And we're back! Episode 10 is planned for this Wednesday. Full length reactions for the series are already available on Patreon, and I'm also currently watching both THE EXPANSE and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER on Patreon. Thank you!
I'm sure you will fall in love with the whole whedonverse: Buffy, Angel (especially season 5), Dr.Horrible's sing-along blog. Yeah, it's all masterpieces.
Mal was totally going to go through with killing Jayne. The only thing that saved him was Jayne showing honest remorse when he asked Mal not to tell them what he did. He was ashamed.
There's a line from a later episode where someone says something like "a man shows you who he is right before he dies" or something like that. We got to see who Jayne really was once he accepted his death. Despite coming off and an unrepentant scoundrel, he actually cares about the crew and what they think of him. Which is a big development for Jayne.
It is really shown here how Simon is fish out of the water on Serenity. He looks like spoiled bumbling nerd in the first episodes, but here in the core planets, he is in his element. Excellent planning and execution, quick wits and great presence as a doctor. This is his world. The one that he sacrificed for his sister.
Yes, that is a very astute observation. Simon was being groomed to be one of the elites in an authoritarian society. He knows what the rules are in the Alliance. And he knows what his position is in that society. Notice how the other doctor talks to Mal and Zoe. And even when under arrest and confronted with the Federal Officer, Simon does not back down. "Important people do not do field work," he tells the Officer. Just a small jab to say, "Look fella, I may be under arrest. I may be about to be executed. But I'm still your SUPERIOR." But out in the Black and the Outer Planets, Simon is that "fish out of water." He doesn't know the rules. He doesn't know what to do. And he cannot afford to make a mistake that might get he and River noticed. I thought Sean Maher did a fine job in this episode.
No. Simon would agree with me. There is no self-sacrifice; there is only value and choice and people always, _always_ choose what they value more. He valued his little sister more than he valued his career (or a dinner party).
Jayne was wearing a Blue Sun corporation t-shirt when River cut him. If the show had gone longer, we’d’ve found out the links between them and the Academy that tortured River.
It was also on the labels she ripped off the cans a few episodes ago This isn't spoilers because the show got cancelled before it could reveal the payoff to these setups.
Way back during the Vietnam War days, there were these conspiracy theories that the war was a front for the oil companies and especially the Coca Cola Company. This episode plays into that- Blue Sun Corp has been in the background since the pilot, always advertising posters and such. The theory goes that there is a link between Blue Sun, the Alliance government, the Academy where River was, and the "hands of blue" guys. And Jayne was wearing a Blue Sun t-shirt. That's what triggered River. And some episodes ago, some of the cans River tore the labels off, were Blue Sun products.
I think Wash threw it because it was already broken. It may have even been the exact part that gave them so much trouble. Kaylee was with him and she wouldn't let him throw perfectly good parts even if she has spares.
I really love that there’s absolutely no jealousy in Simon about how much smarter River is. He could have been characterized as “resentful older brother working through his guilt by doing everything to help his little sister he always resented” but his pure love and devotion is SO MUCH BETTER. He belongs on Serenity because of that pure love and affection for his little sister.
I like the initial line referring to himself as smart to highlight how smart River is, but I particularly love the line in the flashback to their parents "she started correcting my spelling when she was 3" the majority of people don't start learning to spell til they start school at 5, maybe a bit earlier. The dynamic between Simon and River is a correct dynamic between siblings.
"You did it to ME, Jayne. And that's a FACT!" It's lines like these that gives fan canon that each member of the crew reflects some aspect of Mal himself. Like Book representing his faith, for example.
The way you described that kind made me giggle. Remember the movie Inside Out?...take all of those characters and put them on a spaceship 😂 Mal is Riley, the other characters are his crew
Woah, woah, woah!! "Like Book representing his faith, for example." As soon as I read that, my mind went: So Book was some high level Special Ops guy in the Alliance, but he saw something truly horrible. Something he couldn't handle, so he retired and found religion. I guess we'll never really know, but it's fun to speculate.
@HareDeLune Which is the mirror of Mal, who had faith but saw too many horrible things and had too many bad things happen to or around him, and so lost his faith.
I love this episode. It was the moment that Jayne became redeemable. He thought he was going to die, and for the first time he felt ashamed of what he'd done.
Although Kaylee probably gets a strong vote from me from 'Out of Gas'. Even after she warned Mal in episode one, she was so despondent after that Port compression coil blew... didn't see her hamming up anything, just genuinely feeling guilty as if it were her fault - which is wasn't - and that speaks volumes too.
The fact that Jayne accepts that he's going to die, and is only concerned with how his shipmates will remember him is really great. We've seen him betray his previous mates in Out of Gas and Jaynestown, and he didn't care at all. But what the crew of Serenity thinks of him matters to him. I bet even he didn't realize that until this moment. Mal realized it then, too, and it's the only thing that saved Jayne's life. The writing on this show was unparalleled.
@@davidlacoste Whedon has always been good at transforming characters in a surprisingly believable way. Look at Wesley from Buffy/Angel. The change is very gradual, but it's very strong. Same for Giles and Cordelia.
@@warrenwiley5656 that's part of the genius of the writing...you can watch the whole series so many times and still pick up connections and references.
26:20 "You only have so much of a budget" The budget was so tight on this show, that the costume designer went through her own wardrobe to find costumes for Inara, even to the point of using a dress she wore at her own wedding - the gold one that Inara wore in "Shindig". I don't know if you have noticed, but she is the only character that wears loads of different outfits, in fact I'm pretty sure, she hasn't worn the same outfit twice in all the episodes and even during an episode, she has several costume changes. This was done to show off not only her wealth, but her status, but it meant that the costume designer was racing around trying to find "looks" for her all the time.
I think I'd extend that to Our Mrs. Reynolds and Jaynestown. And maybe to The Message as well. The show started strong, but those six episodes are some of the best television I've ever seen, certainly the best Sci-Fi.
Honestly, Jayne is my favorite character. He's the one who, other than River, got hosed the most on backstory. And Adam Baldwin is absolute perfection in the role
I will say I liked that he got to play a similar ruthless but funny character who had some hidden soft spots under those rough edges.. but at least "Chuck" got 5 seasons to really peel back those layers.
@@mcgilj1Exactly this! In my mind cannon I conflate Jayne and Casey a little bit, which lets Jayne finally evolve more and become a better version of himself. I adore it😂
I haven't watched a lot of his work, only his small roles in Roland Emmerich movies, but had this gone on, I really think his acting chops would have been in full force. He's excellent in this.
@@Kasino80 Oh, you've seen him and just missed it. He's the Presidents personal bodyguard that shoots the coke can off of the alien spaceship in Independence Day. He's Gary Busey's right hand man that threatens Danny Glover in Predator 2. And, of course, Animal Mother in Full Metal Jacket.
Jayne was wearing a shirt with the Blue Sun Logo on the front. She was slashing the logo, not Jayne. In a prior episode the cans of food had the Blue Sun Corporation logo on them, so she tore them off. The Blue Sun Corporation is in the backround in several episodes and was going to be explained later in the series. It only got explained years later by Joss Whedon at ComiCon. "They took Christmas away" refers to all the money Jayne was going to get that the security guy took away from him. If you remember from past episodes Jayne said more than once that Simon and River were NOT part of the crew, so he felt no loyalty for them. When they were leaving River said "We're going up the down staircase" meaning "We're going the wrong way" to get to the ship. She knew Jayne was taking them to the Feds and she protested strongly, only to have Simon reassure her it was going to be all right. I think that Mal was going to kill Jayne because Jayne showed no remorse at all. Then Jayne showed that he cared about what the others thought of him and Mal saw a glimmer of hope for Jayne, so he let him live........for now.
:grins: I was watching the 300 sequel and that is still waiting there on pause :D Is it me or is that film really not very engaging? That might just be my dislike of Eva Green poisoning the well I suppose :O
One of my favorite things about this episode is how Jayne's betrayal was kinda foreshadowed in "Out of Gas," when you saw how Jayne turned on his previous crew, and "Jaynestown" when you saw how he betrayed a partner in a heist.
But Jayne didn't turn in the crew, that's a very important distinction. He could have very much turn in the whole crew and get even more money, but he didn't. They are just not part of the crew in his eyes, in fact they are a danger to the crew as we could see in this episode, not to mention if they are ever caught. The dude was stabbed and basically was put down by Mal while being sawn together, Jayne is the one being betrayed here. Why the hell should he have loyalty when Mal tells him flat out that you know the girl who just stabbed you and does nothing useful is here to stay just because it screws with the Alliance. Also *we* do know why Jayne wants the money, and getting someone off the ship who is a danger to him and his crew, that's two birds with one stone, of course he won't understand Mal's reasoning. He needs to get money and the Tams are frankly a danger to that, Mal doesn't care, as long as they get by, that's enough for him, he doesn't have a goal. Frankly in this scenario I'm fascinated that Jayne was as loyal to Mal as he was, that he didn't turn in the whole crew shows that he does respect Mal.
GrandBoss2 Also, I believe that Jayne changed his mind when he saw what had been done to River. He looks horrified, and it’s right then that he suddenly wants to leave early, hoping to get out before the feds arrive. Some might say that he’s purposely leading them into a trap, but wouldn’t it be simpler to stay put and let the feds come to where they are? “We’ll be in this diagnostic lab, come and get us there” rather than “I’ll try to get them out of the lab early, you have to meet us in the stairs at exactly this time!”
