A little over ten years ago, the tv series Firefly premiered. It was on a cable channel, so we didn’t get it. I’ve since seen it. I’ve since been given the DVD set of the all-too-few episodes. I’ve since watched them several times.
Mom and I have been catching up on the early seasons of NCIS before we started following the show, ordering the disks one-by-one from Netflix. This last time, in between disk deliveries, I said, “You want to read something, or watch a movie, or we could watch Firefly again.”
Just hearing the name of the show settled the question. No contest: we would watch Firefly again. 
So what IS it about that show?
Part of it is the wonderful cast. From the first episode, they worked beautifully, singly and together. The feeling of a history between the crew characters, of experiences shared, of interpersonal dynamics explored and balanced, was there from the start.
The writing is mostly wonderful. Me, I could do without the creepy blue-handed guys and the whole River’s brain thing. Yeah, I know it’s major, and I know it’s what drives the movie, Serenity, but I hated the movie Serenity, so there you go. OTHER THAN THAT, I loved the writing. I could totally watch endless episodes that were just episodes, with no series-long plot arc.
I love the costumes and sets. Kaylee’s ratty paper parasol and her overalls with the teddy bear applique. Jayne’s arsenal and his knitting project on the corner of his bunk. Inara’s hair and makeup and clothes. That rawhide string Zoe has tied around her neck. EVERYTHING about the look of the show is … just … great.
If you don’t know anything about Firefly, Here’s a Wiki about it. But don’t watch it. I warn you, you’ll be hooked.
This being Tuesday, I’m posting at Fatal Foodies on the subject of what to do with a dead biscuit.
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: What is your main character’s favorite tv show, or other form of entertainment?
MA
Jay Noel
February 5, 2013 at 8:42amI LOVE Firefly. The dialog and dynamics between the characters hooked me. It was snappy, smart, and just so cool. Wish they’d bring it back.
And I thought it premiered on Fox…
Marian Allen
February 5, 2013 at 9:04amIt premiered on the Fox Network. I never get tired of Firefly. Every time I watch it, it surprises me and tickles me. 🙂
Kat French (
February 5, 2013 at 9:04amI love Firefly, even though I just discovered it in the last year or two. It’s just an interesting character drama. Reminds me of LOST in that way–just when you think you have a particular character figured out, you discover something completely unexpected about them. It’s a shame it didn’t last longer.
Marian Allen
February 5, 2013 at 9:08amKat, I like it even better than LOST, although it does have that same sense of full backstory and that fluid character dynamic. As you say, you think you know Jayne is a rootless brute, and then his Mom sends him a ghastly hat and he wears it with pride, or he has free run of a pleasure house and you see him brushing his “girl”‘s hair. Love it!
Jane
February 5, 2013 at 11:14amLove Firefly!
Nathan Fillion. ‘Nuff said.
Marian Allen
February 5, 2013 at 1:44pmOh, Jane — WORD! 🙂
Bianca
February 5, 2013 at 12:50pmI love Firefly! Its so deliciously cheesy!
Marian Allen
February 5, 2013 at 1:45pmSo deliciously beefy! 😉