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View Full Version : A haphazard summation of Family Ties... [spoilers for 1.22]


trubador
05-19-2003, 08:18 PM
While the so-called Sci-Fi Channel is broadcasting midnight reruns of our beloved show, I
have been watching my own VCR-taped copies from previous broadcasts, in order. Last
week, I watched Family Ties, the Season One finale. I've watched this ep a couple times
in the past, and I always felt that it was a good ep. But this time around I just happened to
notice HOW good it is. It's so jam packed with classic dialog, intricate plot lines,
character developments and growth, and of course the effects! It's like a fine wine that
mellows, yet becomes more complex and delicious with age.

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spoiler warning
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Aeryn (regarding Rygel): Our weakest link is often the smallest.

Chiana (translating for John what D'Argo said to Rygel): Something about his corpse and
a bodily function;
John: Well, that oughta help.

D'Argo (to Chiana): You're a real pain in the eema... but one I have grown to enjoy.

John (to Zhaan): The tools of the chief anarchist.

Followed later in the ep with...

D'Argo (to Aeryn): No one is captain here, and it's anarchy.

John (to Zhaan): It's a Jerry Springer kinda family.

John: My boy Crais!
Crais (delivering the classic understatement): Clearly, an awkward situation.

Crais, revealing the truth about D'Argo's past.

John (to Crais): You're letting Rygel be your advocate? You're worse off than you look.

John (a line set up for a future ep): I want to go down swinging.

The entire scene between John and Crais with the cell bars separating them (who's
imprisoned??? and who's free???).

The scene between Aeryn & John about her parents and her past.

The intricate powerplay dance with Scorpius, Rygel and Crais.

The introduction of Braca, and the scene between him and Scorpy...
Scorpius (to Braca): We all have windows of usefulness. If we don't take advantage of
them, our careers may fade. My instincts tell me that your career is on the rise.

The Moya crew's big plan discussion scene!!!

The amazing expressions on Rygel's face throughout the ep, delivering some of the most
memorable Rygelisms...

Rygel (to the Moya crew): ... and whatever you do, please don't let it include weapons fire.

Rygel (to Zhaan): This Scorpious character is carrying Crais' mivonks in his hip pocket.
Zhaan: You went there to sell us out, Rygel.
Rygel: You bet your shiny blue ass I did..... but I didn't... hmph... so make the most of it now.

John (to Rygel): You're a material kinda guy, so have some material.
Rygel: That's not fair!
John: I figure, the right thing starts at the beginning of the day, not after you've been
caught.
Rygel hangs his head in shame, then John kisses his forehead and Rygel looks up, startled.
Rygel: Thank you.... for the.... possessions.

There's also this clever little nugget that you tend to miss just about every time you watch
this ep. If you aren't familiar with Bone To Be Wild, it'll just fly right by you without you
even catching it....

Scorpius (to Crais): Any other vessels?
Crais: Just our own outbound maurauder with the alien girl we?ve adopted.
Scorpius: Have you found my security guard assigned to watch her?

HAHAHAHAAAA!!! And Scorpius' facial expression is priceless puzzlement.

The goodbye scene between John & Chiana just breaks my heart...
John: Not before the big game.
Chiana: You saved my life.
John: Pass it on... when someone else needs it, return the favor... pass it on.

The intense sexual undercurrent in the scene between Crais & Aeryn on Talyn (Crais is
practically drooling during this mating dance). And Aeryn delivers one her best and
quickest comebacks...

Crais: You're intelligence would qualify for a significant promotion.
Aeryn: Pity, I don't think a referral from you would mean anything now.

OUCH!!!

Taped-up, one-eyed DRD (from the Premiere) making a cameo appearance in a scene with John.

Zhaan's blessings, with the classic...
D?Argo: I hate this stuff.
John: Chicks love it.

Chiana's feast of favorite dishes, and the true sense of family... how far have they all come
since Ep-1... Day-1.... how far?

John (to D'Argo): How're you doing?
D'Argo (to John): I have to pee.

John: Hey, D'Argo... how come I'm not afraid?
D'Argo: Fear accompanies the possibility of death. Calm shepards it's certainty.
John: I love hanging with you, man.

... and then... John hands him something...

John: My dad's good luck charm.
D'Argo: Does it work?
John: I'm alive... so far.

... and then D'Argo kisses the ring.

... and then...

John: Kirk and Spock.... Abbot and Costello... who's on first.

... and then...

D'Argo lets go of the ring...

And, finally... the CGI of a hovering Rygel... the Command Carrier... the Asteriod field...
and that glorious Oil Moon (something Kemper asked, begged the CGI team to come up
with since way back in the beginning... not quite knowing why, but just wanting one).
And the Season One finale needed it.... and it needs to be ignited....and the CGI team
delivers it.... in spades!!!

WOW!!!.... JUST... JUST... JUST... WOWWWW!!!!!

Worthy of a Standing-O' for an excellent Season 1 finale!!!

grapeshot
05-19-2003, 10:20 PM
Well, trubador, of all the wonderful things about Farscape, I think the most surprising is how well the shows play when you rewatch them. You see even more than you did the first time (or LOL, the first ten times!) Even episodes that I disliked at first, look better and better each time you rewatch it. Then, when you go BACK and watch earlier episodes after having seen the latest season four episodes, it's even MORE amazing how well the show hangs together from season to season. We have 88 episodes of a show that's as deep and fascinating as any novel. We HAVE to get this show back!

ichinen
07-04-2003, 03:31 PM
Fear accompanies the possibility of death. Calm shepards it's certainty.

It strikes me as even more profound reading it in text than it did when D said it.

Imlego
07-23-2003, 12:46 PM
Originally posted by grapeshot
Even episodes that I disliked at first, look better and better each time you rewatch it.

I noticed that too just recently. I've seen Farscape up to end of season 2 and have been now watching season 1 eps from dvd, and I'm surprised how incredibly good they are - I didn't like most of them on the first viewing. Until A Human Reaction came out I even considered stop watching the show. Lucky me I didn't. Season 1 is very strong indeed.

And yes, Family Ties is a good episode: the ending is very strong with John's "John Crichton was here" -speech.

auroraSun
07-23-2003, 07:11 PM
Agree with you all, I use to think season one was the launch pad, nothing much in and of itself. But now, since I have the DVD, I enjoy watching the episodes, even the ones I used to not like.

Delphi
08-24-2003, 05:07 AM
*pulls season 1 back off the shelf and starts watching again*

Raina
10-23-2003, 01:46 PM
After watching season 2 and 3, I consider season 1 to be the least best of the Farscape series BUT! it has more light-hearted moments and none of the mythology of the later seasons. It's fresh, vibrant with all the characters just getting to know each other. That's what I consider the 1st season of any series, the 'getting to know you' season. Family Ties truly astounded me and made me want to watch the rest of the series after that point - and ensured its continuation.