uring the last show of the thrilling four-episode arc that ended season two, the crew of Moya bid goodbye to Aeryn (Black), who was drowned due to the actions of a Scorpius-controlled Crichton (Browder). The cliffhanger definitely left fans hanging as Scorpius (Wayne Pygram) interrupted the surgery on Crichton just after the chip containing the wormhole technology was removed, and left his surgeon for dead. Crichton was left strapped to a table mid-surgery, without the top of his head or the ability to communicate.
Season three opens with Aeryn's body in stasis awaiting burial in space, Scorpius hiding out in the surgical facility trying to avoid detection by Moya's crew, and a restrained Crichton screaming at the top of his lungs. Moya's crew discovers Crichton and the dying surgeon, and unwittingly keeps Scorpius from escaping.
Zhann (Hey) manages to revive the surgeon, who admits that he may be able to restore Crichton's speech, but at the cost of another's life. Zhann joins in Unity with Crichton to communicate with him and learn what his wishes are. She is horrified to discover that Crichton wants to die because he blames himself for Aeryn's death, and that part of the Scorpius clone is still in his brain.
As Scorpius tries to manipulate the situation, he hides and waits for his command carrier to arrive. With the knowledge that Scorpius is nearby, D'Argo (Simcoe), Zhann and Stark (Paul Goddard) must decide if they are willing to pay the terrible price to get Crichton back intact.
A new season with a new direction
Farscape continues its fantastic voyage into a third season with "Season of Death." In the manner of the show's best episodes, "Season" takes the characters into unexpected directions, while still staying true to their natures. The season premiere ties up the cliffhangers nicely and heads the show in an effective new direction.
"Season of Death" will offer answers to the questions "Is Aeryn really dead?" and "Will Crichton get the top of his head put back on?" Of course, only a science-fiction show would have a character go through brain surgery and recover in minutes without a scar to show for it, and then run around trying to elude a bad guy. But that's a minor quibble when there are so many other delights to be had, not the least of which is Scorpius, an absolutely deliciously original and thoroughly nasty villain. "Season of Death" features the usual excellent production values and special effects, along with the wonderful cast, led by Browder.
Last season the series was driven by Scorpius' unrelenting pursuit of Crichton as the crew came to trust and count on each other. This season promises yet another direction for this inspired and wonderfully realized series, starting with a brand-new opening that touches on Crichton's conflicted feelings about returning to Earth. The new credits also feature Lani John Tupu (as Crais, although he also voices Pilot), Pygram (Scorpius) and Goddard (Stark). Promising to take the series to a new level, Executive Producer David Kemper has said, "This is the year it all comes together. And this is the year it all falls apart."
