to the cast and crew of Farscape

[treetop]

I've written my letters, signed the petitions and now just wanted to take a few minutes to say Thank You and I can't belive it's over. If SciFi doens't come to their senses make a movie, write a book. They may not care anymore but your fans still do. If all else fails.....
Thank You for working so hard each week to make an incredible show.
Thank You for always being original and unique.
Thank You for pushing the boundaries of SciFi.
Thank You for consistently making one of the best hours of television each week.
Thank You for four amazing seasons (eventhough I've had to watch most of them on DVD because I'm a member of the non-existent growing fan base that SciFi sited as the reason for canceling the show)

Thanks most of all for one incredible, crazy, bizarre ride!!!

Good Luck no matter what!

[CareyLeah]

I'm going to send a longer email to the yahoo account when I've had time to really think, but I just wanted to stop by quickly and add my heartfelt thanks to the cast and crew.

You've given us 12,000% of your time, energy, creativity, passion, and talent for four seasons, and for that I will forever be grateful. Farscape is an amazing show, the best on TV regardless of network or genre. I will miss it more than I can say if the worst comes to pass. I've come to know and love these characters through the outstanding writing and acting on display every week. In addition, I have met wonderful friends - the fans that got me hooked in the first place.

Thanks to you all for bringing your vision into my life. Your artistry has touched my heart, and I hope that means something to you, especially now. Farscape will never truly be gone.

Always save Crichton!

[AtillaTheNun]

Farscape is the ONLY Science Fiction on T.V. today. (besides re-reuns of ST:TnG)

Enterprise = Crap
Star Gate = Crap
Andromeda = Crap


Etc. etc. etc. etc.

I was fortunate enough to get to meet Lani at Dragon CON this year and that makes me doubly sad to hear that the Sci-Fi channel would do this.. The enthusiasm he had for the show was great, and I imagine the whole cast and crew is in shock.. Farscape is the ONLY thing I tune into SciFi for, so they can pat themselves on loosing me pretty much permenatly.

I hope to be able to see season 5 somewhere. If not, thanks for making the only good Science Fiction on T.V. for the last 4 years. I'm effectively without a Science Fiction outlet on T.V. now if no one else picks it up.

[ThDave]

I can't believe Sci-fi would even consider cancleing the best show on their network. With some of the crumby crap they are keeping. How many time can you watch Star Trak. You need something new in your life. You can;t live in the past. Farscape is getting to be the only reason I even watch Sci-fi anymore. The LEXX is gone, Invisable man, and Firstwave. If fARSCAPE goes THATS IT FOR ME! So do us all a favor and keep us from protesting. Leave well enough alone.
Dave

[[IKC] Overlord]

Thanks to the crew that made Farscape possible. You guys did a terrific job.

I hope that things will turn around, and you get to shoot another season. Take care.

[TheOrange]

Farscape is simply just damn fine television. Not only that, but I believe it to be the best of what's currently on, and I've held that opinion for these past four years. There are other fine shows on TV, but Farscape ranks at the top?

And why? Because, first, the writing is top-notch. The vision of the creators has not been diluted these last four years. Each episode fleshes out that vision with well-crafted scenes, beautiful dialogue, and heart-wrenching drama -- not to mention some of the best comedy ever. And, perhaps most importantly, as a show that is so conscious of science fiction cliches, it has managed to avoid every pitfall that has destroyed other science fiction shows. Despite the use of overtired plots such as dopplegangers and shrinking, Farscape makes these concepts fresh and new again. As someone who hopes to write this well some day, I hold up Farscape as a model of excellence -- if not THE model of excellence.

Second, the directing and acting never ceases to amaze me. Any time an actor has to partake in a gender / character-bending trip, the results are both hilarious and devastatingly accurate. In no other show have I seen almost EVERY actor be able to display such a range of acting. The directors have an uncanny talent for being able to realize the vision of the writers, and -- if it's even possible -- IMPROVE upon it. No other show that I know of does this on a consistent basis, much less for four years running.

On occasion, I imagine that I could join this family in its creative aspect. It's so obvious to me that everyone involved has an immense measure of fun every time they come to "work". It would be a job that I would love, if I had it. This love for your work comes through in every episode. When a cast and crew come together like this, people who respect and love the material being presented, there is nothing else like it. And, unlike many creative teams, I have complete faith in your mastery of this art. Everyone involved, EVERYONE, is a master of their trade. And none of you should ever think any differently.

