Firefly - I just don't get it

[reveal]

I've watched the two episodes of Firefly that have been aired so far on Sci-Fi because most people on here, and other internet sites, say it's the best thing since canned bread.

But so far, I just don't get the fascination. Yes, it has some great moments like

Spoiler

in the second episode when the lawman is holding a gun to the cryo-frozen girl's head and threatens to shoot her and the captain walks in and shoots him without missing a beat.

That made me laugh out loud.

Otherwise, though, it's just kind of "meh." I'm going to watch the rest of them, hoping I'll get drawn in more but, so far, it just doesn't do anything for me. Am I missing something? Am I not watching it the "right way?" :\

 

[trancejeremy]

There are just a lot of Joss Whedon fans on the internet. IMHO.

(Better run away before I get burned at the stake... <g>)

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

There are just a lot of Joss Whedon fans on the internet. IMHO.

(Better run away before I get burned at the stake... <g>)

You're right.

I'm not a Joss Whedon fan, but I really do love Firefly. I'm not sure I can pinpoint just why I like it...definitely the characters, but the whole Western style is great, too. I'd say stick with it and let the characters grow on you.

 

[Wombat]

Actually, you are far from alone.

There are many of us who watched the show and, in the immortal words from Buckaroo Banzai said, "So what? Big deal."

For the most part, I felt like I was watching a show based on a bad Traveller adventure. My sister, who otherwise worships Joss' work, can't stand this show -- and she loves sci fi!

But for all that and all that, there is a very vocal group of people who love the show. I don't begrudge them this love at all; heck, I loved The Tick, both animated and live, and they were both cancelled, so I know the pain of losing a show you like just when it seems to be getting good. What does annoy me, however, is people telling me that I must like the show, which has happened far too often for my taste in regards to Firefly -- but this only happens on the internet, never in "real life", where I have yet to meet a big fan.

So to those of you who love the show, good for you! Enjoy it many times and to your heart's content. (Please note: this is a 100% sarcasm free statement)

For those of you who do not like the show, don't feel pressured into watching something you do not enjoy.

It cuts both ways.

 

[stevelabny]

the first two episodes on sci-fi are the pilot.

so you've watched one episode.

and by your admission it has good parts.

has there ever been a show to completely make you crazy lusting for more after ONE episode?

i think the pilot is great, and the next few episodes are ok. and then theres some really fund ones. and then theres some really great ones.

but any show like this is going to depend on how attached to the characters you are, and one episode is never enough time to get attached.

this just sounds like a case of unreasonable expectations.

 

[MacMathan]

While I love the show, it is not for everyone. It really is more of a western aventure than a sci-fi show in the traditional sense and that turns some people off. Also some people do not like Joss' style of dialogue and charaterization, it kind of has a campy-ness all of its own. I was never a big Angel fan and only watched Buffy intermitently.

As far as pushing shows, I feel the same way about a lot of people telling me to watch the new Battlestar Galactica, I have tried a few times and it just pains me.

To each his own, I just hope that they do keep trying to put out shows like these, even if they don't work for everyone one, cause they are a heck of lot better than the reality crap flooding my TV IMHO.

 

[zepherus]

Like the famous quote..."You can't please all of the people all of the time".

I happen to like the show, because for me it gives a somewhat more realistic view of what life could be like in the future. Once humans start exploring space ( and not the tentative probing we have accomplished so far ), you wouldn't have laser guns, ion cannons, and starships. You would have simple craft that get the job done. I can picture off world developments being like old west towns. Simply built, yet simply functional.

And the fact that there is silence in space is really driven home. Finally, someone understood the idea that there is no noise in space ( no air for the air waves to travel through ).

So, yes, it is a show that is not for everyone. In fact, I would guess that most of my friends would not find it as interesting as I do. But for me, I do like it, because it combines my two favorite movie genres...westerns and sci-fi.

Zeph

 

[MaxKaladin]

But so far, I just don't get the fascination.

Same here. I've watched the first two episodes and I watched a couple of episodes when it aired originally. It isn't bad, but I don't think it's as wonderful as some people have been saying either. Basically, it hasn't lived up to the hype so far. It's been fairly entertaining so far, so I'll keep watching and we'll see what happens.

I'll admit that it is better in order, so far. It makes a lot more sense starting with this episode than the first one I saw when it originally premiered.

What does annoy me, however, is people telling me that I must like the show

Yep, I've had that problem with a number of shows I just didn't care for.

 

[reveal]

the first two episodes on sci-fi are the pilot.

so you've watched one episode.

and by your admission it has good parts.

has there ever been a show to completely make you crazy lusting for more after ONE episode?

i think the pilot is great, and the next few episodes are ok. and then theres some really fund ones. and then theres some really great ones.

but any show like this is going to depend on how attached to the characters you are, and one episode is never enough time to get attached.

this just sounds like a case of unreasonable expectations.

Not unreasonable expectations. But expectations nonetheless that I would like it more. I love a lot of sci-fi shows and hoped this would be a show I would add to that list since I've seen so many things saying how great the show is.

There have been many shows that I didn't fall in love with after watching the pilot. But all the shows I really like/liked had me at least saying "this is interesting and I like it so far" at the beginning. Firefly hasn't done that for me.

 

[BryonD]

For the most part, I felt like I was watching a show based on a bad Traveller adventure. My sister, who otherwise worships Joss' work, can't stand this show -- and she loves sci fi!

I'm a big Buffy/Angel fan.
I prefer sci-fi to fantasy.
The over-the-top anything goes silly fantasy elements were the biggest obstacle to me liking Buffy-verse. But that was overcome in spades.

So here we have Joss doing gritty sci-fi, should be heaven on a DVD.
I'm through Shindig and so far its just..... ok.

Not bad. I'll watch the rest. And there are some classic Joss moments. But the overall character interactions and story development seem really shallow so far.