FIREFLY: THE VIRTUAL SEASON

POSTED BY: kayleeholic
UPDATED: Monday, January 27, 2003 00:33
VIEWED: 27302
PAGE 1 of 1

KAYLEEHOLIC

Friday, January 10, 2003 7:46 AM

How about it ?

If we ain't going to get given Firefly on the TV, how's 'bout we make us our own 'virtual' season of this here show right _here_ ?

We can debate character direction, plot direction and write scripts for this virtual season ?

I've got a few ideas m'self.

So, how's 'bout it ? Could be intr'estin ?

KAYLEE

Friday, January 10, 2003 3:31 PM

Count me in for this.

BROWNCOAT1

Friday, January 10, 2003 3:39 PM

Could be fun. Count me in.

NIXXIGNATIUS

Friday, January 10, 2003 4:56 PM

I would also get involved.

Nixx

LIVINGIMPAIRED

Friday, January 10, 2003 5:02 PM

Oh, yeah baby! I'm in.

Hey, maybe Joss and Minear can come back and help! ... or not...

________________

WILLOW: So... will you help me?
ANYA: Is it difficult or time-consuming?

BROWNCOAT1

Friday, January 10, 2003 6:13 PM

Quote:
Originally postedd by LivingImpaired: Hey, maybe Joss and Minear can come back and help! ... or not...

Wouldn't it be cool if Joss or Minear did contribute? Alas, I am sure they would be far to busy pursuing other endeavors to work on something like what we propose.

BREATHOFJ

Friday, January 10, 2003 6:36 PM

That definitely sounds like it could be some good times. It's a good idea.

out

CORRIELLE

Friday, January 10, 2003 10:47 PM

I'd love to be in on this!

Corri
http://www.geocities.com/elaine1899/
Keeper of Jayne's Whetstone
Keeper of Jayne's remorse for betraying the Tams
Keeper of Jayne and Simon's teasing banter

GUAILO

Friday, January 10, 2003 11:03 PM

I think it's a damned, ruttin' stupid plan and yer gonna git us all dead, and I don't like dead. Dead is bad. You want to start a'gorram fightin', you can just leave me the hell out of...

...huh?....what?

oh.

Got it. Writin'. My mistake...

I'll do Jayne .

KAYLEEHOLIC

Saturday, January 11, 2003 12:17 AM

Ok.

Let's presume that 'Objects in Space' was the Season 1 finale, unless anyone knows what the plots are for the unreleased episodes.

What comes next for our characters ?

Kaylee ? Inara ? Jayne ? Where do they all stand now that the events in the first 'season' have passed ?

I say we start with a nice leisurely pace before we build up to a season villain.

Badger or Niska ?

Well, maybe have them working together. They may not exactly be friends, but 'my enemies enemy is my friend ...' and I think that would work in the spirit of the show. All the 'renegades' are working together so to speak.

Also, it brings in some political byplay. We're all equal, but some are more equal than others.

Mal might grow to hate the Niska/Badger alliance more than the Fed's because they're essentially doing the same thing: forcing their will on other people who should be free.

I'd also like to meet another 'Companion' and, perhaps take a greater look at the Companions Guild.

Oh, and bringing in the guy from Shindig in again is a must.

Kaylee and Simon should, at least, get together, perhaps have Simon actually pushed into making a move by River.

Now River ? She's gonna have to get at least a little bit better, her 'madness' isn't going to last forever. I read on one of the forums here an idea about her being schizophrenic and that one personality was a trained assasin whilst the other was actually just River.

She's like she is 'cos o' the personalities being in conflict something rotten.

And Book ? Ahem, well, I reckon he was actually the general in charge of the attack on Serenity Valley ( or at least, in some high ranking place ) and left the Military after the war had ended and took up a place there, seeking not just to enlighten others, but to enlighten his own sould too, kinda like he's taking a walkabout onboard 'Renity. In one episodes, he refers to there 'being plenty of heathens on the Serenity' Could he be refering to himself also ?

Anyone else got any opinions ?

GUAILO

Saturday, January 11, 2003 12:36 AM

I think Mal stays pretty much the same, as does Inara. They are the solidity of the show and so they shouldn't change much. Maybe get closer and get at more of thier "hang-ups" with one another.

Bager and Niska, as with the Allience, probably would be best left alone for a bit and perhaps a related but new Villian (think Jubal Early). Using the character from Shindig is a great idea because it ties those previous "villian affiliation" together in a way - Allience money with family connections...sort of mob bosses without a mob.

I agree with Kaylee and Simon, and I agree with you idea about "fixing" River. Maybe Kaylee could get to the bottom of things - not figure out what was done to River, but work some kinda frontier logic relating to River's opinion of the Bible. (People are imperfect, but that doesn't make them bad or wrong or whatever). I also like the notion of River picking up some sort of ambient antagonism that's making her more unstable and that after Jayne ends up in the air lock the crew comes closer together and River calms down .

I wouldnt put Book as a general or anything but at least a Lieutennant just like Mal. Only thing is, where Mal lost his Faith, Book thinks he found his, but both of them have a lot to learn about what faith really is. Book is good at "philosophizin'", but is he really, ultimately religious? Is Mal?

Using another Companion and her escort perhaps to shed light on Companion "society" is a neat idea too.

Keep the ideas coming!

KAYLEEHOLIC

Saturday, January 11, 2003 12:54 AM

Didn't Early die ?

One concept: at the end of OIS, we saw him drifting in space.

How about this: we have him recovered by a ship carrying none other than Atheron Wing ( the guy from Shindig ). Well, Atherton's money loaded so he's probably charted a ship of similar size to Serenity ( another Firefly class ? ).

So, this other ship, the Tenacity ( for lack of a better name ) picks Early up and Early gives over information on Serenity.

Atherton, with glee, learning he can put Mal in a lot of trouble if he turns over Mal and due to the fact Mal was harboring wanted fugitives.

So, Early and Atherton, on the Tenacity, set off in pursuit of Serenity.

Well, that would be the 'Teaser' of the first of our episodes. Any ideas on how the plot would/should continue ?

GUAILO

Monday, January 13, 2003 4:48 PM

I wasn't exactly meaning that Early be brought back but rather a character like Early.

In spite of that, I could envision an episode where Early does show up again, say in some space port or another, and hassles the crew. He confronts Mal in an alley somewhere with the following exchange:

JUBAL: So...we meet again, Malcolm Reynolds. Funny thing, fate. Particularly when fate has so little to do with us meeting like this.

MAL: (glanincg at JUBAL's gun and then smiling back up at him) Figueres. Mind if I ask you a question 'fore you go and perforate me?

JUBAL: As long as it won't take to long. I have a shedual to keep. I'm a busy man.

MAL: (wry, quick smile) Weren't you floating off into the deep last we spoke?

JUBAL: I was.

MAL: Thought so. How'd that turn out.

JUBAL: I'm cleverer than you might think.

MAL: I see. So how does that explain your getting smacked on the head like that?

JUBAL looks confused, and turns just as JAYNE hits him hard with a ceramic sculpture from some local shop.

JAYNE: (looking down at JUBAL) Didn't we kill him alreddy?

MAL: Already, yes, but pparently not enough. Let's go.

Do something like that and never explain how Jubal got out of it.

KAYLEEHOLIC

Monday, January 13, 2003 5:36 PM

I like the idea about Early in the last post. I think it's a cool scene and Jayne and Mal both get great lines.

As I posted in a thread about Early's sanity, I think he may have been subjected to the same sort of thing that River was. Except he got through the experimentation.

In that mind, I've got an idea.

In 'Ariel', Simon got some information from the Alliance facility about what they did to River.

She wasn't the only person experimented upon and this is where the plot grows:

Let's call the episode 'Objects in Motion'.

Serenity's on a planet. Simon is talking to an information dealer in a seedy bar ( strip joint anyone ? ) to buy information on the experiments that were conducted on River. Mal and Jayne are, of course, keeping an eye on the 'lil Doctor but Mal leaves the bar at the behest of Kaylee ... and is confronted by Early, who points his phase pistol at Mal, but the sequence in the above post occurs ...

And then we kick into the credit sequence.

Afterwards, Simon is back on Serenity and the ship is ploughing through space. The data that Simon bought off the information dealer was decrypted and Wash/Kaylee have been decrypting it. When it is decrypted, it reveals that Early was also experimented upon.

During Act 1, we see Early visiting the information dealer and shooting him dead, then stealing all the information he has.

Later, we'd see Early reporting to a figure who was in veiled in shadows ( so it could be either Atherton or Niska or an Alliance goon ) and then heads after Serenity ...

Meanwhile, Serenity gets involved with something in space. A stricken freighter that has been put there as a booby trap for salvagers ? And River figures this out when she stumbles into the cockpit with Wash.

And, perhaps, Simon and Kaylee are stuck in an escape pod from the freighter and forced to deal with their feelings, eventually leaning in and kissing and we cut to Mal opening the escape pod on his engineer and doctor. And Jayne says a good line on Kaylee being 'his woman'.

And then Early shows up, somehow he's got onto the ship through the airlock like last time. And he pulls his gun on Mal, Simon, Jayne and Kaylee.

But ...

How should it continue ?

I quite like this 'pilot' idea for the FFVS.

Any comments ?

GUAILO

Monday, January 13, 2003 7:03 PM

Nice story ideas.

In terms of plot, the reason Early didn't discover Jayne sneaking up should be revealed. I was thinking ear trouble frome the slow depressurization of his suit, but we still don't really reveal how Early ultimately got out of that mess. He clips his O2 line and depressurizes himself but the thrust slowly rolls him back to his ship just as he's about to suffocate and freeze.

How about this for a spin on the story you've begun: Jubal is after River for the money, but he's crafty. He's got a secondary agenda or connection...to Niska....

