Firefly

[SkidAce]

P.S. I like both shows.

 

[Crothian]

As a longtime supporter of your posts and a fan boy of your wisdom....I must regret informing you that after...well I cant even repeat the blasphemy you spoke...you henceforth are banished from my reality...you no longer exist to me.

One day I might watch it. But Richard Hatch killed my desire about anything BSG long before this series got green lighted. And then when the show finally ended so many people were posting random spoilers without spoiler tags that many secrets of the show have been ruined for me.

 

[El Mahdi]

deleted

 

[Wayside]

One day I might watch it.

Don't bother. It was a great miniseries with two or so amazing seasons, followed by a two-season nosedive into a finale so bad I wish I'd never watched a single episode.

 

[RangerWickett]

But if you ever run a sci-fi action game, get the soundtrack.

 

[Fast Learner]

Don't bother. It was a great miniseries with two or so amazing seasons, followed by a two-season nosedive into a finale so bad I wish I'd never watched a single episode.

Probably needless to say, but there are many of us who strongly disagree, for the sake of Croth's consideration.

 

[MortalPlague]

Probably needless to say, but there are many of us who strongly disagree, for the sake of Croth's consideration.

Agreed. I loved the whole Battlestar run. I also greatly enjoyed both Firefly and Serenity. Both shows are favorites for me.

 

[Felon]

The reason FOX hated Firefly, in Whedon's own words, was that it was a show about a bunch of nobodies living on the fringe and hiding from authorities. Fox executives like shows that cater to fantasies about being a major player--a part of the "it" crowd. That can range anywhere from a bunch of spoiled-brat rich teenagers to a tireless government agent who's an unstoppable kicker of terrorist butt. This is why Whedon thinks Dollhouse will have a better shot.

As to why shows like BSG, Andromeda, and Stargate keep going forever while shows like Firefly and Farscape fail, it seems like it's largely a result of conditioning. Sci-fi fans want their science-fiction nice and regimented, with established chains of command and unflappable leaders making inspiring speeches where they draw the line against the bad guys. Having a bunch of misfits constantly bickering and infighting and downbeat situations is apparently a turn-off.

As to why the movie failed, it's mostly the title. In order to profitable, the movie needed to attract more moviegoers than just the fans of the TV show. Considering that, calling the movie "Serenity" was a flat-out stupid move. Imagine all the folks going to the theater, scanning the marquee, and seeing a movie called Serenity. The irony is kind of lost.

 

[roguerouge]

Actually, it opened #2 at the box office. It virtually made its money back in its initial release: 40 million budget, 38 million world-wide returns. (source: imdb) So, with DVD sales and rentals, hardly an economic failure. Indeed, it spent two weeks in the top 10 of DVD sales according to Billboard, grossing about 9 million. So, while that's not going to set the world on fire, it did turn a modest profit.

 

[LightPhoenix]

By comparison, I found her character fascinating - I liked the change of pace inherent in having a happily married couple, and I liked the clear thread of loyalty between her and the captain based upon their shared military history in the browncoats. Also nice to see the strong, competent female military character.

The interplay between Zoe, Mal, and Wash was essentially a not-love triangle. Or, if you will, an "adult" love triangle. There wasn't tension because of your typical sitcom "romance." Zoe had truly conflicting loyalties to her husband and to her captain. Heck, there's a whole episode devoted specifically to that topic, and how it gets reconciled (also a point of brilliance, IMO).

Additionally, Zoe's relationship with Mal is multi-layered; on the one hand, he's the captain, but he's also a friend and her ex-commanding officer.

I think what the barrier to her character was that she was stoic. I don't think we ever learn anything about Zoe by her directly coming out and saying it.