Firefly and Serenity (No spoilers)

Every once in a while a show comes along that reinstates your faith in television. It has a great background, fantastic plots with unexpected twists and most importantly the characters are strong and multidimensional.

Recently I was introduced to Firefly by my cousin, originally aired in 2002, it was only ever given one series.  Cancelled eleven episodes into the fourteen episode season leaving the last three only for those who bought DVD box set. I had heard talk of it before, most notably by my friend Joe, who did a whole spiel on 60 North Radio about how it was one of the best tv shows. He was right.

I often write my reviews filled with spoilers as I like to talk about certain points of the plot, or you know the entire plot point by point. However this program is so good and I want you to read this if you haven't seen it yet. My dream for this post is to get those who haven't seen Firefly yet to go out and buy the DVDs or watch it on Netflix and immerse themselves into another wonderful Wheddon creation.

How to sum it up: Cowboys in space.
How to justify it: Wheddon's brilliant ideas and witty writing make this far more than some cheesy genre clash.





To give you the background without spoiling any plot; this is set in the future, the year 2517.

"Earth-that-was could no longer sustain our numbers, we were so many"

The Earth has become so incredibly over populated that mankind has spread into the galaxy, terraforming existing planets and moons in order to allow humans new places to live. The Central Planets formed an Alliance which then sought control over all the outerlying planets and moons. A war ensued between the Alliance and the Independents; members of our beloved Firefly crew fighting on the latter. Until the Alliance won. Even as the authority throughout mankind's presence in space it ignores the outer-lying planets needs for further development, medicine and defence. This lack of Alliance presence has also resulted in a relative freedom where smuggling and gun fights are a way of life, hence the Western tones within the show.

Some quick fire reasons why Firefly is one of the best sci-fi shows:
- there are no aliens
- there are no sound effects in the space shots
- no one travels faster than light speed
- there are no aliens.

So the world of Firefly itself is a new take on two much loved genres.

Then comes the crew of the Firefly ship, named Serenity. A team of nine. I won't go into each character in much depth, but they are all introduced in their own way, and, as the series progresses you learn more about each member of the ship, their backgrounds and nature. Each character is different from River's intelligence that is eerily brilliant to Jayne, simple Jayne. If you think of any of your favourite shows I am willing to bet that they include a cast of characters that you really like. They are funny, sweet, remorseful and self deprecating. That is the crew of Serenity. Wheddon knows how to write strong, likeable characters and this show has them from the beginning, before you have even been properly introduced small lines such as:

"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. And you know why? Because we are so... very... pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die" 


Nathan Fillon plays the Ship's Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a former Independent Sergeant, responsible for the quote above. I'll give you a quick introduction to him to give a sense of the complexity and likeability of the characters within this show. Known to his crew as Mal, he commands authority over the ship and when he has to get angry he really does get frighteningly angry. Along with his quick witted lines Fillon plays the dumbfounded pauses better than anyone I have seen on television. Their comic timing is always perfect and says much more than words.

Mal on a mission.

And it isn't just the main cast that are brilliantly written, each and every other character, particularly the baddies, are magnificent. They are sinister, often hilarious and can be incredibly terrifying. Each one has their own qualities that make them stand out, I can't think of a weak baddie that appeared in the series. They all have their quirks and something that drives them on.

I think I can end this here.
Apart from one point.

Why was Firefly cancelled? Not enough viewers they said. Although it was put on a terrible time slot. Whatever it was, I think it was cancelled because of it's message. The crew of Serenity are just trying to make a living in a Universe that is being ignored and often exploited by the powers that be. Think on the messages there that Fox don't want you to ponder on. Although as if January the 29th there will be a comic book series following the crew of Serenity 8 months on from where the film left off. Much excitement.

Oh, actual last point: The worlds that build up Firefly have a strong Chinese influence in them. The idea behind this is that the main forces behind the further exploration of space and terraformation of new planets was by the Americans and the Chinese. So both cultures are beautifully merged together within the series. The best part? They cuss in Chinese. GORRAM. I have learnt so many new words.

So go now, watch Firefly, there is only one series and one film so it isn't a chore to think of watching it the same as catching up with a 6 season series is. Although when you finish you'll wish there was more, you'll wish there was more harder than the rock.

And I mean The Rock:

"Firefly was incredible. I feel very sad now that we have finished it." Hayden Hook

What is this and when can I get it?