Why this show matters to me by SergeantX

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Why this show matters to me

POSTED BY: SERGEANTX
UPDATED: Wednesday, December 4, 2002 17:04
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VIEWED: 2328
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Tuesday, December 3, 2002 1:38 PM

I've been trying to come to terms with why this show means so much to me and I'd like express some of my thoughts here.

I remember a quote I heard once, I believe it was from Martin Scorsese, that went something like this.. "I've always been most interested in artists and criminals, because they try to live life by their own rules." There are many reasons why I am so fascinated with the story of Serenity, but this really gets at the core of it.... and I think it my have had something to do with why Fox has been seemingly uneasy about getting behind the show.

In the unaired pilot, Zoe makes a comment to Wash expressing her concern with their situation, saying "I know something ain't right." Wash responded with "Sweety, we're crooks, if everything were right we'd be in jail." It's clear from the start that these people are outsiders and many of the quirks of the series are there to emphasize this. They speak with southern accents that brand them as such... they are looked down on by core Alliance people in the same way modern 'city folk' would look down on rural people today. The clothing and weaponry are meant to emphasize that these people are on the fringes, pushed to the edges by a constraining social structure that they can't, or won't conform to. I guess what I'm getting at here is that many of us, some more than others, have felt like outsiders at some point, and it's inspiring to see others dealing with the same issues. "Score one for the bad guys."

The other element of the show I find so appealing is that, as Jewel Staite pointed out in an interview, it is a 'family' drama. Not a family drama in the 'well suited for family viewing' sense, but a poignant saga of love, loyalty, and sacrifice that gets at the heart of what 'family' is all about, and why it can be so completely important. Life can beat you down, take away everything and leave you lost, but if you have a family then you have hope. The fact that Malcolm's family(crew) is so non-traditional only makes it that much more inspiring.

This show doesn't fit well into a genre, appropriate for a story of people who don't fit in, and that makes for quite a challenge in drawing viewers, but if we can convince people to look past their expectations, maybe there are enough of us 'outsiders' to keep Serenity flying.

Just me rambling....

SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

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Tuesday, December 3, 2002 2:10 PM

RHEA

Quote:
Originally posted by SergeantX:
The other element of the show I find so appealing is that, as Jewel Straite pointed out in an interview, it is a 'family' drama. Not a family drama in the 'well suited for family viewing' sense, but a poignant saga of love, loyalty, and sacrifice that gets at the heart of what 'family' is all about, and why it can be so completely important. Life can beat you down, take away everything and leave you lost, but if you have a family then you have hope. The fact the Malcolms family(crew) is so non-traditional only makes it that much more inspiring.

This show doesn't fit well into a genre, appropriate for a story of people who don't fit in, and that makes for quite a challenge in drawing viewers, but if we can convince people to look past their expectations, maybe there are enough of us 'outsiders' to keep Serenity flying.

I agree completely. One of the most telling moments on the show happened between Mal and Simon at the end of Safe when he said "You're on my crew," and Simon said "You don't even like me."

Mal just looked at him and said again "You're on my crew," as if that explained everything. And it does. They are a family - as far as Mal is concerned, when you belong to his crew you're his to protect and care for. And they all get that (even Jayne, I think - at least *now* he does).

I loved the way Book said "It's *good* to be home" in Safe.

Almost everyone I know has gotten addicted to Firefly. Too bad it's they're not Nielsen families. ;-)

BTW - love your sig.

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Tuesday, December 3, 2002 5:23 PM

SAINTOFCHEESE

aw.. it's so warm and fuzzy! Hehe.. write it all in a letter! WElp. I got two new people into it today, and hopefully i can get them to plead with fox as well.

~*Saint of Cheese*~

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Tuesday, December 3, 2002 5:27 PM

