This episode gave us some of the most iconic lines in the series. "My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle" "A special hell reserved for child molesters and people who talk in theatres" "I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you."
@@JayneCobbsBunk Natalie has seen the episode by now, and you perhaps got the reference by now, but to be sure (SPOILER ALERT EPISODE 10) Jane says this line multiple times when Inara has a female guest.
Whedon got criticised for being overly wordy, but a lot of what makes this episode and the whole show is the characters being left flummoxed and speechless. It feels like real people talking, impossibly good looking, and charming people but it feels natural. Firefly is Whedon's peak for me and a little bit of genius.
Huh, people criticised him for wordiness ? Must admit, that passed me by at the time, pretty much all I remember is praise for Whedon's style of dialogue though I guess what few critics I read tended to be close to my own age. I don't think it's particularly true anyway, his dialogue's actually pretty economical IMO (it's hard for dialogue to be both witty _and_ wordy) but it _is_ self-consciously stylised and sort of linguistically "flashy" i.e. i've come across criticism more recently, slightly ironically given your point, that "no one talks like that", which I actually agree with (I just don't see it as a bad thing). And of course in general it's no secret he likes to write scenes with people talking. Thing is, both "no one talks like that" and your claim can be true because the point isn't that it feels like how real people talk, the point is it feels like the people talking are real (the slightly hyper-real dialogue grounds the characters in their slightly hyper-real world).
@@anonymes2884 "the point isn't that it feels like how real people talk, the point is it feels like the people talking are real (the slightly hyper-real dialogue grounds the characters in their slightly hyper-real world)." Well put. To add to your point, most of the time when someone claims "no one talks like that", it's largely a sign that they need to get out more - people speak in all sorts of ways in all sorts of contexts, and it's very likely that yes, some people do actually talk like that (or they do if the context is appropriate). Some people actually are as witty as Whedon characters (or moreso) - the only unrealistic thing about said characters is that you just usually don't find so many witty people concentrated together and bouncing off each other.
@@anonymes2884 At the time Whedon was riding the wave of general acclaim, which necessarily annoyed the few critics who didn't like his work. His writing got a lot of praise so it also drew the attention of those people who felt the need to explain why they thought all his supporters were wrong. As with (most of) Aaron Sorkins's work, I always felt there was a hint of either jealousy in the criticism or that it was coming from people with the attention span of a coked up squirrel. Still, it motivated Whedon enough to make Hush, which ironically was the only episode of Buffy to get nominated for the Outstanding Writing Emmy.
@@matth1589 Ah fair enough, makes sense I guess, any lash has a backlash and if it inspired 'Hush' then, y'know, good deal IMO. @Pali Fair point (personally I don't know anyone as routinely, consistently witty as Whedon writes but maybe I just need to screen my friends better :) though there's more to it than _just_ wit i'd say. Both Buffy and 'Firefly' have their own distinct vernacular, to the extent that at least for BtVS books and numerous articles have been written about it, the show either coined or popularised not just words and phrases but _ways of making_ words and phrases, fans can hear a phrase from 2020 and still recognise it as 'Whedonesque' (which is much less true of e.g. Sorkin IMO - his writing's arguably unrealistically articulate, witty and rapid-fire but it's mostly real dialogue in context, with fairly standard sentence construction, slang etc., it's just turned up to 11).
"Every episode we make more enemies and Mal doesn't kill them, which I like that about him." _jump cut to Mal kicking Niska's heavy through Serenity's engine_ Well... Mercy is the mark of a great man and Mal? He's alright.
One of the best parts about the show is the colorful chinese swearing that get injected right under everyone’s nose. For example when Jane offers to trade Vira for Saffron, Mal responds with the swear “explosive diarrhea of an elephant!”
This is a really fun episode, but my favorite part is Wash talking to Saffron. He is so uncomfortable, and awkward, but it is so in character. It makes me smile.
This was a really fun watch. I've seen the episode plenty of times, so it's lost a little of its novelty, but that's why many of us are here - to see someone's first reactions to our favourite shows. Anyway, had a blast and I'm glad you did too. Can't wait for you to get to Out of Gas and Ariel, my two favourites!
"Out of Gas" and "Ariel" are my two favorites as well. Although I enjoy them all, I don't know the order that I would place them. I would have to think hard on making that list. I had a recent discussion that interestingly made me appreciate "Shindig" more than I used to. The discussion made me think about how good the writing was on a metaphoric level. The metaphor being the connections between (1) Mal & Inara, (2) the rich vs the poor, and (3) the inner planet tech & culture vs the outer planet tech & culture. The only difference between these social clashes being that Mal & Inara are actually attracted to each other.
I think that's why these videos are so popular. It's fun to see reactions to the things we've come to take for granted through fresh eyes. Makes it fun for us all over again.
@@jean-paulaudette9246 There are so many ways to interpret these amazing characters and that is the mark of a great show. Joss Whedon to fans (2012 comic-con for Firefly): “When you’re telling a story, you’re trying to connect to people in a particular way … The way in which you guys have inhabited this world, this universe, has made you part of it, part of the story. You are living in Firefly. When I see you guys, I don’t think the show is off the air. I don’t think there’s a show; I think that’s what the world is like. … The story is our lives.”
