Does Jayne really deserve to be mocked? by Fastmover

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Does Jayne really deserve to be mocked?

POSTED BY: FASTMOVER
UPDATED: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:43
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Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:27 PM

There's a lot of talk about the extent of Jayne's avariciousness as well as his general portrayal in FF/Serenity. I just wanted to play Devil's Advocate for a moment, and ask, does he really deserve all the flak he gets, and can one blame him for his attitude?

Everyone seems down on him and he was never really wanted from the getgo, only tolerated, yet they won't build up the guts to get rid of him. Mal certainly doesn't care for him, Wash puts his foot on him in The Train Job, Inara tells him off, Zoe sees him as expendable, he and Simon and River of course don't get along. The only people he seems to sort of get along with on decent terms are Book and Kaylee, and even they mock him sometimes. After all this, is his attitude completely unjustified? If they can't stand him, why not just ditch him?

I know he's supposed to see Serenity as home like everyone else, but things aren't exactly made homely for him.

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I am evil, I am sly, and if you get eaten no one will cry.

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Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:49 PM

PIRATECAT

Jayne is not a fuzzy wuzzy bear he is a survivor. He has grown up on the rim. He takes care of himself. He grows through the series with Mal's leadership and Book's friendship. Kaylee is a little sister with a slight crush. But he likes his job and crew. The Tams put his world into unwanted danger thats Jayne issue with Mal. He is not into being a hero just one step ahead of the law with a good days bankroll. But he has some guilt send money to his ma, respect the shepherd, and doesn't want the crew to think low of him. He bought apples for everyone even though it freezed the blood amight.
Serenity he came around but the series would have been better over time but will never know.

"Battle of Serenity, Mal. Besides Zoe here, how many-" "I'm talkin at you! How many men in your platoon came out of their alive".

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Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:05 PM

AGENTROUKA

Turn the question around and ask why he's not leaving.

He's on the ship for the money and the bunk. In exchange for that, he's supposed to do as the Captain says. So far the basics.

On the upside, Jayne does seem to have wrapped his brain around the concept that crew = family, as evidenced by how he refers to Simon as "not crew" on several occasions even though technically he is just as hired as Jayne himself.

On the downside, Jayne is a dangerous opportunitist, and his frequent bouts of attempted insubordination (talking back, setting up pranks,..) don't help in reassuring Mal.

It's in Mal's best interest to keep a critical distance to Jayne, even though he's useful.

As for the rest of the crew, it's a case of reciprocation. Jayne has little respect for most of them. He tolerates them and respects Zoe and Mal's authority but nothing else. There is some affection for Kaylee but that doesn't stop him from insulting her, either.

They relfect Jayne's attitude back to him.

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Friday, April 27, 2007 3:08 AM

ZZETTA13

Jayne is the simple mussel of Serenity. I agree that most of the crew wouldn’t mind if he were gone but he (Jayne) does add an extra edge to the little transport Firefly in the competitive world of piracy. He’s proven his worth in a tuff fight and he’s shown enough snap to formulate a scheme (even a bad one like in Ariel) so he isn’t a dummy.

But here’s a partial list of scenes where he has not endeared himself to the crew.

1) The Train Job: While the rest of the crew are wanting to contrive a rescue for Mal and Zoey. Jayne wants to take command, run off and leave them. Not a good idea when looking to be a team player.
2) Of course the Ariel eps.
3) Serenity the pilot eps: Mal “ But he did try to make a deal with you. Why didn’t you turn on me Jayne?” Jayne “The money wasn’t good enough.” Mal “ what happens when it is?” Jayne “ Well that will be an interesting day.” This just pain admits where his loyalties lie.
4) Safe eps: Jayne tells Mal and Zoey that leaving Simon and River to the hillfolk is a good idea and better for the whole ship.
5) OoG eps: It takes but a second and a little persuasion from Mal to convince Jayne to join their side.

Just a few examples of where Jaynes inner Niska comes through.

Z

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Friday, April 27, 2007 10:32 AM

FASTMOVER

Good replies! :)

Also, betraying Stitch made him look bad, while at first exploiting the mudders as well.

What I'm wondering, though, is why doesn't the crew at least try to reach out to him before giving up on him? I will say though that were I in his position I would probably feel and treat Simon much the same way after his nut sister slashed him, and he isn't wrong that carrying the fugies as he calls them is a big unnecessary risk.

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I am evil, I am sly, and if you get eaten no one will cry.

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Friday, April 27, 2007 11:43 AM

NBZ

What makes you think they have given up on him?

I do pretty much disagree on the original assessment though.

The only one who gets down (almost unjustifiably) on Jayne is really Wash (who then hides behind Zoe - he has issues.). But even here, there is a slight civility.

If Mal did not see the person in Jayne, he would not be talking to him at the end of Jaynestown. ABout what the mudders did. He would not have been surprised about Jayne turning on someone - not after how he hired him.

He kept Jayne on the ship even AFTER he called the feds on the Tams. I call that a second chance.

However at times Mal does let Jayne take the flak for things he would do too. Case in point: the pilot Serenity. I cannot see Mal having had any intentions of leaving Dobson Alive. But since Jayne was the one who opened his mouth, he was also the one to get a public mauling.

In Safe, Jayne AND Zoe consider leaving the Tams behind. That is not a knock on either.

Some of the banter between Zoe and Jayne is friendly even when talking of violence.

Oh, and talking of expendable - in Serenity Mal and Zoe walk into a known ambush while Jayne goes for a walk finding the snipers. They were the cannon fodder, not him.

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