Jubal, after the confrontation with Mal in the alley, reports back to his boss. When we come back from commercial (hehe) there's a scene or so of the Serenity crew leaving the planet with Simon going on about a lead on the Allience process his sister went through. He has found someone who says he knows someone else that can get them info, but they're not easy to get to, blah, blah, blah...

Jubal is seen entering a room where Niska sits (dingy frontier world office) informing him that the Serenity crew gave him the slip. He leaves out the details, but that okay because that's why Niska has been told to rendezvous here: to make the payment for obtaining River expedient. Niska is resistant and authoritative, and seems to have a hold over Jubal. Jubal is resentful, but stoic. Niska wants River delivered so that she can be turned over to his clients ASAP and Jubal promises coldly that everything is in order.

The idea with this scene is to establish a reluctant relationship between Niska and Jubal. I figure that Jubal isn't the one that had been tested on, but that it's his child. Niska has promised to rectify that for services rendered, and this has been dragging out for a while ("One more job" ad infinitum). Jubal's actual intent is to capture River and get paid, but then double cross Niska and use River's capabilities to rescue his own child from Allience hands. This is why he doesn't intend to kill the crew (which presumable he could have easily done in Objects in Space); he's not a bad guy but he is capable and desperate.

If we are gonna bring him back, some sort of desperate conviction like that is the only thing I can think of that would really keep someone going to that degree of conviction. Plus, it makes Jubal a somewhat sympathitic character, but also one who will pursue River and Serenity forever.

LOSTANGEL

Monday, January 13, 2003 8:55 PM

I like the thought of Early back on their tracks. It doesn't have to be that Early's kid is held for ransom. It could be that Early is doing what Early is supposed to do. He could have that single-minded determination that can get really creapy (like the robot in Terminator 2, how he kept after the kid, no matter what Arnold did to him). As a matter of fact, the more single-minded and obsessive, the less human he can become in his search for River.

I like the idea that he is what River should have been made into. Besides, we have enough sympathy with the crew. No need to go wasting emotions, we won't have anyone to boo at.

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

LOSTANGEL

Monday, January 13, 2003 9:07 PM

We could do this scene where Early gets a couple of goons and kidnaps Inara, Kaylee, and Zoe (she got knocked out first, cause otherwise she would have kicked Early's as$ so hard he would have gotten his own orbit around Serenity). He then issues a demand, the women for River.

Then the menfolk get all macho and get a posse together. Wash becomes concerned about Zoe and insists on coming in, and Simon, trying to hide his concern for Kaylee (and not doing too well at it) has to be restrained from rushing in without them. Book stays on the ship and looks after River, foiling a small party of goons that try to sneak in and kidnap her. This could be a great plot for another episode where Book deals with the fact that he killed people.

After Mal teaches Simon about which end of a gun to point at the bad guys, they all rush in, have a glorious brawl, and the final sequence is the men carry the women aboard Serenity. Mal has a gracefully unconsious Inara in his arms, Simon is carring an awestruck Kaylee who is going on about a gash on his forehead, and Zoe is carrying a delerious Wash.

By the way, is there any plan to have this set as an actual story (ie: book) or is this just a discussion. This would make a great fanfic. (everyone concerned would get equal credit)

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

SAINTOFCHEESE

Monday, January 13, 2003 9:09 PM

welp..i want some wash and zoe in this virtual season!

~*Saint of Cheese*~

GUAILO

Monday, January 13, 2003 9:27 PM

I was thinking of a booby trap being Jubal's ace up his sleeve. It blows a hole in Serenity and that's when Kaylee and Simon have to bail. That's where Wash's "B" story would come in - has to be the hero pilot/engieneer without Kaylee around. He could be having to do all sorts of crazy things with the ship with a big ol' hole in her that other pilots would be incapable of.

But it sounds like I'm the only one who wants Jubal to turn into a gray character; someone who is doing bad things in spite of his good intentions. I just want to keep the "boos" focused on the Allience or Niska or Badger. Jubal is, with my plan, essentially comeing back for more because he's driven to good ends, whereas the other's are just nasty (lol).

But, heck...if you want Wash and Zoe in here, SaintofCheese, put them in! I could see a whole episode focused on them so they have more to do though.

LOSTANGEL

Monday, January 13, 2003 10:27 PM

Badger could be the gray character here too. He strikes me as being too self-centered to give loyalty to one group or another, even if it's Niska or the Alliance.

The crew needs a place to get jobs from once in a while, and Badger could do that, and it would make it interesting to know that they know they can't trust him, but need the jobs he throws their way.

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

GUAILO

Monday, January 13, 2003 10:47 PM

Yes, but Badger is clearly undermining the crew on any given job, so he's already been established as a lowlife and a villian for them. Jubal is a little less defined, is all. If there's a consensus to "write him back in" here, then I'd think he functions better as being differnet to both Badger and/or Niska and in a big way.

Preference, is all.

I also would think too much along the lines of "the gray character since that's limiting. There could be many - heck, Jayne is pretty well in there, isn't he? But, the character as a whole should differ in motivations from others of the same archetype. At least IMO.

RIV

Monday, January 13, 2003 10:55 PM

I'm in. I'd love to read, write them, or even just give ideas!

Something's going down tonight! Something with the man!

Two by two. Hand of blue.

SAINTOFCHEESE

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 2:27 AM

I want lots of wash and zoe but i lack creativity tonight. Too much studying for my theory exam makes my brain go numb to everything except chord progessions. But yes. A whole WAsh and Zoe episode would be my dream. I want to know when she made the switch from "he bothers me" to love. I assume it has to do with the lack of mustache because that thing was nasty. I want to see their wedding! i think they eloped. And i don't think Zoe's the white dress type... actually dont think zoe's the dress type at all (well, 'cept a slinky dress ) That's all i got fer now. No real plot, just the flashbacks I want.

Back to work.

~*Saint of Cheese*~

HASUFIN

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 3:28 AM

Hmm.. as far as Early's hearing.. I had a notion from the getgo that he was deaf and read lips. If you remember, there is a scene where he totally misunderstands words and sentences for something else.

Adds depth to his character anyway. No much need to explain away his bad hearing.

I like the idea of this episode quite a bit.

SARAHETC

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 3:51 AM

Working on your flashbacks, Saint. Or Cheese. What do you prefer to be called?

I think we also need to have some more Wash-Mal friction. That "War Stories" stuff isn't over yet.

But flashbacks: working on a "proposal" flashback right now. But who asks who, I wonder.

Wonder if we're stomping on the mythology?

Sarah

MOONDOGGY

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 5:35 AM

Well...I'm in for sure. I have more ideas then I can count. :smiles: Maybe ...someone here can start a group of some kind dealing with this idea or is there one already?

KAYLEEHOLIC

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 11:45 AM

Firefly: The Virtual Seasons

Virtual Season 2
Episode 1 'Objects in Space pt 2'

Serenity is on a planet. Simon is buying the data from the information broker, observed by Mal and Jayne. But Mal walks out of the bar, returning to Serenity when confronted by Early: JUBAL: So...we meet again, Malcolm Reynolds. Funny thing, fate. Particularly when fate has so little to do with us meeting like this.

MAL: (glanincg at JUBAL's gun and then smiling back up at him) Figueres. Mind if I ask you a question 'fore you go and perforate me?

JUBAL: As long as it won't take to long. I have a shedual to keep. I'm a busy man.

MAL: (wry, quick smile) Weren't you floating off into the deep last we spoke?

JUBAL: I was.

MAL: Thought so. How'd that turn out.

JUBAL: I'm cleverer than you might think.

MAL: I see. So how does that explain your getting smacked on the head like that?

JUBAL looks confused, and turns just as JAYNE hits him hard with a ceramic sculpture from some local shop.

JAYNE: (looking down at JUBAL) Didn't we kill him alreddy?

MAL: Already, yes, but apparently not enough. Let's go.

Cut to CREDIT SEQUENCE

The data that Simon bought from the information broker was encrypted. Wash and Kaylee have been busy decoding it.

Book helps with a very suprising knowledge of the Alliance encryption codes.

When it is decrypted, Mal finds a reference to a Early.

Early visits the information broker too and tries to buy the same information that Simon bought. But Simon bought it and the information broker has deleted it from his 'tex. He's outlived his usefulness so Early shoots the information broker from here to tuesday.

Early then visits a shadowed figure in a frontier office ( either Niska, Badger or Atherton ) and tells the figure that he believes the figure can be of use.

Early wants Serenity because of the information that Simon bought.

The figure replies that with all the 'explosive' situations that Serenity is finding herself in, he shouldn't worry about Serenity for very long.

We then cut to Serenity discovering a drifting frigate in the middle of nowhere. Before sending a team over, Mal first determines that it might have been Reavers ...

Mal leads a team over to the stricken frigate to recover goods. Mal, Jayne and Zoe return to Serenity leaving Kaylee and Simon on the frigate to gather engineering supplies.

Perhaps Mal does this at the behest of River ?

Then Mal realises. It's not Reaver work and the patterns of attack on the frigate are artificial. The stricken frigate is a 'venus fly trap' ...

Jayne: Venus fly trap ?

Mal: Good looking and deadly.

Mal radios Kaylee and Simon but they haven't got enough time to get back into their suits and get back to Serenity so they jump into an escape pod.

The freighter blows and the escape pod moves away from Serenity and the debris field. Kaylee and Simon, in compact quarters end up kissing just as Mal opens the lock of the escape pod ...

Mal: Ho-boy ...

But Jayne's reaction is a classic.

Everyone is gathered in the cargo bay whilst the recovery is taking place. River looks down from the walkway but senses something, looking back to the door ...

Early enters, throws a grenade and gasses the rest of the crew. He searches the ship but cannot find River _or_ the information chip. So he takes the women of Serenity ( Inara, Kaylee and Zoe ) back to his own ship.

And then we lead into the whole Boys rescue the Girls ( who Early is holding hostage until they hand over either the information or River ).

River was hiding outside the ship, mimicking the trick she played with Simon in Bushwacked ( and, from Objects in Space, we know she can 'space walk' on her own ) and even the Boys don't know where she is.

