FIREFLY 10th Anniversary Special

[metaltrekman]

by Tami Katzoff (@tvtamijo)

At 10pm on Sunday, November 11, Science Channel will premiere its “Firefly” reunion special. Like the Joss Whedon series it celebrates, “Firefly: Browncoats Unite” is a labor of love.

“I’m a huge fan of “Firefly” myself,” says Bernadette McDaid, Science’s VP of production and executive producer of the special. “It was originally conceived as a bit of a birthday present for me.”

But McDaid isn’t the only Browncoat in her office: Everyone involved with the 60-minute special is passionate about the series. “Every frame is crafted with love, across the board,” McDaid says. “It’s been an incredibly uplifting and inspirational experience to make this film and to be working with so many people who believe in it.”

 

“Browncoats Unite” marks an important milestone for the short-lived but long-adored series. “It’s the tenth anniversary this year, and we thought it would be a huge coup for the fans if we would be able to get the primary cast and crew back together again to celebrate what’s become a sci-fi phenomenon,” McDaid says.

Most of “Browncoats Unite” is devoted to a reunion discussion which was shot right before Joss and Co.’s epic panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Present that morning were Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Summer Glau, Sean Maher and Adam Baldwin, as well as executive producer Tim Minear and story editor Jose Molina (Morena Baccarin, Jewel Staite and Gina Torres couldn’t make it to the ‘Con because of their shooting schedules, so they appear in the special as individual interviews. From the core cast, Ron Glass is the only absentee).

Seated around a wooden table crafted as an homage to the communal dining area aboard Serenity, the cast and writers reminisced about their various “Firefly” experiences, from the first days on set to the show’s cancellation. Some stories might be familiar to fans; others were revelatory to even the cast members themselves.

The hour’s last act is comprised of footage from the Comic-Con panel, and that’s where the really big emotions come out. Five thousand lucky fans witnessed it firsthand, and the rest of us had to settle for live blogs, tweets and shaky amateur video. With “Browncoats Unite” we can all properly see the tears of Nathan Fillion as he remembered his greatest gig and the sweet humility of Joss Whedon as he reacted to his well-deserved standing ovation.

Whedon’s message to his audience that day is echoed by the creators of Sunday’s reunion show. “We wanted to give a shout-out to the fans, and give them the credit that they are due for keeping this alive for ten years,” says McDaid. “It’s because of them that 'Firefly' is still flying.”

Previously on The Weekly Whedon:

» ’Firefly’ special exclusive clip: how Nathan Fillion joined Serenity crew

» Jane Espenson’s ‘Husbands’ gets comical

» Charge up the freeze ray: Here comes Dr. Horrible!

» Maurissa Tancharoen: agent of W.H.E.D.O.N.

» 'Firefly' anniversary: saluting Serenity's big damn heroes

MTV News producer Tami Katzoff presents The Weekly Whedon, a column exploring all corners of the Whedonverse from "Marvel's The Avengers" to "Buffy" and beyond. Assemble your reactions in the comments section!

Tags firefly, Weekly Whedon

[heavyharmonies]

Thanks for posting this. I've set my DVR to record it tomorrow night.

[metaltrekman]

Me too Dan. I'll be at work.

[heaven&hell]

DVR is set.

[66 mustang]

thank you. I just set my DVR also.

[66 mustang]

did anyone watch Castle this past week? it was a non stop Firefly reference. it was so awesome. check out the thread on the Castle IMDB page for all the references that was tossed around starting with a murder that took place at a sci-fi convention and the murder happned at the short lived sci-fi show that lasted only 12 episoeds before being canceled and even Castle is talking about good sci-fi shows like Star Trek, Battlestar and "that Joss Wheedon show"

[heaven&hell]

Yep I got the references great episode.

[66 mustang]

there was a lot of stuff that was very suttle. Creavers instead of Reavers. you had the lead actress real name Fry (Kalie Fry) you had a boyfriend names Simon. A moon called Arial and the list just goes on and on. it was like sitting there going "what is next". Beckets blue gloves, show being turned into a motion picture. Then you had the other sci-fi stuff going on, including the star trek stuff. it was just awesome from a fanboy standpoint

[66 mustang]

that was good. need more Firefly stuff!!!!!!!

[heaven&hell]

That was fun. I'd love to see Joss do one for Buffy and Angel.

[heavyharmonies]

Watched the 10th anniversary reunion show last night. Absolutely fantastic! Man, do I want them to do another movie/series...

[metaltrekman]

Watched the 10th anniversary reunion show last night. Absolutely fantastic! Man, do I want them to do another movie/series...

 

Seconded!! I cant believe with its popularity that no network is willing to give it another chance. ESPECIALLY SciFi. Instead they go with Wrestling? WTF is that about?