In the fall of 2002 the Fox network began promoting its new line up of primetime television. Among that line up was a
one hour action/drama called “Firefly.” The creative force behind the hit show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and its
equally successful spin-off show “Angel” was branching out from the genre of pseudo-campy action horror. Joss
Whedon was now showing us his unique and lovingly crafted vision of the future as he seamlessly melded elements of
science fiction and old school westerns. The result was a subtlety brilliant concept where Whedon’s vast imagination,
sharp writing and multi-layered characters began to give birth to his greatest work yet.
And then the Fox network cancelled it. After running the shows out of order. It was the era of Reality TV and Fox was
sending a message that quality story telling just wasn’t their bread and butter. The network suits doomed the show to
failure before it was ever allowed to truly spread it’s wings. After 14 episodes, only 11 of which actually aired, one of
the greatest television shows to come around in decades was no more.
Now science-fiction series have a tough legacy in television history. The original Star Trek series of the 1960s was
also cancelled. More recently, shows like Star Gate SG-1 have bounced from network to network, trying to find a
foothold, but “Firefly” was more than science-fiction. The solid creative base of the show was more reminiscent of
“Gunsmoke” than “Star Trek” and the gritty western tonality made it accessible to more than just the insular
demographic of sci-fi fans. There was a rugged hipness to the series that made it stand out from the more antiseptic
successes of the genre. The characters were entirely human, relatable, complicated and likeable. The futuristic
setting did not distance the audience from connecting with seemingly real people with seemingly real problems. In
fact, the drama of “Firefly” was a good deal more true to real life human behavior than some of the shows it was
competing against that were set in the contemporary day.
one hour action/drama called “Firefly.” The creative force behind the hit show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and its
equally successful spin-off show “Angel” was branching out from the genre of pseudo-campy action horror. Joss
Whedon was now showing us his unique and lovingly crafted vision of the future as he seamlessly melded elements of
science fiction and old school westerns. The result was a subtlety brilliant concept where Whedon’s vast imagination,
sharp writing and multi-layered characters began to give birth to his greatest work yet.
And then the Fox network cancelled it. After running the shows out of order. It was the era of Reality TV and Fox was
sending a message that quality story telling just wasn’t their bread and butter. The network suits doomed the show to
failure before it was ever allowed to truly spread it’s wings. After 14 episodes, only 11 of which actually aired, one of
the greatest television shows to come around in decades was no more.
Now science-fiction series have a tough legacy in television history. The original Star Trek series of the 1960s was
also cancelled. More recently, shows like Star Gate SG-1 have bounced from network to network, trying to find a
foothold, but “Firefly” was more than science-fiction. The solid creative base of the show was more reminiscent of
“Gunsmoke” than “Star Trek” and the gritty western tonality made it accessible to more than just the insular
demographic of sci-fi fans. There was a rugged hipness to the series that made it stand out from the more antiseptic
successes of the genre. The characters were entirely human, relatable, complicated and likeable. The futuristic
setting did not distance the audience from connecting with seemingly real people with seemingly real problems. In
fact, the drama of “Firefly” was a good deal more true to real life human behavior than some of the shows it was
competing against that were set in the contemporary day.
The original series, killed prematurely.
However short-lived, the show was exceedingly strong in all its creative elements. A talented and
refreshingly friendly group of actors combined with powerful writing and a fascinating plot arc gave
rise to a loyal fan base. When Fox released the DVD of the series, including the three never-aired
episodes, fans were able to revisit their beloved show, this time in its proper order. Sales went
through the roof, despite a limited print run of the DVDs, and it started to become apparent to Fox
and the industry at large that maybe, just maybe, they had cut the head off of a very lucrative
franchise. Universal Pictures quickly jumped in and bought the film rights from Fox. And that brings
us to this month's feature: Countdown to Serenity!
That’s right! On September 30th the cast of “Firefly” is back in a feature length film. All three of us
here at French Brothers Reviews were/are big fans of the show and we are predicting that it’s big
screen continuation, “Serenity,” is going to be one of the greatest films this year. We’re hoping for a
mega-sleeper hit, but this film is a little under the radar so we are encouraging our readers to go and
see it. To help with this we are going to run character profiles all month with two new profiles each
week.
