Ep 17. Through the Looking Glass

Farscape, a groundbreaking science fiction series from the late 1990s and early 2000s, is known for its imaginative storytelling and complex character development. Season 1, Episode 17, titled Through the Looking Glass, is no exception, offering a thrilling and psychologically rich experience that both challenges and entertains the viewer.

As the episode begins, the motley crew aboard the living spaceship Moya finds themselves in a perilous situation that challenges the very fabric of their reality. In an attempt to escape from their perpetual pursuers, Moya's pilot makes an impulsive decision, engaging in a starburst, the ship's faster-than-light mode of travel, despite warnings from the onboard scientist and de facto leader, John Crichton.

This risky maneuver goes awry, catapulting the crew into a twisted and fractured version of space. The episode's title, Through the Looking Glass, evokes the surreal experience akin to Alice's journey in Lewis Carroll's famous tale, foreshadowing the bewildering adventure the team is about to undertake. Unlike anything they have previously faced, the crew must navigate a series of perplexing and dangerous anomalies that test both their resolve and their sanity.

Separated and isolated from one another, each character grapples with their unique set of challenges. Crichton, always the astronaut out of water, must use his human ingenuity and resourcefulness to overcome the mind-bending obstacles he faces. Aeryn Sun, the disciplined and fierce Peacekeeper turned fugitive, finds her military training tested in ways she could never have predicted. Chiana, the enigmatic and street-wise Nebari, must rely on her agility and cunning to survive. Meanwhile, the Luxan warrior, Ka D'Argo, confronts the limits of his own strength and temper in this alien setting.

The episode delves deep into the psyche of each crew member, bringing to the forefront their innermost fears, hopes, and insecurities. Through the Looking Glass becomes a metaphorical journey just as much as a physical one, with the crew members confronting aspects of themselves and each other that they would rather keep hidden. Their interactions are pushed to new levels of tension as they are forced to work together to solve the mystery of their predicament.

The peculiar nature of this segment of space acts almost as a character itself, with shifting colors, sounds, and even dimensions, creating a sensory overload that is expertly conveyed both visually and aurally. The viewers are presented with a surreal, often disorienting experience that can feel as if they have stepped into a Dali painting, where reality is constantly twisted and redefined.

Moya, the living ship, is not immune to the chaos. Along with her symbiotic Pilot, she experiences her own existential distress, which adds another layer of urgency to the crew's quest to reestablish normalcy. The bond between Moya, Pilot, and the crew highlights the show's unique concept of a living ship, something that remains relatively rare even in the wide array of science fiction media.

Key to Farscape's narrative is the complex relationship between the characters, and Through the Looking Glass is pivotal in developing these dynamics. Their disparate backgrounds ranging from different planets and cultures to varying personal philosophies, Crichton, Aeryn, D'Argo, Zhaan, Rygel, and Chiana, must find a way to bridge their differences if they hope to reunite and escape the peculiar, alternate reality in which they're trapped.

With their survival on the line, the crew's creativity and adaptability are pushed to the limits. The episode creates high-stress situations that raise the stakes, resulting in moments of intense action, emotional vulnerability, and comic relief that are characteristic of Farscape's ability to fluidly blend genres.

Through the Looking Glass comes to represent a pivotal moment in the first season, a labyrinthine episode that grips audiences with a compelling mix of psychological drama and speculative wonder. It encapsulates what has made Farscape a cult favorite: the emotional depth of its characters, the originality of its world-building, and the bold risks it takes in storytelling.

"Through the Looking Glass" is a wild ride that exemplifies Farscape's unique narrative style, one that is not afraid to play with, distort, and ultimately expand upon the conventions of the science fiction genre. For fans of cerebral and character-driven narratives, it stands as a powerful showcase of the series' strengths and a high point in its inaugural season's arc.