Diversity in Firefly by Rijpe

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Diversity in Firefly

POSTED BY: RIJPE
UPDATED: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 22:38
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Tuesday, July 27, 2004 12:15 PM

I have seen another thread that discussed how few Asian people that were cast in Firefly, and how part of the problem was there weren't as many Asian actors available.

That aside, I want to say how much I like the fact that there are non-caucasian actors in the main cast and how many women are in the cast. In a lot of sci-fi and fantasy movies and series, there are very few female characters, and the ones that exist seem very "forced" to me -- they are added in to add romantic tension to the movie and because they want a kick-ass action figure out of the movie that will give little girls a happy-meal toy they will want. Sometimes I feel that minor roles are purposely filled with minorities just to appeal to a broader range of fans (which I think often works). This may be a prejudice on my part, but I don't think I'm imagining it, especially since I _don't_ feel that way about any of the characters on Firefly.

I am a woman and I admit that I prefer stories that include interesting female characters in them -- I think that this is a common bias, to want to see myself reflected in the world.

However, what I really wanted to say was how much I appreciate the stories and characters of Firefly. I feel like each of the actors is absolutely amazing (and nice, from what I hear), the writing is great and makes great use of an ensemble cast. I like the fact that Firefly has many female characters and is not an all-caucasian cast, but I especially appreciate the fact that while I am watching the stories unfold I am thinking of the characters as individuals. I feel that each of them is absolutely necessary to the show, and that none were just added for romantic tension or to make the show look more diverse.

Just think of all of the happy-meal toys little girls will be able to covet!

I didn't mind watching Star Trek NG after the first season, but the reason the movies have gotten so stale is that the writers have forgotten how to use an ensemble cast -- it's all about Picard.

Sorry for rambling so much. I'm not sure I said exactly what I meant to, but additional posts will probably clarify.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:40 PM

SHINY

Actually, the question I was going to ask Joss at the ComicCon was about this topic. Ruttin stupid microphone lady...would have been one of the first in line if she hadn't changed the format they used all day from two mics to one...grr..arr!

Jayne, your mouth is talkin. Might want to look into that.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:50 PM

RIJPE

Actually, the thought of Zoe and Wash having an interracial marriage never really occurred to me. I had a thought somewhat like "what is a warrior goddess like Zoe doing with a regular-looking guy like Wash?" (Which sort of mirrors something Alan said on a commentary.) Wash/Alan does sort of grow on you, though.

I'd love to see the history of Zoe and Wash hooking up -- Zoe goes from "he bothers me" to "he turns me on" somehow.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2004 9:58 PM

HEB

I was thinking about this just last night. I really like the way that Joss naturally puts women in usually traditionally more male occupations and doesn't make a big deal of it. He never says 'oh look a female mechanic. Aren't I progressive?'. He just seems to do it naturally with Kaylee and Fred the physicist in Angel and to a certain extent Willow with computers and maths etc. In any other series the sidekick who could hack into the city's computer network would so have been male.

Well, my sister's a ship... we had a
complicated childhood
.................
I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2004 10:38 PM

PURPLEBELLY

Quote:
Originally posted by Rijpe:
Zoe goes from "he bothers me" to "he turns me on" somehow.

Isn't it the other way round?

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