Farscape (TV Series) PK Tech Girl (1999) User Reviews

Sweet with Good Continuity

[BSHBen · 7/10 · 23 December 2007]

"PK Tech Girl", the first episode of Farscape to be made on its own (as opposed to the previous episodes, which were made two-at-a-time), exhibits nearly everything that defines Farscape. It has bold alien costumes, interesting character conflicts, and fun action. That being said, "PK Tech Girl" is far from perfect, but it still comes across as a strong, intelligent episode.

"PK Tech Girl" opens with Moya encountering a derelict Peacekeeper ship called the Zelbinion, an extremely powerful carrier was lost years ago. Rygel was held captive and tortured on board the ship for years by the captain, Durka. Crichton, Aeryn, and D'Argo soon encounter a Peacekeeper technician named Gilina, who was left by Captain Crais. Soon, an alien race called the Sheyang, who breath fire and basically look like giant frogs, threaten to destroy Moya.

The main plot threads of the episode concern the Sheyang attacks on the Zelbinion, Rygel's attempts to overcome his horrible memories of Durka, D'Argo and Zhaan's attempts to bluff the Sheyang, and a romance between Crichton and Gilina. Each subplot more or less works. The Sheyang attacks had good visuals but were borderline underdone. Rygel searching for Durka's corpse is perhaps the strongest element of the episode, revealing a previously unseen sympathetic side of his character. D'Argo's speeches to bluff the Sheyang are well-delivered, but his problems with lieing to an opponent, despite adding more to his character, seem unnecessary and thrown in to add conflict. The romance between Crichton and Gilina is too predictable, and their relationship escalates way to quickly. On the other hand, the scenes with Crichton and Gilina reveal a lot about both of their characters. Aeryn's response and unhappiness in believable and well-written. Crichton and Gilina's conversation at the very end is a sweet highlight.

The production design of the episode, although an improvement over previous installments, is still somewhat sketchy, and the Sheyang costumes go a little too far over the top. Nevertheless, "PK Tech Girl" is a good episode. I enjoyed the interaction among the characters, and the episode introduces surprisingly many characters who will return later in the show. I also like the fact that Gilina wasn't predictably killed off at the end of the episode; her survival was pleasant and unexpected. "PK Tech Girl" is a strong early episode of Farscape. 3/4

A Room of Sun's Own

[craybatesedu · 8/10 · 18 April 2019]

This briskly-paced episode is equal parts action and character study. Sun and Rigel are both finally given the chance to confront their respective demons, with varying degrees of success.

The creepy first act, seemingly a "haunted house in space" setup not unlike Event Horizon or Alien, quickly turns to siege as a stranded peacekeeper engineer becomes a short-lived new friend to the crew. She helps to restore a derelict ship just in time to stop a band of frog-like scavengers lurking nearby. But more importantly, the engineer serves as a mirror and foil for Sun, an opportunity for her to reflect on the scale and depth of the loss of her pre-Farscape life. We even learn that her exile has caused her entire former regiment to be demoted to lowly positions like the engineer's. In convincing the engineer that Sun is more than a traitor, Crichton helps to redeem them both in each other's eyes - shortly before Crichton spoils the whole plotline by seducing the engineer.

Rigel meanwhile is confronted with ghosts of his own. This derelict vessel was apparently his own prison for many years, and through flashbacks we learn he has been tortured. This first glimpse into authentic Rigel emotions is unfortunately underdeveloped, given only a few minutes of airtime culminating with Rigel literally spitting in the eye of the corpse of his former warden.

D'Argo and Zhaan are left to run interference and their own chemistry flourishes for the first time but their storyline serves mostly as a backdrop to the salvage operation. The alien marauders are, as usual, at the intersection of grotesque and beautifully-constructed, in unfortunate contrast to the sorely dated CGI space battle effects. The alien creatures are, as usual, outwitted and turned away, and the gang escapes just before the peacekeepers return to reclaim their lost vessel.

This episode loses points because the Chrichton romantic subplot is entirely gratuitous and comes at the expense of the otherwise well-written gloomy reminiscence of the episode. Putting Sun on a gutted, ruined peacekeeper ship at the same time she confronts her own gutted, ruined peacekeeper career is another clever use of setting-as-metaphor in Farscape but it is all lost to the forced chemistry between her and Crichton when she catches him kissing the peacekeeper engineer. This is otherwise a fast-paced and well-executed story, with memorable aliens and memorable emotions.

Great episode signaling things to come.

[bengad · 25 March 2006]

Farscape is one of those few, great science fiction shows. You know, one of those few that come along every once in awhile: similar to Firefly in that regard, but this show's record indicates it was much more successful than Joss Weadon's stab at humans/exploring galaxy. Apart from being laden with great special effects, especially considering its time and the fact that it is a television show, PK Tech Girl gives a lot of insight into Rygel's past when a derelict ship is discovered in the uncharted territories. Oddly enough, it's peace-keeper. What comes in the next fifty minutes is a role from Australia's great actress Alyssa-Jane Cook, Crichton falls in love and feelings from otherwise stoic characters are revealed. If you're watching the DVDs in order, than you'll probably notice something strange on IMDb in terms of how the episodes are arranged, much differently than that of the DVDs. Not exactly who's right, but after the slightly weird but funny "Thank God It's Friday, Again" and "Back and Back and Back to the Future", PK Tech Girl is a somewhat welcome relief as more of the major plot is developed and the show takes on a more traditional narrative. And, for the science fiction geeks who can't pick up a girl, there's kissing. Can't forget that.

Moya finds a lost Peacekeeper ship

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 4 May 2012]

This episode opens with the discovery of a huge derelict ship, the Zelbinion; a long lost Peacekeeper command carrier. Moya's crew decide to board her to see what they can salvage but find somebody has got there first and it appears that his been stripped bare. As they search to see if there is anything left they find a living Peacekeeper; not one of the original crew but part of a crew left by Crais. Her name is Gilina, an engineer who is the sole survivor after their recovery squad were ambushed by the Sheyang. Soon the Sheyang return with the intention of capturing Moya; with no weapons or shields D'Argo must try to make them think he is ready to attack until John, Gilina and Aeryn can reactivate the Zelbinion's shields. Meanwhile Rygel is haunted by memories of his last time on the Zelbinion; when he was a prisoner being tortured.

I really enjoyed this episode; guest star Alyssa-Jane Cook was great as Gilina; showing us a far more vulnerable and sympathetic Peacekeeper than Aeryn; clearly due to the character being a lowly Tech rather than a soldier. Having her come from Crais' ship meant Aeryn could learn that her fleeing from the Peacekeepers had consequences for her compatriots. The brief romance between Crichton and Gilina was slightly rushed but wasn't unbelievable given how they were thrown together in a stressful situation. The Sheyang were a decent alien race; their appearance was very alien and they had a surprising and formidable ability which came as quite a surprise to both the viewers and Aeryn! Rygel's subplot was relatively minor but gave us a nice insight into his characters past. While much of the involved a standoff and trying to get the shield working there are still some great action scenes; including one where a Sheyang meets an explosive end!

Best episode so far

[poiyo · 9/10 · 14 March 2020]

Wasn't sold on Farscape until I came to this episode. Now I'm willing to see it through