Review
In a season that’s been pretty much all about John, it’s nice to get an episode that concentrates on another character. Mental as Anything gives D’Argo a moment in the spotlight, but even a heartfelt performance by Simcoe as the big guy fails to raise this tale of warrior discipline and in-law rivalry out of mediocrity.
This story has a lot in common with Mark Saraceni's other Farscape credit, A Prefect Murder. Both feature flashbacks, and a central truth approached from multiple angles.
Sadly, Mental as Anything suffers from a lack of the imagination and mystery that graced A Prefect Murder, leaving us with a slow plod to a strangely uninteresting conclusion. D’Argo’s a nice guy - watching him go through this emotional wringer ought to have been a lot harder than it was.
Despite some nice set design, Katyoa’s alien dojo was horribly derivative of a thousand cheap martial arts films, without any of Farscape’s usual irreverent sense of homage to lighten the atmosphere.
Katoya himself was a cardboard cut-out sensei, having more in common with Mr Miyagi from The Karate Kid than the series’ usual colourful, believable aliens.
Still, we did get to see that Farscape rarity - a loose end tied up. And D’Argo got to keep his dignity. Just for once he didn’t say, "I will not be taken prisoner again," immediately before being clapped in chains.
Don't agree in the slightest with me? Send us your own review.
Send us your review.
We reserve the right to edit reviews.
