Joss Whedon's Firefly: The Series That Could've Been..
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[I]I saw that there was a thread made on this series already but the OP was pretty shitty, so I thought I'd spice it up. Anyways, I just got done watching the series and the movie that followed it and I must say it's now one of my favorite Science Fiction series.[/I]
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[TD][B][Release]What Is This Series?[/Release][/B][/TD]
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Firefly was a single season series that ran briefly on Fox in 2002 and was canceled after 14 episodes. (3 which were never had the chance to be aired) This series is a Space-Western Science Fiction set in the year 2157 after Earth (called the "Earth That Was") became full to capacity and the human race moved to another solar system filled with dozens and planets and moons which were terraformed for decades to inhabit human life. The series follows the life of the crew on board the Firefly-Class Transporter ship named Serenity. Instead of focusing on the glamorous side of space exploration the show's creator Joss Whedon wanted to shift the attention to the lower classed survivalists on the fringes of this new system. In fact he used a good analogy that Serenity is the type of ship the Starship Enterprise would simply pass by without looking back. In this unique world after "The Earth That Was" overfilled the two remaining superpowers (China and the United States) allied and became a new totalitarian government called the Alliance. This created an interesting culture fusion and you'll often see a large Chinese influence, especially in the dialogue. The goal of the Alliance was to unify all of the planets and moons on the fringes of the system, but a rebellion shortly ensued, which lead to the war of Unification, in which the series' main characters Captain Malcom "Mal" Reynolds and Zoe Washburne fought in on the Rebellion's (Browncoats) side. The Alliance did defeat the rebellion but still was unable to gain total control over the fringes of the system, and we often hear of its effects in the series. [/QUOTE]
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[TD][B][Release]Why Was It Cancelled?[/Release][/B][/TD]
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I've seen this a lot and I've done some digging myself; it seems that Fox really fucked up with this series. Joss Whedon had a particular direction for this show and wanted to use the first season to ease the audience in this complicated futuristic Universe. Fox wanted things done differently and demanded more action and jokes. The original two hour pilot titled "Serenity" was previewed but quickly denied and Fox demanded a more cheerful and faster paced pilot. Joss Whedon and the writers quickly went to work and prepared the new pilot titled "Train Job" which did air as the show's pilot. (On the DVD & Bluray "Serenity" is the first episode) The next mistake Fox made was airing the episodes out of order which created inconsistencies in the series' plot and it lead to a quick ratings nosedive. Although the reception and reviews were extremely well, Fox being the money grubbing tits that they are quickly gave notice and cancelled the show as the season wrapped up. For the last 10 years Firefly has been acclaimed to be one of the best shows that shouldn't have been cancelled.[/QUOTE]
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[TD][B][Release]Serenity: The Movie[/Release][/B][/TD]
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Due to the amazing support from millions of fans Joss Whedon was able to create Serenity, a movie which would bring back everyone from Firefly for one last hurrah. The plot is based on an original idea Joss had already planned for season two of the series if it hadn't been cancelled. The plot ties in the reason why the Alliance wanted to recapture the character River Tam who was freed in the series by her brother Simon. It's definitely a movie you have to watch after you see the series! Anyways, Joss considered making sequels but had trouble ensuring that Ron Glass (Shepard Book) and Alan Tudyk (Hoban "Wash" Washburne) would come back; so he changed his original script and tied up plot points in the movie, including [sp]Killing off Wash and Shepard Book[/sp][/QUOTE]
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[TD][B][Release]The Crew Of Serenity[/Release][/B][/TD]
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[QUOTE]Nathan Fillion as Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds—the owner of Serenity and former Independent sergeant in the pivotal Battle of Serenity Valley. Very little is known about the enigmatic Captain; the little he reveals about his past life betrays nothing of his character (a mystery of its own). Malcolm reveals that he grew up on a ranch, and was raised by his mother and the ranch hands. The only other scenes of his past life that are shown are about the Unification War, in which he and Zoe fought for the Independent Army, the "Browncoats", as a platoon sergeant in the 57th Overlanders. He is an efficient leader and is skilled with guns as well as in hand-to-hand combat. Mal's character is full of contradictions. He is constantly fighting his demons, and his true self remains something of a mystery.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE]Gina Torres as Zoe Alleyne Washburne—second-in-command onboard Serenity, a loyal wartime friend of Captain Reynolds, and the wife of Wash. Described by her husband as a "warrior woman", she has great knowledge of combat. Her past is a mystery; the only thing known is that she was born and raised on a ship[14] and served under Mal during the war as a corporal. She demonstrates an almost unconditional loyalty to Mal, the only exception noted being her marriage to Wash, which the captain claims was against his orders. Her surname during the Unification War was Alleyne.