Do Not Go Gentle

S01E19

Another beauty shot of the Prowler leaving Moya and heading for the moon. Crichton tells Chiana they'll pull the same routine they did on the Marauder commandos, and they quickly get within visual range of the desolate-looking base, which is perched on a huge outcropping, and which Chiana notes resembles a mining complex or possibly a refinery. Crichton observes that it looks like it's been "nuked," and wonders if it's camouflaged or simply dead. Chiana smiles that it's not dead, and reports that eight targeting systems have locked onto them. Crichton opens a channel and asks what's up with the weapons locks. "Can't you tell a friend from a foe?" Given that you just unleashed THE ACCENT on them, I think they've actually got things exactly right. The base attendant tells him to identify himself, and after some bickering about whether the channel is secure, Crichton intimidates the guy enough to secure a landing vector, much to Chiana's glee. And here I thought her ears were supposed to be highly sensitive.

After we see the Prowler head into the base, we cut to Crichton having disembarked, and a "welcoming" committee approaching him. He menacingly sidles up to two masked guards who have weapons trained on him. Behind him, the committee reaches him, and it's two more Peace-troopers and two guys in the red-leather officer uniforms. The older, higher-ranking one introduces himself as "Tollona Javio," the Commander of the base, and says his thirtyish companion is "Lieutenant Heskon." Crichton poses as Larraq, and tells Javio not even to think of asking what his assignment is. Javio agrees, but asks for the ident chip, which Crichton produces and Heskon collects. The chip passes muster, and Javio welcomes him, but asks how he knew about the base. Crichton declines even to give a story for that one, and demands quarters for him and his "personal server." I'd be willing to bet Chiana's been called worse. Speaking of whom, she appears and languidly tells him to make sure the quarters are comfortably cool. Honey, it's a Sebacean base. I don't think that's going to be a problem. Javio is puzzled that "Larraq" brought a civilian with him, but admires his taste. Javio then offers food and drink, and Chiana accepts: "I'd love some refreshment." Crichton heads off...

... and then we're in the station cantina, where Chiana is telling Heskon that she could get used to the place, and that the "raslak" is good and strong. Heskon asks if that's how she likes it, and she agrees: "Strong and hot." That's a surprise -- I never would have guessed from your flirting. Nearby, Javio is also quite entranced by Chiana, and he remarks to Crichton that he's never seen a species like hers. You guys know very well that I love Chiana, but I'd still say this to Javio: Count your blessings. There's some more flirting and drooling and skeevy remarks about how favorable Chiana finds the five-to-one male/female ratio on the base, but I'm going to skip ahead, because suddenly there's a noticeable stir in the room, and everyone turns to see... oh my God, you guys, it's Scorpius! I get to recap his historic entrance into the series that he will forever change! This is so exciting! I'm not going to bother describing his appearance, as it's burned into all your brains, but I will say that even for him, he does not look happy. Javio quickly excuses himself from Crichton's company, and once he's gone, Crichton barks for Chiana to join him. She complies, and sotto voce, he asks her what she's doing: "You acting like a trollop was not part of the plan." Well, Crichton, you could say breathing wasn't part of the plan either, but it's still awfully hard for her not to do it. Chiana takes the opportunity to grab his ass, and I'm jealous and good for her, and then she points out that all the attention she's drawing will take everyone's focus off him. Crichton asks if perhaps they could get on with the business of saving Aeryn...

Command. Rygel: "You're not just fahrbot; you're magra-fahrbot." Just in case you were wondering whether my closed captioning was working. Crichton has told the others his plan, which apparently is to infiltrate the Gammak base posing as Larraq. The others point out the difficulties of the plan: he'll have to pull of the deception, find a tissue match, and obtain a sample. In addition, if he fails, he'll compromise them all, which is especially serious, since Moya might not be able to get them out of there, given the advanced state of her pregnancy. I may not officially be in on this little powwow, but I will nonetheless point out that no one has mentioned the gravest problem of all, which is that we'll be forced once again to endure THE WORST "BRITISH" ACCENT IN THIS GALAXY OR ANY OTHER. Anyway, Crichton gets all offended at the suggestion that they do nothing, which... maybe I'm giving everyone too much credit, but I don't think, with the probable exception of Rygel, that that's what they were suggesting. He asks if they're happy with the idea of Aeryn dying, and D'Argo and Zhaan both pipe up a negative. Actually, I don't know that "pipe up" is the right expression in D'Argo's case, given that he doesn't so much "speak" as "rumble," but such are the limitations of language. Crichton rounds on Rygel, who says it doesn't matter what he wants -- Aeryn is dying, and the most sensible course of action is... Crichton: "I'm sorry, Sparky, what were you saying?" Geez, Crichton, you asked him a question. Kind of rude to drift off like that. Oh, I see, he was going for intimidation, and Rygel gets it: "To do everything in our power to save Aeryn's life." Zhaan wordlessly concurs, and Crichton stalks out of the room. Rygel: "Even though it's likely to get us killed." I think Crichton might give you that one, but it's probably not the best time to test him. Credits.

