What just happened to this fanbase? by Thrawn

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

What just happened to this fanbase?

POSTED BY: THRAWN
UPDATED: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 08:14
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VIEWED: 3652
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Monday, August 29, 2005 9:20 AM

Am I the only one that, over like the last week, has suddenly noticed a profusion of negative threads and flamewars? Can someone explain to me what's gone so wrong? I've loved coming here for a couple of years now, and lately I've been afraid to open any thread that concerns the BDM or the fanbase at all.

Mostly, what's really been bothering me falls into two categories, I guess.

1) We've waited a really long time - why can we not wait one more month without assuming Joss has actually decided to spontaneously ruin everything we loved about the series? So there are some negative reviews...so what? I've seen the movie. It's possibly the best movie I've ever seen. But it's different from the show, and there are going to be people that don't like it. You have to understand...it's a MOVIE, it's not an EPISODE. It's going to be different. But it's also quite possibly Joss's finest work to date, which is a strong thing to say.

I guarantee that at least 99.9% of the fanbase is going to adore it, especially after two or more viewings. But all people seem to see are the negative reviews.

And for y'all who've been badly spoiled and haven't seen the movie yet (you know who you are, and DON'T READ THIS IF YOU AREN'T)...

Select to view spoiler:

SHUT UP. Seriously. What is this "Firefly is dead for me now" crap? You haven't even SEEN THE MOVIE! I bet the number of times Joss has let you down can be counted on one hand - I personally guarantee this isn't one of them. So stop ruining it for everyone else just because you think you've heard bad news. Think about this - you're making everyone else curious what's so bad, they're going to get spoiled, and it'll ruin some of the finest dramatic material ever written in the movie. STOP IT.

And if you aren't antagonizing over the spoilers you've heard, I'm really sorry for this, but I've seen several people posting stuff like this, and it REALLY bothers me. Joss often does things that sound utterly terrible and turn out to be the greatest things ever. Keep that in mind.

2) I understand it's been a long journey, and during said journey we had to take everything very seriously, as it was seriously in doubt this would happen. But it HAS happened, we've WON. So stop acting like every negative review, and every single person that gets a bad impression of us, is the end of the world. The movie is MADE, everything else is little stuff. We're not going to lose our chances at a sequel because some website doesn't like us. Just...chill out a little bit, both sides of this argument.

I've spent upwards of two years on this messageboard, and been consistently amazed by the level of politeness and how wonderful people here constantly are. All the great lines and great moments thread constantly make me smile, Caption Tightpants and the other one are hilarious, and the news is always up to date and important. This last week has made me really uncomfortable, and that's never happened before.

One last note - I was really worried about this post, because I thought it might things worse, I really hope it doesn't. I just can't believe what's going on. We're a month away from the thing we've wanted for it feels like years and years - let's just relax and let it get here, ok?

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Monday, August 29, 2005 9:38 AM

PSYCHICRIVER

Quote:
Originally posted by Thrawn:
One last note - I was really worried about this post, because I thought it might things worse, I really hope it doesn't.

I'm sorry to say this, but I can't see how your post will help. I'm sorry.

Yes, you are right, there have been a few bad incidednts/posts recently. A few. And some of them, have been threads that started with people dwelling on these sorts of incidents.

I don't see how dwelling on any of this badness, or giving it it's own thread, can help at all.

I think it's best to ignore these few incidents and not blow them out of preportion.

Spread posts of love, not war!

PsychicRiver

"Two by two, hands of blue."

"We'll take care of each other. I'll knit!"
"I swallowed a bug."

Summer Glau to me - "You are so photogenic."

Me -

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Monday, August 29, 2005 9:42 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

I agree w/ you Thrawn.

The threads lately have given me a great deal of concern. I have been tempted to post many times, but have refrained from doing so in an effort to let some of the issues die off on their own.

It is my hope that things will settle out & that these problems have mostly stemmed from nerves & excitement as we get closer to the premiere.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

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Monday, August 29, 2005 10:02 AM

EMBERS

wow, where have I been?
I don't think I've seen any of these posts;
I've seen the usual nonsense over at the Official Universal board, but that board is always a little wacky...better to not read most of the threads there.
But here?
I'm surprised.

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Monday, August 29, 2005 10:08 AM

PSYCHICRIVER

Quote:
Originally posted by PsychicRiver:
Quote:
Originally posted by Thrawn:
One last note - I was really worried about this post, because I thought it might things worse, I really hope it doesn't.
I'm sorry to say this, but I can't see how your post will help. I'm sorry.

