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"Forced Perspective" - Episode #115 (spoilers below!) (Click here for review)

The Andromeda is badly in need of an AP Solenoid Valve and is dead in the water while Dylan and Trance on the Maru (and apparently Rev and Harper on another ship) are off in search of it. Meanwhile on the Andromeda, Beka and Tyr share weight lifting and manually operate ship controls to deal with the missing part.

While Trance is away picking up the part, the Maru is invaded by commandos (we later find they are from the planet Mobius) who subdue Dylan with a Taser like weapon. Trance returns to find signs of the battle and a strange button that when cross referenced in the computer brings up the sign of a compass. On Mobius, Dylan is interrogated by a young women lawyer (Kim Hawthorne) concerning a previous mission to their world over 300 years ago!

The lawyer insists he admit to assassination and overthrowing the government.  He is tortured (via beatings and "Taser" blasts) but refuses to say anything except, "Dylan Hunt, Captain, Systems Commonwealth", and his serial number.

However, he does clearly recall the voluntary mission he accepted (since it would save many lives) from Sarah's aunt (Admiral Contanza Stark, played by Chapelle Jaffe) while still a commander.   He was accompanied by Officer Rhade (Steve Bacic) on this mission to extract Mobius Chancellor Ferrin (Alex Green) for extradition to Tarn-Vedra, where he would stand trial for his invasion of Zhang-Bristol Four. Assisting them was a man named Venetri (MacKenzie Gray), Ferrin's architect, who helped guide the two of them into the leader 's deathtrap laden headquarters.

In his cell, Dylan is tortured, but the "lawyer" allows a visitor, Venetri. The lawyer introduces him as the Great Compass, the Supreme Leader, Ruler of the Sovereign System of Mobius.  Later Venetri tells how he found out Dylan's true identity and he shows a surveillance film of Dylan and Rhade killing two of Ferrin's guards.

Meanwhile on the Andromeda, Tyr and Beka discuss Nietzschean philosophy, and Beka says she was always too busy surviving to think on such things.  Discovering a common interest in food, Tyr invites her to a dinner he cooks. Later on over dinner they discuss how Nietzscheans never intermarry with humans, irritating Beka a great deal!

Dylan is rescued by Trance but refuses to leave Mobius, wanting to first set things right.  They look for Venetri, with Trance admitting to some form of clairvoyance. However, it "may" not be fool-proof as they end up stumbling into a chamber filled with Venetri clones. Dylan realizes Venetri stayed alive by cloning himself for body parts.

Dylan loads his weapon, planning to forcibly stop Venetri. However, Trance points out that while future possibilities are infinite, they are more likely to be good if the intentions of one's actions are. Finally, as they are about to enter Venetri's chambers Dylan has a flashback to his original mission.  At that time he and Rhade had entered, Dylan was wounded by Ferrin and both he and Rhade killed Ferrin with their return fire.

Dylan and Trance enter. Dylan points his gun at a Venetri, who accuses Dylan of lying about taking Ferrin to trial and about killing the guards as well as Ferrin. When Venetri was installed to oversee free elections, the Commonwealth was supposed to back him up, but instead, it collapsed. Because of Dylan's "lies," Venetri was forced to became like Ferrin since the had to fight off assassins, coup attempts and terrorist attacks.

Dylan, remembers Admiral Stark said Ferrin's death was fine with them and rewarded Rhade with a position as First Officer of the Andromeda. Over Dylan's objections he was promoted to Captain of the Andromeda.

Venetri asks Dylan to go ahead and pull the trigger, just like he did with Ferrin. Dylan is ashamed and refuses, telling him he would like to offer him another chance. Trance chimes in, and mentions the fact the Halcyon System is looking for architects and Dylan reminds Venetri what a gifted architect he once was, and how he had had great intentions. Venetri apparently takes the offer to leave and allow free elections.

Trance and Dylan return to the Andromeda, where they find Tyr and Beka somewhat "awkward" with each other!

Synopsis 03/01/01 by Larry Kramer

© 2001 Larry Kramer (See Copyright Disclaimer)