For me, I find all of Firefly episodes to be great, which is why it is such a shame it never got more than one season, and not really a finished season either. Most shows have at least a couple of mediocre episodes.
"Christina Hendricks has a well rounded character." Yeah, that's what I'd say. My favorite part is the special kind of hell comment and then the look on Inara;s face at the end.
@Tampahop That was my exact thought when Natalie said "Apparently this is lots of people's favourite episode" (there're actually a couple still to come that are contenders for me but OoG probably still takes it). (this one may well be the funniest single episode though. They all have something - usually several somethings - to make me at least chuckle but I think this could have the highest concentration by episode)
I'll weigh in. :) The writing is incredible. The show's literary references are amazing too. In this episode, as Saffron attempts to seduce Wash she says: _"My whole life, I saw nothing but roofs and steeples and the _*_cellar door_*_ . A few days I'll be back to that life and gone from yours. Make this night what it should be. Please? Show me the stars."_ 'Cellar door' is considered the most beautiful phrase in the English language because of its phonaesthetic quality (its spoken beauty with no regard to meaning). Saffron's training as a companion, later identified by Inara, evidently taught her the power of beautiful language in seduction. Wash: _"Whoa. Good myth."_ The reference may also be a nod to the 2001 movie _Donnie Darko_ where the superior sound of 'cellar door' is mentioned in one scene - and then, in a later scene, an actual cellar door features as a time-twisting portal.
I'm trying really hard not to make a joke about Christina Hendricks and "well rounded parts", but I have to say that this episode is probably the first one where I always feel the emptiness of losing this show too soon. I seriously don't understand how FOX couldn't understand the greatness of this show and did it so dirty. We should have had at least 5 seasons to look fondly back on instead of 14 precious episodes and 1 glorious movie.
Perhaps, but it's the finality which makes it precious. I think it has lead to more and more smaller shows being done for the fans rather than looking to big studios doing all the "premier" series. It has to start somewhere. Although the content this could have put out would have been long lasting and shiney.
One of the biggest strikes against this show was, even if it was very good, it didn't get good ratings and it was really expensive to make. If it was just one or the other, it might have gotten more time but the network didn't care if it was good.
@@Anitube It's ratings were crap because it was in a different time slot every week and the episodes were in the wrong order. I still firmly believe that Fox executives purposely tried to kill the show so Joss would make more Buffy or Angel as they were two of Fox's biggest earners.
Natalie...I think we all should just say "Welcome to the Browncoats!". By the time you are done with this series and 'Serenity', you will be hopelessly and helplessly a part of our fandom for this franchise. I will say this...careful what you wish for...
@@MrDeathpilot Yes, that one was great. I'm going to include Inara's deadpan look at the end scene when Mal accused her of also kissing "Whats-her-name". Morena Baccarin has these "dead pan faced" moments often in the series, occasionally including fluttering her eyelids in disbelief over the situation. I think she is underappreciated for her comedic acting in this regard.
"Mal doesn't really kill his enemies" Mal kicks Crow into the engine, has Jayne shoot holes in a space net so that the people inside will die... I mean... :P
Mal killing his enemies is one thing that sets him apart from most TV heroes (anyone here old enough to remember how shocking it was when Magnum shot that Soviet spy?). His letting Saffron live even though she tried to kill them all is out of character.
First episode, shot the Alliance guy that was holding a gun on River, right through the eye. Presumably killed the bandits at the beginning of this episode, after he offered them a chance at jail instead. I don't think it's out of character for him not to kill Saffron here though. He still has a certain code of when it's okay to kill someone.
@@Logan_Baron Mal said it best himself in the pilot episode, talking to Simon at the end. "You don't know me, son, so let me explain this to you once: If I ever kill you, you'll be awake. You'll be facing me, and you'll be armed." In this episode he also breaks out another piece of his philosophy on killing. "If someone tries to kill you, you try to kill 'em right back." Mal has no qualms about killing someone who needs killing, but it isn't his go to option unless he's pushed into that path. Once he decides he is going to, he's not going to go and kill someone who can't defend themselves, not without a good reason.
That laugh with the "never kiss them on the mouth line" - That was fantastic. You have me re-watching this series all over again. Keep up the great work and really appreciate the content.
Great reaction! I'm so glad you enjoyed this episode. The only episode I like more than this one is episode 14: Objects In Space. Which will probably make you scream with anger that this is where the series ends.
Natalie, your channel is one of my favorite quarantine discoveries and has brought me so much joy over the last six months. I wish I could afford to support you on Patreon, but for now I just want to offer my sincerest thanks for the amazing gift of being able to relive falling in love with so many of my favorite movies and shows through your videos. Keep up the great work!
The first time anyone watches this episode they have no idea how it's going to turn out plus I just love the way the writer's had fun with this episode... Alan tudyk's awkwardness is so funny to watch I love that guy whatever he's in.
The fact that Natalie here is so upset that Mal was going to get some, but loved that Mal was essentially space ruffied, is very insightful of Nat's morals. 😜
This was the first full episode I managed to see of this show and it had me hooked--unfortunately, Fox kept changing the time slot of the show and I was never able to watch it again until it came out on DVD...
Yeah FOX management changed hands right after the deal was made for this series. The new management did every dirty trick in the book to get this series canceled, including changing times, skipping weeks and showing episodes out of order.
