Cancellation as a Silver Lining: a Newbie's Take by malinara21

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Cancellation as a Silver Lining: a Newbie's Take

POSTED BY: MALINARA21
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 21:50
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VIEWED: 2785
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Monday, February 23, 2009 8:20 PM

I must begin this (warning, rather long) post with a story. I sat down today to watch the newest episode of Chuck (Adam Baldwin's Agent Casey certainly has his Jayne moments). I consider myself a fan of the show, and have not missed an episode since its debut. The first season in particular was funny, sappy, and action-filled in just the right amounts. Agree or disagree if you wish, but that's just my opinion.

Today's episode, however, was rather weak. In fact, towards the finale of the episode, I found myself wishing the damn thing would just end. Now I know that TV shows, much like everything else in life, have their ups and downs, but this has been an ongoing trend in Chuck lately. Whether or not that show has jumped the shark is not what I want to discuss here. What I want to discuss is whether a similar phenomenon would've happened with our beloved Firefly, had we been fortunate enough to be blessed with more seasons.

I think we're all in agreement that Firefly was something special. With the possible exception of some episodes of Battlestar Galactica (and some would argue that that show, too, may have jumped the shark), I have never been so enthralled and endeared by a TV program. I cared for River and her trauma, laughed at Jayne and his often hilarious hijinx, and wished so very dearly (hopeless romantic that I am) that Mal and Inara would just allow themselves to fall in love.

Would Firefly have fallen victim to the same problem that has befallen Chuck? The episodes we were blessed with were great, but what if the next ten were not? Joss is a great writer, but what if, heaven forbid, he lost his passion for the universe and it showed in his writing? What if Firefly jumped the shark in its second season, perhaps after the revelation that Sheperd Book is, in fact, an alien from the planet Whedonon IV, sent from the future to eliminate River before she brings about the end of the Alliance?

My argument, thus, is this: that the cancellation of Firefly has a silver lining to it, and that is we never had to fear it jumping the shark. Do we pay more attention to fireworks or to desk lamps? Both provide light. The immortal desk lamp is steady and reliable, but the evanescent fireworks are captivating and enthralling.

I'd rather have the fireworks.

Obviously, the tragedy of the situation is that there are some stories which will never be told. The hopefully non-alien Sheperd Book will always remain a mystery (at least for now) and the sweeping Mal and Inara romance I long so dearly for will only take place in the realm of fanfic. But is this not also a gift? We have this world, these characters to play with, to imagine in this situation or that one. What will happen the next time Jayne's loyalty is tested? When Simon runs out of meds the second Zoe is shot? When the browncoats inevitably rise again? We can decide.

If there is consolation to be found in the fact that the show is no longer running, it is this: that Firefly will always burn brightly, simply because it never had a chance to burn out.

...man, I tend to ramble. Sorry.

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Monday, February 23, 2009 8:45 PM

BYTEMITE

I suppose wondering whether Whedon would jump the shark with Firefly depends on whether you think he ever did so with Buffy or Angel, before.

I haven't seen Buffy or Angel, so I can't comment. I've heard good things about Buffy's run though.

And welcome! Long posts with lots of points are fun to discuss.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 3:02 AM

JONGSSTRAW

It's always possible that Firefly might have run out of originality at some point after a few seasons, but the journey to that point would have been glorious.

A future reviewer might have described the 5th season of Firefly using an old Yogi Berra line : "Firefly is like pizza. When it's good, it's really, really good. And when it's bad, it's still pretty good."

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 3:54 AM

RALLEM

I don't know how Firefly would have jumped the shark in the future, but I concede it is possible. The thing I would have feared most was if the episodes began doubling back on themselves and they began looking similar in most ways. The thing is I believe Joss would have had an answer to that problem through foreshadowing and flashback, or some other plot devices he has in store. One way he could have prevented the episode from becoming too similar was to spend a season’s time developing the back stories for each character, but have the episodes weaved so that it didn’t get repetitive.

http://www.swyzzlestyx.com/index.html

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 5:39 AM

ZZETTA13

MalInara21, ironic but I have posted a fanfic here about that same thing. Here be a link below:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=21674&nid=30447

It is a satire of what could have happened if Firefly could have been revised and become the tv show of the future.

Now your question. Are we thankful for what we have gotten? I don’t think that there is a true blue browncoat member among us that wasn’t effected on an emotional level of the first and only season of FF. IF it had been allowed to continues where would we be now? Well that’s a big IF. The sin that has been committed and I think all browncoats agree is that there was no IF. There was just no MORE. The essence of what became of Firefly wasn’t in the power of the fans that held the love of the show so dear to their hearts. The power lay not even with Joss. It was given over to an uncaring entity that for love of anything other than money doomed the creative process. These same people that if Sh*T were for sale and made a lot of money would can their beloved “American Idol” and invest in a manure farm.

