a sample of Farscape for the curious viewer

[deird1]

So, you want to introduce your friend to the magic that is Farscape. And your friend says "Eh... I don't really have time to watch the whole thing. Can you just show me one episode?"

And you think "One episode? Farscape is so... weird. I'm not sure one episode can possibly give someone an accurate impression." And, being very persuasive, you manage to talk your friend into watching eight episodes. (Very persuasive of you. Well done.)

But which eight episodes? Here comes Mez to the rescue!



DNA Mad Scientist
This will establish the basic crew relationships (i.e. grudgingly allied, but mostly self-serving). It gives a fair bit of insight into Aeryn's situation (wishing she could go back to being a Peacekeeper), and also gives a reasonable sample of Pilot being snarky.

Through the Looking Glass
This shows the crew gradually starting to work together as allies. It introduces Chiana, and has a very "alien" alien being mysterious but helpful (much like the Ancients do).

The Way We Weren't
Extremely angsty, with awesome backstory. And extra angst.

The Ugly Truth
This is a Rashomon episode (look it up). It's a gimmick episode, done very well - and less intimidating for a newbie than other gimmick episodes (like a body swap, or everyone suddenly being cartoons, for example).

Different Destinations
Time travel! With extra angst. Gives some interactions with Harvey, and also includes Jool.

Scratch 'n Sniff
Thoroughly insane, and hence quintessentially Farscape.

Unrealized Reality
Bizarre sci-fi, done in a really interesting brain-bendy fashion. Immediately followed up by...

Kansas
The crew on Earth! Being undercover and silly.


THE END. Your friend now understands how Farscape works, without (and here's the beautiful bit) actually knowing much about it.

Seriously! This selection of episodes shows off the flavour of the show, but totally avoids:
- Scorpius hunting Crichton
- the whole brain-chip thing
- most of the wormhole thing
- any character deaths
- the majority of the romance

It will not spoil people for future whole-show viewings. Huzzah!




Questions? Comments?

Comments

[maia]

Thank you for posting this!

[deird1]

No worries! :)

[shadowkat]

I give you credit -- I honestly wouldn't have a clue. My temptation would be to have them watch the three-episode arcs in S2 and S3 and skip over S1. But you sort of need S1. Also the first episode is pretty good. PK Girl - I think that's what it is called isn't a bad episode. The best ones in S1 are the one in which Chiana shows up, and Crichton pretends to be a Peace-Keeper (it's when he starts wearing the leather), and the ones that follow it. It's like it was two series in S1, with separate production values.

There's also that episode in S1, can't remember the name of it, it may be Through the Looking Glass? Where it appears they've made it back to Earth, but in reality it's just aliens studying their responses.

I can't remember the names of any of the episodes...

I'd have gone with the first episode (so they get the set up)
the episode where Chiana pops up
the aliens make them think they are on Earth
the body swap episode (because I adore it and it really gets the characters across)

But, I admittedly have not managed to talk anyone into watching it. ;-)

[deird1]

I tend to think that the multi-episode arcs require too much knowledge of the ongoing plot. I'm picking stand-alone episodes, in the hopes that the new viewer won't be confused. :)

I can't remember the names of any of the episodes...

I believe you're talking about...

PK Girl - I think that's what it is called

PK Tech Girl.

The best ones in S1 are the one in which Chiana shows up,

Durka Returns.

and Crichton pretends to be a Peace-Keeper (it's when he starts wearing the leather), and the ones that follow it.

A Bug's Life, Nerve, and The Hidden Memory.

Where it appears they've made it back to Earth, but in reality it's just aliens studying their responses.

A Human Response.