Farscape 4.2 [DVD] [1999]

'John Quixote' - if a little over the top at times - is definately of interest if only for the fact that it was written by series star Ben Browder - and as for 'I shrink therefore I am' - well, it's the first time that we see the ruling scarans, and there's certainly a makeup artist somewhere that should get an award for that.

Definately worth the watch if you love Farscape, but if you want the best of season 4, look for the later boxsets - they're really something special.

Yet however the second dvd in the fourth series is an improvement upon these negatives.

the first episode 'Natural Election' follows the crew of Moya faceing the dilema of having to elect a captain whilst avoiding becoming prey to natural selection as a spacefareing form of plantlife invaides the ship. This episode was a probably the first traditional farscape episode of the series with the crew reunited and back upon moya. It expands upon the issue of Aeryns pregnancy and the dilema that it causes between her and John. The episode also features one of my favourite farscape moments when D'argo admits to John that he loves shooting things.

'John Quixote' is one of those episodes that you either love or loath following the same theme as 'wont get fooled again' John is caught in an artificail reality featuring his freinds and enemies playing strange roles in his adventure although this time chiana has also come for the ride. The episode is unfourtunatly incredibly confuseing and as a result many wont like it however in my opinion and the opinions of many others it is one of the seasons best.

'I shrink Therefore I Am' is absoulutely outstanding. John returns to Moya finding that bounty hunters possesign shrinking weapons have boarded her and captured the crew leaving John to fight them with a little help from Scorpious. The Bounty hunters are some of the best villans farscape has had and Wayne Pigram excels in his role as Scorpius.

At this point unfourtuantely the episodes take a downward turn. 'A Perfect Murder' involves the crew getting caught up in the middle of two warring clans in the middle of a fragile peace when Aeyrn assasinates one of the clan leaders following a series of violent hallucinations. The episode was just too slow paced for my likeing and featured far too much of the politics within the clans to hold interest. Not bad just not one to go back to often.

'Coup By Clam' is another disapointing episode. The crews bodily functions become linked after sharing after eating a meal of molluscs. This is the result of a plot hatched by the local doctor in order to blackmail them for the cure. The episode was meant to be a feminist tribute but just doesnt seem to show through although admittadly that may not be a bad thing. The only thing that realy makes this episode worth while is seeing the crew share bodily functions and also Rygle and John having to dress in drag so as to rescue the girls.

overall though the dvd is worth it and is a great improvement on the last and better is still to come.