Tommy Christopher is Asylum's Joss Whedon Correspondent.

Halloween, and perhaps Christmas, came early for "Firefly" fans who caught a faux-glimpse of the old Serenity captain Mal Reynolds on Nathan Fillion's new ABC series "Castle." OK, so technically it was Castle dressed in a non-copyrighted "space cowboy" costume, but still ...

Why do we care? Because Firefly was the best gorram TV show ever -- just ask any of the show's particularly devoted fans. While science-fiction fandom can often veer into unhealthy territory, Browncoats largely get a pass because of the way their love object was so tragically cut short. The Fox network pulled the plug on the sci-fi/western mashup after only half a season.

Fillion gives fans a reminder of those few glorious cattle-rustlin', Reaver-evadin' weeks for "Castle"'s Halloween episode.

Keep reading to check out the video, plus find out how I became the first person to wear "Firefly" in the White House.


First of all, there are cows in space if you bring them there!

While I haven't written any Jayne/Simon slashfic, I still think I'm uniquely qualified to pass judgment on whether this scene is bittersweet, or just bitter.

In April, I drove to D.C. to cover the Tea Party protests and to attend the White House press briefing. Since it was sunny in New Jersey, I assumed I wouldn't need a coat (or an umbrella). When I got there, it was cold and rainy, so I donned the only protection I had -- my hand-painted leather sci-fi jacket with the giant Blue Sun logo on the back. As such, I am, as far as I know, the only person ever to wear "Firefly" garb in the White House.

For me, this is a too-painful reminder of the demise of an awesome show. Let us know what you think.