Television Weekly features 12 TV / screenwriters in this article including J.J. Abrams, Bryan Fuller, and Joss Whedon. In our family, Whedon holds a special place of honor — here’s a previous post about him — because of the late, lamented sci-fi TV series “Firefly”. It was a smart series with great characters, snappy dialogue, imaginative plots — in sum, everything a viewer could want… except ratings.
Any other “Firefly” fans out there?
UPDATE: The new Joss Whedon TV series “Dollhouse” came up in comments. Here’s a quote from the TV Weekly article re the recent 3 week shutdown in production to retool the show:
“I think that there is a perception that we’re making TV for young boys, and that’s part of where the network and I have come at things kind of differently,” Mr. Whedon said, alluding to recent discussions with executives over the creative direction of the series that led to a three-week break in production.
Production on “Dollhouse” resumed Thursday, and the show is still on schedule for an early 2009 premiere.
With respect to the Fox network, Mr. Whedon feels he is “definitely dealing with better people” who are “very clear, direct and honest,” which is creating a better environment than for his short-lived “Firefly.”
“My primary focus is making sure that ‘Dollhouse’ is the show it can and should be, and that feels like it’s on track,” he said.
I actually just watched all 14 episodes back to back last Sunday on Hulu.
It was very well done. And doesn’t reek of the problems that current prime time television does.
I did find one thing kind of interesting. It is very easy to tell which episodes Joss wrote. His dialogue stands apart from the others — but in a good way. I actually want the other episodes to sound more like his. And his dialogue is also very specific to the characters.
Of the 14 episodes there is 1 that is a real stinker. I find it neat, to see where this episode goes wrong. Why it is such a stinker compared to the high quality of the rest of series. I have my theories, but I’m more curious if anyone else feels the same way about it.
The other thing is — I saw the movie SERENTIY first. Thought it was okay. Not great. Not bad. Just decent.
When I watched FIREFLY, I realized that the movie was really more or less for the fans of the TV show. The movie is basically the TV pilot, except it wraps up all the loose ends that the pilot establishes to keep the TV series moving forward. The Reavers and Rivers abilities are present in the first season, but their whole backstory and how it all fits together was saved for later episodes (and seasons). The movie basically just said, “Hey, this is what we were planning to do.”
Which episode did you think stunk, James? Some of them were stellar, some of them were great, but yes, there were a couple of ones that I could do without.
Re the movie: I agree, not as good as the show, especially because the tone was so different than the series.
Heart of Gold.
It’s slow. The dialogue is bad. I don’t care about any of the characters. I also think it missed the show’s tone.
It’s trying to be a good old fashion “last stand,” but in all honesty, a last stand episode would be better served protecting the homefront of Serenity than some place we’ve never seen before. (Plus, that is a better mix of space western).
And the series has already established the ship as a home — and almost on its own character.
Also, nothing happens. The episode is predictable. The last stand is set up in the first act and we, as viewers, are waiting around until the last act to see what we know is going to happen. And nothing happens in between.
It’s sub-par for mediocre television, and way off for the series.
My favorite episodes are probably Our Mrs. Reynolds and Out of Gas. I also really like Objects in Space, as well. I love the characterization of Jubel Early. Just a great bad guy.
“Out of Gas” is fantastic. I don’t share the disdain for “Heart of Gold”, but it’s certainly not the pinnacle of the show.
Firefly ruled, and had Fox given it its due it might have ended up ruling the airwaves.
I am very excited for Dollhouse – and terrified that Fox may destroy another (hopefully great) series.
I loved Out Of Gas, probably my favorite episode.