Is Farscape worth it?

[disco]

I just finished watching Firefly on DVD, and I'm feeling pretty depressed that it was cancelled, while at the same time pumped about the feature film being released in September.

And I need MORE...something to tide me over. Is Farscape it? Many more fans than Firefly, from what I see on internet boards/websites...is it worth the Netflix queue space?

[7thton]

Stargate SG:1 would be a better choice.

[shaown]

Farscape is definitely the way to go. Now that the miniseries has resolved the cliffhanger, it would be a great investment of your time.
-Shaown

[disco]

Well, I just noticed something after adding the series to my Netflix queue that pisses me off: disc one has episodes 1 & 7; disc 2, episodes 2 & 4; disc 3, episodes 3 & 6...etc. etc...

WHAT?!?! How stupid is that.... :rolleyes: Guess I'll be asking around at work to see who owns it, cuz I'm NOT waiting between discs and trying to watching it out of order.

[fm37212]

I don't know how you'd view it as a Firefly fan because I've never seen that show but I enjoyed Farscape and my husband is a huge fan. We were also baffled and irked by the way they did the DVD's. Very frustrating.

[LoadStar]

The order on the Farscape DVDs is (mostly) the correct order for the episodes.

SciFi aired them out of production order (yeah, they pulled a FOX).

Consult http://epguides.com/Farscape/ for the correct order to watch the episodes in.

(Edit: I say "mostly" because there are one or two occasions that they did swap an episode order because they wanted to combine a two part episode onto a single disc. This was the exception, not the rule.)

[Anubys]

Firefly was cancelled on Fox but has been picked up by Sci-fi channel...right?

nobody alerted the OP about that...or am I wrong?

[LoadStar]

Firefly was cancelled on Fox but has been picked up by Sci-fi channel...right?

nobody alerted the OP about that...or am I wrong?

Firefly the series is done. SciFi Channel purchased the rights to air the 14 already filmed episodes.

The story of Firefly continues on the big screen with the Universal Pictures motion picture "Serenity," to be released wide on September 30.

[disco]

Oh, I heard about Firefly being picked up by SciFi for reruns....while cool (my TiVo will be FULL of them!), it doesn't really quench my thirst.

LoadStar: so, they aired them as they are on the DVD's? Should a newbie watch them in their BROADCAST order, or episode number order?

[LoadStar]

LoadStar: so, they aired them as they are on the DVD's? Should a newbie watch them in their BROADCAST order, or episode number order?

As with Firefly on FOX, SciFi channel aired the episodes of Farscape out of order.

The order on the DVDs is production order, and personally it's the order I'd watch the episodes in. It's not VERY critical to watch them in the correct order with the earlier episodes, as it's not strongly serialized at that point in the series. There is some character development that will get thrown off if you watch out of production order, however.

Edit: Edited the first sentence to clarify what I meant. FOX aired Firefly out of order, just like SciFi Channel aired Farscape out of order. Surprisingly, SciFi intends to air Firefly IN order.

[David Ortiz]

IIRC, the only problem with the DVD's as far as order of watching goes, occurs at the end of season 2.

The season 2 finale, "Die Me, Dichotomy" is on the second to last disc. ADVFilms put the 3 parter "Liars, Guns and Money" all together on the last disc of season 2, even though it is imperative that you watch the trilogy before the season finale.

They learned their lesson after that debacle.

[Bierboy]

Is Farscape worth it? One word - YOU BETCHA!!
Stargate SG:1 would be a better choice. Baloney....Farscape puts SG to shame.

[fm37212]

"Farscape puts SG to shame."

Agreed!!!

[The_Real_Trebor]

Quote:
Is Farscape worth it?

One word - YOU BETCHA!!

Quote:
Stargate SG:1 would be a better choice.

Baloney....Farscape puts SG to shame.


You have that right!
Farscape is the Ferrari of the Sci-Fi World. SG1 is the Dodge Neon. :D

Farscape's acting, storyline, and overall feel makes SG1 feel like a College project.

Of course.....I am biased. ;) Just read my bottom signature. :p

Trebor. :cool:
P.S. Farscape has Claudia Black! :D The only redeeming grace SG1 has this next season is Claudia Black and Ben Browder joining the cast, the 2 main stars of Farscape. If anyone can save SG1 from itself, it's those two. :up:

[timr_42]

While I like both SG-1 and Farscape. I would put Farscape ahead of SG-1.

[fm37212]

I was neutral before but I have to at least say that Farscape & SG-1 are really very different shows. Not really comparable at all as I see it.

[aintnosin]

My advice to Farscape is to be patient with the first season. Things really get cooking from the second season on.

[cheerdude]

I would definintely agree that, while the 1st seasons helps with a solid backstory, 2nd season is where the fun begins.

As for the episodes on the DVDs, ADV came out with the Starburst Edition at the beginning of this year. 7-8 episodes on 2 Double-Sided Discs... including a whole bunch of extras/commentary. For a low price of around $15-17 per edition (they have released 4 of them: first three cover season 1).

And - Season 5... oops, I mean the miniseries - The Peacekeeper Wars, is out on DVD.

And yes - Farscape is worth it

[LoadStar]

I hate that they went with double-sided discs. Grr. I'd love to have purchased the Starburst Edition, but that fact alone kept me from doing so. Oh, well... I'll have to see if there's someplace that has them for rent sometime. (Probably not, because I don't think too many rental places will carry double sided discs either. Grr again.)

[cheerdude]

Except for the obvious flipping, what is necessarly wrong with double-sided discs? As far as I have been able to tell, each episode is located on one side (i.e. there is no flipping to continue watching a single episode).

[fm37212]

What is the actual reason that they put only 2 episodes on 1 disc when so many other series packed more in? Is it quality?

[LoadStar]

Except for the obvious flipping, what is necessarly wrong with double-sided discs? As far as I have been able to tell, each episode is located on one side (i.e. there is no flipping to continue watching a single episode).

I find double sided discs far more fragile. Both sides contain data, which means, for example, even as it's sitting in the packaging, it's got a data side exposed to get damaged.

There's really no reason for them to have done double sided discs... it's no more convenient, and as I understand, it's as expensive to produce double sided discs as it is to do two single-side discs. (Plus, if I buy DVDs and CDs, I like to have a nice packaging, and that includes the artwork on the disc. You can't do artwork on a double sider.)

[murgatroyd]

I'm getting tired of people not being able to say that they like something without running something else down.

If you like Farscape, you ought to be able to say why by just talking about what is good in it, rather than saying [another show's name here] is a big bag of suck by comparison.

Saying that Farscape is better than Babylon 5, Stargate SG-1, or Firefly, and slamming these other shows, is not going to win Farscape any new fans from the group of people who watch B5, SG-1, or Firefly. Especially this viewer.

If you think my taste is so bad, then why would you want me to say I like Farscape? :rolleyes:


Jan

[fm37212]

Ok Tom Cruise.

:p

[wessler]

Farscape is fun, but VERY different from Firefly. Firefly was reasonably realistic, didn't have aliens, and had a backward-western feel to it. Farscape is full of muppet-aliens and people painted various colors, and definitely has more of a forward-looking fantasy feel to it.

On the other hand, both shows can be both very funny and very touching (Farscape had more of a chance to build relationships), and both aren't afraid to get nitty gritty or gross. If you don't like the first few episodes of Farscape, you can safely put it away, as most of the better later episodes require that you be very familiar with the characters to get all the jokes and asides.

[7thton]

Right....that's why SG1 has been on for 9 full seasons. How many season for Farscape? :rolleyes: :)

"Farscape puts SG to shame."

Agreed!!!

[brahamt]

Right....that's why SG1 has been on for 9 full seasons. How many season for Farscape? :rolleyes: :)
How many seasons a show has been on is no argument for which is of better quality. It is only an argument for ratings/profitability.

I have watched both shows and Farscape is just better quality.

[The_Real_Trebor]

7thton,
"Right....that's why SG1 has been on for 9 full seasons. How many season for Farscape?"

brahamt is right 7thton, you can't judge a series on how many seasons it was on.
Farscape was cancelled primarily because The Hensen group could'nt cut a financial agreement with The Sci-Fi channel over the increasing expense the production company was incurring over the swings in the U.S./Australian exchange rate.

A simple 1-5 cent per dollar shift either way would be enough for tears or joy.
Also, a franchise like Farscape which is serialized as a story was getting shorted on the committment of promotion and firm broadcast slot.

Trebor.:)

[7thton]

I know, I was just stiring the pot!

How many seasons a show has been on is no argument for which is of better quality. It is only an argument for ratings/profitability.

I have watched both shows and Farscape is just better quality.

[JustAllie]

While I like both SG-1 and Farscape. I would put Farscape ahead of SG-1.I watched both and liked SG-1 better. I'm not criticizing Farscape, but I simply could not warm up to the characters. Obviously a lot of other people could. Different strokes for different folks. :)

[LoadStar]

I've already watched the series once, but I'm rewatching the series with my sister... we're about halfway through the first season. She's enjoying it for the most part, but I am remembering that the first season kind of dragged for me.

