Firefly - I just don't get it

[Darthjaye]

Agreed. It's not really a spectacular series. There was potential, but every time I tried to watch it, I lost interest after a while. For the most part though, I thouroughly enjoyed Nathan Fillion's acting (Mac). I like his delivery within the character's he plays. He played an excellent bad guy, you loved to hate, in the last season of Buffy VS. He has a pretty good ability to deliver a joke with semi-serious characters. That being said, after seeing the trailers for Serenity, I'm eager to see it and will endure the series as to acquire some backstory for the movie and more understanding of each character.

 

[RangerWickett]

http://www.scooterandferret.com/scooter_ferret_comic_strip_7_08_05.htm

 

[Darthjaye]

Good One! I'm a Whedon fan, but like I said this series seemed badly executed. I think the original idea probably sounded good on paper, but it obviously lost something in the translation to the small screen. Maybe it wasn't supernatural enough as was Whedon's previous success with tv.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I liked Firefly, and was disappointed that it was cancelled before it really had a chance to take off (didn't Fox know that putting a show in the Friday night time slot is the kiss of death?). I thought it had a cool setting (I loved the concept of a space western), likable characters (except for the prostitute, whose main role in the series seemed to be looking pretty and acting badly), and interesting plots.

I don't, however, think that it was the greatest show in the history of television and the Fox executives should burn in hell for cancelling it, nor am I a Joss Whedon fanboy who thinks that everything he touches turns to gold. Firefly was a good show, maybe even good enough to buy the DVDs, but I'll survive without it.

 

[takyris]

Unless you're on a quest for self-betterment through character building, there's no reason to watch a show that doesn't appeal to you. It's the show's job to get you interested -- few shows that are "acquired tastes" go on to do real well in the long run, and while this may not be fair or just or the way it ought to be, that's the way it is, and any realistic network exec knows it at this point. The only exception is when a big enough name is attached to the show to make you think "Okay, I'll give it a chance to grow on me."

Ergo, Firefly gets cancelled. Not necessarily Whedon's fault -- a lackluster ad campaign, schedule-bumps because of baseball, and so forth -- but at heart, it's a show that took a little getting used to, and Joss Whedon didn't have a big enough name to pull people in despite it being an acquired taste.

Don't get me wrong. I liked the show a lot. But that's how the business goes these days.

 

[Umbran]

You know, guys, you may think you're being funny with the "Joss Wheadon fan" harping, but what you're effectively doing is dismissing other people before you hear their opinions. Nice job, there. Good work with the open-mindedness and exchange of ideals.

 

[Renton]

I was a big fan of Buffy and Angel, so I was also excited about Firefly. I have to admit though, I was underwhelmed by the first few episodes. I kept watching, coz even with its faults it was still better than most of the shows on at the time.

It turned out to be some primo creeper of a show. Once the show started clicking - around the time of "Out of Gas", "Ariel", and "War Stories" - I was pretty well hooked. I just wish it would have had a bit more time to grow an audience.

I'm stoked about the movie, and will probably see it opening day. I'd love to see the film become a success and ressurect the tv show, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[RangerWickett]

I'm actually a rather huge Whedon fan, but I've always been fond of his style of dialogue.

 

[Lazybones]

I am a huge Firefly fan and think that the Fox executives should burn in hell for cancelling it. I'm "meh" on the other Whedon shows so I guess I can't be called a fanboy.

As for encouraging others to watch it, I've lent my DVDs to some folks but haven't gone further than that (except for participating in discussions here and elsewhere about the series, I guess). I could care less if anyone else watches it, except so far that if no one does, then it's not bloody likely we'll see more of it, or shows like it.

In that sense, I guess I'm an advocate. But I'm not going to tell anyone they HAVE to watch it; I'll suggest it to people who have never seen it, but if you watch a few eps and don't like it, fair enough.

 

[Aeson]

I encourage people to see the series and movie. I loved Firefly. I really liked the Buffy series but not so much the movie. Angel is one of my all time favorite programs. I also like the new Battlestar. My parents never got into any of these programs but they like fantasy and scifi.

Everyone is allowed their opinion. I ask you go into the show with an open mind. It sounds like some of you may have given into the pressure from fans. It could have clouded your judgment. I may be wrong and if I am, I am sorry.

Enjoy the rest. There is some good stuff coming. If the first episode does not hook you I doubt the rest will but it should still be a joy to watch.

Whedon is good but I don't think he is perfect.

A side note. He wrote Alien Resurection but claims the final product was not what he wrote. I think they must have made changes to his script. I'm curious to see his original.