Ben Browder Movies
- 1999
D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe) manages to destroy one of the few remaining PeaceKeeper devices on the living starship Moya -- only to cause an inexplicable reaction which blows him into space. Rescued by Aeryn (Claudia Black), D'Argo returns to Moya in a highly agitated and extremely paranoid state, convinced that fellow crew member Crichton (Ben Browder) is a murderer. Adding to this burden, Moya begins to malfunction in a terrifying fashion. "They've Got a Secret" first aired on June 25, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
The crew makes the disturbing discovery that the PeaceKeepers have planted a locator beacon -- or tracking device -- somewhere on the living starship Moya. It is now necessary to perform surgery on the vessel, but the only practical anesthetic is located on a hostile planet that has never experienced extraterrestrial contact. In his efforts to obtain the anesthetic, Crichton realizes anew that he is truly a stranger in a strange land. The second Farscape episode filmed, "I, E.T." was the seventh to be shown, making its broadcast bow on May 7, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Still escaping from the PeaceKeepers, the living starship Moya and her crew are shielded from detection by an instellar phenomenon, the handiwork of an insectoid race called the Drak. Partly out of necessity, partly out of gratitude, the crew agrees to protect the Drak queen during her spawning period. Unfortunately, the queen can only deposit her eggs under extremely high temperatures -- so high that they may prove fatal to renegade PeaceKeeper Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black). The third filmed episode of Farscape, "Exodus From Genesis" was the second episode to be broadcast, on March 26, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Thanks to another of Moya's unexpected starbursts, Crichton (Ben Browder) is stranded in space while riding Farscape 1. Entering into the energy pull of the earthlike planet Acquira, Crichton at first enjoys his new home so much that he is reluctant to leave. By the time he realizes that Acquira is no paradise, Crichton's fellow crew members, D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe) and Rygel (Jonathan Hardy), have landed on the planet, where, as a result of a misunderstanding, Rygel is hailed as the long-anticipated Acquiran savior. Alas, if the locals find out who he really is, Rygel will be executed -- as will the rest of Moya's crew. "Jeremiah Crichton" first aired on July 30, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
While testing an experimental spacecraft, Commander John Crichton (Ben Browder) is pulled through a wormhole and literally sucked into the middle of a raging conflict in another galaxy thousands of light years from earth. Ending up on Moya, a living starship designed to transport the alien prisoners of the mercenary human PeaceKeepers, Crichton is forced to join a crew comprised of prison escapees, including anarchistic Delvian princess Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan (Virginia Hey), hostile Luxan warrior Ka D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe), and exiled Hynerian despot Dominar Rygel XVI (Jonathan Hardy). Also on board Moya is renegade PeaceKeeper Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black), who can no longer return to their own people. In hot pursuit of the escapees is PeaceKeeper Captain Bialar Crais (Lani Tupu), who also seeks vengeance against Crichton for inadvertently killing Crais' brother. With this 90-minute premiere episode, the weekly saga of Farscape began on March 19, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Moya and her crew are lured to a Delvian Colony by a false distress call. It turns out that they have been summoned on behalf of ailing Delvian ruler Tahleen (Kate Raison), whose life can be saved only by one of her own lineage -- namely, Princess Zhaan (Virginia Hey). In her efforts to do her royal duty, Zhaan goes insane, and her madness spreads to the rest of the crew. To rescue his comrades, and to prevent Tahleen from irretrievably capturing Zhaan's soul, Crichton (Ben Browder) must participate in Unity, a dangerous Delvian ritual. "Rhapsody in Blue" first aired on July 23, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
