When the show debuted in 1999 on the Sci-Fi channel, it was odd and mighty original — far different from the fading Trek franchise and growing Stargate line.  It was filled with some of the strangest aliens in some time (perhaps since Babylon 5 in the ‘90s) — drama, humor, romance and more.  It was called Farscape.

Created by Rockne S. O’Bannon, the premise was simple: An American astronaut/scientist takes a shuttle-like (though smaller) module on an experimental flight, gets caught in a wormhole and finds himself hurled to another part of our vast galaxy, taken in by a living ship with escaped prisoners from different worlds, evading Peacekeepers — a totalitarian military space unit that controls sectors.

That astronaut – a wisecracking John Crichton – joined a semi-functional family that includes: a blue-skinned humanoid plant Delvian priestess, Xan, a Luxan Warrior Ka’Dargo, with tentacle-like extensions on his face, the diminutive, somewhat furry/hairy Riger the 16^th, deposed Dominar of billions of Hynerians, plus the Peacekeeper “contaminated” by contact with Crichton and ostracized by her people, Aeryn Sun [Soon], a Sebacean (like humans, really, but cold-blooded).

Along the way, enter sneak-thief Chianna, a blue/gray Nebari, and oversexed too; Stark who wears and Phantom of the Opera-style half-mask on his face, covering an energy flux that can heal and tap into the universe, it seems; Crais, who seeks the death of Crichton for (accidentally) killing his brother, though he later becomes an ally of sorts;  AND the show’s big bad Scorpious half-Sebacean, half-Scarran (Lizard-like and darn scary space bullies) Peacekeeper, seeking to rip wormhole knowledge from Crichton’s brain. Plus many more of the weird, bizarre, heroic and villainous.  And let’s not forget the living ship itself, Moya, and her symbiotic pilot, named Pilot, like Rigel, creations of the Jim Henson creature job that produced the show — many so lifelike, you forgot they were wilder, outer-space Muppets.

If it all sounds like a wild tapestry, it is, and that’s what made Farscape so darn excellent and the best science-fiction show of the last decade, as it celebrates its frelling (an all-purpose swear word the cast loved to use in variations, dropping it into the scripts) 10^th anniversary.

Farscape ran four seasons, and the final episode ended with a cliffhanger that horrified fans, and the show cancellation by the — let’s face it — often bone-headed Sci-Fi led to many protests from high-profile small but vocal demonstrations at places such as Universal City’s City Walk to e-mail and letter-writing campaigns which, in turn, resulted in the mini-series The Peacekeeper Wars that picked up the story and tied up some loose ends but left things open for further adventures. Farscape also had its fair share of TV critics in its corner too, and though the show didn’t get the mainstream critical kudos of the generally bleak Battlestar Galactica, it showed more heart and soul and, best of all, imagination that can only be matched by Doctor Who (and Torchwood) in Britain, helmed by Russel Davies in these recent years.

Meanwhile, as talk of webisodes continue, the folks at the ever-growing Boom! Studios have issued Farscape Comics that have included story arcs that chronicle events after Peacekeeper Wars, with stories by O’Bannon, and scripts by R.A. Keith DeCandido (Trek, Farscape, Firefly, Buffy novels).  Some of those Boom! tales have been collected in the highly recommended graphic novels The End of the Begining of the End and Strange Detractors.

November 17th will bring the U.S. release of the first Farscape: The Complete Series box set.  Previously, the show was only available in multi-part edtions of box sets season by season.  This is a prize-packaged treat for the true Farscape fan, even if they have the old sets. Talk about a must for a nice holiday present if you know a ‘Scaper. And since this superb set comes from A&E, perhaps they’ll also do what SyFy (their new name, y’know?) wouldn’t, since they’d rather run crap-ola monster movies that are awful. That is, air Farscape again on a regular basis.

This show, beloved by its flock, will be coming together this weekend in Los Angeles with Creation, the people who bring you all Trek, Stargate and more events. Friday, November 6th-Sunday, November 8^th, The Official Farscape Convention – Third Final Frellin’ Farewell
 10th Year Anniversary Celebration will be held at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport
 (5855 West Century Boulevard).

This is a cast, no longer together, that loves its fans.  Series stars Ben Browder (Crichton) and Claudia Black (Aeryn), who reunited as other characters on Stargate (smart move by that show’s producers, and it brought ‘Scapers over) and Browder’s wife, Francesca Buller (War Minister Ahkna), will appear on Sunday, while Gigi Edley (Chianna), Lani Tupu (Crais and assorted creatures), Wayne Pygram (Scorpius), Rebecca Riggs (Commandant Grayza), series Executive Producer Brian Henson, Virginia Hey (Zhaan) and David Franklin (Lt. then Captain Meeko Braka) are set for Friday’s opening day.

Look for panel talks with the stars and creators, plus Boom! Studios will hold a session on their Farscape comics. Also count on vendors/dealers with tables of Farscape shirts, collectibles, DVDs, books, action figures and more, as well as goods from other science-fiction and fantasy shows. Please note, however, that some of the special events, such as Gold Patron or separate ticket programs, are already sold out.

In an era where fan conventions are bigger than ever, from the ever-strong Creation Trek gatherings (bolstered by this year’s new film) to newer entries like Twilight cons, Farscape’s 10^th should be…well, frelling fantastic fun.  Share the wonders I have seen.

Farscape Covention general schedule, courtesy of Creation:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Pre-Registration for Gold Weekend Patrons (not a necessity, just a convenience)
; 11:30 a.m. to Noon: Pre-Registration for Preferred Weekend Patrons (not a necessity, just a convenience)
; Noon to 7:00 p.m.: Registration Continues, Vendors Area Open
; 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Theatre Opens, featuring Appearances by David Franklin, Virginia Hey, Paul Goddard, Jonathan Hardy. Please note that autographs are not rushed and therefore will finish considerably later than 6:00 p.m. Please plan accordingly; 8:30 p.m. Celebrity Cabaret featuring David Franklin, Gigi Edgley and Wayne Pygram, complimentary for Gold and Preferred Weekend Patrons, for others tickets are required. Please see below.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7th 10:00 a.m.: Virginia Hey Visualization Mediation Workshop, separate ticket required, see below.
 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Registration and Vendors Area Open
; Noon to 6:00 p.m.: Theatre Opens featuring Appearances by Rebecca Riggs, Gigi Edgley, Wayne Pygram, Lani Tupu and Brian Henson
; Private Lunch with Ben Browder (sold out); 
Costume Competition
; 9:00 p.m.: Saturday Night Dessert Party featuring Gigi Edgley, Lani Tupu, Wayne Pygram and Rebecca Riggs. Complimentary for Gold Weekend Patrons. Sold Out.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8th 8:30 a.m.: Brunch and Silent Charity Auction featuring Ben Browder and Francesca Buller. Separate ticket required.; 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Registration and Vendors Room Open
; 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Theatre Open Featuring On Stage Appearances by Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Francesca Buller. Note that autographing is not rushed and may extend beyond closing hours.; Presentation from BOOM! Studios about the Farscape Comic Books; 
Early Sunday Evening (time to be noted): Cocktails with Claudia Black. Separate ticket required.