Are we glad for what we got ( one season of FF) you’re damn skippy we are, but at the same time we are pissed at what we did not get. A chance to become so sick of Firefly we would ( like the Romans) after 20 season regurgitate our discus of the long running tv program with a feather. The return of FF; will the moon be in the seventh house and Jupiter aligned with Mars again? Not sure, but a curse to those that in their own arrogant, mind-god thinking doomed everything about the creative process. They did not allow it to gain an audience, they did not allow it to saturate itself and make Joss the George Lucas of his day, and they thought Firefly and it’s fans (even future ones) would fade into the universe and crash like a light bug headed toward the light beam of a car in the darkness of the nights black. They were wrong!

I am a CHUCK tv fan also. I’m a registered board member. Got the same sn and everything. I agree with you on many points. I ain’t giving up on Chuck yet but I’m hoping that Chris and Josh come to understand what creative writing is all about and that fans “can” know what they are actually talking about. Maybe Adam can clue then in. Never stop learning.

Just the way I see it, Z

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 5:40 AM

WASHNWEAR

Quote:
Originally posted by malinara21:
I must begin this (warning, rather long) post with a story. I sat down today to watch the newest episode of Chuck (Adam Baldwin's Agent Casey certainly has his Jayne moments). I consider myself a fan of the show, and have not missed an episode since its debut. The first season in particular was funny, sappy, and action-filled in just the right amounts. Agree or disagree if you wish, but that's just my opinion.

Today's episode, however, was rather weak. In fact, towards the finale of the episode, I found myself wishing the damn thing would just end. Now I know that TV shows, much like everything else in life, have their ups and downs, but this has been an ongoing trend in Chuck lately. Whether or not that show has jumped the shark is not what I want to discuss here. What I want to discuss is whether a similar phenomenon would've happened with our beloved Firefly, had we been fortunate enough to be blessed with more seasons.

I think we're all in agreement that Firefly was something special. With the possible exception of some episodes of Battlestar Galactica (and some would argue that that show, too, may have jumped the shark), I have never been so enthralled and endeared by a TV program. I cared for River and her trauma, laughed at Jayne and his often hilarious hijinx, and wished so very dearly (hopeless romantic that I am) that Mal and Inara would just allow themselves to fall in love.

Would Firefly have fallen victim to the same problem that has befallen Chuck? The episodes we were blessed with were great, but what if the next ten were not? Joss is a great writer, but what if, heaven forbid, he lost his passion for the universe and it showed in his writing? What if Firefly jumped the shark in its second season, perhaps after the revelation that Sheperd Book is, in fact, an alien from the planet Whedonon IV, sent from the future to eliminate River before she brings about the end of the Alliance?

My argument, thus, is this: that the cancellation of Firefly has a silver lining to it, and that is we never had to fear it jumping the shark. Do we pay more attention to fireworks or to desk lamps? Both provide light. The immortal desk lamp is steady and reliable, but the evanescent fireworks are captivating and enthralling.

I'd rather have the fireworks.

Obviously, the tragedy of the situation is that there are some stories which will never be told. The hopefully non-alien Sheperd Book will always remain a mystery (at least for now) and the sweeping Mal and Inara romance I long so dearly for will only take place in the realm of fanfic. But is this not also a gift? We have this world, these characters to play with, to imagine in this situation or that one. What will happen the next time Jayne's loyalty is tested? When Simon runs out of meds the second Zoe is shot? When the browncoats inevitably rise again? We can decide.

If there is consolation to be found in the fact that the show is no longer running, it is this: that Firefly will always burn brightly, simply because it never had a chance to burn out.

...man, I tend to ramble. Sorry.

I hear what you're saying. I'm one of those who feels that X-Files stumbled along a season or three longer than it maybe should've. But given my confidence - misplaced, perhaps - that Firefly could've made it at least a few seasons before going total Fonzies on us...well, I think I'd still rather have Firefly seasons 1-5 (or 6, or 7, or 15...). I'd feel pretty firework-y about that.

BTW, I tried once sort of mentally "writing" my own resolution to the adventures of Firefly and its crew. They pretty much all wound up brokering questionable real estate deals on St. Albans, and Firefly herself was pressed into service for the "River Tam Reality Tour". So ya see, I'm no good on my own...

It was like that when we got here!

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 12:21 PM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by malinara21:

I'd rather have the fireworks.

