Poll: I don't like Firefly....

[RJ Dalton]

...and I've gotten some very very shocked, and nearly vile reactions from people for saying so.

Sort of like "OMG YOU BASTARD HOW DARE YOU DISLIKE TWILIGHT!!!" That sort of thing?
Oh, sorry, I meant Firefly. I knew that.

Yeah, I never saw the show, but I really don't like Joss Whedon as a director/writer, so I don't expect I would have liked it either.

 

[spartan231490]

I love it, I think it has such a cult following because it's fun and action packed while still having a mysterious plot that peaks out every few episodes, but most important is the characters. Most people loved the characters and their interactions, that's what the show was primarily built around.

I honestly don't get how Mal could not jive with you, but if that is the case I can certainly see why it didn't work for you. To each his own, you watch whatever you like, I'll continue praying that some miracle puts firefly back on the air.

 

[Zhukov]

Eh, I liked it. And the movie was good.

But I don't think it's the wonderous monolith of awesomness that some people describe it as.

 

[Goofguy]

I guess you could say that a lot of the desirable qualities of a TV show (to ME) were present in Firefly. I'll list off a bunch to give you an idea:

- Memorable characters each with their own motives and story. Sure, some were pretty cut and dry like Jayne or Zoe but that's to be expected in a sci-fi show and the two of these played their parts perfectly.
- Cool setting. Yes, there have been plenty of sci-fi shows set on a ship that becomes a character of its own however, Serenity was small enough that each room became familiar throughout the series and it was so derelict that it wasn't really a desirable place to be. It became more about the people around and the idea the ship represented: freedom... freedom to evade the 'oppressive' authorities, freedom to go wherever you want and the freedom to work anywhere in the galaxy.
- The concept of trying to get by mission by mission. I liked how they were never certain of their next meal or job, they had to take it one day at a time, savouring the small victories where they could.
- Space and westerns put together. Yeah, this probably doesn't appeal to everyone but as far back as I can remember, I've always loved Star Wars and Spaghetti Westerns. Adding elements of both of them together really made it awesome for me.
- Interesting history. I liked that there was a conflict before the show that drove many of the characters to where they are today. And in somewhat of a twist, the lead character of the series fought for the losing side. Even in the short run of the show, you came to appreciate what brought Mal to Serenity and how all the other characters solely became intertwined with him.

I'll stop this ramble before I go any further. Hopefully, this gives a bit of insight as to why ONE fan feels so strongly about the show.

Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got them. While I really like this show, I would never scoff or mock someone else for not liking it as it comes down to personal taste and opinion.

 

[CrashBang]

To quote Tallahassee from Zombieland: "Now, I ain't never hit a child before..."

I like to think I have an open mind, each person is entitled to their own opinion etc. However, that being said, you are wrong to dislike Firefly. I can accept people disliking The Clash or Pantera or even Star Wars, but you CANNOT dislike Firefly. Doing so is not a sin or anything ridiculous like that, it is just simply and factually wrong, like getting five from adding two and two. Firefly is the perfect television show, containing everything a good show requires (comedy, action, setting, charisma, chemistry, suspense, soundtrack etc etc) and so I'm not sorry to break it to you that you are wrong

 

[spartan231490]

I'm not a fan either, but not to the extent that I would make a thread about it. I hate these threads. Yet here I am, commenting.

What I'm doing is trying to delve into 'why' it has such a religious appeal to some. I did state this is an opinion poll and post...this is just me throwing it out there, and seeing what replies I get.

Also in real life I've gotten some pretty extreme reactions from people for mentioning that I didn't like the show. Everything from loud gasps, one guy telling me something very full of swear words to my face, and some very dirty looks with 'dude what the hell is wrong with you!'

That's what's spurred this post and poll.

I can answer why it has such a cult following(I think). First, lets look at the show. Good action scenes, not spectacular but well done and good. The plot is interesting, but it only really shows up once every few episodes, and then just barely. What really appeals to people is mainly two things. First, the characters. This is the Crux of firefly, the characters and their interaction, everything else is just setting. They group dynamic and individual character interactions are, to fans, hilarious and really make the characters feel like your friends.

Second, is that many people, nerds especially, have a great love of the vigilante type of "against the law and society because they're a good person who does the right thing" person that Mal is. Probably because many people, especially nerds, are on the fringes of society and like to believe that they are ostracized because they are better than everyone else, and not just because they are different.

That's my 2 cents, along with a bit of pop psychology, I hope it helps you.

 

[trollnystan]

I loved the show, and a part of me is saying, "How can you not like this show?!!?" But the bigger part of me doesn't care. Different strokes etc. You probably love something I loathe, and I hope you won't judge me for that =)

 

[mattaui]

It's never been that I really disliked it, but that I didn't think it was anything special. Of course, I've never really particularly cared for anything Joss Whedon has written, so I'm clearly not a fan of his writing style.

 

[Elf Defiler Korgan]

Ask most convention goers and gamers what Firefly is and you'll get a gushing response about "The best show on TV that ended too soon."

The show has an almost religious following among some, and nearly anyone you meet will fill your ears with praise, and mourning for it's cancellation.

Everyone but me.

I hated that show.

...and I've gotten some very very shocked, and nearly vile reactions from people for saying so.