While the film is designed for fans and newcomers alike we highly encourage you all to go out and
buy or borrow “Firefly” on DVD. Just watch the two-hour pilot episode. If you don’t devour the rest of
the series then you just don’t like being entertained! Whether you end up seeing the TV show or not,
you should still see “Serenity.” Trust us, it’s a sure bet. So check back with us all this month and we
hope to see you at the theatres September 30th!
refreshingly friendly group of actors combined with powerful writing and a fascinating plot arc gave
rise to a loyal fan base. When Fox released the DVD of the series, including the three never-aired
episodes, fans were able to revisit their beloved show, this time in its proper order. Sales went
through the roof, despite a limited print run of the DVDs, and it started to become apparent to Fox
and the industry at large that maybe, just maybe, they had cut the head off of a very lucrative
franchise. Universal Pictures quickly jumped in and bought the film rights from Fox. And that brings
us to this month's feature: Countdown to Serenity!
That’s right! On September 30th the cast of “Firefly” is back in a feature length film. All three of us
here at French Brothers Reviews were/are big fans of the show and we are predicting that it’s big
screen continuation, “Serenity,” is going to be one of the greatest films this year. We’re hoping for a
mega-sleeper hit, but this film is a little under the radar so we are encouraging our readers to go and
see it. To help with this we are going to run character profiles all month with two new profiles each
week.
While the film is designed for fans and newcomers alike we highly encourage you all to go out and
buy or borrow “Firefly” on DVD. Just watch the two-hour pilot episode. If you don’t devour the rest of
the series then you just don’t like being entertained! Whether you end up seeing the TV show or not,
you should still see “Serenity.” Trust us, it’s a sure bet. So check back with us all this month and we
hope to see you at the theatres September 30th!
| ABOVE: Zoe, Mal and Jayne are cornered in "The Train Job." BELOW: Simon and Mal have themselves a little misunderstanding in the pilot episode, "Serenity." |
| THE CAST OF SERENITY |
SERENITY: Serenity is an older model transport ship known as a Firefly. She was named after the Battle of
Serenity Valley where the Independents suffered a crushing defeat against the Alliance.
Serenity is fast, maneuverable and easily modified. She is a sturdy and reliable vessel, kept flying with a lot of mish
mash parts and clever maintenance. The Firefly class vessels have a lot of nooks and crannies, making them great
ships for smuggling.
Serenity is both transport and home to the crew. In a world of uncertainties and peril, the crew have come to look
upon Serenity as the only safe haven in the entire universe. She is their salvation and the tie that unifies them. If
Serenity quits flying then their freedom is grounded with her.
Serenity Valley where the Independents suffered a crushing defeat against the Alliance.
Serenity is fast, maneuverable and easily modified. She is a sturdy and reliable vessel, kept flying with a lot of mish
mash parts and clever maintenance. The Firefly class vessels have a lot of nooks and crannies, making them great
ships for smuggling.
Serenity is both transport and home to the crew. In a world of uncertainties and peril, the crew have come to look
upon Serenity as the only safe haven in the entire universe. She is their salvation and the tie that unifies them. If
Serenity quits flying then their freedom is grounded with her.
MALCOLM REYNOLDS (NATHAN FILLION): Mal is the captain of Serenity. A former soldier, he fought
on the losing side of the war against the Alliance and harbors great resentment for a government he feels is unjust.
Now he makes his way by smuggling and thieving from the establishment he once opposed.
Mal hides an honorable heart under a tough exterior and hates to see people bullied or maligned, often putting
himself in compromising situations to champion those that need help . A natural leader, he is not afraid to make the
hard decisions often necessary to keep his crew safe and will put his own life at risk before any of his companions.
His goal is to keep Serenity flying so that he and his crew can always keep at least one step away from the Alliance’s
oppressive grip. His ship and his crew are the only things left to Mal and he’ll fight to keep them both free.
