TV shows that were great until they were cancelled: Part 4

Firefly



What Was it About? Most easily described as a sci-fi western, Firefly follows a gang of ruffians, an insane girl and a prostitute as they sail along the outer stars, looking to survive on the harsh fringes of the galaxy.

How long it lasted: Almost a whole season but not quite.

Why Was it So Great? It was created by Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel, Astonishing X-Men). A legion of small touches made the world of Firefly feel lived in and genuine. The characters were distinct and likable, and you didn't know you loved them until they were gone. It really did meld great sci-fi onto a western frame. The gang of scoundrels, not above stealing to make ends meet, were nonetheless fun to root for, and plot hooks were clear indicators that the show had legs.

Best Bits: Swearing in Chinese. Reavers. Jayne's origin. No sound in space. Mal being repeatedly beaten up. Storming the core. The final, haunting episode.

What Went Wrong? The pilot episode, excellently crafted to introduce viewers to characters and concept, was never aired. the remaining episodes were shown out of order, and odd hours, or not at all. After it failed to find an audience, who could never find the damn thing, it was cancelled.

Should I Still Watch It? You certainly should as watching the show sequentially on DVD is far superior to the fragmented existence Firefly experienced on TV. But take heed: If, like myself, you buy the DVD and watch the entire run in a single sitting, be prepared for the endless, crushing loneliness of reaching for the next episode to discover there is none, and there never will be. The movie Serenity, which takes place after the series and was produced because the DVD sold eleventy billion copies, will only sooth this pain for 90 minutes.