Episode Report Card Strega: B+ | 173 USERS: C+ YOU GRADE IT Escape From Wedded Bliss
By Strega | Season 2 | Episode 11 | Aired on 2000.07.22
Crichton is getting more smoochies while Rygel chats with Tyno -- the muckity-muck that gave them permission to land, remember? Rygel thinks it's odd that they're celebrating a coronation without knowing who, exactly, will be coronated. Tyno explains, "As first born, it was always intended for Princess Katralla. But by law, unless she can find a compatible mate, the kingdom will fall to her younger brother." Aha! It seems worth noting that Rygel has a straw in whatever he's drinking. That's fantastic. I hope Steve Martin was their waiter.
Back on the catwalk, Clavor helpfully mentions that he will recognize the Scarran Imperium when he's king, "Even if [Cargn is] the best they could send." He's a master of diplomacy. Cargn grrs. Jenavia decides it's time to mention her own agenda, so she tells Clavor that she'll only marry him if he's king. She's not very supportive. But she is helping me out, since we have at least established the major players in this particular I, Claudius plotline, and what their various motives are. For the time being.
Oh, the B plot. On Moya, Pilot asks Zhaan why she didn't go planetside. Zhaan explains that this way she can do all of her scenes in a day or two and take some time off. She begins to sing or pray or conduct a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. Pilot and Moya seem to dig it, though.
Back at the bar, Chiana wants D'Argo to try one of the vials, which will tell them if their DNA is compatible enough for them to have kids. Because that's what the kissing is actually all about, and apparently Chiana and D'Argo discovered this and but didn't think it was worth mentioning to kissy-face Crichton. D'Argo thinks the taste-test is a bad idea, but Chiana puts a drop on his tongue and they kiss. D'Argo pulls away and shudders a little. Chiana reassures him, "It's just a game for us, D'Argo. Okay? We don't play by the rules they do." D'Argo says they're not compatible. The makeup department sighs with relief because they don't have to try to come up with designs for a grey-skinned, face-tentacled baby. Chiana says it's only their DNA, and licks one of D'Argo's, er, tendrils before adding, "Not the parts that make us feel pleasure."