So I say this every time I watch someone react to this episode. I LOVE the beautiful perfection of professional actors who memorize lines for a living pretending to struggle memorizing lines. Much love and keep on keepin on J.
I suspected that Jayne insisting on delivering his line was also a kind of a teasing reference to narcissistic actors. I'm thinking Alexander Dane in Galaxy Quest.
I really appreciate your analysis of the cinematic techniques that are being used. It makes one appreciate the skill and effort that the behind the scenes people put into the show.
This episode, and several before (and some after), really highlight why I love Simon so much. He's framed as a helpless elite, totally out of his element. Socially awkward because he's a snob, and all that. But there is one thing that he has ZERO hesitation about...and that is River. There is NOTHING he won't do for his sister. Whether that's smuggling them out of the alliance and putting them on the run, standing up to a bunch of religious hicks, or, in this case, even smuggling them back IN to the alliance, to try and scan her and see what is going on. He's a great example of a character with the trope of "I will do anything for this person." There are some great examples of it later in the series as well. I just love Simon so much. Also I love the gentle, loving way he delivers that line at the end of "No Mei Mei...." *small smile* "It's time to wakeup." as he prepares her injection. They had such fantastic chemistry as siblings
This is my favorite episode of the series. I like the heist, the "two by two, hands of blue" guys and River's backstory getting more revealed (especially when you get to the Serenity movie at the end), plus that scene with Mal and Jayne...*chefs kiss*
7:29 Yesterday I had to go to a doctor's appointment. Been needing to get it for some time. Formally scheduled it a week ago. Part of me didn't wanna do it but it needed to be done. So I can get better. Seeing River facing a similar situation kinda helps.
YESSSSS IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!!! I loved learning about River more and the ending with Jayne gets me for some reason! The fact that Jayne was ready to die as long as no one else found out and was disappointed in him. I liked that they fleshed out his character more! Also how Mal handled the whole situation, he's protective of his people and I love that about him. Love the reactions as always, can't wait for more!
All I have to say is Mal's line to Jayne when he says you turn on any of my crew, you turn on me. That sums up exactly what I was feeling and I love Nathan Fillion's delivery of that line. One of many reasons why Mal is my favorite character.
This episode really begins the true understanding of River's mind. As it goes on and in Serenity you truly understand why her lack of emotional regulation is so much worse than we ever expected.
Personally, this was an extremely meaningful episode. We learn some of the mystery of River. Until now it was all "supposition and hearsay" learning what was done to her was a very defining part of why she is. as she is. 18:59-19:04 "5 seconds, Kaylee sums up "So far in this episode" so nicely for Inara. Mal, in my opinion, was ready to end Jayne. "You betray my crew, you betray me." It was entirely up to Jayne to find something in himself to convince Mal "You might be worth saving"
The fact that you dislike Jane so much and get invested in any of them go into how great of an actors/actresses they are. This is one of my favorite shows because I feel invested in the crew.
The good news is that this a turning point for Jayne. This episode he realizes how he screwed up, and that the people on the ship are not just random people, but people he actually *does* care about - despite how he behaves outwardly.
Another thing I like about the show... there's all these little throw-away lines that aren't. An example is how Mal feels out his crew. Whether its watching Simon run pell-mell to what he thinks is the scene of Kaylee's death or Jayne begging for his reputation rather than his life - its these moments that Mal makes a decision about the character of his crew.
I suspect when Wedon created the Firefly characters he looked a the Jungian Archetypes and said wouldn’t it be interesting if we used this archetype for character X, but leave out Y important defining characteristic and give a conflicting one for a different arc type. Each character has an interesting tension within the character, with Kaylee being the relief from the jarring internal tension from the others and Book being the Zen ideal of holding those tensions at the same time. The KEY reason people love this show is the characters. Each one is “mighty” and flawed, often both showing at the same moment with the same action. These are things that Wedon and Sorkin are sooo good at. Each write fantastic scripts, but it’s the characters that allow them to pull off the complexity and nuance without loosing the audience.
I love this episode for Simon. Since we met him, he has been a very awkward fish out of water. But in the hospital, we get to see him back in his comfort zone and see that he can really take charge. It's really cool to see that side of him come out.
Oh, yes. He can't keep from being a good doctor, even when they're in real danger and trying to sneak around. Also, when he says, "She feels everything. She can't not," it's chilling.
Mal is one hell of a Captain and Simon has a feisty side that I really like. It is so fun to watch a new viewer's reaction to one of, if not, my most favorite sci-fi space series. Love your shows and as usual well done.
One of the reactions I look forward to most each week. Some reactors that have an understanding of film and filmmaking make their reactions entirely about that. I appreciate that you focus on the writing and performances and how the editing and camera work are used to highlight that
Right genre, wrong oevre. This was actually intended to be Firefly's homage to The A-Team. Coming up with the plan, scrounging parts to build what's needed, pulling off the scam, the government showing up to complicate the escape. I love it when a plan comes together!
Out of Gas is, and always will be, my favorite episode…but Mal at the inner door, sorting out the threat to his family…that is my favorite moment with Mal. This is what you see when you’re his enemy.
Timing is EVERYTHING. I believe today social media would have saved a show of this caliber. "Out of Gas" is the gold standard, but "Ariel" showcases deep sibling love - often not written or acted.
If you take nothing else from this episode let it be this: Mal was not bluffing. Not kidding not testing. This is the interesting day they both knew might come, Jayne lost Mal won. He’d have gone to his cabin and slept work that night. He changed his mind when he saw Jayne’s shame AND his surrender - that was going to die but wanted some honor left intact
This episode means a lot to me. Like many guys I cannot cry, but this episode makes me tear up, when Jayne says “don’t tell them what I done. Make something up!” It show that underneath his ruthless exterior is a conscious, and it is a point of real redemption, along with the last scene in Jaynestown. It just occurred to me that the line from when Mal was being tortured “when a man is just about to die, that’s when you see the real man” (paraphrased, I can’t remember the exact quote) - Mal saw he showed a conscience and let him live.
A wonderful touch that further shows what an excellent leader Mal is, is that while he dresses down Jayne when he INSISTS they kick Simon & River off, and defends them, he has a FRANK discussion PRIVATELY (after Jayne leaves) with Simon about how, if things don't improve, he WILL have to kick them off soon. THAT is how you are SUPPOSED to address an issue! Privately. Not humiliating people with an "audience" around.
I might be in the minority, but Simon is actually my favorite character on the show. He might have a very bad case of foot in mouth syndrome on occasion, but his endless love and dedication to his sister and his willingness to give up everything he's ever known for her and her safety pushed him to my number 1 spot.
It's very hard to pick a favorite but Simon is definitely well up there. Maybe just below River (I watched Fifth Element at an impressionable age and am very weak for River's trope 😂)
Since they were children, Simon has known how very special and unique River is (as if we all aren't unique, but you get it). He describes her as "A gift". That means a gift to all. He'll die before he lets anything happen to her.
Really looking forward to watching this reaction in a bit! I love the end. I believe that if Jayne hadn't shown actual shame for what he'd done at the end, Mal would have let him die. It wasn't exactly contrition, but in that moment, Mal saw that Jayne was more worried about having let down the rest of the crew than anything else. Given how loyal Mal is to his crew, that goes a very long way with him, because it's the closest Jayne has ever come to actually putting the crew before himself.
Exactly. Mal was not bluffing. He was dead set on killing Jayne then and there. But when he saw that Jayne accepted his death but still didn't want anyone to know what he did, Mal could tell that was genuine shame and remorse.
I don't think Mal was originally going to spare Jayne, he just wanted closure and as he said, he'll confront people who wrong him directly. Jayne was going to die, but Jayne caring enough about the crew to care about his legacy spared him.
Remember that you said this while watching a certain upcoming episode. Jayne was more worried about how he'd be remembered than he was about dying... If you hadn't said that, I wouldn't have tied his contrition here with what happens in that episode. (being vague on purpose).
I am loving this. Watched every episode as it came out and it totally feels like I'm rediscovering the series for the first time again. Thanks so much for watching this!
As a prop guy, I liked this episode almost as much as when I noticed the federal troops on the train wearing the armor and helmets from Starship Troopers. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend checking out Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog and keep in mind the doctor's lab-coat and the sonic shotgun from this episode.
Yeah, the playing with genre thing is one of the delights of the show IMO (in some ways it's a pretty obvious way to keep episodic TV fresh and yet so few episodic TV shows seem to do it well). Never quite sure if the _very_ heavy leaning into the "space western" tropes gave them a mountain to climb OR actually made it _easier_ to "genre mash" (in the sense of it being easier to "break" the rules when the rules are super clear from the get go).
I can’t wait for the next episode! Getting to watch this show again through fresh eyes is such a fantastic feeling. I’m so sad that we are coming to the end of the show pretty quickly. I hope you enjoy the next few episodes as much as we all have!
