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Farscape: Collection 3.3

In the aftermath of FARSCAPE'S untimely cancellation, each successive DVD is a reminder at how insanely dumb the Sci-Fi channel really is. FARSCAPE was by far the most exciting and refreshing science fiction show on TV. With the cancellation of this show, the future looks bleak for the genre. I can say that with the current Sci-Fi channel programming, the genre is at an all time low. Even Trek has lost its way and its viewers. Stargate SG-1 has become predictable and rehashed. And Buffy's final season was the worst since season 4.

FARSCAPE was the bright spot when compared to all these shows and what happened to it… it was cancelled while the fuel gauge was still on 'F'.

Disc One RELATIVITY The Peacekeeper Retrieval Squad lead by Aeryn's mother, Xhalax Sun, traces Talyn to a Jungle Planet where the gunship is recuperating. When Crichton, Aeryn and Crais divert the squad away from the gunship, they surmise that Talyn might not be the Peacekeepers' only target. Aeryn realizes that the pursuit of Talyn will not stop until Xhalax is dead.

INCUBATOR With his wormhole research stalling, Scorpius inserts the original "neurochip" into his own brain. He shows the "Crichton Clone" his brutal upbringing at the hands of the Scarrans, hoping to persuade him to decode the wormhole equations. Meanwhile, a defecting Peacekeeper scientist offers the real Crichton the secret of wormhole travel in exchange for Moya.

Disc Two MELTDOWN Talyn draws dangerously close to a star, pulled by a mysterious force. Two alien beings appear on board: the timid Sierjna and her captor, Mu-Quillus. Mu-Quillus is responsible for the radiation pulses that are compelling Talyn to fly into the sun. Stark makes a pact with Sierjna to free her spirit from Mu-Quillus, but his quest puts the rest of the crew in peril.

SCRATCH 'N SNIFF Crichton, D'Argo, Chiana and Jool alight on a pleasure planet for some rest and recreation. When Chiana and Jool go missing, Crichton and D'Argo are approached by Raxil, a wily alien with information on their whereabouts. Raxil leads them to Fe'tor, a notorious maker of Freslin-a drug Fe'tor extracts from sentient beings, including his captives, Chiana and Jool.

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…