Farscape
"Vitas Mortis"

Airdate: March 24, 2000

Following rumors they'd heard on a commerce planet, the crew go in search of a old Luxan woman, Nilaam, who is said to live nearby. What they found was not just any old Luxan woman, but an Orican, a holy woman revered by many. Nilaam probes D'Argo for both his physical and spiritual strength and when she feels a very strong life force, asks him to attend her in her "Ritual of Passing".

While D'Argo is quick to accept the honor, John is noticeably concerned about the safety of his friend. When he asks Nilaam about the ritual she recognizes fear in him, but it's not a fear of the spiritual, only fear for a close friend. She cannot guarantee D'Argo's safety, but promises to try her best to keep him from harm. This is not enough for Crichton so when D'Argo attends Nilaam, John waits impatiently outside.

During the ritual, Nilaam is once again impressed with the strength of the life force she feels and uses it for a "Ritual of Renewal" instead of the "Ritual of Passing". Her youth and beauty restored, she and D'Argo share a private celebration.

Meanwhile, back on Moya, things are going terribly wrong.

The Leviathan's systems are shutting down and degrading at an alarming rate. At one point Moya experiences a hull breach and if it weren't for Rygel's... uh... Well, I'll just quote Crichton, "It's a good thing Sparky's got a big ass!" It's not until Pilot informs Aeryn that such system failure is only seen in very old Leviathans (and Moya is actually quite young) that she puts two and two together. By that time however, Nilaam has realized what she has done and is trying to get back on planet so she can see if there is any way to help the bio-mechanoid ship without giving up what she has gained.

There are no cheats though. Back on planet, John faces a worried D'Argo and helps him strengthen his resolve as to what must be done. Crichton doesn't blame Nilaam, but he knows that what she did was wrong and it must be undone.

And so it is. As was intended from the beginning, D'Argo attends Nilaam through her "Ritual of Passing" and Moya regains her strength.

Nilaam is, of course, a red-shirt, one of those one-episode love interests who must die before the closing credits run. Her actions, however, set off a chain of events that emphasizes the deep bonds which the crew has formed with each other and Moya herself. Chiana is instantly suspicious of any new young woman in D'Argo's life, in a little sister sort of way. Aeryn, still somewhat bonded to Pilot via the DNA experiment in "Mad DNA Scientist", feels that her first duty is to Moya and despite D'Argo's feelings for Nilaam, goes after the Orican with guns blazing. And John, the faithful friend, is understanding but firm when it comes to the tough conversations he has with Nilaam at the beginning and D'Argo at the end.

As is to be expected, the crew, having gone through hell and back for and with each other, are very close. This is understandable, but dangerous. Part of Farscape's charm is the tension that surrounds these unlikely crewmates as they travel through the Uncharted Territories. It's good that they are no longer at each other's throats, but becoming too close too fast makes the characters and their reactions to complicated situations entirely too predictable. It would be nice to see some of that self-serving attitude of the early days again. And not just from Rygel.

On a more personal note, I'd like to thank the makers of that black Peacekeeper coat that John wears on planet. Aeryn, with all her Peacekeeper history, must just be used to a guy looking that good in that coat since we never see her drooling when John is wearing it and walking around all manly-like. Now that is some self-control!

-- Linda M. Najera

Farscape airs at 8 and 11pm EST, Fridays on The Sci Fi Channel.

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