Text 159, 125 rader
Skriven 2004-10-20 15:48:00 av Kevin Karmann (1:278/230)
Ärende: Farscape: Peacekeeper War
=================================



Short review: WOW!!!

For more, follow the spoiler warning...

SPOILER

WARNING

If

you

haven't

watched

the

FARSCAPE

four

hour

mini-series

stop

here!


You know, I've seen a lot of science fiction & fantasy "sagas" over the
years.  I've seen every episode of all the various Treks (several multiple
times, in fact).  I've seen every STAR WAR movie and I'm sure I'll see the
one next spring.  BABYLON 5, STARGATE, BUFFY: THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, FIREFLY...
the list goes on and on and on.

But after sitting down and watching the four hour conclusion to FARSCAPE
last night, I have to say... I've never seen a saga end better.  The sheer
emotional rollercoaster of the final hour -- arguably the best hour of all
of FARSCAPE -- particular stands out.

It's been said this was made for the fans and you can tell.  Many familiar
characters that were brought back -- Grunchlk, Jool, Jothee, etc. for one
last bow.  We have fantastic space battles, the strong bond of the
Aeryn/John relationship, and the final payoff to wormhole technology.

Not that there isn't any flaws in this gem.   The effort to get through the
crystalization of Crichton and  Aeryn seemed to be way too fast.  Sure, I
know they probably had a lot more intended when they set up that
cliffhanger, but it still seemed a bit rushed.  It was nice to learn that
Rygel is a true amphibian, right down to being able to survive underwater.

Once they get past the baggage, though, things really take off.  Best of
all, almost everyone has something to do here.  Crichton, of course, has the
hero stuff, as well as the moral dilemma about the wormhole.  Aeryn deals
with being a Peacekeeper (of sorts) by helping out in the hero department,
not to mention having a baby.  D'Argo is his old warrior self.  Stark gets
transformed in the effort to seek peace.  Rygel carries the baby for a while
and has some sage advice toward the end.  Only Chiana -- who seems to mainly
serve as midwife and later as mourner --  and Norante seems to have little
to do here.

I'm not sure I particular liked how our heroes have to cozy up with Scorpius
once again, as he works much better as a villian, but I think that
ultimately worked out well.

On the other, I don't see how D'argo and Chiana could've possibly survived
the ship's explosion, even if they are strong enough to survive in space for
a little while (we know D'argo is, but Chiana, too?).    I also don't see
why the Scarrans would've allowed their prisoners to keep the baby
transferance device (granted, the whole idea of a fetus actually managing to
grow in Rygels stomach is quite ridiculous, but once you accept that
JUNIOR-type aspect...), when they took all the weapons and such away.

Once we get into the final hour, things really start moving.  The fight
between the Scarrans and the Peacekeepers rage on while Aeryn gives birth...
The death of D'argo has to be one of the most effective in SF history, if he
truly is dead (first rule of TV death: one isn't dead unless you see the
actual last breath and even then, sometimes...), but considering the planet
was blown up too, that bodes badly for any return (if there ever is any
continuation, not that would be necessary after this perfect ending).

Crichton's final gambit -- using the wormhole weapon to show that "wormholes
don't make peace, people make peace" -- doesn't really come off as heavy
handed, yet works nicely as morality play.  And, of course, anything good in
FARSCAPE -- whether it be love or peace -- has to have price, he lapses into
a coma for a while afterward.  I do have to say, here, that I found it a bit
hard to believe that Aeryn's pregnancy had gone from nothing to full term so
quickly -- a rate that she said was slow -- but Grayza remained pregnant
throughout.

As always, FARSCAPE maintains it's off-base sense of hurmor.  You have Rygel
regurgitating the crystals that are now Aeryn and John.  Then there's Albert
"Harvey" Einstein strategically placed in front of an off-color comment John
writes on a blackboard.  I did notice that there seemed to be less of the
alien swearing, though.  There were a few five-letter "f" words, but few
four letter "d" words and no seven letter "h" words...  Heck, even the time
measurements were reduced, with only a few arns mentioned and most often
refering to things in "days" (even D'argo mentions "60 days").

The effects, as always, are top rate.  Oh, they might not be quite up to the
standards of ENTERPRISE -- except for the creature shop aliens, which are in
many ways superior to computer generated aliens -- but they're heads above
anyone else.

So, in conclusion, FARSCAPE: THE PEACEKEEPER WARS is something that
shouldn't be missed by fans.

Kevin








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