Firefly Discussion (Merged)

[Femerus the Gnecro]

I really enjoyed it as an episode, but as a pilot I think it was lacklustre.

I nearly died laughing with the turbine bit though... that was classic.

Overall, I think it has the potential to be a very good show, but they need to do some explaining pretty quick about the origins of some of the characters.

-F

 

[Umbran]

Patience.

They need to do some explaining pretty quick? Why? What's the bloody rush?

The show's only had one episode. If we count the comercials that soemthig like 40 to 45 minutes of program. Of course the characters seem cardboard cutout. How real can they make 'em when on average each one has had, what, 5 minutes of screen time? Really - how many actual people get across much personality within 5 minutes of meeting them?

 

[Ashtal]

Loved the turbine!

I gasped when he did it, then laughed hysterically when he brought up #2 Bad Guy Messenger and repeated what he said. That is destined to become a classic.

I find all the characters intriguing so far - very mysterious, with their little wants and needs interacting. Intriguing.

Also, this pilot was modified to suit the suits . . . I wonder if we will ever see the original.

 

[Tsyr]

For the record, John Doe rocked too!

Wasn't sure I was going to like that show, but so far, very impressed.

 

[John Crichton]

I thought it was a very effective and entertaining pilot. We got to know all the characters and their basic roles. The acting was good, the dialogue well written and delivered and the action (for a TV show) was decently paced.

I loved the visual feel. The show looks distinctly different from just about any other scifi show out there right now. The FX were seemless which certainly helped. I like the direction they are going in. The only other show that looks as original in the same genre is Farscape, IMO. I'm certainly looking forward to what else the Firefly team can pull off.

My main problem with the show was actually with the costumes. The crew members all looked cool and distinct. The same cannot be said for the Alliance officers (they all look like morose train conductors! LOL). And the Alliance "Feds" were straight outta Starship Troopers (a bad movie, IMHO). This is an area that needs a little work because if the "bad guys" look silly than the show loses alot.

I, too, want to see the original pilot (I'm sure it's on the net somewhere). 2 hours is always better than just the one.

For a one hour pilot, I was VERY entertained. The only better one in recent memory was the Alias premiere. For an arbitrary number score, I'll give it a 8.5 out of 10 for pure entertainment value (dilogue and feel) and the most important thing: I'll be back next week for the next episode.

P.S. We need Farscape to stay on the air so fridays can be filled year-round with scifi goodness.

 

[Tsyr]

And the Alliance "Feds" were straight outta Starship Troopers (a bad movie, IMHO).

Ok, here's my little mini-rant on the Starship Troopers movie.

When I first saw it, I nearly stormed out of the theater in revultion. How dare they call that action-packed tripe Starship Troopers. It wasn't 1/100th the story the book was.

And I still agree with that, to an extent, BUT...

Someone got me the DVD of it for my birthday not long after the movie was released... I watched it again... and something hit me.

Don't take it for Starship Troopers, the book.

Yes, I wish they had called it something else, to not degrade the name of Starship Troopers... But if you take it just as what it IS... a slightly campy over-the-top gore and special effects action movie, it's actualy pretty good, with a semblance of a plot thrown in too. As an f/x and gore showcase movie, it's certainly above, IMO, more modern contenders such as Pitch Black, etc. And it has JUST enough of the cool elements from the book to make it fun... The portable nukes (even if they were a bit different in the book), the lashing scene, etc. I just wish they had kept the power-armour and the original deployment method

 

[WizarDru]

I would easily give the show an arbitrary 8 out of 10. The pilot was solid...it introduced the characters without a deluge of exposition, put forth a lot of concepts, and delivered a solid, entertaining space opera. Lots of character hooks and hints dropped, and plenty of potential for the characters to grow. Nice to see Ron Glass' Sheperd character, for example...I suspect the priest has quite a checkered past, as we'll discover.

Did we actually establish that Irana was a prostitute? I know she's referred to as a 'Companion', and that apparently it's a position...but did they establish what she does? I didn't quite catch all of the captain and her dialogue early on. She's obviously not poor, having her own shuttlecraft.

Only time will tell how good the execution is, but so far I think it's off to a solid start.


As for John Doe, I took a pass. I just saw the Bourne Identity. Seriously, I just don't see them being able to maintain such a concept for too long, and frankly the 'I know everything except who I AM! (startled Gasp!)' things has been done a few too many times for my taste. It might be a good show...but I just can't generate any enthusiasm for it. If I hear enough good things about it, maybe I'll check it out.

 

[Tsyr]

As for John Doe, I took a pass. I just saw the Bourne Identity. Seriously, I just don't see them being able to maintain such a concept for too long, and frankly the 'I know everything except who I AM! (startled Gasp!)' things has been done a few too many times for my taste. It might be a good show...but I just can't generate any enthusiasm for it. If I hear enough good things about it, maybe I'll check it out.

I'm sorta in the same mindset... I'm not sure how long that schtick can keep interest, sadly. Actualy, when the pilot ended, I thought to myself... "That was a good movie".

As for the companion thing... I think its a LITTLE more than just being a prostitute, but I gather that is part of the job. It seems to be a recognized and guilded proffesion, though, not just something for... well... yeah.

 

[Femerus the Gnecro]

Also, this pilot was modified to suit the suits . . . I wonder if we will ever see the original.

From what I've heard, the original pilot was in desperate, aching need of a rewrite anyways, and could only have improved from some judicious cutting.

I think we probably saw the better version last night.

-F

 

[Uruush]

(OT) Firefly

Who watched it last night? I thought it was pretty good. I hope it can last more than a season in that time slot. If anyone can pull it off, it'll be Whedon. Looks like he's put together a good ensemble cast, but time will tell if the characters develop into something truly interesting. I laughed my head off when Malcolm kicked that baddie into the engine intake - a nice character revealing moment...