Firefly
I’m glad my sister-in-law told me it took her 5 or 6 episodes to get into Firefly, because I didn’t think I was going to like it at first, either. It is a SPACE WESTERN with WAR FLASHBACKS, and I like neither space nor western nor war.
I gave it 5 or 6 episodes—and now I am a member of the pissed-off masses who can’t BELIEVE that shows like [insert show you hate here, because certainly I am not going to suggest any *cough*TwoandaHalfMen*cough*] have been on for YEARS, while this…this…this WORK OF ART only got to try out eleven episodes before the network gave up on it. Stupid network. Stupid Futurama-canceling, Arrested-Development-canceling, Firefly-canceling network.
Some people will like the show for the huge cool guns, the Men Being Men, the occasional sweaty sex, the legalized prostitution, and the hot/sweetheart female mechanic walking around with her jumpsuit half unzipped. Other people will like it for the explorations into character and relationships, the kick-ass women, and the hot/honorable muscley guys. Some people will like it for the Creepy, and some people will like it for the Funny, and some people will like it for the Smart, and some people will like it for the Mystery, and some people will like it for the Pretty. Some people will like it for every single minute of whatever it dishes out, and you can join me over here in my pissed-offedness.
The DVD set includes three never-aired episodes in addition to the eleven aired ones (one of which was the double-length pilot). I will be truly astonished if you don’t like it. ASTONISHED. But give it 5 or 6 before you make up your mind. —Swistle
Links: Firefly: The Complete Series, on Amazon.com (check out the over 2500 customer reviews, almost entirely 5-star) and more show info on Wikipedia
Ballpark price: At posting time, Amazon has a bunch of sci-fi sets on 50% off—so it’s $24.99 instead of $49.98. Good moment to spring for a Father’s Day gift? You never know what to get him, and maybe he’ll like this.
Posted: April 1st, 2008 under Movies/Television, Personally recommended by Swistle.
Comments: 22
Comments
Comment from Kelly
Time: April 1, 2008, 6:40 am
Yes. One of the most underrated shows EVER. Be sure to check out Serenity if you haven’t already. I still haven’t seen it but it is supposed to be really good. I have been watching the show very slowly over the last few months and when I’m done I will see the movie. 
Comment from Maureen
Time: April 1, 2008, 8:16 am
Yes, make sure you see Serenity, which is the movie that wraps things up!
Comment from She Likes Purple
Time: April 1, 2008, 8:17 am
I feel this way about Veronica Mars, which was canceled after season three (just shy of a future in syndication) while The Real World is on it’s TWENTIETH season.
Comment from Quiana
Time: April 1, 2008, 9:21 am
I’m sorry guys, it is my fault. Anytime I like a show too much it gets canceled. Even if it is ridiculously popular, if I watch it, it will get canceled.
Poor Sports Night, Wonderfalls, Arrested Development, and Firefly.
I guess I could try to watch Lipstick Jungle again. Maybe tequila will help?
Comment from Linda
Time: April 1, 2008, 10:40 am
I was going to recommend the movie, too, but I see Maureen did. Worth it.
Love Firefly, Buffy, Angel . . . pretty much anything that Joss Whedon puts his hands on. And Arrested Development. Stupid network execs. Such a great show. Do you watch 30 Rock? It’s a very clever comedy. If you like AD, you’d love it.
Comment from Tessie
Time: April 1, 2008, 10:43 am
This is also how I felt about the HBO series Big Love. It took about 3 or 4 episodes before I was cleansed of the ick/awkward vibe, but after that I really got into it. I think the first few seasons are out on DVD now if you are taking requests (um, WHY would I think you WERE?).
Comment actually RELATED to post: Two And A Half Men. I spit in its general direction.
Comment from cheyenne
Time: April 1, 2008, 11:31 am
Oh man I LOVED this show; I’m a sucker for spaceships… In addition to Serenity, there is a free Firefly fan novel that is pretty good [http://dreamcafe.com/words/2008/02/05/firefly-novel/] and helps take the edge off once you’ve gotten to the end of the series and realize there is no more.
If you are a fan of anime, the Japanese series ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is well worth checking out; it is very similar to Firefly. There are 24 episodes out there I think and a movie to top it all off.
Comment from Natalie
Time: April 1, 2008, 12:27 pm
Love, love, love Firefly, Serenity, and all things Joss.
I think Quiana must be my long lost twin. (but I don’t think even tequila would help Lipstick Jungle)
Comment from angela
Time: April 1, 2008, 12:35 pm
This show has been recommended several times to me, but I just can’t bring myself to watch it if it was canceled in season 1… I need to know how stuff ends!
