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Farscape Forever! Sex, Drugs and Killer Muppets
Science fiction and fantasy authors analyze every aspect of the innovative, action-packed, and always surprising science fiction television series "Farscape" in this innovative and irreverent essay collection.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2005
11 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Glenn Yeffeth
18 books9 followersGlenn Yeffeth is CEO and Publisher of BenBella Books.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 12, 2021
A collection of 21 essays analyzing the most excellent and underappreciated show Farscape. I discovered this book while stalking one of my favorite writers, Martha Wells, trying to get my hands on anything she's ever written. Then I discovered Jim Butcher also contributed to this anthology, and I knew I had to read it. And the publishers clearly knew what they were doing, because they stuck those two authors together in the middle of the book surrounded on either side by less popular authors. PN Elrod and Rachel Cain (under the name Roxanne Longstreet Conrad) also contributed, but their essays were such a mess I just skimmed them. Most authors, including Martha Wells, took the assignment of analyzing Farscape seriously, going so far as to cite thoroughly enough to please any college professor, referencing episodes in all seasons (though many referenced the same episodes). Jim Butcher on the other hand, submitted a short essay on just one episode; it was well written, but required very little research and came across as him doing the absolute minimum to allow a publisher to use his name to sell the book. Overall a worthwhile read for those who are already Farscape fans, and just looking for some nostalgia for the series. I don't think I had any big revelations about the series that I missed while watching it.
October 2, 2013
Some of these essays are pretty good, some are boring and some I skipped altogether. I am glad I bought a used copy and didn't pay much. I was hoping for a detailed discussion about my favorite show but this did not give me what I wanted. There was one essay written like a tour guides rating system of the Farscape universe. That one was good.
March 12, 2019
I've seen a lot of mixed reviews for this book-personally, I loved it. It was exactly what I was looking for. Best read after watching the series (or even in the middle of a rewatch!) Sometimes when reading books with multiple contributors, I have a hard time getting through some of the chapters. This was not the case with this book. A nice reminder as to why I love Farscape so much (not that I needed reminding). ;-)
April 12, 2015
Again, I find myself wishing I had half stars! I'd give this a 3.5 easily.
Like all of BenBella anthologies, this contains a bunch of really smart essays about a really smart show, deconstructing different bits of it and doing great analysis of major themes in FARSCAPE. I love FARSCAPE. I'm not nearly so well versed in it as some, but when I finished my 2nd full watch through late last year, I decided it was time to pull this anthology off the shelf and read it (possibly again- I'm honestly not sure if I'd read this one before; I purchased it at San Diego Comic Con in 2006, when I went on a bit of a BenBella Buying Binge- I know I'd read Amy Berner's brilliant essay on Crais previously, but not sure about the rest) while the show was still fresh in my mind. That definitely helped, as some of these essays get into some nitty-gritty details. Others take broad sweeps, and still others (particularly the last one) basically just say "this is the plot of x, and here is a metaphor for your enjoyment!"
While some of the essays in here are definitely 5 star worthy, others (like the last one) really drag it down. Many, while very smart, are lacking something that made FARSCAPE really unique- FUN. Whatever else was going on in FARSCAPE, the plot, dialogue, and characters made it a fun show. Even when you're getting ready to sob over a character death, something amusing or witty is about to happen. Some of these essays lost that thrill.
That said, if you're a fan of the show, and a fan of analytical writing about things you love, definitely give this a shot. It's worth your time!
Like all of BenBella anthologies, this contains a bunch of really smart essays about a really smart show, deconstructing different bits of it and doing great analysis of major themes in FARSCAPE. I love FARSCAPE. I'm not nearly so well versed in it as some, but when I finished my 2nd full watch through late last year, I decided it was time to pull this anthology off the shelf and read it (possibly again- I'm honestly not sure if I'd read this one before; I purchased it at San Diego Comic Con in 2006, when I went on a bit of a BenBella Buying Binge- I know I'd read Amy Berner's brilliant essay on Crais previously, but not sure about the rest) while the show was still fresh in my mind. That definitely helped, as some of these essays get into some nitty-gritty details. Others take broad sweeps, and still others (particularly the last one) basically just say "this is the plot of x, and here is a metaphor for your enjoyment!"
While some of the essays in here are definitely 5 star worthy, others (like the last one) really drag it down. Many, while very smart, are lacking something that made FARSCAPE really unique- FUN. Whatever else was going on in FARSCAPE, the plot, dialogue, and characters made it a fun show. Even when you're getting ready to sob over a character death, something amusing or witty is about to happen. Some of these essays lost that thrill.
That said, if you're a fan of the show, and a fan of analytical writing about things you love, definitely give this a shot. It's worth your time!
