Farscape- The Complete Series Blu-ray Review
“Farscape” is a unique, but flawed sci-fi series.
Season one kicks off with an introduction to the series’ main character (John Crichton) whom the audience essentially goes on this journey with. You see, John is an astronaut who winds up enterting a wormhole universe where he meets a group of convicts on a living ship named Moya. On board this ship, he encounters a Klingon esque warrior named Ka D’Argo, a Priestess known as Zhaan, a former ruler (Dominar Rygel XVI), a feisty Peacekeeper officer (Aeryn Sun), Pilot and later a thief (Chiana). We quickly learn that these convicts are being hunted by the Peacekeepers- an intergalactic police (led by Caris) and that, like John, they just want to find a way home.
Some of the stand alone plots in the first season include: space bugs, alien being encounters (Delvians, Zenetians, Nebari to name a few), drugs, Moya ship issues, pirates, bounty hunters, character revelations, wormholes, different dimensions, a severe injury to Aeryn, the introduction of the show’s main villain Scorpius (who tortures John), a masked character named Stark, and Moya’s pregnancy
The second season finds Scorpius and the Peacekeepers continuing their hunt for the crew of Moya. Other plots involve off world adventures for Chiana, a trickster alien, Aeryn’s shady past, food, lawyers, the obligatory body switch episode, 3 Crichtons, aging, a robbery, a neural chip implanted in John, and the emergence of a new villain with the race of Scarrans who want to kill John.
The third season takes a more serious turn with episodes about a space station, ship fusion, time travel goggles, a Leviathan, Aeryn’s mother and father, a John clone, more stories involving Crais, the introduction of a new character (Jool), a nightclub, multiple characters seeking wormhole knowledge for dastardly deeds, and intense dealings between John and Scorpius.
The fourth and final season sees a lot of recycled plots. Expect more screen time for Noranti (a powerful old Traskan), more encounters with the Peacekeepers (including Grayza), more pirates and bounty hunters, more sick Moya scenes, Aeryn harboring a big secret (again), a virtual reality game, time traveling through Earth’s past and present, D’Argo encountering his wife’s murderer, Aeryn being kidnapped, and a plot involving the reptilian Scarrans who plan to travel through the wormhole to use the wormhole as a weapon and conquer Earth.
“Farscape” is one of those sci-fi series that I respect more than I like. I truly respect the fact that the show had an original and interesting concept. In fact, I thought the pilot episode was a genuinely intriguing introduction to a new sci-fi universe with some never before seen ideas like the living ship (Moya) who even gets pregnant. To say the show was ambitious is an understatement, but for me, the show never fully works as a whole.
For every memorable episode like the clever departure of “Revenging Angel,” the risque, sexually charged “Look At The Princess” two-parter, or the emotional and dramatic series finale “Bad Timing,” the show would stumble with some bizarre tonal issues, odd humor, and cheesy moments. Even though it’s only been 13 years since it first aired, “Farscape” is already quite dated. While sometimes well designed and artistic, the costumes sometimes don’t work well in the show and take you out of the show. The same can be said for the flatulating puppets which can definitely be hard to get past for someone trying to get into the show.
Another issue I had is that “Farscape” has the same problem that plagued “Voyager” in that a lot of action takes place on a ship and that certain plotlines are repeated over the course of the show’s 88 episode run. I know it’s difficult to keep the story fresh over 22 episodes every season, but the writers could and should have focused more on creating new story arcs and less on character interactions.
On the subject of character interactions, that is clearly the reason that “Farscape” has amassed such a large fan following. While every character may not be likeable (such as the obnoxious Stark), it’s hard not to become interested in characters like the feisty, butt kicking Aeryn who is wonderfully played by Claudia Black.
Summary: If you’re a sci-fi fan looking to get into “Farscape,” I’d recommend giving the first season a rent to see how you feel about the show. If you’re a hardcore “Farscape” fan, however, you will want to buy this set.
Note: Technically, this is not quite the complete series. The mini-series “The Peacekeeper Wars” is not included in this set, but it is available separately.