Jayne was in the right! And I think people often miss the depth to his character. He's not an idiot, if he was Mal wouldn't keep him around. He had plenty of chances so far to turn them in, and he didn't. He didn't turn them in until River proved she was a danger, and he even brought it up to Mal first. He had a point when he brought up that she could go after someone else; Kaylee or Inara maybe, who are not fighters. And Mal brushed his concerns off. We as an audience got to see Mal have a discussion with Simon about it, but in Jayne's POV Mal did nothing and acted like it wasn't a big deal. What's worse is that River shows no remorse or real understanding for what she did. We understand why a little, but in the setting and situation that's concerning. If that hadn't happened, I don't think Jayne would have done it, but considering all that I think he had every reason and right to turn them in. Does he regret it? Yes, he does, and I don't think he only regrets it because of the feds. First off, when he does call them, he isn't all gloating about it. I think he thinks of it as protecting the crew, because if he didn't care about the crew he had chances in the past to betray them or leave and he didn't. Then he sees Simon save that guy, finds out what happened to River, and he starts regretting it. I could see his leaving early, saying the plan changed, was him hoping to get out before the feds he called found them, as the scene seems strange otherwise. So, while he may have regretted it rightfully so afterwards, he had every reason to try and turn them in. People often miss the little moments throughout the show that hint he isn't the Neanderthal he pretends to be. He's one of my favorite characters, and I wish more people saw him beyond the surface.
Jacqui: Is he going to have some dramatic hero moment...?" Me: You _do_ remember this is Jayne Cobb we're talking about, right? The one who's only a hero on Canton, and that was by accident. Jacqui(probably): Oh, right. Sorry, lost my head for a minute there. 😆
Me: Jayne is a hero... I decided that when I learned why he is the way he is. He's actually a little bit like Tuco from "The Good the Bad and the Ugly"....
If you love the heist film genre and haven’t yet seen The Sting, you must!! It’s the best version of that kind of story ever made, winning the 1973 Best Picture Oscar along with six others.
This is my favorite episode primarily because of the exchange between Nathan Fillion and Adam Baldwin at the end. Great acting on both their parts, and a very powerful scene. I will now take the chance to defend Jayne, not because I think what he did was right or good, but just because I think people too often simplify his motivation to greed, and I feel that Jayne's character is one of the most nuanced in the show. We did have foreshadowing of his tendency to betray his crew previously, such as when he kicked Stitch Hitchens off the ship as he was trying to escape. We also have another one that isn't quite as clear cut, the one seen in a flashback in Out of Gas. There he betrays his crewmates, but not at the mention of more money. He betrays them only after Mal offers him his own bunk and an equal position among the crew. This was something he hadn't been getting in the old crew, and that was what turned him, finally. He wanted to feel like a valued part of his crew. It's very easy to overlook the fact that, before this betrayal, River attacked him with a potentially deadly weapon, unprovoked (as far as he knew, and the real reason wasn't actually his fault, it was his shirt). That is a reasonable cause to dislike another crew member, especially when you already have a penchant for disliking Simon. Then, when he's being fixed up and he's complaining to the captain he is told off in front of Simon, having his concerns dismissed out of hand. He doesn't witness Mal's ultimatum to Simon, so in his view he has been told off for complaining about being attacked by a mentally unstable crew member and had his concerns disregarded. Now it's starting to look like Mal might be favoring Simon and River over him, eroding Jayne's sense of value by the captain. Furthermore, Simon and River being on the ship is a legitimate threat to the crew. Simon came on board under false pretenses, not revealing his fugitive status so that Mal could choose beforehand whether to take him on, and that was a dick move. We tend to give him a pass because we sympathize with his cause, but he really did drag this crew into his troubles without their consent, and then threatened to let Kaylee die if they didn't flee the authorities. With all this, it's no wonder Jayne would be inclined to turn them in. In his view, he's doing the captain a favor by getting rid of a threat to the crew's safety, and in reality they are a threat. Hell, Jayne probably thought it was a beneficial thing, and in some ways it was, except that it was stupidly done and against the captain's wishes. We see in the first episode, when Kaylee is being operated on, that Jayne watches through a window hunched over and biting his thumb, indicating that he cares about her, and probably all of his crew. I believe this was done every bit as much out of regard for the safety of the crew as it was for money, if not more, and I have a feeling that if River hadn't attacked him, he wouldn't have betrayed them, even with a big reward out there.
Your face as the first feds died was priceless. There was a reason River attacked... sliced, Jayne's shirt. The series didn't live long enough to truly explore it... Everything River does makes sense if you get the motivation, which normally we only get AFTER it happens. There is a fairly common belief that Mal intended to kill Jayne. It was his request Mal lie that saved him. He knew what he did was wrong. He knew he deserved to be punished ever killed... so his only request was to be remembered "better" than he was. Mal understood Jayne wasn't completely "lost" in that moment and spared him. I subscribe to this theory.
Everyone plays their part in the crew and everyone has their flaws. The ability to maximized your strengths and minimize your flaws makes this a great crew. They understand their weaknesses and overcome them... even Jayne.
Ariel's my favorite episode. Mal's emotion at the end, when he's trying to hammer into Jayne's head how badly he screwed up, and Jayne realizing it himself on some level. And then just the icing on the cake the final exchange between Simon and River finally giving her some hope.
This is my favorite episode of the show. One cool thing I actually never noticed until recently; Simon's mercy saved Jayne's life in a roundabout way. When they fight back against the officers who were escorting them, Jayne kills his officer, but Simon only constricts his officer's airway until he passes out, leaving him alive. A few minutes later, when Jayne is about to double back and fight his way out, he changes his mind when the Blue Hands find the guy Simon left alive and kill him on the spot. The thing that made him change his mind was hearing that guy's death screams. If Simon had killed him, he would have already been dead and obviously wouldn't be screaming, and Jayne would have walked right into the Blue Hands, who almost surely would have killed him on the spot.
River's extreme fear of "going to sleep" will become apparent in "Serenity". Viewing the scene with Simon and River when he gives her the shot is even more heartbreaking after you know.
Mal was ABSOLUTELY ready to kill Jayne. The only thing that saved his bacon was Jayne showing Mal that he actually cared what the rest of the crew thought of him. While Jayne and Mal often don't see eye-to-eye, Jayne respects Mal for being the thinker Jayne isn't... and Mal (generally) respects Jayne and the skillset he brings to the table, although Jayne's frequent need for correction gets on Mal's nerves sometimes. You can't entirely blame Jayne for turning Simon and River in. He didn't like them and didn't consider them part of the crew... and that was BEFORE River went and attacked him with a knife, unprovoked and out of the blue. As he said, he got stupid, and getting slashed with that knife is what put him over the edge. He's often the butt of everyone else's jokes, and he takes more abuse than he deserves, but he cares (in his own way) about his dysfunctional family on board Serenity. He's saved all their lives multiple times over. Mal gave Jayne a little attitude adjustment upside his head with that wrench and laid down the law... and I don't think anyone was more surprised than Mal that it actually got through to Jayne... so he let him live another day. Mal demonstrated to Jayne that Simon and River are under his protection, and Jayne won't cross Mal on that front again. Not condoning Jayne's actions or absolving him of his guilt, but the guy was under a lot of stress, and at the end of the day, he learned his lesson. Just sayin'. YMMV.
Not quite sure if Jayne respects Mal as a thinker, but I think Jayne respects Mal as a leader who will never backstab him. I also think Mal is basically a father figure to Jayne. There's also subtle things along the way, such as the affection he shows for his mother and how he feels about the mudders which indicate that Jayne is like a little boy wanting to please his parents.
@@mcgilj1 I do like The Message but I like how Ariel had an actual successful heist from the crew and we got a bit more about the Hands of Blue and saw a reason River is so scared of them. I also like Mal being enraged at Jayne for trying to sell out the Tams
Another show to consider watching is "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." It had one seasn in 1993, and was created in the spirit of Indiana Jones, inspired by old serial movies. The two showrunners had worked on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! It's similar to this in that they play on all sorts of genres, but the main setting... is a western... with SciFi elements...
You would think it would draw attention, but it has the opposite effect: nobody wants to be the next one to get chewed out, so everybody kinda keeps their head down...
@@migmit That's a very common mistake that you will see in loads of medical events on-screen, even medically based shows like "House", will make the same error.
@@jcorbett9620 Oh yes, certainly. What bugs me a little is that this episode features a more realistic use of a defibrillator, when Zoe knocks out that doctor.
Did you notice that when Wash and Kaylee were at the junkyard, Wash threw a compression coil at the craft they ended up turning into the ambulance for the heist. The compression coil was the very same part needed to fix the ship in the previous episode 'Out of Gas'.
8:54 Funny enough this moment is also an interesting indirect characterization of Simon Bc Simon believes completely in the skill and promise of the core doctors. He thinks that no hospital worker would ever NOT do their due diligence to make sure a patient was treated appropriately. His comment later in the episode cements this. “No one is going to die, this is the best hospital in the core” but in reality doctors can make negligent mistakes or stupid errors.
Hey Red, I love hearing your insights into how things work behind the scenes. In an alternate universe, I was going to get into acting and film art once upon a time. I should've. These worlds of fantasy and story telling are my world, but alas, I went a conservative route, then into survival mode for the past 2 decades. So to be learning even a snippet of what you know from your education and participation in the screen arts world is a real treat. Thank you.
River drawing Russian nesting dolls. (Which I've never noticed before, thanks for pointing it out.) Which I think means that certain people on the ship are like -Ogres- onions. They have layers. (Not layers like parfait; onions make you cry.)
And there's a later reference to the fact that Mal smuggled nesting dolls. That was the next highest profit after the meds obtained in this episode. If I remember correctly...