Thought Jayne does insist on handing her over to Early to rescue Kaylee. Could this be ? Something that Jayne and Simon agree on ?

And we end with the boys bringing the girls back onto Serenity, having stormed Early's ship ( maybe with a twist on the pretitles of Our Mrs Reynolds ( is that t

LOSTANGEL

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 3:06 PM

Gailo:

I love how your mind works. We could put Badger in the same category as Jayne, just that Jayne is leaning a little more towards the lighter side than Badger is. Early could be gray too, I just didn't want everyone in the mythology to be the good guys, or have good guy potential.

You are right though, we need a couple of gray people in this.

Kayleeholic:

OOOHHH!!! *Dances up and down with hand in the air*

This is progressing along so good, Joss should come in and see this! (definitely worthy of him)

I know I'm stating the obvious, but maybe Early wants to know what happened to him. That way, he couldn't kill them if he wanted the information.

I don't think that Simon would agree to trade River for Kaylee. I would love to see him dressed up as River though. And River could spout some stuff about Early like she did to Badger in Shindig. Maybe something like:

"Where did your heart go? All that's left is your mind. You're not the person you say you are, because you can't find yourself. Looking, always looking, and seeing yourself one step behind, always one step behind. Locked away, so far away, you're afraid. Afraid that when you find it, you won't be there. Afraid that you never were."

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

SARAHETC

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 3:40 PM

Sounds cool. I particularly like the idea of a hijacked ship. Could make for some thrilling heroics.

Also, "stricken frigate" would be a great name for a band.

Sarah

SENSOU

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 8:20 PM

Sounds shiny, but the Simon/Kaylee thing could be dragged out a bit more. I think, and this is only my opinion, that Simon is not ready to not put his sister before anything yet, and he doesn't want to ever put Kaylee in second place.

Sensou
Sweet is love when all is sane
Sweet is death to end the pain
Cruel is death when all is well
Cruel is love when all is hell

MOONDOGGY

Wednesday, January 15, 2003 1:47 AM

I agree . I don't think Simon would let any thing a happen to his sister or Kaylee because he cares for them both. His sisterly feelings for River and then feelings for Kaylee he doesn't yet understand him self.

GUAILO

Wednesday, January 15, 2003 1:55 AM

Doesn't Joss Whedon have a home page? I guess the closest thing is the main Firefly site at Fox.

Reason I ask is that if that since the show is cancelled and seems to be a virtual "hot potato" with any network approached to take on the effort to reestablish it on the air-waves, why dont' we ask kind Mr. Whedon to post his show bible? You know, the guuide by which the episodes were developed and written.

It's a long shot, but it may give us more of the detail bits about the universe and "mythology", as it were, to fill in the gaps. Basically, the way I see it, we all seems to know the characters really well, but we have no idea about the environs and setting in which they can roam.

Anybody got any ideas in this regard?

GUAILO

Wednesday, January 15, 2003 1:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Moondoggy:
I agree . I don't think Simon would let any thing a happen to his sister or Kaylee because he cares for them both. His sisterly feelings for River and then feelings for Kaylee he doesn't yet understand him self.

I agree here. I could see him looking at Mal and then turniong himself over before he'd let any of the crew get shafted. Simon seems to have this innate hypocratic oath thing going to the extent that he applies it to anyone he comes accross. Remember the folks that kidnapped him? As asoon as he found out they had sick, he forgot all about them abducting him and banging him on the head and all. Guy's too nice...

MOONDOGGY

Wednesday, January 15, 2003 2:18 AM

Maybe the idea was to , us, the viwers, make -up there, main people in the story, backgrounds, At least the background we don't know good enought..

SAINTOFCHEESE

Wednesday, January 15, 2003 2:24 AM

Sarah, usually they call me Saint for short, although some slipstreamers used to just shorten it to "SoC." I'm workin' on the flashbacks, but i tend to avoid voicing things for fear that i'll ruin it (although i have little ideas about how things go, and i like reading other people's thoughts).

definitely more Wash/mal friction needed.. but i think to some extent, Wash has figured out that Zoe's not in love with mal (although it seems some fans haven't). But yes. I'm sure htings will flare up from time to time.

You're my newest hero for your devotion to Wash/zoe fan fiction. I look forward to reading your proposal flash back.

agh.. calculus is definitely NOT as fun as Firefly.

~*Saint of Cheese*~

SARAHETC

Wednesday, January 15, 2003 3:34 AM

The proposal flashback fic is stalling out. I have no good ideas. Wash needs to be the vulnerable one, I think, and I'm just not seeing it clearly. Or at all.

As for Simon/Kaylee in the rest of this thread, I think it would be very dramatic for there to have to be a moment where he had to choose. Perhaps one while he was still in Kaylee's arms or something. Of course, he'd get saved at the end, the cavalry would ride in, whatever. But we'd still have that moment of tension wherein we watched Simon start to make a choice. Then, that moment creates a whole new arc. How does River react and continue to act? How does Kaylee? Does it further solidify Simon's trend toward becoming an actual crew member or does it do more to hold him in limbo?

Further, you have to add Jayne to that mix. I think that (and perhaps this opinion is too influenced by some of the fic out there) Jayne has feelings for Kaylee, deeply repressed though they may be. There's an arc. Then, if Jayne is in any way evocative of those feelings, be they subliminal or otherwise, that creates Mal tension. Yet another arc. It's a whole Kaylee arc.

I wandered off the Wash/Zoe reservation. But interesting to think about.

Sarah

LOSTANGEL

Wednesday, January 15, 2003 2:19 PM

Speaking of fanfic, I wandered over to a site, and it was 90% NC-17 stuff! The most disturbing to me was the NC-17 Jayne/Simon pairings. Considering that I am in lust over Simon, this was almost as traumatic as the cancellation!

But I have to keep an open mind about these things, I just wish there was a warning before I read it....

Anyway, I don't see Jayne getting moon-eyes over anyone. He might secretly feel protective of her, but not all gushy and stuff.

Anyway, if anyone wants, I can consolidate our ideas into a word doc (this might be too big for a fanfic) and email everyone for their input and stuff. Any takers? I am really asking permission to take everyone's idea and smoosh it together. If I was able to put it on the fanfic area, everyone's name would go on this.

(edited because I didn't want to put 2 posts back to back)
______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

LOSTANGEL

Thursday, January 16, 2003 2:06 PM

I haven't heard anything from anyone, so I'm going to do this anyway, and just email you guys. Feel free to delete it if this is too bad, or too hurtful.

Please remember, I will do my best (which isn't much) and all of your ideas will be respected. I have always considered writing therapy for me, and if there was a time I needed therapy, this is it.

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

LEGALBEGAL

Thursday, January 16, 2003 5:44 PM

I think that the ideas found here are excellent but would suggest that you consider not forcing so much into one episode. Have one episode focus on a derelict transport ship that the crew comes across. Simon and Kaylee make there way to the ship to help the crew out. Simon goes because there are sick and injured on the ship. Kaylee has gone to the ship because the engine is damaged and about to explode. When the unthinkable happens and the ship does explode the rest of the crew must spring into action to rescue the survivors. With Kaylee in the engine room the epicenter of the explosion the crew should fear her dead at the end finding her grasping to life.

Episode two could be a Jubal Early story in while delivering the survivors of the doomed ship to a planet Jubal finds them and has his alley conversation with Mal.

As for the ship becoming hijacked by someone the only one I can see gaining access to the ship and stilling it would be Badger and his gang. Adding this to the Early episode could be interesting. Especially if River, Simon, Wash, and Zoe are the only ones onboard the ship when Badger takes over. How do they outsmart Badger and his gang? How do they save the seemingly stronger characters Mal, Book, Inara, and Jayne? Not that Zoe isn’t strong but if she is out of it and Wash Simon and the un lucid river have to get them out of the situation that would be classic.

Badger should not be gray but should be the pure evil, sadistic little man that Joss Whedon made him out to be.

Oh by the way I would love to help out in the FireFly Virtual Season writing department.

SENSOU

Thursday, January 16, 2003 6:05 PM

Sounds cool. Email me a copy, please?
And I agree with you on spreading it out, but Badger seems less evil than self-serving and amoral.

Sensou
Sweet is love when all is sane
Sweet is death to end the pain
Cruel is death when all is well
Cruel is love when all is hell

SENSOU

Thursday, January 16, 2003 6:05 PM

Sounds cool. Email me a copy, please?
And I agree with you on spreading it out, but Badger seems less evil than self-serving and amoral.

Sensou
Sweet is love when all is sane
Sweet is death to end the pain
Cruel is death when all is well
Cruel is love when all is hell

LOSTANGEL

Thursday, January 16, 2003 7:45 PM

Yeah! I have friends here after all! I was afraid that after the latest bombshell, everyone picked up their bats and balls and went home without me.

I will do what I can. There is some REALLY good stuff here. I have to agree that Badger is more self-serving than evil, but he can be self-serving in an evil sort of way.

I will post it as soon as I can. Remember, this is from everyone, so throw in the edits when you read it. (And remember that when critiquing the quality of the writing)

The problem is that I don't know how long a 1 hour show is when it's written down and scripted like this, so some may be too long, and some may be too short, but there will be more than one. Here's an assignment, can someone do something about Book? We have no idea about him, and I think that's why he's the hardest to think about.

And where's that flashback proposal scene between Wash and Zoe?

