unhealthy addiction?

[brokendj23]

I find myself increasingly watching the eps that I have, spending countless hours on this site, yearning for even a few re-runs to be aired on sci-fi, and basically talking about farscape in general. My friends that are subjected to this, albeit not farscape fans, say that this is becoming an unhealthy addiction to me and that I use it as an escape from reality. I can't say as that is all that far off, as I really love everything that is this show. Of course, watching doesn't keep me from life, i.e. work etc. but is there really something wrong with me? Do I need a support group?

[Nicola]

You have a support group! Us!

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

Aren't we the support group? And isn't television supposed to be an escape from reality?

[brokendj23]

yeah you guys are the support group! its nice to know theres other people just like me though

[Boron]

I have always thought of this board as my support group. It is yours too. I was really depressed over the cancellation when I finally heard about it, and this group has really gotten me past that. There are many substantial rumors flying about now. The Burbank thing is coming up. There are more than a few reasons to be very optimistic now. This is good.


:love: :beer: :bgb: :tomato: :sun:

[who45]

I think this is an addiction that we all share..and gladly.

[grapeshot]

I find myself increasingly watching the eps that I have, spending countless hours on this site, yearning for even a few re-runs to be aired on sci-fi, and basically talking about farscape in general.

Sounds like my life, too. I do get up and go to work, and I do whatever I need to, but the joie de vivre is gone. I want that ol' Farscape Friday feeling back in my life.

[cybergal]

People that haven't ever been privy to the phenomena that comes with being a Scaper will never truly understand it. From Day 1, this has been the most unique community that I have ever been a part of.

It's not just about the show Farscape.

Sure, that's what got you here, but what is it that makes you come back and back again? It's the people. The comradarie. The family that we have become.

Many of the Scapers on here know each other in real life. Many have met at different conventions numerous times. We experience the births of babies. The deaths of family and friends. We go through the ups and downs of life together. We share knowledge and skills. That's a pretty good group of people to know IMHO.

I take care of Real Life as needed, but the Scapers here are not just virtual to me. They're very real. I know. I've hugged quite a few of them in person and I'm a firm beliver that hugging is very healthy. It's good for the soul.

Your friends shouldn't be so narrow minded and should investigate something that you're involved in a little closer. There's more here than meets the eye. It's not just about Farscape.

[auroraSun]

nicely said Cybergal. and brokendj23 I know what you mean: none of my friends are into farscape, let alone Sci-Fi. I've learned not to talk about it, luckily my family understands (they are all sort-of fans) and the various farscape boards.

[Grippy]

Yay for the Farscape community! People who understand how much Farscape has helped me in my life....litereally keeping me from going off the deep end at a very low point in my life...are very valuable to me and very cool! Go us!

:D :kitty:

[grinner]

unhealthy addiction? To a television show? nah... this is just about the right amount of interest.

[Nicola]

Originally posted by Boron
I have always thought of this board as my support group. It is yours too. I was really depressed over the cancellation when I finally heard about it, and this group has really gotten me past that.

Awwww, Boron. :hugz:

[brokendj23]

I take care of Real Life as needed, but the Scapers here are not just virtual to me. They're very real. I know.

Unfortunately I dont really physically know ne other scapers yet (except for a few of my friends that r casual scapers or the ones Im trying 2 get addicted) I can't go 2 burbank (unless ne1 is driving from the north east, and has a spot in their car) and even though I DO find comfort in these posts, and love your positive feedback and support, I still don't have that comraderie that I guess I crave. I'm still new to this site, and still a pretty new FS addict in general, but I crave more...I want to get to know other scapers in my area and chill with them( and yes,I'm also on bostonscapers, but it's sorta blah), as well as make some close friends here in cyber space. I dunno, it's weird, I'm pretty independent and perfectly content with the amount of friends or people I have around in my life...but when it comes to farscape I feel some NEED to find others like me.

[PauNthWorlds]

Broken, I think im the only scaper in Maine!!!


I know exactly how ya feel!!

[cybergal]

Just keep looking and you will find others that will enjoy the show with you. Most of my long time friends don't watch it with me. But that's o.k. They watch things that I think is brainless drivel for entertainment.

