Apparently Rev Bem returns to find his "Way" with the help of the crew of the Andromeda, complete with his own wandering star, a heap of self-absorbed whining and approaching annihilation. How much more Christ-like can we get? Especially with the whining.
Generally the series manages to avoid placing too much emphasis on the mystical nonsense that plagues much of what passes for entertainment in Bush-era America. Although Dylan's continual need to revive the "good-old days" does bring to mind the mid-western evangelistic call for a return to "family" values that negates much of what approaches inspired writing. Thank goodness for HBO and especially Deadwood.
Many of Andromeda's episodes give good value, with space-opera themes and sci-fi derring-do, heroes and villains, strong characters and gripping story-lines.
Occasionally, however, an episode like this slips in, patronising, confused, self-righteous and irrelevant, much like organised religion. There is nothing even approaching a conclusion to the thin and pointless story of Rev Bem's search and reappearance, no explanation for his presence on an exploding planet other than following some "instinct" from "somewhere" by "something" (the planet actually doesn't explode but sort of "whimpers" away), and no explanation for his absurd physical transformation at the end.
And to top it all off, the usually most intriguing character, Trance, having undergone her own change at some point for again no apparent reason and again without explanation, spews forth with the most inane drivel: "For those who don't believe, no explanation is possible; for those who do, no explanation is necessary". Straight out of the Christian handbook. This is science fiction, folks, not Jerry Falwell's Comedy Theatre. Of course there needs to be an explanation. It's supposed to be based on SCIENCE.
I prefer to view it this way: "For those who do not believe, an explanation will be searched for; for those who do believe, an explanation may prove embarrassing or beyond their comprehension."
This episode is simply someone's attempt to inject a thin-minded Christian mysticism into a series that is more successful when examining space-time conundrums, as in "The Unconquerable Man", or multiple-causality as in "The Dark Backward".
So let's leave the whole pseudo-Judaeo-Christian nonsense to Kirk Cameron or the chick in the thing about the angel or the Christian TV Network.
Here endeth the lesson.moreless
Episode Summary
EDIT
As the Andromeda responds to a distress call from a planet on the brink of destruction, the crew intercepts a transmission from Rev Bem on a ship returning to the surface.
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GUEST STAR
Shane LitwillerRev Bem Double
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GUEST STAR
Colin Lawrence1st Renegade
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GUEST STAR
Patricia HargreavesRev Bem's Mom
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Kevin Sorbo
Captain Dylan Hunt
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Keith Hamilton Cobb
Tyr Anasazi
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Lisa Ryder
Beka Valentine
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Lexa Doig
Andromeda/Rommie
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Laura Bertram
Trance Gemini
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Gordon Michael Woolvett
Seamus Harper
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (6)
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Rommie: Trance, miracles are just extraordinary phenomena with a scientific explanation. Trance: Well, for those who don't believe, no explanation is possible. For those who do, no explanation is necessary.
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Dylan: Count of three? Tyr: No, let's just shoot them.
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Beka: Why can't these people just remain calm?!
Harper: That's easy for you to say, 'cause you're not the one who's homeworld is doing the shake, rattle and roll into oblivion! -
Rev Bem: I went through so much. How it happened I-- Trance : Sometimes, we have to stare into the face of truth to really see it. Stare at it until all the brightness goes away. Then all we have is truth. Rev Bem: All we have left, is the way.
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Rev Bem: Tyr, have you never wished that all your yearning for power and empire would just be silent for a moment? Have you never wished for a moment's peace? Tyr (whispering to Rev): I am at peace. That's what bothers me.
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Are you a monster? Are you a freak? Will you be my friend! Or have you lost your way. With trouble to pay, When you come to your journey's end? Empyrium Lullaby, CY 8745.
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NOTES (3)
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Excerpts Written By Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz, John Whelpley, Ethlie Ann Vare, Matt Kiene & Joe Reinkemeyer.
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International Airdates: -This episode aired in Canada on March 26, 2003 on Global. -This episode aired in the UK on July 14, 2003 on Sky One. -This episode aired in the Australia on February 28, 2004 on Fox 8.
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Contains clips from: Season One: "Angel Dark, Demon Bright" "The Ties that Blind" [Audio] "The Banks of Lethe" "Harper 2.0" "The Devil Takes the Hindmost" "It Makes a Lovely Light" "Its Hour Come Round at Last" Season Two: "The Widening Gyre" "Exit Strategies" "Ouroboros"
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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Title: The title of this episode could be an allusion to the poem A Dream Deferred that was written by the famous African-American poet, Langston Hughes. Hughes wrote many other poems about life and dreams and was greatly influenced by the Harlem Renaissance that occured in New York City during the 1920's. This poem suggests the possible outcomes for someone who denies their dreams. The reference of this poem in the title of this episode could be commenting on Rev and his dream of being a true and pure Wayist and overcoming his Magog nature.
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Season 3 Episodes
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Shadows Cast by a Final Sa...
Ep 21
Day of Judgement, Day of W...
Ep 20
Twilight of the Idols
Ep 19
The Illusion of Majesty
Ep 18
Deep Midnight's Voice
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Vault of the Heavens
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Point of the Spear
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Ep 14
The Right Horse
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The Risk-All Point
Ep 12
The Dark Backward
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Delenda Est
Ep 10
The Unconquerable Man
Ep 9
And Your Heart Will Fly Away
Ep 8
For Whom the Bell Tolls
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The Leper's Kiss
Ep 6
Slipfighter the Dogs of War
Ep 5
The Lone and Level Sands
Ep 4
Cui Bono
Ep 3
Mad to Be Saved
Ep 2
The Shards of Rimni
Ep 1
If the Wheel Is Fixed (2)
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