Joss Whedon’s Firefly is a smart, funny space-western. It’s also a show that was canceled far too early. The four-disc DVD box set is now available and, in my opinion, a must buy.
My first and prevailing thought watching these DVDs was, “I really wish this show was still on the air.” It was excellently produced, obviously benefiting from the experience and credibility of Joss Whedon’s first two shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. The writing was quick-witted, sharp and ridiculously funny. The performances were subtle and layered, servicing the words perfectly. The set, costuming and lighting all did their parts to deliver a gritty, realistic, docu-drama feel about a post-apocalyptic future that combined all things past and all things present.
The episodes in this box set appear in their original order, not the order in which they were aired. Besides including three unaired episodes, the most notable difference puts the original pilot up front rather than 10 episodes in.
The two-hour pilot plays like a movie and is heavy on exposition. The first half-hour, while visually appealing, is relatively short on plot action and humor. The episode that aired first sounds, if not looks, much more like a Joss Whedon show right away. While I agree with Fox’s reasons not to air the pilot first, it does make a better introduction to the characters and setting. Not to mention that when they did air the pilot at the end of the show's run, it didn't make sense. There are things meant to be surprises, plot twists or misleads that don't work because of everything you've seen the characters go through already. Also, the pilot sets up some plot threads that get paid off in later episodes, but after the fact they're just strange.
The box set also includes a handful of excellent special features. In addition to a gag reel and collection of cast and crew interviews, Joss Whedon tours the set and also performs the show’s theme song which he wrote himself. There is also audio commentary on half the show’s 14 episodes provided by actors, writers, directors, designers, and of course, Joss Whedon.
Two things strike me as remarkable about both the show and the box set. The first is how much more prominent and confident Joss Whedon appears in comparison to his earlier works.
I was also struck that everything about this box set is affected by the fact that the show was cancelled after only half a season. I wish there were more special features. But how many special features can exist for a show that only had 14 episodes? I wish all the plots had been concluded and there wasn’t such an unresolved feeling at the end of the last episode. But that’s what happens when a show is suddenly dropped from a network’s lineup.
Whedon and company are creating a Firefly movie, due out in September 2005. While I eagerly await its release and have no doubt that it will be a good (possibly great) film, I wonder at its ability to fulfill all the promise of the series. Will one film be enough to resolve all the hanging plot threads? Is a film series possible? Is it wanted? Will we ever get all the narrative and character development Joss wanted for the show’s fans? Probably not. And unfortunately, that will most likely be Firefly’s legacy.
