Farscape (No Spoilers)

[Mouseferatu]

Hmm...

I've also borrowed seasons 1 and 2 from a friend, and I've gotten about 5 episodes in. I have to admit, I had all but decided to give up on watching any more of it. It's not that I think the eps so far are bad, they just haven't grabbed me.

But if it really does pick up later in the season, I guess I ought to reconsider my position...

 

[John Crichton]

Hmm...

I've also borrowed seasons 1 and 2 from a friend, and I've gotten about 5 episodes in. I have to admit, I had all but decided to give up on watching any more of it. It's not that I think the eps so far are bad, they just haven't grabbed me.

But if it really does pick up later in the season, I guess I ought to reconsider my position...

I didn't like the first half of the first season much at all (I did really like the pilot, tho). They give some cool backstory but are needed to enjoy all the later seasons. The most important stuff starts later. Here's a cheat sheet if you want to skip to the good stuff without being left in the dark later on. Just watch these in order. I've even bolded the ones that are really needed...

01. Premiere
04. Throne for a Loss
05. PK Tech Girl
08. That Old Black Magic
10. They've Got a Secret
11. Till the Blood Runs Clear
12. The Flax
15. Durka Returns
16. A Human Reaction
17. Through the Looking Glass
18. A Bug's Life
19. Nerve
20. The Hidden Memory
21. Bone To Be Wild
22. Family Ties

Of course, there are some things you will miss if you don't watch the whole first season. But I didn't see the whole thing until I saw seasons 2&3 first. Went back and watched most of them later. I caught a marathon of the "Best of" eps that got me enough to go on so I could get what was happening later.

There are some eps that I left out that are pretty entertaining by themselves but I wanted to provide a "fast forward." Keep in mind that many of the eps contain plots and events that don't really work until you see them referenced much later on. Even as late as Season 4.

 

[Kesh]

Absolutely finish out season one. If the finale of that season doesn't grab you, it's safe to drop the rest of the series.

But I'd bet good money the end of season one will make you want to watch the rest of the series.

 

[PhoenixDarkDirk]

And there are no bumpy foreheads. Aliens look alien.

Especially the Sebaceans.

 

[ddvmor]

Just wait 'til you get to Scorpius' first appearance at the end of season one. Then you'll be hooked!

 

[argo]

I'll echo what others have said: the first season is kinda slow as they are still in their "shake down" phase, it picks up at the end of season 1 and seasons 2 and 3 are some of the best TV ever made.

As for what specifically makes the show so good, in no particular order: dynamic situations, the characters constantly change with no "reset button" nonsense, excellent FX (espically the mupets), really good fight scenes and strong character driven plots. Oh, plus they have a wicked sense of humor! Look for the eipsode "No Need for Crackers", pure genius I say!

Later.

 

[KaosDevice]

As a huge 'scaper I'd just like to toss my 'frell yeah' in for this series. My big connect on the show was how they deftly mixed stand alone episodes with over reach story arc episodes. They did some nice trade offs between continuity and the one shot fun episodes that people love now and again. Plus a great mix of angst, naughtiness and humour just really made it the show to beat. I was sad to see it leave the air after PK Wars...

 

[Look_a_Unicorn]

You think it can't get any better- that the writers can't think of anything new to entertain and titillate you with- that you possibly couldn't grow to appreciate the characters any more than you currently do- and you are continually proven wrong...

Right up till the last episode

 

[Ruined]

I'll mirror what the others have said - the first season gets better and better by the end. I didn't start watching it at the start ("Henson? I don't want to see more Muppets in Space!"), but I caught the last four eps of Season 1 on a Saturday marathon. And there I was, instant Farscape Junkie.

 

[Aeson]

For me it was the pop culture comments, the interesting characters, humor and great visuals. Of course there are some hit or miss episodes what show didn't have those except DS9. I think there were more hit than miss episodes.