There was a story Alan Tudyk told somewhere about a fan (I might not remember the details exactly) bringing him something to sign at a convention. Without thinking he signed it "Wash, I'm a leaf on the wind" and the woman broke down crying right in front of him. That's when he realized how important his character was to people.
Yeah, the only ones who don't understand how affecting this show was is the stupid executives. Executives=Alliance, IMO. I'm sure they never thought people would still be angry and crying this long after. This is why we can't have nice things.
You would think with Joss Whedon's record when it came to hit TV shows that Fox would have given him more of a chance with Firefly. Just goes to show you TV execs are totally clueless about what is good and won't give shows like this a chance.
@@dsfddsgh Fox has the highest record of shooting down their own series. One of the most amazing sci-fi series in '95 was Space: Above and Beyond. It only had one season because Fox decided to trash it. And that's just one of the many examples of shows they cancelled.
@@dsfddsgh That wasn't even the last of his shows they axed - R.I.P. Dollhouse after only two seasons. Of course, they killed The Sara Conner Chronicles right when it got amazing too. Meanwhile The Simpsons just got renewed for seasons 35 and 36.
I still clearly remember my girlfriend having the same reaction to Wash's death when we saw it at the cinema. I think in that moment she hated me for getting her hooked on the show.
@@chaosminer65vods Exactly, the studio didn't want to greenlight the movie without contracts for a second one. Since they couldn't get that, Joss promised to kill them off in order to get the movie made.
One thing that shows how Firefly is beloved is that during Steven Swanson's first mission to space in 2007 he brought with him the DVD set of Firefly and its movie spinoff, Serenity, and left it on the International Space Station library. Astronauts can only take a few possessions with them so taking it up there with him makes him the ultimate fan. It is said that all people that stay on the Space Station watch it and return to Earth as Browncoats.
The operative is one of my favorite movie antagonists. That scene where he tells Mal that he's building a better world that he has no place in because he's evil was amazing to me.
@@Tantalus010 Well, yes and no. He acknowledged that his methods were evil, but he still justified them as serving what he perceived as a greater good. When he learned that the "good" masters he served had unleashed something as awful as the Reavers and then just washed their hands of it and walked away, that was when he truly realised he was on the wrong side.
@@Tantalus010 part of why i like yuber in the suikoden series, he just wants to cause chaos. that and unlike a lot of bad guys he'll basically go "yup, we've lost" and fuck off instead of grandstanding about how great and powerful he is before getting killed.
Knowing this day was coming made it bittersweet watching you fall in love with Firefly. We browncoats are still not okay and even after all this time the movie hits SO HARD. This show is truly one of a kind. Seeing Book and Wash die will always hurt, because we love them so much. Just know that all of Firefly fandom is here for you and we understand your happiness and pain.
Indeed, he even looks directly at the camera (aka us) when saying the line "love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down". That's pretty damned direct.
River takes over for Wash, as pilot of Serenity. That's a balance that I really needed. Well done. On Miranda she collapsed and threw up, all the lies and evil that the Alliance had forced into her head, and she said "I'm okay." And from then on she really was.
Watching anything Whedon always makes me think of Nick Cage in National Treasure: 'People don't talk like that anymore'. His dialog has a sound to it like nothing else..
When you started laughing at Wash's "I am a leaf on the wind" after the landing, everyone who has seen the movie started a countdown to "And she's about to have the rug pulled out from under her in 3...2...1... and there are the tears!" Yeah, Joss knew just how to rip people's guts out. Since Book is your favorite character, I think you'll really enjoy the Shepherd's Tale. It's an amazing story.
It still amazes me that this movie is almost 20 years old. It still feels like yesterday when I first saw it. Still one of the best sci-fi stories and universes ever created.
The saddest thing about Serenity, or the entire Firefly series, is that you can never watch it again for the first time. The next best thing is to watch people react to it. TY, FLG... Watching this *with* you is awesome! 🤗😎💖🙏🏼🕊
Mal & Zoe talked to each other as true warriors and respected comrades. There is no doubt they were using the ship as a metaphor when discussing if Zoe is holding up.
Mal loved Serenity, it was his home. He wasn't asking how Zoe was holding up. It wasn't even known if Serenity would ever fly again. Zoe wasn't nearly as tore up as the ship was which is why Zoe told Mal that Serenity would "fly true".
It's been TWENTY YEARS.... and every time I hear "I'm a leaf on the wind" I tear up. I was hugging you virtually from just before Wash's final "I'm a leaf on the wind"... We couldn't warn you, but, we wanted to warn you. After Book, I thought to myself "Well at least Kaylee and Wash are safe... they wouldn't dare...". They dared. In case you haven't read this tidbit yet: Zoe was pregnant. So, something of Hoban Washburn will live on!
the death of wash doesnt make any sense. it was completely random and didnt have to happen. even from a storytelling point of view it didnt make any sense to me.
@@YezaOutcastThe point was to pull the rug out from under the audience and make them question the fate of the entire crew. If Wash could be killed, nobody was safe, and it just made the stakes that much higher.
Also fun little fact is that Summer (River) and Sean (Simon) built up such a relationship over the series and the movie that in the scene after Simon gets shot and River says "You've always taken care of me. My turn" they had to shoot it numerous times because Summer kept bursting into tears.
That rings so true. I've watched the reunion special, and it's obvious that the emotional investment of this wonderful ensemble cast is like no other. And all the truly wrenching emotional moments are delivered in plainspeak, in character, and with perfect timing. Note: My favorite all-time emotional impact line from the show is when Jayne, having sold out his own fellow crew members, gotten betrayed and then caught, and he realizes Mal is going to "space" him out the airlock says "One thing, Mal. Don't tell 'em what I done." His concern isn't his impending death, but what the crew, the people who, it turns out, he *ACTUALLY LOVES*, will think of him. Just...wow. And for Mal to realize that this display of Jayne's innermost priorities meant that Jayne truly was a member of his crew and could be trusted in the future...amazing writing.
I thought the way they handled Mal and the Operative's character arcs was just beautiful. Mal succeeded because he learned to believe in something again, and they defeated the Operative not by killing him, but by proving him wrong, stripping him of his faith in the righteousness of his cause. That line at the end where he says "there's nothing left to see" is so good. He built his whole identity around his unquestioning service to the Alliance, his willingness to do anything, no matter how evil, to further their cause. With the cause proven hollow, his identity becomes equally hollow, leaving nothing behind but a man arguably as broken and disillusioned as Mal was at the end of the war between the Alliance and the Independents. For the Operative, this fight was his very own Battle of Serenity Valley, and I think it would have been fascinating to see where he might have gone from there.
Plus Chiwetel Ejiofor was just SO perfect for the role. In some ways, it looked almost like Doctor Strange 2 was set up to have his character play almost the mirror image of the agent character (the self-righteous, unswerving dissident instead of the self-righteous, unswerving agent)... and you know what? I would have watched the heck out of him play the role again.
I loved how the two characters are playing in reverse of each other. Mal in the start is how the operative is at the end a broken man that lost his faith/belief in what he did, while the operative is how mal was in his youth during the war believing that what he was doing was justified, but than about near the end the two switch positions with mal now the one that has found his belief in his cause. The operative's strength was his ability to believe that all the evil he was doing (would not be surprised he detested what he was doing) would in the end lead to a much better world/s for all to live in, but when he saw what the alliance's actions had created in the reaver with their seeking of perfecting things only leading to even more evil it crushed him an his beliefs in what he did tearing out his heart. The operative is a dark hero much like Ashram from the anime record of lodoss wars they seek to improve an better the lives of their people via anything they have to do even if that means becoming evil an doing terrible acts even to innocents if that leads to their people's happiness.
Some have expressed various theories about Zoe's state of mind and reaction to Wash's demise. My take has always been that, at that point, she had completely abandoned any sense of self-preservation and was basically throwing herself to the wolves. She had nothing to lose ("You really think any of us are going to get out of this alive?") and was executing her function as warrior with reckless abandon. Jayne barking at her to "Get your ass back on the line!" while she ignores him supports this notion. I saw her behavior as a pretty strong reaction, not a lack of. Her telling Mal that she was OK ("To the job, sir." (IIRC)) was her duty to say but, clearly, she was not OK based on her behavior.
@@patrickdrew4891 She'd been in a lot of situations where her death was imminent, just never cared so little about carrying on. Such a wonderful Wheedonesque line after she says "You really think any of us are going to get out of this alive?" and Jayne looks around and say "Well, I was hopin' that I might..." The line might seem contrived, but it's in character down to the core.
It’s been an absolute honor to go in this journey with you. You don’t know us…. But we are all Browncoats…. And we felt everything you felt on our first watch. Being reminded of why I loved this show in the first place, is everything. Thank you so much, Angela, for your passion for this show! “You can’t stop the signal.”
Yeah happy Xander was there to screen comments. He laid down a true foundation of this show, for her. All TH-cam creators need a person like Xander to moderate their channels.
Thank you for watching and reacting to my favorite show. We watch these because it's the closest we can come to watching things we love again for the first time. Your emotion is what we all felt and all expressed (or wanted to express). Welcome to the Browncoats, you can't stop the signal.
Your reaction vindicates the movie. Only weak-tea movies don't inspire strong reactions. This is tuly a movie that reaches us at a primal level and makes us feel, no small gift in a world that has traded most real art for cotton candy.
@@funnylilgalreacts Only found FLGR through BSG, its been a long time since i watched the show since its live airing and it was an epic show... that was worthy of my childhood memories.
I love that pre battle speech from Mal. I also love how Jayne takes a shot and slides the bottle to Simon. It’s as if they are finally in the same crew.
“He ain’t comin.” Hits so hard. And “Zoe, are you here?” Really shows why she’s always been by Mal’a side as an unshakable badass. Even in her lowest moment she was there for them, though recklessly.
It's what they both learned on the battlefield - emotional time comes later, fighting time comes first. It's cruel to them, they both realize it, but you can't grieve someone if you're dead yourself.
That hit hard, "He ain't coming.". The finality of it. Nothing more needed to be said. Not when they were not only up to their eyeballs in Reavers but the Alliance also waiting their turn.
@@Raving Y'know, whatever sins against speech and propriety Joss Whedon has committed, he has always had a great gift for character and dialogue. My wife and I were just exchanging line after line from this movie, ranging from hilarious to magically-timed, to eyes-stinging emotional. I'm really glad I'm not so sophisticated I can't appreciate the gold in this movie and in the show.
Thank you, Angela, for baring your tears with all of us. Firefly, like Arcane, has a unique way of lodging in the hearts of those who love the characters. You could have given your viewers a sanitized version of your emotions, as a way to protect yourself…none of us would have blamed you for doing so. Yet you shared all the rawness with us anyway. For whatever it may be worth coming from a random human that you will likely never meet; thank you for not shying away.🙏🏾
Hooray! Just so you know, we all felt this way when watching this movie. We could tell when you about to cry (most of us have done the same!) and we understood the awful apprehension that this might not have a happy ending for anybody, after they killed Wash. Now you fully understand why we are proud to call ourselves Browncoats.
And we're VERY proud Angela is one of us now. Along with her being a critter, Marvel lover, and Expanse lover, and soon to be BSG lover, and an all around great person.
The line that hit me the hardest, I think, when I first watched this movie was when the Operative said a lot of innocent people were dying up there and Mal said "You don't know how true that is". Mal had such...compassion for every single Reaver, knowing it wasn't their fault how they were. People mourn for Wash and Book and Mr. Universe, but the greatest tragedy in this franchise is what happened to the people on Miranda, including the "tenth of a percent" that became monsters because of it. And Mal showed how much he cared for them all with that one line.
This was why he fought the war: he believes in the right of people to have free will and choice, and the Pax directly contravened that right. And every reaver is, in a way, innocent. Whether through chemicals or trauma, every reaver started as a free person who was interfered with some way. And Mal has a deep understanding of how wrong that is. He’s a good man, and little moments like that are the proof.
“Goin’ on a year now I ain’t had nothin’ twixt my nethers weren’t run on batteries” is one of the greatest lines of dialog ever written. It manages to be dirty and wholesome at the same time. I will die on this hill.
Summer did 95% of her own stunts. Whedon did long takes of her fighting-“She was a dancer so we were able to train her in ways that others can’t do.” One of the stunt coordinators said, “She can kick a guy from behind, around a pole, can we build a pole?” Whedon: “Yes we can.”
It's even more of a fun detail considering that Whedon have on many occasions said that he really don't like doing action sequences because it's such a PITA to make it look interesting, easy to follow, and move the plot forward
@@Valp85 Please note that other directors handle such concerns by just not making it interesting, not easy to follow and do nothing to "move the plot forward", instead just amping up the sound track, shaking the camera and doing 30 cuts/minute.
I've never seen a more emotional reaction on any channel. I was crying right along with you. As for why it was Wash that died and not someone else, I've asked myself that same question. I think that more than anyone else's, Wash's death adds the most weight to the sacrifice it took to get that secret out to people.
Wash was killed for a few of reasons: 1) Stakes. His death reinforces that anyone can die at any time. By that point in the movie, no one is "safe". And as this movie concludes the entire series, there is no need to keep the crew intact for future episodes. 2) He has no role in the rest of the movie. He's the pilot. The ship has landed - and is broken. He isn't the captain. He isn't a fighter like Zoey (who is also the captain's loyal backup) or Jayne (the muscle/comic relief). He isn't the mechanic/techie (in case anything needs to be repaired or creatively broken later on - and Kaylee needs to resolve her relationship with Simon). He isn't the doctor. Inara needs to resolve her relationship with Mal. And River needs her "My turn" moment to complete her transition from "baggage" to crew member, a transition that requires a heroic sacrifice later in the story since she has only just stopped being the "baggage" on Miranda. So there's nothing for Wash to do but be in the way, especially as he has no outstanding plotlines to resolve. And 3) His death clears the way for River to become the new pilot. River has been the MacGuffin of the series. Well, they finally resolved the question of why the Alliance is after her. And now they aren't after her anymore. So there's no reason for her and Simon to continue hiding on the ship. Or even staying on the ship. Unless she becomes the new pilot. Those are the main reasons for Wash to die during the final battle.
