Ratings
1.1 (US)
1.87 (UK)

Lani John Tupu.............Capt. Bialar Crais
Alex Dimitriades...........Velorek
Melissa Jaffer.............Voice of Female Pilot

Wassup?

"We all have things in our past that we'd rather not have on instant replay."

Chiana discovers an old PK recording showing that Aeryn was one of the PKs who murdered Moya's original Pilot. With John's help, Aeryn faces the memory of her past, but the rest of the crew -- and Pilot -- are less forgiving.

Backstory

Aeryn has been on Moya before, though she did not know it, about three cycles before this episode. Moya was only one of "hundreds" of Leviathans that Aeryn had been on; she could not tell them apart.

Pilot isn't Moya's original Pilot. He is a replacement brought on board by the Peacekeepers to help control Moya for an experiment.

Crais ordered Moya's original Pilot killed. Aeryn was part of the team that performed the execution.

Pilot's species can be transported through space without being bonded to a Leviathan for at least 22 solar days.

Pilot's species normally speaks too quickly for translator microbes to comprehend, as their language is very densely packed. Some Sebaceans have learned at least simple phrases.

Aeryn has maintained her distance from Crichton at least partially because of a close relationship with Velorek, whom she betrayed to get reassigned back to flying Prowlers.

Sebaceans refer to intimate relations simply as "procreation".

Pilot is capable of insane rage, though he normally stays very calm.

A natural bonding between Pilot and Leviathan takes at least one cycle and maybe two.

The space directly underneath Pilot and his console is hollow.

D'Argo's collarbones were chained to the walls of his cell the entire time he was a prisoner.

Pilot has been in constant pain as a result of an artificial splice used to bond him quickly to Moya. Moya was tortured into accepting Pilot.

Pilot saw a succession of Moya's memories when he was first bonded to her that seemed to indicate she had seen multiple battles.

Moya has hundreds of DRDs. Pilot can command them by impulses or by voice commands.

D'Argo and Crichton still use rock-paper-scissors to quickly resolve disputes.

Moya's pregnancy was planned and started by Crais. The intent was to create a Peacekeeper Leviathan warship.

A Peacekeeper saboteur (Velorek) planted the shield that D'Argo knocked loose in "They've Got a Secret". The shield was meant to stop Crais' experiment.

A council of elders on Pilot's homeworld decides which members of the species will be allowed to bond with Leviathans. When Pilot met Velorek, the elders had decided he was not yet ready to bond with a Leviathan.

Pilot's species appears to be amphibious. Though the surface was obscured by mist, Pilot seemed to be floating in water while talking with Velorek.

Pilot can cry.

Reactions

Questions (none)

Observations (none)

Bloopers (none)

Annotations

The title is probably a play on the title of the Barbara Streisand/Robert Redford film, THE WAY WE WERE.

John: "We all have things in our past that we'd rather not have on instant replay."

"Instant replay" refers to the use of video cameras during sporting events to capture the details of a play, such as a touchdown, so that it could be played back immediately for the benefit of a TV audience who want to see it in close-up or from different angles.

John: "Pilot, we have to talk. Let's hash this out, right here, right now. Five cents, the Doctor is IN."

In the popular comic strip "Peanuts", the character Lucy occasionally put up a "The Doctor is IN" sign at her "Psychiatric Help 5¢" booth, and dispensed questionable answers to all of life's (or at least, Charlie Brown's) questions.

John: "Kids -- save it for after school. Right now, how do we fix this thing so we stop bobbing about like three men in a tub?"

From a Mother Goose nursery rhyme:

Rub-a-dub-dub,
Three men in a tub,
And how do you think they got there?
The butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker --
They all jumped out of a rotten potato!
'Twas enough to make a fish stare.

John: "Yeah, well I don't think Pilot's in a 'Leviathan for Dummies' kinda mood right now."

Refers to the popular series of helpful guides on numerous subjects.

John: "Aeryn...no-no-no-no. Pilot's Etch-a-Sketch isn't operating with all its knobs right now."