Video/Audio:
The first 3 seasons are presented in fullscreen and, unfortunately, the picture quality is sadly a little disappointing. The hi-def transfers REALLY highlight the dated CGI and some of the character motions appear very blurry at times. Additionally, dirt specs pop up now and then as well. On the plus side, the colors are noticeably sharper and season 4 (which is presented in widescreen) looks fantastic.
The 5.1 DTS-HD audio tracks, on the other hand, are worthy of praise. The sound f/x, the screeching title music, the starbursts, and the dialogue all sound clean and clear.
Extras:
* Season 1 commentaries: 1. “Premiere” with Rockne S, O’Bannon, Brian Henson and Ben Browder. 2. “I, E.T.” with Claudia Black and Anthony Simcoe. 3. “Exodus From Genesis” with Brian Henson and Virginia Hey. 4. “Throne For A Loss” with Ben Browder and Claudia Black. 5. “Back And Back And Back To The Future” with Ben Browder and Rowan Woods. 6. “Thank God It’s Friday…Again” with Rockne S O’Bannon and Anthony Simcoe. 9. ” 2 tracks for “DNA Mad Scientist” with Ben Browder and Claudia Black on one and Rockne S O’Bannon and David Kemper on the other. 14. “Jeremiah Crichton” with Ben Brwoder, Claudia Black, Rockne S. O’Bannon and David Kemper.16. “A Human Reaction” with ben Browder and Claudia Black. 19. “Nerve” with Ben Browder and Claudia Black. 21. “Bone To Be Wild” with Anthony Simcoe. 22. 2 tracks for “Family Ties” with Ben Browder and Claudia Black on one and Rockne S. O’Bannon and David Kemper on the other. Brian Henson and Rockne S. O’Bannon most interesting conversations set stories, lots of droning
* “Making Of A Space Opera”- A behind-the-scenes featurette that includes cast and crew interviews and discussions about how the show came about as well as the series itself.
* “In the Beginning: A Look Back With Brian Henson”- Brian Henson talks about the impressive creature shop work on the series as well as the development of the show.
* “Farscape In The Raw: Director’s Cut Scenes For The Flax and Through The Looking Glass”- A comparison of director’s cut and broadcast footage from these 2 episodes.
* 2 behind The Scenes Interviews with Anthony Simcoe- A giddy Simcoe chats about his character and the parts of his role he enjoyed the most. Clips of the show are also included.
* “Behind The Scenes Interview: Jonathan Hardy”- Hardy chats about voicing Rygel and his experiences in making the show.
* “Behind The Scenes Interview: Lari John Topu”- Lari talks about his dual roles Crais and Pilot.
* Season 2 commentaries: 4. “Crackers Don’t Matter” with Claudia Black and Ian Watson. 5. “The Way We Weren’t” with Ben Browder and Claudia Black. 15. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” with Rowan Woods and Richard Manning. 16. “The Locket” with Bren Browder and Claudia Black. 22. “Die Me, Dichotomy” with Ben Browder, Claudia Black and David Kemper.
* Deleted scenes from “Mind The Baby,” “Taking The Stone,” “Crackers Don’t Matter,” “Dream A Little Dream,” “Look At The Princess Parts 1 and 3,” “The Locket,” “Liars, Guns And Money Part 2,” “Season Of Death,” “Thanks For Sharing,” “Losing Time,” “Incubator,” “Scratch ‘N Sniff,” “Revenging Angel,” “The Choice,” “Fractures,” “Into The Lion’s Den Parts 1 and 2,” “Dog With Two Bones,” “Crichton Kicks,” “What Was Lost Part 1,” “Promises,” “Natural Election,” “A Perfect Murder,” “Kansas,” “Terra Firma,” “Twice Shy,” “Mental As Anything,” “Bringing Home The Beacon,” “A Constellation Of Doubt,” “We’re So Screwed Part 2,” and “Bad Timing”. Most of these were understandably cut for time, but these cut scenes will definitely appeal to hardcore “Farscape” fans.