Me: I'm so glad she's watching this episode. It's so well-structured. Natalie: Zoe should be the one to punch this woman. Me: This episode is deeply flawed.
While I completely agree I believe that the line is more meant to reflect live theatre rather than cinema, as those who talk during live theatre disrupt not only those around them but possibly also those on stage
@@guaposneeze Well, I´d agree, if I was watching anything for the first time like that. But I usually only come watch reaction after I´ve seen the show a few times (or at least once). Then it´s kinda like discussing your favourite show with a friend. From the point of view of the reactor though, yeah, sometimes they get by talking over stuff, but it is still frustrating seeing the exact moment they missed something. That´s why I prefer it if they pause the video when talking about lengthy stuff. Well, everyone has got their own style...
As John Nuke'um Sheridan said "Some people laugh from the back of their throat. Londo would laugh deep down from his feet." I imagine the same could be said about Natalie.
I'm sure no one was surprised the seemingly sweet and innocent farm girl "married" to Mal is working with the bad guys. I loved the scene when Inara kissed Mal, was knocked out by the lipstick on him and afterwards said she fell and hit her head. This is one of my favourite episodes.
Every episode up until now has been world- and character- building. Now we get to take the characters out for a test drive. :D Best episode, apart from arguably Out of Gas.
The best part of this reaction is how good Natalie usually is at calling/predicting what's about to happen, and yet how for this episode, she falls for every single moment of misdirection. :)
HA! Love this episode. Favorite line: "Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." For me, though, the last episode, Objects in Space, is my favorite within the series itself.
When you get to the episode titled "Out of Gas", you might want to stock up on the tissues. This episode is fantastic, but "Out of Gas" is my favorite.
I was so excited to see a new video of Nat watching Firefly, then I realized what episode we were on, and there is no words to describe how happy I am. And every few minutes I kept saying "Just you wait"! This episode is just perfect, so much character work and development in one little tight bunch.
Nat: "I like that Mal never kills anyone." Me: Do you remember the train heist episode when he kicked a guy so he'd get sucked into one of the engines?... yeah.
My wife was most put out that i named one of my pistols Vera, until we got to this episode, now anytime i toy with selling it she says " You CANT sell Vera"...lol Awesome reaction to one of the best Ep's.
@@JakkFrost1 Note that Crichton first refers to his pulse-pistol as "Winona" in season 2, in the year 2000. All of _Firefly_ was in 2002, so _Farscape_ did it first! I also like Crichton's relationship to his pulse-pistol better than Jayne's. That said, I recall a TV episode or cheap movie from the 80's or early 90's where a sergeant in WWII had an M1 Carbine with "Wilma" picked out on the stock with nails. I remember the scene clearly, but not the whole show so I can't reference it directly. Naming weapons is a very ancient tradition.
@@tarmaque (third try) lol, of course youtube shadow deleted my reply 😂🤬 As I recall, I said nowhere did I make any reference to which came first, and I'm well aware of the chronology of the shows. I also said guys are known to name things besides their weapons, like sports equipment, instruments, their junk (using the proper word is likely what got the post shadow deleted), among other things.
@@JakkFrost1 There may have been an incident where a certain instrument was temporarily named "Excalibur" but I can neither confirm nor deny such incident.
Natalie: This poor girl. Me : Laughing so hard i choke on my snack, still laughing as tears stream down my face as i try to breath again, laughing sounds like a sick hyena coughing up a rhino, I now understand why her name is Gold.
Nat, that was a great reaction for a great episode! A few years ago I played the role of a celebrity host at the Vancouver Fan Expo and met both More a Bavarian and Jewel Staite
Can you imagine someone going into this show thinking there was more than 1 season? That would be sadder, but a lot more optimistic about unfinished plot points.
@@johnfriday5169 That's too far for me. There are two crucial difference in the buildup to the kisses; Korben was just fascinated by the girl, while Inara has a previous love/hate relationship with Mal AND she thinks Mal is dying.
It will forever blow my mind that this show wasn't more successful. The beginning with the job and the party is my favorite. I imagine so many small moments like this between episodes/ before the beginning of the show.
It is so nice to actually see how much you enjoy this series. The laugh is so great, I love it. There is one scene in War stories. I can not wait until that scene. I can already see how you will look like, and what you will say after. Other episodes I'm looking forward to for your reaction is Jaynestown, objects in space and ariel.
This episode really showcases a lot of what made this such an amazing series. Can you imagine how much could have been done if they had more than one season to develop the characters and their stories? All the one liners?
"He doesn't want to hook up with Christina Hendricks." I think you meant to say "He doesn't want to hook up with Saffron.". 'Cause, let's be honest, every heterosexual male with a pulse wants to hook up with Christina Hendricks! LOL " . . . . the SPECIAL Hell." (SO many great lines in this one!)
Also, "Someone tries to kill you, you kill them right back!"
"Well the days of my not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle."
Still one of my all time favorite quotes.
@@aboutthat1440 I try to make use of it any chance I get.
Seriously, one of the best lines ever.
@@aboutthat1440 Same!
@@charlie7mason Me too!
what I love is how they disguise the reveal of Vera, in such a way no one recognizes it as something that will come back later in the episode.
Nat: "This poor girl..." Me: *snorts tea out my nose*
I freakin Cackled!! This comment is top tier LMAOOOO
This episode gave us some of the most iconic lines in the series.