Crichton, in his flight suit, comes to see Aeryn, who's doubled over in the middle of a coughing fit. Once she's shoved her lung back down her throat, she tells Crichton that the mission is foolhardy, and it makes no sense for him to die as well. You seem to be having some respiratory difficulties there, my dear, so I hope you don't take it too badly if I tell you not to waste your breath. Pilot cuts in that they've reached the designated coordinates, and then Aeryn asks Crichton if humans have some sort of ritual "for occasions like these"? I'm not sure if she's referring to the fact he needs an awful lot of luck here, or if it's more that there's a good chance this is the last time they'll ever see each other. But in either case, if I were Crichton, I'd go with making out as the answer. They shake hands instead, and Aeryn gets to her feet and tremblingly wishes him good luck. He leaves her, frightened and alone. Sniff.

Beauty shot of Moya in front of a large reddish-orange planet. Pilot tells the crew that it's an uninhabitable gas giant, but there's a moon on the other side large enough to have an atmosphere. I'd guess it's Yavin, but while we're certainly in a galaxy far, far away, I don't think seven years is "a long time ago" on quite the scale they mean. Anyway, the mass of the planet will shield Moya from the moon base completely.

Crichton is checking on what must be Aeryn's Prowler, since Larraq went and got his ship blown up and all. Chiana appears, wearing a traveling cloak complete with shawl over her head. I wonder if the action figure for Chiana comes with accessories, and if so, if they have age ratings on them. Crichton isn't amenable to the idea of Chiana coming with him, but she informs him that what he needs on this mission is a talented burglar. Crichton asks what her angle is, and she tells him she wants to earn her keep. He doesn't believe her, probably still slightly miffed over the role she played in freeing the virus last episode, but as proof of both her intentions and her usefulness, she forks over the identification chip she lifted from Larraq. She adds that it will provide maximum-security clearance, and that's all the convincing Crichton needs, as he could use the help. He dangerously, and rather sexily, swings her around and adds, "If you're gonna help." I know you didn't ask, but if she won't, I will.

... and then Heskon is showing them to their quarters. They reach a security checkpoint, and Heskon takes Crichton's ident chip again. He swipes it, but then asks Crichton to place his hand in a spot in the machine. Crichton resists at first, but the Peace-troopers snap to attention, and Heskon explains that access to everything past where they are requires genetic verification. Chiana tries to smooth-talk Heskon, but he isn't having it, and he announces that as a Chief Security Officer, he can give Crichton orders in this situation. Crichton seethes, but removes his gloves, and after another withering glare, sticks his hands into the openings on the console. The computer announces, "Analyzing." Is it me, or are the act breaks getting easier to see coming?

The machine does its thing -- and confirms "Larraq's" identity. Chiana can barely believe their luck, but she and Crichton both hold it together and stay in character. Heskon offers to show them the rest of the way to their quarters, but Crichton declines, and he and Chiana are out of there.