Yes, you are right, there have been a few bad incidednts/posts recently. A few. And some of them, have been threads that started with people dwelling on these sorts of incidents.

I don't see how dwelling on any of this badness, or giving it it's own thread, can help at all.

I think it's best to ignore these few incidents and not blow them out of preportion.

Spread posts of love, not war!

PsychicRiver

I'd just like to add that I do agree with what you're saying.

But, the people who will say that they agree with what you're saying, would more than likely be people that haven't been causing this kind of trouble.

People who read this post who have been causing this trouble...will probably just argue more... and I don't want anybody to argue! I love this forum, and I can clearly see that you do too.

PsychicRiver

"Two by two, hands of blue."

"We'll take care of each other. I'll knit!"
"I swallowed a bug."

Summer Glau to me - "You are so photogenic."

Me -

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Monday, August 29, 2005 11:01 AM

STILLSHINY

What type of posts are you referring to specifically. I've not seen anything of such a contrary nature. Now, I will say I stay away from anything below the REAL WORLD FFF.NET line. I mean those topics are just asking for contreversery. Then again so does my spelling. I try to stay to the fun threads, muppets adored & villians be dang'ed! ha ha I said dang'ed ......oh right. The board seems pretty friendly to me. There are a few "groups" such as the "trees" & such that I don't fully comprehend, though some are "crews" and that makes sense. I figure the "trees" are just groups of Browncoats that most like chat together as well. No harm, I just get lost when I try to post or chatch up on the "latest" Now I have seen a few ruffled feathers at folk being too negative, or spoilery, or overly spoiler sensitive. But all this stems from being too extreme and possibly over-opinionated. Just stating my opinion. Disagree with me if you choose. I'm just stating my thoughts.

Hey, I call this place home.

"We had ties that could not be broken, except by the passing of time. Like a rock. A broken time rock. And you're very special to me, my broken time rock people." - Nathan Fillion

Stillshiny's Shop - I'm thinkin we rose again

http://www.spreadshirt.com/shop.php?sid=4728

Listen to "The Signal" www.serenityfirefly.com

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Monday, August 29, 2005 11:44 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
The threads lately have given me a great deal of concern. I have been tempted to post many times, but have refrained from doing so in an effort to let some of the issues die off on their own.

It is my hope that things will settle out & that these problems have mostly stemmed from nerves & excitement as we get closer to the premiere.

I'd like to think of it all as growing pains. Every good, prolific fandom has them, and this isn't the first time. It happened once already when the DVDs came out, then again when word of the movie started coming out and everyone was speculating about what was going to happen. Everyone has a viewpoint and an opinion, and if it wasn't for us, this movie would never have come to fruition - as Joss himself said, "movies don't get made from cancelled TV series." Yet ours has done that.

I just hope that in the long run, that's the one thing folks will keep in mind.

"We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."

I draw...therefore I am. http://www.mnartists.org/Nora_Leverson
Live in Minnesota? Join the Group! Yahoo Group, that is...
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/MN-Firefly

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Monday, August 29, 2005 4:52 PM

VISITINGMYINTENTIONS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
Everyone has a viewpoint and an opinion, and if it wasn't for us, this movie would never have come to fruition - as Joss himself said, "movies don't get made from cancelled TV series." Yet ours has done that.

I just hope that in the long run, that's the one thing folks will keep in mind.

"We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."

Yes, but what I'd like people to appreciate here is that it is not we who have done the impossible, but me. I singlehandedly defeated the FOX dragon (barehanded, no less), I lugged back the treasure from the garden of the Sun to fund the movie, and it was me that gave birth to all the browncoats running about these forums.

I expect some thanks for my heroic efforts, ladies and gents. (If you need any more reason to thank me, just remember who planted the concept of the show into Joss's dreams that night.)

---------------------------------------------------
Post-holer: for digging holes for posts.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 12:10 AM

AKUKODOGO

Thank heavens someone has finally owned up to being the inspiration for this wonderful 'verse.
Re the negative threads, I have noticed a couple this week and I put it down to the last bit of excitment before the BDM goes out there to those folks who don't know as much as we do about this baby. However, the regular folks still seem to be polite to the 'dills' that have parked their manners at the door. This has got to be the most interesting site I have visited, now if I could just work out what this firefly thing is all about I am sure I will enjoy it even more. snigger snigger guffaw guffaw. (ps I'm talking to you from tomorrow, clever hey)

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 4:44 AM

GONZAI

Speaking as a moderator of a few Yahoo Groups, including a Lord of the Rings group...