I guess that I just expect quality for entertainment more than they do. It doesn't make me love them any less. I just know not to let them pick out movies for me to go to. :)

Funny story:
Last night, my best friend tells me that a coworker of hers is all happy and bouncy yesterday. She inquires as to the reason for the joy and the girl tells her, "I think my favorite show is going to get to be finished." My friend says, "Uh, that wouldn't be Farscape would it?" (My friend claims to not be a Scaper, but has watched at least 1/2 of the series over the last 4 years...)

This is proof positive that Scapers are everywhere! Just keep enjoying the show and talking about it to anyone and eventually you'll draw them out into the light.

Get the Best of Season 1 DVD next. It was selected by the producers and directors and is an excellent way to introduce your friends to the show. It includes Premiere which is the set up for the whole shebang. Just remember that they all have grown and experienced so much since the beginning.

always remember that as a Scaper you are a part of something really big and this "Isn't your father's Sci-Fi!"

[ctheokas]

I have to admit, I've never been this "addicted" to a show before in my life. At first, I thought maybe I was looney, or it was unhealthy, but now, I don't think so. I come to this site at least six days a week, I watch eps all the time, I think about Farscape videos when I listen to music, I think about how the stories are constructed and how they interconnect along the story arcs, and so on. If that's unhealthy, fine.

The only time you should worry about it is if Farscape cuts you off from everything in your life - work, family, friends, food, drink, sex, fresh air, and so on. If that's not happened yet, then don't worry about it.

[brokendj23]

yeah, the best of dvd, is what really got me hooked too. I think im slowly realizing that perhaps premiere is the wrong first ep to show to people if you want to get them addicted. I don't really know why, but people seem to get alot more interested catching stuff from season 2 and 3 (which in my opinion, is when the storyline's got the most intense)

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Addicted? Naaaaaa.....I can quit whenever I want to.:rollin:

I'm here cuz grinner stole my cheeze! :pi:

[cybergal]

Better wardrobe. Actors more comfortable with their characters. Heavily developed plotlines.

Lots of leather! Yowza!

But the beginning season has so much to offer and is the foundation of everything else. That's why most people introduce newbies with Premiere and an assortment of other shows like Cracker's Don't Matter, Out of Their Minds, the ones that are good stand alone eps.

Me. I just like things in order if possible. I do that with books too. I don't want to see something or read out of context. It takes away the suspense for me. Guess I watched too many Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan and Perry Mason as a kid. I tend to figure out things pretty quick.

Although I must admit that I am 1st Lt. Commander of the Spoiler Sluts on the Kansas bb. We try to find out anything and everything that's coming out for Farscape. ;)

[grinner]

Originally posted by I-am-so-Johns-girl
Addicted? Naaaaaa.....I can quit whenever I want to.:rollin:

I'm here cuz grinner stole my cheeze! :pi: cheese? Did someone say cheese?

[Jude]

I am totally addicted... its why I haven't been online in so long... been watching Farscape every day for the past week and a half...

The characters are belivable, there are faboulous plots and even my mother and best friend are becoming addicted too...

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Ooooh grinner....I do lerv that cheeze smiley! :love:

[grinner]

I forgot who found it for me... it is great

[janey_13]

My mom is always saying that I'm obsessed, I'm kind of used to it now. :D

[tesseract]

My name is tesseract, and I am a Farscape Addict. Say it loud and proud! :D

Seriously, though, I think one reason why some people are suspicious about TV fandom is precisely because it's about TV, which isn't usually considered "high" culture. I live in a place where sports fandom is practically compulsory; somehow people manage to recognize that sports fandom is not just about sports, but about community through sports. I see Farscape fandom in the same way.

[brokendj23]

I have found that the friends I have that AREN'T into scape, now have begun to regard me as the equivilent of a hardcore trekkie (no offense to any trekkies out there!) whenever I quote one liners or even talk about this site, I'm met with this weird attitude like there's something wrong with me. My roomate tells me that she thinks I am creating a fantasy world for myself thru my addiction and that it's not healthy or whatever...and she called the show cheesy

[MrFlibble]

Cheezy?!?



mmmmm...cheese:thewave:

[DRD1810]

I don't think an addiction to something (relatively) harmless becomes a problem until it interferes with your life. I still have meaningful relationships offline and unrelated to Farscape, so I'm good. :) Yes, I think about it a lot, but I am eating and sleeping normally and my relationship with my husband is not suffering. :)

It's something that I really enjoy and it makes me feel happy. :) Especially lately, around here, I've got a lot to feel happy about! Also, I've been a writer my entire life, and I find the story and characters fascinating. I tend to get bored easily with most television, but Farscape is different. :)

