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Captain Hornblower
Rates the Farscape Episodes
The Captain gives "Coup By Clam" a rating of:
3 Moyas
Captain's Rating Scale:
5 Moyas-one of the best episodes
4 Moyas-an excellent episode
3 Moyas-a good episode
2 Moyas-a fair episode
1 Moya-a less than fair episode
0 Moyas-a poor episode
Review:
"Coup By Clam" is not destined to become a classic Farscape
episode. However, when appreciated for what it is (a good, fun episode
with a decent plot and a few good laughs along the way), the episode
is quite enjoyable.
The idea of the Mollusks was quite a creative one, forcing Moya's
crew to be bonded to one another and feel what the other is feeling.
Funny enough though, it seems I've seen this somewhere before. Oh,
yes. That's right. The I Yensch bracelets did the same thing. That
being said, this sort of repetitive plot device can be forgiven
because of the more humorous emphasis given to it in this episode.
Though essentially the same plot element, it is handled quite differently
in this case.
One of the interesting things about this episode was the fact that
you weren't quite sure where it was going in terms of the plot.
But at the same time, the storyline was fast paced enough and peaked
your curiosity enough to want to see exactly where it was going
to go. What looked like at first to be a simple "find a way
to cure the ailment" story turned into one mixed with some
political intrigue, with the unexpected introduction of a "girl
power" revolution and its effect on the plot.
But in a way, the "girl power" element did kind of fall
flat in the episode. If it had been the focus of the episode's story,
and thus given more depth and attention, this kind of feminist revolution
might have made for an interesting dramatic plot, similar to the
politics laden "Look at the Princess." But in this episode,
mainly a humorous adventure story, this plot element seemed rather
trivial.
The humor in the episode had mixed results. Sometimes, it was downright
funny, such as D'Argo and Noranti having to remain in physical contact
with one another for several arns to cure the mollusk ailment, and
how Aeryn and Rygel imitated each other's bodily functions. But,
sometimes, the humor came off more as corny than really funny. The
scene with D'Argo experiencing an erotic episode from Noranti was
an overly blatant attempt at humor that really just came off as
an interuption to the flow of the plot. John Crichton dressed as
a woman was not all of that funny at first, but towards the end,
when Aeryn sees him, and when he pulls out his pulse pistols and
fires, yelling "girl power", the joke did get better.
Perhaps the most interesting element of the episode was Scorpius.
He actually goes out of his way to help the crew get through their
situation, and they owe their lives to him. But, of course, the
crew still doesn't trust him, so its not like they are showering
him with praise. Scorpius' ambiguous and tenuous status on Moya
continues to be perhaps Season 4's most interesting plot element
at the moment.
Overall, "Coup By Clam", while not really a memorable
episode, is still a good one. I would compare it to "Home on
the Remains" in this regard. Though it had its faults, it was
quite an entertaining episode, with a good plot and interesting
twists to the story. While some of the humor didn't really work,
some of it did. Nothing to write home about, but a solid episode
nonetheless.
What did you think of "Coup By Clam", or this review?
Feedback is always welcomed.
Captain Hornblower
Keeper of Jena's Jewel Gun
Worshiper of Aeryn's Remarkable Vessel
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