@@flatebo1 It's more simple: Alan Tudyk had a commitment at the time and couldn't come back for a second movie if it was produced, just as with Ron Glass.
The story of Mal and Serenity's crew, through Firefly and Serenity, is full of both happiness and heartache. The highs are hilariously high, and the lows are devastatingly low. That's what makes the journey so exciting. That's what makes us Browncoats.
That was a wonderful short little moment in the scene just before they head to Miranda where they're sitting around the table and Jayne makes the comment about what Shepherd Book had told him that if he "can't do something smart do something right". He then takes a drink of the liquor and slides the bottle directly over to Simon. I think it was an obvious indication that he was making his peace with Simon.
It was actually originally scripted that each of them would have their say. However once you hear Jayne of all people say that, nobody else needs to say a thing.
@@michaelgillman2505 Really? Wow. Another perfect choice in a series absolutely rich with perfect choices. Also amazing that they didn't drag the scene out, or exploit the emotional significance of it.
Jayne has grown. They don't point it out to us, but you can see certain points. Main thing is that Jayne is about Actions not words. He won't say how he feels, he shows it. Like in Out of Gas he didn't give Mal a speech about how he cares about or respects him, he just prepared him a suit. Here, when they are talking about they are going to do the right thing, he takes a drink from the bottle and slides it to Simon. After their conflicts, it's accepting him as part of the same crew. Later when Jayne is being thrown about the plummetting ship, it's because he made sure everyone else was buckled in, was assisting them and didn't have the chance to buckle himself in. Put everyone else before himself.
@@zooks527 Though I don't think that's neccessarily growth, but more empathy or feelings that we didn't neccesarily see much before. Definitely showing that he's more than just a brute.
His behavior makes so much sense with the idea that he has sick brother at home. I didn't know that part at all until I read comments under The Message episode - then his behavior fully clicked for me.
He also seems really concerned when River falls during the heist job, and he tries to stop her rampage in the bar in a way that doesn’t hurt her. Jayne is not a monster, and I think The Message and these moments in the film hint at a world of nuance and emotion that I wish we had gotten to see from him.
After watching this movie, "I am a leaf on the wind" will burn brightly in your memory until the end of your days. Welcome to the brown coats. Fight for what is right, even if that means being on the losing side. And on dark days, may there always be someone to carry you.
Every time I watch a reaction, and Wash says "I'm a leaf on the wind" and the reactor laughs, I'm like oh honey...you're never going to laugh at that line again.
My favorite line in the series was when one of the crew said something like "The captain has to handle this fight on his own" and Mal shouts "No I don't!" and they shoot the bad guy. About the ending of Serenity, to quote the wizard Schmendrick from "The Last Unicorn": There are no happy endings, because nothing ends.
Wonderful reaction. I've always thought Wash's death made what followed feel more real, more life-threatening, especially as people were injured. We no longer -knew- the crew was going to make it.
When I ran my parents through the series for the first time, after Wash died my mother was convinced that the crew would all die but get the message out in the process.
Yep. Book's death made narrative sense, as he was the older mentor character. But Wash? As soon as Wash died, that marked a turning point for the rest of the movie. Because at that point, you realize that Joss looks to be burning the entire show to the ground.
I always felt this was Summer Glau's best role. She just emotes so perfectly throughout the movie as the weight of secrets her head as slowly lifted. And the fact that she did so many of her own stunts. They had to build the sets to show off just how flexible she is. "She can kick someone around a pole? Ok, build a pole!"
"She always loved to dance" is such a line, when you know Summer Glau's dancing ability is what blows the minds of the director and the audience both. I think he mentioned he considers River's feet to basically be a character of their own and he was constantly amazed by being able to throw anything at Glau and she'd just DO it. Starting with the way she's suddenly just melding into ceilings, all the way to that amazing final battle.
@@lassesipila6418 it is amazing when you realize just how much she was able to do. And how much the whole cast would do, they talked about how Nathan Fillion would do painful stunts all day long until they got just the right shot.
Summer Glau was originally planning to be a dancer. She was even homeschooled much of her childhood so she could spend more time training to be a dancer. And then, one fateful day, she broke a toe on a fireplace in the center of a room and her career as a professional dancer was over. So she went into acting. Her dance background has always featured very largely in almost every role she's had since she began acting. If you can get the behind the scenes footage you really should watch how Summer trained for the bar fight scene!
I actually really liked the way they left Mal and Inara. Her smile said enough. When I saw how upset you got over Shepard, I knew there were hard times ahead for you. This was fun. I'm glad I found your channel.
Saw this in the theatre when it came out. The moment the "incident" happened, the entire theatre stopped making noise-no talking, no crinkling of wrappers, no breathing. Completely changed the feeling in that room for the next 10 minutes. Amazing how leaves, on the wind or on the vine, can get me even after all this time.
I didn’t watch this when it originally aired, but a co worker did. I happened to run into him and his friends at the cinema right as they were coming out having just seen this. They were visibly shook. That’s when I decided to take his suggestion and watch the show.
The way Zoe deals with is is because as Wash said she is a warrior woman. When a friend dies in combat you push that to the side and grieve later. We are too busy surviving for emotions. Eliminate the threat, collect our fallen friends and live to fight another day.
I always took it that Zoe was far more damaged by the war than we ever really got to see (due to cancellation). That is why she was with Mal doing the job she did, because after the horrors of the war, it was all she knew how to do and be. Wash was her salve. Wash opened up the human side of her again. When Wash died, the human side just shut off again.
The way she went HAM on the Reaver's showed how much it affected her.. Zoe is the epitome of cold hard efficiency she just gets the job done.. but you could see her just going wild &wanting to go out in a blaze of fury Such a well acted character
Except that's not the way Zoe reacted. She tried to, but she went full on suicidal. Her rush against the Reavers in her need to avenge Wash or die trying cost the crew their ability to defend themselves.
@@scambammer6102 Define "decent". Also, to maintain proper standards we've decided that euthanizing terminally ill patients is the best option For The Greater Good. It's so easy to think in glittering generalities but reality has a conservative bias.
I love that line. Though I equally love: Operative: "there's a lot of innocents in the air dying" Mal: "you have no idea" Because at the end. The reavers are a tragic story. Innocences experimented on.
At a convention several years back where Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, and Nathan Fillion were all present to both talk about Firefly and the then-upcoming series "Conman" (basically a fictionalized version of their life starring in a cancelled but beloved TV series, 100% talking about Firefly without it being Firefly), Alan finally explained the significance of his "leaf on the wind" line and what it truly meant. It was the sign that Wash was doomed, because "a leaf on the wind is already dead"
Kaylee is in Conman too, and MANY more people, including Joss Whedon, Sam from LOTR, and BSG actors. The Firefly cast is the cast of "Halo: ODST". Mal and Zoe are voice actors for "Destiny". Then most characters make an appearance in episodes of Castle. And then there is Resident Alien with multiple Firefly cast. and Serenity is in the opening pilot of BSG.
Wow, I never even thought of it like that. I've always wondered why Joss chose that line. Also, I'm glad to see more people talk about Con Man, it was fantastic. 😂
I love the reaction at the title card: "NO NOTES" Also, you're right that they made Simon uncharacteristically assertive over River. I just think that's the only way the could cram 14 episodes of protectiveness into 30 seconds.
Simon in an Alliance facility, surrounded by Alliance people, is not the same man as Simon out in the wider 'Verse...Out There, he is a fish out of water; none of the social cues and behavioral patterns he learned growing up apply out there. Remember in "Ariel" it was the same thing but more so, because while the core worlds are his environment, a hospital during a medical emergency is His Purpose. On another note, Angela, I salute you for sharing as much of your grief as you did: many reactors will "take a minute" as you did and not come back on camera until they are (at least mostly) composed. Letting us see how raw it was for you, how painful, was moving to me, so thank you for that; I always enjoy seeing others react emotionally to movies and TV as strongly as I do.
Up until that moment, Simon's been passive. He wants a safe place for River and he doesn't really know where that is so he isn't fighting for or against staying on the ship. He's been seeing how things turn out. At the beginning of the movie, from Simon's perspective, Mal is literally putting River in harm's way. Endangering River is about the only way TO get an aggressive response from Simon. It makes perfect sense to me! He literally sacrificed his previous life to get her safe.
That's not the meaning of albatross in that context. Mal was being both literal and sarcastic. albatross noun a : something that causes persistent deep concern or anxiety b : something that greatly hinders accomplishment : ENCUMBRANCE Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal life.
@Dodsfall121 He's still right. remember, earlier in the film Mal points out the Albatross was originally a ship's sign of good luck. so both sentiment can hold true.
My favorite movie fact about this is that in River's (so, so, awesome) fight scene with the Reavers, they choreographed the fight movements to give the camera man a moving space to stand and shoot in, creating those awesome dynamic shots. That is just such a wonderful amount of detailed effort, and the final product is just so worth it!
That's because it wasn't choreographed as a fight, but was blocked out by Summer as a 'pas de deux', a ballet performance with River and the cameraman as the dance partners. Then the stunt director worked in places in the dance for Reavers to intersect with River for attacks.
I knew this was going to hit you hard...like an operative coming after your beliefs. You seemed surprised by Zoe's calmness after Wash's death. She's a warrior woman and had a battle to fight. Time for grief after her husband's killers were all dead. And it's not goodbye to these characters, right? It's "See you next month when I watch the series and the movie all over again!" That's how I deal with it. Browncoats Forever!
I watched and loved Firefly from the beginning and was so upset when it got canceled. I was so excited when I found out about Serenity coming out, I made sure to see it in the theatres right when it came out, and believe me, EVERYONE in that theatre was shocked at Wash's death. You could hear gasps and sobs coming from so many people, all Browncoats and lovers of the show. I am not ashamed to admit that I will still ugly cry whenever I watch Serenity.
It's impossible to watch something for the first time... a second time. Your generosity in sharing your reaction is as close as we Browncoats will ever get to a second first watch. Your raw emotion is a gift to us, and we thank you for it.
There has been some interesting research into actual memory erasure but I'm sure it's decades away from being a thing we can do safely and even then I'm sure "I wanna watch this movie again for the first time" won't be an acceptable reason to get it. 😅
I am reliving my night in the theater through you. I had all the same emotional damage watching this movie. I have never seen so many grown men with manly tears around me in a theater before and when Wash died I have never heard such a loud collective gasp from an audience. Everyone in the theater just gasped at once. A testament to great character writing from the writers and director and acting chops from our performers.
I groaned out loud, and then spent the rest of the battle sequence trying not to go into full on manly sobbing. As others have noted, Wash's death made that whole battle hit so much harder. I was just a wreck as Zoe, and Kaylee, and Simon get wounded, Mal gets beat down, River goes on a suicide run to retrieve the medical bag... The sudden turn, victory from the jaws of defeat, was cathartic, only to be wrenched immediately into the funeral ceremony...just...wow. The pacing on this damn movie! So manipulative! So wonderful! For whatever personal flaws Wheedon might have, I will always be grateful to him for Firefly/Serenity.
Joss Whedon said in an interview that he killed Wash because it made the audience scared for the rest of the movie. Book dying hurt, but it could be seen as a way to raise the stakes going into the end of the movie. It's normal. Killing Wash off that randomly and suddenly broke the sense of safety people have for main characters and made people feel like any or all of them could die by the end.
My question was why was he the expendable one? If you had killed off Zoe that would’ve made, Mal lose his shit. If you kill off Kaylee, everyone would go on full on rage. Only Mal and Zoe witnessed Wash dying. I think I’m trying to come up with a reason why it’s so stupid that he was killed off 😂
@@funnylilgalreacts Honestly, it's because death is very commonly senseless. As a healthcare worker, I appreciated that. Wash was hands-down my favorite character. It *destroyed* me that he was killed. But films/TVs do a great disservice (IMO) by not acknowledging that deaths aren't always blaze-of-glory, last-stand types of events. It can be cruel, sudden, pointless, blink-and-you-miss-it events. Wash's death was one of the most realistic parts of the entire series.
@@funnylilgalreacts Alan Tudyk and Ron Glass were the only ones who weren't able to definitely commit to future sequels, so Joss turned that into an effective storytelling strategy.
I also think it was because Wash was always the safest one. The plucky comic relief that stayed on the ship and rarely was in danger. So isolated that War Stories was him putting himself in danger because he was ignorant of what might happen. When you kill the safe one, suddenly, without warning, then nobody is safe. No Browncoat likes it. But if you go back and watch the following scenes, you can see how you are expecting everyone else to die, and not one or two, but everyone. I don’t like it, but I understand why it was done. Few writers have the courage to do it, even fewer on a series they created. Just remember the title song, there’s no place I can be, since I found Serenity, you can’t take the sky from me.
@funnylilgalreacts never saw wash as expendable. Killing off the most loved character of the group made everything fair game. So when Kaylee, zoe, and simon were hurt it made everyone truly scared on who would make it out alive. Shepards death definitely feels more emotional for fans since Ron Glass passed away back in 2016.
I was at a Con years ago and joined a Firefly panel. There was an impromptu costume contest and this young man strolled down the centre aisle in a Wash shirt with a pole impaling him. We all got teary and laughed at the same time. He won. Excellent reaction, thanks!
Kaylee's "Hell with this, I'm gonna live!", along with confidently racking a gun (something she wasn't comfortable with before) is something that I use when I need to give myself a little jolt of positivity in a difficult or uncomfortable situation.
I recall listening to a long interview with Joss Whedon where they asked him about those two deaths. He said he didn't want to kill off those characters, but they were hoping this moving would provide a reboot for the series and those two actors have other contractual agreements that would mean they couldn't come back. So Joss chose this heart rending path to deal with that. It killed us all.
I remember seeing this in theatres and when Simon got shot, I literally screamed "SIMON!" I was so scared he was going to die too. Fortunately he lived but Wash's death was such a gut punch, it successfully had me thinking they might kill off the whole cast apart from Mal. Fortunately they didn't. Great reaction, thank you for sharing!
Wash's death plus all the others getting severely injured, but mainly Wash's death, had me seriously questioning whether any of them were going to survive, which usually isn't even a question in a movie like this.
@@hellomark1 "had me seriously questioning whether any of them were going to survive" that's the whole point from a writing perspective. It raises the stakes, increases the suspense and emotional attachment for the rest of the story.
@@scambammer6102 Of course. That's what a good story SHOULD do, very few actually do this. Most of the "hero's journey" stories I watch, I almost never question whether they're going to complete their goals and survive. It's not even something I consider usually.
@@hellomark1 While many of my friends loved Aquaman, I found it boring for just this reason. The makers wanted so badly for me to feel tension, and I was just thinking, "Yes yes, we know what's going to happen, just get to it already."
Yes, that was the exact part where I lost it! Kaylee and Simon were my favorites, and seeing both get shot in a row, knowing characters were being killed…
Despite all of the bad things that people have reported about Whedon, he sure knows how to connect people with his characters. So much that they are truly heartbroken at the loss. I have watched several reactions to people watching Firefly, falling in love with these characters and then reaching the final episode. Everyone of them could not wait to see Serenity, but were saddened at the end of a great show. I was angry about Wash and Book, I asked the same questions as you. Thank you for sharing your journey with the crew of Serenity. You're a Browncoat now, remember the saying. "When you can't walk, you crawl.."
Writing is hard. How each of these characters were written is, frankly, a masterclass in arks. Jane sacrifices his safety to secure everyone during the space battle, and defends river’s understanding of Miranda. The doctor chooses to prioritize his interests emotionally, Kaylie stops allowing things to happen and takes control, Inara chooses personal over professional relationships, the captain finds something to believe in again, Book makes that happen and draws a line between faith and belief. Zoe and Wash..together and then separated. River finds her peace in protecting her protector. Well done on reaction. I've enjoyed the journey.
Summer Glau just got reallllly unlucky, in that everything she was in, failed, so people stopped hiring her for no real reason at all. She absolutely should have massive.
Lil!.......this is the 1st time I've come across your channel. I'm also a HUGE Firefly fan, (so disappointed how the series was cancelled so soon). I've seen the series multiple times, on DVD, and of course, the movie Serenity, when it finally came out. Your reactions were indeed priceless. Kaylee is still my favorite, but Shepard was right behind. I had a feeling how emotional you would get with his and Wash's deaths (especially with how Wash died) Joss Whedon really went with the gut punch, in this one, after having us all fall in love with these characters.....even Jayne And it sounds like you did watch the Bloopers to the movie, Serenity. Hopefully, you also watched the bloopers, in the Firefly series, as well. They will surely lift up your spirits. That said, you hooked me, and I'm now a subscriber. So, always remember..... "whatever it is you believe.... *just believe it* "
There's more with the war in helping Mal in this film. Mal knows that the worst thing than death is losing faith. Mal knows this because in the pilot episode, you see him wearing a cross and mentions being "on the side of angels." Then the Independents lost the war, and Mal stopped wearing the cross. He knows what losing faith can do to someone and it's worse than dying. By showing the Operative his "world without sin", it basically destroyed his faith in the process, and led to the Operative letting the Serenity crew go. In fact, there's a deleted scene that takes place after the "there is nothing left to see" line, where the Operative asks Mal about the Battle of Serenity Valley and how he managed to move on from it, but Mal never gives him an answer.
“You’re not a Reaver, Mal.” Such a subtle, important line. The Alliance has NEVER acknowledged the existence of Reavers, but you can see it click on Mal’s face when the Operative says that. Mal has no idea what Reavers really are or the Alliance’s role at that point, but that strange acknowledgement by the Operative gives Mal just enough spark of in idea to BELIEVE in SOMETHING, like Book said, and to start formulating a haphazard plan to at least get to Miranda, knowing nothing about the Reavers relation, other than that they float out there, and the Alliance always meddles, and clearly did something to River. His plan was to follow Book’s advice and his plan was to believe in River, and that she had some reason to get there, even though he has no evidence or proof of any connection or even anything to gain from it. The two just happen to line up…because “I don’t care what you believe, just believe it. He believed in something, without knowing what, or why…just who…even on a leap of total faith when he may not have had an ounce of a reason…other than his belief in Book’s words, and being back in “war mode”…faith in his crew.
You are over thinking it. That line did non of that it gave him the idea to do what they did to serenity and get passed the reaver blockade. It wasn't some big revelation for Mal, the line "You're not a Reaver, Mal" basically gave him the idea to make them LOOK like reavers. that is it.
@@therabbits69 I didn’t say it gave him a big revelation. And it certainly gave the the Reaver appearance idea. But you are misinterpreting/misunderstanding. The movie (and series) clearly set up that Reavers are denied as myths by the Alliance, despite that OBVIOUSLY not being the case. For someone as high up as the operative to use even the term wasn’t just slang. It was an acknowledgment that the Alliance is once again two-faced, and it was extra weird for someone like him to say it. Mal did not “have a big revelation,” as you misinterpreted my comment to suggest. It was just a subtle thing that HAPPENED to be about Reavers. Having watched this series and film dozens upon dozens of times, I will stand by that subtly, even if people misread it, or overthink my own comments.
@@masamune2984 You literally wrote all that to again fall short of the point of that scene. The alliance didn't reveal anything the crew of serenity already KNEW that the alliance was hiding the fact that they knew the Reavers were real. This was already shown in the TV series. The operative literally revealed NOTHING that was already common knowledge for Mal. He already knew that high ranking officials and special ops would know about them.
It's truly a shame they killed off such important characters. I believe it was the studio's way of preventing anymore episodes or movies. I know they are working on bringing Firefly back. I don't know if it's a reboot or a continuation. BTW, I love how you get so emotionally invested in the story and characters. It's OK to cry when a story moves you.
By the time the end of Episode 10 came along and done, I knew Book's death was going to hit hard, but I knew that Wash would destroy you. And that's probably the absolutely biggest compliment to any writer and actor anywhere...to cause those reactions from so much love. It's been fantastic watching you watching this series. Your reactions are genuine as hell, and I love how damned perceptive you are. This was like sharing the series with a friend who'd never seen it before. If it hasn't been mentioned yet (and very likely it probably has been), but the graphic novel of "Those Left Behind" bridges the gap between the end of the series and the movie. I think that might have been the comics you were sent a couple of videos prior, if I remember the covers correctly...the GN is the composite of those issues. As for the point of killing Wash and Book...Whedon was known to off popular characters for shock effect. This movie was probably the biggest impact he had in that regard. A friend of mine had insisted I see Serenity, as, at the time, I was working two jobs, doing school and having my daughter several nights per week, so I had little to no time for TV and I'd never heard of Firefly. I really enjoyed the movie but I got surprise out of Wash & Book's deaths instead of actual SHOCK. I still have the sad, just after the fact and in reverse order.
Great reaction!!! The Miranda storyline was supposed to be at the end of season 2. Wash and Book wouldn't of died if the series continued. Book's death helped Mal believe in something. Wasn't death was to show how dangerous the situation was. It was also said that Alan and Ron couldn't commit to additional movies.
Your reaction to Wash’s death is probably the exact reason why it happened, and i feel that both Wash and Book were the most logical ones. Book’s death triggered Mal to directly confront the Alliance instead of weaving through their web. And in the case of Wash, it seemed like the only choice for shock factor. Mal is the captain, and had to finally win a battle against the alliance by completing the mission of releasing the video, Kaylee and Simon had to conclude their arc and finally get together, Inara served the purpose to continue the “will they won’t they” arc to the bitter end and keeping us forever wondering, River needed her “it’s my turn moment”, Jayne wouldn’t have gotten the same shock and awe reaction from the audience, you said yourself you’d prefer it to happen to Jayne, so the option was Zoey or Wash, and from a plot point, Zoey is the better fighter. At least that is my logic and why I think Wash was the most effective character death.
I think you're absolutely right. I also got the sense Wash would have quit if Zoey died. Mal and Zoey had the experience of the war and had a strong bond, and as a soldier, Zoey is better adapted to heartbreak and losing those she cared about. And Whedon is gonna Whedon. He's very fond of shock deaths, as anyone who watched his Avengers movies can attest.
@@johnobrien7562 Yes Whedon is like that. But think about it, when watching most series you know that the main characters are going to come through somehow. But when Joss Whedon is writing the script you can never really be sure, it makes the scene more tense. For example, I really though Mal was going to kill Jayne in that airlock scene in the series and that made it quite tense for me.
Wash makes sense as the one to kill off for the shock factor, he is so sweet. And also, as another commenter already wrote, Alan Tudyk was already signed up for some other project and couldn't be in a sequel. So they chose him to die, just in case there was a sequel. Oh, and Alan Tudyk is brilliant in 28 Days (a Sandra Bullock movie about a recovering alcoholic, he has a minor but important role there), and in Death At A Funeral (the original, British one, not the American remake). And in A Knight's Tale. And he is totally shiny in Tucker And Dale Vs Evil!
That gut-wrenching feeling is exactly why they killed them off. They got just the reaction they wanted. I've been watching the show and movie every year for 15 years and still tear up nearly every time. Fun crying-related fact about Serenity: In the scene where Simon has been shot and River is telling him how much he's taken care of her, they had to do a tone of takes for that because Summer Glau kept breaking into sobs, Sean Maher was just that good!
Canonically, Zoe wore that dress exactly twice. The first time when she married her husband. The last time when she buried him. From the standpoint of dramatic storytelling, Wash had reached the apex of his character arc. Also, by demonstrating a willingness to kill Wash, that way, it meant the final fight between the crew and the Reavers (with Mal elsewhere) was genuinely terrifying and meaningful. It was very real to the audience that they could've all died, right there, and it put us all on the edge of our seats -- the same as it did you. I haven't owned a television for more than 35 years, so I missed the TV show, entirely. Then I saw the advertisements for the film, and read the chatter that it came out of a show that got canceled early, but that science fiction fans just loved. As a long-time science fiction fan, myself, I decided to hold off on the film until after I'd seen the series, so I went out and bought it on DVD. I loved it, and loaned the DVDs to my mother, and she refused to give them back so I bought another set. My sister saw it at my mom's house, and she watches it again -- series and film -- every six or eight months, or so. I've had two other DVD set "permanently loaned" out to friends -- and that's okay with me. I just go buy another one. 😊
That's what a true Browncoat does. Can't stop the signal. You find somebody whose favorite sci-fi show is Firefly, you've met a good person. I've given this some thought, and it ends up being kind of complicated, but it's always true. And I'm not one to glorify "entertainment". But this show and the movie are just special.
My wife and I saw the movie first. We didn't even know the series existed until we saw the line at the end of Serenity's credits thanking all of the Browncoats, fans, cast and crew of Firefly. When we got home, we immediately ordered the series on DVD so we could watch it. The movie is so well written. That first single-shot scene on the ship you are introduced to every character, including Serenity herself, and you pretty much know everything you need to know about them and their life together. It's true you don't feel the same way about Book's death because he's not in the movie much, but Ron Glass's performance in his final scene makes an impact. Wash's death is more of a hit because it's a shock, and at the moment of his triumph, and because he is such a likeable character. Like others in these comments, thank you for your openness in sharing this reaction. Knowing what was coming and hearing your hopes for these characters in your reactions, I knew it would hit you hard. But seeing how hard it did hit, well I was crying right along with you and for you. On a happier note, and as you really could use some levity after this movie, you will definitely enjoy the blooper reels. There are a few different ones, you'll want to see them all. In addition, there are a number of videos of various conventions with Firefly panels. It is hilarious to hear about all the fun they had on set. They were all really a family behind the scenes too and there are great tales to tell. Some of the standouts: - Alan Tudyk asked to read a fan's contest-winning, eulogy for Wash, which he then proceeds to edit and make into a hilarious good time. - Hearing about Nathan and Jewel's "creatively giving each other the finger" one-upmanship game. This goes on for years after the show was over. Also, if you didn't know, there are CDs of music written by fans and were sold at conventions to raise money and awareness to get Serenity made. There are some really talented people out there and the music they wrote is amazing. Thank you for your channel and sharing with us.
My buddy did the same thing went and saw the movie and was like " wait its a show?" watched the show and then went and saw the movie again. im glad he made me watch firefly before watching Serenity
It's funny because when the movie was announced my girlfriend at the time (now wife) was a massive browncoat and we saw the trailer and she was super excited. She generally doesn't even like TV or movies for that matter so seeing her THAT excited about a movie prompted me to get the series. To think I was complaining about having to wait 2 months to see the movie, let alone people that waited years....
Same for me. I saw the movie before ever watching the series. That alone removed the emotional impact of the character losses. Bought the box set and have watched them all through 20+ times since. Serenity hits much different now than in the theater. The movie was a result of fan support, as they said, most cancelled series never get a movie to wrap up their story. As short as it is, and as much as we all would've liked more seasons and stories, it got about as good an ending as fans could've hoped for.
I recently discovered that they have made a series of books of Firefly that take place after the TV show and before Serenity movie. They are also on audible. Each one is like an 8 hr episode. They are very well written; true to the series. It's like another two seasons worth. Plus, they really dive into the depths of the characters. They are also all performed by the same reader, who is also very talented. I listen to them while driving, highly, highly recommended to anyone who enjoyed the Firefly series. Okay, so the 8th one that just came out is performed by another. I'm still looking forward to it though.
They were out in comic book format originally. Backstories of all the characters. Wash is shown to be "more than just a pilot". He is a hero, legendary among the smugglers and rebels of the 'verse. And yes, Book WAS involved with the highest levels of the Alliance, as neatly hinted at in the series.
This movie shows how invested we got into these beloved characters. Joss W said that it was important that some of the characters we cared for died. It showed there were actual stakes in the movie. Requires full emotional investment to be a fan, but it makes the whole thing so so good.
Thanks for being so open in this reaction - I can really sympathise. This movie is (at least) a double whammy for me. My wife and I had two small children so we'd hardly been out on our own for ages, but we both loved the show so we arranged a friend to babysit so we could go and see this the day it opened. Then we couldn't get in. I was disappointed but my wife was really upset - I couldn't understand why until she explained that my mum had died and she was holding off on telling me so I could at least enjoy the movie first. It was a really caring thing to do, and I appreciated it enormously even though it didn't work out. Then we saw the movie a few days later, and, well, you can guess how we felt about Book and Wash. I wish we could have had this whole storyline evolve over a couple of seasons, but I am so glad they made the movie. Enjoy the bloopers!
Just so you know, EVERYONE was shocked by what happened to Wash. I still cry every time I watch the movie, and I've seen the movie many times. Everyone in the crew was taking a huge risk, being up against both the Alliance and Reevers. That said, it would have been unrealistic if every single member of the crew had escaped unharmed; in other words, they had to show jeopardy. While watching the movie for the first time, many fans worried that they were gonna kill off the entire crew! Joss stated at the Comic Con 10th Anniversary panel that if the series had gone on and not been cancelled, he probably wouldn't have killed off anyone. "Firefly" lives on as new fans join the minions every year. In the words of the fembot (?), "You can't stop the signal." And just so you know ... TH-cam is filled with "Firefly" and "Serenity" material (commentaries, documentaries, Comic Con and other conventions, miscellaneous promos and interviews, etc.). Seeing Alan/Wash at the conventions might make you feel a little better. Then there are the novels and comic books and other memorabilia .......
Forgive us. We all knew but it is a path you must walk down alone. You are a Browncoat and now know the full pain we collectively feel about this masterpiece. Please watch the documentary "Done The Impossible" hosted by Jayne. This movie never would have happened without the fans DEMANDING some conclusion to the show. My personal favorite part is when Zoe walks up at the memorial wearing a "Slinky" dress. She was granting Wash's wish from Shindig wanting to see her in a slinky dress. Much love and keep on keepin on J.
THIS The whole intro, all I wanted to do was give her a hug, since we all knew what was coming. :( Never even thought about the 'slinky' dress, but that's an awesome callback. There are so many great ones in the movie. Love this whole series so very, very much.
@@Bob6800a **puts on 'Well Ack-shually Guy" uniform** It was actually a broken toe, and she could then no longer dance _en pointe_ . She became one of my all time favorites from being Summer.
I just found your vids. I never cry in movies, but watching your reactions to Book and Wash made me cry like a baby. I've seen the series and movie several times. THANK YOU SO MUCH for letting me see Firefly and Serenity for the first time again.
@@barriemajor4960 I legit called someone out on Reddit the other day for calling too soon on a scene that's almost old enough to vote. I was heavily downvoted. It will always be too soon.
Skill is more than just knowledge. Muscle memory plays a huge role, and River wouldn't have any of that. She'd know how to fly in the same way someone who read a book on flying would... she'd have the knowledge but she'd still need practice to build up skill.
@@TheNeilBlack if her mindreading would work like reading a book... but i don´t think she ever was extensively trained for close combat either... i would think, she inherits the experience and not only the knowledge... but yes, making her own experiences would make her even better...
@@Metzwerg74 That's not how experience works. You can't just learn the muscle memory without practice. And she was certainly trained for close combat, they were preparing her for defense deployment.
@@TheNeilBlack yep.... and you completely know, how psychic abilities work ? LOL.... your whole argumentation is hillarious.... but well i said my thing time to leave kiddo.... bye little troll....
I've watched a lot of reaction videos, but this may be the best one I've ever seen (and I'm only a little biased from my love of Firefly and Serenity). You had me relive the emotions I went through the first time I saw the movie, beat for beat. I will never, ever, forget the reactions in the theatre through the last twenty minutes of the film. We genuinely didn't know if any of the crew were going to survive.
In spite of the real life drama involving Joss Whedon I still love this movie and the series. And I can say with all certainty we as your audience felt every jump scare, high, low, shiny and not so shiny moment. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a chance to binge everything again, even longer since I had a friend interested in seeing it. You made it feel like I got to introduce the series and then the movie to a friend. It was nice watching your reactions. My world hasn’t been shiny as of late. You brightened it up a little, thanks. Or as the crew would say, “Xie xie”!
I was at a handful of the screenings of Serenity in 2005 and the screams and crying of women in the audience when Wash got killed was something to behold. I can’t remember another movie other than John Wick when people got that upset at a death. Thank you Angela, for the Firefly and Serenity reactions. I never saw Firefly on FOX and found it in 2004 when I was having a rough time in life and this show got me through the worst of it. I was an OG Browncoat who took part in the viral campaigns to get more eyes on Serenity when it came out, hosted Firefly viewing parties, and bought more box sets of Firefly and gave them away in an effort to spread the word. I pretty much watch every Firefly reaction on YT and yours was undoubtedly the best I’ve seen so far. You are a Browncoat through and through.
You are a gem for this community. You did so much for us and i think you deserved some credit for that. So here is my "Thank you so much!" I hope you got noticed by the producers and actors. Have a nice day captain tight pants ;)
Thank you for taking me and all the others to experience Firefly and Serenity again. Watching your reactions was touching and pleasure, so thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your wonderful reaction...have you ever considered watching Babylon 5? It's a must-see for sci-fi fans and has aged quite well for a show from the 90's.
One of my favorite movies have rewatched it many times; Naturally, Firefly is one of my favorite things to ever grace the TV screen as well. Your reaction was so visceral and engaging that I felt like I was watching it for the first time. I'm looking forward to watching more of your reactions.
I'd say that it's fairly obvious that Book was once an operative before he changed, which makes him such a wonderful character. Some of the best people who were once operatives and were redeemed by learnking better and putting it in action,.
His past is revealed in a novel called 'The Shepherd's Tale'. My Dad and I had a bet, as he too was convinced he was an Operative but I thought he was a detective/cop. We were both WRONG. Completely wrong.
If you don't wanna read the book though SPOILER . . . . . . . . . . . . He was actually one of the founding members of The Browncoats. He went under-cover as a double agent working with the Alliance but feeding information to the Browncoats. They never caught on that he was a spy (which is why he got medical assistance that episode) but he was discharged after a mission he led had a catastrophic "failure"... which was all part of his plan anyway. Before that, he was a criminal. Which is why he was so upset in the first episode at how quickly he "fell in with criminals and beat a lawman senseless" - he literally JUST left the church trying to turn a new leaf and become a better person and wound up right back in it almost straight away...
Oh Angela, I’ve seen this movie so many times and enjoy it every time. The first few I did weep for Book and Wash, but the shock wore off. I knew it was coming watching along with you, I knew it would hit you like a ton of bricks. Yet, I didn’t expect to weep watching you cry. Sometimes, great movies are great because the stakes are so high . . . because some of the most wise and funny characters get sacrificed to prove high the stakes and and to transform the ultimate heroes to their fullest moral bloom . . . giving them belief to do the right thing and giving us belief in the worth of the act of doing what’s right. Love your show!
This is my favorite reaction from you so far. As a lifelong athlete I adore the pure physicality of Summer Glau. I also love her line, "I like to hear you say it". I'm not crying, you're crying. Beautiful job. We've all been there.
Thank you. Thank you for hearing the story, feeling out love, and sharing our pain. You now know what being a Browncoat really means. You … are on our crew❤❤❤
I loved your reaction❣️ It was, not trying to be creepy, the cutest reaction to a sci-fi spaghetti western I’ve ever seen. You even made me cry when you cried for Book. This is one of my favorite movies and Firefly is one of my favorite series ever. Great job. Instant subscriber. Love the shirt
I love the unspoken part of the classroom scene. "We're not telling people what to think. We're just trying to show them how." ...but we ain't teachin' 'em how to think for themselves.
Wash's death sells you on the mortal peril for the whole crew in the final scenes. If Wash can die that abruptly, you start to wonder if anybody will make it, especially when they all start taking hits. I know it's a traumatizing scene, but it's incredibly effective.
It's also a much more "real" death for its suddenness. Book gets the "Hollywood" death: caused by defending his people, able to impart final words & wisdom. It's the death that's tragic but you can feel okay with because it had purpose and closure while Wash's death had neither (within the story, at least).
still in premiere, but i can already tell you're gonna make me tear up a little lol "he ain't comin'.." gets me EVERY time it's been fun rewatching Firefly along with you, i like how in-depth you go into the recap after each episode Cheers, Browncoat
Nathan Fillion told this joke at a con while Alain Tudyk was sitting beside him: How do Reavers clean their spears? They put them through the Wash. A bittersweet ending to be sure, especially since I loved Wash, but very happy we got a bit of closure. Your reactions to this story have been very shiny.
I sympathize and empathize with you over the death of Book and Wash. As well as there being no "resolution" between Inara and Mal. I do like your shirt, and your necklace. Can't start the day without it! Great reactions. I think I became a fan thanks to your commentary! I am looking forward to seeing what's next!
There was a story Alan Tudyk told somewhere about a fan (I might not remember the details exactly) bringing him something to sign at a convention. Without thinking he signed it "Wash, I'm a leaf on the wind" and the woman broke down crying right in front of him. That's when he realized how important his character was to people.
Yeah, the only ones who don't understand how affecting this show was is the stupid executives. Executives=Alliance, IMO. I'm sure they never thought people would still be angry and crying this long after. This is why we can't have nice things.
You would think with Joss Whedon's record when it came to hit TV shows that Fox would have given him more of a chance with Firefly. Just goes to show you TV execs are totally clueless about what is good and won't give shows like this a chance.
@@dsfddsgh Fox has the highest record of shooting down their own series. One of the most amazing sci-fi series in '95 was Space: Above and Beyond. It only had one season because Fox decided to trash it. And that's just one of the many examples of shows they cancelled.
It was part of the 10th anniversary special called Browncoats Unite.
@@dsfddsgh That wasn't even the last of his shows they axed - R.I.P. Dollhouse after only two seasons. Of course, they killed The Sara Conner Chronicles right when it got amazing too. Meanwhile The Simpsons just got renewed for seasons 35 and 36.
In 14 episodes and a movie, this television show connected with its audience in ways that most shows can only dream of.
I knew. I knew as soon as I heard her say, “As long as Zoe and Wash are still married,” I knew this video would tear MY heart out.
Same
Same. 😭
I thought, “Sweet summer child.”
I still clearly remember my girlfriend having the same reaction to Wash's death when we saw it at the cinema. I think in that moment she hated me for getting her hooked on the show.
My heart sank. I knew my hardened black heart was in trouble.
Her reaction made me sadder for what happened than when I saw it the first time.
You: "They killed off Wash! What was even the point of that??!?"
Joss Whedon: (points at your crying) "This."
That and he and Ron couldn't commit to anymore firefly stuff so they killed them off, but could always do flashback cameos
It was also to add stakes. It really gave a feeling during that final battle that nobody was safe or had plot armor.
@@chaosminer65vods Exactly, the studio didn't want to greenlight the movie without contracts for a second one. Since they couldn't get that, Joss promised to kill them off in order to get the movie made.
One thing that shows how Firefly is beloved is that during Steven Swanson's first mission to space in 2007 he brought with him the DVD set of Firefly and its movie spinoff, Serenity, and left it on the International Space Station library. Astronauts can only take a few possessions with them so taking it up there with him makes him the ultimate fan. It is said that all people that stay on the Space Station watch it and return to Earth as Browncoats.
Fun fact: The cost to send something to space is $11,000 per pound.
The operative is one of my favorite movie antagonists. That scene where he tells Mal that he's building a better world that he has no place in because he's evil was amazing to me.
It IS very rare for the bad guy in a story to go, "yup, I'm the bad guy." Nobody in real life ever thinks they're the bad guy. At least, not really.
@@Tantalus010dammit. Now I'm gonna have Billie Eilish in my head all night...."I'm the baaaad guy.... duh"
Cue insanely catchy 🎶 music😊
Agreed. Love a good well-intentioned extremist for an antagonist.
@@Tantalus010 Well, yes and no. He acknowledged that his methods were evil, but he still justified them as serving what he perceived as a greater good. When he learned that the "good" masters he served had unleashed something as awful as the Reavers and then just washed their hands of it and walked away, that was when he truly realised he was on the wrong side.
@@Tantalus010 part of why i like yuber in the suikoden series, he just wants to cause chaos. that and unlike a lot of bad guys he'll basically go "yup, we've lost" and fuck off instead of grandstanding about how great and powerful he is before getting killed.
Knowing this day was coming made it bittersweet watching you fall in love with Firefly. We browncoats are still not okay and even after all this time the movie hits SO HARD. This show is truly one of a kind. Seeing Book and Wash die will always hurt, because we love them so much. Just know that all of Firefly fandom is here for you and we understand your happiness and pain.
Yeah, I feel like Firefly fans are united by the dual trauma of Firefly's botched release (episode release order, cancellation) and Wash's death.
We will NEVER be okay about that.
at the risk of mixing mediums, so say we all...
I adore Mal’s final speech, about love keeping Serenity in the air. Absolute poetry.
Straight up directly to the fans back then, who made the movie real.
Indeed, he even looks directly at the camera (aka us) when saying the line "love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down". That's pretty damned direct.
very well said, Joss adlibbed old sayings about love and sailing ships
River takes over for Wash, as pilot of Serenity. That's a balance that I really needed. Well done.
