Customer Reviews

Farscape - Season 1, Collection 1 (Starburst Edition)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is the first release in the Starburst edition of FARSCAPE and while it is unfortunate that they didn't get it right the first time around in releasing the show on DVD, better late than never. Overwhelmingly the biggest problem with the first DVD releases was cost: unless you were an adult with a considerable amount of disposable income, they were simply too expensive. Although I have long been a huge FARSCAPE fan, the price truly was prohibitive, and as a person with a very wide range of interests, I had trouble justifying spending such a large amount of money for only one television series. Fortunately, the Starburst edition is extremely affordable, and contains all the special features available in the original versions. They are also vastly more convenient. I never could understand releasing only two episodes at a time in bulky packaging, and I'm delighted that this new version will take up about as much room as your average TV boxed set. My only complaint is that the episodes are presented on double-sided discs. It isn't clear to me why they couldn't have been singled sided, though there could well be very good reasons. My hope is that they will eventually put out each season in a single box. Although I will own the entire series by then in the individual releases, it will be easier for newcomers to buy them in that format, and this is a show I very much want to play the evangelist with, converting new fans to the considerable charms of the series.

I have a theory about television in the nineties that involves how TWIN PEAKS, THE X-FILES, and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER revolutionized what was possible in the medium. An addendum to this theory is that FARSCAPE was the first show to exploit the potential that these three shows demonstrated was possible. First, TWIN PEAKS showed that it was possible to produce a non-police procedural that maintained continuity from episode to episode while developing a story arc over a long period of time, while at the same time upping the aesthetic standards for what was possible in television. TWIN PEAKS was truly the first American television series that had many of the same values one could find in feature films. A couple of years later, THE X-FILES continued this level of aesthetic while developing an even more satisfying multi-season narrative arc. TWIN PEAKS great flaw--and it was a serious one--was that instead of resolving narrative details, they instead kept introducing new ones, so that by the end of the second season the story was collapsing by the multiplying of mysteries. THE X-FILES has narrative problems of its own, namely its lack of continuity over the course of the years (e.g., it was often precisely clear who the Cigarette Smoking Man was the father of, what the true fate of Mulder's sister was, or whether there was a true alien colonization program, until things were rather artificially summed up at the end), but it for the most part did a masterful job of telling a magnificent story over the course of nine seasons. But even then the show somewhat got things wrong, for the overarching assumption seemed to be that what we really liked was the stories, while in fact what we really loved was that the stories involved the interaction of Mulder and Scully. But the focus in the series was story first, and character development second. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE STORY was the first show to get everything right. The show told a great overall story as well as great season-long arcs, while throughout it all focusing more on character development than plot.

FARSCAPE is arguably the second show after BUFFY to get the formula right. Although the show has some amazing story arcs, in particular in Season Three, which I think one of the boldest seasons in the history of television, not once did the focus ever slip from the central characters to the story. In the midst of all the puppets and sets and CGI effects and aliens and make up and special effects, FARSCAPE is always more about John, Aeryn, D'Argo, Zhaan, Chianna, and the others than it is about the story in which they are involved. (Homage is paid to BUFFY, by the way, in two explicit references to BUFFY over the four seasons, first when John frets that he may be stuck as a statue for so long that not only his family members but even "Buffy the Vampire Slayer!" will be dead and then in Season Four when he asks Scorpio what it takes to stop him, whether silver bullets or "Buffy!")

These first of three sets comprising Season One is stuffed to the gills with special features, more than just about any other TV show I know. Special features have never overly impressed me, though I like good ones. Great special features can never atone for a rotten show, but luckily here we get great features for a great show. Every single episode features its own commentary, and I love the way that you really get to know the principle performers through listening to them. This show was not merely a job for them, but a project to which they were completely committed. The number of additional special features truly is staggering. I know of no other TV series to appear on DVD with anywhere near the same level of special features.

But it mainly comes back to price. Finally we have an edition of FARSCAPE that almost anyone can afford. I heartily recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Sci-fi. I concur with those who consider it the finest Sci-fi series ever to appear on TV, but I would hasten to add that this has the potential to appeal to non-Sci-fi fans. For instance, women usually are not regarded as the target group of a Sci-fi series, but FARSCAPE had a massive female fan base. The reason is the way the show focuses on characters and the interplay between the individuals. But the main reason to see the show is that this is one of the rare ones that got everything right, and this despite the fact that it took more chances than just about any other show in the history of TV. Luckily, even when they took chances, things usually paid off.

Farscape, or Muppets in Space, as I used to call it. Well, despite being somewhat disinterested in this series over the years, the recent Peace-Keeper Wars mini-series has peaked my interest in this series. After the abrupt and sudden cancelation of this series, with an unresolved cliff-hanger, I was kind of unwilling to purchase this series on DVD only to have an unfinished series on DVD. (This is the same reason why I haven't purchased Firefly, and maybe B5: Crusade). Well, since the series has finally gotten its wrap-up, if you will, I have decided to give this series a try on DVD.

I've seen a few episodes over the years, thought they were interesting, but as fans know, you almost have to catch it from the beginning and all the way through. So once I stopped watching way back in the first season, I lost track of the show.

Well, this new re-release of the Starburst Editions is a brilliant idea for a couple of reasons. First we get 7 episodes instead of 4 for about the same SRP. Plus we get more extras. How can you beat that? Second, packaging them this way saves space. Instead of 5 double-wide keepcases per season, this style of packaging will encompass an entire season in just 3 keepcases. 7 episodes on two, 8 on the other, for a total of 22 episodes per season. And from what another reviewer said, we also get better transfers and sound quality than the previous releases.

This first volume was released on Nov. 16th, the second one is due on Jan. 18th (same day as the PKW disc) which means expect another release about every two months. So expect the entire series within about a two year period.

If you don't own this dvd, go out and buy it! It's a fairly reasonable price and the show is marvelous. However, I've looked at the extras listed and there isn't that much new on this edition. The sound and picture quality are great on the original, so if you already own it, I wouldn't throw any more money ADV's way. They seem eager to empty our pockets without giving much for it. New buyers, enjoy! Owners of the first edition - caveat emptor!

While no mention has been made anywhere on this site, it is worth noting that ADV has released a second version of the affordably-priced (but still not CHEAP) STARBURST edition that includes 4 single-sided discs in a neat little tiered DVD case instead of the horrible double-sided discs that everyone has been complaining about. I am writing this note to warn you: While Amazon appears to be shipping the 4-DISC versions, it is impossible to tell exactly what you will be getting from any NON-AMAZON retailer. So do yourself a favor and order it directly from AMAZON or a retailer who explicitly states that you'll be getting all 4 discs.

Farscape surprised me. A lot. When I first saw it the series was well into its second season. I kept hearing about how good it was but never actually sat down to try it. I am glad I eventually did. Farscape (for those of you reading this who don't know) is probably the most diversely written science fiction show I have ever seen. Lots of shows have a certain pacing and feel to them. Even the great shows (like Babylon 5 and Star Trek:TNG) often felt like standardized in the writing style. Not so with Farscape. The show felt like they were shooting from the hip in that respect. I think that's one of the reasons it was such a great show.

Add to that some VERY impressive special effects including incredible CGI scenes, creative makeup effects, and of course the Jim Henson Creature Shop coming up with some of the coolest aliens ever. Of course I cannot forget some fantastic acting by the staff, and that's another reason why this show works so well... the chemistry between the characters (muppet or otherwise).

Now about this Starburst Edition. I was one of the people who balked at the way Farscape was being offered in DVD format. Only a few eps on a disk that cost over $20 at the time and then that monster of a season box always costing more than anything else I have seen. I am sorry for those of you who feel cheated with the "double dipping" but I have to agree with some reviewers here in saying this new edition is good for the franchise and good for the fans. Besides you guys do essentially have the same shows we're getting anyway. :-)

From what I'm told the Starburst Edition has the same documentaries as the first printing of the season shows along with some extras. I haven't heard all the commentaries (the one on the premier ep kinda bored me... they were just talking away without really contributing any insightful info) so I cannot really say if they are really good overall or not. I can say the additional interview with Brian Henson (not on the original set) is a treat for those who endured through the "Save Farscape" campaign.

The data files on the characters are only marginally informative. I think you can get more info from just watching the eps if you ask me. The trivia bits from each ep however was more entertaining and informative. I think that pretty much covers the extras that weren't already covered from the original releases.

I have heard some people say the Starburst Edition is remastered visually and audio, but I can't seem to notice that much a difference. If you're worried about quality and have the original then just keep what you have and save your money (unless you REALLY want those commentaries and bonus interviews).

All in all I absolutely LOVE this new edition. The price won't break your bank and you get a lot for your money. It looks like I can get an entire season for around $45. Can't beat that. I wish they released all the volumes for the season at once. Like someone else said, that's not the smartest thing to do. Killing your momentum like that.

