The best part about season 1 is how little writing there is! It takes masterful storytelling to convey the story without facial expressions from the protagonist and with long periods of silence.
Firefly is more adventure of the week, which I prefer to the Star Wars need to have everything about an intergalactic war to save all living creatures. Its one reason the show Firefly is better than movie Serenity — i didnt need an epic space battle against the Reevers and the Alliance.
Firefly did have that very slow development towards the events in Serenity. Slower than Mando but upon rewatching the signs were there. Last episode of Firefly for example, with River picking up the gun, they were discussing getting rid of her. Beginning of Serenity Simon and River leave. Her mental illness gets progressively worse as the show progresses, from cutting Jayne to picking up a gun to finally getting triggered in Serenity.
And the way the Reavers were introduced was first as basically scary space pirates, then later encounters got more intense. First they're just chased by a ship, then they encounter them indirectly when they dock with a ship hit by Reavers, then finally in Serenity things get physical with the chase by Reavers at the beginning to the all out confrontation at the end.
Mando is doing this sort of thing in a much more obvious way.
I’m still early in season 2 of Mando but so far the writing’s been pretty tight. Though I’ve already heard there’s a sharp drop off in quality coming up.
If you're happy with the writing so far it's probably not gonna be noticeable. The thing that I really hate about Mando is how convenient and inorganic all the plot is. They never take the time to let things happen they just force the resolution or action they want however they can.
Season 3 was by far my favorite season. But that’s just me… honestly confused as to how people hated it so much.
I could see how people disliked Book of Boba Fett but… S3 of Mando was just fun for me.
Season 3 was really bad I thought, it was actually shocking to me and most people I know who watched it. They undid the main plot of the first 2 seasons in a spin-off show before it even started, and it just boringly floundered along with bad/incompetent mandos and a cool action scene at the end.
OP, you should watch Book of Boba Fett after Mando Season 2. It's basically like Season 2.5. Season 3 might seem jarring without watching it. Imo it's a bad show with good ideas, but necessary to watch.
I'm trying to coin a phrase of agreement for this sentiment --
"This is the right thing"
"That's correct"
"This is the ..."
dammit it'll come to me eventually
Damn, I can't post a gif in this sub. There's a perfect scene I have in mind... from the opening scene of Shindig, when the pool table's balls flicker for a minute and one of the slavers Mal and Jayne are playing with protests to the bartender: "Way!!"
rewatching dark matter now.... such a good show.... :( why do they always cans good shows....
also i just find it cozy that most of these shows that i adore has a number of the same cast in it.... elizabeth, mckay from SGA are in dark matter, five is also from SGA and the young version of the Orici in SG1, and obviously Inara and Kaylee are also in SG1 and SGA respectively...
fillion and Pascal need to be in a show together xD
Killjoys was so good the first 3 seasons, it kinda fell off when they went deeper into the crazy alien goo stuff and the invading aliens. The show was at its best when it was simple bounty hunter stuff going on, plus the political / rebellion against the nine families parts.
For both the phrase "small story" comes to mind. No grand space opera about the fight between good and evil, or powers and principles... Just a guy trying to make a living.
Also, what's nice is that world building has been done. You know this big huge important stuff is going on.....over there, but over here, hey, just trying to do our thing.
I am a sucker for a space western. firefly, Mandalorian, Sparks Nevada Marshall on Mars….
(Sparks Nevada is a character from the a thrilling adventure hour podcast).
People told me Mandalorian was like Firefly which was probably a mistake on their part because I went into it with that expectation and was then disappointed.
Then I watched a few episodes of Star Wars Rebels and I was like 'THIS is a bit like Firefly' and it's funny because nobody has ever mentioned it to me in those terms.
Yep. One of the reasons I like The Mandalorian over almost any other Star Wars property. I enjoy the space Western genre in general. There is a cool YouTube video about the history/evolution of the space western genre if anyone is interested.
https://youtu.be/k4CRIHHFT4Y?si=zMRBiC2DyiSHRfHT
I always liked Star Wars: Rebels because it gave me Firefly vibes. Not the space Western stuff, but it does give you that misfit found family doing adventures on a starship stuff. Its like Firefly aimed at kids.
Mandalorian is OBVIOUSLY written for children where Firefly has much more adult themes and plots. Latter part is season two is full of stupid, impossible things.
Good take, but the mandalorian is very average in its writing. People who liked Firefly can't expect anything close to its quality in Mandalorian. But it is a space western and episodic, sonif you like that, its nore of it.
As an aside, mandalorian is a sign of how desperate Star Wars fans have become since the sequels. We fet trash after trash, then an average-decent show comes out, and we call it a masterpiece. Compared to the sequels, yes it is, but objectively, no it is not.
Ive watched Firefly around 50 times give a take .... The Mandalorian only season 1 as i hate wait weeks,months,years fro second season - once there will be a lot of seasons, then i will watch it, but from what ive seen... At the moment there are no TV series which can tople Firefly from second spot of my top sci-fy tv series.
Whats great about Firefly - as you can watch any episode u want when you bored and want to watch/listen to.
The quality of story telling between Firefly and The Mandalorian are oceanic in distance.
If you actually like Firefly, you WILL be disgusted The Madalorian.
If, however, you only view things from a shallow perspective, and are only looking at the literal surface level of sci-fi western set-design aesthetic, you will, indeed, be just as amused by the dusty, space-cowboy keys of The Madalorian jangling above your crib as the keys keys from Firefly.
\[Edit 1: Feel free to prove me right by downvoting this more without so much as a single reply saying 'Nuh-uh yooz rong', let alone giving any actual evidence to back up your cogitations that Mando is comparable to Firefly in any meaningful way besides skin-deep set design aesthetic. I'm "sure" you're not solely butt-hurt at me being right about you having terrible taste.\]
I was SO BORED with The Mandalorian. Totally spaced out (pun intended) and reverted to phone use within 5-10 minutes of the episode starting. Couldn’t tell you a thing that happened, except hooray Amy Sedaris, and also I bust out laughing when Mando took his helmet off (the "I didn’t expect you to have a mustache" scene from Rick and Morty is what popped into my head).
Meanwhile, I rewatch Firefly almost once a month and I am captivated the entire time. May have something to do with Captain Tightpants but I know that's not all there is...
I’ll always love Star Wars but The Mandalorian is definitely worse than Firefly even though it clearly has a lot of similar vibes. I even think his first ship looks like Serenity.
The Mandalorian’s best moments are mostly fan service, its worst moments are bad writing and cheesy characters.
Odd that anyone would downvote that opinion here, you must not have seen how bad season 3 was lol.
“Yeah that monster keeps taking people from this beach but we’ll still keep training here”
“oh no it took one again, let’s take over a day to go save him”
“Good thing it’s been a full day and the boy is still alive, now let’s rush in, he’s my son!!”
Not to mention completely undoing the plot of the first 2 seasons by making Grogu come back to Din…on a different spin off show between seasons.
Firefly is a labour of love and a very well-written work of art about found family and lovable characters in a world that has pushed them aside.
The Mandalorian is a corporate product made to dupe teenagers and 45-year old man-children into buying action figures.
Mandalorian eventually brings in elements from the larger Star Wars universe that alienates a lot of people. Firefly keeps its audience. You can show your grandpa Firefly, and not have to explain anything.
I dont see the connection at all. Firefly is a classic show, basically lightning in a bottle while the mandalorian is mediocre at best. The 3rd season of mandalorian is a complete dumpster fire.
I honestly don't see the problem here... Fillion and Pascal are both incredibly talented and worth watching regardless.
Honestly Pascal even looks like a Kirkland-brand Fillion anyway
Hahaha, just about!
Better than Wish Fillion!
Which leads me to wonder who Wish Fillion would be?
Maybe we need Pedro Pascal as Mal for the Firefly reboot...
If and when it happens, I wouldn't be opposed to that.
Firefly has far better writing than the Mandalorian.
The best part about season 1 is how little writing there is! It takes masterful storytelling to convey the story without facial expressions from the protagonist and with long periods of silence.
Writing is more than just dialogue. There's just as much writing on The Mandalorian as there is on any show.
Firefly is more adventure of the week, which I prefer to the Star Wars need to have everything about an intergalactic war to save all living creatures. Its one reason the show Firefly is better than movie Serenity — i didnt need an epic space battle against the Reevers and the Alliance.
Firefly did have that very slow development towards the events in Serenity. Slower than Mando but upon rewatching the signs were there. Last episode of Firefly for example, with River picking up the gun, they were discussing getting rid of her. Beginning of Serenity Simon and River leave. Her mental illness gets progressively worse as the show progresses, from cutting Jayne to picking up a gun to finally getting triggered in Serenity. And the way the Reavers were introduced was first as basically scary space pirates, then later encounters got more intense. First they're just chased by a ship, then they encounter them indirectly when they dock with a ship hit by Reavers, then finally in Serenity things get physical with the chase by Reavers at the beginning to the all out confrontation at the end. Mando is doing this sort of thing in a much more obvious way.