I have nothing against anybody of any persuasion (because I have a couple persuasions myself), but Joss wrote that Wash and Zoe are in passionate love with each other, and Kaylee and Simon have a thing almost going, and Mal and Inara have a tension,I can't read one more Wash/Simon or Jayne/Mal or River/Kaylee pairing. The only one I haven't seen paired in fanfics is (huh?) Inara! If there were supposed to be gay characters on the show, Joss would have written them in! (that's my only objection, and I mean it. My room mate is gay, so don't go thinking I'm homophobic)

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

JADEO0

Thursday, January 16, 2003 11:40 PM

i'll have a copy

ATROPINE

Friday, January 17, 2003 6:13 AM

May I offer an idea or two?
Please forgive me if these are overwrought (being the romantic that I am!), but how about if we make Jayne confront his treason again? I was thinking that maybe the tables could be turned. Not sure how, but something like Jayne and River get caught somewhere in a deal gone bad (perhaps they are caught on the ship by folk who are out for River--maybe Early again?). River, fully knowing what lays ahead, has the opportunity to escape and leave Jayne but instead sacrifices herself so he can escape. Jayne knows that he will be blamed for this if she is not brought back--Mal will not give him another chance.

But it also leaves Jayne with quite a lot of baggage to deal with eventually. Perhaps Jayne is shocked into confessing his treason to Book. At this point we could explore Book a little more--finding out that he too was weak but found forgiveness and that lead him to his new life.

(Now of course Jayne is not about to become a monk, but it does make him face his own weakness again but this time come through it--he is sorry he did it, not just sorry he was caught.) Jayne leaves to go rescue her, without telling anyone what went on--Mal's natural thought is that it happened again--Jayne turned River in. He returns with her, she explaining the situation. Simon is mad at Jayne for "letting" this happen, but is also a bit jealous when River starts bonding with Jayne. She is grateful to Jayne and that rubs his conscience even more. At the end, Jayne maybe would confess to River--in a blunt, clumsy attempt to assuage his conscience by playing her the fool, but finds out she already knew about it somehow. (yes, this is very sketchy, just basic ideas). This dumbfounds him, leaving him in her debt (of course he is going to be crass and sloppy about this like Jayne can be--don't want him turning into a mush ball, but I think he has the type of mentality that would feel a sense of loyalty, if only temporarily, to River).

What this sort of line might do for the story: first it will give some background to Book. And it can develop Jayne just a LITTLE. It would start stretching, slowly, the ties between Simon and River. River can start attaching (platonically!! She is too damaged right now for romantic thoughts.) to Jayne, Book or both (Jayne because of his sense of duty, of admiration and a little bit of guilt and Book because he has what River needs--peace in her soul). The play on "weak vs strong (who is weak, who is strong?)" or "brilliant and troubled vs dense and relatively clear" (again, jayne can become a little more clouded with River becoming a little more clear) or simply "big vs small" can open up a lot of interesting threads. Also, with Book and River, you would also have the "weak and strong (emotionally)", or "clear and troubled". Plus, since most of the threat is centered around River, this would give Book closer to access to the spotlight. The three of them would make an interesting triad--Jayne protects her physically while Book works on her mind and emotions. Slowly Simon is moved from his position as River's moon and sky and needs to deal with that.

Plus this will allow Simon and Kaylee to develop with less baggage. There will still be that painful stretching of Simon/River but at least it can happen. As River grows stronger with the aid of Jayne and Book, she will see that Simon is longing for Kaylee and can "arrange" for that to grow. I feel that Simon will NEVER give into Kaylee while he feels that he has to be the brother/healer/protector/provider of River. I think the kiss in the airlock is a good idea, but maybe before they are caught, Simon will become overwhelmed with his sense of duty and love for River and desire for Kaylee, turning away from her. Kaylee, distraught, will be comforted and tutored by Inara (who can see that Simon DOES want Kaylee, just can't right now), and developed more as a woman instead of the little girl. Then later we can have River figure this out and start the move away from Simon--her trying to "heal" him as much as he

LEGALBEGAL

Friday, January 17, 2003 2:07 PM

Excellent story idea. I must say and the line of thinking actualk come quite closss to something Joss would pull.

A few more thoughts on the FireFly Virtual Series Project

More than one person her has mentioned a gray character and the need for the crew to find a respectable person to assign them jobs and while brainstorming an idea I had a breakthrough that I thought I would share with all of you.

Over the course of the first few episodes the crew should begin to make inroads into a independent stronghold a fringe group who hasn’t given up the fight. Mal can chose to join them for personal reasons while Inara openly voices opposition until they final make there way to the base of the resurgent independent movement.

The leader of this group should be young but wise and be well spoken and charismatic. A learned man and someone Inara finds interesting. Inside he should be much like a young Hitler with a hate for the alliance not a nationality. He should also be our gray character. Someone who will do anything for his cause including turning the good doctor and his sister over to the alliance or mal over to Niska for his support.

As for Niska himself maybe we should let him rest for a while before we bring him back and we should use him sparingly.

I will try and post a beginning to FFVS 2.01 sometime in the future for you all to read and review.

LOSTANGEL

Friday, January 17, 2003 2:15 PM

AWESOME! *jumping up and down* I always wanted to do this:

This is definitely an idea for an episode. We already know that Jayne feels guilty for doing the double-cross because of when Simon saved that man in the hospital (Ariel), the look on Jayne's face told us that he hadn't considered Simon in that capacity before.

We also know that he is capable of forming a bond with someone, when he watched over Kaylee when she got shot (pilot). I always wanted a Jayne/River bond to exist. Not a sexual thing, but to have Jayne protect her because its the right thing to do, and then have Jayne wrestle with the fact that he is starting to care about someone other than himself, and the scariness that it implies.

Let's face it, Jayne is capable of being more than the caveman he has shown himself to be, and that act will only go so far. This could be a facet of Jayne that could add many twists and turns into the season.

Dear LegalBegal:

Aside from loving your name, this character sounds delicious because those men are truly the scary ones. Evil guys like Niska know they're baddies and are predictable. Grey Guys like this one are that much worse because they believe they're doing this for some Good. I hate it when someone does something horrible for the Good of suchandsuch. That also means that they are most likely very left of center in the cranial dept.

Can't wait to read it!

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

SARAHETC

Friday, January 17, 2003 2:20 PM

Atropine--

Outstanding ideas! If I recall correctly, you're exploring chiasmus here, right? Maybe wrong, but I know there's a name for this literary device. Where A becomes B as B becomes A and although they intersect, they remain. I think that Jayne and River interacting (non-romantically!) could be a really tremendous plot. You sketched a whole lot out, several episodes, probably, with the inevitable subplots.

I think where you really got it right on is the Simon tension. Seems to me lately, that Simon's own identity has been largely subsumed by River and the need to care for and protect River.

Gives one lots to think about.

I love talking about these ideas!!

Sarah

ILOVEJAYNE

Friday, January 17, 2003 3:10 PM

This is good stuff. I'm too whimsical in the brainpan to contribute right now, but I do want a copy.

BROWNCOAT

Friday, January 17, 2003 4:03 PM

Hey guys,

You should get a whole new website, and seriously write up some scripts! I'd be interseted in helping with hosting if I can. Someone let me know, please, you can contact me at wyldkard75@hotmail.com

P.S. Anyone heard from the cast lately? They all been released from their contracts, I take it.. :(

LOSTANGEL

Friday, January 17, 2003 4:14 PM

I wouldn't know how to do that, but I have been wondering what's to become of fireflyfans if this is the end.

If anyone has any ideas on how to do this, let me know, my email address is bigsister9874@yahoo.com, or they can post here.

Good idea!

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

LOSTANGEL

Friday, January 17, 2003 7:30 PM

OK, I expanded the opening sequence to include a little humor, a little more detail, and fluff to pace out the scene. There was very little altering of the scene that was already written, I just expanded it a bit.

Firefly: The Virtual Seasons

Virtual Season 2
Episode 1 'Objects in Space pt 2' or ‘Objects in Motion’

Serenity is on a planet called Iris. This is not as much frontier as is a Core world, but not too far in that they don’t feel comfortable. Simon is with Zoe, Mal, and Jayne in a saloon buying the data from an information broker, who is very skittish. Simon does the talking, but Zoe does the glaring. Mal, seeing he is not needed walks out of the bar, to walk around some before returning to Serenity. He idly glances in windows, but doesn’t stay too far away from the saloon were everyone is. He sees a bauble in the window in a side alley and has a flash of Inara wearing it:

The scene is all hazy and blurry, like in the cheesy dream sequences
INARA: (gushing in an exaggerated manner that Inara would never do) Mal, you got this for me?

MAL: (acting all bashful, but manly in an exaggerated manner that Mal would never do) Weren’t nothin’ ‘Nara. Just a bauble is all.

INARA: (still disgustingly gushy and breathless) But this is something I’ve alwys wanted! Oh, you are such a wonderful a man! I promise to give up my disgusting job for you Mal!

She throws herself into his arms.

MAL: (still disgustingly macho) I knew ya’d come ‘round,

as he bends to kiss her, she looks up into his eyes and says

INARA: (in a very deep voice) So…we meet again, Malcolm Reynolds.

Mal gets that confused look on his face, and the hazy scene is snapped back into reality as he sees Early’s reflection in the window behind him.

MAL: Huh?

Cut to CREDIT SEQUENCE

JUBAL: (frustrated that Mal hasn’t reacted tries again.)So...we meet again, Malcolm Reynolds. Funny thing, fate. Particularly when fate has so little to do with us meeting like this.

MAL: So, what does our meeting have to do with?

JUBAL: (on the verge of an epiphany) Fate.

MAL: (glanincg at JUBAL's gun and then smiling back up at him) Figures. Mind if I ask you a question 'fore you go and perforate me?

JUBAL: As long as it won't take to long. I have a schedule to keep. I'm a busy man.

MAL: (wry, quick smile) Weren't you floating off into the deep last we spoke?

JUBAL: I was.

MAL: Thought so. How'd that turn out.

JUBAL: Oh, that went well. I hung out until I decided to come back. Now I have to finish what I started, and I will finish. Last time I would not have taken pleasure in this. This time I will.

MAL: How do you finish this?

JUBAL: I'm cleverer than you might think.

MAL: I see. So how does that explain your getting smacked on the head like that?

Jubal looks confused, and turns just as JAYNE hits him hard with a ceramic sculpture from some local shop.

