I thought it might be interesting to post some closing thoughts on the first season.

It took me a long time to grow to like Farscape. I think, like a lot of other people, there were certain factors that put me off getting into the show at the beginning. Do we need to mention them again? Probably not... okay, maybe later...

This was only the second time that I had watched the entire season through, in order, and I found it to be a hugely enjoyable experience. Episodes that had me nodding off during my original viewing this time had me glued to the screen looking for references and hints that were picked up and elaborated upon by the writers in later seasons.

Characterisations seemed to develop more visibly and organically this time around, whereas first time they just seemed to "happen". D'Argo's growth over this first season is pretty amazing. Given that I had grown used to the more subdued, introspective character of the latter seasons it was remarkable to see him develop from the snarling, barking juvenile warrior of the early episodes to the more mature, quietly emotional individual that we see at the end of the year, willing to sacrifice himself to save his crewmates. I don't think I've paid Anthony Simcoe much in the way of compliments in my posts so far so, for the record, I think that - in the latter episodes - he shows what a remarkable actor he can be, especially given that most of his emotions are shown through just his eyes, bearing in mind the amount of makeup he wears. It is noticeable from this point on how they adapt his makeup to make him not only look more believable but also allow him to show a greater range of expressions.

Aeryn's growth is less pronounced but no less dramatic, starting the season as much an outsider to the group as Crichton is, but swiftly developing into a valued member of the crew. Of course it is her relationship with Crichton that forms the emotional backbone of the series, and it develops in a very interesting and mature way over the course of the first season, by the end of which it reaches a point where it could conceivably go either way. Having said that, it was refreshing that the writers did not keep us waiting long for their first "close encounter" in The Flax. I'm not going to praise Claudia Black anymore... but she is amazing :whistling:

Zhaan is the one character that I have never really been that keen on, but there are some interesting nuances to her character that are on show during the season. She is obviously a very tortured soul, as her comments to Aeryn in Family Ties reveal, and she is quite emotional. She is the first of the crew to really form a bond with Crichton, and his loyalty to her is always touching. Virginia Hey always does a good job, especially once she gets to show different sides to the character beyond the religious theme.

Chi was always a welcome addition to the crew, and I think it is fair to say that Gigi Edgely gives her a quite otherworldly persona through movement and inflection. It's not quite refined in the few episodes she has here, but the seeds are clearly there and, as with Rygel, she gives the character an edge that leads to a wonderful air of uncertainty over what she might do.

Which leads me nicely onto the puppets. I've always said that if you didn't have a problem with Yoda in the original Star Wars movies then Rygel and Pilot should not prove to be a stumbling block in the enjoyment of this series. Unfortunately other people seldom see it that way, choosing to label Farscape as "Muppets In Space" or somesuch. The fact of the matter is that Pilot and Rygel, especially, are fleshed out beautifully over the course of the season. Pilot doesn't get that much to do until later in the season, and it certainly takes Lani Tupu a while to find the character's voice, but he has key scenes in many of the later episodes and it takes a while before you realise you have accepted him as being real. It is true that Pilot develops more and more as the series goes on (particularly during one huge, stunning episode early in season 2), but Rygel is thrown into the thick of things from the off, and more than proves his worth. Whilst the puppet itself may not have had the same money lavished upon it as a certain old jedi, it does the job more than adequately. Moreover, being a series as opposed to a film, the character has room to breath and grow, and Jonathan Hardy does a brilliant job of giving Rygel such character through his voice. There is far more to the little guy than a lot of critics give him credit for. And, by and large, the fart jokes have been kept to a minimum :lol:

Bad guys don't come much better than the ones on Farscape. Crais has always been a favourite of mine, not least because of Lani Tupu's increasingly impressive unhinged performances. For me there is always an air of menace about him, to the point where his motives are never entirely clear. That's my kind of villain!