Oh yeah, I've wanted to comment this for several episodes and kept forgetting: I absolutely adore your substitute phrases for swearing. 1, they're inventive and fun. 2, the frequency makes me think you probably aren't shy about swearing irl, and the contrast with your on-screen persona makes me happy. Long time ago, in a city far, far away i worked in a customer service call center. We were forbidden from swearing, even off the phone, because it might be picked up by someone else's phone mic. So when I would get off of a difficult call, I would say "monkey" instead of swearing. Eventually, the whole call center was doing it. And 20 years later, I'm still saying "monkey" when I can't swear. 😅
You mentioned the camera work during the "heist planning" bit and it reminded me of something. They used shoulder cameras when shooting Firefly, without steadycams or anything like that, specifically to give the series that documentary feel that you mentioned in some earlier episodes. There's one exception though, and that's when they're focusing on the Alliance, mostly, anyway. I think in this episode it's mostly noticeable when the camera is tracking the Hands of Blue, they switch to dolly cams with very stable, rigid even movements. The choice I believe was said to show how the Alliance is order and restriction while Serenity is chaos and freedom (interesting relationships in those words). it's very subtle and easy to miss, but worth pointing out, I think.
"St. Lucy" was a medieval tale about a good chaste Christian girl who was pressed for affection in a letter by a boy who said her eyes were so beautiful he fell immediately in love. She cut her eyes out and sent them to him. In my community she represents the unbalanced urge to harm oneself because someone doesn't appreciate you the way you expect.
It is conjectured that the story was concocted surrounding (and appropriating) goddess statues where the jewels set in the eyes had been stolen leaving empty sockets.
This episode shows a lot of insight in its writing. We are all much more confident in familiar enviroments. This is how smart and apt Simon actually is.
I wasn't able to keep up with these reactions due to some personal business, but I'm bound and determined to finish them now. Probably my favorite thing about Mal is the fidelity he shows to his crew. It's a trait far more people should aspire to. What I like about this episode maybe even more, is the fact that River knew all along, from that knife slash to that moment in the scanner when you can literally see that she knows. Her statements, and actions become even more interesting in retrospect than they are the first time through.
The second time in his life that Jayne ever felt ashamed of himself. This is the lowest thing he's ever done, but it's such a moment of growth for him as a character.
*The end scene between Mal & Jayne.* - Brilliant acting from both. This is one of my favorite scenes in all of Firefly. MY SPECULATIONS: I have no doubt Mal was going to kill Jayne. But then Jayne showed genuine shame & remorse. He accepted his fate and stopped begging. He was more concerned with not wanting the crew to know what he did. Mal spared his life because that is someone worth redemption that Mal can still work with. I like to think the character growth Jayne went through in 'Jaynestown' allowed him to feel that level of shame, which just saved his life. *River's statements:* 'A copper for a kiss' - Directed at Jayne. This alludes to when Judas betrayed Jesus. The difference being Judas got 30 coins of silver. Jayne didn't even get copper (which taints green when oxidized). 'They stole Christmas' - River is telling Jayne he wasn't getting his reward money. 'He looks better in Red' - Jayne's blue shirt logo is now red with Jayne's blood. More Described in the Easter egg below *Easter Eggs:* 1) The food Simon was eating that 'smelled like crotch' is one of the mystery meals from when River was ripping labels off cans (in Shindig). River then slashes Jaynes shirt with a knife. She was attacking the blue logo on Jayne's shirt. Those canned food labels also had the same blue logo on them. The logo was 'The Blue Sun Corporation'. 2) In the junkyard, Wash threw a catalyzer when he found the Ambulance Body. That catalyzer was of the same model that needed replacement in 'Out of Gas'.
Chipmunk Serenity - *giggles* ♥ Kaylee! Fun watching the crew trying to memorize & speak medical terminology 😃 Zoe's 'clear' makes me laugh every time! 😃 'Jayne fork you!' - agreed! 2 by 2 hands of blue! 🥶
7:08 Hah! I don't know if I'd call it heroic though... 8:09 The Acting!! Summer Glau! 8:54 He did nail the line, but it was played off for laughs. 16:56 you know it! 24:19 Yep, a rite of passage for any Browncoat! I've always loved this show, but through watching your reactions I understand why! Thank you Jacqui!
Fun fact. I don't remember the exact one, but there's an episode of Castle where Castle is putting on blue latex gloves, and he puts up 2 fingers on each hand back to back and then makes a wave motion with his hands and fingers(2 by 2, hands of blue). Nathan stated during an interview that this was an improv thing he did as a nod to Firefly.
I loved finally seeing a "Core" planet for the first time. You get to see the difference between the places we've been before with dust, horses and a shack and this tall high-tech city.
Fun trivia time! So, I don't think any of this info will spoil any upcoming episodes, and you probably won't come across it except in other comments or if you really dig into the show's lore: the original intention with the Hands of Blue guys was to have them, and the group that experimented on River, be part of a mega corporation called Blue Sun, that was working with the Alliance government. It was also going to turn out that their merchandise, ads, and products are EVERYWHERE in the background of the show, and many of River's strange episodes are caused by seeing their logo and stuff. The shirt that Jayne is wearing that River cut in this episode? A Blue Sun shirt with their logo on it. She was attacking the logo, not Jayne. The episode where she rips the labels off a bunch of food cans, leaving Book to comment how they'll be having "mystery meals" for a little while? All made by Blue Sun, with their logo on the labels. Once the crew would have learned about that in a future season, it was supposed to be one of those things you'd only catch on a rewatch when you realized that Blue Sun was all around in the environment the whole time. Also makes it interesting how you noted the blue paint and everything colored blue all over the Alliance facility, a place where Blue Sun has a strong influence due to their ties with the government.
And we're back! Episode 10 is planned for this Wednesday. Full length reactions for the series are already available on Patreon, and I'm also currently watching both THE EXPANSE and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER on Patreon. Thank you!
Oh, I HOPE, and so does everyone else, that you bring Buffy to TH-cam.
Yay! Thanks for getting back to Firefly. I have been enjoying your reviews and love the show!
"No Power in the 'Verse can stop me" ~ Jacqui, probably
I'm sure you will fall in love with the whole whedonverse: Buffy, Angel (especially season 5), Dr.Horrible's sing-along blog. Yeah, it's all masterpieces.
I absolutely cannot wait until Wednesday!
Mal was totally going to go through with killing Jayne. The only thing that saved him was Jayne showing honest remorse when he asked Mal not to tell them what he did. He was ashamed.
And because of that shame and remorse, Jayne never tries to turn in SImon and River for reward from that point on.
There's a line from a later episode where someone says something like "a man shows you who he is right before he dies" or something like that. We got to see who Jayne really was once he accepted his death. Despite coming off and an unrepentant scoundrel, he actually cares about the crew and what they think of him. Which is a big development for Jayne.
Yep, she misread one of the most pivotal scenes for Jane's character arc.
Took the words right out of my mouth. Now every time Jayne looks at the docking ramp, all he's going to see is a volcano's edge.
This episode set up Jayne's redemption arc, that we never got to see
It is really shown here how Simon is fish out of the water on Serenity. He looks like spoiled bumbling nerd in the first episodes, but here in the core planets, he is in his element. Excellent planning and execution, quick wits and great presence as a doctor. This is his world. The one that he sacrificed for his sister.
Writing a "found family" 101: Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, the key is finding ways for them to cover each other.
Yes, that is a very astute observation. Simon was being groomed to be one of the elites in an authoritarian society. He knows what the rules are in the Alliance. And he knows what his position is in that society. Notice how the other doctor talks to Mal and Zoe. And even when under arrest and confronted with the Federal Officer, Simon does not back down. "Important people do not do field work," he tells the Officer. Just a small jab to say, "Look fella, I may be under arrest. I may be about to be executed. But I'm still your SUPERIOR."
But out in the Black and the Outer Planets, Simon is that "fish out of water." He doesn't know the rules. He doesn't know what to do. And he cannot afford to make a mistake that might get he and River noticed. I thought Sean Maher did a fine job in this episode.
No.
Simon would agree with me.
There is no self-sacrifice; there is only value and choice and people always, _always_ choose what they value more.
He valued his little sister more than he valued his career (or a dinner party).
@@HiraghmYou know that once he messed up a dinner party that he meant business.
Jayne was wearing a Blue Sun corporation t-shirt when River cut him. If the show had gone longer, we’d’ve found out the links between them and the Academy that tortured River.
Yup. The logo triggered her.
She also had a point... Jayne does look pretty good in red. She may just be an overly aggressive member of the "fashion police".
It was also on the labels she ripped off the cans a few episodes ago
This isn't spoilers because the show got cancelled before it could reveal the payoff to these setups.
I write this every time I see this comment: OR she had a precognitive or telepathic glance at Jayne's intentions. It makes at least as much sense.
Way back during the Vietnam War days, there were these conspiracy theories that the war was a front for the oil companies and especially the Coca Cola Company. This episode plays into that- Blue Sun Corp has been in the background since the pilot, always advertising posters and such. The theory goes that there is a link between Blue Sun, the Alliance government, the Academy where River was, and the "hands of blue" guys. And Jayne was wearing a Blue Sun t-shirt. That's what triggered River. And some episodes ago, some of the cans River tore the labels off, were Blue Sun products.
The part Wash threw away in the junkyard was the part they needed in “Out of Gas.”
I guess Kaylee’s got a few spares, now.
Also the part Kaylee referenced in episode 1... gotta love the continuity.
Well, it _is_ a nothin' part...
I think Wash threw it because it was already broken. It may have even been the exact part that gave them so much trouble. Kaylee was with him and she wouldn't let him throw perfectly good parts even if she has spares.
