Firefly first-time/rewatch (NO SPOILERS, please)

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I found The Train Job to be a very fun and entertaining episode upon repeated viewing (once I understood the whole Firefly concept and universe). I liked Niska as a villain and was glad to see that he returns again. The killing of Krull (I think it was) with the engine intake was unexpected and still cracks me up. And, with the simple scene of the 2 by 2, hands of blue agents, the overall arc is pushed forward.

A great episode especially in light of it being put together literally over a weekend.

Yes it crams a lot in! But they all do, not really any filler eps because the characters and bigger picture is always being steadily advanced even if that's not the main story for an episode.

I'm very much enjoying my rewatch, the visuals and sets are so rich that I notice new things every time.

And..

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I think 2486 makes a lot more sense, too. Fillion was about 30 while the show was airing, so I always imagined Mal was around the same age.

I can also buy Simon being 27. He's a full-fledged doctor, not just a med student, and seems to already have some experience working in hospitals. He's just one of those people who looks young. Sean Maher was also 27 at that time, if that makes any difference.

Oh I agree, I completely buy him being 27, it's just he's a young looking 27. Kaylee even comments on this.

 

[Forbin]

Ya know, that CAN'T be good for the engine.

 

[marksound]

Just to up the SF geek ante, she (Inara) reminded me a little of Dune's Bene Gesserit. Please no-one tell me she starts displaying kung-fu skills and mental abilities

That's a really good comparison!

I think Inara is, basically, a skilled psychologist. There's nothing supernatural there.

I agree with that. It's interesting though that her training allows her to pass through highest levels of diplomacy and power. The possibilities to be more than a sex worker are there and I wouldn't be surprised if some companions are not also spies despite their code most likely forbidding such things.

Inara's much like a geisha (with the added dimension of sex as an expected part of the deal), which is odd, considering the Chinese, rather than Japanese culture.

I found The Train Job to be a very fun and entertaining episode upon repeated viewing (once I understood the whole Firefly concept and universe). I liked Niska as a villain and was glad to see that he returns again. The killing of Krull (I think it was) with the engine intake was unexpected and still cracks me up. And, with the simple scene of the 2 by 2, hands of blue agents, the overall arc is pushed forward.

A great episode especially in light of it being put together literally over a weekend.

Good analysis. Glad to see someone gets it.

The thug's name was Crow, by the way.

 

[marksound]

Mal's chronological age is irrelevant. He spent a big part of his life fighting a war, and a big part if that commanding others. If he's not old in years, he is in life experience.

The fact that he refers to others as "son" or "boy" only emphasizes his war-weary attitude. I thought it was obvious.

 

[Sindatur]

Mal's chronological age is irrelevant. He spent a big part of his life fighting a war, and a big part if that commanding others. If he's not old in years, he is in life experience.

The fact that he refers to others as "son" or "boy" only emphasizes his war-weary attitude. I thought it was obvious.

Yea, Simon was 27 going on 18, and Mal was 31, going on 45

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Mal's chronological age is irrelevant. He spent a big part of his life fighting a war, and a big part if that commanding others. If he's not old in years, he is in life experience.

The fact that he refers to others as "son" or "boy" only emphasizes his war-weary attitude. I thought it was obvious.

Yea, Simon was 27 going on 18, and Mal was 31, going on 45

Yep, that's it.

As to the "son", he's just letting this man who in any other setting would be far above him in privilege and social standing know that's worth jack on his ship. He lets Book know the same thing right from the start, that being a preacher is worth exactly nothing.

 

[Miss Lemon]

The fact that he refers to others as "son" or "boy" only emphasizes his war-weary attitude. I thought it was obvious.

Obvious, yes. Believable, not really. The actor doesn't really look war-weary, does he? He's a guy your mum would love you to bring home. He kinda reminds me of Michael J. Fox.

But it's not only the actor. The character itself is not very constant. It doesn't make sense to see the war-weary guy act rather infantile when he's around Inara. Who exactly is socially inept again...?

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

We are two episodes in. God help most of Star Trek if the characters are judged on that.

 

[Forbin]

We are two episodes in. God help most of Star Trek if the characters are judged on that.

It's in interesting internet phenomenon, isn't it? You'll hear someone say about a show they like: "You can't judge a new show by its first couple of seasons, it take 3 seasons to get its legs." But two episodes into a new show they don't like you'll hear the same person say "This sucks, it should be cancelled!"