A popular toy used to create pictures by turning knobs, which cause lines to appear on the screen. Since the official site isn't intuitively easy to navigate, http://www.etch-a-sketch.com/html/history.htm is a specific page that describes the history of the Etch-a-Sketch and a not-very-detailed description of how it works.

Translator Microbe Report

Quotables

Comments from Cast & Crew

David Kemper (& Ben Browder), September 23, 1999

• Moderator: <GrandLady> to <Moderator> Will we find out more about Pilot and his life?
  

  DavidKemper: Ooh, yes. We have a story in the works by Naren Shankar (formerly of The Outer Limits, ST: TNG, etc) where we really find out about Pilot's backstory.
  

Lani Tupu, November 8, 1999

• Moderator: <optimusp> to <Moderator> Do you think the Peacekeepers are as ruthless as other menacing bullies of the galaxy? ie. The Empire (SW), The Borg (ST), i forget the ones from Galactica, etc.
  

  LaniTupu: The Peacekeepers are WORSE.
  LaniTupu: (laughs)
  LaniTupu: There are some storylines that I will be working on in the future where you will see Crais going back in time before Crichton arrives on the scene, and he gets par-tic-u-lar-ly nasty.
  LaniTupu: (laughs)
  

• Moderator: <Gmmas> to <Moderator> Inquiring minds want to know: just how many arms and legs does Pilot have?
  

  LaniTupu: Six arms. And Pilot's lower body is bonded to the ship. I think there's a episode coming up which explains Pilot's past...
  LaniTupu: so look forward to that story.
  

• Moderator: <Psyrix> to <Moderator> Would you like to see Pilots character expanded upon in the series?
  

  LaniTupu: Yes, I would.
  LaniTupu: I think there's a large part of Pilot we don't know about. And Pilot is the one person on the ship that sees and hears EVERYTHING.
  

• Moderator: <valleyofstags> to <Moderator> Hey Lani. Will you ever get a chance to play a scene with yourself. Pilot talking to Crais? How would you handle it?
  

  LaniTupu: There's one episode in the second series where we read through the other day on set, and I had to laugh because it was the first time Crais comes into contact with Pilot, and vice-versa.
  LaniTupu: Pilot required a different kind of attitude, so switching from one character to another (to Crais) is kind of schizophrenic.
  LaniTupu: Maybe that's why they gave it to me.
  LaniTupu: (laughs)
  

Sean Masterson & Tim Mieville (Farscape Puppeteers), December 20, 1999

• Moderator: <SciFi-Chic9> : Hi guys! okay, at FaDoP, we have debated everything, from the origin of Leviathans and Pilots, to, like Soju said, where Pilot's ears, nose, etc are. Also, the most burning question...Pilot's teeth. How does he clean them in space, when his claws don't seem to be able to hold a tooth brush or floss! Can you shed some light on any of these questions? Thanx, and hope you guys have a Happy Holiday!
  

  SeanMasterson: Have a Merry too.
  SeanMasterson: He gets others to do it for him. The dentally remote droid
  SeanMasterson: We're working on an ep where Pilot's origins are revealed...even as we speak
  

  TimMieville: That's a secret You didn't hear it here!
  

• Moderator: <OboeCrazy> : Thanks for chatting with us today! My question: If there was one aspect about Pilot's character you would realy like to explore, what would it be? I'd love to know more about his past!
  

  Sean: As I said, we have an ep coming about his origins
  Sean: I'm interested in the aggressive aspects of character
  Sean: To see him lose control
  

Rockne S. O'Bannon, January 13, 2000

• Moderator: <DkPhoenix> to <Moderator>: So, this is one that I think has been bugging us for a while - what is Pliot's species called? Or is that spoling Pilot's backstory?
  

  Rockne: We've just finished filming the episode (written by Naren Shankar) where we learn a great deal about Pilot's origins. But the name of his species hasn't come up yet.
  

• Moderator: <grf> to <Moderator>: Nerve looked great, and very expensive. Have you had to cut corners on other shows to meet your budget?
  

