Why I love Firefly!
Firefly was a short-lived futuristic science fiction series created by Joss Whedon, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame. The series was brilliant in its simplicity - after a galactic war and the end of the revolt against what was basically Big Brother ala 1984 - people just try to get by the best they can. Serenity, the ship captained by Malcolm Reynolds and his first mate and former companion in arms, Zoe, exists in-between, her crew taking jobs where they find them, legality be damned. I love the show because while there is intergalactic travel and advanced technology on the inner planets, people on the outer settlements live a very primitive life, something like a cross between the wild, wild west and Amish country.
So…what else do I love?
The people - the repartee between characters - the trust between cynical Malcolm and competent, loyal Zoe - the self-absorbed survivor that is Jayne (you know he’ll stand behind you when push comes to shove) - the sweet innocence of Kaylee - the single-minded protectiveness of Simon Tam - the brilliant insanity that is River Tam - the tender heart that is Wash (I still can’t believe they killed Wash!!!) - the secretive Shepherd Book - the intelligent, resourceful courtesan, Inara.
I love the fact that there are no alien creatures - it’s humans who populate the galaxy, scratching out a marginal existence, scattered to the margins of the empire, the new frontiers. It’s humans who are both hero and enemy.
I love the fact that two languages from earth-that-was survive five hundred years into the future, English and Chinese, and people speak a blend of the two.
I love Jayne.
I love that the Reivers terrify me to the bone. Just the word, let alone the sight of one of their horrible ships, sends chills down my spine.
I love that I have the DVD collection so I can watch Firefly to my heart’s content!