I just want to skip to the really good stuff in the later seasons, but I can't because the early episodes set up what is to come.

[Anubys]

is the only way to start watching this is to buy the DVDs at this point? or is some channel starting Farscape from the beginning?

[TAsunder]

Farscape is wildly uneven in quality, from my perspective. Whether or not it's worth it... well it's hard to say. What netflix plan do you have (how many discs at once)? How often do you get other things? 2 episodes per disc is going to take you quite a while, and many episodes will be disappointing (at least, they were for me).

In terms of tone, Farscape does not really diverge from the tone in the first several episodes. It's very campy in tone, lots of wandering camera angles, innuendo, etc. So if you are disappointed with the early episodes for this reason, it's probably not worth sticking with it.

[cheerdude]

SciFi still owns the broadcasting rights (I believe), however the last time that they showed the entire show was in conjunction of the 4th season.

Of course, setting a Title WL for Farscape would pick it up (and the miniseries) wherever it showed up

[Bierboy]

So if you are disappointed with the early episodes for this reason, it's probably not worth sticking with it. I wholeheartedly disagree. Most will tell you that Farscape really picked up after the initial eps of the first season. It kinda found itself and continued to excel until the end (that would include the two-parter that REALLY ended the series).

[TAsunder]

I wholeheartedly disagree. Most will tell you that Farscape really picked up after the initial eps of the first season. It kinda found itself and continued to excel until the end (that would include the two-parter that REALLY ended the series).

Yes, but the style was the same, and is off-putting for some.

[fm37212]

Right....that's why SG1 has been on for 9 full seasons. How many season for Farscape? :rolleyes: :)

Same reason VIP is still on at 3:00AM. Bottom feeders swim below the sonar.

[LoadStar]

Considering I'm actually re-watching through it, I'm not sure exactly what you refer to by the "wandering camera angles" and "innuendo" comments.

I mean, once a certain character starts appearing, yeah, there's more of the innuendo, but that's because of that character, not inherent in the show itself.

And I don't think it's intentionally camp. Low budget, yes, that's undeniable, but not deliberately camp unless the episode called for camp. Now, "Lexx," which was a series with a very similar concept, had the traits you describe ("innuendo" and "camp" particularly) in spades.

[TAsunder]

If you don't know what I mean by wandering camera angles, then we must have watched a different show. The show has less innuendo than lexx obviously, and is less campy, but it is still a lot more campy than something like battlestar galactica or firefly.

[LoadStar]

If you don't know what I mean by wandering camera angles, then we must have watched a different show. The show has less innuendo than lexx obviously, and is less campy, but it is still a lot more campy than something like battlestar galactica or firefly.

Ok, we're in agreement on that post. (I'm still not quite sure about the wandering camera angles, but I'll keep an eye out for it as I'm watching through the series.)

[brahamt]

I know, I was just stiring the pot!

No problem. I get really defensive about Farscape!

[disco]

Well, I watched the first two episodes (on the DVD's, at least: eps 1 & 7), and I'm not on board. It's production value seemed lacking to me, and rather low grade at times (the blocking of any fights seemed weak). I just couldn't get into the plot or the characters after how PERFECT the cast/character development for Firefly were (from episode 1 of Firefly, the characters were rich and defined. I didn't find that from Farscape).

I'll wait for the next disc, but I may just be a snobbish Firefly fan who expects MORE now.;)

[Skittles]

Well, I watched the first two episodes (on the DVD's, at least: eps 1 & 7), and I'm not on board. It's production value seemed lacking to me, and rather low grade at times (the blocking of any fights seemed weak). I just couldn't get into the plot or the characters after how PERFECT the cast/character development for Firefly were (from episode 1 of Firefly, the characters were rich and defined. I didn't find that from Farscape).

I'll wait for the next disc, but I may just be a snobbish Firefly fan who expects MORE now.;)If it helps, I'm in the same boat. I'm spoiled by having seen Firefly, which was fantastic right out of the gate and only got better, before being introduced to Farscape.

I tried watching the first 3 episodes of Farscape after some serious cajoling, both from friends and other members on the board. And I'm decidedly unimpressed so far. But at the same time I keep hearing that, much like Buffy, the first season of Farscape is unintentionally slow paced in an attempt to establish the characters, and the second season is where the meat of the show starts to appear.

