Things people say about Firefly..... by TheSomnambulist

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Things people say about Firefly.....

POSTED BY: THESOMNAMBULIST
UPDATED: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 06:56
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 6833
PAGE 1 of 1

Thursday, April 7, 2005 5:13 AM

Hello again.

It occured to me that I've now converted quite a few people to Firefly - ANGEL and BUFFY too, but those two aside.....

I realised that many strike up an initial resistance towards Firefly. So I was wondering what reasons you've all heard people utter to you as to why they didn't get into Firefly at first glance.

I've had quite a few friends state these reasons:

"Don't like the Spaceship"
"Don't like the lead character"
"It's not futuristic enough"
"Why is Space silent - don't like that"
"The Aliance don't seem 'Big' enough"
"What no lasers!?"
"They don't translate the Chinese"

My dad who I did manage to convert eventually, didn't get on with the way some of the narrative structure was edited (out of Gas, and Ariel) but that was just for those episodes - there after his complaints were minimal.... and by the end he wanted more!

Any others you've heard?

Cheers
The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com
For Pictures:
http://www.cirqus.com/lightfantastic.html

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 5:29 AM

EMBERS

I've been shocked that people who really loved Whedon's other shows couldn't get into 'Firefly'

these were their reasons:

1. missed the kung-fo fighting

2. missed the Vampires

3. missed SMG/Buffy*

* on this last I tried to point out there were several very cute girls on Firefly, but evidently he is a one woman man (LOL)

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 5:45 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
I've been shocked that people who really loved Whedon's other shows couldn't get into 'Firefly'

these were their reasons:

1. missed the kung-fo fighting

2. missed the Vampires

3. missed SMG/Buffy*

* on this last I tried to point out there were several very cute girls on Firefly, but evidently he is a one woman man (LOL)

He, he... actually all those are quite funny. I especially like the fact that seven seasons of Buffy isn't enough Vampires for a person.

....Did he see the episodes with Saffron? I only ask because although she's not as cute as the other female characters - she has that whole "bad" thang going on... and sometimes guys respond to that more than the cute thing.... sometimes....
er hummm.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com
For Pictures:
http://www.cirqus.com/lightfantastic.html

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 6:08 AM

ZEEK

The usual things I hear are:
Lots of laughing about the old west + space thing. They usually think it's just plain crazy for the two to be combined.
People just in general claiming SciFi is not their thing.

Those are the major hurdles I've encountered. It takes a lot of work to get people past those things too.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 6:32 AM

SERENMAL

Better late than never....Living in the back of beyond, and being restricted to terrestrial UK TV, I missed Firefly. I have just bought the series from Amazon, and have watched the whole lot in the past two days. I enjoy Sci Fi...hell I'm old enough to remember creeping downstairs and peeping round the door when Quatermass and the Pit was on, and hiding behind the sofa to escape from the Cybermen in Dr. Who. I have watched almost all of the sci-fi that TV has thrown at us over the years, some with good elements, many dire, but Firefly is grippingly different. I liked the gritty past/present realism - the lack of bumpy foreheaded aliens, kung fu and super-technology didn't detract at all. The main thing is that I actually CARED about every being on the ship. Joss barely had time to develop their characters before the plug was pulled! Roll on September.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 6:57 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by serenmal:
I have just bought the series from Amazon, and have watched the whole lot in the past two days. I enjoy Sci Fi

Wow!
Welcome Serenmal!
have you checked out the 'official site' from Universal?

have you adopted a new WP for your computer
(see The Blue Sun Room)?

I'm always so happy when I hear about new people discovering 'Firefly' and looking forward to 'Serenity'!

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 7:13 AM

CHRISTHECYNIC

I have yet to meet a single person who has disliked Firefly after watching one entire episode.

I ignore anyone who says they don’t like something without ever experiencing it. It’s sort of like saying, “I don’t like Paris, the Eiffel Tower isn’t curved enough.” That person should be hit with a rock.

On the other hand their stupidity would be spare them from Paris, which isn’t all that likable. I used Paris as an example to show that stupidity of that nature is not always wrong, none the less it is always stupid.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 7:28 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

SerenMal - welcome. Fello Englandier here too :)

christhecynic I agree on your take of not understanding people who dislike things before they've even seen it. Makes no sense.

