"Farscape" That Old Black Magic (1999)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Brendan Maher

Writer:

Richard Manning (writer)

TV Series:

"Farscape" (1999)

Original Air Date:

11 June 1999 (Season 1, Episode 8)

Genre:

Adventure | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Crichton's spirit is captured by Maldis. The sorcerer thrives on vengeance and hate, he brings Crais's spirit down. And the two spirits battle. Zhaan can fight Maldis, but if she fights Maldis, she must take a dark path. |

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Space | Fugitive | Technology | Villain

Cast

Ben Browder	...	John Crichton
Claudia Black	...	Officer Aeryn Sun
Virginia Hey	...	Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan
Anthony Simcoe	...	Ka D'Argo
Chris Haywood	...	Sorcerer Maldis / Igg / Haloth
Lani John Tupu	...	Capt. Bialar Crais (as Lani Tupu)
Grant Bowler	...	Shaman Liko
Christine Stephen-Daly	...	Lieutenant Teeg
Jake Blundell	...	Lieutenant Om
Wadih Dona	...	Tauvo Crais
Vic Rooney	...	Admiral Josbek
Errol Henderson	...	PK Doctor
Gerry Day	...	Capt. Crais' Father
Duane Johnson	...	Young Bialar Crais
Leilani Johnson	...	Young Girl

Quotes:

Maldis: Your mother's maiden name was MacDougal. You skipped third grade. And you lost your virginity to Karen Shaw in the back of a minivan!
John Crichton: Uh, it wasn't a minivan... It was a four-by-four.

Solid Entertainment

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Captain Crais has been pursuing John Crichton and Moya since the Premiere episode - and "That Old Black Magic" provides the only direct face-off between him and Crichton so far. Crais is certainly a formidable antagonist, but his lack of screen presence throughout the first season season keeps him from having too much of an impact. In "That Old Black Magic", Lani Tupi shines as he, blinded with rage, relentlessly attacks Crichton, seeking to avenge his brother's death.

The plot concerns an omnipotent villain named Maldus who controls an entire planet. Revealed slowly throughout the episode is the fact that he gains energy from hate. When the crew of Moya arrives innocently at the planet, Maldus discovers Crichton's past. He takes the minds of Crais, present on his ship, and Crichton, forcing the two into a fight to the death in what appears to be some sort of giant castle. Meanwhile, Zhaan and a red ally she finds on the planet, Liko (Grant Bowler), combine their strengths to defeat Maldus.

Most of the episode consists of well-choreographed hand-to-hand fights between Crais and Crichton. These sequences all work - the sets are impressive, and the truth behind the relationship between Crais and his brother is fully revealed, allowing Crais to be better understood as a believable character. Grant Bowler and Chris Haywood (Maldus) are both effective in guest roles. The production designs for the whole planet are entirely believable, still a little sketchy but nevertheless convincing - the Farscape universe is truly like no other. The climax, in which Zhaan confronts Maldus, is awesome.

Only a few details go wrong - Liko's sudden explanation of Maldus and the state of the planet comes across as rather silly. Also, I'm a bit distraught that the only tangible conflict (this is kind of related to future episodes) between Crais and Moya in the first season is made possible entirely due to the magical requests of an omnipotent super-being. Where exactly is Moya going, and how important is it that Moya expels tons of energy evading Crais if he's too incompetent to ever find them, ever? Oh well, a few nitpicky problems aside, "That Old Black Magic" is a solid outing. 3/4