Any show to compete with Firefly? by Calhoun

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Any show to compete with Firefly?

POSTED BY: CALHOUN
UPDATED: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 04:01
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 5861
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Monday, January 26, 2004 12:30 AM

I am very smart. I went to the best medecad in Las Ires. Top 3 percent of my class. Finished my internship in 8 months.. Gifted is the term. So when I tell you that Firefly is by far the best show ive ever seen I want you to understand my full meaning.

But seriously, I consider myself an intelligent and discerning viewer and am hard pressed to find any show that could compete with Firefly.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 12:36 AM

HIKEEBA

I've tried. I can't do it.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 12:48 AM

ALFERDPACKER

A lot of people will use comparisons to Farscape or Babylon 5.

I haven't seen either show, so I can't speak as to how apt that is.

But its late enough that words don't look like words anymore. Just meaningless collections of letters. I'll be in my bunk.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 5:00 AM

LOKI

in terms of storytelling and character development only two shows can compete with Firefly..Buffy and Angel.

Loki - http://pwnilsson.tripod.com

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Monday, January 26, 2004 5:11 AM

BROWNCOAT1

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

In my opinion, no show compares to Firefly.

I have watched Babylon 5 and though I really liked the show, it did not affect me the way Firefly has done. If I missed an episode of B5, it was not that big a deal, as I would catch a rerun later. Quite honestly I never recorded the show, and have not felt compelled to go out & buy the DVD set either. With Firefly I was glued to the set from 7:55 until 9:05 every Friday night. If for some reason I could not be home, you can be sure the VCR was set to record.

Never really got into Farscape. I tried watching it a couple of times, but it just never grabbed me.

I liked Buffy, and I still watch Angel, but I don't feel that undeniable need to watch either of those shows as I did w/ Firefly.

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

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Monday, January 26, 2004 5:36 AM

SAFFY

I guess the sad part is that everyone is figuring out too late that NOTHING compares with this show. I don't even watch TV. I got the DVDs for Christmas, and now my heart is broken.

I can't decide which is worse: watching the series and knowing the whole time that it's going to end, or having watched it in its original run and then having had it yanked from under you!

I'd do anything to see this on the big screen or anywhere else. Just as long as it's not over!

Anyway, "Sports Night" was one of my favorite shows. ABC cancelled it a few years back, even though it was brilliant, because the American public just didn't "get" a sitcom without a laugh track. It was no Firefly, but it met a similarly undeserved fate.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 6:57 AM

LENNIER

I'd say that, given Firefly's untimely demise, there are a small handfull of american shows that do compare and even surpass Firefly (and I do think that Firefly is artistic marvel, and I believe I appreciate its full signficance when I say that, including all its implicit roots in heart of darkness, grapes of wrath, etc., and the brilliance of the fundamental style concept--of using the future to discuss our ideas about the past, of making the future feel immediate and giving it a mundane and intimate sense of realism).
If Firefly had (or does) lived longer it's quite possible that it would surpass all shows, but in its current state I would say the following:

In my opinion, these shows clearly surpass Firefly (though perhaps by a small margin), if by surpass we mean artistically and nothing else:
Buffy season 3-6, Millennium season 1, Twin Peaks, The Sopranos season 2-3, Babylon 5 season 3-4
(in no particular order, because it's damn hard to rate shows)

I think these shows compare to Firefly:
Six Feet Under, 24 season 1, Homicide: Life on the Street (early seasons)

These shows are somewhere on the same continent as Firefly, though they definitely don't measure up toe-to-toe:
Angel season 3-5, The X-Files season 2-5, Carnivale, Star Trek: TNG

As for Farscape, all I can do is sigh. Love the show, but come on. If we're talking art, then it's not even on the radar. If we're just talking about fun unusual shows, then ok, it's near the top.

Also, keep in mind I made a point of stressing american shows. I've seen about 4 japanese series that i would say compare to or surpass Firefly, as well as one Canadian series (The Newsroom), and one Polish series (Decalogue).
And keep in mind that none of these series can be appreciated at all unless one sees ALL of them (i'm sure we've all had that experience where seeing one episode of a show makes it seem silly or bad, but once we see the whole thing it changes everything) ...or at least all the seasons that I listed above, anyhow.

of course, all this is probably meaningless without proper justification and explaination of my criteria (I'm NOT just being a 'fanboy' about these shows, I'm trying to set criteria and be somewhat objective), but unfortunately that would take more time than I have right now, so let's just say it's one fan's random 'opinion'.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 7:12 AM

STEVE580

Actually, it seems that sitcoms without laugh tracks are becomming more popular (fortunatly). Scrubs is in it's third season, and so is Malcolm, I beleive. And Arrested Development just started its first. There's a few others, but I can't think of them at the moment...

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Monday, January 26, 2004 7:34 AM

SPARRONI

I totally agree with everyone else who said 'SportsNight'. It has a phenomenal cast that you really connect to emotionally and great writing. Buffy also really had me hooked like Firefly, but only while the gang was in high school(the first couple of seasons).

If you're willing to try an anime series, I really recommend 'Cowboy Bebop'. It's got a very similar feel. Their ship, the Bebop, really reminds me of Serenity, and their crew is an eclectic mix of personalities. I saw 'Bebop' before I saw 'Firefly' and as I watched it I had many moments where I was reminded of 'Bebop'. Really worth taking a look!

----------------------
"Forgive my rudeness. I cannot abide useless people."

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Monday, January 26, 2004 8:43 AM

KINGOFKOINS

I love Cowboy Bebop as well, but it does have several problems, such as the fact that the show generally pushes aside character development for comedy/action. Sure, it has "Ballad of Fallen Angels", "Jupiter Jazz 1 & 2", and "The Real Folk Blues", but mainly we just get "Toys in the Attic", and "Mushroom Samba". That's the fundamental difference, Firefly brings so much more to every episode. Also how the hell can only Spike and Jet pilot a ship as huge as the Bebop?

--------------------------------
It's sickening how comforting the privacy of the mind can be.
"Bible's broken; contradictions, false logistics. Doesn't make sense." - River
http://stripe.filetap.com

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Monday, January 26, 2004 10:29 AM

GEORDIESTEVE2003

Its hard to make a fair comparison, as there havent been many sci-fi westerns that I know of, but in terms of being a good sci-fi show, well, the only one for me would be Babylon 5. There were moments in its 5 year run that still shine brightly in my memory, and I did go out and buy vids, and soon DVD's to keep memories fresh.

Its funny, you look at show that have guarenteed runs on TV (Trek) and some of the more recent ones were pants, very pants, and yet those shows threatened with being axed at any moment have done more in their few episodes than some shows do in entire series. Irony. Big-time.

Oh, and one other show that had some stirling moments, in amidst the hum-drum stuff, Space Above and Beyond (with Rod Rowland recently in Angel 5.01 !!!)

Here in the UK, they havent even shown Firefly on the normal channels that everyone gets, so those of us that knew about it, had to hunt for it, and I am so very glad that I did.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 12:24 PM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES

Quote:
Originally posted by Calhoun:
But seriously, I consider myself an intelligent and discerning viewer and am hard pressed to find any show that could compete with Firefly.

Hard to say given its premature cancellation. Perhaps a fairer comparison would be how many shows had a better first half season - few, if any. West Wing is the only one that springs to mind.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Monday, January 26, 2004 2:33 PM

MAJSON

show's that compete with firefly...to me

angel seasons 2+3 and the 1st part fo 4
buffy season 2+3+4
Stargate sg-1 (pilot ep then last few eps of season 1) 2+3+4+5
The X files season 2+3+4+5
Will and grace (ok but it's damned funny and has some continuity)
Quantum leap (aside from last season not including the last ep)
Star trek deep space nine
babylon 5
farscape
alias
west wing

not all sci fi i know...but sadly there's not much good sci fi or fantasy shows around...andis eeeven less being in the UK

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Monday, January 26, 2004 3:22 PM

KURUKAMI

Alias (but only the first season)
Angel, seasons 3-4
Buffy, seasons 4-6
The West Wing
Babylon 5, seasons 3-4
Strange Luck (old spec-fic series which only went part of a season too, starring D.B. Sweeney)
The Dead Zone
X-Files, early seasons

Basically, this is just big stuff that stuck in my memory as being particularly impressive. Most of it's not anywhere near the same genre niche as Firefly.

History doesn't always repeat itself. Sometimes it merely shouts "Weren't you listening the first time?!?" and lets fly with a club.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 4:57 PM

BLINKER

Quote:
as well as one Canadian series (The Newsroom)

Ah, a poster of taste. The latest episode had just ended as I read this.

Other series that if not sharing Firefly's quality, at least share some of its qualities:

Buffy, 2-6 (Never been able to get into Angel, though.)
Sliders, 1-2 (This show could have been incredible, had FOX not micromanaged the producers, screwed with the air order, mismarketed it as an action hour... sound familiar?)
Simpsons, 2-7 (It's sad how the half-dozen years of crap they've since churned out has almost drowned the memory of what was once the best TV show of all time.)
Quantum Leap (shared FF's consistency of quality and strong emphasis on characterization over technology)
Lexx, mostly 1 & 3 (Maddeningly variable in quality, but the surprise twists, atmosphere and responsible use of CGI were top-notch. The pilot alone kicks the proverbial henchman into the turbine over and over)
The Prisoner (Baffled the executives yet spawned an enduring cult with only 17 episodes.)
Trapper John, MD (I kid.)

