Occasional Randomness

Occasional Randomness #23 - Odd Beginnings, Thrilling Endings (Farscape S4E02 - Bad Batch S3E12-15)

We have our first multipart story of season 4 of Farscape. We review and discuss season 4, episode 2 - What Was Lost (Part 1): Sacrifice. Is it as good as the prior seasons' multiparters? Eric and Jason aren't sure. They both thought it was a confusing episode with parts both seen and unseen. Just what is going on with the Interions and this mysterious planet they're on? And what's up with the Old Woman and why's she acting all out of it? It does set things up though for the next episode where they hopefully will bring it home. But we at least get to learn more about our new Big Bad for the season, Commandant Grayza.
And then after Farscape, it's on to the final third set of episodes of season 3 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch with episodes 12 - 15. It all comes to a satisfying conclusion. The Batch abduct ex-Admiral Rampart who helps them find where Omega is being held. And it's off to save her and the other prisoners at Mount Tantiss and stop Hemlock's research into Project Necromancer. And then we have not one, but two endings that would make excellent follow on series if they choose to do so.
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Occasional Randomness - Farscape Flashback #18 - How to Get a Head in Politics (Farscape S2E13-14)

Welcome to the next episode of Farscape Flashbacks! Our reposting of our Farscape season one and two podcasts that we did on another podcasting network so you can more easily listen to them here.
Here's our "original" show notes for this episode.  Enjoy!
We conclude the amazing three part Look at the Princess trilogy and then talk about a not-so-amazing story.
First up, the exciting conclusion of the trilogy, Look at the Princess, Part 3: The Maltese Crichton. They manage to wrap up all the plotlines from the last two episodes in a very satisfying way. And start up a new plotline that will run for many more episodes. Everyone gets a happy ending. Well… almost.
Finally, Beware of Dog gets a mixed review from both of us. We felt the main plot was a rehash of a couple of different season one episodes. However, we really loved the subplot about Crichton’s continuing interaction with visions of Scorpius that are becoming more and more frequent and intense.
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Occasional Randomness #22 - More Friends, More Problems (Farscape S4E01 - Bad Batch S3E6-11)

We start the fourth and final season of Farscape with episode 1, Crichton Kicks. Crichton's going stir-crazy on another Leviathan after months alone, with only a DRD and aging Pilot for company. That gets interrupted by our soon to be newest crewmember, Sikozu, who arrives rather abruptly. And to make things worse, behind her are some really bad people who want to harvest parts of the Leviathan. But they do get some help as Chiana and Rygel show up... but not because they wanted to come back. So, let's see what cunning plan they come up with to save their new Leviathan home. 
And then after Farscape, it's on to the 2nd third of season 3 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch with episodes 6 - 11. There's lots of action and hints of things to come in the Star Wars Universe. We get to meet some old friends and enemies and end with the Batch's "Empire Strikes Back" moment where it all looks like it's falling apart and the Empire is winning.
 
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Occasional Randomness - Farscape Flashback #17 - Sex, Lies and Farscape (Farscape S2E11-12)

Welcome to the next episode of Farscape Flashbacks! Our reposting of our Farscape season one and two podcasts that we did on another podcasting network so you can more easily listen to them here.
Here's our "original" show notes for this episode.  Enjoy!
Eric and Jason watch the first two episodes of an amazing three part Farscape epic — "Look at the Princess".
In "Part 1: A Kiss is but a Kiss", we enter a world full of political and social intrigue. Crichton can’t catch a break between Aeryn, who can’t commit more to their relationship, a princess to whom Crichton is the only one genetically compatible who needs a husband so her scheming brother doesn’t become ruler, and our old buddy Scorpius who wants to dissect Crichton’s brain. While those relationships are complicated, D’Argo and Chiana’s budding new relationship is getting more intense.
In "Part 2: I Do, I Think", Crichton has no choice but to marry the princess to escape Scorpius. But there’s a downside to married royal life… he and the princess must spend the next 80 cycles as statues. What will the crew do to prevent that? What will all the scheming political envoys do to either prevent the marriage or make it succeed? Oh, and Zhaan and Pilot meet Moya’s creator. And it’s not happy that she gave birth to a gunship and proceeds to shut her down, for good.
Listen to our other Farscape episodes on our website, https://occasionalrandomness.podbean.com/
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Occasional Randomness #21 - Giant Sized Randomness! (Farscape S3E22 - Bad Batch S3E1-5)

It's a Giant Sized episode of Occasional Randomness! We've finally gotten to the end of season three of Farscape with the cliffhanger that's episode 22, Dog with Two Bones. The band is breaking up and going their separate ways, except for Crichton who comes to the realization that he can't take Aeryn back to Earth with him if he ever were to go home. But before he figures all that out, they have to dispose of Talyn's remains and deal with an insane Leviathan (not Moya). And who's that old woman on Moya chained in the kitchen? And what's she doing to Crichton? And is Aeryn "eating for two"?
Then we discuss the highs and lows (or mehs) of season three. Spoiler, there were lots more highs than mehs.
And if that wasn't enough, we also recap and discuss the first five episodes of the final season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch with season three, episodes 1 - 5.
So sit back, relax and away we go...
Listen to our other Farscape episodes on our website, https://occasionalrandomness.podbean.com/
Watch Farscape on ShoutFactoryTV
Watch The Bad Batch on Disney+

Occasional Randomness #20 - Alas Poor Talyn (and Crais)... (Farscape S03E21)

