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dangermousieSo, I finished watching "Premiere."
Yes, I am still in love.
It's interesting because it took me a little bit to get back into it. I was enjoying it, sure, but that automatic 'zing' wasn't yet there.
It was like seeing people you haven't in a while and having time to get used to them again.
I liked Crichton but wasn't in love with him.
And you know what's funny? I could pinpoint the exact moment it happened, to the second. The moment I went 'OMG! My Crichton love is back.'
It was such a little moment. Aeryn and John escaped and Aeryn made contact with Crais, her superior officer. Of course, neither John nor Aeryn know that Crais wants to kill John because of the accident which killed Crais' brother. And there is the scene. John is captive, peacekeeper guns all around him. Crais circling him like his personal piece of property (gosh, poor John. This is only a start. This is not the Aurora Chair, not Grayza, not Scorpius, not Scarrans, not Harvey). John watchful and realizing the wrongness (and OMG his innocence breaks my heart) and Crais telling him he'll dissect him. And Aeryn speaking up and telling Crais (and I love this. She didn't have to say anything. She didn't have, she should know it's a risk in such a society) that she didn't believe John was capable of killing Crais' brother because he is not intelligent or brave enough (:P)
And Crais, crazy Crais, fixating on her and asking her in this tone 'just how much time did you spend with this human?'
And.
And.
And.
This is the moment I fell in love with John Crichton all over again. He gives this quick, intense glance at the situation and he speaks up (to Crais), quietly and a little bit desperately: 'Not much, not much at all.'
Why? It's so hard to put into words. I think because in the middle of all this (where there is the probability of him being killed in a gruesome fashion) he speaks up for Aeryn automatically, without the second thought. Maybe because even though as an alien he has no idea what is going on, he catches on so quickly, judges it so quickly, recognizes the danger to her, before she does herself. Maybe it's the seriousness, and the intensity, and the reassuring little nod he gives to her. Even utterly helpless himself, he tries to save Aeryn.
This Crichton is not yet the Crichton that will literally turn the galaxy upside down to save the woman he loves, not someone who will make impossible choices and bear it all, but it's all in there already, all the qualities, and you can see that.
In a way, knowing how all of these people will end up makes it even more delicious. Seeing Crais, all neat and orderly, before he went so crazy and AWOL (and his dishevelment definitely paralleled his fall from grace) and way before he redeemed himself.
Seeing D'Argo as a self-concerned, immature, angry being. Seeing Aeryn as Peacekeeper Aeryn Sun, not a complex evolving human being yet, not a woman, not a being of her own will. But the seeds are still there. I cannot imagine other peacekeepers speaking up for John, trying to save him a bit.
When John says 'You can be more' that is the thing. There is a 'you' in her to be more. There is something to start with. She has a soul that is not warped past return.
And the chemistry between the two? Amazing. Even in this first ep, where they are nothing more than reluctant allies at first, disdain on her part and confusion on his. Btw, that first meeting? I love it love it love it so much. I watched 'pilot' after I've seen S4 and I remember going, as Aeryn threw him against the bulkhead and hit him and then demanded his rank and serial number. 'John, meet the future mother of your child.' Heh.
God. It amazes me how far the two will come and yet how organically. And it's so true about all the relationships. Watch D'Argo and Crichton interact here: the anger on D'Argo's part the 'he is crazy' on John's. They don't even tolerate each other and yet by the end they are the best of friends.
I love that Farscape, even though its romantic relationship was so crucial (didn't David Kemper or someone describe Farscape as a 'love story') also had all these incredible, well-developed, organic, fascinating other relationships: friendships, familial.
Another thing I love? John saves the day with his brain. God, how much do I love that. He is a scientist, not a military guy, not a 'space jockey' like his Dad. He is a scientist. And that is why he can never get used to collateral damage, to killing, no matter how much of it he does, he is forced to do. And the show never forgets that. Farscape is one of those rare fictions (because I am not just talking about shows, but movies and books as well) where I do get convinced that John is indeed brilliant. And that he loves the science, he loves discovery, he loves the work. Despite wormholes being tainted so much with everything else, he is genuinely excited, involved in working on them. I keep remembering the S3 finale where even though he is pretending to work for Scorpius, he can't help but get into it, where equations literally pour out of him in scribbles everywhere, on windows, on pieces of paper, writing on his own arms. John is an obsessive. Here it is yet small: he wants to prove his theory. And even in the middle of the escape he is excited that it's proven. His obsessiveness will of course be brought out spectacularly by his stress later on, and his feelings, but it's already here.
But to get back to what I was saying: I just love that he gets to win with his brain. And that is consistent. Because that is why he becomes the defacto leader of Moya. Not his amazing fighting prowess. He becomes quite competent in the later seasons, but he will never be pure warrior the way D'Argo or Aeryn are. It's his brilliant, crazy, completely creative plans.