GAHERIS

There are many reasons why Firefly is a good show and why it matters to me. The biggest reason is a friend of mine will be utterly devastated should the show end so soon. But there are others. I love the realism of character that all of the crew of Serenity exhibit, and the realism of environment painted by the writers of Firefly. The reactions, everything is so believable in this program. The thing that draws me the most to Firefly is the interaction between characters and their positions in life. None of these people are exceedingly special (perhaps barring River). Each had a life before Serenity, but now Serenity encompasses their life. Mal, who as any good captain, refuses to abandon ship in Out of Gas, shows his deep ties to Serenity. He shows his deep ties to his crew in both Ariel and Safe where he refuses to leave anybody behind, valueing his bond to his friends over all else. He can be harsh but his redeeming qualities MORE than make up for it.
Zoe, who's questionless loyalty to Mal shines through every episode, and who's humerous soul shines in an undercurrent in each comment and action she makes.
Jayne, Who despite being unscrupulous, has his own gifts of morality and his own strengths.
Book, the preacher who stays with Serenity for unknown reasons but seems to genuinely care about each and every crew member.
Kaylee, like Mal, shows a single-minded devotion to Serenity and wears her heart enough on her sleeve to show just how much she cares about Serenity and its crew.
Inara, who's biggest hold to Serenity is Mal, but who finds Serenity as her own home, no matter what happens.
Simon, who's brotherly devotion to his sister makes him glow, despite any signs of snobbery he might possess.
and finally
River, who granted is a bit odd in the head right now, but in her moments of lucidity shows such pride in some people that (namely Simon) that it kinda well... tugs your heartstrings.
The show is great, easily one of the best I've viewed. As far as can be known, it will continue. I really hope so.
Gaheris

"...take me where I cannot stand/I don't care, I'm still free..."
-Excerpt from Ballad of Serenity

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Wednesday, December 4, 2002 2:09 AM

IDEFIX

don't want to sound crotchety but you forgot Wash.

PS: but I do agree nonetheless. it is a good show. the people are interesting, and the situation they're in is interesting. and it is written and acted in a believable way. and to mention one more thing, it is high-larious at times.

Idefix

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Wednesday, December 4, 2002 12:13 PM

INVISIBLEGREEN

One of the recurring themes in JW shows is surrogate families. One example is the episode "Family" of BtVS, in which Buffy tells Tara's dad that he may be Tara's blood kin, but the SG is her family. The same theme has also been important this season and last season on Angel, with them all caring for baby Connor and all looking out for each other. I'm also thinking about a particular line, but I can't remember it right now. I think Angel said it to Cordy.

Anyways, I do agree that this same idea is presented in Firefly. Mal cares for his crew, not just as co-workers, but as family members.

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Wednesday, December 4, 2002 1:37 PM

BOBKNAPTOR

I don't know about Angel saying something to Cordy, but in the first season's episode "Expecting", when Cordy was knocked up with the demon spawn, Angel went to look for her friends. He asked the bartender where to find them, and the bartender said "Are you the boyfriend?" and Angel said "No, I'm family."

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Wednesday, December 4, 2002 5:04 PM

HOTFORKAYLEE

Sometimes it's hard to describe why a certian show, song, or anything else "means" something to you. I was a fan from day one not even knowing about an unaired pilot or anything else. From what I did see, it mattered enough that I got on the web looking for info and happily stumbled upon this site and haven't stopped reading yet.

After reading all the various threads I downloaded the pilot and rewatched all the episodes which made me fall in even deeper. The theme song is not one I classify as "my kind of music" but I wouldn't want another song. This one hits that certian something inside, like my tag line really brings out a deep meaning for me and it hits home everytime I hear it.

I agree with the posts talking about the "family" part of the whole crew. Watching the show there is definetly a sense that the crew geniunely care about each other (hopefully even Jayne now) and I think part of that is the actual cast are enjoying themselves making this show.

Another big part is that someone actually took the time to put together a big story and a big cast with an actual story in mind beforehand that makes you think about more than staring at a picture-tube until bedtime.

Every once in a while you need a mindless show. I've seen it blasted here before but I kinda like Fastlane too. Hot cars, hot characters, basically eye-candy all around, but sometimes you need a break. The thing is that I would always watch a show like Firefly but if I miss Fastlane, who cares?

It has no meaning, no story that I can truly identify with and make me feel theres always hope, even for people like us. Honestly, we need more of the population to actually use their brains for more than wondering whats for dinner.

Quote:
"Ask ten different scientists about the environment, population control, genetics and you'll get ten different answers, but there's one thing every scientist on the planet agrees on. Whether it happens in a hundred years or a thousand years or a million years, eventually our Sun will grow cold and go out. When that happens, it won't just take us. It'll take Marilyn Monroe and Lao-Tzu, Einstein, Morobuto, Buddy Holly, Aristophanes... and all of this... all of this was for nothing unless we go to the stars."

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