"My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle"
"A special hell reserved for child molesters and people who talk in theatres"
"I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you."
That's why I never kiss'em on the mouth
"You can't open the book of my life and jump in the middle. Like woman, I am a mystery"
"So does this. I call her Vera."
Never forget "anyone ever tries to kill you, you try to kill 'em right back"
@@OutsideTheTargetDemographic I got me a coffee mug with that quote from the show, totally love it!
Natalie: 'He doesn't want to hook up with Christina Hendricks'
Everyone: I'll be in my bunk.
Who's bunk?
@@JayneCobbsBunk Ha, ha! No comment...
*a special hell*
@@JayneCobbsBunk Natalie has seen the episode by now, and you perhaps got the reference by now, but to be sure (SPOILER ALERT EPISODE 10) Jane says this line multiple times when Inara has a female guest.
Everybody wants to hook up with Christina Hendricks
Inara’s face at the end is the best XD!
My favorite quote from the series “if someone ever tries to kill you, you try and kill em right back”
Whedon got criticised for being overly wordy, but a lot of what makes this episode and the whole show is the characters being left flummoxed and speechless. It feels like real people talking, impossibly good looking, and charming people but it feels natural. Firefly is Whedon's peak for me and a little bit of genius.
Huh, people criticised him for wordiness ? Must admit, that passed me by at the time, pretty much all I remember is praise for Whedon's style of dialogue though I guess what few critics I read tended to be close to my own age. I don't think it's particularly true anyway, his dialogue's actually pretty economical IMO (it's hard for dialogue to be both witty _and_ wordy) but it _is_ self-consciously stylised and sort of linguistically "flashy" i.e. i've come across criticism more recently, slightly ironically given your point, that "no one talks like that", which I actually agree with (I just don't see it as a bad thing). And of course in general it's no secret he likes to write scenes with people talking.
Thing is, both "no one talks like that" and your claim can be true because the point isn't that it feels like how real people talk, the point is it feels like the people talking are real (the slightly hyper-real dialogue grounds the characters in their slightly hyper-real world).
@@anonymes2884 "the point isn't that it feels like how real people talk, the point is it feels like the people talking are real (the slightly hyper-real dialogue grounds the characters in their slightly hyper-real world)."
Well put. To add to your point, most of the time when someone claims "no one talks like that", it's largely a sign that they need to get out more - people speak in all sorts of ways in all sorts of contexts, and it's very likely that yes, some people do actually talk like that (or they do if the context is appropriate). Some people actually are as witty as Whedon characters (or moreso) - the only unrealistic thing about said characters is that you just usually don't find so many witty people concentrated together and bouncing off each other.
@@anonymes2884 At the time Whedon was riding the wave of general acclaim, which necessarily annoyed the few critics who didn't like his work.
His writing got a lot of praise so it also drew the attention of those people who felt the need to explain why they thought all his supporters were wrong. As with (most of) Aaron Sorkins's work, I always felt there was a hint of either jealousy in the criticism or that it was coming from people with the attention span of a coked up squirrel.
Still, it motivated Whedon enough to make Hush, which ironically was the only episode of Buffy to get nominated for the Outstanding Writing Emmy.
@@matth1589 Ah fair enough, makes sense I guess, any lash has a backlash and if it inspired 'Hush' then, y'know, good deal IMO.
@Pali Fair point (personally I don't know anyone as routinely, consistently witty as Whedon writes but maybe I just need to screen my friends better :) though there's more to it than _just_ wit i'd say. Both Buffy and 'Firefly' have their own distinct vernacular, to the extent that at least for BtVS books and numerous articles have been written about it, the show either coined or popularised not just words and phrases but _ways of making_ words and phrases, fans can hear a phrase from 2020 and still recognise it as 'Whedonesque' (which is much less true of e.g. Sorkin IMO - his writing's arguably unrealistically articulate, witty and rapid-fire but it's mostly real dialogue in context, with fairly standard sentence construction, slang etc., it's just turned up to 11).
This was the first thing I had ever seen Christina Hendricks in and I have to admit, Mal showed more restraint than I'd have been able to maintain.
Preach!
Yeah, I would have been lying unconscious within 8 seconds. ( give or take 7 seconds )
That gal is a burlap bag full o' bobcat - she got it TOgether.
@@duanevp “a burlap bag full o’ bobcat”... that’s the best Saffron description I’ve ever heard.
Kistina H can turn on and off so well. She could have been a reoccurring character if the series had continued.
She has a face like a naughty angel.
"And people who talk in theaters" Natalie's Face 🤣🤣🤣
'the special hell' still cracks me up after all this time
"Every episode we make more enemies and Mal doesn't kill them, which I like that about him."
_jump cut to Mal kicking Niska's heavy through Serenity's engine_
Well... Mercy is the mark of a great man and Mal? He's alright.
I aim to misbehave.
You were so into Safron's little waif act I was looking forward to Mal's collapse after the kiss. Great reversal but even better reaction.
Your death stare at the camera as he's about to kiss her. PRICELESS lol
Equal to the side eye given with “Oh, Christina Hendricks...”
Your laughter during this episode brings me such joy
One of the best parts about the show is the colorful chinese swearing that get injected right under everyone’s nose. For example when Jane offers to trade Vira for Saffron, Mal responds with the swear “explosive diarrhea of an elephant!”
