Of Swords and Parasols

Today and yesterday, I rewatched a couple eps of season 3 of Farscape (specifically, the ones with Xhalax) and I...had basically forgotten that it was possible for shows to write an interesting and believable Villain Redemption Arc* where I'm actually interested in the redemption plot, and have some investment in seeing what happens with the character.

Other shows have made me forget this was possible!

(I mean, this one is even framed through wanting a woman's attention/respect, though in an almost entirely non-sexual way, and he's more following her path than anything else at times.)

Note that I am not stating which of several villains in the series it is (though you may in comments, should you be so inclined) just in case there's someone on my list that is watching/plans to watch and isn't familiar with this plotline yet.

*And by "Villain," here, I mean someone who has done many many bad things even beyond the notm for the characters place in society, as opposed to someone who has simply followed the path declared by birth/class/society, but who later changes paths once s/he encounters more options.

Ok, I liked this a lot more than I did most of season 4!

( Shooting makes me feel better! )

The problem with this show is that it only has two settings. The first is really good/entertaining. The second is really bad/annoying. Sometimes it mixes the two, but I can usually tell from the first couple of minutes which it will be. Sadly, most of these episodes were not on the positive end of the spectrum.

( a spoilery rant )

After spending far too much time browsing Farscape communities for icons, I have come to the conclusion that the entire fandom apparently multiships Chiana with every major character except for Scorpius and Crais.  And maybe Stark.  For once, it actually makes sense to me.

Every time I put a Farscape DVD in the DVD player, I wonder how many people got curious about anime because of the trailers, and how many  people vowed to never touch the stuff because of it.  (Farscape DVDs were released by ADV.)

Meanwhile, I think Aeryn just offered her counseling services to D'Argo.  I think that scares me.

( icon request that is mildly spoilery for the end of season 2/beginning of season 3 )

Also, there is a season 4 before Peacekeeper Wars, right?  I'm not just imagining that?  Becaise Netflix lists that as "coming soon."

A few comments on aesthetics:

1.  I loathe Zhaan's new outfit.  Not only do I think her S1 wardrobe was more attractive, but the simplicity suited her.  The new wardrobe, in addition to being less attractive is too...attention getting, especially with the gold.  It doesn't suit her.

2.  They seem to have changed up D'Argo's design up some, too, though I can't really figure out how.

3.  You know, in general, I approve of the black leather fetish that seems to have developed between seasons.  But why does John get layers, and Aeryn vests that don't button over her stomach?  (And what happened to John's hair?)

I loved the first two episodes of the season, was bored by the next two, and then loved the two after that.  I'm still having trouble warming up to Chiana-a little too "sexy bad girl with inner nice girl," I think-but am glad they aren't villifying her or looking down on her for her sex drive, or indicating (so far) that it's part of any trauma or angst.  More fictional characters should be allowed to like sex because they like sex, as opposed to it being justified by angst or trauma.  (It only works for Gojyo.)  Aeryn and John are also starting to feel more like they're paired for who they are, as opposed to defaulting to the human and the human-looking alien.

( spoilers )

 Technically I haven't finished the season yet, as I don't have the disc with the last 2 episodes yet, but I shall go ahead and post anyway.

My overall opinion remains the same as before(really like it but still treading familiar waters for me and there are a few genre cliche quibbles that I have, but not enough to affect enjoyment) but, as foenixpointed out, the first season of such shows is largely introduction and world building, it's the second season that makes it.

So, instead of repeating myself at length, I shall post commentary laden pics.

Here's something I've never eally been able to figure out:  I know a LOT of people who dislike fantasy, but live for scifi and will sing the praises of things like Farscape and Star Wars  for as long as anyone will listen, and yet, most outer space scifi is almost literally just high fantasy in space.

Star Wars, of course, is very blatant about it.  But Farscape?  Normal guy transported to a strange world where he meets a beautiful woman who initially can't stand him, a comedic little guy with delusions of grandeur, a warrior-not nearly as bad as he initially seems-who intially thinks he's useless, a holy figure with A Past, and a defected enemy who joins them because they have no other options, not to mention quickly making enemies with a powerful person meant to hunt them down?  I read this story multiple times as a teen, in fantasies published in the 80s and 90s(for that matter, I read one such series earlier this year-Mickey Zucker Reichert's Bifrost Guardians.)  In fact, the entire setup and cast of Farscape is really your normal high fantasy cast and plot so far, the main difference being spaceships and guns instead of magic and swords.

Now, I have no problems with this....in fact, the only time I really like outer space scifi(I generally prefer near-future post-apocalyptic) is when it acknowledges this and plays up to it(Which Farscape very much does, by the way.  Often blatantly and even gleefully.)  I just don't quite understand claiming dislike for a kind of fiction, then praising that kind of fiction the second the trappings are changed.

Incidentally, I also know fantasy fans who refuse to touch any scifi, and scifi fans who won't touvh Star Wars because it is a fantasy in space, or a show like Firefly because it's a western in space.  Though those, of course, will praise Star Trek until the end of time, even though it's esentially naval exploration and colonization in space.

This isn't about any one person, or several people(and the first ones of any mentioned variety that I'd think of don't even have LJ to my knowledge)  just something that always bugged me.