Hey, that's what good movies and all good stories are about: creating emotion. I was totally speechless when I watched the BDM and saw Wash go. But that's what makes it so amazing. I was really sitting there, thinking: he can't be gone for good. In a normal movie he would have come back, somehow.

No, you should not warn your friend at all. Just let it happen to him. It is such a point where the story jumps into your face and says: here, see how real I am, you can feel me and I almost rip your heart out...*shiver*

I hate spoilers! ie DONT TELL 'im. It's always best ( I think) to do as hera said and let the movie speak for itself.

Urk. I mean dilemma. Yeah. That.

In my opinion, it would be best to not over-orchestrate your friends expectations. Just let the movie stand on it's own merits.

I also wouldn't tell him about Wash, it may just ruin the viewing for him -- he'll be a wreck going into it, and won't be able to relax and enjoy it. (I'm projecting here, I think that's how I would have reacted.) Let him find out the way we all did.

We survived, and he will too.

I do feel for your situation, though. It's a tricky ethical delimma!