In 2002 a new show premiered on the Fox network in the United States. This show was unlike anything that had been seen before, with a distinct look and feel; complex and believable characters; and a setting that was both wonderfully imaginative, and depressingly realistic. That show was Firefly, an expertly crafted space-western.
Equal part space action/adventure story and introspective character study, with a splattering of wit, it defied genres to become something truly unique. Sadly though, it was infamously mistreated by Fox, with episodes aired out of order, before being cancelled after just eleven of fourteen completed episodes had aired.
Summer Glau as River Tam in ‘Firefly’
Since then, the series has become a cult phenomenon and held in extremely high regard by fans and critics alike. But is this praise justified, or is it just a case of nostalgia goggles? Has its premature demise prompted fans to put it on a pedestal? That’s what we’re going to find out as we take a look at the show 20 years on, to see whether it’s still as shiny as we remember.
Firstly, it has to be said that re-watching Firefly is like reuniting with an old friend – you can’t help but smile at the familiar faces and that feeling of warmth that it brings. For many fans – or Browncoats, as they’re called – Serenity is a home away from home, and its crew are like family. Moving past that though, there’s no denying that the show is objectively exceptional on every level.
While most shows take time to figure themselves out, establish their characters and build their world, Firefly really does nail it right out of the gate. From the pilot episode, Serenity, Pt.1 & 2 the characters all feel fully realised, with clearly defined personalities and motivations. The same goes for the universe in which they inhabit, which is presented fully formed from the get-go. That’s because the world-building of this show is second-to-none, forgoing clunky exposition for naturalistic dialogue and gorgeous cinematography. This show understands that the audience doesn’t need every detail spelled out within the first few minutes, it’s OK to let them pick up on context clues and piece things together over time.
Alan Tudyk as Hoban Washburne in ‘Firefly’
As for the look of that world, the Western and sci-fi elements blend together seamlessly, without it ever feeling contrived. Laser weapons and spaceships coexist with revolvers and horses, and you never question it for a second. It all feels so gritty, but in the right way. Gritty doesn’t have to mean lots of brooding in the rain, it just means the world feels rough, tactile and worn-in. This universe actually feels lived-in, which makes the stories so much more compelling.
Whereas most shows will be littered with filler episodes, especially in their early seasons, that just isn’t the case here. That’s because we understand right from the get-go that the crew are constantly under threat on multiple fronts and as such, no adversity is too small. Yes, there is a larger story arc at play, but that doesn’t mean that the smaller threats are any less significant. Whether Simon and River are kidnapped by superstitious characters or Mal ends up in a duel with a snot-nosed rich boy, these smaller stories still carry stakes. That’s an advantage of the show’s short run – there aren’t any skippable episodes. Plus, there’s just the fact that the writing and directing are always on point and the characters are always so likable.
Speaking of the characters, they are by far the show’s greatest strength. The acting; the writing; everything works together perfectly to bring them to life. Unlike the details of the show’s universe, it is ensured that the audience understands who the core characters are right out of the gate. Not their biographies mind you, but who they are – what makes them tick. Wash is the resident funny man, but also a capable pilot and devoted husband. Kaylee is the sweet kid-sister type, but also a hands-on mechanical whiz. Jayne’s the loose cannon with an itchy trigger finger. And Mal – well he’s the damaged soldier with a strong moral code, who’ll do anything to keep himself and his crew afloat.
Jewel Staite as Kaylee Frye in ‘Firefly’
Each character is likable and relatable in their own way; each character is important and despite the size of the ensemble cast, it never feels like anyone gets left by the wayside. Sure each episode focuses on some crew members more than others, but everyone gets their chance to shine at one point or another, and they always feel like an important part of the crew, even if it’s just peripherally. River’s clearly the one who gets side-lined the most, which is understandable given her condition, but that’s balanced out by the fact that she’s the catalyst for the whole series.
Most importantly, the bonds between the characters feel real, and that’s the real backbone of the show. At its heart Firefly is about these nine people living out in the Black, trying to get by on the fringes of society. All they have is each other, and that message is hammered home so well. Even when Mal has the chance to get rid of the Tam siblings, he heads right on back to rescue them, simply because they’re part of his crew.
Re-evaluating anything from 20 years ago through modern eyes, you can usually expect to find flaws beneath the nostalgic sheen. But that honestly just isn’t the case with Firefly, it possibly holds up better than any other series ever put to screen. Thanks to its unique and original style, it doesn’t feel dated, like so many other sci-fi shows do – even the visual effects hold up remarkably well, which says a lot.
Even after multiple viewings of the entire series, the stories remain compelling, the jokes stay funny and the characters are as endearing as ever. Which only serves to make the pain of its short life feel as fresh as ever. But although we can only imagine what a full seven-season run of the show would have looked like, we can take solace in the fact that what we did get was unbelievably good, and infinitely re-watchable. A perfect example of a star burning half as long, but twice as bright. Just remember, they can take our love, take our land, but they can never take those fourteen episodes and a movie from us.
