Eight Ways to Find Serenity

As previously mentioned, Firefly is without any doubt the best thing ever to have been broadcast on TV. This outer-space western followed the exploits of Captain Mal Reynolds and the crew of the Firefly-class spaceship Serenity, and has attracted a rabid base of fans (or “Browncoats,” as we like to be called) far out of proportion to its brief time on the air. For those who just can’t get enough Firefly, here are eight things you can buy to help scratch that itch:

• Firefly: The Complete Series (DVD): Start here, and watch all the shows in the order they were originally intended to be shown (which is different from the order in which they aired). And enjoy the wonderful special features.
• Firefly (Original Television Soundtrack) by Greg Edmonson contains 25 tracks of music from the series, including the theme song, and is just the thing to have playing in the background while you do some reading…
• Firefly Official Companion, Vol. 1 by Joss Whedon: This book contains scripts, photos, and a wealth of inside information on the show. (No word yet on Volume 2!)
• Serenity: Those Left Behind: This graphic novel by Joss Whedon, Brett Matthews, and Will Conrad takes place between the TV series and the movie, which brings us to…
• Serenity (DVD): Next, watch the outstanding sequel movie, which makes sense even if you’ve never watched a single Firefly episode (but is better still if you have). Then you’ll want to read…
• Serenity Official Visual Companion: This book by Joss Whedon includes the shooting script for Serenity, an extended interview, and all sorts of other extras.
• Done The Impossible: The Fans’ Tale of Firefly & Serenity: This unusually high-quality fan-produced DVD, hosted by Adam Baldwin (Jayne) and with voiceover by Jewel Staite (Kaylee), documents the life of the show and movie from the viewers’ point of view.
• Finally, Finding Serenity: Anti-Heroes, Lost Shepherds and Space Hookers in Joss Whedon’s Firefly: This book of essays about the Firefly/Serenity phenomenon, including one by Jewel Staite, provides a different set of perspectives on the show.