One of the best lines in the episode and most people don't know it.
Nat, early in the episode: "I can see why this is everyone's favorite episode."
Everyone: "Just wait..."
Haha -- I was just thinking that! Except my version was, "Heheheh... not yet, you don't!" 🤣🤣🤣
Just don't make no sense thinking this episode is the best....just don't make no sense.
@@petersmith6513 I see what you did there.
This is what it feels like to go insane...
Without spoilers, what IS considered everyone's favorite episode? Next episode is my personal favorite.
"Out of Gas" is my favorite episode.
There will be tears.
There’s obviously some great writing here and the acting is off the charts! Ron Glass is a freakin’ master. Everything is just so GOOD.
We are all thinking, "Wait for it..."
This is a really fun episode, but my favorite part is Wash talking to Saffron. He is so uncomfortable, and awkward, but it is so in character. It makes me smile.
"He makes everybody cry--He's like a monster."
Nat's laughter in this one is so pure. Like, that's what we ALL sounded like, at least partially, when watching this one.
This was a really fun watch. I've seen the episode plenty of times, so it's lost a little of its novelty, but that's why many of us are here - to see someone's first reactions to our favourite shows.
Anyway, had a blast and I'm glad you did too.
Can't wait for you to get to Out of Gas and Ariel, my two favourites!
"Out of Gas" and "Ariel" are my two favorites as well. Although I enjoy them all, I don't know the order that I would place them. I would have to think hard on making that list.
I had a recent discussion that interestingly made me appreciate "Shindig" more than I used to. The discussion made me think about how good the writing was on a metaphoric level. The metaphor being the connections between (1) Mal & Inara, (2) the rich vs the poor, and (3) the inner planet tech & culture vs the outer planet tech & culture. The only difference between these social clashes being that Mal & Inara are actually attracted to each other.
I think that's why these videos are so popular. It's fun to see reactions to the things we've come to take for granted through fresh eyes. Makes it fun for us all over again.
@@dunringill1747 And the fact that each is a misfit in the other's 'world' as well as their own...which fact is what brought each of them to Serenity.
@@jean-paulaudette9246 There are so many ways to interpret these amazing characters and that is the mark of a great show.
Joss Whedon to fans (2012 comic-con for Firefly):
“When you’re telling a story, you’re trying to connect to people in a particular way … The way in which you guys have inhabited this world, this universe, has made you part of it, part of the story. You are living in Firefly. When I see you guys, I don’t think the show is off the air. I don’t think there’s a show; I think that’s what the world is like. … The story is our lives.”
A good Whedon quote to remember...
"If the characters are happy, the audience is bored."
When Jane says 'that's why I don't kiss them on the mouth' Natalie your belly laugh is my next Ring tone.. So genuine I love it..
Yeah this is one of my favorite episodes from the series as well. Really almost every episode of this series is incredible.
I think “Out of Gas” was always my favorite, but I really need to rewatch the whole series myself!
@@stvbrsn my favorite one...
This is when the show really starts to hit its mark.
Pretty much every episode from here is top notch.
My fav is also out of gas
@@stvbrsn Yeah I also love, Out of Gas". Really though, almost all of them from this point are extremely good though.
For me, I find all of Firefly episodes to be great, which is why it is such a shame it never got more than one season, and not really a finished season either. Most shows have at least a couple of mediocre episodes.
So great to see Firefly still appreciated. Too bad great shows like this don’t get appreciated in their time.
But it was. How many TV shows become movies?
As far as the studio not appreciating it, well, yeah, but they lack class anyway.
"Christina Hendricks has a well rounded character." Yeah, that's what I'd say. My favorite part is the special kind of hell comment and then the look on Inara;s face at the end.
Like weigh in everybody, seriously, was that not just some of the absolute best writing in television history?
I've got just three words for you. "Out of gas."
@@Tampahop
Imagine: a series that only had 14 episodes *STILL* managed to have a retrospective ep.
And *three* recurring characters...
@Tampahop That was my exact thought when Natalie said "Apparently this is lots of people's favourite episode" (there're actually a couple still to come that are contenders for me but OoG probably still takes it).
(this one may well be the funniest single episode though. They all have something - usually several somethings - to make me at least chuckle but I think this could have the highest concentration by episode)
I'll weigh in. :) The writing is incredible. The show's literary references are amazing too.
In this episode, as Saffron attempts to seduce Wash she says: _"My whole life, I saw nothing but roofs and steeples and the _*_cellar door_*_ . A few days I'll be back to that life and gone from yours. Make this night what it should be. Please? Show me the stars."_
'Cellar door' is considered the most beautiful phrase in the English language because of its phonaesthetic quality (its spoken beauty with no regard to meaning). Saffron's training as a companion, later identified by Inara, evidently taught her the power of beautiful language in seduction. Wash: _"Whoa. Good myth."_
The reference may also be a nod to the 2001 movie _Donnie Darko_ where the superior sound of 'cellar door' is mentioned in one scene - and then, in a later scene, an actual cellar door features as a time-twisting portal.
I believe the next episode is "Jaynestown". If you liked this episode . . . well . . . I don't have the words . . . Brace yourself.
Well said!
