"Crackdown"
Air Date: October 4, 1999

Season three begins with the ep "Crackdown", an action-driven hour worth of Byzantine plots and intrigue. In the first scene we see our pals Augur (Richard Chevolleau) and Major Liam Kincaid (Robert Leeshock) narrowly escape capture by the Secret Service and the Volunteers with some unexpected help from a mystery woman. Then we see the consequences of Captain Marquette's (Lisa Howard) sabotage attempt -- President Thompson declaring martial law till the death of the Resistance.

From that point on this ep becomes divided and subdivided for days into subplots like Who shot President Thompson?, Who's That Woman?, Does Marquette live or doesn't she? Will Augur Recover his Art Collection? This kind of diverts attention from the series' main focus- Zo'or's plan to subjugate all life on Earth (and the Taelon Synod, too while he's at it).

For fans of the show who haven't quit watching since Will Boone died in season one, it gets a bit more interesting plot-wise. In addition to whether puppet President Thompson can find a pair of brass balls that the Machiavellian Zo'or can't break, there are the questions of what will happen to the Resistance now that Lili Marquette is gone, and why did Jonathan Doors (David Hemblen) get into bed with Zo'or after all the time he's fought against the Taelons? Now that I think about it, I notice that Joshua Doors is making himself understandably scarce - he did, after all, turn Papa Doors over to the Taelons. I'd like to know why myself.

As far as acting is concerned I have several observations. Leeshock's Kincaid is as un-emotive as ever - the only expressions that register on his face seem to be irritation, mild surprise, mild confusion, bland amusement and controlled anger. Just once I'd like to see someone tickle him and make him laugh. I will say this though, he did good in showing tenderness to Chevolleau's grieving Augur in the scene when he finds out Marquette is dead.

Chevolleau's Augur shows a new side to his usual established personality in this ep. I like that he shows grief because that means deep down inside he's not just a high class techie merc. He really gives a damn for Lili Marquette and it shows. More personally to me as an African-American, I appreciate the depiction of a man of color who despite being of dubious character at times is at heart intelligent, resourceful, and doesn't play into the stereotype of the 'niggery buffoon'.

The new addition of Jayne Heitmeyer as Renee Palmer is interesting to say the least. Her character is cool and her facial expression are placid as she completes her objectives with calculated cunning. She's James Bond and Aeon Flux rolled up into one. She's an enigmatic wildcard; no one knows what she's after or how far she'll dip into her deep bag of tricks to get it. She's definitely one to watch out for and I hope she gives people like Taelon stooge Ron Sandoval (Von Flores) a run for his money.

Von Flores is at present playing The Man I Love to Hate, as Alex Krycek is in hiding (rat bastard!) and he does it way too well. He plays sinister Machiavellianism with no effort, which may add to the arrogant aura that Agent Ron Sandoval carries.

Lisa Howard continues to play Captain Lili Marquette as the tough, smart, resourceful stand-up Marine I've come to admire and care about and speculating on her fate at the end of "Crackdown" is an incessant intrigant.

Earth: Final Conflict is in syndication. Check local listings for show times.

--Vivian E. Lee

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