This episode is about the Brunnen G and Kai's past, and except of a few passages narrated by the Master of Ceremonies, the story is told through songs.
9.6
"Superb"
Brigadoom is one of my favourite Lexx episodes, if not my favourite. I should mention that I'm far from being a musical fan, but it is so beautifully done, I can watch it over and over again without getting tired.
This episode is about the Brunnen G and Kai's past, and except of a few passages narrated by the Master of Ceremonies, the story is told through songs.
Once, the Brunnen G were famous warriors who saved humankind in the great Insect Wars, which eventually lead to the destruction of their home planet. After the war, they isolated themselves behind an enormous defence shield on another planet, Brunnis 2, and developed the ability to evade ageing and death by altering their bodies. From then on, the Brunnen G "became small, they became dull, they became pathetic. Their bodies did not age, but the life contained in them was decadent and worthless. Their victory over death, was a hollow one."
Thousand years later, the shield begins to weaken. Kai and the other few Newborns, who scorn the "dull" life of the Brunnen G, can see through it, and become aware of His Divine Shadow and his ruthless conquer and enslavement of the universe. Kai tries to warn the other Brunnen G about the danger, but they won't listen to him.
When he seeks out the Time Prophet to get answers about the fate of the Brunnen G, she tells him: "I gaze into the future past, and I see the Brunnen G's doom. But Kai, you'll be the last to die, and there is something else I see. His Shadow's order will be destroyed at the hands of the last Brunnen G."
Once again he warns his people, but they accuse him of treachery and punish him with ageing and death. When they finally learn that Kai was right, the Brunnen G refuse to fight and decide to die. Only the small group of Newborns are willing to follow him into war against His Shadow, though knowing that they won't stand a chance against his vast force:
Kai: "If this should be our final stand, we will stand together with pride. We will honour the past, and fight to the last. It will be a good way to die."
Newborns: "It matters not if the cause is lost, and we cannot stop the tide. We will fight to the end, and then fight again. It will be a good way to die."
At the end, the Master of Ceremonies invites Kai, Xev and Stan to stay, and by thus offering them an opportunity to survive the end of the Light Universe. This is my favourite scene of the entire series, because it is actually Stan who convinces Kai and Xev to leave, and it's probably one of the bravest moments of his life (we are talking about Stan here!):
Stan: "Because two thousand years ago, Kai was right. It's better to die fighting, than to die running. And come on, let's face it, at the centre there's nothing but a coward's death."
Xev: "So where are we going to go?"
Stan: "To fight Mantrid. Why should we just replay what's already happened? Let's rewrite the ending."
Xev: "Yes. Yes, Stanley, we are going to fight Mantrid. The Lexx still is the most powerful single force in the universe."
Stan: "At least it'll be a good way to die."moreless