Your Reviews
Here's our top picks from what you sent us about Prayer.
See the Farscape fan reviewer Roll of Honour.
Will Jordan
Aeryn gets a grilling in this episode, both figuratively and literally. Having been captured by the Scarrans, she is subjected to torture and interrogation, and it is a far from a pleasant thing to watch.
What holds the attention is the stunning performance by Claudia Black. Left to carry most of the episode by herself, she does a wonderful job of portraying the stern, upright Peacekeeper driven to the edge of despair. Everything, from her grim musings about the last Peacekeeper god to her violent interrogation is done with such conviction and emotion that it really is both a joy and a sadness to watch.
Plot wise, there are a few twists and turns - some surprising, some less so. We finally learn who the father of her baby is, though we follow a rather tortuous route to get there. The spy locked up with Aeryn was no big surprise, but it was a nice way for her to fight back and come out, if not on top, then at least level-pegging.
In a season which has focused more or less on Crichton, it was a refreshing change to see Aeryn in the limelight, even if she is having a tough time. Brimming with emotion, suffering and defiance, Prayer is definately one of the best episodes this season.
Angela Dunn
Oh my god, this is Farscape at the most tragic since Die Me Dichotomy! From the horrific way Aeryn was forced to give in to her interrogators to protect her child to the devastating consequences of John and Scorpy’s trip to the unrealised reality, this was heart-wrenching with style and grace.
The use of black and white to reflect Aeryn’s thoughts of her past recreational partners worked really effectively, as did the wormhole effects. Easily more effective though, were the Aeryn torture scenes - simple but effective.
Also good was the way the unrealised reality was used to show how ruthless Scorpius really is. Raelee Hill hit Stark right on the button, and Claudia Black really had me convinced that she was Chiana.
What was slightly disappointing though was how underused the rest of the cast was, but this was still a revealing episode which helped answer some really important issues.
Fantastic - simply Farscape at its best!
Graham
Oh no, it can’t go on like this. I won’t be able to stand it. I know Claudia Black is a brilliant actress, but I don’t want to see her range tested in this way. It is about time something nice happened to Aeryn, and I want it to happen now!
That being said, this was a very tense and strong episode, featuring another excellent performance by Claudia Black. Okay, so the drugging and torturing may look a bit clichéd at times, but she carried off the pain and inner conflict of her ordeal superbly. The storyline created a no-win situation for her - she can either lose the child as the inquisition continues, or betray the love of her life. Sometime life is just so unfair.
[Although] they are no longer in John’s head, still it was great to see John and Harvey back together. The actors spark off each other in a way that no other combination does. It was a bit hard on everyone else in the regular cast, however. Aeryn gets a solo, JC and Harvey get a duet, but all the others get to do is shout at each other (briefly) on the flight deck. Poor old Noranti didn’t even get out of her cabin.
Another gut-wrenchingly good episode with the emotional pain of Casualty on acid. Yet will the actors get recognised come the Emmys? Alas, we all know they won’t.
