# Johnny Angel's Review of Firefly **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2002, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181 "2002-09-22T22:46:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/121 "2002-10-07T13:01:02Z")
Minor point: I do think he said “his gun”. Or maybe shooting from the space suit was so cool they had to do it. All in all- the strongest episode yet. I liked it alot. Another good John Doe as well. Of course that means we are doomed- Fox will cancel them both for sure now. :mad: ---
**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:** [October 7, 2002, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/122 "2002-10-07T13:09:03Z")
I watched the tape again. Jayne says “she needs oxygen around her to fire.” Damn. I’d rather they modulated the photons through the main dish. At least I can pretend that is accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/123 "2002-10-07T13:11:16Z")
Chalk me up for not liking the “oxygen” thing. I would rather have had them explain that the gun didn’t need oxygen, if they were worried that the viewers would think the opposite. “Will Vera fire in a vacuum?” “Sure! The powder contains all the oxygen it needs, it’ll work fine.” I still dig the show, big time! ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/124 "2002-10-07T13:15:29Z")
Damn, I made another wrong prediction. No babies at ALL in this episode. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite episode (the pilot gets my vote) but still pretty good. It gets a B+. I LOVE that they have no sound in the vacuum. As for whether or not they needed the spacesuit for the gun to fire, ehhh, I’m not too concerned about that. I tend to assume it’s just a different sort of gun that hasn’t beem invented yet, and needs 02 for as yet unknown reason. And I loved the “If somebody tries to kill you, you try to kill them right back!” speech. Here’s my beef: That they keep speaking in tongues. Very distracting. I didn’t notice that in previous episodes, but in this one, the characters would periodically break into some language I don’t know (an invented one, I assume). It confused me, because I thought I was losing my mind, and they were really speaking english. Still, an interesting idea, and only a minor complaint. Love, Kn\*ckers ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/125 "2002-10-07T14:50:29Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Kn_ckers \* > **Here’s my beef: That they keep speaking in tongues. Very distracting. I didn’t notice that in previous episodes, but in this one, the characters would periodically break into some language I don’t know (an invented one, I assume). It confused me, because I thought I was losing my mind, and they were really speaking english. Still, an interesting idea, and only a minor complaint.** The closed-captioning says, (speaking Chinese). I don’t, so I can’t say if it’s really Chinese, but I’m waiting for someone to explain why they keep lapsing into it. [nitpick] Even if Vera needs oxygen around her to fire, why was Animal Mother 😉 able to fire multiple times? He shoots once, disabling the “electro-web” and puncturing the oxygen envelope, then fires _three_ more shots? Maybe it doesn’t need that much oxygen? [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/126 "2002-10-07T15:22:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by av8rmike \* > \*\* > > The closed-captioning says, (speaking Chinese). I don’t, so I can’t say if it’s really Chinese, but I’m waiting for someone to explain why they keep lapsing into it. > > [nitpick] > Even if Vera needs oxygen around her to fire, why was Animal Mother 😉 able to fire multiple times? He shoots once, disabling the “electro-web” and puncturing the oxygen envelope, then fires _three_ more shots? Maybe it doesn’t need that much oxygen? > [/nitpick] \*\* In theory the suit could have continued to provide enough oxygen (or they could have modded it to do so). I still go with “it looked cool”. Also, as none of us have actually gone into space with our own sniper rifles to test the theory I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt (of this is much better use of science then sending Lance Bass into space on a joy ride, but I digress). Better then them modifying the deflector dish. . . Plus the image of the pirates venting out into to space made me chuckle. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/127 "2002-10-07T15:34:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by av8rmike \* > \*\* > The closed-captioning says, (speaking Chinese). I don’t, so I can’t say if it’s really Chinese, but I’m waiting for someone to explain why they keep lapsing into it. > \*\* Interesting. I wonder if it really was Chinese, or if CC just assumes any language it doesn’t know is Chinese? That would be odd… As for why they might have been speaking Chinese, I guess that might just be a clever little poke at English being the Universal Language… Yeah, they have to speak english most of the time, or the show would be mighty confusing for the majority of unilingual Americans - but maybe the idea is that at some point in the future, English will be only one of numerous dominant languages… ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/128 "2002-10-07T15:56:50Z")
Maybe the gun was air-cooled? And heats up really fast? Eh, minor detail anyway. I forgive 'em. This episode really made me strart to like Jayne. He’s such a big kid. How much he loved his favorite gun “Vera”; how pleased he was with the rain stick; “That’s why I never kiss 'em on the mouth.” Heh. Good character development overall in this one. I liked it. I hope this lasts. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2002, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/129 "2002-10-07T16:43:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elf6c \* > \*\* > > Also, as none of us have actually gone into space with our own sniper rifles to test the theory > 🙂 \*\* Fire one in the bathtub (no air, right?) and see if your hand gets blown off. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/130 "2002-10-07T17:17:53Z")
