I feel a little bit like a scorned wife. And my cheating husband goes by "Fox."

Firefly was canceled due to a "lack of interest" by the Fox Network. I am still angry about that. It was a critically-acclaimed program that, among a sea of reality-TV shows and brainless sitcoms, stood out as a shining beacon of brilliant writing, fine acting, and real storytelling intoning Cino-Western variations on the heart's most ancient themes. I mourned the loss in my own nerdy ways, reading forums and following fan sites and hoping beyond hope that Fox would see the dollar signs painted on the stacks of sold-out DVD sets and high-grossing follow-up movie, and resurrect this gem. It was not to be.

Meanwhile, shows like "The War at Home," "So You Think You Can Dance," and "Bones" continued to live in comfort on the network. "American Idol" continued to thrive, even with a grass-roots effort to have its most talentless pseudo-crooner voted to #1 every week, and "Hell's Kitchen" defied cancellation with episode after episode of sensational screaming Brit. I continued to wash my dishes and set the table for my wandering Fox every night, with fond memories of our early-Simpsons honeymoon and a distant hope of another surprise Firefly romantic weekend.

Then, just when I threatened to pack my bags and leave for the last time to my cousin Netflix's house where I can find safe haven and old episodes of Northern Exposure on DVD, Fox promised me change...Fox promised me renewal...a Bed & Breakfast redemption for a failing marriage...

...it was called Drive

Drive was written and produced by Tim Minear, Joss Whedon's Firefly-writing-partner. It starred Nathan Fillion, the former hero of Firefly/Serenity, as the lead actor. It featured Richard Brooks, who played Firefly's most intriguing and notorious character, Jubal Early. And, more than anything, it had whispers of the clever writing, magic characterization and vortex wit that I had been yearning for since Laura Palmer's dad was exposed, Jim Prufrock disappeared from the streets of Push, and Joel Fleischman boarded a plane for the mainland. It wasn't perfect by any means...several bad actors and a sense that Ford was one memo away from ubiquitous product placement hampered the show...but it was good. Not just "TV good"...like, actually good. It had heart...and it had clever. And, for the first time in a couple of years, it felt like somebody was actually trying to produce something new for network television.

My heart rose. I told everyone I came into contact with. I raved to my bowling league, and I spread the gospel at work. I told the guy next to me on the flight back from Boston. In retrospect, I may as well have been saying, "yeah, but he told me he actually won't cheat this time."

They canceled Drive after two episodes. It was on TV for ten days. Critics loved it. Fans raved. But it was a startup...it was complicated, and nuanced, and it required the better part of your frontal lobe to follow the dialogue. In short, it wasn't "So You Think You Can Dance." They had spent TWO MONTHS promoting this show...dropping enticing ads in American Idol and 24...two of Fox's most highly-rated shows. Ratings were good...but apparently not good enough for a show that cost that much to produce. Fox canceled it. After two episodes.

I found out yesterday. I found a strange thread in a random google search that read "SAVE DRIVE FROM THE AXE." It was lipstick on the collar; a waft of unfamiliar perfume in the laundry. I told myself I probably was jumping to conclusions...I mean, he promised...but I clicked anyway. It was Fox site dedicated to drive...and it was page after page of fans lamenting the loss of this promising show.

I was tricked again. I thought good TV had a chance. I was foolish.

I skipped 24 this week. I think I'm protesting. It's passive-aggression. It's one step closer to calling Netflix back up for a romp...like the old days.

Probably best. I've been watching too much TV for a guy with full-time job and a wife and a house. And now, I've got one less reason.

Peace,
Justin