The early episodes of any series are about introducing the main characters in more detail than the pilot was able to do. This episode is an excuse to tell us something about Aeryn Sun.
Giant space cockroaches decide to use Moya to birth their next generation. Their biology is such that they need to raise the temperature of the ship to do so. They therefore hijack the temperature controls. As it happens, however, Peacekeeper biology is extremely sensitive to heat, and Aeryn could end up in a as a living zombie if the crew cannot keep her cool enough. At this same time a commando unit of Peacekeepers finds Moya and decides to invade her, but ultimately succumb to the heat. In the end Rygel is able to establish communication and diplomatic relations with the insect Queen --- sovereign to sovereign --- resulting in a cooperative arrangement that allows the insects to procreate and Aeryn to survive.
And hence we learn that Peacekeepers have an Achilles heel: a fate worse than death itself and which often leads them to commit suicide rather than endure it.
I guess with a partly ship-bound space opera, lines blur somewhat when you consider what to classify as a bottle episode, but I'd still argue that "Exodus from Genesis" is one. And a rather special one, at that. Though the central concept is familiar enough, the execution is frighteningly assured, especially considering this is only the show's second episode.
Review by noelctBlockedParentSpoilers2022-03-19T15:50:02Z
Our Deconstructing Moya piece from 2010
http://farscape.madeoffail.net/episodes/episode-1-03-exodus-from-genesis/
Fresh thoughts:
Another episode where I was harsher back in the day than I feel now. 20 me could be very hyperbolically caustic at times. There are some clunky moments to the writing, and the plot of the ship being infested by bugs is a generic setup, but I like how they play the twist, that John in his non-warrior hero mode actually listened to the opposition and realizes mistakes were made and intentions misunderstood. What's especially great is the bonus twist of the marauders appearing, and John teaming up with the bugs to take them down. But again, not in a warrior way of slaughtering them in a big fight, but playing a bit of psychological warfare that allows him to set them free, and with a message to their boss that his unknown species may be much more of an issue to deal with than expected.
Elsewhere, the look is still great, and I'm surprised Brian Hensen only directed this one episode before returning years later for the Peacekeeper Wars. The bugs are retrofitted DRD models, but they get that one nice shot of one up on legs to really sell it. I like that Rygel is put in a position that both shows how much of a weenie he is, but also challenges him to make use of his boastful diplomacy skills, even if this is the second episode in a row where he's the only person small enough to go into a hole. Black does a fantastic turn with Aeryn, not just in terms of the heat delirium, but in how she's forced to trust her fellow shipmates when she becomes vulnerable and unable to hold her own. It says a lot that D'Argo goes from gruffly joking about her death, to carrying her to safety, to giving her the brave warrior shoulder clutch as she sacrifices her own safety so they can charge into battle. D'Argo and John, amidst their fighting, even start to show flickers of what will be the bestest of bros with a few shared laughs at jokes, and John earning respect for his strategizing.
The Aeryn/Pilot dynamic is still beautifully done, tho not much to add beyond that past article. Zhaan is still the weakest, and the most to fall into the generic role of ship's science officer, but I also like how supportive she is of John getting settled in and protective of Aeryn during her delerium. She's forging a genuine loving bond with this crew, and while it is falling into Den Mother tropes, it's still nicely played, and also nicely contrasts moments like when she's taken over by the bugs or her double attacks John. This is also the second time we see that she's able to slip into a state of sped up hyper-focus. I don't remember that being a thing which carries throughout the series, but I'm intrigued to watch for it now.
Finally, I don't know why this is the first time it clicked for me that the series is executive produced by Robert Halmi Jr and Hallmark Entertainment. I've developed quite a strong nostalgia for the RHI works of Halmis Jr and Sr, and it makes sense they'd be involved in this since they were just coming off that run of huge primetime miniseries they and Hallmark did with Jim Henson Productions throughout the 90s, stuff like Gulliver's Travels, Arabian Nights, Merlin. The Halmis would even continue to work with SciFi/Syfy beyond Farscape with the Tinman and Alice miniseries. As a fan of their library, which I'm eager to dig into even more deeply some day, I'm jazzed to find a throughline with one of my favorite shows!