Some people just get it, others regret it. If those two mugs on ads (and the depicted leather) don't grab an audience for the first minute of the show (where it will meet most peoples' amazing-ness criteria), well, are they human?

But you know, you could have an e-mail-to-you contest where people prove they watched by sending in a line of dialogue from some moment in the show of your choosing. They get a signed bookmark in response. But would that be a Farscape bookmark? And then I think - this is not your job...unless you are writing for the show...and then, cool - could I get a signed bookmark?

I would watch anything for the first chapter of QUeen of Swords I tell you that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish I did write for the show. I imagine it's an incredible place to be, that writers' den. But unfortunately I don't, and really, what would they need me for? These are storytellers par excellence.

I like the email idea... but I still have to come up with a bribe that will work for y'all. If one of my signed bookmarks won't work, then maybe somebody will come up with an idea that will. of coruse Monique has already voted on this. I hope other people speak up.

In 1998 I became hooked on The X-Files. By the time the show ended, my heart was broken. It had been broken by David Duchovny's selfishness and arrogance. It had been broken by Chris Carter's inability to keep continuity and check with the canon of the story every now and then so I wouldn't have to scream at the television set whenever he just blew plot points out of the water because he felt like it. And it broke my heart when Carter had Scully give her son away because he just could and not have him returned before the series ended.

I was so invested in that show that it was like I was in love. I wrote X-Files fan fiction, I developed friendships with people over the 'net and even spent lots of money travelling to meet them. And although it was fun, I still had my heart broken into tiny little pieces.

Why do I want to do feel that way again? What kind of guarantees can you give me that my heart won't be broken if I get hooked on this series?

It repeats on the Space channel here in Canada, and I've resisted watching, even though I trust your taste in these kind of things, because I just don't want to get my heart broken again. And I know that I'll get hooked on it.

So, I need some guarantees that there isn't an egotistical and somewhat middling actor steering the writers. I also need some guarantees that the writers actually follow canon and I need some guarantees that babies aren't given away just because the writers aren't clever enough to write a better storyline.

And a signed bookmark would help.

And no, I'm not bitter. (insert sarcasm)

OK Sara I'll watch it. First chapter of QOS ? Yes that's a fine bribe. What should we do. After the show write in with our reviews and then you could e-mail those that actually watched it. It has to be fair you know. ;)

Cynthia in Florida
Waiting for yet another Hurricane!

Jenniferanne: I stopped over at the Frell Me Dead (Farscape) discussion forum to ask X-Files savvy people (which I am not) how they would respond to your post. RydraWong responded in her usual very clear and convincing way, and here is what she said:

Not an X-phile myself, but one of my sisters was, and was likewise traumatized. So here's how I'd answer (feel free to re-post, steal, or not as you think fit):

Quote: I need some guarantees that there isn't an egotistical and somewhat middling actor steering the writers.

Guarantees available. Point out that this is a show where the writers, directors, crew and remainder of cast spontaneously rave about how generous, unpushy, and dedicated to the story the lead actor is. Either they've all been bribed and this is the best-orchestrated con-job in TV history, or BB really ain't DD .

Quote:

I also need some guarantees that the writers actually follow canon

Well, this lot definitely make it up as they go along, pull things from thin air, their sleeves, their ***es, etc. ... but they do generally follow through. Actions have consequences. Things pay off - maybe seasons later and in very unexpected ways, but they do. And advance word from the reviews of the mini so far seems to be that it provides some very satisfying closure and resolutions.

Quote:

I need some guarantees that babies aren't given away just because the writers aren't clever enough to write a better storyline.

Sometimes Kemper and co. are deranged, sometimes they are pointlessly bizarre, sometimes they make us wonder why the hell they thought something was a good idea, often they are smoking the special monkey crack, and always they are Evil. But they are also ingenious and possessed of scarily twisty minds. Whatever happens sprog-wise, IMHO it won't be because they weren't clever enough to think of alternatives.

Quote:

What kind of guarantees can you give me that my heart won't be broken if I get hooked on this series?

None. Falling in love never comes with that guarantee ...

And this show will break your heart, mostly in good ways. Various eps will make you cry, and the whole thing will make you shake your fist and scream, "How the **** could anyone cancel this show?"

The plus side: it's already been cancelled. We have lived through the heartbreak. And now, we dance!

Seriously. There are never any guarantees that something won't happen to break our hearts again. In fact, given the number of comments about "tears" with reference to the mini - it's pretty likely that something will.

But I honestly don't think we'll be left feeling that the writers screwed us over or let us down. I think that, for better or worse, they're even more emotionally invested in this than we are.

