Why this show matters to me. by SergeantX

BUFFYVERSE

Why this show matters to me.

POSTED BY: SERGEANTX
UPDATED: Monday, January 6, 2003 16:35
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VIEWED: 2188
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Tuesday, December 3, 2002 10:19 AM

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 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.

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 10:41 AM

LIVINGIMPAIRED

Dude, your tag kicks ass.

________________

But it'll be fun. No wait, I mean it'll get us all killed.

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Monday, January 6, 2003 4:35 PM

STOPCALLINGMESHIRLEY

This is so totally unimportant, and I really did love your insight - but you're in the Buffy board. No biggie, just thought I'd point that out.

You are strange and offputting.

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