JAYNE: (looking down at JUBAL) Didn't we kill him already?

MAL: Already, yes, but apparently not enough. Let's go.

JAYNE: Can’t we kill him again?

MAL: No. I reckon I saw one too many local sheriffs around here out to make a name for themselves.

JAYNE: Come on Cap’n. Vera ain’t had no fun in weeks.

MAL: Jayne, I said no. Now you go on and find Zoe an’ the rest. Tell ‘em we gotta get out of here. (looks at Jayne) Maybe you can kill someone next time.

Comments?

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

KETHRYVERIS

Friday, January 17, 2003 8:30 PM

I've been reading your virtual ep with interest and a thought occurred to me. We know that if Simon and Kaylee weren't on this ship together they wouldn't even glance at each other if they passed on the street. We've seen how Simon fits in (or doesn't) with Kaylee's world. There was the scene in the shop in "Safe" where Kaylee admires a dish or something and asks Inara about giving it as a present and Simon comes in and says it ugly. Before they get together I think seeing how she reacts in his world would be interesting. We saw how out of place she was at the party in Shindig until the men started talking to her about engines and ships and Simon wasn't there for her to be worried about impressing him. He's a gentleman enough to know that if he starts something with her he needs to think about what happens if he or he and River ever leave the ship for good. Would he want Kaylee to go with them? Would she want to leave? Was this just a shipboard romance thing? Would she fit in where they are going?

LOSTANGEL

Friday, January 17, 2003 9:10 PM

The problem that Simon faces is that he must adapt to the world that Kaylee lives in. Because of his fugitive status, he will never be able to return to the Core Planets or the "civilized" world because he would be recognized.

Aside from that, seeing Kaylee interact in Simon's world would be interesting. Maybe a scene where they have to rescue someone, and Kaylee masquerades as a Companion in order to help someone(s) escape.

Damn I love you guys for all this! This is getting a bit cumbersome in the idea exchange area though (unless I'm the only one seriously writing episodes) If anyone wants to see a word doc that's written up so far, email me at: bigsister9874@yahoo.com and I'll forward you what I got.

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

LEGALBEGAL

Saturday, January 18, 2003 12:50 AM

No need to worry you are not the only one seriously writing eps here. I am working on a first episode using some of the same stuff that you are I think that Jubal is a good way to start. I will be postinng something once all the kinks are worked out.

GUAILO

Saturday, January 18, 2003 1:23 AM

Quote:
Serenity is on a planet called Iris. This is not as much frontier as is a Core world, but not too far in that they don’t feel comfortable. Simon is with Zoe, Mal, and Jayne in a saloon buying the data from an information broker, who is very skittish. Simon does the talking, but Zoe does the glaring. Mal, seeing he is not needed walks out of the bar, to walk around some before returning to Serenity. He idly glances in windows, but doesn’t stay too far away from the saloon were everyone is. He sees a bauble in the window in a side alley and has a flash of Inara wearing it:

I'll start off by admitting that I haven't read through all your dialogue yet, but I can tell you this: The crew can't buy information from an information brokerfor way too many reasons.

1) He'd have to access the Cortex and that would immediately tip off the Allience.

2) Any money they earn goes towards resupply of the ship and crew.

Now a fix for this might be to have Inara and Simon go on alone to broker for info or find a reliable contact, but I ahve to think Simon and River both are too hot for that sort of thing. Now, this idea could be somethign that builds up over the course of our season...

If we start small, and work up to this whole not-so-bad business contact (instead of Badger) that gets them legitimate jobs, the process of acquiring that person is a story in and of itself. Just establishing that there IS an information brokerage system/person that they can count on that will get them jobs/info is an "episode" without any crucial character development.

Simply the fact that Jayne has betrayed the crew is cause for alarm and is a great basis for a character piece. We don't need to answer all the unanswered questions about Book and River and what companions are in one go. Take it slow, and the story should develop with the character interaction at the forefront; Firefly was rarely plot or "gimmick" driven.

I'm also compiling a full episode packet and, out of that, I'm making a glossary. That way we'll know that Paradiso is on a planet in the Georgia system, and things like that, to add concreteness to the settings.

Also, I feel Firefly is about the finite, the samll, the personal. Huge conspiracies and flashy or grandiose encounters are the realm of Buffy, IMO, and don't suit the hyper-realistic nature of the Firefly-verse. I'm not trying to sound negative, because all the ideas sound great, but I think pulling in the reigns a tad might be of some use.

Do I sound like a jerk? I don't mean to. Does anyone see where I'm coming from?

SENSOU

Saturday, January 18, 2003 4:18 AM

I see where you're coming from, Guailo. Remeber Ozam's Razor: Keep It Simple. It's very unlikely that the crew would get involved in any large conspiracy, or that more than one "story" would be happening at a time.
That said, what would happen if Patience got involved again? Would it be business or bullets?

Sensou
The difference betwwen sports fans and sci-fi fans is that sci-fi fans have never trashed a train, booed Canada, or torn a man apart limb from limb.

LOSTANGEL

Monday, January 20, 2003 2:31 PM

No, you don't sound like a jerk. We are all adults, and opinions should be welcomed. *"It's a small world after all" plays in the background"*

That said, I like the idea of developing the idea of an information broker over time. Also, the points you brought up could be explained:

Quote:
1) He'd have to access the Cortex and that would immediately tip off the Allience.

If there are anonomyous (sp?) ways of accessing information on the internet now, there must be ways of accessing the Cortex in the future.

Quote:
2) Any money they earn goes towards resupply of the ship and crew.

As the ship's medic, he could be entitled to a cut (much SMALLER of course) of the take from each job. I don't think that the medicine that Simon uses on River to try to help her would be part of the standard medical fare in the ship's infirmary, and they can't be cheap (mental therapy drugs aren't nowadays, so we can just assume they aren't in the future) so Simon has to have some sort of cash flow.

But I like the ideas that you put in. The way the original script was going, it looked like I had a movie on my hands! Any and all input is appreciated, and damn if this isn't the most fun I've had since the show started!

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

KAYLEEHOLIC

Monday, January 20, 2003 3:44 PM

Likewise thoughts on Simon and how he could buy the data-chip off the information dealer.

So we have the outline of the pilot above. And it seems that lostangel has 'volunteered' to write the first episode of our virtual season so that means the first virtual season of 'firefly' is well and truly underway.

Lostangel ( may we call you angel ? ) perhaps you could post chunks of the episode here so that we can take a look and 'advise' as it progresses.

On a different note, I have been concepting out ideas for a second virtual episode, tentatively entitled 'the teachings of shan yu' which would be the second 'arc' episode of the virtual season and would take a look at what happened to river. but, it would also include kaylee having to go undercover, so to speak, as a companion, when inara has a bout of sickness.

any comments on this idea, other ideas or any more comments on the pilot are always welcome.

LOSTANGEL

Monday, January 20, 2003 4:03 PM

Youse guys (I'm from Jersey by the way) may call me anything you like. Angel is fine, as is LA (my real name is Leigh-Anne). Creativity is appreciated, as long as its something my mother can read about me.

I don't mind posting the chunks, and other authors are appreciated. I don't claim to be a writer, just a compiler who takes liberties with other people's stuff.

Someone mentioned making a website or something to make this easier, if anyone has that kind of know-how, it's a fine-dandy idea.

Keep 'em comin' guys!

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

GUAILO

Monday, January 20, 2003 5:07 PM

Quote:
As the ship's medic, he could be entitled to a cut (much SMALLER of course) of the take from each job. I don't think that the medicine that Simon uses on River to try to help her would be part of the standard medical fare in the ship's infirmary, and they can't be cheap (mental therapy drugs aren't nowadays, so we can just assume they aren't in the future) so Simon has to have some sort of cash flow.

See, here's an idea that I think could be a start to the whole thing. See how this sounds:

Objects in Motion by fireflyfans.net

Simon brings the issue of a "cut of the take" to Mal at the start of the show, they go to some old buddy of, say Wash's (just to be different) who gets them a simple score because Mal insists that if Simon wants a cut, he'll have to pull his weight. Simon is hesitant because to him that means being a physician and not a criminal, but Mal tells him that's the deal, otherwise it's just the food and clothes Simon and River need to keep them on as crew that they'll get. Simon agrees.

Wash's old buddy, Hui (chinese for "gray"), is similar to Wash as we saw him in his early days: burn-out in a flowered shirt with a scraggly beard and hair and general appearance. They grew up "hyping transports" (the future equivalent of boosting cars) and hot rodding them through asteroid fields and early allience blockades for fun. Hui's a ship wiz and an electronics genius and willing to help outlying colonies with restricted electronics for a price.

Here we have a conflict in a semi-trustworth character, who may or may not be reliable, but who is not malicious. Also, there is conflict in that Simon is new to the whole crime scene and that can be further complicated by the fact that Kaylee becomes instant pals with this new character based on thier common intrest. Simon gets jealous, antics ensue.

Somewhere in the middle of the story we come to find out that the crew's movements are being monitored by Niska due to a transponder on the outer hull of Serenity. Wash's buddy Hui works freelance and cuts into Niska's blackmarket dealings which only sweetens the pot: Niska can take out two birds with one stone.

Mal, Wash Kaylee and Simon are working out the deal with Hui to ship communication gear to a colony world called Ambrosia, within Allience territory but unwilling to pay for or deal with Allience monitored transmissions. Simon pipes in claiming that he wants his "cut" to be information or a means to gather information in the form of equipment, not money. Mal and Wash are taken aback because such equipment is expenseive and will reduce the overall take. Simon's naïveté and his boldness (not to mention his deviousness at formulating this plan) makes Mal prett mad, but there's no turning back now. They have a potential new connection for crime and that's a thing on which a price can't easily be placed. Mal begrudgingly agrees.

