Rewind: ‘Farscape’ revisited

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What was it about?

The year is 1999. American astronaut John Crichton (Ben Browder) is accidentally pulled into a wormhole and thrust into a distant corner of the universe.

Appearing in the midst of a space battle, Crichton instantly makes an enemy when he accidentally obliterates the fighter ship of the brother of a Peacekeeper commander’s brother. Forced to live aboard a spaceship full of escaping alien prisoners, Crichton is pursued by all-manner of life forms intent to gain the wormhole knowledge that he possesses.

Desperate to return home (and stay alive) Crichton must learn fast, adapt to his ever-changing world and form an alliance with creatures nobody has ever seen before. Somewhere along the line, and with the help of indisputably gorgeous peacekeeper alien Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black), he comes to realise that this distant reach of space might just be closer to home after all.

More than just another science-fiction show with action, comedy and a lot of heart, Farscape is particularly memorable thanks to the show’s various creatures – like the living biomechanoid Leviathan ships – with alien makeup, prosthetics and animatronic puppets created by the legendary Jim Henson Company.

Who was in it?

It may come as a huge surprise, but none of the main cast have gone onto anything more significant, despite the fantastically captivating and diverse performances put in by all involved. However, both Browder and Black (Crichton and Aeryn respectively) have had stints on sci-fi show Stargate SG-1, while Browder recently completed filming on Doctor Who’s upcoming Western episode in Spain.

Sharp-eyed fans might also recognise Wayne Pygram – the man behind the darkly disgusting Scorpius – in a (very brief) role in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith as Governor Tarkin.

Best moment?

It’s hard to pinpoint a single moment, but for us the best moment comes about in Episode 9 of the second season – a body swap! We can’t decide whether it’s Rigel experiencing the pleasure of urinating through Crichton’s body or Crichton enjoying the pleasure of Aeryn’s body. Enough said.

Last seen?

The series unfortunately had to wrap things up a season earlier than planned due to falling ratings.

This meant that viewers were forced to watch as Crichton and Aeryn finally got together with a glimmer of hope for the couple, only to be suddenly shot and killed, shattering the couple into tiny crystallised pieces lying at the bottom of an ocean as their broken-hearted comrades watched on in horror.

The future?

A relentless online campaign – aided by begging, petitioning and sheer stubbornness  – earned fans a three-hour miniseries to see the show end the way it should have all along.

Before the commission of Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars, the show had continued to grow in comic book form; something that continued after the conclusion.

> Buy the Definitive Collection DVD boxset on Amazon.

What are your memories of Farscape? Let us know below…