Firefly [The Complete Series]

A truly excellent series that combines humour, heart and (reluctant) heroics in often surprising combinations. The all too quickly cancelled series is, in short, a space western about a permanently down-on-their-luck smuggler crew. But it's not what it is, but rather how memorably it is it, that is "Firefly"'s lasting genious. It sadly ends before it can have much of a plot arc to speak of, but it is rather astonishing how much character arc and development the various crew members still get in the half-season it had. I've watched hundreds to television shows, but I'm hard pressed to think of a single one where, once it ended, I this desperately wanted to spend more time with virtually every single character.

Firefly is a combination of things you'd think would never work but does. It's a Western; it's science fiction--a space opera. (Although given how Star Trek was sold to the networks as "Wagon Train to the Stars" maybe that's not as incongruous as that appears at first.) It's combines the East and the West, American culture with more than a smattering of Chinese and makes it seems graceful and logical.

The characters are endearing--all of them--even Jayne who appears the most unlikeable and crude and untrustworthy at first. There's a small but significant moment right in the first episode, "Serenity." Kaylee is hurt and he's unseen by the others looking into the infirmary as she's in surgery, obviously concerned for her. From the first I show more loved Shepherd Book played by Ron Glass--and part of that is I very much like the actor who was a familiar face. But this was truly an ensemble cast that made for a greater whole than it's parts. And one particularly strong in its female characters--Zoe, River, Inara, Kaylie. All so different from each other.

There are only 14 episodes (and later one feature film) of Firefly, but I love it just as much as Whedon's Buffy and Angel with several seasons. I could make just about as impressive a top five list out of just these 14 as from the hundred-plus of Buffy. There's no episode in the Whedonverse as hysterically funny as "Jaynestown." Watching it I'm gasping for breath laughing--laughing until my stomach hurts. "Our Mrs Reynolds" has one of the most memorable guest characters--a recurring one--Saffron. "Out of Gas" would be my favorite episode if I had to pick one. I'm an ardent Star Trek fan and a Captain Kirk fan, and as a friend of mine said, that episode shows there's not much difference between Kirk and Mal Reynolds--both are in love with their ships. "Ariel" is a great caper episode but also important in terms of the character arcs and relationships. And "Objects in Space," the last episode, is a lovely grace note, a River-centric episode.

This is definitely one of my very favorite television series. And the DVDs have the added pleasure of truly insightful and interesting commentaries and features. show less

(Reviewed 2011) Substance: Despite the inanity of the milieu (25th century cowboys-in-space with complete gravity in a space ship run by 1 engineer and 1 pilot, but still using handguns and suspenders), the holes in the individual plots (some are worse than others), and the stereotypical story-lines, the series is over-all a satisfying experience. The characters are interesting, diverse, and fun.
Style: Gets a little too artsy at times, or else they didn't pay the cameraman that week.
Rating: Moderate skin display, sexual situations, some language. (One of the couples is actually married.)

A space western set in the distant future. A crew of misfits try to keep their life on their spaceship, Serenity, going for as long as they can. You got a job, they'll do it.

A fun show, wish it was longer. Top ten favorite TV show.

This was good. The frustrated relationship between the doctor and the engineer was hilarious and Wash, the pilot, is hilarious solo.

Apparently, this show is essentially a remake of a 1970s British show which is virtually impossible to obtain.

A groundbreaking space western series created by Joss Whedon, featuring a ragtag crew on the spaceship Serenity. Essential viewing for fans of intelligent sci-fi.

Excellent, humorous and compelling series. It is a shame that this show got cancelled.