Science fiction fandom other groups including LGBT communities, libertarians, neo-pagans, and space activist groups like the L5 Society, among many others. Some groups exist almost entirely within fandom but are distinct and cohesive subcultures in their own rights, such as filkers, costumers, and convention runners (sometimes called "SMOFs"). Fandom encompasses subsets of fans that are principally interested in a single writer or subgenre, such as Tolkien fandom, and ("Trekkies"). Even short-lived television series may have dedicated followings, such as the fans of Joss Whedon's "Firefly" television series and movie "Serenity", known as Browncoats. Participation in science fiction fandom often overlaps with other similar
The Message (Firefly) The Message (Firefly) "The Message" is the twelfth episode of the science fiction television series "Firefly" created by Joss Whedon. It is the second of three episodes (Trash, The Message and Heart of Gold) that were not broadcast in the original 2002 Fox run. A former Independence soldier, who had served with Mal and Zoe, returns in a dramatic manner, with a vicious Alliance officer chasing after him for some unusual smuggled goods. The show opens on a space station, and a barker extolling an exhibit featuring "proof of alien life". Inside the exhibit, Simon and Kaylee stare at a