rygel and Zhaan! I totally forgot that they would have been onboard then too! Nice.

HA. See? She remembered the cutting off Pilot’s arm thing. Continuity is good for you.

God. Look at her shake.

And lash out. That’s totally Aeryn. Doesn’t want to talk and wow, Chiana’s reaction is cool. I guess she covers everything with ‘oh that hurt? Neat!’ and the more peppy she is the more she’s covering? Wow.

Looks like the Cutie guy is really sweet with Pilot until Crace shows up, then he get really really mean. Stupid Peacekeepers. I don’t love them.

How much do I love that Aeryn is strong and physical? I love it a lot.

Creepy entrails covered kull warriors bullied her and wiped entrails from the dead Pilot on her face. Wow, her expression is something else.

She just made me cry almost. But at the same time, I’m thinking that John is a little masochistic to keep being soft with her; if she sees softness she thinks weakness and she’ll aim for it, but it would appear that she’s so wrecked right now she can’t see straight. Girl is ripping me up.

Act II.
*ahem* Having seen far too many relationship ‘talks’ fall so flat they almost went one dimensional, can I just say that Ben Browder has just reacted in the sweetest, most baffled way ever to Aeryn’s use of the word ‘lover’? And every note he hit was perfect, the ‘you’re kidding’ shock to blustering to sincere… Ben is working this scene and he’s just laid it all out there, man. That could have been so painful. I often look away from the screen when these scenes come on because they hurts us, precious, but this time, I watched because every time it got too awkward the tone of Ben’s voice changed just in time to save me.

I think I love that man.

Eep. Pilot. With his guts getting yanked out by the Cutie guy and about to be rejected by Moya in her grief and too confused to speak in simple sentences. I wonder how he’ll feel when they he realizes that the Cutie was messing with Aeryn’s heart and internal organs too.

Freethinking Cutie. Who’s going to get himself in trouble. And Aeryn is not going to quite be there yet. He’ll make a leap, love in a grander way than she’s used to, but she won’t be able to name it yet, won’t be able to risk it to go with him. But then later she’ll meet a stupid human and risk speaking up for him, right? Also, is this abomination of a project Talyn? Or something else?

Aw. Permanent chronic pain as a side effect of the forced grafting to Moya. *sympathy kinks*

*blink*
*blink blink*

Not crying. *sniff*
I need a hug.

‘Kay. Am better. And am now loving Cutie ‘cause I think he’s given Moya some birth control pills so she doesn’t have to have Talyn, right? Cutie. I wouldn’t mind if he hugged me. I like brown eyes.

Actually, I want John or D’Argo to hug me. ‘Cause they just played Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who was going to get to go be the voice of reason in an emotional situation. And they’re awesome. I want a tentacle hug.

Oh holy soap on a stick. She turned on the Cutie boy. I was all, omg she’s going with him? Go Aeryn! And then Claudia’s voice started shaking and she put her hands on his face, every finger just barely touching and she almost whispered ‘change your mind’ (which, holy crap I said that once and wow, it resonates) and just as I was thinking oh no, oh no Aeryn you didn’t… whammo. She turned on the Cutie. Not the same person back then, was she? Not ready to defy orders, do something on her own, trust her own instincts…


Not only did they just boggle my mind for at least the 5th time this episode, but they just made me hurt for Aeryn almost more than when she bloodied her hands and screamed into John’s arms. I love that woman, but she is messed up. Cutie gave a marvelous goodbye, though I feel like his character arc was a bait and switch that was revealed very early on. I guess we just found out how very emotionally intelligent and forgiving he was, which is poignant in contrast to how far Aeryn has to go. And really, she hasn't come terribly far yet. Lots of territory for her.


Act III changeover somewhere in here:
Saw the foiling of Crace’s plan coming, though. Prolly figured it out about the same time Aeryn did. Do like how they’re all playing these roles in the shared history, with D’Argo shattering the shield, but I thought I remembered that Chiana was the one who deliberately disengaged some shield of some kind… oh wait, that was when the baby was being born.

