So there’s this TV show. Didn’t really take off over here, on account of it never being broadcast on terrestrial television. Called Firefly. Some people thought it might be good, so took to acquiring it as it was broadcast on le Fox network, me included. It carried on for a few episodes, each one cementing the goodness of what we were watching in our hearts. And then rumours abound of its imminent cancellation. We can’t believe that something that good is going to be cancelled, we’re in awe at the stupidity of Fox network executives. But in the end it’s cancelled. It’s creator, Joss, is heartbroken and vows to find another arena to tell the story. It’s fans take on the moniker “Browncoats” and set about spreading the word. They convince Fox to release DVDs of the entire show, including unaired episodes and in the correct order (they were originally aired out of order and with the pilot shown last). The DVDs sell millions. Firefly sits at #1 in Amazon’s bestsellers list for weeks. Joss works out a deal to make a movie and it is good. Critically acclaimed and sells well on DVD, however, doesn’t do quite enough trade at the cinema to make it commercially viable to create a sequel. A company called Booster Events decides to create a convention for Firefly fans. The Big Damn Flanvention. as our characters are the Big Damn Heroes, and Nathan Fillion is occasionally an arse and accidentally called the fans “flans” in a video interview once. And it stuck. The event sells out. An amazing time is had by all. There’s some grumbling about organisation, and how the organisers seem to just want to throw the event so they can hang out with the cast. But overall, people have an amazing time, 8 of the 9 main cast members attend, Joss surprises everyone by appearing as well, unscheduled. The whole weekend becomes talked about and there is much love. ""After a question about who was the actor’s favorite male Firefly character went nowhere, Sean rephrased it to if you couldn’t be your own character, which one would you like to play. ‘I pick Jayne,’ said Sean definitively, which made Adam laugh. Then Nathan jumped in with, ’I’d play Wash, only funny.’ Then, playing off Alan and the crowd’s reaction, ‘Sorry... funnier.’ To which Alan remarked, ’I’d play Mal, only not gay.... okay, less gay.’"" So the Big Damn Flanvention II is planned. Same people (Booster Events), same timeframe (2nd weekend in December). It sells out (again) even though the ticket prices are huge. ($750ish for a top ticket, $350 for a weekend pass). People prepare to descend upon SoCal and all is good. Or is it? Booster Events put on two badly attended conventions, and there’s a little disquiet about them. They’re not anything to do with Firefly/Serenity though, so fans mostly ignore the gossip...until... With less than two weeks to go until the sold out Flanvention II, Booster Events make an announcement on their public website: <> There’s shock. There’s amazement. How can a sold out convention be experiencing financial problems? Plans are created to provide some kind of entertainment for the hundreds expected who aren’t able to get refunds on air travel, etc. The Backup Booster Bash is created to try and salvage some kind of fun out of the remains of the Flanvention should it fail to happen. Money is raised, people are organised. The hotel is contacted to see if they’ll honour the group discount. Merchants are asked if they still want to sel