Finding Serenity by Solai

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Finding Serenity

POSTED BY: SOLAI
UPDATED: Monday, November 7, 2005 11:07
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 3468
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Saturday, November 5, 2005 6:19 AM

I posted this over on the SciFi board last night and felt wanted to share it with you as well, as you may not wander over to those parts anymore.

Hey there stranger. You can pay me no mind if you like. I don’t mean no harm. I am not a ravin loony, I have just come to speak my peace. I can promise you what I have to say is from the heart. I’d be much obliged if you like to sit there back for a moment and listen, won’t mind if you don’t want to. That’s your right.

I come hear tonight to tell you about thoughts that are flittin through my craw. You see, I gone and finally finished the circle, completed the ride, seen all there is to see. Tonight I found Serenity, and Serenity found me. Funniest thing, only cost a handful of dollars, but it left me changed somewhat.

You see, not more than two months ago, Firefly found me. People makin’ a ruckus about some new fangled movie coming out called, “Serenity” and that I should drop everything I was doing and go see it.

Well, I consider myself a thoughtful man, measured even. Sure, I’ll do something on a whim, maybe even spontaneous like. But to see a picture based on people just sayin go see it? No sir. I wouldn’t do no such thing. Their talk tho, their talk left me intrigued. What was this here Firefly?

I went and told my recordin device to go and collect all the Firefly it could find. Nothing much else on anyhow, nothing I cared for much that I hadn’t already seen. Just so happens because of this picture comin out there is a whole boatload of Firefly, more than I can shake a stick at. I am determined to do it right, watch it in order. Glad I did…later discovered that was more than the original people got.

So I watched. Let me tell you friend I am not one for flowery language. I get to the point and leave the flowers to others, although you may laugh at that as I meander through my thoughts here. All I can tell you is that there was something about the show that struck a chord deep inside me. It was like an old friend whom I had forgotten about had come knockin on my door, gave me a big smile and said hello all unexpected like.

The characters struck me. The theme moved me. The plot made me smile at myself, reminded me of the frailty of people. There can be good people, there can be bad. Some can both, none can be neither, or maybe they hope they can be. I almost immediately realized there was something special, something different about this show. I felt at home. I watched them through. Went and bought ‘em and watched them through again, with commentary where it was warranted. Realized that there was no mistake, it was good. It was very good.

Tonight, at long last, I found Serenity. I expected to see it alone, as it had been around for so long. I walked into the theatre and twenty people were to be my companions which made me happy. Serenity is not something one wants to find alone. You find it in the company of others.

As the curtain time drew closer my surprise grew as the theatre continued to fill. By the time the lights began to dim there were people sitting in the aisles, forgoing seats.

If Firefly was like bumping into an old dear friend, Serenity was akin to finding the love of your life waiting for you patiently in your own room, not knowing who she was but always knowing who she is. Serenity was a song I knew by heart, but had never heard the tune before. By the end of the movie I was left wanting more, hoping that it would not end.

Had I found Serenity? In part, perhaps yes. There is some art, some literature, some music that can move you to tears or make you stand up cheering just by the thought of it. This was something different, something more.

I once again find myself thankful that Firefly found its way, almost by accident, unbelievably only about two months ago, into my life. The show reminds me of parts of me I had forgotten, or forced myself to forget. People are infinitely complex. Things are rarely as simple as we thought they would be. There is always a touch of humor, even unexpectedly found.

Feel free to jibe me if you like, I won’t mind. I came here with only one thought, share what I am thinking, speak what I am sayin. It isn’t meant to be right nor wrong, better or worse. It just is. I ain’t no fool. I know that the people I see there on the screen are just people playing a part with words given to them by someone else. I don’t believe in them, but I do believe in what they represent. I suspect they represent something different for each person who encounters them. If you have read this far, I’ll let you know something I wouldn’t normally tell you…to me, the story represents hope, peace and friendship above all else. Hope in the face of the impossible, peace in the most unlikely of places and the friendship of those who you don’t realize have somehow become your family.

…and somehow, I think you will understand, as I suspect you have found Serenity too. If not, like I said, pay me no mind. It is your right to say what you like, nothing wrong with that. Just remember, always remember it is always easier to tear down than to build. Or I can invoke Shakespeare and let you know if these shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended, that you have but slumbered here while these words did appear, and this weak and idle theme, no more yielding, than a dream.

Thank you for reading. Sorry I am so late to the party. You really can’t stop the signal.

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 6:32 AM

JADEHAND

Well said, Thanks for sharing.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
"Dreaming the dream that only the sleepless know."

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 6:45 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by Solai:

Thank you for reading. Sorry I am so late to the party. You really can’t stop the signal.

Welcome!
check out my signiture...because you HAVE to see the River Tam sessions (taped at that Academy)

and you really need the comic books....

enjoy!

**********************************************
watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse,
and have you joined the Browncoats yet?
http://browncoats.serenitymovie.com/serenity/?fuseaction=tools.invlink
&u=embers&linkID=36

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 7:36 AM

TYDERIUM

I'm a month behind you, having just discovered Firefly, watched most of the DVDs, seen the movie twice and saved the final episode for viewing last night. What a bittersweet experience to discover something so rich and resonant only to learn that most people couldn't see it at all. It struck such a chord to find someone who shared my experience quoting Shakespeare - my other passion. Say you're into him and you're liable to get labeled "intellectual" at best or "pretentious" at worst; go around praising a short-lived TV show and you may get the "I really don't watch television" speech, which is always a put-down and usually a bald-faced lie. As Firefly and its characters so clearly illustrate, the good stuff can be found in the most unexpected people and places, so you better keep your eyes open.

Tyderium

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 9:18 AM

SOLAI

Jadehand, Embers, TYDERIUM, thank you.