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE]Alan Tudyk as Hoban "Wash" Washburne—Serenity's pilot and Zoe's husband. Wash expresses jealousy over his wife's "war buddy" relationship and unconditional support of their captain, most particularly in the episode "War Stories", in which he confronts Mal regarding their relationship. While more of Wash's past is disclosed than most other characters, his background is still sparse: he joined pilot training just to see the stars, which were invisible from the surface of his polluted homeworld, and he joined Serenity despite being highly sought after by other ships. He is very light-hearted and tends to make amusing comments, despite the severity of any situation.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE]Morena Baccarin as Inara Serra—a Companion, which is the 26th century equivalent of a courtesan or oiran, who rents one of the Serenity's two small shuttles. Like her Renaissance counterparts, Inara enjoys high social standing. Her presence confers a degree of legitimacy and social acceptance the crew of Serenity would not have without her on board. She and Mal have a strained relationship, with unspoken romantic tension playing a significant part in several episodes, as well as in the movie. Inara arguably represents Mal's heart, and Mal is a noticeably darker character when Inara is absent (as during the first half of "Serenity").[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE]Adam Baldwin as Jayne Cobb—hired muscle. He and Mal met on opposite sides of a rivalry; Mal, while held at gunpoint, offered Jayne his own bunk and a higher cut than his current employer, so he turned coat and shot his then-partners. In the original Pilot "Serenity" he intimates to Mal that he didn't betray him because "The money wasn't good enough," however previously he'd pointedly asked the Alliance agent whether he'd be required to turn on the captain to help him, and in "Ariel" defends his actions alerting the authorities regarding Simon and River by claiming he'd not intended to betray Mal. He is someone who can be depended on in a fight. He tends to act like a "lummox" who thinks he is the smartest person in space, but occasional hints of intelligence peek through this façade, giving the impression that he acts dumber than he is. As Whedon states several times, Jayne is the man who will ask the questions that no one else wants to. Even though he is a macho character, he has shown a particularly intense fear of Reavers, more so than the rest of the crew. Despite his amoral mercenary persona, he sends a significant portion of his income to his mother.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE]Jewel Staite as Kaywinnit Lee "Kaylee" Frye—the ship's mechanic. In the episode "Out of Gas", it is established that she has no formal training, but keeps Serenity running with an intuitive gift for the workings of mechanical equipment. Jewel Staite explains Kaylee's character as being wholesome, sweet, and "completely genuine in that sweetness", adding "She loves being on that ship. She loves all of those people. And she's the only one who loves all of them incredibly genuinely." She has a crush on Dr. Simon Tam. Kaylee is the heart of the ship: according to creator Joss Whedon, if Kaylee believes something, it is true.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE]Sean Maher as Dr. Simon Tam—a medical researcher and trauma surgeon of the first caliber (top 3% in his class at a top core-planet institution), who is on the run after breaking his sister River out of a government research facility. In the episode "Safe", it is revealed that he and River had a privileged upbringing with access to the best education. It is also revealed that Simon sacrificed a highly-successful future in medicine, over his stern father's severe objections, when he rescued River. His bumbling attempts at a romantic relationship with Kaylee are a recurring subplot throughout the series, and at every turn he seems to find a way to unwittingly foil his own attempts at romance. His life is defined by caring for his sister.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE]Summer Glau as River Tam—smuggled onto the ship by her brother. River was a child prodigy of unparalleled genius, but she was experimented upon at the hands of Alliance doctors, leaving her delusional, erratic, and at times violent. Her personal journey of self-discovery is a running theme throughout the series and the movie. River is constantly at war with her own demons. She sees and hears things that others do not, and experiences waking dreams of her memories of the Alliance "academy" experiments. Opinions of her vary among the crew: some value her, Jayne fears her, and the rest just want her to stay out of trouble. She is also telepathic, or, as Captain Malcolm Reynolds puts it in the episode "Objects in Space", a "reader".[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE]Ron Glass as Derrial Book—a Shepherd (equivalent to a pastor). Although presented as a devout Christian man, Book demonstrates a depth of knowledge about the activities of criminals (in "Our Mrs. Reynolds") and corrupt police (in "The Message"). He is also proficient in hand-to-hand combat and the use of firearms. When questioned on his non-Biblical intentions during the rescue in "War Stories", Book replies somewhat ironically that while the Bible is quite specific about killing, it's "somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps". In "Safe", he was shown to have sufficient status in the Alliance to receive medical treatment from the military with no questions asked. Book represents Mal's guide, conscience, and lost spirituality, while his hidden backstory was to have been gradually revealed, had the series continued.[/QUOTE]
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[TD][B][Release]Media & Such[/Release][/B][/TD]
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The Opening to the Show
[/B][video=youtube;LrAS20mNZUE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrAS20mNZUE[/video]
[B]You Can Even Watch Episodes On Youtube!
[/B][video=youtube;Ndlinv9GrJw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndlinv9GrJw[/video]
So that's Firefly, I'm sure a lot of you have seen the series and love it, and for those of you who haven't--Watch it! You just might love it!
One of the best shows I have ever seen, and definitely one of my favorites.
Browncoats for life.
Jayne was always one of my favorite characters, and I love Alex Baldwin in Chuck, too. He's almost the same character.