Cut to the two of them pede-wondering how the hell they got away with that when a woman whispers, "Larraq!" They turn, and we see that it's Gilina, of the eponymous "PK Tech Girl." Ooh, nice. I certainly did not expect that at all when I first watched it. Not being familiar with the hit parade of Australian actors on this show does wonders for my ability to be surprised. He doesn't seem to recognize her at first, but she stealthily beckons him to follow her. She enters a room, and hides until they too are inside, at which point she shuts the door and reveals herself. She almost gets shot for her efforts, and Crichton tightly asks what she's doing on the base, and if Crais is there. She informs him that she's been assigned to a new development project, and she doesn't know the specifics, but she assumes it involves producing new weaponry. Crichton seems overly wary of Gilina, given that they totally kissed last time, but maybe it's because she's staring at him rather hungrily, if you know what I mean. Gilina, haven't you heard about the five-to-one ratio? Crichton makes an unnecessary comment about the evils weapons in Peacekeeper hands, like, we know it's been a while but we're still pretty clear on that concept, and then tells Chiana, who wasn't around for "PK Tech Girl," that Gilina's a friend. Gilina gives a good, reasonably subtle glance at Chiana, trying to size up her relationship with Crichton. I don't blame you, girl, but that one will take a while, and we haven't got all day here. Crichton asks how Gilina knew he was there, and she admits she saw him in the officers' lounge. She knew he'd never pass a genetic scan, so she overwrote the security program. Chiana, both duly impressed and already thinking about what else they can use her for, asks if Gilina did all that by herself and from their current location, and Gilina affirms that. Chiana, apparently having more knowledge of how impressive that feat was than Crichton, tells him, "This is a very good friend."

Elsewhere, Scorpius is telling Javio that they have to increase the efficiency of "the Aurora Chair." If the mention of the Chair gives you a vague feeling of dread, don't worry. The vagueness will be gone soon enough. Javio says he's understaffed. Scorpius: "Understaffed or mismanaged?" Well, now that Scorpius has arrived, I don't think Javio's management skills are going to continue to be particularly relevant.

Crichton produces a box containing a tissue sample of Aeryn's, and tells Gilina that if they don't find a match for it, she'll die. Gilina manages to facially express some suitably complex feelings about Aeryn's predicament, which aren't lost on Chiana, but agrees to help. She says that she'll take the sample to the Medical Unit, and that she'll fake the necessary work orders so the Med Techs won't ask any questions. Crichton's still all over-chivalrous about the whole thing, but Gilina says that he should stay hidden. "Suppose somebody here knew the real Larraq?" She leaves, and Chiana goes to do the same, saying she's going to head back to the lounge and climb all over Heskon's jock some more. Crichton rolls his eyes: "Come home alone!" Hee.

Moya. Aeryn's asleep on her bed of paraphoral pain when Rygel floats in on his Thronesled. The hum from it wakes her, and he nervously tells her he came to see how she was doing. Aeryn: "You came to see if I was dead so you could start going through my possessions." Well, I guess now we know that damage to the paraphoral nerve doesn't affect cognitive functions. Rygel informs her that she has no possessions worth taking. Heh. Score one for the obnoxious piece of felt. D'Argo enters and tells Rygel that he's needed on Command, as a quick decision may be needed if the Peacekeepers arrive. Rygel: "Yes! A quick and correct decision." So you're not going, then? No, he zips away, and D'Argo and Aeryn chuckle together about Rygel's massive ego. Aeryn thanks D'Argo for granting her peace. "If a warrior cannot die in battle, she can at least die alone." I'd make a comment, but it's all I can do to look up this hyperlinkwithout crying.

We cut into the lounge with Chiana delivering the punchline to what sounds like a naughty story, and Heskon laughing his head off. Nice try, dude, but the only way you're bagging her is if the base has its own version of the Holodeck. Javio appears and silently pulls rank on Heskon, who bails like he just remembered he left his Soup For One boiling on the stove. Javio takes the top off a Thermos-looking thing and tells her they can do much better than raslak.

D'Argo finds Zhaan and tells her that Aeryn is deteriorating quickly. Zhaan informs him that all she can do is ease her journey, and that the paraphoral nerve regulates toxin removal functions, so with the damage to it, the poisons in her body will kill her. D'Argo pointedly asks if she can filter them out. Zhaan, not quite getting it, says she doesn't have the means to do that, but D'Argo responds: "Moya does, doesn't she?" Zhaan considers that.

Back in the lounge, Javio wastes no time in proposing that Chiana stay with him. "Whatever you're getting from Larraq, I can easily double." If that's true, I'm not sure even Chiana can handle him. He makes the point that Covert Ops types are always going to some backwater planet and getting shot up, and Chiana agrees that running from system to system is getting exhausting. Javio asks if they can continue their talk in his quarters. Chiana: "My policy's no free samples." I'm guessing that's a recent amendment. She says she'll think about it, and flirtily withdraws. No, not like that -- didn't you hear her about the samples?

