Mabus has a plan to destroy Earth's communications by making everyone buy a new computer program in a Bill Gates-type way. But when his plan and his new host body are threatened by Cade and Jordan, he chooses a new body to continue his mission in...

It's a surprisingly simple idea: create a computer operating system with a built-in bug. Clearly inspired by the latest Microsoft problems, the writer of this episode has clearly taken the danger to heart. It's just a shame that the paranoia we have about computers and the information they hold isn't explored in more depth by the story. In fact, the premise of Mabus taking a host body becomes overridingly important to the detriment of the computer program story, which tails off without an adequate conclusion.

It's impressive how quickly Cade realizes that he's dealing with Mabus rather than a computer programmer, almost being taken over by the alien himself. Instead it is Jordan who becomes his new vessel, conveniently after Cade has realized he is in love with her and she with him. While the relationship has been building towards this most of the season, it seems to lose any power or chemistry the minute it's out in the open. Neither party does anything about it, and they don't really show any more longing for each other than before. It's a shame, as the tragedy of Cade losing another woman he loves would be much stronger if it were played with more emotion.

At the end of the day, however, it's still a bold move to take with one of the leading characters, and it'll be interesting to see what happens next.

***

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