We're So Screwed part 3
La Bomba
Trapped twice over, John takes an explosive way out of Katratzi.
EPISODE NUMBER - 421
AIR DATE - 03.14.03
WRITTEN BY - Mark Saraceni
DIRECTED BY - Rowan Woods
Guest Starring: Raelee Hill (Sikozu); Melissa Jaffer (Noranti); Paul Goddard (Stark); Rebecca Riggs (Commandant Mele-On Grayza); David Franklin (Captain Braca); Duncan Young (Emperor Staleek); Francesca Buller (War Minister Ahkna); Jason Clarke (Jenek); Jason Chong (Rahzaro); Jonathan Pasvolsky (Pennoch); David Downer (Secretary Vakali); Dean O'Gorman (Zukash)
Synopsis
After Scorpius sabotages Crichton's escape plan, Staleek places Moya's crew under "protective" guard. Once alone, Scorpius reveals he’s only pretending to be a Scarran spy, claiming his real agenda is the destruction of the Scarrans, using wormhole technology as the means. As Crichton won't give up his wormhole knowledge, Scorpius has had to formulate a different plan to halt the Scarran invasion. He explains that the plant Crystherium Utilia promotes Scarran brain development, and so is essential to the existence of the Scarran Ruling Caste. The Scarran base at Katratzi is the only known source in this sector of the galaxy, and destroying it would put a halt to Scarran advancement for many cycles. Crichton has no interest in helping Scorpius with his plans, and seeks to accept Commandant Grayza's earlier offer of protection and escape aboard her Command Carrier, but is prevented by hundreds of weapons trained on the Carrier. Then, when the Scarrans disarm Crichton's nuclear bomb and break the stalemate, Crichton has no option but to follow Scorpius’ plan.
Crichton, Aeryn, D’Argo, Chiana, Scorpius and Sikozu enter the Rabrokator, a drilling elevator, while Rygel and Noranti go in search of Stark. Once down in the Crystherium cavern, Crichton and the crew are unable to destroy the flowers, and are trapped by Scarran guards. They are saved when Sikozu reveals her true position as a genetically modified member of the Kalish underground, able to emit radiation lethal to Scarrans. Meanwhile, Grayza is preparing to fire upon Katratzi in a last, fatal, gesture of honour, but is prevented by Braca, who relieves her of command in order to save his crew. The crew members pile back into the lift, and drill their way to the surface, but are pinned down by enemy fire. Seeing only one way out, Crichton bows to Scorpius' plan and drops his rearmed nuclear bomb down the shaft, back into the cavern. The resulting explosion causes enough carnage for them all to escape. Back on board Moya, the crew, now including Stark once again, celebrate, but Crichton feels less upbeat, berating himself for the lives he took.
Review
Going out, literally, with a blast, the conclusion to this three parter ties up a string-factory worth of loose ends, yet never seems contrived. In an even smarter trick, the clouded motivations which have powered season four are suddenly made crystal clear. What made this more admirable still was the chance the peripheral characters were given to shine. On most shows they'd be one-note ciphers, but here we saw the feelings, desires and dreams pushing them on. Grayza's fall from grace, played with fine skill by Rebecca Riggs, was one stand-out moment. As her cool, polished outer shell finally cracked, it was abruptly clear that she had been acting ethically all along. Yes, she was manipulative and plotting, but she was also prepared to die for her beliefs.
Better still was Braca's moment of glory. His way could be seen as the coward's way, but by following his own star he saved his men, and did so with a kind of honour. Elsewhere, we finally had the enigmas of Sikozu and Scorpius explained - both revealing their true motives. Although not quite as stunning as the Grayza and Braca scenes, it was a real relief to finally learn just what was going on with the pair. It was also nice, if very creepy, to see them get together at last. Amongst too many other good things to mention - Stark's return, the beautiful CGI, John's powerful fatalism - only one thing didn't quite work. For a major plot point, the explanation of the Crystherium's significance was very rushed and unclear. That one tiny quibble apart, this was a wonderful episode, and would make a fitting finale to season four. But, even better than that, there's still another episode to go.
Trivia
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Starking about: Stark actor Paul Goddard is given an on-screen credit this week, now his character's reappearance isn't a secret anymore. A theatrically trained actor, Goddard has had parts in movies including The Matrix and The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers movie.
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Say my name: Two mysteries are cleared up this episode. Firstly, D'Argo's ship Lo'la turns out to be an Eradicator. Secondly, and more importantly, Captain Braca's first name is revealed to be Nikalou.
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Scorpius so far: So, it seems that Scorpius is a half-Sebacean, half-Scarran Commandant in disgrace, but with friends on the inside still, pretending to be a Scarran spy pretending to be an asylum seeking Peacekeeper criminal. What a tangled web he weaves.
The John Crichton guide to pop culture.
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NY Peacekeeper: Harvey seems to be picking out a US cop series from John's head to argue in this week - complete with interview room, bad coffee and mention of doughnuts.
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Bard Timing: "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well/It were done quickly:" quotes John from Shakespeare's Macbeth, just before agreeing to Scorpius' plan. In the play, the lines are spoken by Macbeth as he argues himself round to killing his king and relative Duncan. An act that didn't really turn out all that well for him, as John probably realises.
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So, who's Huggy Bear?: Forced into an uneasy pairing, John refers to Scorpius and himself as Cadaver and Hutch, harking back to 1970s cop show Starsky and Hutch. That would give him the David Soul role.
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Say it with neutrons: John writes "Hi there!" on the side of his bomb, following an old military tradition of putting messages on armaments. Usually they say things like "Die sucker" though.
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Going underground: "Mind the gap," says John as he exits the Rabrokator, parroting the well known London Underground platform announcement.
Memorable Remark:
"I can't believe I left a nuclear bomb in an elevator. That is so embarrasing."