So, I may pick it up again at some later point once I get done with a few other shows, but I feel your pain about Farscape. It just didn't grab me right away. I really want to like the show (especially since folks rave so much about it), but I think I'm skewed.

[Big_Daddy]

I'll wait for the next disc, but I may just be a snobbish Firefly fan who expects MORE now.;)

It's funny how you say this because I had the opposite reaction. I turned the first episode of Firefly off halfway through as I quickly became disinterested in it (this is when it ran on Fox). Admittedly, this was before I was exposed to Buffy and the Whedon. I'm going to try Firefly through Netflix after I finish Buffy season 7.

But Farscape grabbed me when I came into it midway through season 3. I jumped into some really good plotlines and enjoyed it ever since. That being said, season 1 is uneven, and it really comes into its own at the end of season 1 into season 2, and becomes great at the end of season 2 onward.

[cheerdude]

I explain the difference between the two shows as this: (your opinion may vary and is probably better expressed that this)

Firefly - The series basically starts with a group of people that work together and get along. You add 3 people to the mix... one helpful/friendly, one nieve/friendly, and one... well.. "interesting" is a good word to describe her. You then have the stories of their adventures and them trusting their new guests.

Farscape - The series begins with 2 "groups" of people. The one group was the prisoners on Moya... who had just taken over the ship and really didn't like each other (tolerate may even be too strong). You then have the human outsider who stumbles into this group and is immediately not trusted by anyone. With this group, it took a while for not only the story to get better... but the characters relationships had to warm to each other as well.

Not knocking either series; since I like them both! I think that I like Farscape over Firefly... but only because I've seen the show several times and have more of an emotional tie to it than Firefly (which I've only seen once... and that was on DVD).

[Bierboy]

Take it from a died-in-the-wool Farscape fan (who's never seen Firefly - but will soon!). It took me a good year to get in to Farscape, understand all the nuances with relationships, politics, etc. But it was well worth the wait.

[TAsunder]

It does get better as far as characters and plot. By a lot. Stylistically, it always keeps that sort of cheeky humor and fast pace. It's very imaginative, sometimes too much. I wish star trek had such imagination about the species.

[jennstall]

It's funny how you say this because I had the opposite reaction. I turned the first episode of Firefly off halfway through as I quickly became disinterested in it (this is when it ran on Fox). Admittedly, this was before I was exposed to Buffy and the Whedon. I'm going to try Firefly through Netflix after I finish Buffy season 7.



Ditto for me, though I did give Firefly a bit longer than a single episode. I think I stuck it out for about three. And I was a big Buffy and Angel fan, a fan of two of the actors involved with Firefly and really looking forward to a new Joss Whedon project. Even with all that though, I just could not keep watching it. It bored me to tears.

Farscape, on the other hand, I was on board from the very first episode. The first season was uneven, but I still enjoyed most of it and the later seasons were amazing.

[Skittles]

It's funny how you say this because I had the opposite reaction. I turned the first episode of Firefly off halfway through as I quickly became disinterested in it (this is when it ran on Fox).You should try it again using the DVDs... seeing the pilot (the real pilot, not the first episode aired on Fox) makes a big big difference. :)

[jigsawhc]

I like both Farscape and SG1. They are defiantely different types of shows, but I'd recommend both to anyone asking.

[EMoMoney]

Sorry to bring an old trhead from the dead, but I just watched the first 2 episodes on DVD and I'm not that impressed. Does this show get better as the season/series progresses?

[IndyJones1023]

I am rewatching the series from the beginning. I am half way thru season 2 and there was a lot I missed. Apparently I only started watching around season 3. They stumbled around a bit during the beginning years. The main bad guy makes his entrance towards the end of season 1. But it still is hit or miss thru season 2. I recall once I got into the characters, though, it was really enjoyable. Stick it out, seasons 3 and 4 are a lot of fun.

[LoadStar]

Sorry to bring an old trhead from the dead, but I just watched the first 2 episodes on DVD and I'm not that impressed. Does this show get better as the season/series progresses?

Yes, most definitely, as I pointed out above. The first season kind of dragged... there was nothing particularly bad about the first season and a half... but it really ramps up as it goes along. By the time you've finished watching the series and the movie (miniseries), you're hooked. It's kind of like a roller coaster, where you have a long wait as you climb up the first hill, not knowing that the good stuff is once the ride really gets going.

[cheesesteak]

You didn't like the pilot episode?!?!

