Next in line from our top ten entries in the “What Serenity Means to You” giveaway is from one of our own: Dedicated Core-Tech member Darth Viper.
We know Serenity means many things to many Browncoats. But in Darth Viper’s case, what Serenity means to him is very near our own hearts – the opportunity for self-expression.
Here’s what DV had to say, in his own words:
“What does Serenity mean to me? Well that’s an interesting question. My first experience with the ship was watching the movie on DVD. I had never heard of the show or the movie but it looked interesting. As many Browncoats can say, it’s quite an experience.
I watched the TV series afterwards and was completely hooked. Really what got me was the sense of family and belonging that was felt in the show. Especially in the episode Out of Gas. At the end after the crew came back and they are there for Mal to wake up, there’s no other show that’s been able to give that feeling of home. The ship is what brings it together. I’ve heard other people who think it’s ugly but I can’t help but admire it. To me it’s beautiful. Except for something designed by NASA it may be the most practical space ship design in a science fiction series. Everything is made to be very functional and makes sense. Even beyond being a space ship to get from place to place it is a home for the crew.
Serenity is important to me, important enough that I’ve been working on a project for over a year dedicated to it and will be continuing work on the project for a while more. Part of that project is a computer model of the ship I’ve tried to make as accurate as possible. There is much more involved in this project but this should show how important the ship is to me. I’ve also really appreciated all the Serenity items that Quantum Mechanix has been making. The Serenity Blueprints were very important for the construction of my Serenity model and I’m eagerly waiting for the release of the Serenity replica and the cross-section artwork that was teased a while back.
I know I’m not alone in my dedication to the ship. Without the fans there wouldn’t have been a movie and I think that there’s still a chance for Serenity to fly yet again with the support of fans. At least, that’s what I hope.”
To see a small example of DV’s love, just click on the rendering above. It’s 100% fanmade. And full of all the love you can only get that way.
Jing Chai! DV, nice essay…I feel the same way. Family and home. Shiny!
My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw the picture of you model. And I almost started crying because I am so sleep deprived from school and because that is something I so want to do.
This is so awesome. That is all I can say.
Shiny! I bet that’s what they look like right out of the factory.
So Beautifully done my friend…the people who say she’s ugly just don’t get it…Serenity is ‘animate’…Definition..(having Life)…Look at her..don’t yah feel like she’s gonna turn her head and talk to you?…That’s the beauty of her design and it’s another thing that makes her home…..
makes you fall in love all over again she truly is a a thing of beauty and DV your well on your way to making her fly again i just wish you could get this edition with her legs spread as well
Darth, I saw this WIP over at the F3D forum and I must say I’m mightly impressed.
Death Viper, fellow Browncoat, Bro, love it! She is a thing of what shiny means. A home to all. I didn’t even try to enter, mainly because I couldn’t find the words. Through everybody else I find the meaning. Keep flying my fellow browncoats, JUST keep flyin’.
I’ve loved Firefly/Serenity since it first aired on Fox, though I was just as confused as anyone with the order in which the stories first aired. Thanks for sharing this – I work with CG on occasion, and I congratulate you on the time you spent! Thank you!
I’ve been following DV’s work for months now. One can almost picture him bent over a drafting desk on Hera making Fireflies.
Thanks everyone, I have big plans for her