“Now think real hard. You’ve been bird doggin’ this township for a while now. They wouldn’t mind a corpse of you.
Now you can luxuriate in a nice jail cell, but if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet I will end
you.” - Mal, "Our Mrs. Reynolds"
on the losing side of the war against the Alliance and harbors great resentment for a government he feels is unjust.
Now he makes his way by smuggling and thieving from the establishment he once opposed.
Mal hides an honorable heart under a tough exterior and hates to see people bullied or maligned, often putting
himself in compromising situations to champion those that need help . A natural leader, he is not afraid to make the
hard decisions often necessary to keep his crew safe and will put his own life at risk before any of his companions.
His goal is to keep Serenity flying so that he and his crew can always keep at least one step away from the Alliance’s
oppressive grip. His ship and his crew are the only things left to Mal and he’ll fight to keep them both free.
“Now think real hard. You’ve been bird doggin’ this township for a while now. They wouldn’t mind a corpse of you.
Now you can luxuriate in a nice jail cell, but if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet I will end
you.” - Mal, "Our Mrs. Reynolds"
RIVER TAM (SUMMER GLAU): A born genius, River excels at whatever she puts her mind to. At only
sixteen, River is little more than a child, but her frighteningly keen intellect allows her to grasp concepts beyond most
people. At the age of fourteen, River attended an Alliance sponsored school with an exciting learning program.
After a few months she started sending coded letters home that said, “They’re hurting us.” It took River’s brother,
Simon, two years to smuggle her out.
Now on the run from the government , River displays severe brain trauma that
manifests in paranoid schizophrenia, extreme emotional outbursts and hallucinations. She also displays signs of
precognition and mind reading. It seems that the Alliance was toying with River’s highly advanced brain in order to
turn her into some kind of tool or weapon, possibly an assassin.
“Two by two, hands of blue. Two by two, hands of blue.” - River, "Ariel"
sixteen, River is little more than a child, but her frighteningly keen intellect allows her to grasp concepts beyond most
people. At the age of fourteen, River attended an Alliance sponsored school with an exciting learning program.
After a few months she started sending coded letters home that said, “They’re hurting us.” It took River’s brother,
Simon, two years to smuggle her out.
Now on the run from the government , River displays severe brain trauma that
manifests in paranoid schizophrenia, extreme emotional outbursts and hallucinations. She also displays signs of
precognition and mind reading. It seems that the Alliance was toying with River’s highly advanced brain in order to
turn her into some kind of tool or weapon, possibly an assassin.
“Two by two, hands of blue. Two by two, hands of blue.” - River, "Ariel"
DOCTOR SIMON TAM (SEAN MAHER): Simon is a young and brilliant trauma surgeon. He had a bright
and successful future in front of him, until he discovered that the Alliance was torturing his baby sister. He left it all
behind to rescue her: his career, his money, even the respect of his parents. He managed to get River out and get
the two of them on board Serenity. As wanted fugitives, they are safer on the move and Simon, as the ship’s medic,
is free to aid the crew as well as try and discover exactly what the Alliance did to River’s brain.
However, their presence on the ship is a constant danger to all those on board as they are tirelessly hunted by
government agents and bounty hunters. Simon knows one thing: River’s condition is worsening and if he doesn’t
find a cure soon, she may be not only a danger to herself, but everyone on board.
“I thought the hospital was home. I was really making a difference there and…embarrassingly large stacks of money
and I could’ve…I would be there right now if she hadn’t…if they had just left her alone.” - Simon, "Objects in Space"
and successful future in front of him, until he discovered that the Alliance was torturing his baby sister. He left it all
behind to rescue her: his career, his money, even the respect of his parents. He managed to get River out and get
the two of them on board Serenity. As wanted fugitives, they are safer on the move and Simon, as the ship’s medic,
is free to aid the crew as well as try and discover exactly what the Alliance did to River’s brain.
