Was JQ underated? [Archive]

BritAngie

01-18-2004, 03:09 AM

Originally posted by atlantagirl
I loved John Quixote! I'd place it on a par with Out Of Their Minds and Crackers Don't Matter. :D

I agree-JQ bares repeat viewings because there is so much going on and there is alot of metaphors and wotnot lurking all over the place-and it's damn funny! <g> A real mess with your head ep-classic Farscape! :D

ScorpSik

01-18-2004, 05:17 AM

Sorry, hated it.

I don't like JC, so JC-centric eps irritate. Nice idea, but it rates as terrible as RA, for me.
Though having said that. it was wonderful to see Jool again + Chi getting a chunk of script:D

Farscape Forever

01-19-2004, 01:49 AM

I've only seen it once.. but it was an instant classic episode in my opinion. I like episodes

I can't wait for my 4.2 dvd to arrive to get to watch it again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... again.. and again.. and again.. and again... and again... :D

Q: How can you like Farscape and not like Crichton? Correct me if i'm wrong but he's the freakin focal point of the show?! heheh :D

JrMissToughChick

01-19-2004, 01:55 AM

Originally posted by Farscape Forever
I've only seen it once.. but it was an instant classic episode in my opinion. I like episodes
I can't wait for my 4.2 dvd to arrive to get to watch it again.. and again.. :D
Q: How can you like Farscape and not like Crichton? Correct me if i'm wrong but he's the freakin focal point of the show?! heheh :D Loved it instant classic agree whole hartedly... Waiting for 4.2 with me yay can't wait...you don't have to like John Crichton everyone is entitled to there own opinion my opinion is he is focal point of the show but like I said everyone is entitled.

~JrMTC~

Farscape Forever

01-19-2004, 01:59 AM

Originally posted by JrMissToughChick
Loved it instant classic agree whole hartedly... Waiting for 4.2 with me yay can't wait...you don't have to like John Crichton everyone is entitled to there own opinion my opinion is he is focal point of the show but like I said everyone is entitled.

~JrMTC~

I know.. everyone gets an opinion.. I was joking around.. but it does seem odd :)

But in this case we'll just say your opinion and mine is right.. instant classic :D

CrystalMoon

01-19-2004, 08:51 AM

Whenever I hear someone say they don't like John, I wonder if they have a tough time enjoying the show. He is the focal point. Most of the stories revolve around him, and he has the most screen time. It just seems like it would be hard to like to the show and hate John Crichton, imo. He doesn't have to be a fave character, but to hate him? I'm trying to think if I've watched shows where I hated the main character, and I can't think of any off the top of my head.

ScorpSik

01-19-2004, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by CrystalMoon
Whenever I hear someone say they don't like John, I wonder if they have a tough time enjoying the show. He is the focal point. Most of the stories revolve around him, and he has the most screen time. It just seems like it would be hard to like to the show and hate John Crichton, imo. He doesn't have to be a fave character, but to hate him? I'm trying to think if I've watched shows where I hated the main character, and I can't think of any off the top of my head.

It is difficult, and it's the first show where I have felt this way....
John was never a fave of mine, but I quite enjoyed him up until mid-way through S3...then, to me, he became very arrogant, bullish.
Now, I like darkness in characters, but he really grates on me now.
S4 was tough for me to enjoy - veeeery J/A centric, coupled with the shocking treatment of my fave characters (Sikozu, Scorp, Chi).

The marginalisation of the 'other' characters merely compounded this, but I fear I'm in a lonely minority with this...:whip:

janey_13

01-19-2004, 11:06 AM

I loved John Quixote from my first viewing, as I didn't tape it the first time it was on either! I was so happy when they had that marathon on Christmas Eve last year, it really saved me!

I really enjoy the 'weird' episodes. The first ep I ever saw of Farscape was Won't Get Fooled Again and that has always been one of my favorites.

My favorite character is John, followed by Scorpius and Harvey. So I love any ep that explores those particular 'ships :D

SPOILERS
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I like JQ so much b/c first, unlike almost everyone else, I didn't realize that John was still in the game when he was back on Moya. So that big surprise was fabulous for me!

I also liked the quirkiness of it and the added pop culture references, and Aeryn as the Princess, Harvey as the butler, Crais as the Ogre, etc.

I loved the 'look' of the ep and how it was filmed, especially the shot when John jumps off the balcony to reset the game.