Embers: Where did those tapes come from? They are amazing. I am surprised that they were not on the DVD set...were they an independant project with Summer? They are devestating to watch her progress.

Tyderium, amen my friend.

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 9:29 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by Solai:
Jadehand, Embers, TYDERIUM, thank you.

Embers: Where did those tapes come from? They are amazing. I am surprised that they were not on the DVD set...were they an independant project with Summer? They are devestating to watch her progress.

Tyderium, amen my friend.

Solai: the R. Tam sessions were actually video taped AFTER the movie was made (long long after the TV show was canceled) as a 'guerilla' marketing ploy...
they were posted a ifilms without much explanation,
and the fans went nuts over them (at least I went nuts over them!)
Joss Whedon wrote directed and played the interviewer
and Summer Glau said how great it was to show River before she got her brain cut into....

I'm hoping they will be on the 'Serenity' DVD w/the extras!

and Tyderium: Joss Whedon is a huge Shakespearian fan, he would host parties at his house where some of the buffy & angel actors would come to read Shakespeare and play music....

**********************************************
watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse,
and have you joined the Browncoats yet?
http://browncoats.serenitymovie.com/serenity/?fuseaction=tools.invlink
&u=embers&linkID=36

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 9:41 AM

PROPMASTER2000

Solai, nice take on "Finding Serenity"...I read the whole thing

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 11:02 AM

TYDERIUM

Embers: Thanks for the info about Joss. A month ago I'd never heard of the guy, but that combination of a love for words and off-beat sense of humor hooks me everytime. Now I'm proselytizing about Firefly/Serenity like crazy. Should I go back and check out Buffy and Angel as well?

Tyderium

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 12:03 PM

SEP7IMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Tyderium:
Embers: Thanks for the info about Joss. A month ago I'd never heard of the guy, but that combination of a love for words and off-beat sense of humor hooks me everytime. Now I'm proselytizing about Firefly/Serenity like crazy. Should I go back and check out Buffy and Angel as well?

Tyderium

Let's see:
love of words: CHECK
offbeat sense of humour: CHECK

I would say, you should check out Buffy (and Angel). Give them a little more patience, though. They aren't as immediately gripping and impressive as Firefly (to me). But they're WELL worth the time, and eventually you'll get to parts that are at least as satisfying as Firefly.

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 12:35 PM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by Tyderium:
Embers: Thanks for the info about Joss. A month ago I'd never heard of the guy, but that combination of a love for words and off-beat sense of humor hooks me everytime. Now I'm proselytizing about Firefly/Serenity like crazy. Should I go back and check out Buffy and Angel as well?

Tyderium

I think you would be surprised by how much there it there
Important to note:
the movie 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' was based on one of JW's scripts,
but the director had a VERY different idea,
and the actors were allowed to ad-lib...so do NOT blame that mess on Joss!
Same with Alien Reserection

To experience Joss' words & work you have to go to the TV shows
and you'd be amazed with the metaphor goodness, and
subtle twists (you think you know, and then he turns it on it's ear)

My all time favorite episode Joss ever wrote:
'Once More With Feeling' the musical episode from Buffy's 6th season
(considered by some to be the worst season, but you've gotta appreciate how much he was achieving...)

**********************************************
watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse,
and have you joined the Browncoats yet?
http://browncoats.serenitymovie.com/serenity/?fuseaction=tools.invlink
&u=embers&linkID=36

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 3:21 PM

MALICIOUS

Solai,

Don't worry, you're among friends here. We are all a little wierd about this show. It gets a grip on your heart, mind and imagination and never lets go. That crew is more family than fiction to many of us. And we ALWAYS welcome similar-thinking new comers!

Tyderium,

For Pete's sake YES! Buffy and Angel are worlds in their own right and each cast has much to love. Start with Buffy. Season 1 is kind of lame, but Seasons 2 and 3 ROCK.

Enjoy!

Mal-licious

I'm going to add cursing and the hurling about of things to my repertoire.

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Saturday, November 5, 2005 9:26 PM

SOLAI

Thank you Malicious. Somehow I am not surprised at all.

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Sunday, November 6, 2005 5:46 AM

THESENTINEL

Sadly the first episode I saw on TV was Trash. I thought it was awesome. Watched Objects in space and then poof it was gone.

I was so in the dark, I thought the season ended or that it had changed to a different night/time. I'm not much of a TV watcher so I let it go.

Then, with te movie coming out, I (my wife actually) decided to buy the DVD set. We're both hooked! I more than her because I'm prone to obsession about these sort of things.

SO WELCOME! Always good to hear of recent converts.

We're growing...AND NO POWER IN THE VERSE CAN STOP US!

Adam

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Sunday, November 6, 2005 3:50 PM

SOLAI

Quote:
We're growing...AND NO POWER IN THE VERSE CAN STOP US!

Amen to that

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Monday, November 7, 2005 9:16 AM

ODDNESS2HER

Welcome aboard! We love new people who get it, and you get it.

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Monday, November 7, 2005 11:07 AM

CZARJOEL

Solai, I couldn't have said it any better myself. Really, I couldn't have, I am bad with words as the rest of this will no doubt demonstrate.

I am also a recent convert, and I am kicking myself for not picking up the series earlier. I saw the movie on opening weekend, not even realizing that it was the movie based on the TV series that a couple of friends and my sister had been pushing me to watch those years ago.

I also can't believe that just a couple of months ago I didn't know this series existed, and now I walk about reciting the lines to any who will listen. The characters Joss created, the dialog... It's a travesty that this was cancelled (and, I understand, poorly marketed and programed) by Fox when they continue to spew most of the drivel they currently air. For this, I will never forgive them.

To everyone, I apologize for getting to the party so late. I will do what I can to see if we all can't get together again.

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