Does whole crew speak Chinese or just a few? It could be a way to make remarks about another character without the worry of being overheard. At least, that’s the way it seemed to me. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/131 "2002-10-07T17:20:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by carnivorousplant \* > \*\* > > Fire one in the bathtub (no air, right?) and see if your hand gets blown off. > > 🙂 \*\* Well, since _the incident_ I am no longer allowed by my wife to shoot off firearms in the bathroom. Still, I am writing my grant proposal to the DOD for a large Vacuum for firearms testing now. In a couple of years we should have our answer. Maybe those slackabouts in the International Space Station could open an airlock and pop a few caps for us. After all, the taxpayer is always right. . . . 😉 ---
**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:** [October 7, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/132 "2002-10-07T17:26:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elf6c \* > \*\*Well, since _the incident_ I am no longer allowed by my wife to shoot off firearms in the bathroom. > 😉 \*\* Well, dang, elf6c, I’m sorry. It was just a little SD discussion, I had no idea…I’m sorry. I hope that nothing…well, I’m sorry. Given the circumstances… I’m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/133 "2002-10-07T18:04:08Z")
I could explain away the inconsistencies, but that would make me feel dirty, like some kind of Star Trek fan. Surely we can all agree that the dialogue crackled. Chequez vous: “Well, Jayne, I’d say my days of not taking you very seriously are definitely coming to a middle.” “Oh, I’m goin’ to the Special Hell.” “You don’t have to take that. If somebody tries to kill you, you try to kill 'em right back.” ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/134 "2002-10-07T19:08:06Z")
Yeah, the dialogue rocked my world. And bonus points to you, \*\* Johnny \*\* , for successfully picking out my very favorite lines! ---
**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:** [October 7, 2002, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/135 "2002-10-07T20:09:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny Angel \* > \*\*I could explain away the inconsistencies, but that would make me feel dirty, like some kind of Star Trek fan. > \*\* Smile when you say that, Partner! ^:)^ ---
**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:** [October 7, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/136 "2002-10-07T20:29:29Z")
> [@](#): > > As for why they might have been speaking Chinese, I guess that might just be a clever little poke at English being the Universal Language… Yeah, they have to speak english most of the time, or the show would be mighty confusing for the majority of unilingual Americans - but maybe the idea is that at some point in the future, English will be only one of numerous dominant languages… There are already a billion plus native Chinese speakers. That’s pretty dominant right there. I’m guessing that, by the time humans started colonizing other worlds, the Chinese were major player in the space race and grabbed up a bunch of habitable worlds. I suspect every crewmember on the _Serenity_ speaks at least two or three languages. Being an interstellar trader/smuggler probably requires you to be multi-lingual. ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/137 "2002-10-09T12:41:49Z")
Excellent point, \*\* Miller \*\* . I think it’s an interesting contrast to other shows, in which even space aliens all speak English… Of course, there’a always an explanation for anglophonic aliens, but if I went into it, I’d be Dirty Star Trek Fan ™ . And nobody wants that. 🙂 Kn(maybe just a little dirty)ckers ---
**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:** [October 9, 2002, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/138 "2002-10-09T12:50:21Z")
So how do you communicate with the aliens? The guys fixin’ to blow your ass off tap themselves and say “Fred” point at you and say “Hosihi”, draw a triangle on Trip’s nice clean bulkhead and say “Hypotenuse”? –Two weeks later– “What did he say, Hoshi?” “His name is Pythagorous, Sir.” 🙂 Course, having all humans makes it easier as well as saving on the play dough you have to stick on folks noses. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/139 "2002-10-09T16:52:04Z")
Plenty of nerdy goodness to be had in this interview Joss Whedon gave to [Scifi.com](http://Scifi.com): > **[Scifi.com](https://www.syfy.com/scifi/scifimag/october2002/transcripts/index.html)** > > Visit Syfy.com ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2002, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181/140 "2002-10-16T16:20:03Z")
And now, for Kn\*ckers’s Latest Wacky Prediction: This week on Firefly - In honor of Coming Out Day, someone comes out of the closet! I know who, but I’m not telling. You’ll have to figure it out for yourselves - is Jayne’s hyper-masculine behavior overcompensation? Is Simon’s effeminite disposition a sign of something more? Has Zoe been pulling the wool over Wash’s eyes (we knew she was butch!)? Stay tuned to find out! Kn(Previous failures will never be enough to get me to give up!)ckers [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-angels-review-of-firefly/129181.md?page=6)