A question about content.

[Pere]

Hi all. I've been thinking about purchasing the box sets for seasons 2, 3, and 4, as I don't have cable and really got hooked on the show after borrowing season 1 from my local library (unfortunately they don't have anything more than that first season set). I'm just wondering if the show ever got more...'explicit' than it was during season 1, since I wouldn't be too happy about shelling out $300 just to find a few stinkers that ruin my admiration for the show.

Season 1 didn't bother me, as any negative content was far outweighed by the immensely good writing/acting/special effects/everything. So my question is: did the show ever go beyond what season 1 had in terms of sex/profanity? And if it did, are there any notable episodes I might want to skip?

Any responses are greatly appreciated.

[Necron]

First off, welcome to the boards :hi:

Zhaan's blue bottom in season 1 is about as explicit as the show gets. They deal with sex alot, but not in graphic ways. And there isn't much profanity either. The show just gets better and better with each year. Farscape doesn't shy away from tough issues or content, but I have seen more graphic content on CSI or NYPD Blue than I ever saw on Farscape.

I highly recomend the show. The characters and story are fantastic. And the wrting is top caliber.

[TheBladeRoden]

but... but... the sex and the profanity are the best parts!

[faustus]

why would they make censored dvd's

[Dangermousie]

If things like bodily humor bother you, then there are a few eps you might want to avoid (e.g. Coup by Clam), but the langauge never gets more explicit, nor is there any nudity.

Personally, I love all that stuff! :D

[LT Garrix]

If the scene in The Flax didn't bother you then there really isn't anything more sexually explicit. Language stays on par with season 1.

On the subject of bodily humor you may also want to skip season 4's Lava Is a Many Splendored thing and it's ode to vomit.

[Dangermousie]

Also, if the thought of drugs, drunkenness and men wearing women's stockings bothers you, you might want to skip S3's Sniff and Snurch. I think it's a hilarious, well-written ep (and one of my ultimate favorites), but it does have all those things in it!

Out of their Minds in S2 has a bit of bodily humor (unescapable because of the plot)

[LT Garrix]

Well, if drugs bother you than some of the first half of season 4 would be out. That part of the arc goes from Promises to A Prefect Murder. That whole part of the arc bothered me.

Oh, they also deal with rape in the What Was Lost season 4 eps, it's not explicitly shown, but you know it happens.

From Unrealized Reality to the finish there really isn't any objectionable content that I can recall, other then some lesbian overtones in Twice Shy, which may or may not be found objectionable, but it's not a story focus and works well within the context of the story.

[leeturnbull]

personally i am noting these episodes down to watch again! lol

Farscape manages to bring issues to the table and show them bravely and tastefully.

you have to take it for what it is - unique, fantastic, excellent, one of a kind never to be repeated tv.

Now can you really afford to miss the other seasons! Take our word you should buy them!

[Dangermousie]

Pere: I think it also depends on what bothers you. If it's the act(s) shown themselves, regardless of context, then everything named about is right on the money for what you should avoid.

If, OTOH, you don't like them showing ____ (insert action you don't approve of) in a lighthearted manner, or otherwise in a way you don't agree, then it's another matter. In that case, yeah you should avoid Lava or Coup by Clam because it uses this concepts for pure fun, but not What Was Lost eps, because there the act (rape) is clearly shown as evil.

[Twich]

Pere, as a conservative Christian I can honestly tell you that I love this show. There have been one or two eps that, the first time I watched them, embarrassed me a bit, but when I went back to watch them again, I saw them for what they were.

Farscape is, by far, one of the cleaner shows on television. You know that things are happening without it being stuffed in your face...and though the show remains 'clean', it gets very very dark and explores all sorts of interesting and disturbing topics. It's one of the things I like about Farscape. They leave a lot to the imagination...while addressing the issues at the same time. ;)

But it's all a matter of taste. We can tell you things, but ultimately, it's up to you to decide.

[LT Garrix]

Essentially Farscape is a PG-13/TV-14 show. While not every ep falls into that category, some do. For different reasons. Perhaps if you could outline more clearly things you find objectionable and if it is in part contextual, that could help us. In Coup and Lava the bodily humor is placed purely for laughs and can be considered, IMO, somewhat tasteless (note: BBC edited out some of the Coup humor) while in Out of Their Minds, I found it very contextual and tastefully humorous.

As Dangermousie said, the rape is portrayed as evil and you do see some of the emotional repurcussions later down the road, but if it is something that bothers you, it's there.

Season 1 didn't bother me, as any negative content was far outweighed by the immensely good writing/acting/special effects/everything.
As a general rule this is how I feel about the other seasons. I wasn't a big fan of the first half of season 4, perhaps because I'm overly sensative to the drug use and bodily humor, but the second half, especially the last 4, was outstanding.

[Pere]

Thanks guys. It doesn't sound like there's anything to scare me away. I can deal with a few squirmy scenes here and there. Actually, that the show deals with deeper topics is big draw for me, unlike other sci-fic series that are a bit...bland in their subject matter. ;) Context is a big factor for me. If something is gratuitous then I do find it objectionable, but if something is shown/dealt with purposefully (provided it's a good purpose) then it doesn't offend me.

Thanks again for your replies. Looks like my DVD library will be growing soon. :)

[Dangermousie]

Woo-hoo! Do tell us how you like the other seasons! :D I don't like gratuitous stuff either, but Farscape managed to push my buttons that way only twice (Lava and Coup by Clam) and even those had redeeming bits about them.

Oh and Pere: in case you are still seeing which eps to skip, Meltdown has a bit of sexual innuendo but it's prety much all talk and done as a parody.

[Chricton]

How could this "offend" you anymore than walking down a New York street/alley? I hear far worse out of my TEACHERS mouth.

[Surrender Monkey]

How could this "offend" you anymore than walking down a New York street/alley? I hear far worse out of my TEACHERS mouth.
:D

[LT Garrix]

Yes, Pere, let us know what you think. Like Dangermousie, Lava and Coup are not on my watch again list. I've now seen them twice and it's unlikely I will see them again.

I'm sure you won't regret this decision. Every show has eps that don't appeal to everyone, but I truly believe Farscape has more wonderful eps percentagewise then any other show.

[ChianaGray]

Lava and Coup don't really have anything offensive, they're just gross in a not-unheard-of-but-omg-they-did-NOT-just-do-that-on-tv way.

Twice Shy gets kind of slashy in there with Chi and Taliqua but it's only kissing. I've seen heavier slash liplock in public but it's defunatley a brow raiser. Season of Death has some sexual suggestion as well but it's really amazing how well they get that across the tv with Chi and Joth. They really wiggle out of having to go rated hehehe

For me the hard things after S1 was Moya's pain, Scorp's childhood and Aeryn and the fetus thing in Prayer. I just can't stand suffering so it's probbly just preference. There's no actual stinkers out of any ep except maybe they could have done without the fetus thing, they don't spare you enough of that little visual.

What was Lost eps have some shocking and dramatic things but they're really great eps, I'd see those.

I dunno ... what's Farscape if you don't twinge and urk and tingle? It's a must see - bring straightjacket and pez.

[LT Garrix]

Lava and Coup don't really have anything offensive, they're just gross in a not-unheard-of-but-omg-they-did-NOT-just-do-that-on-tv way.


That is the best explanation I have seen for those eps. Still doesn't make me like them anymore, but it explains how I feel about them.