Farscape 2.4 [1999]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The second season of Farscape expands upon and develops the characters introduced in the ambitious first season. John Crichton's new nemesis is the deadly Scorpius, replacing Crais who has taken the living ship Moya's offspring on a voyage into the unknown. Moya's regular crew--Aeryn, Zhaan, Chiana, D'Argo and Rygel--remain as divided and suspicious of each other as ever, yet somehow manage to pull together at times of crisis. The writers continue to exploit the show's gift for surprising as well as emotionally convincing character development, while the CGI effects, prosthetics and state-of-the-art puppetry, courtesy of Jim Henson's Creature Shop, continue to make Farscape the most original looking sci-fi show on TV. The witty scripts, peppered with post-modern pop culture references and movie in-jokes, are also a breath of fresh air. The result is episodic TV sci-fi that continually pushes at the accepted boundaries of the genre. --Mark Walker



Pip, it's time for a reality check
Review date: 2003-01-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

If you're reading this you're probably a long time fan of this cancelled series or a new raw recruit. There are a number of negative reviews about some of the episodes contained on this disc. I'm not exactly sure why. Clearly the folks were expecting something else--something they had seen before perhaps.
Defying that ver expectation is what made Farscape special. Yes, Beware of Dog isn't as earthshaking as the cliff hanger of the previous season (or even the three part episode set on "Royal World" as Crichton humorously calls it). It's meant to be Farscape's Trouble with Tribbles with a much darker, edgier tone. You'll either love or hate the tone of this fine episode as it indulges in a bit more humor than the average episode. Star Trek: TNG vet Naren Shanker's script plays with our perceptions of the characters. There's a witty line of dialog that references Aliens (having Chiana say it was an inspired touch. There's also a number of humorous visual references to E.T. and a tip of the hat to Joe Dante's Gremlins)

Won't Get Fooled Again is a marevlous episode that plays with both audience expectations, Crichton's previous experience with a simulation of a return trip home and the essence of the show's regular characters. It also reveals important information about why Scorpi keeps showing up in Crichton's wakeful "dreams". It's another way for Scorpi to be in the script, interacting with Crichton even in the setting of Moya. It's marvelously paced and Ben Browder gives a superb performance (as do all the actors playing against character "type")as a man losing his mind. Kudos to writer Richard Manning for pulling off an episode that, essentially, revisits theme from the previous season and Rowan Woods' surreal directorial touches (the red pumps on Crais is a marvelous touch).

The Locket focuses on the outcome of Crichton's infatuation with Aryn. It's a great "what if" episode that, again, defies expectations. It's a heartfelt episode that focuses on character and the various character's expectations of each other. Writer Justin Monjo's script and Ian Watson's direction are both top-notch.

The Ugly Truth could have been a routine episode. By dint of the performances, direction and writing it overcomes many of the limitations of the basic premise. The dialog by first time Farscape writers Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman, Jr. has some sparkling dialog and character moments. The opticals exceed expectations in what could have been a simple "bottle" episode.

This quartet of episodes are among the best the second season had to offer. The next boxset will focus on a strong trio of episodes that unfold what Scorpi really did to Crichton and the disasterous outcome of his shipmates attempt to save him.

The transfer is top notch with little or no analog or digital artifacts. While the entire series has looked really good, it's clear that ADV has hit their stride with the second season set. I did notice some analog artifacts on the previous set but it wasn't a huge distraction. There's no such problems that I can see here. The extras include deleted scenes, conceptual artwork, a biography of Anthony Simcoe as well as a backstory on D'Argo. There's also the first part of a text/visual driven look at the various alien species.

The sound is, for the most part, exceptional (except for some of the deleted scenes where it's clear that it came from a broadcast episode probably created for a foreign market with no stereo or 5.1 sound available).

While I did have problems with some of the science in some of the previous episodes (Crichton's escape in one episode was engineered by decompressing into space and using a gun to propel himself to another craft. While it's possible, the amount of time Crichton was in space could have killed him. He didn't look any worse for the wear. It's a nice little tribute to a similar scene in 2001 though).


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Reviews


Won't Get Frelled Again
Review date: 2002-09-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

Wow. A great mix of episodes in 2.4.

"Won't Get Fooled Again" is a wild ride through madness as Crichton again returns to Earth. He is a little skeptical this time and is confident he won't get fooled again. A great use of the cast in their alternate roles. Aeryn as a sexy doctor, D'Argo as a boozing fly boy, Chiana as an astronaut groupie, Zahn as the therapist and Rygel as Crichton's new over bearing boss. Oh and mix in Pilot and Scorpy and you have a great episode full of twist and turns.

In the second episode on the DVD you have one of the ultimate Shippy eps with "The Locket." Aeryn returns to Moya having aged 165 cycles and she has only been gone one solar day. It is a taste of the future without having to live it as the crew tries to get out of another sticky predicament. Also, we finally find out what happen to Stark, as he makes a return.

It is full of he said, she said in "The Ugly Truth." The crew re-tell their versions of an incident involving Talyn and Crais. Some great moments as one member pays the price for the rest.

We finally get some answers on Chiana's people the Nebari in "A Clockwork Nebari." Cricthton and Chiana are the only ones who aren't affected by the mind cleansing, or so they think. More backstory on Chiana and a great Rygel quote.

All in all, great set-up for the major push in season two which comes with the Liars, Guns and Money trilogy and Die Me, Dicohtomy in 2.5.

Another awesome Farscape Moment
Review date: 2001-09-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

Oh baby Yeah! The crew of Moya venture further into their own dark psyches and co-relationships with maximum viewer effect. I have to admit that this is beginning to thoroughly disturb me the series just keeps getting better.


Product Details/Specifications


Director(s):

Recording label: Contender Entertainment Group
Manufacturer: Contender Entertainment Group
EAN: 5030305810092
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2001-08-27
Number of discs: 2
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 180 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1999-03-19
Language: English (Original Language)

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