Okay, last night’s FIREFLY was a bit more like it. More engaging than last week’s episode (ironic considering that one was by Joss Whedon whereas last night’s was Tim Minear), we’re starting to get more of a feeling of the universe they’re living in. None of the characters are really singing to me yet, with the exception of Kaylee (but only because of the actress and also she reminds me of Willow) and the prostitute–and I have to admit, it totally fractures me that she’s the one who is treated with the most respect wherever the crew goes. Then again, I have to admit I side with George Carlin who questions the illegality of the world’s oldest profession: “Selling is legal. Sex is legal. How can selling sex be illegal?” Personally, I have trouble with the notion of being pro-choice and anti-prostitution. How can you say that a woman doesn’t have a right to sell her body if she’s so inclined…but that she does have the right to expunge an unwanted embryo from it?
I also think it’s bold not to have aliens anywhere in the series, particularly considering alien characters always come across as far more interesting than the humans…and considering most of the humans we’ve seen thus far still come across as pretty flat, that would make the deficiencies all the more apparent. People still seem to be drawing parallels between the loopy sister and Drusilla, but I don’t know that that’s fair. Individuals with visions who are thought to be nuts goes all the way back to Cassandra, so what’s wrong with re-exploring the same source material? And her fascination with the stars was one of the show’s more engaging moments.
Now let’s just hope the ratings support the show. JOHN DOE, by the way, is turning out to be some truly riveting TV. In fact, Friday’s become a cool TV night when you have FIREFLY at 8, JOHN DOE at 9, and then MONK at 10 on the USA channel.
PAD
• 
The ratings started out not so hot, and this week they’re colder (according to the overnights). Firefly is doing well in the demos, though, as I understand it.
I was also pleasantly surprised with Firefly last night. It was so much better than the premiere, now I will probably stick with the show.
If it had been more like the first show, I’d have dropped it.
Gotta say I agree about John Doe as well. I am already extremely hooked into the show, and can’t wait to see exactly what the hëll is going on. The actress playing the redhead at the end of the episode this week was nice to see in a role where she isn’t some white trash mother, which is what I usually see her playing.
Being a HUGE fan of George Carlin, I liked how you phrased his comments about prostitution. Somehow though, when he says the phrase with everyone’s favorite four letter word it is funnier. Especially with his trademark sense of irritation.
I’m just waiting for the second season of 24 to start. Since I don’t get HBO and thus can’t see The Sopranos, 24 will probably be the only show I watch on a regular basis.
Definitely a better episode.
The prostitue is one of the better characters out of the group. I’m still iffy on the Captain, but he has his moments. I expect we’ll get aliens sooner or later. The Reavers mentioned in this episode look to be somewhat more than human. That might be a start.
I’ve not seen John Doe. 9:00 is Stargate time. I do completely agree with you on Monk. although the mysteries are not the hardest things in the world to deduce, watching Monk work through everything more than makes up for it. Interesting TV. And Tony Shaloub is a fantastic actor.
Bobby
Interestingly, prostitution itself isn’t illegal in the UK, only soliciting. Don’t know if that’s the same in the USA (or in various states).
Though I commend you for bring up Carlin’s immortal wisdom, I have to say that he’d probably be mortally offended to see you replace the appropriate word for what prostitutes sell with something more “family friendly.”
Yep, this Firefly episode was much better, and should’ve been the first one shown (although then we’d be complaining about the dropoff in quality). I am waiting for the captain to do something a bit more badass though; second week in a row he’s ended up doing the “I’m a tough guy, but a softie underneath” riff, what with saving Captain Melrose Place’s life and all. Agree with Peter that Joss & Co. definitely know how to write female computer/engineer geeks.
I think one problem with the show may be its setting. Given that it’s a different star system(s?)400 years in the future, Joss and Co. can’t drop any pop culture references into the dialogue, which makes adding the needed humor into the show a lot harder.
I need to get around to catching John Doe, which I’m hearing good things about (although if it is in fact about a trivia meister name Thomas, I may have to sue :-)). But decided to try That Was Then on ABC last night instead. It’s one of the two shows about someone zapping back from being 30ish in 2002 into their 16 year old body in the 80s, and this one’s been slammed badly by the critics. It wasn’t great, but it also wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I’d thought from the critics. Thought it handled the concept reasonably well, with an interesting twist at the end if they decide to pursue just how seriously obsessed to the point of idiocy the lead character is with the girl.
Gee Peter, we both have the same agenda for Friday nights, at least until Stargate and Farscape return in January.
Meanwhile, what aired as the first episode of Firefly was actually their “Man Trap”. For those who don’t understand the reference, last week’s was actually the second or third episode. It’s my understanding that what Whedon originally presented as the pilot is being held back by Fox until the November sweeps for some reason.
But I’d like to see how long he can stick to his “no aliens” objective.
The “no aliens” policy isn’t original to “Firefly.” The British SF comedy “Red Dwarf” also ran under the premise of Earth being the only source of life in the universe, and all the creatures the crew met were mutated earth lifeforms of some sort.
