Moya

Lore & Background

Moya is a Leviathan, a race of living, biomechanoid spacecraft. She was originally held by the Peacekeepers, who used her as a prison transport. In the pilot episode, prisoners Ka D'Argo, Rygel, and Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan seize control of Moya and escape, inadvertently bringing John Crichton aboard after his wormhole transit. Aeryn Sun, a Peacekeeper pilot, is also brought aboard during the escape and later declared "irreversibly contaminated" by her commander Bialar Crais, forcing her to join the fugitives. Moya is capable of starburst, a form of faster-than-light travel, which she uses to escape danger. She is also capable of communication and emotional response, forming bonds with her crew. The Peacekeepers view Leviathans as resources to be captured and controlled, and they have developed weapons specifically designed to target them. Moya's vulnerability to such weapons makes her journey perilous, but she remains a steadfast home for the crew throughout the series.

In Their Own Story

In the opening minutes of the pilot episode, John Crichton is accidentally catapulted through a wormhole and finds himself in the middle of a spaceship dogfight. His craft is pulled aboard Moya, a large Leviathan ship, where he meets his first aliens: Zhaan, D'Argo, Aeryn Sun, and Rygel. Moya had been seized by these escaping prisoners from the Peacekeepers, and she becomes their refuge as they flee from Bialar Crais, who seeks revenge for his brother's death. Throughout the series, Moya serves as the crew's home and sanctuary, carrying them through wormholes and across the galaxy. She is not merely a vessel but a living being with her own needs and feelings, and the crew must learn to care for her as they would any family member. Her starburst capability is a key asset in their escapes, and her biological nature means she can suffer injury and illness, requiring the crew's attention and protection.

Reader's Guide

Moya is a Class 10 Leviathan, a living biomechanoid spacecraft. She is the primary setting for *Farscape*, housing the main characters as they travel across the universe. As a sentient being, she communicates telepathically with her passengers and can express emotions such as fear, pain, and contentment. Her biology includes internal organs, a digestive system, and the ability to heal from injuries, but she is also vulnerable to weapons designed specifically to harm Leviathans. The crew must monitor her health and respond to her needs, such as when she suffers from internal parasites or other ailments. Moya's starburst capability allows her to make rapid escapes, but it is taxing on her body. Her relationship with the crew evolves from one of necessity to a deep familial bond, as she becomes a trusted companion and protector. Throughout the series, she endures physical trauma and danger, but she remains a loyal home for John Crichton, Aeryn Sun, Ka D'Argo, Rygel, and the others who come to see her as family.

Did You Know?

• Moya is a Leviathan, a biomechanoid living ship, not a mechanical spacecraft.
• She was originally used by the Peacekeepers as a prison transport before being seized by escaping prisoners.
• Moya is capable of starburst, a form of faster-than-light travel that is taxing on her body.
• The crew must care for Moya's health, as she can suffer from illness and injury like any living creature.
• Weapons designed specifically to target Leviathans exist, making Moya vulnerable to certain attacks.