why is this so insanely popular?

I'm not saying this because I hate or dislike this show as I actually thought it was decent but really, why is this such a huge geek culture phenomenon?

This is by no means a bad show, but it's also by no means extraordinary. Yes, it had potential, but let's not kid ourselves here, the characters are all age old archetypes and the universe it sets up is by no means original. Malcolm Reynolds is your classic Mad Max/Wolverine roguish drifter archetype with the troubled past, Jayne is your typical comic relief brutish oaf of a sidekick i.e. Tackleberry from Police Academy, Book is the classic wise sage/voice of reason in an insane world ala Michael Caine in Children of Men etc. The universe too, while possessing some unique concepts (most notably the fusion of Chinese and American culture as a result of the two countries having merged to form a singular government together), is still largely derivative of things like Star Wars. Even the much praised mixture of Western/sci-fi aesthetics, was technically already used in Cowboy Bebop and even the original Star Wars (cantina scene, anyone?).

The show does have its charm and a good sense of fun, but it can also get a bit tiring and old with its constant barrage of quips and one-liners. As is much of Joss Whedon's work, the characters would probably feel much more real if he spent more time giving them real conversations to work off of, rather than devoting so much of his scripts to mere snappy comebacks. The characters are largely well cast, but I do think a harder-looking, manlier sorta actor would've been more fit for the role of Malcolm Reynolds. I like Nathan Fillion perfectly fine as an actor, but I think the part calls for someone who can appear a bit more rugged and intense. I also thought Sean Maher was straight up bad in some scenes.

I feel like had if this show weren't produced by someone with a pre-established fanbase like Joss Whedon, it would've probably been quickly forgotten upon cancellation and never given another look. It most certainly wouldn't have become the classic, staple example of a great show cut short well before its prime it is today.

What do you think? Anyone else feel this show is massively overhyped? Would it have become anywhere near as popular as it did without Joss Whedon's name attached to it?