...but I do like Paris.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com
For Pictures:
http://www.cirqus.com/lightfantastic.html

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 7:49 AM

ZEEK

I understand the not liking something before you've seen it. If you don't I feel very sorry for you. You must have to try everything and experience many bad things just to make up your mind.

Two easy examples:
Gigli - that movie was obviously a pile of garbage. I never saw it but I'm sure I don't like it. If I had to see it to come to this conclusion I would have to actually sit through the pain and watch the whole thing just to realize it was going to suck. That would not have been cool.
The Simple Life - reality tv isn't usually very good in the first place. This features two spoiled brats that are attention whores. I know I'm not going to like this show. I don't have to watch a single episode to figure that out.

Did that help?

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 7:57 AM

SERGEANTX

Some reasons for not liking Firefly:

"I'm a small-minded jerk and there aren't enough 'splosions"

"The characters seem smarter than me."

"No aliens. Everyone knows the universe is filled with aliens that look just like humans with latex decorations."

"They talk funny."

"The show just isn't predictable enough. If I take the time to pick the lint from my belly button I lose track of what's going on."

"Not enough product placements. I live for consumer prodding."

In all honesty, most of the negative reactions I've heard are one form or another of:

"It wasn't what I was expecting"

Most people don't want their assumptions challenged in any way and that's what Joss happens to specialize in.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 10:58 AM

GHOSTWRITERXX

I actually have run into many problems converting people. Most of the time if I knew someone was coming over, I'd put on Out of Gas or Ariel to try and draw them in. Most people couldn't take their eyes off it, and would ask a couple questions, but didn't seem interested in actually watching it.

One of my friends got nasty when I tried to get him to watch it. First he said he would in the summer...then when I reminded him he responded "Leave me alone, I just don't like it" (he's never seen it, he just has to be the first to find something then he'll shove it down your throat).

And finally, my more positive cases...one guy said "The only thing good about that show were the lesbians", after he moved in I MADE him watch it and he loves it and quotes Firefly.

Another, who DJs at a nightclub (I"m trying to get them to do a promo party for Serenity) I gave my DVD's to (He's had them since January

just now started watching them and he loves it.

I find its mostly those who don't give it a chance. It's so frustrating...I mean really, what's with this free will crap, everyone should just love firefly!

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:18 AM

CHRISTHECYNIC

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
...but I do like Paris.

Nobody's perfect.

After I take over the world I plan to move the Louvre to a more fitting location, Florence maybe.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:28 AM

CHRISISALL

The one I hear is "it's a western, they've done 'em to death / I don't like westens"
And I tell 'em Wrong on both counts!!
I'ts NEVER been done like THIS, and it isn't JUST a western! Right now I have to absorb my friends enthusiasm for the last gorram SW flick comin' up, can't wait 'till I can "TOLD YOU SO"em to DEATH in Sept!
Anakin WHO? ha ha ha

who needs Paris, I been to Vegas!
(kidding)

Chrisisall

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:29 AM

ARAMINA

My Mum and Aunt, both big fans of Buffy and Angel, said they didn't like Firefly because there wasn't enough action. Go figure.

When I think of an interesting signature you'll be the first to know.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:45 AM

CHRISTHECYNIC

Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
I understand the not liking something before you've seen it. If you don't I feel very sorry for you. You must have to try everything and experience many bad things just to make up your mind.

No, I don’t have to watch a thing to decide that I do not want to see it, but to actually know I do not like it is another thing entirely.

For example, it is entirely possible that I would like spending the next twenty years manning a weather station above the arctic circle. I have no desire to find out.

It is possible that had I watched it I would have liked the Blair Witch Project, I do not know and if I have my way I will never know.

These are things that I simply do not desire to try.

-

On the other hand imagine if I said, “I don’t like Paris because of the curve of the Eiffel tower.”

Would that make sense? It is certainly as valid as saying, “I don’t like Firefly because of the spaceship,” or, “I don’t like The Simple Life because it is just two attention whores on camera.”

The shape of a national monument it an important thing to judge a city on.

(You can learn a hell of a lot about DC before you go there just by studying the monuments. The shape of the Washington monument is particularly telling and the architecture of the White House tells all you need to know about the historical psychology of the leaders.)