Stoopid Pilot, getting all the poor DRDs phasered. Just ‘cause he’s suicidal. *sniff*

Yes, yes, he’s suicidal. Made a choice, is a rebel. Oh. And Aeryn reached him. Very nice. Though I realize they’re playing on the ‘totally not trying to kill her this time’ mimic, it does make Pilot’s hand look like a giant lobster claw just like that.

And I guess the catharsis (and an interesting ‘I won’t have as much control’ step backwards for Pilot) doesn’t extend all the way for Aeryn, does it. Still isn’t really into the whole emotional intelligence thing. John’s tiptoeing closer to figure out how she feels and she doesn’t know and that’s why he’s going to back off for a while now, right? Stoopid human. They could use some sexual healing. Bah. No one ever listens to me.

*sniff* They totally jerked me around this episode. Man, that was a good ride. I love this show. Really dug Chiana and D’Argo in this one too, they each had some stand up and take notice moments.

*sniff* Wish I could have a hug. Maybe raqs will hug me tomorrow if I’m good. *sniff*

Comments

[cofax7]

Eeeee! The Way We Weren't! It so rocks!

One of my favorite eps ever. And the end! Where they just sit there, not saying anything, letting the silence play out. I love that so.

Poor woobie Aeryn and woobie Pilot and woobie everyone, really.

{{Minx}}

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

*crawls in your lap for a hug* *brings cookies*

They really are woobies. Poor Pilot.

You know what's crazy? That John can get Aeryn to talk about all kinds of things she doesn't want to talk about, or think about, but when it comes to the emotional stuff, he can't push that hard, so they sit there NOT SAYING ANYTHING. They can't name it, can't say it, can't crawl into each other's laps for a hug!

That was something.

Everybody just gets emotionally yanked around in this episode. No one ever asked Moya if she was okay either.

[cofax7]

Oh, but I love that they can communicate without talking. They don't have to, for them. So much is in body language and their eyes...

Speaking of everyone getting yanked around, I can now share this.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

*perk* fanfic? Your fanfic?

Oooooooooooooh. Now I really broken for Pilot

You made me smile with the underwear thing. And D'Argo's voice is awesome much like D'Argo himself is awesome but then slap-upside-the-head with Pilot and his regrets and sadnesses... Poor Pilot. *pets Pilot*

[cofax7]

I know! Poor Pilot!

I had the last line of that for a long long time before I could come up with a story to hang it on.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

'Twas marvelous, how the story twisted through sad and whimsical and past and present and he and them and then slams you with an emotional kick like that; because it drives home that he feels that lonely always. Quite the emotional kick, I believe that it would be enough to craft an entire story around, and the story you chose to build is elegantly unpredictable, like the show.

I'm going to dream about this episode tonight, aren't I? Doooooom.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

And, should you be interested, we can now start pointing out other fic, and well, you know, porn.

[cofax7]

Because Thea is the mistress of Farscape porn.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Hee - well I am an enthusiastic supporter, but it has yet to by me a nice pied a terre or offer to keep me in chocolate for the rest of my life:)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Curses! Now I must fall back on my education! Drat. I was hoping 'mistress of Stargate fic pimping' would help me out, but nooooo....

[fourteenlines.livejournal.com]

*meep*

This was the episode that launched me full-boar (-bore?) into Farscape fandom. I'd been hanging back before. Couldn't resist after.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

You've got to love them all *more* after this episode, don't you? Isn't it a rule? Because seriously I will follow them anywhere now. They just wove this huge story together and it was complex and it involved so many of them whether or not they were on screen and it was emotionally interesting... and I just trust them now.

Whither they goest, yadda. *sniff*

[sugargroupie.livejournal.com]

I think when most people refer to the puppets making them cry, they're talking about this episode.

Also, TWWW is really a good example of the characters behaving or reacting in a way that's unexpected, but totally in character.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Yes. *waves hands around*

I totally agree.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Gives you consoling hugs, because they are well deserved. Tries not to grin too fiercely.