And I'm a nasty cynical person and declaring my trust in any TV writers is not something I ever imagined I would find myself doing.

(By the way, for what it's worth, my ex-X-phile sister is currently busily catching up on her Farscape viewing in order to be ready in time for the mini).

I concur, point by point. This is world-class storytelling, and as such it will be painful at times. But you'll never regret it.

Wow, Sara! I did not think you'd spend your time looking into this for someone you don't know. Okay, now I really really like you! But what I really appreciate is just how much you like Farscape and your love of it is infectious.

I've heard of other traumatized X-Philes, but I was just so traumatized myself I couldn't even find the will to commiserate with them so I've just wallowed in my grief for the last few years hoping and praying someone would finally make another X-Files movie and give me a little closure.

I appreciate the response very very much and please thank RydraWong for me! Your post is wonderful!

I've been told that I've been rather closed off the last few years. And I've lost my muse. Once X-Files ended I stopped writing my own stuff along with fanfic. I've had over 2 years of writer's block (actually, I think it's just writer's laziness) and I need a new muse!

Alright, I'm prepared to have my heart broken again. I've reserved Volumes 1 and 2 of Farscape at the video store, and I'm actually going to give up my long awaited Saturday of lounging around in my pj's and surfing the 'net, playing games on pogo.com and reading a cheesy romance novel to watch Farscape tonight (though I will be taking a break for Monarch of the Glen and the original Cheaper by the Dozen). And there goes the budget for Europe in '06 as I know I'll have to buy the whole series on DVD. Oh well.

You don't need to bribe me with a thing. Just the fact that you took the time to convince a heartbroken X-Phile that there was hope of a well-written, wonderfully acted, amazing show out there that I might be able to connect with is inducement enough for me to get caught up on Farscape and watch the mini-series when I get it in Canada. I doubt we'll see it in October, but I'll be all caught up by the time it does air here.

Thank you, Sara!!!!!

Since you are not secretly writing for Farscape...yes, first chapter of Queen of Swords would be awesome as a bribe, except...I am like Jenniferanne - here in Canada, unsure that I will see the mini-series in October. Pretty sure that I will eventually though. I may have seemed rude before, but that's the not-invited-to-the-party feeling getting the better of me.

Pam, ouch. I know that must hurt, being in Canada. If it's any help, there's a whole squadron of people at the FMD board who are going to record the miniseries for Canadians (and Europeans) to spread the joy. You're likely to find somebody willing to do this for you too, if you want to stop by there. I'll find the direct link to that post and put it here asap.

Jenniferanne -- wow, I'm glad you're willing to jump in. Do you always watch series from the beginning, in order? Because I usually suggest a particular order for first time viewers. There are some weak episodes in the first season, just so you know. It gets better and better and then when you hit "A Bug's Life" it just takes off and never slows down.

I'll have to think of a way to have people willing to jump on the mini bandwagon register with me so i can send them something -- chapter one, or bookmark, or something.

First of all, my apologies to everyone, including Sara, for hogging the space today with all my posts.

I've just gotten back from the video store and I have the first 4 episodes of season 1. Today, I watched Home on the Remains, from season 2 on Space channel. It was excellent! I loved it except the end - really, did we need to get the meat from that source?

Alright, why didn't anyone tell me this was a Jim Henson production? Hmm? I learned the word cooperation from Sesame Street. My first piece of writing was a fanfic of the Muppet Show (got an A+ in Grade 9 English for that piece). My Kermit the Frog doll sits in my bedroom and I sobbed my eyes out for days when Jim Henson died. My nickname in junior high was "Froggy".

If I had known this was a Jim Henson production, I would have watched Farscape from day 1.

But, let's refer back to the X-Files post. Very obsessed at the time and wouldn't have made room in my life for anything else. I'm such a ninny at times.

Anyway, to answer your question, I prefer to watch a show from day 1 or at least get copies of the previous seasons and start from day 1. I'm a little anal that way.

But as Season 1 on DVD is rather expensive and Space is already into Season 2, I will just take it from here. But in the interim will try to get A Bug's Life.

If you could, please recommend which episodes to watch and I will go from there. As well I will read your write ups on Farscape and check out the official site as well as others.

I'm not proud of being a bandwagonner. It somewhat annoys me. Case in point, the Calgary Flames this year. I'm a diehard Vancouver Canucks fan (since they started in 1970) and I've been waiting for a Stanley Cup victory since then. Calgary won the Stanley Cup in 1989 after only 2 or 3 seasons as a team. Then they were out of the playoffs for several years. And this year, when they made the playoffs, it seemed everyone was a fan, although for the last 5 years people have barely gone to the games and have even wanted to sell the team.

