Episode 20: Fair Trade

[Professor]

“Fair Trade” brings our beloved Sleestak back into the action for the first of what will be only three times in the second season. It’s a strong story with a wide range of material, from the peril of Dad’s capture by the Sleestak and Enik’s involvement in negotiating his release to the lightheartedness with which Ta’s greed allows him to be unwittingly incorporated into the kids’ scheme. As such, this episode has the potential for broad appeal. Additionally, our understanding of Sleestak culture is augmented by means of introduction of the Library of Skulls. However, this episode has also a dark side, which is a distinct alteration of previously established continuity concerning the Sleestak; this itself turns out to be one of an unusual number of plot devices.

Let’s get right into the Sleestak continuity problems before hitting the higher points. The Sleestak were seen out in broad daylight on numerous occasions in the first season. However, in this episode, they are unable to approach Dad while he stands directly under the opening of the trap. The purpose that this serves is particularly lame; it’s nothing but a plot device that enables Dad’s capture to be delayed long enough for the kids to get to him so that he can explain that his predicament is Sleestak-related. Were he captured immediately, he surely would have perished at the hands of the Sleestak hatchlings, and the kids would likely have followed him down into the pit and ultimately wound up captive as well. What is unusual about this particular issue is that unlike the vast majority of violations of reasonably well-established continuity, this one became so normative throughout the rest of the series as to color most viewers’ perceptions of the Sleestak’s original characteristic, which was aversion to fire and extremely intense light (and perhaps even heat). Let’s always remember, though: it began as a plot device, a trick to make the rest of this one story possible. I hate that, if you didn’t notice.

Speaking of plot devices, Holly’s pink hair ribbon serves a similar function in this episode to the charm around her neck in “Stone Soup”: it is to be given to Ta in exchange for something. In “Stone Soup” that something was peace; here it’s to get him to go on the swing. As I expressed in the discussion of “Stone Soup”, the object is immediately conspicuous to the regular viewer when we first see Holly in that it has never been seen before, and by the end of the story it will be gone. Watch for the ribbon mishap when Holly’s action of putting the mirror on Ta causes the ribbon to be removed from atop his head; he has to pretend to see it when he peers into the mirror. Why that scene wasn’t reshot is not clear, but it might be a function of its being such a long scene that the crew didn’t want to have to start over again.

A related plot device, incidentally, is the loop in the rope hanging over the hole. Will’s original plan when he set up the rope had nothing to do with a swing, and, by the way, I’d like to see him tie a bunch of melons to that thing, which was more along the lines of what he purportedly had in mind. The knife also has elements of being a plot device, though it’s real function is to illustrate something about selfishness and sacrifice, not really to advance the plot, so I’ll give it a pass. Finally, the enmity between pigs and Pakuni has never been established before, and though it also will figure into the action in “Nice Day” in a small way, it is also a plot device in that it is introduced in this episode and serves only to get Ta up that rope.

The Library of Skulls is a good idea that will be put to good use in subsequent episodes. It plays into the established idea that the Altrusian culture from which this place surely originated long predates Sleestak culture. Furthermore, it gives us the first sense we ever get that there is division of labor in Sleestak society, with a single leader-like figure who wears a special pendant. His role will become more prominent in the future.

I find it interesting that just like in “The Search,” the kids strongly believe not only that Enik can be found but that he will be willing to help them save Dad from doom. I think it’s safe to say that the general consensus among us is that for whatever reasons, the events of “Circle” are not in the Marshalls’ memories by the time they reach this episode; however, a long time has passed since the “other” last time they saw him, namely “The Search,” and yet they are confident that he is there. When he does turn out to be there, Will has to give practically the same speech his father gave in “The Stranger” to get the same results he himself got from Enik in “The Search,” namely that Enik paused his efforts to go home in order to help save Dad. It’s no wonder Enik believes Will to have his father’s way with words; it’s pretty much the same words.

Finally, there’s the issue of Ta. Presumably, the Marshalls cut him down when they got out, and let him keep their stuff (I don’t know; does Will’s vest ever appear again? I really don’t remember). But was it wrong to do what they did? They violated his human rights, really (and let’s not quibble about whether he’s sufficiently human to have human rights), and although Holly protested some, the urgency of the situation left the kids with little choice to accomplish their goal. Nonetheless, I’m surprised at how proud Dad claimed to be of them, because he’s just the sort of guy to give them a hard time about the ends not justifying the means. I don’t think it would go unaddressed these days.

“Fair Trade” happens to be a good story, though – we can imagine it happening without offending our intelligence very much, and it introduces the Library of Skulls. And of course, we got to see that painted domestic pig moseying around in the jungle. You can’t beat that!

