# So I finally watched Firefly/Serenity **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2006, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678 "2006-09-22T05:55:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/1 "2006-09-22T05:55:50Z")
I’ve never given this show much thought, pretty much expecting it to be more or less another Stargate SG1 type show. After seeing Serenity on HBO, I DVRed a eleven episode marathon on SciFi and have gotten to about episode 4 or so. So I have to say I’m fairly impressed. The characters are interesting as is the terraformed single non-Earth solarsystem universe. Favorite moment so far: In the train robbery episode, Mal gives back the money to a hired goon and tells him they will stay out of each other’s way. The goon says he will hunt them wherever they go and a disappointed Mal kicks him into the engine. He then repeats the offer to the next hired good who “speaks for everyone when he says they are totally on board with that plan” The show does remind me of a live-action version of elements of the animes Outlaw Star, Trigun and Cowboy Bebop: -Mishmash of Old Western, Asian, Bladerunner-esque cyberpunk and other cultures -Rag-tag group of misfits on a crappy old ship -Terraformed solar system -Crime syndicates, corrupt oppressive governments -Weird anachronisms and so on Also, the new Battlestar Galactica borrows heavily from Firefly’s style: -quiet outer space -lots of hand-cam and snap-zoom shots just my $0.02 ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/2 "2006-09-22T07:48:51Z")
The same f/x team did both shows, which accounts for the similarity in style. In fact, if you look closely in the Battlestar pilot, you can see Serenity in the fleet. (-: If you’re up to episoode 4, you’re just about to hit the real meat of the series. I’ll bet your opinion goes up even more by the time you hit, oh, episode 8 or 9. ---
**Author:** ![Lobelia\_Overhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/3 "2006-09-22T09:58:54Z")
congratulations on your discovery, you’ll be very very happy… ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/4 "2006-09-22T10:03:24Z")
Another browncoat! Whoo!! Everybody up to the edge of the volcano. We’ve got another initiate to ‘meet.’ 😃 (And don’t forget the rope.) ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/5 "2006-09-22T11:29:28Z")
[QUOTE=msmith537] -Rag-tag group of misfits on a crappy old ship -Terraformed solar system -Crime syndicates, corrupt oppressive governments -Weird anachronisms [/QUOTE] It’s _Blake’s Seven_ with a better budget, goddamn it! ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/6 "2006-09-22T12:01:37Z")
[QUOTE=Scissorjack] It’s _Blake’s Seven_ with a better budget, goddamn it! [/QUOTE] Actually the half dozen or so misfits living on a space junker has been a winning formula since Star Wars. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/7 "2006-09-22T12:27:46Z")
[QUOTE=msmith537] Actually the half dozen or so misfits living on a space junker has been a winning formula since Star Wars. [/QUOTE] Hmpf. It’s been a winning formula since STAGECOACH in 1939. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/8 "2006-09-22T13:03:40Z")
[QUOTE=C K Dexter Haven] Hmpf. It’s been a winning formula since STAGECOACH in 1939. [/QUOTE] Except if FOX are involved in any way of course. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/9 "2006-09-22T13:05:07Z")
[QUOTE=C K Dexter Haven] Hmpf. It’s been a winning formula since STAGECOACH in 1939. [/QUOTE] Double hmpf. 😉 It’s been a winning formula at least since [Captain Blood](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0026174/) in 193_5_. Firefly owes as much to pirate movies as to westerns. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/10 "2006-09-22T16:10:37Z")
I also DVRed the Sci Fi channel marathon. I wish I had been on board when this was in first run, but I’m having a blast with it so far. And I’ve only watched two episodes. To me, it’s like a TV series based on the the Biran Daley Han Solo adventures from the 80’s. Looks like the DVD set is going to be on my Christmas list. ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/11 "2006-09-22T16:49:08Z")
It’s probably better that you weren’t on board during the original run. Imagine watching the train episode first. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/12 "2006-09-22T18:10:34Z")
[QUOTE=msmith537] Actually the half dozen or so misfits living on a space junker has been a winning formula since Star Wars. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=C K Dexter Haven] Hmpf. It’s been a winning formula since STAGECOACH in 1939. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=spoke-] Double hmpf. 😉 It’s been a winning formula at least since [Captain Blood](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0026174/) in 193_5_. Firefly owes as much to pirate movies as to westerns. [/QUOTE] Don’t you people _read?_ It’s been a winning formula since Jason, Herakules, Atalanta, Orpheus, Castor, Pollux and Argus sailed the Argo 2,400 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/13 "2006-09-22T19:07:36Z")
I so, so love this show. Glad you’re digging it as well! ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/14 "2006-09-22T19:11:22Z")
[QUOTE=Askia] Don’t you people _read?_ It’s been a winning formula since Jason, Herakules, Atalanta, Orpheus, Castor, Pollux and Argus sailed the Argo 2,400 years ago. [/QUOTE] I tried, but it was all Greek to me. ---
**Author:** ![Scupper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scupper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scupper)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/15 "2006-09-22T19:16:45Z")
[QUOTE=Askia] Don’t you people _read?_ It’s been a winning formula since Jason, Herakules, Atalanta, Orpheus, Castor, Pollux and Argus sailed the Argo 2,400 years ago. [/QUOTE] _Puh-leeze!_ The “ragtag group” formula was well-established (some might even say “tired”) by 25,000 - 15,000 BC, with the Lascaux cave paintings, featuring the exploits of Handprint, Man With Spear, and Fornicating Bull. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/16 "2006-09-22T19:17:30Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] I tried, but it was all Greek to me. [/QUOTE] :smack: I can’t believe I even set you up for such an easy one, **Q.E.D.** ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/17 "2006-09-22T19:25:23Z")
[QUOTE=Scupper] _Puh-leeze!_ The “ragtag group” formula was well-established (some might even say “tired”) by 25,000 - 15,000 BC, with the Lascaux cave paintings, featuring the exploits of Handprint, Man With Spear, and Fornicating Bull. [/QUOTE] It’s the “ragtag group travelling in a vehicle through uncharted land” motif. It’s unclear to me where the Lascrauxians were travelling, and in what conveyance. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/18 "2006-09-22T19:26:05Z")
Great series ! Fot those of you who are new to Firefly, the episodes go on up untill the last episode, no 14. Then the series was abruptly cancelled. Joss Whedon, the maker of Firefly, later made a movie, called Serenity, intended for the big screen, that starts where episode 14 ended and then brings the whole story with the same characters to a grande finale. So the correct order of watching is: 14 episodes of Firefly, then the movie Serenity. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/19 "2006-09-22T19:26:37Z")
[QUOTE=Scupper] _Puh-leeze!_ The “ragtag group” formula was well-established (some might even say “tired”) by 25,000 - 15,000 BC, with the Lascaux cave paintings, featuring the exploits of Handprint, Man With Spear, and Fornicating Bull. [/QUOTE] Give me a rather large sized break - Paramecium were doing this ragtag misfits gig long before cave painting was even a glimmer in some protohuman’s miniscule brain! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678/20 "2006-09-22T19:29:35Z")
You’re in for quite a ride into the black. 🙂 _Serenity_ will both blow your mind at the places the show was prepared to go, and depress you because it’ll never get the chance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-finally-watched-firefly-serenity/373678.md?page=2)