Why is Firefly still relevant almost a decade later?

POSTED BY: Kunochan
UPDATED: Thursday, December 3, 2009 18:10
VIEWED: 12600
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KUNOCHAN

Monday, November 30, 2009 9:19 PM

Hi. I'm working on a blog post, and I'd like some feedback. I asked this question around at the Creation FF/S Con a week ago in LA, and got some great answers.

The question is: "With only 14 episodes and a movie, why is Firefly still so relevant to so many people today, almost a decade later?"

Thanks!

Erik David Even
Zoic Studios
http://www.idesignyoureyes.com

CHRISISALL

Monday, November 30, 2009 9:26 PM

It avoided cliches & dared to make the writing more important than the FX (which were second to none anyway). It had characters that were imperfect, yet seldom annoying. In this age of sue-happy children, it made personal responsibility a central theme.
It was a true tale of family values.
Plus: Serenity was a cool ship.

The laughing Chrisisall

GROTZ

Monday, November 30, 2009 10:07 PM

Is a cool ship!

Vote for BDM/FF at http://stargate-news.com/

Never kiss'em on the mouth.

ECGORDON

Monday, November 30, 2009 10:29 PM

'Cause it's the best gorram tv show ever made? That's my answer, and I'm sticking to it!

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

KUNOCHAN

Monday, November 30, 2009 11:25 PM

For me it's all about the writing. The dialogue, and the way the characters were developed through dialogue, were just brilliant. I especially love River's dialogue -- she rarely spoke, but when she did, it was always a bizarre window into her disordered mind. And usually either disturbing or hilarious.

Erik David Even
Zoic Studios
www.idesignyoureyes.com

OUT2THEBLACK

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 12:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kunochan:
Hi. I'm working on a blog post, and I'd like some feedback. I asked this question around at the Creation FF/S Con a week ago in LA, and got some great answers.

The question is: "With only 14 episodes and a movie, why is Firefly still so relevant to so many people today, almost a decade later?"

Thanks!

Erik David Even
Zoic Studios
http://www.idesignyoureyes.com

'Cause this is US , on the raggedy edge...

JAMERON4EVA

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 1:00 AM

I feel that it's still relevant because wile the underdog has been given the shortist stick possible, he takes it, and betters it wuith all he can do,. It has a family feel that has been missing before, and really missing since, unconventional, but still a family. AND WE ALL LOVE FIREFLY.

"Mom, he has her chip. He has her."
John Connor,"Born To Run", TSCC EP 2x22

TDBROWN

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 1:08 AM

Firefly is still relevant because of the Universal (No pun intended) themes it deals with;

What constitutes "Family"?

How do you deal with crushing defeat?

What is loyalty?

When does government stop being our friend and become a threat?

Is Love more powerful than madness?

And are bobble-head Geisha Dolls really a major commodity?

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

HUGHFF

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 1:48 AM

I agree that the writing is the key. Too frequently today, television and, especially, film concentrates on the visual image. However, great films/shows recognise that it's a synthesis of both visual images and dialogue.

There was never any doubt from the very start that FF had the dialogue right. More than what it told us about the characters per se, I liked what it showed about their inter-relationships. The verbal exchanges between Mal and Inara, the way Jayne treated Kaylee like a little sister, the way that Mal's trust and respect for Simon grew incrementally - these were important to the flavour of the show.

The show didn't avoid complexity - these were real people living in a messy (ie real) world (alright, worlds) and, as such, things were never simple. For example, Mal's driving philosphy is essentially individualist yet he recognises the need to act collectively (see Our Mrs Reynolds.) He often tells people to do what they're told but in the same episode tells someone else that they have to do what they think is right. That sort of paradox, that inconsistency, is the life we all lead. It made the show credible and it meant that simple answers weren't simple. Look at Jaynestown, when Jayne, who generally doesn't give a damn about anyone else, struggles to deal with the death of someone he'd barely met.

Finally, and Zoic can take more than a little credit for this, the show did have some great visual images: The reaver ship sliding past in absolute silence, Crow disappearing through the air intake, Serenity rising up the cliff after the bar fight. The off-centre and shaky "hand held" camera work, even in the CGI, began a trend that has become everyday (Bourne Ultimatum, BSG) but broke new ground for me. When I first saw the first episode I thought, "how could they be so amateur?" But by the end I had hooked into the vision and never let it go. Who knows, one day we may look back on that sort of camera work and think "Meh" but for now it works.

www.cpfc.org - my life

JAYDEPPS

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 2:10 AM

I agree with most above, but I would also like to add that another reason it is still relevant is because of how abruptly it was cut and it never received closure. We've been thirsting for more. A good TV series goes for a decent amount of seasons until the story is filled in mostly. Then the series leaves TV and becomes a classic on DVD and repeated every so often. Firefly was never given the chance to do this. But, what really got me hooked was the characters. You get attached to them.

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