For many fans of the genre our infatuation with science fiction began when we were quite young. This is one of the magical aspects of Sci-Fi; there are no many variations in the fundamental aspects that it can be used as the basis for just about any type of story. As fans grow up they come to realize that there are age appropriate Sci-Fi for any age, including faire suitable only for more mature audiences. One example of the genre that is definitely not for the kiddies is the Canadian/German television series ‘Lexx’. It may be frequently out right silly but there is nothing childish about the themes and subject matter explored in the stories presented in four season run of the series. While many Sci-Fi series contain sexually oriented material "Lexx’ goes boldly into the realm of many forms of fattish behavior and predilections. This is very much an example of niche science fiction and is not for all devotees of the genre. However, however, if you prefer your humor dark and your contextual subtext warped and twisted this series should fit the bill very well. Although the series was short lived, just four short seasons encompassing a mere 61 episodes, the series has attracted a considerable fan base on both sides of the Atlantic. Because on the explicit nature of the material and the inherently more restrictive nature of television here in the States, many views here have never seen the full, unexpurgated episodes. You can get the entire series through Amazon but make sure you get the Canadian releases. If you are going to get something some find offensive you might as well be fully offended. Not only is there is more than a modicum of sexual content there is a large dollop of violence, evisceration, torture and general bloodshed integrated into the storylines. In any case this is an exceptional series that every true science fiction fan should experience. If nothing else it will give you a new group of people to chat with at your next Sci-Fi conversion.

The series spans millennium like most shows depict a few weeks. The series opens thousands of years prior to the main time frame of the series. We see one of a group of humanoids, brightly dressed with his hair piled high in s bouffant high style standing in the clear bow of his fighter. The craft looks like a scorpion with its offensive weapon in its stinger. As they prepare to attack the dark craft in front of them the sing their racial fight song. The man id Kai (Michael McManus) and he is about to become the last of his race, the Brunnen-G. They have defeated a massive insect horde and are now trying to defeat the ruler of the universe, His Devine Shadow. Kai fails and is turned into an immortal assassin, dead yet undead. Skipping ahead 2,008 years where we get to meet the lamentable human, Stanley H. Tweedle (Brian Downey), a security guard forth class, on a prison transport. In quick succession introductions are made to the other characters that flesh out the cast. Zev Bellringer (Eva Habermann) who starts out as an overweight, unattractive woman found guilty of refusing her wifely duties. The punishment is transformation into a beautiful love slave. Unfortunately an accident during the transformation infuses her with the DNA of a deadly Cluster Lizard. That same accident imposed the love slaver programming into the robotic head 790 (voiced by Jeffrey Hirschfield), who becomes completely obsessed with Zev. Together they wind up stealing the ultimate weapon in the universe, ‘The Lexx’. It looks like a wingless dragon fly or perhaps in keeping with the more risqué elements of the series male genitals. Several other exceptionally odd characters come and go throughout the series frequently playing different incarnations of the same individual. It may sound confusing but in the context established through the unfolding of the main story arcs it is actually amazingly consistent.

One aspect of how this series is crafted that makes it so different from most Sci-Fi shows is the unique look and feel it has. Much of the technology including the Lexx is organic. The great craft was grown not built. It is semi sentient and requires food to continue; usually anything organic like chucks of planets containing life. There is a lack of sharp corners or edges giving way to organic curves. In keeping with the living technology is a recurring insect motif. The Lexx can spawn bug like copters for missions on planet or in space; something that creates an eerie feel that plays on the deep seated human aversion towards insects. The main villain represents a classic genre trope; the eternal evil. According to the established back story there are two coexisting universes; dark and light. The dark universe is chaotic while order is forcibly in the light by His Devine Shadow, the most recent in a long line to hold the title. This entity maintains complete control over life and death with a religious fervor that is brutally enforced minor infractions may cost you an organ or three but the more serious infractions will earn death in an arena torn to pieces by Cluster Lizards. The crews of the Lexx are escaped convicts and miscreants fleeing in the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. The Lexx can annihilate an entire planet with a single blast of its primary weapon. It makes the ‘Death Star’ look like a toy. The first season sets it all in motion and is certain to make an instant fan of most devotees of the genre.

"I am the most powerful weapon of destruction in the two universes. I was grown on The Cluster which
is ruled by His Shadow. The food was good there. My captain is Stanley Tweedle. I blow up planets for
him. Stanley used to be a security guard class 4 on The Cluster until he became a fugitive. He is my captain
now because he got my key from heretics who wanted to steal me, but he was the one who took me away.