[Tom Servo]

Just got the series on DVD and have been rewatching pretty closely. Most of the guns (with the exception of one goofy laser pistol) seem to be analogues of present-day centerfire pistols. I'm pretty sure I've seen a couple of cosmetically-altered 1911s, and Mal's gun looks similar to a Ruger Old Army (http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1411&return=Y) blackpowder, of all things. Anyone care to venture any opinions on what they've seen?

It seems somewhat apropos that the show would favor projectile weapons, since on the fringes of civilization, ammo would be easier to manufacture and come by than, say, Dilithium Laser Crystals, and in Mal's case, reloading might be the most economical way to go.

Except for the goofy "laser-noise" that all the guns seem to make (and the fact that EVERYBODY loads and cocks with their finger on the trigger), the writers seem to have done some research on guns. Incidentally, "futuristic" weapons are shown to be either unreliable or in the hands of government elite-types.

Oh, and if you haven't seen this show, you're just a bad person and should probably go stand in a corner somewhere.

[Justin]

I picked up the series on DVD also, and have been very surprised with how well the show was written and produced. Most of the guns seem to generally be a mixture of modern day and western weapons.

For those who haven't seen the show, in a given episode you're likely to see everything from SAA's to M60's all attending the same gun battle.

As for Mal's gun, as near as I can figure, it's a prop specifically designed for the show. It obviously has the styling of a single action cowboy gun, but is, in actuality an autoloader. In one of the episodes I distinctly remember seeing Mal pop the magazine to check if it's loaded. The mag seems like it fits in roughly the same location as it would on a high-end target pistol, like a Walther GSP. It fits flush with the gun though. (At least from what I can tell. I could be wrong.)

[Pappy John]

What struck me most was Mal's 2nd in command's "Mare's Leg"....and her penchant for shooting people in the back with it. Her name doesn't come to mind right now....my copy has been lent out for a while now.

[ChristopherG]

Fantastic series, cancelled by the biggest boneheads in television history. Had to be expensive to produce, but what a diamond among the chaff of network programming it was. The good news; the movie, Serenity, is now officially in pre-production!

I loved the mix of western and post-modern sci-fi, though I had to swallow a good bit of disbelief that firearms technology was still supposed to be preserving at least the styles and some elements of the function of the American west, 1860-1900, five centuries in the future.

[Justin]

Her name doesn't come to mind right now.... That'd be Zoe.

[Pappy John]

Justin, yeah that's her....I did remember the name of Jayne's favorite gun though.

Vera!!!

[Justin]

Random useless factoid: Jayne's favorite gun, 'Vera' was originally designed and used in the Eddie Murphy/William Shatner movie 'Showtime.' I've never seen it, and heard it's really not worth bothering with. But it is a bit of trivia you can use to impress other Firefly nerds.

:D

[Ransom]

The gun from Showtime was ridiculous looking. Jaynes gun looks fairly decent.

The guns are my only pet peeve about the show. Everything is a mix of either redesigned wester style guns, modern day guns like DE's and so forth, and regular old west style six guns and lever rifles. It doesnt make much sense and seems like they just cleaned out the entire gun section of the prop department.

Plus the sounds they make are kind of goofy. I hope they retool it for the movie. I dont mind guns like Mals and Zoes and some of the rifles they used but adding in desert eagles and glocks and stuff just looks dumb and out of place.

[Jeff Timm]

Something I posted during Firefly's brief run.

Firearms and Fireflys

A few things to keep in mind:

If you see firearms used in the movies and TV. It isn't accurate. Firearms recoil. Guns are LOUD. Handguns are not very good at stopping an attacker, but they are better than anything else of their size and price. Cross reference, if you have a strong stomach, http://communities.prodigy.net/sportsrec/11april86.html
for an inaccurate report, all reports on gunfights are inaccurate, on a real fight between two men who didn’t care if they lived or died, and some FBI agents who lived, mostly.

Good guys don't always win.

A club or a knife at close range can be better than a gun. (Strike first strike often)
Teaching someone to use a weapon is different than teaching them how to fight.
Cross reference the Alliance Commander was trained, but he didn’t know how to fight at close quarters.

The Old West was nothing like the movies, but some lessons can be learned.
Cross reference "cause the point of a gun was the only law Liberty understood,
when it came to shooting straight and fast, he was mighty good."
http://www.norbyhus.dk/valance.html

Having seen three episodes of Firefly now, I can say they catch the essence of a gunfight, utter chaos.

If you want to believe there are rules for a gunfight, see http://communities.prodigy.net/sportsrec/gz-gunfight.html


Why firearms? Especially why 400 year old firearms? I wait for answers in the fullness of time.

Geoff
Who has the DVD set, but hasn't taken time to play it all.:(

[Zedicus]

Never heard of this Sires, can somone point me ot a site with info non it?

[Tom Servo]

Having seen three episodes of Firefly now, I can say they catch the essence of a gunfight, utter chaos.
One of the unaired eps ("Heart of Gold") actually has a full-on gunfight, with the crew defending a brothel against an evil town boss. The proprietresses also get in on the action. Mal gives a neat piece of advice: "Shoot the man, not the horse. A dead horse is cover; a live horse is a big pile of panic."

There's also a neat 2nd-amendment dig when Mal first meets the bad guy and notices that he has better ordinance than he'll let anyone else in his (largely unarmed) populace have.

[Ian]

I guess I'm in the minority - I really like how they do the guns in Firefly. They present a huge jumbled smorgasbord of everything from the old (lever-actions, Peacemakers) to the modern (pump shotguns, Glocks, Mec-Tec carbine), to the futuristic (Vera, the Lacitor [sp?], the laser in Heart of Gold). It's just like the way they combine a whole slew of cultures - the idea that the future will see much more diversity, rather than conformity.

(Just a thought - since futuristic stuff is shown but rarely used, perhaps the Alliance banned most of it?)

Besides, haven't we all seen the only-half-joking references to the quiet master shooters using hundred-year-old worn-looking guns? I can totally see Zoe (the combat vet but not gun nut) using an odd old carbine/pistol thing, Mal (the combat vet more into guns) using a rather plain-looking futuristic gun, and Jayne (the gun shop commando sort) using the biggest, baddest new rifle he can find.

Another way to look at it (and this ties in with the zoopy gun sounds) is that the props used for guns are just placeholders. They can't afford to make futuristic prop guns for every episode, so they instead use a huge variety of sthings that 99% or people won't recognize, gize them laser-like sound effects, and rely on the viewer's imagination to make them futuristic.

On another point, it does really irk me in War Stories when Wash (in particular) is waving pistols around with his finger on the trigger. But I have noticed a number of scenes where actors show really good gun handling (I think The Message has several).

Also, I love how the scripts show so much more creativity with guns than other TV shows I've seen. There's Book shooting at knees, Jayne's "I wuz aimin for his head", the laser running out of battery, River's one and only time shooting, Mal finally shooting the fed in Serenity (the pilot episode), and so many others...

MAL - ...you know, it ain't altogether wise, sneaking up on a man when he's
handling a weapon.

INARA - I'm sure I've heard that said. But perhaps the dining area isn't the
place for this sort of thing?

MAL - What do you mean? Only place with a table big enough.

INARA - Of course. In that case... (rearranges guns) Every well-bred petty crook knows -- the small concealable weapons always go to the far left of the place setting.

:p

[Ian]

Two other things -

One, here's something of a guide to Firefly weapons (I haven't foud a better one yet): http://www.fireflywiki.org/Firefly/CategoryWeapons?action=search&text=Firefly/CategoryWeapons

Two, I really want a functioning copy of Mal's pistol. Dang, that's a cool piece.

[rayra]

This topic is begging for some pix. Be back shortly.

[Nuts_McGrath]

I read on a Firefly website (I think it was Fireflyfans) that Mal's gun was just a dressed up Taurus revolver, like a .38 or something. For a while fans debated what the thing was and it was assumed to be an old-timey blackpowder pistol.
Anyways, the prop department just took it apart and covered it with machined plastic pieces, most notably the hexagonal barrel and a box-thingy over the magazine (sorry, I'm not too keen on firearm terminology. I don't shoot... at least not yet.). I remember seeing a small picture being used in the prop company's website, but you could tell it was Mal's gun in CAD.

[cordex]

Absolutely outstanding series, but I had some problems with the gun noises at first too. Got to be so I didn't mind 'em so much as time went on.

[Trebor]

There was nothing haphazard or random about the firearms used in "Firefly." The producers wanted to convey the idea that space was the "new frontier," reminescent of the old west, so certain guns were chosen that harkened to that image. The mix of old and new technology was also deliberate. Generally, in Hollywood, nothing is done by accident and the prop choices in "Firefly" are a good example of that.

[Croyance]

Jeff Timm, not everybody is using firarms.
Alliance security has those stun gun carbines. The rich guy in Heart of Gold has a laser. The straffing run by the Alliance aircraft in the opening seems to use lasers and not tracers.
But in a place where not everybody has electricity, how do you keep your laser charged? Powder, black or smokeless, would be relatively easy to make.
If you have some machinery, you can easily make firearms. A ship like Serenity probably has a small machine shop, maybe even a CNC. Certainly the cities in the fringe regions would have them. So just from a standpoint of cost, durability, and ease of maintainence, a firearm may have advantages.
Besides, it is a universe of contrasts. The "Core" is like the east coast, or NYC in the 1870s to 1920. Now remember what the West and frontier regions were like. Heck, look at some places in South America and Africa now.

[Ian]

Nuts - After digging through a Firefly forum, I found a pic of Mal's pistol taken by the company that made it. It's definitely some sort of centerfire revolver (I can't tell the make or model) with some extras tacked on:http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=1050257

[rayra]

1.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-01.jpg

2.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-02.jpg

3.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-03.jpg

4.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-04.jpg

5.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-05.jpg

6.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-06.jpg

7.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-07.jpg

8.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-10.jpg

[rayra]

9.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-11.jpg

10.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-12.jpg

11.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-13.jpg

12.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-14.jpg

13.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-15.jpg

14.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-16.jpg

15.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-17.jpg

16.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-18.jpg

[rayra]

17.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-19.jpg

18.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-20.jpg

19.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-21.jpg

20.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-22.jpg

21.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-23.jpg

22.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-24.jpg

23.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-25.jpg

24.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-26.jpg

[rayra]

25.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-27.jpg

26.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-28.jpg

27.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-29.jpg


And if firearms aren't enough reason, there's THIS

28.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-08.jpg

29.)
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/23695/fireflyep1-09.jpg



BTW, these were ALL from the Pilot / first episode.

[Croyance]

Ian, which Firefly forum?

While Mal's gun looks like a revolver, I don't see a cylinder in it.

[atek3]

Serenity (the movie coming out this summer) better rule or I say we load up on CAS guns and march on Joss Whedon's house. (j/k)

atek3

[Tom Servo]

MAL - ...you know, it ain't altogether wise, sneaking up on a man when he's
handling a weapon.
"Hwah...it's a warrior thing...strikes fear in the heart...uh..."

Gotta love Captain Tightpants. The Fed mole shows the old "I learned my two-handed grip from watching too many movies" grip, and he sure does seem to switch guns pretty often. Oh, and where's Inara's gun in those last two pics. I've been looking VERY closely and I don't...oh.

