I suppose it's possible the guy's friend was a natural prodigy that puts ita's talent/drive combo to shame, but I don't consider it very likely.

Exactly. And even in the case of a hypothetical prodigy of that magnitude, most good instructors still wouldn't advance him that quickly. Aside from the possible inflated ego issues, a black belt isn't just about being able to kick ass, but being a role model and a teacher to the lower belts as well as an understanding of why things are done, not just how things are done. All of that takes time.

I just finished Disc 2 of Season 3, also known as "Claudia Black's commentary for the blind memory-impared" She spends at least half the time giving character histories and future histories.

Oh yeah, and Zhaan died . I don't know if it was because I knew that already or because she actually was being irritating that I found myself not caring so much. Granted, not as irritating as screaming hair girl. Please tell me she's not long for the series. Please.

I have to admit I find Claudia's commentary less than fascinating except when she's talking to Ben. But he's got the BBOC thing going, even on audio-only.

Tammy Macintosh (Jool) leaves the cast 3 episodes into Season 4, by which point I'd gotten to like her a little better. Although like Virginia Hey, the actress reappears periodically. It's a thing in SF -- as Leonard Nimoy once said, nobody's ever dead for good. *g*

And yet, still my favorite female commentator ever. So sad.

Well, crap. Ooooh. Jool. I thought he had nicknamed her Jewel.

Yeah, CB talked about that, and there was a thing in the trivia about bald caps.

Her full name is, IIRC, Joolushka Fenta Hovalis Tenay. Something like that.

Yeah. It all ran together in my ears, so I didn't pick out where the nickname came from.

Dude, when Zhaan died, I cried my eyes out! Though not as much as Aeryn's funeral. (Whitefonted only b/c it sounds, from recent discussions here, that some people are getting into Farscape, and I don't want to spoil them)

Jool stopped screaming so much after a bit. It did wonders for my acceptance of her.

Jool had some great moments later on, especially whenshe and Crais were trying to put enough of that one creature together to speak to them.

Jool was definitely a character that grew on me. i was sad when she stayed behind on that planet.

I also learned to appreciate Rygel for who he was.

is there a website that lists all the nicknames crichton gave everyone? if not, there totally should be.

oh and since i just finished the series i have to ask. had we seen the alien that blew up Aeryn and John before? cause...i'm drawing a blank. also? Anthony Simcoe floored me with that scene. he's amazing.