Firefly: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 481 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 481 Ratings

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Firefly: Safe

Now Playing: Firefly: Safe

Season Details & Credits

FOX | Season Premiere Date: September 20, 2002

Starring: Nathan Fillion, Sean Maher, Adam Baldwin

Summary: "Take my love, take my land, take me where I cannot stand. I don't care I'm still free, you can't take the sky from me. Take me out to the black, tell them I ain't coming back. Burn the land and boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me......There's no place I can be since I found Serenity, you can't take the sky from me."

Firefly is"Take my love, take my land, take me where I cannot stand. I don't care I'm still free, you can't take the sky from me. Take me out to the black, tell them I ain't coming back. Burn the land and boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me......There's no place I can be since I found Serenity, you can't take the sky from me."

Firefly is set five hundred years from today in a new planetary system after humanity abandons "Earth That Was". Under the leadership of Malcolm Reynolds, a renegade who fought against the new unified central government (the "Alliance"), the crew of the Firefly-class vessel Serenity struggles to survive any way they can. They fly between the border planets to keep away from the Alliance and below its radar. This series was described as a "science fiction western" but is different from other space-based shows as it features no aliens.

(For stations and individuals seeking the intended air order of the series as specified by creator Joss Whedon, as opposed to the order Fox originally aired them or that they are informing stations is the order they should be shown in, see here)

Each of the crew members has a special role:

Malcolm Reynolds holds the duty of Captain - he is a defeated soldier who opposed the unification of the planets by the Alliance to no avail. He strives to keep all his crew members on task and Serenity flying safely, while trying to make a living and do the right thing...in his rather flexible moral framework.
Zoe (aka The Soldier) is extremely loyal to Reynolds as she served with him during the war and owes her life to him. Zoe has the strength and experience to take command of the ship, if necessary.
Wash is Serenity's pilot (and Zoe's husband) - unassuming, self-deprecating, and calm with a sense of humor. Kaylee is the ship's mechanic - an experienced engineer who keeps Serenity flying.
Inara is a 'Registered Companion,' most easily described as a high-priced courtesan or geisha. She is also the person with the highest social standing on the ship and acts as the crew's Ambassador.
Jayne is the muscle of the crew. A tough, uncultured Mercenary, unpleasant and offensively direct, but loyal to those on his crew...usually.

The newcomers are:

Simon Tam is the Doctor on Serenity and comes from a wealthy family and has a privileged upbringing. He has spent his life savings and future to save his sister, River.
River (aka The Fugitive) was experimented on by the government. Her psychic visions (a result of the experiments) are taken at first as babble by the crew but they slowly come to realize that there's more going on than what shows on the surface.
Book or "The Shepherd," is a wise minister who knows far more about military matters and battle tactics than a man of the cloth should, and his past is shrouded in mystery.… Expand

Creator: Joss Whedon

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense, Science Fiction

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E15. The Message
Air Date: unknown
tbd
S1:E14. Trash
Air Date: unknown
tbd
S1:E13. Heart of Gold
Air Date: unknown

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Linda Stasi

Feb 23, 2013

A very funny, very hip, very terrific sci-fi show. Read full review

Staff [Not Credited]

Feb 23, 2013

In a new season largely bereft of innovative ideas or daring concepts, Firefly stands out like a supermodel at a bus stop... The end result is a new and different form for storytelling and characters with engaging stories to tell. [19 Sept 2002]

Mark Dawidziak

Feb 23, 2013

While often great fun, the series' premiere occasionally shows the strain of trying to blend all of those genres into one sleek package. On the plus side of the Firefly universe, the show is expertly paced and is full of those wickedly humorous asides that fans of "Buffy" and its ever-improving spinoff, "Angel," expect from the mischievous Whedon. [20 Sept 2002, p.E1]

Phil Rosenthal

Feb 23, 2013

The characters, initially at least, aren't nearly so original and fully imagined, and that's a problem in any show. Fortunately, in space, no one can hear you yawn.[20 Sept 2002, p.46]

David Bianculli

Feb 23, 2013

I'm not sure it's the best first impression a show could make, but it's different and daring enough to warrant a return for a second, and a third. [20 Sept 2002, p.35]

Howard Rosenberg

Feb 23, 2013

Early Firefly lacks majesty, and also that its laborious pace is hardly Star Warsian. [20 Sept 2002, p.C1]

Diane Werts

Feb 23, 2013

The only thing deep in tonight's Firefly premiere, though, is the well of cliches into which Whedon dips for what passes for plot and exposition. [20 Sept 2002, p.B02]

SEE ALL 30 REVIEWS

User Score

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8.3

User Reviews

jsous

May 3, 2011

perfect. smart, funny, action packed. Such an amazingly enjoyable show. I cherish the few episodes that were made because in my opinion they are some of the very best television produced.

