Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT NOOOOO!
By Couch Baron | Season 1 | Episode 18 | Aired on 09.16.1999
D'Argo's being chained up as he mutters, "I cannot believe this is happening to me again." Well, once Chiana joined the crew, it was probably only a matter of time. However, it's Zhaan doing the chaining, and she exposits that this time, it's by his own volition. D'Argo: "Barely." Cut to Pilot telling us the reason for the deception, as a Peacekeeper ship is approaching, although he's able to tell from the markings for certain that it's not from Crais's command carrier. I certainly don't have to tell any of you that there will be plenty of time for Crais later. D'Argo growls that they could, you know, fight the Peacekeepers, but Zhaan suggests they try it Crichton's way. When she's gone, D'Argo repeats, "Crichton's way," in a tone that suggests he thinks said way is going to turn out about as well as Carlito's. It's almost like he's seen the rest of the season already.
Zhaan grunts that Rygel can't have his Thronesled if the plan is to work. She wrestles it away from him, and while Claudia Black deserves all the credit she gets in the forums for her puppet chemistry, Virginia Hey's ability to make a tug-of-war with a puppet look convincing isn't too shabby either. Also, said puppet is none too pleased.
Dramatic music plays as we see someone getting into a rather hot-looking red and black leather Peacekeeper uniform. Said someone is Aeryn, who runs a hand over the PK insignia, a subtle gesture that speaks volumes. Less subtle is her hoisting of a gun so big that Godzilla would think twice about fucking with her, but that gesture too sends a certain message.
After an exterior shot of a ship hurtling toward Moya and seemingly leaking something as it does, Zhaan informs Pilot that they're ready, and he closes the doors to the confinement cells, which are back to housing D'Argo, Rygel, and Zhaan. Given the expressions of consternation on Zhaan and D'Argo's faces, I guess it's no wonder that no one busted out with a rendition of "The Way We Were." Rygel, though, manages to look the height of imperiousness, which is impressive for more than one obvious reason. But you know, the fact that I made an offhand joke about "The Way We Were" in an episode that mentions experiments in Leviathan control and features Aeryn's and a hot Peacekeeper's mutual attraction makes me think my unconscious is doing more work on these recaps than I realize. Thank God it's good for something other than all those nightmares from which I wake up screaming.