But if you decide not to go to Paris because of the architecture of their largest symbol you can not weigh such values as
the artwork
the aesthetic qualities of the other monuments and buildings
the general attitude of the people
the specific attitude of certain people you are forced to deal with more often
the history of the town
the historical instability of the town
the cleanliness of the river
the efficiency of the metro
the usual weather
and so on

Now perhaps you have judged in your head that the curve of the Eiffel tower makes it not worth the trip, but if you decide that you do not like the city as a result you’ve gone too far.

-

You say that you don’t like The Simple Life, but you freely admit to not knowing, instead you say, “I’m not going to like it,” in future tense even though the show is already in the past.

The truth is that perhaps if you watched it you would like it. It could be that you would discover if you muted it and watched the camera work alone trying to find out how someone employed on that kind of show works when they know they have only one take.

Maybe the logistics of it would fascinate you.

You don’t know.

But more importantly to your point you don’t have to know to decide not to watch.

-

My point, on the other hand, is that often times people say that they do not like Firefly, not that they would not like it, not that they think they will not like it, not that they have no desire to watch it, but that they do not like it.

I can not understand this. You can not possibly know that you do not like something if you have not experienced it. You can be forced to go to a movie you thought you’d hate, and indeed dislike the actors, the plot the setting, the sound, and still find something to like.

Quote:
[Did that help?

Not a bit.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:06 PM

ZEEK

I disagree. If someone dragged me to see Gigli I will not like it. I already know this. I've decided it already. I'm a very stubborn person and once I've decided not to like something, I'm going to stick to it. So if I said, "I don't like Gigli" it would be more or less the truth. Same with the Simple Life. I don't care what the camera work is like. I don't care what the music is like. I know I wouldn't like it if I watched it. I use the future tense just because that's the way I think of it. I could also see someone making the case that I could just as easily say "I don't like the Simple Life".

There are some people that probably feel the same about Firefly. The judge the book by it's cover and are stubborn enough to stick with their opinion. It's very easy to miss what Firefly is all about if you are spending the whole time trying to find a reason not to like it. I have a friend who says Firefly is about old west shootouts with ghosts and aliens. There really aren't any ghosts or aliens but because River said, "Ghost Ship" once and because she decided Reavers = Aliens that's just what she thinks Firefly is about. While she is wrong, it doesn't change the fact that her opinion has been influenced and set.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 3:33 PM

ZOID

Oh, Great Somno:

Back when the show was on F*x, I used to gush over it to all my friends. Here's the most common response I used to get: "Wow! That sounds great! I'm gonna catch that. When does it come on?"

Well, ummm, you see... Fridays. Usually. At 7 o'clock, unless there's something else on in that slot instead, then it's almost always on at 8... or 9 if it's a ballgame, maybe 9:30 if it goes to extra innings.

You know, somebody once tried to convince me that it was wrong to blame F*x for Firefly's cancellation. That guy was a moron.

Respectfully,

zoid
_________________________________________________

"Burn the land and boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me." The Ballad of Serenity

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 4:10 PM

CHRISTHECYNIC

Well Zeek you and I are obviously very different people, I do not understand you and I doubt very much I ever will. You refuse to have an open mind, as you say, and that I can not understand.

You made a choice to close your mind, and I respect that you have made that choice, and even more so because you admit to it.

I still fail to understand.

-

I can not see how anyone can make a choice so vital to perception without any of the necessary information. Basing your opinion of a show based on anything other than watching it is the same action that lead to the conclusion, “The nose causes the tail.”

Still you obviously understand that, and have chosen to make it a part of yourself anyway. Because of that understanding it can not be a function of stupidity or ignorance.

I was wrong.

I respect, I do not understand.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 4:37 PM

TERRANELL

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
"It's not futuristic enough"
"Why is Space silent - don't like that"
"What no lasers!?"
"They don't translate the Chinese"

Funny, some of my favourite things about Firefly!

When I've mentioned it to people I have had the "Western and Sci-fi? thats an odd mix don't think I'd like that" i.e. my mum, loves westerns doesn't even care enough about sci-fi to dislike it.