Gilina returns and tells Crichton the news is great -- the medics can synthesize the paraphoral tissue, and even better, they've already done so. She hands over a large hypo and tells Crichton that with one dose and some bed rest, Aeryn will be as good as new. Crichton tells her that thanks doesn't even begin to cover his gratitude, and Gilina's heart looks like it's breaking as she kisses him on the forehead. Crichton tells her he'd better get back to the ship, but even though Aeryn's clock is ticking, he can't go through with the total business routine here. His face softens as Gilina sadly notes that they always seem to be saying goodbye. He agrees: "You'd think we'd get better at it." Welcome to humanity, Gilina. She tells him to go, and after a long look, he does. ... Wow, that was a great episode! Hey, when did this show change to a half-hour format?

Okay, it's just that here's where things get awfully rough, from the standpoint of the series as well as that of the episode. As dissonant music plays, Crichton walks down the hallway, unaware that from a nearby corridor, Scorpius and a tall, long- and auburn-haired woman wearing the same style of uniform as he are approaching. Scorpius and the woman reach the main hallway in time to see Crichton pass. Crichton seems to know something's wrong here, and he doesn't get more than a few steps before Scorpius's creepy singsong informs the guards that Crichton is an impostor. Crichton tries to fight, but he's quickly knocked to the floor. He manages to place the hypo in a smallish aperture almost at floor level before being completely subdued. We linger on a long shot of Aeryn's hidden salvation before heading into another break.

We come back to a shot of a large multicolored light that looks sort of like an oversized dentist's lamp. Fitting, too, because Crichton is strapped into a chair, and while it's normal to feel apprehension in this general set-up, his dread looks oversized as well. I'll answer the question on your mind, Crichton: It is not by any means safe. As we get a full look at the room, we see that Crichton's chair is actually rotating in some sort of gyroscopic frame, and the woman from earlier is nearby operating a large control panel. Scorpius is standing in the entryway regarding Crichton, who asserts that he's Larraq, Peacekeeper Special Ops. Scorpius isn't so much buying that, and gestures to the woman, who pushes a button, causing the mechanism right in front of Crichton's eyes to emit something seemingly very painful. Scorpius signals the woman (oh, okay, she's going to be around for a while: it's Niem) to cut it off after a few seconds, and then introduces himself. Crichton notes that Scorpius doesn't look Sebacean. He's keeping up the accent even now, which isn't exactly going to make me stop associating it with extreme pain. Scorpius in turn notes that Crichton does look Sebacean, yet his "energy signature" is quite dissimilar. He asks what species Crichton is, and who he's working for. Crichton tells him to get stuffed, resulting in another dose of pain.

Scorpius muses that perhaps Crichton is trying to provoke him into killing him before he extracts any useful information. "I long ago learned the advantages of patience." I'd think so, because getting into that outfit every morning must be a right bitch. Niem slides a handle on the panel, causing more pain, but also a look into Crichton's mind. We see a jumble of images -- several of Farscape One and of the loathed Maldis among them -- before Scorpius calls a break. A quivering Crichton asks what the hell that was. Scorpius: "A memory. Random and indistinct at the moment. It will take some time to map your neural patterns." I was going to say "clip show," but we'll go with Scorpius's answer. More pain yields D'Argo tongue-lashing Crichton, among other images from the pilot. Scorpius notes that they saw a Leviathan ship, and recalls that there was a report of an escaped Leviathan prison transport. He orders the silent Niem to have Javio check the data files, and then tells Crichton, "You are a most interesting spy." More pain and screaming...

... and then a cross-fade to Aeryn, who's upright and strapped into a contraption herself. It looks like Zhaan has attached some of Moya's tendrils to Aeryn's arm, and they're presumably leaching out the toxins. Aeryn asks if Zhaan is sure the procedure won't hurt the ship, and she responds that Pilot assured her that the amount of toxins her body generates is insignificant to an entity the size of Moya. In addition, the baby is old enough to be unaffected as well. Aeryn commends Zhaan on her ingenuity, and Zhaan starts to say that it wasn't her idea. Catching a subtle look of pleading from D'Argo, she tells Aeryn, "It was Pilot's." Fascinating, this dynamic between the two warriors where so much can't be spoken, and props to Zhaan for deftly handling it, even if she doesn't quite understand it. Aeryn struggles to remain conscious.

