Fictional stories, in my mind, all fall somewhere along a line connecting two broad categories:

1. Everyday life, and
2. The extraordinary.

Dramas are closer to #1, while fantasies (the “fantastic”) are almost by-definition #2. The truly mundane is not exciting at all, but when events become too unbelievable, we lose our ability to connect with them.

The most powerful stories represent a balanced union of these two ideas. The O.C., for example, is ordinary teenage relationships, but in a setting of extraordinary opulence. They’re characters and problems that can be easily understood, but it’s exciting (at least to the wives of my co-workers) because that one aspect is well outside the realm of most peoples’ regular, everyday, experience.

On the fantasy side, however, a story like Harry Potter has the obvious intrigue associated with the unknown. There’s the promise of magic and heroism that draws the reader in. But is it really just that which keeps them coming back? Of course not. Rowling defines her world and then works within it to tell a story that’s ultimately about the people. (The amount of character dissection that some fans do is really quite astounding)

Sci-Fi

Sci-Fi is a genre of ideas. I recently finished reading Snow Crash, and my lasting impression was that it was book filled mostly with interesting ideas. The characters are forgettable; it’s populated more with attitudes than actual personalities.

The ideas, of course, were very interesting, but I didn’t feel particularly connected with Hiro or Y.T.

But is that just the way of the genre?

Perhaps not. I recently discovered Firefly.

Whedon

There were countless television progammes that I missed as a child while playing instead with building toys. Two among them were Whedon’s earlier creations, Buffy and Angel. Action dramas steeped in vampire lore and the modern-day occult just weren’t of that much interest to me. (Despite him having the respect of various artists that I admire…)

But the pressure finally got to me, and I watched the fourteen episodes of Firefly.

Firefly is set in space. But it’s not a space adventure, like Star Trek or Stargate. It’s closer to Star Wars; a true space opera.

Except that there’s no aliens. No latex suits. No politics, no technobabble. Does the ship travel faster than light? Who cares. The Alliance is the union of Earth’s remaining superpowers, China and the U.S. But how did Earth die? Doesn’t matter.

The information that Whedon gives the viewer is just enough to set up backdrops for his characters. It’s about relationships, personalities, and interactions.

And that’s the stuff that’s timeless. We see Shakespeare’s language and settings as antiquated now, but we also see in ourselves pieces of Macbeth… trying to cover a mistake, a crime, and making twenty more in the process.

Shepherd Book

Now, do I agree with all of Whedon’s perspectives? No.

When the ensemble crew has assembled, and they’re having their first meal together, the Shepherd asks,

Book: Captain, do you mind if I say grace?

Mal: Only if you say it out loud.

So Book bows his head for a moment, and everyone but Reynolds joins him. This is a culture that doesn’t have to agree with you to tolerate you.

Shepherd Book himself shows kindness toward the prostitute on-board, even though it’s clear that he doesn’t agree with her ways. And yet, the way he describes his own faith disappoints me. Consider this interchange with River in “Safe”, regarding his Bible:

River: It’s broken. Doesn’t make sense.

Book: It’s not about making sense. It’s about believing in something and letting that belief be real enough to change your life. It’s about faith. You don’t fix faith, River. It fixes you.

A pleasant sentiment, to be sure, but is that really all that centuries of Christians have had to clung to? Something nonsensical, but that’s “real enough to change” them?

Perhaps he’s simply opening the door for debate. And that’s better than pretending that all modern religion just quietly disappears in the future.

Serenity

It’s not frequently that I become as excited as I am now about a piece of popular culture. But right now, I’m very excited.

Because Serenity is going to be amazing.

I’m 99% confident that it will rock. Not simply because of the excellent writing and acting on Firefly, but because it’s obvious the players are completely invested in their characters.

They’re ambassadors of the show, on the stage of the movie. They know what made the show great, and I don’t think they’d be quick to let Joss muck it up.

Zoe: I know something ain’t right.

Wash: Sweetie, we’re crooks. If everything were right, we’d be in jail.

And besides, I’ve got the inside track from a guy who saw a press screening. Yeah.

Mike

← Earlier Later → Posted at 3:39 pm to TV.