Firefly - The Complete Series

So I have come late the the party and just discovered Firefly.I am not into this type of TV usually. Don't like buffy, or Babalyon 5 or shows of that nature. That said I have to admit that in my 31 years I have NEVER found a story, a setting , and a cast that has touched me as this one did. I love both SI-FI and westerns and so this was a dream come true. Like the typical guy I signed on for the action, the gun fights and the girls,(I guess I'm most like Jayne then)but as I watched the show I found myself most enjoying the scenes of simple interaction between the characters. It has the best writing and diologe on TV, hands down. Having just found the series I was crushed when I learned of the shows history and ultimatly it's premature demise. I wish I could say that I was a part of the fan movment to save the show but I was not. I can tell you that even now years later I plan to start sending letters and emails anyway even in the blind hope of a resurection. This show is simpley that good. Thanks to Joss and the cast.

I had seen a few episodes and knew I would enjoy the entire series so bought the DVD Complete Series. However, I am disappointed with some aspects of the DVD Set. It was a good decision to move the `Serenity' episode to the beginning. Though aired as Episode 11, the writers originally intended it to be the pilot. It was the last episode aired before cancellation though three more episodes were released 7 months later. I think the show would have lasted longer had `Serenity' been aired first as it introduces everyone and includes the why about many things.

What I don't like, nor do I understand, is that other episodes are placed randomly on the set. Most sets have the shows in order of release, this set does not. I am still confused with the timeline of the series. Per IMDB, the set's three "NEVER AIRED" episodes were aired 7 months past the series end. But IMDB shows episode 12 as airing after episode 13 & 14. I think the dates are a misprint on IMDB as the DVD set Special Features allude that "The Message" was the farewell episode.

The DVD jackets show Heart of Gold, Trash, and The Message as NEVER AIRED. I know this is false as I have seen all three on television myself.

The Special Features shed light into why the show is not on any more. My impression, FOX exercised too much control and doomed the series from the beginning. Had they allowed Joss Whedon the freedom granted Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright for Stargate SG-1, firefly would have lasted much longer. Then unanswered questions could be answered, such as who was the Sheppard really?

This show is great to me because, aside from being in the future and outer space, it's not always the extraordinary each episode as in a Stargate SG-1 or Atlantis. The show presents new ideas each episode and the characters are everyday people to whom you can relate. Looking at the timeline of Stargate you see its lesser years started at the same time firefly was released. I guess FOX wanted another action-packed series and did not find it in firefly. It is a shame they were so short-sighted to miss the brilliance of this series.

References:

Disc Set Episode Order
======================
Disc 1: Episodes 11, 1 & 2
Disc 2: Episodes 6, 7, 3 & 4
Disc 3: Episodes 5, 8, 9 & `NEVER AIRED' 13
Disc 4: Episodes `NEVER AIRED' 14, `NEVER AIRED' 12, 10 & Special Features

IMDB episode list: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/episodes
Full episodes are also available at this link.

Wow, I had no idea this existed when it came out. I am one of many that mourn the loss of it too soon even years later I am sure. A friend told me that it was on sale on Amazon and I bought it and loved it! Too bad that network execs are idiots.

The fact that this show was cancled and we will only ever have these 14 episodes and Serenity is a crying shame. Fox should be ashamed of themselves for failing to recognize what a beautiful funny rich series this was. It should have been 300 episodes.

Joss Whedon has done it again! This is definitely a "space western" and is entertaining for all! The quirky antics of the Firefly crew are funny, endearing, and a good story. This is a refreshing new take on the "adventures of a ship in outer space" sci-fi series we've seen a lot of before. It's truly a shame the series got canceled, as I would have loved a second season. As it is, this DVD collection is the best way to view the series, with all the episodes in the order they were meant to be shown in.