Here's some others:

http://www.lonelymachines.org/serenity/firefly.png
"This is something the captain needs to handle for himself." "No it isn't!" "Oh."

http://www.lonelymachines.org/serenity/jaynes_guns.png
"These are my favorite guns"

http://www.lonelymachines.org/serenity/nandis_guns.png
Nandi's guns.

http://www.lonelymachines.org/serenity/lackey_guns.png
Is that a Mac-10?

[BryanP]

Serenity (the movie coming out this summer) better rule or I say we load up on CAS guns and march on Joss Whedon's house. (j/k)

They have just begun production, it's not due out until next year. Specifically the planned release date is currently April 22, 2005. (why no, I'm not a Firefly fanboy at all ...)

Oh, and in the pic just above my post? To answer your question, no that's not a MAC-10. It's a Beretta PM 12S. (http://www.gunsworld.com/beretta/12a_us.html)

http://www.gunsworld.com/beretta/graphs/pistolapm12s.jpg

BTW, there is a review of the script of the movie (spoiler-free even) here. (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=17749)

He supplied exactly one piece of dialogue from the script that is just perfect -

WASH: Yeah well if she doesn't give us some extra flow from the engine room to offset the burnthrough the landing is gonna get pretty interesting.
MAL: Define “interesting.�
WASH (calm suggestion): “Oh god, oh god, we're all gonna die?�

[Razor]

Thanks for that review link, BryanP! :D

[Ian]

Croyance - it was linked to from fireflyfans.net.

Mal's gun as presented in the show doesn't have a cylinder, but the real gun they made the prop out of does have one. It's right above the trigger, and covered up by a sideplate. Take a look at that little pic I posted - they show it with the sideplate off, and you can clearly see the cylinder.

[Correia]

My wife is buying me the DVD for Father's day. I loved that show. :)

[SapperLeader]

Its awesome that we have so many firefly fans on this site. It makes sense with all the gunplay and realistic gunfights on the show :). As to the assortment of weapons, I really liked the combination of lasers and stun guns on planets with technology, and old, reliable cowboy designs on other planets. I mean, were still using the winchester 1894 rifle after 108 years, whats another 400 years on top of that :) I could have lived without the guns firing bullets with laser sounds, but after the first episode I started ignoring it.

[Kamicosmos]

I have been watching the series as well, and have been curious about Mal's gun too.

I'm worried about a movie, but more Firefly is always good! (I hope!!)

[tcdrennen]

What sold me on the series was in the 'Train Job' (1st shown) episode when Mal asks the captured thug if he'll take his message back to the boss, then kicks the guy into the engine intake when the thug refuses. :eek: :what: :D Loved it!

It was also the moment I knew it wouldn't survive on a broadcast network. :banghead:

Firefly is Too Cool For School. :evil:

[SDAL]

I love the show and have had the DVD from the day it came out. Lots of guns ,action, and great writting.:D You can't go wrong.

[Nuts_McGrath]

That pic you put up, Ian is not the picture I was talking about. In fact, it's probably better than the one I mentioned because that is a photo of the actual prop. I saw what was essentially a screenshot of the plastic pieces on a generic model, only in CAD.

It isn't uncommon for scifi shows to just take regular guns and tack new junk on there. For example, in rayra's giant block of pics, Jayne's pistol is just an old Lemat with a new shinier underslung shotgun barrel and some other junk stuck to it. It's not completely inconceivable that a prop company would just replace the entire outer body of the weapon or just a few parts. The extent of a company's need to change the look of the gun can be seen in something as minor as Han Solo's blaster to Deckard's pistol.

I noticed alot of people mentioned how they didn't like the sound of the guns. Since I know more about scifi than real guns, I always assumed that the firearms of Firefly, in particular Mal's pistol, used some kind of new propellant that brings the bullet to "hyper-velocities" therefore, the change in sound. Then again, in a genre that suffers as tight a budget as scifi, one must suspend their disbelief for the sake of the plot. After all, not everybody can have some pimped out space-age gun.

[Zen21Tao]

For those that criticize the blending of the firearms technology. I think firefly was an incredibly ingenious show. The very point of the show was that as technology expanded civilizations and cultures expanded and that they blended together. I feed it quite philosophic that "the future emerges from the present as it did in the past." Such a mixture of weaponry conveyed this point masterfully. Those at different levels of civilization in different locations had access to very different pertinent technologies. Also, the types of weapons people had were representative of their economical level as well. Someone in Mal's line of work wasn't someone you'd expect could afford a "laser" gun. Mal also needed weapons that were "usable" where ever he was. What good would something be to him if he couldn't find the parts and ammo for it?

[Zen21Tao]

I always assumed that the firearms of Firefly, in particular Mal's pistol, used some kind of new propellant that brings the bullet to "hyper-velocities" therefore, the change in sound.

Not every weapon (if any really) could physically handle a propellant capable of producing such a high velocity. Remember that Firefly deals with the emergance of new civilizations in the same fashion that previous generations took in NEW LOCATIONS. Its more practicle to think that the sound difference is cause by weapons still being limited to the constraints of their environmet. That is, different planets would have a different geological makeup. You cant expect all weapons to use the same balance of chemicals that the earth provides us. Perhaps planet X is less abundant in phosphorus nitrate than earth and more abundant in sulfur and charcoal. Also consider the possability of great abundances of minerals not present on earth with features similar (but not exact) to potassium nitrate. Its also possible that different atmospheric conditions on planets dispuse sound differently.

[Jeff Timm]

I finally found the right reference:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/feature.asp?f=30

Have fun! :D

Geoff
Who has to go fold cloths.

[Jeff Timm]

Sorry about previous post.

Link to Rules for a Gunfight at the Gun Zone.

http://www.thegunzone.com/gunfighting.html

Geoff
Who knows pobuddy's nerfict!

[Nuts_McGrath]

Not every weapon (if any really) could physically handle a propellant capable of producing such a high velocity. Remember that Firefly deals with the emergance of new civilizations in the same fashion that previous generations took in NEW LOCATIONS. Its more practicle to think that the sound difference is cause by weapons still being limited to the constraints of their environmet. That is, different planets would have a different geological makeup. You cant expect all weapons to use the same balance of chemicals that the earth provides us. Perhaps planet X is less abundant in phosphorus nitrate than earth and more abundant in sulfur and charcoal. Also consider the possability of great abundances of minerals not present on earth with features similar (but not exact) to potassium nitrate. Its also possible that different atmospheric conditions on planets dispuse sound differently

That's true and definately an idea that is more plausible than what I said. But I reiterate that I had a BS fanboy argument to begin with.

[ScorpioVI]

Seeing as how the Serenity trailer is out (http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/serenity/), I figure it's time to update this thread. Identify Jayne's new gun from the trailer...



"Let's be bad guys!"

http://uncle_slappy.shackspace.com/letsbebadguys.gif

[ChristopherG]

Timely update, Scorpio!! I'm dyin' for the movie, and they've postponed release until September :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

And, what's worse, my wife has expressly forbidden me to wear my Firefly gun to the preview--a 6" stainless .41 mag with a silver Ultradot in a Sidarmor Kydex holster. What theater owner wouldn't understand that I was just getting in the spirit of things? :evil: ;)

[ScorpioVI]

I'm dyin' for the movie, and they've postponed release until September


Yea! And I've missed out TWICE on the screeners. Missed out on the May 5th screener by about an hour (I heard the tickets sold out within an hour) and I was taking a nap when they posted the May 26th tickets the other day. ARRRGGGHHH!!!! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

I'm almost willing to bid on the $100 tickets the SOB scalpers have up on eBay.

Oh yea, as for opening night. Myself and 4 other buddies are going to the theatre dressed in black suits and ties, wearing blue nitrile gloves. :D :D Now if only I can find that mind-meld wand-weapon thingy... I know a few guys at work I wanna uses that on...

[DarkKnight01]

Firefly was a great series, It upset me that it didnt stay on TV... A friend of mine bought the dvd set, good stuff, I enjoyed it...

ScorpioVI: You can probably find the screener on a fileswap.... but of course that would be illegal, and I wouldnt condone any such fileswapping over the internet..... :D

[ScorpioVI]

ScorpioVI: You can probably find the screener on a fileswap.... but of course that would be illegal, and I wouldnt condone any such fileswapping over the internet.....




Nah. Legal issues aside, I wouldn't want to spoil the movie for me. From what I've read about Serenity, this is a movie that I want to see on the big screen for the first time, under perfect viewing conditions, with a theatre full of like-minded folks. I've even read from a couple of Browncoats who said they regretted going to the screening because of the unfinished visual effects and lighting.

[DarkKnight01]

Yea ScorpioVI I agree, Im looking forward to it as well.

[Mad Man]

My Firefly DVD set is out on loan right now. But as I recall, laser weapons were outlawed by the Alliance (although certain wealthy and connected folks were able to get them).


Direct links to Serenity trailer (in case you want to download and save, so you can watch it again and again without having to stream it and waste time and bandwidth):

small
http://movies.apple.com/movies/universal/serenity/serenity_m240.mov
4.83 MB

Medium
http://movies.apple.com/movies/universal/serenity/serenity_m320.mov
8.5 MB

Large
http://movies.apple.com/movies/universal/serenity/serenity_m480.mov
21 MB

Full screen:
http://movies.apple.com/movies/universal/serenity/serenity_ifs2.mov
41MB


Right-click on the link, and select "Save as.." or "Save target as.." or whatever is close in the pop-up menu that appears (varies by browser and operating system).

[ChristopherG]

Thanks, Mad Man; mega copy loaded for repeated viewing!

Our DVD set has been loaned out to everyone we thought might be evangelized to the series--and most of them have been.

[zpo]

This news made my day. Here is the link to the site, if you click on trailers, and choose windows media, you can download a 135 mb trailer.


http://www.serenitymovie.com/

[Erich]

I'm glad I'm not the only geek here. :neener:

A friend at work turned me on to the series on DVD (I'm not much of a TV guy, so I missed it when it was on), so I got to see it all in its proper order from the start. Really spectacular show. I'm eagerly anticipating the movie.

My wife (who really loathes all things science-fiction-y) loves the show, too (I convinced her to watch it by telling her it wasn't really a sci-fi show, just a great show that happened to have a sci-fi setting). Now she can't wait for the movie, either.

[LawDog]

Ah, Firefly, about the most quotable series ever shown on network TV.

You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with until you understand who's in ruttin' command here. -- Jayne

Stegosaurus: "Yes. Yes, this is a fertile land, and we will thrive. We will rule over all this land, and we will call it... 'This Land.'"
Allosaurus: "I think we should call it 'your grave!'"
Stegosaurus: "Ah, curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"
Allosaurus: "Har har har! Mine is an evil laugh! Now die!" --Wash and his plastic dinosaurs.

If you take sexual advantage of her, you're going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater. --Shepard Book

It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of him was one kind of sumbitch or another. -- Mal

Nothing worse than a monster who thinks he's right with God. -- Mal

You know, with the exception of one deadly and unpredictable midget, this girl is the smallest cargo I've ever had to transport. Yet by far the most troublesome. Does that seem right to you? -- Jubal Early

You killed yourself, son. I just carried the bullet for a while. -- Mal

LawDog

[ScorpioVI]

This news made my day. Here is the link to the site, if you click on trailers, and choose windows media, you can download a 135 mb trailer.


Strange that the rest of the links are from the cast appearance at Wizard World. Pretty cool though! Thanks!

[Strings]

Heh... well now, isn't that... special?

Sorry... Book's dialog through Our Mrs Renyolds STILL cracks Spoon and I up...