That, and the power of his conviction. John's conviction is an utter, absolute, contageous thing. It's not brought out fully yet, but I am struck by the foreshadowing of when he tells Aeryn to come with them, tells her she can be more, changes her life. It's the same conviction that will later have him walk into a Scarran station, unarmed, most wanted man in the galaxy, to get Aeryn out. And getting the Moya crew to come with him.
But then, all of John is already here, just not forced to the surface yet. His crazy humor as way of coping with the insane universe about him. The core of steel (he is lost and dazed in this new word which is great because he is in a way proxy for the audience, but he doesn't bend before D'Argo e.g. and he is adamant to D'Argo about taking Aeryn with them or no one escapes), the inner decency and basic kindness (that kindness will be almost beaten out of him but shadows will always remain) when he tapes up the broken eye-stalk of the DRD (a mechanical critter on Moya).
Oh.
GUH.
I am not even done with the meta.
But it's after 2am and I should be in bed.
Tomorrow, 'I, E.T.'
P.S. I forgot that little hint at a future D'Argo/Zhaan ship. They never went anywhere with it after the premiere. I don't mind as I adored both D'Argo/Chiana and Stark/Zhaan, I just find it interesting.
P.P.S. It did have a few bits of clunky expositiony dialogue but I was surprised how little, considering this is the ep that set up the concept from scratch.
Yes, I am still in love.
It's interesting because it took me a little bit to get back into it. I was enjoying it, sure, but that automatic 'zing' wasn't yet there.
It was like seeing people you haven't in a while and having time to get used to them again.
I liked Crichton but wasn't in love with him.
And you know what's funny? I could pinpoint the exact moment it happened, to the second. The moment I went 'OMG! My Crichton love is back.'
It was such a little moment. Aeryn and John escaped and Aeryn made contact with Crais, her superior officer. Of course, neither John nor Aeryn know that Crais wants to kill John because of the accident which killed Crais' brother. And there is the scene. John is captive, peacekeeper guns all around him. Crais circling him like his personal piece of property (gosh, poor John. This is only a start. This is not the Aurora Chair, not Grayza, not Scorpius, not Scarrans, not Harvey). John watchful and realizing the wrongness (and OMG his innocence breaks my heart) and Crais telling him he'll dissect him. And Aeryn speaking up and telling Crais (and I love this. She didn't have to say anything. She didn't have, she should know it's a risk in such a society) that she didn't believe John was capable of killing Crais' brother because he is not intelligent or brave enough (:P)
And Crais, crazy Crais, fixating on her and asking her in this tone 'just how much time did you spend with this human?'
And.
And.
And.
This is the moment I fell in love with John Crichton all over again. He gives this quick, intense glance at the situation and he speaks up (to Crais), quietly and a little bit desperately: 'Not much, not much at all.'
Why? It's so hard to put into words. I think because in the middle of all this (where there is the probability of him being killed in a gruesome fashion) he speaks up for Aeryn automatically, without the second thought. Maybe because even though as an alien he has no idea what is going on, he catches on so quickly, judges it so quickly, recognizes the danger to her, before she does herself. Maybe it's the seriousness, and the intensity, and the reassuring little nod he gives to her. Even utterly helpless himself, he tries to save Aeryn.
This Crichton is not yet the Crichton that will literally turn the galaxy upside down to save the woman he loves, not someone who will make impossible choices and bear it all, but it's all in there already, all the qualities, and you can see that.
In a way, knowing how all of these people will end up makes it even more delicious. Seeing Crais, all neat and orderly, before he went so crazy and AWOL (and his dishevelment definitely paralleled his fall from grace) and way before he redeemed himself.
Seeing D'Argo as a self-concerned, immature, angry being. Seeing Aeryn as Peacekeeper Aeryn Sun, not a complex evolving human being yet, not a woman, not a being of her own will. But the seeds are still there. I cannot imagine other peacekeepers speaking up for John, trying to save him a bit.
When John says 'You can be more' that is the thing. There is a 'you' in her to be more. There is something to start with. She has a soul that is not warped past return.
And the chemistry between the two? Amazing. Even in this first ep, where they are nothing more than reluctant allies at first, disdain on her part and confusion on his. Btw, that first meeting? I love it love it love it so much. I watched 'pilot' after I've seen S4 and I remember going, as Aeryn threw him against the bulkhead and hit him and then demanded his rank and serial number. 'John, meet the future mother of your child.' Heh.
God. It amazes me how far the two will come and yet how organically. And it's so true about all the relationships. Watch D'Argo and Crichton interact here: the anger on D'Argo's part the 'he is crazy' on John's. They don't even tolerate each other and yet by the end they are the best of friends.
I love that Farscape, even though its romantic relationship was so crucial (didn't David Kemper or someone describe Farscape as a 'love story') also had all these incredible, well-developed, organic, fascinating other relationships: friendships, familial.
Another thing I love? John saves the day with his brain. God, how much do I love that. He is a scientist, not a military guy, not a 'space jockey' like his Dad. He is a scientist. And that is why he can never get used to collateral damage, to killing, no matter how much of it he does, he is forced to do. And the show never forgets that. Farscape is one of those rare fictions (because I am not just talking about shows, but movies and books as well) where I do get convinced that John is indeed brilliant. And that he loves the science, he loves discovery, he loves the work. Despite wormholes being tainted so much with everything else, he is genuinely excited, involved in working on them. I keep remembering the S3 finale where even though he is pretending to work for Scorpius, he can't help but get into it, where equations literally pour out of him in scribbles everywhere, on windows, on pieces of paper, writing on his own arms. John is an obsessive. Here it is yet small: he wants to prove his theory. And even in the middle of the escape he is excited that it's proven. His obsessiveness will of course be brought out spectacularly by his stress later on, and his feelings, but it's already here.
But to get back to what I was saying: I just love that he gets to win with his brain. And that is consistent. Because that is why he becomes the defacto leader of Moya. Not his amazing fighting prowess. He becomes quite competent in the later seasons, but he will never be pure warrior the way D'Argo or Aeryn are. It's his brilliant, crazy, completely creative plans.
That, and the power of his conviction. John's conviction is an utter, absolute, contageous thing. It's not brought out fully yet, but I am struck by the foreshadowing of when he tells Aeryn to come with them, tells her she can be more, changes her life. It's the same conviction that will later have him walk into a Scarran station, unarmed, most wanted man in the galaxy, to get Aeryn out. And getting the Moya crew to come with him.
But then, all of John is already here, just not forced to the surface yet. His crazy humor as way of coping with the insane universe about him. The core of steel (he is lost and dazed in this new word which is great because he is in a way proxy for the audience, but he doesn't bend before D'Argo e.g. and he is adamant to D'Argo about taking Aeryn with them or no one escapes), the inner decency and basic kindness (that kindness will be almost beaten out of him but shadows will always remain) when he tapes up the broken eye-stalk of the DRD (a mechanical critter on Moya).
Oh.
GUH.
I am not even done with the meta.
But it's after 2am and I should be in bed.
Tomorrow, 'I, E.T.'
P.S. I forgot that little hint at a future D'Argo/Zhaan ship. They never went anywhere with it after the premiere. I don't mind as I adored both D'Argo/Chiana and Stark/Zhaan, I just find it interesting.
P.P.S. It did have a few bits of clunky expositiony dialogue but I was surprised how little, considering this is the ep that set up the concept from scratch.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-12-03 11:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 03:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-03 06:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 04:01 am (UTC)OMG! Icon!
I so need FS icons stat.
*goes off looking*
no subject
Date: 2006-12-03 09:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 04:03 am (UTC)Oh yes. You see him lose his humanity step by step and I find it rather depressing. He gains strength and toughness but the innocence is gone. He still opens up, but to less and less people. By the end Aeryn is about the only one he can bare everything to (no pun intended).
It's not something that happens later because the fans want it or is broken up to save ratings, it's just always there.
I know. I just love that.
And OMG, the icon!
no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 04:14 am (UTC)You like your fictional men really messed up in the head, don't you? I admit to veering that way too. It's why I go for Murtagh rather than Eragon and Anakin rather than Luke. I like 'em a little mentally unstable. Either that or I have a HUGE h/c kink. I think it might be the latter.
Anyway, it's John who starts to bring out the humanity in the others. There's no way they all could have made it without him, no matter how useless they thought he was. I love the part later on when he's just horrified that they ripped off Pilot's arm and it's HIS reaction that causes the others to reevaluate themselves.
P.S. I left a HUGE reply to your HUGE Bond post.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 05:25 am (UTC)And in a way, he always maintains that basic integrity. Even at the end of S4, at his darkest, when he breaks into that station to rescue Aeryn, when the Kalish guy who was going to cut into her tells him to shoot him, because he is dead anyway, Crichton shoots him. But he doesn't kill him and when Noranti objects he replies 'I have enough deaths on my conscience.' It never gets easy for him.
You like your fictional men really messed up in the head, don't you?
Oh yes. The more messed up the better. It's the h/c but also the fact that extreme situations often bring up fascinating things about the characters.
P.S. I left a HUGE reply to your HUGE Bond post.
Ooooh. Off to read!
no subject
Date: 2006-12-07 08:37 am (UTC)I've been introducing Farscape to a friend. We're almost done with S2 now, but I was having such similar thoughts when I rewatched the Premier (though articulating them coherently didn't happen). It's all there! Right there!
no subject
Date: 2006-12-07 04:32 pm (UTC)I really wish I had someone in RL I could introduce this to. OTOH, my husband loves Farscape too, so we have fun watching it together, so I shouldn't complain. (I have fun memories of watching WSS in a hotel room in Seattle with him during a vacation a long time ago, when we were only dating...)
I do love how everything is set up so perfectly during the first ep and how it continues through. Farscape is one of the most consistent things I've come across.