Comments on: Science fiction vs. Space opera, or, The thing about Firefly http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/ From physics to philosophy Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:27:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: GP http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18324 GP Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:55:45 +0000 http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18324 Yes, I meant to mention that in the post! I noticed it in the first episode and thought it was awesome. And for the record, I think there are horses in <em>every</em> episode. But there's one with one guy in a hovercar and everybody else on horseback, and that's just plain funny. Yes, I meant to mention that in the post! I noticed it in the first episode and thought it was awesome.

And for the record, I think there are horses in every episode. But there’s one with one guy in a hovercar and everybody else on horseback, and that’s just plain funny.

]]> By: Art http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18322 Art Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:46:57 +0000 http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18322 I agree, it's not really sci-fi (or at least not imaginative sci-fi). I mean, there are horses in the opening sequence. HOWEVER, and this is a biggie: if you pay attention during the sequences when the ship is shown flying around in space, there is never any whooshing sounds, or machinery clinking, or lumbering noises, or anything like that. For this alone I applaud Firefly. The only other film or show I have seen that dispenses with the scientifically repugnant space-sounds we have all become so used to is 2001: A Space Odyssey. I agree, it’s not really sci-fi (or at least not imaginative sci-fi). I mean, there are horses in the opening sequence. HOWEVER, and this is a biggie: if you pay attention during the sequences when the ship is shown flying around in space, there is never any whooshing sounds, or machinery clinking, or lumbering noises, or anything like that. For this alone I applaud Firefly. The only other film or show I have seen that dispenses with the scientifically repugnant space-sounds we have all become so used to is 2001: A Space Odyssey.

]]> By: GP http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18310 GP Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:51:28 +0000 http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18310 I'm not asking for an explanation of how the gravity drive works or the finer details of laser technology. It would make it sound more like sci fi, but it still wouldn't really be using the allowances the genre allows to tell interesting stories. There's a very real difference between a good science fiction story and a story that just happens to take place on another planet. In that sense I don't consider one to be a subset of the other. I’m not asking for an explanation of how the gravity drive works or the finer details of laser technology. It would make it sound more like sci fi, but it still wouldn’t really be using the allowances the genre allows to tell interesting stories. There’s a very real difference between a good science fiction story and a story that just happens to take place on another planet. In that sense I don’t consider one to be a subset of the other.

]]> By: SF Fangirl http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18307 SF Fangirl Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:13:06 +0000 http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18307 Umm! Space Opera is a a subset of science fiction. I agree with most of what you said, but Firefly is science fiction even if they very light on scientific explanations. As a Sci Fi fan, te real reason I liked Fireflyis for the characters and the amazing writing. Umm! Space Opera is a a subset of science fiction. I agree with most of what you said, but Firefly is science fiction even if they very light on scientific explanations. As a Sci Fi fan, te real reason I liked Fireflyis for the characters and the amazing writing.

]]> By: lambic http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18250 lambic Sat, 17 Nov 2007 22:11:15 +0000 http://www.booberfish.com/blog/2007/11/science-fiction-vs-space-opera-or-the-thing-about-firefly/#comment-18250 If you're looking for more on the Reavers and River then you have to see the Serenity movie, it explores both in some depth and it's a fun movie too. It's probably more science-fictiony than the series as well. If you’re looking for more on the Reavers and River then you have to see the Serenity movie, it explores both in some depth and it’s a fun movie too. It’s probably more science-fictiony than the series as well.

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