However, their presence on the ship is a constant danger to all those on board as they are tirelessly hunted by
government agents and bounty hunters. Simon knows one thing: River’s condition is worsening and if he doesn’t
find a cure soon, she may be not only a danger to herself, but everyone on board.
“I thought the hospital was home. I was really making a difference there and…embarrassingly large stacks of money
and I could’ve…I would be there right now if she hadn’t…if they had just left her alone.” - Simon, "Objects in Space"
ZOE (GINA TORRES): Zoe is the first mate on board Serenity. A born warrior, Zoe fought with Mal against the
Alliance during the War of Unification. Tough as nails and deadly capable, Zoe is one of the few people with Mal’s
absolute trust. A woman of few words, Zoe is cool under pressure and indispensable in a fight. When she does
speak, people listen.
In the years since the war she has married Wash and adapted well to the
nomadic life on board the ship. The seasoned veteran is giving way to a woman with hopes of a more stable life and
possibly a family. The old instincts, however, die hard and Zoe can always be found in the thick of the worst danger.
“Sir. I think you have a problem with your brain being missing.” - Zoe, "The Train Job"
Alliance during the War of Unification. Tough as nails and deadly capable, Zoe is one of the few people with Mal’s
absolute trust. A woman of few words, Zoe is cool under pressure and indispensable in a fight. When she does
speak, people listen.
In the years since the war she has married Wash and adapted well to the
nomadic life on board the ship. The seasoned veteran is giving way to a woman with hopes of a more stable life and
possibly a family. The old instincts, however, die hard and Zoe can always be found in the thick of the worst danger.
“Sir. I think you have a problem with your brain being missing.” - Zoe, "The Train Job"
WASH (ALAN TUDYK): Wash is Serenity’s ace pilot. Despite being something of a cut-up Wash’s skills behind
the stick are no joke and he has gotten the ship and her crew out of a good deal of danger with his split-second
maneuvering. Behind Wash’s antics is a man with a compassionate heart and strong convictions. When
impassioned there is little that intimidates him and he has been known to stand up to Captain Reynolds on occasion.
His marriage to Zoe is something of a mystery to most people as Wash’s gentle frivolity clashes often with Zoe’s terse
stoicism, but there is little doubt in their feelings for one another.
“Oh my God! What could it be? We’re all doomed! Who is flying this thing? Oh right, that would be me.” - Wash,
"Bushwacked"
the stick are no joke and he has gotten the ship and her crew out of a good deal of danger with his split-second
maneuvering. Behind Wash’s antics is a man with a compassionate heart and strong convictions. When
impassioned there is little that intimidates him and he has been known to stand up to Captain Reynolds on occasion.
His marriage to Zoe is something of a mystery to most people as Wash’s gentle frivolity clashes often with Zoe’s terse
stoicism, but there is little doubt in their feelings for one another.
“Oh my God! What could it be? We’re all doomed! Who is flying this thing? Oh right, that would be me.” - Wash,
"Bushwacked"
JAYNE (ADAM BALDWIN): Jayne Cobb is Serenity’s hired muscle. A thug and a mercenary, Jayne’s loyalty is
always measured in money. While not the brightest, Jayne’s bravery and prowess in combat are never called into
question. He has an intense dislike for Simon and River, believing their presence on the ship presents an
unnecessary risk. Mal seems to be the one man he fears and Jayne knows not to bite the hand that feeds him. That
is until a new hand provides a bigger meal.
“Yeah and if wishes were horses we’d all be eatin’ steak.” - Jayne, "Objects in Space."
always measured in money. While not the brightest, Jayne’s bravery and prowess in combat are never called into
question. He has an intense dislike for Simon and River, believing their presence on the ship presents an
unnecessary risk. Mal seems to be the one man he fears and Jayne knows not to bite the hand that feeds him. That
is until a new hand provides a bigger meal.
“Yeah and if wishes were horses we’d all be eatin’ steak.” - Jayne, "Objects in Space."
