SHAUDAWN

I’ve contemplated a lot of books and movies that have challenged me deeply. But never until Firefly has a television show ever done the same. From the first time I knew I was hooked, I knew that Firefly was destined to be an American mythos. Years ago, Joseph Campbell talked about the move Star Wars as a prime example of mythology. Based on Jung’s ideas of archetypes as deeply engrained symbols that stir a person to the primal depths of their subconscious, mythos used those archetypes in such a universal way, people of a culture – sometimes even cross-culturally – could find a deep, ‘spiritual’ meaning to them. Campbell could see a pattern of stories, from the deeply religious scriptures to the common urban legend, and identified those symbols. It wasn’t that they were untrue fairy tales. In fact, Mythos tells Truth more deeply than ‘objective history’ because, clouded in some subconscious code, timeless elements of the human condition exist that lead beyond the illusion of objectivity. George Lucas admitted that [i]Star Wars: A New Hope[/i] was based on those mythological elements Campbell mapped out. And in many ways, it does contain those elements that stir the soul in a young man about growing up, facing magic, alien landscapes, and even death itself for the Great Cause. As a kid born in 1970, I found Star Wars as mythos, though I didn’t know it at the time. Here’s how it is, though. Myths, like Earth-that-was, can get used up. Star Wars was good for me as a kid because, back then, I couldn’t understand beyond black hats and white hats. Finally dragging itself out of Vietnam, I wonder if America needed that paradigm where good was always good, evil was always evil, and good always triumphed. For me, at least, that’s how it was. Until...

SHAUDAWN

I remember Star Trek: TNG when I was a youngin' in high school. Longing for a really good sci-fi series, I tuned into episode number one. After that premier, my friends and I basically wanted to kill Worf, and have Wesley and Riker mutiny and go on a wild joy-ride across the neutral zone to hunt for someone like Khan. (Hey, I was a high school nerd. I admit. Ain’t proud, but…) I hung in there because it was the only sci-fi I was getting’, but even when the Borg came around, it had lost me. Only after watching Firefly do I know why there’s no way in hell I’d ever go to a Trek convention. With TNG, there was always this whiff of triumphalism to it. I think that’s why Trekkies/Trekkors (whatever) are such snobs. This greater-than-thou attitude is built in to the entire Trek universe – that the Human Federation is always superior, even if out-technologied... they at least unilaterally claimed a moral high ground. It’s probably just me, but that Star Trek/Star Wars mythos don’t work no more. My boys are really into The Lord of the Rings right now. I admire Tolkien’s ambition to write a new mythos for England. What Firefly did for me was hit me with what I think America's myth really [i]is[/i]. I like LOTR a lot, but there’s something that SW/ST/LOTR have in common that I can no longer accept. The American myth that is fed to me on a regular basis these days is this: the hero sweeps in and saves the day because of some divine mandate from either Force or phaser. Current events aside, I think America has wanted to be that Star Wars myth of defeating the evil Empire in the name of the Force (TV preachers call it ‘God’…that’s a whole nuther can o’ worms fer another rant). Or others want to be that morally upright Federation whose constant march of history will triumph over all. “Yes, we did blow up the planet once, but look at us now, you silly Q! All you have to do is work hard to make that inevitable Federation come into being!” Truth is, I think most of us in America and its vassals are fed the promise of the ‘American Dream’ as much as the Alliance promised the benefits of civilization. [quote]”…Ruled by an interplanetary parliament, the Alliance was a beacon of civilization. The savage outer planets were not so enlightened and refused Alliance control. The war was devastating, but the Alliance's victory over the Independents ensured a safer universe. And now everyone can enjoy the comfort and enlightenment of our civilization.”[/quote] Everywhere in our world (what some call ‘Real’), we get promises from politicians of all colors. Advertisers guarantee whiter teeth, trimmer bellies, less work, more leisure, more fun, more sex, perfectly happy children, a pill to fix anything, and a shiny car to drive on wide open roads (backroads on weekends…but still roads). TV Preachers invoke God for even more ‘blessings’ and a take of some of ours, promising that if we mutter the right magical words, we’ll get a pony and a little plastic rocket. Corporations lure employees in with promises of security and benefits, and when we swallow hook, line and sinker, our mortgage, car payment, and medical insurance keeps us locked behind desks, counters, computers, and tools. (Shackles made of paper...now ain’t that odd). That is why [i]Firefly[/i] ought to be the American mythos...not that it is untrue, but because its truth cuts through the crap, lifts the veil, and tells it like it really is: real people…no aliens, angels (no pun intended) or photon torpedoes or robots to swoop in this time and save us.