@@anonymes2884 "Until you ain't got one!"
@@brandyraccoon1473 Indeed; probably the one that broke that couldn't be fixed
I really love that there’s absolutely no jealousy in Simon about how much smarter River is. He could have been characterized as “resentful older brother working through his guilt by doing everything to help his little sister he always resented” but his pure love and devotion is SO MUCH BETTER. He belongs on Serenity because of that pure love and affection for his little sister.
❤
I like the initial line referring to himself as smart to highlight how smart River is, but I particularly love the line in the flashback to their parents "she started correcting my spelling when she was 3" the majority of people don't start learning to spell til they start school at 5, maybe a bit earlier.
The dynamic between Simon and River is a correct dynamic between siblings.
True. :)
I only know mei-mei is Chinese for little sister because of this show. X)
"You did it to ME, Jayne. And that's a FACT!"
It's lines like these that gives fan canon that each member of the crew reflects some aspect of Mal himself. Like Book representing his faith, for example.
Well, given that's how Buffy and Angel both work, it's not a fan theory, it's just how Joss writes.
The way you described that kind made me giggle.
Remember the movie Inside Out?...take all of those characters and put them on a spaceship 😂
Mal is Riley, the other characters are his crew
Woah, woah, woah!!
"Like Book representing his faith, for example."
As soon as I read that, my mind went: So Book was some high level Special Ops guy in the Alliance, but he saw something truly horrible. Something he couldn't handle, so he retired and found religion.
I guess we'll never really know, but it's fun to speculate.
@@Hare_deLuneI like that idea. That Mal and Book basically had the same experiences, but dealed with it in two very different ways.
@HareDeLune Which is the mirror of Mal, who had faith but saw too many horrible things and had too many bad things happen to or around him, and so lost his faith.
I love this episode. It was the moment that Jayne became redeemable. He thought he was going to die, and for the first time he felt ashamed of what he'd done.
That scene is my favorite of the whole series for that reason. well acted and written.
Although Kaylee probably gets a strong vote from me from 'Out of Gas'. Even after she warned Mal in episode one, she was so despondent after that Port compression coil blew... didn't see her hamming up anything, just genuinely feeling guilty as if it were her fault - which is wasn't - and that speaks volumes too.
The fact that Jayne accepts that he's going to die, and is only concerned with how his shipmates will remember him is really great. We've seen him betray his previous mates in Out of Gas and Jaynestown, and he didn't care at all. But what the crew of Serenity thinks of him matters to him. I bet even he didn't realize that until this moment. Mal realized it then, too, and it's the only thing that saved Jayne's life. The writing on this show was unparalleled.
I'm pretty sure if the show had lived, Jayne's arc would have him becoming the hero the people of Canton think he is.
@@davidlacoste Whedon has always been good at transforming characters in a surprisingly believable way. Look at Wesley from Buffy/Angel. The change is very gradual, but it's very strong. Same for Giles and Cordelia.
He took Jayne to the edge of the volcano, and we finally met the man.
@@rayjaymor8754 Now that you make me think about it, i see there are a real similarity between Wesley and Simon.
Babylon 5 (1993-1998) is another show with amazing characters and their transformations.
"No mei-mei...it's time to wake up." Such a simple line that carried so much weight.
It was only in later watches that the correlation of "Time to wake up" & what occurs in War Stories became clear to me.
@@warrenwiley5656 that's part of the genius of the writing...you can watch the whole series so many times and still pick up connections and references.
I know. Shivers down my spine.
and for those who don't know, mei mei is little sister in Mandarin
26:20 "You only have so much of a budget" The budget was so tight on this show, that the costume designer went through her own wardrobe to find costumes for Inara, even to the point of using a dress she wore at her own wedding - the gold one that Inara wore in "Shindig". I don't know if you have noticed, but she is the only character that wears loads of different outfits, in fact I'm pretty sure, she hasn't worn the same outfit twice in all the episodes and even during an episode, she has several costume changes. This was done to show off not only her wealth, but her status, but it meant that the costume designer was racing around trying to find "looks" for her all the time.
'Out of Gas' into 'Ariel' then 'War Stories' is the peak of 'Firefly' for me.
Oh I don't know. I really like 'The Message'. 'Out of Gas' is still my all time favorite, though.
Out of Gas is still mine as well, but there isn't a weak episode in this series. I'm partial to 'Objects in Space' too. Mighty fine writing.
I think the fourth episode of season three was the best Firefly episode ever. Too bad no one ever got to see it! Thanks Fox! 😡😡😡
I think I'd extend that to Our Mrs. Reynolds and Jaynestown. And maybe to The Message as well. The show started strong, but those six episodes are some of the best television I've ever seen, certainly the best Sci-Fi.
@@jerryward3311 Season ... 3?
Honestly, Jayne is my favorite character. He's the one who, other than River, got hosed the most on backstory. And Adam Baldwin is absolute perfection in the role
I will say I liked that he got to play a similar ruthless but funny character who had some hidden soft spots under those rough edges.. but at least "Chuck" got 5 seasons to really peel back those layers.
@@mcgilj1Exactly this! In my mind cannon I conflate Jayne and Casey a little bit, which lets Jayne finally evolve more and become a better version of himself. I adore it😂
I haven't watched a lot of his work, only his small roles in Roland Emmerich movies, but had this gone on, I really think his acting chops would have been in full force. He's excellent in this.
@@highlander31527Cliff Lindeman, My Bodyguard 1980
@@Kasino80 Oh, you've seen him and just missed it. He's the Presidents personal bodyguard that shoots the coke can off of the alien spaceship in Independence Day. He's Gary Busey's right hand man that threatens Danny Glover in Predator 2.
And, of course, Animal Mother in Full Metal Jacket.
Jayne was wearing a shirt with the Blue Sun Logo on the front. She was slashing the logo, not Jayne. In a prior episode the cans of food had the Blue Sun Corporation logo on them, so she tore them off. The Blue Sun Corporation is in the backround in several episodes and was going to be explained later in the series. It only got explained years later by Joss Whedon at ComiCon.
"They took Christmas away" refers to all the money Jayne was going to get that the security guy took away from him. If you remember from past episodes Jayne said more than once that Simon and River were NOT part of the crew, so he felt no loyalty for them. When they were leaving River said "We're going up the down staircase" meaning "We're going the wrong way" to get to the ship. She knew Jayne was taking them to the Feds and she protested strongly, only to have Simon reassure her it was going to be all right.
I think that Mal was going to kill Jayne because Jayne showed no remorse at all. Then Jayne showed that he cared about what the others thought of him and Mal saw a glimmer of hope for Jayne, so he let him live........for now.
I LOVE THIS GORRAM SHOW!!!
Was watching another video but saw you just posted a new Firefly vid so had to pause that other video and come watch this one. Priorities.
Same.
:grins: I was watching the 300 sequel and that is still waiting there on pause :D Is it me or is that film really not very engaging? That might just be my dislike of Eva Green poisoning the well I suppose :O
I kept refreshing my youtube screen....
Rewatching this series when you know what River knows is a real treat. There are no throwaway lines.
So glad Jacqui spends her time out of the water with us!
One of my favorite things about this episode is how Jayne's betrayal was kinda foreshadowed in "Out of Gas," when you saw how Jayne turned on his previous crew, and "Jaynestown" when you saw how he betrayed a partner in a heist.
It was foreshadowed in the first episode, "Money wasn't good enough" "What happens when it is?" "Well, that'll be an interesting day".
@@cirrustate8674 Right? Guy looking for deeper meaning when it's dead obvious
But Jayne didn't turn in the crew, that's a very important distinction. He could have very much turn in the whole crew and get even more money, but he didn't.
They are just not part of the crew in his eyes, in fact they are a danger to the crew as we could see in this episode, not to mention if they are ever caught.
The dude was stabbed and basically was put down by Mal while being sawn together, Jayne is the one being betrayed here. Why the hell should he have loyalty when Mal tells him flat out that you know the girl who just stabbed you and does nothing useful is here to stay just because it screws with the Alliance.
Also *we* do know why Jayne wants the money, and getting someone off the ship who is a danger to him and his crew, that's two birds with one stone, of course he won't understand Mal's reasoning. He needs to get money and the Tams are frankly a danger to that, Mal doesn't care, as long as they get by, that's enough for him, he doesn't have a goal.
Frankly in this scenario I'm fascinated that Jayne was as loyal to Mal as he was, that he didn't turn in the whole crew shows that he does respect Mal.
And in all cases he did it for (more) money.
And in In Ep. 12 we discover his motivation.
GrandBoss2 Also, I believe that Jayne changed his mind when he saw what had been done to River. He looks horrified, and it’s right then that he suddenly wants to leave early, hoping to get out before the feds arrive. Some might say that he’s purposely leading them into a trap, but wouldn’t it be simpler to stay put and let the feds come to where they are? “We’ll be in this diagnostic lab, come and get us there” rather than “I’ll try to get them out of the lab early, you have to meet us in the stairs at exactly this time!”
So I say this every time I watch someone react to this episode. I LOVE the beautiful perfection of professional actors who memorize lines for a living pretending to struggle memorizing lines. Much love and keep on keepin on J.
I suspected that Jayne insisting on delivering his line was also a kind of a teasing reference to narcissistic actors. I'm thinking Alexander Dane in Galaxy Quest.
I really appreciate your analysis of the cinematic techniques that are being used. It makes one appreciate the skill and effort that the behind the scenes people put into the show.