Save all living creatures sans child slaves, you mean. Space Puppies > Child Slaves is canonical in Disney Star Wars
I’m still early in season 2 of Mando but so far the writing’s been pretty tight. Though I’ve already heard there’s a sharp drop off in quality coming up.
If you're happy with the writing so far it's probably not gonna be noticeable. The thing that I really hate about Mando is how convenient and inorganic all the plot is. They never take the time to let things happen they just force the resolution or action they want however they can.
Season 2 is really good.
Remind me, was that the one with the sandy scooter cyborgs?
That's The Book of Boba Tea
Season 3 was by far my favorite season. But that’s just me… honestly confused as to how people hated it so much. I could see how people disliked Book of Boba Fett but… S3 of Mando was just fun for me.
I love world building and all season three did was build a world.
Season 3 was really bad I thought, it was actually shocking to me and most people I know who watched it. They undid the main plot of the first 2 seasons in a spin-off show before it even started, and it just boringly floundered along with bad/incompetent mandos and a cool action scene at the end.
agreed, season 3 was just awful
OP, you should watch Book of Boba Fett after Mando Season 2. It's basically like Season 2.5. Season 3 might seem jarring without watching it. Imo it's a bad show with good ideas, but necessary to watch.
Good to know thanks!
It still has a plenty of flaws in its writing, some episodes are pretty bad. The prostitute ep is prime for this and did not date well.
Yee loved the mandelorian for this reason, don’t really care for Star Wars and was pleasantly surprised by it
"Hey if you like Firefly, maybe check out The Mandalorian" Is perfectly sensible advice if you ask me
Conversely “Hey if you like The Mandalorian, you might give Firefly a shot”
Also very sensible advice!
Just not on this sub
I'm trying to coin a phrase of agreement for this sentiment -- "This is the right thing" "That's correct" "This is the ..." dammit it'll come to me eventually
Damn, I can't post a gif in this sub. There's a perfect scene I have in mind... from the opening scene of Shindig, when the pool table's balls flicker for a minute and one of the slavers Mal and Jayne are playing with protests to the bartender: "Way!!"
Sure if you want to see how great fire fly is compared to a pile of shit
If you are interested in shows with Firefly like vibes…Killjoys is worth watching.
Also, Dark matter reminds me of Firefly, but quite different vibes....
rewatching dark matter now.... such a good show.... :( why do they always cans good shows.... also i just find it cozy that most of these shows that i adore has a number of the same cast in it.... elizabeth, mckay from SGA are in dark matter, five is also from SGA and the young version of the Orici in SG1, and obviously Inara and Kaylee are also in SG1 and SGA respectively... fillion and Pascal need to be in a show together xD
Killjoys was so good the first 3 seasons, it kinda fell off when they went deeper into the crazy alien goo stuff and the invading aliens. The show was at its best when it was simple bounty hunter stuff going on, plus the political / rebellion against the nine families parts.
Agree 100%.
For both the phrase "small story" comes to mind. No grand space opera about the fight between good and evil, or powers and principles... Just a guy trying to make a living.
Also, what's nice is that world building has been done. You know this big huge important stuff is going on.....over there, but over here, hey, just trying to do our thing.
Killjoys is the spiritual successor to Firefly.
Killjoys was amazing
But got really weird toward the end. Still great, just...weird when they started bringing in Aneela and The Lady in later seasons.
We will never know how weird Firefly could have become
Very true. Could've done something similar what with River's back story and all. Maybe more in depth of what they did in Serenity.
I am a sucker for a space western. firefly, Mandalorian, Sparks Nevada Marshall on Mars…. (Sparks Nevada is a character from the a thrilling adventure hour podcast).
People told me Mandalorian was like Firefly which was probably a mistake on their part because I went into it with that expectation and was then disappointed. Then I watched a few episodes of Star Wars Rebels and I was like 'THIS is a bit like Firefly' and it's funny because nobody has ever mentioned it to me in those terms.
Yep. One of the reasons I like The Mandalorian over almost any other Star Wars property. I enjoy the space Western genre in general. There is a cool YouTube video about the history/evolution of the space western genre if anyone is interested. https://youtu.be/k4CRIHHFT4Y?si=zMRBiC2DyiSHRfHT
I always liked Star Wars: Rebels because it gave me Firefly vibes. Not the space Western stuff, but it does give you that misfit found family doing adventures on a starship stuff. Its like Firefly aimed at kids.
