Why is Firefly still relevant almost a decade later? by Kunochan

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Why is Firefly still relevant almost a decade later?

POSTED BY: KUNOCHAN
UPDATED: Thursday, December 3, 2009 08:10
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VIEWED: 10895
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Monday, November 30, 2009 11:19 AM

Hi. I'm working on a blog post, and I'd like some feedback. I asked this question around at the Creation FF/S Con a week ago in LA, and got some great answers.

The question is: "With only 14 episodes and a movie, why is Firefly still so relevant to so many people today, almost a decade later?"

Thanks!

Erik David Even
Zoic Studios
http://www.idesignyoureyes.com

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Monday, November 30, 2009 11:26 AM

CHRISISALL

It avoided cliches & dared to make the writing more important than the FX (which were second to none anyway). It had characters that were imperfect, yet seldom annoying. In this age of sue-happy children, it made personal responsibility a central theme.
It was a true tale of family values.
Plus: Serenity was a cool ship.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Monday, November 30, 2009 12:07 PM

GROTZ

Is a cool ship!

Vote for BDM/FF at http://stargate-news.com/

Never kiss'em on the mouth.

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Monday, November 30, 2009 12:29 PM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

'Cause it's the best gorram tv show ever made? That's my answer, and I'm sticking to it!

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

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Monday, November 30, 2009 1:25 PM

KUNOCHAN

For me it's all about the writing. The dialogue, and the way the characters were developed through dialogue, were just brilliant. I especially love River's dialogue -- she rarely spoke, but when she did, it was always a bizarre window into her disordered mind. And usually either disturbing or hilarious.

Erik David Even
Zoic Studios
www.idesignyoureyes.com

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Monday, November 30, 2009 2:52 PM

OUT2THEBLACK

Quote:
Originally posted by Kunochan:
Hi. I'm working on a blog post, and I'd like some feedback. I asked this question around at the Creation FF/S Con a week ago in LA, and got some great answers.

The question is: "With only 14 episodes and a movie, why is Firefly still so relevant to so many people today, almost a decade later?"

Thanks!

Erik David Even
Zoic Studios
http://www.idesignyoureyes.com

'Cause this is US , on the raggedy edge...

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Monday, November 30, 2009 3:00 PM

JAMERON4EVA

I feel that it's still relevant because wile the underdog has been given the shortist stick possible, he takes it, and betters it wuith all he can do,. It has a family feel that has been missing before, and really missing since, unconventional, but still a family. AND WE ALL LOVE FIREFLY.

"Mom, he has her chip. He has her."
John Connor,"Born To Run", TSCC EP 2x22

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Monday, November 30, 2009 3:08 PM

TDBROWN

Firefly is still relevant because of the Universal (No pun intended) themes it deals with;

What constitutes "Family"?

How do you deal with crushing defeat?

What is loyalty?

When does government stop being our friend and become a threat?

Is Love more powerful than madness?

And are bobble-head Geisha Dolls really a major commodity?

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

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Monday, November 30, 2009 3:48 PM

HUGHFF

I agree that the writing is the key. Too frequently today, television and, especially, film concentrates on the visual image. However, great films/shows recognise that it's a synthesis of both visual images and dialogue.

There was never any doubt from the very start that FF had the dialogue right. More than what it told us about the characters per se, I liked what it showed about their inter-relationships. The verbal exchanges between Mal and Inara, the way Jayne treated Kaylee like a little sister, the way that Mal's trust and respect for Simon grew incrementally - these were important to the flavour of the show.

The show didn't avoid complexity - these were real people living in a messy (ie real) world (alright, worlds) and, as such, things were never simple. For example, Mal's driving philosphy is essentially individualist yet he recognises the need to act collectively (see Our Mrs Reynolds.) He often tells people to do what they're told but in the same episode tells someone else that they have to do what they think is right. That sort of paradox, that inconsistency, is the life we all lead. It made the show credible and it meant that simple answers weren't simple. Look at Jaynestown, when Jayne, who generally doesn't give a damn about anyone else, struggles to deal with the death of someone he'd barely met.

