Having rewatched Stargate SG-1 a bazillion gazillion times, I’m looking for something else with which to feed my Claudia Black needs.
Is Farscape any good? Why? Any other recommendations?
Ok, I’ll be the first to recommend it…
I really like Final Space. I like how much Olan Rogers fought for this show. I thought it was pretty trite until the end of S01. Though, one of the most gut-punch moments in the series comes at S01E06.
Mind you, that’s one.
It’s a show with heart, strong character arcs, appropriate stakes, wit, and a charm all its own.
Olan Rogers didnt get to finish this as show, but the graphic novel closer just dropped. Hopefully, I’ll be able to pick one up used somewhere because I can’t justify $175 for a book unless it’s for an academic degree.
Her character doesn’t show up until S02. She’s a total badass.
Farscape is the reason she’s on SG-1, lol
Sweet!
Goddammit! What a teaser to see her like this! :D
Farscape is excellent!
Is Farscape any good?
Farscape is some of the best sci-fi TV ever made. It feels weird to even have to be saying that.
OK… It’s Buck Rogers (ordinary modern Earth astronaut displaced into another world), but with an alien universe that actually feels alien. This is in no small part thanks to the incredible work of Jim Henson’s creature shop, which still mostly holds up today. Take that premise and mix it with a heavy dose of Blake’s Seven; instead of noble do-gooders our heroes are a band of convicted criminals on the run.
The main reason to watch is that the characters are great. Genuinely great. John Chricton (played by Ben Browder who you also know from Stargate) starts as the displaced everyman and over four seasons and a miniseries slowly loses every last fuck he has to give, until he’s a borderline basket case who’s a danger to anyone who gets in his way, no matter what kind of empire they lead.
Claudia Black is playing a foot soldier in a fascist empire who gets tossed to the curb by their insane racial purity laws and gets to spend the entire show slowly unpacking that and building a new identity for herself. It’s a hell of a character arc and some of the best acting you’ll ever see from her.
The supporting cast are all fantastic too. If you don’t fall in love with D’Argo and Rigel there’s something wrong with you (give them time, the characters in this show all start out pretty fucked up, that’s the point).
It’s fun. It’s gloriously and defiantly weird. It’s willing to be over the top insane and it’s also willing to give you massive space battles and gun fights and galaxy defining stakes that actually feel real and believable. It’s the pinnacle of oddball nineties sci-fi because it arrived in the 2000s and got to steal all the best bits of everything that came before it.
There’s an episode set in a video game that feels like an acid trip. There’s a Looney Toons episode that makes complete sense diagetically and is one of the best episodes of the show. There’s a three parter where they rob a criminal space bank and it’s some of the coolest shit you’ll ever see on TV.
Farscape broke all the rules and in doing so it basically invented modern television. Even though it will feel dated in places, it’s absolutely a show that everyone should see.
If you’re a fan of Claudia Black, this is her magnum opus.
You forgot about the love triangle between two characters!!!
Thank you for a fantastic teaser! I can’t wait to watch the first episode as soon as I return home tonight. Seriously, I smiled all the way through, reading your summary. Thanks!
You’re already familiar with sci-fi of this era, so you’ll know to expect it to find it’s stride after season 1. Luckily in Farscape’s case this happens pretty quickly, especially when Scorpius shows up and proceeds to absolutely fucking devour every scene they put him in. All time great sci-fi villain.
Crackers. Don’t. Matter.
That was/is peak farscape.
I remember watching this show with my dad on tv when it was airing. It may be time for a rewatch!
It’s aged in all the ways that older shows often do, but I think it’s still held up far better than most television of its era.
Farscape is even directly referenced in SG-1’s 200th episode, by Vala.
Farscape is great. Give it a try.
Sweet! :D Then I shall return to SG-1 after watching Farscape. :)
Farscape is great! It’s also weird and very horny.
Right up my alley, then. :D
In a good way!
In the best way.
Farscape is weird and borderline cringe sometimes, but still good.
Then it will be an easy transition from Stargate xD haha
Stargate SG1 was definitely better IMO
I like the episode of The Dresden Files with Claudia Black in it. It’s just that one episode, though.
I loved the Dresden Files. I wanted more!
Cool! I did not know about this series. I’ll check it out! :)
Cancelled after 1 season and ends on a cliffhanger. You have been warned. (It’s really good though)
I’m a big fan of the Dresden Files books. The series was somewhat different, but very good in its own right. The actor who played Harry was amazing. It’s another of those missed opportunities that could have gone on to greatness if it had been given time to find its footing.