On Miranda she collapsed and threw up, all the lies and evil that the Alliance had forced into her head, and she said "I'm okay."
And from then on she really was.
Watching anything Whedon always makes me think of Nick Cage in National Treasure: 'People don't talk like that anymore'. His dialog has a sound to it like nothing else..
When you started laughing at Wash's "I am a leaf on the wind" after the landing, everyone who has seen the movie started a countdown to "And she's about to have the rug pulled out from under her in 3...2...1... and there are the tears!" Yeah, Joss knew just how to rip people's guts out.
Since Book is your favorite character, I think you'll really enjoy the Shepherd's Tale. It's an amazing story.
I watched you smiling at that line and I just kept thinking - ah, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
It still amazes me that this movie is almost 20 years old. It still feels like yesterday when I first saw it. Still one of the best sci-fi stories and universes ever created.
The saddest thing about Serenity, or the entire Firefly series, is that you can never watch it again for the first time. The next best thing is to watch people react to it. TY, FLG... Watching this *with* you is awesome! 🤗😎💖🙏🏼🕊
+1, exactly right.
Agree 100%.
Can’t Stop The Signal
I love the line from Zoe at the end: "She's tore up plenty, but she'll fly true." It felt like she was talking about more than just the ship.
She wasn't talking about the ship at all, IMO.
Mal & Zoe talked to each other as true warriors and respected comrades. There is no doubt they were using the ship as a metaphor when discussing if Zoe is holding up.
Mal wasn't asking about the ship either. They each knew what he was asking.
Zoe is a Machine! A total soldier.
Mal loved Serenity, it was his home. He wasn't asking how Zoe was holding up. It wasn't even known if Serenity would ever fly again. Zoe wasn't nearly as tore up as the ship was which is why Zoe told Mal that Serenity would "fly true".
It's been TWENTY YEARS.... and every time I hear "I'm a leaf on the wind" I tear up. I was hugging you virtually from just before Wash's final "I'm a leaf on the wind"... We couldn't warn you, but, we wanted to warn you.
After Book, I thought to myself "Well at least Kaylee and Wash are safe... they wouldn't dare...". They dared.
In case you haven't read this tidbit yet: Zoe was pregnant. So, something of Hoban Washburn will live on!
In Heart of Gold they spoke about having kids.
I can’t watch . I have to look away each time..
It'll will never NOT be "too soon".
the death of wash doesnt make any sense. it was completely random and didnt have to happen. even from a storytelling point of view it didnt make any sense to me.
@@YezaOutcastThe point was to pull the rug out from under the audience and make them question the fate of the entire crew. If Wash could be killed, nobody was safe, and it just made the stakes that much higher.
Also fun little fact is that Summer (River) and Sean (Simon) built up such a relationship over the series and the movie that in the scene after Simon gets shot and River says "You've always taken care of me. My turn" they had to shoot it numerous times because Summer kept bursting into tears.
That rings so true. I've watched the reunion special, and it's obvious that the emotional investment of this wonderful ensemble cast is like no other. And all the truly wrenching emotional moments are delivered in plainspeak, in character, and with perfect timing.
Note: My favorite all-time emotional impact line from the show is when Jayne, having sold out his own fellow crew members, gotten betrayed and then caught, and he realizes Mal is going to "space" him out the airlock says "One thing, Mal. Don't tell 'em what I done." His concern isn't his impending death, but what the crew, the people who, it turns out, he *ACTUALLY LOVES*, will think of him. Just...wow. And for Mal to realize that this display of Jayne's innermost priorities meant that Jayne truly was a member of his crew and could be trusted in the future...amazing writing.
I thought the way they handled Mal and the Operative's character arcs was just beautiful. Mal succeeded because he learned to believe in something again, and they defeated the Operative not by killing him, but by proving him wrong, stripping him of his faith in the righteousness of his cause. That line at the end where he says "there's nothing left to see" is so good. He built his whole identity around his unquestioning service to the Alliance, his willingness to do anything, no matter how evil, to further their cause. With the cause proven hollow, his identity becomes equally hollow, leaving nothing behind but a man arguably as broken and disillusioned as Mal was at the end of the war between the Alliance and the Independents. For the Operative, this fight was his very own Battle of Serenity Valley, and I think it would have been fascinating to see where he might have gone from there.
Plus Chiwetel Ejiofor was just SO perfect for the role. In some ways, it looked almost like Doctor Strange 2 was set up to have his character play almost the mirror image of the agent character (the self-righteous, unswerving dissident instead of the self-righteous, unswerving agent)... and you know what? I would have watched the heck out of him play the role again.
Here, here!
I loved how the two characters are playing in reverse of each other. Mal in the start is how the operative is at the end a broken man that lost his faith/belief in what he did, while the operative is how mal was in his youth during the war believing that what he was doing was justified, but than about near the end the two switch positions with mal now the one that has found his belief in his cause. The operative's strength was his ability to believe that all the evil he was doing (would not be surprised he detested what he was doing) would in the end lead to a much better world/s for all to live in, but when he saw what the alliance's actions had created in the reaver with their seeking of perfecting things only leading to even more evil it crushed him an his beliefs in what he did tearing out his heart. The operative is a dark hero much like Ashram from the anime record of lodoss wars they seek to improve an better the lives of their people via anything they have to do even if that means becoming evil an doing terrible acts even to innocents if that leads to their people's happiness.
I want a show about him he’s a far better character than the entire cast combined he acted circles around all of them
@@johnwalkeristhatdude3018 I disagree, but he is a great actor in a great role.
"How is she (Zoe) okay right now?" She's not. But as a warrior, she knows she has to compartmentalize.
The line she shares with Mal at the end sums her up perfectly. "She's torn up plenty, but she'll fly" was 100% about herself, not Serenity.
That's definitely part of it, I believe another part is she was in shock by what just happened.
Some have expressed various theories about Zoe's state of mind and reaction to Wash's demise. My take has always been that, at that point, she had completely abandoned any sense of self-preservation and was basically throwing herself to the wolves. She had nothing to lose ("You really think any of us are going to get out of this alive?") and was executing her function as warrior with reckless abandon. Jayne barking at her to "Get your ass back on the line!" while she ignores him supports this notion. I saw her behavior as a pretty strong reaction, not a lack of. Her telling Mal that she was OK ("To the job, sir." (IIRC)) was her duty to say but, clearly, she was not OK based on her behavior.
She was also ready to die… Only the rest of the group did draw her back to life!
@@patrickdrew4891 She'd been in a lot of situations where her death was imminent, just never cared so little about carrying on. Such a wonderful Wheedonesque line after she says "You really think any of us are going to get out of this alive?" and Jayne looks around and say "Well, I was hopin' that I might..." The line might seem contrived, but it's in character down to the core.
So much credit is due to Ron Glass and Alan Tudyk for making these characters that we all loved and made us feel everything youre feeling ❤
It’s been an absolute honor to go in this journey with you. You don’t know us…. But we are all Browncoats…. And we felt everything you felt on our first watch. Being reminded of why I loved this show in the first place, is everything. Thank you so much, Angela, for your passion for this show! “You can’t stop the signal.”
Your honor flatters my... honor.
Yeah happy Xander was there to screen comments. He laid down a true foundation of this show, for her. All TH-cam creators need a person like Xander to moderate their channels.
💯
Damn right
**pounds table**
“No Power In The ‘Verse Can Stop Us! We Aim To Misbehave!” ❤ 🤗
Thank you for watching and reacting to my favorite show. We watch these because it's the closest we can come to watching things we love again for the first time. Your emotion is what we all felt and all expressed (or wanted to express). Welcome to the Browncoats, you can't stop the signal.
Aww thank you! I fell in love so hard with this show and this movie wrecked me. But i still recommend it to everyone I can...
Great COMMENT, COULDN'T AGREE MORE !
Your reaction vindicates the movie. Only weak-tea movies don't inspire strong reactions. This is tuly a movie that reaches us at a primal level and makes us feel, no small gift in a world that has traded most real art for cotton candy.
@@funnylilgalreacts Only found FLGR through BSG, its been a long time since i watched the show since its live airing and it was an epic show... that was worthy of my childhood memories.
I love that pre battle speech from Mal. I also love how Jayne takes a shot and slides the bottle to Simon. It’s as if they are finally in the same crew.
Nice catch!
Can’t Stop The Signal
“He ain’t comin.” Hits so hard. And “Zoe, are you here?” Really shows why she’s always been by Mal’a side as an unshakable badass. Even in her lowest moment she was there for them, though recklessly.
And when Mal asked "How's she's keeping up?" he was not really talking about Serenity, and Zoe was not really answering about Serenity.
It's what they both learned on the battlefield - emotional time comes later, fighting time comes first. It's cruel to them, they both realize it, but you can't grieve someone if you're dead yourself.
@@StarlasAiko "She's tore up pretty bad, but she'll fly true." Gut-wrenching moment.
That hit hard, "He ain't coming.". The finality of it. Nothing more needed to be said. Not when they were not only up to their eyeballs in Reavers but the Alliance also waiting their turn.
@@Raving Y'know, whatever sins against speech and propriety Joss Whedon has committed, he has always had a great gift for character and dialogue. My wife and I were just exchanging line after line from this movie, ranging from hilarious to magically-timed, to eyes-stinging emotional. I'm really glad I'm not so sophisticated I can't appreciate the gold in this movie and in the show.
Thank you, Angela, for baring your tears with all of us. Firefly, like Arcane, has a unique way of lodging in the hearts of those who love the characters. You could have given your viewers a sanitized version of your emotions, as a way to protect yourself…none of us would have blamed you for doing so. Yet you shared all the rawness with us anyway. For whatever it may be worth coming from a random human that you will likely never meet; thank you for not shying away.🙏🏾
Hooray! Just so you know, we all felt this way when watching this movie. We could tell when you about to cry (most of us have done the same!) and we understood the awful apprehension that this might not have a happy ending for anybody, after they killed Wash. Now you fully understand why we are proud to call ourselves Browncoats.
And we're VERY proud Angela is one of us now. Along with her being a critter, Marvel lover, and Expanse lover, and soon to be BSG lover, and an all around great person.
The line that hit me the hardest, I think, when I first watched this movie was when the Operative said a lot of innocent people were dying up there and Mal said "You don't know how true that is". Mal had such...compassion for every single Reaver, knowing it wasn't their fault how they were. People mourn for Wash and Book and Mr. Universe, but the greatest tragedy in this franchise is what happened to the people on Miranda, including the "tenth of a percent" that became monsters because of it. And Mal showed how much he cared for them all with that one line.
This was why he fought the war: he believes in the right of people to have free will and choice, and the Pax directly contravened that right. And every reaver is, in a way, innocent. Whether through chemicals or trauma, every reaver started as a free person who was interfered with some way. And Mal has a deep understanding of how wrong that is. He’s a good man, and little moments like that are the proof.
“Goin’ on a year now I ain’t had nothin’ twixt my nethers weren’t run on batteries” is one of the greatest lines of dialog ever written.
It manages to be dirty and wholesome at the same time.
I will die on this hill.
Summer did 95% of her own stunts.
Whedon did long takes of her fighting-“She was a dancer so we were able to train her in ways that others can’t do.” One of the stunt coordinators said, “She can kick a guy from behind, around a pole, can we build a pole?” Whedon: “Yes we can.”
It's even more of a fun detail considering that Whedon have on many occasions said that he really don't like doing action sequences because it's such a PITA to make it look interesting, easy to follow, and move the plot forward
"She always did love to dance."
😊
@@Valp85 Please note that other directors handle such concerns by just not making it interesting, not easy to follow and do nothing to "move the plot forward", instead just amping up the sound track, shaking the camera and doing 30 cuts/minute.
I've never seen a more emotional reaction on any channel. I was crying right along with you. As for why it was Wash that died and not someone else, I've asked myself that same question. I think that more than anyone else's, Wash's death adds the most weight to the sacrifice it took to get that secret out to people.
Wash was killed for a few of reasons:
1) Stakes. His death reinforces that anyone can die at any time. By that point in the movie, no one is "safe". And as this movie concludes the entire series, there is no need to keep the crew intact for future episodes.
2) He has no role in the rest of the movie. He's the pilot. The ship has landed - and is broken. He isn't the captain. He isn't a fighter like Zoey (who is also the captain's loyal backup) or Jayne (the muscle/comic relief). He isn't the mechanic/techie (in case anything needs to be repaired or creatively broken later on - and Kaylee needs to resolve her relationship with Simon). He isn't the doctor. Inara needs to resolve her relationship with Mal. And River needs her "My turn" moment to complete her transition from "baggage" to crew member, a transition that requires a heroic sacrifice later in the story since she has only just stopped being the "baggage" on Miranda. So there's nothing for Wash to do but be in the way, especially as he has no outstanding plotlines to resolve.
And 3) His death clears the way for River to become the new pilot. River has been the MacGuffin of the series. Well, they finally resolved the question of why the Alliance is after her. And now they aren't after her anymore. So there's no reason for her and Simon to continue hiding on the ship. Or even staying on the ship. Unless she becomes the new pilot.
Those are the main reasons for Wash to die during the final battle.
Also, 4: universal couldnt guarantee Alan Tudyk or ron glass for a sequel and demanded they be written out.
@@flatebo1 It's more simple: Alan Tudyk had a commitment at the time and couldn't come back for a second movie if it was produced, just as with Ron Glass.
The story of Mal and Serenity's crew, through Firefly and Serenity, is full of both happiness and heartache. The highs are hilariously high, and the lows are devastatingly low. That's what makes the journey so exciting. That's what makes us Browncoats.
40:47 she's not ok. She's dissociating so hard from grief that she's practically a suicidal war machine.
that!
"I can't believe they killed Book". Oh my sweet summer child.....
That was a wonderful short little moment in the scene just before they head to Miranda where they're sitting around the table and Jayne makes the comment about what Shepherd Book had told him that if he "can't do something smart do something right". He then takes a drink of the liquor and slides the bottle directly over to Simon. I think it was an obvious indication that he was making his peace with Simon.
It was actually originally scripted that each of them would have their say. However once you hear Jayne of all people say that, nobody else needs to say a thing.
@@michaelgillman2505 Really? Wow. Another perfect choice in a series absolutely rich with perfect choices. Also amazing that they didn't drag the scene out, or exploit the emotional significance of it.
Jayne has grown. They don't point it out to us, but you can see certain points. Main thing is that Jayne is about Actions not words. He won't say how he feels, he shows it. Like in Out of Gas he didn't give Mal a speech about how he cares about or respects him, he just prepared him a suit. Here, when they are talking about they are going to do the right thing, he takes a drink from the bottle and slides it to Simon. After their conflicts, it's accepting him as part of the same crew. Later when Jayne is being thrown about the plummetting ship, it's because he made sure everyone else was buckled in, was assisting them and didn't have the chance to buckle himself in. Put everyone else before himself.
One other - when they're watching the video of the reavers attacking the survey crew, it's Jayne who says to turn it off.
@@zooks527 Though I don't think that's neccessarily growth, but more empathy or feelings that we didn't neccesarily see much before. Definitely showing that he's more than just a brute.
His behavior makes so much sense with the idea that he has sick brother at home.
I didn't know that part at all until I read comments under The Message episode - then his behavior fully clicked for me.
He also seems really concerned when River falls during the heist job, and he tries to stop her rampage in the bar in a way that doesn’t hurt her. Jayne is not a monster, and I think The Message and these moments in the film hint at a world of nuance and emotion that I wish we had gotten to see from him.
After watching this movie, "I am a leaf on the wind" will burn brightly in your memory until the end of your days.
Welcome to the brown coats. Fight for what is right, even if that means being on the losing side. And on dark days, may there always be someone to carry you.
Every time I watch a reaction, and Wash says "I'm a leaf on the wind" and the reactor laughs, I'm like oh honey...you're never going to laugh at that line again.
@@joeypotter6051 maybe, but you might laugh at this.
How do the Reavers clean their spears? They put them through the Wash. 🤣🤣🤣
My favorite line in the series was when one of the crew said something like "The captain has to handle this fight on his own" and Mal shouts "No I don't!" and they shoot the bad guy.
About the ending of Serenity, to quote the wizard Schmendrick from "The Last Unicorn": There are no happy endings, because nothing ends.
Mercy is the mark of a great man
Ok I’m just a good guy
… I’m alright 😂😂😂
"My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle"
@@Khaos_Bringer
“Do you wanna captain this ship?”
“Yes”
“Well you can’t “
That's from the end of the episode "War Stories" in which Mal and Wash get tortured by Niska. Great episode. (Aren't they all?)
Wonderful reaction.
I've always thought Wash's death made what followed feel more real, more life-threatening, especially as people were injured. We no longer -knew- the crew was going to make it.
When I ran my parents through the series for the first time, after Wash died my mother was convinced that the crew would all die but get the message out in the process.
Yep. Book's death made narrative sense, as he was the older mentor character.
But Wash? As soon as Wash died, that marked a turning point for the rest of the movie. Because at that point, you realize that Joss looks to be burning the entire show to the ground.
@@HuxtableK
I agree with your take on Book’s death but when Wash got killed… I actually thought that anyone/everyone could go as well.
@@NickB5882 That was the whole point of Wash's death, I think.
I always felt this was Summer Glau's best role. She just emotes so perfectly throughout the movie as the weight of secrets her head as slowly lifted. And the fact that she did so many of her own stunts. They had to build the sets to show off just how flexible she is.
"She can kick someone around a pole? Ok, build a pole!"
If you want more summer glau, watch Terminator the Sarah Connor Chronicles.
"She always loved to dance" is such a line, when you know Summer Glau's dancing ability is what blows the minds of the director and the audience both. I think he mentioned he considers River's feet to basically be a character of their own and he was constantly amazed by being able to throw anything at Glau and she'd just DO it. Starting with the way she's suddenly just melding into ceilings, all the way to that amazing final battle.
@@lassesipila6418 it is amazing when you realize just how much she was able to do. And how much the whole cast would do, they talked about how Nathan Fillion would do painful stunts all day long until they got just the right shot.
@@michaelgustafsson5920 I have. She is very very good at playing the 'weird girl' archetype.
@@michaelgustafsson5920I’m still pissed off they cancelled that series.
Summer Glau was originally planning to be a dancer. She was even homeschooled much of her childhood so she could spend more time training to be a dancer. And then, one fateful day, she broke a toe on a fireplace in the center of a room and her career as a professional dancer was over. So she went into acting. Her dance background has always featured very largely in almost every role she's had since she began acting.
If you can get the behind the scenes footage you really should watch how Summer trained for the bar fight scene!
I actually really liked the way they left Mal and Inara. Her smile said enough. When I saw how upset you got over Shepard, I knew there were hard times ahead for you. This was fun. I'm glad I found your channel.
I agree. She finally admits she wants to be there, and Mal finally admits he wants her there.
Saw this in the theatre when it came out. The moment the "incident" happened, the entire theatre stopped making noise-no talking, no crinkling of wrappers, no breathing. Completely changed the feeling in that room for the next 10 minutes.
Amazing how leaves, on the wind or on the vine, can get me even after all this time.
Not wrong.
I didn’t watch this when it originally aired, but a co worker did. I happened to run into him and his friends at the cinema right as they were coming out having just seen this. They were visibly shook.
That’s when I decided to take his suggestion and watch the show.
How dare you make me cry more by being up leaves on the vine
Same occurred in my theater.
The way Zoe deals with is is because as Wash said she is a warrior woman. When a friend dies in combat you push that to the side and grieve later. We are too busy surviving for emotions. Eliminate the threat, collect our fallen friends and live to fight another day.
I always took it that Zoe was far more damaged by the war than we ever really got to see (due to cancellation). That is why she was with Mal doing the job she did, because after the horrors of the war, it was all she knew how to do and be. Wash was her salve. Wash opened up the human side of her again.
When Wash died, the human side just shut off again.
The way she went HAM on the Reaver's showed how much it affected her.. Zoe is the epitome of cold hard efficiency she just gets the job done.. but you could see her just going wild &wanting to go out in a blaze of fury
Such a well acted character
Except that's not the way Zoe reacted. She tried to, but she went full on suicidal. Her rush against the Reavers in her need to avenge Wash or die trying cost the crew their ability to defend themselves.
You don't think about it when you're in combat.
Trust me, you'll have more than enough time afterwards.
@benjamintherogue2421 a trained soldier knows what to do and when.
"I'm gonna show you a world without sin." Gets me every time. Probably the most important line in the movie.
@@Hiraghm yo, wtfuck?
@@Hiraghm uh... how about fg decent health care? Is that too utopian for you?
@@scambammer6102 Define "decent". Also, to maintain proper standards we've decided that euthanizing terminally ill patients is the best option For The Greater Good. It's so easy to think in glittering generalities but reality has a conservative bias.
I love that line.
Though I equally love:
Operative: "there's a lot of innocents in the air dying"
Mal: "you have no idea"
Because at the end. The reavers are a tragic story. Innocences experimented on.
At a convention several years back where Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, and Nathan Fillion were all present to both talk about Firefly and the then-upcoming series "Conman" (basically a fictionalized version of their life starring in a cancelled but beloved TV series, 100% talking about Firefly without it being Firefly), Alan finally explained the significance of his "leaf on the wind" line and what it truly meant. It was the sign that Wash was doomed, because "a leaf on the wind is already dead"
Kaylee is in Conman too, and MANY more people, including Joss Whedon, Sam from LOTR, and BSG actors.
The Firefly cast is the cast of "Halo: ODST".
Mal and Zoe are voice actors for "Destiny".
Then most characters make an appearance in episodes of Castle.
And then there is Resident Alien with multiple Firefly cast.
and Serenity is in the opening pilot of BSG.
Wow, I never even thought of it like that. I've always wondered why Joss chose that line.
Also, I'm glad to see more people talk about Con Man, it was fantastic. 😂
@@SoloRenegade Inara was also in Destiny. Sadly, her character was killed a couple of years ago.
I love the reaction at the title card: "NO NOTES"
Also, you're right that they made Simon uncharacteristically assertive over River. I just think that's the only way the could cram 14 episodes of protectiveness into 30 seconds.
Simon in an Alliance facility, surrounded by Alliance people, is not the same man as Simon out in the wider 'Verse...Out There, he is a fish out of water; none of the social cues and behavioral patterns he learned growing up apply out there. Remember in "Ariel" it was the same thing but more so, because while the core worlds are his environment, a hospital during a medical emergency is His Purpose.
On another note, Angela, I salute you for sharing as much of your grief as you did: many reactors will "take a minute" as you did and not come back on camera until they are (at least mostly) composed. Letting us see how raw it was for you, how painful, was moving to me, so thank you for that; I always enjoy seeing others react emotionally to movies and TV as strongly as I do.
Up until that moment, Simon's been passive. He wants a safe place for River and he doesn't really know where that is so he isn't fighting for or against staying on the ship. He's been seeing how things turn out.
At the beginning of the movie, from Simon's perspective, Mal is literally putting River in harm's way. Endangering River is about the only way TO get an aggressive response from Simon. It makes perfect sense to me! He literally sacrificed his previous life to get her safe.
Did you notice in the last scene, Mal called River his little Albatross? Meaning his good luck charm,
That's not the meaning of albatross in that context. Mal was being both literal and sarcastic.
albatross
noun
a
: something that causes persistent deep concern or anxiety
b
: something that greatly hinders accomplishment : ENCUMBRANCE
Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal life.
@Dodsfall121
He's still right. remember, earlier in the film Mal points out the Albatross was originally a ship's sign of good luck. so both sentiment can hold true.
My favorite movie fact about this is that in River's (so, so, awesome) fight scene with the Reavers, they choreographed the fight movements to give the camera man a moving space to stand and shoot in, creating those awesome dynamic shots. That is just such a wonderful amount of detailed effort, and the final product is just so worth it!
That's because it wasn't choreographed as a fight, but was blocked out by Summer as a 'pas de deux', a ballet performance with River and the cameraman as the dance partners. Then the stunt director worked in places in the dance for Reavers to intersect with River for attacks.
I knew this was going to hit you hard...like an operative coming after your beliefs. You seemed surprised by Zoe's calmness after Wash's death. She's a warrior woman and had a battle to fight. Time for grief after her husband's killers were all dead. And it's not goodbye to these characters, right? It's "See you next month when I watch the series and the movie all over again!" That's how I deal with it. Browncoats Forever!
I watched and loved Firefly from the beginning and was so upset when it got canceled. I was so excited when I found out about Serenity coming out, I made sure to see it in the theatres right when it came out, and believe me, EVERYONE in that theatre was shocked at Wash's death. You could hear gasps and sobs coming from so many people, all Browncoats and lovers of the show. I am not ashamed to admit that I will still ugly cry whenever I watch Serenity.
i remember going to the movie opening night and the entire packed crowd sang the opening theme song. I went to the movie alone, but I was home.
It's impossible to watch something for the first time... a second time. Your generosity in sharing your reaction is as close as we Browncoats will ever get to a second first watch. Your raw emotion is a gift to us, and we thank you for it.
There has been some interesting research into actual memory erasure but I'm sure it's decades away from being a thing we can do safely and even then I'm sure "I wanna watch this movie again for the first time" won't be an acceptable reason to get it. 😅
think u nailed a great reaction vid here, its so satisfying to see people genuinely get an emotional reaction from something u love
EXACTLY!!!!
18:50 " Speaking Chinese ". No. It was Russian. " Это курам на смех". It is idiom. Means "it would make a cat laugh" i think)
I am reliving my night in the theater through you. I had all the same emotional damage watching this movie. I have never seen so many grown men with manly tears around me in a theater before and when Wash died I have never heard such a loud collective gasp from an audience. Everyone in the theater just gasped at once. A testament to great character writing from the writers and director and acting chops from our performers.
I groaned out loud, and then spent the rest of the battle sequence trying not to go into full on manly sobbing. As others have noted, Wash's death made that whole battle hit so much harder. I was just a wreck as Zoe, and Kaylee, and Simon get wounded, Mal gets beat down, River goes on a suicide run to retrieve the medical bag...
The sudden turn, victory from the jaws of defeat, was cathartic, only to be wrenched immediately into the funeral ceremony...just...wow. The pacing on this damn movie! So manipulative! So wonderful! For whatever personal flaws Wheedon might have, I will always be grateful to him for Firefly/Serenity.
Joss Whedon said in an interview that he killed Wash because it made the audience scared for the rest of the movie. Book dying hurt, but it could be seen as a way to raise the stakes going into the end of the movie. It's normal. Killing Wash off that randomly and suddenly broke the sense of safety people have for main characters and made people feel like any or all of them could die by the end.
My question was why was he the expendable one? If you had killed off Zoe that would’ve made, Mal lose his shit. If you kill off Kaylee, everyone would go on full on rage. Only Mal and Zoe witnessed Wash dying. I think I’m trying to come up with a reason why it’s so stupid that he was killed off 😂
@@funnylilgalreacts Honestly, it's because death is very commonly senseless. As a healthcare worker, I appreciated that. Wash was hands-down my favorite character. It *destroyed* me that he was killed. But films/TVs do a great disservice (IMO) by not acknowledging that deaths aren't always blaze-of-glory, last-stand types of events. It can be cruel, sudden, pointless, blink-and-you-miss-it events. Wash's death was one of the most realistic parts of the entire series.