17 of 23 users found this helpful176

JackKasket

Apr 15, 2015

After watching this show for the first time on Netflix, I can finally appreciate what the hype is all about.

Here's my number one take-away from the show: I used to hate Nathan Fillion's stupid smug face and every single thing he did. I just could not bring myself to watch Castle, becauseAfter watching this show for the first time on Netflix, I can finally appreciate what the hype is all about.

Here's my number one take-away from the show: I used to hate Nathan Fillion's stupid smug face and every single thing he did. I just could not bring myself to watch Castle, because I just wanted to smack the stupid grin off his face. Oh how have the tables turned Nathan. How very much so.

I absolutely love the crew of Serenity, particularly Fillion's portrayal of captain Reynolds. The spaghetti western meets space age is reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop, but with its own unique charm. While some episodes are a bit long-winding, there are enough charming dialogue or surprise lynchings to keep me interested.

Truly, one of the best sci-fi shows ever made, and truly an unacceptable fate in the hands of Fox executives.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Yorkshirebaster

Jan 8, 2015

a masterpiece mix of sci-fi and western mixed in with some great characters, action and most memorable comedy. it was canceled just after one season, yet it still is up there with the greats, the follow on film was also very memorable and all together makes one hell of an adventure. thisa masterpiece mix of sci-fi and western mixed in with some great characters, action and most memorable comedy. it was canceled just after one season, yet it still is up there with the greats, the follow on film was also very memorable and all together makes one hell of an adventure. this show stands out for me as one of the most original to ever be made, and i think it was and inspiration for such films as guardians of the galaxy. after i watched guardians, (which i enjoyed) it reminded me so much of firefly and serenity that i could not help but go back and watch firefly from start to finish, im now on serenity i think i might shed a tear at the end as i know they won't be anymore. joss whedon may of made buffy but he done good with this, firefly + serenity legendary till the end. :)… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

cmpgk1024

Oct 30, 2011

This has to be the best TV show ever. The mix of sci-fi and western themes make for a show that simply can't be missed. Why are you still reading this? Go rent it on Netflix or something!

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

dtg12

Dec 12, 2018

The only negative - it's way too short! Other than that, I have nothing to complain about.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

anshiman

Jul 16, 2014

Acting amongst the cast is moderately inconsistent, with a portion performing above the average and a portion performing disturbingly below it. Disregarding this blemish, Firefly is a suspenseful, well-written, and engaging show with memorable, original and textured characters and a sci-fiActing amongst the cast is moderately inconsistent, with a portion performing above the average and a portion performing disturbingly below it. Disregarding this blemish, Firefly is a suspenseful, well-written, and engaging show with memorable, original and textured characters and a sci-fi disguise with a heart of red-blooded drama.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

JamesCannon

Nov 25, 2014

I am now through 5 episodes and I am still giving this thing a 3 rating. It may take me an entire year to get through this. First off all I have seen some great sci fy cable shows to begin with such as Battle Galacticca which absolutely annihilates this show in every single respect. ThereI am now through 5 episodes and I am still giving this thing a 3 rating. It may take me an entire year to get through this. First off all I have seen some great sci fy cable shows to begin with such as Battle Galacticca which absolutely annihilates this show in every single respect. There is nothing believable about this world what so ever. It also includes extremely slow episodes where we get invited to a cocktail party that ends in a 17th century style duel with freaking fencing moves. I dont know how this thing got a cult following..anything in the world can get a cult following if this can.… Expand

6 of 20 users found this helpful614

SEE ALL 56 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

63

Series Overview
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 20, 2002
Season 1

63
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 20, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E15. The Message
  Air Date: unknown
- tbd
  S1:E14. Trash
  Air Date: unknown
- tbd
  S1:E13. Heart of Gold
  Air Date: unknown
- tbd
  S1:E12. Serenity (2)
  Air Date: December 20, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E11. Serenity (1)
  Air Date: December 20, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E10. Objects in Space
  Air Date: December 13, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E9. War Stories
  Air Date: December 6, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E8. Ariel
  Air Date: November 15, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E7. Safe
  Air Date: November 8, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E6. Shindig
  Air Date: November 1, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E5. Out of Gas
  Air Date: October 25, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E4. Jaynestown
  Air Date: October 18, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E3. Our Mrs. Reynolds
  Air Date: October 4, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E2. Bushwhacked
  Air Date: September 27, 2002
- tbd
  S1:E1. The Train Job
  Air Date: September 20, 2002