2.22 - Die Me, Dichotomy

The crew travels to a planet where a Diagnosian feels he can heal Moya and safely remove the neural chip from John. Unfortunately, the chip completely controls John and he notifies Scorpius of their location then attempts to flee. Aeryn attempts to bring him back, with tragic results.

I would be lost without you. - John Crichton
Then you will never be lost. - Aeryn Sun
No matter what happens, you have worked your way into my heart. - John Crichton
You've shown me that I have one. - Aeryn Sun
I love you. - John Crichton
I love you too. - Aeryn Sun

Aeryn, did I say or do anything to piss you off? I mean, other than caving in the side of your head. - John Crichton

Pilot, you're high. - Chiana
I am no higher than I have ever been. My position is fixed. - Pilot

Crichton has often said he'd rather die than fall to Scorpius. If you get the opportunity, don't hesitate. - Ka D'Argo
What makes you think I would? - Aeryn Sun
Because if our positions were reversed, I would. - Ka D'Argo

I hope you meant what you said in the Neural Cluster. I did. - Aeryn Sun

You're gonna take my memories and I'm gonna talk gibberish? Why not just take my mojo while you're at it? - John Crichton

Moya and Talyn orbit a planet together.

Rygel enters Zhaan's ruined quarters and tells her that everyone is selecting items from the treasure they stole and says that she needs to select her share. She grabs him and slams him against the wall, saying that Moya is gravely injured because of their greed. Rygel says there is nothing they can do about it now
"As long as we're rich, is that it?" she asks him.

Rygel says that as long as they are they may as well put the money to good use. Before she can react, he says that Crais and Talyn have located a healer. Everyone is selecting one or two items they want and the rest of the money will go to pay for Moya's treatment. Zhaan, seemingly embarrassed, lets Rygel go and turns away.
"It seems I misjudged you." she says in apology.
"Heh!" says Rygel. "It's becoming your career."

Elsewhere on Moya, John is looking into a mirror but instead of his own reflection he sees Scorpius. Scorpius tells him that he has no more hope and to surrender but John continues to insist that he controls himself. He smashes the mirror only to see it reform again, still showing Scorpius' reflection.

John begins to smash the mirror again and again. Aeryn comes in and pulls him away from the mirror, which we now see is shattered with only a few jagged pieces of glass remaining in the frame. He yells that he sees Scorpius and has to fight him but she reminds him about the neural chip and says that they are at a planet with a healer and that after he is done with Moya he will try to remove the chip from John's brain.

John asks Aeryn what she sees in the mirror and she tells him that there is no mirror and no Scorpius. John goes to stand in front of the mirror again. There, we see his features morph into a cross between his own and Scorpius.

"You're right, Aeryn." says this Scorpius/John mix, speaking with Scorpius' mannerisms and speech patterns. "There is no Scorpius here."
He looks at himself in the mirror. "There is only me. Yes."

Somewhat later, several of the crew are meeting with Grunchlk and Tocot. Tocot is a Diagnosian; a member of a healer species. Grunchlk is his unkempt, Sebacean-appearing assistant. Tocot does not seem to speak an understandable language and Grunchlk translates for him.

Grunchlk says that Tocot will be able to heal Moya. Aeryn whispers to D'Argo that she does not trust Grunchlk and is surprised when he hears her. He quotes a price for Tocot's services and everyone is shocked by the price. They indicate as much and Grunchlk talks to Tocot for a bit, only to shock them more by returning with an even higher price!

Aeryn leaves to check their funds and Chiana talks to Tocot, asking why he wears the strange mask he does. Grunchlk tells him that Diagnosians detect disease through smell but that if any kind of bacteria were to get into their nose and mouth at the same time it would kill them.

Scorpius/John is walking along a corridor when he comes upon Rygel. Rygel asks if he has picked out an item to keep yet and shows him a small stone. Scorpius/John hits Rygel's hand, causing the stone to fly into his mouth. Rygel begins choking and Scorpius/John walks off laughing.

Elsewhere, D'Argo is arguing with Jothee. D'Argo tells Jothee that Tocot may be able to restore his tankas but Jothee doesn't seem interested. D'Argo finally realizes that Jothee cut off his own tankas out of anger towards him. He asks Jothee if he really hates him that much and Jothee says not anymore. He turns and leaves.

Chiana appears and tries to talk to D'Argo but, in frustration, he snaps at her. He tries to apologize but, with a hurt expression, she leaves as well.

Aeryn gets a comm from Rygel who tells her about John's actions. She says she will talk to him.

