A small negative critique of Firefly...

POSTED BY: Seba
UPDATED: Monday, February 27, 2006 04:29
VIEWED: 7444
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SEBA

Sunday, February 26, 2006 12:41 AM

...where are all the gorram Chinese? If the culture of the Firefly 'verse is truly the result of a fusing of China & the US, why is it that 99% of the peoples we see in Firefly are decidedly not Chinese. Am I just missing something? It seems to me that there should at least be a reasonable percentage of Chinese, especially given that they far outnumber the population of the US, presently. I know they have appeared in the series, but nowhere near what would seem believable to me.

THEINCOMPARABLENOTION

Sunday, February 26, 2006 12:44 AM

Perhaps both cultures and ethnicities merged into one, and the traits of the Americans (which is comprised mostly of white people) were dominant, and the Chinese traits are fainter.

Or maybe not...

CHRISTHECYNIC

Sunday, February 26, 2006 12:58 AM

Um ... how about Simon and River? They are TAMs that makes them Chinese, just because their genetics are distorted beyond all recognition doesn't change their heritage. Remember that as people combine a lot of traits die (and still there are Geisha.)

My Cousin is (black) central African, (black) South African, Vietnamese, and Indian (as in from India) her daughter has even more genetic strains to her name, yet her daughter looks like she could be a member of River's family.

When she was born she looked Korean (I have no idea why, no part of her came from Korea) but now that she's grown older she looks like something that can only be described as, "American."

Why is it so hard to believe that in 500 years the population decended from this entire world's population would look like the mutts of the world?

THEPISTONENGINE

Sunday, February 26, 2006 1:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by christhecynic:

Why is it so hard to believe that in 500 years the population decended from this entire world's population would look like the mutts of the world?

Because people are proud of their heritage?

THEINCOMPARABLENOTION

Sunday, February 26, 2006 1:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by christhecynic:
Um ... how about Simon and River? They are TAMs that makes them Chinese, just because their genetics are distorted beyond all recognition doesn't change their heritage. Remember that as people combine a lot of traits die (and still there are Geisha.)

My Cousin is (black) central African, (black) South African, Vietnamese, and Indian (as in from India) her daughter has even more genetic strains to her name, yet her daughter looks like she could be a member of River's family.

When she was born she looked Korean (I have no idea why, no part of her came from Korea) but now that she's grown older she looks like something that can only be described as, "American."

Why is it so hard to believe that in 500 years the population decended from this entire world's population would look like the mutts of the world?

Genetics are just random that way, most of the people in Firefly do look a bit "mutt-like," while others appear specific to just a few ethnicities.

SEBA

Sunday, February 26, 2006 1:06 AM

Hey, everyone in my family are mutts as well -- Okinawan / Latvian myself, my fiancee being Nigerian/Filipino -- I'm just saying that I'd just like to see more people who are more obviously Chinese on the show to hammer home the whole concept Joss put forth with the dialogue. Even if it's 500 years in the future, historically, the majority of people haven't been too keen on mixing things up, and I doubt it would have been that widespread by this point either.

THEPISTONENGINE

Sunday, February 26, 2006 1:26 AM

Anyone read the RPG rulebook? There are some factions in the RPG that are Chinese people, mostly gangs, I think.

SIGMANUNKI

Sunday, February 26, 2006 1:54 AM

Ok, let's work from the current state of the China. Or at least what I know of, could be wrong.

There isn't many that are strongly wealthy in China. But, in the states, there are a lot of people of this type. At least far more than in China.

Also, the American companies contract to Chinese companies to make there stuff. Ever wonder why all that stuff at Walmart is so damn cheap?

So, if this propigated through time, the rich white people will be on top, whereas the Chinese would be at the bottom.

Thus, generally speaking, there isn't gonna be many Chinese who own there own ship. They're gonna be the worker in the factory, and as said above, the gang on the street, or...

But, if you look throughout the series, there is tonnes of evidence of Chinese cultural influence throughtout the 'Verse.

So, the 'Verse is a combination of American and Chinese cultures, period.

Seriously, look in the background. I think that you'll find lots of what you are saying is missing.

----
"We're in a giant car heading into a brick wall at 100 miles/hr and everybody's arguing about where they want to sit."
-David Suzuki

HIXIE129

Sunday, February 26, 2006 3:10 AM

Series cut short, we never got to the other planets.

FOLLOWMAL

Sunday, February 26, 2006 3:19 AM

Thank you Hixie

Series cut short, not enough seasons to introduce all the Chinese characters that Joss and the writers were gonna introduce.

Like the other Companion ( beautiful Chinese enchantress) who would attempt to steal Mal's heart away?
or
the gang of Chinese thugs who would attempt to foil a particularly juicy heist that Mal is attempting to pull off
or
the rich Chinese family, whose son would beg Inara to stay
or
the new little crook with Chinese heritage who would send Mal and crew on a caper that Badger wanted Mal to go on, thus creating tension between crook factions...

ok, ok, I'm silly, just ignore me.

" You hold. Hold til I get back." Mal

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