Anyway, they drove me nuts this year when they beat Vancouver and then went on to the finals. But thankfully, they lost. It was the bandwagonners who drove me nuts. And I vowed I wouldn't be like them.

I guess I'm being like them. Oh well. I'm a little obsessive about things at times, so I guess Farscape will be added to my list.

And don't get me started on my obsession with the Chicago Cubs. And I'm not happy with them today. What else is knew?

I don't need a bribe. If you I can read the first chapter of QoS I'll just want more. Unlike you, I don't like spoilers and avoid them like the plague. But that doesn't mean that others don't like them, so I just avoid them.

Thanks, Sara, and to everyone, I will try really hard to stay off the posts for awhile.

Jenniferanne, you don't have to apologize for posting -- that's what this space is for. And I'm very happy to know you've already jumped into the deep end of the pool with FS. Thank you. We need all the viewers we can get with the mini airs. Those numbers could make or break the next step in the FS story.

And, I grew up in Chicago, so I understand completely about the Cubs.

Sara - I'm hooked. And just so you know, there's going to be a very annoyed 14 year old boy in Canada who's not happy with you for a couple of things:

1. You wrote a series of books that his mother reads and then ignores him for days at time so she can read them. She does this once a year, sort of like her Jane Austen yearly reread and her Diana Gabaldon yearly reread. I don't know why he gets annoyed as I order him pizza during that time.

2. You've recommended a series that his mother will become addicted to and he will have horrible flasbacks to the X-Files years. Again, I don't know what he'll be annoyed about as again, I'll order him pizza while watching Farscape.

3. He's a Blue Jays fan - he doesn't understand why anyone would beat their heads against the wall year after year cheering for a team that just doesn't seem to get anywhere. He doesn't understand anyone else who understands the Cubs thing. But yet, he will watch the games with me. Oh that's right, he watches to mock me and have pizza.

Whenever I'm doing the budget every month I review with the 14 year old whether he wants:

a. money deposited into his university fund; or

b. money deposited into his therapy fund for when he's an adult.

I think the therapy fund is going to get more money this month.

Really enjoyed the first 4 episodes and will continue with S2 on Space and will try very hard to get hands on Farscape Miniseries.

The 14 year old thanks you. Really.

Well, heck. I've got a fifteen year old daughter whose always (1) mad (2) embarrassed or (3) mad and embarrassed at me. At all times. So one more won't really be a burden. Hop on, sez I.

No bribes necessary. I wouldn't miss The Peacekeeper Wars for...all the chocolate in Switzerland.

And it's all your fault, anyway. If I hadn't stumbled on your blog a few months ago (after falling in love with your books), I never would have started watching Farscape again. Thing is - I gave Farscape a chance when it first started (I'm always up for a new sci-fi show), but I was in school and devotion to certain tv shows was already sucking up a lot of time (and it must have been in the same time slot as something else I was already in love with, which meant absolutely being home to watch one and tape the other) and then there was that horrible Jeremiah Crichton episode and that was that with that.

My father continued to watch, so I occasionally caught a glimpse, but I was pretty much done with it. But then you rave and I have to give it another try because (lo and behold!) the Sci-Fi Channel is re-airing episodes like crazy to make it easy for me and BAM! I'm hooked.

And now I have almost every episode on tape (why else was the VCR invented?) except the first season and part of the second season, but I'll get those here very soon, as Sci-Fi is so kindly re-airing Every Single Farscape Episode Ever In Order in October before the Mini-Series. Life just does not get better than that.

It's funny, Jeremiah Crichton isn't in my bottom five eps. I don't think it's their strongest effort but I quite like some aspects of it. Now, don't get me started about I, ET, which I really dislike. Also, PK Tech Girl is in my bottom five. But I'm very pleased you're going to be watching, and that I can (partially) claim you as one of my converted scapers.

See, here's the thing-- I don't have cable.

Otherwise, I'd be all over this.

What, you know nobody within striking distance who has cable? There's no kind person in your universe who would let you come watch sci-fi channel? I suppose I could invite you ALL to my house to watch it, but then my husband would be very unhappy and I kinda like th guy.

I'm going to have to take steps, I see, to make this bribe work for people.

Okay Sara. I will take your word for it and watch the upcoming premiere on Oct 17th. And I even decided I would do this before I read you would bribe us with a sneek peak at Queen of Sword. But that would be nice too... really nice. I'll even get my DH to watch with me!!
Megan-Denver