Recently, Gav bought me Firefly on DVD. I'd heard so much about it, and I've been wanting to see it for ages, so I was very excited and already had a lot of expectations. I've heard it called 'the show Star Trek could have been.' Well, pfft. Pfft I say!
It only took me a few episodes to decide I didn't like it. It was absolutely nothing like Star Trek, and if River didn't stop being mystical all the time I was going to demand that she be thrown out an airlock. I was all ready to announce to the world that Firefly was overhyped, and not that great actually.
But... I began to like the characters, Kaylee in particular. And I began to understand that what Firefly actually is... is a Space Western. Not sci-fi. So, more Wars than Trek, more guns than phasers, more sex than diplomats. You get the idea. And after that realisation, I really warmed to it fast!
Of course, as we raced through the episodes towards the inevitable end, I remembered why Firefly has such geek cred in the first place. It's because it's obscure. Not massively, not any more, but it has the rare 'limited edition' feel of a truly wonderful programme that was foolishly cancelled just before it found its audience.
Joss Whedon, the creator (also the creator of Buffy which shuttup was totally awesome), wisely chose not to try and explain everything in the last two episodes. There were a lot of loose ends that he could have tried to tie up in a hurry, but he didn't, and the series is much better for it. It gives the impression that somewhere out there, they're still flying.
The interesting thing of the day, in keeping with the blueballed theme, is a fantasy webcomic that I absolutely adore but was abandoned before completion. I'm not sure entirely of the reasons, but I think the artist / author found out there are mean people online, and left the internets foh evah. (Actually, it seems that he's updating again now! Ace, where did I get to...)
(Regarding the title: I realise that, as analogies go, this is a fairly crude one, but nothing else quite sums up the sense of enjoyment culminating in eventual disappointment and frustration with quite the same bluntness.)
Bear
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Blueballed by Firefly
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oh and an added extra of Firefly... Summer Glau (she plays River) is really HOT!... anyway.. enough being a total guy....
ReplyDelete.. i've not seen the shows but i have seen the film. i SHOULD have the shows around here somewhere to watch. i really need to get up on that but i have a hell of a lot of stuff to watch at the moment.
Ah when i watched it on Dvd about 2 or 3 years back, I was reminded of you by Kaylee.
ReplyDeleteNeil
Aww, that's so cool, Neil! I love Kaylee, she is the sweetest person in the world. <3
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of series that have "the rare 'limited edition' feel of a truly wonderful programme that was foolishly cancelled just before it found its audience", have you ever seen Carnivale?
ReplyDeleteHoooo, no I haven't, what's it about? (I realise I could JFGI, but I want to hear your sales pitch!)
ReplyDeleteWell I've only seen the first two episodes, so I'm not sure yet, but it's about carnies who have actual powers (psychic abilities, healing powers, and so on). It's also got Clancy Brown (Kelvin from Lost) in it as a preacher who keeps having apocalyptic visions.
ReplyDeleteI've got it on my computer, and have been meaning to watch it. Remind me next time you're about and we'll have a gander.
And JFGI? Just Fucking Google It?
ReplyDeleteI suppose ironically, I could have Googled that, but I'll wait for your answer anyway. Google can save its pity for the weak.
JFGI indeed :) It's right up there with RTFM and L2P on the scale of 'Well Duh' good advice. And those you can JFG ;)
ReplyDeleteWell I JFW then!
ReplyDelete:P
Thank Glod, someone else who doesn't really like Firefly.
ReplyDeleteBoth the series and the movie were awesome. I didn't get into it right away. I didn't understand why the western theme in the middle of space... but then with the whole new frontier idea, I finally understood. I love your posts, they make me laugh. Your post about the haircut also caught my eye. One of the best things about haircuts is for a little bit, someone cares only about making you feel aMAzing :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a Firefly junkie, but only became addicted AFTER it went off the air. I actually watched the first couple of episodes on TV, and at first didn't "get it" and quit watching. Then I gave it another shot a couple of years after cancellation and was all, "Damn! Why'd they have cancel that! That was frickin' awesome!" The movie Serenity helps to tie up some of the loose ends left hanging from the series.
ReplyDeleteNFMgirl, same here. I tried to watch Serenity before seeing firefly and it totally bored me; but once I'd come to love it, I rewatched it and thought it was amazing!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I think I love you. I adore Firefly. My college aged daughter and her lovely boyfriend hooked me on it right before Serenity was released in theaters- I quickly watched all the episodes and then went and saw Serenity and cried a lot. You need to see it.
ReplyDeleteNice "meeting" you.
Don't let the militant feminists read this:
ReplyDeletehttp://users.livejournal.com/_allecto_/34718.html
My gosh, Richard, what utter hogwash and twaddle. If she's that desperate to find sexism and racism where none exists, she'll find it, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteFirefly is one of the most unappreciated shows that ever aired on TV. The movie is great too.
ReplyDeleteFIREFLY!!! SHINY!!!
ReplyDeleteI also discovered it on dvd... thanks to an decent price offer on Amazon and after a while of wondering what everyone was complaining about when it went off the air (never had a chance to see it, first met several of the actors through their guest stints on (best series of the 90s) Buffy -the Preacher!!!- and Angel -Jasmine!!!-)
And now I've lost track of the times I've seen it!!! And Serenity as well! (even with its bittersweet Joss Whedon ending... what does that man have against people being happy?!?!?!)
As for a wonderful musical moment, check out this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mher704il6I
Soooo right!!!
Cris, thanks for the link! Awesome video. Also, let's take a moment of silence to give thanks for the luscious eyecandy.
ReplyDeleteAhh, Joss. You know what we like.
Very very best Blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.informarmy.com
http://paolomarmiroli.blogspot.com
Firefly "the show Star Trek could have been?" Pfft. Firefly is the anti-Star Trek. People like it because it's far more honest than Star Trek ever was or could be.
ReplyDeleteTouching on what you said about web comics, in your recommendation, I'd like to suggest: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots. It started as a tease on Fantasy Roleplaying Games (loosely based on DnD), but now it has evolved into a great story--verging on high art.
ReplyDeleteCorrections on the oots link. That would be:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots.html
ifthisbeterror: I love OOTS! One day I'll have to shame myself by posting a list of all the comics I read.
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoyed Firefly, you would maybe be interested in "Wonderfalls." Sadly, it's another series that was tragically discontinued after only one season. But it's hilarious nonetheless. :) Another great-but-canceled-series is "Dead Like Me."
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog, and love it. :)
I found Firefly after watching the preview for Serenity. It looked like a great movie and I was just looking up more about it online and found Firefly. I love that show.
ReplyDeleteOh! Dead Like Me is a great show, too! The movie just came out on DVD (at least when the good ones get cancelled they get a movie) and hopefully I'll get to watch it this weekend.