Whoops, apparently it's Adam Baldwin. I'm always getting it mixed up.
Both Wash and Jayne are my favorite characters. Wash most definitely because of his humor and Jayne because he's such a meathead.
Could've been the greatest show ever created.
Instead it was the greatest show ever cancelled.
I'll be in my bunk.
[QUOTE=I_Forgot;34313501]Jayne was always one of my favorite characters, and I love Alex Baldwin in Chuck, too. He's almost the same character.[/QUOTE]
He's [B]Adam[/B] Baldwin. He has no relation to [B]Alec[/B] Baldwin.
Anways, This is a great show. It's depressing to watch because the first season sets up a lot of things for a second season
[QUOTE=Dr.C;34314469]He's [B]Adam[/B] Baldwin. He has no relation to [B]Alec[/B] Baldwin.
Anways, This is a great show. It's depressing to watch because the first season sets up a lot of things for a second season[/QUOTE]
No relation to any of the Baldwins, with the exception that he just happens to have the same last name.
Season one gave us so many questions and unfortunantly we will never get the answers.
God damn it, Shepard Book, what was your secret?!
[QUOTE=The_Marine;34315249]God damn it, Shepard Book, what was your secret?![/QUOTE]
Read the graphic novels. I haven't read them yet but apparently he [sp]was a mole, and independence spy stealing secrets from the alliance. He eventually just wanted the war to be over with, and was eventually discharged. He became a wandering preacher after that moment.[/sp]
You can take my love you can take my land, and apparently ruin a great show.
the show that could have been? you mean, the show that WAS
[QUOTE=Rusty100;34317693]the show that could have been? you mean, the show that WAS[/QUOTE]
It's a sad thing that has to be "Was" I so wish Syfy picked it up and kept it going. This show didn't even really need any proof to what potential it could've been, because it was already amazing from the very first episode.
that's what i mean
man i fuckin love firefly
perfect blend of space western action and comedy
though the movie kind of disappointed me in that [sp]river's big secret was knowledge of the reavers' origins? lame[/sp]
another circle jerk Firefly thread
[QUOTE=Publius;34320708]another circle jerk Firefly thread[/QUOTE]
its a circle jerk but it's a deserving one
[QUOTE=Publius;34320708]another circle jerk Firefly thread[/QUOTE]
I think your using circle jerk wrong, buddy.
I fucking love firefly
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oh god lol book's hair
This is one of the best TV shows ever made in my opinion.
Serenity is a great movie too.
Mmm Firefly, best Whedon show.
[QUOTE=blooregardo;34322202][img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/Book1.png[/img]
oh god lol book's hair[/QUOTE]
Lol River's reaction to it.
[QUOTE=Publius;34320708]another circle jerk Firefly thread[/QUOTE]
People like things that are good??
unheard of
[QUOTE=Publius;34320708]another circle jerk Firefly thread[/QUOTE]
BUKKAKE ON YOU!!!
Man, looking back on firefly Nathan Fillion was so young when he did this.
It was an amazing show with a lot of potential. I love the characters, I love the universe, especially love the contrast between old broken down pirate ships and the few times we got to see the inside of capital ships. Sadly it needed a huge budget and fox wasn't that patient with it, besides that we were in an awkward time for sci fi where star trek was becoming exceedingly uncool but doctor who hadn't quite made a boom in the states yet.
At least they got to make 1 last movie rather than just fade into nothing forever.
[QUOTE=power-mad;34326140]It was an amazing show with a lot of potential. I love the characters, I love the universe, especially love the contrast between old broken down pirate ships and the few times we got to see the inside of capital ships. Sadly it needed a huge budget and fox wasn't that patient with it, besides that we were in an awkward time for sci fi where star trek was becoming exceedingly uncool but doctor who hadn't quite made a boom in the states yet.
At least they got to make 1 last movie rather than just fade into nothing forever.[/QUOTE]
That's true. It would have done so well if it were done here in the later parts of the decade. Especially with the development of Social Networking sites the show would've gained popularity much quicker than just by word of mouth. Oh, and if they did this on Syfy instead of Fox which is notorious for cancelling shows just for the hell of it. The Simpsons would've and should've been cancelled by now and I'm sure Fox really wants to, but the fans would go insane. Once that happens we can call it the Seth Macfarlane network.
[editline]21st January 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=GodKing;34323315]Mmm Firefly, best Whedon show.
Lol River's reaction to it.[/QUOTE]
Her reaction and Wash saying some cultures juggle geese are probably my favorite moments in the series.
[QUOTE=Itachi_Crow;34324825]People like things that are good??
unheard of[/QUOTE]
I like Firefly too but every month it seems another thread pops up...
[QUOTE=Publius;34326943]I like Firefly too but every month it seems another thread pops up...[/QUOTE]
Not really...I searched the forums and there were only 3 or so. The most recent being created this time last year that lasted until May or so.
Watched Serenity for the nth time last night, reminding me of why it's my favorite movie. Suffice it to say, I can no longer hear "I am a leaf on the wind" without feeling a little sad.
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