Abrupt Ending

I've recently finished watching a television series that was cancelled before it could reach its potential, but that mostly achieved its intentions anyway. The show is Firefly, a science-fiction western that lasted just 15 episodes (only 12 were aired). The fan outcry was such that a film, Serenity, was eventually produced to help tie up some loose ends and provide closure. The movie accomplished its goal, but created an appetite for more product that will probably never materialize.

I was generally impressed with the series, though by the end of the Complete Firefly DVD set, I was beginning to agree with the network (gasp) that perhaps the show was beginning to run its course. I think that it would have been better, though, to at least have allowed it to last one full season. As it was, viewers starting to discover the show were confused by changing air times; then it suddenly vanished without explanation. The impression, mostly true, was that it was never given a fair chance.

Part of the show's appeal was its hip, pop culture take on the future and, unfortunately, that may also have been its downfall. The lighthearted joking sometimes made it a bit hard to take the plots seriously. The characters were likable (some of them only after a fashion) and were developed in serial form; this hooked viewers, but required a dedication that was perhaps unrealistic for general audiences. It was, after all, a genre program, something historically dreaded by network executives.

It's always a shame when actors, crew, writers, and producers invest time and heart into a show and then the plug is pulled without a seeming care. An endeavor like this is more than fodder to satisfy advertisers; it's an art form that needs time to fulfill it's creative purposes. Until the networks realize this, they will continue cancelling excellent programs and replacing them with mediocre shows that do even worse in the ratings. Firefly stands as a fascinating example of an unfinished series that will nevertheless be remembered for years to come.