[ScorpioVI]

Thought you guys might enjoy this series of comic strip from PVPonline...



http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/100/406/1748350-pvponline_compiledd.jpg

[ScorpioVI]

Another comic strip...


http://inktank.com/images/AT/cartoons/05-16-05.gif

[Augustwest]

ROFLMAO ^

[George Hill]

That was awesome.

:D

[zpo]

To add to Lawdogs quotes

Bystander at burning-Shes a witch!
Mal-Yeah, but shes our witch(cocking shotgun) now cut her the hell down!

[SiG Lady]

I miss Firefly so much I can't even describe it. One of the best things to hit the television screen. Disappeared suspiciously suddenly. Just proves it was better than most everything else airing at the time. I was mortified.

[ScorpioVI]

Yea, I can't get enough of Firefly. I watch the episodes over and over again. I persuaded a buddy of mine (also a THR member) to buy the DVDs last week (sight unseen). He got the DVDs on Saturday and watched all but one episode over the weekend. He was holding off on watching Objects in Space because he knew there was no more to be had after that.

I've been reading this book called Finding Serenity (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932100431/qid=1116365861/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-4040611-8044869?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), which is really just a collection of essays about Firefly and why it appeals to so many of us. Very interesting reads with lots of insights from the writers.

Also, don't forget to order the Serenity comic books by Whedon (http://www.darkhorse.com/search/search.php?frompage=userinput&sstring=serenity). 6 of the 9 covers are published. I've already pre-ordered all 6 covers but so far my favorite is the Hitch cover (Jayne).

http://images.darkhorse.com/covers/10/10845.jpg

[SiG Lady]

How many pages is the book, Finding Serenity...? Amazon has it listed but I don't see number-of-pages anywhere... :confused:

[ScorpioVI]

Paperback: 240 pages

It's a little further down that page under Product Details. I can't confirm since I left the book at home.

[Josh]

Bout a page or so back somebody asked what Jayne's carryin' when he says "Let's be bad guys" in the trailer.

Well, havin' seen the screenin' on the 5th, It looked to me, (an' I WAS lookin') that it's a gussied up MP5. There were quite a few tarted up HK's. I'm fair sure that was one of 'em.

Had me a plan to build a VERA out of a Saiga.

Then I really looked at her.

Have ya really looked at her?

It'd be one thing to build on on an airsoft platform. But it is obvious to me that the feller what designed VERA had no intention of ever shooting live 12 GA ammo out of her.

The forend is all skinny right angles and uncomfortableness and the stock is a 1" wide 6" tall piece of steel jutting at a right angle from the rear of the weapon. Bout as comfy as a tooth extraction.

Pass.

Keep Flyin'

Josh

[George Hill]

Don't know what a Vera is... but I just orded the series from Amazon and paid bonus to ship it fast.

I aim to misbehave.
:evil:

[zpo]

Best choice you ever made...

[ScorpioVI]

Josh,

If you ever want to build an airsoft mock-up of Vera. Let me know. My best buddy owns one of the largest airsoft retailers in the country.

I tried to get tickets to the screening, missed out by hours both times! Argh!

Since you've already seen the movie. Was there an abundance of guns and gunfights in Serenity?






George, like what zpo said. Buying the DVDs will be one of the best choices you will make in this life. :evil:



Another comic strip for y'all:

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/100/406/1748355-pvp20050510.gif

[ajkurp]

I bought the DVD set on Claire Wolfe's recommendation. My wife, daughter and I LOVED it!

Do not make my mistake. I loaned it to a buddy- who now makes excuses why it hasn't come home yet. :)

Sure. HE has it. And I'M in the doghouse.

[George Hill]

No, this is my 3rd best choice.
1st is my CZ P-01, second is my Bronco.... then comes Firefly.
I can say this because I've not even seen firefly yet. We shall see... it's coming... and I wait impatiently.

[nomadboi]

Those who object to the recycled guns being used as lasers in Firefly... do you have the same feelings about all the WWII firearms being used in the original Star Wars trilogy?

Just asking- same thing, really...

[zpo]

There is only 2 lasers in Firefly, and only one works. The rest are just talked about. The guns the crew of Serenity uses are projectile weapons, they just sound like lasers because of the different powders from different planets sound, um, different when burned.

[walking arsenal]

wow, rayra, just now none of those pics worked

[ScorpioVI]

OMG!!!

A friend just told me about a hilarious easter egg on the Firefly DVDs. I won't tell you what it is (it involves Jayne), but it had me rolling! Funny as hell!

Here's how to find it.

* Pop in Disc 4
* Go to "Special Features"
* Go to "More"
* Highlight "Joss Sings The Firefly Theme"
* Press Left on your controller
* That little squiggly symbol to the left of the picture of the cast should now be highlighted yellow.
* Hit Enter and enjoy!

[Josh]

Since you've already seen the movie. Was there an abundance of guns and gunfights in Serenity?

Pah-Lenty, my good man. ALL You can eat. Think it's not a spoiler ta say that EVERYONE on the crew takes up arms. It is a joy to behold. I'll be there again, one week from today at the second screening.

Keep Flyin'

[George Hill]

I've enjoyed disks 1 and 2 today.

This is the best show ever. EVER. And I've never seen it before today?

:cuss: /in chinese

Arguably the best written scripts ever put to TV.

Can you keep track of all the guns? I'm glad I got the DVDs because you have to screen cap and zoom to get a look at all of them. Awesome show... best ever.

[SiG Lady]

"...This is the best show ever. EVER."That's what I keep telling people.

[c_yeager]

The only negative thing I can say about the series is that the guns seemed to be designed by someone who had never fired a shot in their lives.

One of my favorite little details though was the lack of SOUND IN SPACE. Always a pet peave of mine that, to this day, confuses people who have never bothered to consider what sound actually is.

Also, best show ever on TV.

[zpo]

George-
From what I remember of the back story, America and China were the only two countries that could put a big presence in space when the "Earth that was", "was used up". Hence the unusual mix of cultures.

[enfield303]

OK,
you guys have stirred my interest in this show.(Like I need any more Sci-Fi shows to watch!)

[Erich]

Well, I just finished watching the series through again, this time with my bride (who pretty much loathes science fiction). She liked it a lot.

Looking forward to the flick . . .

[Ransom]

With all the hype for the movie I broke out my DVDs and watched em again over the weekend. With all the great writting I think River gets some of the best lines. At least from a comedy standpoint.

"I can kill you with my brain."

"My food is problematic."



Also, rumor has it the Sci Fi network has picked up all the original episodes to air before the movie. Its kind of annoying that only now they show interest, but its something. So if you havent seen it but dont feel like shelling out for the DVD's check your schedual and catch an episode and see if you like it.

[CZSteve]

One of my favorite little details though was the lack of SOUND IN SPACE. Always a pet peave of mine that, to this day, confuses people who have never bothered to consider what sound actually is.
I couldn't agree more. 2001 - A Space Odyssey is another that kept the realism of a vacuum in space.

Unfortunately, based upon the movie trailer, it appears the movie will have the annoying sounds of the ships flying by in space. I just don't understand this. Don't these people understand the concept of 'less-is-more' sometimes.
I think the silence is more dramatic anyway along with being factual. Even in the one episode of Firefly, they went a bit overboard about having to put 'vera' inside a a pressurized space suit so the gun powder would ignite. We even discussed here or on TFL how that would not be requried.

Oh well, if this is my biggest concern in life; It'll be OK. ;)

[kwelz]

Actually I have heard that they only put sound in the trailer for the less edumicated people out there. The movie itself will be sound free in vacuum scenes.

[Jeff Timm]

Remember sound in space is Relative. :rolleyes:

A space ship is likely to be a noisy place. If you hear sounds from outside, make assumption you in a heap 'a TROUBLE boy!

Geoff
Who is usually in a heap of trouble anyway.

[ScorpioVI]

Also, rumor has it the Sci Fi network has picked up all the original episodes to air before the movie.



It's not a rumor. The way they timed it, the last episode comes out just before Serenity hits theaters.



FIREFLY (FOX) - The Sci Fi Channel has landed the repeat rights to all 15 hours of the short-lived FOX series (and basis of the upcoming "Serenity" feature film). The network's July schedule lists the series as joining its Friday lineup on July 22 at 7:00/6:00c where it will precede original episodes of "Stargate SG-1," "Stargate Atlantis" and "Battlestar Galactica."

[Justin]

The network's July schedule lists the series as joining its Friday lineup on July 22 at 7:00/6:00c where it will precede original episodes of "Stargate SG-1," "Stargate Atlantis" and "Battlestar Galactica."

Ooooh. A hammock. Two sub-par shows whose ratings are held aloft by a good show on each end.

:D

[Drizzt]

Well, Justin, they are supposedly doing a complete rework of Stargate SG-1, so maybe it will regain some of its potential. From what I understand, they've changed up the timeline, but why Atlantis would still be around in that case is anyones guess. OK, why Atlantis is still around EITHER WAY is anyones guess.

[George Hill]

My hope is that Stargate will just go away. I liked the movie, but the TV show has always seemed to be just very very lame to me. I saw an Atlantis episode and it was just especially pathetic.
Yet Firefly gets cancelled. Someone at Fox needs a beating for killing Firefly.
Looking forward to the movie. Hope it resurects Firefly.

[ScorpioVI]

Hey check this out. An unfilmed Firefly script: http://www.fireflyfans.net/feature.asp?f=45

[Jeff Timm]

I've always liked the idea of SG1, sometimes the execution is a little rushed by budget. I've worked with military officers including 9 years as an enlisted man, and they've got some writers who know the breed, good and bad.

It's a good show, but the cliff hangers (sometimes literally) are a bit much.

Besides, who else has such a great weapons collection on screen?

Jeff
Who never cared for SMGs but that little HK temps me. :cool:

[Jeff Timm]

Pity, I tried but I never could get into Cattlecar Galaxative, either the original, the improved or the current series.

Geoff
Who notes he is old enough to have seen not only the first run of Star Trek (TM), but the last repeats on Saturday of "Tom Corbet Space Cadet!"

:D

[George Hill]

I am very interested in the Shepard character. Book. He gets the Alliance to take him in to their hospital, gets the needed treatment, and the Alliance let's them leave unmolested. Book knows all the ins and outs of certain things like space net techniques down to the last detail. He knows how to handle himself in a gun fight. Knows how to rig spotlights to cover an assault entry. Then a bounty hunters spits "That's no shepard."

High level Ex-Alliance officer? :scrutiny:

[Old Fud]

Indeed. Book is the only mystery man in the story.

There's no question he still has high rank in the Alliance.
And that he's an ex military man.

Consider also that he was intimately familiar with the battle of Serenity.
Does that suggest something to a story line?

What hasn't been discussed is when he went into the monastery or why.
What caused him to become a Shepard.

I can do without the hairdo, but he's a lot more interesting than one each weirdo doctor and his even more so little sister.

One thing is abundantly clear --- we NEED to see more of "Firefly"
Unfortunately, the rumor I've heard is that Book may be the first casualty even if the series is resurrected.

Fud

Fud

[Houndawg]

Inara or Kaylee?

I figure most will vote for Inara, but I seem to lean towards Kaylee. Maybe it's because she has that innocent air about her.

My daughter had never seen the series. She watched the DVD set with me and was instantly hooked. We're both itching for the movie.

[zpo]

They both have their qualities. Either way for me.

[PowderBurn]

To me, Mal's gun appears to be based on the Roger & Spencer percussion revolver.

And didn't Jayne carry a LeMat?

