 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Firefly
- Syndicated
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Buffy creator's space Western entertains.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that one of the main characters in this cult-fave space Western from the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a "companion" -- a glorified term for a high-class prostitute. One of the show's storylines centers on the attraction (and resulting sexual tension) between her and the ship's captain, and there's plenty of discussion of her job (it's a high-status profession in the show's world). There's lots of sci-fi action, though little of it results in visible bloodshed, and some characters drink and smoke.
What's the story?
In the fascinating alternative future imagined in FIREFLY, humans have "used up" Earth and ventured out to terraform new planets across the galaxy. Though some of these new worlds are wealthy, the show mostly takes place in the ones along the fringes. On these rough-and-tumble planets, life can be tough, and the law doesn't carry much weight when there are people with guns who want to help themselves to whatever they need. The series follows the crew of the spaceship Serenity, a lovable rogues' gallery led by Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds (Nathan Fillion). For various reasons, everyone on the ship wants to avoid notice by the Alliance that governs the galaxy, preferring instead to scratch out a living as mercenaries.
Is it any good?
To series creator Joss Whedon, the show's premise sounded so much like life in the Old West that he modeled much of show's culture -- including clothing, weapons, and language -- on the late 19th century. It's a brilliant idea that allowed him to combine elements of Star Wars with The Lone Ranger to invent a sci-fi show unlike any other. Although its departure point isn't particularly novel (see Farscape, Han Solo's early career, Robin Hood, et al), with Whedon at the helm, Firefly shines. Best known for creating the amazingly popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer series and its spin-off Angel, Whedon brings a fresh perspective to a genre overrun by shows that have all started to blend together.
With its distinctive vision, sharply written characters, and entertaining dialogue, Firefly is both unique and entertaining. It's a shame that it didn't catch on with a wide audience fast enough (it did develop a rabid cult base) and was cancelled after just 14 episodes.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the two genres that this show blends together. Which elements make it a sci-fi series? Which make it a Western? What do the two genres have in common, and how are they different?
What, if anything, does this show have in common with creator Joss Whedon's earlier series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Many of the show's disputes are settled through violence (or the threat of violence), particularly in outlying planets that are far from the reach of the law, where the strong can take advantage of the weak and defenseless. Does might ever make right? In most societies, what stops the powerful from making whatever rules they want?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Great Show teens and up.
This show is very good. It is the perfect mix of drama and comedy. It can get very dark at times and has some very sexual stuff. I watched this show when I was twelve and it should be fine for very mature 12 to 13 year olds,
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Kid, 12 years old
June 26, 2010
AGE
Awesome
Incredible.
It is sometimes serious, but also has a lot of subtle humor.
I also love Vera, Jayne's BFG
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AGE
Awesome
Incredible.
It is sometimes serious, but also has a lot of subtle humor.
I also love Vera, Jayne's BFG
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
June 26, 2010
AGE
Awesome
Incredible.
It is sometimes serious, but also has a lot of subtle humor.
I also love Vera, Jayne's BFG
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AGE
Great Series-- But watch it first and keep the fast forward button handy
This is an amazing series. All the characters are so well-developed it's hard to pick a favorite, and you care about each one after just a few episodes. However, I would not recommend letting your kids watch this with you the first time. I think this is a show best watched with Mom or Dad fastforwarding past a few of the most iffy parts and discussing the show with their kids. Be aware they do 'make up' Bible verses, but it always seems to be the 'bad guys' that do it.
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AGE
This is the most amazing TV show I've ever seen, or probably ever will see.
This is a portion of the height of science fiction, comparable to Star Wars. Star Wars is an epic and a classic, but there's a lot of black and white. Firefly is done in shades of gray. The primary example of this is that the main characters would be considered crooks by anybody who didn't know them well. They rob, steal, and, more often than not, kill, though not in the sense of murder, more in self-defense. But what it simmers down to is the fact that they're all "just folk", ordinary people trying to get by. There's shooting, stabbing, smashing, exploding, and torture. There's sex, booze, and foul language. But the thing is, none of it is gratuitous, it's all in context. There are powerful moral lessons in it, and it is something everybody should watch, though probably when they're at least 12, because a lot of the jokes don't make sense until you hit puberty... :)
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AGE
Brilliant show prematurely ended.
It's absolutely incredible that this show made us care about the characters after only 14 episodes in a way most shows never accomplish over the course of 4+ seasons. Incredible, yes, but also terribly sad for fans of the show. Fox prematurely aired the episodes out of order, and then canceled it mid season. The combination of characters, unique writing/story and music score is mostly unrivaled. Recommended to all sci-fi and western fans.
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AGE
FREAKING AMAZING
LOVE IT! a bit of violence/sex, but I don't think it is enough to make a point of it. Deffinitly my fav show
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AGE
Off the air...bummer.
Best Sci-Fi series in a long time. You will like it.
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| TV rating: | NR |
| Network: | Syndicated |
| Cast: | Adam Baldwin, Gina Torres, Nathan Fillion |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
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