Forever White Knights (Firefly: Serenity)

It's finally happened. Shana has convinced Daniel to start
podcasting Joss Whedon. They start with what is probably his most
interesting series, Firefly, and will be doing all
the episodes of the series plus the theatrical film over the next
few months.

In this episode then, they discuss the two-part pilot
"Serenity," introduce all the major characters, and discuss the use
of gender within the show. Daniel picks a few bones with
worldbuilding, and sets out the general complaint that the series'
Western setting (along with the military background of two of its
main characters) implies a connection to the American Confederacy
that the show never really deals with authentically. It's going to
be a very controversial ride.

Main Topic: Serenity. Hirsute and
handsome. Shana versus Daniel. Whedonite. Introductions. Pandering.
History with Buffy. History with Firefly. Lexx and Cleopatra 2525.
Fan cultures. "Walt Whitman is 'feel my manliness?'" Characters.
Sitcom writing. "Han Solo The Series." Two introductions. Needing a
male counterpart. Zoe should shoot Mal in the face. First and last.
Comic book structure. "Like a Civil War kinda?" Pacing. Adorable
Alan Tudyk. "Star Wars Meets Country Buffy." Chinglish. Earthy,
dirty, sweet, feminine Kaylee. The fragile masculinity of Captain
Tightpants. The de-virginator. Heinlein. A failure of
worldbuilding. Book defined by his sexuality and moral compass.
What is worldbuilding? Badger. Strawberries. The Tams. Kitchen.
Ooh, subplot! Kaylee/Inara. Sex and the City? Prayer. Mal an
alternative model of masculinity? Ritualistic bathing. The
Patriarch says it's okay. Kaylee gets shot. Peckinpah. Out of chaos
River is born. The innocent savage. A more interesting story.
Attractive Simon. Conflating intelligence with morality. Shana
rolls her eyes. Zoe/Wash and Amy/Rory. Reavers! Brotastic.
Pornstache. Economics. Alliance as an imperial power. Confederate
iconography. Jayne. 

Find all future episodes of Big Damn Shiny Heroes at oispaceman.com.