war stories by mirthmaster

FIREFLY EPISODE DISCUSSIONS

war stories

POSTED BY: MIRTHMASTER
UPDATED: Monday, February 13, 2006 18:52
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Monday, February 13, 2006 4:39 AM

i know this will be old news to many of you, but as a newbie who just purchased the firefly dvd, i have been rationing myself to one episode per day, and i just saw "war stories" for the first time. while i love every episode, and have to admit that the spirit of this one is a little different than anything else from the "verse", the multiple layers of meaning and premonition in the opening sequence about the teachings of the psycho dictator (shan yu is in my mind, but doesn't sound quite right, sorry). in the episode, each characters inner strength and values are revealed in the "test of fire", from Jaynes often misplaced loyalty, and i believe, almost worship of mal, to the stalwart nature of simon, the lethal inner core of book, who looks totally at home with a serious piece of killing machine (how good is he as an actor) and the uncertainity of kaylee, beside the more obvious reveals of mal, river, zoe, and wash. within the confines of a hour-long television episode, i am not sure that i have ever seen as much character development. "out of gas" has a wonderful structure and a neatness that is on par with other wonderful examples of that type of nested storytelling, but i am not sure that i have ever seen anything as subtle and significant as that episode. i am in awe of the people, both storytellers and actors, who brought to the screen what could be a simple tell of violence, evil, and revenge, and instead made it the starting point for much that was brought to fruition in the movie.

"its worse than you know"

"it usually is"

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Monday, February 13, 2006 4:57 AM

ELOISA

I have the same response to that episode (90% certain now that it is my favourite) - especially with regards to Jayne's continuing character development. Going on the mission in WS despite having described it as suicidal is the first time he shows any real loyalty to Mal. A relic of Ariel? I think so.

***
http://forums.ffonline.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19
Creative Writing

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Monday, February 13, 2006 12:13 PM

NUCLEARDAY

I heartily agree, that's one of the more telling episodes, not to mention the fact that it revealed alot about all nine of the crew in that ep.

I could never pick a 'favorite' episode, but War Stories is certainly in the running simply for the "emotional rollercoaster" aspect. In the course of that one episode, you run the whole gamut from dark to darkly humorous, to downright hysterical, scary, touching, and downright awed, all at the same time. Great juxtapositions in that one.

As well as having some of my favorite moments. (Still crack up every time at the end where Zoe restrains the others from shooting the henchman. "This is something Mal has to do himself." "No it's not!" :)

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Monday, February 13, 2006 12:18 PM

GUTTERBALL

I love watching War Stories with the commentary. Cracks me up to hear Wash and Mal talk about how Jayne never blinks when he shoots (they call Adam Baldwin a machine, heh) and how poor Wash had to keep asking how to look cool with a gun because he's sure he looks like a geek.

What a riot!

Yes, it's an excellent episode. One of my favorites, to be sure. I especially love how we finally get to see an inkling of the assassin that River was forced to be.

*BAM*BAM*BAM!*

No power in the 'Verse can stop her. And damn if she weren't serious!

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Monday, February 13, 2006 12:46 PM

RYCE

I've always wondered...what did Wash mean by "The whole "captain" thing isn't Zoe's trouble. It's the guy-she-never-slept-with thing"? I've never quite understood it.

No power in the 'verse can stop me!

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Monday, February 13, 2006 2:12 PM

GUTTERBALL

Quote:
Originally posted by Ryce:
I've always wondered...what did Wash mean by "The whole "captain" thing isn't Zoe's trouble. It's the guy-she-never-slept-with thing"? I've never quite understood it.

I took it to mean that Wash would rather believe that Zoe had unrequited feelings for Mal than that she simply follows him out of military loyalty. It's like, in the extremity of his pain, he'd rather believe she wanted the guy she never got than that she'd blindly, mindlessly follow someone.

But that was the torture talking. At that point, I think they were both just extrapolating worst case scenarios to keep their minds off the torture.

________________________________________

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Monday, February 13, 2006 3:03 PM

GORBISHUN

Quote:
Originally posted by GutterBall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryce:
I've always wondered...what did Wash mean by "The whole "captain" thing isn't Zoe's trouble. It's the guy-she-never-slept-with thing"? I've never quite understood it.