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SPOILERS OVER

Overall, it's one of my favorite episodes of Season 4 and of the whole series. And I thought it would be helpful (as a point of reference and because it's fun to remince!) to list my other favorites:

A Human Reaction
Nerve
The Hidden Memory
Family Ties

Won't Get Fooled Again
Crackers Don't Matter
Liars, Guns, & Money 1, 2, & 3
Look at the Princess 1, 2, & 3
Die Me Dichotomy

Season of Death
Self-Inflicted Wounds, 2: Wait for the Wheel
Dog with Two Bones

What was Lost 1 & 2
John Quixote
Terra Firma
Twice Shy
We're So Screwed 1, 2, & 3

Farscape Forever

01-19-2004, 03:32 PM

You weren't the only one janey_13, I had no idea either. I get so into the episodes that things like that can get by me
:)

Clarsax

01-19-2004, 08:17 PM

JQ was one of my favorite episodes of the season. I loved the absurd jokes and quirkiness of the whole ep. I didn't realize when they were on Moya they were still in the game so that came as a big surprise to me. I thought Princess Aeryn was great and enjoyed all the Monty Python and other references. I like the weird episodes with the odd humor, and that are kind of fun and light hearted.

chri-baby

01-23-2004, 12:55 AM

As an ep. I thought JQ was funny, clever, imaginative, culturally nostalgic and dramatically encompassing. It is a risky flight of fancy that could have easily failed by proving indulgent but has succeeded by being whimsical! It is well written, well acted and well exsecuted.
it is also an ep. with a an extremely romanic tag " i heard I was a princess". and that is always a plus with me.

In my opinion it is a splended episode!:aok:

Under A Dying Sun

01-23-2004, 06:02 PM

sorry to dissapoint, but JQ is awesome.

JOHN is by far my favorite character. they are all awesome, but it's JOHN for crying out loud.

Darth Buddha

01-23-2004, 06:30 PM

It grew on me...

I thought it was mediocre when I first saw it.. probably because I wanted to see more of the larger story arc.

But when it was re-run recently, I actually laughed out loud.

stellar

01-29-2004, 07:04 PM

Just watched it again on DVD tonight. Much like Buddha, it grew on me. It's well written and this ep could be the turning point of John's standoffishness with Aeryn.

Another thing... did anyone notice that Stark's mask is on the wrong side in John Quixote?

http://www.farscapefantasy.com/photos_TL/images/TL_53_JPG.jpg
The Locket

stellar

01-29-2004, 07:07 PM

John Quixote.

mjwillia

01-29-2004, 08:16 PM

Spoilers!

I liked it too.

It predicted that Stark was coming back at some point in S4 and most probably in some attempt to avenge Zhaan death.

I kept looking forward to Stark's appearance all season and boy I was glad to see him on the Scran ship! (I bet you all wish I could spell Schaarn!)

And those "moody Stark" looks while he sat in the corner on the floor in Bad Timing! And, then how Granny gave him some of her "pixie dust" to help him let go of his demons! I had the impression that maybe Season 5 would elaborate on that! I sure hope the mini-series does something with Stark!

kazbaby

01-31-2004, 07:12 AM

JQ is one of my favorites for the 4th season. For a lot of reasons: The acting and writing of course. The quirkiness of it, and the fact it managed to surprise me with the deal about Moya.

Then when I watched it again, after the end of the season, I realized the sonnet held clues to the rest of the season that we didn't know about at the time.

As for Stark's mask and why I was on the opposite side, I'm sure Ben said in Burbank, that the Avartar Stark was supposed to be a mirror opposite of the real Stark so his mask would naturally be on the other side. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me, because the sound was a little faulty during the commentary in Burbank.

There are a lot of things going on with this episode that definiately calls for repeated views to catch them all.

PKTechDude

02-09-2004, 08:39 AM

I think "John Quixote" was a pretty good episode but "Green Eyed Monster" was definitely the better of the two episodes Ben Browder wrote. "John Quixote" was a lot of fun but it didn't really have the same kind of emotional impact as "Green Eyed Monster."

B Sharp

02-09-2004, 08:53 AM

hated JQ.

It reminded me of one of the last two or three eps of "The Prisoner", where they gave the star (Patrick McGoohan, I think) completely free reign on the story and direction. Mixed bag of metaphors and allusions with a bit of silliness and insider jokes thrown in.

yuck.

mjwillia

02-09-2004, 09:00 AM

Hey B Sharp,

Didn't you even like (even just a little bit) the reappearance of Stark and how he obviously still holds a grudge against John?

