Farscape is a joint U.S.-Australian production by Jim Hanson, originator of the muppets. There are tons of bizarre looking aliens and a plot-line that connects most of the episodes. There are muppets in the show, but they are designed and acted to be serious characters (well, most of the time). Ben Bruder plays the male lead and Claudia Black (she also plays a character in one of the Stargate TV series) plays the female lead. There are four seasons and a mini-series that wraps up the plot. The makeup, costumes, and sets of this series are amazing! In spite of the use of muppets this isn’t recommended for small children. There are some gruesome scenes and adult themes, especially in season four and the mini-series.
The first two seasons are inconsistent and I think some people might give up on it. But it starts to really pick up in the third season. By the fourth season and mini-series it reaches epic proportions.
There are also a few over-the-top lampoon almost circus-like episodes that don’t do a thing for me, although if you are interested in picking out gratuitous references to classical movies you might enjoy them. Although there are a few real stinker episodes the series is highly imaginative and when it sticks to scifi drama/action, very engaging. Don’t try to watch odd episodes here and there. You might think you know what is going on but you won’t.
There are some wonderful characters in the series, including one of the muppets who is an obnoxious but sometimes loveable dethroned royalty from a species that looks like giant slugs. He floats on a pad almost like a genie, and farts helium when he gets anxious, causing everyone else to speak in squeaks.
It’s long, but if you stick with it I think most people will find the series worth their time. I love lots of strange looking aliens with unusual customs, and Farscape definitely has lots of them. The main villain through most of the series, Scorpius, is excellent! Creepy, evil, a great liar, makeup that too a half a day to put on and looks great, and almost totally without a conscience.
Recent Comments