This episode, and several before (and some after), really highlight why I love Simon so much. He's framed as a helpless elite, totally out of his element. Socially awkward because he's a snob, and all that. But there is one thing that he has ZERO hesitation about...and that is River. There is NOTHING he won't do for his sister. Whether that's smuggling them out of the alliance and putting them on the run, standing up to a bunch of religious hicks, or, in this case, even smuggling them back IN to the alliance, to try and scan her and see what is going on. He's a great example of a character with the trope of "I will do anything for this person." There are some great examples of it later in the series as well. I just love Simon so much. Also I love the gentle, loving way he delivers that line at the end of "No Mei Mei...." *small smile* "It's time to wakeup." as he prepares her injection. They had such fantastic chemistry as siblings
Whedon has said that Simon and River is his favorite relationship on the show. It's mine, too.
And the way that carries over into the movie...
@@Oleoay Yep, it's great.
This is my favorite episode of the series. I like the heist, the "two by two, hands of blue" guys and River's backstory getting more revealed (especially when you get to the Serenity movie at the end), plus that scene with Mal and Jayne...*chefs kiss*
It's my favorite too. I love Out of Gas and Objects in Space are my runners-up, but I love how this episode expands the world and thickens the plot.
7:29 Yesterday I had to go to a doctor's appointment. Been needing to get it for some time. Formally scheduled it a week ago. Part of me didn't wanna do it but it needed to be done. So I can get better. Seeing River facing a similar situation kinda helps.
YESSSSS IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!!! I loved learning about River more and the ending with Jayne gets me for some reason! The fact that Jayne was ready to die as long as no one else found out and was disappointed in him. I liked that they fleshed out his character more! Also how Mal handled the whole situation, he's protective of his people and I love that about him. Love the reactions as always, can't wait for more!
Mal is probably one of the best written and portrayed leaders in TV history.
All I have to say is Mal's line to Jayne when he says you turn on any of my crew, you turn on me. That sums up exactly what I was feeling and I love Nathan Fillion's delivery of that line. One of many reasons why Mal is my favorite character.
My favorite episode. Simon gets to shine brightly in it.
This episode really begins the true understanding of River's mind. As it goes on and in Serenity you truly understand why her lack of emotional regulation is so much worse than we ever expected.
Personally, this was an extremely meaningful episode. We learn some of the mystery of River. Until now it was all "supposition and hearsay" learning what was done to her was a very defining part of why she is. as she is.
18:59-19:04 "5 seconds, Kaylee sums up "So far in this episode" so nicely for Inara.
Mal, in my opinion, was ready to end Jayne. "You betray my crew, you betray me." It was entirely up to Jayne to find something in himself to convince Mal "You might be worth saving"
The fact that you dislike Jane so much and get invested in any of them go into how great of an actors/actresses they are. This is one of my favorite shows because I feel invested in the crew.
The good news is that this a turning point for Jayne. This episode he realizes how he screwed up, and that the people on the ship are not just random people, but people he actually *does* care about - despite how he behaves outwardly.
Another thing I like about the show... there's all these little throw-away lines that aren't. An example is how Mal feels out his crew. Whether its watching Simon run pell-mell to what he thinks is the scene of Kaylee's death or Jayne begging for his reputation rather than his life - its these moments that Mal makes a decision about the character of his crew.
I suspect when Wedon created the Firefly characters he looked a the Jungian Archetypes and said wouldn’t it be interesting if we used this archetype for character X, but leave out Y important defining characteristic and give a conflicting one for a different arc type. Each character has an interesting tension within the character, with Kaylee being the relief from the jarring internal tension from the others and Book being the Zen ideal of holding those tensions at the same time. The KEY reason people love this show is the characters. Each one is “mighty” and flawed, often both showing at the same moment with the same action. These are things that Wedon and Sorkin are sooo good at. Each write fantastic scripts, but it’s the characters that allow them to pull off the complexity and nuance without loosing the audience.
I love this episode for Simon. Since we met him, he has been a very awkward fish out of water. But in the hospital, we get to see him back in his comfort zone and see that he can really take charge. It's really cool to see that side of him come out.
Oh, yes. He can't keep from being a good doctor, even when they're in real danger and trying to sneak around.
Also, when he says, "She feels everything. She can't not," it's chilling.
Mal is one hell of a Captain and Simon has a feisty side that I really like. It is so fun to watch a new viewer's reaction to one of, if not, my most favorite sci-fi space series. Love your shows and as usual well done.
Ioved that the part Wash threw away in the junkyard was the same one that broke in Out of Gas
A lot of folks missed that. Those that didn't miss it were gobsmacked.
Holy forking shirtballs. I've watched this series all the way through probably 10 times, and never picked up on that.
@@JeffKelly03 Castle has that same part on a book shelf in his apartment in the TV show Castle.
One of the reactions I look forward to most each week. Some reactors that have an understanding of film and filmmaking make their reactions entirely about that. I appreciate that you focus on the writing and performances and how the editing and camera work are used to highlight that
Right genre, wrong oevre. This was actually intended to be Firefly's homage to The A-Team. Coming up with the plan, scrounging parts to build what's needed, pulling off the scam, the government showing up to complicate the escape. I love it when a plan comes together!
Jayne begging the Captain to lie because he cares what the others would think is one of my favorite scenes
That line saved his life.
Fun fact: The Firefly passes in the sky in the first episode/movie of Battlestar Galactica.
And I always bet on the red.
Conversely you can see a Viper fly past in the episode on Persephone after the pilot.
How is that possible when Battlestar Galactic was made decades before Firefly?
@@Hiraghm Decades?! Uhh, no same decade. Check your timeline.
@@fullmoonprepping4024Probably a joke because you didn’t specify original or remake.
You’re both right. Original BG was in the late 70s.
"No, mei-mei. It's time to wake up." Beautiful last line.
their whole relationship...
Out of Gas is, and always will be, my favorite episode…but Mal at the inner door, sorting out the threat to his family…that is my favorite moment with Mal. This is what you see when you’re his enemy.
Timing is EVERYTHING. I believe today social media would have saved a show of this caliber. "Out of Gas" is the gold standard, but "Ariel" showcases deep sibling love - often not written or acted.
Nice thing about cable series is they can give shows time to grow.
21:50 "Make something up, don't tell them what I did" saved his life. He showed shame about his actions in that moment.
Firefly is the best shortest sci-fi ever made, likely ever will be made
If you take nothing else from this episode let it be this: Mal was not bluffing. Not kidding not testing. This is the interesting day they both knew might come, Jayne lost Mal won. He’d have gone to his cabin and slept work that night. He changed his mind when he saw Jayne’s shame AND his surrender - that was going to die but wanted some honor left intact
i think mal simply made a calculation that jayne might still be more useful alive than dead.
This episode means a lot to me. Like many guys I cannot cry, but this episode makes me tear up, when Jayne says “don’t tell them what I done. Make something up!” It show that underneath his ruthless exterior is a conscious, and it is a point of real redemption, along with the last scene in Jaynestown. It just occurred to me that the line from when Mal was being tortured “when a man is just about to die, that’s when you see the real man” (paraphrased, I can’t remember the exact quote) - Mal saw he showed a conscience and let him live.
A wonderful touch that further shows what an excellent leader Mal is, is that while he dresses down Jayne when he INSISTS they kick Simon & River off, and defends them,
he has a FRANK discussion PRIVATELY (after Jayne leaves) with Simon about how, if things don't improve, he WILL have to kick them off soon.
THAT is how you are SUPPOSED to address an issue! Privately. Not humiliating people with an "audience" around.
I might be in the minority, but Simon is actually my favorite character on the show. He might have a very bad case of foot in mouth syndrome on occasion, but his endless love and dedication to his sister and his willingness to give up everything he's ever known for her and her safety pushed him to my number 1 spot.
If you're in the minority, then i'm there with you.
@@davidlacoste good to know I'm not alone
It's very hard to pick a favorite but Simon is definitely well up there. Maybe just below River (I watched Fifth Element at an impressionable age and am very weak for River's trope 😂)
Since they were children, Simon has known how very special and unique River is (as if we all aren't unique, but you get it).
He describes her as "A gift". That means a gift to all. He'll die before he lets anything happen to her.
He's a damn good doctor, too.
River: "He looks better in red."
Jacqui: "Redder is better!"
Ehm.. 👉👈 Do... 😬 Do we need to worry about anything? 😳😰🥲
Just kidding of course! 😂😂😂
Really looking forward to watching this reaction in a bit! I love the end. I believe that if Jayne hadn't shown actual shame for what he'd done at the end, Mal would have let him die. It wasn't exactly contrition, but in that moment, Mal saw that Jayne was more worried about having let down the rest of the crew than anything else. Given how loyal Mal is to his crew, that goes a very long way with him, because it's the closest Jayne has ever come to actually putting the crew before himself.
Exactly. Mal was not bluffing. He was dead set on killing Jayne then and there. But when he saw that Jayne accepted his death but still didn't want anyone to know what he did, Mal could tell that was genuine shame and remorse.
I don't think Mal was originally going to spare Jayne, he just wanted closure and as he said, he'll confront people who wrong him directly. Jayne was going to die, but Jayne caring enough about the crew to care about his legacy spared him.
Remember that you said this while watching a certain upcoming episode. Jayne was more worried about how he'd be remembered than he was about dying... If you hadn't said that, I wouldn't have tied his contrition here with what happens in that episode. (being vague on purpose).