I have noticed that in the 4 to 8 weeks before a major event (film release, DVD release) people get really, really short-tempered and touchy over the slightest things. Tell truth, I try to avoid spending too much time at fan sites as major events approach, too much negativity, hostility and other behaviors.

So, it ain't fun, but it ain't unique to Firefly either.

"I'm not a control freak. I'm a control enthusiast." - Joss Whedon

The Mid-Atlantic Browncoats are hiding from the Alliance at:
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Midatlanticbrowncoats

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 5:26 AM

ZEEK

I think there's a big haves and have nots problem too.

A lot of browncoats have seen Serenity. Yet a lot haven't. So, there's sort of a class system going on. Also there's spoiler issues causing problems. I that's adding a lot to the issues.

Still I don't think it's as bad as some are saying.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 5:30 AM

CAPTAINREYNOLDS42

Well I for one cannot wait for serentity, I am a huge fan of the series and have probably seen every episode 10 times at least, as to all the nay-sayers if you really want to talk smack about a movie most of us have not even seen yet at least have the courtesy to do it somewhere else...news flash folks this is a FAN site not a I am pissed off because Joss and Marti Noxin canceled Angel so I have to bad mouth what ever else they decide to do site. :hanged

Ok thats my rant on a unrelated topic has any one read the "Serenity" comics from dark horse yet? I think they are great.

In closing I think we as fans need to write Fox (the evil network) and demand for another season of our favorite space western, it worked for Trek back in the 60's and it can work for us also.

"If someone trys to kill you,you kill em right back"

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 5:45 AM

NAKEDANDARTICULATE

Quote:
Originally posted by VisitingMyIntentions:
Yes, but what I'd like people to appreciate here is that it is not we who have done the impossible, but me. I singlehandedly defeated the FOX dragon (barehanded, no less), I lugged back the treasure from the garden of the Sun to fund the movie, and it was me that gave birth to all the browncoats running about these forums.

I expect some thanks for my heroic efforts, ladies and gents. (If you need any more reason to thank me, just remember who planted the concept of the show into Joss's dreams that night.

"Is that visitingmyintentions? Oh pinch me Wash,I must be dreaming." So YOU slayed the evil FOX dragon? Well,kind sir/mam...sirmam? may I say to ye a harty HERE! HERE! to you Thank YOU for everything else you mentioned as well......

"Hamsters is nice."

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 6:00 AM

DAWNSISTER

Also, our numbers everywhere have taken a big leap. We are now getting ppl who weren't our immediate core group, it's opening up to alot more. More ppl, more "diversity".

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 6:40 AM

OPTIMUS1998

Quote:
Originally posted by captainreynolds42:

In closing I think we as fans need to write Fox (the evil network) and demand for another season of our favorite space western, it worked for Trek back in the 60's and it can work for us also.

while i appreciate the enthusiasim, as one who has been here from nearly the beginning, just thought i'd let ya know this was tried back when we were just on "hiatus" and not officially cancelled. and the evil fox just turned a deaf ear... ( well maybe not EVIL, but not very nice at all!
... bunch of big meanie heads!)
-------------------------------------------------
- Nothing like filming a major motion picture to make you feel better about your show being cancelled.
- Nathan Fillion

Well played Clerks...
- Leonardo Leonardo

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 6:49 AM

R1Z

. . . This, too, shall pass . . .

To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks. --Robt. Heinlein

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 6:56 AM

SPINLAND

There's a huge difference between a letter-writing campaign to keep a show from being cancelled in the first place (as was done with Trek, albiet only temporarily) and one to get a network to start a show up again from scratch. Fans did try to prevent Firefly's cancellation, but were unsuccessful.

Your enthusiasm is commendable, in any case.

----
I can see you.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 8:13 AM

CAPTAINREYNOLDS42

fox however did bring back Family Guy based on fan support and dvd sales, All I am saying is to not give up hope

If some one trys to kill you, you kill em right back

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 8:14 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by Spinland:
There's a huge difference between a letter-writing campaign to keep a show from being cancelled in the first place (as was done with Trek, albiet only temporarily) and one to get a network to start a show up again from scratch. Fans did try to prevent Firefly's cancellation, but were unsuccessful.

and 10-15 years later a relatively successful film brought Trek BACK to TV reincarnated to The Next Generation...
a successful reception of 'Serenity' will mean sequels...every two years at best (longer if Wonder Woman slows things down)
BUT it could also make Fox rethink their property,
they might find a way to work w/Universal to bring 'Firefly' back or create a spin-off or sell the rights....
money can change contractural limitations.

Worse comes to worse we'll still have these cool comics!

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