GUEST ESSAY
Amy Ratcliffe loves “Firefly” just as much as you do but she’s not ready to rally for a revival. Here’s why.
I am a Browncoat. A Browncoat’s life consists of attending conventions, wearing out DVDs of our beloved show “Firefly” and pouncing on any shred of news about the series. The recent news that “Firefly” would be back on television stirred the ‘verse into an absolute frenzy. Though the headlines stated only that ” ‘Firefly’ Returns to Television,” yearning fans leaped to the assumption that the headlines meant new episodes. Alas, it’s just the existing episodes — although many of them are airing for the first time and the series will be aired in the intended order as opposed to the bizarre mish-mash sequence that infamously undermined the series originally. The prospect of the show potentially reaching new audiences is exciting, but it’s not new. Still, fans were riled up. What if “Firefly” could come back? What if we could make it happen?
As these questions were being tossed around, Entertainment Weekly talked to Nathan Fillion. He said, “If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to ‘Firefly,’ make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet.”
The Internet exploded. Browncoats do what they do best — declare, support, rally and pine. Bring back our beloved space western! A Facebook page was created at light speed. As of last check, it had almost 80,000 supporters. Author Patrick Rothfuss even stated in a recent blog post that he would give Fillion all the royalty money from his new book for the purpose of buying the “Firefly” rights. Yes, Browncoats are an enthusiastic bunch. We’re also dreamers. The show encourages that trait. The Browncoats fought for independence despite the fact that it was near impossible to defeat the mighty Alliance. Capt. Malcolm Reynolds bought a piece-of-junk ship with the hope of getting to fly free of the Alliance out in the black. Everyone who stepped on board Serenity had hope for something. Money, escape, a refuge. Something. It’s the nature of a Browncoat to be hopeful.
It takes more than Captain Tightpants to make the show though. Writer Jose Molina said he’d be in via a Tweet, and Jane Espenson replied that she would be there if needed. That’s a few people. Joss Whedon, the master and creator, hasn’t made a comment. Yet. I think that the only way a reboot could work is if they gathered every member of the cast and crew back. The show was truly an ensemble, and even the tiniest of cogs played a big part to make the show the fantastic story that it was. Timing played a part, too — it always does. Besides availability considerations — I mean, some people are directing a giant summer blockbuster called “The Avengers” — a lot of things have happened since the last time Serenity flew in 2005. We aren’t in the same place, and I can’t imagine a ship without Wash and Book.
This Browncoat isn’t pushing for a return to the “Firefly” ‘verse. Before you doubt my dedication, let me tell you how much I love “Firefly.” Just as much as you. I recently had a “Firefly” themed birthday party. Guests came in costume, I transformed my living room into Inara’s shuttle and I served bao. This is no joke. We might have had a sing-along to the “Ballad of Jayne.” My next tattoo is going to be “You can’t take the sky from me.” One of the many reasons I love the show is because it embraces the misfits, the outcasts and the crazy. These were people that were exiled by the Alliance or by themselves to the black of space. They found their way. Part of me wants to see Mal and Zoe back on the screen being big damn heroes. What I wouldn’t give to add to my list of skeevy and inappropriate Jayne quotes. It had its time though, and it was perfect. It was complete. It is a show that I compare every other television show against. I don’t believe that level of utter magic could be attained again. Could it be close? Sure. Would I watch it? Absolutely. But I’m not rallying.
“Love. Can know all the math in the ‘verse but take a boat in the air that you don’t love? She’ll shake you off just as sure as a turn in the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughtta fall down…tell you she’s hurtin’ ‘fore she keens…makes her a home.”
That quote from the film couldn’t be more true. Love from the fans and the cast and crew put “Serenity” back in the air once. It could happen again. I’m okay if it doesn’t.
– Amy Ratcliffe
RECENT AND RELATED
Whedon: ‘Strong, mixed emotions’ on new ‘Buffy’
Meet the writer of the new ‘Buffy’ film
‘Dollhouse’ resurrected by ‘Remains’ music video
Joss Whedon and J.J. Abrams — together again
“True Blood” star finds his own voice in “Red Hill”
It’s on: “Twilight” vs. “Buffy”
A Whedon-less Buffyverse continues
“True Blood” still “frustrating but not unlikable”
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
‘Firefly’ farewell? One Browncoat says a revival would miss the magic | Hero Complex – Los Angeles Times
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment