What is it about Firefly that attracts such loyalty and devotion? by Siri

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

What is it about Firefly that attracts such loyalty and devotion?

POSTED BY: SIRI
UPDATED: Sunday, November 5, 2006 13:25
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VIEWED: 4258
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Sunday, November 5, 2006 9:43 AM

OK - I'm still fairely new discovering Firefly and Serenity. Never have joined one of these online groups before. After buying the series on DVD and watching it twice - just rewatched Serenity, I'v become a fast and die-hard devotee. I'd like to discuss this phenomenon with other fans. Since it's probably already been done maybe someone can direct me to a past thread.

I'm going to start blogging on my thoughts and feelings about why, how and what touched me so deeply. I haven't started it yet but if some of you would like to share with me I'll let you know when I get my blog updated.

"You hold, hold till I get back."

Siri

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 9:47 AM

GORBISHUN

Well, this has been discussed a lot. But when it comes right down to it, it's everything.
Everything about it makes you love it...

Yup.

Edit: Welcome to your new home!!
«°-:-°»
Also... I can kill you with my brain.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:00 AM

MARINA

What is it that attracts such loyalty and devotion?

I guess because loyalty and devotion are the main themes of the show - qualities lacking in most of life, let alone television. Every action and reaction in every episode is done with "the crew" in mind - I think people who recognize that seem to connect with the idea of not having to stand alone against the world and refuse to let go of their hope.

...and the box set and BDM are the most tangible elements of that hope.

Don't make faces.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:02 AM

SIRI

Thanks. I was sure that there have been many, many discussions of this sort, but I wasn't involved. I will try searching thru the threads but have written my little epistle in my blog (which is also a new thing for me). I really want to learn how to insert cool pictures into these things!

Can't wait to get my new Browncoat and Serenity tees. Maybe they will help me kick and punch better in my martial arts classes. I'll let you know.

BTW - I'm guessing there are other martial arts enthusiasts out there. Any Krav Maga folks?

Siri

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:03 AM

COZEN

I won’t direct you to archived threads dealing with the reasons we here love Firefly, simply because I’m too lazy right now to make the effort. There’s many threads here that deal with the sentiment. I would recommend a Google search with the script, site:fireflyfans.net + “{ insert your best I luv Firefly search parameter here}”.

I love this show for many and varied reasons. For the sake of brevity, I humbly submit the depth of the story. There’s a non-trivial aspect to the writing and characterisation which dares to explore moral ambiguity, familial relationships, the struggle to survive under constant duress, individuality versus corporate fascism and so forth, all presented in a manner that allows us to sublimate violence while concurrently exploring matters of the heart. With humour! I mean, just the one scene of Mal and Wash being tortured by Niska, hard as it is to watch, explores many of these themes, and likely a thing or two that I’ve missed.

Oh, there’s the unfolding “arc” of the story. While each episode can stand on it’s own as quality entertainment, there’s a universe full of options to explore, and a continuity that has, sadly, been truncated before its time. Which, oddly enough, only adds to my passion for the show, in the sense of wanting so much more.

Yeah. A little context, before this becomes too much of a rambling rant. I’m in my late 40’s, and have never before considered “fandom” to a television show to be any part of my life… until Firefly. I have ever before been far too skeptical – read: cynical – of the process to join in. Until Browncoats came along, eh? Okay, regarding this fine website, the quality of the fandom has been, imho, diluted by the vast new numbers of people joining it, and I admit that I’m as guilty as anyone of participating in its trivialities, to the detriment of finding ways to strengthen the cause toward ressurecting the Firefly franchise. But, you see, it’s the people here: people of quality, for the most part. The foremost quality being respect, with a couple others being common intelligence and humour that I’ve had difficulty finding in such quantity any online-wherelse.

Welcome, new Browncoat. Even if the Firefly franchise has ended, the Browncoat community it has spawned is an awesome fellowship. And so, I believe, it’s the sense of community that explains the devotion to the television show, Firefly.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:07 AM

SIRI

Thanks. I agree with what you Marina says about loyalty and devotion. That was a theme which played out in the series and in the movie - altho there were people who left and threats of throwing people out. I liked that human element - people are a mixed bag - but in the end they held together.

Cozen, thanks for your synopsis. I don't mean to hash over things that have already been discussed. I'm sorry I missed it and am trying to catch up. It is always a bit of a challenge for an estalished "crew" to pick up new folks and integrate them into the fold. So, thank you fellow browncoats for holding for those of us just coming on board.

I rambled quite a bit on my blog and am looking foward to writing more after rewatching Serenity and listening to Joss' commentary.

I bought the Firefly Series, Serenity and DTI DVD. What is BDM? Also what is November 5? Should I know that? It's not registering.

"Lover, Warrior, Healer of my Soul. Take me home, oh take me whole."

Siri

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:17 AM

GORBISHUN

Here's a thread on how to post pictures:
http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=5&t=22105#405614

«°-:-°»
Also... I can kill you with my brain.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:18 AM

JPSTARGAZER

Quote:
Originally posted by Siri:

I bought the Firefly Series, Serenity and DTI DVD. What is BDM? Also what is November 5? Should I know that? It's not registering.

