Is the Alliance that bad...? (no spoilers) by kcfromto

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Is the Alliance that bad...? (no spoilers)

POSTED BY: KCFROMTO
UPDATED: Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:25
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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 7:38 AM

Hi. I belong to the Toronto Browncoats and this is my first post here. For those of you in Toronto, the group is getting together this Saturday-night, Oct. 8th : email me if you need more info.

I have a question about the Alliance in the Firefly series : what did they do that was so bad? Why were the Browncoats formed? Could they have done a better job of running things?

It seems to me that everything is quite peaceful on the Alliance controlled planets.

Just curious,
KC
email : mach_baron2001@yahoo.ca

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 7:46 AM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG

Life is not peaceful on Alliance controlled planets, it's peaceful on the core planets. The Alliance control every planet (and moon) we saw in the series and most of them are barely surviving. The Alliance doesn't have the manpower to protect and serve every world spinning.

What did they do that was so bad? They invaded worlds that didn't want to be part of the Alliance. They forced themselves on unprepared civilians who just wanted to live their lives in peace. People fought back because they wanted their freedom more than they wanted ruling, even if that ruler believed they were doing what was best for everyone. They wanted a galaxy where people could think and act as they wanted not be forced to by a government million of miles away with no understanding of their ways, customs of values.

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And the premiere is closer...

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:09 AM

STATIC

Imagine what you know of The American Civil War without the catalyst of slavery...

What it boiled down to was not so much the specific right to own slaves, but the fact that some states (The Confederacy) wanted to be independent, similar to the 'city states' of ancient Rome...a bunch of little nations. The Union wanted a single federal government. The Confederacy feared a loss of individual states rights.

The Browncoats were the same way. They felt that having 'system-wide' laws imposed by a government that was worlds away was unfair. They fought against Alliance control in favor of each world having it's own government.

And now. . .with the Alliance in control, we see in the series AND the film how they've spread themselves too thin in such regard. They control the whole system, yet they cannot afford to enforce the law on border worlds, so they contract to unreliable private corporations for these things. . .and what happens? Payroll heists. I have several other examples and thoughts, but I'm tired and cannot focus them very well without rambling, so I'll stop here.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:09 AM

GIANTEVILHEAD

The Alliance is great. It's so fuzzy and wuzzy and cuddly, like a great big teddy bear. I love the Alliance and the Alliance loves me. The Alliance loves you too. The Alliance loves everyone. The Alliance is just a great big ball of love. The Alliance is just so cute and huggably soft that it makes newborn infants look like a pile of puke.

"I swallowed a bug." -River Tam

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:17 AM

THEGREYJEDI

The Alliance is not inherently evil. However, in the limited scope of our BDH's involvement with the Alliance, we see the bureaucractic or outright evil side of the large federal government. But as evidenced in Ariel, there are bits of the government (Blue Hands) that will kill other bits (Alliance officers). I like to think that if given the chance, we might have seen a sympathetic Alliance government or military character. The Alliance was Mal's enemy for most of his adult life, not "the" enemy.

And as for the motivation of the independents, I think Static's hit it on the head. Though I don't think there was a bad intention on the Alliance's part in that. They just wanted everyone to be unified, same rights, same protections. Granted, it didn't work as planned, but the plan itself was a noble one. But then people got involved and mucked things up.

Did I mention I have a tendency to sympathise with antagonists?

--------------------------------------------------------------
Chief Engineer - USS SereniTREE
http://tomeofgrey.blogspot.com
http://www.cafepress.com/thegreyjedi
Real Fans Wait - 09/30/05

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:36 AM

NINGJING

The answer is yes. Now breathe in the sedating chemicals we've introduced into your atmosphere and stop questioning our benevolence.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:39 AM

BEOWULF

Quote:
Why were the Browncoats formed? Could they have done a better job of running things?

It seems to me that everything is quite peaceful on the Alliance controlled planets.

Select to view spoiler:

Things were especially peaceful on Miranda.

You're answering your own question. The problem isn't that the Browncoats thought they could do a better job of running the Alliance controlled planets; the problem is that they didn't want anyone running or controlling them.

I mean, on some levels that's far too simplistic an answer, but it is what we know for sure.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:56 AM

DONCOAT

*Subtle Spoiler Warning*

They meddle.

As somebody said (in reference to Jayne on the Firefly DVD commentary), everybody's the hero in their own story. In Jayne's mind, he's the righteous main character of the series.

The same holds true for every viillain and bad guy in history. And in a broader sense, for governments as well. The leaders of the Third Reich sincerely believed they were building a better world. So did Pol Pot.

And so does the Alliance. Better worlds. All of them.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:57 AM

KINGPAUSE

As with any conflict, I think it's mostly a matter of perspective. I'm sure there is plenty of good (and evil) on both sides.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:25 AM

CITIZEN

Well, the Alliance did try and change people's perceptions, personallities themselves...

Do you not find that a little distastefull?

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you Beeeer Milkshakes!
Zen Buddhist to the Hotdog Vendor:
"Make me one with everything."

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