Honestly, Serenity is my favourite movie of all time, and that wouldn't have been possible without Firefly's cancellation.
If I had my pick, I would have let 'em go for five years or more. But at least there WAS a consolation prize.
My pennies.

"Thanks." -Hero, 2009

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 12:43 PM

INSTANTKARMAGIRL

First off, I still think Chuck is awesome and WAY better than a lot of the alternatives...

That being said, we make the best of the situation.

I haven't met one person, browncoat or not, that has watched Firefly, even just one episode, and not said "Why the hell isn't this on anymore?"

I watched BtVS and Angel from the beginning to the end...and let me tell you, there were "mis-steps" and errors in writing judgement, however, it did not undermine the core of what Joss and Team are capable of and what they actually achieved.

Buffy and Angel spoilers below. You're warned.
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Buffy and Spike might have jumped the shark, for me, but it always had redeeming qualities that save it from "Dear God, why am I still watching this show" (which is more than I can say for Heroes). Angel and Darla having a kid, yeah, didn't like it then, and still don't like it now...however, Angel sacrificing himself to give his son the life he wanted...FLIPPIN' PRICELESS and I wouldn't have changed ANY of it if it meant losing that last 10 minutes of the episode "Home."

And I believe that yes, Joss and Team, would have taken the Firefly crew to place I wouldn't like, but the end result would have been worth it.

So maybe River ended up pregnant with Badger's child. And perhaps Kaylee and Mal would have a little fling...and I would hate every minute of it, up until the point when Joss took out his emotional beating stick and whacked me over the head with it, forcing me to come to terms with the fact that he does know what he's doing with his characters.

No one can ever say that Joss doesn't know how to tell a story. Maybe we don't like how he gets there, but in the end, it leaves us loving him more and more.

As for Chuck...yeah, I don't have a negative thing to say about, except maybe Chuck needs to listen just once...but I love character flaws.

I'm thankful for Serenity, but I would have gladly never had it if we'd been allowed 7 wonderful seasons on TV.

~**~
"How come you're flying about with us brigands? I mean, shouldn't you be off bringing religiosity to the Fuzzie-Wuzzies or some such?"~Cap'n Mal

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 1:36 PM

ZEEK

I'm not worried about Firefly jumping the shark. I'd gladly take that risk to get more of what was in store for our beloved characters. That is not the silver lining of cancellation IMO.

The real silver lining is this place. I was a big Buffy and Angel fan. However, I've never once joined their online communities. I didn't have to. The shows were there and gave me what I wanted from them. When Firefly went belly up I was pissed. I wanted more. I wanted to know what was going on. Was there going to be a DVD set (much more rare back then)? What are these rumors of unaired episodes? Did someone just say movie?

All of that brought us together. I must say Browncoats are an amazing group of people. I think bringing together such a strong community was the silver lining. I doubt anything will ever top the movie going experience I had with Serenity. The atmosphere at the prescreening was incredible. I think that is almost worth not getting more Firefly...almost.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 1:38 PM

CHRISISALL

*GROUP HUG ALERT*

"Thanks." -Hero, 2009

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 2:17 PM

RALLEM

Like Zoe said in Heart of Gold, she ain't afraid of losing someone so much that she wasn't going to try and meet them, so maybe we sould look at a possible jump the shark episode with the same passion. Just a thought, and sorry for messing up her quote.