Gilina, tapped into the security network, unhappily informs Chiana of Crichton's capture. Chiana asks if she can locate him, but Gilina can't access main control. She speculates that they shut it down because they suspect Crichton has an accomplice. "Sooner or later, they'll find out who." Not to make your day any worse, Chiana, but all that attention you drew to yourself may come back to bite you in the ass, and not in the way you might have been expecting.

The machine powers down again, and Crichton sweatily breathes that this is a waste of time, and he's not a spy. Dude, I admire your fortitude, but give it up already. Javio enters and informs Scorpius that according to the report, Moya had a Delvian, a Luxan, and a Hynerian aboard, but there was no mention of Crichton or his "female accomplice." That presumably is the report we saw back in "Till The Blood Runs Clear," which was before Chiana's time. Scorpius points out that Javio has yet to locate Chiana, and then it's another round of happy fun times in Crichton's head, consisting of Crais's accusation that Crichton killed his brother with his "white death pod." Javio identifies Crais, and Scorpius recalls that he received special dispensation from the Council to chase it down in the Uncharted Territories. We know this to be false, but Scorpius doesn't yet. Javio adds that "First Command" lost contact with his carrier some time ago. Scorpius: "I want to see more of that." Watch the DVD extras, dude. Niem speaks for the first time, saying that she can't locate it again, but she's got something related, which turns out to be Crais's Maldis-fueled fight with Crichton. Scorpius: "I suspect our Captain has turned renegade." I suspect Scorpius has a capacity for understatement. He orders Javio to broadcast a "wide-dispersal message" to Crais's Command Carrier directing him to come to the base immediately. Javio asks if he really thinks Crais will show up. Scorpius: "Certainly. Tell him we have his prey."

Elsewhere, Chiana has donned a tech jumpsuit and a short black wig. Gilina: "I don't even think John would recognize you." I hate to rain on your parade, Gilina, but she kind of just looks like the anime version of herself.

More memories. "Back And Back And Back To The Future." "DNA Mad Scientist." "Thank God It's Friday, Again." Scorpius: "Your memory holds an impressive array of other races, Crichton." That's all well and good until you're the one that has to describe them, you recapper's nightmare. He instructs Niem to search for information on who sent him to the base. Crichton laughs: "It's dÃ©jÃ vu all over again!" He gets zapped for his trouble. I'm surprised that never happened to Yogi Berra. After all, electroshock therapy did have its day.

And now we get to the crux of the matter: Crichton's conversation with the Ancient, posing as his dad, in "A Human Reaction." But before we get any further, the machine shuts down, and Niem informs us that he's put up a "neural block." Crichton denies responsibility, and I'm inclined to cut him a break, given that he's finally dropped THE ACCENT for good. He giggles, but Scorpius tells Niem to increase the extraction level and break through the barrier. She pushes it, and from Crichton's reaction, this thing goes to eleven. We now see something new, something Crichton doesn't remember: the Ancients' instructions for creating a wormhole. "Jack" tells Crichton that he won't remember this part of their encounter in his conscious mind, for if he's not smart enough to discover wormhole technology on his own, he's not smart enough to handle it wisely. Poor Crichton. Couldn't his perceived level of judgment be linked to how hot he is instead? He'd certainly get home faster that way. "Jack" goes on that the unconscious knowledge he now possesses will guide him, nothing more -- but the good news is that he's already on the right path. Well, sure, if you don't count a trip to a torture chair controlled by a scary, obsessive, unnatural creature. But I suppose one has to focus on the bigger picture. Scorpius theorizes that Crichton's interest in wormhole technology is the reason he came to the Gammak base, and Crichton insanely laughs as he realizes that's the purpose of the base's existence. Scorpius orders Niem to find the wormhole knowledge. "Segment his mind. As many layers as it takes." If you want a lot of layers from Crichton's mind, Scorpius, I'd suggest you cut pretty thin. The machine gets another workout, and through the extended pain and yelling, Niem notes, "Or his mind will simply liquefy." Scorpius opines that his species is exceptionally strong, but nonetheless orders a short recuperation. Good, I could use it. Crichton slobbers all over himself...

