Cognito Ergo Scribo

Coming from someone who watches as much TV as I do, this is a pretty comprehensive list. The series listed below had to go off air prematurely. The reasons for the chopping might be from low viewership to high costs of production ,these can be countered with -TRP’s aren’t a fair measure to bad promotion campaign. This post is not inclined to debate the business decisions taken but just to the potential that can never be realized. There might be other popular shows I have been told were great but aren’t included in this list for a reason that they didn’t quite appeal to my prejudiced taste. Few of these shows are provided with links to pilots or videos , all of them are provided an imdb link and my review. Enjoy the series of the week (For those of you who just wanted to read good line, skip to the end)

1. FIREFLY

Introduction:

I am partial to director Joss Whedon due to his witty drama -Buffy the vampire slayer, full of metaphors to teenage life. Now FIREFLY was aired on FOX channel for only half the season. When It was released on DVD, it recorded highest sales – loyal fan base. Though Joss’s type of smart humor isn’t liked by everyone, for the few of us its a delight. Same goes for his style of story telling where he develops characters along with other elements of the setting.

Synopsis:

Firefly is set in a futuristic world where a central Government of sorts rules all the planets. Its practically a western set in future. The captain of Firefly Malcom “Mal” Reynolds was once a soldier who is now a renegade. His crew consists of his sub from army(Zoe), her pilot husband (Wash), muscle Jayne (played delightfully rustic by Adam Baldwin ) , the naive kid mechanic kaylee. He also picks up a passengers who become integral part of the story – a Preacher,Book (Mal to Book: you are allowed on my ship, God ain’t) , a companion (Inara) and a sibling pair (Simon, River) running from the Government ( who are a doctor and his troubled-uber genius kid sister)

Why this should have been on air:

The stories were funny, smart, adventurous and colorful. The comedy didn’t just raise from the situation but also because of what the characters are – one is too polite to utter swears even when his room is ransacked while the other just wants to sleep with 100 guns. There was also the political theme of free-will and empires which would have formed an excellent backdrop for many seasons. The comic timing is one of the best on TV, i tell ya.

But the best pitch on why this show should have been given more timne comes in form of SERENITY.

If you have watched the movie you can understand what this series could have achieved, the movie in itself was brilliant for me. (The reaver’s concept)

Links

The episodes

The Movie

Quotes Wikiquote

Book: If you take sexual advantage of her, you’re going to burn in a very special level of Hell. A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.

Mal: This is the last time. Last time with cows. Hey, there was an idea regarding beagles? They have smallish droppings?

Zoe: I believe so, sir. Also, your disreputable men are here.

Mal: Better go take their money.

[River and Kaylee are running recklessly through the cargo bay.]

Mal: [to Inara] Ah, the pitter-patter of tiny feet in huge combat boots… [to River and Kaylee] SHUT UP!

*Continue to watch this blog for part-2 where I introduce you to a surreal dramedy about unusual knight in shining armour and his quirky & “alive” lady love *