Having first read the initial user summary for this series, I must admit I wasn't expecting much, and I'll agree that the first (second) episode was rather tame. I wonder how much damage the preceding review did to an excellent show. You see, after giving it a chance (*ahem*) and seeing a few episodes, I found that the show indeed stands well on its own. This Whedon character can truly put together an ensemble cast, and have it all work. This is apparently his third successful ensemble, and that's not bad.
Does it look like some pointless comic book? I'm sure it does. Does it have elements of some other books, movies and television series? After 60 years of media, of course we'll see some overlap. This is the beginning of an excellent and catchy series, with some *real* characters - ie imperfect - with real personalities and goals, and although it's a rare idea in today's television, I'm sure Mr Whedon doesn't have the patent on believable characters.
He just does it well.
Does it look like some pointless comic book? I'm sure it does. Does it have elements of some other books, movies and television series? After 60 years of media, of course we'll see some overlap. This is the beginning of an excellent and catchy series, with some *real* characters - ie imperfect - with real personalities and goals, and although it's a rare idea in today's television, I'm sure Mr Whedon doesn't have the patent on believable characters.
He just does it well.