If you don't have any Farscape DVD's yet then by all means NOW IS YOUR TIME TO GET THEM!!! If you already have the Farscape seasons on DVD then I quess it's your call whether or not the new material and remastering is enough to merit the change. Maybe you can sell off your old set and trade up?

My wife and I became hooked on FARSCAPE years ago, but when ADV started releasing the show on DVD, I was extremely disappointed that such a great series wasn't being released in a more affordable format with space-saving packaging and extras. So I held off, spending my disposable income on BABYLON 5, ALIAS, SMALLVILLE and BUFFY season sets instead. All the while, though, I hoped that ADV would get their frelling act together and repackage FARSCAPE in a way that didn't require a small bank loan to collect the entire series. I grumbled and griped to the ADV reps at the San Diego Comic Con for three consecutive years, and apparently, I wasn't the only one. Thank you, ADV, for waking up and realizing that crackers DO matter!

This reveiw is more about the quality issues with the disc more so than the content of the disc. For the record ADV has added a lot of extras that is not anywhere else. Albeit many are repeated multible times on different disc of this STARBURST series release that could have been better used reducing the compression ratio. As for the quality issues, these are recorded on dual layer double sided disc and as of this writing I have had to send 3 of the 6 currently released back to be exchanged due to skipping, frame freeze, audio cracking etc. The disc were checked on 3 players and a computer and did the same on all of them. So the issue is with the quality or the lack thereof. I have contacted ADV about the quality issues and they have more the most part said ... 'Oh well.' The more pricey collection did not have these issues, but lacked many of the extras and you get what you pay for. Granted to be fair when the disc work, the video and audio quality is fine, but it is annoying to get to the middle of a show and the disc freezes up and up have to skip over 10 or more minutes to get it to play. ADV simply tried to squeeze to much into to small of a space. This collection really should have been put on 4 disc instead of 2. They did not include scene selection either, you can only choose which episode you want to see then fast forward through the tracks after that. As I said I love the show and it is a healthy 5 but this release's quality is a sickly zero.

If you've never seen Farscape, the new Starburst editions are a perfect way to experience one of the best series ever on television at a great price. Volume 1 introduces the characters brilliantly, the standout episode being the series Premiere. Welcome to sci-fi\ fantasy\ drama\ comedy at its finest!

For longtime viewers, the new commentaries and extras are a testament to how much the people who make the show love Farscape and its fans. I can't wait to buy them all!

I am continually amazed at the inventiveness and distinctive character of Farscape. Notably, Farscape is a series in which puppets have leading roles (giving Farscape a greater breadth and depth of alien behaviors and appearances than other sci-fi series like Star Trek) and where the characters' personal storylines are given time to develop and flourish. Farscape is also distinctive through its solid casting, well-written scripts, and unusual additions to the sci-fi TV pantheon: a living ship bonded with a species that serves as guide and translator, hybrid species carrying behaviors and components of both their respective parents, and romances that flourish among the members of altogether different races.

The plot is fast paced, sometimes requiring the viewer to make some jumps in time and logic to catch up with a new episode's plotline. Despite this, nearly every episode of Farscape is enjoyable on a visual level with or without explanation of prior plotlines. Best of all, the Starburst series is affordable, and despite the product description, contains four single-sided DVDs, all with highly entertaining special features. Long live Farscape!

If you are looking for great science fiction that is fun to watch and intelligent, Farscape is a great choice. This is an amazing series with a great deal of humor, action, drama, and (best of all) a story arc. I love the idea of the Human as alien, which has not really been explored in Sci Fi television. The characters are well developed, multi-dimensional, and fun to get to know. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep one interested. There was enough money put into this series that it looks great from day one and keeps on rolling.


I enjoyed this series when I could find it on the Sci Fi Channel but was not as devoted as others. I have been anxiously waiting for the series to come out on DVD at a reasonable price so that I could buy them, which has finally happened.


The one thing I do not understand is why they are releasing the series using double sided DVDs. Babylon 5 put out all 5 seasons on 6 single sided DVDs with 4 episode on each DVD and still included commentary and bonus materials for the same price as the entire first season of Farscape Starburst set Season 1. The way the Starburst DVDs are working out, there will be 6 DVDs but they are double sided. A bit of an unnecessary pain for viewing since I have to get out and turn over the DVD after two episodes. Call me lazy, but I would prefer not to have to flip the DVD.