During their efforts to salvage the wreckage of infamous PeaceKeeper vessel Zelbinon, Moya's crew members come across the abandoned PK technician Gilina (Alyssa-Jane Cook). Aeryn (Claudia Black) experience the pangs of jealousy when Gilina evinces fondness for Crichton (Ben Browder)--But this dilemma is minor compared to the greater threat of the Sheyang scavenger team which hopes to claim Zelbinon for itself. Meanwhile, Rygel (Jonathan Hardy) experiences hellish flashbacks of the torture he endured at the hands of Zelbinon's Captain Durka (David Wheeler). The 7th Farscape episode filmed, "K Tech Girl was the 5th to be shown, making its TV debut on April 16, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
While visiting a commerce planet, Crichton (Ben Browder) falls under the power of vampiric sorceror Maldis (Chris Haywood). Transported to a metaphysical limbo, Crichton ends up locked in gladitorial combat with his mortal enemy, Capt. Crais (Lani Tupu) It is up to Zhaan (Virginia Hey) to save Crichton and vanquish Maldis--but the personal price for her bravery may be more than she is willing to pay. "That Old Black Magic" originally aired on June 11, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
A damaged ship belonging to the powerful, pacifistic Nebari race is brought aboard Moya for repairs. One of the passengers is the infamous Captain Durka (David Wheeler), who had earlier overseen the fiendish torture of Rygel (Jonathan Hardy), but who now claims to be totally purged of his evil ways. Another passenger is the criminal Chiana, who falls under suspicion when her Nebari captor is murdered -- a killing that also causes the "reformed" Durka to revert to his nasty old self. Gigi Edgley makes her first Farscape appearance as Chiana in this episode, which originally aired on August 13, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Alien scientist NamTar (enacted by Adrian Getley, with voice provided by Julian Gartner) offers to show Zhaan (Virginia Hey), D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe), and Rygel (Jonathan Hardy) the way back to their various homeworlds. In exchange, NamTar demands one of Pilot's arms. At first agreeable, the three crew members uncontrollably lapse into blatant hostility and greed -- while Aeryn (Claudia Black) learns the hard way that NamTar has a hidden agenda. "DNA Mad Scientist" was first telecast on June 18, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
When he rescues two Ilanic scientists, D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe) causes dissension in the ranks of Moya's crew. Worse still, a female lifeform from the Ilanic shuttle causes Crichton (Ben Browder) to behave in a dangerous and irrational manner. Experiencing horrific flash images of the future, Crichton must endure this hellish mental glitch over and over and over again -- perhaps for all time. The fifth episode of Farscape to be filmed, "Back and Back and Back to the Future" was the third episode shown, making its broadcast debut on April 2, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
To prevent a Marauder crew from taking over Moya, Crichton (Ben Browder) poses as a PeaceKeeper captain. But even if this subterfuge works, the crew may have no defense against a hyper-intelligent virus that has festered on the Marauder's ship. As the virus hops from one host body to the next, a trail of death and destruction is left in its wake. "A Bug's Life" made its first U.S. television appearance on September 17, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
From the folks who brought you Baywatch, the made-for-TV Steel Chariots was described by one critic as a combination of Dallas and The Dukes of Hazzard. At base, the story involves the intramural rivalries in a Texas auto-racing family, which extends to open warfare between the sponsors who back the various drivers in the clan. Taking up most of the screen time are the various squabbles between sibling racers D.J. and Brett Tucker (Ben Browder, Gurney Brown), with the boys' parents, played by John Beck and Kathleen Nolan, virtually exiled to the sidelines. A subplot concerns the conflict between moonshining hotrodder Franklin Jones (Brian Van Holt) and his preacher dad (Randy Travis). Providing a modicum of authenticity to the proceedings is the climactic NASCAR-style race, along with appearance by such authentic track habitués as drivers Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett, mechanic Rusty Wallace and announcer Benny Parsons. Steel Chariots first aired September 23, 1997, on the Fox network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