Jaynestown is the funniest episode of the show. The first time I heard the ballad, I almost fainted for lack of oxygen due to laughter.
Jayne storm is written by underrated indie comics genius Evan Dorkin. Great episode!
Jaynestown is definitely up there for one of the best
you may not have the words... but a song does come to mind :)
Natalie: "I want Zoe to beat her up."
Us Browncoats: Actually, it's going to be _much_ better than that.
I'm trying really hard not to make a joke about Christina Hendricks and "well rounded parts", but I have to say that this episode is probably the first one where I always feel the emptiness of losing this show too soon. I seriously don't understand how FOX couldn't understand the greatness of this show and did it so dirty. We should have had at least 5 seasons to look fondly back on instead of 14 precious episodes and 1 glorious movie.
Perhaps, but it's the finality which makes it precious. I think it has lead to more and more smaller shows being done for the fans rather than looking to big studios doing all the "premier" series. It has to start somewhere. Although the content this could have put out would have been long lasting and shiney.
One of the biggest strikes against this show was, even if it was very good, it didn't get good ratings and it was really expensive to make. If it was just one or the other, it might have gotten more time but the network didn't care if it was good.
@@Anitube It's ratings were crap because it was in a different time slot every week and the episodes were in the wrong order. I still firmly believe that Fox executives purposely tried to kill the show so Joss would make more Buffy or Angel as they were two of Fox's biggest earners.
@@krashd Agreed, just explaining why the "greatness" didn't matter to the executives.
And an episode of Castle.
Natalie...I think we all should just say "Welcome to the Browncoats!". By the time you are done with this series and 'Serenity', you will be hopelessly and helplessly a part of our fandom for this franchise.
I will say this...careful what you wish for...
I think she's only officially a Browncoat once she's seen all the episodes, and then starts cursing out the gorram Fox executives. :)
@@marcpedalino5748 in Mandarin! Hu don!
Watch how i soar,
like a punch in the groin from fox
Browncoats unite
My favorite line: “Trade? This is theft!”
One of the things I really appreciate on Firefly is the comedic timing of these actors, including the deadpan looks they can deliver.
Mal's reaction to the foot-washing offer was priceless.
@@MrDeathpilot Yes, that one was great. I'm going to include Inara's deadpan look at the end scene when Mal accused her of also kissing "Whats-her-name".
Morena Baccarin has these "dead pan faced" moments often in the series, occasionally including fluttering her eyelids in disbelief over the situation. I think she is underappreciated for her comedic acting in this regard.
Had to admit, I started laughing when you sadly said, "This poor girl..." Haha. Yeeeeeeeah. We'll see how long you feel that way.
I'm proud I figured her out way before the big reveal. Right when they show the pirates.
Seconded.
The moment you said what episode it was all I could think was "oh lord, you're hooked after this one"
Nat: "I feel bad for the girl!"
Everyone else: heh...hehe...heheheHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
This is one of my favorite Natalie reactions yet, 'cause she laughed so much. Keep it up.
"Mal doesn't really kill his enemies"
Mal kicks Crow into the engine, has Jayne shoot holes in a space net so that the people inside will die... I mean... :P
Mal killing his enemies is one thing that sets him apart from most TV heroes (anyone here old enough to remember how shocking it was when Magnum shot that Soviet spy?). His letting Saffron live even though she tried to kill them all is out of character.
First episode, shot the Alliance guy that was holding a gun on River, right through the eye. Presumably killed the bandits at the beginning of this episode, after he offered them a chance at jail instead. I don't think it's out of character for him not to kill Saffron here though. He still has a certain code of when it's okay to kill someone.
@@Logan_Baron Mal said it best himself in the pilot episode, talking to Simon at the end.
"You don't know me, son, so let me explain this to you once: If I ever kill you, you'll be awake. You'll be facing me, and you'll be armed."
In this episode he also breaks out another piece of his philosophy on killing.
"If someone tries to kill you, you try to kill 'em right back."
Mal has no qualms about killing someone who needs killing, but it isn't his go to option unless he's pushed into that path. Once he decides he is going to, he's not going to go and kill someone who can't defend themselves, not without a good reason.
That laugh with the "never kiss them on the mouth line" - That was fantastic. You have me re-watching this series all over again. Keep up the great work and really appreciate the content.
Great reaction! I'm so glad you enjoyed this episode. The only episode I like more than this one is episode 14: Objects In Space. Which will probably make you scream with anger that this is where the series ends.
Objects in Space IS the best.
"I call it Vera" - I'd forgotten that! 🤣🤣🤣
Natalie:"This is the funniest episode ever."
Everyone else: (Singing) "The hero of Canton, the man they call..."
I forgot how much I loved this episode.
"My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle."
Natalie, your channel is one of my favorite quarantine discoveries and has brought me so much joy over the last six months. I wish I could afford to support you on Patreon, but for now I just want to offer my sincerest thanks for the amazing gift of being able to relive falling in love with so many of my favorite movies and shows through your videos. Keep up the great work!
Such a "well-rounded" character. >.>
And HOW! 🤓
Nothing flat about that performance.
Mountains of talent there, for sure
She has huge tracks of land.
@@joeker1013 I understood that reference!
The first time anyone watches this episode they have no idea how it's going to turn out plus I just love the way the writer's had fun with this episode... Alan tudyk's awkwardness is so funny to watch I love that guy whatever he's in.
