Firefly Book (Serenity)

[smr54]

For those who enjoyed the show, and have enjoyed any of Steven Brust's novels, I came across what is relatively old news. Brust apparently wrote a Firefly novel on spec, and when Fox didn't buy it, released it under a creative commons license. You can download it for free, or donate if you choose.

He also mentions that it was created on Mandrake with emacs, then formatted with OpenOffice, but that the final layout was done with Word and Acrobat. (He also says that people who care about such things need to get a life, but what the heck...)

Anyway, for those with any interest, the book can be gotten from

http://dreamcafe.com/firefly.html

[kurtdriver]

I sure did, thank you.

[kona0197]

I never got into the show. Not the kind of sci-fi that i enjoy. Long live Star Trek!!

[smr54]

Well, it's a Joss Whedon show, and in my own humble opinion, he's pretty talented. He's the one who did Buffy, Angel, and of course, the Avengers.

If the sort of Science Fiction that you like is Star Trek-ish, (whichever version), it may not be your cup of tea.
There is also the fact that it was written by Steven Brust, who is, again, in my own humble opinion, pretty talented. I'm not sure if Mal sounds a little like Vlad Taltos or if it's just my preconceptions, but regardless, I like it. (Which doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with someone else not liking it.)

[kona0197]

Well you know the saying. The only true sci-fi show is Star Trek.

[Adunaic]

Originally Posted by smr54

Well, it's a Joss Whedon show, and in my own humble opinion, he's pretty talented. He's the one who did Buffy, Angel, and of course, the Avengers.

If the sort of Science Fiction that you like is Star Trek-ish, (whichever version), it may not be your cup of tea.
There is also the fact that it was written by Steven Brust, who is, again, in my own humble opinion, pretty talented. I'm not sure if Mal sounds a little like Vlad Taltos or if it's just my preconceptions, but regardless, I like it. (Which doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with someone else not liking it.)

You are forgetting the best one. "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"

[smr54]

I didn't forget, but was trying to mention the ones most known by non-fans.

It was on TV the other night, and I believe it can be viewed on youtube at any time.

Yup.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVBjS22ppdw

[stevea]

Originally Posted by smr54

Well, it's a Joss Whedon show, and in my own humble opinion, he's pretty talented. He's the one who did Buffy, Angel, and of course, the Avengers.

Talented yes, but IMO there is a strong divide between fantasy (cr*p) and SciFi.

There is also IMO a huge range of SciFi quality, from stories that merely use the Science/Technology as a prop, vs those where it is integral to the plot, and ideally where is is the central source of plot conflict.

Some things like StarWars strikes me as extremely poor quality SciFi - mostly fantasy surrounding Jedi voodoo with Tech props.

Of Course ST had both good and bad episodes wrt SciFi content. I think ST squeezed out ~10 good episodes in 3 seasons despite hammy & wooden acting, I doubt STNG had as many good episodes in 7 seasons. DP9 & STV were the sort of TV cr*p that begs for amnesia. STE - great potential in plot framework, generally poor writing, with just a few good episodes.

Originally Posted by kona0197

Well you know the saying. The only true sci-fi show is Star Trek.

You're forgetting "Cleopatra 2525" (another Gina Torres series, See Hulu).

[DBelton]

Aww now.. Cleopatra 2525 was one of my all time favorites. I don't remember the story line, though.

If I remember correctly, it was about babes running around half naked.. Any more than that, I would have to look it up.

[jpollard]

Basicly, it was an eco-series. A scientist creates a robot to help clean up the environment.. robot determines humans are the source of the problem... so they clean up the humans, which drives the survivors underground. The series revolved around stopping the robots - with lots of side trips to help people.

Everything else is cheese.

[DBelton]

Originally Posted by jpollard

Basicly, it was an eco-series. A scientist creates a robot to help clean up the environment.. robot determines humans are the source of the problem... so they clean up the humans, which drives the survivors underground. The series revolved around stopping the robots - with lots of side trips to help people.

Everything else is cheese.

In other words.. It was about babes running around half-naked

[robert-e]

The last really good science fiction (for me) was the Lensman series by E. E. Doc Smith, now available as a download from Livrivox.org. Most good science fiction was published in the Ace Double pocket books; the ones with the blue and white spline. We still have a half a wall of them in our library. I have not seen them being sold for over 30 years, so I am pretty sure they are now defunct.

Regards,
Bob

[kona0197]

Of Course ST had both good and bad episodes wrt SciFi content. I think ST squeezed out ~10 good episodes in 3 seasons despite hammy & wooden acting, I doubt STNG had as many good episodes in 7 seasons. DP9 & STV were the sort of TV cr*p that begs for amnesia. STE - great potential in plot framework, generally poor writing, with just a few good episodes.

DS9 and STV were both way better than STNG. DS9 is my favorite ST.

[jpollard]

Originally Posted by robert-e

The last really good science fiction (for me) was the Lensman series by E. E. Doc Smith, now available as a download from Livrivox.org. Most good science fiction was published in the Ace Double pocket books; the ones with the blue and white spline. We still have a half a wall of them in our library. I have not seen them being sold for over 30 years, so I am pretty sure they are now defunct.

Regards,
Bob

Too bad the copyright still hasn't expired - they were published in the 30s of the last century...

[stevea]

Originally Posted by DBelton

In other words.. It was about babes running around half-naked

Only one-quarter naked. It was broadcast TV.

Originally Posted by jpollard

Basicly, it was an eco-series. [...]The series revolved around stopping the robots - with lots of side trips to help people.

Or alternatively is was about Jennifer Sky dressed as a futuristic dumb-blond strumpet, surrounded by some other well-toned bare midriffs.

Originally Posted by kona0197

DS9 and STV were both way better than STNG. DS9 is my favorite ST.

And I defend you right to be foolishly wrong. Not saying STNG was good - it wasn't.

==========

In case I didn't say, I really liked Firefly despite flaws. The chum bucket full of plot themes & devices was over the top, Old West, Empire vs plucky insurgents, broke-*ss ship with technical problems, the constant object of pursuit (as smugglers, river tam escape, raiders), post war comeradere, sympathetic schizophrenic damaged character, .... Still well done.