Which is better of the 2 Serenity Pilots? by rklenseth

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Which is better of the 2 Serenity Pilots?

POSTED BY: RKLENSETH
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 16:49
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VIEWED: 3594
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Monday, January 9, 2006 6:31 PM

For those that don't know since they're new or has been buried beneath all the movie stuff in the recent year; there are actually two versions of the 2 hour pilot named "Serenity". One which was shown to Fox execs in the summer and has never seen the light of day except for the fact that it was smuggled to the internet and the one that later aired in December of 2002 and is contained on all of our DVDs.

So for those that have seen the two versions; which one is better?

For those that want to see the original version you can find it on this site;
http://www.versaphile.com/download/firefly.html
at the bottom of the page.

My answer; I like the original one that Fox hated.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Monday, January 9, 2006 6:41 PM

SIKKUKUT

I only just heard about this today (and I call myself a browncoat!), but I'll be watching this version and registering an opinion shortly.

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Monday, January 9, 2006 6:43 PM

RKLENSETH

People should also note that this site contains the full and uncut blooper reel for Firefly that we only get a taste of on the DVDs.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 7:09 AM

ANDRE83

Well, the quality was close to un-watchable imo. But still, i saw some parts of it.

Really liked the scene between Zoe and Simon where she explains serentiy valley for him. Fine, fine scene.

Jayne: All those years of preacher training, getting knocked out by one bounty hunter
Book: Oh, dont get me wrong. I gave him a hell of a fight
Jayne: Epic i'm guessing

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 9:12 AM

RKLENSETH

Well besides the quality since this is just being copied from an old beta-tape. I mean as far as the layout of the episode and scenes that are and aren't in it when compared to the aired modified version.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 9:43 AM

FLIPDOG

To answer the actual question: Serenity. It was the appropriate introduction to the characters. It seems like every hour long TV show does a 2-hr pilot nowadays, its a shame that Firefly couldn't get the same treatment.

The Train Job was good. Great for being written over the weekend, but it didn't allow for the same character development. It also included some of the cliches that th seriesin full doesn't really have.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 9:56 AM

CHRISTHECYNIC

I like to take them both together really. The only scene that can't really be done that way (correct me if I'm wrong) is the different version of the Book-Inara scene, and I guess I prefer the original version. It is more telling about Book, Inara, and Mal. Also it has the word "turpitude."

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 10:33 AM

STEALTHGUY

I have just watched the first 25 minutes of the original version, and I already like the updated version better. I noticed that they didn't open with the Battle of Serenity sequence. After watching the updated version (before knowing of the existence of the original version), I wondered how Fox could think that it didn't have enough action. Now I know. I figured that opening battle sequence was the perfect "hook" to keep people watching the following acts.

Without the opening sequence, the pilot does seem to plod along for people unfamiliar with the characters. It's just talk, talk, talk. It seems like the opening battle sequence got you excited and curious at the same time. My reasons for loving Firefly aren't because of the action, but I can definitely see why the execs thought the original version was too slow. I would hate to think that the absence of that sequence started things off on the wrong foot with Fox. They never stuck around long enough to get "hooked" like the rest of us.

Also, the original is missing the "Cry Baby" sequence at the beginning. I thought that was both clever and funny. Typical Joss Whedon stuff.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 10:46 AM

ANANTI

Overall, I think most of the changes were for the better.

However, I will say that some of the scene to scene transitions flowed better in the original. I always wondered why a couple of scenes in the pilot had somewhat awkward transition and feel. After watching this orginal I understand why, it's because some of the scenes were intended to flow out of a previous scene or into one scene but then the next scene or the previous scene was changed.

Adding in the new beginning was pretty important. On that the Fox network was right. Without it Mal just doesn't feel like a nice guy that you'd want to get to know. It's important that the viewer first see him as a good and likable guy, then introduce the hardened cynic that he's become adds layer to his character, and gives the viewer something to root for. (Namely that he can rediscover his old self). Without it he's just a "mean old man", and there is no indication that he's ever been anything but that. For example, the scene where he tells Book that he didn't want him to say grace out loud. He comes across as a total SOB without first seeing him kiss the cross in battle in the opening.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:38 AM

FLIPDOG

What are you guys talking about? 'Serenity' was originally the pilot, but aired last...'The Train Job' was the pilot episode that everyone saw first. I don't remember any 'cut' version of 'Serenity Parts 1 & 2'.

I think thats what the question is...which is better? Serenity, or The Train Job? I don't know where you guys are watching an edited version of 'Serenity', but this doesn't make any sense.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:45 AM

RKLENSETH

Quote:
Originally posted by FlipDog:
To answer the actual question: Serenity. It was the appropriate introduction to the characters. It seems like every hour long TV show does a 2-hr pilot nowadays, its a shame that Firefly couldn't get the same treatment.

The Train Job was good. Great for being written over the weekend, but it didn't allow for the same character development. It also included some of the cliches that th seriesin full doesn't really have.

Obviousely you didn't read the entire posts here. I'm not talking about the Train Job but the original 2 hour pilot never aired or released.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:51 AM

RKLENSETH

Quote:
Originally posted by FlipDog:
What are you guys talking about? 'Serenity' was originally the pilot, but aired last...'The Train Job' was the pilot episode that everyone saw first. I don't remember any 'cut' version of 'Serenity Parts 1 & 2'.

I think thats what the question is...which is better? Serenity, or The Train Job? I don't know where you guys are watching an edited version of 'Serenity', but this doesn't make any sense.

No. We are talking about the two cut versions of Serenity, one which I guarantee you have never seen.

There was an original 2 hour Serenity pilot that has never been aired or released where it is a lot different than the one we have all seen for sure.

We are not talking about the Train Job. That I would consider the 1 hour third pilot.

Anyways, I prefer the original's music and I do agree that the missing battle scene does change the context but I really like how the scenes flow together better. It makes it look a whole lot prettier.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:53 AM

MOOSE

There are two versions of the pilot episode "Serenity".

The first is the version that Joss originally presented to F*X which they rejected.

The second was modified to include the Battle of Serenity Valley at the start, among other things. This is the version F*X eventually aired.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 1:08 PM

ANDRE83

This original also completely destroyed the introduction of the reavers. The "edited" version had a perfect score there. Perfect tension music. The original was just flat at this point.

Jayne: All those years of preacher training, getting knocked out by one bounty hunter
Book: Oh, dont get me wrong. I gave him a hell of a fight
Jayne: Epic i'm guessing

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 3:05 PM

DARKJESTER

I don't know why, but the first version just didn't grab me like the 2nd. It was interesting and well-told, but it didn't suck me in like the version that was eventually shown. Maybe because (to me) it seemed unfinished, but what was missing I can't say.

MAL "You only gotta scare him."
JAYNE "Pain is scary..."

http://www.fireflytalk.com - Big Damn Podcast

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 3:39 PM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG

Original version makes for a nice extended/director's cut but I think the aired version was tighter and just as, if not more, effective.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 4:49 PM

FOLLOWMAL

Well, I had never seen the original that Fox hated.... so I went and downloaded it and watched it this afternoon.

Ummm, not so much...

I like the one we have on the DVD's, mostly because we have the wonderful music by Greg Edmondson... so beautiful.

Also I thought the parts of the script that Joss cut needed to be cut, he left it perfect.

Not that this one wasn't interesting to watch, but I LOVE the Serenity I have on my DVD's.

"I'm very sorry if she tipped off
anyone about your cunningly concealed
herd of cows." Simon

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