This was my first episode. Watched it because my dad had been bugging me to watch this show, and well... I was totally lost, totally blown away and completely hooked.

It's just so... remarkable, the risks and the silences, the way every not is raw and yet pitch perfect, that our hero - one of our heroes - is so very flawed and no one makes excuses for her actions. She doesn't make excuses for her actions. And the end, when silence is the only thing they can hold, the only thing that says what they're willing to say and those two are utterly perfect and beautiful and heartbreaking.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Flute said something like that too, that this was one of the first episodes that she'd seen, and I can see loving it, but I'm glad I had the backstory on Talyn and the shield thing and the pilot episode and the one where Aeryn and Pilot shared DNA. Helped everything resonate that much more, although they did sucker punch me several times, and then I stayed up really late generally going 'meep!' and talking about it on LJ... so maybe it would have helped to NOT have it resonate so much? Lordy.

*hugs you back and ignores the grinning*

Their silences are amazing.

[bugchicklv.livejournal.com]

And the Peacekeeper bad guy is a cutie. I love dark eyes

Wanna see him nekkid? *EG*

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/bugchicklv/ALEXNEKKID.jpg

More (not) Nekkid pics
http://members.cox.net/bugchicklv/Valorek2.jpg
http://members.cox.net/bugchicklv/ValorekYum.jpg

I LURVE VELOREK so freaking much. Really! He totally opened Aeryn up to the possibility of "being more". IMHO, the only reason she listened to, teamed up with, and believed in John--since he told her the SAME EXACT THING in the Premiere

Oh, and that ep was written by Naren Shankar. (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788167/) She's the one who prolly wrote Archie's (the tech) lines where he mentioned Farscape in the "Random Acts of Violence" ep of CSI--a show which she writes/exprods--and I wouldn't doubt it if naming the DJ "Scorpius" in Ben's CSI: Miami ep "Tinder Box" wasn't her idea too!

(Ack, I am NOT a geek. ' Gater, Browncoat, and Lurker I may be, but I am a ginormous 'Scaper too!)

[lunachickk.livejournal.com]

Wanna see him nekkid? *EG*

LMAO! Do you have some sort of nekkid-archive?

You crack me up!

[bugchicklv.livejournal.com]

Do you have some sort of nekkid-archive?

*blinks*

Er, uh...No.

*hides nekkid archive links*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

LOL! p0rn! Whadda pal. *snuggles you*

You're right that Velorek was pivotal for Aeryn, but in several ways and a few of them I think she doesn't want to remember, so I wonder if she tried to forget him entirely?

And I have to admit that I can't watch CSI. I get totally caught up in the many liberties they take with their science.

[becky-monster.livejournal.com]

This episode broke me for one very specific scene.

Where cute Peacekeeper guy is talking to Pilot (wor Pilot) on his home planet. Persuading him to go with his plan. His wonder and want is touchable.

I know he's a puppet, but in that moment, he becomes more. He becomes real. Bit like Yoda in Empire Strikes Back, when he does the 'Luminous beings are we... not this crude matter!' speech (does it make me pathetic that I can recite that speech nearly word perfect?)

But then... what else can you really expect from the Henson Creature Shop?

One of my 'this is why I like this show!' episodes. For SG-1 'Abyss' counts as one of these.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

There have been a few moments in past episodes where I forgot that Pilot was a puppet, but in this one I loved Pilot. Did you read Cofax's fic tag for this? OMG Pilot. She links to it in her comments, above.

[rydra_wong]

*hugs*

Now you see why I've been waiting for you to see this ep ...

And why I was saying that Aeryn and Teal'c should talk (or at least sit in stoic silence together). They've both done terrible things in their former lives, and they both live with that. Teal'c would get it.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Oh, they totally should. And in a single head nod they'd have more empathy running between them than anyone else could have.

