Posted by Jonathan Klotz | Updated
Farscape full of interesting characters. The series focuses on the only person in the galaxy, John Crichton (Ben Browder), but it’s the team together that has turned it into a fan favorite for nearly 30 years and counting. Yet one of them, the insane Stark (Paul Goddard) is widely considered the worst of the group. He’s not to be liked, but then again, it feels like over time the writers forgot his insanity was supposed to be an act and not his main character.
Stark’s Madness Was Supposed To Be A Delusion…ish
The trope of a character who goes from having an eccentric personality to being dumb and one-note over time has been called, “Flanderization,” after Ned Flanders. The Simpsons. Flanders started off as the complete opposite of Homer Simpson, but as time went on, his religious aspects became more prominent, overpowering everything else. That’s the case with Stark, who had a few funny moments while locked in a prison cell with Crichton, “My side, your side!
Stark has an interesting background with his prominent metal mask that hides his true nature: lift the mask, and it reveals pure power, which Stark uses to help people alleviate their suffering, including “crossing over” to the other side. In this case, they leave part of their soul behind with him, including knowledge and emotions. No wonder he’s not moderate.
Stark Got Worse Every Season
The problem is that when he first appears, Stark admits to Crichton that he is pretending to be crazy to keep Scorpius (Wayne Pygram) from being interested in him. Stark even managed to make a key to escape the cell deep in the secret Peacekeeper compound. Compare that to Season 3, and it’s almost two different characters.
After Zhaan’s death in Season 3 Stark becomes vulnerable. His once-cute yelling in the prison cell becomes a regular sound as he speaks, “You, dead. I, dead. You, dead. Me, dead,” “Time’s up. Game on. Goodbye.” He has his moments of insight, but usually when he’s on screen, he’s shouting.
He is determined to destroy the universe with religion
In the middle Farscape: Wars to Keep the PeaceStark, like Flanders, holds so strongly to his beliefs that he is willing to destroy the universe for them. When the last owner of Eidelon’s power passes, Stark resists to help him pass, and thus, find the part of his soul that contains the ancient teachings. It’s on the same level as Star-Lord messing with Thanos’ glove removal, except here, Crichton and Aeryn Sun are able to convince him to do the right thing.
Farscape is an exceptionally well-written series with strong characters throughout, which for the most part, avoids the trap of one-note characters. Even the Pilot is given a painful background. Stark, despite showing up throughout the season, moves on in time, and his final moment is more of a relief than a triumph. Jool develops and changes more over time, of course, than Stark, and is the second most hated member of the team. Stark was powerful, and while annoying, in any other show he would be great, but the bar is very high. Farscape that someone will remain.
You can broadcast Farscape free on Tubi.