[Rick_66]

"Firsts" in “Fair Trade”:
1. First (and only) appearance of Sleestak periscope.
2. First change/addition to Holly’s wardrobe. She now sports a pink ribbon.
3. First (and only) time Ta is the only Pakuni to appear in an episode (Sa never got solo time).
4. First appearance (and use) of Rani’s pendants since “Elsewhen.”
5. First appearance of Enik since “Circle.”
6. First mention (and appearance) of Library of Skulls.
7. First mention of changes in last 1000 years (by Enik). This 1,000 year period will be alluded to in “Longest Day” and "Blackout", also. This could imply that Enik has since learned how far into his future he’s traveled (he’d originally believed he’d gone from 10,000 to 100,000 years into the past, until he saw the Lost City); or that he’d previously visited the period 1,000 years into his future, and only now, in retrospect, does he realize that the change from Altrusians to Sleestak would begin there.
8. First reference to Sleestak having laws.
9. First diplomatic negotiation between the Sleestak and the Marshalls.
10. First revelation that pigs and Pakuni are natural enemies.

With respect to "Nice Day", which revisits the Pig/Pakuni enmity, the question remains which episode was filmed first- "Fair Trade" or "Nice Day". My feeling is that "Nice Day" was filmed before "Fair Trade." My reasoning is based on the fact that "Nice Day" was written by story editor Dick Morgan, while "Fair Trade" was written by someone else. In short, Morgan would have been in a better position to know about the Pakuni fear of pigs than the writer of "Fair Trade"; and the earlier-aired episode had established that the Marshalls already knew that. These facts suggest that the writer of "Fair Trade" was going by information provided by A) having seen the “Nice Day” script, B) a series “Bible” detailing that information about pigs and Pakuni, or C) some other written and/or verbal exchange.

I'm not overly concerned about the presence of Holly's pink ribbon. I agree it's a plot device, but it's a bit easier to explain than her earlier perfume bottle. Still, it would have been better had we either seen the ribbon occasionally in previous episodes; or seen Holly dig it out of one of her bags.

As to the question of whether Rick would say he was proud of them, are we sure Will and Holly mentioned Ta's role in the exchange? I don't remember. However, if they did, let's keep in mind that in "Nice Day", Rick was an active participant in A) putting Ta face to face with a pig and B) leaving him stranded atop the cage. And if "Nice Day" was filmed first (and we carry it a step further and assume its events took place first), then maybe Rick's pride in his kids was two-fold- that they'd captured a pig; and that they'd used Ta to accomplish that goal.


Rick

[Professor]

With respect to "Nice Day", which revisits the Pig/Pakuni enmity, the question remains which episode was filmed first- "Fair Trade" or "Nice Day". My feeling is that "Nice Day" was filmed before "Fair Trade." My reasoning is based on the fact that "Nice Day" was written by story editor Dick Morgan, while "Fair Trade" was written by someone else. In short, Morgan would have been in a better position to know about the Pakuni fear of pigs than the writer of "Fair Trade"; and the earlier-aired episode had established that the Marshalls already knew that. These facts suggest that the writer of "Fair Trade" was going by information provided by A) having seen the “Nice Day” script, B) a series “Bible” detailing that information about pigs and Pakuni, or C) some other written and/or verbal exchange.
They also knew about the relationship between pigs and Pakuni in "Nice Day." Regardless of production order, which might go toward explaining the situation outside the context of this episode, in this episode it does have the whiff of a plot device to me.

As to the question of whether Rick would say he was proud of them, are we sure Will and Holly mentioned Ta's role in the exchange? I don't remember.
No, not overtly, but I have to imagine that they passed by his position on their way out from the egg chamber. Alternatively, they left the Sleestak caves via a different route, not passing by Ta at all, and potentially leaving him suspended over a hole in the middle of the jungle on a route visited by carnivorous dinosaurs. Oh, the pride.

[Rick_66]

They also knew about the relationship between pigs and Pakuni in "Nice Day." Regardless of production order, which might go toward explaining the situation outside the context of this episode, in this episode it does have the whiff of a plot device to me.

In "Nice Day", the Marshalls appear to discover the Pakuni/pig animosity. Both Rick and Will acted surprised at Ta's reaction. That's one of the reasons I think "Nice Day" was filmed first.

Of course it's also possible that Dick Morgan forgot that "Fair Trade" had already established that the Marshalls knew about the Pakuni/pig animosity when he wrote a scene "introducing" it in "Nice Day." After all, David Gerrold- the first season's story editor- somehow overlooked the fact that the Marshalls already knew about the Sleestak hibernation cycle when he had the Marshalls theorize about it in "Circle."

