Firefly - I think I'm starting to get it *spoilers*

[Raging Epistaxis]

Talk about ugly ships, what about the Alliance cruisers - "OMG! It's Downtown Chicago in space - We're doomed!" What's with the flying skyscrapers? Even allowing that they don't need to be streamlined if they stay out of atmo, they are not appealing to me in the least. But then again, I guess that's the point.

I happen to like Serenity - she's not cool like the Shadow or Vorlon ships from B5, but there is a certain attractiveness to her simplicity and functionality.

R
` E

 

[Angel Tarragon]

When I saw the Alliance ship in the last episode aired by SciFi I immediately thought of the borg cube ship. Eep!

 

[sniffles]

In this thread, I asked what I was missing from Firefly because I didn't particular understand why it was so popular after watching the first two episodes.

Well, after watching two more episodes, "The Train Job" and "Bushwhacked", I can definitely say I'm starting to like it. I enjoyed both episodes a lot. I don't "love" it yet, but I understand better why people do. One thing that really helped, silly as it seems, is the opening narration by the Shepherd. It tells you why the war happened and why people act the way they do. Up until that point, I was wondering why the heck people acted like they lived in the old west in space.

Also, is it just me or does it seem like both episodes were written by someone else completely? The first two and next two episodes are just so different in the tone and the language used.

Anyway, I think I'm starting to "get it."

Yay! "The Train Job" is the one that hooked me - it was shown out-of-sequence as the first episode by Fox. When Mal kicked that guy into the engine intake, I was hooked.

 

[reveal]

When Mal kicked that guy into the engine intake, I was hooked.

To be honest, I was disappointed he did that. It definitely was true to form, but it seemed very "wrong" to me. I'm not saying it was not what he "should" have done, being who he is and what they're up against, but, to me, that's just wasn't the "right" thing to do, kicking a helpless man into a turbine and all, even if the man could be a threat. At the very least, he should have let the guy up and the two should have fought, if Mal wanted him dead.

My wife disagreed, as I'm sure a lot of people here do as well.

 

[Simplicity]

To be honest, I was disappointed he did that. It definitely was true to form, but it seemed very "wrong" to me. I'm not saying it was not what he "should" have done, being who he is and what they're up against, but, to me, that's just wasn't the "right" thing to do, kicking a helpless man into a turbine and all, even if the man could be a threat. At the very least, he should have let the guy up and the two should have fought, if Mal wanted him dead.

My wife disagreed, as I'm sure a lot of people here do as well.

The guy basically said, "When I get free, I'm going to hunt you down and kill you." Mal shouldn't let him loose and then fight him. They already fought. He lost. Mal couldn't just turn him in to the cops, and it's foolish to give someone who just tried to kill you or your friends a second chance at it.

Besides, it was pretty damn funny. When I saw that scene, I said to myself: "These people act exactly like the PCs in my campaigns." And I was sold.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

You think so? I think Serenity is gorgeous, just like her engineer.

Uh, oh. Do I see a "Greatest Vehicle Contest" thread coming up?

 

[reveal]

The guy basically said, "When I get free, I'm going to hunt you down and kill you." Mal shouldn't let him loose and then fight him. They already fought. He lost. Mal couldn't just turn him in to the cops, and it's foolish to give someone who just tried to kill you or your friends a second chance at it.

But there's a difference. Mal was losing the fight until Jayne shot the tough guy in the leg. When Mal had the guy on his knees, hands tied behind his back, that's when he decided to kill the guy. Just not something I view as right, even if the tough guy did threaten him.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Mal: "Mercy is the mark of a great man. Guess I'm just a good man. Well, I'm alright."

There ya go! All is explained.

 

[reveal]

Mal: "Mercy is the mark of a great man. Guess I'm just a good man. Well, I'm alright."

There ya go! All is explained.

Works for me.

 

[Fast Learner]

Plus, seriously, if a psychopathic and nasty killer said he was going to kill me and my family (Mal's crew, in this case), I knew he meant it and would absolutely go through with it, I knew the police wouldn't do anything to stop him, and I had the opportunity to kill him first... in real life? He'd be dead. I don't give a man a second chance to kill me and my family because I think it's more fair.

And I'm a pacifist.