Tip-toeing Trepidaciously into the Whedonverse (starting with Firefly)

Cafe Society
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So, I’ve yet to really explore Joss Whedon’s work.
I liked the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer when it first came out. Not one of my all time favorites, but I found it quite enjoyable and Paul Reubens had one of the best death scenes in all of film history. When I heard about the T.V. show, my first thought was “Wait, they’re taking that premise seriously? They clearly don’t get it.” Then I was informed that “They” were actually the writer, that he felt it was the filmmakers who didn’t get it and that the T.V. show better represented his vision. So, I tempered my reaction a bit, I wasn’t about to suggest that the creator didn’t get his own work, but I decided that the series probably wasn’t for me since I liked the “wrong” interpretation.

I liked Alien: Resurrection and the first X-Men movie, but I knew that he kinda disavowed those films so, again, I figured he and I were just not on the same page.

I loved The Avengers but that’s not what finally got me interested in Whedon. I recognized that he was definitely a creatively involved reason why that movie was so great, and I know it was no easy feat to pull off, but I was already such a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that I was inclined to like The Avengers anyway. Still, I definitely appreciated that he went far beyond the most basic responsibility to “not screw it up”.

But what really got me interested was the combination of my appreciation for his work on The Avengers added to my LOVE for Cabin in the Woods.

I loved loved loved loved loved that movie. I went in to see Cabin in the Woods as just a “I need to get out of the house, what movies are playing and what has a convenient start time?” kind of a thing. I went in to the screening with no special enthusiasm, knowing very little about it. I left the screening thinking “Wow! That is instantly one of my favorite movies ever!”
So, that’s two years ago. Two years of thinking “Yeah, I’d like to get to know some more Whedon”. I have been watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and I like it but don’t love it. I’m definitely invested in it as a Marvel fan. There’s nothing about the show that would ever have made me say “Hey, what other shows has this producer created? I want to see more of his work!”

But just recently, I saw a really cheap price on a Firefly Bluray set (yes, when I evaluated the price as “really cheap” I was fully aware of how short the series run was). Since it was so cheap, I decided I’d buy it and begin expanding my familiarity with Whedon’s work.

I can’t imagine getting into Buffy- just because I’ve got seven seasons that I’d have to invest myself in. And, of course, if I don’t do Buffy I suppose there’s no point in doing Angel.

If I really like Firefly I suppose I’d check out Dollhouse next (obviously, if I like Firefly I’ll just consider Serenity a required companion piece).
I’m going to put in disc one of Fiefly now. Here we go!

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While I won’t say that it’s a good thing that there’s so little of Firefly, it does certainly simplify things. In about 14 hours, you can see everything that exists of it, as much as the most die-hard of fans.

And this is probably the order they’re in on the discs anyway, but make sure to see them in proper order, starting with the double-length episode titled “Serenity” (which, yes, was the same as the name of the movie).

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I wasn’t impressed by Dollhouse, but Buffy changed my life. If you like Firefly, just bite the bullet and watch Buffy.

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If that seems too much, then sample the top episodes from this list and see if it’s interesting to you.

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I envy anyone watching Firefly for the first time.

However, just speaking for myself, I could never get into Buffy. I’ll admit that maybe I didn’t give it enough of a chance, just 3-4 episodes, but it didn’t grab me.

I just finished watching all of The Wire and I’m looking for my next project, so maybe I’ll give Buffy another chance. Maybe.

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Firefly and Buffy are excellent.

The Dollhouse is alright. The premise was interesting and some of the characters were fun, but the lead actress wasn’t really up to what was a pretty demanding role, and they burned through a lot of plot in the first season, which didn’t really leave them anyplace to go for the second. Still, I’d recommend giving it a try.

Angel and Agents of SHIELD were both terrible, IMHO.

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Angel was better than Buffy, IMO.

Except for Season 4. That one sucked.

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Dollhouse starts out slow - but it ends fantastically.