... and then we cut to him being practically carried into a cell. Another dude, light behind him so all we really see is his silhouette, comes rushing up complaining that he doesn't want a roommate. If it's any consolation, dude, I don't think your roommate is going to make much trouble for you at the moment. The guards leave, and the guy screeches at Crichton to move to the other side of the cell. Crichton wearily obliges, and we see that the guy is wearing a metal mask that covers almost the entire right side of his face... oh my God, you guys, it's Stark! I get to recap his historic entrance into the series that he will forever change! This... yeah, I'm not quite selling this one, am I? We get the infamous "my side, your side" chatter from Stark, and then, more calmly, he asks Crichton if he wasn't just in "his" chair as well. Stark goes on that "Scorpy" puts him in the chair over and over and over, and then there's more crazy babbling from Stark as Crichton collapses to the deck and intones, "Danger, Will Robinson. Beware of the chair. Beware of the chair." To quote my beloved Oz from Buffy, that pretty much sums it up.

Aeryn is unconscious as Zhaan, while ministering to her, informs D'Argo that the treatment is succeeding in preventing Aeryn from deteriorating further, but no more. She asks D'Argo why he didn't want Aeryn to know that the treatment was his idea. D'Argo relays Aeryn's earlier wish to die alone. "As a warrior, I should respect her wishes and not interfere." Zhaan tells him that he did a good thing, and that Aeryn doesn't really want to die. D'Argo: "I do not even believe that she wants to die alone." Man, this show is so good. It may sound strange to talk about loss of innocence in characters that have perpetrated some terrible, terrible things, but these three share so much regarding their disillusionment with their respective cultures. At this particular point, Zhaan's made her peace with it more than the other two, but still: They're a mess. Add to that what Crichton will go through for the rest of the series, not to mention Moya, and it starts to make more sense that Chiana is single-handedly holding this bunch together at the moment.

Okay, back to the scene: More bad news, as Moya starts having muscular contractions, which have a deleterious effect on Aeryn, forcing Zhaan and D'Argo to halt the treatment. D'Argo lovingly strokes Aeryn's hair as Zhaan expresses her wish that Crichton return soon. Again: If she only knew.

On the base, Gilina and Chiana sneak into an area wherein they can access the computer system.

Stark is in the chair, screaming, "Again, Scorpy! Thrill me again!" You know, this episode has a lot to do with pretty mental images, but I must confess I could have done without that one. Javio enters with Crais in tow, and Niem powers down the machine. Crais asks where Crichton is, and Scorpius thinks for a long moment before turning to face him and leading him out of the room. Crais bitingly says that he has orders to recapture Moya and its passengers, but Scorpius tells him that Crichton has vital information, and until he gets it, he won't be released. Crais orders Scorpius to give Crichton up. Sure, that'll work. Scorpius notes that Crais's adherence to orders is "selective," and that he's repeatedly ignored orders to return to First Command. The two of them bicker a bit, but Scorpius stands firm, and asks Crais, since he knows Crichton so well, what would persuade Crichton to stop resisting the chair. I'd say a massage function, but I don't think that's quite what he meant.

Gilina discovers Crichton's location, and thinks she might be able to patch into it...

... and we cut to her voice coming over a speaker in Crichton's cell. She instructs him to keep his back to the wall camera, and mentions that she bypassed the audio on the monitoring station. Crichton tells Chiana where he stashed the "tissue gizmo." Hey, that's what I was going to call it! Then I thought that might be dumbing things down too much, but I guess it's no surprise that Crichton came to my rescue on that front. He tells Chiana to get the sample back to Moya. Gilina protests that they have to rescue him, but he's not having that, and further discussion is ended by a noise outside the cell. The door opens, and it's Crais, causing Crichton to giggle. I certainly don't blame him for that one.

Chiana's wondering, out loud but half to herself, how she's going to escape without getting shot down. Gilina is still floored that Crichton isn't going to try to save himself, and asks Chiana if Aeryn really means that much to him. Chiana, sizing up the situation typically quickly and accurately, says that Aeryn is just a shipmate to him, and that Crichton is in love with Gilina. "Why do you think he's staying?" I know I'm probably not in the first million men to say this, but the girl is good. She tells Gilina that once Aeryn's cured, they'll come back with reinforcements and retrieve them both. Probably best not to mention Rygel here. Gilina convinces herself to believe what Chiana's telling her, and gets to work on Chiana's escape.

