Farscape 1x19-1x20

[oyceter]

Farscape 1x19-1x20

I'm actually a little hesitant to keep posting these write-ups, largely because there seem to be a good deal of very enthusiastic Farscape fans out there and, er, I don't seem to be one of them.

I think every time there's something I like about an episode, there are also a billion other things that I am very neutral or sort of eye-rolly about. I am irritated by D'Argo, Zhaan, Chiana and Rygel, largely because they seem to be very one-note characters. I'm sure they develop more depth later on, but usually it feels like they're just there to be the Warrior, the Healer, the Sexy Dangerous Person, and the Grump.

Although I did like the Crichton torture scenes. And I adore Aeryn. Claudia Black always sells me on her character, no matter what happens.

Part of me is happy they brought back Crais and Gilina, and the other half is just really annoyed at Gilina and the self-sacrificing woman who dies conveniently to get herself out of the way. *rolls eyes*

And I like that Aeryn flips the switch on Crais. It seemed a very Aeryn thing to do. And I also like the mutual rescuing between Aeryn and Crichton, especially since it does often feel like Aeryn is coded as male and Crichton as female in terms of passivity and knowledge and stoicism and the like. (Standard disclaimer on this being TV or fictional codings of gender, not my own personal codings)

I don't remember where, but I remember reading something about the show being post-colonialist fiction (? Not sure if that is the right term) in that Crichton is the white male character, but he is the most disempowered character on the ship, the one who has lost the most, the one who least knows what's going on. I do like that, and it makes scenes between him and Aeryn that may normally read as chauvanistic or just horribly standard romance novel-esque interesting because of that subtext.

The Crichton-Gilina relationship, however, doesn't have that subtext, and instead has the standard romance novel subtext, which is why it irritates me so much.

I'm not anti-romantic! I'm just... really jaded?

Scorpius is suitably creepy, although I want to tear the wig off his assistant.

Am mostly unaffected by Moya's baby. Though having it be fully weaponed was a nicely scary touch.

But I sense long-term arc! I'm so glad A Human Reaction was referenced, even though I didn't really like that episode (too many benevolent, nearly extinct alien races for me). And yay bringing back old characters who I thought were just going to be one-note things, even if I don't like them personally (that'd be Gilina).

Worry not, o 'Scapers, I realize that the first season for many shows isn't necessarily that wonderful (witness Angel -- I adore the show to pieces, and the first season had some kickass arcs, but all in all, there were some pretty awful eps in there as well!). Also, the Crichton-Aeryn relationship intrigues me enough to keep watching. Also also, I have heard promises of angst galore.

In any case, it's an interesting experiment watching/reading something that I don't personally rabidly adore while other people who do very much adore it watch me watching it. Say that ten times quickly ;). It was different reading Dunnett, because I was just about as excited as the people reading, and having others there to squee to or to wallow in the unbearable angst with was fun. This is a little odd, and part of me feels really guilty for harshing other people's glow. And I feel sort of odd because the more people say it's really good, the higher my expectations get, and the more things fall short.

I'm not sure why this didn't happen to me when I was watching VMars -- maybe I didn't get the same level of comments or something?

Anyhow, I shall stop now before this gets to be some giant meta thing on LJ and expectations and reader responses (viewer responses).

Comments

[cofax7]

And I feel sort of odd because the more people say it's really good, the higher my expectations get, and the more things fall short.

That's definitely an issue for some people: I'm very glad I got into FS when it was on, and less subject to the puppy-pile. The show isn't for everyone, and people I respect a great deal (Mely, Vee) don't share my irrational love for the show. (Although even my irrational love falls down a bit in the face of season 4...)

I hope that you enjoy it. I do think there are some excellent parts of the story to come, and some parts that will likely not please you as much. But it's always interesting to see people's responses to it.

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

The puppy pile when I first started watching FS in 2002 almost succeeded in putting me off the show. I finally just stopped making posts because every time I'd express doubt or hesitance about something, 30 people would be all "you'llll seee." I hated that.

So maybe telling everyone to go away until you're finished and can squee might help. :)

[veejane.livejournal.com]

You are totally right that Gilina is a walking martyr. It is rather annoying.

Still, enjoy these episodes; they are the last time that Stark is not unbelieveably irritating.

I liked the show because of its visual zip and flair for the physical; and because it was wacky; and because of the "postcolonialist fiction" aspect you describe above. Also, some very funny lines. My absolute loathing of reductionist shippers, whom I first encountered some time in Season 3, actually managed to make me like the show less.

[cofax7]

Another option is to either filter your posts, or lock them against comments...

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

And how dumb is she? I mean, come on, Crichton is only on the surface to save Aeryn's life, but sure, Gilina believes that he's her Twoo Wuv.

It's rough being a walk-on.

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

Right. I feel bad saying I didn't like people's squeeful support, but it just made me feel like a chick being watched over by hens. *g*

[oyceter]

Yeah, I think maybe if I had just sort of stumbled on this show via a few personal recs or something, I would have been much more impressed. But it's just gotten so much praise and etc. that it's probably really hard to withstand that!

But am still in for the ride, mostly because Aeryn? Rocks like a rocking thing ;).

[oyceter]

Hee, yeah. I think I might just not respond to a lot of comments or something, but I do remember how much fun the puppy pile of Dunnett reading was, so am a little loath to not let people chat with each other in the comments.

[oyceter]

Hey, well, that's the plus side! I have not yet encountered crazy reductionist shippers! In fact, I may never venture into the fandom and will get to enjoy my ships in peace ;).