Through the Looking Glass

Hi everyone! Welcome to the SACC review of Through the Looking Glass, subtitled Don't Jump Dimensions on a Full Stomach. WARNING!: Spoilers are coming up all over the place!! Oh...sorry....bad pun. :-)

Overall:

• This episode was a wonderful blend of comedy, serious adventure, and a puzzle game. The three tones balanced each other out very well. It was never too wacky, too serious, or too intellectual for a very long time. The idea behind the different dimensions was very interesting (I'll leave it to Steven Hawking to find out if it's scientifically possible:-) ), and after the first two were shown, I found myself wondering about the third. I was guessing problems with other senses: a world where you can't smell, or touch...so I was pleasantly surprised by the Laughing Gas World! The other neat thing was the backstory skillfully woven into the plot. The whole adventure starts because of Moya's pregnancy, Aeryn knowing how to work Pilot's controls because she has some if his DNA (Hmmm, I wonder what else she has from Pilot...and she almost seamed happy about it!), I liked how this show can have stand alone episodes that newbies can watch and understand while still including backstory. Wow!

Crichton:

• The good news was he was not once beaten up by anyone! The bad news was no one needed to, we have brain hurting light, ear piercing deafness, and not one, not two, but THREE up-chucks in Pepto Bismol world. Bleh. Note to self: do NOT watch this episode while eating. This episode gets a Queasy rating.
  At least he didn't die...although he's really quiet calm about the possibility now!

The Good:

• The whole opening scene with the interaction between all the characters. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the dialogue, acting, even the pace of the episode is always the best when the characters get interact. The actors play off each other wonderfully, and the writers use this to their advantage.
• And while I do like the constantly moving shots, it makes me wonder how much sugar they give the camera operators before they shoot :-).
• Zhaan's instant fear when they are about to Starburst, she seams to be the only one who truly senses that this is a REALLY bad idea. Overall Virginia Hey's acting was wonderful this entire episode. I still miss the calmer priest, but while Zhaan is more open and variable it allows a wonderful range of emotions for her to go through. She runs the gambit here from terror, laughter, confusion, curiosity, joy, and fear!
• I liked the fact that Chiana went to help Zhaan when she was injured. This girl DOES have a soft side, and it's wonderful when little moments like that come out.
• Pilot, Pilot, Pilot! And the whole scene with Pilot and Crichton in the Den.
• The pantomime Aeryn and Crichton did when they first found each other...and then Crichton looking more like the Incredible Hulk when he imitated Rygel (can ya blame Aeryn for laughing at that face? :-) ) The interaction between them was wonderful, especially how relaxed Aeryn has become with John. I could care less if they become romantically involved as long as we get to see them reacting to each other like that more often!
• I liked how Pilot sounded both surprised and fascinated when he said they were "stuck" in Starburst.
• Rygel's song was wonderful!
• "1 Mippippippi 2 Mippippippi!"
• Aeryn's smile after hearing Crichton say he would never abandon her.
• The whole book-ending scene, especially how immediately serious EVERYONE becomes when Pilot has info on the status of the Baby.
• Finally, the music when Pilot says the baby will come soon is just wonderful! WOW!!

The Bad:

• So after they first enter Stuck Starburst, D'Argo walks into the hallway and disappears. Then Aeryn walks into the hallway and disappears. If I was Crichton I would NOT be walking into that hallway!!
• In the end, with everyone laughing in Pilot's chamber while he is so serious reminded me of those old Star Trek Episodes where they would end the show with everyone laughing while Spock talked about something being illogical. *shrug*

MiSTing Moment:

• As we get the ultra-slowmo closeup shot of Crichton running at the end, I couldn't help but shout "Run Forrest run!"

The Nitpicky:

• Missing Dialogue: when Crichton appears for the first time in Laughing Gas world: Rygel,  "Well look at you!" Crichton (still deaf) "WHAT?!" Rygel, "I said LOOK AT YOU!" Crichton, "WHAT?!?!"
• Guido? Buckweet? Spanky? Napoleon? One of these days I want Rygel to stand up and say "Listen McCloud, my names RYGEL!"
• More Missing Dialogue: as Crichton clamps down on Rygel's mouth: Crichton (sounding like Dr. Evil) - "Sh! Sh! I've got a whole bag of sh! here with your name on it!"
• And one last missing dialogue section: Pilot, "I fail to see the source of your amusement...and Your Eminence why are you naked?!"

Should I disrobe for this moment? - Rygel
SACCer #1
Lauren (OboeCrazy)