But not quite as much as Scorpius. Wayne Pygram is simply amazing in this role. It would be far too easy to dismiss him as Farscape's answer to Darth Vader when he is so much more than that. There is no soppy, sappy ending for Scorpius - this half-breed is bad to the bone and his own selfish agendas are never far from the surface. And yet, for all that, he is not evil. He believes that what he is doing is right, and that it is being done for the right reasons. Four appearances in this first year don't give a lot to go on, but I think it's fair to say that not only the "drama" quotient of the series increases exponentially when he's on screen, but the "fun" element as well.

What else to say? Well, it's a long time since I mentioned how awful the incidental music has been, so that must mean that Subvision got their act together in the latter stages - just in time to be replaced by Guy Gross for year two :lol:

The direction has started to find the quirky Farscape style that I am used to - off-kilter camera angles, sweeping, swooping panning shots and lost of very odd framing designed to throw the viewer just a little off balance. It all works very well and Tony Tilse, Rowan Woods and Andrew Prowse deserve particular mention. it's just such a shame that the series didn't progress to 16:9 widescreen images until the final season :(

The special effects get better and better as the season progresses, even if they aren't anywhere close to the level achieved in the third and fourth years, no doubt due to better technology and bigger budgets.

In fact, as a closing thought, it always interests me how well the producers seem to manage Farscape's budget. Looking at each season as a whole it is noticeable that the big money episodes nearly always crop up in batches in the latter stages of the season, whilst the early episodes are largely stand alone, character based stories. In some cases this gives each season a slightly uneven feel, but the build up in storyline and tension until the point where the money is unleashed makes every big effect, big explosion and new set all the more worth the wait. Each season ends on a dramatic and creative high, and season one sets a very definite and welcome trend in this regard.

Okay, not quite a closing thought, because the final word has to be about John Crichton. He is the glue that holds the whole magnificent enterprise together. He proves himself to be brave, loyal, ingenious and selfless. He strives to bring the crew together, to form bonds to prevent the ship from falling apart. He is a stranger in a strange land yet he proves himself to be more adaptable than all of the others put together. Even through his desire to return home he only once allows selfishness to take over. And, of course, he is quite obviously hopelessly in love. I had never seen Ben Browder in anything else before Farscape and now I am more than thankful that the producers chose someone on ability rather than just big name status. The guy is an absolute revelation. And, apparently, he's good looking too. Bastard.

As I said at the start, it took me a long time to grow to like Farscape, but by the end of this first year I loved it.

Anyway, before anyone says anything, I've gone on for long enough... so enough of my yacking :lol: :lol: :lol:

How about you guys? Someone else can talk about the leather... :lol:

How does anyone follow that then Steve, again an excellent review ;)

I must admit, this being the first I've ever seen of Farscape, I had my apprehensions. Not so much the 'muppets in space' just the 'space'. I've never been keen on the Star Trek franchise, so another drama set in space, set off alarm bells. (No disrespect to any trekkies out there, I never liked the tone, the characters or the humour)

The first few eps, I found it quite hard to get into, comparisons were bound to happen, with the other shows I watched but I'm glad I stuck with it. I think about episode 5 or 6, I felt the 'calm' effect I get, if I'm starting to enjoy something. I can't even remember which episode it was, just that I was enjoying it.

I think it helped, that I've never really seen anything else with the actors in, so they're all complete unknowns to me.

For a first season, I think it sets things up quite nicely. The change in the characters, and their ever complicated relationships, has been a joy to watch.

A few duff eps, but I guess that's to be expected with a new show, finding their feet and all. I don't really have a problem with the puppets, although I'm not too enamoured with Rygel, looks too much like a slimy toad for my liking, but I think Pilot is fantastic. In particular the later scenes between Aeryn and Pilot, I completely forgot he was a puppet, highly emotional scenes, beautifully done.

