I can’t tell you how much I hoped Joss Whedon would do it again. First he created the mega-popular (and rightfully so) “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, and then gave us a double whammy with its spin-off series, “Angel.” When I heard last year that he was working on a new series, I couldn’t wait to see it. I just knew “Firefly” was going to be a great show. I knew what Whedon was capable of, but with some of the problems the Fox Network was giving him, I was worried it would screw things up, and screw it up they did. First, he was told the 2-hour pilot would have to be shown later in the season. You know, the episode that would kind of introduce us to everyone and give us a heads up as to what’s going on. But you know those network programming suits; they lead the pack when it comes to stupid decisions. Many a good show has bitten the dust because it was constantly pre-empted or moved.

This was to be the fate of “Firefly.”

First, Whedon had to re-work the shooting schedule to allow for a new premiere episode. Fortunately, he picked a winner with “Train Job.” The series takes place five hundred years in the future, and from the first few scenes it was evident that “Firefly” was every bit the ‘space western’ Whedon described it to be. The sets, costumes, characters and attitudes screamed ‘western.’ Within minutes, the trademark Whedon dialogue, one-liners and wisecracks started firing off. Like his earlier efforts, it had that perfect mix of comedy, drama and action. And the special effects were some of the best and most realistic I’ve seen on a TV series. I was hooked.

I found “Firefly” was very quickly paced, and not one of the characters seemed out of place. It almost felt like I was watching an already favorite show. I instantly understood who everyone was and how he or she fit into the story’s universe. Even the end had THE best and funniest ‘face off with the bad guy’s henchmen’ ever filmed. You have to see it to believe it. At the end of that episode I remember thinking, “Please, please let this show survive the Fox Network long enough to gain an audience and ratings.”

I watched almost all of the episodes that aired. The only ones I missed were due to fact that I had no idea when they would be on. Unfortunately, due to all the bouncing around, the series was cancelled after airing only 11 episodes.

“Firefly” had already gained a huge following, so there was a loud outcry from fans to bring the show back. Some had even hoped it would be picked up by another network, the way “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Roswell” had. But it was not to be. “Firefly” was history.

But as with most bad news, there are small bits of silver lining that make things a little better. The first being the casting of lead actor Nathan Fillion (Mal Reynolds) in the final season of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” He played Caleb, the frighteningly evil minion of The First. He pretty much took over every scene he was in and it was a shame when he finally had to split (if you’re a fan… you’ll get that last comment). Then Gina Torres (Zoe Warren) showed up in “Angel”, as the fourth season’s ‘Big Bad’, Jasmine.

Recently, the best news, short of the series actually returning, hit the Internet. The complete series run of “Firefly” was going to be released on DVD. Not only would fans get the opportunity to see ALL the episodes that were shot, but also they could now see them in the order they were meant to be aired.

Getting to see all 14 episodes in order (not in one day mind you…), made me realize just how good a show it was. It was very different from Whedon’s earlier efforts, yet still had his style stamped all over it. Fans will love this new DVD set, not only for the episodes but the great extra features as well.

Half of the episodes have commentary by various members of the cast and crew, and Joss is featured on three of them. Those of you who are familiar with his commentaries on the “Buffy” sets know how entertaining they are. Here he teams up with Nathan Fillion on the 2-part pilot episode “Serenity”, then with executive producer Tim Minear on the second episode, “The Train Job.” Then he turns up solo on the final episode, “Objects in Space.”

The three behind the scenes featurettes offer fans the opportunity to see how the show came together. One is mainly a ‘making of…’ that features some great behind the scenes shots as well as a bunch of interview clips. It runs just under 30 minutes, and is a very poignant piece to watch because all of the actors seem so excited about being a part of something they love doing, but then you realize they did these interviews after the show was cancelled. The next one gives us a rundown of the Serenity, the ship in the series, while the last one follows Whedon as he takes us on a tour around the sets.

There is an audition tape of Alan Tudyk, who portrayed Wash in the series. I wish there had been more of these for the rest of the cast. I always enjoy getting to see actors in early readings for characters we see them as later. The inclusion of a short, but funny gag reel and hearing Joss Whedon sing the “Firefly” theme finish up this terrific set.

The “Firefly” DVD set also has the distinction of utilizing my favorite form of packaging, which puts each of the four discs in super slim cases. These are in turn housed in a cardboard slipcase. The use if these super slim cases keeps the set small enough to take up little space on the shelf, and is less cumbersome than the foldout packages.

Though I’m glad I finally got to see the entire run of “Firefly”, I still wish there was a possibility of its return. I have no doubt that if the series had been allowed to continue and mature, it would have become every bit as popular as Whedon’s earlier successes. It featured great stories, and more importantly, a first rate ensemble cast.

There’s been talk lately that due to the enormous success of the DVD sales of “Family Guy” that Fox is in talks to bring that series back. Tell you what folks, let’s see what we can do for “Firefly”, hmmmm?

Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Adam Baldwin, Alan Tudyk, Ron Glass
Extras: Audio Commentary on Selected Episodes, 3 Behind the Scenes Featurettes, 4 Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Audition Tape, Joss Whedon Singing the “Firefly” Theme
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1), English Dolby Surround
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 12/9/2003
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Firefly: The Complete Series an A.