Episodes:
“The Key,” “Garden,” “Battle”
Stars:
Brian Downey, Xenia Seeberg, Michael McManus, Jeffrey Hirschfield, and Nigel
Bennett
Writers:
Paul Donovan and Lexx Gigeroff
Directors:
Chris Bould, Bruce McDonald, and Christoph Schrewe
Executive
Producers: Paul Donovan and Wolfram Tichy
Approximate
Episode Length: 48 minutes each/144 minutes total
Extras:
Behind The Scenes Making Of Segment, Exclusive Interview With Videomatics
Director Peter Gaskin, Storyboards, Production Sketches, and Trivia
Languages:
English and French Stereo
Subtitles:
N/A
Packaging:
Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 15
Sound:
Stereo Sound
Year
of DVD Release: 2002
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
While
“LEXX” has ended its series run on the Sci-Fi Channel after four seasons,
“LEXX” lives on through Acorn Media’s continuing commitment to releasing
the series on DVD. Season three appears to be the best season of “LEXX”
because of the intriguing storyline involving a binary planetary system the ship
is revolving around known only as “Fire” and “Water.” Season three is
also quite imaginative with a new immortal villain named “Prince” (Nigel
Bennett) and a dramatic improvement in special effects and production value.
When
we last left the crew of the “LEXX,” Xev and Stan were looking for a way out
of a maze of tunnels that connects the various cities on the desert planet
“Fire.” Rescued by Kai, the two accompany him back to the LEXX aboard a
“Moth.” Upon arriving there, Xev begins to inquire about the “Key” Stan
has and how it is passed on and learns that the key to the “LEXX” can only
be passed on from one living person to the next at the time of death or sexual
ecstasy. Determined to get the key from Stan, Xev gives Stan the sex of his life
though not through any direct contact.
Upon
watching the episode at first I felt that it was just filler, but as I watched
more I have to say that “The Key” is the best episode on this DVD and maybe
in the entire third season because it pushes the envelope on how risqué one can
get on television, let alone sci-fi and features some of the most blatant
imagery ever seen in the entire series from Xenia Seeberg’s visceral
performance, which actually enables her to show some of her acting ability once
one realizes exactly what is going on in this episode, which is pretty obvious
from the beginning. Among the tidbits we learn is that the “Key” to the
“LEXX” is a living entity on to itself and is located is Stanley’s “Modula
Sexuala” or his penis and if ever there was any doubt in anyone’s mind
about the starship itself, trust me when I say that it is a phallic symbol
complete with two testicular eyes. Much of the opening scenes shown in the
credits in season four come from this episode.
“Garden”
is actually a pretty disappointing episode. On water they discover a floating
city full of women who actually serve as the cycle of continuing life for the
planet by allowing themselves to be eaten by none other than “Lyekka” who in
turn sows the seeds so that crops can be grown to feed the inhabitants of
“Water” and continue the cycle.
The
final episode on this DVD entitled “Battle” is far better with the
introduction of Prince’s henchman, “Priest” and a great aerial fight
aboard flying gondolas between the armies of “Fire” and the crew of the “LEXX.”
We also get a deeper glimpse into Xev’s backstory as a child growing up
orphaned within the wife bank.
All
three episodes are presented in the (1.33:1) broadcast aspect ratio with footage
never before seen on the Sci-Fi Channel. Clear and well rounded English and
French Stereo Soundtracks are provided, but there are no captions or subtitles
encoded on to the DVD.
The
extra features include the third part in “The Making Of LEXX: Series 3,”
which covers how the use of real locations in and around Berlin enhanced the
production value of the show. An interview with Videomatics Director Peter
Gaskin is included with examples on how the technique enables the planning of
special effects shots to go easier. There is a storyboard to completed scene
comparison from the episode “Battle” and a short sketch gallery of the
various guns, knives, and clubs used by the inhabitants of “Fire.” A short
interactive trivia game based on the events that occur in these three episodes I
have detailed above wrap up the extra features on this DVD.
The
main menu and extra features menu are animated complete with Kai jumping from
the "LEXX" into the vacuum of space while the subsequent menus are
standard interactive still frames and all of the interactive DVD menus are easy
to navigate.
The
next volume to be announced will wrap up the third season of “LEXX” leaving
only the fourth season to be released before fans can have the entire series on
DVD. “LEXX: Series 3: Video Set 3” will debut on DVD-Video on Tuesday, July
30, 2002 from Acorn Media at retailers on and offline and is available for
pre-order now at www.acornmedia.com.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.