Alana’s Old Favorites and New Discoveries – January 2024

Hi all! I’m Alana, and I’m the Adult Programs Coordinator for Ida Rupp Library. My blog posts will consist of older favorites and recommendations along with new finds in the wide world of entertainment. I never limit myself based on audience or genre, so whatever your preference, I hope I can help you find your next watch, read, listen, or play-through!

For this month’s pick, I have to thank my coworker Susan for convincing me to finally watch Firefly, a space-western following the crew of the transport ship Serenity as they navigate a world 500 years in the future. This show aired for only one season from 2002 to 2003, but in just fourteen episodes it garnered a passionate following and lifelong fan base – and for good reason.

I had heard for several years about how good the show was from various sources, but this praise was always followed with the fact that it was cancelled after only one season. Because of this caveat, I’d made up my mind to avoid the series altogether. I figured it would be pointless to get invested in a show without resolutions, since it would only serve as a point of frustration. But when I was offered an opportunity to borrow the DVD set of the entire series, I caved and decided to give it a chance.

The main cast consists of nine characters, all of whom have unique backstories and multi-faceted personalities. Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds, played by Nathan Fillion, would be considered the “main character” if you had to choose just one, but I found that the entire cast seems to get a good amount of screen time. A supporting cast, in my opinion, can make or break a show, and Firefly’s doesn’t disappoint. The audience becomes just as invested in their stories as with Captain Mal.

I’m the kind of person who tends to feel lost when it comes to science fiction or fantasy universes, what with all the made-up names and world-specific rules that come with the territory, so it’s no small thing that the world-building in Firefly is so thoroughly done that I had no trouble with it. There are parallels to our current times, of course: the aftermath of war on the human psyche, government overreach, and the never-ending quest for freedom are prevalent in their universe. Sure, there’s some technical jargon when talking about spaceships, and every character speaks Mandarin Chinese to an extent, but I felt that these details helped to make their universe seem more complete. The Mandarin spoken in the show usually consists of exclamations or curses, meaning that the viewer really only needs context in order to understand what’s happening.

Despite its short runtime, Firefly manages to capture the attention and hearts of its viewers almost immediately. Its blend of humor, drama, and action make it compulsively watchable (if it weren’t for having adult responsibilities, I almost certainly would have watched the entire show in one sitting). And a unique feature of this particular show is that since the creators, cast, and crew were made aware of the fact that they wouldn’t be getting a second season before Season One was finished, they were able to create a finale that feels satisfying even with its unanswered questions. I fully understand now why the show has so many passionate fans more than twenty years after airing. In fact, my only regret is that I didn’t give Firefly a chance sooner!

If you decide to watch (or have already seen) Firefly, feel free to reach out! I’d love to hear from anyone about their thoughts on the show. Happy watching!