Firefly noob - a few observations..... by Faqa

FIREFLY EPISODE DISCUSSIONS

Firefly noob - a few observations.....

POSTED BY: FAQA
UPDATED: Friday, November 24, 2006 13:13
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Friday, November 24, 2006 7:49 AM

So, um, hi. Got hooked on the damnable series a few months back(friend's fault. Gorram Browncoats.....), and must get the movie at some point(for which I am, sadly, spoiled).

Any way, a few questions I've got on Sci-Fi's biggest martyr:

- Jayne. I realize the series got cut off before he could be properly explored, but WHY is he so afraid of Mal? From the pilot onwards, the man functions as Mal's vicious dog - scary, mean and loyal only to him. Unleashed when someone needs to be scared.

WHY? It's not like Mal ever likes him or trusts him(not that he has a reason to....), and it's not like Serenity is what we would call a lucrative gig. Man's a mercenary to the bone, that's proven. It seems that only personal loyalty keeps him around that piece of flying gosu, and I'm puzzled as to what Mal did to earn it.

- A little War Stories tidbit - recall what Jayne comes down with when the crew is prepping to rescue Mal - his Big Fucking Gun, Vera.

He then proceeds to spend the firefight with a pistol, holding Vera in one hand, but never using her.

Weird. Did he just bring it along as a good-luck charm or something?

- "Our Mrs Reynolds", Saffron and Inarra's confrontation. We see Inarra pretending to buy into her act.... then.....

ALARM.

I: "I guess we've lied enough"
S: "You're good"
I: "You're AMAZING. Who are you?"
S: "Malcom Reynolds' widow"

Is there not something..... OFF here? Is it supposed to be implied that Inarra hit the alarm switch or something? They're on a damned catwalk, there's no emergency buttons.

If not, what's the point of the alarm?

- How can this show read my mind in the pilot? I was PRAYING for Kaylee to get shot throughout most of the pilot(she was really annoying until Shindig), and, well..... you know. That was one amazing scene.

Anyone got ideas?

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Friday, November 24, 2006 7:54 AM

YINYANG

You were busy trying to get yourself lit on fire. It happens.

Ooh, double post.

---
"What the world needs now is love, sweet love - it's the only thing that there's just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No, not just for some, but for everyone."

http://richlabonte.net/tvvote - Vote Firefly!

(by xRiverTamx / Kelai)

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Friday, November 24, 2006 8:22 AM

SIGMANUNKI

Quote:
Originally posted by Faqa:

- Jayne. I realize the series got cut off before he could be properly explored, but WHY is he so afraid of Mal? From the pilot onwards, the man functions as Mal's vicious dog - scary, mean and loyal only to him. Unleashed when someone needs to be scared.

WHY? It's not like Mal ever likes him or trusts him(not that he has a reason to....), and it's not like Serenity is what we would call a lucrative gig. Man's a mercenary to the bone, that's proven. It seems that only personal loyalty keeps him around that piece of flying gosu, and I'm puzzled as to what Mal did to earn it.

Someone who survived Serenity Valley isn't someone to be trifled with.

Jayne's "loyalty" is motivated by money. If we remember his backstory, he turned on his past employer for a bigger cut, his own room, etc.

Also, if we remember Ariel, Jayne's loyalty wasn't exactly on Mal's side.

Quote:
Originally posted by Faqa:

- A little War Stories tidbit - recall what Jayne comes down with when the crew is prepping to rescue Mal - his Big Fucking Gun, Vera.

He then proceeds to spend the firefight with a pistol, holding Vera in one hand, but never using her.

Weird. Did he just bring it along as a good-luck charm or something?

This was after Ariel, when Mal didn't send Jayne out the airlock. That'd be one large motivation so that he didn't owe Mal anything (or at least as much).

Vera is not exactly something to use in relatively tight combat situations.

Quote:
Originally posted by Faqa:

- "Our Mrs Reynolds", Saffron and Inarra's confrontation. We see Inarra pretending to buy into her act.... then.....

ALARM.

I: "I guess we've lied enough"
S: "You're good"
I: "You're AMAZING. Who are you?"
S: "Malcom Reynolds' widow"

Is there not something..... OFF here? Is it supposed to be implied that Inarra hit the alarm switch or something? They're on a damned catwalk, there's no emergency buttons.

If not, what's the point of the alarm?

I believe it was Wash that hit the alarm after he woke up.

Quote:
Originally posted by Faqa:

- How can this show read my mind in the pilot? I was PRAYING for Kaylee to get shot throughout most of the pilot(she was really annoying until Shindig), and, well..... you know. That was one amazing scene.

Anyone got ideas?

She was shot b/c everyone liked her and it made sense to put the most likeable character in peril. Makes things more emotional and character based which was one of the defining characteristics of the show.

It also shows a part of Simon. Namely, how far he was willing to go to save his sister. How important she is to him. It sets things up for later on. etc

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

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Friday, November 24, 2006 1:13 PM

TRAVELER

Welcome FAQA:

I have to go with Sigmanuki about Jayne's loyalty. Mal makes a profit and Jayne will stick around as long as the profit is there. Jayne has made it clear if the money was good enough he would turn on Mal. But as the show progresses I see a change in Jayne. It may be because something was jarred lose in his brainpan when Mal took a wrench to his head or the fact that River could kill him with her brain, but his loyalty seems to grow along with his respect for Mal. I also see Jayne conversing with Book in several episodes. Book may have some influence on him.

The alarm could be from the ships computer. It may do a periodic analysis of the ships systems and discovered Saffron's tamperings. Your guess is as good as mine on this one.

Kaylee is the ships youngest member until River. I think the entire crew has a warm spot for her. She brings happiness with her. Remember Jayne asking Mal if they could do something about her cheerfulness, like tapping her mouth and throw her in the hold. I don't think I ever saw Jayne more angry than when Kaylee got shot. If Book had not stopped him, I think Jayne would have emptied his gun in that agent's body. Even Jayne hovers like a father by the infirmary while Simon works on Kaylee. If you can get Jayne this upset than you have commited one hell of sin.

Wow! You got me thinking there Faqa. These are just my opinions. They may change as I watch the show for the millionth time. But for now this is how things look to me. There are well over 20,000 people here and I'm sure each has seen these episodes more than myself and they will have better insite than me. So don't be surprized if you get several different answers.

So I will say welcome to you again Faqa. And don't stop asking questions. That is what makes us rethink the show and the characters.

Traveler

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