TV episode review
US airdate 30 November 2007 (Sci Fi Channel)

Joe makes an unscheduled trip to Mongo, giving Ming an opportunity to test some new hardware...

That's the key plotline through this episode, although the majority of it is devoted to the supposed 'A' story in which Dale becomes possessed by a sorceress who's out for revenge against her lyre-playing sister. In theory it's a chance for Gina Holden to spread her wings a bit, but unfortunately all it does is demonstrate her limitations.

The battle between the sorceresses is embarrassing, and as for whoever designed and created the mud monsters, they hopefully aren’t including the footage on their show reels! There's some intentional humour, as well as the you-have-to-be-kidding humour of the mud men, with Karen Cliche showing her comic timing, and showing up Jody Racicot's bumblings as Zarkov.

Ming's got himself a new glamorous scientist sidekick, which gives Rankol a chance to demonstrate his gloating side, particularly when she falls foul of a swift boot to the face from Baylin. The water problems on Mongo take a back seat as Ming and the woman experiment with some form of brain control – and the device is still in Joe as the episode closes.

An adequate episode let down by its effects. Paul Simpson

VERDICT: 5/10