Regular Life

This is national de-lurking week. So, leave a comment on the blogs you read. Just to say “hi.”

Until this year, I have never belonged to a fan club. This past Saturday, I attended my third monthly fan gathering in as many months. There, I said it. It’s out there. If you’re thinking Trekkers or Wookies, then you are not even close. None of that is my inspiration for meeting people based on the fact we all like the same piece of entertainment. It is something much smaller, but growing. Just as good, or better.

I’ve followed “Star Trek” since I was a little boy watching reruns of The Original Series. I remember seeing Star Wars at least seven times at the local drive-in, and except for the Ewoks and Jar-Jar, I’ve been a fan ever since. Despite that, I was not moved to attend conventions or join clubs, and I never dressed up like the characters. Unless you count that one C-3P0 Halloween costume. Except for two Star Trek books, I have never read any of the innumerable books or comic books based on either of these universes.

Now there are a couple of things that have stepped in for the absence of “Star Trek,” and to take over now that Star Wars is finished (or say George says). In fact, I think I like them better.

They are the show called “Firefly” and its resulting movie Serenity. Right off, I liked “Firefly” because it fixes two problems I had with “Star Trek.” They strap in when danger looms, and there is no sound in space. I also like it because it has no aliens. It is just about humans and their spread throughout known space. I like that because, as I’ve written before, we might be all there is.

Admittedly, “Firefly” seems to borrow some ideas and some character traits from both Star Wars (rebels vs. an oppresive ruling government, maverick captain who smuggles for a living) and “Star Trek” (vicious villains who show no mercy). Plus, stuff blows up and people die in all manner of ways. More than that, though, it’s about the people and how they get through each day.

When characters have week after week on television, instead of only two hours or so on the big screen, they have much more time to develop. I once joked that I would watch a Star Trek movie even if the characters just sat talking over dinner. Hence my willingness to sit through Star Trek V: The Undiscovered Country, and Insurrection. Oh, and Nemesis.

Although it was short-lived, that’s one thing “Firefly” had in common with “Star Trek.” Fans got to see each character fleshed out in their living rooms before going to see them in Serenity. Joss Whedon is a master at creating characters that seem real, no matter how outlandish their situation.

If you’re ever invited to a shindig, and it’s a city folk type person doing the asking, then chances are you’re talking to a “Firefly” fan. Our local club meets at a nearby restaurant. Although we’re called Browncoats after a garment worn by the losing side in a past war, we don’t dress up as the characters. A few wear t-shirts or charm necklaces showing support, but nothing that stands out to the unitiated. No, we don’t hold initiations. That was a figure of speech.

Some of the more intense fans in our group do wear character clothing at conventions. I’m not at that level, but if my bloodline is any indication, it would not be a giant leap. My parents deck themselves out in old west gear at least two weekends a month for their hobby. I avoid the term “costume” because the main characters wear practical clothes, not some futuristic jumpsuit that lacks pockets and any discernable way to remove it without help.

If you haven’t seen “Firefly,” then give it a try. It’s less sci-fi than great stories that just happen to take place in space, in the future. In fact, about the only one who ever says anything scientific is the ship’s doctor.

Of course Serenity is great, too, but you’ll be rewarded for seeing at least the first four or five episodes of the show first. Serenity was #1 on Amazon’s DVD sales list for weeks. As of a few minutes ago, it’s still at #3 and the “Firefly” DVD complete season is at #4. Borrow the show from someone you know — we’re all happy to share.

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