Enjoying you enjoying Firefly is the next best thing to having more episodes come out.
I am loving this. Watched every episode as it came out and it totally feels like I'm rediscovering the series for the first time again. Thanks so much for watching this!
As a prop guy, I liked this episode almost as much as when I noticed the federal troops on the train wearing the armor and helmets from Starship Troopers.
If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend checking out Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog and keep in mind the doctor's lab-coat and the sonic shotgun from this episode.
Yep. those Mobile Infantry outfit were reused in several TV shows. I remember them being use the Babylon 5's spin off The Crusade.
With my freeze ray... (Yes, I know that it's the death ray)
Yeah, the playing with genre thing is one of the delights of the show IMO (in some ways it's a pretty obvious way to keep episodic TV fresh and yet so few episodic TV shows seem to do it well).
Never quite sure if the _very_ heavy leaning into the "space western" tropes gave them a mountain to climb OR actually made it _easier_ to "genre mash" (in the sense of it being easier to "break" the rules when the rules are super clear from the get go).
The part that Wash through when him and Kaylee were in the landfill was the exact part that broke in the previous episode, Out of Gas.
I can’t wait for the next episode! Getting to watch this show again through fresh eyes is such a fantastic feeling.
I’m so sad that we are coming to the end of the show pretty quickly. I hope you enjoy the next few episodes as much as we all have!
Jayne was in the right! And I think people often miss the depth to his character. He's not an idiot, if he was Mal wouldn't keep him around. He had plenty of chances so far to turn them in, and he didn't. He didn't turn them in until River proved she was a danger, and he even brought it up to Mal first. He had a point when he brought up that she could go after someone else; Kaylee or Inara maybe, who are not fighters. And Mal brushed his concerns off. We as an audience got to see Mal have a discussion with Simon about it, but in Jayne's POV Mal did nothing and acted like it wasn't a big deal. What's worse is that River shows no remorse or real understanding for what she did. We understand why a little, but in the setting and situation that's concerning. If that hadn't happened, I don't think Jayne would have done it, but considering all that I think he had every reason and right to turn them in.
Does he regret it? Yes, he does, and I don't think he only regrets it because of the feds. First off, when he does call them, he isn't all gloating about it. I think he thinks of it as protecting the crew, because if he didn't care about the crew he had chances in the past to betray them or leave and he didn't. Then he sees Simon save that guy, finds out what happened to River, and he starts regretting it. I could see his leaving early, saying the plan changed, was him hoping to get out before the feds he called found them, as the scene seems strange otherwise.
So, while he may have regretted it rightfully so afterwards, he had every reason to try and turn them in.
People often miss the little moments throughout the show that hint he isn't the Neanderthal he pretends to be. He's one of my favorite characters, and I wish more people saw him beyond the surface.
Jacqui: Is he going to have some dramatic hero moment...?"
Me: You _do_ remember this is Jayne Cobb we're talking about, right? The one who's only a hero on Canton, and that was by accident.
Jacqui(probably): Oh, right. Sorry, lost my head for a minute there.
😆
I was like, "Well, you're half right: he will get every word correct. But I wouldn't call it a 'hero' moment." 😂
Me: Jayne is a hero... I decided that when I learned why he is the way he is.
He's actually a little bit like Tuco from "The Good the Bad and the Ugly"....
If you love the heist film genre and haven’t yet seen The Sting, you must!! It’s the best version of that kind of story ever made, winning the 1973 Best Picture Oscar along with six others.
I saw that in a packed theater and the gasp at the sting was something I will always remember. They stung the audience as well as the bad guy!
This is my favorite episode primarily because of the exchange between Nathan Fillion and Adam Baldwin at the end. Great acting on both their parts, and a very powerful scene.
I will now take the chance to defend Jayne, not because I think what he did was right or good, but just because I think people too often simplify his motivation to greed, and I feel that Jayne's character is one of the most nuanced in the show. We did have foreshadowing of his tendency to betray his crew previously, such as when he kicked Stitch Hitchens off the ship as he was trying to escape. We also have another one that isn't quite as clear cut, the one seen in a flashback in Out of Gas. There he betrays his crewmates, but not at the mention of more money. He betrays them only after Mal offers him his own bunk and an equal position among the crew. This was something he hadn't been getting in the old crew, and that was what turned him, finally. He wanted to feel like a valued part of his crew.
It's very easy to overlook the fact that, before this betrayal, River attacked him with a potentially deadly weapon, unprovoked (as far as he knew, and the real reason wasn't actually his fault, it was his shirt). That is a reasonable cause to dislike another crew member, especially when you already have a penchant for disliking Simon. Then, when he's being fixed up and he's complaining to the captain he is told off in front of Simon, having his concerns dismissed out of hand. He doesn't witness Mal's ultimatum to Simon, so in his view he has been told off for complaining about being attacked by a mentally unstable crew member and had his concerns disregarded. Now it's starting to look like Mal might be favoring Simon and River over him, eroding Jayne's sense of value by the captain. Furthermore, Simon and River being on the ship is a legitimate threat to the crew. Simon came on board under false pretenses, not revealing his fugitive status so that Mal could choose beforehand whether to take him on, and that was a dick move. We tend to give him a pass because we sympathize with his cause, but he really did drag this crew into his troubles without their consent, and then threatened to let Kaylee die if they didn't flee the authorities. With all this, it's no wonder Jayne would be inclined to turn them in. In his view, he's doing the captain a favor by getting rid of a threat to the crew's safety, and in reality they are a threat. Hell, Jayne probably thought it was a beneficial thing, and in some ways it was, except that it was stupidly done and against the captain's wishes. We see in the first episode, when Kaylee is being operated on, that Jayne watches through a window hunched over and biting his thumb, indicating that he cares about her, and probably all of his crew. I believe this was done every bit as much out of regard for the safety of the crew as it was for money, if not more, and I have a feeling that if River hadn't attacked him, he wouldn't have betrayed them, even with a big reward out there.
Your face as the first feds died was priceless.
There was a reason River attacked... sliced, Jayne's shirt. The series didn't live long enough to truly explore it... Everything River does makes sense if you get the motivation, which normally we only get AFTER it happens.
There is a fairly common belief that Mal intended to kill Jayne. It was his request Mal lie that saved him. He knew what he did was wrong. He knew he deserved to be punished ever killed... so his only request was to be remembered "better" than he was. Mal understood Jayne wasn't completely "lost" in that moment and spared him. I subscribe to this theory.
Everyone plays their part in the crew and everyone has their flaws. The ability to maximized your strengths and minimize your flaws makes this a great crew. They understand their weaknesses and overcome them... even Jayne.
Ariel's my favorite episode. Mal's emotion at the end, when he's trying to hammer into Jayne's head how badly he screwed up, and Jayne realizing it himself on some level.
And then just the icing on the cake the final exchange between Simon and River finally giving her some hope.
This is my favorite episode of the show. One cool thing I actually never noticed until recently; Simon's mercy saved Jayne's life in a roundabout way. When they fight back against the officers who were escorting them, Jayne kills his officer, but Simon only constricts his officer's airway until he passes out, leaving him alive. A few minutes later, when Jayne is about to double back and fight his way out, he changes his mind when the Blue Hands find the guy Simon left alive and kill him on the spot. The thing that made him change his mind was hearing that guy's death screams. If Simon had killed him, he would have already been dead and obviously wouldn't be screaming, and Jayne would have walked right into the Blue Hands, who almost surely would have killed him on the spot.
I love re-watching firefly with people who have never seen it. Your reactions probably mirror my own the first time I sat down to binge
River's extreme fear of "going to sleep" will become apparent in "Serenity". Viewing the scene with Simon and River when he gives her the shot is even more heartbreaking after you know.
Mal was ABSOLUTELY ready to kill Jayne. The only thing that saved his bacon was Jayne showing Mal that he actually cared what the rest of the crew thought of him. While Jayne and Mal often don't see eye-to-eye, Jayne respects Mal for being the thinker Jayne isn't... and Mal (generally) respects Jayne and the skillset he brings to the table, although Jayne's frequent need for correction gets on Mal's nerves sometimes.
You can't entirely blame Jayne for turning Simon and River in. He didn't like them and didn't consider them part of the crew... and that was BEFORE River went and attacked him with a knife, unprovoked and out of the blue. As he said, he got stupid, and getting slashed with that knife is what put him over the edge. He's often the butt of everyone else's jokes, and he takes more abuse than he deserves, but he cares (in his own way) about his dysfunctional family on board Serenity. He's saved all their lives multiple times over.
Mal gave Jayne a little attitude adjustment upside his head with that wrench and laid down the law... and I don't think anyone was more surprised than Mal that it actually got through to Jayne... so he let him live another day. Mal demonstrated to Jayne that Simon and River are under his protection, and Jayne won't cross Mal on that front again.
Not condoning Jayne's actions or absolving him of his guilt, but the guy was under a lot of stress, and at the end of the day, he learned his lesson. Just sayin'. YMMV.
Not quite sure if Jayne respects Mal as a thinker, but I think Jayne respects Mal as a leader who will never backstab him. I also think Mal is basically a father figure to Jayne. There's also subtle things along the way, such as the affection he shows for his mother and how he feels about the mudders which indicate that Jayne is like a little boy wanting to please his parents.
Out of Gas, Ariel and War Stories are my three favorite episodes of the show.