SHAUDAWN

In the ‘Verse, despite an interplanetary parliament and a vote on Unification (Inara, Out of Gas), democracy doesn’t save anyone. Neither does fighting. “Sorry, Luke, the Rebellion failed. It was just too hot to send in that gorram air support.” Although Mal won’t hesitate to shoot an unarmed Operative, he doesn’t go blasting Badger out of his den in some over-inflated machismo rampage when he doesn’t get paid. Money and privilege ain’t the answer neither. Inara is not as free as she seems. Simon loses everything. Jayne gets pinched trying to sell the Tam’s out. Power? Even the Alliance ain’t as all-powerful as it seems. They can’t control the Rim’s crime, let alone the Reavers. Even Ranse in [i]Heart of Gold[/i], with all his fanaticism and gun-waving, gets it in the forehead. Freedom itself is an illusion. It’s awfully crowded in Malcolm’s sky. The Bible doesn’t seem to say anything about freezing to death in space to Book in [i]Out of Gas[/i]. (Note: I don’t share Joss’s atheism…just the opposite. That’s another rant for another time.) In the ‘Verse, there is no answer. Bad wins a lot. People starve. Things go wrong. Even the Browncoats aren’t all innocent – in [i]Bushwacked[/i], Harken implies that he witnessed mutilation on the part of the Independents, further implying Mal was to blame for staging a Reaver attack. Even the myth of our benevolent Browncoat is a lie. Mal [i]is[/i] a bad man, no matter how much medicine he gives back to the local sheriff or how cutely Kaylee says otherwise. Though I am somewhat critical of [i]Those Left Behind[/i], we do see that Mal will knowingly steal money from folk. He will shoot a man in the head rather than let him on the mule to escape Reavers. That powerful need to eat can be quite the justification for liberating anyone from their precious coin. Mal, on the other hand, still cracks me up when he shoots the unarmed Operative or yanks Simon's cord in the Serenity pilot ("Kaylee's dead" gag). It's not that I think Mal is simply a cool badass, and therefore could kick either Han Solo’s or Picard's butt without shedding a tear (moral tear, that is. I’m sure he’d still yelp when Simon tries to stitch him up again). It's just that Firefly is more [i]real[/i]. Mythos, in the end, isn’t about answering the questions. It isn’t about forty-minute solutions or triumphant endings to thrilling trilogies, as fun as that is. Husbands and mentors die. We mess up and steal medicine for a sadistic crime boss. The gorram air support don’t come no matter how many times I kiss my shiny gold cross. Jayne ain’t no saint that’ll deliver us from boss Higgins. In the end, all we real people know is to keep flyin’. Sometimes we lose, and the Powers-that-Be cancel shows a world more real than American Idol. Sometimes we win, and movies get made. Sometimes grand actions like a civil war end up meaning nothing. Sometimes, the small acts of love and faith and hope can stand up against the most hellish Reaver, Operative, Fox Network Executive, or Alliance. It’s been years, now, since a small Firefly full of nobodies first flew the Black. We ain’t pretty, honorable, or all that good. We ain’t rich or powerful. But we are real – Browncoats, Purplebellies, and regular folk alike. It is we who are aboard Serenity. Them that don’t care to look much will call it fiction, but we know otherwise. And if you’re reading this, you know we’re still flyin’.

REGINAROADIE

Hey All I was just cruising around the net, and discovered this little bit of info. It seems that when THE O.C. wraps up in February, it wraps up for good. Here's the link to the article.

RIVERISMYGODDESS

Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone, I hope you had a good one full of fun, booze, and sex (2 out of 3 here). It seems like a lifetime since I have been on here due to the events of the past week or so, which I will now (hopefully) get down in writing. [b]The Good:[/b] New Years itself was pretty rockin’ for me and mine. I left work early on Friday, and at some point during the day was called to be told that we had Tuesday off due to a day of mourning for president Ford, so I had a good long weekend ahead of me. I had to work Friday night until close, which was ok, as it put a little cashy-money in my pocket. I got the boys from Ami on Saturday, which went well, as I did oversleep a bit (the snooze button gets me in trouble all of the time) but made up for it by giving her a little extra money for gas because she came farther than the halfway point to meet me. I took the boys to my parents’ house, where we all ate like kings and had loads of fun playing. My brother Blee and his girl Moto were there, and my other brother Jonathan and his girl Kat showed up as well. Our New Years party started that Saturday evening, with a gathering at Harley’s Tavern VI (

YORIK

Hello my lovely crew! Ah, it's been a long four months, but I'm back! Huzza... Everything has been pretty peachy. Navy life is good, but the time away from your old life and those in it is the biggest price to pay, I feel. I've met many a face from many a place in these past four months, and have befriended the most unique of persons. There are grueling times and times when you think that a life like this isn't one you wish you had, but it passes. Most of the flock are respectful and helpful, while others threaten you in response to the smallest of gestures. All the result of their own upbrining. News about my current events: I've been dwaddling in yet another fanfiction, one that I hope will be pleasing to read. I haven't had time to draw anything, and if I had, I wouldn't be able to show it to anyone. I had a wonderful Christmas. Got to see my family. That was the greatest gift. I hated leaving them. I brought my laptop up to Illinois with me, and now I'm here. I got a cellphone as well (very first one ever) and now I can keep in touch a lot easier than I could before! I'm happy for that. Well, I best go. There's work to be done in order to achieve my evening reward - LIBERTY! (freetime) One thing is for certain: I will be on and visiting my beloved crew more often now! Be well, loves.

MANWITHPEZ

So, it's finally happened. I got my call up. You know, you join the military 13 years ago, and you don't expect these things to happen. I was informed on Tuesday that I leave Saturday for Iraq. Just when I thought I had some things figured out, too! Not being in the Army, however, I shouldn't be there all that long. It's just that the timing is horrible. My lease goes up while I'm gone. Both of my children's birthdays happen (as well as mine, but, I can live with that) and I've only been with TWG for 6 months, and then I get called up! (I'll be back in 4 months, before anyone gets any ideas!) I've really no idea when I'll get to check in or not. But, as always, it's nice puttering around here from time to time. You kids play nice, now!