What character did Jewel Staite play on Space Cases? My kids and I loved that show when it was on and were disappointed when it wasn’t continued past the second season. I can’t remember most of the characters now.
–your pal, Hoy
DEAR LORD!
Firefly … John Doe … Monk!
You just described a Friday night TV viewing at my house!
Heh, heh!
Seriously, ditto on Firefly’s 2nd episode. So far it’s been kinda flat, but this “Reavers” thingie had just the right menace.
But the ratings better excite them, Fox doesn’t waste time with that axe. They cancelled Space: Above and Beyond, after all.
Not even waiting to ride the wave of “military sci-fi” interest coming from Starship Troopers.
Firefly’s situation is all sadder since Sci-Fi channel won’t show Farscape until January — so the “playing field” right now is wide open.
I like both episodes, maybe the second one a little better. The scene that really caught my eye in the first episode was the handling of the ‘recurring’ villain. And the second episode was the interrogation of the crew. Obviously for the clich
“What character did Jewel Staite play on Space Cases? “
She played Catalina. And it’s a show that is much missed. Any chance of a revival of sorts (comic book adaptation, novels, cartoon), Peter ?
John Doe has my vote to be the breakout show of the season.
I concur that Firefly has not gelled as yet.
Lastly, we can all look forward to “Mr. Monk gets a second season.” Tony Shalub is the man!
prhodan
I have to agree, watch all three, been catchingmonk on ABC though since it clashes less on Tuesday, and ABC has picked it up for hte rest of the season I hear. I want to sink some viewership numbers (I have DSS, it all gets counted) to the ABC side so maybe they will pick it up next season (it was devleoped for them by touchstone and they passed!) and since it will be on a large metwork it’s eligible for an emmy, and m orel ikely to get one.
Tony shaloub is, in fact, the man. He cracks me up so much it’s not legal.
FIrefly – better but still not babylon 5 which is th top of my riveting/must see scale, but it was slow in season one, I’m willing to give Firefly a hlaf season to prove somethign to me, which is more htan I gie Star Dreck.
John Doe – loved it sp far, and I like the little laced humor all through – the police guy he works with, s great and John Doe is a hottie – never hurts.
An aside to Howard Margolin.
On Red Dwarf, there were true aliens amongst the ones with Earthly ties.
But has anyone seen an episode past where the crew discover that Kryton’s nanobots were responsible for Red Dwarf’s disappearance?
Jewel did indeed play Catalina. There are possibilities for a SPACE CASES series of YA novels, if it can be worked out with the right folks.
And yes, I know I made Carlin’s remarks more family friendly. I’m simply endeavoring to set a language-friendly tone for this board.
PAD
Haven’t seen the newest ‘Fly yet – thought I’d have extra time to catch up and inexplicably it’s on this week while the baseball playoffs are exiled to cable on a Friday night!
But about the “no aliens” idea, it is worth recalling that the books set in Asimov’s Foundation continuity had only humans of various stripes. I don’t think Dr. A set out to do this at first but he ultimately went to so far as to write a novel that explained how and why the Milky Way had only humanity lurking in it. It simplified things for him to limit this set of books to humans, and he then did lots of aliens in other books and stories.
Also, let’s face it. The odds of meeting another race in a galaxy this big, and the odds of overcoming the limitations of current relativity thoery, are vast. Even if Serenity can travel really quick, there’s no hint that FTL travel is commonplace. So it would make sense to keep the aliens far away, just from a physics POV.
After catching the first two episodes of “Firefly” I can honestly say that I do indeed like the show. Did it blow me away? No, but there were enough nuances to hook me. I’ll try my best to catch every episode. There’s a lot of potential there. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the show lasts long enough to exploere those potentials.
One aspect that I do really like is that the shots in space with the ships and all are silent with an accompanying score. Reminds me of 2001. In space, no one can hear your sound effects.
Peace…
Dan
I’m digging “John Doe” as well, tho “Firefly” has thus far not been Must-See TV for me. This may have to do with an overwhelming (and at times, quite unrealistic, given how cheesy easily at least 35 of the 65 eps were) adoration of “Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers.” GR utterly spoiled me for any other space westerns, with, for some surreal reason, the exception of “Earth 2” (which had truly dreadful plots, but a kickass cast).
Has anyone else noticed Ben (The Tick) Edlund’s name in the credits of Firefly? He is listed as an associate producer or somesuch and he also wrote episode #6 according to imdb.com. He’s also working on a remake of “Santa Clause Conquers the Martians”. Yikes!
Fazhoul
“All hail the Hypno-Toad!”
Just adding that I too am enjoying the Friday night thing. I also noticed Ben Edlund’s name which only leads me to believe its going to get better and better. Didn’t know about the “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” thats cool though.
Also, though I missed Space Cases(sorry Peter!) and haven’t really seen her before I have to admit that Jewel Staite definitely has a new admirer!
Since it was mentioned, does anyone else think that “Monk” should be a series of either comics or novels? I swear from its tone it is based off of a series of novels. Though I don’t know how it would work because you’d be missing Tony Shaloub’s wonderful performance.
Col