That is what I liked the most. I kept thinking Stark would be coming back in Season 4 to "trip up John."

Did you ever see Monty Python's "Holy Grail"? The part with the black knight saying: "None Shall Pass!" and King Arthur ends up cutting the black knight to pieces... That had to be why they dressed Rygel up like a knight in the parking garage! That had to make you smile even just a little didn't it?

soccerscaper

02-09-2004, 09:36 AM

One of my favorite episodes! It definately is one that you need to watch many times to get the full impact.

JadedLegend3

02-11-2004, 07:34 PM

Definately my fave ep. I love everything about it. I could say it all, but I really don't feel like it, as I've said it all before! :)

Very underrated, and for no good or valid reasons, IMO.

Under A Dying Sun

02-11-2004, 11:01 PM

JQ is glorious! weeeeeee

StephX

02-13-2004, 12:39 PM

I enjoyed JQ. It was funny and I enjoyed seeing Zhaan again (bald cap and all ;) )

Oh, and this is a off topic, but, check out the doll of Zhaan I just found online.

http://home.freeuk.net/pewty/fcwing/images/zhaan.jpg

Someone made that.
Wow, I wish I was that artistic!

http://home.freeuk.net/pewty/fcwing/zhaan.html

mjwillia

02-13-2004, 12:45 PM

Wow! That doll is better than the "Professional/Commercial" dolls! It really looks like her!

JrMissToughChick

02-13-2004, 12:47 PM

wow it does :D

Dangermousie

03-31-2004, 05:26 PM

Loved JQ. One of my faves from S4. Funny, great to see Zhaan and Stark back, was fooled by the twist, cool underlying issues...etc.

But then I love loopy episodes: WGFA, OOTM and CDM are some of my very favorite episodes.

And since Crichton is my very favorite character, I certainly did not mind him as the protagonist :D

rinnicbob

04-02-2004, 01:02 PM

Scapers never cease to amaze me! Look at the diversity of opinions on this one ep'!

For me, it's not one of my favorites, but I liked it. There's just enough quirky humor to hold my attention, there's a little intrigue with the Scorpy/Aeryn alliance simulation, and the way the cast carries it off is THE BEST part!

Claudia's lithping printheth is still one of the funniest characterizations in the entire series!
This ep's worth a look just for that alone.

so-much-4-sanity

04-02-2004, 01:49 PM

When I knew that Ben wrote this ep I had really high expectations, especially since he was working Tony Tilse again, because I loved the writing and execution of GEM so much. I don't think it's as good, however, it took a lot more chances and showed amazing creativity.

My fav aspects are easily the slight alien twist Stark's interpretation put on otherwise common earth based references, the insight into Stark's resentment over Zhann's death and his subversion of the things John holds dear (Aeryn for one!), Aeryn as the princess and simply seeing and hearing Zhann again and the sense of peace she brings, even in the small moment she was there.

Pengu

04-02-2004, 06:39 PM

Well, I think this episode worked somehow.
All in all a wicked episode with some truly weird but great scenes.
Not like revenging angel which I though was rather weak......... for farscape that is ;)

I know most love Kansas and Terra firma but i'm no big fan of those... Just to disruptive to the farscape spirit. Just doesn't feel right. Hard to explain I guess :)

evilnos_unholy

04-17-2004, 11:14 PM

I think stark's mask is on the wrong side because stark actualy made that game? and is actualy not him but a reflection of his persona in a game, kinda like a mirror image

yes I liked that episode, I thought it was superb, plus for some reason it kept reminding me of old videogames like spyro the dragon... lol, the pointy nose scorpius and the ogre crais were my favorites

chasa

04-30-2004, 12:24 PM

I just got to this one last night and thought it was fantastic. One of the many things I love about Farscape is when they go out on a limb and get trippy. So rich visually that I know I'll love rewatching to experience more of it each time around. And sweet Lord, I agree that Claudia's princess interpretation was extremely funny -- she really took that to a goofy place with the accent *and* lisp! I was rolling with lines like, "Honey, the butler's dead." And with all the funny and bizarre, there was a moment of real beauty and heart when Zhaan was found...I was misty.

generic_screenname

04-30-2004, 12:44 PM

jerseygirl

04-30-2004, 09:02 PM

Was JQ underrated? Not by me, it wasn't. I have always thought it was way cool. Especially Crichton's lines in iambic pentameter. If you think it's easy writing that stuff, I can tell you it frelling ain't. My already boundless admiration for Ben Browder's brain grew exponentially with that. :drool:

AerynsPulsePistol

05-16-2004, 04:13 AM

I, for one, quite liked the episode. In fact, I loved it. JQ was one of my faves not only of Season 4, but of the entire series.

