RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Written by Joss Whedon, aclaimed writer of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Toy Story, Alien: Resurrection and Titan A.E.., as well as contributing to movies like "X-Men," "Twister," "Speed," and "Waterworld," "Firefly" is yet another amazing, yet less well known, series. Because of it's futuristic "space cowboy" appearance, many may pass this up based on the assumption that it may be similar to "Battle Star Glactica" or "Star Trek," series that don't have the broad appeal and character development that can really appeal to the everyday TV watcher. Firefly is a series that has not only character development, but plot and background, depth, humor, and a sense of connection to it's audience that few series have ever accomplished.

Set in the future on a spaceship called "Serenity," Firefly is the about the adventures of the ship's crew as they struggle to make ends meet by moving cargo (legal and illegal) across the universe while maintaning their own set of morals that viewers can strongly connect to. Captian Malcom Reynolds sums up the series pretty well in the opening lines of a number of episodes "Here's how it is: Earth got used up, so we terraformed a whole new galaxy of Earths, some rich and flush with the new technologies, some, not so much. Central Planets, them as formed The Alliance, waged war to bring everyone under their rule. A few idiots tried to fight it, among them, myself. I'm Malcolm Reynolds, Captain of Serenity. Got a good crew: fighters, pilot, mechanic. We even picked up a preacher and a bona fide companion. There's a doctor, too. Took his genius sister outta some Alliance camp, so they're keeping a low profile. You got a job, we can do it, don't much care what it is." Sci-fi is not a genre that generally appeals to all viewers, but there is a character for everyone in this phenomenal ten person cast.

After being canceled by the Fox Network in 2002, after only 11 episodes (shown out of sequence, with the pilot episode being shown last), fans were so upset they demanded a conclusion be created for many of the loose ends that were intended to be wrapped up in future seasons. Widespread DVD sales of the series created funding for a nationally released movie "Serenity" in 2004. Since it was really a sequeual to the series, watching the movie alone does not give the same full experience of watching Firefly. Firefly had the potential to far surpass it's older siblings like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," a show that lasted seven seasons and had Emmy Award nominations.The only down side to watching the series is that the end comes much too soon and leaves the audience with the disgruntled feeling that something terrible and unfair happened when the show was killed off so prematurely.

It was a great show. A shame it was canceled. Well at least they got a movie.

Beautifully filmed, accurate depiction of space, real world problems.

Joss is the best director! This show was incredibly well written. It is a shame and an outrage the networks refused to continue with it. Why? So they could air shows like "BONES". What is wrong with our networks? All I have to say to that is "GORRAM them!"

Wish we could have seen it longer, watch the DVD series and Serenity and you will know what a mistake FOX made.

Witty dialog, great cast chemisty, good camera work and direction all combined with a great sci fi concept to create one of the best shows to ever grace television. Too bad short sighted execs at Fox can't appreciate good television. Highly recommend picking up the dvd set.

I was addicted, I loved this show. I wish it would have remained on air longer though, kind of sucks...

It was a pretty good show.

I like this film's jokes.

One of the best sci-fi shows ever. Cowboys in space.

Makes me wonder what I saw in Star Trek TNG. This show is amazing. I can't believe how good it was when I finally watched it.

Not the easiest show to get into, what with nine major characters to keep track of and using a couple of concepts (sci-fi & western) that haven't had the best track record on network TV in the last couple of decades. Factor in FOX's lack of patience in letting the story unfold (much less IN THE PROPER ORDER!!!), and it never had a chance. However, it still was one of the best-written shows in television history and definitely had some of the most memorable characters.

Uninspired, uncreative sci-fi that falls completly flat in the face of the immortal Star Trek legacy.

It was a great show! It broke a few small barriers,made a black woman 1st officer and married to a white guy who was submissive to her without being a wimp.

Never given a proper chance. Hope it comes back to TV after the movie.

The show didn't last because it was terribly boring and horrible.

BEST SHOW ANYWHERE!