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I could not get past the first 2 or 3 episodes of Buffy but I really enjoyed Dollhouse. I especially enjoyed Enver Gjokaj. I think he was probably the best actor on the show. His performance in S02E06 (The Left Hand) was fantastic!

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Never got into *Buffy *or *Angel *-- I just don’t care for vampires and the supernatural all that much – but I do enjoy *Firefly * a lot (there are still a couple of episodes I haven’t seen, though I have the DVDs). And I thought *Dollhouse *was fantastic. It’s not a series that can be pigeonholed. It’s not obvious what’s really going on, or who are the good guys and who are the bad guys (and that can switch from one episode to the next). I would have liked to see it go on a bit longer, but when the cancellation was announced, Whedon brought it all to a terrific conclusion – unlike some more popular shows that I could name.

Oh, and if you really want to sample Whedon’s work, don’t skip Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.

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Yep. That’s the first episode on the first disc. In fact, it doesn’t even split it: the first episode selection is “Serenity (Parts 1 & 2)”, you don’t get an option to watch them separately. Just out of curiosity, why did you think it might not be in order? Was the broadcast order different from the production order? I can’t imagine starting the series without that episode- it introduces the characters and sets everything up!
So, that’s as far as I’ve got: both parts of the double first episode. I really like it!
Honestly, all I knew was that it was Whedon and it was Sci-Fi/Space Adventure. I love the whole “Western set in Space” kind of a feel that it has to it- I didn’t know to expect that. I think it works great.

Won’t be able to continue until later this evening (maybe) or this weekend, but I’m looking forward to binge-watching this. It definitely started off in a way that has me excited for more.

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yes, when the show was on tv the episodes were shown out of order. something that is a bit difficult for me to understand.

i hope you enjoy firefly.

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Moronic executive meddling is why they showed The Train Job first.

I too am jealous that bienville gets to watch Firefly for the first time.

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I signed up for netflix streaming a while back. They had a promotion for 1 free month. Thats an idea for you if you want o check out some of the other series, without having to buy the discs

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I remember watching something with one of Buffy’s writers, and they said something to the effect that the show doesn’t click with everyone, but when it does, it really clicks.

If you have Netflix and want test out Buffy, I suggest the season 3 episode The Zeppo. I got into Buffy by catching episodes on cable partway through the run, and that was the episode that convinced me that the show was something special. It’s a good stand-alone episode that should give you a good feel for the show’s sense of style and sense of humor. There are some spoilers about various characters/relationships, but nothing that detracted from my viewing of the series.

Alternatively, you could try School Hard in early season 2. IMO that’s around when the show hit its stride. I wouldn’t judge the show based on season 1.

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If you gave the show four episodes I’d say you gave it a fair shake. It’s okay not to like Buffy.

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No it isn’t. All must adore her. All Hail the Scoobies! All Hail Lord Whedon!

Deviation is Treason.

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Well, I’ve worked my way through the series- I really like it! I watched the whole series twice in the past two weeks.

Kaylee is my favorite.

First time watching through the series, Inara seemed frustratingly pointless but I came to appreciate her more the second time around. On the first time through, I was frustrated that they took so long explaining River, second time through it didn’t bother me since I wasn’t wondering with each new episode what new info they might reveal. Shepherd Book seemed like there was a long term arc planned that they never got the chance to explore, thus he ended up being underutilized (it wasn’t until watching it the second time that I realized he wasn’t even in the episode “Ariel”). Jayne is one of the best characters ever created as “The Heavy” for any fictional group.

I was surprised and excited to see Ben Edlund’s name as a writer and producer. I was a big fan of The Tick but I never followed up to see where Edlund’s career went afterward.

Also a surprise and delight to see Christina Hendricks show up twice looking hotter than anyone has ever looked in the history of television. (I have never seen the show Mad Man and have actually never seen her act at all before seeing these episodes- she was awesome, really created a great character.)
I’m going to watch Serenity (the movie) after work tonight.

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That should be interesting.

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Did you like Wash?

StG