Farscape s04e06: Natural Election

Series

Farscape, season 4^[1]

Episode

6 of season 4^[1]

Uploaded to YouTube

11 October 2025, by the Farscape channel^[1]

Upload views

22,511^[1]

Farscape YouTube channel subscribers

88.2 thousand^[1]

Summary

"Natural Election" is the sixth episode of season 4 of the science fiction television series Farscape.^[1] In it, John Crichton correctly predicts the appearance of a wormhole near the living ship Moya, while at the same time a giant space plant captures the ship, and the crew is forced to deal with both events together.^[1]

What happens in "Natural Election"?

As the episode opens, Crichton tells Aeryn Sun that he has predicted a wormhole and is certain one will appear in space near Moya.^[4] The crew debates what to do, and tension rises between those who want to stay and those who think the ship should move.^[4]

Before anyone can leave, a giant space plant extends a long arm, seizes Moya and begins pulling the ship toward itself.^[4] The crew realizes that the plant is feeding on Moya and draining the Leviathan.^[4] Crichton insists that the wormhole he predicted will still open and presses the others to trust him, while Rygel XVI and others question whether it will appear at all, and the disagreement grows heated.^[4]

Pilot warns that Moya cannot break free of the plant on her own and that the ship is losing power.^[4] The crew tries several plans to free her, including attempts to cut or burn the plant's arm, none of which succeed at first.^[4]

As the wormhole begins to form, the plant releases Moya.^[4] The ship moves clear of the creature, and the wormhole opens near the position Crichton predicted.^[4] The episode closes with the crew still aboard Moya, free of the plant and facing the wormhole that Crichton said would come.^[4]

Memorable quotes

“I suspect inopportune timing, but I require some assistance.”Scorpius8:25

“I figure a relationship... the kind we're not having... is based on trust.”John41:47

“I would put my life in your hands. But not my heart.”Aeryn42:18

“Just come back... when you have your story straight.”John42:45

In the episode

3:00 Crichton predicts a wormhole Aeryn joins Crichton and he announces a wormhole is about to open.

5:27 Stars vanish outside Moya The crew wakes to darkness and Pilot reports Moya is convulsing from an unknown attack.

7:32 A space plant is discovered Crichton and D'Argo identify a sprawling herbage flora wrapped around the ship.

9:00 Acid fires erupt across Moya Sparks fly as the plant secretes corrosive gunk that dissolves metal throughout the vessel.

11:42 Aeryn reveals her pregnancy D'Argo and Aeryn discuss her condition and the possibility the child may not be Crichton's.

15:00 Sikozu warns against shooting She countermands the attack, explaining the plant eats faster when harmed.

16:07 Dead roots invade the ship Pilot reports the plant has breached Moya's hull and is spreading inside.

19:04 The crew debates Aeryn's baby Rygel, Chiana, and D'Argo weigh the news and swear Crichton to secrecy.

24:01 Crichton consults Scorpius He seeks help in the cell, and Scorpius offers his cooling rods as a weapon against the plant.

26:34 Crichton learns the secret D'Argo confirms Chiana told him that Aeryn is unsure of the child's parentage.

32:01 Lo'la arrives to tow Moya D'Argo's vessel tries to pull the Leviathan clear of an imminent wormhole.

36:00 Countdown to the wormhole Pilot counts down while the crew readies the DRDs to ignite the radioactive mist.

37:35 Chiana nearly falls into the fan She dangles over a wind tunnel until Rygel shuts the fans off and saves her.

39:30 D'Argo is elected captain Pilot announces the tally and names D'Argo the new leader of the crew.

Air date, credits and where to watch

The episode was written by Sophie C. Hopkins and directed by Ian Watson.^[2] It is the sixth episode of Farscape's fourth season, between episode 5 and episode 7.^[1][2]

The episode can be watched here because the rights holder published the full episode of "Natural Election" on its own Farscape YouTube channel on 11 October 2025.^[1]