I took it to mean that Wash would rather believe that Zoe had unrequited feelings for Mal than that she simply follows him out of military loyalty. It's like, in the extremity of his pain, he'd rather believe she wanted the guy she never got than that she'd blindly, mindlessly follow someone.

But that was the torture talking. At that point, I think they were both just extrapolating worst case scenarios to keep their minds off the torture.

________________________________________

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Huh? I thought Wash meant that he wished Zoe had slept with Mal, just gotten it over with. That way it would be done and over, or in the past, or whatever. That way Zoe would presumably be "over it." There wouldn’t be the so-called "sexual tension."

Just what I took it to mean.

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Monday, February 13, 2006 3:08 PM

GUTTERBALL

Quote:
Originally posted by Gorbishun:
I thought Wash meant that he wished Zoe had slept with Mal, just gotten it over with. That way it would be done and over, or in the past, or whatever. That way Zoe would presumably be "over it." There wouldn’t be the so-called "sexual tension."

There ya go! In under 50 words, exactly what I tried to talk around. Heh. I went too in-depth.

Sorry!

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Monday, February 13, 2006 3:27 PM

GORBISHUN

Quote:
Originally posted by GutterBall:
There ya go! In under 50 words, exactly what I tried to talk around. Heh. I went too in-depth.

Sorry!

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Please remember that the 9:30 show is completely different from the 7:30 show. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

Thanks, I'm glad I could simplify things. For a second there I was confused.

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Monday, February 13, 2006 3:46 PM

GUTTERBALL

Quote:
Originally posted by Gorbishun:
For a second there I was confused.

*sheepish* Yeah, I'm good at that. Being confusing.

'S my specialty. I hear some people wash feet....

________________________________________

Please remember that the 9:30 show is completely different from the 7:30 show. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

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Monday, February 13, 2006 4:17 PM

KIZYR

War Stories is brilliantly done, very true. I think each person finds a 'favorite' (or juggles a few 'favorites') depending on what aspects they enjoy the most about the series.

Folks who love lots of exposition and background to make you really feel for the characters might enjoy Out of Gas the most.

Folks who enjoy subtle characterization and seeing what they'll do in extreme situations may enjoy War Stories more than most.

Folks like me who love the history of the 'verse, and things like the effects that war has on the men and women who fight it might love The Message most of all.

Folks who love the Western feel of the show might give a toss-up between The Train Job and Heart of Gold as their favorites.

Folks who love seeing how particular characters are under emotional, not just physical, duress might enjoy Heart of Gold more than others.

Folks who enjoy the brilliant and highly entertaining dialogue might like Our Mrs. Reynolds the most.

Folks who love the relationships between the characters might give the highest ratings to Shindig, or perhaps Jaynestown.

Fans of Jayne... well, duh.

Anyway, I'm waxing semi-poetic here, but the gist of it is that Firefly has so much to offer to folks' sensibilities and interests. Almost everyone can find something they love about it, and there's almost always an episode that encaptulates that something better than most. KF

~KF

Lord, I'm walking your way. Let me in, for my feet are sore, my clothes are ragged.
Look in my eyes, Lord, and my sins will play out on them as on a screen. Read them all.
Forgive what you can and send me on my path. I will walk on until you bid me rest.
~Haven Prayer

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Monday, February 13, 2006 6:45 PM

GORBISHUN

Quote:
Originally posted by GutterBall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Gorbishun:
For a second there I was confused.

*sheepish* Yeah, I'm good at that. Being confusing.

'S my specialty. I hear some people wash feet....

________________________________________

Please remember that the 9:30 show is completely different from the 7:30 show. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

I wash feet

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Monday, February 13, 2006 6:52 PM

GORBISHUN

Quote:
Originally posted by Kizyr:
Anyway, I'm waxing semi-poetic here, but the gist of it is that Firefly has so much to offer to folks' sensibilities and interests. Almost everyone can find something they love about it, and there's almost always an episode that encaptulates that something better than most. KF

Well put, Kizyr. It's absolutely true. None can resist the beautiful diversity of the 'verse.

If you can you must be insane. :þ

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