Finally, and Zoic can take more than a little credit for this, the show did have some great visual images: The reaver ship sliding past in absolute silence, Crow disappearing through the air intake, Serenity rising up the cliff after the bar fight. The off-centre and shaky "hand held" camera work, even in the CGI, began a trend that has become everyday (Bourne Ultimatum, BSG) but broke new ground for me. When I first saw the first episode I thought, "how could they be so amateur?" But by the end I had hooked into the vision and never let it go. Who knows, one day we may look back on that sort of camera work and think "Meh" but for now it works.

www.cpfc.org - my life

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Monday, November 30, 2009 4:10 PM

JAYDEPPS

I agree with most above, but I would also like to add that another reason it is still relevant is because of how abruptly it was cut and it never received closure. We've been thirsting for more. A good TV series goes for a decent amount of seasons until the story is filled in mostly. Then the series leaves TV and becomes a classic on DVD and repeated every so often. Firefly was never given the chance to do this. But, what really got me hooked was the characters. You get attached to them.

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Monday, November 30, 2009 5:16 PM

JAMERON4EVA

I totally agree with you man, it got cut too short, just like Dark Angel, and TSCC. And i mainly blaim the cancellation of Dark Angel on FOX, and 24, Firefly was just put in the situation that produced the battles on the net.

"Mom, he has her chip. He has her."
John Connor,"Born To Run", TSCC EP 2x22

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Monday, November 30, 2009 6:53 PM

NCBROWNCOAT

The writing, the visuals and the characterization. I can't say much more than has already been said but I watch and rewatch the DVDs and see or hear something new and fresh each time. It always amazes me.

http://fireflyfaninnc.livejournal.com/

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Monday, November 30, 2009 7:36 PM

DEWRASTLER

I've actually thought about this before, and almost wrote a letter to Joss letting him now I appreciate his work and why.

For me, it's really simple. I discovered Firefly around the time of the BDM. I knew of it, but had only seen an episode, so when the BDM came out I saw it and immediately fell in love with the story and characters. Then I saw the series and it was better. But that's not why Firefly is still part of my life today.

When I saw the BDM I was a sophomore in college. At this point in my life I didn't know who I was. My roommates and friends were off doing things that I wasn't a part of (my one roommate had a new girlfriend and my other got really involved with church). I myself had just gone through a terrible ordeal with a girl. I was alone. I didn't leave my room except for food and class because I thought I was completely alone. Then there was Firefly. Then there was Fireflyfans.net. The whole thing erupted into this whole community. Our own family in our own ship. I've been to a few cons now, met other fans. I even was part of a few CSTS screenings. I've also become more comfortable with myself in the years since.

Why is Firefly still relevant? It wasn't just a show, it is a community.

________________________________
People who don't care about anything will never understand the people who do

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Monday, November 30, 2009 9:52 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

Why is Firefly still relevant? It wasn't just a show, it is a community.

Wow, talk about putting it in a nutshell. DeWrastler that was pretty.
--------------------------------------------------

Here's my take. It's a thousand different things, some of which has been said above, but I gots to have my say.

Like DeW describes above it's family. It's the characters and how they interact with one another, not your usual fair. It's the small gestures made by each character toward one another that we take notice of. It's how they fight with and against one another.

We see River as broken and we care enough to try and find out how she got that way. It's her brother sacrificing his career to save his sister. It's love, in point of fact. It's how we come to side with a villian merely because he helps our ship and crew to heal.

Who writes like this? Who gives us true feelings and make us care about 9 strangers floating in a tin can across the black? Why do we care about a guy who screams at his crew and threatens to kill them if they don't obey his orders?

It's a thousand scenes that we remember and smile. Jayne outside the infirmary as Kaylee lies injured on a table. It's a teen-aged girl wandering through a ship sensing everything. It's a traveling preacher seeking absolution and redemption. It's a young genius doctor merely wanting to keep his sister safe.

I come to love it especially when I see Wash calmly pilot the ship out of harm's way, and Kaylee proudly exclaim "that's my girl."
The sheperd tells the young doctor to listen and he finds himself clinging for dear life on the hull of his new home; his sister calmly and joyfully looking out into the black. The look on her face was all I would need to know that this was no ordinary show.

Relevant?, now and always.
Bring it back gentlemen, it is sorely missed.

SGG

Tawabawho?

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 3:01 AM

JONGSSTRAW

Firefly is still relevant because of websites like FFF. Fan websites create an international community of folks who can belong to something that really doesn't exist, but seems like it does. It's like ongoing adult education. You can learn more from the discussions from thousands of fans about their impressions and opinions than you would by yourself just watching the show. That's why Firefly continues to be important, because the fans still consider it important.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 3:14 AM

PIZMOBEACH

... fully loaded, safety off...