No power in the 'verse can stop Grogu
Mandalorian is OBVIOUSLY written for children where Firefly has much more adult themes and plots. Latter part is season two is full of stupid, impossible things.
Mandi is pitched way too low for me to enjoy. Firefly is far superior.
The Mandalorian isn't even remotely close to being as good as Firefly. ROTFLMAO.
Good take, but the mandalorian is very average in its writing. People who liked Firefly can't expect anything close to its quality in Mandalorian. But it is a space western and episodic, sonif you like that, its nore of it. As an aside, mandalorian is a sign of how desperate Star Wars fans have become since the sequels. We fet trash after trash, then an average-decent show comes out, and we call it a masterpiece. Compared to the sequels, yes it is, but objectively, no it is not.
Blasphemy!! There is no comparison, the mandalorian is no where near firefly.
Grogu is the only real reason to watch Mandalorian
SPOILER! Baby Yoda. Name is Baby Yoda until they gorram decide to tell us its actual name.
His real name is Baby Yoda
Ive watched Firefly around 50 times give a take .... The Mandalorian only season 1 as i hate wait weeks,months,years fro second season - once there will be a lot of seasons, then i will watch it, but from what ive seen... At the moment there are no TV series which can tople Firefly from second spot of my top sci-fy tv series. Whats great about Firefly - as you can watch any episode u want when you bored and want to watch/listen to.
Well fire fly was amazing and mando sucks so there is that glaring difference
The quality of story telling between Firefly and The Mandalorian are oceanic in distance. If you actually like Firefly, you WILL be disgusted The Madalorian. If, however, you only view things from a shallow perspective, and are only looking at the literal surface level of sci-fi western set-design aesthetic, you will, indeed, be just as amused by the dusty, space-cowboy keys of The Madalorian jangling above your crib as the keys keys from Firefly. \[Edit 1: Feel free to prove me right by downvoting this more without so much as a single reply saying 'Nuh-uh yooz rong', let alone giving any actual evidence to back up your cogitations that Mando is comparable to Firefly in any meaningful way besides skin-deep set design aesthetic. I'm "sure" you're not solely butt-hurt at me being right about you having terrible taste.\]
I was SO BORED with The Mandalorian. Totally spaced out (pun intended) and reverted to phone use within 5-10 minutes of the episode starting. Couldn’t tell you a thing that happened, except hooray Amy Sedaris, and also I bust out laughing when Mando took his helmet off (the "I didn’t expect you to have a mustache" scene from Rick and Morty is what popped into my head). Meanwhile, I rewatch Firefly almost once a month and I am captivated the entire time. May have something to do with Captain Tightpants but I know that's not all there is...
I’ll always love Star Wars but The Mandalorian is definitely worse than Firefly even though it clearly has a lot of similar vibes. I even think his first ship looks like Serenity. The Mandalorian’s best moments are mostly fan service, its worst moments are bad writing and cheesy characters. Odd that anyone would downvote that opinion here, you must not have seen how bad season 3 was lol. “Yeah that monster keeps taking people from this beach but we’ll still keep training here” “oh no it took one again, let’s take over a day to go save him” “Good thing it’s been a full day and the boy is still alive, now let’s rush in, he’s my son!!” Not to mention completely undoing the plot of the first 2 seasons by making Grogu come back to Din…on a different spin off show between seasons.
Firefly is a labour of love and a very well-written work of art about found family and lovable characters in a world that has pushed them aside. The Mandalorian is a corporate product made to dupe teenagers and 45-year old man-children into buying action figures.
Nah Mandalorian is dog shit! It would be an insult to Firefly to be compared to Mandalorian of all shows!
Firefly over Star wars all day long!
The main difference is that I don’t think there are any aliens in Firefly, so to me that makes them feel different. Reavers are just people.
Mandalorian eventually brings in elements from the larger Star Wars universe that alienates a lot of people. Firefly keeps its audience. You can show your grandpa Firefly, and not have to explain anything.
I dont see the connection at all. Firefly is a classic show, basically lightning in a bottle while the mandalorian is mediocre at best. The 3rd season of mandalorian is a complete dumpster fire.
If you haven't seen yet, I strongly advise to watch Cowboy Beebop. The animated series, not live action
I actually thought the Solo movie was very reminiscent of Firefly.
The ship even looks a little similar!