December 31, 2015
Great essays by Science Fiction writers about a series that I consider, in many ways, to be the very best that has ever been on television. Yeah... that's right... I said it. It honors the history and traditions of the TV genre, and then it stands them on their head and in many cases surpasses them.
The fact that this book is written by fans who are actually SF writers is significant, because so much of what passes for TV SF these days is weak, morality play retreads and lazy rewriting of the same kinds of stories that have been "passing" for 50 years. All due respect to the Trek and the Battlestar, but this was being produced at the same time as "Enterprise" and the BSG reboot (which was truly amazing in its own right), but the story-lines, the character development, and the entire look and feel of the Farscape universe was consistently beautiful, engaging, and innovative.
Oh, and the aliens are actually "alien", not just actors with a couple of pieces of chewed bubblegum stuck to their face.
The fact that this book is written by fans who are actually SF writers is significant, because so much of what passes for TV SF these days is weak, morality play retreads and lazy rewriting of the same kinds of stories that have been "passing" for 50 years. All due respect to the Trek and the Battlestar, but this was being produced at the same time as "Enterprise" and the BSG reboot (which was truly amazing in its own right), but the story-lines, the character development, and the entire look and feel of the Farscape universe was consistently beautiful, engaging, and innovative.
Oh, and the aliens are actually "alien", not just actors with a couple of pieces of chewed bubblegum stuck to their face.
April 6, 2011
There is a wide mix of essays and articles, some quite good. Of all the Benbella Popsmart series I have read to-date, this was my least favorite.
Dear John by Tee Morris - funny, insightful. Written as a letter of reprimand from the mission boss.
The Big Brother by Amy Berner - an interesting look at Crais as defined by his role of brother. Worth a read as it was nicely done.
My Imaginary Friend by Jody Lynn Nye - On Harvey and John
Unrealized realities by K. Stoddard Hayes - John's journey as a video game What choices would you have made?
Superior Villains is okay. Masks of Transformation is an overview and an interpretation of the Peacekeeper Wars.
Dear John by Tee Morris - funny, insightful. Written as a letter of reprimand from the mission boss.
The Big Brother by Amy Berner - an interesting look at Crais as defined by his role of brother. Worth a read as it was nicely done.
My Imaginary Friend by Jody Lynn Nye - On Harvey and John
Unrealized realities by K. Stoddard Hayes - John's journey as a video game What choices would you have made?
Superior Villains is okay. Masks of Transformation is an overview and an interpretation of the Peacekeeper Wars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2016
This is a book about the series which contains essays on various topics. One of the best is about the maiden-mother-crone concept that is found in the Aeryn-Zhaan-Noranti grouping. A very fair analysis of Crais and what kind of person he stated as and later became is included. Some of the titles also give a good hint and what the essay is about such as in:
Flatulence, Food and Fornication
Puppets, Sentient Blue Vegetables, Body Fluids and Love
Starships Just Don't Happen.
There are also essays about the main characters, including the villains. None of the essays are boring and some of them are extremely well done.
Flatulence, Food and Fornication
Puppets, Sentient Blue Vegetables, Body Fluids and Love
Starships Just Don't Happen.
There are also essays about the main characters, including the villains. None of the essays are boring and some of them are extremely well done.
March 29, 2016
Well, what can I say? If you love Farscape, this book is for you. There is some decent insight here but mostly the authors pay homage to the show: The first couple of chapters deal with why Farscape is so great, why Farscape is better than everything else. It's not a bad read per se, it just ... disappoints.
Compared to the brilliant "Investigating Farscape" by Jes Battis this book doesn't even enter competition. If you want to be reminded of Farscape and gain some new insights wile reading it, go for it. If you really want to delve into it, get "Investigating Farscape" instead.
Compared to the brilliant "Investigating Farscape" by Jes Battis this book doesn't even enter competition. If you want to be reminded of Farscape and gain some new insights wile reading it, go for it. If you really want to delve into it, get "Investigating Farscape" instead.
March 29, 2007
For a series that was so interesting, well thought out and inventive, this book of essays was surprisingly dull and lifeless. I can't even claim to have finished all of the essays, they bored me so.
July 17, 2010
I love Farscape, but I just couldn't get into this. The essays all seemed rambling and pretensious or just recapped episodes (which I don't need since I OWN the series).
January 18, 2014
Great essays about an amazing SF series. I want more Farscape.
June 15, 2015
Love me some Farscape!
April 11, 2017
Spoilers galore for the Farscape television series and Peacekeeper Wars, but none from the comics or other publications. Charming, hilarious, spot-on analyses of all of our favorite characters.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews