Trivia
Deja vu overdrive: What with John skittering all over time, space and possible universes, there are a lot of references to other episodes in Unrealized Reality. Chief among them are extended flashbacks to the Premiere, scenes from A Human Reaction and Nerve, and shots of the wormhole-savvy Pathfinder people encountered in the Self-Inflicted Wounds two-parter.
Up close and personal: During John's jaunts, we not only learn just how many times he nearly got himself killed, but also that Aeryn has a birthmark on "the sweet spot of her hip."
Who needs enemies? : Friends from Earth who pop-up to alternately praise and bury John include his workmate DK - whose initials are a sly reference to Farscape Executive Producer, and writer of this episode, David Kemper. We also see Caroline, John's fiance, introduced in Rhapsody in Blue.
All the myriad ways: The strange being John meets within the wormhole seems to be explaining a variant of the quantum multiple worlds theory. This says that every time there are two possible outcomes, at the subatomic level, reality splits, leading to an infinite number of possible other universes. Unfortunately, it's impossible to cross from one to another - but maybe John has found a way...
Speaking proper: Aeryn is trying to learn English - and she's reached the word existence. Sebacean is a language of pops and clicks, so it can't be easy. That must show something about where John fits in her vision of the future.
That final mix-up unmixed: Right. Tammy MacIntosh (Jool) is a D'Argo-role Luxan-Interion. Gigi Edgely (Chiana) is to be found as grey old Noranti. Claudia Black (Aeryn) here sports the monochrome of Chiana. Jonathan Hardy (Rygel's voice) finds himself voicing a bizarre Hynerian/Luxan hybrid played by Melissa Jaffer (Noranti) and Raelee Hill (Sikozu) has acquired the hectic mannerisms and face-plate of Stark. Pilot's onerery. And John's a PK plant. Weird, huh?
The John Crichton guide to pop culture.
Wormhole wizard: John compares himself to Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz twice in this episode - first noting "Kansas - in winter," taking off Dorothy's famous exclamation "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." Later on he claims to be "Dorothy Gayle from Kansas."
Berg-ering nusiance: Noting his icy surroundings, John worries that he's "going to the Island of Misfit Toys," a sarcastic reference to a Christmas movie about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He also muses that he could be "waiting on the Titanic," which, of course, sunk after hitting an iceberg. Calling out for company, he shouts "Nanook!," the name of an Eskimo from Robert Flaherty's landmark 1922 documentary about the people of the Arctic, Nanook of the North.
Out of time: As the wormhole man-in-black spits the word 'time' at him, John counters with "Bandits," thus namechecking Terry Gilliam's 1981 film about a group of dwarves who travel through time and reality by use of a map showing where the holes in its fabric are. Rather like John, then.
Frankly Mr. Crichton: Showing a surprising knowledge of English indie bands, John describes the man-in-black's statement, "Time is meaningless, yet it is all that exists," as "very Morrissey." Famous for a bleak outlook on life, Morrissey was lead singer of The Smiths. He was also famous for wearing a big bunch of gladioli down the back of his trousers on Top of the Pops.
Get 'em in first: John insults Rygel by telling him he couldn't look after a Chia Pet. Apparently (according to their website) these are ChiaRiffic Pets to have around. They're animal shaped pottery planters in which small chia plants, a bit like cress, grow.
Gone with the Wormhole: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." John quotes Clark Gable's famous line from Gone With the Wind to alternate-Sikozu. Who obviously doesn't give a damn either, as she then tries to shoot him.
Namecheck city: John sure likes his science fiction. His list of the sci fi characters he isn't takes in Kirk and Spock, Luke Skywalker, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon adventures and Arthur (frelling) Dent, the hapless human at the centre of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. What a roll-call. Luke gets a final look-in as John gees himself up to make the trip by telling himself, "Feel the Force."