Well BDM stands for "Big Damn Movie"=Serenity. The 5th of November is Guy Fawkes day for all of our British friends or for fans of V For Vendetta.

I think the reason FF attracts people the way it does because of subliminal messages. I mean the Fruity Oaty Bar is controlling my mind...I can't think of a more logical explanation.

"All I got is a red guitar, three chords, and the truth...the rest is up to you"
--Bono

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:22 AM

MARINA

Quote:
Originally posted by jpstargazer:

I think the reason FF attracts people the way it does because of subliminal messages. I mean the Fruity Oaty Bar is controlling my mind...I can't think of a more logical explanation.

...are you trying to make a man out of a mouse or make you bust out of your blouse?

Don't make faces.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:33 AM

CASTLE

Honestly, i think that the worst thing about firefly is what makes it generate such loyalty. its too short.
a well known idea in the entertainment industry is always leave them wanting more. we have this in firefly. If you want more you'll think of it happily, if your content you aren't left begging for more.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:36 AM

CLJOHNSTON108

I think it's those burning questions we all have while watching the episodes (in the correct order!): "How did this not catch on?! Why does crap prevail, while great stuff gets swept under the rug?!"

We show it to our friends, and the first thing out of their mouths is, "Why isn't this HUGE?! Why isn't everybody talking about it?"

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:43 AM

SIRI

Thanks!

Siri

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 11:55 AM

ANONYMOUS1

Quote:
Originally posted by Siri:
What is it about Firefly that attracts such loyalty and devotion?

Love.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 12:00 PM

SIRI

Quote:
Originally posted by Anonymous1:
Quote:
Originally posted by Siri:
What is it about Firefly that attracts such loyalty and devotion?

Love.

Yes, love, for sure!

Siri

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 1:02 PM

GORBISHUN

Love, yes...
But don't forget the Mudder's Milk.

«°-:-°»
Also... I can kill you with my brain.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 1:14 PM

BROWNCOAT555

It is many things: strong libertarian views on government (that, frankly, are not widely
heard on TV), dark humor, good acting, plausible sci-fi setting (arguably, the first such),
and an overall grittiness that has more to do with portraying the world as it is as opposed
to what we would have it be.

But I think the real charm is in the actual dialogues, and, specifically, setting up the one-liners such as:

"So, he will recover then?"

"Which, to my mind, is unfortunate".

"Not a very charitable attitude, captain".

>>>>"Charity would be putting a bullet in his brain".

Now, when is the last time you have heard a statement like that on a TV show that WAS NOT a joke?
When Mal said that, you knew exactly what he meant and probably did not think it was an over-the-top
statement. It is that kind of writing that is, itself, humerous. The cleverness of it all. The morbid
realism of it all. That is a kind of writing that one does not see on TV very much.

And that is just one example...the show is all about setting up one-liners in the dialogues.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 1:21 PM

TRAVELER

I like how the crew of Serenity evolve.
Mal wanted to be free. To fly away from his past and be independent. In the end he has eight people to be responsible for. He could run from this, but he takes it on. The others also take the responsiblity. As in "War Stories" where they risked everything to rescue Mal.

Jayne is probably the best example. He does not accept Simon and River as part of this crew. He sees them as a threat. So in "Ariel" when the money is to good he turns them in.

Mal has every excuse to kill Jayne off. He has betrayed his trust and jeopardized the crew.
But Mal hears Jayne one plea to lie about his death. Jayne is ashamed of betraying the crew. Mal may have released him anyway, but Jayne shows remorse and Mal replies with forgiveness.

Each character has issues. They are not perfect examples of humanity. As the episodes progress you see them face themselves. It is a struggle. Simon continues fail with Kaylee. But he also continues to try. If your part of Mal's crew you learn about that.

So more than the adventure of being space pirates attracts me to this show. The long hard road of being one with your crew is a good leason for me.

I am a lot like Jayne. A loner who is looking out for himself. But seeing there is a greater good and wanting to be apart of it.

When Jayne crys out "There are only people like me", you can feel the pain of his growing up and his realising there is more for him to understand. Mal trys to help him, but it is something Jayne has to be ready for.

I would have liked the series to continue, because Jayne is having the hardest time. I wanted to watch his transformation. He has a goodness inside him that is begging to come out. It shows itself on occasion and the more opportunities he has the stronger that good person inside Jayne would become.

Well off I go on a ramble. Thank you for allowing me to do it again. I don't know if this is Joss's main theme, but it is what I saw and why I love this show.

Traveler

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 1:25 PM

KELAI

Like Marina said, loyalty and devotion are two main themes of the show. Also, the characters are believeable and human.

--

//breathe today So many lies s w i r l i n g
All A R O U N D You
you're S U F F O C A T I N G
the e m p t y shape in Y O U
s t e a l s your b r e a t h

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