I'd be done, but I have to say one more thing. I'm trying to do my part to make sure that this show gets at least one more year to tell its story. In this post, I'm going to include a copy of the letter I've been sending out. These are words I am not sure I could ever duplicate, but they are nonetheless true.

We all know how Star Trek has pervaded our culture, right? We'll, kids... the world ain't seen nothing yet.

----------------------------------------------------------

In 1969, when Star Trek’s five-year mission was cancelled after only two years, thousands and thousands of letters were written and sent in, each one expressing the intense desire that the show be allowed to run another year. NBC reversed its decision. Later that year, on a Sunday, three men landed on the Moon. Star Trek will be celebrating its 35th anniversary this year with a tenth feature film. The second season of it fifth series will premiere on UPN September 18th.

Farscape will finish filming its fourth season this Tuesday. Chainsaws are being prepared to tear down Moya on Wednesday, September 11th.

Bad timing, to say the least.

In what many might consider a vast television wasteland, Farscape is one of those few beacons of entertainment that really connects with viewers. Compared to what is currently on now, few shows are able to do this with any success or lasting power. Farscape is certainly one of those shows, and I’d like to try and explain why I think that is the case.

First, Farscape is the most successful original television show that Sci Fi has ever had. No show before this has ever run as long as Farscape has, and no other show on the network has developed a comparable following. No Invisible Man, no Chronicle, no Stargate will ever come close to replacing that kind of magic. Personally, it’s one of the principal reasons I watch the network at all. Compared to what Sci Fi has in Farscape, everything else is appetizer.

But why is that? For science fiction fans of any age, Farscape is like a capstone to a great legacy. It cannot stand on its own – like its metaphor, it depends on the blocks of other great science fiction works as its foundation – but its position atop the what has come before it allows it to shine the most brightly. As such, it is almost required to be conscious of each and every single television show, cartoon, novel, film, comic book, and short story that serves as its support – for without one of these the whole structure would come down. Each episode actively reminds us of that fact. References to other works abound. Such consciousness of famous and overtired science fiction clichés allows the show, its writers and actors, to constantly challenge themselves and keep the Farscape fresh and new. Year after year this has been a smashing success, at least from where I’m sitting. No other show in the history of television, staring down such a wealth of material, has been able to claim that. After four years, this is no less true.

It would be very interesting to see what this show could achieve in five.

That’s what Farscape is amongst its peers, but what is it alone? As a stop on prime time every Friday night, how does it stack up? I know I’m not interested in watching anything else on Friday nights. I’m a busy person, and I only have a few shows I make a point to watch every week. This is one of them, the most important one, for good reason.

Like its aforementioned predecessor (in spirit, if nothing else), Star Trek, Farscape ultimately is a tool that allows humanity to examine itself. All good science fiction serves this function. It is a mirror that shows us our own flaws and, hopefully, our own strengths (it certainly shows us our own idiosyncrasies, as Farscape proves episode after episode). It is a shadow – while it can never represent everything about us, we can recognize something of ourselves in every scene and every moment. It examines our history as it is relayed to imaginary alien cultures, and – more often than not – comments on the absurdity, bravery, or difficulty of decisions past generations have been forced to make. But most of all, it is hope. It is hope that some day we might find someone other than us to tell our stories to. It is a wish that we may better understand reality itself. It is the need to grow, explore, and simply know.

That is what Farscape is to me and, I imagine, to countless others.

All good things must end eventually. However, the wonderful creative staff of Farscape has not yet had a chance to finish telling their story. A carefully plotted and executed end, while sad, will be powerful and moving, much more so than the abrupt end that we are currently expected to receive when Sci Fi airs the final 11 episodes of the fourth season in 2003.

Television, aside from being one of the most massive industries in the world, is one of our principal means of storytelling. It is the vessel for new myths and heroes, new idols and champions, new evils and villains. It is humanity and its truth. Even in fiction we find the truth. The best fiction is a means to an end – the cleverly crafted lie is not the end-all and be-all of the story. Fiction merely serves to frame the truth. Everything, from the shortest commercial to the longest maxi-series does this. But there are few gems like Farscape that can do it well and do it often.

