Farscape

Ok. I wasn't fortune enough to have cable when the original airing of farscape was on. That being said, I had heard lots of good things about it. Now I was and still am to some degree a trek focus'd individual (however I would like to some heinlein like series out there, with some although they seem to be heading towards that with each new series). So I rented the first two episodes on DVD. One word: hooked. It is an amazing series with great characters, wonderful sets, and some excellent shows. Now mind you I am not saying that all are good, but there is an epic feeling of the undertaking of the crew that I have not seen in Trek and to some degree Bab5. As to firefly, that is on my to watch list post Farscape.

I am currenlty working on season 3 and have enjoyed the vast majority of it. For a while I was getting let down on certain shows, until I realized that it was the ones after major story arcs. Let's call them filler episodes that start the setup of another arc or are sitting ot in space. Once I saw them for what they are, I regained an appreciation for them as well.

As for the characters, Cricton as played by Ben Browder is just an awesome character. Rich, random, and dynamic with color that is needed in more shows. On a side note, before I go to the next, I am always amazed at the ability for a woman on a scifi show to be transformed into the ultimate geekboy fantasy postergirl. Just a side note. Claudia Black plays Aeryn Sun whose character shows much more stability but a also shows a steady growth path that is just a blast to watch grow. Virginia Hey plays Zhaan and adds a steady character with a rumbling volcano inside that helps play against the others so that when they are sane she is out there and vice versa. Anthony Simcoe as D'Argo is another great character who in the first season seems as though a teenager trying to impress and domineer, but in the later episodes, he becomes more of a pillar to the crew. Rygel's character is your classic thief that believes in the his own greatness as a leader and individual. Very wise, yet rarely puts that wisdom to use and is often seen to others as a nuisance, which is played well even though the characters are completely justified from history, but fail to move passed (to date). Later on they add moreo characters and there are other changes, but there is just an amazing chemistry for the characters and that brings life to what could have been a dead show (ala enterprise which does not seem to have any chemistry).

I guess the telling fact of the power of this show is the fact that my wife loves it and laughs out loud. Not a common feat. So watch it and welcome to the Federation Starship SS Buttcrack.