[Erich]

I saw Jane with a modified LeMat in one of the episodes.

Good Lord, are you kidding? Inara! She's got to be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

[Carl N. Brown]

Maybe those retro looking guns are all firing Gyrojet rocket projectiles. Zap!
Remember Gyrojet? Same era as the Dardick Tround. Darn, I'm old.

Sounds in space. I try to tell myself the blasts in Farscape are the gases
from the explosions impacting Moya's hull. What is worse than sounds in
space movie explosions are the explosions dubbed in silent war footage
on History Channel: a shell explodes a mile away and you here it NOW
not five seconds later.

[George Hill]

Inara or Kaylee?

Both.

[ScorpioVI]

Inara. I love those exotic-looking Brazilian chicks. HOT!

Though in truth there ain't a single woman in the Firefly cast that I wouldn't bed with. They're all beautiful in their own ways. Got reservations about River, she ain't all there, but like Jayne says, "not all of her has to be". :neener:

Even the guests are hot. I'd drop dead if I ever saw Christina Hendricks (Saffron/Yolanda/Bridget) out on the street, or Nandi, for that matter.

[cordex]

If you ask me, the show only really needs the actual crew - Mal, Zoe, Wash, Jayne and Kaylee. Doc and sis bug me sometimes, didn't really like Book (makes me feel guilty and judged) and Inara ... well, didn't like her either. Somewhat pretty, I guess, but irritating. Kaylee is cuter.

I am a bit curious about Book, don't really care about River. Only time I really liked her was when she poked her head in on Jayne after Simon tried to make peace with him and said: "Also ... I can kill you with my mind."

Sad how little play Firefly got while it was running. I remember rushing home to see it whenever I could and caught most of the aired episodes, but it bugged me how often it was bumped for some other crappy event. With any luck, it'll be brought back and given a real chance.

[ScorpioVI]

Inara has been something of a mystery for me. I want to know what is up with her. Ever since Joss brought up in the DVD commentaries that the syringe (from the "Reavers are coming" scene in Serenity) wasn't really a suicide kit. That and the suspicious package she concealed from others at the mail pick-up in The Message. Something's not quite right about her.

Then again you could probably say that for the rest of the crew. Seemed like everybody had secrets in that show.

"See, that's my whole problem with picking up tourists! They ain't never what they claim to be!" - Jayne in Safe

[sch40]

Claire Wolfe recommended it?
I guess that's yet another recommendation for Claire!

[ScorpioVI]

Another comic acknowledging Firefly/Serenity...


http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/100/406/1778069-unshelved_ffcomic.jpg

[RevDisk]

I am very interested in the Shepard character. Book. He gets the Alliance to take him in to their hospital, gets the needed treatment, and the Alliance let's them leave unmolested. Book knows all the ins and outs of certain things like space net techniques down to the last detail. He knows how to handle himself in a gun fight. Knows how to rig spotlights to cover an assault entry. Then a bounty hunters spits "That's no shepard."

High level Ex-Alliance officer?

Yes. He's the Alliance general that led the Alliance forces at Serenity Valley and turned the tide of the war. Not just any ol' alliance brass, but the one that pretty much crushed the Browncoats. The Doc meantions his real name once when reading out of his encyclopedia, discussing Serenity Valley.

He better hope Mal didn't connect the dots.

I swear, Preacherman very much reminds me of Book. Or vice versa.


Inara or Kaylee?

I figure most will vote for Inara, but I seem to lean towards Kaylee. Maybe it's because she has that innocent air about her.

I've dated women that very much reminded me of slightly older versions of River. Creepifying and morbid, indeed.

[ChristopherG]

He's the Alliance general that led the Alliance forces at Serenity Valley and turned the tide of the war. Not just any ol' alliance brass, but the one that pretty much crushed the Browncoats. The Doc meantions his real name once when reading out of his encyclopedia, discussing Serenity Valley.

This would be a great answer to the questions about Book's backgroud which the series left so painfully unanswered. How do you know it to be the case?

[ScorpioVI]

He's the Alliance general that led the Alliance forces at Serenity Valley and turned the tide of the war. Not just any ol' alliance brass, but the one that pretty much crushed the Browncoats. The Doc meantions his real name once when reading out of his encyclopedia, discussing Serenity Valley.



That piqued my curiosity so I just now went through that scene. I'm assuming you mean the scene that was deleted out of Serenity?

This is what the script (http://www.fireflywiki.org/100.html) says, and what the encyclopaedia is reading out loud:

"In the war to unite the planets, the Battle Of Serenity was among the most devastating and decisive. Located on Hera, the valley was considered a key position by both sides, and was bitterly fought over. The Independents, with sixteen brigades and twenty air-tank squads, held the valley against Alliance forces for almost two months, until superior numbers and a deep-flank strategy by General Richard Wil...."

It's cut off in the script, and in the deleted scene Zoe cuts in right at that point and you can't hear the encyclopaedia anymore. Sounded liike "Wilson" to me but it could be "Williams" or "Wilkins"? Whatever it is, there's nothing else that links either Richard Wil-whatever to Book, since that's the only name he goes by.

Not saying it's a bad theory, it's certainly plausible, just that it's not as concrete as you made it out to be.

[Strings]

could still work out: nuns take a different name with their vows. Maybe shepards do, too...

[George Hill]

Now that makes sense.

[RevDisk]

It's cut off in the script, and in the deleted scene Zoe cuts in right at that point and you can't hear the encyclopaedia anymore. Sounded liike "Wilson" to me but it could be "Williams" or "Wilkins"? Whatever it is, there's nothing else that links either Richard Wil-whatever to Book, since that's the only name he goes by.

Wilkins.

[jason10mm]

DAMN, that would make for a GREAT twist! I figured Book was either a high level officer or some wealthy guy on sabbatical.

Wasn't there some vague hint about an assassin group in Firefly? For some reason I thought there was some mention of one, and that Inara might be a member. I'll have to pay closer attention (never a problem when Inara is around!) when I watch the series again this summer.

I'm not sure how well the movie will do. The trailer is just as confused as the series promos were (not sure if it is a comedy, action, or drama) and seems to be relying HEAVILY on Weedon's name, something that is far from guaranteed to fill seats. I figure it will make the 30-40 million any sci-fi flick will bring in. I wonder what the budget is. The set is already bought and paid for, none of the actors should be expensive, and the show already had excellent FX. If the show cost 2-3 million an episode, the movie should be around 50 million. Seems like an odd gamble for Fox to greenlight a movie deal (three flicks is what I heard) on a show they would even finish a TV season for. I think Firefly would work better as a TV show anyway. Hopefully the comics can recapture the magic!

[ScorpioVI]

Serenity had a $40M budget I believe. And FOX has nothing to do with the movie. UNIVERSAL bought all the movie rights, and the cast has signed contracts for 3 movies with UNIVERSAL. FOX retains the rights to the TV series.

From all the reviews I've read, both from FF and non-FF fans, Serenity is easily profitable. My friends and I are planning on seeing the movie on the big screen at least half-a-dozen times. Have you guys seen the Serenity screening tickets on eBay? People were paying $100+ for a single ticket! Serenity would easily make money from the fans alone. Whether it will make enough to warrant making the sequels... well, I'm gonna do my damnedest to spread the word and get people out to see Serenity on Sept 30th.

[Correia]

I'm going multiple times opening weekend, just to spite FOX. :)

[RevDisk]

There are some folks that believe Firefly was canned by Fox because certain executives had ideological problems with it.

Their lose, Universal's gain. Assuming the movie is a third as good as the shows, I'll see it a few times. Even if I do not like the movie, I will watch it again just to annoy Fox.

[ChristopherG]

There are some folks that believe Firefly was canned by Fox because certain executives had ideological problems with it.

Dark as it is, this is more flattering than the other possibility, which is that they are all colossal morons.

What would their objections be--they like the Blue Sun corporation? They're Alliance? I mean, these people kept the X-files on for a long time.

[RevDisk]

What would their objections be--they like the Blue Sun corporation? They're Alliance? I mean, these people kept the X-files on for a long time.

No, more that they prefer shows like American Idol and other gorram 'reality TV'.

[LawDog]

The first time we see Book, he's wandering the dock looking at the ships.

He's not looking where they're going, or anything else, he's just looking at ships. Then, when Kaylee stops him, not only does he know that her ship is a Firefly class, he knows the variant and he's been on them before.

A career spent interdicting smugglers and chasing pirates and assorted other anti-social types in the years before the war, and spending the war in command of a destroyer squadron or a fleet would give someone the intimate knowledge of various law-breaking-type activities.

Plus, when Book was injured, I don't see the squids jumping through hoops the way they did for a retired crunchie type, General or no.

Now, Commodore or Admiral Book, Alliance Navy, Retired -- that'll make a swabbie sit up and pay attention.

Ever since Joss brought up in the DVD commentaries that the syringe (from the "Reavers are coming" scene in Serenity) wasn't really a suicide kit.

My guess is that the needle Inara had was a quick-and-painless intended for Kaylee if the Reavers wound up knocking on the airlock hatch.

LawDog

[c_yeager]

My guess is that the needle Inara had was a quick-and-painless intended for Kaylee if the Reavers wound up knocking on the airlock hatch.

Joss IMPLIED that it was something that would have been 'suprising' and the suicide angle is pretty obvious, obvious enough that everyone who saw the scene (inluding myself) made that assumption. Using it on someone else wouldnt be enough of a twist. I suspect that it would be something having to do with her "mysterious past", which would explain the misdirect in the first place. Whedon LOVES to plant little things like that, and then have them come up later in an unexpected way. Whatever substance is in the needle im almost positive that it isnt fatal to the person that injects it.

[George Hill]

Remember the "Kiss Goodnight" stuff that the other companion had? Probably something to poison her body so if they took her, they would be killing themselves.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

There are some folks that believe Firefly was canned by Fox because certain executives had ideological problems with it.

What would their objections be--they like the Blue Sun corporation? They're Alliance? I mean, these people kept the X-files on for a long time.My guess would be that it's the pro-freedom, anti-government mentality that pervades the show. Firefly is/was the only show I can recall that held that government was evil and individual liberty was noble. Afterall, isn't it that why it feels so good to watch Firefly?

[Ironworker]

I suppose an anti-establishment TV show might rankle some execs on the board of Establishment Television, International. Especially since what was supposed to be the pilot, "Serenity", features The Hero shooting a cop who has taken a prisoner/hostage, after previously shooting one bystander and beating up a preacher with a fire extinguisher/thermos/whatever. (On the network where COPS is one of the original programs, this might not fly too well.)

That, and the point that only rarely in any given scene is someone *not* armed might rankle a bit.

Course the drug smuggling episode, Ariel, when the good guys boosted expensive pharmaceuticals from a state hospital likely ruffled some more feathers.

Come to think, from a certain point of view, Firefly was a series attempting to glorify the antics of a collection of rootless heavily armed ex-rebels who travel about in an unlicenced/registered ship, flouting the established system of law and order for personal benefit via robbery, smuggling, practicing medicine without a licence, murder, illegal entry, gunplay with unregistered military-style assualt weapons, defiance of lawful authority, and so forth.


Huh. Who knew Firefly was so immoral.....That must be why it was canceled. It was for our own good. See, Big TV really cares.




By the way, I blame everyone who posted to this thread, PERSONALLY, for making me buy the series, which was compelling enought that I couldn't stop watching it after I put the first disk in until I took the last disk out. (And then the first thing I did was to download the Serenity movie trailer.)
Darn you all to heck.

