Ah, that's better. Much better. Although the plot is pure recycled Star Trek (alien invades ship, attacks crew, communication is established whereupon it turns out to be a big misunderstanding, everybody lives happily ever after) it's almost a good thing in this case. It gives us a chance to get into the personalities and interpersonal relationships of the main characters without having to pay too much attention to the plot.
And what personalities! John is not your typical action hero, instead jumping up on the table and squealing like a 60's sitcom housewife when he sees the first bug. Aeryn begs for death instead of becoming a Sebacean heat-stroke zombie. Rygel walks into the disgusting gloopy egg tube of a giant alien queen in order to hold diplomatic negotiations. The only characters who get short shrift are Zhann, who remains the peaceful "all life is sacred" scientist, and D'Argo, who wants to shoot first and ask questions later.
I will say again that I think the 50 minute format doesn't do the show any favors. Although this is a much better paced episode than the last one, it's still too long. The plot with the bugs is resolved around the 40 minute mark, so they bring in a bunch of Peacekeepers to keep the wheels spinning for another 10.
Interestingly, the Peacekeepers have weird eye makeup and tattoos - traits that Aeryn doesn't have, and that don't show up again on any other Peacekeepers in the rest of the series.
You can tell that the show is still finding its feet, but at least it's heading in the right direction now.
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