I watched three episodes and turned it off. I just didn't see how it got such a cult following.Sure the premise was kinda neat...but personally I wanted to punch the main guy (I forget his name) in the face. He just didn't jive with me....hell most of it didn't jive with me.

I don't see where all the worship comes from.

Am I some kinda weird alien brain freak for not liking, 'the best show ever'?

I am not surprised by the response towards your dislike, people's preferences are so important these days, what we consume, like, and are entertained by is often held us as sacred. It is like music, you can really get one with someone if you have similar tastes, but damn people argue over it and act like absolute children. They want to be proven correct in their tastes, and you just aren't giving that to them.

It doesn't just apply to games, I've criticised people's causes and expressed doubt that what they say is really truth, and people go ape shit. If it is a show with a great fan base, a really dedicated fan base, no surprise there.

I liked it, didn't love it, don't like it nearly as much as some geeky friends.

 

[mattaui]

Second, is that many people, nerds especially, have a great love of the vigilante type of "against the law and society because they're a good person who does the right thing" person that Mal is. Probably because many people, especially nerds, are on the fringes of society and like to believe that they are ostracized because they are better than everyone else, and not just because they are different.

That's my 2 cents, along with a bit of pop psychology, I hope it helps you.

This, yes. I think you've really hit the nail on the head.

Also, according to captcha, mooms difficult. I didn't know.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Yes actually that is the test of humanity, noone until now has failed it, finally we get proof that we are not alone in the universe, they are here, they are among us!
Now stay where you are, we will come to grill greet you right away.

OT: Well not everyone like everything, but you didn't give much info on why you don't like it.

 

[KedynCrow]

Now, I'm a fan of the show, but am one of the few who are happy that the show ended when it did. We can get onto that if we must, but I'd like to be a little more on topic than that...

So, here's my opinion on why the show's so very popular (without resorting to Whedon fanboy-ism as many will). The universe, to begin with is interesting as a macrocosm of the west after the American Civil War. In a way, it's similar to why so many people like Red Dead Revolver. It's essentially about a rag-tag group trying to find that lost sense of freedom in a universe that seems dead-set on keeping them "in-line". And we sort of like the underdog, don't we?

Essentially we're taking a Han Solo-esque mystique in a Wild West IN SPACE sort of universe, throw in an interesting multi-cultural sort of worldview (Wild West meets China, because why not?) with some well written, if mildly reminiscent of Gilmore Girls, dialogue. It blends humor and action with some fairly tense drama. It seemed to work.

It kept me entertained for a bit. And then it was done. And now those of us who enjoyed the show have to apologize for the rabid fanboys. So, sorry.

Hope that cleared something up.

 

[ZeroMachine]

Everyone that voted "you freak" better be joking. The guy is entitled to his opinion. At least he isn't saying it's a bad show- just that he finds it extremely unenjoyable.

OP, you're not the only person I know that doesn't like the show. Hell, it's one of my favorites, and yet I have a lot of criticisms for it.

I totally get where you're coming from. People who act rude to people just because they don't like something should be gagged until they realize that everyone deserves their own opinion.

 

[Crazy_Dude]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

I love the show. And will never forgive Fox for cancelling such a good show iwthout a good reason.

 

[Lionsfan]

You think those reactions are bad? Try telling them you don't like The Beatles. People just get crazy about things they like, is all.

[sub][sub]I'm not a fan of The Beatles....[/sub][/sub]


OT: I've never seen the show myself, so I can't say whether or not it's any good. I've heard both ends of the spectrum (Hate and Love) so I dunno, I do think that people need to get over though. It's been almost 10 years now, and you even got a movie out of it, which is more than the fans of Arrested Development can say (another show people need to move on from)

 

[jackanderson]

You don't like Firefly? That's cool. Fine. I'm perfectly happy with that and...

Hang on. Did you just say you hated Malcolm Reynolds and found him annoying and so, in extent, hate Nathan Fillion and find him annoying?

Please forward your address so that I can burn your house down! /joke

 

[Burck]

What I'm doing is trying to delve into 'why' it has such a religious appeal to some. I did state this is an opinion poll and post...this is just me throwing it out there, and seeing what replies I get.

Also in real life I've gotten some pretty extreme reactions from people for mentioning that I didn't like the show. Everything from loud gasps, one guy telling me something very full of swear words to my face, and some very dirty looks with 'dude what the hell is wrong with you!'

To let it be known, I'm currently watching Firefly, and am on the sixth episode.
I would say that I really like the show, and there are some points that I flat out love.

As to explain why the show has such a "religious appeal to some" that draws "pretty extreme reactions", I'd hazard this explanation:

The show was cancelled because it didn't appeal to enough people. Therefore, in the minds of fans, the show was ruined because of non-fans. Hence the bitter reactions to non-fans.

The following is just me explaining what I like about the show.

Personally, I love the show because of how smooth the script and characters feel. They all have their neat little idiosyncrasies that interact well. The setting feels fresh enough (*I make no claims to originality) while it still uses well known, appealing motifs such as The West, independence and freedom, smugglers, cowboys, and of course, SPACE!

The show brings enough of a human, somewhat familiar, yet exotic vibe that keeps me interested.