Farscape — 3x12 — Meltdown
Synopsis
Talyn draws dangerously close to a star, pulled by some mysterious force. Coinciding with this event is the appearance on board of two alien beings: the timid Sierjna and her captor, Mu-Quillus. Crichton and the others learn that Mu-Quillus is responsible for the radiation pulses that are compelling Talyn to fly into the sun and that eighty-three Leviathans have already died in this way. Stark makes a pact with Sierjna to free her spirit from Mu-Quillus and let her pass into the afterlife. However, Stark is acting of his own accord, and his quest to save Sierjna puts the rest of the crew in dire peril.
Filler rating: partial filler
No significant exposition, events, or consequences. And a lame episode on top of that. Stark piloting Talyn is referenced in the series finale, but it's a pretty casual reference. Not essential for plot comprehension.
Remarkable scenes
- Talyn's mist pumping adrenaline into everyone.
- John: "God-like aliens! Man do I hate god-like aliens! I'll trade a critter for a god-like alien any day!" I couldn't agree more.
- Talyn invasively interfacing with Stark.
- Stark: "Would Zhaan approve of this use of violence?" Aeryn, lying poorly: "She's speaking through me now. It is her wish."
Review
Aside from the intriguing notion of Talyn developing a vestigial pilot's den and a few nice scenes, this episode an exercise in pointlessness. Annoying aliens of the week, manufactured danger plot, Stark's irrationality and panic artificially prolonging the relevance of said manufactured danger plot, and overkill sex appeal. What a flop.