Andromeda Episode 7: The Ties That Blind

Beka runs into her thieving brother, who seems to have embraced the peaceful philosophy of Wayism. Is he for real, or is he just following the latest in a long line of con jobs?

Episode Summary

Andromeda responds to a distress signal sent out by Serenity Vikram Singh Khalsa, a famous Wayist (Rev Bem’s philosophy) leader. The crew brings Khalsa aboard to the medical bay to assess his condition, and Beka recognizes that his companion is none other than her estranged brother Raphael. Raphael, or Rafe, has a history of being a notorious thief, but now he’s a follower of Wayism. Or is he?

Rafe’s Intentions

Rafe leaves Andromeda in the Eureka Maru to visit a Wayist monastery. It turns out Rafe has gotten himself embroiled with the Restorians, an eco-terrorist organization; they give him orders to destroy the Andromeda that he is reluctant but forced to carry out.

Rev Bem finds a video of Rafe at a Restorian rally and shares it with Captain Hunt and Beka. Beka confronts her brother and he admits he’s actually working undercover for the Free Trade Alliance, a corporate conglomerate, and that the Khalsa he’s traveling with is an imposter.

When Nanobots Attack

Before anyone can do anything, Khalsa collapses and a swarm of nanobots fly out of his mouth to screw with Andromeda’s systems. This is where the episode falls apart.

Rafe steals Andromeda’s command codes and runs away, then Beka goes after him in the Maru and seemingly destroys his ship, but it was all a ruse to trick the Restorians. In the end, everyone is fine and Rafe leaves.

Thoughts

We learn a bit about Becca’s past and Bem’s religion, plus the fact that the mysterious ship that attacked Andromeda a few episodes ago belonged to the Restorians.

Other than that, I found this episode tedious and convoluted. I especially hated Captain Hunt’s ruse at the end. Not only were the Restorians tricked, but the audience as well. Not cool.