Farscape Volume 4
featuring the episodes PK Tech Girl and That Old Black Magic
The Farscape DVDs lose a little steam with this volume, as the episode commentaries make their departure. Without the commentaries, the extras section of the disc is rather thin, with the handful of photos and conceptual drawings and another EPK, there’s nothing to really sink your teeth into. That’s a shame, really, because the episodes on this disc are probably the best of the series so far. The actors are hitting their stride, the show seems to have found its tone, and things get interesting.
PK Tech Girl is worthwhile for its glimpse at Rygel’s past, giving the generally-unlikable character some needed development and actually getting the audience on its side. The Zhaan/D’Argo subplot seems a little bit like padding to build the race-against-time drama, but the interplay between John, Aeryn and Gilina is great. There are a number of two-against-one dynamics, and everyone gets to play on both sides - two Peacekeepers and a human, two scientists and a soldier, and two fugitives and an agent of Crais. I liked the way those tensions played out.
That Old Black Magic is another solid episode, one that advances the plot of Crais’ hunt for John and forces John to confront the notion that he’s not going to be able to talk his way out of Crais’ bloodlust. Zhaan’s need to get in touch with her inner torturer seemed a little strained, and it doesn’t really have much of a payoff in the first season, although it does help set the stage a bit for the episode Rhapsody In Blue.
I’m rating this lower than the previous three volumes because of the lack of commentaries, but if you’re only concerned with episode quality, this is the best of the lot thus far.