FarScape

FarScape. TV series on The SciFi Channel. Rockne S. O'Bannon, creator, exec. prod., along with Brian Henson, Kris Noble, Robert Halmi Jr. (sic: no comma). Richard Cleidinnen, line prod. Peter Coogan, exec. in charge of prod. Hallmark Entertainment, Nine Network Australia, Jim Henson Television, 1999. Untitled episode, shown in the Cincinnati area 9 February 2001. Episode cited: Ian Watson, dir. Justin Monjo, script. David Kemper, exec. prod.

Recurring science-fictional mode of transportation: Moya, "a living [space]ship full of strange, alien life forms." In this episode, the ship gives birth to a male offspring, a unique "Leviathan," genetically engineered as an arms platform. Note also shots of men held down and tortured in a chair with a head-clamp device that extracts memories. Being held down and tortured for information or as part of a Grand Inquisitor interview is a central image of horror for male protagonists (women are usually gagged and thereby silenced [for males cf. Nineteen Eighty-Four, We, THX-1138]). The chair images the superimposition of the mechanical and probably cybernetic upon the mental. (RDE, 14/02/01)