Firefly

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Transmitted:	Sept 2002 - Dec 2002
Country of origin:	USA
Genre:	Space opera, Western in space
Starring:	Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Jewel Staite, Morena Baccarin, Ron Glass
Rating:	5/5
No. of seasons:	1

Superb follow up series from the creator of Buffy, Joss Whedon, though it has to be noted this bears virtually no comparison with the aforementioned, excepting the snappy, sarcastic dialogue.
There's only 15 episodes, three of which were never aired, as this series was criminally underrated and appallingly treated by its TV network. Moving time slots, no advertising, showing episodes out of order so the arc plot made no sense, the principal reason being that they were promoting a new James Cameron show called Dark Angel - not seen it yet - and didn't feel they could have two major sci-fi shows running at the same time.
Question - why commission two then?
Truly, the most underrated show I've ever encountered, and a great shame.
The premise - A band of mercenaries of dubious morality are on board Serenity, a Firefly class vessel they use to stop at planet ports and townships to acquire work, legal or otherwise. Inevitably, each stop along the way brings with it it's own problems, dangers and adventure.
Superbly written - this is warm, funny, smart, taut - and acted, and beautifully shot, this fuses sci-fi and Western so effortlessly it takes the breath away; two seemingly disparate genre's combined into something new.
Effects wise this looks great too, but the real victory for this show is the interchange between the crew. Snappy dialogue and a genuine sense of dynamics between the individuals adds to the realism in a situation that is as far removed from reality as is possible. An excellent show, sadly missed.

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