Starting Farscape
 

Well, sorta. First some background.

I started watching the show back around Spring of 2002, but only got so far into it. I'm not really sure why I even decided to start watching. Anyway, due to time and the show not capturing my interest I didn't both to keep going. For some reason, the farthest I could remember was an episode about some wizrd traping them on the planet in some sort of castle ("That Old Black Magic" turns out). I remember it being okay, but obiously not good enough to keep my interest.
Fastfoward to now. My roommate has acquired all of the Starburst Editions to-date. I still wasn't really interested, but I watched the premier again about a month or so ago. It was fairly good as far as premiers go. For some reason I didn't really get the urge to start watching the entire season until the new season of Stargate premiered. I think part of it was I like BB in the role of Lt Mitchell so I could see the potential of FS. I also think a part of it is Star Trek being off the air and lack of Sci-Fi on the air these days (side note, am watching BSG). However, I think the thing that really got me through the first season this time around was B5. I have watched the entire series between my first FS attempt and now. B5 really gave me an appreciation for following shows through and being rewarded at the end. Obviously it's not that B5 is bad, but the first season, especially at the end, is leaps and bounds behind the rest of the series. I had heard similar things about FS, and comparatively the first season does not match the mediocrity that was B5 S1, so hopefully the rest of the series can keep to the same elevated level (although I have never heard of FS being thought of as better than B5...).

As for my thoughts on the series so far.
Best Episodes:
- A Human Reaction (Voyager writers take note; you can have the entire episode be a hoax, but not have it mean absolutely nothing!)
- Nerve
- The Hidden Memory

Until I just finished Nerve/Hidden Memory the show was doing well at having good standlone sci-fi with a fresh twist on old topics/situations. However, these last two, along with HR, really brought a depth to the show and characters as we start seeing how much the really depend and care for each other. Also, the new chick bugs me, yet she is slightly starting to grow on me. Looking forward to the last two eps of the season and getting started on season 2. Hopefully it's not that much better otherwise I'll be aching for the rest of the series to come out!!

I had kind of the same response to Farscape as you when it first aired. I didn't pay it much attention -- after all, most Sci-Fi Channel original programming seemed to be pretty crappy. I caught a couple episodes (early stand-alone Season 1, before Chianna) and they didn't really grab me. Then in between the 1st and 2nd seasons, Sci-Fi Channel ran a marathon and I caught in succession: Nerve, Hidden Memory, Bone to be Wild, and Family Ties. And I was hooked (and couldn't wait to see how things were resolved at the end of Family Ties). That's the point where Farscape (at least for me) became great. The storylines become epic and long-running and character interactions become deeper. And despite occasional misfires (what series doesn't have them) the show keeps getting better up until the end. That's why Farscape fans were so pissed at the early cancellation -- it didn't seem to be in a decline phase yet.

So it sounds to me like you have a lot of Farscape in your future. Have fun!

Ooo! Ooo! I will be reading this thread on a constant basis!! The last quarter of the first season is where the show really starts to pick up and the momentum keeps building! Looking forward to seeing what you think about the upcoming seasons! you are in for one frellin' hell of a ride!!

I'm a first time Farscape viewer as well. I'm watching the series as the Starburst Edition discs are released (are there any special features? ;) ). I loved the first season's ending, but the begining of the second season seems to have returned to the "monster of the week" format. I'm waiting for these great long-term story arcs which I have been assured are forthcoming.

I'm enjoying it so far.

The question I have is how are you supposed to watch it? I started adding some of the DVDs to my Netflix Q and noticed ep 1 & 7 were on the first one :confused: 2 & 4 on the second :hscratch: and it gets progressively confusing from there :shrug: Should the series be watched in disc order or eps order?

From what I read, they are in production order on the Starburst sets(i.e. intended order) and on the regular sets, air date order.

Someone correct me if I am wrong though.

I have the starburst sets and watched about 4 of them so far. Seems entertaining enough, just hasn't "hooked" me yet. Nothing spectacular to write about at this point.

Unfortunately neither Blockbuster or Netflix seem to specify whether or not they have the "starburst" set. So it's best to watch in eps order I take it?

Seasons 1 and 2 are mostly stand-alone type episodes with mini-arcs scattered throughout, while Seasons 3 and 4 are very very driven by long story arcs, with very few stand-alone episodes. While this makes seasons 3 and 4 very very exciting......I still think that the last 4 eps of season 2 is my favorite little arc of the show.

They are not in airdate order on the original sets either. They are in production order (as I assume they also are on the Starburst sets.....I don't know as I don't have them).

The order on the discs is the right order.

1. Premiere
2. I, E.T. etc....

I think 'I, E.T.' ended up airing later than intended originally due to a lot of post-production that was needed on that episode.....but this episode does not make a lot of sense continuity wise to watch it in the order it was originally aired (mainly due to how the main characters are reacting and interacting with each other.......this is obviously an early episode, and watching it seventh makes it feel really out of place).

ok, I just remembered there is one MAJOR exception to this.

