Why did Mal name his ship 'Serenity'? by dqbaby76

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Why did Mal name his ship 'Serenity'?

POSTED BY: DQBABY76
UPDATED: Monday, July 3, 2006 11:52
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Sunday, July 2, 2006 8:34 AM

Ok...we all know that Mal named Serenity after "The Battle of Serenity Valley" but he doesnt really give an answer in the episode "Bushwacked".

In my opinion, he named her that because Serenity Valley was the last time and place that he had any kind of faith and hope. As you can see in the pilot it is obviously something he lost after that. Maybe "Serenity" represents everything that he used to believe in: Freedom, Faith, Hope. Or maybe it's just a pretty name? I dunno...but all I know is that the look on Mal's face when he first lays eyes on her is completely genuine and full of love.

I would love to hear your opinions on this one. Take Care!

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Shepard used to tell me...can't do something smart, do something right.
I'm so into Firefly, my butt glows in the dark.

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Sunday, July 2, 2006 8:36 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

"Once you've been in Serenity you never leave. You just learn to live there."

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Sunday, July 2, 2006 8:56 AM

PENGUIN

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
"Once you've been in Serenity you never leave. You just learn to live there."

I watched that deleted scene last night...so powerful...

I wish there was a place for it in the show...it says so much about Mal, and his relationship with Zoe.

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Sunday, July 2, 2006 9:01 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

I know. I wish both deleted scenes had been edited back into the pilot for the DVD release. The first one could come right after the scene with Mal watching the ships, and the other one could go in... wherever it was supposed to be. They must have been mastered at some point since they were in the original pilot shown to Fox.

Damn you Fox!

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Monday, July 3, 2006 5:04 AM

ODDSBODSKINS

or: masochism?

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Monday, July 3, 2006 5:18 AM

EMBERS

I think that Mal is a man with a dark cloud over his head...
he lost everything he was (his faith, not only in God, but in man) at Serenity Valley

I think that Joss was using the name of the ship as a means to show that Mal was not escaping his past,
he was carrying it around everywhere he went.
He had put himself into a prison of loss and isolation,
and he couldn't find a way out....

But of course at the same time the ship is also that thing that holds the crew together,
that protects them from the Black cold nothingness.

So the ship is also the light and warmth of family...
so there is definitely double meaning there.

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watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse
have you checked out this thread?:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=15816

and listen to 'I'm Going To See Serenity':
http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/artistdetails.php?BandHash=a0
c814e1229742ce77ed4497cbf4631c

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Monday, July 3, 2006 5:51 AM

DQBABY76

oh... that was a good one. never thought about it like that. I love the people on FFF.net, very insightful. thanks for shiny post!

sincerely, taira

-------------------------------------------------
Shepard used to tell me...can't do something smart, do something right.
I'm so into Firefly, my butt glows in the dark.

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Monday, July 3, 2006 10:45 AM

RUGBUG

Serenity Valley was a life changing event for Mal. If you watch him in the battle scenes pre-surrender, there is a lightness to him ('they don't like it when you shoot at them. I worked that out for myself'), a playfulness even in a time of horror and carnage. After that battle, that lightness is gone as well as his faith and innocence. It became the most significant thing in his character formation. Before Serenity, Mal was a whole man fighting for a cause he believed in. After, he was a broken shell that believed and trusted only in himself. The Alliance wasn't his only enemy. The Independents also let him down. He was fighting the good fight, they laid down arms. The battle defined who Mal is...not the military defeat, but the personal defeat. Thus, naming the ship Serenity. IMHO, of course.

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Monday, July 3, 2006 11:24 AM

DQBABY76

You know I never even thought about the Independents letting him down. Interesting viewpoint.

-------------------------------------------------
Shepard used to tell me...can't do something smart, do something right.
I'm so into Firefly, my butt glows in the dark.

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Monday, July 3, 2006 11:35 AM

MSG

yeah there's nothing like being hung out to dry by the side you sold your soul to protect to suck out a man's sense of hope. I always figured it was a mark of Pride. Hey you walk through hell you gotta show off your scars and Serenity is the scar that Mal wears day in and day out. He knows what it's like to be left alone to die by the very people who should have protected him and he's never going to forget. Serenity is his way of showing that nothing can grind him down to little bits. IMHO:)

I choose to rise instead of fall- U2

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Monday, July 3, 2006 11:52 AM

RUGBUG

Nicely put, MSG. That's what I was trying to say, but you did a MUCH better job.

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