[IndyJones1023]

You didn't like the pilot episode?!?!
I did. It was rip roaring fun. But some of the first and second season episodes were hit or miss.

[rlc1]

Farscape is kind of shaky, the first half of season 1. Gets really good near the end of the season, though, once Scorpius comes onto the scene...

[EMoMoney]

You didn't like the pilot episode?!?!
Like I said, I wasn't impressed.

[J4yDubs]

After B5, Farscape is my favorite sci fi. Firefly ranks up there also, but it just wasn't on long enough (BURN IN HELL FOX). SG1 is a good show, but not a must watch. I watch it here and there.

I think the dialog (writing) is what I like about Farscape and Firefly. Both are very witty. Farscape also has a lot of continuity (like B5, but not as epic) where Firefly didn't get the chance.

Another witty show, though not sci fi, is Sports Night (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165961/). It was short lived also, but worth watching.

John

[Fahtrim]

Is it worth it? Not only yes but HELL YES.

[dfreybur]

If you like Firefly and you're going throw shows by season on DVD the one to try next is Babylon 5. It ran 5 seasons and had several made-for-TV movies. Among all the SF shows on it's the one that resembles Firefly the most in visual style. My bias - I like pretty much all SF series but I consider Babylon 5 to be the best of the best among all of them.

I like Farscape and SG1. Not as much as either Babylon 5 or Firefly but I watch them and I have season passes to both Stargate shows. Farscape has an odd and disorganized story line. SG1 is hilarious since it's constantly making wisecracks about other SF shows.

Firefly, Babylon 5, Farscape are all on DVD so they compete in this space head to head. The Stargate shows are in current broadcast as well as DVD so they have the season pass edge.

A good ordering for the Babylon 5 films relative to the seasons goes something like the below. Most particularly don't get tempted to play "In the Beginning" at the beginning because it requires a few seasons before you have enough context for it and the context it gives ruins too much of the mystery of the pilot The Gathering and the first couple of seasons:

Movie - The Gathering.
Season 1 B5
Season 2 B5
Movie - the one about the soul hunters
Season 3 B5
Movie - Thirdspace
Season 4 B5
Movie - In the Beginning
Season 5 B5
Crusaders series
Movie - Legend of the Rangers

[DLiquid]

It's worth it. Farscape definitely gets better in seasons 3 and 4. That said, I liked it from the beginning.

One of my favorites from season one is DNA Mad Scientist. I love that one.

[Jonathan_S]

A good ordering for the Babylon 5 films relative to the seasons goes something like the below. Most particularly don't get tempted to play "In the Beginning" at the beginning because it requires a few seasons before you have enough context for it and the context it gives ruins too much of the mystery of the pilot The Gathering and the first couple of seasons:

Movie - The Gathering.
Season 1 B5
Season 2 B5
Movie - the one about the soul hunters
Season 3 B5
Movie - Thirdspace
Season 4 B5
Movie - In the Beginning
Season 5 B5
Crusaders series
Movie - Legend of the Rangers
That seems a somewhat odd order, given that "the one about the soul hunters" aka River of Souls takes place after season 5, not between seasons 2 and 3. (Well technically the lurker's guide master episode list (http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/master/eplist.html) places it between episodes 22 and 23 of season 5.)

Thirdspace goes between episodes 8 and 9 of season 4, although between seasons 3 and 4 isn't hugely out of place...

I do agree that In the Beginning shouldn't be watched until after season 4.

Also, you left out the Crusade Pilot movie A Call To Arms, which should be seen before Crusade.


Oh, and if you wanted to be really picky chronologically, River of Souls, A Call To Arms, the Crusade series, and Legend of the Rangers should all take place after episode 22 of season 5 and prior to episode 23, because the last episode skips fairly far into the future to do the wrap up.

[newsposter]

I watched both and liked SG-1 better. I'm not criticizing Farscape, but I simply could not warm up to the characters. Obviously a lot of other people could. Different strokes for different folks. :)

i just finished S1 of farscape since my gf highly recommended the show. i do love how it's so different than SG1. i think farscape is more of a social space show and stargate is more action and 'space fights'. pilot is definitely my fav character.

also, a local station runs 2 stargates every weekend and i faithfully watch them but i dont think i'd watch farscape again..at least until i forgot what went on, then i may.

while i'm positive i watched every sg1 i have no recollection of oneill being a general. so with my poor memory, these are all new again :)

it will be a few more months until i'm done watching farscape but so far i'm glad i am watching.

[Bierboy]

Wow...talk about resurrecting an old thread...