As for not liking things before seeing them, at least in my case, you create an impression of what something is going to be like based on descriptions, previews, previous biases and the opinion of people you trust (even searching out reviews and opinions before deciding to spend energy, time and emotion (and money)). I've decided whether or not to buy many a book based on what the back said, what a friend said even ocasionally on my impression of the cover!
If I test my theory/impression of whether I'll like something occasionally I'm surprised, and sometimes I'm not. I tend to go with my instincts. So if people decide Firefly's not their thing without seeing it, I guess I can understand that but if it were me I'd try as I'm always aware that first impressions can be wrong (and an hour long tv show is easier to try and then stop than a book or a trip to Paris ;) ).

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:35 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

christhecynic wrote:

Quote:
Nobody's perfect.

indeed.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com
For Pictures:
http://www.cirqus.com/lightfantastic.html

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:41 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by zoid:
Back when the show was on F*x, I used to gush over it to all my friends. Here's the most common response I used to get: "Wow! That sounds great! I'm gonna catch that. When does it come on?"

wotcha Zoid - least you guys had it shown on a regular network. That's a small blessing I know but y'know what it was like here.... I mean I mention Firefly to some friends who work in the business of TV and they've never heard of it!!!!

Oh well they'll know soon enough when Serenity comes out :)

www.cirqus.com
For Pictures:
http://www.cirqus.com/lightfantastic.html

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:49 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by Terranell:
Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
"It's not futuristic enough"
"Why is Space silent - don't like that"
"What no lasers!?"
"They don't translate the Chinese"

Funny, some of my favourite things about Firefly!

Yeah me too

Quote:
When I've mentioned it to people I have had the "Western and Sci-fi? thats an odd mix don't think I'd like that" i.e. my mum, loves westerns doesn't even care enough about sci-fi to dislike it.

Actually must confess something here I'm not a huge western* fan either - and I was a touch concerned I wouldn't get into Firefly for this very reason, but thankfully it worked it's mojo on me.... Thanks largely for my willingness to try things contrary to my suspicions.

Cheers
The
Somnambulist

*Although I'm not a western fan I have watched enough to have genuinely loved many. (The Good The Bad and The Ugly, Magnificent Seven, Big Country) it's just not my prefered genre)

www.cirqus.com
For Pictures:
http://www.cirqus.com/lightfantastic.html

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:54 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by ghostwriterxx:
I actually have run into many problems converting people. Most of the time if I knew someone was coming over, I'd put on Out of Gas or Ariel to try and draw them in. Most people couldn't take their eyes off it, and would ask a couple questions, but didn't seem interested in actually watching it.

Oh dear, people talking during any show, but even worse Firefly!!!

Quote:
And finally, my more positive cases...one guy said "The only thing good about that show were the lesbians", after he moved in I MADE him watch it and he loves it and quotes Firefly.

Well done for persisting with him.... I may have been more inclined to rent a fifty story apartment and chuck him outa the window!!!! - but y'know your way is perhaps better.....

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com
For Pictures:
http://www.cirqus.com/lightfantastic.html

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 12:00 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by Aramina:
My Mum and Aunt, both big fans of Buffy and Angel, said they didn't like Firefly because there wasn't enough action. Go figure.

When I think of an interesting signature you'll be the first to know.

Actually you know this raises an interesting point. I've observed of late that my folks have become very, some might say worryingly , interested in action films!

My Dad won't stop going on about Steven Segal films and my Mum is all into Jean Claude Va-- (I can't write the rest of his name sorry) But y'know who. This seems to have become the benchmark to which all other Films are judged?!?! Which is odd, because they never used be like this.... Anyone else notince this about their folks?

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com
For Pictures:
http://www.cirqus.com/lightfantastic.html

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 3:14 AM

MANWITHPEZ

Important people don't do field work.

I've run into trouble trying to convert people based on a description of the show. Since a lot of people seem to fall into a kind of Elvis/Beatles argument about Firefly. I like westerns, I don't like sci-fi. I like sci-fi, I hate westerns.

But, the best westerns, I've found, usually hinge on the emotional underpinnings of the story, and not the backdrop its spun against. Take Shane, for example. Shane is a movie most people can get behind, and it doesn't have mush to do with the gunfight, but more of Shane's involvement with the family.

Open Range was another, Lonesome Dove, Unforgiven, even (God help me) The Quick and the Dead. All stories that are very human in nature, and could almost be translated into another genre and still be likeable stories. (I know that I'm listing mostly contemporary movies, but you have to find a audience)

Sci-Fi is almost no different. It just seems to be so on a very grandiose scale. Sci-Fi for the sake of it is bland and cold. More than a few Star Trek undertakings can be used to prove this...The first Motion Picture, certainly. But, when it tries to lean on an emotional understructure too heavily, it can collapse. Episode 1 and 2 of Star Wars goes this way, I think. Its a very tough row to hoe.