 

[Miss Lemon]

We are two episodes in. God help most of Star Trek if the characters are judged on that.

I thought that was the whole point of this thread, judging the episodes one by one.

I'm currently rewatching VOY and I was actually kinda surprised to see how well these characters worked together right from the start.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

It just seems odd to me to say characters don't work so early on because with most shows the conflicts or behaviors of characters are gradually explained as the show unfolds. It's like walking into a room with a bunch of strangers and seeing how they behave in certain ways and having no context yet.

 

[6079SmithW]

I wonder if any of our first time watchers are watching episodes with the introduction to the show by Mal/Book that explains the basic premise. The episodes on Hulu have this but I don't think the dvd's do.

 

[Forbin]

It's like walking into a room with a bunch of strangers and seeing how they behave in certain ways and having no context yet.

Silly aside that this reminds me of: A friend was going to a party one evening. He walked in and found everyone sitting around staring, silent, not talking. He said "What is this, did somebody die?"

Yes, he was in the wrong house, and yes, it was a wake.

 

[Miss Lemon]

It just seems odd to me to say characters don't work so early on because with most shows the conflicts or behaviors of characters are gradually explained as the show unfolds.

To me it seems odd that my somewhat critical review about this one character elicits reactions that might be interpreted as defensive. You are usually quite outspoken about your opinions yourself (poor Neelix comes to mind ).

It's like walking into a room with a bunch of strangers and seeing how they behave in certain ways and having no context yet.

Are you saying you wouldn't formulate an opinion about these people before you knew their whole background story? That seem very unlikely. I'm sure you form an opinion the second you meet someone. We all do. Might have something to do with survival.

What I look for in a TV series is character development, so that's what I'll comment about. If I'm critical, it doesn't mean I won't be open to change my opinion in future.

Well, if I keep watching this show, that is.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I think I'm just war weary of the haters and it makes me notice people's seeming willingness to hate on stuff. As to Neelix, I'm mostly just having fun with him, I like him fine and have always defended him from the "should have gotten rid of Neelix" crowd. He's just easy to play with in the VOY forum which goes for the surreal at the best of times.

I realize you are commenting review style and not wanting to be filled in on the understanding that evolves for those of us who have seen the show.

And Forbin that is a terrible story!

 

[lurok]

I wonder if any of our first time watchers are watching episodes with the introduction to the show by Mal/Book that explains the basic premise. The episodes on Hulu have this but I don't think the dvd's do.

This f/t watcher is strenuously avoiding everything other than episodes.

Well, if I keep watching this show, that is.

But....but...we need you, Miss Lemon

He's just easy to play with in the VOY forum which goes for the surreal at the best of times.

Surreal is an understatement

 

[IcecreamLtDan]

I wonder if any of our first time watchers are watching episodes with the introduction to the show by Mal/Book that explains the basic premise. The episodes on Hulu have this but I don't think the dvd's do.

You are absolutely correct, additionally the DVD's do not have the cut scene shown before the commercials where they show the ship in the same way the name of the show is shown at the beginning. I didn't see the show during its original run and the DVD set was bought for me by a friend in a "pass-along if you like" deal. It wasn't until I watched a replay of the show on some long forgotten channel that I saw Mal's intro and those cut scenes.

 

[Miss Lemon]

I think I'm just war weary of the haters and it makes me notice people's seeming willingness to hate on stuff.

Hate... ? Now I'm baffled...

I know I can be direct, but then again so many people on this board are rather blunt about their opinion. I'm curious to know what would make you interpret my first opinion about one little aspect of a TV series interpret as hate...?

 

[Sindatur]

I think I'm just war weary of the haters and it makes me notice people's seeming willingness to hate on stuff.

Hate... ? Now I'm baffled...

I know I can be direct, but then again so many people on this board are rather blunt about their opinion. I'm curious to know what would make you interpret my first opinion about one little aspect of a TV series interpret as hate...?

I could be wrong, but, I don't think Teacake was accusing you of "Hating", I think she was saying that she is so "on edge" because of the Haters that she over-reacted because those those raw nerves caused her to initially mistake your post as "hating".

BTW, Miss Lemon, your latest photo looks more like a young Dame Maggie then ever