@@funnylilgalreacts Alan Tudyk and Ron Glass were the only ones who weren't able to definitely commit to future sequels, so Joss turned that into an effective storytelling strategy.
I also think it was because Wash was always the safest one. The plucky comic relief that stayed on the ship and rarely was in danger. So isolated that War Stories was him putting himself in danger because he was ignorant of what might happen. When you kill the safe one, suddenly, without warning, then nobody is safe. No Browncoat likes it. But if you go back and watch the following scenes, you can see how you are expecting everyone else to die, and not one or two, but everyone. I don’t like it, but I understand why it was done. Few writers have the courage to do it, even fewer on a series they created. Just remember the title song, there’s no place I can be, since I found Serenity, you can’t take the sky from me.
@funnylilgalreacts never saw wash as expendable. Killing off the most loved character of the group made everything fair game. So when Kaylee, zoe, and simon were hurt it made everyone truly scared on who would make it out alive. Shepards death definitely feels more emotional for fans since Ron Glass passed away back in 2016.
I was at a Con years ago and joined a Firefly panel. There was an impromptu costume contest and this young man strolled down the centre aisle in a Wash shirt with a pole impaling him. We all got teary and laughed at the same time. He won. Excellent reaction, thanks!
Kaylee's "Hell with this, I'm gonna live!", along with confidently racking a gun (something she wasn't comfortable with before) is something that I use when I need to give myself a little jolt of positivity in a difficult or uncomfortable situation.
When I saw this in the movie theater, the entire crowd cheered out loud. We all were looking for some relief after Walshes death.
I recall listening to a long interview with Joss Whedon where they asked him about those two deaths. He said he didn't want to kill off those characters, but they were hoping this moving would provide a reboot for the series and those two actors have other contractual agreements that would mean they couldn't come back. So Joss chose this heart rending path to deal with that. It killed us all.
That may have been the best reaction I've ever seen to this movie.
I remember seeing this in theatres and when Simon got shot, I literally screamed "SIMON!" I was so scared he was going to die too. Fortunately he lived but Wash's death was such a gut punch, it successfully had me thinking they might kill off the whole cast apart from Mal. Fortunately they didn't. Great reaction, thank you for sharing!
Wash's death plus all the others getting severely injured, but mainly Wash's death, had me seriously questioning whether any of them were going to survive, which usually isn't even a question in a movie like this.
@@hellomark1 "had me seriously questioning whether any of them were going to survive" that's the whole point from a writing perspective. It raises the stakes, increases the suspense and emotional attachment for the rest of the story.
@@scambammer6102 Of course. That's what a good story SHOULD do, very few actually do this. Most of the "hero's journey" stories I watch, I almost never question whether they're going to complete their goals and survive. It's not even something I consider usually.
@@hellomark1 While many of my friends loved Aquaman, I found it boring for just this reason. The makers wanted so badly for me to feel tension, and I was just thinking, "Yes yes, we know what's going to happen, just get to it already."
Yes, that was the exact part where I lost it! Kaylee and Simon were my favorites, and seeing both get shot in a row, knowing characters were being killed…
Despite all of the bad things that people have reported about Whedon, he sure knows how to connect people with his characters. So much that they are truly heartbroken at the loss. I have watched several reactions to people watching Firefly, falling in love with these characters and then reaching the final episode. Everyone of them could not wait to see Serenity, but were saddened at the end of a great show. I was angry about Wash and Book, I asked the same questions as you. Thank you for sharing your journey with the crew of Serenity. You're a Browncoat now, remember the saying. "When you can't walk, you crawl.."
Whedon, for all his faults (and they are many) knows how to kill his darlings.
Writing is hard. How each of these characters were written is, frankly, a masterclass in arks. Jane sacrifices his safety to secure everyone during the space battle, and defends river’s understanding of Miranda. The doctor chooses to prioritize his interests emotionally, Kaylie stops allowing things to happen and takes control, Inara chooses personal over professional relationships, the captain finds something to believe in again, Book makes that happen and draws a line between faith and belief. Zoe and Wash..together and then separated. River finds her peace in protecting her protector. Well done on reaction. I've enjoyed the journey.
I think River finds her peace by being released from the burden of the secret she knew. She literally said after leaving Miranda that she's fine.
@@voiceover2191 excellent observation and something i missed. Thanks for the insight
@@voiceover2191 That was always my though as well. Once the secret clawing at the back of her mind was revealed, the claws were gone.
Summer Glau just got reallllly unlucky, in that everything she was in, failed, so people stopped hiring her for no real reason at all. She absolutely should have massive.
Lil!.......this is the 1st time I've come across your channel. I'm also a HUGE Firefly fan, (so disappointed how the series was cancelled so soon). I've seen the series multiple times, on DVD, and of course, the movie Serenity, when it finally came out. Your reactions were indeed priceless. Kaylee is still my favorite, but Shepard was right behind. I had a feeling how emotional you would get with his and Wash's deaths (especially with how Wash died) Joss Whedon really went with the gut punch, in this one, after having us all fall in love with these characters.....even Jayne
And it sounds like you did watch the Bloopers to the movie, Serenity. Hopefully, you also watched the bloopers, in the Firefly series, as well. They will surely lift up your spirits. That said, you hooked me, and I'm now a subscriber. So, always remember..... "whatever it is you believe.... *just believe it* "
You are officially a browncoat now. 13 hours of bliss and a lifetime of withdrawl. Great series and reactions from you!
I love Mal being literally saved by the war
That is a fantastic point!
There's more with the war in helping Mal in this film. Mal knows that the worst thing than death is losing faith. Mal knows this because in the pilot episode, you see him wearing a cross and mentions being "on the side of angels." Then the Independents lost the war, and Mal stopped wearing the cross. He knows what losing faith can do to someone and it's worse than dying. By showing the Operative his "world without sin", it basically destroyed his faith in the process, and led to the Operative letting the Serenity crew go. In fact, there's a deleted scene that takes place after the "there is nothing left to see" line, where the Operative asks Mal about the Battle of Serenity Valley and how he managed to move on from it, but Mal never gives him an answer.
How is this comment showing as 2w ago?
@@quintonhowells299 Patreon, early access
@@omalleycaboose5937 aaah, thanks
“You’re not a Reaver, Mal.” Such a subtle, important line. The Alliance has NEVER acknowledged the existence of Reavers, but you can see it click on Mal’s face when the Operative says that. Mal has no idea what Reavers really are or the Alliance’s role at that point, but that strange acknowledgement by the Operative gives Mal just enough spark of in idea to BELIEVE in SOMETHING, like Book said, and to start formulating a haphazard plan to at least get to Miranda, knowing nothing about the Reavers relation, other than that they float out there, and the Alliance always meddles, and clearly did something to River. His plan was to follow Book’s advice and his plan was to believe in River, and that she had some reason to get there, even though he has no evidence or proof of any connection or even anything to gain from it. The two just happen to line up…because “I don’t care what you believe, just believe it. He believed in something, without knowing what, or why…just who…even on a leap of total faith when he may not have had an ounce of a reason…other than his belief in Book’s words, and being back in “war mode”…faith in his crew.
You are over thinking it. That line did non of that it gave him the idea to do what they did to serenity and get passed the reaver blockade. It wasn't some big revelation for Mal, the line "You're not a Reaver, Mal" basically gave him the idea to make them LOOK like reavers. that is it.
@@therabbits69 I didn’t say it gave him a big revelation. And it certainly gave the the Reaver appearance idea. But you are misinterpreting/misunderstanding. The movie (and series) clearly set up that Reavers are denied as myths by the Alliance, despite that OBVIOUSLY not being the case. For someone as high up as the operative to use even the term wasn’t just slang. It was an acknowledgment that the Alliance is once again two-faced, and it was extra weird for someone like him to say it. Mal did not “have a big revelation,” as you misinterpreted my comment to suggest. It was just a subtle thing that HAPPENED to be about Reavers. Having watched this series and film dozens upon dozens of times, I will stand by that subtly, even if people misread it, or overthink my own comments.
@@masamune2984 You literally wrote all that to again fall short of the point of that scene. The alliance didn't reveal anything the crew of serenity already KNEW that the alliance was hiding the fact that they knew the Reavers were real. This was already shown in the TV series. The operative literally revealed NOTHING that was already common knowledge for Mal. He already knew that high ranking officials and special ops would know about them.
@@masamune2984 well he’s right. You’re overthinking the dialogue and the scene
It's truly a shame they killed off such important characters. I believe it was the studio's way of preventing anymore episodes or movies. I know they are working on bringing Firefly back. I don't know if it's a reboot or a continuation. BTW, I love how you get so emotionally invested in the story and characters. It's OK to cry when a story moves you.
By the time the end of Episode 10 came along and done, I knew Book's death was going to hit hard, but I knew that Wash would destroy you.
And that's probably the absolutely biggest compliment to any writer and actor anywhere...to cause those reactions from so much love.
It's been fantastic watching you watching this series. Your reactions are genuine as hell, and I love how damned perceptive you are. This was like sharing the series with a friend who'd never seen it before.
If it hasn't been mentioned yet (and very likely it probably has been), but the graphic novel of "Those Left Behind" bridges the gap between the end of the series and the movie. I think that might have been the comics you were sent a couple of videos prior, if I remember the covers correctly...the GN is the composite of those issues.
As for the point of killing Wash and Book...Whedon was known to off popular characters for shock effect. This movie was probably the biggest impact he had in that regard.
A friend of mine had insisted I see Serenity, as, at the time, I was working two jobs, doing school and having my daughter several nights per week, so I had little to no time for TV and I'd never heard of Firefly. I really enjoyed the movie but I got surprise out of Wash & Book's deaths instead of actual SHOCK. I still have the sad, just after the fact and in reverse order.
I've seen this movie dozens of times but I was still crying with you the whole time.
Great reaction!!!
The Miranda storyline was supposed to be at the end of season 2. Wash and Book wouldn't of died if the series continued. Book's death helped Mal believe in something. Wasn't death was to show how dangerous the situation was. It was also said that Alan and Ron couldn't commit to additional movies.
Your reaction to Wash’s death is probably the exact reason why it happened, and i feel that both Wash and Book were the most logical ones. Book’s death triggered Mal to directly confront the Alliance instead of weaving through their web. And in the case of Wash, it seemed like the only choice for shock factor. Mal is the captain, and had to finally win a battle against the alliance by completing the mission of releasing the video, Kaylee and Simon had to conclude their arc and finally get together, Inara served the purpose to continue the “will they won’t they” arc to the bitter end and keeping us forever wondering, River needed her “it’s my turn moment”, Jayne wouldn’t have gotten the same shock and awe reaction from the audience, you said yourself you’d prefer it to happen to Jayne, so the option was Zoey or Wash, and from a plot point, Zoey is the better fighter. At least that is my logic and why I think Wash was the most effective character death.
Alan Tudyk couldn't commit to a sequel so they had to kill him just in case. That's the story I've heard.
I think you're absolutely right. I also got the sense Wash would have quit if Zoey died. Mal and Zoey had the experience of the war and had a strong bond, and as a soldier, Zoey is better adapted to heartbreak and losing those she cared about.
And Whedon is gonna Whedon. He's very fond of shock deaths, as anyone who watched his Avengers movies can attest.
@@johnobrien7562 Yes Whedon is like that. But think about it, when watching most series you know that the main characters are going to come through somehow. But when Joss Whedon is writing the script you can never really be sure, it makes the scene more tense. For example, I really though Mal was going to kill Jayne in that airlock scene in the series and that made it quite tense for me.
Wash makes sense as the one to kill off for the shock factor, he is so sweet. And also, as another commenter already wrote, Alan Tudyk was already signed up for some other project and couldn't be in a sequel. So they chose him to die, just in case there was a sequel. Oh, and Alan Tudyk is brilliant in 28 Days (a Sandra Bullock movie about a recovering alcoholic, he has a minor but important role there), and in Death At A Funeral (the original, British one, not the American remake). And in A Knight's Tale. And he is totally shiny in Tucker And Dale Vs Evil!
@@dustyb58 And they were outta Carbonite...?
Also, part of me worries it was to make way for a possible Mal/Inara/Zoe love triangle
That gut-wrenching feeling is exactly why they killed them off. They got just the reaction they wanted.
I've been watching the show and movie every year for 15 years and still tear up nearly every time.
Fun crying-related fact about Serenity: In the scene where Simon has been shot and River is telling him how much he's taken care of her, they had to do a tone of takes for that because Summer Glau kept breaking into sobs, Sean Maher was just that good!
I have to be completely honest and let you know that watching your reaction to Firefly renewed the emotional attachment I had to the crew and the show
Canonically, Zoe wore that dress exactly twice.
The first time when she married her husband.
The last time when she buried him.
From the standpoint of dramatic storytelling, Wash had reached the apex of his character arc.
Also, by demonstrating a willingness to kill Wash, that way, it meant the final fight between the crew and the Reavers (with Mal elsewhere) was genuinely terrifying and meaningful.
It was very real to the audience that they could've all died, right there, and it put us all on the edge of our seats -- the same as it did you.
I haven't owned a television for more than 35 years, so I missed the TV show, entirely.
Then I saw the advertisements for the film, and read the chatter that it came out of a show that got canceled early, but that science fiction fans just loved.
As a long-time science fiction fan, myself, I decided to hold off on the film until after I'd seen the series, so I went out and bought it on DVD.
I loved it, and loaned the DVDs to my mother, and she refused to give them back so I bought another set.
My sister saw it at my mom's house, and she watches it again -- series and film -- every six or eight months, or so.
I've had two other DVD set "permanently loaned" out to friends -- and that's okay with me.
I just go buy another one. 😊
Sounds a lot like me. 😆
That's what a true Browncoat does. Can't stop the signal. You find somebody whose favorite sci-fi show is Firefly, you've met a good person. I've given this some thought, and it ends up being kind of complicated, but it's always true. And I'm not one to glorify "entertainment". But this show and the movie are just special.