* “Listening In With Composer Guy Gross for the episodes: The Way We Weren’t, My Three Chrictons, The Locket, Die Me, Dichotomy, Eat Me, Revenging Angel, The Choice, Into The Lion’s Den Part 2, Crichton Kicks, John Quixote, Terra Firma and Bad Timing- A behind the scenes look at Gross chatting about his score for these episodes. He talks about the instruments he uses, creating sounds, etc.
* Goofy and sometimes raunchy season 2 bloopers.
* “Farscape In The Raw: Director’s Cut Scenes” from “Re:Union,” “Mind The Baby,” “Vitas Mortis,” “Taking The Stone,” “Crackers Don’t Matter,” “Picture If You Will,” “The Way We Weren’t” and “Home On The Remains”. More comparisons between broadcast versions and director’s rough cut versions of scenes more these episodes.
* “Farscape Undressed”- A special hosted by Bren Browder (and including appearances by other cast members) that essentially introduces the show to new viewers trying to get into the show. It’s basically like a re-cap special with clips.
* 2 behind The Scenes Interviews with Wayne Pygram- Wayne chats about the villainous Scorpius character he plays.
* “Behind The Scenes Interview: David Franklin” in which he chats about his life and his character Braca.
* “RE: Union”- The original season 2 premiere that was later recut and turned into the episode “Dream A Little Dream”. A treat for fans.
* Season 3 commentaries: 4. “Self Inflicted Wounds Part 3: Wait For The Wheel” with Claudia Black. 6. “Eat Me” with Guy Gross. 8. “Green Eyed Monster” with Ben Browder and Tony Tilse. 10. “Relativity” with Lani Tupu and Peter Andrikidis. 17. 2 tracks for “The Choice” with Claudia Black on one and Rowan Woods and Justin Monjo on the other. 21. “Inside The Lion’s Den Part 2: Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing” with Rockne S. O’Bannon and David Kemper. 22. “Dog With 2 Bones” with Ben Browder and Claudia Black”. Browder lively
* TV promos for all season 3 episodes.
* “From The Archives: Composer Guy Gross Discusses The Season 3 Theme”- Guy talks about the second opening title theme (which is vastly superior on my humble opinion).
* “Behind The Scenes Interview: Claudia Black”- Black talks about plots, the Aeryn character, her career, etc.
* “Season 3: A Look Back”- David Kemper talks about the dark plots in season 3.
* “Behind The Scenes Interview: Ben Browder”- The most interesting thing here is Browder talking about writing an episode.
* “Behind The Scenes Interview: Gigi Edgley”- The cute as a button Gigi talks about her interesting life and her interesting character. Definitely the best interview on this set.
* “Zhaan Forever With Virginia Hey”- Virginia talks about her character, acting, sensuality, etc.
* “Behind The Scenes Interview: Rebecca Riggs”- Rebecca talks about her character Commander Grayza, her life, her acting resume, sci-fi, etc.
* A behind the scenes Interview with actor Paul Goddard who played Stark.
* Season 4 commentaries: 7. “John Quixote” with Ben Browder and Claudia Black. 12. “Kansas” with Ben Browder, Claudia Black and David Kemper. 22. “Bad Timing” with Ben Browder, Claudia Black and David Kemper.
* “Farscape: The Story So Far”- Another re-cap.
* “From The Archives: On The Last Day- Farscape Wrap Speech From David Kemper”- An emotional speech from David Kemper with him telling the cast and crew about the show’s cancellation.
* “Memories Of Moya”- A new in-depth documentary containing cast and crew interviews with discussions about the development, the appeal of the show, the imaginative stories, the characters, and so forth.
* “Inside Farscape: Save Farscape”- A featurette about the show’s cancellation and devoted fanbase.
* “Inside Farscape: Villains”- A featurette on the series well developed villains.
* “Inside Farscape Season 4 Visual Effects”- A featurette on the visual effects process and the f/x in the season.
* “Video Profile: Creator/Executive Producer/Writer Rockne S. O’Bannon”- The showrunner chats about the show.
* “Video Profile: Executive Producer/Writer David Kemper”- Kemper chats about everything from f/x to writing.
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