It's our big 20th episode! We're almost at the end of season 3 of Farscape! So that means this time we cover the penultimate episode of the season, episode 21 - Into the Lion's Den, Part II: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.
This one picks up right where part one ended... which is good as that would be really odd if they started part two way after part one ended. John realizes their plans from the first part can't succeed, so he's got a new idea -- just blow up the whole Command Carrier. Blow it up real good. Oh, and also make sure most of the 50,000 crew, including children, escape. Not a problem, right?
Crais has a suicidal idea but it will only work with a major distraction. Can Crichton deliver on that? Will Scorpius figure it all out before it's too late? Come find out!
Listen to all our other episodes on our website, https://occasionalrandomness.podbean.com/
Watch Farscape on ShoutFactoryTV

Occasional Randomness - Farscape Flashback #16 - This Defense Screen Goes to Eleven (Farscape S2E09-10)

Welcome to the next episode of Farscape Flashbacks! Our reposting of our Farscape season one and two podcasts that we did on another podcasting network so you can more easily listen to them here.
Here's our "original" show notes for this episode.  Enjoy!
We’re almost halfway through season two! Farscape season two is in its groove as Eric and Jason review another two really good episodes (hey, spoilers!)
First up, "Out of Their Minds", where an unfortunate side effect of a strange alien ship’s weapon and Moya’s defense screen causes the crew to switch bodies. Several times. We also learn that the DRD’s have more functions than we previously realized. Oh, and the attacking aliens have programmable vomit. Yes, you read that correctly.
Finally, we review "My Three Crichtons", where the crew has to deal with the clones of Crichton Past and Crichton Future that some strange ball of energy created. Which Crichton winds up as the "Last Crichton Standing"? But where’s Uncle Charley? Okay, that last one was probably too old a reference to "My Three Sons", go look that up on Wikipedia kids…
Listen to our other Farscape episodes on our website, https://occasionalrandomness.podbean.com/
Watch Farscape on ShoutFactoryTV

Occasional Randomness #19 - It's a Trap? (Farscape S03E20)

Join us on our continuing journey through Farscape with season 3, episode 20, Into the Lion's Den, Part I: Lambs to the Slaughter.
Farscape's multi-part episodes have never disappointed us. They're always full of action, drama and propel the series to further heights. And this one is no exception. In this one, Crichton is conflicted with whether to help their enemy Scorpius finish developing wormhole technology in his fight against the Scarrans. While the rest of the crew are given some things that could help them later if they really do get their criminal records wiped clean. Even Talyn might get fixed by the Peacekeepers. 
But not every Peacekeeper on the command carrier agress with Scorpius and some of them try to hurt or kill our heroes. Not to mention the debut of another Peacekeeper official, Commandant Grayza, who doesn't think highly of Scorpius' actions or of Crichton and has other ideas for dealing with the Scarrans.
All of that comes to a head and leaves us wondering how our heroes will get out of this one. Guess we'll have to wait until next time to find out...
Listen to all our other episodes on our website, https://occasionalrandomness.podbean.com/
Watch Farscape on ShoutFactoryTV

Occasional Randomness - Farscape Flashback #15 - Don’t Beat a Dead Keedva (Farscape S2E07-08)

Welcome to the next episode of Farscape Flashbacks! Our reposting of our Farscape season one and two podcasts that we did on another podcasting network so you can more easily listen to them here.
Here's our "original" show notes for this episode.  Enjoy!
We continue our rewatch of season two.
First up, "Home on the Remains", where Eric and Jason struggle with the pronunciations of the guest star character names. The crew is starving (what, no more crackers?) and go to a place Chiana used to call home to try to find some more food. Only to get caught up in the local power scheme of keeping people working in the mines to pay for food and protection from the mysterious, deadly creature that roams the mines.
Finally, we review "Dream a Little Dream", where we learn what happened to the rest of the crew after the ending of season one while Aeryn, John and D’Argo were away from Moya. The crew winds up on a planet full of lawyers. And for once, it’s not Chiana or Rygel that you’d think would run afoul of the law… no, it’s Zhaan. Can Chiana and Rygel prove Zhaan’s innocence and get off the planet before Moya leaves?
Listen to our other Farscape episodes on our website, https://occasionalrandomness.podbean.com/
Watch Farscape on ShoutFactoryTV

Occasional Randomness #18 - Deep Dish Deception (Farscape S03E19 - Loki S02E4-6)

We're back from the end of the year holidays and vacations! We continue on with our journey through Farscape with season 3, episode 19, I-Yensch, You-Yensch, and we finish Loki season 2 with episodes 4 through 6.
On Farscape, we have a sort of an interlude story where the crew goes to con Scorpius into thinking Crichton wants to help him finish developing his wormhole technology before the Scarrans can finish theirs first. While their plan seems sound, the place they chose to have that meeting with Scorpius -- a nice, quiet, out of the way diner -- isn't very quiet afterall. But at least we now know what the episode title means. Meanwhile, Talyn's mental instability finally comes to a head and they need to handle that before Talyn destroys Moya.
Then we complete our discussion of Loki season 2. We get to learn about the real lives our main characters led before working for the TVA. And most were not as glamorous or important as you would imagine. The Temporal Loom is about to explode/has exploded as Loki timeslips over and over and over to try to work out how to keep all the branching timelines from being destroyed. Everything, literally, gets wrapped up at the end but we ponder how they could do a season 3 if they decide to go further. All in all, we think this is the best of the Disney+ MCU shows so far.
Listen to all our other episodes on our website, https://occasionalrandomness.podbean.com/
Watch Farscape on ShoutFactoryTV
Watch Loki on Disney+