Every time I see this series I can't believe it was cancelled.
This was the most fun episode of the series. For me 'Out of Gas' is the best episode they made. Probably my single favourite episode of any TV series.
Natalie: "This is the funniest episode."
Janes Town : Hold my Beer and watch this.
Don't you mean "Hold my Mudder's Milk"
One of my favorite lines, especially because of your reaction - Jayne = "that's why I never kiss 'em on the mouth"
It's difficult to admit, but my favorite episode is whichever one I'm currently watching.
The fact that Natalie here is so upset that Mal was going to get some, but loved that Mal was essentially space ruffied, is very insightful of Nat's morals. 😜
@Birgitta Nilsson Details details. He was drugged, and it could be argued he was taken advantage of, as his ship was almost stolen out from under him.
This is also the episode where "special hell" comes from.
This was the first full episode I managed to see of this show and it had me hooked--unfortunately, Fox kept changing the time slot of the show and I was never able to watch it again until it came out on DVD...
Yeah FOX management changed hands right after the deal was made for this series. The new management did every dirty trick in the book to get this series canceled, including changing times, skipping weeks and showing episodes out of order.
Me: I'm so glad she's watching this episode. It's so well-structured.
Natalie: Zoe should be the one to punch this woman.
Me: This episode is deeply flawed.
What was the movie or tv show where the main character refused to hit women so one of the girls on their team beat the crap out of bad girl instead?
Fortunately Nat got some satisfaction in "Trash".
Wish I could have seen her reaction when Book said “My, that was *special*.”
Go to patreon, and your wish will be fulfilled! (for a nominal fee)
Loving the Freedom Gundam avatar 👍
Me too!!
@@OutsideTheTargetDemographic It’s my favorite Gundam. Wing Gundam is a close second.
@@Sigma0283 Two fine choices. Wing got me into the genre, SEED was good, Freedom was my fav of the series. I like 08th MS team as well.
This has got to be one of the funniest episodes of the series. Major props to Christina Hendricks for outstanding performance as Yo-Saph-Bridge.
As a former projectionist, I felt that “people who talk at the theater” line.
While I completely agree I believe that the line is more meant to reflect live theatre rather than cinema, as those who talk during live theatre disrupt not only those around them but possibly also those on stage
As far as cinema is concerned I'd like to add, once the feature has begun, to Book's original line.
The irony is that reaction videos like this one are basically "talking in the theater," as a performance of its own.
@@guaposneeze that is true. I watch a lot of them and it has taken some time for me to get past my feelings about that.
@@guaposneeze Well, I´d agree, if I was watching anything for the first time like that.
But I usually only come watch reaction after I´ve seen the show a few times (or at least once). Then it´s kinda like discussing your favourite show with a friend.
From the point of view of the reactor though, yeah, sometimes they get by talking over stuff, but it is still frustrating seeing the exact moment they missed something. That´s why I prefer it if they pause the video when talking about lengthy stuff. Well, everyone has got their own style...
I love a women who doesn't just laugh, she *guffaws*....makes the funny stuff that much more enjoyable!
Nat laughs with her whole heart. It's infectious, always makes me feel good.
Her laugh at "That's why I never kiss em on the mouth." was the best laugh I've ever seen from her, rofl.
Nat's Laugh is one of my favourite reasons for watching her reactions
As John Nuke'um Sheridan said "Some people laugh from the back of their throat. Londo would laugh deep down from his feet."
I imagine the same could be said about Natalie.
I do it too, and I love her for it!
Natalie loves this episode and so do we 👍. Well, isn't that ... Special.
With each episode I keep getting more excited about you seeing the movie... So many answers.
I'm sure no one was surprised the seemingly sweet and innocent farm girl "married" to Mal is working with the bad guys. I loved the scene when Inara kissed Mal, was knocked out by the lipstick on him and afterwards said she fell and hit her head. This is one of my favourite episodes.
Every episode is my fav. They all have great scenes, this one just has a whole bunch of great scenes and lines.
Every episode up until now has been world- and character- building. Now we get to take the characters out for a test drive. :D Best episode, apart from arguably Out of Gas.
The best part of this reaction is how good Natalie usually is at calling/predicting what's about to happen, and yet how for this episode, she falls for every single moment of misdirection. :)
'This poor girl..." Needs to be spaced!
Red's kinda sus.
Or left on the crate.
HA! Love this episode. Favorite line: "Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." For me, though, the last episode, Objects in Space, is my favorite within the series itself.
When you get to the episode titled "Out of Gas", you might want to stock up on the tissues. This episode is fantastic, but "Out of Gas" is my favorite.
Yup, I as going o say... who likes this one better than out of gas..
Tissues for firefly? maybe for it being cut short.
If we're discussing beat episode, ya got to bring up Aerial.
My favorite too. Fantastic episode.
Out of gas was up there but I'm a huge fan of the message.
Nat, You cut the best line in the Jane trading Gun scene. Mal's reply: "Well, I can see my days of not taking you seriously, are coming to a middle"
"I understand now why this is everyone's favourite episode." - not quite yet you don't :-)
I was so excited to see a new video of Nat watching Firefly, then I realized what episode we were on, and there is no words to describe how happy I am.
And every few minutes I kept saying "Just you wait"!