As the ship begins to arrange a place to load the goods, Simon and Kaylee have a confrontation where Kaylee has to set Simon straight about his jealousy, but in the end Kaylee realizes how much Simon is really attracted to her. Simon is still fighting the truth but later in the story, this will be taken care of.

During this, the confrontation between a disguised and clearly wounded/tortured Jubal Early and Mal takes place. Jubal ambushes Mal in an alley and the odd terms of Jubal's being alive are cursorally discussed. Jubal is notforthcoming about why he's there, except that he asks Mal if they still have River with them, jsut before Wash smacks Jubal on the head, knocking him unconcious.

Mal and Wash hurry back to the ship. If Jubal is around, he may have attacked the crew as well, and they may have been double crossed by Hui. Wash insists that's not possible, but Mal likewise insists that when doing crime, anything is possible.

They hurry aboard and call back the rest of the crew. Jayne is out carousing and Inara has taken a client whhile Zoe has stood guard at Serenity. Mal needs everyone back at the ship ASAP so they can leave the pl

SARAHETC

Monday, January 20, 2003 5:39 PM

Woo! Exciting! Helluva episode! I kept skipping little bits and having to go back I was so excited.

I think that the detonate a device once they break atmo idea is a super great one! I think that the photography for that sequence would rule.

Go man! Yeah!

LOSTANGEL

Monday, January 20, 2003 6:09 PM

Geez, this is good! Is there gonna be more detail? I can't wait to see it fleshed out. I don't think I could do justice to your literary skills Guailo.

Of course, if you want, I could try.
______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

GUAILO

Monday, January 20, 2003 6:37 PM

Thanks folks, but I couldn't have gotten to this point without bashing heads together with you lot, so the state it's in has to be attributed somewhat to you people as well.

I loosely consider myself a writer because I'm trying to get published writing Doctor Who as we speak...not an easy endeavor. Sci-Fi is what I really love, but Firefly also hits a chord in that it's a western family drama like Gunsmoke or something, and I grew up as a little kid watching that stuff first before I ever saw my first Star Trek.

Fleshing out the details is mandatory here. I don't really like that Inara, Zoe, River, Book and Jayne are in the background or completely left out. Writing out Inara is easy: giver her a client to tend to. Jayne I can see being allowed to wander off and reaise hell, if for no other reason than he wouldn't be ding it on Serenity in that case. Zoe is a great charcter but doesn't have a lot of deapth yet, so I'm not really certain what to do with her. And Book can't simply talk like Yoda every show and River can't stqand around acting weird...that gets old. However, I think maybe with the latter two, there could be scene or two where Book and River are discussing that she's been much more calm since shooting up all the badies in the cargo hold. She doesn't feel remorse and hasn't wigged out, and that makes Book concerned. Delve a little into both thier psyches, but that seems forcing them into an already complex story.

I also don't mind calling it something other than "Objects in Motion" since that was a title brought up for other story ideas. How about "Crossroads" since it deals with making a new ally, choosing sides, etc?

As far as fleshing it out, any ideas you folks have is more than welcome. :)

LOSTANGEL

Monday, January 20, 2003 7:01 PM

I forget where it was mentioned, but a good River/Jayne connection would do wonders. (oh yeah, I think I mentioned it!

But if you think about it, Jayne is not as bad as he wants us to think he is, actually, he's not as one-dimensional as he wants to believe he is, but not nearly as complicated as anyone else on board. Maybe River can find comfort in his mental simplicity (that sounds bad, please tell my you know what I'm talking about)

Book definitely needs some episodes devoted to figuring out who he really is and what his past is about.

Having an episode where Zoe is not the sterotypical warrior woman would be good. She is so level headed, even when being forced to choose between the two men in her life, so doesn't get visibly agitated, just takes care of business. Maybe an episode where she thinks she's pregnant, then gets all moody because she thinks it's the hormones and stuff (then find out she's not, can't have a baby in season 2, have to wait a bit for that)

We could also do something where Inara starts looking at the greener grass thing. Maybe she momentarily wants a simpler life, where she doesn't have to deal with politics and soothing of egos and such. She tries to become a cook, or a mechanic, or farmer, only to realize she is doing what she does best. All sorts of moral dilemmas and such. A good twist is if Book helps her to realize this.

I am keeping all of the suggestions given out, and the great part about having a Season 2 is the multiple episodes. Enough room for everybody to shine!

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

SARAHETC

Monday, January 20, 2003 9:52 PM

All y'all have such great ideas!

Gets me to thinking too. A suggestion, if I may (an a tangential rant maybe, later):

Maybe the subplot or sideplot, whatever, of this ep with Wash's old buddy, etc., could be that Jayne, Book, and River get into a situation somewhere. They get humped. Jayne has consistently given us the "You're gonna tell us how a preacher knows so much" lines. And Book has been most varied around River. When he's around River, he's not being all Yoda. I saw Jaynestown for the first time this weekend and even with semi-crappy sound, I was still fascinated by the tug-of-war for the pages. That devolved into comic relief, kinda, but the scene at the dining table was great.

So Jayne and Book and River are cut off from the rest of the crew and the rest don't immediately understand that they're gone. Simon is too wrapped up in making choices about Kaylee. (Does this set up a later "guilt" arc?) In this situation, Jayne keeps trying to be in control while Book out guesses him or second guesses him or just plain gets it right where Jayne doesn't. And River affects people, maybe even goes a little Jedi, certainly does the fool 'em thing, like she did with Badger.

Serenity goes down, the shuttle crash lands and River is the one helping Simon out of the rubble. Book gets the inside information on Early (he's still our major villain here, right?) and presents it to the captain. Jayne thinks Mal's same thoughts about Wash's friend being a traitor and before Simon can give his "we have to decide" speech (Which was FANTASTIC, btw), Jayne goes off and tries to do him in. This leads to more tension between Jayne and Wash (anybody else just *hate* it when Jayne calls him "little man"?). There might be a fight there. There might also be a chance for Zoe to step up and really duke it out with Jayne. That arc could continue. Or Wash could tell her that this is his fight and then he whoops up on Jayne (represed rage, post traumatic stress disorder, generally angry at him for being such an ass all the time) and the power structure on board Serenity shifts. A little or lot. For a time or for good.

Just some ideas.

No tangential rant right now. I'll hang onto it.

Sarah

LOSTANGEL

Monday, January 20, 2003 10:40 PM

I like. This has the possibility of being its own episode all by its little ole self.

Definitely a keeper.

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

GUAILO

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 1:41 AM

I did ultimately find out today that the role of a bounty hunter is included in the episode "Heart of Gold" or "Trash", cant' remember which. I'll see if I can locate that info again, but as it's one of the un-aired episodes, perhaps leaving JE out of things for a start might be in order.

Just another tangent. :)

SENSOU

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 1:44 AM

Going back to the "River goes Jedi" thing, is it possible for her to aquire the Jedi mind trick?
Alliance officer: River Tam, you are ordered by law to stand down (or whatever the cops say)
River::waves hand:: This is not the girl you're looking for.
A.O.::to subordinates:: This is not the girl we're looking for.

Are there other mind tricks?

Sensou
The difference betwwen sports fans and sci-fi fans is that sci-fi fans have never trashed a train, booed Canada, or torn a man apart limb from limb.

RIVERSSHOT

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 2:37 AM

About the Book/River scene, where they discuss the shooting rampage: yes it would be going into a complex storyline, but actually going into the character's psyches might shed some light on the quiet/frigid girl turn sharpshooter into a calm, relaxed demeanor.

Story lines with River will always be fun... Of course I'm bias, I love River.

~Rivers_Shot~

GUAILO

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 2:51 PM

Quote:
About the Book/River scene, where they discuss the shooting rampage: yes it would be going into a complex storyline, but actually going into the character's psyches might shed some light on the quiet/frigid girl turn sharpshooter into a calm, relaxed demeanor.

I agree, but it just seems like squeezing too much into the one story.

How about this: A two-parter where we see the events of "Objects in Motion" with Hui, Jubal and all the rest running around and crashing shuttles and whatnot in part one, and then in part two, we see the rest of the crew (Book, River, Zoe, and Inara) doing whatever they did while everyone else was doing the rest. Basically, the end of part one and the end of part two would be the same but from different perspectives. Part two could include all the Book/River stuff, Inara making a connection for the crew in some way also and Zoe getting a chance to be in charge while Mal is away. Could work...

Mal: “The next time you decide to stab me in the back, have the guts to do it to my face.”

LOSTANGEL

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 3:13 PM

Here's what I wrote as an opening to the episode. It only gets us to where a deal was made, but it's a start. BTW, I like the 2 parter thing.

Crossroads

Scene opens into the galley, where everyone is settled down to dinner. Book has turned their protein bars, carbohydrate paste and a few odds and ends into a relatively decent meal. You see Simon trying to eat, but he gets interrupted every few minutes with River playing with her food, or trying to steal things off other people’s plates. Simon gets upset, and Mal orders River to her room.

MAL: Simon, calm her down now.

Simon gets up and chases River who has taken to dancing around the table, taking things and putting them down in other places.

SIMON: I’m trying. Tell Jayne to stop trying to trip me up and I’ll get to her faster.

JAYNE: But it’s so gorram fun ta see ya fall.

Simon catches River and leads her away to her room. On his way back, Simon looks at Mal and brings up the subject of getting paid.
SIMON: Mal, I need medicine to keep her calm, and I need medicine to try to help her.

MAL: Don’t see where that’s any of my business son.

Simon gets mad and throws his napkin on the table.
SIMON: If I got paid here, it wouldn’t be, but since I’m dependent on you for the food I eat and the clothes I wear, it is your business.

MAL: We went through this before. Fas as I’m concerned you are a part of this ship like a generator or a light bulb. I take care of you and your sister, who has no function on this ship at all, if’n you want a cut of the take, you gotta be there. Fair’s fair, an’ that’s the rules. Case closed.

Simon gets up and leaves. Kaylee looks at Mal and starts to plead.

KAYLEE: Come on Cap’n. It’s not right Simon can’t help his sister.