[Razor]

You're welcome! :D

[SiG Lady]

I second that. Completely.

[ScorpioVI]

Did you guys know.... that Adam Baldwin is "one of us". I was checking out some of his posts on the Prospero board, dug up some of his older posts and was pleasantly surprised that he leans right like most of us here on THR. Pro-gun, pro-military, pro-Bush, etc. Go to http://forums.prospero.com/foxfirefly/ and run a search for "ADAM_BALDWIN" (username) if you don't believe me. Adam, unlike Jayne, is actually pretty damn brainy, and all articulate-like, and boy does he light a fire under the liberals in that board. It's hilarious! I really like Jaynes character in Firefly (my favorite) but now I really respect the actor behind that character.

p.s. Here's some hilarious bits about Malcolm Reynold's and Jayne Cobb's endorsement Bush for the 2004 vote:

Mal's endorsement: http://coffee.ondragonswing.com/archives/000051.html

Jayne's endorsement: http://www.imao.us/archives/002140.html



:neener: :neener: :neener:

[Preacherman]

I swear, Preacherman very much reminds me of Book. Or vice versa.

Why, thank you, RevDisk! He reminds me of me, too... :D

[C-Note]

Firefly is so tight! River is awesome. Best...Show...Ever.

http://www.twoevilmonks.org/firefly/ffimages/season1/109/ff109278.jpg
http://www.twoevilmonks.org/firefly/ffimages/season1/109/ff109279.jpg
http://www.twoevilmonks.org/firefly/ffimages/season1/109/ff109281.jpg
No power in the 'verse can stop me.

[SteveS]

Huh. Who knew Firefly was so immoral.....That must be why it was canceled. It was for our own good. See, Big TV really cares.

What were the ratings like? I find it hard to believe that it was cancelled because of idealogical reasons. If it had been wildly successful, there would be all sorts of copycat shows on the other networks.

I don't think most networks give scifi shows much of a chance. This was a good show, with good dialog and interesting stories. It would be nice to see what the SciFi channel does with it. I like their rendition of BG, so I am hopeful.

[ScorpioVI]

SciFi's not doing anything special with it. They're only re-airing the episodes in the order they were meant to be aired. It's not like they're producing brand-new episodes, we're not getting anything new. Hopefully, the fact that SciFi will give Firefly the treatment it deserves will give us a bigger fanbase. Bigger fanbase = bigger turnout out at the box office = money = network executives thinking a Firefly series on TV wouldn't be such a bad idea.

[SteveS]

I was hoping that SciFi would pick it up for production. I have slightly more faith in them than any of the major networks.

[Drizzt]

I was hoping that SciFi would pick it up for production. I have slightly more faith in them than any of the major networks.

I don't.....

After what they did to Farscape? and they were offered Firefly when Fox cancelled it, as well as turning down the chance to make something out of Crusade after TNT hosed it so badly. And as well as that job they did on Legend of the Rangers.....

I have regained a small amount of faith in SciFi since the Battlestar Galactica series started up, but not enough to trust them with a series like Firefly.

[SteveS]

Good point. I guess I am just a naive optimist. Actually, I like what they did with Galactica, which I think is one of the better shows on right now. Now, if only I ran a network...

[Evil_Ed]

Ratings weren't very good mainly because Fox pre-empted it for any and all reasons. Heck the premiere/pilot episode was pre-empted on the local affiliate, I didn't see it until I got the DVD's. You can't expect a new show to succeed when you bounce the timeslot around and pre-empt it constantly.

[BenW]

Okay, so I can't figure out who the bigger idiot is -- Fox for cancelling Firefly, or me for not watching it till I read this thread.

I got the DVD set last week and watched it through twice now. What a great series!

[ScorpioVI]

Eh, you're not alone, I didn't see it until I saw atek3's thread in this forum back in December. And judging by Firefly's jump to #14 in Amazon's top-selling DVDs, I don't think we're the only ones.

BTW guys, the next round of screenings are supposed to be June 23rd, and tickets are supposed to go on sale tomorrow.

Details on how you can (possibly) get tickets are in a huge 74-page thread in the Movie Production Related folder in the Browncoats forum (http://browncoats.serenitymovie.com/serenity/index.html?fuseaction=tools.invlink&u=ScorpioVI&linkID=36).

This is what Joss posted last night in a thread titled "After the movie, what's next?"

What next? Interesting question. I see an epic Serenity adventure told in woodcuts, then a Jayne/Wesley crossover done in a series of haiku left in small wooden bowls to float down the Seine... Finally an interpretive dance (ya GOTTA have an interpretive dance!) about Mal's personal hygene that becomes an opera/ miniseries starring Sean Bean as "Odor".

That's just one man's vision.

But here's another. It rests on a lot of factors that I can't control, and some that I'll try my damnedest to. God knows you guys are doing your part. I call it BIG DAMN SEQUEL.

And THEN the interpretive dance.

We'll talk soon... -joss.

[ScorpioVI]

Heh, I scored 10 tickets to the SF screener on 6/23. I confirmed that order, went back in and started another order for 5 more, and it sold out! The damn tickets sold out in less than three minutes, probably closer to two!

Some cities have not gone on sale yet, so check http://www.cantstopthesignal.com if you're interested.

[Strings]

Guess I'm missing out: everybody's sold out, and the closest showing was Chicago (and you can't PAY me to go there)

[JShirley]

Best. TV Show. Ever.

Rented all 4 after reading this thread. Awesome. Jordy says so, too.

John

[Nanook]

I just bought the DVD set. My wife and I love it.

It's right up there with Babylon 5, which is my favorite TV show.

[Carl N. Brown]

From all the mention of Firefly (and to a lesser extent Farscape)
The High Road seems to attract people who like TV shows that
feature independent people with guns, who value personal
responsibility, support their friends, love freedom and distrust
authoritarian government. What does that say about this crowd?

My grandson and I are working our way through the DVD,
anticipating the general release of the Firefly movie Serenity.

[George Hill]

My 5 boys are cussing in Chinese now.
:evil:

[ScorpioVI]

Heh, more converts! Welcome!!!





The High Road seems to attract people who like TV shows that
feature independent people with guns, who value personal
responsibility, support their friends, love freedom and distrust
authoritarian government. What does that say about this crowd?


That we all need to get off our couches and go shoot some stuff? :neener:

[JoeRapture]

Oh, and if you haven't seen this show, you're just a bad person and should probably go stand in a corner somewhere.

Just got this in from Amazon. I had never even heard of it until I read about it here. Bought it without ever viewing a single episode. Great dialogue.

I'm glad I don't have to go stand in a corner!

[Drizzt]

From all the mention of Firefly (and to a lesser extent Farscape)
Don't forget Babylon 5. Very well written series which usually had a good message about thinking for yourself, and a strong story arc about resisting an overbearing government. Interesting take on the 'honesty' of the media, as well.

[Hardware]

From all the mention of Firefly (and to a lesser extent Farscape)
The High Road seems to attract people who like TV shows that
feature independent people with guns, who value personal
responsibility, support their friends, love freedom and distrust
authoritarian government. What does that say about this crowd?


What a great bunch of guys!

I'm still not giving you my beer though. :evil:

[io333]

http://www.tv.com/story/story.html&story_id=335

[Carl N. Brown]

I do have a problem with the episode Meet Mrs. Reynolds
where they have to take Jayne's gun Vera outside the ship
*in a space suit* to disable the scavengers' trap because
Vera needs oxygen to fire.
Conventional gunpowders are 75% oxidizer and don't
need no stinkin' oxygen: you can fire a flintlock in space.
Now, if Vera needs oxygen to fire, that would imply the
cartridges are all fuel, no oxidizer: hmm, if Vera sucks oxygen
from the air to fire, you could pack the power of a .50 BMG
in a cartridge the size of .50 Beowulf.

[ScorpioVI]

I just got back from the SF preview of Serenity.


3 words....


OH! MY! GOD!


3 more words...



BEST MOVIE EVER!



I'll post something more lucid in the morning.

[RKCheung]

Just got back from the Riverside screening. Joss made an appearance and watched the screening with us. Pretty neat.

[jason10mm]

That's it?!?!? "Pretty neat"???? WE NEED DETAILS!!!!!!!!!

On another note, the "Vera/spacesuit thing" could be explained in several ways.

1. The writers weren't too clever and thought that it was necessary.

2. The writers were too clever for their own good and thought that the AUDIENCE thought it was necessary, even though the writers themselves knew better.

3. Vera requires O2 for some reason not explained in the episode.

4. Jayne is an idiot and thought it was necessary, even though it was not.

Take your pick.

Oh, the comic should be out soon, if it isn't out already.

[Augustwest]

Saw the movie for the 2nd time in Hartford last night...it was every bit as good the second time.

Mr. Whedon sure can spin a tale!

[Razor]

Saw the movie for the 2nd time...

I hate you.

:neener:

[Augustwest]

lotta that goin' around today :)

[BenW]

That's it?!?!? "Pretty neat"???? WE NEED DETAILS!!!!!!!!!
Anybody posting details, please make sure you insert spoiler space. Other than confirmation that there's interaction with Reavers (as per the clips), I wanna go into the theater tabula rasa. :)

[MudPuppy]

+1 on the wife loving the show. Great characters--po'ed when they killed it but kept that silly fast and furious rip-off that you just knew would never make it.

Firefly just needed time to find her legs. Bad call on cancelling it.

[RKCheung]

I don't really want to post any details, but suffice to say, there are some major plot developments going on. If you care about going into the movie fresh, I'd advise being extra careful about reading possible spoiler material.

Some minor updates about where the movie is in post right now. There is still some visual and sound editing that needs to be done. They are working on the final score right now. Most of the visual effects seem to be done and they are absolutely spectacular.

[jason10mm]

FWIW, the actress who plays River (Summer Glau) is going to be on that "4400" show on USA, the one about the folks taken from the past, changed by the future, and returned to the present (if that makes ANY sense!). Looks like she plays yet another looney character.

Wash (Alan Tudyk) had a bit part in the first episode of "Into the West".

I remain shocked and disappointed that Morena Baccarin (the Companion, blanking on her name) isn't EVERYWHERE by now, her agent should be shot!

[ScorpioVI]

My SPOILER-FREE review.

First off, I just gotta say it was pretty freaking cool being in a theater full of Browncoats. Just standing in line was a pretty surreal experience with every fifth person wearing a brown coat, and a smattering of people dressed up as Wash, Kaylee or Jayne. Quiet a few people were wearing Jayne's "cunning hat" and about half the people attending wore some kind of Firefly-themed shirt.

Then Joss Whedon comes up on screen with a brilliantly-funny introduction, basically saying that, "this movie should not exist, failed TV shows don't get made into major motion pictures..." Then he said that, "in an unprecedented sense, this movie belongs to you, and if it sucks, it's your fault!" Hilarious! Then he ends it by quoting Mal's, "we have done the impossible, and that make us mighty. Welcome to Serenity!"

The movie starts off serenely enough, then something happens that makes half the audience gasp in horror and I let out an involuntary, "HOLY ????!" The first two minutes left no doubt that this was a science-fiction flick. The introduction of the main antagonist called the Operative, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, was nothing short of brilliant. It left the audience with a sense of dread of what's to come. I personally was thinking, "oh ????! they're gonna have to fight THAT guy?"

