NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN "BAD TIMING" DO NOT READ THIS!!!!! Unlike many of my fellow fans, I don't consider Peacekeeper Wars to be among Farscape's best episodes. It is not as rushed as the series' ender - Bad Timing - and it is certainly cathartic to see the final story arc played out and all the original cast members returned to their posts. However, "Peacekeeper Wars" still has a '4th Season' feel to it, and although not as silly as some 4th season episodes, often presents problems for believability. Also, some of the characterization is a little inconsistent with the series..
Remarkably, every major character the fans wanted to see is reprieved for at least a couple of scenes with the exceptions of those who have died (Zahn and Krais). The problems with characterization derive from the script. Crichton - as is true for much of the 3rd and 4th seasons - is written as a manic but chronically aggravated fruitcake who just happens to be carrying around the ability to unravel a significant piece of the universe in his head and who deals with it by cracking corny jokes about pop culture on earth which nobody understands. Aeryn, whose character was written very inconsistently in the fourth season, returns to character about half way through this mini-series, and thankfully does not return to the pleasant but somewhat weak-kneed nice girls she briefly became in the 4th season. Scorpius, though nicely played by Wayne Pygram, is not the ruthless, dominating monster we have come to love and despise in this one, and there are a couple of loose ends involving him that are left loose. Sikozu changes more than her hair style but reaches satisfying conclusions nevertheless. D'Argo and Chiana are very consistent, as is Stark, the brief appearances of Noranti and Jool and the somewhat more elaborate returns of Bracca and Grunchlik.
In terms of acting, Paul Goddard's Stark, David Franklin's Bracca, Anthony Simcoe's D'Argo and Gigi Edgley's Chiana are the stand-outs for this one.
Acting can only be as good as the script and the directing, and there are a few times during Peacekeeper Wars when all three fail to reach the usual Farscape standard. Thankfully, these times are few and far between. There are a couple of rock video scenes involving unnecessary visual clichés and impossible streaks of luck which are the most egregious examples of this. Thankfully, by the time John develops the solution he needs in order to see this thing through to the end, we're back to the show's usual brand of weird, but excellent drama.
Warning - Peacekeeper Wars can not be appreciated without a strong background in, at least the 4th season of Farscape. Without this background, watching it would be a waste of time.
Here is a quick run-down of the situation: John and Aeryn are reconstituted on the water planet where they were crystallized during "Bad Timing", only their unborn child reconstitutes inside of Rygel, instead of Aeryn. It turns out that the humanoid species on this planet are a long-lost race of negotiators known as the Eidelons - legendary for their peace-making abilities and somehow deeply connected to the ancient history of the Peacekeepers. Nearby, the Scarrans and Peacekeepers, lead by Staleek and Grayza, are at war in space. John is presented with basically two alternatives - give peace a chance or end the conflict decisively by doing something merciless which he isn't even sure he can pull off. Meanwhile, he is conflicted by the seemingly opposing goals of saving the universe for its own sake or the sake of his unborn child.
The cinematography is as good if not better than the series' very high standards. The special effects are great,and not at all over-bearing. The script and story founder early on, but tighten up and become very excellent after the first half. And the acting is, as usual, good throughout.
Recommended, but only for those who have followed and understood the show's many story arcs.
Remarkably, every major character the fans wanted to see is reprieved for at least a couple of scenes with the exceptions of those who have died (Zahn and Krais). The problems with characterization derive from the script. Crichton - as is true for much of the 3rd and 4th seasons - is written as a manic but chronically aggravated fruitcake who just happens to be carrying around the ability to unravel a significant piece of the universe in his head and who deals with it by cracking corny jokes about pop culture on earth which nobody understands. Aeryn, whose character was written very inconsistently in the fourth season, returns to character about half way through this mini-series, and thankfully does not return to the pleasant but somewhat weak-kneed nice girls she briefly became in the 4th season. Scorpius, though nicely played by Wayne Pygram, is not the ruthless, dominating monster we have come to love and despise in this one, and there are a couple of loose ends involving him that are left loose. Sikozu changes more than her hair style but reaches satisfying conclusions nevertheless. D'Argo and Chiana are very consistent, as is Stark, the brief appearances of Noranti and Jool and the somewhat more elaborate returns of Bracca and Grunchlik.
In terms of acting, Paul Goddard's Stark, David Franklin's Bracca, Anthony Simcoe's D'Argo and Gigi Edgley's Chiana are the stand-outs for this one.
Acting can only be as good as the script and the directing, and there are a few times during Peacekeeper Wars when all three fail to reach the usual Farscape standard. Thankfully, these times are few and far between. There are a couple of rock video scenes involving unnecessary visual clichés and impossible streaks of luck which are the most egregious examples of this. Thankfully, by the time John develops the solution he needs in order to see this thing through to the end, we're back to the show's usual brand of weird, but excellent drama.
Warning - Peacekeeper Wars can not be appreciated without a strong background in, at least the 4th season of Farscape. Without this background, watching it would be a waste of time.
Here is a quick run-down of the situation: John and Aeryn are reconstituted on the water planet where they were crystallized during "Bad Timing", only their unborn child reconstitutes inside of Rygel, instead of Aeryn. It turns out that the humanoid species on this planet are a long-lost race of negotiators known as the Eidelons - legendary for their peace-making abilities and somehow deeply connected to the ancient history of the Peacekeepers. Nearby, the Scarrans and Peacekeepers, lead by Staleek and Grayza, are at war in space. John is presented with basically two alternatives - give peace a chance or end the conflict decisively by doing something merciless which he isn't even sure he can pull off. Meanwhile, he is conflicted by the seemingly opposing goals of saving the universe for its own sake or the sake of his unborn child.
The cinematography is as good if not better than the series' very high standards. The special effects are great,and not at all over-bearing. The script and story founder early on, but tighten up and become very excellent after the first half. And the acting is, as usual, good throughout.
Recommended, but only for those who have followed and understood the show's many story arcs.