Do you think I'd like Firefly?

MyCylon · April 10 2008, 11:32 AM

I've heard a lot about Firefly over the years (mostly positive) but I never got around to seeing it.
I'll probably check it out sooner or later but I'm curious to know if you think I'd like it based on other shows I like or dislike. It would be great if you could give some reasons since I don't really know what to expect from Firefly.

My favorite shows (probably in this order):

- nuBSG
- DS9
- Babylon 5

Shows I don't like (no particular order):

- Farscape
- ST VOY
- ST ENT

Angel4576 · April 10 2008, 11:35 AM

If it were close to any of those shows I'd probably say Farscape. There's a healthy dose of humour, and both revolve around a rag-tag crew who've just fallen in together.

As far as the writing goes, it's probably better to say whether or not you like Buffy and/or Angel.

Delsaber · April 10 2008, 11:35 AM

I don't see why not. A better test - assuming you're familiar with anime - would be whether or not you like Cowboy Bebop or Outlaw Star, which are constantly being compared to Firefly thematically.

balls · April 10 2008, 11:53 AM

I'm a ST fan and I would put my favs as this: TNG, DS9, TOS, ENT and VOY. I haven't watched BSG but I'll do it when the entire series is on DVD. A friend had pushed me to watch "Firefly" and the movie: "Serenity." I actually watched the movie first, then the series. I was really pleased with both. I loved the writing in the show. I really enjoyed the characters. In the various Trek shows it seemed to take a couple of seasons for the characters to be fleshed out. In "Firefly" it seemed to happen really quick. The good/bad thing about it for you would be is that there's only 12 or 13 episodes so it wouldn't be a huge investment in your time to watch. When all was done, I was glad that I watched.

MyCylon · April 10 2008, 11:53 AM

I'm not a big fan of Buffy or Angel, Angel4576. I could never get into those somehow. But then I'm not that big a fan of fantasy really.
Concerning Farscape, one of the things that really put me off that show (among other things) was the type of aliens they had and the way they looked (yeah, I know if sound superficial but getting past that was always hard for me). Is that similar on Firefly? From the screen caps I've seen so far, I've only seen human players. Is that the way the entire show is?

Also, I'm not a big fan of anime either and unfortunately haven't seen the two you mention, Delsaber. So I can't really speak to that.

MyCylon · April 10 2008, 11:55 AM

balls wrote:

The good/bad thing about it for you would be is that there's only 12 or 13 episodes so it wouldn't be a huge investment in your time to watch. When all was done, I was glad that I watched.

It's good in the sense that - as you say- it's not a huge investment which is why I'll probably check it out in any case at some stage.

The_Beef · April 10 2008, 01:15 PM

Of course, there's no way to be sure what a person will or won't like, but I can say that I'm a fan of all the shows you listed under likes and I dislike everything you listed under the other column, and I love Firefly. In response to your question, there are absolutely no aliens on this show. Its really mostly about a bunch of Average Joes in space and the humor comes from normal banter between friends and rivals. I'm the same way you are with Buffy: I just didn't get into it. I can definitely see how there's a similarity in the writing style in that there's humor thrown into the action, but in this case it just fits with the characters. Rather than questions about anime or Buffy, perhaps the best question is: Do you like Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon? That is, after all, the main inspiration for the show.

Also, if you're planning to start on the series, you may want to begin with the episode Out of Gas. Due to some issues with the network, there were actually two pilots, neither one of which is that episode, but this one is the episode that establishes how the crew was put together. Its your call, though. Another way to start could possibly be with the film Serenity, since its probably easier to come by. On the other hand, its definitely the last chapter of the story, so I recommend just starting with the series if you're looking to really enjoy it.

Davros · April 10 2008, 01:28 PM

I greatly enjoyed Firefly. I suggest you give it a try. Maybe rent some episodes to see if you want to buy them.

MyCylon · April 10 2008, 01:47 PM

The_Beef wrote:

Of course, there's no way to be sure what a person will or won't like

Naturally! I'm just trying to size it up a little.

The_Beef wrote:

but I can say that I'm a fan of all the shows you listed under likes and I dislike everything you listed under the other column, and I love Firefly. In response to your question, there are absolutely no aliens on this show. Its really mostly about a bunch of Average Joes in space and the humor comes from normal banter between friends and rivals. I'm the same way you are with Buffy: I just didn't get into it.

That sounds pretty good to me. Going by that as well as some other things I've heard about the show I think I probably will like it.

The_Beef wrote:

Do you like Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon? That is, after all, the main inspiration for the show.