Because Jack would never get over the fact that you hadn't lived the experience with him, and therefore were incapable of really getting it. So it wouldn't be just a soldier thing, it would be specific to Aeryn and Teal'c.

*nods, and is feeling better after a night's sleep*

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

oh yeah. :::jumps up and down in incoherent farscape glee:::

it's wonderful to see you enjoying the show by the way. and that episode is really astounding. although i should admit i think they all are. :)

ps. ten minutes before we closed yesterday, someone from the other office area asked me if i could "quick" explain farscape to her because her new boyfriend loves it. heh, i gather the look i gave her was a bit odd...hee!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Oh good. I figured since I get more comments on Farscape posts than any other ever that fast omg! that people must not mind that I post episode reactions as I go, but I don't have deep things to say about them necessarily, and certainly not anything everyone hasn't heard before, so it's nice to hear that.

Sometimes people ask me to explain what I do and I give them a similar look. Then I start with the simplest explanation: I do science. Heh. It gets more complicated from there if they keep asking me questions.

[rydra_wong]

people must not mind that I post episode reactions as I go, but I don't have deep things to say about them necessarily, and certainly not anything everyone hasn't heard before, so it's nice to hear that.

Nooooo, people love it because it allows us to vicariously re-experience the first-time viewing. And incoherent squeeeing is always acceptable as a reaction.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

i'm trying to be careful not to say too much in case of spoilers. :)

perhaps i could explain farscape as sheer unbridled joyful insanity. still...i think she was looking for a plot description.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Huh. Unbridled joyful insanity on a spaceship trying to get home? With muppets who'll make you cry? And chemistry? That's probably getting too detailed.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

heh, it's a slippery slope...more than a few words turns quickly into a 6 week dissertation with caps-locks-o-glee and bullet point summaries. ;)

[lunachickk.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

Is that as far as you've gotten in the series? I STILL can't believe they cancelled Farscape. *growls* It was so frelling good.
Oh, there is GOOD stuff coming!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Yup. I'm very linear: I'm going in order. And I know they stop, so I'm trying very hard to savor the episodes. I always love the eps people tell me are good in advance. LOVE them.

Can I be the frog in that icon? Cute little froggy.

[lunachickk.livejournal.com]

Oh good. They just keep getting better and better! You will be very glad you don't have to wait for new seasons between season enders too!

Can I be the frog in that icon? Cute little froggy.

Of course you can. ;) *smooch*

[rydra_wong]

I love it when they talk Peacekeepery. All the clicks and stuff. Coolest made up language evah.

Made up by Claudia Black, as further evidence of her supreme coolness!

And the Peacekeeper armoured suits were shown on the premiere, so I think they actually pre-date the Kull Warriors (they first appeared in season 7, right?). Stargate copied us, OMG!!1!eleventy!!! *g*

Actually, I think it's just the convergent evolution of Evil Empire Armour throughout media history - I blame Lucas.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Made up by Claudia Black, as further evidence of her supreme coolness!

*fangrrl fit of adoration*

Actually, I think it's just the convergent evolution of Evil Empire Armour throughout media history - I blame Lucas.

lol. Yup. If they were white, I would've said Aeryn was a storm trooper, but the guys dressed in black in Star Wars looked like walking dildo's, really, they were so not as cool. Except Vader, obviously.

Still, it's the first one you *see* that you remember. No doubt Aeryn was kicking ass and taking names long before the Super Soldiers were even a glimmer in the eye of the Stargate PTB.

[raqs.livejournal.com]

are you kidding? i live alone! i'm hug-starved! i'll probably hug you if you even stand still!

omg farscape. i can't even rewatch it because the love is just too much and then they took it away. and aeryn and john are so perfect as characters, i will never write anything so perfect. a universal story. SOOOOO. GOOOOOOOD.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Is it bad that I now have an image of big floor pillows in a Moroccan restaurant with cuddling people everywhere? Tassles, I hope there are tassles.

Women who live alone unite! I mean it! Hug! Right. NOW!

I totally love this show now. OMG the silences...