In a season that�s been pretty much all about John, it�s nice to get an episode that concentrates on another character. Mental as Anything gives D�Argo a moment in the spotlight, but even a heartfelt performance by Simcoe as the big guy fails to raise this tale of warrior discipline and in-law rivalry out of mediocrity.

This story has a lot in common with Mark Saraceni's other Farscape credit, A Prefect Murder. Both feature flashbacks, and a central truth approached from multiple angles.

Sadly, Mental as Anything suffers from a lack of the imagination and mystery that graced A Prefect Murder, leaving us with a slow plod to a strangely uninteresting conclusion. D�Argo�s a nice guy - watching him go through this emotional wringer ought to have been a lot harder than it was.

Despite some nice set design, Katyoa�s alien dojo was horribly derivative of a thousand cheap martial arts films, without any of Farscape�s usual irreverent sense of homage to lighten the atmosphere.

Katoya himself was a cardboard cut-out sensei, having more in common with Mr Miyagi from The Karate Kid than the series� usual colourful, believable aliens.

Still, we did get to see that Farscape rarity - a loose end tied up. And D�Argo got to keep his dignity. Just for once he didn�t say, "I will not be taken prisoner again," immediately before being clapped in chains.

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