Farscape Volume 11
featuring the episodes Bone To Be Wild and Family Ties
Bone To Be Wild is a bit of an odd bird. It’s clearly connected to the overall storyline of the last four or five episodes of the season, but its primary plot feels more like a diversion than an organic part of the story. Even when the characters say they need to find a map of the asteroid system, part of me is thinking, “This is not the time to go answering some random distress call!” But overall, I think the episode manages to keep the subplots moving and provide a little breather between the two-parter and the season finale. And the “Do we trust the scientist or the monster?” plot is generally handled well enough to be interesting, although I did find some of the conflict between Zhaan and Crichton to seem a little forced. (And I’m not sure the series ever resolved what happened to M’Lee, but there’s always the chance I missed that explanation.)
As for the aforementioned season finale - now, that’s a fine cliffhanger. All the action is brought to a head, there are some surprising reversals of fortune, and everyone involved conveys the sense that this is not a normal everyday scrape for the crew of Moya - this is a big one. The direction and performances get the drama across, and I really like the way the writers build tension not by constantly upping the ante as far as action, but in giving the characters quiet time to show just how seriously they take the situation. It works well, and makes Family Ties a thoroughly enjoyable episode.
And the commentaries are back for this disc! Anthony Simcoe tackles Bone To Be Wild, while Ben Browder and Claudia Black comment on Family Ties. As usual, the commentaries are insightful and entertaining. As good as they are, and as good as Family Ties is, this disc deserves the highest rating of all the first season volumes.