Firefly
This article is about the TV series, for other meanings see Firefly (disambiguation).
| Name: | Firefly | |
| Abbreviation(s): | ||
| Creator: | Joss Whedon | |
| Date(s): | 2002, 2005 | |
| Medium: | Television series, Film, Comics | |
| Country of Origin: | United States | |
| External Links: | ||
| Click here for other articles related to this fandom on Fanlore. | ||
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See also: Jossverse, I'll be in my bunk.
Firefly was aired in 2002, and although it attracted many pre-existing Joss Whedon fans, only 11 episodes were aired, although 14 were shot. Many fans blamed its failure on Fox's habit of frequent rescheduling, and scheduling it in very challenging spots. After cancellation, DVD sales were high enough that a movie, Serenity, was able to be made, continuing the story. After the release of the movie, comics were also published.
Premise
Firefly follows the adventures of the crew of the Firefly-class spaceship Serenity. It was commonly described as a space western. Costume, sets, and speech patterns took their inspiration both from an Old West aesthetic and Chinatown (See Controversy).
The ship is captained by Mal (Malcolm) Reynolds, with Zoë Washburne, his former Lieutenant in the war, as his second mate. She is married to Hoban "Wash" Washburne, the pilot. The ship's engineer is Kaylee Frye, and Jayne Cobb is the hired muscle. As well, the ship carries Inara Serra, "Companion", a sort of courtesan; Shepherd Book, a priest; and brother and sister Simon and River Tam as paying passengers.
Mal had been an officer on the losing side of a war against the Alliance. Partly as a result of that, the ship stays on the margins of civilised space, perpetually short of funds and running at best semi-legitimate jobs. Simon and River Tam are also keen to avoid the Alliance, since Simon stole River from an experiment designed to turn her into a weapon. The experiment has left her mentally unstable.
Controversy
See also Race and Fandom.
Appropriation
Although Firefly used many elements of Chinese culture, and had characters swearing and speaking in Mandarin, it had, as the vid How Much Is That Geisha In the Window? noted, only one speaking part for Asian actor, who played a prostitute. Chinese and other Asian cultures seem to be fetishized, and the most conspicuously "Asian" practices are displayed by Inara, who is a prostitute.
Confederate Association
Joss wished to tell a story about the losers after a war, inspired by the post-American Civil War reconstruction period. In this analogy, then, Mal and Zoe would have been fighting for the Confederate cause, which, in the show, is generally presented as about seeking independence from over-reaching central authority. This is very similar to how the cause of the Confederates is often presented by those who wish to minimise the influence of slavery in that conflict. At one point, Malcolm says "I do believe we'll rise again," [1], echoing a phrase often used by [insert polite phrase here].
Prostitution
There's something to be said here, anyone? Bueller?
Fandom
Firefly fans called themselves Browncoats, a nickname for the Independents in the Firefly universe, and were extremely active in advocating for the show, to the extent that they acquired something of a reputation.
Shipping
Crazy Space Incest
Fanzines
gen:
slash:
References
- ↑ Firefly episode, The Train Job
