Confessions of a Sci-Fi Newbie #5 – Serenity

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

As a self-proclaimed and certified Newbie, every week it is my goal to throw myself head first into all things sci-fi, specifically peering into some of the most critically acclaimed TV shows and movies! I check out the show in pure tabula rasa fashion, with typically nada knowledge about the premise and letting the work speak for itself. Afterwards, I give the most honest of honest opinions and retreat to my phantom castle on the other side of the internet.

In this week’s Confessions, I hopped aboard the Serenity for another crazy ride with its lovable crew. This is my third article about this subject matter, and I can’t promise you there won’t be others.

Serenity is a 2005 continuation of the acclaimed television show, Firefly. It’s finally over. Don’t get me started on the horrible monsters that cancelled the series. Clearly, they have a personal vendetta against me, and I am hurt. This film, while amazing, is only a shell of what the TV show was/could’ve been.

Serenity isn’t a movie just for fans of Firefly. If anything, you could watch the movie first, then seek out the series. It combines action and suspense with heartfelt moments that could keep traditionally rom-com fans, like myself, interested.

Likes:

1. River going all BAUCE on the Reavers. She took down at least 20 of them by herself. Although, the basis of the movie was River and protecting her, they didn’t overwhelm us with her. The storyline stayed with Captain Mal as the focus, guiding his crew. I’ve always loved Mal’s dedication to what’s right and making decisions for the best of everyone he designates crew status to.

2. The fact that the Reavers were reintroduced into the movie was awesome. They were, hands down, the scariest villains of the series. Viewers find out how they were created, and it all ties into this greater struggle for freedom. I’ve always wondered why there was friction between the Alliance and the Independents. There’s the fact that the Alliance is this wealthy population overtaking everything, but that’s a given. There will always be power-hungry wealthy people, and what’s so bad about having a safer society? What it comes down to is a more important concept of too much control over individuals. It doesn’t matter what the Alliance intends to do or how they’re trying to “help” because their help hinders, and they completely cross the line when it comes to humane behavior under the veil of “a greater good.” Serenity proves that this Utopian idea of peace will backfire.

3. Kaley and Simon finally get together.

Dislikes:

1. WASH DIED AND IT WILL NEVER BE OKAY.

2. Shepherd died too, and I feel differently about Shepherd’s death because, essentially, no one cares. Out of all the members of the Serenity crew, Shepherd was the one that could die, and I mean that from a writer’s perspective. The plot wouldn’t allow for anyone else to die without a riot in the street from Firefly’s fan-base. Shepherd wasn’t paired up, and he served a small purpose in the crew. That’s why he wasn’t on the ship in the film. Wash, however, was Zoe’s husband, a lovable character that served up the comedic relief, and the Serenity’s pilot. He was next in line to die, but it had to have been a conscious decision to kill him off because after Shepherd, no one else had to die. I WANTED HE AND ZOE TO HAVE CHILDREN AND BE HAPPY, BUT THEY TOOK THAT AWAY FROM ME. (Sequel with Wash being half robot?)

3. Inara and Mal didn’t even kiss. Not one peck on the cheek. Not even a good hand holding scene. This relationship gave me absolutely nothing.

Overall, you could tell this time that it was definitely the end. They left enough loose ends, however, to keep us expecting more. That being said, I think it’s time to put a fork in the series.

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