Joss Whedon's Firefly

After reading Fred Erisman's article "Stagecoach in Space" please choose ONE of the following questions to address in your post. You only need to speak to the first episode that we watched, Serenity, but if you have more familiarity of the series you are welcome to bring up other episodes. Please be specific with any examples, and as always if you quote the reading make sure to cite it.

1) What are some of the specific conventions of the western and the science fiction genres that show up in Firefly, and how are these conventions handled (are they a continuation of the genre, do they put a new twist on things, etc)? Make sure you think about setting, character types, specific iconography, audience expectations and even thematic questions. You do not need to bring up every single convention, but you should speak to both genres in this mixed genre piece.

2) According to Erisman Malcolm Reynolds is a prime example of the Fordian Community's leader. What are some specific examples from Firefly (not brought up in the reading) that help to illustrate this point? How does Mal compare as the western hero to Ethan and Josey or any other western heroes you are familiar with?

3) Although Firefly heavily borrows from the western genre, it is not a story that could be told in the old west. How do the setting (time period included), the use of technology, and the concern for "the social chaos, the man-made disruption of social order, and threat to the harmony of civilized society going about it's business" affect the film as a part of the western genre?

Your original post is due by end of block Friday, March 1st. You should respond (using the ladder of feedback) to at least two other blog posts by Tuesday, March 5th.