Yes, I do, absolutely.

The_Beef wrote:

Also, if you're planning to start on the series, you may want to begin with the episode Out of Gas. Due to some issues with the network, there were actually two pilots, neither one of which is that episode, but this one is the episode that establishes how the crew was put together. Its your call, though. Another way to start could possibly be with the film Serenity, since its probably easier to come by. On the other hand, its definitely the last chapter of the story, so I recommend just starting with the series if you're looking to really enjoy it.

I think I'd want to start with the series. I must rermember that with "Out of Gas".

Davros wrote:

I greatly enjoyed Firefly. I suggest you give it a try. Maybe rent some episodes to see if you want to buy them.

The DVD set isn't too expensive, really, so I might just pick it up at some stage. They don't really have much stuff in the video rental store here, and I'm not that interested in the online rental offerings so far.

Lindley · April 10 2008, 02:15 PM

I'd say just go with the DVD order. While Out of Gas is a great episode, it's so darned nonlinear that it could be confusing as an introduction.

AviTrek · April 10 2008, 02:52 PM

Agreed, production/intended order is best. It's similar to the Narnia debate. Sure The Magician's Nephew describes how Narnia was created, but as a stand alone with no prior knowledge it's awful.

Flashback episodes like Out of Gas work because you already know the characters and are now learning their backstory. Starting with Out of Gas loses all of that.

Haytil · April 10 2008, 02:59 PM

It's available for completely free, legal streaming on hulu.com. Why don't you just watch the pilot episode and judge for yourself?

dragunzng · April 10 2008, 03:25 PM

Angel4576 wrote:

If it were close to any of those shows I'd probably say Farscape. There's a healthy dose of humour, and both revolve around a rag-tag crew who've just fallen in together.

I see where you're coming from, but while I LOVED Firefly, I could never just get into Farscape.

It's a matter of opinion of course, but I feel there was a warmth to the interpersonal relationships in Firefly that was missing in Farscape, sometimes they seemed downright mean to each other on Farscape, and the whole universe never coalesced for me, there seemed to be no set of rules it played by, which was both a strength and a detriment I think.

As to the OP's question, really the only way you'll know is to watch the show, I'd never liked a Whedon show before Firefly, but I think it's one of the most important sci-fi shows in recent history. There's not much else you can compare Firefly to, because the things that are comparable in tone or setup generally fail miserably.

Harvey · April 10 2008, 04:24 PM

Although I love Farscape, I don't really equate it with Firefly. Their styles are very, very different. As for worrying about strange aliens, don't. Firefly is a 'dead' universe similar to nuBSG's--there aren't any aliens to speak of.

The tone may be a little off-putting at first, but you'll get used to it. I rather like the series, though I could go without some of the vociferous fans. I dislike the movie, but your mileage may vary. Just make sure you watch it in the DVD order.

HRHTheKING · April 10 2008, 04:33 PM

Do you think I'd like Firefly?

I don't know.

But I love it.

Watch it and judge for yourself.

April 10 2008, 11:32 AM	#1
MyCylon Rear Admiral Location: Am I a Cylon?	Do you think I'd like Firefly? I've heard a lot about Firefly over the years (mostly positive) but I never got around to seeing it. I'll probably check it out sooner or later but I'm curious to know if you think I'd like it based on other shows I like or dislike. It would be great if you could give some reasons since I don't really know what to expect from Firefly. My favorite shows (probably in this order): - nuBSG - DS9 - Babylon 5 Shows I don't like (no particular order): - Farscape - ST VOY - ST ENT __________________ "For everyone lost in the endlessly multiplicating realities of the modern world, remember: Philip K. Dick got there first" - Terry Gilliam

April 10 2008, 11:35 AM	#2
Angel4576 Rear Admiral Location: United Kingdom	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? If it were close to any of those shows I'd probably say Farscape. There's a healthy dose of humour, and both revolve around a rag-tag crew who've just fallen in together. As far as the writing goes, it's probably better to say whether or not you like Buffy and/or Angel. __________________ I am a Ranger. We walk in the dark places no others will enter. We stand on the bridge and no one may pass. We live for the One, we die for the One.

April 10 2008, 11:35 AM	#3
Delsaber Commodore Location: Parts Unknown	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? I don't see why not. A better test - assuming you're familiar with anime - would be whether or not you like Cowboy Bebop or Outlaw Star, which are constantly being compared to Firefly thematically. __________________ • Delsaber, The Punk Rock P'takh, from Parts Unknown... • Caffeine-Fueled: jittery, occasionally-maintained geek culture blogging.

