Have there ever been aliens on Firefly?

POSTED BY: Malsyummy!mmmmm
UPDATED: Friday, January 2, 2004 20:21
VIEWED: 3531
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HKCAVALIER

Friday, January 2, 2004 7:09 PM

I love Joss's lack of aliens from a narrative standpoint. I love Joss's intention to make "Firefly" a part of history, to make it our story and not let the lumpy foreheads get in the way. But I can't help feeling that there is a larger reason why every single space show that has ever seen the light of day has had aliens.

Most of the time the alien phenomenon is used as a handy stand-in for the Divine, be it benign or vengeful. Aliens represent a "higher power" in a way that modern folk resonate with, because angels are considered utterly fanciful and fairies are strictly for kids. But these "otherworldly" beings are a major part of the human experience, at the very least they are emblems of human imagination and hope. By cutting them out of the big picture, I think Joss is adding a whole subliminal level of bleak emptiness to his future. In Joss's hands, "We are not alone" turns to "We have been, are now, and will always be alone."

I've thought a lot about Joss's alienless universe, ever since I first read his blurb at the top of this page that he believes that we are the only senscient life in the universe and 500 years from now we will still be the only senscient life in the universe. From a metaphysical standpoint, it sometimes strikes me as a little heavy handed, even nihilistic. Of course, I have faith that in my universe the Earth won't get "used up," that it's a kind of self-hating hubris to think that human beings truly have the power to destroy once and for all our planet.

Anyway, I've always wanted to comment on Joss's alien-free philosophy. Thanks for being here. It makes me feel less alone...

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

MAL'SGAL

Friday, January 2, 2004 7:34 PM

At the L.A. Comic Book/Sci Fi Convention last month, Gina Torres said she signed on for Firefly specifically because the treatment she got from Joss said in large letters THERE ARE NO ALIENS OR MUTANTS IN FIREFLY.

So that was the concept; no aliens, no mutants, just humans.

WHOODAHN

Friday, January 2, 2004 8:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Malsyummy!mmmmm:
I was having a discousion about Firefly the other day with my almost stepdad, and he asked me if there had ever been an alien in any of the episodes. I said I didn't know but shamefully I haven't seen every episode so I can't be sure and it's been bugging me so if you know could you please let me know.

There might have been an extra on the set without a green card. Are you gonna call Immigration?

MALSYUMMY!MMMMM

Friday, January 2, 2004 8:02 PM

very funny! But its also kinda lame sorry

mmmm i love mal!

ZACHSMIND

Friday, January 2, 2004 8:05 PM

Perhaps it's also important to note that The Reavers are believed by many in Whedon's universe to either be aliens or mutants or somehow influenced by non-human sentience, but objectively they're just human beings who have been driven mad by a lack of culture and are untethered to the idea of humanity existing in order to survive. It's like they've looked into the face of their god and realize it's a mask, their perception of the heart of their god has been found to be empty and wanting, so Reavers are very nihilistic and anti-humanity. Madness in its purest form. But they are just humans too. There's no celestial angels in any heaven in Joss's reality. This is fitting, since it sounds like he's an aetheist.

I happen to disagree with him, but that doesn't diminish my appreciation of his storytelling. =)

------------------------------
"Hang on, travelers..."

WHOODAHN

Friday, January 2, 2004 8:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Malsyummy!mmmmm:
very funny! But its also kinda lame sorry

Ouch!
I thought it was a humorous turn to a serious conversation.

MALSYUMMY!MMMMM

Friday, January 2, 2004 8:08 PM

yea your kinda like wash huh? turning serious things into humourous things.

mmmm i love mal!

WHOODAHN

Friday, January 2, 2004 8:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Malsyummy!mmmmm:
yea your kinda like wash huh? turning serious things into humourous things.

Seriously...
I think the best thing about Sci-Fi is thinking outside of the box. Everyone accepted your question at face value, I didn't. Everyone expects to find alien species in space, Joss doesn't.

Joss's concept of space exploration doesn't conform to what is generally accepted, that helps make Firefly a great show.

MALSYUMMY!MMMMM

Friday, January 2, 2004 8:21 PM

I totally agree, but that might also be one reason why it got cancelled even with all the fans they probably thought it wasn't popular enough cause there are no aliens. Which is really sad cause I like original shows the best

mmmm i love mal!

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