Then comes the introduction of Serenity. And I tell you. Seeing the ship Serenity on the big screen, in all her glory and every minute detail... I could have gone home satisfied without seeing the rest of the movie. The opening sequence of Serenity coming into atmo was simply breathtaking! And then, something happens that is such a Firefly moment that you can't help but feel a sense of homecoming. It was pure comedy and you're left thinking, "yeap, that's Serenity alright".

From the first minute to the very last, the movie Serenity simply does not let up. It's a roller-coaster of emotions, you won't go five minutes without laughing at something happening or something being said, and you won't go a minute without wondering if everybody's gonna make it out alive from this escapade. You will laugh, you might cry, you will defnitely be shocked, but you will never be bored! This is simply Joss Whedon at his finest, and the best movie I've ever seen. No comparison.

All the cast of Firefly is back, of course. The mood is generally darker, they're in a very bad fix in this movie and the last six months apparently has not been very kind to the crew. They're still not rich, they're just barely scraping by and the ship itself is every bit the bucket of bolts that it was in the series. But the crew's sense of humor is intact, comedy is to be had at even the direst moments! Also gone is some of the Westerny aspects of the show. The vernacular is still there, of course, and so is the Chinese, but the planets they end up in this time around are a lot more civilized than Jiangyin.

A brief rundown of the characters:

Mal: A little darker than the Mal from Firefly. Think "shooting-Feds- in-the-head" and "kicking-bad-guys-into-the-engine" kind-of-Mal. He's still got his sense of humor though and every bit the hero.

Zoe: Good 'ol Zoe. Always the trooper, always handy with the dry wit and deadpan delivery.

Jayne: Hilarious! Think Jayne at his funniest in Firefly, multiplied. He's got even funnier one-liners this time around. His obsession for weapons, if anything, has increased and it looks like he's been spending his cut buying the latest and greatest in heavy machine-guns. He stole the movie in my opinion.

Wash: Sadly doesn't get as much play and his humor doesn't stick out the way it does in Firefly.

Inara: Same as Wash. She doesn't get to do much in this movie, but she does show her mettle and if anything she's hotter than before! How is that possible?

Kaylee: Hilarious! Still the bubbly, undersexed farm-girl/genious mechanic. She gets the best laugh part in the movie.

Book: Doesn't get as much screen-time either. Every bit the believer though. And his brains are no longer in terrible danger. LMAO

Simon: Whoa! No longer the meek, "lilly-white, pasty-all-over" big-city-dandy he was in Firefly. Well, ok, maybe some, but he seems to have grown a little backbone and standing up for himself.

River: *********! You guys remember the "BUTCHER KNIFE!!!" scene? Well, let's just say that was a papercut in comparison to what is in the movie. It explains a good deal of what River is, how she became what she is, and what she's capable of. And boy, her performance..... transcendent!

The new characters were impressive too. The Operative, in particular, was brilliantly played. You hate him, and what he does, but you end up admiring what he is. And Reavers... they exist. I now know why the people in Firefly are scared ????less of the Reavers. They're... ...not very nice people! I thought the explanation for their existence was extremely well thought-out too.

Anyways. Go see Serenity on 9/30. It is a ruttin' excellent movie! I know I'll be standing in line on opening night... and again... and again.... and again. Like I said, you will laugh, you might cry, you will definitely be shocked, but you will never be bored. At the end of the movie, the theater had a full-on standing ovation for a good three minutes, and people did not want to leave! Not ONE person stood up while the movie was playing. It IS that good! Now go spread the word, let's fill the seats, so I can see the gorram sequels!

http://www.serenitymovie.com
http://www.cantstopthesignal.com

"I am a leaf in the wind!"

[Correia]

Thanks for the excellent review, though I did have to clean up one of your exclamtions. (THR language rules) Now if you had said it in Chinese I wouldn't have ever known. :)

[ScorpioVI]

Doh! Sorry about that Larry. I originally wrote it on another forum that isn't quite as, uhh, restricted as this one. I just copied and pasted it over.

[Don Gwinn]

I do have a problem with the episode Meet Mrs. Reynolds
where they have to take Jayne's gun Vera outside the ship
*in a space suit* to disable the scavengers' trap because
Vera needs oxygen to fire.
Conventional gunpowders are 75% oxidizer and don't
need no stinkin' oxygen: you can fire a flintlock in space.
Now, if Vera needs oxygen to fire, that would imply the
cartridges are all fuel, no oxidizer: hmm, if Vera sucks oxygen
from the air to fire, you could pack the power of a .50 BMG
in a cartridge the size of .50 Beowulf.

Kinda answered your own question there, didn't ya?

:D

[ScorpioVI]

More Serenity press:

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/757fhfxg.asp

[ScorpioVI]

The BEST review ever, from somebody who didn't even see the film.





SERENITY, a spoiler-free review.
(or How I Turned My Back On Joss Whedon)



TORONTO, 2005.06.23.2200h; I am a security officer. I am contracted for anti-piracy. I am posted at the advanced screening of the nearly-complete feature film based on the cancelled show, Firefly. I am a devotee of of Joss Whedon's works. But, I am a professional. I am here to watch the audience, not the film. Honour commands that I do not fail in my duty.

I will not breach protocol. Especially since tonight's screening for the show's fan base, the Browncoats, will also be attended by one of the actors: SEAN MAHER. And it is my assigned task to escort Serenity's good doctor safely throughout the night's events. If he gets hurt, or becomes uncomfortable it would be my failure. I cannot allow that. So, I aim to keep it all five-by-five.

My only comrade for tonight's assigment is not as qualified by VIP/celebrity service as I'd like and though he is technically ranking officer, I take steps to isolate him from the clients and especially the talent. He will muck things up later, but the extent of his meddling will be small. Within ten minutes, the Universal Studio Reps treat me as though I am in charge of tonight's security detail. I have seized control in my banana republic. I am evil that way, but it is for the greater good. At least, that's what I tell myself so I can sleep at night.

[This paragraph will include everything I am willing to relate from the time I spent in the green room listening to the actor's personal conversations.] His name is Sean Maher. I am taller than him. He drank bottled water. [That's it. Sorry, I take my professionalism seriously.]

After a brief introduction by Mr. Maher (to rousing applause from the theatre of Browncoats) the lights dim and the projector rolls. The principle client is seated among the fans (3-seats in from the aisle for safety) and I am twicefold duty-bound to have my back to the screen. The excitement is palpable and tonight I feel like an honourary Browncoat, though I have yet to see all the episodes of that wonderful show's first and only season. Nonetheless, I will not fail the job. I will not fail the company. I will not fail myself. Even when one of my writing gods appears on-screen for a recorded introduction to the film (addressed specifically to the Browncoats), I do not look. I turned my back on Joss Whedon. His monologue, however, is inspired, funny and touching. The movie hasn't started yet but the audience is already in awe.

[Here begins the review of the film's cinematics.] Of all the scenes which I saw, the 3-second sequence near the end (a 'big reveal' involving River) was the best. Of course, that was the only 3-seconds of film I watched (my single moment of weakness) but it was very good. Very Whedon. [Sorry, can't tell you any more. Professionalism and all that.]

I did, however, listen to the entire film. And, as far as radio dramas go, the story was also Whedonesque. It was exciting, smarmy, funny, poignant, and appealing on multiple levels and in rapid-fire beats. It was a brilliant tale and I hate him for it (Hello, Jealousy! Nice to see you again). As for what happens in the story, here's what I can tell you: There is a beginning, a middle and an end. Oh, and stuff happened.

Here's what I can tell you. I watched the audience and they were, in a word, engrossed. Two hundred and nineteen people watching a twohour(ish) movie and only [u]six of them stepped out for any duration (the number is exact - it's my job to note these things). That's over two hundred bladders of nervous fans sipping theatre-sized drinks after standing in line for around three-hours and only six of them couldn't hold it. If there is a Bladder Index System to rate audience enjoyment, this one received a rating of roughly 97%. Even for a fan screening, that's damn positive.

And, as biased as fans are to love a film in advance, fans can also be the most obsessive nitpicking critics in the world. And these boys and girls have been waiting almost three years for this movie. That's three years of postulating on how they'd like it to go, how they think it should go. Yet, there faces were washed in elation, surprise, laughter, concern, camaraderie and sadness at all the appropriate times if the story. There were genuine gasps and tears, emotional hushes and cheers and, though I am the uber-sentry, even I could not help but laugh along with them at certain funny parts.

In short, if you liked Firefly, if you like Whedon's writing, hell, if you just like a good story, you'll love Serenity. I guarantee it with a 97% BIS certainty.

So, when it's finally out, go to the theatre and buy a ticket. In all likelihood, though I'm reviewing the film now, you're more likely to see it before I do. When that happens, tell me how it looks, will you? Because it sure sounded stellar.

[Dr.Rob]

I'm convinced... heck I'm tempted to go buy the DVD's.

Which sparks the question... what shootin' iron best suits you in the far flung future?

Would you strap an ivory handled Bizon SMG to your hip? A re-worked Mauser C-96 ala Han Solo in a drop down rig? Maybe a Colt New Frontier snubby in nickel in a shoulder rig? The possibilities are endless. I'm thinking it's time to break out the 44 Automag. Or the six barreled needler pistol (kind of a modern day electric pepperbox/scattergun).

And hey since it's ONLY a TV show I could slap a compensator barrel bushing or threaded supressor coupling on my Franken Colt/Viking DA 1911 and go with a low slung leather tac rig. Lord knows it looks cool and tactical.

[Strings]

Well... the 'Mag would be my "dress gun" (bright, shiney stainless). For daily "working guns", probably the same thing I'd carry now:Beretta 92, compact 1911, Colt Mustang, K frame Smith, Seecamp (not all at once). Long gun, I'd be looking at the Beretta Storm (same mags/ammo as 92) or an AR...

Oh... is it just me, or does the Mare's leg seem like one HECK of a fine CQB weapon? The only problem I can see with it is slow reload...

And now I think I'll go fondle the 'Mag some more...

[ScorpioVI]

You know, I've been thinking about it. Unless some drastic new design models come up in the next 500 years, I can totally see myself still packing my Kimber Custom II 1911 if I was warped into the Firefly universe.

[Dr.Rob]

I just had to...

[Risasi]

:groan:


Stop talking about this series. We're out of episodes. Besides, they need to kill one or two of the "heroes" off just to make it interesting.

[ScorpioVI]

I just saw the extended gag reel of Firefly today (not on the DVD). It's absolutely hilarious. Firefly with the Love Boat theme? LOL

http://versaphile.com/download/firefly.html (4 downloads)

[JJpdxpinkpistols]

Having seen the showing back in may, I am *tellin* you...y'all are gonna LOVE this show from a THR perspective.

Lotsoguns, lotsoguns, lotsoguns. And Swords. and....er...River. Yeah

Plan on going. You will NOT be disappointed.

[Drizzt]

Riasi: Hey, Star Trek got through a whole bunch of episodes only killing off redshirt security guys that nobody ever caught their name...... .

[RevDisk]

Risasi: ask and ye shall receive. Just don't complain when you see it happen.

I sincerely hope you just didn't give away something from the movie.


If so, you're going to burn in a special level of hell. Remember, the SPECIAL hell. :neener:

[RM]

OK guys. I don't have time to read all 7 pages of this thread. Could someone please tell me where I can see Firefly other than on Showtime? Rent at Blockbuster perhaps? Also, how many episodes are there? Thank you- the show sounds very interesting!

[Risasi]

RM,

Barnes and Noble or Borders has it for about $50, or you can order it straight from amazon for about $36. Last time I checked.