April 10 2008, 11:53 AM	#4
balls Commander Location: Rochester,NY	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? I'm a ST fan and I would put my favs as this: TNG, DS9, TOS, ENT and VOY. I haven't watched BSG but I'll do it when the entire series is on DVD. A friend had pushed me to watch "Firefly" and the movie: "Serenity." I actually watched the movie first, then the series. I was really pleased with both. I loved the writing in the show. I really enjoyed the characters. In the various Trek shows it seemed to take a couple of seasons for the characters to be fleshed out. In "Firefly" it seemed to happen really quick. The good/bad thing about it for you would be is that there's only 12 or 13 episodes so it wouldn't be a huge investment in your time to watch. When all was done, I was glad that I watched. __________________ Balls "Be thankful you're alive...there's a lot of people that aren't."

April 10 2008, 11:53 AM	#5
MyCylon Rear Admiral Location: Am I a Cylon?	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? I'm not a big fan of Buffy or Angel, Angel4576. I could never get into those somehow. But then I'm not that big a fan of fantasy really. Concerning Farscape, one of the things that really put me off that show (among other things) was the type of aliens they had and the way they looked (yeah, I know if sound superficial but getting past that was always hard for me). Is that similar on Firefly? From the screen caps I've seen so far, I've only seen human players. Is that the way the entire show is? Also, I'm not a big fan of anime either and unfortunately haven't seen the two you mention, Delsaber. So I can't really speak to that. __________________ "For everyone lost in the endlessly multiplicating realities of the modern world, remember: Philip K. Dick got there first" - Terry Gilliam

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April 10 2008, 01:15 PM	#7
The_Beef Lieutenant Commander	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? Of course, there's no way to be sure what a person will or won't like, but I can say that I'm a fan of all the shows you listed under likes and I dislike everything you listed under the other column, and I love Firefly. In response to your question, there are absolutely no aliens on this show. Its really mostly about a bunch of Average Joes in space and the humor comes from normal banter between friends and rivals. I'm the same way you are with Buffy: I just didn't get into it. I can definitely see how there's a similarity in the writing style in that there's humor thrown into the action, but in this case it just fits with the characters. Rather than questions about anime or Buffy, perhaps the best question is: Do you like Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon? That is, after all, the main inspiration for the show. Also, if you're planning to start on the series, you may want to begin with the episode Out of Gas. Due to some issues with the network, there were actually two pilots, neither one of which is that episode, but this one is the episode that establishes how the crew was put together. Its your call, though. Another way to start could possibly be with the film Serenity, since its probably easier to come by. On the other hand, its definitely the last chapter of the story, so I recommend just starting with the series if you're looking to really enjoy it.

April 10 2008, 01:28 PM	#8
Davros Fleet Admiral Location: Kaled bunker, Skaro	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? I greatly enjoyed Firefly. I suggest you give it a try. Maybe rent some episodes to see if you want to buy them. __________________ "With great power comes great responsibility"-Uncle Ben Parker

April 10 2008, 02:15 PM	#10
Lindley Moderator with a Soul Location: Fairfax, VA	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? I'd say just go with the DVD order. While Out of Gas is a great episode, it's so darned nonlinear that it could be confusing as an introduction. __________________ Lead Organizer for EVN: Firefly. "So apparently the really smart zombies have automatic weapons!" -Torg, Sluggy Freelance

April 10 2008, 02:52 PM	#11
AviTrek Fleet Captain	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? Agreed, production/intended order is best. It's similar to the Narnia debate. Sure The Magician's Nephew describes how Narnia was created, but as a stand alone with no prior knowledge it's awful. Flashback episodes like Out of Gas work because you already know the characters and are now learning their backstory. Starting with Out of Gas loses all of that.

April 10 2008, 02:59 PM	#12
Haytil Captain	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? It's available for completely free, legal streaming on hulu.com. Why don't you just watch the pilot episode and judge for yourself?

April 10 2008, 04:24 PM	#14
Harvey Admiral	Re: Do you think I'd like Firefly? Although I love Farscape, I don't really equate it with Firefly. Their styles are very, very different. As for worrying about strange aliens, don't. Firefly is a 'dead' universe similar to nuBSG's--there aren't any aliens to speak of. The tone may be a little off-putting at first, but you'll get used to it. I rather like the series, though I could go without some of the vociferous fans. I dislike the movie, but your mileage may vary. Just make sure you watch it in the DVD order. __________________ "What do you hear, Starbuck?" "Nothing but the rain, sir." "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat."