Remarkably few Asian-looking folks in the 'Verse

POSTED BY: CTHawk
UPDATED: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 03:23
VIEWED: 2703
PAGE 1 of 1

CTHAWK

Monday, March 20, 2006 7:27 PM

It strikes me as odd that in a world dominated by China and the U.S. (which sit today at roughly 4:1 ratio of Chinese to Americans) that there would be so few Asian-looking people. It seems clear that much Asiatic culture as made it 500 years in the future. Why not the people?
Are we to understand that people like River and Simon Tam are mixed-heritage descendants that have, at some point, lost thier Asian phenotype?

EVILDINOSAUR

Monday, March 20, 2006 7:38 PM

Could be that maybe non-asian genetic traits are more dominant, and so in the few generations since leaving earth, the asian traits have simply been pushed to the rear. I dunno, I don't do genetics.

"Haha, mine is an evil laugh."

NUCLEARDAY

Monday, March 20, 2006 9:48 PM

There's an article about that in the Finding Serenity book, too, talking about a notable lack of asian actors.

Never terribly sure, myself, of just how much to read into that, either.

Could be that we're to assume that in 500 years of interbreeding everything's just become homogenized. Also, possibly since Serenity spends most of the time out in the Rim, maybe those of asian descent are more prominent in the core worlds and we just don't see them too often?

Course who knows what's going on in Joss' head? There could be some grand master plan at work that never saw fruition with the cancellation, and we don't know who else had auditioned for various roles, either. Far as I know, he could have been thinking of casting some Asian actors for some of the crew, but decided that someone else was better for the part?

Or could be a gross oversight, too.(One of the villains in the comic mini-series is Asian, maybe he's last of his kind? ;)

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You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

AGIRLYMAN

Monday, March 20, 2006 9:54 PM

The lack of asian presence is the only grip I can muster about the greatest tv series ever.

AM I NOT MERCIFUL?!?!?!?

Tee Hee

DONCOAT

Monday, March 20, 2006 11:30 PM

THere are at least a few asian faces in the Eavesdown Docks scene, among others. But I agree, given the level of Chinese influence in the culture, there should be more.

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I don't disagree on any particular point.

LADYSERENITY

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 12:50 AM

There is a great essay on this question as well as other cool points of interest like where Inara's character as companion came from, Jewel Staite's favorite Firefly moments and an unofficial guide of all the Chinese in the show in "Finding Serenity: Anti-heroes, Lost shepherds and Space hookers in Joss Whedon's Firefly"

Great read for a Browncoat!
Have any of you read it? What did you think?

Lady Serenity

NUCLEARDAY

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 3:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ladyserenity:
There is a great essay on this question as well as other cool points of interest like where Inara's character as companion came from, Jewel Staite's favorite Firefly moments and an unofficial guide of all the Chinese in the show in "Finding Serenity: Anti-heroes, Lost shepherds and Space hookers in Joss Whedon's Firefly"

Great read for a Browncoat!
Have any of you read it? What did you think?

Yeah, it's a good read. I rather like how there's some markedly contrasting essays in there as well. (Not enough feminism in one and then another saying it's overdone for example :)

Loved the one where the Heroes switch places with the crew of Enterprise ;p (Plus the handy quide to the chinese phrases.)

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You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.