Main Genre of firefly: Space western
Firefly is an example of how producers used the western genre as underlying theme in a science fiction television show. Westerns are used in sci-fi productions due to the connection between the “good and bad” and also the recurring plot idea of being fugitives. Firefly uses the theme of fugitives by highlighting issues of dealing with a governing body. Similarly, western movies and television shows draw upon this same idea of bargaining and going up against a powerful group. The use of the western genre helps to further the plot line because of the way that the scenes are produced in an almost old style way with horses, rustic clothing, and props. Not all sci-fi films and shows are solely focused on high technology and futuristic tools; Firefly is an example of this. Even though the plot is obviously based in the future, due to the space setting, the machinery and technologies are not that out of the ordinary to the viewer. Overall science fictional television can have common themes and genres to Westerns.
Subgenre of Firefly: Military Science Fiction
Another example of subgenres incorporated into science fiction television is military science fiction, which focuses on militaristic themes and weapon technology.
The science fiction genre draws upon the tropes and techniques of Homeric Epic, Shakespearean history cycles, and serialized novels, while still distinguishing itself as something unique. These are explained below:
Homer
Stories of dragon-slaying and fantastical adventures have existed for thousands of years. Homeric Epics drew strength from their ability to improvise while telling a familiar story. The science fiction genre was created on a similar basis. While stories and genres resembling science fiction have been traced back over a thousand years, true science fiction, as we know it today, was conceived recently—within the past few centuries. Science fiction itself is an “improvisation” or deviation from the popular fantasy/fiction genres. Stories of dragon-slaying and fantastical adventures have existed for thousands of years. The conception of science fiction no doubt emerged with the beginnings of modern technology.
Firefly employs similar tactics to Homeric Epics by starting the pilot episode in the middle of the story and progressing the storyline as the season goes on rather than starting at the beginning.
The following are other similarities between Homeric Epics and Firefly:
Another aspect that is interesting when comparing Firefly to Homeric Epic poetry is the use of the rhapsodists in terms of advertising. Fox network placed Firefly in a difficult and lower rating spot when airing the show and also did not provide contextually consistent commercials to bring in and retain relevant audiences. This is similar to how rhapsodes were used to acknowledge the king and give patronage by providing what the king (audiences) wanted to hear during breaks.
Firefly employs similar tactics to Homeric Epics by starting the pilot episode in the middle of the story and progressing the storyline as the season goes on rather than starting at the beginning.
The following are other similarities between Homeric Epics and Firefly:
- Idea of “Best Side Kick”: Many characters of Firefly each have their own “mentor” or “right-hand man” (Example: Kaylee and Inara’s bond, which isn't understood at the beginning, but is explained as the show progresses).
- Suffering character: One person in an episode that has a major issue or tragedy (Example: River Tam being hidden in Serenity away from the Alliance is shown as weak and scared).
- Formulaic Expectation: This show has many aspects that are predictive in subject matter. The main plot is predictable in that the crew of the ship will have to face either the alliance or underground outlaw group to continue running their ship.
Another aspect that is interesting when comparing Firefly to Homeric Epic poetry is the use of the rhapsodists in terms of advertising. Fox network placed Firefly in a difficult and lower rating spot when airing the show and also did not provide contextually consistent commercials to bring in and retain relevant audiences. This is similar to how rhapsodes were used to acknowledge the king and give patronage by providing what the king (audiences) wanted to hear during breaks.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare's history cycles, although vastly different from serialized television today, do share certain characteristics with science fiction as a genre. Shakespeare's history cycles often deal with monarchy and war, leading them to make political statements, whether intentionally or not. Because science fiction often focuses on war, militarism, foreign relations (with aliens), and the structure of society (albeit futuristic), it also makes political statements in a similar manner. Science fiction is unique in that it is able to make political statements on multiple issues due its ability to draw from multiple genres and subgenres while still maintaining a cohesive and high quality story (war, government, foreign relations, familial relations, etc.).
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Dickens
Science fiction is often serialized in a similar manner to the work of classic author Charles Dickens in which it targets a specific audience and meets the audience’s demands. Throughout Dickens’ novels such as the Pickwick Papers, the content often reflects what the viewers want to witness. As such, in a way, the audience impacts the way the content is driven. This type of collaboration is fairly modern, as current day science fiction TV writers all collaborate as a team for the same purposes. This is especially common in science fiction, due to the cult following at times for these shows.
The end-product of sci-fi shows is very similar to Dickens’ serialized novels as it targets a specific audience as well as caters to the desires of the audience. This process is essentially a collaboration with the audience both directly and indirectly.
Dickens' serialized novels show us how all collaborators are similar and connected: editors, readers and illustrators. This is similar to Firefly’s Joss Whedon’s working with FOX networks to find the best suited pilot, plots and serialized storylines to ensure audience receptivity, despite the collaboration being difficult and essentially being the reason for the show's first season cancellation.
The end-product of sci-fi shows is very similar to Dickens’ serialized novels as it targets a specific audience as well as caters to the desires of the audience. This process is essentially a collaboration with the audience both directly and indirectly.
Dickens' serialized novels show us how all collaborators are similar and connected: editors, readers and illustrators. This is similar to Firefly’s Joss Whedon’s working with FOX networks to find the best suited pilot, plots and serialized storylines to ensure audience receptivity, despite the collaboration being difficult and essentially being the reason for the show's first season cancellation.
conclusion
The science fiction genre is unique in the way it, unlike other genres, looks into the distant future. While fantasy creates spectacular stories of nonexistent pasts, science fiction visualizes a potential future, no matter how improbable or impossible. With fantasy and fiction, there are no “what ifs”—history is already set in stone. However, science fiction is able to draw upon the fantastical and immersive nature of fantasy while simultaneously opening the door to possibilities of what could be.