How did the native species understand Crichton and Pilot without translator microbes? Ridiculous plot hole.
shareI was wondering the same thing as I am re-watching this on blu ray. I guess it was ignored for plot purposes .
shareYep, this is a plot hole. I guess they really wanted to tell the story (ie, of a backwards world that first came in contact with aliens, how it would disrupt its preconceptions). A bit preachy, specially when you consider that we also have 1x16 A Human Reaction later in the season (with a similar, expanded view of the same topic).
It would become a recurring theme in the series (ie, Earth Xenophobia and distrust of extraterrestrials), so it can be forgiven that the first instance of the idea in this episode has such an inconsistency (that could have been explained away easily, maybe with the crew carrying syringes with microbes in case they came in contact with the locals). To maximize its value, this episode had to be early on, before Crichton was familiar with his new environment, while he shared the same wonder as them - it also resonates with the opening title in the following seasons.
I think some one of the writers said that the microbes were supposed to be endemic to that planet. When I first watched this when it originally aired in the USA, I assumed that the microbes kind of permeated the planets in that area of space.
shareNot sure if anyone remembers.
The original webpage for farscape that could be found on the SciFi website had extra tidbits of information about various episodes. For I,E.T. It is just as dariusu said. This planets people are born with the microbes that allow understanding of foreign language. I think the planets people realize this....because no one even flinches when they all are able to understand this.
In my honest opinion. I think this was posted when the oversite was criticized/noticed. How convenient for their to be a place where Farscape producers/writers could add info to the episode that would explain its flaws.
The most annoying part is that you cannot pull up the information that once existed on the old SciFi website. What annoys me more is the fact that SciFi no longer keeps mush of any information about Farscape. Its actually not listed as a past show at all for them. Perhaps Jim Henson took all the rights back? Which is fine, exept that detail info seems ot have been discarded.
UPDATE: Using the WAYBACK MACHINE site I located the webpage that actually explains this.
http://www.scifi.com/farscape/lifeform/deneans.html
In case anyone wants to see proof of this. Pilot also mentions that it is possible that Aliens had indded visited that planet before and that could also be why they have Translator Microbs. Just that they don't realize they were visited bt aliens... ? I guess it's an okay explanation but still seems like a fix on an oversight.
They just happened to have a language just like English. You just happen to have evolved a language that is only just barely like English so you should understand.
You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is: Never try.
I do believe the microbes receive and translate languages. One way not two ways. Alien could understand Crichton and but couldn't until he had one injected.
shareI do believe the microbes receive and translate languages. One way not two ways. Alien could understand Crichton and but couldn't until he had one injected.