Watch: How Joss Whedon's SERENITY Blended The Sci-Fi and Western Genres to Become a Cult Classic
I don't know if there's ever been a fan base so fervent about a show cancelled after one season than the one devoted to Joss Whedon's Firefly. I was part of the problem because I didn't watch the show when it was originally on the air, I only finally sat down to watch it after I saw Whedon's 2005 film Serenity, which serves as a sequel to the TV show and closes many of the story threads that were left hanging in the wake of Firefly's cancellation.
One of the things that drew me to the movie despite never having seen the show was the way it appeared to blend the science fiction and western genres, creating its own unique universe. (Well, that and a friend who told me I could watch the movie without seeing the show and I'd still be able to follow what was happening.) The film's genre blending is the subject of a new video essay by Digging Deeper, and it's a good reminder of the way Whedon pulled from the best of both worlds when he created his feature film debut — not only visually, but also thematically. Check it out below and let us know what you think. Man, this makes me really want to rewatch Firefly and Serenity all over again.
(Spoilers kick in for Serenity around the 9:30 mark or so.)