Was it the mixed marriage they didn't like?

POSTED BY: Nellie
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 05:10
VIEWED: 21144
PAGE 6 of 7

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NEXT PAGE

MATTEBLACK

Thursday, January 19, 2006 6:02 AM

Asian/White unions are unspoken, approved versions of interracial relationships...

While I won't deny that their are still some folk who still have such racial hang-ups, I think the issue is so small as to have had basically no effect on the series and movie.

As mentioned earlier, Lenny Kravitz's mother portrayed the Helen Willis on the Jefferson's in the '70's and many productions since have put the topic further and further to rest.

The comments on white/asian pairings reminded me that it seemed like many of the people cast for the series seemed to have multiracial undertones in thier appearances. My assumption was that this was done to drive home the premise of the 'verse's combined ethnicity.

That being said, I believe the racial difference may have been intentional to highlight the pair's differences and the strength of their bond despite them.

NELLIE

Thursday, January 19, 2006 7:07 AM

Well, I think you are all right in pointing out these various aspects I hadn't thought of, for example that white/Asian couples are considered far more acceptable than salt & pepper ones, and that the Wash/Zoe couple deliberately stressed the physical differences to reinforce the harmony, and the interesting things everybody else said.

It just shows the tremendous courage and farsighted vision of Joss, first in creating this idea, and then in defending it against the executives who so vehemently objected to it, as SergeantX said, for reasons never made clear. But when Joss refused to axe the marriage, look what happened to his show. That's what bothers me.

I think he is very brave to have to deal with all those powerful people on a daily basis---I think it's kind of scary.

It's also tragic that artists of every kind are constantly shackled by interference from business people, who should just give them free rein and let them get on with it. It must be hard enough to be an artist, with that terribly insecure up-and-down life, without all those additional restrictions imposed by business. Business people also make their own great contributions to humanity, of course, but why can't they stay in their own area of expertise?

The last thing I want to say is:
Can't Wash be repaired? Joss is so clever that I hope he can think of a way to repair Wash somehow, because I can't accept the future of Firefly/Serenity without him. Or without Book either. Like Russell and Cub and others have said, it's too depressing.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

JOLYNEHEATHER

Thursday, January 19, 2006 6:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by christhecynic:
Just wanted to point out that:
1 This seems to be true, they have no understanding of sci-fi fans.
2 Grok is a great word, and the book it comes from is great too. Odd thing is that I got directed to it by an extremely prudish catholic girl, never would have expected her to like that content (and I'm not talking about the sci-fi.)

You are absolutely right; most television execs have an extremely narrow view of what sci-fi fans are really like. We have jobs, family, friends, go to school... even occassionally get laid. And we like our entertainment to be funny, intelligent, sexy and action packed as well as set in a pleasingly sci-fi setting. Why they can't understand that those elements can coexist successfully is beyond me.

By the by, as a former Catholic school girl (former school girl, not former Catholic) myself, I think Heinlein (I like the Lazarus Long books myself) can act as a release valve for all that self-restraint we're suppose to have.

GLOBLABSURDITY

Thursday, January 19, 2006 7:15 PM

You'd think the addition of an interracial couple would enhance the executives' and viewers' opinion of the program in a favorable light. Look what a "hot" program Will and Grace is today. Although a different type of program--it also deals with modern day issues and way of life. It's not so "taboo" anymore amongst the majority of people in the world today. It is reality and that is another reason I found Serenity, and then Firefly, so refreshing.
Take a look at what the critics think about 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'Monster's Ball'.
It's hard to imagine that the racial mix would play a roll in the cancellation of our show. Of course, there will be the critics that won't like the program for just that reason--however, I doubt it would make a difference nowadays to television execs. As for the same execs. cancelling our beloved program--you can bet they are so regretting it now--but have a need to save face. PPFT on them!

*Never judge a book by it's movie*
*The heart is an artist that paints over what profoundly disturbs it, leaving on the canvas a less dark,less sharp version of the truth*--D.Koontz (Forever Odd)

RIVER6213

Friday, January 20, 2006 4:05 AM

Someone's living in a dreamworld...

GLOBLABSURDITY

Saturday, January 21, 2006 12:50 AM

More like--someone's an idealist. Always been a failing of mine.

*Never judge a book by it's movie*
*The heart is an artist that paints over what profoundly disturbs it, leaving on the canvas a less dark,less sharp version of the truth*--D.Koontz (Forever Odd)

RAVENHAIR

Saturday, January 21, 2006 3:28 AM

As the minority half of an interracial marriage I appreciated the way that Zoe and Wash's marriage was treated - as a marriage of unique individuals who were working on their marriage in each episode. It wasn't about their race (although it was that is part of who they are). I love that they related with each other and the others on so many different levels.

In the context of the show, out in the black and in a new 'verse, Zoe and Wash's marriage was less about race than personality. I mean, really, the Amazon warrior gun wielding woman and the Hawaiian shirt wearing smart ass pilot? Much more startling than Black and White. I think Fox had a problem with what they perceived as a boring married couple.

I live in a a culturally diverse area (compared to most of the US) and fortunately have had very little problems with racism, but I'm not naive enough to believe that I wouldn't have problems in other places. Perhaps my kids will live in a better 'verse? here's hoping

ILLEGALARGENTINE

Sunday, January 22, 2006 2:48 AM

I doubt that...a lot. It more has to do with people not being able to get into the Comedy, Space, Western, Action Drama idea. When my friend fist described the show to me, before I had even seen any of it, the show sounded stupid. Even the idea of a Firefly shaped ship can turn people away from the show. Fire fly is no Star Trec...because Firefly is a gun shooting blood bath with balls!!!!!

HOPS

Sunday, January 22, 2006 3:35 AM

/quote Funny, though -- until I saw your post, I never really thought about the Wash/Zoe pairing in those terms. Had to think for a moment before I knew what you meant. I guess that's a mark of how far our society has come over the last half-century -- not that we don't still have a way to go.

I felt the same way when I saw this thread. However I have heard from sources close to the show that Fox did have a problem with the companion character.

There's a Christianity thread that's looking at that issue a little closer.

"Keep On Walking Shephard Man"

NINAH148

Thursday, January 26, 2006 11:07 PM

As half of an interracial couple (Asian / Black, where does that fall in acceptability between Black / White and White / Asian?) I should have more to say on this, but you've covered the bases. With the exception of -- Nellie, you can't have seen "Walk the Line" yet. Reese Witherspoon did not win a Golden Globe for her portrayal of a "happily married woman," she won it for her portrayal of a woman suffering through two bad relationships while inexorably attracted to a married man. Big difference.

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NEXT PAGE