That did make me raise my eyebrows. I was impressed by Joss's lack of reluctance to be frank about the work he's done ... but the work he's doing?

Hey, didn't mean to start a big storm over here. I was being gossipy and a bitca, and thanks for calling me on it, Allyson. From the limited amount I know, the set is fine, just not close. Some actors love being on the show, some are itching to move on and that can make for some tension. I know the writers all (truly) LOVE working for ME and for Joss. There are some cast tensions, but after 7 years, it's to be expected--'cause actors? Cray-Zeee.

Plus--there are lots of shows where NO ONE, actors, writers, staff is enjoying themselves. None of the ME shows fall into that category.

Hey Sophia!

I read all the spoiler threads. There just hasn't been a lot of action on Firefly till now.

Maybe the Property Manager mock stutters at Nick Brendon til he cries.

He said SMG and AH (goodnaturedly) tease him about it. Something about the slogan for the awareness campaign.

You know, at my last job, I genuinely liked the people I worked with - as co-workers. They weren't my friends. I worked there for 6 years.

To tell the truth, I didn't even take those interview comments as a slam on the other shows, so much as talking up Firefly. This is Joss's new gang. They're all (right now) walking on eggshells. They probably love the show and want it to succeed yet know it's likely not to, so everyone is going to be on their best behavior. It's like when the guy you've thought was dreamy for a long time asks you on a date. He meets WBYou. Later, he'll see real you.

Also, in interviews, words get cut. Sentences get cut. Paragraphs get cut. As long as they turn out good product for me, I'm happy. I don't think they're worrying when I'm annoyed by my children (aka the people I'd kill and die for).

Moving away from the Joss interview talk; The STARLOG NF interview had a couple of plot spoilers for the upcoming episodes. It sounds like "War Stories" is going to be something wonderfully dark and angsty (backstories! On Zoe and Wash!) while "Heart of Gold" is going to be light and fun. "Heart of Gold" is supposed to be Inara-centric, involving one of Inara's former fellow companions who is in need of the gang's help.

TV tome already have guest star names for these eps, and someone named Melinda Clarke will be playing the main role in HoG (presumably the fellow companion.) You know, I thought she looked familiar in that photo, and lo and behold, she played "Lady Heather" in one of the episodes of CSI I've managed to see - the one set in S&M club? I thought she was fabulous in that - and now I'm all atwitter about the episode.

I'm feeling a bit disloyal about saying this, but I find myself looking forward to a new Firefly episode way more than a new Angel, despite my Wesley-oost. I really wish Firefly would live.

You know, I thought she looked familiar in that photo, and lo and behold, she played "Lady Heather" in one of the episodes of CSI I've managed to see - the one set in S&M club?

They just repeated that one last week, I think.

I'm feeling the same way about Firefly, Vonnie. Partly, I think because it's a new 'verse, so there's still lots to discover about the world and the characters. It's still in that new love/crush feeling, where everything is new and great and fascinating. Buffy and Angel, OTOH are more like LT relationships: you know them too well, your view of them is skewed by a whole lot of history, sometimes they're very annoying, but they're still satisfying, and you're right there with them for the journey.

Yep - it's that first heady stage of infatuation. It got to the stage where I'm even looking at stuff that initially annoyed me, like the anachronistic westernisms and ultra-dry delivery by NF, with incredible affection. And the actors! Such an immensely appealing bunch.

As for the other Jossverse shows - I gotta say I'm loving this season of Buffy to bits, long term relationship or not. I've got a lot more character-arc/thematic issues with Angel these days. The individual episodes of Angel have been pretty decent. It's just that I'm just not that interested about what's gonna happen on the show on a long run anymore, which saddens me. Still, I'm hoping to be brought back to the fold after the hiatus is over.

Vonnie speaks for me. I honestly think I'd be enjoying this season of Buffy as much as the third if six years' worth of new hadn't already rubbed off—it's got me on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what's coming next. Angel I'm mainly watching out of loyalty to DB and Mike Massa, and the fun of discussing with folks here, rather than enjoyment of the show itself.

Firefly is all shiny and new and a joy to watch, but not quite so much as the first season of either previous ME show, I think.