Farscape (TV Series) Throne for a Loss (1999) User Reviews

Everybody Hates Rigel

[craybatesedu · 8/10 · 17 April 2019]

Farscape breaks out its first A-plot / B-plot / C-plot structure with great success. Leading the A-plot is a series of eel-choreographed action sequences that have both humor and decent fight scenes. Sun and D'Argo show the first real camaraderie-chemistry that works on screen, much better than the forced sexual tension with Crichton that has so far dominated Sun's screen time.

A rapid fire first act puts the ship in peril, the crew on edge, and poor Rigel up to his puppet implements in mud. The B-plot thrives on the strong voice acting and clever writing behind what could have been the very boring stage of Rigel and his cellmate trading palace platitudes about their respective political accomplishments.

In the C-plot we finally learn more about Farscape's resident priest Zhaan. Her heart of gold bristles with purely demonstrative violence, revealing that her seemingly meek exterior is by choice, since she seems to have been a kung fu wizard all along. This is cleverly mirrored in her treatment of an alien captive, who is himself posed with true choice between violence and freedom (he makes the wrong choice, implying to us than Zhaan herself has made that same choice the other way around).

This episode is altogether successful because it evenly divides the screen between all the main characters. Rigel's pompous greed imperils his friends, who work together to save the day (and the engine component Rigel has stolen to decorate his scepter) while Zhaan shows us a dimension to her character that has so far been hidden beneath her previously bland, meditative exterior. Guest characters are well acted, including the green arthropod of immaculate and creepy construction.

A Lot of Fun

[BSHBen · 7/10 · 20 April 2007]

"Throne for a Loss" is a high-energy adventure episode which combines a genuine sense of excitement with dead-on humor and impressive special effects and makeup. Rygel is captured and held for ransom by a group of aggressive Tavleks, prompting the crew to attempt to rescue him and a crucial crystal that he was carrying. The Tavlek's falsely believe that Rygel is, in fact, an important Dominar with millions of subjects who will gladly pay a ransom for his release. Rygel spends much of the episode engaging in well-written conversations with another captured ruler, an alien named Jotheb, who is also a high-tech puppet. A conversation between two non-real characters would normally be unconvincing and even boring, but Farscape, as usual, manages to make the puppets seem completely alive.

The design of the Tavleks itself is a masterpiece of originality and high-tech makeup. The Tavleks are strong and ugly, and, interestingly, they have a metal plate growing on their faces. The Tavleks are driven to their violent lifestyles by a stimulant-injecting gauntlet, which is capable of firing out bolts of energy and increases the strength of the wearer. One of the Tavlek is captured near the beginning, and his gauntlet falls off of him when he is knocked unconscious.

Crichton, Aeryn, and D'Argo all wear the gauntlet at some point during the episode. The adrenaline makes the already aggressive D'Argo go a little crazy, forcing Crichton, Aeryn, and Pilot to knock him out. Aeryn then decides that she and Crichton need to go to the planet to rescue Rygel (or at least to get the crystal), but Crichton objects, forcing Aeryn, in a humorous scene, to knock him out, too. The rest of the main storyline of the episode is basically a series of fun action as Crichton, D'Argo (who returns later), and Aeryn go to rescue Rygel. The action scenes are very well done, especially during the escape from the Tavlek prison compound and in the climax, where Crichton takes on a group of Tavleks, including their leader, Bekhesh. The dialogue during the final conversation between Crichton and Bekhesh is priceless. The reasons that Crichton gives Bekhesh to give up Rygel are hilariously unconvincing ("He's very sick, and very contagious"), and the screenwriters added a nice touch by having Crichton finally get Bekhesh to release Rygel by simply telling the truth.

There are however, some clear problems with the logic behind the Tavlek's plot in general. Clearly, they specialize in capturing leaders and then convincing their subjects to pay a ransom for the leader's return. For starters, isn't it more than likely that a civilization would try to, say, rescue their ruler rather than pay the ransom? The Tavleks have practically no defense against any sort of rescue team, which is demonstrated by D'Argo and Crichton simply walking right into their camp. Surely the idea of rescuing a leader captured by the Tavleks did not originate with the tiny crew of Moya, who, with practically no plan at all infiltrate the entire Tavlek camp and later rescue Rygel. It is mentioned that the Tavlek's are planning on moving Rygel to a more secure place, but really, Crichton and D'ARgo made in through the camp so easily that it leads me to wonder how the Tavleks manage to avoid the rescue of every one of their prisoners.

The subplot, involving Zhaans treatment of the captured Tavlek is even better than the main storyline. The prisoner at first rebels against Zhaan, who turns out to be stronger than previously indicated. Zhaan tries to convince the young Tavlek to resist from using the addictive gauntlet, but the final result of the subplot is powerful and surprising. Despite Zhaan's attempts to help him, the young Tavlek ends up wearing the gauntlet once more - not what you'd expect from a television episode.

Despite some logical flaws, "Throne for a Loss" is a very good episode of Farscape. Rygel and Zhaan have excellent roles, and Bekhesh is a good villain. The pacing, dialogue, and interaction are a step above the previous episodes, although it doesn't end up amounting to much more than a lightweight, fun adventure. 3/4

Rygel is held for ransom

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 1 May 2012]

In an attempt to make some money Rygel arranges to use Moya to transport goods for a race known as the Tavlek. In order to impress them he lets them know that he is the ruler of six billion people; what he doesn't count on is them kidnapping him and holding him for ransom... a ransom nobody will pay. During the kidnap attempt one of the Tavleks is knocked unconscious and the gauntlet type weapon he is wearing detaches itself. D'Argo puts it on and almost immediately it has an effect on him; he is stronger, far more aggressive and wants to take over the ship. In order to get it off him they will have to knock him out and that will be easier said than done. Once that problem is solved they discover another; Rygel has taken one of Moya's essential control crystals to use in his makeshift sceptre and when he was grabbed the Tavleks too it too. If Moya isn't to crash into the planet Aeryn and Crichton will have to go down to the planet and rescue him. While they are doing that and D'Argo is recovering from the effects of the gauntlet Zhaan tries to take care of the captured Tavlek; despite his protestations.

This was another episode packed with both action and humour; too many shows these days like to cram themselves full of pop culture references but in Farscape the many references are to things that have stood the test of time and won't be completely forgotten six months after the initial broadcast. The action was solid and the Tavleks made good adversaries; they are also well designed; clearly the actors had to have a lot of make up applied to look like that! The other alien of the episode; the insectoid creature in the cell next to Rygel was animated rather than a person wearing prosthetics but the conversation between him and Rygel was impressive considering they are both puppets. While not packed with action the scenes between Zhaan and the captured Tavlek showed us more of her character; we knew she was unusually calm but here it becomes apparent that the is quite formidable when she does choose to fight; on the evidence we've seen so far she could be the most dangerous person onboard Moya. As with many of the series' early episodes this is a standalone story so even if you've never seen the show before it can be enjoyed.

Hey, Virginia

[dridrik · 7/10 · 7 June 2020]

Zhaan short strip scene shows her beautiful lean body. Rygel is a pathetic loser. The tavleks are surprisingly amenable to talk and to hear. It's hard to give up chemical addictions. Episode with ups and downs, with things happening to start building the characters.