Consider (if you will) Firefly to be a sci-fi show that rests comfortably on its western haunches. A sci-fi show with as much emotion in it as a western. The more humanity you put into a western, the better its likely to be...But this formula doesn't always work with sci-fi, as it would seem that is has to be carefully measured. Firefly is the show that's dressed as a western, pinned with science fiction, and very emotional at its core. Its not the ships I want to see. Its not the guns (they are cool though) or even the horses or buggies I want to see.

What I want to see is when are the Doc and the Mechanic going to kiss? The Pilot and the loyal 2IC's marriage going to collapse or fly? When will the Captain ever be happy? Will the Mercernary ever be satisfied? What is wrong with that Companion? Who and why did what to the doctor's sister? And, oh my God, WHAT IS UP WITH SHEPHERD BOOK?

Its Whedon at his best. If people don't like Joss Whedon, (what's wrong with them) tell them that's its a sci-fi show, influenced by westerns, driven by character relationships.

The CGI could be another selling point, as Zoic turned out not only the best CGI on TV, but the best, most believable I've ever seen. My roommate in Korea refused to watch Smallville because the visual effects were not up to par with Firefly. Tell them the people are really pretty. That's worked more times than I care to say.

But, I can not remain objective in the face of criticism of (in my opinion) the best TV chow ever produced. People start badmouthing, and I get angry. I can't help it, and that doesn't help convert anyone. Anyone should be able to find SOMETHING to like in this show. Because, as is so rare in TV, there really is something for everyone.

Sorry for such an overlylong post, but this is a problem I've run into as well, and it confounds me to no end...

Kaylee: "What's so damn important about being proper? It don't mean nothing out here in the black."
Simon: "It means more out here. It's all I have..."

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 3:29 AM

ZOOT

This is what my brother - to whom I leant my DVDs (only after I'd bought a second set!) said:

"hm - its good - but it does have some weaknesses - actually a lot of
the individual episode plots aren't all that great, even though the
character work is good through out - its like they decided to
concentrate on the character work at the expense of the plotting - not
neccessarily a bad thing but it does mean you end up with a lot of
sci-fi cliches, plot holes & exposition in between the natty
dialogue...

its a shame because i think by, say, season 3 it would have been
absolutely peerless... the movie should be interesting...

also, on a geek note - the fictional universe never quite feels fully
developed - although i always quite liked the way that buffy was
always quite vague about how, exactly, the whole thing worked and was
always more concerned with the episodic stories - but somehow with
sci-fi, that stuff matters more (is this one big solar system or so
they have ftl travel? how do the reavers control their ships if
they're all so mentalist? why are the alliance uniforms soooo gay?
etc). maybe its just me, though. i like that world building stuff."

I personally think the plotting is ok and I like the vagueness, but my brother, who's much more of a sci-fi fan than me, thinks it needs to be pinned down . . .

Maybe its the difference between girls and boys . . . as long as my Mal remains taciturn and funny by turns, I don't care . . . although he's got a good point about the Reavers . . .

N.B. As you can see neither my brother or I spend much time doing actual WORK during work hours!!

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 4:09 AM

GHOSTWRITERXX

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:

Well done for persisting with him.... I may have been more inclined to rent a fifty story apartment and chuck him outa the window!!!! - but y'know your way is perhaps better.....

The
Somnambulist

Hah! totally crossed my mind, but then I convinced him to buy the DVD set, so then, turns out, he's good gor something

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 4:27 AM

DIZ

OK, this isn't a reason as to why a person didn't watch it initially, rather why they won't watch it now. One I hear often.

"If it's so good, why was it canceled?"

We know why that's a stupid argument, because we know how Fox screwed the show over after they figured out they didn't like the show they ordered. But explaining that to the non-fan... well, you see, Fox wasn't happy with the show Joss (no, not Josh) gave them, so they gave the show no real support, aired episodes out of order, gave it a bad time-slot... I've seen many eyes glaze over. One guy even said, "but yeah, if it was good it would've been treated better by the network." You know, because only good shows get renewed, like According to Jim, and how long has Reba been on the air? OK, preaching/choir, I know. But it's a factor.