I would say.. The Message... Out of Gas and War Stories are mine.
@@mcgilj1 I do like The Message but I like how Ariel had an actual successful heist from the crew and we got a bit more about the Hands of Blue and saw a reason River is so scared of them. I also like Mal being enraged at Jayne for trying to sell out the Tams
I love the "chimpmunk" version of the theme song.
It's like something Kaylee would program to get everyone laughing.
y'know - I never thought of it that way... and yeah... it would be 😂
I like how the ring around the image of River's brain turns red right as Jayne lies to Simon about the plan changing
Another show to consider watching is "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." It had one seasn in 1993, and was created in the spirit of Indiana Jones, inspired by old serial movies. The two showrunners had worked on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! It's similar to this in that they play on all sorts of genres, but the main setting... is a western... with SciFi elements...
all things bruce campbell!
Pay attention here. This little medical emergency where Simon takes over is actually better than sooooo many others. The whole thing is spot on.
You would think it would draw attention, but it has the opposite effect: nobody wants to be the next one to get chewed out, so everybody kinda keeps their head down...
For fictional medications, not bad.
Except... not. You don't give electric shock when the heart had stopped. It won't do any good.
@@migmit That's a very common mistake that you will see in loads of medical events on-screen, even medically based shows like "House", will make the same error.
@@jcorbett9620 Oh yes, certainly.
What bugs me a little is that this episode features a more realistic use of a defibrillator, when Zoe knocks out that doctor.
Did you notice that when Wash and Kaylee were at the junkyard, Wash threw a compression coil at the craft they ended up turning into the ambulance for the heist. The compression coil was the very same part needed to fix the ship in the previous episode 'Out of Gas'.
8:54 Funny enough this moment is also an interesting indirect characterization of Simon
Bc Simon believes completely in the skill and promise of the core doctors. He thinks that no hospital worker would ever NOT do their due diligence to make sure a patient was treated appropriately. His comment later in the episode cements this. “No one is going to die, this is the best hospital in the core” but in reality doctors can make negligent mistakes or stupid errors.
Hey Red, I love hearing your insights into how things work behind the scenes. In an alternate universe, I was going to get into acting and film art once upon a time. I should've. These worlds of fantasy and story telling are my world, but alas, I went a conservative route, then into survival mode for the past 2 decades.
So to be learning even a snippet of what you know from your education and participation in the screen arts world is a real treat.
Thank you.
River drawing Russian nesting dolls. (Which I've never noticed before, thanks for pointing it out.) Which I think means that certain people on the ship are like -Ogres- onions. They have layers. (Not layers like parfait; onions make you cry.)
I understood that reference.
But... I really like parfait....
@@davidlacoste And I, that one.
And there's a later reference to the fact that Mal smuggled nesting dolls. That was the next highest profit after the meds obtained in this episode. If I remember correctly...
Oh yeah, I've wanted to comment this for several episodes and kept forgetting: I absolutely adore your substitute phrases for swearing. 1, they're inventive and fun. 2, the frequency makes me think you probably aren't shy about swearing irl, and the contrast with your on-screen persona makes me happy.
Long time ago, in a city far, far away i worked in a customer service call center. We were forbidden from swearing, even off the phone, because it might be picked up by someone else's phone mic. So when I would get off of a difficult call, I would say "monkey" instead of swearing. Eventually, the whole call center was doing it. And 20 years later, I'm still saying "monkey" when I can't swear. 😅
You mentioned the camera work during the "heist planning" bit and it reminded me of something. They used shoulder cameras when shooting Firefly, without steadycams or anything like that, specifically to give the series that documentary feel that you mentioned in some earlier episodes. There's one exception though, and that's when they're focusing on the Alliance, mostly, anyway. I think in this episode it's mostly noticeable when the camera is tracking the Hands of Blue, they switch to dolly cams with very stable, rigid even movements. The choice I believe was said to show how the Alliance is order and restriction while Serenity is chaos and freedom (interesting relationships in those words). it's very subtle and easy to miss, but worth pointing out, I think.
22:09 Jayne, in the radio " Can I come in to the out now?"
Mal, half way up the stairs "No, you can't come into the out now!!!!"
I absolutely LOVE that you used Tim the Enchanter to say GET ON WITH IT!
"St. Lucy" was a medieval tale about a good chaste Christian girl who was pressed for affection in a letter by a boy who said her eyes were so beautiful he fell immediately in love. She cut her eyes out and sent them to him. In my community she represents the unbalanced urge to harm oneself because someone doesn't appreciate you the way you expect.
Giving away one's own eyeballs while still alive is taking Christian charity way too far.
It is conjectured that the story was concocted surrounding (and appropriating) goddess statues where the jewels set in the eyes had been stolen leaving empty sockets.
This episode shows a lot of insight in its writing. We are all much more confident in familiar enviroments. This is how smart and apt Simon actually is.
I wasn't able to keep up with these reactions due to some personal business, but I'm bound and determined to finish them now. Probably my favorite thing about Mal is the fidelity he shows to his crew. It's a trait far more people should aspire to. What I like about this episode maybe even more, is the fact that River knew all along, from that knife slash to that moment in the scanner when you can literally see that she knows. Her statements, and actions become even more interesting in retrospect than they are the first time through.
The second time in his life that Jayne ever felt ashamed of himself.
This is the lowest thing he's ever done, but it's such a moment of growth for him as a character.
One of my favorite episodes!!!
*The end scene between Mal & Jayne.* - Brilliant acting from both. This is one of my favorite scenes in all of Firefly.
MY SPECULATIONS:
I have no doubt Mal was going to kill Jayne. But then Jayne showed genuine shame & remorse. He accepted his fate and stopped begging. He was more concerned with not wanting the crew to know what he did. Mal spared his life because that is someone worth redemption that Mal can still work with.
I like to think the character growth Jayne went through in 'Jaynestown' allowed him to feel that level of shame, which just saved his life.
*River's statements:*
'A copper for a kiss' - Directed at Jayne. This alludes to when Judas betrayed Jesus. The difference being Judas got 30 coins of silver. Jayne didn't even get copper (which taints green when oxidized).
'They stole Christmas' - River is telling Jayne he wasn't getting his reward money.
'He looks better in Red' - Jayne's blue shirt logo is now red with Jayne's blood. More Described in the Easter egg below
*Easter Eggs:*
1) The food Simon was eating that 'smelled like crotch' is one of the mystery meals from when River was ripping labels off cans (in Shindig). River then slashes Jaynes shirt with a knife. She was attacking the blue logo on Jayne's shirt. Those canned food labels also had the same blue logo on them. The logo was 'The Blue Sun Corporation'.
2) In the junkyard, Wash threw a catalyzer when he found the Ambulance Body. That catalyzer was of the same model that needed replacement in 'Out of Gas'.
I love your commitment to Good Place cursing!
Chipmunk Serenity - *giggles* ♥ Kaylee! Fun watching the crew trying to memorize & speak medical terminology 😃
Zoe's 'clear' makes me laugh every time! 😃 'Jayne fork you!' - agreed! 2 by 2 hands of blue! 🥶
This is in my top 3 list of Firefly eps.
It is also the episode that aired the week Fox announced the series was cancelled.
Loved how each episode is "a different genre" and how well Josh Wheden did that. Your reactions are fun to watch - hope you are well!
I was waiting for a smile or thumbs-up from you when River said Jayne “looks better in red”! 😊
7:08 Hah! I don't know if I'd call it heroic though...
8:09 The Acting!! Summer Glau!
8:54 He did nail the line, but it was played off for laughs.
16:56 you know it!
24:19 Yep, a rite of passage for any Browncoat!
I've always loved this show, but through watching your reactions I understand why!
Thank you Jacqui!
Fun fact. I don't remember the exact one, but there's an episode of Castle where Castle is putting on blue latex gloves, and he puts up 2 fingers on each hand back to back and then makes a wave motion with his hands and fingers(2 by 2, hands of blue). Nathan stated during an interview that this was an improv thing he did as a nod to Firefly.
I loved finally seeing a "Core" planet for the first time. You get to see the difference between the places we've been before with dust, horses and a shack and this tall high-tech city.
Imo the best episode of the series. Tightly written, but very much hinting at the larger narrative. And all the character beats you would expect.
Captain sassy pants always knows!
2:32 Brings a new meaning to "Redder is Always Better."
Fun trivia time!
So, I don't think any of this info will spoil any upcoming episodes, and you probably won't come across it except in other comments or if you really dig into the show's lore: the original intention with the Hands of Blue guys was to have them, and the group that experimented on River, be part of a mega corporation called Blue Sun, that was working with the Alliance government. It was also going to turn out that their merchandise, ads, and products are EVERYWHERE in the background of the show, and many of River's strange episodes are caused by seeing their logo and stuff.
The shirt that Jayne is wearing that River cut in this episode? A Blue Sun shirt with their logo on it. She was attacking the logo, not Jayne.
The episode where she rips the labels off a bunch of food cans, leaving Book to comment how they'll be having "mystery meals" for a little while? All made by Blue Sun, with their logo on the labels.
Once the crew would have learned about that in a future season, it was supposed to be one of those things you'd only catch on a rewatch when you realized that Blue Sun was all around in the environment the whole time. Also makes it interesting how you noted the blue paint and everything colored blue all over the Alliance facility, a place where Blue Sun has a strong influence due to their ties with the government.
Jacqui: "WHY?! For what possible reason?!"
Jane: "Uh, money?"