Farscape Celebrates 15 Years: Today In Science Fiction
This article is more than 2 years old
Man, there’s nothing worse than your favorite shows making you feel oooooolllllllllld. At least the anniversary of Farscape, which premiered 15 years ago today on what was still then called the Sci-Fi Channel, isn’t quite as painful as the realization that it’s been over 20 years since Babylon 5’s pilot TV movie The Gathering first aired. Thankfully, while B5 continues to dwindle into obscurity because Warner Bros. refuses to put the damn thing on Netflix already, Farscape is available for streaming on both Netflix Instant and Amazon Prime Instant Video. If you’ve been meaning to give the show a look, what better time to start?
But even if you’re not feeling it after the first couple of episodes, just stick with it — trust me. I gave it only a couple of episodes initially before losing interest. Why was this show’s tone all over the map? What was with all the Muppets? Why was it all so…weird? Thankfully a few episodes down the line a friend talked me into giving it another shot, and that’s when I got well and truly hooked on a series that became one of my all-time favorites. And that weirdness? That’s one of the best things about the show.
Farscape‘s universe is vibrant and colorful and populated by aliens who actually feel alien, often thanks to the top-notch work of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. More importantly, it’s filled with characters you will love, hate, and love to hate, and it also contains some of the best on-screen chemistry I’ve ever seen between two actors, playing out one of the best, often most brutal, love stories ever to grace the small screen.
If you’ve never seen Farscape, it’s time to watch Farscape. If you already love Farscape, it’s time to rewatch Farscape. Hell, there might even be a TV movie in the works, so now’s the time to catch up!
Load up Netflix and settle in for the story of John Crichton, astronaut, who gets shot through a wormhole into a distant part of the galaxy, where he winds up aboard a ship — a living ship — full of escaped prisoners. And that’s just the beginning of a fantastic journey that will stick with you for years.
Look upward, and share the wonders I have seen…
Tonight’s Sci-Fi Television
The 100 (The CW, 9/8c) — “Pilot”
After the dud that was Star-Crossed, we didn’t have high hopes for this one, but I’ve heard from someone I trust that it starts out rough and then gets a lot better. This might be one to DVR for a few weeks so you can sample out more than one episode before voting yea or nay.
Ninety-seven years ago, nuclear Armageddon decimated planet Earth, destroying civilization. The only survivors were the 400 inhabitants of 12 international space stations that were in orbit at the time. Three generations have been born in space, the survivors now number 4,000, and resources are running out on their dying ‘Ark.’ Among the 100 young exiles are Clarke (newcomer Eliza Taylor), the bright teenage daughter of the Ark’s chief medical officer; the daredevil Finn (Thomas McDonell, Suburgatory); the brother/sister duo of Bellamy (newcomer Bob Morely) and Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos, 50/50), whose illegal sibling status has always led them to flaunt the rules, the lighthearted Jasper (Devon Bostick, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules) and the resourceful Monty (Christopher Larkin, Squad 85). Technologically blind to what’s happening on the planet below them, the Ark’s leaders — Clarke’s widowed mother, Abby (Paige Turco, Person of Interest, Damages); Chancellor Jaha (Isaiah Washington (Blue Caprice, Grey’s Anatomy); and his shadowy second in command, Kane (Henry Ian Cusick, Scandal, Lost) — are faced with difficult decisions about life, death and the continued existence of the human race.
Revolution (NBC, 8/7c) — “Why We Fight”
Miles and Gene look for allies in Willoughby. Meanwhile, Monroe launches a surprise attack on the Patriots; Neville’s actions jeopardize him and Jason; and Aaron and Priscilla remain steadfast in their journey.
