we're not saying joss whedon is a genius. buffy - except for the funny bits - struck us as melodramatic more often than not, and angel always seemed overly contrived. but perhaps they were just teething rings. because firefly is the real deal.terrific cast, great (and deep) backstories, believable world, engaging characters and top-notch scripts (thanks in part to the sublime ben edlund, creator of the tick). if you search in vain for quality tv, the crew of serenity waits to provide it.
only one problem: like hbo's carnivale, it was canceled before its time. whedon managed to pull a good feature film out of the wreckage, but it's hard to knock tv execs for canceling terrific shows like this that draw small, fanatical audiences while crap like american idol draws millions of pairs of eyes and, subsequently, advertising dollars. that's what tv is all about.
but we don't have to like it.
(it might have been the name. we mean, come on, joss - we'll buy the wild west culture, the bits of multi-language slang, the c.h.u.d. reavers - but firefly? what were you thinking?)