Elsewhere, Zhaan and Stark are continuing to negotiate with Grunchlk but the price has continued to increase. Stark makes a lower offer but Grunchlk grabs him by the throat and lifts him off the floor. Zhaan and Stark agree to the price.

Aeryn enters the Neural Cluster and finds John working on a communications device. He tells her that he still doesn't trust Crais and wants to eavesdrop on his communications. She reminds him that Crais saved his and everyone else's life.

John, who we see as Scorpius/John, tells her that by staying busy he keeps the clone in his brain away. He says that singing also helps and hums for a bit. She says that once Tocot is finished with Moya they will have him look at John but Scorpius/John says that he doesn't think he will be able to help.

Scorpius/John sits down against the wall and Aeryn sits down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I am reminded," she says, "of a word that you actually brought to this vessel." She turns to look at him.
"Hope."

John seems to be momentarily himself again.
"I would be lost without you." he tells her.
"Then you will never be lost." is her reply.
He leans forward, resting his forehead against hers.
"No matter what happens," he says, "you have worked your way into my heart."
She smiles slightly. "You've shown me that I have one."
"I love you." he tells her.
"I love you too." she replies.

The two move as if to kiss and John instantly turns back into Scorpius/John. He shoves Aeryn away from him, slamming her head against the wall and knocking her unconscious.
"You are so my girl!" he says, leaning forward and licking her face.

Crais is talking with Talyn and discussing Aeryn. Crais is telling Talyn that Aeryn cannot be coerced or blackmailed but that if she joins them freely then they will tell her the truth. He is interrupted by a strange signal and he asks Talyn to amplify it.

Back on Moya, D'Argo and Jothee are walking through the corridors and talking to Pilot. Pilot says that the signal is a high-level Peacekeeper code. D'Argo points out that John was never a Peacekeeper so that it must be the neural chip sending the signal. Jothee asks what they will do with John but D'Argo tells him to stay away and leaves. Frustrated, Jothee sets off on his own.

Jothee arrives in the Neural Cluster and finds an unconscious Aeryn and Scorpius/John working on his communication device. Scorpius/John tells Jothee not to worry; Scorpius only wants him. Jothee says that he is in no condition to make that decision on his own and attempts to use a Luxan tongue strike on him. Scorpius/John easily avoids his tongue but grabs it and pulls Jothee to him. He knocks him unconscious.

"Like father, like son." he says.
Scorpius/John is suddenly hit by a second tongue strike. He staggers then collapses himself.
"Hardly." says D'Argo, stepping into view.

Later, John is strapped to a table in a facility on the planet. Stark and Crais are with him, as are Grunchlk and Tocot. John asks if Aeryn and Jothee are hurt and Crais tells him "only their pride".

John is taken to an operating room and Stark tells him that they have all pledged to do whatever they can to help him. The diagnosian turns on a greenish light over John then removes his mask. Stark asks about the bacteria and Grunchlk tells him that the light is a "biological neutralizer" and that he is safe while it is on.

Tocot speaks briefly to John then uses a device which turns his head transparent. We see John's brain, covered by some sort of black web. Everyone seems shocked, even Tocot and Grunchlk. Tocot says something in his own language.

"The Doctor doesn't often say this," says Grunchlk, seemingly stunned, "but there's nothing he can do. That thing in his head... He can't get it out without killing him!"

On the table, John laughs bitterly.

On Moya, Chiana is trying to talk to D'Argo. He snaps at her then tries to apologize, saying that he has been wanting to be reunited with his son for so long. They are interrupted by Stark who insists that D'Argo needs to come help him put down another layer of sedative for Moya. D'Argo tries to get him to wait but he insists and Chiana walks off, upset.

Down on the planet, John and Aeryn are in an obviously cold chamber in which there are hundreds of cryogenic pods, each holding a frozen body. John is in chains. He asks Aeryn what he did to upset her and she seems surprised, asking him if he remembers anything.

They are interrupted by the arrival of Grunchlk and Zhaan. Zhaan is upset, saying that the frozen bodies are an insult to nature.

Aeryn asks if the bodies aren't dead and Zhaan says they aren't. Grunchlk corrects her, saying that the bodies "effectively dead"; frozen just a few seconds before death. All of them are accident victims and the like and none of them would survive restoration. He also says that they have three similar to John. Not humans but possibly a related species he calls an Interon. John says he wants the chip out of his head.

Back on Moya, both D'Argo and Stark are numb from the anesthetic they have been spreading on Moya. Both attempt to talk but their tongues are numb and they can only mumble incoherently.

Chiana and Jothee are in Pilot's Den where Pilot is also obviously suffering the effects of the drug. Jothee says that D'Argo is planning on buying a piece of land with his share of the money and settling down to raise crops and make wine. He says he has been a slave too long and doesn't want to do that; he won't stay with her and D'Argo.

Chiana is surprised by this statement, saying that she thought it would be just D'Argo and Jothee. Pilot corrects her and, saying that D'Argo has been using the DRDs for "practice", shows her a recording. In it, D'Argo asks Chiana to marry him. Chiana is stunned speechless.

Back on the planet, Rygel is meeting with Grunchlk. Aeryn arrives and asks about John. Grunchlk says that Tocot wants to finish with the treatment of Moya before going on to John and Aeryn says that they will just keep John restrained until then.

Aeryn leaves and Rygel goes back to his discussion. He is trying to buy a ship of his own. Grunchlk says he may be able to make the arrangements and Rygel gives him several gems.

John is restrained on the table when Zhaan enters. John tells her that there are many things he wishes he could tell everyone, including his father, and he is afraid that if he dies he won't be able to. He asks Zhaan if she could look into his mind and carry the messages for him. She agrees and goes to share Unity with him.

Unfortunately, it is not John but Scorpius/John. Scorpius/John tells her that a 12th level P'au could break the connection then points out that she is only a tenth. She is flung across the room.

Aeryn is meeting with Crais on Talyn. Crais asks Aeryn if she has decided what she will do after Moya is healed. He tells her that his parents were compassionate and moral and that he values those traits. He also says that he is starting to see them emerge in her.

He continues, saying that Talyn is an emotional ship that needs guidance. Talyn has chosen her and he agrees. He invites her to join them on Talyn.

Her possible reply is interrupted by a signal and a call from Pilot. John has escaped, has taken off in his module and is broadcasting their position to Scorpius. John comes over the comms long enough to tell everyone not to follow him as he is not in control before being taken over by Scorpius/John again.

Aeryn tells Crais to track her and leaves to go to her prowler. She stops long enough to thank Crais for his offer. Crais tells Talyn to attempt to jam the signal.

Stark attempts to comfort Zhaan. Zhaan says that John is gone and only Scorpius/John remains.

Aeryn launches in her prowler and follows John's module. She attempts to contact him but realizes quickly that she is talking to Scorpius/John. She tells him that she will shoot him down but Scorpius/John says that he doubts that she can. He leads her prowler on a low-altitude chase through an ice canyon and pulls up at the last moment. Aeryn loses track of him and is forced to fly though a tunnel. When she emerges she cannot locate the module though we see it is directly above and behind her prowler.

She continues to argue, saying that Scorpius/John cannot evade her forever. Scorpius/John seems to agree and says he will land. He lowers the module's landing gear then starts to descend. The landing gear smashes through the prowler's cockpit.

Aeryn tells those on Moya and Talyn that she is under attack and the module pulls away. She then says the prowler is damaged and that she has to eject. She does and the prowler crashes into a nearby mountain, prompting applause from Scorpius/John.

The ejection seat starts descending and Aeryn reports that the descent rockets are working. Scorpius/John then informs her that she is going to land on a frozen lake and that the rockets will probably weaken and break through the surface. He suggests that she separate from the chair before landing.

Aeryn then discovers that the seat is damaged and that the harness will not release. She is stuck.

With a yell, John manages to regain control of himself and pleads with Aeryn to get out of the chair. She says she cannot.
"Baby, you're not going to die like this." he begs her. "You are not going to die like this."
"I hope you meant what you said in the Neural Cluster." she tells him. "I did."

The chair hits and crashes through the ice. Aeryn struggles to stay on the surface but cannot. Her body goes limp and she sinks out of sight.

D'Argo yells Aeryn's name but gets no reply. Crais lets out a howl of sadness and pain for both himself and Talyn.

John continues to circle the hole in the ice in his module.
"Oh, God." he breathes. "What have I done?"
Tears roll down his face in silence.

Some time later, everyone is gathered in the body storage facility where Aeryn's body lies in one of the cryo pods. Zhaan gives a brief service over the body.

The goddess graciously receives to her bosom, all those who pass from this existence regardless of faith or belief.
She holds, however, a special place for those who travel this life as a journey.
Aeryn Sun will surely harvest that favor. Her life was a series of strides toward enlightenment. Casting off the chains of prejudice and hatred.
Reaching beyond violence and bigotry. She sought a balance of lasting inner peace.
In her name.
May the Goddess receive you with charity.
May the Goddess sanctify your sprit.
May the Goddess purify your soul.
May the Goddess recite your name on the whispers of the wind.