I'm not going to get too much into the characters, since Steve had pretty much covered that, except the leather trousers, which I feel, I should leave for Melian

As the first season rewatch has now finished, I'm kind of kicking myself that I'd never watched it before. So once again thanks to Steve and Melian, for kicking me up the backside. Ta! guys
;) :thumbsup:


ps Steve, that Ben Browder fella, he's really, really good looking :lol:

Bastard :lol:

I hope you meant Ben, Steve :o :P ;) :lol: :lol:

:o Oops, yes I did mean Ben :lol:

Sorry, Lisa :innocent: :whistling:

I'm only teasing :lol: :lol: :lol:

I think an Mmmmm Aeryn is needed here to balance things out. ;) :lol:

He's still a bastard, though ;) :lol:

Quick Steve, lets pounce on the bystander ;)

Hey Paul, fancy joining in our Virtual season 2, Farscape rewatch. We haven't started, still time :thumbsup:

Steve, but he's such a good looking one ;) :lol: :lol:

Who? Paul? :unsure: :blink:

B) ;)

And S2 rewatch hmm! it's aaaaaaggggeeessssss since I watched any Farscape.....

I could conceivably be persuaded.... :unsure: :ph43r:

Sounds like a bribe is going to be needed... :lol:

So... what's the pitch... ;)

And I would also have to do a rapid S1 catchup :toomuchtv:

Paul, you mean you can be persuaded :thumbsup:

I think I'll pass that over to Lisa... :ph43r: :lol:

Am I right in thinking you watched seasons 1 and 2 before, Paul, but got disenchanted with season 3?

Oi, you're the Farscape mod Steve :ph43r: :lol:

I don't think I've got anything to bribe with, though! :unsure: :lol:

How about if I restart my B5 rewatch when you guys do it? :rolleyes:

Yeah. I thought S1&2 were fantastic but then it went all wierd in S3 :unsure:

I have S1, S2, and the first 2 boxes of S3 on DVD

That might work.

Unless Lisa has a better incentive ;)

And I have. :blink:

Farscape's always weird - it's what sets it apart :lol:

Season 3 is amazing. Maybe on your second viewing, eh? ;) B)

There must be some goth thing, surely? :ph43r: ;)

Less of the name calling Mr AOR

Okay Paul, I'll download some Cruxshadows ;)

AOR? I think you have me confused with someone else :lol:

Okay you're a real rock guy ;)

I'm a slightly gothic ROCK CHIC ;) :lol: :lol:

I think I'm going to rename this thread "Goths In Denial" :ph43r: :lol: ;)

I don't know, some of the things introduced in S3 just seemed to come straight out of nowhere, whereas there was a logical progression in the first two seasons.

I can't think of anything in particular that fits that description in season 3, but it's probably best not to discuss it yet seeing as it would be a spoiler!

You wound me Steve :cry: :cry:

Maybe I'm a little in denial :unsure:

Paul, I haven't seen any of season 2 or 3 Farscape ;)

As I said I haven't watched any eps for yonks, so I may be misremembering stuff.

And Lisa you should look into The Narcissis Pool - I put one of their albums on the other day and the first thing it reminded me of was Trent Reznor!

Lisa, trust me when I say the second half of season 3 is jaw-droppingly good :thumbsup:

And I wasn't trying to wound you... :whistling: :angel: :lol: ;)

I'll have a look now, keep you posted ;)

I'm confuzzled now as to how much I have actually seen :blink:

Do you think you remember enough of the first season to pick up from the start of season 2, Paul?

If not, maybe you could just watch from either A Human Reaction or Nerve onwards to get up to speed?

What do you think, Lisa?

If it's a time issue, I'd catch up by trying to find an episode recap guide, but at the same time, watch some of the better episodes.How about watching the first couple, and then speed reading up till A Human Reaction, and watch from there.

Paul, you don't have to post on the first series, if you just want to get up to speed, to join us for the second.

We're only watching 2 eps a week, so it shouldn't take too long to catch up ;)

Farscape World has a very detailed episode guide :thumbsup:

Don't want you all to see where I've been getting my episode synopses from though... :ph43r: :lol:

awwwhh Steve, we knew you were getting them from somewhere.

I'm pretty confident, the episode reviews are your own work though :)

I hope there aren't any copyright issues... :unsure: :lol: :lol: