At first, I thought Firefly was going to be some crappy, live action knock-off of Cowboy Bebop; the premise was similar, and I suspected the worst. But I think after a few episodes the show really hit its stride, and I realized this was a show that could stand on its own.
The conundrum about this show is that it's at once amazing and borderline bad. There's a certain art derived from slightly awkward script, predictable plots, and cheesy drama, and Firefly takes full advantage of that. It's a little campy, but it sucks you in. By the end I was entirely invested in all the characters. (Except Malcolm) I just don't like Malcolm's character; and I say his character because it's not just him. This guy, this rough, noble, semi-emotionally stunted guy, is such a stereotype, and I hate him each time he shows up. I mean, there's nothing really special about Malcolm, he's not particularly smart or a very good leader or funny or clever. He's not even necessarily an amazing fighter. He's completely based on honor and strength of will, and I just think that's so cliche. In my opinion, Zoe should have been captain, and I stand by that. *Spoilers* I was so *ugh* about Malcolm's whole romantic drama with Inara- I knew it was going to happen since the first episode, and it's just- why does the main character always have to have a romance with the prettiest woman in the show? Why couldn't they just have been platonic friends? It annoys me that Inara had to be used as a plot device instead of as an individual person. Although I was surprised, in the end, that she left- I thought she would turn back, I didn't think she would actually just walk out. So that says something about her independence, which I respect. *Spoilers over*
It's such a shame Firefly was cancelled; I felt that it had really started to become something special towards the end of the season. We didn't really get to learn about the characters' backstories that were hinted at (ex: Inara, Shepherd Book, River) and we didn't find out really about the government scheme with River. I guess I'll have to go watch Serenity. However, in my opinion, what allows Firefly to be such a cult show is that it was cancelled before its time. Because there are so many loose ends, you can make it whatever you want it to be; anything can happen in your imagination, the characters' backstories can be whatever you want them to be. What if the show had gone on, and the audience didn't like where it was going, didn't like how the characters changed? Now we never have to worry about that. It's bittersweet, I guess.
In conclusion, I think I jumped the gun on the criticism for this show. I ended up really enjoying it, and I think that there are a lot of stereotypes and preconceived notions it brings to light and/or completely shatters without a care. It's pretty awesome.
So when I asked if I should watch Firefly a couple weeks back, I got in response a resounding "yes". To be honest, I didn't really have an idea what the show was about: simply that it had a cult following and many of its fans overlapped with Bryan Fuller fans. Thus, finding myself with some free hours today, I thought I would try the first couple episodes. I definitely see myself finishing this series, so I want to record my thoughts at the beginning compared to when I finish it.
First off, I really hope Malcolm dies. Which I doubt will happen, but I have my fingers crossed. I hate his face. I know that's not really a reviewer-ly thing to say but my god his face annoys me I mean if I'm going to have to stare at someone's face for eleven episodes I want them to be somewhat attractive. *deep breath* Aside from his face, I guess I'm just sort of sick of the whole "flawed male lead who's emotionally closed off and has anger issues and really isn't the best decision maker but seems to be in charge of all the decisions". Like, WHY IS ZOE NOT THE CAPTAIN. Kudos to the show for having the second biggest character being a black woman, and a strong and smart one at that, but WHY IS SHE NOT THE CAPTAIN. Her being the captain would make for a five thousand times better show. Maybe this is the hours I've spent on Tumblr talking, but it annoys me that the white male character automatically gets the powerful position when there's a more qualified leader right next to him. Why, writers, why. And besides, it's so predictable that there's going to be someone or some situation that makes him show his soft side and he'll progress emotionally. It's been done a thousand times with a thousand different male characters. And he's dumb I mean GODDDD. It makes me angry.
While we're talking about characters, I really do appreciate Zoe (Hi Mrs. Crawford!). I think she's awesome and her relationship with the pilot is so sweet and perfect and it's not set up for tons of romantic drama which is just downright refreshing. Kailee is awesome, and Jane is perfection. The doctor's face also makes me angry. It's like, it should be attractive but there's something an eensy bit off, ya know? Also CAN SOMEONE PLEASE FIND THIS MAN A WELL FITTED VEST. I love sibling relationships on shows. They're semi-rare, which might be due to the fact that it's easier to create drama with romantic relationships, but they're great because it's such a pure form of love and can be manipulated so easily to bring the tears. IDK sibling relationships are my fave. Now I'm not quite sure why, but I really wish Inara was a guy. Like still a companion, but a guy. I DON'T KNOW WHY. I definitely love that the show made a prostitute an actual character with depth and development instead of just using her as a plot device or romantic interest (although I have an inkling that she'll be used as a romantic interest). ANOTHER THING. Love triangles are already in the works and that makes me sort of angry because I really don't have the patience for romantic drama in shows; I feel like the time and effort could be put to better means. Like, Kailee and Malcolm, Inara and Malcolm, Kailee and Simon, etc. Can we just cut it with the sexual tension. I'm interested to see what happens with character development: I don't think this show is the best at showing character development through the small things: I think it's going to have moments set up where we get the character development we need.
OKAY I'M SORRY I'M BEING SO NEGATIVE I TRULY DID ENJOY THESE FIRST TWO EPISODES.
The idea of a Western-style show set in space is really interesting I WONDER WHERE THEY GOT THAT FROM. DEFINITELY COULDN'T BE COWBOY BEBOP. WHICH CAME OUT FOUR YEARS PRIOR. To be honest though, I don't know whether they were inspired by Cowboy Bebop or if it was just a coincidence that the two shows have similarities. But it sort of sucks for me that I've seen Cowboy Bebop and loved it because now the whole time I'm watching the show I'm just wishing I'm watching Cowboy Bebop. I mean, it's just such a good show and nothing can compare. First off, the whole jazz soundtrack is awesome instead of just having the same little Western riff that plays every five minutes (Lookin' at you, Firefly.) The characters on the ship are much more interesting individually: Spike being the smart-ass daredevil with the karate moves is so much more satisfying than Malcolm the wannabe smart-ass stupid daredevil (as opposed to Spike who has his whole philosophy about not caring about his life) with the pretty generic fight moves. I do love Kailee, but Ed totally beats her out as far as being the quirky techy sidekick. And as far as sexy female roles, BLESS FAYE. I appreciate her so much. I mean, like I said before it's great that Firefly shows Inara as a real person rather than just a sex object, but they do show her as a sex object. Faye is the typically over-sexy female but they don't have to make her role in the show or job to be about that. There's really no sexual tension between her and anyone else the whole show, if anything it's emotional tension, plus she can fight and hold her own. The fight scenes in Bebop are five times as awesome because #1 it's Spike and #2 they're set in time to music. Plus the spaceships are way cooler. ALSO WHERE IS THE CORGI, FIREFLY? ANSWER ME THAT.
I'm really sad now that I'm comparing Firefly to Bebop but the shows are so similar that they invite comparison. Firefly is a good show, definitely, and it sucks you in. Part of it's charm is that it's so campy and not really the best show in the world, but it has a lot of soul: it doesn't feel like it's trying to appeal to audiences. I mean, I think Bebop has a lot more depth of emotion and thought presented in its episodes: returning medicine to sick people is really the best moral dilemma you could come up with, Firefly? Really? OH MY GOD I NEED TO STOP COMPARING. I really appreciate what Firefly is doing as a show and I'm interested to see where it goes. Plus it has like all my favorite actors in the world, so that's a plus.
This has been the most unprofessional review I've ever written I'm so sorry.
Anyways, if you've seen the show I'd really like to know what you think of it! Talk to me in the comments!
Hannibal is the latest creation of one of my favorite TV producers, Bryan Fuller. Now, I must admit I had my doubts about this show: could Bryan Fuller really pull off something as dark and intense as Hannibal Lecter? I mean, he had been known, at least in my mind, for adorable, bright-colored, quirky shows with light plots and pie-makers and talking inanimate objects. And besides, another police drama? *Groan* But after the fact, I can see how this show was perfect for Fuller. Although somewhat sugar-coated in all his shows, there is a theme of death and a certain amount of darkness--- I mean, Pushing Daisies is about a guy that can bring dead people back to life, but also kill them again. Take all the cute humor and primary-colored sets out of that and you have some pretty scary stuff. And don't Wonderfalls and Hannibal really address the same question; Am I going insane? Not to mention the interest in food shown in Pushing Daisies and well, obviously in Hannibal.
So, to get to my point, I was completely wrong to doubt that Fuller could pull off Hannibal. So, so wrong. To be honest, I had to warm up to it, but by mid-season I think that the show caught it's stride and started to develop its own personality and really set itself apart from the other crime dramas on air.
If you haven't watched the show, in which case I have no idea what you're doing with your life, it focuses on the time period before Thomas Harris's books, following police consultant Will Graham. Will Graham has the power of complete empathy under his control; he can assume the point of view of murderers and see from their eyes the murders unfolding, thus gaining clues and insight into how the crime was committed.
The problem with Will Graham is that this takes a toll on his psyche; he wakes up gasping from terrifying nightmares, and he starts losing his grasp on himself, slipping entirely into the minds of the killers. To help him cope, the police chief Jack Crawford brings in psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter, who watches Will's pursuit of the so-called "Chesapeake Ripper" with a bemused smile.
Bryan Fuller's Hannibal Lecter is played by the Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who most may know from his role as the villain in one of the recent James Bond movies. I haven't actually seen any of the Hannibal movies, but I do know that Mads Mikkelsen portrays a very different kind of Hannibal; more restrained, refined, and of course, with a Danish accent. I personally thought that Mikkelsen's character was genius.
From the start of the show, you know Hannibal is the murderer; the tension of the show isn't about figuring out who dun' it. But it's interesting how the show manipulates your feelings towards Hannibal. Yes, you know that he killed all these people, you know that's not pork he's serving up at his dinner table, and yet, you want to like him. You want to like him because he wears European suits and nice ties, he decorates with luxurious furniture, and his dinner parties are a work of art. You want to like him because he's a gentleman, and because of that, it's almost like the truth becomes tasteful. Because the show leads you through this train of thought, you can understand why no one suspects him, and everybody likes him. But as the season progresses, you start to turn on him. "Wait, Hannibal, why would you do that?" At the beginning, you didn't know him too well; you could project what you wanted him to be onto him; he was understanding, a good friend, even merciful, in your eyes. You wanted him to be a human. But then you see more of him, of who he is and what he does, and you find it harder and harder to connect to him, you start to feel hatred towards him. I think how you, as the viewer, were led through this really made you understand the points of view of those surrounding him; you, too, were given the power of empathy, just like Will and Hannibal.
I like that by the end of season one you still didn't really know too much about who Hannibal really was, only how people saw him. You never really saw through the "person-mask" he had on; only at the end did he let Will see his true self, when he smiled through the bars of the jail cell. It leaves you wanting more and keeps the interest on Hannibal, so there's always room to develop him as a character.
Something I truly enjoyed about the show was how stylized it was, from the sets to the script to the lighting and costumes. This wasn't just a show that focused on a plot, this was an all-around production, where everything, even down to the smallest detail, was a work of art- in the true fashion of Hannibal Lecter.
The show was directed by David Slade, whose work I recognized from his movie Hard Candy. He incorporated his trademark flashes of red among mostly stark colors, blacks and whites and grays. This lent the show a very interesting atmosphere- surgical at times, moody at others.
I loved the costume design in Hannibal. The outfit that Freddie Lounds (left) in the picture above has got to be one of my favorites in the whole show, but Hannibal himself was so impeccably dressed throughout the season. His signature was a three-piece plaid suit and a paisley tie; don't ask me how he pulled it off, but he did.
Something I didn't appreciate until after finishing the show was the cinematography, and the attention to detail that was put into it. I found a lot written by film students on the sets, colors, focus, and more, and realized that I hadn't really thought to look for those things while watching; I'd become so accustomed to watching shows that were plot-driven and didn't care to pay attention to those aspects of the production. But I love that this show did that- there's a layer beneath what is said that is created. Why are those colors saturated? Why is Will leaning towards Hannibal in this shot, but placed elsewhere in this one? Why is that curtain more open than in previous episodes? And answering all these questions gives you so much more understanding of the show.
Actually, that caption sums up the script writing a little too well. The first couple episodes of the show I wasn't sure how I felt about the script; I thought maybe Fuller's style didn't apply too well in the context. But then I realized something; the script wasn't trying to be realistic. In fact, it was completely self-indulgent, as if it had been written by a poet. Yet once I realized that, I enjoyed it so much- listening to the characters' dialogue turned into one of my favorite parts of the show, and added even more to it's moody and artistic feel. When I think of it, the script made me understand that the show wasn't trying to be realistic in any way- it was surreal and psychological, and you had to embrace that style to really enjoy watching it.
The moment I truly committed to the script, though, was when Hannibal says,"Killing must feel good to God, too. He does it all the time, and are we not created in his image?" I feel like that was the moment the show hit it's stride, veered off the road of normal police dramas, and turned into something far darker and more beautiful.
I have to give a shout-out to Bryan Fuller for bringing back the actors and actresses from his other shows. It was interesting to see some familiar faces, but set in a different light. Fingers crossed that Lee Pace makes a cameo!
I thought the music was done very well. It was a mix of creepy vibrations and classical music, but it fit together very well; the classical was a nice touch and added to the style of Hannibal Lecter.
The. Number. Of. Puns. In. This. Show. And every time Hannibal says one you just expect him to turn and wink at the camera. But I think there's something interesting in them, too, apart from the humor. For one thing, you get a little glimpse into how Hannibal views people; he equates them to sheep and pigs-- animals. But also, it's almost as if he wants to get caught. He says things that could very easily give him away, and yet no one recognizes them; he seems almost disappointed in people. I don't think it's even that he wants to get caught, necessarily. It's just that he wants people to recognize his art. You could see a bit of this in the episode where the police were giving credit to someone else for Hannibal's work, and, for the only time in the season, Hannibal gets mad- shown in a slight facial twitch, but you can see it. The psyche of Hannibal Lecter, the psychiatrist, is something that you only see glimpses into, and I hope you see more in the upcoming seasons.
I'll be honest, right here and now, and state NBC's Hannibal has become my favorite show, right on top of Sherlock. I was indecisive as to how to review this show; I was tempted to go episode by episode simply because there's so much detail and so much to talk about in each. I think what makes this show successful is that it's such an interesting plot line, and it'll appease the people that simply want to watch a show for entertainment. But that could be any show. What then sets it apart as quality is that there's a level beneath that, a level of details and inferences, ideas, themes, things to think about- there's a beauty and intricacy to the show that sets it above others. It's one of those shows where you learn more every time you talk about it. So I think that there's something in it for everyone (just not the faint-hearted) and I would recommend it. 5/5 stars!
I think I need to start by supplying a bit of a road map, so let's go back in time a bit. A few months ago, I decided to get back in touch with some old friends, so I called them up and proposed going to the newly released Breaking Dawn Part 2. The only other movie from this franchise I had seen was the first one, which, to put it eloquently, sucked, so I only chose this because I didn't feel like seeing an action movie or a horror. I didn't have very high expectations for the movie, and as it turned out rightly so, but either way it didn't matter because as I previously stated I was with my friends so it was more of a "drool over the hot guys" night. The group quickly divided into Team Jacob and Team Edward, but being the little rebel I am I loudly declared that the hottest guy in the franchise was the "grungy one with the eyebrows!" Which led me to Google him. Which led me to the Lee Pace tumblr tag. Which led to an unhealthy amount of fangirling, and creeping, and stalking, which led me to Pushing Daisies, in which Lee Pace starred. Pushing Daisies was directed by Bryan Fuller, and was prematurely taken off the air, but I fell in love and re-watched far too many episodes. But soon I got curious, so I Googled Bryan Fuller (Google is my best friend), and it turned out he had directed Dead Like Me as well as Wonderfalls. I realized I had watched Dead Like Me before, and I ended up not liking it due solely to the fact that the main character's face annoyed me ( a problem I did not have in Pushing Daisies). So that left Wonderfalls. All I need to say is that I marathonned the whole thing in one weekend.
A NOTE ON BRYAN FULLER SHOWS
They are quirky.
They are cute.
They are really strange(and slightly offensive?) at times.
They are perfect.
But honestly, he has a very distinct aesthetic that I haven't really seen in anything else. Wonderfalls took place in Niagara Falls--like who sets a show there-- and follows the adventures...misadventures... of a young twenty-something Brown University graduate named Jaye. Jaye is the youngest of three siblings, and although she went to Brown and has a philosophy degree, she lives in a trailer park and works in a gift shop, and is devoted to getting away with being as lazy as she can possibly be. The quirk in the series is that inanimate objects begin talking to her, telling her to do things without explanation. Creepy, right? Except it's Bryan Fuller so, no, it's simply imaginative and cute. And all these objects have great little personalities, they become characters in the show. In any case, the things that they are telling Jaye to do seem to not make sense throughout the episode, but end up leading her to do good.
I really loved the characters in this show, especially Jaye(Caroline Dhavernas). Possibly because I can connect with her about a lot of things.
1.) She is the youngest child. She has two older siblings, both leading very successful lives, and feels like she doesn't compare to them, so decides to go in a different direction altogether. I think she said it best in the show when she stated that everyone in her family works hard and is stressed out and is unsatisfied with their lives, so she can be unsatisfied with her life without working at all. She makes a point of not going for a very good job or leading a "successful" life, but just taking it as it comes, and trying to get by and enjoy herself, which is an attitude I can identify with.
2.) She's not a big fan of people. She's combative and doesn't make an effort to get people to like her, and she only has a couple of close friends. She's not distinctly spiteful, though. She's not going to spend any effort or energy being nice or mean to people.
I think that it's really great the way that the main character is a very strong girl, and not concocted to be especially palatable. She's not really someone that you would want to be friends with, but she's very much an individual and not any kind of stereo-typical tv personality. I think that people can connect with her so much for that reason; she's very real, and that includes the good and bad parts of being a real person.
I'd just like to give a shout-out to the character of Sharon Tyler, Jaye's sister. She's the oldest of the siblings, and has seemingly got her life together, being an accomplished lawyer. The dynamic between her and Jaye was very believable as sisters; they have a lot of petty conflict and fight, but you can tell that Sharon is always there for Jaye and cares about her very much. Something that took me by surprise in the first episode is that you find out that Sharon is a lesbian, and I think for this Bryan Fuller deserves a round of applause, especially for the way he weaved it into the plot. When I watched this show I only came to realize that I've never really watched anything where a lesbian was a central character. It seems that the television industry has accepted and marketed gay guys recently, but lesbians have been exceedingly elusive in TV, and when they are there the point of their character is to be "the lesbian". In this show, Sharon was just a rounded out character, and being lesbian was a part of that character, but not focused on overly much. I think it was a really bold move.
Side note about Sharon: She is ALWAYS eating. I liked that about her, because I think we all know that person (if we aren't one ourselves) that walks into a house and busies themselves with finding something to eat, and just likes to snack a lot. The thing though, is that they didn't focus on that. Sharon wasn't fat, and I'd be halfway through a scene before realizing that Sharon had been eating through the whole thing. It was a little perfect.
YES EVERYONE LEE PACE WAS IN THIS SHOW.
He actually didn't have a very big part but I feel as though I need to address it because....it's Lee Pace.
And also, I can't even believe the Lee Pace fandom on Tumblr, because I looked up Wonderfalls and I would have to say about 80% of the material was Lee Pace (from his like 20 minutes in the show MY GOD)
In any case, Lee Pace played Aaron Tyler, Jaye's brother, and the middle child. Aaron studied comparative religion and was working on his dissertation for his doctorate. Or something like that. I felt like Aaron Tyler was a weaker character than most in the show. He played parts in the plot that needed to be played, but his character didn't really stand on it's own as much as the rest of the family. I did like that Bryan Fuller had him studying religion, though- it was a theme that was constantly underlying the show. Were these talking objects that were making Jaye do benevolent acts the voice of God, or something like that? Aaron was the character that was asking that question, and it was never answered, which I don't mind. It's for you to think about, and Bryan Fuller isn't advocating for religion. I think that the show actually came out with an agnostic vibe. You just got the feel that there was good in the universe, and everything would work itself out in the end.
PS-- My two cents on the Majandra and Aaron romance. Majandra(Mahandra?) was Jaye's best friend, and like a part of Jaye's family. She got together with Aaron later in the series AND I DID NOT LIKE IT. I DID NOT LIKE IT ONE BIT. It was just too convenient and it happened too suddenly; I felt like it didn't have a very strong basis. And also Lee Pace is mine.
The romance between Jaye and Eric in this show was so sweet. Eric had come to Niagara on his honeymoon, but had caught his wife cheating on him and refused to go back home with her, instead becoming a bartender and living in the back of the bar. I liked that his character was really sweet and sensitive, and obviously had problems that he was struggling to work out for himself. He and Jaye became friends quickly, and stayed that way for most of the series. *Everyone knows relationships built on friendships are the best ones*
AND FOR ANYONE THAT MEMORIZED ALL THE WORDS TO THE OPENING THEME LIKE ME----
Oh my god I can't stop listening to it....
In conclusion I really loved this show, and I would give it 4 stars. It was extremely original in it's plot and characters, and although out there it was very easy to connect to and get involved in. Sadly there were only thirteen episodes due to the fact that it got cancelled only a couple episodes in, and the rest of the episodes were released on DVD. It wrapped up well, though, and the ending was satisfying and the perfect end to the series. Definitely a must-watch!