Quote:
Originally posted by Kunochan:
The question is: "With only 14 episodes and a movie, why is Firefly still so relevant to so many people today, almost a decade later?"

It's a testament to the power of Television as a story telling medium. Writing, acting, visual arts, music, sound and crew, all working together behind the scenes and on the screen - the end result being something far greater than the sum of its parts.

It's also a testament to the foibles of the business side of TV.

How to make those two sides of the same coin work is even more relevant today than when Firefly first aired, with web content delivery, direct to DVD, and fan/non-traditional funded media projects adding legitimate and competing forms of distribution.

This conversation is just getting started.

Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 5:12 AM

BYTEMITE

Quote:
Firefly is still relevant because of websites like FFF. Fan websites create an international community of folks who can belong to something that really doesn't exist, but seems like it does. It's like ongoing adult education. You can learn more from the discussions from thousands of fans about their impressions and opinions than you would by yourself just watching the show. That's why Firefly continues to be important, because the fans still consider it important.

Hmm. Just the fans?

I think us fans have kept the interest alive, and since we support each other as a community, it's a powerful thing to be part of.

But considering the number of conversions we get, Firefly is apparently important to would-be fans, people who haven't even seen it yet. Which I would argue means it's not just important to fans, but generally important.

Looking around, I think Firefly has had a noticeable impact on Science Fiction, visual/special effects wise and in the sense of it's memorable setting and characters. Sci-Fi is often about good and evil, about wining the battle/war against some threat or another; Firefly was about shades of grey, people and their day-to-day problems getting by, a realistic look at life after that war when it's been lost.

In the very least, considering how fanatical other fandoms seem to view us, the FANDOM has made an impact on Sci-Fi.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 5:33 AM

JONGSSTRAW

Quote:
Originally posted by Bytemite:
Quote:
Firefly is still relevant because of websites like FFF. Fan websites create an international community of folks who can belong to something that really doesn't exist, but seems like it does. It's like ongoing adult education. You can learn more from the discussions from thousands of fans about their impressions and opinions than you would by yourself just watching the show. That's why Firefly continues to be important, because the fans still consider it important.

Hmm. Just the fans?

I think us fans have kept the interest alive, and since we support each other as a community, it's a powerful thing to be part of.

But considering the number of conversions we get, Firefly is apparently important to would-be fans, people who haven't even seen it yet. Which I would argue means it's not just important to fans, but generally important.

Looking around, I think Firefly has had a noticeable impact on Science Fiction, visual/special effects wise and in the sense of it's memorable setting and characters.

I should have also given credit to all the actors and Joss for keeping FF relevant. Their commitment to the fans and their love for the show all these years has been inspirational.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 6:07 AM

BYTEMITE

That's true. It definitely helps if the cast, producer, writers, and production crew are themselves all fans. :)

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 6:58 AM

FREMDFIRMA

Wow, everyone else has said all that needs be said, but imma add my two cents anyway.

Cause it's that damn good, period.

-F

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 7:03 AM

DEADLOCKVICTIM

....as network television programing sinks further into the realm of the absurd and mundane, programs that offer an intelligent diversion to the abysmal choices left the tv viewer become rare jewels that are to be appreciated and celebrated....

or, the cream rises to the top.....

this little saga is all cream

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 10:08 AM

NEWOLDBROWNCOAT

I like the notion I got from one of the essays in Finding Serenity.
A lot of Mal's enemies are small , human scale evil-
Atherton Wing, Magistrate Higgins, Durran Haymer, even Niska. They're one man, with a little more power than the average, using that little advantage to exploit others. They're small enough to fight against and defeat. The Alliance, with its battle cruisers, isn't. Mal can pick his fights, and win, even if he can't defeat the big evil.
This is a useful lesson and role model-- maybe we can't beat George Bush, and the Department of Homeland Security, but maybe we could win against a local dishonest cop or corrupt city councilman.
Note the number of libertarians, anarchists, free thinkers, pissed-off-at-both-parties-Independents and various types of Individualists who are Browncoats.

and maybe if we can't beat 'em, we can fly below the radar, hang out at the corner of no and where, and stay one step ahead of the big foes.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 10:33 AM

CHRISISALL

There is no piece of filmed entertainment better than Objects in Space. None.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 11:14 AM

HUGHFF

I wouldn't rate OiS as my top episode of Firefly, not even in the top 5. I would rate Firefly as my top television series ever.

www.cpfc.org - my life

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 11:36 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

Quote:
Originally posted by Bytemite:
Quote:
But considering the number of conversions we get, Firefly is apparently important to would-be fans, people who haven't even seen it yet. Which I would argue means it's not just important to fans, but generally important.

