Blogfest 'Firefly vs Star Trek'

The time to write about our favorite unknown for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest,  MOVIE – BAND/ARTIST – TV SHOW – BOOK has arrived, so here goes!

Firefly vs Star Trek!

Every so often, an ensemble of Hollywood talent unites to create a marvel of science fiction.. I'd like to tell you about Joss Whedon's Firefly. One thing that I look for and enjoy in a work of science fiction are conflict driven characters exploring the scientific and social dimensions taking us to strange new worlds. Star Trek's classic show was unique because of its three-way bond between Kirk, Spock and Dr McCoy. The battle of egos, human scepticism and logic gave it a special edge. I like it when a character does or says something to surprise you but how do you stand out from the crowd when every action hero is so convincing?

Star Trek with all of its official re-incarnations shows humans and aliens working together using futuristic technology exploring the human adventure. Roddenberry's action packed wagon train in space was lucky because its over enthusiastic actors, aliens and cardboard sets produced characters and stories like one seamless magic show fans cared about.

James Cameron understood that if you copy a work of genius like Star Trek, you'll be left with a terrible phony which won't fly. So, he set the trend in Hollywood by re-inventing instead of ripping off the old sci-fi classics.

When Joss Whedon's learned about the secret formula he produced 14 episodes for his sci-fi 'sequel' on a shoestring budget, sound familiar?

Whedon's Firefly 'sequel' simply took Star Trek's followers on a fresh 'spaceship' journey thrilling us with a mirror cast based on Gene Roddenberry's original show. The beauty of Firefly is there are no clean cut uniforms, no energy weapons, no teleportation, no long shots of spaceships warping against a starry backdrop to classical music, no obsession with technology, no robots, no artificial intelligences, not even a clear long-term goal for the protagonists apart from the plot conflict between the Alliance and the Rim, and the bitterness of committed Browncoats. Its all close-up and raw. The characters are flawed and realistic. 

1. Mal is the gruff 'anti-hero' with powerful leadership qualities like Captain Kirk, propelling his crew into the thick of action. Still it has to be said Firefly created its own law and disorder in the galaxy.
2. Zoe and Inara are graceful rational, logical counterparts to Mal, as Spock is to Kirk.
3. Wash has Sulu written all over him, gentle and humorous with a way of articulating intense situations.
4. Kaylee is the cool-headed Scotty full of optimism and the miracle worker.
5. Dr Simon Tam has the same fiery relationship with Mal as Bones has with Kirk.
6. Book has the intelligent saving graces of Dr McCoy.
7. Jayne is a fearless explorer like Chekov often breaking the ice with his cornball humor.

Firefly captured the imagination of sci-fi fans with qualities we can all admire, it provided fresh unpredictable characters in an alternate universe, subtracting the science without ruining the fun or being just a shallow imitation. There certainly are numerous original aspects to Firefly, given River's unnatural insight bordering on the edge of madness providing a mysterious air of intrigue for the show. While Firefly and Star Trek are fashioned on the Western wagon train to the stars, each show is full of emotional depth, adventure with a cast of reverse engineered characters. What do you think?

Which sci-fi show made a distinct impression on you?