Women of Farscape #7 - Grayza

[nymeria_dw]

The characters I have examined in the first six posts of this "marathon" belong to the Moyan family and can be placed in the "good girls" category, with the caution that in the Farscape universe this kind of definition is never clear-cut. There are however other interesting female roles that can be more easily placed on the other side of the fence, showing us that there is room enough for "bad girls" as well.

GRAYZA

Commandant Mele-on Grayza is the quintessential dark lady: cruel, ruthless, darkly alluring and gifted, so to speak, with more than a veneer of perversion. Even Scorpius is hard-put trying to stand up to her, because Grayza pursues her goals with such relentless determination that she quickly becomes a formidable adversary. 

A subtle indication of her standing is given in the Season Four's opening monologue by Crichton, where his voice-over describes Scorpius as just "dangerous", while Grayza is depicted as "powerful", a definition that goes well beyond simple dangerousness.

Sexual exploitation is the Commandant's main weapon: since her first appearance, the most revealing detail for the viewers is the deep cleavage that opens on her non-regulation uniform - a form of appeal and also a statement. There's a substantial difference, however, between the use of sexual attraction by well-known dark ladies and Grayza, because her attitude appears mechanical and utilitarian, a soulless form of exploitation that's quite far from what could be expected from a femme fatale.

Arrogance is Grayza's fatal flaw, the element that compels her to commit critical mistakes and sometimes to pursue hazardous shortcuts, like her choice to have herself implanted with a special gland producing an aphrodisiac substance, with which she ensures her victims' compliance. The only downside of this implant is a drastic reduction in life expectancy: such a radical choice implies both an iron will and a boundless, no-holds-barred ambition, as testified by Grayza's angry fits following defeats and the humiliation that comes with them.

This is probably the chink in her armor, coupled with an unexpressed but palpable need for revenge that seems to inform her personality: Grayza appears quite sensitive in this respect, as if humiliation had been part of her past life, leaving a permanent mark and depriving her of the detachment she needs to pursue her goals.  Considering that her appearance is not quite Sebacean, the hypothesis that she's a half-breed like Scorpius does not look far-fetched (her extreme pallor is reminiscent of the Nebari): in the xenophobic milieu of Peacekeeper society this could very well be a serious hindrance that Grayza choose to overcome recurring to extraordinary means.

With such premises, the parallel between Grayza and Scorpius is inevitable - both hybrids, working in an environment where racial purity is paramount: yet they are quite different. Scorpius' weapon of choice is his intellect, coupled with the patience he claims to have made his chief virtue; Grayza prefers quicker means, thus exposing herself to every possible trouble and downside they entail. Where Scorpius believes in his mission, the elimination of the Scarran threat, Grayza cares only about power, masking her lust for it under the convenient cloak of the "greater good", a sentence she often uses without the slightest hint of sincerity.  They are both great manipulators and have an uncanny knack of landing on their feet when the tables turn against them, yet Grayza lacks the touch of "humanity" that sometimes we can see in Scorpius, and that brings viewers to empathize with him, even for brief moments.

This makes Grayza a rarity among Farscape's characters: she exhibits none of the dichotomy between 'good' and 'bad' they all possess - she is, in this respect, monochromatic, as far as her definition in the story-arc is concerned, although this does not detract from her impact on the audience.

Comments

[nebari-rebel.livejournal.com]

Grazya is a character I cannot stand but who is nonetheless a fascinating and strong woman, and I enjoyed reading this very much.

However wrong her methods are (I do believe she doesn't view rape in the same way we - or John - do, but her actions are still wrong because she can see the effect it has on him and continues) she is devoted to her cause and her vision of the future. To what she perceives as the greater good. It is that phrasing as well as her coloring that makes me also believe she is part Nebari. It could be from the heppel oil...or that could just be the party line...

[nymeria-55.livejournal.com]

she is devoted to her cause and her vision of the future. To what she perceives as the greater good

In this she is almost the twin of a B5 character, Bester: he, too, stops at nothing to accomplish what he envisions as the best thing for his people (he's a telepath). It's the kind of single-mindedness that seems to create a tunnel vision, a way of detaching oneself from the consequences of one's actions.

If indeed Grayza is part Nebari, this gives a further chilly twist to her psychological make-up. Brrrr.... :-)

[nebari-rebel.livejournal.com]

If indeed Grayza is part Nebari, this gives a further chilly twist to her psychological make-up. Brrrr.... :-)

I have SO MANY fic ideas that deal with this, you have no idea. Maybe, someday, one will see the light of day...

I really wish people could just read my stories without me having to write them LOL

[nymeria-55.livejournal.com]

I have SO MANY fic ideas that deal with this, you have no idea.

Well, there's only one way to give me some hints... **innocent face**



read my stories without me having to write them

But... no pain, no gain, right? ;-)