Review of Firefly 1.1: "Serenity"

POSTED BY: Entilzha
UPDATED: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 15:59
VIEWED: 2632
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ENTILZHA

Saturday, June 12, 2004 12:57 AM

In my opinion, this was the best science fiction series in the last decade or more. Even my beloved "Babylon 5" didn't have the consistency that "Firefly" had in its doomed original run. I never had the chance to review the pilot episode (taken as a two-hour whole) when it was run late in 2002, but now that the feature film is beginning production, now seems to be the time to revisit Serenity, doesn't it?

The plan, such as plans go, is to review the entire DVD set of episodes every few weeks, between the beginning of production on "Serenity" and the release date next year. All of my original "Firefly" reviews remain on my website for easy comparison...which ought to be an interesting exercise...

Anyway, here's my review for Firefly 1.1: "Serenity":

http://www.entil2001.com/series/firefly/season1dvd/ff1-1.html

Overall, this is easily one of the best pilot episodes ever produced, and should have been the beginning of the series when it was aired. Uncut and in widescreen. The writing, direction, and acting is about as good as one could ask for, with only the most minor flaws that are inherent to any production. Nathan Fillion is the highlight of a superior cast. This was obviously a labor of love from beginning to end.

SHAMBLEAU

Tuesday, June 15, 2004 8:58 PM

Great review! I have one caveat. I don't believe that Zoe was on the sidelines in the debate over whether to space Simon and River. She avoided answering Wash when he asked if thety were going to discuass this, true. But, in the deleted scene where she spoke with Simon, it becomes clear where she stands.

When Simon asks her what she'd do if Mal asked her to kill him, she says she'd do it. Not she'd do it if Mal was right about the situation, just a straight-ahead declaration of where her loyalties were. Even in the scene that was ehown, where they were debating, I think it's implicit in her reactions. I certainly took it that way at the time.

And by the way what a great scene it was! All the conflicting character positions coming to the fore in just such a masterful way.

Shambleau

BROWNCOAT1

Wednesday, June 16, 2004 3:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shambleau:
Great review! I have one caveat. I don't believe that Zoe was on the sidelines in the debate over whether to space Simon and River. She avoided answering Wash when he asked if thety were going to discuass this, true. But, in the deleted scene where she spoke with Simon, it becomes clear where she stands.

When Simon asks her what she'd do if Mal asked her to kill him, she says she'd do it. Not she'd do it if Mal was right about the situation, just a straight-ahead declaration of where her loyalties were. Even in the scene that was ehown, where they were debating, I think it's implicit in her reactions. I certainly took it that way at the time.

And by the way what a great scene it was! All the conflicting character positions coming to the fore in just such a masterful way.

Shambleau

I agree Shambleau, Zoe was not on the sidelines in the debate on what to do about River & Simon. Zoe is fiercely loyal to Mal and will back him up on whatever he decided to do w/ the pair. The deleted scene pointed out above sums it all up.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."