JAYNE: They’re not lyin’ in some ruttin’ Alliance prison. ‘Sides, that means less for everyone else.

KAYLEE: Well, I don’t mind getting less.

MAL: Kaylee, you don’t get paid either. You’re just like the Doc, you don’t go on the job, you don’t get a take.

KAYLEE: Yeah, Cap, but you don’t say no to me like you do to Simon. He has his sister to think about, and it’s just not right.

Mal just gets up and leaves the table. Everyone left looks uncomfortable, but trys to finish their meal. Later you see Zoe and Wash in bed together, and Wash, while playing with Zoe’s hair (this is a family show) comments on Simon’s plight.

WASH: Isn’t it a shame that Simon can’t to more to help River?

ZOE: Mmmm. Yes, it is, but what can he do? He’s not a fighter, and it would take too long to make him one. If we could make him one.

WASH: But what if he did something simple but pivotal? You know, like actually help and all.

ZOE: It’s a thought, just don’t think that it’ll happen any time soon.

You see Zoe close her eyes and go to sleep, but Wash stares out into the dark, obviously thinking.

Cut to commerical break.

We come in to see Wash in the infirmary getting a check-up from Simon. Wash’s shirt is open and Simon is listening to his lungs, etc.

WASH: Doc, why do I need these check-ups? I’m fine.

SIMON: You are required to undergo regular physicals to maintain your pilot’s licence. I’d like at least one document on this ship to be valid. Besides, you came to me, your physical isn’t due for another six months.

Wash looks around, as if someone else might be in the infirmary. He gets off the examining table and pokes his head out in the hallway, making sure no one is around. He closes the door and almost whispers.

WASH: I been thinking about last night at dinner….

SIMON: (whispering) Why are you whispering?

WASH: (whispering) I don’t know, seemed like the thing to do

SIMON: (whispering) Oh.

WASH: (whispering) Anyway, last night at dinner (sees the look on Simon’s face) Oh (clears throat) Uh, about last night at dinner, I was wondering, um, I might be able to help you. See, I have a buddy that might be able to help us out, and it looks like we would need someone of your…, ah, someone with your…, well, we might be able to use you.

S

LEGALBEGAL

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 3:25 PM

Hello All Just a few points I wanted to bring up here.

Lost Angel I totally agree that we should probaly give JE a rest as he was in the last ep we got in the real series and in one of the three new ones but keep writing and I think we should put it in latter on. It is not trash as that is the return of Saffron.

Guailo (did I spell that right) Your Hui story sounds great IF I may comment again drop Jubal from the story and flesh it out as a two parter this would be an excellent begining and I think it fits well with what we already know. Also I dont think Niska would do this by himself maby his goans are after HUi and when he finds out from them that serenity is there also he enters the fray.

Just a thought take it as you will but please write I think your idea has excellent potential and could be a good jumping for the rest of us. We already have a volunteer for episode two so I will start working on epiosde three.

Any Idea on that other web site.

LOSTANGEL

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 3:35 PM

Thanks Bud. I didn't suggest that we give Early a break (don't want to take anyone's credit) but I do agree with the idea. I think Guailo did.

Can't wait to see your ep!

By the way, I tried the Yahoo discussion group that some people have going on, but I couldn't get the hang of it, so anyone with an idea, speak up!

PS: I see Hui to be a space version of Cheech or Chong.
______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

GUAILO

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 5:30 PM

Quote:
PS: I see Hui to be a space version of Cheech or Chong.

I wouldn't go so far, but sort of. I was thinking someone that looked nearly exactly like Wash. It could even be a gag initially. I don't know. But in the final, I want to be sure of several things:

1) Hui stays true to the vernacular.
2) Hui be a good guy and really be trying to help out. I like the exchange above, but I envision him as being really positive.
3) If it's a two parter, Objects in Motion then Objects at Rest, include JE but keep him distant.
4) Keep River exceptionally calm and have Book more worried about that than when she was acting out. I always saw the random behavior of hers to be manifestations of the crew's sub-surface thoughts.

Mal: “The next time you decide to stab me in the back, have the guts to do it to my face.”

SARAHETC

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 5:58 PM

very super cool. I really want to read more. Can't rush genius I know. :)

I really liked the "old ways" aside with the Hang 10. Very groovy.

Sarah

LOSTANGEL

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 7:16 PM

Sarahetc, that means a lot to me, coming from you. I have been a fan of yours since I first read your fic. I wish I was as creative, I'm just expanding on what other people are saying.

Everyone has such good ideas, it's easy to look good! *smooches to everyone out there*

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

LOSTANGEL

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 8:44 PM

OK. Here's a revised version with a spaced out River and more mellow Hui. Opinions are appreciated and stuff:

Crossroads

Scene opens into the galley, where everyone is settled down to dinner. Book has turned their protein bars, carbohydrate paste and a few odds and ends into a relatively decent meal. You see Simon trying to eat, but he gets has a problem concentrating on the warm homey feel of everyone chatting and no one stealing something or beating someone up. He looks at River who is sitting at her place in the table just staring at her plate. Jayne looks around, and leans over and snags a lump of something off her plate. River doesn’t move, just starts to make a smiley face in her mashed potatoes.

SIMON: Hey! Give that back.

JAYNE: Why? She ain’t eatin’ and it’ll go to waste.

BOOK: Put it back son, there’s plenty on the table.

Jayne sees the look on Kaylee’s face, like she watched him kick a puppy, and he huffs, but puts it back on the plate. River doesn’t move.

KAYLEE: River? Honey? Why don’t you try to eat somethin’?

SIMON: Mei-mei, here, have this.
He picks up a piece of a vegetable and puts it in her mouth. She opens her mouth and accepts the food but doesn’t chew. She calmly takes the food out of her mouth and uses it to decorate her picture. Simon, visibly upset by all this gives up and leads her back to her room. Some of the crew are upset, Book especially so.

BOOK: She has been like that for days. I’m starting to get worried.

JAYNE: I’m startin’ to enjoy it. She’s not that bad when she’s a statue.

KAYLEE: I’m worried. I wonder if she’s getting better or worse?

SIMON: (re-entering the galley) It means that she’s getting worse. (turns to Mal) Captain, I need medicine to try to help her.

MAL: Don’t see where that’s any of my business son.

Simon gets mad and throws his napkin on the table.
SIMON: It is because you don’t pay me. I’m dependent on you for the food we eat and the clothes we wear. You know the only reason why I’m here is because I need to help her.

MAL: You’re here because you’re a fugitive from the law, and I’m lettin’ you hide her here. Fas as I’m concerned you are a part of this ship like a generator or a light bulb. I take care of you and your sister, who has no function on this ship at all, if’n you want a cut of the take, you gotta be there. Fair’s fair, an’ that’s the rules. Case closed.

Simon gets up and leaves. Kaylee and Inara look at Mal and starts to tag team him with nagging, pleading and just plain female noise.

INARA: Mal, that was very crude of you. How could you call our ship’s doctor a lightbulb?

KAYLEE: Come on Cap’n. It’s not right Simon can’t help his sister.

KAYLEE and INARA continue, simultaneously.

BOOK intercedes: Ladies, please. Now the good Captain is responsible for everyone on the ship, and sometimes he has hard decisions to make (gives a dissappointed look to Mal) If he feels that there is a good reason to treat part of his crew as less like a part of the crew, and more like a part of the cargo, I’m sure that he has his reasons.

JAYNE: Sides, they’re not lyin’ in some ruttin’ Alliance prison. AND, that’d be less for everyone else.

KAYLEE: Well, I don’t mind getting less.

MAL: Kaylee, you don’t get paid neither. You’re just like the Doc.

KAYLEE: Yeah, Cap, but you don’t say no to me like you do to Simon. He has his sister to think about, and it’s just not right.

Mal just gets up and leaves the table. Everyone left looks uncomfortable, but trys to finish their meal. Later you see Zoe and Wash in bed together, and Wash, while playing with Zoe’s hair (this is a family show) comments on Simon’s plight.

WASH: Isn’t it a shame that Simon can’t to more to help River?

ZOE: Mmmm. Yes, it is, but what can he do? He’s not a fighter, and it would take too long to make him one. If we could make him one.

WASH: But what if he did something simple but pivotal? You know, like actually help and all.

ZOE: It’s a thought, just don’t think that it’ll happen any time soo

KETHRYVERIS

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 8:51 PM

Just a couple of questions. What happened to Simon saying "God knows we have enough drugs" in War Stories? I was under the impression that when they stole all that stuff from the hospital in Ariel Simon kept as much drugs as he thought he would need for the ship. Also, they never said what happened to the drugs that got left behind when Wash and Mal were kidnapped by Niska in the same episode. Zoe, Book and Jayne found the container sitting there full when they went looking for them. I kind of assumed they took them back to the ship with them. Maybe Simon could need money for info on other people that were at the school with River or something. I just don't think he'd need drugs unless it was a particular one that was working but he only had in small quantities.

LOSTANGEL

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 9:02 PM

Good Point. Let me do some re-wording.

Thanks for the heads up.

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

SARAHETC

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 9:57 PM

Hey. The continued interaction is good, but like, let's not go overboard. :) The falling asleep thing seems a little excessive.

Per River at the beginning, it seems to work better with her calm to the point of catatonia like this. The frenetic River was good, but this new version is better without the other version being bad. Dong ma? In stuff like Safe and Ariel we've gotten to see River being all hyper. Son of a bitch dress me up like a gorram doll, etc. (Aside: I can say bitch, right? What about the effword?)

The slower River also works Book more into the conversation with Jayne. And this is a shameless push for incorporating my Book-River-Jayne subplot. :) Of course, that subplot means that Jayne can't be at Simon's negotiation.

Like, commercial break:

Meanwhile, back on Serenity

JAYNE and BOOK are working out. JAYNE is spotting BOOK for bench presses.

JAYNE: Can't agree with you preacher. Brain pan's slimy. No good no more.

