What comes first... by shineyshindig

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

What comes first...

POSTED BY: SHINEYSHINDIG
UPDATED: Friday, March 3, 2006 08:34
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VIEWED: 1994
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Thursday, March 2, 2006 7:15 PM

In watching the commentaries on the DVDs for the umteenth time tonight I came to wondering how new people should be introduced to this 'verse.. so my question is; do you say, watch the BDM first, or see the original pilot "Serenity" of the DVD set first? The reason I ask is, while it is a lot to take in either way, there's so much more information in the TV pilot that dives you into the characters and storyline of the show.. YET, BDM dives you in but without really getting to the "real" feeling of what Firefly is about...
Help me out here, just stepping out of the box here and trying to see this 'verse fresh and wondered what anyone thought about that as you expose new people and recruit future Browncoats to our cause.. This is a very important step!!
One of the most astounding things about Firefly is the chemistry of the characters, and while we've only had a brief glimpse of what could have seriously evolved into something fantastic as in stories and development, we have a very important task in presenting this jem, or should I say preserving and extending this fantastic ideal, to others..
SO, simple question: what comes first? Which would you show to your friends and let them borrow if you knew that maybe the BDM would draw them in as opposed to the series pilot??
I'm so wanting feedback on this.. I've got potential Browncoats I'm feeling, but know that there's a ton of people out there that may not want to sit through a box set intro...

"...use of a swhat??"

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Thursday, March 2, 2006 7:59 PM

KWICKO

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

I think a lot of it depends on whom you're dealing with. If they like the action genre better, with lots of stuff 'sploding around you, they're probably going to respond better to the Big Damn Movie. If they're more inclined to appreciate strong character development, the series is definitely the way to go.

I've loaned out my Firefly DVDs a few times, and not once has someone brought them back saying, "Yeah, I just really couldn't get into it..." It's always them coming back wanting MORE. And I'm about to get a bit devious about that (borrowing a trick that a fellow Browncoat posted about on this forum a while back) - I'll lend out only the first two DVDs, then if they're hooked, they've gotta buy the series for themselves. And I'll strongly encourage them to carry on that tradition.

A baby seal walks into a club...

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Thursday, March 2, 2006 8:01 PM

RHYIANAN

I tend to do things in order, so I would say the pilot, it gives you the background neccesary to truly understand the series and movie.

No, Can't. Too much hair.

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Thursday, March 2, 2006 8:09 PM

KWICKO

Plus, y'know, it gives you a chance to really connect with and develop a caring relationship for some of the characters that... errrrmmm... are a little less *fortunate* later on...

Mike

A baby seal walks into a club...

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Thursday, March 2, 2006 8:21 PM

MATTCOZ

It really does depend on who you're trying to convert, but for the most part I would suggest the pilot first.

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Thursday, March 2, 2006 8:30 PM

PARKER6097

I prefer chronologically myself

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Thursday, March 2, 2006 11:26 PM

BROWNCOATGHOST

I second Rhyianan. I figure starting with the pilot is a good place, especially as the BDM isn't terribly clear on why some people aren't on the ship yet the crew considers them important and worthy of care. Also, the BDM doesn't give you half as much time to get attached to the characters and their relationships with each other before the goushi hits the fengshan. As with certain series that run in a linear fashion, it's important for viewers to understand why they should invest their time and emotions in a 'verse, so IMO beginning at the beginning is the more logical choice.

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Friday, March 3, 2006 2:09 AM

NUCLEARDAY

The pilot episode generally has worked best for me. Myself, I saw the movie first (other than Bushwhacked which is the only one I'd managed to catch when it was still airing. Thanks, Fox, for giving such an easy-to-follow schedule. :) Did the job for me at least, but left me a little confused about some of the characters and who they were exactly.

Despite Fox's grand ideas, I'd have to say that the pilot is still the best introduction to the show. ;p

________________________________________________
You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

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Friday, March 3, 2006 6:50 AM

SHINEYSHINDIG

Thanks all! Good suggestions.. Good call on loaning out just one or two of the DVD disks.. I'm planning to spring a shindig on some friends with the first Serentity..
I was basically curious what everyone thought.. seeing how many of the new Browncoats have come aboard from just seeing the BDM..
I was fortunate to get totally hooked from a marathon showing of it on TV, so it kind of all fell chronologically for me!

...use of a swhat??

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Friday, March 3, 2006 7:33 AM

FLACO

Well, I saw the movie first, like alot of recent converts I guess. Got hooked and then started watching the series. I liked both of course but can say I'm glad I saw things in that order. I can see how fans of the series found things in the movie they didn't like. Some peoples reactions to the deaths of Wash and Book were pretty strong. Understandable.

I can see how someone who sees and falls in love with the series might be disappointed in the movie. But you have to remember, the movie is not and was not intended to be the series.

On the other hand, for me, watching the movie first made the series that much more powerful.

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Friday, March 3, 2006 8:34 AM

MILFORD

I concur with the rest of the crew, the pilot's the best way to go. Then again, you could always tie them down and force them to watch it minute by minute until they're indoctrinated, a la Clockwork Orange.

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

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