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Farscape: Collection 3.1

The execs at the Sci-Fi channel might not want to admit it, but anyone who has actually sat down and watched a couple episodes can tell you that FARSCAPE is something special. This release picks up where the season two cliffhanger left off. I don't like to give too many spoilers so all I'll say is wow! The other three episodes on this release are also very entertaining. I really enjoyed the darker tone and look the show took in season three. I can't wait to own the whole series, so I can watch it over and over again in its pure serialized form.

'Disc One SEASON OF DEATH Although Scorpius' neural chip has been removed, Crichton feels he has no reason to live - Aeryn is dead, his power of speech is gone, and the Scorpy clone remains in his mind. What's more, the crew of Moya discover they have more than just Crichton and Scorpius to deal with…lurking in the Medical Facility is a murderous Scarran.

SUNS AND LOVERS Eager to spend currency from the Shadow Depository heist, the crew of Moya head to a Commerce Station. When the station is severely damaged by sudden violent storms, Moya becomes ensnared in the docking cables. As it becomes clear that the storms are not natural phenomena, and the crew looks to escape, D'Argo learns that Chiana has betrayed him.

Disc Two SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS, PART 1: COULD'A, WOULD'A, SHOULD'A While searching for a planet to heal the dying Zhaan, Moya collides and fuses with a small spacecraft, seriously injuring Moya and trapping both ships in a series of looping wormholes. Crichton and the captain of the other ship, Neeyala, soon realize that one of the ships must be sacrificed if any of them are to survive.

SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS, PART 2: WAIT FOR THE WHEEL Hoping to preserve their own ship at Moya's expense, Neeyala's crew sabotage Moya, hastening her disintegration. As the situation worsens, the only possibility of saving Moya requires that one of her crew make the ultimate sacrifice.

ADV Films has done a great job with all their TV releases. The image on all their FARSCAPE releases has been phenomenal. Colors are rich, contrast is dead-on, no pixelization or any artifacting. A very few darker scenes have some noise, but I don't think it's the fault of the transfer. Many people have been complaining that these releases have been in full frame (Sci-Fi aired season 4 in Anamorphic Widescreen)… But, I personally emailed ADV Films about this and their reply was, "Farscape was not filmed in widescreen until Season 4, therefore in order to continue our practice of maintaining the original aspect ratio, Season 4 DVD releases will be in Anamorphic Widescreen." So there you have it from the horses mouth, this release is in its original aspect ratio.

ADV's Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks are among the best TV tracks I've ever heard. Unlike the Trek audio transfers, which seem to focus on ambience, ADV audio tracks are homogenous in quality… every scene has been transferred with the greatest care. I challenge anyone to find fault in this audio track.

ADV has been consistent since the Season 1 DVDs with includeing some decent extras. But, these Season 3 releases appear to contain a few more than past Season releases. First, ADV appears to consistently be including audio commentaries on each release. Second, each Season 3 release contains multiple interviews and deleted scenes.

A cool addition to these releases is the "Cool Farscape Facts" which is a slideshow with interesting behind the scenes trivia facts. These facts vary in tone. The "Alien Encounters" details each species encountered… good for those like myself who really keep track of this awesome Farscape universe. There are also set/prop gallery slideshows that navigate themselves and are accompanied by some of Guy Gross' excellent scoring.

Also new to Season 3, are the original Sci-Fi channel Farscape trailers. Some of you may remember these, they're the trailer that end with, "I am Sci-Fi." Cool trailers, but they sure make me miss the good old days of the Sci-Fi channel. The days of Farscape, Lexx and the Invisible Man. Now Sci-Fi, only plays bottom-line programming…