P.S. I started a thread over at Armedpolite. I taking .02's on who would be best to kill off, who would be bad to kill. AND no, I don't know anything about the Serenity movie. I have refrained from downloading the trailer, reading scripts, etc.

[ScorpioVI]

RM: Rental places may or may not have it. Your best bet is to buy the series off Amazon (see my sig). You get all 14 episodes for $29.99 (free shipping), which is a hell of a deal. Trust me (and the other 1359 5-Star reviews on Amazon)!

[ScorpioVI]

International Serenity Trailer is OUT!!!

http://www.cantstopthesignal.co.uk/trailer/

Heh! I've already seen the movie, yet I'm still excited about this trailer!

[ChristopherG]

Awesome--some nice new material; thanks for the link, Scorpio.

[LiquidTension]

Wow, it was already difficult to get me out of the house on Friday nights, what with those other three great shows that already came on. Now I'll be planted in front of the tube for 4 straight hours :rolleyes:

[Boss Spearman]

I am big fan of the series, and can't wait for the movie. What a stupid move by Fox. In my opinion, Firefly is one of the best shows ever, much less scifi.

The only other scifi I watch is the Stargate series, and I've been watching SG1 since its beginnings on Showtime. I also followed Farscape from day one, and Babylon 5 from day one. I don't like the Star Treks and I think Galactica stinks. They've just turned it into a nighttime soap opera, IMO.

AS to Firefly, I love the 'old west' theme for humans in space, and I also love the fact there ain't no aliens, because I don't believe there are any alien races within travelling distance of earth.

[Drizzt]

Just a little somethin somethin for the Galactica watchers out there as well.... I was looking through IMDB to see what Michelle Forbes was doing lately, and it has her starring as Admiral Nelena Cain in an episode named Pegasus! If you remember the original series, you know what this means. This could be neat.

[Razor]

Those of you that got to see the Serenity preview, what firearms show up? Does Vera survive the transition to the big screen?

[ScorpioVI]

A lot of the main character's guns from Firefly made it to Serenity. Mal's piece and Zoe's Mare's Leg. in particular. I don't think I saw Vera but Jayne's been building up his stockpile since because he seems to be carrying a new gun in every scene (most of them H&K-types).



Oh, and guys, Serenity Trailer 2 was released over the weekend (bunch of new scenes) so check it out if you haven't already: http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/serenity/trailer_2/

And a 3-minute Sneak Peek Featurette on Serenity is featured on MSN: http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=569523

[SiG Lady]

In one of the episodes where the Reevers threaten the Firefly crew, Jayne rips open a covering on the wall of his personal quarters, revealing a VAST array of arms... His arsenal plays a part, too, in the episode entitled, Heart of Gold, not aired.

[geekWithA.45]

I hate to utter blasphemy, but Vera was the dumbest looking gun I've ever seen in a movie.

It's clearly the result of the prop master running around unsupervised for an afternoon.

[RevDisk]

That's not just blasphemy! Heresy! Break out the stake and the gasoline! :neener:

[Dr.Rob]

btt...

I was trying to think of the turn of the century auto that reminds me of Mal's piece but I can't think or the name of it... not a Borchardt, not a Styer (well not one I could find anyway...) any ideas guys?

[Strings]

one of the small magazine Mausers, maybe?

[Dr.Rob]

Mannlicher M. 1905 Argentine Contract Pistol?

Reminded me of something like this:
http://www.joesalter.com/detail.php?f_qryitem=3191

[zaijian]

I just saw a Modern Marvels on Magnums, and prominently featured was the Walker Colt - which looks suspiciously similar to Mal's gun - I'm thinking they took one of those (or something much like it) and just added a bunch of crap to it.

[c_yeager]

I just saw a Modern Marvels on Magnums, and prominently featured was the Walker Colt - which looks suspiciously similar to Mal's gun - I'm thinking they took one of those (or something much like it) and just added a bunch of crap to it.

If you look close at the weapon on the show you can see that there is no revolver underneath at all. I agree that the profile is very much akin to the walker though. This makes sense considering that Mal is supposed to be an old warhorse. His pistol is probably supposed to be analagous to the old civil war era non-com carrying his issued cap & ball revolver when everyone has moved up to cartridges.

Aside from the fact that the show actually takes place in the distant future, if you think of it in terms of the 1880s it makes more sense.

[Strings]

ummm... guys? Check out the first page or two of this thread: there's pictures of Mal's gun with some of the doo-dads taken off. It's a revolver underneath...

[Ian]

Yeah, Mal's pistol is undoubtedly a prop based on a big revolver. In the show, it's an automatic, though - in one scene he's shown removing the magazine (located in front of the trigger, and flush with the bottom of the gun), checking it, and putting it back in.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=1050257

[Dr.Rob]

yeah I'm an idiot... missed that at the start of the thread.

[gobabygo]

Fracken love Firefly (can't cuss in Chinese so I figured I'd go Battlestar). OMG i'm such a nerd. :uhoh:

I read this thread last night and it got me all fired up for the movie, so I started watching the DVDs. Here's a pic of Mal's gun 37 minutes into the first episode. Earlier in the episode (when they got off the ship in Persephone) they showed him pulling out the magazine.

http://www.kywon.com/Guns/FireflyMalsGun.jpg

[Dave R]

Nice close-up.

Anyone got a close up of Zoe's mare's leg?

I just watched "War Stories", where River is forced to take on 3 bad guys who are over-running their position. She can't look. So, remembering where they are, she takes 3 shot's behind her back, and takes out all 3. Improbable? Naaah. She's a genius with perfect recall and exceptional spatial awareness. And she was using a 1911 :D

And then she gives that quote--"No power in the 'verse can stop me."

Just cool.

[miko]

Mal: If anyone gets nosy just... you know... shoot them.

Zoë: Shoot them?!!!

Mal: Politely.

:D

[Dr.Rob]

qingwa cào de liúmáng

It's a prop gun built up to look like nothing else. Replicas are selling for $100... what the heck for a couple hundred you could build a replica around a Ruby or similar small revolver.

Jayne's pistol is a Lemat with the shotgun barrel removed (why would anyone do that?) and has an accesory rail on the top... with no accessories.

[gobabygo]

Zoe's mare's leg: (where does that term come from?)

http://www.kywon.com/Guns/FireflyZoeGun1.jpghttp://www.kywon.com/Guns/FireflyZoeGun2.jpg

[ScorpioVI]

I have a present for you guys courtesy of River. Click here! (http://download.ifilm.com/qt/portal/2677821_300.mov) :D :D

[Zundfolge]

...mare's leg: (where does that term come from?)

A mare is a female horse ... so in essence the term means "Horse's Leg"

There are two sources for the term.

1) If you look at the basic shape of a horses leg and the basic shape of a "mare's leg" gun, they look similar.

2) A large bore revolver has long been refered to as a Hog Leg ... so an even more powerful .45-70 handgun would get is name from an animal much larger then a hog ergo mare's leg.

[Zundfolge]

here's a picture of a Mare's leg and a mare's leg to illustrate #1

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27811

[Preacherman]

Well, if that's a mare's leg, then those with smaller ones must be NRA a-filly-ates, no?

:neener:

[KriegHund]

Thats gotta be great for the shoulder muscles :D

[Strings]

ok, somebody find a wet noodle and BEAT Preacherman with it. PLEASE!!!!!

[Cosmoline]

Just picked up the DVD set and watched it through. You guys were right. It's the best TV show I never saw. I like Whedon's long and complex story arcs. The action is probably the best I've ever seen in a sci-fi TV show. Or any TV show for that matter. And the best part is if I decide to go to a "Firefly" convention, I can find several appropriate costumes in my dresser, not to mention the proper iron.

My Mosin M-44 with a tactical light and quick release sling would work well on that show. The prop men seemed to favor old fashioned firearms with high-tech attachments.

I note the preacher man from Barney Miller says the wounds on several victims in "War Stories" were from a "54R sniper rifle" :evil:

[ScorpioVI]

Check this out, a new viral marketing clip...

R. Tam Session 1 Excerpt (http://www.archive.org/download/R._Tam__Session_1__Excerpt/R_Tam_Session_1_Excerpt.mov)

The one previously posted:

R. Tam Session 416 Second Excerpt (http://download.ifilm.com/qt/portal/2677821_300.mov)

[ScorpioVI]

:cool


http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/reviews.cfm?id=1831122005

Serenity

ALISTAIR HARKNESS


Directed by: Joss Whedon
Starring: Nathan Fillion, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau

WATCHING the first big action set-piece in Serenity, I found myself trying to work out why I found the scene - which features a band of grungy space pirates escaping from a gang of vicious cannibalistic creatures known as Reavers - almost intolerably exciting. It took a few minutes before the answer hit me.

It wasn't just that the effects work was great, or that the editing was tight or that the score and the sound design were dramatic. It was something about the characters: they were actually interacting with each other and their environment.

It seems like such a simple thing to point out but, in an age of over-detailed CGI worlds full of digital characters and actors reacting against nothing, watching a chase sequence shot in a physically real location, featuring honest-to-god real live trees, and actors talking to each other, actually feels revolutionary.

But that's Serenity all over. The film is the big-screen directorial debut of Joss Whedon, who brought us Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and its spin-off, Angel), and he obviously has such a pure belief in the value of storytelling, characterisation and witty dialogue that he makes concepts and ideas that we've seen a million times before feel fresh and new.

Serenity is a science fiction adventure that riffs heavily on the Western and, inevitably, owes a few debts to the original Star Wars trilogy, Indiana Jones and the Alien movies. But rather than making you pine for those films, it makes you thankful that someone has learned the right lessons from them.

This is the type of filmmaking that knows how to keep us entertained from first frame to the last. It's a fantastically layered film, with a dense structure, but it's not overloaded with mythological significance, nor does it try to pound us into submission with an inflated sense of its own importance. The plot is tightly constructed, but there's enough room for the actors to manoeuvre and let us get to know their characters. And the script is smart and funny, which keep the atmosphere light when it needs to be, but ensures that dramatic and emotional moments are pretty toothsome, too.

Serenity is based on the short-lived TV show Firefly that Whedon created in 2002. Running for only 13 episodes, it was cancelled mid-season by Rupert Murdoch's Fox network, presumably because it wasn't Buffy the Vampire Slayer in space. Nevertheless, the show's fervent fanbase kept it alive online and with massive DVD sales. What's great about this film version is that it doesn't require you to be a fan to enjoy and understand it. I went in knowing nothing and was hooked almost immediately.

As the film opens, though, you might groan because it does look like a science-fiction TV show - and a really bad one at that. We find ourselves in one of those yawn-inducing antiseptic worlds full of fascistic looking people talking in artificially calming tones.

A teacher is telling a group of pupils about the recent galactic civil war in which a vast coalition known as the Alliance have emerged victorious against a band of rabble-rousing freedom fighters called the Independents. They, we learn, objected to the Alliance's attempts to civilise them with subtle mind-control devices.

The film looks in danger of becoming a boring, humourless, exposition-heavy science fiction melodrama - but then Whedon pulls the rug out from under us, plunging us into a whole new darker environment.

Then he does the same trick again a few minutes later and we realise that we've just been brought up to speed on all the background that we really needed to know from the TV show. It's an audacious move, and as breathtakingly proficient a start to a movie as you could hope for.

Our heroes are the rag-tag crew of the titular Serenity, a hunk-of-junk space ship captained by Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion), a wily Han Solo-type who fought on the losing side of the war and now scratches out a living robbing government institutions.

