Firefly = Science?

     So, last weekend, I was sitting at my parents' house, flipping through channels, when I decided to see what was on the Science Channel.  For those that don't know, this is similar to the Discovery Channel, but with a little more focus on science, and less on reality shows.  In any case, when I got there, I was surprised to find they were playing a Firefly marathon.  Now, the easy, and more logical, explanation is that the science-fiction geeks at the Science Channel convinced those in charge of programming to host a firefly marathon (and I'm assuming a showing of Serenity at the end of it).  However, the first thought that entered my brain was "Wow, I didn't realize that Firefly was science!"  The show, which features the exploits of Malcolm Reynolds and his merry crew of smugglers, as well as their passengers (a preacher, an escort, a fugitive doctor and his sister the government science project), is centered more around their daring exploits and questionable career choice, as well as their relationships, than science and facts.  It's a gritty space-western where the government isn't always looking out for you, and savages might crop up at any moment to "Rape us to death, eat our flesh, and sew our skins into their clothing, and if we're very very lucky, they'll do it in that order" (Zoe, in the pilot episode).

     Sprung from the genius mind of Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," Firefly was picked up by Fox, the canceler of awesome TV shows, for a full season.  It was subsequently canceled (what did I tell you?) after only airing 11 of 14 produced episodes.  The release of the episodes on DVD, however, inspired Whedon to create a feature-length film called Serenity which served to tie up loose ends left after the show's premature cancellation.  The series has become a "cult classic," and is expanding rapidly.  I guess what they say is true, art is always appreciated more when no more of said artwork will be made.

I don't think the Science Channel was implying any scientific merit to the series by having the marathon (though there are some interesting ideas thrown around), but it was still a laugh to run across by accident :)