http://www.swyzzlestyx.com/index.html

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 2:58 PM

CHAOSSERENITY

Eloquently said, and while those are excellent points (the fireworks, and all), there is still so much that we never got to see. We never got to see Simon fumble around on Valentine's Day, or Kaylee try to get Mal and Inara to smooch under mistletoe, and we didn't get to see whether Jayne straightened up or if River ever grew into herself and her abilities. I remember Joss talking on the Bluray DVD luncheon with Nathan, Ron, and Alan, about how he had so many ideas for Mal that were so ridiculously dark, and that he wanted a mutant cow episode. Too many great moments we never got to see. So, yeah, if Joss and Tim nuked the fridge occasionally with an off episode, it would be so worth it for all the good that we could've had along with it.

~~~~~
"We live in a spaceship, dear." ~Zoe

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 8:51 PM

REGINAROADIE

First, off, to address your concerns with CHUCK. I really don't feel as if they've dropped the ball on that show. If anything, last nights episode only confirmed how great the show can be. You had those two great scenes with Chuck saving Morgan's life by humiliating him (very Shakespearian from my perspective) and then the later scene of him explaining to Sarah how Morgan is far more than a best friend but a member of him and Ellie's family.

And then you had the finale of Jeffster doing an awesome cover of "Africa" which I now realize is an incredibly romantic song that in that moment became a defiant anthem. And that it intertwined Sarah saying how she never had someone who cares for her so much and Chuck replying "You do now." How can you not get choked up with that and consider that "weak"?

I'll admit I wasn't a fan of the 3D episode, but that's the only real weak spot in a pretty good second season.

As for the question at hand, it's something that's been brought up before, and I too have thought about it. I guess that's the risk of any TV show. Get canned in it's prime and/or burn out too quickly or stay around past the point of relevance. I think that every show should at least have an average of five seasons. Enough time to say what they want to say and not run the risk of burning out. And only go beyond that point if you really have something to contribute.

As to whether you want the table lamp or the fireworks, have you considered a bonfire? Bonfires when they really catch on start up really high, but then slows down to a consistent warmth that if you keep it properly stoked and fed with fuel will keep on going. I find a lot of HBO shows are like bonfires. They always have a consistent level of wuality throughout. And usually their later seasons are sometimes the best. Right now, BIG LOVE is in it's third season. And this year they've really uped the ante in terms of story, characters and all around drama. While it's nice to get payoffs and a conclusion to GALACTICA (especially since they've dragged it out for so long and at times got really pretentious) and LOST is finally paying off it's season and a half up it's ass with the time travel aspect thrown into the dramatic momentum, I find myself more and more excited for the new eps of BIG LOVE.

And as for HEROES, I know some people say it's a lost cause, but I will stick by that show to the end and am loving the momentum of the "Fugitives" volume. Hey, if LOST can get back on track, so can HEROES.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 9:50 PM

MALINARA21

Firstly, I thank all of you viewing this for taking two seconds out of your day to read my two cents, and especially to those who've bothered take a further five seconds to reply. :)

As I have already stated, my intention is not to debate the quality of Chuck; my view of the show is certainly only my own, and I don't mean to start a disagreement about that show's merits or lack thereof. I only wanted to use my feelings towards it to segue into my feelings towards Firefly. My apologies if I offended anyone's tastes; for now, let's keep the discussion to Firefly. :S

From reading the replies and re-reading my initial post, I think I may have sent a different message than I originally wanted to. I lament, in my heart of hearts, the fact that we will never see what Joss had in mind for Firefly. By looking at the "silver lining" of cancellation I mean to say that those 14 episodes were so great that I fear that it would set an unreachable standard for the rest of the series.

Would you guess that Mal and Inara are my favorite sci-fi couple? I'll borrow them again to illustrate my point. I was touched to the core during their exchange in Heart of Gold, and Inara's declaration of her intentions to leave. Everything about that scene led us to believe that this, finally, was the moment Mal had chosen to admit his feelings for her. Everything in his words, and in Nathan and Morena's eyes (the unspoken conversations they had with each other, using only their eye contact, were a favorite part of the series/movie for me) told us everything was shiny. The moment had come.

Then Inara tells us she's leaving Serenity. How many people screamed at the television? Shouted at Mal to chase after her, twirl her around, and tell her not to go? I know I did. So did my girlfriend the first time she watched it. Every facet of that scene was so powerful, so overwhelming for me. So rarely does a show come along that is able to manipulate my emotions in such a way.

But would my heartstrings feel as strong a tug in season 3, when Inara threatens to leave for the umpteenth time, and Mal chooses inaction again? How many times will I laugh at Jayne's odd fascination with guns before I find him thin and one-dimensional? At what point in season 4 will River cease being a truly sympathetic character and become, dare I say, annoying? What plot twist will leave me staring at the TV with a disgusted look on my face and "really, Joss? REALLY?" on my lips?

I should label my comment with a disclaimer of sorts: I do NOT in any way, mean to disparage the ability of Joss or anyone else on the writing team's ability to keep the above worst-case scenarios from happening. Seasons 2 to 5 might have their missteps, as every show does, but I like to think that had they had the opportunity Joss would've made a show for the ages. He would give Jayne a second and third dimension, and I have no doubt River would be mentioned with Picard or Skywalker in the pantheon of science fiction. His plot twists would be surprising, but not outlandish.

I merely want to articulate my fear of the possibility that perhaps the near mythical seasons 2-7 might not be as absolutely shiny as the first 14 episodes. The way it is now, we are left with 14 wonderful stories that rank up there with the best television I've watched.

I'll end this comment the same way I ended the first: with the statement that Firefly will always remain shiny to me, because it never had the chance to be less than that. Would you prefer the memory of something new and shiny, or the same object after it has suffered the ravages of time and rust?

Call me cowardly if you must. Part of me would agree with you. But it is a small part; the rest would keep the former.

...again, I ramble. Apologies. :)

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