That said, I don't think everyone will love Firefly, and it doesn't make them stupid. I really think it may not be some people's cup of tea. I love Joss, really dig his style. But a good friend of mine finds his stuff "overly-pop influenced and too self-referential." Whatever. He's my friend. I don't understand him, but he's my friend.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 5:28 AM

GREENFAERIE

I agree -- you can never please everyone. Some people just don't like some thing, for whatever reason.

I showed a few episodes to my cousins. One really liked it, and the other had no interest in watching. I wasn't going to bother trying to get her to watch it with us, because I knew she didn't like sci-fi, and wasn't all that keen on westerns. She is the type of person that likes her entertainment to be obvious - she doesn't want to think too hard while watching it. She also can't relate to anything that isn't mirrored in the real world, so things like sci-fi, horror, and animation just turn her off.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 5:40 AM

ZOOT

Quote:
Originally posted by Diz:
OK, this isn't a reason as to why a person didn't watch it initially, rather why they won't watch it now. One I hear often.

"If it's so good, why was it canceled?"

We know why that's a stupid argument, because we know how Fox screwed the show over after they figured out they didn't like the show they ordered. But explaining that to the non-fan... well, you see, Fox wasn't happy with the show Joss (no, not Josh) gave them, so they gave the show no real support, aired episodes out of order, gave it a bad time-slot... I've seen many eyes glaze over. One guy even said, "but yeah, if it was good it would've been treated better by the network." You know, because only good shows get renewed, like According to Jim, and how long has Reba been on the air? OK, preaching/choir, I know. But it's a factor.

That said, I don't think everyone will love Firefly, and it doesn't make them stupid. I really think it may not be some people's cup of tea. I love Joss, really dig his style. But a good friend of mine finds his stuff "overly-pop influenced and too self-referential." Whatever. He's my friend. I don't understand him, but he's my friend.

The "why was it cancelled if it was so good?" drives me nutty too!

But I think you're right - it's just not some people's cup of tea . .. I leant my DVDs to a friend who has liked everything else I've given her - West Wing, Buffy (though she says it's scary)etc. But everytime she watches FF she falls alseep about half way through - very frustrating as I am usually sitting on the other sofa positively glued to the screen - and I've seen them all, well, let's just say, a number of times . . . I mean, last night, she fell asleep in Shindig, literally, and I'm not kidding, on the line "Because you're fast like a freak?", which I love every time! But then, she does have a 3 month old baby . . .

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 10:35 AM

LETOV

I was just talking about the impending Star Wars and Hitchhiker's movies with a co-worker when I brought up Serenity. As soon as I mentioned Firefly he rolled his eyes and said he didn't like it. He said Joss shoulda stuck with Buffy and Angel. Asking further I wasn't terribly surprised to learn that, no, he hadn't actually watched any episodes. He read a review that mentioned some things he didn't like. Apparently he's a SciFi purist who is more interested in the SciFi worlds and technology than about characters. He was turned off that the details of how space travel works (FTL v STL) weren't really explained. I tried to explain that its more about fantastic characters etc and again, the eye-rolling. Still, I'll keep working on him. Methinks my DVD's coming back to work...

Oh yeah, also got a bit of the "if its so good, why'd it get cancelled" from him too... so sad...

- Leto_V

"Well, my days of not taking you
seriously are certainly coming to
a middle." - Mal

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, April 8, 2005 7:26 PM

WHISPER

I actually have a really easy time of convincing people to watch. For one thing, I was a skeptic myself until a few months back when i finally sat down to watch it. I had up till then the same arguments as everyone. My main two were I hate Sci-Fi and I hate westerns. So when people give me those excuses i just tell them i was the same way, but somehow the melding of the two genres really works well. Then i go on to explaining the humor, suspense, action, and romance that's present throughout the series. If they seem a bit more interested i go into further detail.

My best success has just been to make people watch them, and I always start with the first episode.

www.whispergraphics.net

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, April 9, 2005 5:27 PM

ASTRAGYNIA

While I admit I haven't been actively recruiting, I can say what I didn't like about Firefly when I first saw it. I like science fiction, but mostly for the ethical and sociopolitical questions they often raise, which at first seemed to be entirely missing in Firefly; also, the Southern accents grated on the ears, and I didn't like how stupid and violent many of the characters seemed.