KAYLEE (JEWEL STAITE): Kaylee is the unlikely mechanic of the Serenity. The always-caring and positive
young girl from a backwater world is a free spirit with a streak of hedonism in her psyche. Innately good with
machines, she's constantly frustrated with Mal's disinterest in maintaining the ship, which makes her life harder. At
the same time, Kaylee is unlucky in love and wants nothing more than to get Simon to notice her. She is the heart
and unofficial mascot of the crew, universally loved and protected. Sometimes fragile and often feisty, Kalyee is the
right girl for the job.
“You like ships. You don't seem to be looking at the destinations. What you care about is the ships and...mine's the
nicest.” - Kaylee, "Serenity - The Pilot."
young girl from a backwater world is a free spirit with a streak of hedonism in her psyche. Innately good with
machines, she's constantly frustrated with Mal's disinterest in maintaining the ship, which makes her life harder. At
the same time, Kaylee is unlucky in love and wants nothing more than to get Simon to notice her. She is the heart
and unofficial mascot of the crew, universally loved and protected. Sometimes fragile and often feisty, Kalyee is the
right girl for the job.
“You like ships. You don't seem to be looking at the destinations. What you care about is the ships and...mine's the
nicest.” - Kaylee, "Serenity - The Pilot."
SHEPHERD BOOK (RON GLASS): Little is known about Shepherd Book. A wayward preacher, Book has
come out of the monastic life to lend aid and comfort to those in need. A kind and competent man, Book has
managed to establish a good rapport with every member of Serenity’s crew since he came on board. His grave,
sage-like manner is quick to give way to laughter, however in times of crisis, Book displays a cool-headed, tactical
approach to danger that belies his peaceful lifestyle. He seems just as capable of surviving a gunfight as he is at
delivering last rites to the dead. What Book’s past hides before he took the cloth is a mystery, but his compassion
and wisdom of earned him the trust of Serenity’s crew. For now.
“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 theatre.” - Book, "Our Mrs. Reynolds."
come out of the monastic life to lend aid and comfort to those in need. A kind and competent man, Book has
managed to establish a good rapport with every member of Serenity’s crew since he came on board. His grave,
sage-like manner is quick to give way to laughter, however in times of crisis, Book displays a cool-headed, tactical
approach to danger that belies his peaceful lifestyle. He seems just as capable of surviving a gunfight as he is at
delivering last rites to the dead. What Book’s past hides before he took the cloth is a mystery, but his compassion
and wisdom of earned him the trust of Serenity’s crew. For now.
“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 theatre.” - Book, "Our Mrs. Reynolds."
INARA (MORENA BACCARIN): Inara is a Companion; a legal and respected cortisan registered with a
reputable guild. Captain Reynolds simplifies her profession into one word, “whore.” Whatever the title, Inara is
something of an ambassador for Serenity. Her influence, high social status and rich acquaintances help the ship
and her crew gain access to places that would be normally closed to them. Inara’s beauty, charm, grace and
seductive talents are but the surface qualities of a deeply caring woman who displays vast empathy for her clients
and her crew. Her love/hate relationship with the Captain is something of a game; a game in which Mal is
desperately outmatched. Why Inara left the comfort and security of the Core Planets is a secret she will tell no one,
but there is a closely guarded secret behind all of her manners and subtle wiles.
“One of the virtues about not being puritanical about sex, is not feeling embarrassed afterwards.” - Inara, "Heart of
Gold."
reputable guild. Captain Reynolds simplifies her profession into one word, “whore.” Whatever the title, Inara is
something of an ambassador for Serenity. Her influence, high social status and rich acquaintances help the ship
and her crew gain access to places that would be normally closed to them. Inara’s beauty, charm, grace and
seductive talents are but the surface qualities of a deeply caring woman who displays vast empathy for her clients
and her crew. Her love/hate relationship with the Captain is something of a game; a game in which Mal is
desperately outmatched. Why Inara left the comfort and security of the Core Planets is a secret she will tell no one,
but there is a closely guarded secret behind all of her manners and subtle wiles.
“One of the virtues about not being puritanical about sex, is not feeling embarrassed afterwards.” - Inara, "Heart of
Gold."
