Sci Fi Confirms Forthcoming Farscape Miniseries

Albinus writes "The Sci Fi Channel has decided to continue the Farscape series in the form of a miniseries, according to a short article on SciFi.com. Apparently, 'The four-hour miniseries picks up where the cliffhanger series finale left off and will reunite John Crichton (Ben Browder), Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black) and the rest of the Moya crew.' Hopefully this will generate a renewed interest in the show and bring it back permanently." We reported on earlier rumors to this effect late last year.

Comments

Power of the people

[neomagi]

If the series is actually picked back up, it could prove inspirations for all the other shows that were cancelled, but are still fighting to get back on the air. the save farscape crew did a good job of trying to rally support.

Full series return unlikely

[curtlewis]

Do shows ever really recover from cancellation? Sure, there's some convulsions before rigamortis sets in, but rarely is there a rebirth, if ever.

Now, if it WERE to happen, I'd be immensely happy. I'm a big fan of Farscape. The humor is priceless ("Bill Gates can't guarantee Windows, what makes you think you can guarantee my safety?").

I look forward to the miniseries eagerly and I must admit I wonder how they'll write themselves out of the series finale where Crighton and Sun were literally vaporized.

(grabs popcorn)

Re:Full series return unlikely

[Jahf]

My understanding is you're basically right, but he was at one point told that he'd only get 4 seasons and so had to cut the Shadow War content down significantly, then when the ratings justified the 5th season after the 4th season was almost done finishing he got to take time to finish various aspects in the last season.

If so then he got his 5 seasons, but not the 5 seasons he -wanted-.

That explanation made sense to me because after over 3 years of build up the Shadow War seemed to end -awefully- quickly and easily. But as with all SciFi show mythos it could be incorrect.

Brilliant

[NedR]

While I was upset when Sci-Fi cancelled Farscape, this is, admittedly, probably the best possible way to bring it back. Farscape was always best in blocks of three or four episodes, particularly the "We're So Screwed" arc right before the series finale. It seems like the show excelled most when Chrichton and the gang were in a seemingly impossible situation, and then the writers had three hours or so to go completely nuts. It will be interesting to see what they do with a miniseries, especially considering the title hints that things could get even messier than usual.

Also, I had a feeling that Chrichton and Aeryn weren't dead at the series finale. Any theories though on how they're coming back?

Yup Yup Yup

[ackthpt]

And I think it's for the better too... Sci-Fi Mini Series.

Yes! I could only stand a few sci-fi series for a few episodes, until I got the feel of the shallow writing, (dripping with moral lessons) or lame conflict ("It would be my honor to run away screaming like a little girl from that ravenous bugblatter beast for you, Captain") That some series dragged on for years longer than they should have only, IMHO, harmed sci-fi series.

A quick story, with no commitment to continuity, would work for me, and I'd possibly get back to watching more of it. (I've felt simlarly about sitcoms, but you know how networks think, they want a season, something they can count on, drag it out for years, etc.)

Re:Trends

[TobiasTheCommie]

Contrary to most series, Farscape did already have a tight plot, with fresh stories. Like Babylon 5 Farscape have a continous ARC, and if you don't follow the series you will get lost. This makes it hard for people to get into the middle of the series. But it keeps me happy. So yes, mini series are usually interesting, with good stories. But i would rather have a series with good plot, good arc, and good storie, than a mini series. Just because i get more with a series.

Amazing, but not for the reason you'd think

[webwalker]

SCIFI treated Henson pretty shabbily when they were producing the original series, and backed out of the series for the 5th season when Henson wouldn't take less money for the same number of episodes delivered (as well as SCIFI insisting that they should get virtually unlimited re-run rights, which would tie up the series syndication in the USA for a long time. You know SCIFI: they'd run it in repeats until it was dead if they could do it for free.)

The fact that Henson would back up in the arms of SCIFI for the American distribution is really odd, as it was SCIFI that made such a mess of it in the first place. But I think someone needs to read the fine print: SCIFI's exclusive license to run repeats ends this fall (they had a 2 year contract.)

I'd be willing to bet my leather Scorpy suit that Henson hooked a deal for distribution in return for an extension of SCIFI's lock on the American distribution. And it means that fans are stuck with SCSFI's crappy attitude toward hard science-fiction and their decision that "Sci-Fi" means Horror-Fantasy.

So expect SCSIFI to make a big hoorah that "We're bringing this signature show back because we care about and listen to our fans." Phooey. I cancelled my extended cable because after Farscape and Firefly went off-air, there wasn't any decent Sci-Fi left to watch on SCIFI. Tremors2? Fear Factor?

I'll camp out at a friend's place for the mini-series, but I'm not going to sign up with SCIFI again until they demonstrate that they are proactive, rather than reactive.

RMW

Re:Am I the only one?

[Mr Pippin]

Actually, I considered this to be one of the best SCI-FI attempts I have ever seen. Too bad it started getting weak plotlines in the last two seasons.

The general outline was "Obtain a central enemy. Over a period of time, have the enemy become an ally while obtaining a new enemy."

My overall preference for the show was that the majority of the characters had depth to them versus most of the sci-fi chaff thrown at us.

For instance, I think Scorpius is on the best fleshed out enemies I have ever seen. He is a very well done chaotic-good representation, in my opinion. In fact, they did a show letting the audience know his ultimate motivations, and why he is the way he is. The good part of this show was that none of the other characters in the show ever saw this.