# Firefly/Serenity Now! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 23, 2008, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307 "2008-05-23T00:27:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/81 "2008-05-27T23:18:40Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] I don’t like this fake swearing. If it’s an attempt at some future-speak, which I respect and is really hard to make authentic, he shouldn’t have. The show would have been much better off on HBO. I seem to be saying that a lot these days. [/QUOTE] It’s not fake swearing. It’s Chinese (Mandarin, I believe) swearing. Or at least, colorful language. If the actors could get their mouths around it (they can’t) it would be understandable to Chinese speakers today. The point of using it, in narrative terms, was that by the time of _Firefly_, China and the US had blended into a homogeneous culture, and everyone grew up using both English and Chinese. For fake swearing, see _Battlestar Galactica_, \*Farscape \*and, possibly, _Red Dwarf_. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/82 "2008-05-27T23:21:08Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] It’s not fake swearing. It’s Chinese (Mandarin, I believe) swearing. Or at least, colorful language. If the actors could get their mouths around it (they can’t) it would be understandable to Chinese speakers today. The point of using it, in narrative terms, was that by the time of _Firefly_, China and the US had blended into a homogeneous culture, and everyone grew up using both English and Chinese. For fake swearing, see _Battlestar Galactica_, \*Farscape \*and, possibly, _Red Dwarf_. [/QUOTE] It’d STILL have been better on HBO. Too many times someone stubs their toe and says “Aw darn!” instead of “Motherfucker!” like they’d really say. That kind of stuff tends to pull me out of the moment sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/83 "2008-05-27T23:42:22Z")
The Chinese didn’t bother me a bit, but HBO would have been nice for…other reasons, articulated in previous posts (#31). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/84 "2008-05-27T23:52:32Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] The Chinese didn’t bother me a bit, but HBO would have been nice for…other reasons, articulated in previous posts (#31). 😃 [/QUOTE] One can only imagine what Inara’s sponge bath might have looked like on HBO! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/85 "2008-05-28T00:26:23Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] One can only imagine what Inara’s sponge bath might have looked like on HBO! 😃 [/QUOTE] It’s been a half an hour without a “I’ll be in my bunk” reference. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/86 "2008-05-28T01:02:03Z")
See? That’s what I’m talkin’ about! ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/87 "2008-05-28T03:04:45Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] Too many times someone stubs their toe and says “Aw darn!” instead of “Motherfucker!” like they’d really say. [/QUOTE] I’d say you were exaggerating if I hadn’t not 30 minutes ago dropped a big serving spoon on my toe and said, “Mother_fuck_!” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/88 "2008-05-28T03:06:26Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] See? That’s what I’m talkin’ about! [/QUOTE] Say what? They have no time to post? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/89 "2008-05-28T03:24:04Z")
I can always be found in my bunk when the discussion moves to the women of Serenity. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/90 "2008-05-28T04:04:40Z")
My husband and I like to sing along to the theme song too. Though we often say “you can’t take this guy from me.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/91 "2008-05-28T04:29:02Z")
[QUOTE=Ponderoid] Here’s something longer to sing along with: [Mal’s Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4gIcgXzsYk), extended filk version of the theme. [/QUOTE] Allegedly when Dockery heard the _Ballad of Serenity_, she said “This is a chorus in search of a song.” Then wrote one. > [@JSexton](#): > > You might want to consider waiting to watch the movie for another month. On June 20th and 21st, in several major cities, there will be a fundraiser screening of Serenity to raise cash for Equality Now, Joss’s favorite charity. Tons of Browncoats show up, doorprizes are given away, and you might even get a celebrity appearance. > > It started in Portland three years ago, but it’s everywhere now. If it’s at all close to you, you ought to go. It’s a blast. Here is the [CSTS](http://www.cantstoptheserenity.com/) website listing the cities (US, Canada, and Australia) and dates for the charity showings. Originally the CSTS showings were clustered around Joss’ birthday, but somehow three-quarters of the prints were destroyed. I’m betting that’s why they’re scattered across an entire month, now. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/92 "2008-05-28T15:24:12Z")