  Rockne: Like any TV series, there's give and take between episodes -- and we're no exception. But we're still the biggest cable series investment going, so expect some pretty terrific stuff next year (a look at Pilot's home world, for example...)
  

• Moderator: <StarPaw> to <Moderator>: How important is Pilot to you?
  

  Rockne: Very important. [...]
  Rockne: Actually, I find Pilot and his role vis a vis Moya is fascinating....
  Rockne: ....and that's why we're singling him in at least one episode next year, featuring him in much the same way that we might have a storyline that features Aeryn, Zhaan, D'Argo, etc.
  

• Moderator: <Gmmas> to <Moderator>: Rockne: One theme of the show seems to be "You can be more" Do you agree, and would you cite other important ideas?
  

  Rockne: "You can be more" is definitely one (I just did a polish on an episode, where that theme reprised again). "You have to be your own kind of hero... and it's rarely what you expect" is another important theme. In other words, always be ready to be heroic, to do the right thing, because it may not come at you the way you expect it to...
  Rockne: There's a very important theme announced in Ep 22 that my wife has adopted for our kids (the sentiment was written by David Kemper).
  

Claudia Black, January 26, 2000

• Question: What has been/is your favorite episode filmed? and if its been done why?
  

  Claudia Black: Episode #7 of Season Two, that we just completed shooting. We're very excited about the audience's response.
  

• Question: What can we look forward to with Aeryn in the next season?
  

  Claudia Black: Facets of her personality that to this point have not been revealed. More of her history, and hopefully more of an understanding of her complex nature. And some cool stunts!! :) And a great new outfit.
  

David Kemper, January 27, 2000

• Moderator2: <LadyJade> to <Moderator2>: Will there be an episode, on Aeryn Sun. I mean to give us information of her life before she came aboard Moya?
  

  DK: Ep. 2 next year. And 7. And 10. And 11.... You get the idea.
  

• Moderator2: <Kieriahn> to <Moderator2>: We've heard that Season 2, Ep. 7 is absolutely incredible -- can you tell us if it's a flashback story about Pilot, or takes place in the present?
  

  DK: Q for Kieriahn? What have you heard?
  

  Kieriahn: that there's lots of nifty effects -- possibly about Pilot? :)
  

  DK: He's right. But you misunderstood. Anth was just "raving." He's always "raving." winkwink.
  DK: Seriously. Ep. #7 is fantastic. It is set in several different -- concurrent -- time zones. Think past, present, and future.
  

• Moderator: <FenrisUlf> : Evening! Will Pilot ever come out of his little room? Will there be an episode with focus on Pilot/his race?
  

  DK: Coming soon to a television set near you. Second season holds many surprises.
  

Anthony Simcoe, January 27, 2000

• Question: What can u tell us about the upcoming season?
  

  Anthony Simcoe: Expect to see much more information about the private lives of the characters. The show gets sexier, funnier, and the action sequences are incredible. Episode 7 of Series 2 I believe is one of the most incredible hours of television I have ever seen. And I mean ever.
  

Ben Browder, January 28, 2000

• Question: Hi, Ben! We're hearing quite a bit about this famous episode 7 that was just filmed. Can you say anything about it to add to our growing curiosity?
  

  Ben Browder: LOL!!! Episode #7 is fantastic, superb, stupendous... Claudia Black is the BOMB in Episode #7. The writing staff, Naran Shankar and the director Tony Pils, the camera dept... everyone did a stupendous job. And we've only seen the rough cut. But, as you can tell, we can't wait to see the final version. Unfortunately, I'm not in it...LOL!!
  

Justin Monjo & Rowan Woods, May 11, 2000

• Moderator: <Kieriahn> to <Moderator>: One of the things that makes Pilot so intriguing is his mystique -- are there any plans to fill in his background a bit more than "The Way We Weren't"?
  

  RowanWoods: The honest answer to that question is that I'm not sure, but I wouldn't imagine there's much more to say in the short term,
  RowanWoods: post The Way We Weren't.
  RowanWoods: The episode was such a fantastic answer to any of the questions in regards to where Pilot comes from and how he functions.
  RowanWoods: having said that, I'm sure Kemper and the gang in the writing room will have another Pilot coming your way in series 3.
  