This next week, a nation – and a world – will remember the deaths of 3000 men and women who died tragically, suddenly, and senselessly. Stories have been made and will continue to be made about this event for generations to come. Our reaction to it in this way has said more about us than anything else could ever possibly hope to match. And maybe it would be in the best interest of everyone if we don’t deliberately destroy what many of us might consider a strong symbol of our society. The desire to leave the cradle of the Earth and head out into space. A promise of peace. A promise of hope. And above all, a symbol of humankind’s innate goodness and curiosity.

For these reasons, humbly ask – no, plead – for a stay of execution.

At least until the 12th.

After that, if nothing else and Sci Fi decides not to pick up the fifth season, it is my request that the rights to the existing 88 episodes be sold to any party interested in developing that fifth season. Without that piece, it would be like a play without the final act. A movie without the climax. A Clockwork Orange without Chapter 21.

Hopefully, one day in the near future, our children will sit in a dome or glorified tin can on the surface of Mars, relaxing from a hard day’s work, and watching the adventures of John Crichton and the crew of Moya. And perhaps, while they enjoy some of the finest entertainment Earth has to offer with their furry little friends from Alpha Centauri, they
will say to themselves, “boy, was Henson ever wrong…”

Let’s see the end of this five-year mission.

Sincerely and Earnestly,
Sean Corse

----------------------------------------------------------

[ozkay]

I am gutted. And if I'm gutted, I can't begin to imagine how the cast, crew and producers of Farscape are. As an Aussie who gets the show taped off air in the US and then follows up with the UK dvds, I can't vote with my feet and cancel a subscription to SCI FI channel. But if I could, I would.

I say this to them ... as you sew, so shall you reap.

People are not Kleenex. You can't use them to get where you want to go, then bin them. Farscape may not be saved. I want it to be, I've done what I can to contribute to the fight to save it, but that may not be enough. And life will go on, for all of you and all of us. But the people who treated the cast and crew and producers and makers of this unique story like Kleenex, who smiled and said hey yeah, we dig you, we want you, then spat on you when they thought they didn't need you any more ... when they spat on us, the people who dreamed the dream with you ... they made sure they'd be reaping bad karma. And they deserve to.

God bless you all ... and from the bottom of my breaking heart, thank you.

And I have to say this ... at least you guys, cast and makers, know how the frelling story ends!!!! Please find a way of telling us, will you?????

[commy]

all the fans are doing whatever they can! we all love the show and the characters and we know that u all love us too! hopefully we can all sort something out so the story can be finished one way or another. whatever happens were all with you and we hope this shows everyone how great the show is and how loyal the fans are!

'scapers forever!

[KristinT]

I just wanted the cast and crew of Farscape to know that I, a professional, 27-year-old teacher who normally leaves the canvassing to the politicians, have already sent over ten letters to just about everyone on the contact list. I've never done anything like this before! You have many, many fans out here from all kinds of backgrounds, and we're fighting for you.

This isn't over. Where Farscape goes, we will follow.

-Kristin

[Mike Sigler]

I have never in my life laughed, cried, gotten angry and then become happy again all from sitting in front of my television and watching it for an hour. Then Farscape comes on and changes everything I have ever thought about television.

Everyone has put it so much better than me and I would just like to add my voice to theirs. Crackers Do Matter and I will be with you till the fighting end or the triumphant return whichever the case may be.

Not since I watched Transformers as a little kid have I actually run to the Television at the oh so familiar sound of Moya flying by as the commercial break ended. I literally taking off like a giddy school girl.

My love goes out to you for doing something unique, interesting and entertaining. There has never been anything like it before and I would give each and every one of you a hug if I could. You are all absolutely brilliant.

I will never forget Ka'Dargo with Chiana in his body and him adopting her walk and maneurisms exactly. The scene in the hallway with Chianna and Rygel in Dargo and John's bodies, ready to go at it.

The sadness I felt as John realises he just killed Aeryn. The torment of Stark at the loss of Zhan. I will never ever let go of Krais and Talyn sacrificing themselves for the betterment of the galaxy. The lines "I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream!" and the rest of the crichtonisms. The first time Rygel let wind break and everyone squeaking. The good news that "Chianna and I are having amazing sex." I will never forget Jool trying to connect with Dargo, Chianna's attempts at bringing everyone off their clouds, the old lady and Sikozu figuring out the plant, or Dargo giving his heartfelt comments on loving to shoot things.