[QUOTE=KneadToKnow] …I’m now also a Kaylee guy. OMG, that girl is just ridiculously gorgeous. [/QUOTE] Yup. I had been re-watching some _Wonderfalls_ recently, in which Jewel Staite is a raging bitch\* (and not the likable kind) and found going back to sweet ol’ Kaylee very refreshing. \*-she also wears black leather pants. Just sayin’. Also, you theme song-haters, you might not want to go see a [_Firefly_ marathon in theaters](http://www.flickr.com/photos/troymccluresf/122813943/). We sing a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/93 "2008-05-28T15:36:45Z")
[QUOTE=Troy McClure SF] Yup. I had been re-watching some _Wonderfalls_ recently, in which Jewel Staite is a raging bitch\* (and not the likable kind) and found going back to sweet ol’ Kaylee very refreshing. \*-she also wears black leather pants. Just sayin’. Also, you theme song-haters, you might not want to go see a [_Firefly_ marathon in theaters](http://www.flickr.com/photos/troymccluresf/122813943/). We sing a lot. [/QUOTE] At this pace, I might not want to see a Firefly marathon _ever_. I’ll watch some more today, though. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/94 "2008-05-28T15:48:35Z")
There are people who don’t like the theme song? :eek: I mean, I thought it was very ehn to start, but once I got to know the characters it took on new meaning. I damn near cry when I hear it now. And that Mal’s Song filk is very nice indeed. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/95 "2008-05-28T15:55:08Z")
[QUOTE=Troy McClure SF] Yup. I had been re-watching some _Wonderfalls_ recently, in which Jewel Staite is a raging bitch\* (and not the likable kind) and found going back to sweet ol’ Kaylee very refreshing. [/QUOTE] I’m gonna check out the _X-Files_ episode she’s in, though, just to see her in a different character. ---
**Author:** ![Figaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ea666f/32.png) [@Figaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Figaro)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/96 "2008-05-28T17:45:08Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone] There are people who don’t like the theme song? :eek: I mean, I thought it was very ehn to start, but once I got to know the characters it took on new meaning. I damn near cry when I hear it now. [/QUOTE] I hate it. I hate it on a physical “if I don’t fast-forward past this or mute it before I hear any more I’m going to punch someone” level. Love the show, though, and the music used in the show, too, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/97 "2008-05-28T18:12:12Z")
[QUOTE=Troy McClure SF] \*-she also wears black leather pants. Just sayin’. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but I thought she looked a little too thin in Wonderfalls (and Serenity). She apparently complained about having to put on weight for Firefly and promptly took it off afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/98 "2008-05-28T18:24:46Z")
[QUOTE=Figaro] I hate it. I hate it on a physical “if I don’t fast-forward past this or mute it before I hear any more I’m going to punch someone” level. Love the show, though, and the music used in the show, too, for that matter. [/QUOTE] Amen. I fast forward through the entire theme song. So I watched the episode about some train robbery today. Not so bad. I dn’t know what the captain’s character is at this point. Really, I feel like I don’t know Zoe either. On one side, they’re pretty badass and relatively ruthless (at least in their efficiency). On the other side, they get gushy with sentimentalism with regards to chasing the almoghty dollar. The plot and a couple of other little things were cute, though. I’ll watch some more relatively soon (I really need to return this boxed set soon). ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/99 "2008-05-28T18:30:27Z")
It is difficult to ‘get’ Mal from Serenity (the pilot) and The Train Job, for the simple reason that Whedon was asked to make Mal more wisecracking after Serenity. There’s a notable personality shift between the pilot and the rest of the series. In the movie, which Whedon had more control over, Mal went back to the grimmer personality he had in the pilot. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307/100 "2008-05-28T18:54:11Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone] It is difficult to ‘get’ Mal from Serenity (the pilot) and The Train Job, for the simple reason that Whedon was asked to make Mal more wisecracking after Serenity. There’s a notable personality shift between the pilot and the rest of the series. In the movie, which Whedon had more control over, Mal went back to the grimmer personality he had in the pilot. [/QUOTE] I was told this before as well. I figured I hadn’t seen enough to notice the shift or to have a complete picture (which is true), but it appears that I do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-now/450307.md?page=6)