Among his crew is River (Summer Glau), a mysterious psychic girl rescued from an Alliance research lab that was conducting experiments on her to turn her into a weapon. She has a secret locked in her memories and the Alliance, desperate to prevent this getting out, have dispatched a cold, logical assassin (Chiwetel Ejiofor - superb) to bring her back.

The film kicks in hard as an action film, with Mal and his crew engaging in some surprisingly ruthless behaviour, and it follows through in spectacular style with a fight scene that will have Buffy fans going apoplectic. But Whedon and his hugely likeable cast nail the dramatic stuff, too.

As the normally self-serving crew find themselves caught in a fight with a higher purpose to it, Serenity becomes that great thing: a blockbuster with a heart and soul.



And another:



http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment.cfm?id=1827162005

Creator of Buffy slays them with film debut

TIM CORNWELL
ARTS CORRESPONDENT


THE big screen debut of Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival yesterday, with hundreds of fans descending on the Scottish capital for one of the most eagerly anticipated movies of the year.

Spawned from the cancelled TV series Firefly, the new film, Serenity, sold out within hours of the festival box office opening last month. Two extra screenings were hastily scheduled to meet the huge demand, both of which also quickly sold out. In fact, tickets sold out so quickly that they crashed the festival's computers and led to a bidding war on eBay.


Strong reviews for Serenity, the story of a small band of galactic outcasts set 500 years in the future, promised to seal its place as the big film of this year's film festival.

Extra crowd control staff were laid on at Cineworld to cope with the large numbers of fans expected to turn up as the entire cast of the $45 million film descended on Edinburgh for the premiere.

The stars included Nathan Fillion, whose leading role as a disillusioned spaceship captain has had fans putting his performance on a par with Harrison Ford's in Star Wars. "What I do is not so much an homage to Harrison Ford, as copy him," he said.

And the actress Summer Glau, a slender former ballet dancer who plays the deadly River, told an enthusiastic audience of film writers and critics how she built up her combat skills for the movie.

Whedon said yesterday that the Serenity story was inspired by Western tales of frontier life - "how people lived in an age before everything was convenient and could be beamed to your house".

"To be premiering here is exactly where I want to be," Whedon said. "Not just because I love it here, but because we do have fans who wouldn't expect to be the first people to see this. There's a lot of people in LA going, 'What?'"

Serenity, which opens in the United States on 30 September, was an unlikely choice for Edinburgh. "It's almost a cult movie, but it's going to be very hot and popular," Ginnie Atkinson, the film festival's managing director, predicted.

However, there is evidence that the film's appearance at a festival away from Hollywood is part of a carefully cultivated marketing campaign. Entertainment Weekly reported recently that the film has had more than 60 "sneak previews" to try to boost interest among internet-busy fans.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a huge hit in the UK, with some critics noting a British sense of humour - even traces of Monty Python. There is a similar feel about Serenity.

Whedon and his cast joked that the making of Serenity was "revenge" after Firefly was cancelled by an American TV network after 11 low-rated episodes.

His next project is the making of a new Wonder Woman film, but Whedon is already thinking about a sequel to Serenity, he revealed.

A very different film, Tsotsi, a tough tale of redemption among the gangs of a South African township, is leading the vote for the audience award at the festival, according to Ms Atkinson. "Tsotsi is obviously a very heart warming and interesting film that has grabbed the audience. It shows what diverse fare the audience are interested in," she said.

[Zundfolge]

Well, if that's a mare's leg, then those with smaller ones must be NRA a-filly-ates, no?

:neener:

*groan* :scrutiny:

I think I've just lost all respect for Preacherman :p

[Preacherman]

What took you so long? :D

[Ian]

Mostly on-topic...Tim Minear (coproducer of Firefly and author of several of the episodes) is trying to do a film adaptation of Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress... :D

http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1316

[Dave R]

Wow! One of my favorite novels. If done in Firefly style, could be very good...

[roo_ster]

Man if they do TMIAHM right, that'd be the shinola.

[cordex]

I will not get excited about TMIAHM. I will not get excited about TMIAHM. I will not get excited ...

[Ian]

A Tim Minear quote from that interview, for anyone who doesn't want to dig through to find it:

This book is so important to so many people and you don’t want to f*ck it up. So there’s that. You want to keep true to spirit of it, and you want to take this enormously long book, that takes place over a long period of time and try to do a version of it that will play for two hours on a movie screen. The other thing is to make sure the powers that be in Hollywood don’t force you to turn it into some Marxist screed on socialism, when Heinlein was a Libertarian and it’s about free-market capitalism.

[wingnutx]

I just watched all of the Firefly boxed set, and was impressed as hell.

If they could do a decent job on TMIAHM then I would be overjoyed.

I can't wait for 'Serenity'.

[ScorpioVI]

R. Tam Session 22 Excerpt (http://www.archive.org/download/R._Tam__Session_22__Excerpt/R_Tam_Session_22_Excerpt.mov)

[Cosmoline]

I just got through outfitting my target grey SP-101 with Crimson Trace grips and a Trijicon night sight. I'm going to call her "Firefly" in honor of the show, and because she is now mildly radioactive and glows in the dark.

[Drizzt]

That's a pretty powerful quote from Minear.....

[ScorpioVI]

Check out the updated official website. http://www.serenitymovie.com

Be sure to click on Jayne's profile for the "weapons explorer" bit.

[Zundfolge]

Be sure to click on Jayne's profile for the "weapons explorer" bit.
Written by idiots who 1) know nothing about firearms and 2) apparently know nothing about Firefly :scrutiny:

Mal wasn't an "officer" in the war, so why would he have an "officer's sidearm" issued to him ... and Zoe's gun is NOT a shotgun. :rolleyes:

[Ian]

Just took a look at the new Serenity site...looks pretty good, except for the bit where they identify Zoe's mare's leg is a "sawed-off shotgun". D'oh! :banghead:

[Ian]

Zundfolge, does Mal really seem to you like the kind of guy who would restrict himself to carrying what he was issued? :)

[Dr.Rob]

ah so what if a liu kuoshui de biaozi he houzi de ben erzi made the website, Serenity is still going to be a fun flick.

And it looks like Vera got a make-over.

[ScorpioVI]

14-days!!!

[Carl N. Brown]

I did a cleanup of gobabygo's picture of
Mal's gun in order to bring out the detail:

[Razor]

One week!!!

Dr. Rob is right, looks like Vera got a makeover.

[Cosmoline]

That's not Vera! What did they do with Vera?!

I'm kinda worried about showing up for the premier. If there's a local news crew there they will assume I'm a die-hard fan who came in costume. I'll have to explain that I've always dressed like a character from the set of a post-apocalyptic western.

This photo was taken prior to the series, for example:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Gussick/levergun.jpg

[Razor]

Better shot of Mal's Rifle. What's it based off of?

And one of River.

[Strings]

Somebody needs to teach that young lady trigger control. Although it's repugnant, I'll volunteer... ;)

[Kaylee]

Better shot of Mal's Rifle. What's it based off of?

Looks like a dolled-up AR-180 to me.

[zpo]

http://world.guns.ru/assault/as36-e.htm

Yep, sure does.

[Rob1035]

4 days :D

[zpo]

Ian-
Oh, and I just noticed, Zoe's gun in the series is a mare's leg, but in the photo above, its the shot gun. Musta got changed for the movie. Shotguns cooler.

[zaijian]

4 days

Heh... 17 hours for me, I'm going to a special blogger's screening tomorrow :)

[Razor]

Oh, and I just noticed, Zoe's gun in the series is a mare's leg, but in the photo above, its the shot gun

I'm pretty sure that Zoe still has the mare's leg in the movie. I think it's strapped to her other thigh.

[ChristopherG]

Mmmmmm.....

...her other thigh...

:evil:

[Razor]

Yep, there's the mare's leg.

[Dave R]

So, Zoe added a scout scope for the movie? I never saw a scope in the series (I think...)

[ssteven1]

Check out this link.

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?id=32591

I knew adam baldwin was one of us. :)

[zaijian]

He's a big-time conservative, as well.

I forget which site it is, but he's a frequent poster on one of the firefly fan forums, and he stirs up all kinds of trouble discussing politics. It's pretty refreshing :)

[eab]

I belive that the gun Zoe is holding is some shotgun with some scope or something, her Mares leg is still there, you can see it in its hoslter in the pic.

[Cosmoline]

I've liked Baldwin's work since "My Bodyguard." He's also the only thing that makes the second half of "Full Metal Jacket" worth watching.

That shotgun in the pic looks like a hybrid with the back end of a Topper H&R attached to a pump action front.

[cls12vg30]

When I first watched Firefly (can it only be a few weeks ago?) I saw Jayne for the first time and said, "Holy #@#^!! It's Animal Mother!"

Then I saw Wash, and the more I saw him the more it gnawed at me that I'd seen him before. It was my girlfriend (who also loves the show) who figured it out:

"Holy #@#^!! It's Steve the Pirate!!" Sure enough, my favorite character from Dodgeball was the one flying Serenity. What a fantastic actor. They all are.

Now in preparation for the movie I've been watching my Firefly DVD's virtually nonstop during my free time, and popped the Dodgeball DVD in yesterday too for some variety.

So, all in all, I've been cursing in Mandarin and occasionally saying, "Gaarrrrr!"

Inara or Kaylee?

Absolutely, positively KAYLEE. That down-home earthy aura she's got about her, plus that red hair, and she's mechanically inclined while still being feminine, GIMME. She does need to gain some prowess with a weapon, though. Oh, and stop getting captured.

Fortunately for me, my girlfriend looks (and acts) very much like her. The first time I saw the show I had just met her, and it hit me the first time I saw Kaylee. So yeah I'll say Kaylee. And I'll hang on to the gf, too. And yes, she's going to see Serenity with me on Friday.

[ssteven1]

Scifi channel is having a firefly marathon today unti 10:00 pm

[ScorpioVI]

I knew adam baldwin was one of us.


I forget which site it is, but he's a frequent poster on one of the firefly fan forums, and he stirs up all kinds of trouble discussing politics. It's pretty refreshing

http://forums.prospero.com/foxfirefly

Search for "adam_baldwin" posts. It's hilarious how he pisses off all the liberals over there. So funny too because you can tell these people's viewpoints are getting all bendy.






Oh, and I get to see the movie (again) in 5 hours and 26 minutes!!!

[Kaylee]

Search for "adam_baldwin" posts. It's hilarious how he pisses off all the liberals over there. So funny too because you can tell these people's viewpoints are getting all bendy.

Darn.

I think I'm in love. :p

[BenW]

I think I'm in love.
Hey, quit fawning over Jayne and get back to the engine room! :neener:

[Boss Spearman]

Tonight during the Serenity special they posted Kaylee's name and it
was something like Kaylinette. It looked like they made it a Welsh name or something similar.

I can't wait for Friday. I hope Serenity makes the top 5 at the box office.

Best program ever.

[Cosmoline]

Are you sure that's the real Animal Mother or a mere proxy?

[zaijian]

Ok....


Just got back from the movie...



and all I can say is...





The HOLY @#$^ factor is off the charts.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Is that HOLY @#$^ in a good way?

Or is it HOLY @#$^ that really sucked?

[zaijian]

As in, moments in the movie that forced me to exclaim.




And yes, the movie is awesome.

If you're a fan of the series, then you must see the movie.

But otherwsie, I took a lady who hadn't seen any of them, and she still liked the movie, although much of the dramatic impact was lost on her.