But then, "Circle" was always intended as the final episode of the season. Both "Fair Trade" and "Nice Day" are "moveable" episodes. They could be transposed, without hurting the overall flow of season 2.

As to Ta's fate, I think we can safely assume the Marshalls released him. Probably as soon as they climbed back up the hole (if they took that route). Now, whether it would have been in character for Rick to express pride in his kids, knowing that they'd used- and possibly endangered Ta to do so- is, perhaps, a matter of some debate. The parameters of the debate would depend A) on how much danger Ta was really in; and B) what actions Ta might have taken recently- either directly or indirectly- to put the Marshalls in jeopardy; and C) how pissed of Rick was about B. And again, in "Nice Day", whether it's meant to take place before or after "Fair Trade", Rick did take part in stranding Ta atop the cage, and leaving him there. So, Rick wasn't exactly a saint, himself.

Perhaps he later chastised himself for such pettiness- since he seems to be an honorable man, overall; but such pettiness also makes him Human, rather than a perfect TV character.

Rick

[beowulf921]

I kinda felt sorry for Scutter McKay (?) in that episode. He had to feel pretty foolish with that "Ta go wheeeee" line.

[Professor]

As to Ta's fate, I think we can safely assume the Marshalls released him. Probably as soon as they climbed back up the hole (if they took that route). Now, whether it would have been in character for Rick to express pride in his kids, knowing that they'd used- and possibly endangered Ta to do so- is, perhaps, a matter of some debate. The parameters of the debate would depend A) on how much danger Ta was really in; and B) what actions Ta might have taken recently- either directly or indirectly- to put the Marshalls in jeopardy; and C) how pissed of Rick was about B. And again, in "Nice Day", whether it's meant to take place before or after "Fair Trade", Rick did take part in stranding Ta atop the cage, and leaving him there. So, Rick wasn't exactly a saint, himself.
I don't think Ta was in any serious danger, but the kids deprived him of his freedom by leaving him trapped, suspended over a hole. It's possible that he got away by his own means, of course, but he also would have been terrified as that pig came toward him, and it's unethical to subject someone to that. As for the retaliatory aspects of what they did to Ta, there was clearly no ill will toward Ta when he came to visit the kids at High Bluff at the beginning of the story, and his lame efforts to take Will's knife were ignored. I see little reason to believe that anyone was so upset with Ta as to justify his use as pig bait as punitive. In "Nice Day," on the other hand, what they did was clearly retaliatory and punitive.

[Timothy]

I don't think Ta was in any serious danger, but the kids deprived him of his freedom by leaving him trapped, suspended over a hole. It's possible that he got away by his own means, of course, but he also would have been terrified as that pig came toward him, and it's unethical to subject someone to that. As for the retaliatory aspects of what they did to Ta, there was clearly no ill will toward Ta when he came to visit the kids at High Bluff at the beginning of the story, and his lame efforts to take Will's knife were ignored. I see little reason to believe that anyone was so upset with Ta as to justify his use as pig bait as punitive. In "Nice Day," on the other hand, what they did was clearly retaliatory and punitive.


I always felt that Ta was left to his own devices as far as getting down. Ta seemed to always be the bully, so perhaps this was just a case of him getting a taste of his own medicine. Or perhaps it was a bit of Altrusian karma. ;)

[Beauregard]

Not only was Ta left in the lasso, but what if Spot and Grumpy came charging through there again....Yeeesh!!

[Tr5]

I always felt that Ta was left to his own devices as far as getting down. Ta seemed to always be the bully, so perhaps this was just a case of him getting a taste of his own medicine. Or perhaps it was a bit of Altrusian karma. ;)


My thoughts, exactly!

[PLT3008]

Not only do we get the Sleestak back, but I like the deeper look into more aspects of their way of living. The periscope I can believe was made by Sleestak. And the hole they dug OK, but those pickaxes , I don't think they were that skilled of artisans.

The dinosaur chases were good too. I really liked when Grumpy gets caught in the hole and we see Spot peeking out from the trees (@ 9:20), making sure the coast is clear, goes in and gives Grumpy a little pay-back(@ 9:32). That just cracks me up! Of course this causes Grumpy to jump out of the hole, and the chase cycle starts again.

Now we get to some deep sci-fi stuff. We get Enik back, his cave, the Matrix Table and although The Megetti is history, Enik still has The Companion Piece. But wait! There's more! Enik now has a transparent Crystal filled template! What is that thing ?!? Is he trying to replace The Magetti ?!? ANYONE?

More good stuff; "The Library of The Skulls", "The Colossal Smoke of Ignorance". And we get our first look at "The Nursery" ( Rick 66, are these last two not also firsts?).

