# Firefly/Serenity Question. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 29, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994 "2009-09-29T16:16:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/1 "2009-09-29T16:16:42Z")
Can the movie plot be followed easily by someone who has never seen the series? ---
**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:** [September 29, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/2 "2009-09-29T16:18:25Z")
Yes. But you won’t have nearly the emotional involvement in the characters. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/3 "2009-09-29T16:33:05Z")
> [@MadTheSwine](#): > > Can the movie plot be followed easily by someone who has never seen the series? I had never seen the series and enjoyed the movie. I may even go rent the series one day. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/4 "2009-09-29T16:38:45Z")
I saw the movie first and loved it. I had no idea they had a T.V. show until a week later, when a friend told me about it. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/5 "2009-09-29T18:15:05Z")
Will you understand it? Yes. The movie was designed to be standalone and (re)introduce us to the characters of the universe in a logical manner. The very first glimpse of the in the ship is one continuous two minute shot inside that tracks through the whole ship and shows us each of the people on board. But like **KneadToKnow** said, the movie just won’t pack the same punch without the background to go with it. Personally, I thought the movie was just sort of average. The actual two hour pilot episode to the series was vastly superior and if someone likes Serenity, they’re going to LOVE Firefly. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/6 "2009-09-29T18:48:12Z")
I bought the movie for a friend of mine, not realizing that I was buying off an Amazon “suggested gifts” list rather than his actual wish list. He was kinda puzzled. But, he watched it, and enjoyed it enough that he then bought the series. So, it has at least happened once. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/7 "2009-09-29T19:05:27Z")
Yes, but why would you. The movie is worse than the worst of the episodes. (“War Stories”) ---
**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:** [September 29, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/8 "2009-09-29T19:28:55Z")
😕 “War Stories” is a **great** episode! ---
**Author:** ![strqwert44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@strqwert44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/strqwert44)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/9 "2009-09-29T19:45:42Z")
Yes, the movie can be watched without any prior knowledge of the series. however, I think that the movie would be more enjoyable if you watched at least a couple of episodes from the series first. [hulu.com](http://hulu.com) has the entire series for free. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/10 "2009-09-29T19:47:28Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > Yes, but why would you. The movie is worse than the worst of the episodes. (“War Stories”) I think you mean, Heart of Gold. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/11 "2009-09-29T19:48:10Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > Yes, but why would you. The movie is worse than the worst of the episodes. (“War Stories”) Because I know there is a following here at the SDMB and saw the movie for rent at the video store,almost rented it, but wanted to ask ya’lls opinion first. Thanks for the input. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/12 "2009-09-29T19:49:46Z")
I watched the movie first, in the theatre, and it was good, though there was a lot I didn’t get. Who was this crazy girl? What was the deal with her? Why was the relationhsip between Inara and Mal so strained? Then, much later, I watched the series and then the movie again. Ah! All became clear. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/13 "2009-09-29T19:50:44Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I think you mean, Heart of Gold. 🙂 No, I think he means “The Train Job.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/14 "2009-09-29T20:02:33Z")
> [@strqwert44](#): > > [hulu.com](http://hulu.com) has the entire series for free. Not any more. For some reason I’m not fully aware, licensing issues or something, Hulu now only has the first five episodes. Yes, I’m irritated. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/15 "2009-09-29T20:13:53Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > No, I think he means “The Train Job.” No, definitely “Heart of Gold.” “The Train Job” has the scene with the engine, so by definition, it cannot be the worst episode of the series. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/16 "2009-09-29T20:17:12Z")
I liked Train Job. I’d probably have to put my vote in for Heart of Gold as the worst, though I could be convinced to switch my vote to Jaynestown. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/17 "2009-09-29T20:34:08Z")
Any episode that has: \ ***Zoë:** No one’s gonna force you to go, Jayne. As has been stated, this job is strickly speculative. **Jayne:** Good. Don’t know these folks, don’t much care to. **Mal:** They’re whores. **Jayne:** I’m in. \* can’t be the worst anything. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/18 "2009-09-29T20:39:09Z")
Sez you! ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/19 "2009-09-29T20:39:49Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Any episode that has: > > \ ***Zoë:** No one’s gonna force you to go, Jayne. As has been stated, this job is strickly speculative. > **Jayne:** Good. Don’t know these folks, don’t much care to. > **Mal:** They’re whores. > **Jayne:** I’m in. \* > > can’t be the worst anything. Also… **Kayley:** Ooooh, boy whores! and then… **Kaylee:** Everyone’s got somebody. Wash, tell me I’m pretty. **Wash:** Were I unwed, I would take you in a manly fashion. **Kaylee:**'Cause I’m pretty? **Wash:**'Cause you’re pretty. Yup, “Heart of Gold” is a good episode. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994/20 "2009-09-29T20:41:13Z")
The scene with the engine? I don’t think I remember that particular scene. Personally, I’d say that the worst episode was “The Message”, though that still had some good bits before the A plot started up (the “alien”, “My food is problematic”, and the hat). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-serenity-question/511994.md?page=2)