Okay, think about it. You're a member of the American population in the 1960's and 70's. Even more so, you're a member of the African American race. These were rough times, and you were smack dab right in the middle of it. Discrimination was high and you were the center of it all. It wasn't a pretty place to be. But then things changed for the better. Laws were passed and eventually you were accepted for who you were as a person and based on integrity, not by the color of your skin.

Flash forward to present day. Location: Uncharted Territories Time: Who the frell knows? Who are you? John Crichton, the only human this side of hezmana. And what are you? A human, of course.

And you are the only, emphasis on "only", one in the entire frelling universe who is like you. Your body, your mind, your erp references. You are truly alone. And what happens? Well, every yotz of every species slaps a sticker on you that says "Hi, My Name is Inferior". And it sucks, doesn't it?

You are you, you can't help it. But suddenly, you're surrounded by strange aliens and you're the only one no one knows about. Gives new meaning to the term "alienated", don't it? So you're the only one of your kind out in the Uncharted Territories, and you're already being pegged as inferior before you've gotten translator microbes in you.

Now you know a bit of how they felt. In the 60's and 70's, American Culture gave way to a new kind of revolution. This one involved a classic debate of civil rights, stretching all the way from Abraham Lincoln and other battles against slavery. A century later, it happened again. In Farscape, John Crichton is faced with the line over and over. He's inferior, he's less than anyone, he's not Sebacean, well he's not good for anything then. Granted, he couldn't fight in the first season, but gradually he accepted his Peacekeeper duds and the world was presented with the newly refined Commander Crichton. The inferiority complex kicks in during the first season. Repeated mentions of inferiority in Crichton are said by all members of the crew, even Zhaan.

Aeryn proclaims that he is inferior due to his lack of combat skills. Hey, not all scientists and wormhole travelers can be Jean Claud Va Damme. D'argo makes note that he is not a warrior. Big deal. He is looked on as less than anyone, when all thats around is confusion. He is an isolated human being, dropped out of nowhere into Moya, surrounded by species that he has never even comprehended before, and all they can say is that he is a lower part of life, simply because he's confused and he can't translate all of it into logical mess.

And then there are other species. Those who repeatedly spout their superiority over John. Well, since he's "only human", all he can do is shoot you with that big gun he's got. Good enough. Those with supposedly superior dialects and intelligence might find it staggering to know that even in the Uncharteds, no matter how much is discovered, space is infinate. There is virtually no comprehensible limit and as far as I'm concerned, this is just a grain of sand in a desert. They may find it absolutely appalling that oh my, another species is smarter than you....then we are left to ponder, "who's inferior now?"

Along with the shock of a more intelligent species (note that I didn't say better), they might also find themselves wondering about appearance. An ounce of appearance makes up for a whole lot. John is human. John looks like a Sebacean, thus all through the show, we see people mistaking him for a Sebacean male. He even dons the PK leather (rousing applause welcome) and becomes a Peacekeeper for a few episodes. And promptly gets himself put in the Aurora Chair. Not good. John is with Aeryn. Aeryn is a peacekeeper, or at least an ex-PK...one automatically assumes that John is also a PK, since we wouldn't want anyone to be irreversibly contaminated...oh no, wouldn't like that.

When John wears the uniform and does the accent, he commands attention. Those lower in rank are persuaded to join him in whatever he does, since he is of a higher command. That's why we have uniforms in the military. That's why the Star Trek crew has pips on their collars, bands around their sleeves, and different color shirts. The appearance of a certain individual shapes our ideas about them, and also our speculations as to who they are.

That's also why government agents are supposed to look as normal as possible. Appearances also give away identities. Walk through the park or the street in front of the white house, you'd never realize that the woman sitting on the bench with her dog is a member of the secret service. They are trained to hide thier appearance and gain another.

A good Farscapian example of this would be Zhaan. She's a priestess, a Pa'u, and a pretty good doctor. She's also a peaceful flower (literally) who loves all life. She's your best comfort until you cross her. Then Kung-fu Zhaany comes out and you better watch it or you're going to end up eye to eye with the DRDs. By appearance, she's calm and collected. And she's peaceful. Those who are unlucky mistake her for harmless. Instead, Zhaan has proven to be a worthy nemesis for anyone who dares escape a holding cell in Moya. And she's not afraid to upstage you either. She has the ability to calm and to make you unbearably uncomfortable. And her appearance is thus, never what it seems.

All right...I realize I got off track. Back to the 60's and 70's civil rights. Appearances were the epitome of the fight. You had darker skin, you were the outsider. You were the typical caucasion, and you were in the cool group. It was as simple as that, and no one was interesting in knowing what else was there, what was deeper inside.

And it still exists today. People are discriminated just because they are African American, or Hispanic, or Asian. Or even gender. Both male and females become left out because some individuals judge on appearance. Sure, it helps. I don't expect lawyers to show up for work in jeans and a t-shirt. And is sure as frell don't expect children (except for Byers) to wear suits to school. But appearances are key to success. But it's also who you are, what you can do, and your character that ultimately helps.

Perhaps when people stop referring to the all too unique and human John as "inferior" or any chosen synonym, may we stop thinking of others solely by what they wear or what they own. As a wise man often said, "We are defined by the choices we make". That wise man also said, "You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake". Those who do not recognize those quotes...go to your nearest Blockbuster and rent Fight Club. I guarantee that even if you may hate the movie, you'll wax philosophical about it's ramifications upon your life.