And the thing with Ta hanging over the hole.
Will and Holly were running out of time and options, and Ta was in minimal to no danger. As long as they came back to get him down as soon as possible. And I take it they did. As we will see, Will regains possession of his vest and Knife. Which probably was a condition of Ta's release. And that ingenuity, and getting Dad free, might justify Dads pride.


"Firsts" in “Fair Trade”:
2. First change/addition to Holly’s wardrobe. She now sports a pink ribbon.

Rick, wouldn't Holly's jacket in The Paku Who Came To Dinner be the first wardrobe change/addition?

( I don't know; does Will's vest ever appear again?)
Yes, Professor it does. In the very next episode.


PLT3008 OUT

[Professor]

We get Enik back, his cave, the Matrix Table and although The Megetti is history, Enik still has The Companion Piece. But wait! There's more! Enik now has a transparent Crystal filled template! What is that thing ?!? Is he trying to replace The Magetti ?!?
I wanted to bring this up in the original post, but it was long enough already; I'm glad you did, PLT. It seemed to me that perhaps this transparent square serves as a means of enhancing the matrix table with the power from some more crystals. Not unlike putting an additional RAM card in your computer. (And yet, very much unlike putting an additional RAM card in your computer.) The crystals appeared to be on top of the piece, not inside it, from my point of view. In any event, I suppose that is similar to replacing at least some aspect of the mageti, but I'm not as troubled by this as you seem to be. Clearly, by this point Enik's efforts to operate the dimensional doorway have been futile, and some measures have to be taken. Alternatively, Enik might have intended to replace some worn-out crystals with fresher ones.

I can't think of anything else, except that in reality it served a dramatic purpose: rather than to have Holly and Will walk in on Enik in the middle of doing something, it would be more dramatic to have them walk into an empty chamber and then have Enik make an entrance. But in order for Enik to make that dramatic entrance and also be too busy to help the kids, thereby keeping in character, he had to be in the middle of doing something. What better thing could he be doing than to be carrying something inexpensive and yet scientific-looking to the matrix table? I think it's actually a nice touch, because it allows us to imagine that it serves a purpose and to wonder what that purpose might be, as we are now doing.

[cal92471]

Library of Skulls with no books. The skulls obviously took the place of the books. We see Sleestak have a culture, legal system and Nursery. A lot of great new elements introduced here, just to echo a few earlier posted thoughts. The smoke also lends to a well-made scene at The Library with no books.

[PLT3008]

I wanted to bring this up in the original post, but it was long enough already; I'm glad you did, PLT. Long or short Professor, you always leave me wanting more! It seemed to me that perhaps this transparent square serves as a means of enhancing the matrix table with the power from some more crystals. Not unlike putting an additional RAM card in your computer. (And yet, very much unlike putting an additional RAM card in your computer.)
I agree Professor!

The crystals appeared to be on top of the piece, not inside it, from my point of view.
I agree with this also Professor, that is why I used the word "filled", as opposed to "impregnated". Sorry I did not mean to lead you astray.


In any event, I suppose that is similar to replacing at least some aspect of the mageti, but I'm not as troubled by this as you seem to be.
No, not troubled professor. More like......... "FASCINATED"!


Clearly, by this point Enik's efforts to operate the dimensional doorway have been futile, and some measures have to be taken. Alternatively, Enik might have intended to replace some worn-out crystals with fresher ones.

I can't think of anything else, except that in reality it served a dramatic purpose: rather than to have Holly and Will walk in on Enik in the middle of doing something, it would be more dramatic to have them walk into an empty chamber and then have Enik make an entrance. But in order for Enik to make that dramatic entrance and also be too busy to help the kids, thereby keeping in character, he had to be in the middle of doing something. What better thing could he be doing than to be carrying something inexpensive and yet scientific-looking to the matrix table? I think it's actually a nice touch, because it allows us to imagine that it serves a purpose and to wonder what that purpose might be, as we are now doing.

How do I say this?
You read my mind Professor!

Your scaring me, I need more power, must go find more Crystals!

Most excellent conversation Professor!
Thank you!

PLT3008 OUT

[Galilee55]

I watched this episode again yesterday, and one thing got me to laugh.

Will and Holly are trying to get Ta into the swing, and Will says, "Hey, Ta, amora, try out my new...swing."

I LOVE Ta's reply:

"Ta...amora?" It's like he's saying, "You are calling ME friend? What are you, nuts? After they way I treat you?"

I just found it funny.

[Rick_66]

"We get our first look at "The Nursery"

Good catch. The nursery is a first. Could use a bassinet or two, though.

Rick

[PLT3008]

Good catch. The nursery is a first. Could use a bassinet or two, though.

Rick


Thanks Rick (what about Holly's knife????????????? Next episode.)

PLT3008 OUT