Aeryn and Zhan and Stark and Chianna and Rygel and Jool and Crichton and Scorpius and Krais and Moya and Pilot and every single entity on that show. I love them so much and they will always be in my heart.

[Geurion]

As we all clearly know, everyone who works for FarScape has our support, and we are all doing everything in our power to keep FarScape going. There have been petitions galore, emails, letters, faxes, phone calls, and undoubtedly multiple times of different things, but lets all keep in mind one thing... Which I know we are already doing...

FARSCAPE RULES!

There will never be anything else quite like it. Ever. And if there is, then it will not be for quite some time, but FarScape is unique, and that is due in many ways to the cast. I will be honest. I watch the show as it comes out on DvD. It is REALLY hard, because I have just recently went about 2 months with no FarScape. But for others who will go a lifetime with no ending to the storyline... That is just morally wrong. You all have our support. We will be sure to keep this war raging.

Wishes of Best of Luck, and we will triumph...

-Nik

[SelmerMKVI]

I have grown to love your characters like those in a good, no in a great book. I love J.R.R. Tolkien, and I cry over the end of Lord of The Rings every time.

I know the difference between reality and fiction mind you, but I love a good tale.

I tell you. All of you, that as close as Sam Gamgee, and Frodo Baggins are to me, and as fond as I am of reading about them, likewise am I fond of John and Aeryn. I look forward to seeing each week how their lives will change and fold around one another. I love all of your characters because you play them with such heart. It is difficult to see you all cut short, in the middle of as great a story as has been told on television. I applaud you no matter what happens, but I promise that I will not rest as long as there is a chance to keep you spinning your tale. Ben, Claudia, Gigi, Anthony, and all of you, thank you. Don't give up hoping. Maybe this will be our chance to show you how much we appreciate your hard work.

Sincerely,
Jon C. Cook

[waltersgirl]

You had us at hello.

amen, PKMalibuSkipper. amen.

[dc7]

To the cast,crew and fans ,I wish to say my heartfelt thanks for producing such wonderful show.But I was wondering how I could really express this-what words could I use. Then I found this letter on the bb at Canada's Space.The author is a well-known Canadian writer and his/her identity was withheld on request. I will quote--- "Greetings ,I have recently heard of the cancellation of the TV show FARSCAPE(shown on Sci-fi in the USA and on SPACE in Canada) and,as a viewer and consumer,I would like to issue a few comments of protest on this action. I watch Farscape on Canada's Space channel and it is by far and away the best written sci-fi on TV(better than Buffy,Enterprise,Angel and Stargate combined in my humble opinion).There is no justice in a world that allows intelligent programming to die in favour of mindless tripe (just check out the current fall line-up on the major networks for a few examples)Programs like Farscape challenge our intelligence and perceptions,and lift the human spirit to soar amongst the stars,while most other shows simply drag us back to the primordial muck from whence we came. The world is living in an age where heroes,both real and fictional ,are sorely needed .Farscape ,if it teaches anything while it entertains,shows that with effort,people of divergent cultures and races can work together for a greater good.While the world teeters on the brink of global war ,Farscape ,like other science fiction,shows that freed from the bonds of gravity,even a single human can rise above the hate and prejudices of his planet and find a place in the stars.That thought alone can give hope to all humanity...that we will always choose the high road for a better future,no matter what the odds. It is truly a shame that programming decisions are made by people who,while possibly sympathetic to a cause,also SEEM to understand little more than the numbers at the end of a balance sheet.While I am aware that show business is a business first,I am also aware that those people in said business are loath to learn the lessons of history, and are often doomed to repeat them(anybody remember the name of the executive who cancelled the original Star Trek? No?Didn't think so...) It is very hard to go back and restore a mistaken cancellation where a television show is concerned... Please do not make an error that could easily be corrected with a few moments of reflection and allow this fine piece of programming to fade into oblivion. With deepest concern,<the anonymous fan who wrote the letter> P.S.--The Space bb also indicated that Space is doing all it can to help.If you wish to see the original letter,go to www.spacecast.com and check in at their forums.

[Farscape4VR]

I'm so frelling furious!

Farscape is by far the best SF series since Star Trek: The Next Generation. If Farscape ends after its fourth season, I will be cancelling my SciFi Channel subscription.

Love and best wishes to the entire cast and production team for this wonderful series. I'll continue to campaign for renewal -- or transfer to another network such as Showtime -- until I hear that Farscape will survive!