Then as I watched it more (having fans in the family helps a lot) I saw the wit and intelligence in the dialogue (even Jayne!) and appreciated the futuristic universe that really shows the influences of today in a realistic way - the large corporations, the multiculturalism of Space (contrary to most SciFi where Earth=America) and of course, I got attached to the characters.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Sunday, April 10, 2005 4:40 PM

CYTHEREAROSE

My family found it extremely unrealistic.

The reason?

There were no aliens.

Yes. My family needs help.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, April 11, 2005 12:48 AM

ZOOT

Quote:
Originally posted by CythereaRose:
My family found it extremely unrealistic.

The reason?

There were no aliens.

Yes. My family needs help.

He he he! Superb!!!!

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, April 11, 2005 8:55 AM

DIETCOKE

Some people just refuse to watch Sci/Fi or Fantasy. I tried to get my brother to watch Lord of the Rings and he just couldn't get into it. Crazy huh?

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 2:01 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

CythereaRose wrote:

Quote:

My family found it extremely unrealistic.

The reason?

There were no aliens.

Yes. My family needs help.

Ha!

www.cirqus.com

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 4:03 AM

MANWITHPEZ

Important people don't do field work.

Things people say about Firefly...how about things people DON'T say about Firefly. A friend of my wife's was visiting yesterday, and I was trying out my new stereo with "Ariel". She seemed interested, particularly in Jewel Staite, saying she had seen her somewhere before. I let my wife handle the descriptions, as I get kinda flustered when people don't "get it" right away. She did the whole shpiel "Joss Whedon, Angel, Buffy, extremely well written, great CGI, pretty cast, etc. This lady sat there and said...nothing. This wouldn't have bothered me, except for scene where people are speaking Chinese. So, I translated for her. And she counters with a diatribe about how she had a mexican friend and something about spanish.

I honestly didn't know what to say. She didn't say if she liked it, and she didn't say if she didn't. I was worried having someone new watch such a sci-fi heavy entry as Ariel, as most of the western trappings of Firefly are missing from that episode. She was silent, and then left with my wife to go spend money.

I guess there are worse things than ciriticism. And that's silence.

Kaylee: "What's so damn important about being proper? It don't mean nothing out here in the black."
Simon: "It means more out here. It's all I have..."

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 5:24 AM

DACUTE1

Just wanted to mention the difference between saying "I'm not going to like it" and "it sucks" before viewing a movie/TV Show. Now granted there are the cases where people are pleasantly surprised by a viewing, which happens frequently with Firefly. But I'm another one of those people that will say "I won't enjoy the simple life" before watching it. Of course, just to prove my case I have slipped a peak and it does suck, but there's many people that just don't have the IQ to watch quality shows so I suppose we need something on the air for them. Unfortunately it's our shows that get cancelled (however, yay! Lost gets another season).

But getting back to the original argument, I know I don't like some comedies, and I know I don't like some actors, because of that I know I'm not going to like Drew Barrymore's current baseball thing. I'm not going to watch, it doesn't mean it sucks, it's just not my kind of movie.

Kaylee: 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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 6:56 AM

STUDIOD

I tried to get one of my closest friends into Firefly, but only two words immediately turned him off... "space western".

He believes that if our civilization, hundreds of years in the future, were able to achieve space travel to other planets and inhabit them, why aren't they all technologically advance? Why are many new inhabited civilizations instead like the old west? He just can't seem to grasp that, even in the future, not everyone has the money and resources to afford the latest technological lifestyle. "If they can travel to another planet on a spaceship, they can afford to have electricity, build big houses and buildings, and the regular stuff people have day-to-day." So, basically, it's the Western part he has the problem with, I guess.

With another friend, I just showed him 'Ariel' and he dug it. He understood the "space western" concept right away.

Oh well.

StudioD

And God said to Abraham, "You will kill your son Isaac." And Abraham said, "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. You'll have to speak into the microphone." And God said, "Oh, I'm sorry. Is this better? Check, check, check... Jerry pull the high-end out, I'm still getting some hiss back here."

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

YOUR OPTIONS

SHARE THREAD

NEW POSTS TODAY

USER

POST DATE