This show was great, I loved the post civil war in space concept, and as with most of Whedons work the writing and characterization was top notch. I look forward, with much anticipation, to the movie Serenity, and hope that many more discover the series through the movie(s).

Was an AWESOME show and Fox is stupid for pulling the plug!

My wife, of all people, got me hooked on this show, and we [+ our 2 boys] absolutely enjoyed this show. Was a playful, yet intelligent romp [almost as good as my other favorite, FarScape].

Great show premise....too bad the execs killed it. Could have been the next Trek, but we'll never know....

It was a bad consept to begin with. The babes was cute though.

We can't believe that FOX was so completely short-sighted as to cancel this show without giving it a real chance. Thankfully, we have the DVDs to keep us going until the movie.

Despite the network's best efforts to guarantee its failure, I really loved this show! I now have the entire series (including unaired episodes) on DVD. Next to Babylon 5, which was in a class by itself, this ranks as one of the best SF series ever.

FOX really screwed the pooch on this one. Not only did they not run the pilot they should have run, not only did they run the show out-of-sequence, but they didn't even give the show time to recover from their massive mismanagement. Fortunately, fans have both the DVD set and an upcoming film to keep them happy.

Wasn't given a chance to survive. By putting it on a bad night during the beginning of the season it was doomed. Begin it in mid-season I think alot more would have enjoyed it's artistic blend and humor.

Oh Firefly I miss you so much.

This show was the BEST! The music was original...and so beautiful. I couldn't wait for more backstory on Book, River, and everyone else. The crew worked like the cast of Star Trek Next Generation - like a family, there was a great camraderie there. I miss it :( It was wonderful to see the cut episodes when the DVDs came out. YoSafBridge!!! :D

'Firefly' had decent ratings and were not given a fair chance due to FOX! It was a great show that is sadly missed.

just when you start understanding the show its gone

Firefly was one of the best shows ever to grace the small screen. Joss and Co.'s clever and poignant dialogue, reminscient of but different from Buffy and Angel, coupled with the great chemistry of the cast, made this a tragic loss to fans everywhere.

This show was pretty good and well thought out. Of course, Fox and the weirdos that run it said nope, let's run some more reality crap. (Bring back John Doe)

The story, the characters were so much more plausable than other shows of this type. All the possibilities that were developing were so enticing. I really enjoyed this show and will miss the very well developed characters. Maybe the fact that this and other shows recently cancelled that I really enjoyed have been smarter by far than most of what is on TV lately, could that be the reason? I want to be challanged, I want to think when I watch TV. Why is this so hard to find on TV today?

The best sci-fi show since star trek, sigh

A great show. Too bad Fox wasn't willing to give it a consistent run!!!!!

This show rocks! This is what MUST SEE TV is really all about. only 12 shows and I fell in love Great characters, great storylines, great background and visual effects. please bring it back!!!

THE best television show that I have seen in quite some time. I am so incredibly sorry that it was cancelled. It held so much promise (and it was fulfilling some of it already) and I thought that it was up there in the pantheon of great shows (like The West Wing or Six Feet Under). The writing, the acting, and the production were just incredible. Action, humour, romance. It had it all, and succeeded them at all levels. If only it had found a larger audience....sigh. Hope it gets released on DVD!

One of the best sci-fi shows ever to grace my television set! A human drama, with complex characters, good mystery, excellent writing, and people cursing in Mandarin!

Undoubtedly the best new Sci-Fi show of the season. Hope it gets picked up by someone.

Man Joss did it again, too bad Fox couldnt see that and cancel it. Whoever read this comment PLEASE take a look at this series, download them or whatever but you get to see this show. Great plot, great characters. "You cant take the sky from Me." Maybe if we all pitch in we can Keep Firefly flyin.

The best new show in the 2002 season--under promoted and under appreciated! Terrific diaglogue, humourous and interesting characters. This is not Star Trek! So much better!!

Most original sci fi series since X-files. Great contrast between technology and planetary cultures on edge of civilization. Really thoughtful writing.

Cast has a lot of potential.