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Originally posted by MrFlibble
Cheezy?!?



mmmmm...cheese:thewave:

Oh geeze...don't say cheese in front of grinner!:rollin:

[Lord Loser]

I think you're quite sane. My brother, who knew I watched FarScape, once saw my Season 1 DVD set (after the cancellation) and asked if I was still into "fart scrape". I said you bet, and then I told him to take the DVD's and watch 'em if he wanted to. This was just as Skiffy was reairing the seasons in order, so I started taping them at season 2. My bro and sis-in-law watched the DVD's and the first couple of tapes and then I talked with him on the phone. He said FS was tremendously predictable, and it was nothing more than a love story. "So you want me to stop recording the eps for you then," I replied. "NO, no, I never said that..." he quickly responded, "I'm hooked."

Nuff said...

[brokendj23]

I've been a writer my entire life, and I find the story and characters fascinating. I tend to get bored easily with most television, but Farscape is different.

i totally hear you on that, i like writing too, and unfortunately I kind of lost my ambition for it for a while, then I found FS and this site etc. and I'm finally motivated to write again! keep your eyes open for my own fanfic series soon

[brokendj23]

"So you want me to stop recording the eps for you then," I replied. "NO, no, I never said that..." he quickly responded, "I'm hooked."

My girlfriend has had no interest what so ever with ever watching FS, and just resisted it all together. Last weekend she came over and while we were lying in bed I popped in the 2.3 dvd and started watching the look at the princess trilogy as she was writing a paper. Within 5 mins. of part one she had redirected her attention towards the tv. she started making comments on characters like (regarding aeryn and her attitude,) "is she like a lesbian or something? she walks around like a man" which was funny to hear especially due to how aeryn was acting the whole time. By the end of the trilogy she was all exited about J and A being compatible.

[PKTechDude]

Originally posted by PauNthWorlds
Broken, I think im the only scaper in Maine!!!
Wrong! I'm a Maine 'Scaper! :D Not only that, but I've managed to get some of my friends addicted to the show. In fact, we just started watching season 4 tonight. So that makes at least five 'Scapers in Maine... :D

[waltersgirl]

man needs story, has always had story, tracing back to when the story was drawn on cave walls. stories are how we share who we are, how we convey to the next generations our hopes and dreams and fears.

Ben said something interesting at the con apropos to this...he was talking about the notion in that there are no original ideas truly, and said, and i'm paraphrasing, that maybe the reason why stories connect with people is precisely because there is no original idea left, that there is a commonality and that is what reaches people because they share the experience of the story in some form.

Farscape has always been about the story.

[brokendj23]

I think in reality everyone has something that they "need" to be addicted to, I think that's just what makes us human. Unfortunately, people would rather condemn others for their short comings rather than take a look at themselves and see that they're no different...I suppose the level of my addiction, is no different from that of thrill junkies, or sex addicts, or aggressive drivers, religious zealots or heroin addicts. When it comes right down to it, each one of us has that one thing that gets us thru the day.

[waltersgirl]

shows or hobbies or activities one enjoys with zeal is completely different from an addictive personality.

[Dominar of Action]

I agree with everything said above, but I do see where the non-Scapers are coming from because let's face it, this show *is* more addictive than any other I've ever seen or heard about. It seems that 90% of the people who are willing to sit down and watch 3 eps or so become hooked. There are other high quality TV shows out there that manage to tell great stories -- and these shows have larger fandoms than ours -- yet don't seem to have the same *degree* of addictiveness as FS.

So, I have often wondered what is it about FS that makes it so much more addictive (relatively) than these other shows? Addictive to the point that thousands of viewers are compelled to fight tooth and nail for its return, donating their energy, time, and money in amounts never before seen in a SOS campaign?

I'm no scientist, but I am convinced that FS provides viewers with such a rush that it is truly like a mild form of drug -- one that we miss both emotionally and even physically when we don't get it. I'm not saying it's unhealthy per se, just that I don't think it's coincidence that we speak in terms of "pushers" and "fixes" around here :ewink:

[Darth Scorpius]

Yes, this show is very addictive. I had not seen (nor did I care to) an episode until May of this year. I loved the first episode and was absolutely hooked by the third.

[ctheokas]

I can see it now:

Farscape: Hey, at least it's not crack!