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Monday, January 26, 2004 6:19 PM

EVILMIKE

Quote:
Originally posted by Blinker:
Sliders, 1-2 (This show could have been incredible, had FOX not micromanaged the producers, screwed with the air order, mismarketed it as an action hour... sound familiar?)

This does bring up an interesting point. Consider what happened to Sliders after Sci-Fi got ahold of it. Maybe it is better that Firefly didn't get picked up there after all.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 6:55 PM

RKLENSETH

In my opinion, there aren't any shows in this 'verse that can compete with the high standards in everything that Firefly has set. There are many good shows, some great shows but Firefly went beyond great and took us to the next level (whatever that might be).

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

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Monday, January 26, 2004 7:14 PM

PBI

Compete? Certainly, though a precious few. Better than? Not so much.

Alias (season one)
Made in Canada (Canadian)
The Newsroom (Canadian)
WKRP
Space: Above and Beyond
Babylon 5
Odessey 5
West Wing (pre-Sept 11)
24 (season 1 and 2)

These are just a few of the shows that spring to mind.

EDIT: Forgot a couple. Yes, Minister (UK), and Yes, Prime Minister (UK). My father was a civil servant for 30+ years and these two shows rang with a certain bit of accuracy ;)

If you can survive death, you can probably survive almost anything.

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Monday, January 26, 2004 8:43 PM

VERITAS

It's hard to find any shows that compare to Firefly. Really. We're talking true brilliance here. However, I feel that a show (anime, really) that comes close is Trigun. It's a sci-fi western with good stories and characterization. And Vash the Stampede is just too cool for words.

That's about it.

"What'd you all order a dead guy for?"

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Monday, January 26, 2004 10:59 PM

CALHOUN

No one commented on the intro paragraph to my post.... and here I was thinkin I was being clever...

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Monday, January 26, 2004 11:45 PM

GAIJIN

Buffy
Angel
The Shield
CSI (fun to watch)

Thanksgiving is a sham. But it's a sham with yams...it's a yam sham.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2004 3:44 PM

LENNIER

Quote:
Originally posted by Blinker:
Quote:
as well as one Canadian series (The Newsroom)

Ah, a poster of taste. The latest episode had just ended as I read this.

There seem to be a number of fans of Canadian tv in this thread!

well, I must take the opportunity to recommend a new and VERY insane new Canadian show called "This is Wonderland", which airs at 9 pm on Mondays on CBC.
It's just about the most frantic chaotic insane thing I've ever seen. Don't let the ads fool you, this is NOT a lawyer show, this is a show about crazy people (often literally) and about being so busy that you don't have time to think, and about living in a world where things just don't make sense (and sometimes it almost plays like a fantasy show in its use of odd characters and odd occurances, and in the main character's attempts to navigate through the strange world that surrounds her). This show is hilarious and unrelenting; it's almost exhausting to watch. It's on right after new episodes of the Newsroom, and although I would say the Newsroom is still a better show, i'm a LOT more excited about Wonderland (because Newsroom has been mostly the same as the original so far, though with a slightly darker edge, but Wonderland seems weirdly fresh, it feels fresher than anything I'm watching right now; we've seen drama and comedy mixed before, but never *quite* like this, I think).
I think a good one-line description of this show might be 'Ally McBeal on acid and speed' (except that ally mcbeal really was still a lawyer show, and I can't stress enough that wonderland is as far as you can get from being a 'lawyer show', and yet still have lawyers in it).

also, since a number of you mentioned Cowboy Bebop (which although it is a fantastic and lovable show, I don't think it's quite on the same level as Firefly), I'll mention the 4 japanese series that I myself think compare to Firefly:
Neon Genesis Evangelion, Serial Experiments: Lain, His and Her Circumstances, and *possibly* Key: The Metal Idol.
The first, Evangelion, is one of the few 'perfect' masterpieces of episodic film.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2004 4:01 AM

KALATHENA

My own favorites have been:

MURPHY BROWN: Only The Simpsons has done a better job at current events parody. If ANYONE ever hears of it going to dvd, TELL ME.

THE SIMPSONS: They had their dry spell after Season 8, which I believe was its finest with "Bart After Dark", "Homer's Phobia", the Mary Poppins satire and "You Only Move Twice". They are starting to get back in gear with this years "The President Wore Pearls" (Evita parody) and "The Regina Monologues" (Best. Episode title. Ever.)

BUFFY: S3 - S6 does it for me.

ANGEL: S2 & 3 Didn't care for Connor much, but the rest of what they did with Darla's storyline was phenomenal. This year could be great, too, if they stick with the corporate corruption theme.

24: Wow. Tightest plotting I've ever seen on TV.

SIX FEET UNDER: I've only had the opportunity to see season 1, but David's struggle with the trappings of the club scene was awesome.

DEEP SPACE NINE: S1 - S4 & S7. Had Piller been allowed to serialize, this show had huge potential for the thematic depth that a Whedon show does. He & his writers did their best with their hands tied.

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