Crais: "You are dead, Crichton." Crichton's even more off his game than I thought, as he misses the most obvious "then I must be in hell" response. Crais goes on, though, in his most reasonable tone, that he's recaptured Moya, and if Crichton cooperates, he'll spare the prisoners' lives. Crichton plays along for the moment and asks what that would entail, and Scorpius pipes up that Crichton has to stop resisting the Aurora Chair. Crichton complains that that's not a very good option. Crais: "You are not in a very good position." Score one for the insane military commander. No, the other one. Crichton, thinking now, asks if the prisoners are all "in perfect health," and Crais agrees that is the case. Crichton: "Fetch the comfy chair." Hee, sweet, a Python reference! Not as good as if Ben Browder were to sing the lumberjack song, but I'll take it.

Gilina tells Chiana that she's programmed a blind spot into the targeting system, and if Chiana follows the prescribed trajectory, she won't be seen. What's more, she'll provide a diversion so she can get to the Prowler. Chiana asks for a four-hundred-microt head start, and Gilina sends her on her way.

Stark is hauled out of the Aurora room, babbling as usual. Of course, Scorpius was with Crichton and Crais just now, so it seems like Niem was doing some freelance work there. I can't tell you how much that doesn't disturb me. Niem fires the old girl up.

Cool shot of Chiana from the gizmo's POV. She fake-clumsily barrels up to a nearby Peace-trooper, prompting him to shove her to the floor in disgust. While she's down there, she grabs the gizmo while haltingly apologizing, and he sends her on her way. Elsewhere, Gilina counts down the last few microts, and then initiates a (presumably fake) reactor overload, complete with evacuation warning. Elsewhere, right by where the Prowler is parked, Javio barks at people to clear the area and get everyone away from the reactor core. Chiana approaches from behind him and, trying to keep her cover up, babbles some bullshit story about needing to have a look at the Prowler. Javio isn't fooled, however, and turns imperiously to look at her. Sure enough, that impression you left on him seems to have had a downside here, my dear. He approaches her slowly and then pulls his gun on her, and she drops the act: "I thought the Commander was meant to be the last one to evacuate!" Javio tells her that he's more of a self-preservationist. She offers to leave with him, so they can "continue [their] earlier discussion," but Javio is over that idea. She then kicks his hand to the side, but he knocks her in the face. She's unfazed, and takes minimal cover behind a nearby gas tank, which she uncaps as he fires, causing the gas to ignite. She then tilts the tank toward him and spectacularly immolates him. She looks pleased with herself as she regards his charred corpse. Might have done better on those backwater planets after all, dude. Chiana moves for the Prowler as we head into the last break.

We get a shot of the Prowler returning safely to Moya (Chiana did mention earlier that she knew how to fly it, in case you were wondering) and then we cut to an ashen Aeryn coming to with everyone gathered around her in a Wizard Of Oz-like tableau. They don't pay further homage to that scene, though, probably because there's no dream she could have been having stranger than her reality. Zhaan injects her with the hypo as D'Argo and a still-bewigged Chiana watch nervously. Aeryn asks what that was, and Zhaan tells her that Crichton succeeded in obtaining the tissue sample. Aeryn murmurs that she's not going to die. D'Argo: "As you once said to me, you will die, but not today." Yeah, I think I covered that already. Aeryn asks if he's sure, as -- referencing Chiana's appearance -- she's starting to hallucinate. "You make a worse Peacekeeper than Crichton." That would be really insulting if it were remotely true. Chiana, sincerely happy to the point of almost bursting, tells Aeryn she's glad she's okay. Aeryn says she wants to see Crichton, but D'Argo neatly tells her that she will, soon. Chiana and Zhaan leave, but D'Argo stays with her, "just in case." He puts his hand in hers, and wow. I'm tearing up here. Aeryn Sun, never alone again. We can only hope. She takes a long moment and thanks him, and that's all you need to know about whether she actually wanted to die in solitude.

As Crichton is being tortured some more, Niem informs Scorpius that the reactor alert was a false alarm. Heskon appears and tells Scorpius about the unauthorized Prowler launch and the lack of sensor readings; Scorpius realizes that Crichton may have multiple accomplices, and cranks up the chair again as he declares that Crichton will reveal their identities. Crichton screams again before we get the "To Be Continued" card.