There are only three types of people in the world. Firefly fans, those who haven't seen Firefly yet, and those who have but are unable to appreciate its greatness.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 11:43 AM

ZEEK

Quote:
Originally posted by Dewrastler:
Why is Firefly still relevant? It wasn't just a show, it is a community.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I give credit to the shows quality, early cancellation and movie prospects. Those drove me to fireflyfans back in the day. I was a big fan of buffy and angel but never felt the need to join a community about them. This show almost required it to get the latest news of any chance for more. It also left so many "what if"s that you almost needed to try to create closure by bouncing ideas off others.

The community has spawn a lot of great things. There are message boards all over. Can't Stop the Serenity is amazing. They got the movie back on the big screen every year and raise a ton of money for charity. There are events like the browncoat ball. Groups like the 76th battalion.

For such a short run show that is incredibly impressive.

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Wednesday, December 2, 2009 8:21 AM

KUNOCHAN

Thanks, everybody!

http://idesignyoureyes.com/2009/12/01/why-are-fireflyserenity-fans-so-
devoted-even-after-all-these-years/

Erik David Even
Zoic Studios
http://www.idesignyoureyes.com
http://www.periannath.com
http://www.sauronsblog.com

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Wednesday, December 2, 2009 9:03 AM

OUT2THEBLACK

Quote:
Originally posted by Kunochan:
Thanks, everybody!

http://idesignyoureyes.com/2009/12/01/why-are-fireflyserenity-fans-so-
devoted-even-after-all-these-years/

Erik David Even
Zoic Studios

Thanks for flyin' with us !

Especially appreciated your inclusion of the comments that Loni made , such as this :

'...We made the viewer a ‘welcome voyeur.’ The camera followed the emotional beats. By using a handheld camera on-set and a ‘handheld’ camera effect for the CG exteriors, we put the viewer in the emotional center of the story. The viewer is a voyeuristic participant – another outcast, a part of the crew.” '

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Wednesday, December 2, 2009 11:14 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

OMG yes, Chris. OiS is a storytellers story. A piece of art that is masterpiece/masterstroke and extraordinarily uncommon.

Some time back someone posted the question which episode would you show a newbie or potential recruit to the 'verse. I change my vote to OiS.

Wait.............let me think on that some more.

SGG

Tawabawho?

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Thursday, December 3, 2009 1:25 AM

MEATPUPPET42

Firefly is still relevant because it deals with real world problems, finding a job, making money. Look around the room your in right now is it all gleaming white and clean like the enterprise? Probably not, looks more like serenity dirty and well used.
So why was star trek TNG on the air for so long and this show was canceled I will never know, especially the first year of TNG with all that gay music in the background.
Come to think of it the background music in firefly was really good made use of a lot of different instruments.

That's why I don't kiss them on the mouth.

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Thursday, December 3, 2009 8:10 AM

CAPELLA

When I think about your question, a lot of things spring to mind, many of which have already be mentioned in other posts: the excellent writing, a wonderful cast, daring and unusual photography, topics and themes we can all relate too etc.

Another thing which makes Firefly so special for me is, of course, all you guys. The wonderful crowd of Browncoats all over the world. Being a Browncoat is so much more than just being a fan of a TV show and movie. It seems that most of us also become (or always have been) rebels in our private lifes, who stand up for our believes and against the mainstream, who help each other out and who do the impossible. And that makes us mighty ... not only as fans but also as human beings.

What always amazes me as well is, how much the crew and cast of Firefly are still supporting the show. That is truly something you rarely find, especially for a show that was cancelled so early. It would have been easy for the people involved to write it off as a 'failure'. But they didn't, in fact, people like Joss, Nathan and many of the others still say that they'd jump right back in if they got the chance.

All that together makes a wonderful mixture and more than the sum of its parts. That's what makes Firefly special. It seems that really every aspect of the show was and still is somehow great and wonderful. Except, of course, the broadcasting network.

Keep flyin',
Capella

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