Spotlight: Neverwhere

Dealing in “What if's” is something of a specialty of author Neil Gaiman's. In his 1996 television miniseries “Neverwhere” he took it to new depths, questioning just what might live in the corner of our eye when we're occupied with everyday boring life.

Richard Mayhew, a caring if somewhat boring chap, is faced with a decision. Does he help a poor injured girl or not? And in that one decision his entire life is changed forever. He is thrown into the dangerous world of London Below and given a quest for which is he ill prepared. He must now deal with angels, rat eating psychopaths, a pompous marquis, a group of enigmatic monks, and a single minded hunter, just to name of few. All because he would not leave a girl named Door to lie bleeding on the streets of London.

Gaiman does his usual fine job of weaving an intricate and engrossing story around characters you really want to read more about as well as those you only want to peak at from under the covers. If the story telling falters in comparison to his written work, I'd say it's from the medium of television and not his ability. (The BBC has come far in the realm of special effects, but 1996 was still not that up to snuff) At times the story can feel a bit rushed, and others, stilted. But again, I feel that is the translation to the visual and not the story in an of itself, which is thoroughly enjoyable.

Having both seen the mini series and read the novelization I'm hard pressed to say which I enjoyed more. Each has its merits. The novelization feels more like the Gaiman I know and love, but the mini series gives us the pleasure of watching some truly great British actors ply their trade. (Peter Capaldi as the Angel Islington is especially worth watching.)

As with most of Gaiman's works, although not strictly Steampunk, there is a general Victorian aesthetic wound throughout the costuming and set design. The series is a visual treat coming out of the late 90's on the BBC, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good fantastical story.

Neverwhere

BBC

1996

Firefly: The Light of Love

Everyone enjoys a good love affair. Emphasis on the good. And some years ago the public enjoyed a love affair with a very special television show named Firefly. What made the affair even more special was the fact that it was very brief. One short season only, to be particular. After only eleven of the fourteen brilliant episodes were aired this iconic show was canceled and hearts of science fiction fandom were broken everywhere. What made this show, as short lived as it was, so great, that nine years after it was canceled it still has a loyal following?

There is, of course, the obvious. Nathan Fillion is the leading man to end all leading men. A man's man whom all men want to be and all women want to be with. You can imagine yourself being his best friend, his lover, his partner, his enemy, his friend. Any capacity, any relationship, you cannot imagine yourself not having a good time with this man. Careless charm, good looks, and a reckless disregard for the rules have been the basis for the likeable rogue since Han Solo swept away the heart of the Princess in Star Wars in the seventies. Although I don't think anyone has done it as well as Fillion since.

But I would be remiss if I didn't mention the superb supporting cast. Each and every one of them has something wonderful to offer to the story of a misfit crew flying through space in search of the big score. Each of them is touching and hilarious and scary and flawed. Each is endearing and frustrating and achingly sweet

We love and hate them all in turns. They are all incredibly real. And that is the real genius of this show. It feels as if it could really happen despit being set in the future in space with people dressed as if they were riding horses in the wild west.

I don't believe Joss Whedon has ever done anything that I believe has surpassed the writing genius and the collaborative acting effort that was the genius that was Firefly. And the proof is the love that the show's fans continue to poor out to it even after all this time. So this Valentine's day I'm sending a great big Valentine to my favorite Sci-Fi Steampunkish show. And I hope you do to. Happy Valentine's Day Firefly. May you shine on forever!