Despite all its humour and craziness, it had a message underneath it all that carried on throughout the remainder of the series. It was fantastic to see everyone in this episode (although I would have liked to see how Grayza would have fared in the game if Stark knew of her at his point. Imagine the fun we could have with her :D ) and of the roles they were playing.

Zhaan's discussion with Chrichton towards the climax was so true and I think that out of everyone, it was only her that Crichton would listen to (with what she had to say).

And what other episode could have pulled off Rygel farting flames?? And D'Argo as a man-whore? Er.. I mean, a seducer. :)

Often zany, mostly funny, yet with good, solid drama underneath, John Quixote was one of the best episodes of the season/series and I am glad that it was Mr Browder who wrote it.

AyuRocks

05-19-2004, 01:31 PM

I liked JQ. It was a fun episode. I loved the characters in the game :D I dunno if I'd say I loved it.. but that's probably because it was one of the first episodes I saw and that confused the hell out of me. I prefer GEM.. but that was a safer eppy.. gotta give it up for taking a risk and pulling JQ off.

Nothing beat watching it at Burbank with Ben... and John.. and Ricky.. and Paul.... :love:

Ashley

so-much-4-sanity

05-19-2004, 01:35 PM

I don't think the real Stark is trying to trip up John. I'm pretty sure the mask on the opposite side was to show this was the opposite of Stark; the anti-Stark, Bizzaro-Stark, hence being all evil and stuff. Like the evil goateed Spock.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that this Stark is a complete opposite of the Stark we know, perhaps an insight into his unconcious, where he blames John for Zhann's death. I think its obvious that other people blame him (D'Argo for one) and it would be hard to reconcile, emotionally, that someone who can bring about her death, is someone noble (I'm thinking from Zhann's perspective here) enough to die for.

We do know that Stark sold his memories to UT to create the game and it seems like the game was designed to interact maliciously when encountering the real John Chrichton. Perhaps, UT utilized the supressed anger and transferred that to the game Stark's personality.

Eliria

05-19-2004, 05:38 PM

It's one of my favorites. The return of Zhaan... the flippyStark, who says "mind the gap"... creepy D'argo...

And, if I am not in hysterics already, the "I may not be the pwintheth you seek, but we could still have a really good time..." and grins... :lol

Also the bright colors have the same kind of effect on me as shiny things.

soyarma

05-19-2004, 10:02 PM

I actually found that the changes in the characters in season 4 was overdue. I believe that the character changes we saw in Season 4 should have begun sooner in season 3. When you take people and put them in life and death relationships for a couple of years the close bonds they form are quite strong and last decades. The infighting in season 3 discouraged me a lot, where in season 4 the crew really knows how to work together and get the job done with less infighting.

Granted the time apart was an important part of their realization of their need for each other.

Aside from that, was the Zhaan in JQ played by Virginia Hey? It didnt look quite like her, the shape of the skull was wrong. Was that because she was wearing something to cover her hair?

Spedoinkel

05-19-2004, 10:06 PM

I loved it.

It's fun to sit and count the references.

so-much-4-sanity

05-20-2004, 01:27 PM

It was Viginia Hey in JQ, her makeup is definately off though; it worked in JQ, since it's the game atmosphere, not so much UR.

soyarma

05-20-2004, 04:52 PM

she musta been wearing something to cover her hair then cause her skull looked rounder.

<--- Has great skill in skull identification - (he says wryly).

Spedoinkel

05-20-2004, 10:57 PM

And bigger.

CloudEmeron

06-22-2004, 05:47 PM

I loved this episode so so so much. One of my favorite Farscape episodes. This to me is the episode that reaches out to everyone. In all the craziness that is going on, there is always a reference that somebody recognizes. John in the TV is so funny, a-la Max Headroom. And Rygel with the dark knight. I was laughing so hard. And when John called Chi his loyal vassal Patsy. Awesome, just awesome.

Even with all the humor and numberous references, it still gave us insight into characters. Especially since the game was constructed around John's memories. And it once again rolls over Stark's feeling about Zhaan and John.

All in all, it was great writing by Ben Browder and amazingly acted by everyone. Very entertaining episode if you can catch all the references... and all the meanings.