Bimo's Farscape Rewatch - Random Observations: 2.02 "Vitas Mortis"

So, this is probably just for the handful of people who know what I've been up to so far, but anyway I thought I could share:

Cavendish and I now have progressed to early season 2. And while yesterday evening's episode 2.02 "Vitas Mortis" is more or less a random filler with a somewhat Star Trek-ish feel about it (basically the whole "Nilaam, the Orican accidentally drawing energy from Moya instead of D'Argo and not wanting to die" plot with all its ethical implications), I think there is actually some quite noteworthy stuff going on in the background.

Firstly, we are getting valuable glimpses into D'Argo's warrior past which, unlike his weird infatuation with Nilaam, speak volumes about his loyalty, courage and ability to come up with rather creative out of the box solutions in emergency situations. What I'm really wondering about now: Back when the Peacekeepers captured D'Argo, did they assume they had imprisoned an actual Luxan general? Or were they aware those markings were false?

And then there is Crichton. Tense, driven, jumpy, fast and loose with his gun and played by Ben Browder with the type of body language that screams traumatized, a distinct, decidedly impactful characterization which most other shows probably would have scaled back noticeably once the grand season 1 finale was over. But Farscape being Farscape it just amps the depiction of Crichton's condition, and leaves it to a mere filler episode to ram home the point that on this show there will be no reset buttons. Ever. So I have to admit I was impressed by an ep which, by all means, actually should have been rather forgettable.