Ocular Parabola

In the science fiction TV series LEXX, Ocular Parabolae are the principal component of the Lexx's weapon system. They are a hexagonal grid of silver domes on the surface of the insect bioship's eyes. The Parabolae are linked into complex arrays and have two functions: to serve as a massive network of compound optical receivers (hence, the ocular portion of its name), and to act as a mass emitter for the weapon.

The "Ocular" component of the Lexx is in the form of the common insect compound eye. In one episode when the Lexx was caught in a web-like parasitic creature, the Lexx demonstrated its ability to see the creature with INCredible accuracy, well into deep space (season 2, "The Web"). Further into that episode, the crew members of the Lexx were instructed to go to the receptors, where they tapped into one of Lexx's optical nerves. There they received sight from only one Ocular Parabola. This was done in response to the creature's ability to physically enter the Lexx's exoskeleton and brain, in order to change what the view-screen was depicting.

However, when the weapon system is energizing the Ocular Parabola must flip from the common sight usage to dish-like structures (and hence, "parabola" like a parabolic dish). These dishes focus the energy released by the nerves and channel them into a central point ahead of the Lexx.

This weapon system, and the Lexx itself, were expressly designed to destroy entire planets. However, with some effort, the Lexx is able to restrain itself to firing a small, merely city-destroying blast by activating only a few of the Parabolae.

Further Information

• The phrase "Ocular Parabola" has only been mentioned once in the series (season 1, "I Worship His Shadow").