This episode is just perfect, so much character work and development in one little tight bunch.
Nat: "I like that Mal never kills anyone."
Me: Do you remember the train heist episode when he kicked a guy so he'd get sucked into one of the engines?... yeah.
Don't forget that he shot the alliance mole in the pilot because he was having a really bad day.
Plus the Fed in the pilot holding River that he shot.
Not to mention the most important reason, he (the fed in the pilot) shot Kaylee.
Or the pilot episode...
Chad and that guy had a huge mole...
My favorite episode is Out of Gas. Seeing how the whole crew got together is so satisfying, and the whole episode is so artfully put together.
Thanks so much for doing these. Love this series and the movie. Great reactions!
Nat - "That poor girl"
Me - "Just remember you said that"
You are really making me happy how much you are enjoying this show.
00:15:16 Natalie: He's such an idiot!" (ha ha)
Me: Yup! In other words, he's a typical guy.
They humanized the gun to the point it had a name and it's own spacesuit. I love this show
My wife was most put out that i named one of my pistols Vera, until we got to this episode, now anytime i toy with selling it she says " You CANT sell Vera"...lol Awesome reaction to one of the best Ep's.
If I had a couple of guns, I'd name them Vera and Winona. 😉
She's just worried who you'd try to trade her for.
@@JakkFrost1 Note that Crichton first refers to his pulse-pistol as "Winona" in season 2, in the year 2000. All of _Firefly_ was in 2002, so _Farscape_ did it first! I also like Crichton's relationship to his pulse-pistol better than Jayne's.
That said, I recall a TV episode or cheap movie from the 80's or early 90's where a sergeant in WWII had an M1 Carbine with "Wilma" picked out on the stock with nails. I remember the scene clearly, but not the whole show so I can't reference it directly. Naming weapons is a very ancient tradition.
@@tarmaque (third try)
lol, of course youtube shadow deleted my reply 😂🤬
As I recall, I said nowhere did I make any reference to which came first, and I'm well aware of the chronology of the shows.
I also said guys are known to name things besides their weapons, like sports equipment, instruments, their junk (using the proper word is likely what got the post shadow deleted), among other things.
@@JakkFrost1 There may have been an incident where a certain instrument was temporarily named "Excalibur" but I can neither confirm nor deny such incident.
you had me at "you never kiss 'em on the mouth'.. your laugh.. ok, whatever it takes I am yours :)
Natalie: This poor girl.
Me : Laughing so hard i choke on my snack, still laughing as tears stream down my face as i try to breath again, laughing sounds like a sick hyena coughing up a rhino, I now understand why her name is Gold.
Is it because she's shiny?
Nat, that was a great reaction for a great episode! A few years ago I played the role of a celebrity host at the Vancouver Fan Expo and met both More a Bavarian and Jewel Staite
Morena Baccarin..... not More a Bavarian😊 They are lovely people and have a lot of time for their Firefly fans!
‘Now I understand why people love this episode’ N-n-no 😳 not yet 😁
"Don't be mean to that girl!" in this episode is right up there with "Don't you dare hurt the dog!" at the beginning of The Thing.
Jayne and Vera, still a better love story than Twilight
What good about this is knowing what’s coming up and seeing the fun and joy in someone else watching it for the first time...
Can you imagine someone going into this show thinking there was more than 1 season? That would be sadder, but a lot more optimistic about unfinished plot points.
best episode is "out of gas" but I love this one, its my 3rd favorite behind gas and shindig
When Bruce Willis kisses a sleeping girl, it’s upsetting but when Inara does it to Mal it’s “Awww finally”?
Yeah....
I understand this is no place for a discussion on modern feminism so, yeah.
I think the difference is what their reactions would be if they were awake.
@@johnfriday5169 That's too far for me. There are two crucial difference in the buildup to the kisses; Korben was just fascinated by the girl, while Inara has a previous love/hate relationship with Mal AND she thinks Mal is dying.
@@johnfriday5169 exactly! That wasn't very feminist Nat!
It will forever blow my mind that this show wasn't more successful.
The beginning with the job and the party is my favorite. I imagine so many small moments like this between episodes/ before the beginning of the show.
Now you know about the Special Hell.
LOL
It is so nice to actually see how much you enjoy this series. The laugh is so great, I love it.
There is one scene in War stories. I can not wait until that scene. I can already see how you will look like, and what you will say after.
Other episodes I'm looking forward to for your reaction is Jaynestown, objects in space and ariel.
00:15:26 Natalie: "This is the funniest episode ever!"
You haven't seen the next episode: Jaynestown
♫ Jaaaaaaaaaaayne! ♪
This episode really showcases a lot of what made this such an amazing series. Can you imagine how much could have been done if they had more than one season to develop the characters and their stories? All the one liners?
"He doesn't want to hook up with Christina Hendricks."
I think you meant to say "He doesn't want to hook up with Saffron.". 'Cause, let's be honest, every heterosexual male with a pulse wants to hook up with Christina Hendricks! LOL
" . . . . the SPECIAL Hell." (SO many great lines in this one!)
Yo-saff-rich
@@135Fenrir Thats Yo-Saff-Bridge (if my memory serves) :)
@@PlacidDragon ahhh dangit, that's it. lol
@@135Fenrir hehe, doesn't matter, they both work for the purpose :D