Season three opens up immediately after the conclusion of the previous episode. Written by Richard Manning, the episode launched a new opening credits title sequence on 16 March, 2001.

Aeryn (Claudia Black) is still (mostly) dead.

Crichton (Ben Browder) is still strapped to the surgery table, unable to speak. Scorpius (Wayne Pygram) has the neural chip, and both leviathans, Moya and Talyn await in orbit for news on Crichton.

And despite the chip being removed from Crichton’s head, a version of Scorpius remains.

When the crew find Crichton, Zhaan (Virginia Hey) and Stark (Paul Goddard) work to save him, even as Scorpius attempts to manipulate everyone. D’Argo (Anthony Simcoe) takes charge on the planet, working to make sure his friend is saved. But with Aeryn gone, John Crichton isn’t sure he wants to live.

And with D’Argo away, things escalate between Chiana (Gigi Edgley) and Jothee (Matthew Newton), and you know that’s going to be a painful reveal for D’Argo when it happens.

Zhaan attempts unity with Aeryn to discover if she can be returned to life. But what will it cost her?

The end of the episode is a rush of moments, D’Argo and Crichton confronting a Scarran, Aeryn resurrected, and seeds planted for what is to come. And seeing Crichton and Aeryn reunited is worth it all.

It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking.

And did Crais (Lani John Tupu) and Talyn kill Scorpius when they blew up his ship? Or was it all a front for Scorpy to escape and exploit the wormhole information in the neural chip.

So much happening! So many story threads.

Strong characters and great moments, joyful and painful, give the episode a powerful punch. The characters, arcs, and ongoing storylines make this a fantastic watch.

Suns and Lovers sees Rygel (voiced by Jonathan Hardy) being the first to discover the dalliance between Chi and Jothee. Written by Justin Monjo this episode was broadcast on 23 March, 2001.

D’Argo has grabbed union tattoos for he and Chiana, he’s ready to take the leap, but his day is going to get a lot worse. His character is put through the emotional wringer in this episode.

The crew are in search of a cure for Zhaan on a commerce station. They spend some of the money they stole from the Shadow Depository, but things go badly when the station is hit by a storm. Or is there something else going on?

Someone aboard the station is sending a broadcast, and there may be a religious sect at work. Aeryn ends up helping some survivors find their way through the station, while Crichton tries to figure out how to stop an impending disaster.

We get some fun banter between Aeryn and Crichtno about sex, which seems to be all over the ship this episode, what with the Chiana and Jothee reveal hitting the fan.

The series shows constantly that its characters can make horrible choices, and those choices will have resounding effects. Holy crap, the show isn’t pulling its punches. Not that it ever did. Powerful, heartbreaking and wow, so much fun!