Also, add The OC to good shows that got canceled by Fox. WHAT. It was a good show.
Comment from Jessica
Time: April 1, 2008, 12:48 pm
Ooh, for all you Joss addicts, get thee to the local comic book shop. You’re missing out on Buffy Season 8, Angel, and Firefly stories available for sale! The Firefly ones are so far two mini-series, one is available in trade paperback, the other is 1/3 issues out so far. And they take place between the end of Firefly and the movie Serenity (which I hated with the passion of a thousand fiery suns, even though I lurved lurved lurved the show).
Comment from Mandy
Time: April 1, 2008, 1:06 pm
I’m 3 episodes in, and already hooked (after devouring Buffy and Angel on DVD as well). For all you Joss fans, his new show “Dollhouse” starts filming this month. It’ll be on Fox as well.
Comment from Rosie
Time: April 1, 2008, 2:55 pm
Oh yeah, Joss Whedon is a freakin’ genius. We loved Serenity. We mourn Buffy and Angel (and mostly Giles *whimper*). Firefly is wonderful!
Comment from Maggie
Time: April 1, 2008, 2:58 pm
I also loved Firefly, but it was no surprise as I already loved Buffy and Angel (even though I was probably so far out of their demographic it was hilarious). Joss Whedon is my pretend boyfriend. I did it backwards though and rented Serenity first and enjoyed it so much I knew I’d have to get more of the same so I hit Firefly. I miss Joss shows…
Comment from Rachel
Time: April 1, 2008, 3:21 pm
For those interested, you can watch all 14 episodes online on Hulu (free and legit.) And very good quality, with a couple 30 second commercials you have to sit through in exchange. Guess I know what I’ll be doing this weekend.
Comment from Denise
Time: April 1, 2008, 3:36 pm
I just had to chime in with the Firefly love!! One of the bestest moments of my life was watching an advance preview of Serenity months before its release with Nathan Fillion sitting behind me. Yes, I did squeal when I saw him walk into the theater. And yes, I am an adult woman with three kids who should be above that sort of thing. (In case you’re interested, he’s a super nice, down-to-earth guy. You should all go read his essay, “Serenity Found”, at http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2007/11/exclusive-excer.html if you haven’t already.)
Comment from Flibberty
Time: April 2, 2008, 8:46 am
OMG! I, like the previous commenters, LOVED this show and wished I had watched it when it as actually on. I blame really bad promoting. This show was GOOD. I also think that every good show will be cancelled an invariably replaced with some cheap as shit to produce crap like Moment of Truth and its ilk. Travesty.
Comment from Emma
Time: April 2, 2008, 2:41 pm
ITA - Firefly was the utter shiz (good Lord, I’m a middle-class British girl and I’m using the word “shiz”).
The guns, the greasemonkeys, the aliens, the hot men, teh secks, the general coolness of the entire thing = the win.
I wash my hands of US networks sometimes, I really do!
Comment from KJ
Time: April 3, 2008, 9:33 am
I’m another Firefly lover and a bigtime Whedonist.
You’re in good company m’lady. We all gnash our teeth at the brilliance-nixing executives together.
Comment from Sarah
Time: April 3, 2008, 1:32 pm
Of course, Fox also cancelled Drive (starring Nathan Fillion) and, although that show didn’t come close to the sheer awesomeness that was Firefly, I thought it was good enough to have earned a few more than three episodes. But that could just be my love of Nathan Fillion talking. Also, you have to watch Chuck if only for Adam Baldwin. It’s basically Jayne Cobb all over again, except in the NSA.
Comment from Olivia
Time: April 3, 2008, 1:51 pm
I was sooooo bummed I didn’t watch Firefly when it was on! Maybe I could’ve saved it!! Not really, but I’m a huge fan now with no way to get more of a Firefly fix. So sad.
Comment from launchingsloth
Time: April 4, 2008, 1:08 pm
I love that you posted about this show!
Also, She Likes Purple– I KNOW! I liked Veronica Mars, too! And so did Joss Whedon! This all seems like some kind of conspiracy to repress people with good taste.
Also, probably all these Whedon fans probably know, but he’s got a new TV show called The Dollhouse coming out this fall, so I hear. (!)Starring Eliza Dushku.
Comment from Nowheymama
Time: April 7, 2008, 10:47 am
Yes! We love Firefly! And it made so much more sense on DVD when we could watch the episodes *in order* and not randomly, FOX EXECUTIVES.
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