As she speaks, the rest of Moya's crew approach the coffin one at a time. Crais simply steps forward and briefly but silently looks down on her before returning to his place. Chiana kisses her hand then moves to stand with Jothee. D'Argo takes his Qualta blade and places it in her hands. Finally, Rygel takes his medallion and places it there as well.
"You are more worthy of this." he says.

John, once more in chains, is the last to approach the coffin. He looks at Aeryn then turns and asks D'Argo for his knife. D'Argo reluctantly gives him a small dagger. John leans over the body.
"Aeryn, forgive me." he says. "I love you."
He kisses her one final time then uses the knife to cut a lock of her hair. He then stands and turns to face the others.

"I'm ready."

Later, John is alone in the operating room with Tocot and Grunchlk. Grunchlk asks if John wants his friends there and he says no. Tocot says something that Grunchlk translates, saying that because of the neural chip he was not responsible for Aeryn's death. John says that he was anyway.

Grunchlk then tells John that Tocot needs his help. Since they have no information on the human brain, he will have to tell Tocot what each part does before he cuts that part of the neurochip loose. He also says that he won't be there because he "vomits when things get messy".

On Talyn, Crais holds a data chip and says that if Aeryn had known what was on it she would have been the happiest person among them.

On Moya, Zhaan is with Pilot when Stark appears and asks what her plans are. She says she will remain with Pilot and Moya and Stark says that he would like to remain with her. Zhaan seems pleased.

Tocot is operating on John. He touches a part of the chip and John sees memories of various aliens he has encountered. Tocot touches another and this time John sees a number of memories from Earth. John identifies them as American politics from Nixon to Clinton and tells him to lose it. Tocot cuts one of the tendrils from the chip.

Rygel meets with Grunchlk who says that his ship is on the way.

Tocot continues with his operation. The next tendril brings up memories of John's dogs and John tells him to keep them if he can. Then, he sees memories of Aeryn. Tocot asks what to do with them and John says nothing.

On Moya, Chiana and Jothee are sitting side by side. Jothee says he never stayed in one place long enough to form any relationships while Chiana says she always stays too long. They look at each other and look as if they may kiss but are interrupted by D'Argo, who tells them to be ready to leave as soon as John's operation is complete.

Still operating, Tocot touches another tendril. This time John is rewarded with memories of wormholes. John is excited and tells Tocot to keep those.

Finally, Tocot goes to cut a final connection. When he does, John suddenly begins to speak gibberish. Tocot stops and tells John that the final tendril is near his speech center. John is frustrated but Tocot tells him that he will remove the chip then restore his speech after he is done. John agrees and Tocot picks up a large device with which to remove the chip.

Elsewhere in the facility, Grunchlk is running from something. His pursuers are soon revealed to be Peacekeeper troopers led by Braca. Grunchlk attempts to hide in a cryopod but Braca finds him. He reports to Scorpius that they have kept their arrival secret.

Tocot has finished removing the chip. He places it in a small container which he shows to John, who laughs unintelligibly.

He starts to restore John's speech but is interrupted by the arrival of Scorpius, humming the US National Anthem. John attempts to warn Tocot but can only speak gibberish.

Tocot greets Scorpius and asks him something to which Scorpius replies by thanking him. He says that the cooling system that Tocot installed works perfectly but that Tocot is no longer needed. He pulls off Tocot's mask and breathes on him. Tocot collapses with a moan.

"What irony." says Scorpius, looking down on him. "Sensitivity to heal anything but oneself."

Scorpius then picks up the container holding the neurochip and shows it to John. John yells incoherently.

"Well," says Scorpius. "So much to say and yet so little capacity. I only hope the wormhole technology I've waited so patiently for makes more sense."
Scorpius places the neurochip on John's forehead.
"You have cost me much," he says to John, now struggling silently. "And I do not suffer disappointment well. I condemn you, John Crichton, to live. So that your thirst for unfulfilled revenge... will consume you!"

Scorpius picks up the neurochip again.
"Goodbye."

Scorpius turns and walks from the room. John screams incoherently behind him.

Scorpius implanted the neural chip in John's brain in Nerve or The Hidden Memory to retrieve the wormhole information hidden there. The information was hidden in John's brain during the time of A Human Reaction.

What will happen to John?

Did John keep his memories of Aeryn or did he let Tocot remove them?

How effective will Moya's cure be?

What is next for Chiana, D'Argo and Jothee? Will Chiana and D'Argo marry?

When Rygel gets his ship where will he go? Will D'Argo go to a farming planet? Will everyone leave and go their separate ways?

What is on the chip that Crais has that would have made Aeryn so happy?