BOOK: There is more to that girl than we'll probably ever know, Jayne.

JAYNE: So? Already know more'n I want to about her. Know she got way with a knife. Know's she can't tell a gun from a stick even though she can kill with her eyes closed.

BOOK finished his set. He sits up and towels off a little. JAYNE reaches for the push-up straps. RIVER enters from the catwalk above.

RIVER: (to BOOK) Know what you think about at night, your secrets. Know that your brains are full.

BOOK is mellow but JAYNE moves a little to keep his distance.

RIVER: (con't.) Know that your hands have a memory that your heart doesn't want. They itch and stay dirty. Serenity's a name not a place.

Cut to JAYNE looking sidelong at the two of them. BOOK is his Yoda self.

JAYNE: You was sayin', Preacher?

BOOK: What makes you say those things, River?

RIVER turns and heads toward the cargo bay doors

RIVER: Outside there's air and words. Do penance, get absolved. Buy more ammunition.

BOOK goes to follow her, motioning for JAYNE to come with him. RIVER exits and BOOK and JAYNE hurry to follow her.

Cut to: LA's scenes with everybody else that are so swell and makin' me antsy to read more of. A whole bunch of them. Most of the ep.

Cut to: BOOK and JAYNE following RIVER who is maybe 5 steps ahead of them. JAYNE carries only his knife.

BOOK: Let's let her wander a little more. Don't seem to be any feds around.

JAYNE: That's the thing about feds, preacher. The ones you gotta really worry about you can't never see.

RIVER stumbles, falling to her knees. BOOK and JAYNE catch up with her. BOOK bends to help her up, while JAYNE looks around.

RIVER: Simon's asking them right now and they're looking at Simon and they're seeing me and they see you too but you'll never see them.

JAYNE: See! Feds! We gotta get back right now.

BOOK: Simon is okay, River. He's with the captain.

A flash in the sky draws their attention. Shuttle #1 is going down.

JAYNE: Gorramit! Come on!

JAYNE breaks into a run. BOOK pulls RIVER to her feet and drags her with him, after JAYNE.
They return to the landing site to find Serenity gone.

Cut to commercial.

LA : ?? Did I hijack your story? I really didn't mean to.

Sorry sorry sorry. Say the word and I'll delete the whole post except for the compliments and add more compliments.

Sarah

LOSTANGEL

Tuesday, January 21, 2003 10:14 PM

Girl, you didn't hijack nuttin'. No money's being made on this, just some fun. The more the merrier, and you bet this is going in the mix!

I agree about the sleeping part. I have to learn to read the stuff I write.

Thanks, and keep 'em comin'!

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

SARAHETC

Wednesday, January 22, 2003 1:34 AM

Captain!

Word to your history episode. The idea makes me drool. Do you have specific thoughts?

Also, dig your signature. It doesn't matter if you're out of tune, cos you're cool!

Sarah

GUAILO

Wednesday, January 22, 2003 2:07 AM

Agreed, Captain, but Jubal seems to be the only safe "villian" that we can bring back and not interfere withthe unaired eps. I think "Trash" includes more with Saffron, and besides, that's one I missed altogether.

I'd rather try and come up with something new, but the rest of the show is still so fresh for me and I keep thinking of them that's already been told about, ya know...(lol)

I think what we got is falling togoether nicely though, so thanks to everyone.

Mal: “The next time you decide to stab me in the back, have the guts to do it to my face.”

PERSEPHONE1113

Wednesday, January 22, 2003 2:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lostangel:

KAYLEE: Well, I don’t mind getting less.

MAL: Kaylee, you don’t get paid neither. You’re just like the Doc.

Not to picky, but I think Kaylee does get a cut from the take. Example: The medicine heist from "Ariel". In "War Stories" you see her giving up her cut to Zoe to help buy back Mal and Wash.

-Persephone

KAYLEEHOLIC

Wednesday, January 22, 2003 1:27 PM

Hi guys,

Sorry I ain't been around too much for the last few days. University coursework and all that !

Damn algebraic fractions !

Anyway, I've looked over the outline and Angel, it seems brilliant. I have to agree that Jubal is one of the few 'old' villains we can use without interfering in cannon.

I don't know about the 'dual' episode thing. I'm thinking if we expand the initial episode to a two parter but instead of having two episodes that run parrallel, we have one episode that is twice as long ?

Someone mentioned Wash taking it out on Jayne ?

This is corny, but I think we should leave this for another episode. Imagine if Jayne and Zoe get sent on a mission but the crew believe Jayne was responsible for loosing Zoe. Wash takes it out on Jayne, but Jayne just stands there and accepts the abuse ( afterall, he could flatten Wash with a finger if he wanted ) before Mal pulls Wash away from Jayne and Wash starts crying and collapses into Mal ( in a non-homosexual way ) ?

Otherwise ...

ROCK ON THE VIRTUAL PROJECT !

JAYNE: Anybody remember her comin' at me with a butcher's knife?

WASH: Wacky fun.

JAYNE: (annoyed) You wanna go, little man?

WASH: (flippantly) Only if it's someplace with candlelight.

One of my favourite Wash/Jayne segments.

SIGNYM

Wednesday, January 22, 2003 4:34 PM

OMG where have I BEEN????

This is GREAT!

The best thing about FF is it's ambiguity. Just like in life nothing is 100% (except maybe Niska); even the Alliance has gray areas.

Some thoughts-

With 100 or so planetoids, this is a big 'verse. Between finding jobs and keeping the ship repaired and buying supplies and so forth, life has enough sh*t to throw at Serenity that villians from the previous eps don't need to be focused on right away. (Of course, the Alliance and Niska are a constant concern, but in a background kind of way.)

Ditto resolving stuff between the crewmates. The death-knell of a LOT of shows has been when "they finally get together". Or turning it into a soap, when all of the characters are bouncing off eachother all the time.

I think that we need to develop some "outside of the ship" characters, like Hui, who have a real- but ambiguous!- personality and connection to Serenity.

As far as villains are concerned, nothing brings a plot down like a villain who's too stoopid to be believed. (If you've seen "Waterworld" you'll know what I'm talking about.)

Hmmm... what else? Oh, yes, just as there is an Alliance, there also appears to be a resistance. After all, Simon didn't spring River. someone else did. Remember that reference to "blacked out" areas? What was THAT all about?

I got lots of ideas but no time.... And I gotta finish reading this thread! This definitely helps my w/drawal symptoms!

ATROPINE

Friday, January 24, 2003 6:47 AM

Sarahetc, thought your dialogue with river/book/jayne is great--boy do you have that stream of consciousness River thing pegged!!

And I have to say that I love that it alludes to Book's past that led him to a spiritual path. Maybe book was extremely educated and did research in his youth(he is already quiet and contemplative in nature) and, as the old story goes, his theoretical research ended up being used against people. OR maybe he actually worked for the gov (researcher again) before his conscience bit him (man of science becomes a man of faith). Perhaps he would have been happy in his lab or library (wherever he was working) but he decided to turn in a friend (because of his personal advancement? because of duty to alliance? because he thought it was something his friend needed?--needs to be something slightly self-serving without actually being sinister or deliberate) and never saw them again (maybe some alliance policy that promised amnesty, and he believed the alliance, but of course the alliance had no intention of granting amnesty). That would help him understand Jayne's treason if he had participated in it at one time himself--Book understood that short term gain with little cost to himself turned into a nightmare--the same nightmare that Jayne would have shared.

Everyone:

About needing meds--I still think that is ok that Simon needs meds because they could not POSSIBLY have ALL the meds that they would need--especially for a case like River's. I reckon the meds being easily available would be antibiotics, vaccines, etc.

Oh, about the bargaining scene with Hui--why does Mal bargain down to 18 when Hui offers 20? Is it a misstype or did I just misunderstand?

I am off on my Reaver knowledge--could they have been the "first stage" in what the alliance was doing to River? Not sure about this one--only saw one reaver episode.

May I make an observation? We seem to have several different episodes all running together. Might I suggest that we take a minute, before writing, and sort of plot a course for this season? Like have, say, 10 distinct "major" events (1 per episode). Then briefly describe key things that we want to happen to each character in terms of development over the course of the season(one being their background, maybe another being the book/jayne/river arc, etc). Maybe 2 each--need to keep it small to be manageable and to keep from cramming everything into one episode, and remember, we have no budget/time/or funding constraints. In the virtual world, we OWN EVERYTHING bwahahahahah! .

Seriously though, save some of the greatness for season three! the key to ff was not that every episode was jam packed--it was that there is enough time to languidly drink in each episode, to memorize a FEW well places lines, without feeling like a ping pong ball on drugs trying to keep up with the action onscreen. That is why we liked it (if I may be so bold as to assume), because there was plenty of time for play between characters, enough down time to rest for the big finish. For example, when Mal was trying to get the lackeys to take back the money that he had been paid, and we all THOUGHT that there was going to be dialogue with the one guy but Mal just kicked him into the engine--wow talk about a change in plans for my little brain!! The scene was so memorable because they suckered me in with what would normally be a pretty predicatble scene then WHAMO! Anyway, the episodes were like indulging in a truffle as opposed to gobbling a snickers. Again, though this is JUST my opinion. I enjoy snickers too .

We might list any key emotional developments we want to happen (like, say, Simon and Kaylee kiss in episode 10--the kiss signifies that he has broken the bond with River enough to accept Kaylee into his life).

Plus we need, say, 1 major villain and two grey characters (for example) and backstory on them, their description, their beef with the crew, etc. Then we would need to know when they come in. For example, we would introduce one in ep2, one in

PHILOMEL

Monday, January 27, 2003 12:33 AM

Hi,

I really like the above proposal--the collaborative type of writing these scenes, so everyone can submit lots or little to each as they want--sounds great. Is that the plan? Sounds great, if so.

And I like the ketchup bit Couldn't write it, but I'd love to read it.

Phil.