My wife and I saw the movie first. We didn't even know the series existed until we saw the line at the end of Serenity's credits thanking all of the Browncoats, fans, cast and crew of Firefly. When we got home, we immediately ordered the series on DVD so we could watch it.
The movie is so well written. That first single-shot scene on the ship you are introduced to every character, including Serenity herself, and you pretty much know everything you need to know about them and their life together. It's true you don't feel the same way about Book's death because he's not in the movie much, but Ron Glass's performance in his final scene makes an impact. Wash's death is more of a hit because it's a shock, and at the moment of his triumph, and because he is such a likeable character.
Like others in these comments, thank you for your openness in sharing this reaction. Knowing what was coming and hearing your hopes for these characters in your reactions, I knew it would hit you hard. But seeing how hard it did hit, well I was crying right along with you and for you.
On a happier note, and as you really could use some levity after this movie, you will definitely enjoy the blooper reels. There are a few different ones, you'll want to see them all. In addition, there are a number of videos of various conventions with Firefly panels. It is hilarious to hear about all the fun they had on set. They were all really a family behind the scenes too and there are great tales to tell. Some of the standouts:
- Alan Tudyk asked to read a fan's contest-winning, eulogy for Wash, which he then proceeds to edit and make into a hilarious good time.
- Hearing about Nathan and Jewel's "creatively giving each other the finger" one-upmanship game. This goes on for years after the show was over.
Also, if you didn't know, there are CDs of music written by fans and were sold at conventions to raise money and awareness to get Serenity made. There are some really talented people out there and the music they wrote is amazing.
Thank you for your channel and sharing with us.
My buddy did the same thing went and saw the movie and was like " wait its a show?" watched the show and then went and saw the movie again.
im glad he made me watch firefly before watching Serenity
Im in the same boat. I saw the movie several time before I found out it was a tv series.
It's funny because when the movie was announced my girlfriend at the time (now wife) was a massive browncoat and we saw the trailer and she was super excited.
She generally doesn't even like TV or movies for that matter so seeing her THAT excited about a movie prompted me to get the series.
To think I was complaining about having to wait 2 months to see the movie, let alone people that waited years....
Same for me. I saw the movie before ever watching the series. That alone removed the emotional impact of the character losses. Bought the box set and have watched them all through 20+ times since. Serenity hits much different now than in the theater. The movie was a result of fan support, as they said, most cancelled series never get a movie to wrap up their story. As short as it is, and as much as we all would've liked more seasons and stories, it got about as good an ending as fans could've hoped for.
I think i was far more uspet seeing you melt down over those characters dying, than i was when i watched them die myself. Stay strong 💛
We felt the same way in the theater when we saw Shepherd and Wash die.
I recently discovered that they have made a series of books of Firefly that take place after the TV show and before Serenity movie. They are also on audible. Each one is like an 8 hr episode. They are very well written; true to the series. It's like another two seasons worth. Plus, they really dive into the depths of the characters. They are also all performed by the same reader, who is also very talented. I listen to them while driving, highly, highly recommended to anyone who enjoyed the Firefly series.
Okay, so the 8th one that just came out is performed by another. I'm still looking forward to it though.
They were out in comic book format originally. Backstories of all the characters. Wash is shown to be "more than just a pilot". He is a hero, legendary among the smugglers and rebels of the 'verse. And yes, Book WAS involved with the highest levels of the Alliance, as neatly hinted at in the series.
This movie shows how invested we got into these beloved characters. Joss W said that it was important that some of the characters we cared for died. It showed there were actual stakes in the movie. Requires full emotional investment to be a fan, but it makes the whole thing so so good.
Thanks for being so open in this reaction - I can really sympathise. This movie is (at least) a double whammy for me. My wife and I had two small children so we'd hardly been out on our own for ages, but we both loved the show so we arranged a friend to babysit so we could go and see this the day it opened. Then we couldn't get in. I was disappointed but my wife was really upset - I couldn't understand why until she explained that my mum had died and she was holding off on telling me so I could at least enjoy the movie first. It was a really caring thing to do, and I appreciated it enormously even though it didn't work out. Then we saw the movie a few days later, and, well, you can guess how we felt about Book and Wash. I wish we could have had this whole storyline evolve over a couple of seasons, but I am so glad they made the movie. Enjoy the bloopers!
Just so you know, EVERYONE was shocked by what happened to Wash. I still cry every time I watch the movie, and I've seen the movie many times. Everyone in the crew was taking a huge risk, being up against both the Alliance and Reevers. That said, it would have been unrealistic if every single member of the crew had escaped unharmed; in other words, they had to show jeopardy. While watching the movie for the first time, many fans worried that they were gonna kill off the entire crew! Joss stated at the Comic Con 10th Anniversary panel that if the series had gone on and not been cancelled, he probably wouldn't have killed off anyone. "Firefly" lives on as new fans join the minions every year. In the words of the fembot (?), "You can't stop the signal." And just so you know ... TH-cam is filled with "Firefly" and "Serenity" material (commentaries, documentaries, Comic Con and other conventions, miscellaneous promos and interviews, etc.). Seeing Alan/Wash at the conventions might make you feel a little better. Then there are the novels and comic books and other memorabilia .......
Forgive us. We all knew but it is a path you must walk down alone. You are a Browncoat and now know the full pain we collectively feel about this masterpiece. Please watch the documentary "Done The Impossible" hosted by Jayne. This movie never would have happened without the fans DEMANDING some conclusion to the show. My personal favorite part is when Zoe walks up at the memorial wearing a "Slinky" dress. She was granting Wash's wish from Shindig wanting to see her in a slinky dress. Much love and keep on keepin on J.
THIS
The whole intro, all I wanted to do was give her a hug, since we all knew what was coming. :(
Never even thought about the 'slinky' dress, but that's an awesome callback. There are so many great ones in the movie. Love this whole series so very, very much.
The reason Summer Glau is so flexible is that she was a professional classically trained Ballet dancer before going into acting.
I didnt know that. I suppose that explains that episode of Angel
@@shadowphoenix1696 I don't remember the details, but iirc she got into acting after sustaining a knee injury that ended her dancing career.
@@Bob6800a **puts on 'Well Ack-shually Guy" uniform** It was actually a broken toe, and she could then no longer dance _en pointe_ . She became one of my all time favorites from being Summer.
Joss had originally cast her in an episode of "Angel", as a (wait for it) ballerina.
I just found your vids. I never cry in movies, but watching your reactions to Book and Wash made me cry like a baby. I've seen the series and movie several times. THANK YOU SO MUCH for letting me see Firefly and Serenity for the first time again.
So, I guess now it's time for the Firefly joke...
Q: How do Reavers clean their spears?
A: They run them through the Wash.
TOO SOON
@@funnylilgalreacts Don't worry. We Browncoats have being saying that for nigh on 18 years.
@@funnylilgalreacts Blame Fillion, he's the one that said it...
@@barriemajor4960 I legit called someone out on Reddit the other day for calling too soon on a scene that's almost old enough to vote. I was heavily downvoted. It will always be too soon.
I scoured the comments to see if someine made the joke already (much late to the party) and I'm not disappointed
It's not all about the destination....it's about the journey too. Loved being a passenger on your ride. Browncoats Forever!! ❤️
River ought to know how to fly just as much as Wash, I imagine she had every skill and ability of all members of the ships crew plus her own
I think it became cannon that river became the new pilot of Serenty.
Skill is more than just knowledge. Muscle memory plays a huge role, and River wouldn't have any of that. She'd know how to fly in the same way someone who read a book on flying would... she'd have the knowledge but she'd still need practice to build up skill.
@@TheNeilBlack if her mindreading would work like reading a book... but i don´t think she ever was extensively trained for close combat either... i would think, she inherits the experience and not only the knowledge... but yes, making her own experiences would make her even better...
@@Metzwerg74 That's not how experience works. You can't just learn the muscle memory without practice. And she was certainly trained for close combat, they were preparing her for defense deployment.
@@TheNeilBlack yep.... and you completely know, how psychic abilities work ? LOL....
your whole argumentation is hillarious....
but well i said my thing time to leave kiddo.... bye little troll....
I've watched a lot of reaction videos, but this may be the best one I've ever seen (and I'm only a little biased from my love of Firefly and Serenity). You had me relive the emotions I went through the first time I saw the movie, beat for beat. I will never, ever, forget the reactions in the theatre through the last twenty minutes of the film. We genuinely didn't know if any of the crew were going to survive.
In spite of the real life drama involving Joss Whedon I still love this movie and the series. And I can say with all certainty we as your audience felt every jump scare, high, low, shiny and not so shiny moment. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a chance to binge everything again, even longer since I had a friend interested in seeing it. You made it feel like I got to introduce the series and then the movie to a friend. It was nice watching your reactions. My world hasn’t been shiny as of late. You brightened it up a little, thanks. Or as the crew would say, “Xie xie”!
I was at a handful of the screenings of Serenity in 2005 and the screams and crying of women in the audience when Wash got killed was something to behold. I can’t remember another movie other than John Wick when people got that upset at a death.
Thank you Angela, for the Firefly and Serenity reactions. I never saw Firefly on FOX and found it in 2004 when I was having a rough time in life and this show got me through the worst of it. I was an OG Browncoat who took part in the viral campaigns to get more eyes on Serenity when it came out, hosted Firefly viewing parties, and bought more box sets of Firefly and gave them away in an effort to spread the word. I pretty much watch every Firefly reaction on YT and yours was undoubtedly the best I’ve seen so far. You are a Browncoat through and through.
You are a gem for this community. You did so much for us and i think you deserved some credit for that. So here is my "Thank you so much!"
I hope you got noticed by the producers and actors. Have a nice day captain tight pants ;)
Thank you for taking me and all the others to experience Firefly and Serenity again. Watching your reactions was touching and pleasure, so thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your wonderful reaction...have you ever considered watching Babylon 5? It's a must-see for sci-fi fans and has aged quite well for a show from the 90's.
One of my favorite movies have rewatched it many times; Naturally, Firefly is one of my favorite things to ever grace the TV screen as well. Your reaction was so visceral and engaging that I felt like I was watching it for the first time. I'm looking forward to watching more of your reactions.
I'd say that it's fairly obvious that Book was once an operative before he changed, which makes him such a wonderful character. Some of the best people who were once operatives and were redeemed by learnking better and putting it in action,.
His past is revealed in a novel called 'The Shepherd's Tale'.
My Dad and I had a bet, as he too was convinced he was an Operative but I thought he was a detective/cop.
We were both WRONG. Completely wrong.
If you don't wanna read the book though SPOILER
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He was actually one of the founding members of The Browncoats.
He went under-cover as a double agent working with the Alliance but feeding information to the Browncoats.
They never caught on that he was a spy (which is why he got medical assistance that episode) but he was discharged after a mission he led had a catastrophic "failure"... which was all part of his plan anyway.
Before that, he was a criminal.
Which is why he was so upset in the first episode at how quickly he "fell in with criminals and beat a lawman senseless" - he literally JUST left the church trying to turn a new leaf and become a better person and wound up right back in it almost straight away...
Honestly, I subscribed to the operative theory. I definitely didn't see that coming.
Oh Angela, I’ve seen this movie so many times and enjoy it every time. The first few I did weep for Book and Wash, but the shock wore off. I knew it was coming watching along with you, I knew it would hit you like a ton of bricks. Yet, I didn’t expect to weep watching you cry. Sometimes, great movies are great because the stakes are so high . . . because some of the most wise and funny characters get sacrificed to prove high the stakes and and to transform the ultimate heroes to their fullest moral bloom . . . giving them belief to do the right thing and giving us belief in the worth of the act of doing what’s right. Love your show!
This is my favorite reaction from you so far. As a lifelong athlete I adore the pure physicality of Summer Glau. I also love her line, "I like to hear you say it". I'm not crying, you're crying. Beautiful job. We've all been there.
Thank you. Thank you for hearing the story, feeling out love, and sharing our pain. You now know what being a Browncoat really means. You … are on our crew❤❤❤
I loved your reaction❣️ It was, not trying to be creepy, the cutest reaction to a sci-fi spaghetti western I’ve ever seen. You even made me cry when you cried for Book. This is one of my favorite movies and Firefly is one of my favorite series ever. Great job. Instant subscriber. Love the shirt
I love the unspoken part of the classroom scene. "We're not telling people what to think. We're just trying to show them how."
...but we ain't teachin' 'em how to think for themselves.
Wash's death sells you on the mortal peril for the whole crew in the final scenes. If Wash can die that abruptly, you start to wonder if anybody will make it, especially when they all start taking hits. I know it's a traumatizing scene, but it's incredibly effective.
It's also a much more "real" death for its suddenness. Book gets the "Hollywood" death: caused by defending his people, able to impart final words & wisdom. It's the death that's tragic but you can feel okay with because it had purpose and closure while Wash's death had neither (within the story, at least).
still in premiere, but i can already tell you're gonna make me tear up a little lol
"he ain't comin'.." gets me EVERY time
it's been fun rewatching Firefly along with you, i like how in-depth you go into the recap after each episode
Cheers, Browncoat
Nathan Fillion told this joke at a con while Alain Tudyk was sitting beside him:
How do Reavers clean their spears?
They put them through the Wash.
A bittersweet ending to be sure, especially since I loved Wash, but very happy we got a bit of closure. Your reactions to this story have been very shiny.
I was looking to see if anyone else was gonna tell this joke.
It will always be too soon for that joke.
But also that joke will always be funny.
I sympathize and empathize with you over the death of Book and Wash. As well as there being no "resolution" between Inara and Mal. I do like your shirt, and your necklace. Can't start the day without it! Great reactions. I think I became a fan thanks to your commentary! I am looking forward to seeing what's next!
Dont worry girl, we all ugly cried watching this movie