by Heather
It is that time of year again. It happens every summer... binge watching Farscape!
Why is this show so appealing 10 years after it ended? I think the simplest way I’ve heard Farscape described is as “strangers in a lifeboat.” The show was very different for its time, and seemed to fill the void for fans who really missed Babylon 5 (another topic for another day!).
The premise is that John Crichton ( the only human on the show) is from present-day Earth and is pulled through a wormhole into another part of the galaxy. If that isn’t bad enough, he is “rescued” by an escaped prison ship that is being run by fugitives. The only common goal they share is to evade capture.
Why is this show so appealing 10 years after it ended? I think the simplest way I’ve heard Farscape described is as “strangers in a lifeboat.” The show was very different for its time, and seemed to fill the void for fans who really missed Babylon 5 (another topic for another day!).
The premise is that John Crichton ( the only human on the show) is from present-day Earth and is pulled through a wormhole into another part of the galaxy. If that isn’t bad enough, he is “rescued” by an escaped prison ship that is being run by fugitives. The only common goal they share is to evade capture.
***Read more after the bump***
We have Zhaan, a priestess. Rygel, who once was an Emperor. D’Argo, a 'disgraced' warrior. Officer Aeryn Sun, a former Peacekeeper soldier. Moya, the living ship, and her Pilot. Mid-way through season one Chiana, a rogue and thief, joins the ship as well. Many other characters, good, bad and questionable are added - and lost - throughout the series.
The "crew" have different priorities, do not like or trust each other (at first), and have no command structure to fall back on in order to operate the ship - or any idea which way 'home' is.
This show is almost completely character driven, and not only that, but alien character driven. Even the Human, Crichton, is an alien in this universe. The amount of fully-realized alien races and cultures is phenomenal, and is done entirely by the Jim Henson Studios with beautiful makeup, prosthetics and puppetry which becomes so part of this world it becomes almost invisible.
By the end of season one, the show develops larger story arcs from episode to episode, adding new and interesting plot devices and villains. There are some spectacularly trippy, funny, weird, and emotional episodes on this show that will always keep you guessing - and coming back for more.
I would recommend that the episodes be watched in order. There are four seasons, and a mini-series that wraps up the epic story (because it was abruptly cancelled), called the Peacekeeper Wars.
Farscape seasons 1-4 is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu Plus.
You will most likely have to buy/rent/download Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.
The "crew" have different priorities, do not like or trust each other (at first), and have no command structure to fall back on in order to operate the ship - or any idea which way 'home' is.
This show is almost completely character driven, and not only that, but alien character driven. Even the Human, Crichton, is an alien in this universe. The amount of fully-realized alien races and cultures is phenomenal, and is done entirely by the Jim Henson Studios with beautiful makeup, prosthetics and puppetry which becomes so part of this world it becomes almost invisible.
By the end of season one, the show develops larger story arcs from episode to episode, adding new and interesting plot devices and villains. There are some spectacularly trippy, funny, weird, and emotional episodes on this show that will always keep you guessing - and coming back for more.
I would recommend that the episodes be watched in order. There are four seasons, and a mini-series that wraps up the epic story (because it was abruptly cancelled), called the Peacekeeper Wars.
Farscape seasons 1-4 is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu Plus.
You will most likely have to buy/rent/download Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.