Farscape Season Two Wrap, June 15, 2000

• Moderator: <stargatetravler> to <Moderator>: Hi Tony! How many eps have you directed and which one was your fav?

  TonyTilse: 10 eps ... favourite was The Way We Weren't

• Moderator: <LadyJade> to <Moderator>: Tony, on directing TWWW, how did you get that "emotional response' with Pilot, John & Aeryn?

  TonyTilse: It was a really well-written scene and it was shot at the end of the shoot which enabled everyone to be in the moment
  TonyTilse: It's all a team effort

  Ben: I don't know how his brain works... but it borders on genius.
  Ben: Tony's Brain works by team effort?

Pilot, with Sean Masterson (Puppeteer) & Lani Tupu (Voice of Pilot), July 13, 2000

• Moderator: <Ooshati> to <Moderator>: Pilot: How's the natural bonding with Moya coming along?

  Pilot: Quite well, thank you. It is a long process, but each solar day brings improvements.
  Pilot: Moya, by the way, has asked me to give you all her warmest regards.
  Pilot: She is as astounded as I am that so many people take an interest in us.

• Moderator: <Gmmas> to <Moderator>: Quest. for Pilot: We saw a glimpse of your homeworld in The Way We Weren't, but it was a little hard to see it well under the fog. Is it mostly aqueous? Or what else can you tell us about it?

  Pilot: That was one of its clearer days.
  Pilot: Yes, most of the surface of my homeworld is water.
  Pilot: It's a pleasant place, but... I always wanted to go into space.
  Pilot: When the clouds would subside and reveal the stars, I would spend endless amounts of time gazing into the heavens...
  Pilot: And I must say, I truly don't miss my homeworld a great deal.
  Pilot: Whereas being separated from Moya for any length of time is extremely... unsettling.

• Moderator: <MsFroggie> to <Moderator>: I'd like to say hi from the Netherlands. Pilot, don't you miss others of your kind? Are you in contact with any other of your species?

  Pilot: Hello to the Nether Zones.
  Pilot: I would have to say that I don't really miss my homeworld very much.
  Pilot: You must understand that the bond between a Pilot and a Leviathan is much, much closer than the bond between any two of my own species.
  Pilot: I attempted to explain this to Crichton once, and he made a rough analogy to "marriage"...
  Pilot: Although Crichton admitted that even that bond was far weaker than the one Moya and I are privileged to share.

• Moderator: Another blast from our first chat with Lani:
  Moderator: <valleyofstags> to <Moderator> Hey Lani. Will you ever get a chance to play a scene with yourself. Pilot talking to Crais? How would you handle it?
  Moderator: <LaniTupu>: There's one episode in the second series where we read through the other day on set, and I had to laugh because it was the first time Crais comes into contact with Pilot, and vice-versa.
  Moderator: Was this "The Way We Weren't," and if so, what did you think of that scene when you actually shot it?

  LaniTupu: Its unique to be playing two characters especially in the same room. Perhaps there might be story lines in the future where Pilot and Crais go head to head. We will see who gets the better of the exchange.
  LaniTupu: I think it probably was The Way We Weren't. Good question.

Ben Browder, July 27, 2000

• Moderator: <Tenebrae> to <Moderator>: Ben, you like the big arc eps or the single shot ones?

  Ben: I admit a fondness for the ARCS in general.
  Ben: however at the end of the day... many of my favorite eps are essentially NON arc eps
  Ben: TWWW.
  Ben: Human reaction
  Ben: ect.

Farscape Wrap Day Extravaganza, July 26, 2001

• Moderator: <MissyKat> to <Moderator>: Tony, do you get to "experiment" on Farscape as much as you would like? And what is your very farvorite scene so far (that we have seen)?

  FrooniumRicky: Tony: "Yes I do get to experiment. Stacks. In fact, far too much."
  FrooniumRicky: (These 'favorite scene' questions are tough)
  FrooniumRicky: Tony: "Aeryn and Crichton on the PK run in Way We Weren't"