At the end of season 2, the original discs (Season 2 Set 2.5) put the episodes out of order for the silly reason of keeping the three episodes of the 'Liars, Guns, and Money' Trilogy all on the same disc. So the season finale actually appears on the next to last disc. This doesn't amke any difference when you buy the series since you had to buy both those discs together in the same set......but it probably will create a problem with renting them.
you'll need to make sure you have both discs rented at the same time.

disc 9 of season 2:
- A Clockwork Nebari
- Die Me, Dichotomy (SEASON FINALE!! WATCH LAST)

disc 10 of season 2:
- Liars, Guns and Money Part 1: A Not So Simple Plan
- Liars, Guns and Money Part 2: With Friends Like These
- Liars, Guns and Money Part 3: Plan B

so if you are watching the original discs.....make sure to watch the eps in this order:

18. A Clockwork Nebari
19. Liars, Guns and Money Part 1: A Not So Simple Plan
20. Liars, Guns and Money Part 2: With Friends Like These
21. Liars, Guns and Money Part 3: Plan B
22. Die Me, Dichotomy

Yeah, do NOT watch Die Me, Dichotomy before the Liars, Guns and Money trilogy. That was a really stupid decision to make the discs like that, and I'm sure it's confused many a viewer.

And I just wanted to say there are a few people who think Farscape is as good as B5. They're my two favorite shows. :wave:

since i am kind of in the hole price wise, (and plan on starting on buffy with that big ass 7 season box) and wanting to start on babylon 5, are the "starbusrst" dvd's a good way to start or should i just take a risk and buy the big season box sets

I'm on my first run-through of Farscape as well. My mom has all of the old season sets and I've been going over on weekends and we do little mini-marathons. We've got 4 episodes left in season 3 now, and it's been a hell of a ride. I really liked the chance they took with the major arc this season, it's added a lot of depth to the show (and it was pretty good before that).

for people buying this show right now, the Starburst sets are the way to go. They are much much cheaper, and have more special features.

I have the seasons sets of the original releases, and don't plan on buying the Starburst releases, but for those starting to buy them now, there is really no reason to buy the season sets......unless you want to have it all now and watch it quickly. The only danger is that the early episodes might not wow you enough to continue and you would quit after a Starburst set or two. Sometimes it's better to just make the decision to watch a whole show and not test the first few eps first and then make a decision. I am glad I did this with B5 and bought seasons 1-3 all at once.......as getting through that first seasons was a bit rough, and had I not already had seasons 2 and 3, I might have just given up.

I like Farscape more than B5 :) While I loved B5 and the depth of the storytelling....... I rewatch Farscape a lot and really gravitate towards its sense of humor. and I don't know if I have ever been more devastated by an episode of a television show than I was......
.

Huh. I could have sworn I read somewhere about that. Is there a master list somewhere of the correct order? Is TV.com's episode listing correct?

I actually watch Farscape more than B5 because it has some of those mini arcs and a great sense of humor. And yeah, the ep you mentioned was devastating.

it looks correct to me. looks like the eps on tv.com for farscape season 1 are listed in production # order rather than by original airdate.

I watched most of the show after it had already aired on TV so it was great discovering just how great this series was. I have read a lot of people give up during season one which I dont understand because even the not so good episodes were a cut above most Sci Fi.
When I think of Farscape, I do think of B5 too as they are both epic character oriented stories that challenge the viewer and don't always take the easy way out like some of recent Trek. You also have great characters that change and grow (and even die). Two more in this league would be the New Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica.

yeah, I agree......I loved Farscape right away, although it does get better later.

Finished up season 1 and started season 2.

Bone to Be Wild - I really could have done without this epsiode. I was expecting a lot from it, especially after the 2 parter, but it was a letdown. Sure, the twists between pov from the two aliens was good, but it got old. Good to get some background on blue.

Family Ties - Okay epsiode. I really don't understand why Rigel did that he did. It seemed made up for sake of convenience more than anything. The scenes between all of the characters leading up to the mission were good. However, I don't really see why two individuals went on the mission instead of just the one that was necessary. I'm sure it was probably better back in the day when everybody had to wait for the results.

Mind the Baby - Pretty good for a season opener. I thought the scene between A, C, and D would have gone differently. I thought A's deal had taken place before the season 1 finale, but it happened inbetween. I was on the fence on what Crace (?) was going to do the entire episode. But that is addressed at the end between A and C.

Even though the characters have become much closer throughout the season 1 and beginning of season 2, I don't really feel like much has changed. The pieces have change a bit.

I started watching the show and am on the last part of the 3rd season. I think they focus too, too, too,too much on Criton (or however you spell his name) and less on the other Characters. Criton is not the strength of the show, it should have been more of an esemble. Too much! Hopfully season 4 balances it out!

Initially this was supposed to be the second episode of the season, not the first. "Dream a Little Dream" was originally intended to be the season premier, but for whatever reasons (probably it was decided it was not interesting enough to be a season opener) it now appears as like episode 8 or so and is reworked as a flashback episode instead. This makes it a really weak episode, I actually wish that it would have been kept as the season premier...it would have worked so much better that way.

Just took the first 3 episodes till it pulled me in and now im hooked, I almost want to go out and buy all the current releases but that would just be a waste of money considering how cheap the Starburst editions are.

Great series that any sci fi fan can enjoy. I think with all the comparisons I should check out B5.