Farscape s03e20: Into the Lion's Den, Part 1: Lambs to the Slaughter

Series

Farscape^[1]

Season and episode

Season 3, episode 20^[2]

Running time

44 minutes 15 seconds^[1]

Upload date

22 August 2025^[1]

Summary

"Into the Lion's Den, Part 1: Lambs to the Slaughter" is the twentieth episode of the third season of Farscape, the science fiction television series created by Rockne S. O'Bannon.^[1][3] In it, John Crichton and his companions travel to Scorpius's command carrier on a mission to sabotage his research into wormhole technology.^[1]

What happens in "Into the Lion's Den, Part 1: Lambs to the Slaughter"?

John Crichton opens the episode by declaring that he will go to Scorpius's command carrier to stop him, and the rest of the crew agrees to come with him on what is openly called a suicide run.^[4] Scorpius responds by granting Crichton and his companions full diplomatic rights, immunities and courtesies aboard the carrier, a move that briefly surprises the crew before they go ahead with the boarding.^[4]

As the crew presses deeper into the carrier, tensions rise between Scorpius's command staff and the visitors, and the episode lays the groundwork for a confrontation over the research.^[4]

Memorable quotes

“Your boy here has made a lot of promises which you should keep because two, till my friends are threatened, I am infamous for making really stupid moves.”30:54

“I could see which path will work and which one's a dead end.”34:56

“I'm here on a big stinking command carrier. Dick Tracy's freaking neural bracelet linking me to Bram Stoker's nightmare. What more do you want from me? cooperation.”41:35

“Even that wormholes, Earth is reachable. It's top speed just over 60 cycles.”42:38

In the episode

1:01 Crichton reveals his dangerous mission Crichton announces his plan to infiltrate the command carrier and destroy Scorpius's wormhole research despite Aeryn's warnings.

2:00 Pilot confirms Moya's position Aeryn learns from Pilot that Moya has towed Talyn to a distant hiding spot and will endure the stress of separation.

4:03 Pain-sharing bracelets are tested Crichton and Scorpius test the neural bracelets that allow them to feel each other's pain.

6:05 Negotiating Talyn's repair Crichton demands Talyn be brought aboard for repairs as part of his deal with Scorpius.

10:03 Aeryn reflects on her past Bree shows Aeryn around her old quarters and childhood possessions from her years on the carrier.

11:04 D'Argo confronts a Sebacean officer D'Argo recognizes a Sebacean who knows his past with a Luxan woman and tempers his anger.

13:02 Crichton begins wormhole research Crichton examines the carrier's data on wormhole pilots who dissolved, comparing notes with Scorpius.

17:06 Bree protects the prisoners Bree arrives and threatens violence against anyone who harms the guests following a confrontation.

18:37 Bree reveals her spying past Bree confesses to Crais that Scorpius tortured her for information about him and she never stopped caring.

21:00 Scorpius shows his biography Scorpius plays Crichton a personal record to prove his hatred for the Scarrans and his motives.

27:02 Crichton sabotages the equations Crichton quietly alters a flawed formula in the wormhole calculations to mislead the research.

30:30 Commandant Grausser threatens Scorpius A senior Peacekeeper arrives, threatens Scorpius over the project, and is forced to retreat after a standoff.

Air date, credits and where to watch

It is the twentieth episode of the third season and the first of the season's final four, which aired after a broadcast gap of more than six months following its earlier episodes.^[3]

The rights holder published the full episode on its own YouTube channel, Farscape, on 22 August 2025; the upload runs 44 minutes and 15 seconds.^[1] It is titled "Into the Lion's Den Part 1: Lambs to the Slaughter", which differs from the episode's own title.^[1] Farscape was co-produced by The Jim Henson Company and Hallmark Entertainment and premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel in North America on 19 March 1999.^[3]