"She's every man's dream (if you can get past the whole murder and adultery thing)." So went the ABC ad copy for the heavy-breathing TV movie Bad to the Bone, which is (astonishingly) based on a true story. Playing radically against type, Kristy Swanson stars as beautiful 19-year-old Francesca "Frankie" Wells, whose baby face and sweet demeanor hides an evil, manipulative soul. For starters, Frankie kills her mom to receive her inheritance--and gets away with it. Later on, she grows weary of her relationship with her nightclub-owner boyfriend Waldo (David Chokachi), whereupon she slyly persuades her adoring younger brother Danny (Jeremy London) to bump Waldo off, being oh-so-careful not to use such nasty words as "kill" or "murder." Dutiful Danny does what his sister asks, and when both are arrested, he takes full blame for the killing. Although Frankie does a thorough job seducing a number of authority figures who could under normal circumstances put her away in a minute, eventually justice prevails and both Frankie and Danny receive 100-year prison sentences. But Frankie manages to skip town and hit the road, leaving Danny (who has finally wised up!) holding the bag. The climactic phone conversation which seals Frankie's fate is a classic of its kind. Bad to the Bone originally aired on October 19, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
A woman fleeing the man in her life discovers a city of women in this revisionist western. Chrysty (Amy Brenneman) is passing through the Nevada desert when she happens upon the small town of Silver, currently populated entirely by women and children, while the men in the community are gone -- working on a dam building project. When Chrysty discovers June (Bridgette Wilson) alone and in labor, she helps her as she gives birth; Chrysty opts to stay around, and she takes a job delivering milk. Silver is ruled by McGill (Kirstie Alley), the village's self-appointed sheriff who doesn't trust Chrysty; McGill discovers that Chrysty is actually an Idaho housewife running away from her husband, West (Angus MacFadyen). However, June's husband Rip (James Wilder), back in town after the birth of a child that may not be his and troubled by his wife's chronic infidelity, has fallen in love with Chrysty, and when West arrives to Silver to retrieve his spouse, Rip opts to fight for her hand. Nevada also features Saffron Burrows as June's sister-in-law, and Dee Wallace Stone and Kathy Najimy as a rough-and-tumble lesbian couple. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Grace (Tamara Taylor) uses the local media to attack Charlie (Matthew Fox) for his "cruel and unusual" treatment of homeless people at his restaurant, while Claudia (Lacey Chabert) is also sore at Charlie for blocking her from studying at the music conservatory. More seriously, Bailey's drinking is obviously getting out of hand, but he refuses to face up to the fact, even after he fails to qualify for the high school soccer team; later, Bailey (Scott Wolf) has a fight with Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt), who also notices that his personality has taken a sharp downward turn. And after expressing outrage when the man repairing her roof offers her marijuana, Julia (Neve Campbell)is lovestruck by the pot-smoker's cute brother Sam (Ben Browder in his first series appearance). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Callie (Alexondra Lee) is nearly the victim of date rape, a harrowing experience which profoundly alters her relationships with Bailey (Scott Wolf) and Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt). Meanwhile, Grace (Tamara Taylor) decides that as long as everyone thinks that she and Charlie (Matthew Fox) are an item, there's no harm in stealing a kiss from Charlie--but his mind and heart are elsewhere. In another romantic development, Julia (Neve Campbell) continues her pursuit of handsome contractor Sam (Ben Browder). Finally, while seeking material for her school-paper advice column, Claudia (Lacey Chabert) comes to the literally sobering conclusion that Bailey's drinking has gone far beyond the recreational stage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Reluctantly pressed into service as Best Man at the wedding of former Salinger's co-owner Joe Magnus (Tom Mason), Charlie (Matthew Fox) begins to wax nostalgic over the fact that he and Kirsten would be celebrating their first anniversary had not their own marriage ceremony been deep-sixed. Unable to avoid noticing this, Grace (Tamara Taylor) reads Charlie the riot act for not being able to make commitments (could she have a hidden agenda?) Elsewhere, Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt) persists in seeking out a boyfriend for Callie (Alexondra Lee), even as Bailey (Scott Wolf) tries to get over Callie for Sarah's sake. And the relationship between Julia (Neve Campbell) and Sam (Ben Browder) becomes more intense. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Leaving Julia (Neve Campbell) in charge of the younger kids, Charlie (Matthew Fox) heads to Chicago for a surprise reunion with Kirsten (Paula Devicq), which does not meet with the approval of her troubled mother Ellie (Kathleen Noone). Before long, Kirsten is begging Charlie to take her away from all this. . .as far as San Francisco. Back at home, Julia is convinced that her pesky sister Claudia (Lacey Chabert) is feigning illness--until Claudia ends up in the hospital with appendictis. And in her efforts to find out why Bailey (Scott Wolf) is avoiding her, Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt) finally learns the awful truth. Several awful truths, in fact. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Julia (Neve Campbell) and Justin (Michael Goorjian) feel both sad and guilty when their classmate Libby commits suicide--and also begin to wonder what the future holds in store for them. For her part, Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt) thinks she has the answer to that question, and finally breaks up with Bailey (Scott Wolf), who has failed her once too often. Meanwhile, Charlie (Matthew Fox) is forced to do some serious soul-searching when an unpleasant secret comes to light during a reunion with his high school buddies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Bailey (Scott Wolf) finds his struggle to stay clean and sober becoming more and more difficult with each passing day. Charlie (Matthew Fox) and Grace (Tamara Taylor) vow not to rush their relationship, but nature takes its inevitable course. After an initial burst of euphoria, Julia (Neve Campbell) begins having second thoughts about attending Stanford in the fall. And well-meaning Claudia (Lacey Chabert) makes a shambles of things when she "outs" a favorite teacher in front of the entire school. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
His obsession with winning at all costs causes friction between Bailey (Scott Wolf) and Coach Petrocelli (Dan Lauria). Likewise fed up with Bailey's selfishness is Callie (Alexondra Lee), who walks out on him at a crucial moment. The emotional strain takes its inevitable toll, and before long Bailey is drinking more than ever. Elsewhere, Julia (Neve Campbell) sees a whole new side of Sam (Ben Browder) when she joins him at dinner with his ex-fiancee. And while Charlie's (Matthew Fox) new "enlightened' attitude has its compensations, Grace may not be among them; she seems far more interested in going out with Michael Garber (Michael Garber), a man capable of fulfilling her political dreams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt) decides that she wants nothing more to do with Bailey (Scott Wolf), who is squandering all his money on liquor--even as his sister Julia (Neve Campbell) remains in denial that his drinking problem exists. But when Bailey steals money from her boyfriend Sam, Julia is forced to face the awful truth. Meanwhile, Charlie (Matthew Fox) is on the outs with his siblings because of his relationship with Grace (Tamara Taylor), whose avowed "compassion" for humanity evidently does not extend to the younger Salinger kids. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Paying a brief return visit to San Francisco, Will McCorkle (Scott Grimes) can't get Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt) to reveal the truth about Bailey (Scott Wolf) and his drinking problem. Having been burned out of her own home, Grace (Tamara Taylor) moves in with Charlie (Matthew Fox) and the Salingers, stirring up all manner of excitement--and not a little resentment. As for Charlie, his rage over Julia's decision not to attend Stanford is so intense that Julia (Neve Campbell) decides to move in with her boyfriend Sam (Ben Browder), whose reaction to this turn of events is most surprising. And Claudia (Lacey Chabert) draws up an unusual agreement with baby brother Owen (played by twins Andrew Cavarno and Steve Cavarno). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Much to the dismay of Grace (Tamara Taylor), Charlie (Matthew Fox) gets along better with her visiting parents (Joan Pringle, Clifton Davis) than she does. On a more serious note, Bailey (Scott Wolf) dresses up as a clown for his kid brother Owen's birthday party, only to utterly ruin the festivities by showing up blind, stinking drunk. And Julia (Neve Campbell) is forced to reconsider her future with Sam (Ben Browder) when he lets slip a particularly vicious racial remark. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
