Crichton is caught between Scorpius and an empress who is determined he will wed her daughter and save her kingdom.
(Originally aired on July 21, 2000)
Written by David Kemper
Directed by Andrew Prowse and Tony Tilse
GUEST STARS
Matt Day – Councilor Tyno
Wayne Pygram – Scorpius
Tina Bursill – Novia
Felix Williamson – Prince Clavor
Felicity Price – Princess Katralla
Bianca Chiminello – Jenavia
Aaron Cash -- Dregon Casanova
Gavin Robins – Cargn
Jonathan Hardy – Kahanyu
Francesca Buller – Ro-Na the Tailor
Francesca Buller played the carcivorous "M’Lee" in "
)
ANALYSIS
Crichton’s predicament may drive the plot of this epic three-part episode, but "A Kiss Is Just a Kiss" is all about Aeryn.
Her feelings for Crichton have always been ambiguous, as is illustrated by her breaking away from their kiss in the opening scene. She’s strongly attracted to him and enjoys his company, but she always pulls away when he gets too close.
Now she’s faced with losing him forever, and she’s snarling with jealousy.
Is
after being possessed by an alien virus.
Her problems go back further than that. Her parents mated for love -- a Peacekeeper taboo -- but weren’t around to give it to her after she was born.
In this light, Chiana’s criticism seems a little harsh. Aeryn has good reason to be frightened of committing herself to someone and then losing him.
Even then, Aeryn still has a problem, since she's obviously not content with the idea of spending the rest of her life alone, but has so far refused to even face her fears, much less overcome them.
She’s willing to dally with Crichton a little, but she only gets seriously interested when he’s about to be taken away from her. That’s hardly fair to him.
She has an opportunity for change here. And while the gods of television drama do not look kindly on reducing a show's level of romantic tension, these three episodes may put enough pressure on Aeryn that she will at least try to work things out.
WHAT WE LEARN
Scorpius is Skarran on his father’s side and Sebacean on his mother’s side.
The Skarrans and the Peacekeepers are bitter rivals.
1900 years ago, a group of Sebaceans rejected the Peacekeeper culture and established colonies in the Uncharted Territories. They’ve retained their freedom by maintaining total neutrality toward both the Skarrans and the Peacekeepers.
Moya has eight senses.
D’Argo and Chiana are not genetically compatible. This does not bother them.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Given the relationship between the Skarrans and the Peacekeepers, it’s understandable that Scorpius had to choose a side. Why did he choose the Peacekeepers?
What do Moya’s creators want with her?
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK
Crichton’s situation gets even more complicated in "I Do, I Think", the second installment of the "Look at the Princess" storyline.
What do you think? Send your comments to the
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