Mouseferatu
Hero
RigaMortus2 said:
The human race left Earth hundreds of years ago. "Earth That Was" is practically legend.
That fact is, IIRC, more heavily implied in the series than the movie, but even the movie made the implication.
Super SPOILER FILLED Serenity thread
- Thread starter Dagger75
- Start date
The human race left Earth hundreds of years ago. "Earth That Was" is practically legend.
That fact is, IIRC, more heavily implied in the series than the movie, but even the movie made the implication.
Mouseferatu
Hero
And I have no problem with "pointless" death in movies like this. Why? Because sometimes people die pointlessly.
I loved the character of Wash. I'm sorry he's gone. But I do not, in any way, feel that Joss was "in the wrong" for killing him. It added to the tension for a lot of people, myself included. But even if it had not, it was perfectly appropriate for the events that were happening at the time.
I loved the character of Wash. I'm sorry he's gone. But I do not, in any way, feel that Joss was "in the wrong" for killing him. It added to the tension for a lot of people, myself included. But even if it had not, it was perfectly appropriate for the events that were happening at the time.
Ankh-Morpork Guard
First Post
I really, really don't think Wash's death was 'just for shock factor'. I'd say that's a cop out excuse, really. Wash's death DOES serve a purpose, albiet one that may very well be setting up something more in the series(movies, TV, whatever). With Wash's death, you change characters.
EVERYONE becomes different after that, and then the risk goes up 100% when you realize that these people are not immune like most heroes in stories are. Not only does it push the risk factor up and heighten tension, but it also means that Zoe, Mal, et all will be extremely different people afterwards. Sure, we don't have much of an afterwards(which is why it feels like a good set up for more), but what we DO have is the fight where you really see this effect and change its had on people.
It DID have meaning, but not in the same direct way that Book's death did.
Honestly, though, I'm glad Joss isn't afraid to kill characters. Too often in movies the main characters are immune to death. Its become too common over the years and it makes watching movies far too predictable. That risk of death is something that isn't so common these days, and its a breath of fresh air. In fact, I think its one of the BEST parts about the movie which really makes it stand out.
EVERYONE becomes different after that, and then the risk goes up 100% when you realize that these people are not immune like most heroes in stories are. Not only does it push the risk factor up and heighten tension, but it also means that Zoe, Mal, et all will be extremely different people afterwards. Sure, we don't have much of an afterwards(which is why it feels like a good set up for more), but what we DO have is the fight where you really see this effect and change its had on people.
It DID have meaning, but not in the same direct way that Book's death did.
Honestly, though, I'm glad Joss isn't afraid to kill characters. Too often in movies the main characters are immune to death. Its become too common over the years and it makes watching movies far too predictable. That risk of death is something that isn't so common these days, and its a breath of fresh air. In fact, I think its one of the BEST parts about the movie which really makes it stand out.
Dark Jezter
First Post
RigaMortus2 said:
Inara is the only member of the cast that I don't care for at all. It seemed that her only purpose in the show was to look pretty and act as a possible love interest for Mal. She was easily the least interesting member of Serenity's crew both in terms of background and personality.
Kobold Avenger
Legend
Inara in the series was one the character who showed how different their society was from ours, that they're values were different. She's the 'cultured' one (along with Simon) and the rest of the crew isn't.
stevelabny
Explorer
Wash's death serves so many purposes.
It is done to give a sense of urgency to the film. To make you worry that ANY or ALL of them will die in the finale. It makes you sit at the edge of your seat.
It is done to show realism. If you do crazy suicide missions like this, sometimes you die.
It makes you believe that this is a real. Not another happily ever after fairy tale.
It is done to make you feel emotion. Very few movies actually affect the audience, and many Firefly fans cried for Wash.
And most importantly it is done because Wash's character arc was over.
On the series, he was the normal guy. He wasn't in the war, but he married into this strange "family" and found a home. But he always felt inferior, he was the comic-relief, and the pilot nothing more. He wasn't a soldier, he wasn't a hero, and he was definitely treated as a second-class crew member.
In War Stories this all comes out and is mostly resolved. His problems with Mal and Zoe's relationship are settled. He is at peace with his role.
In the movie, he finally gets his chance to be the hero. To be their equal. To prove to them that he belongs. He is a leaf on the wind.
Joss knew he needed to do all these things.
Make people feel, make people believe, make people sit at the edge of their seats.
Joss knew he was ending Wash's character arc.
And he tied everything together so suddenly, so brutally, so beautifully, that many people are so emotional about it that they're angry about it.
This could very well be the best and most complete death scene ever. It works on so many levels.
It is done to give a sense of urgency to the film. To make you worry that ANY or ALL of them will die in the finale. It makes you sit at the edge of your seat.
It is done to show realism. If you do crazy suicide missions like this, sometimes you die.
It makes you believe that this is a real. Not another happily ever after fairy tale.
It is done to make you feel emotion. Very few movies actually affect the audience, and many Firefly fans cried for Wash.
And most importantly it is done because Wash's character arc was over.
On the series, he was the normal guy. He wasn't in the war, but he married into this strange "family" and found a home. But he always felt inferior, he was the comic-relief, and the pilot nothing more. He wasn't a soldier, he wasn't a hero, and he was definitely treated as a second-class crew member.
In War Stories this all comes out and is mostly resolved. His problems with Mal and Zoe's relationship are settled. He is at peace with his role.
In the movie, he finally gets his chance to be the hero. To be their equal. To prove to them that he belongs. He is a leaf on the wind.
Joss knew he needed to do all these things.
Make people feel, make people believe, make people sit at the edge of their seats.
Joss knew he was ending Wash's character arc.
And he tied everything together so suddenly, so brutally, so beautifully, that many people are so emotional about it that they're angry about it.
This could very well be the best and most complete death scene ever. It works on so many levels.
Shadowdancer
First Post
Kobold Avenger said:
Inara (on the series at least) also was a sort of ambassador for the ship since she was the most respectable member of the crew. Another way that Joss shows how different the Firefly 'Verse is different from our own. The irony that a "licensed companion" (basically a legal prostitute) is more respectable than a cargo ship's captain and crew.
I have no problem with Inara. I like her character.
Miranda couldn't be Earth because a) Earth is in a whole 'nother solar system and b) Earth got used up. No more natural resources. There may be a few people left, but in the 500 years since the big exodus, they probably died off.
BrooklynKnight
First Post
Shadowdancer said:
Exactly. Inara gives, or gave crediblity to the crew. I really liked the episode where she ended up helping with the heist to steal the gun.
Remember also that Inara is more then just a two bit hooker. Her kind receives actual training in body language and manipulation, communications, etc. She was able to read Mals "wife" like a book.
I think she's a very valuable part of the crew. I'm glad the way the movie ended she decided to stay (despite not actually saying so). Besides, she was pretty to look at!
Nareau
Explorer
This thread has gone on too long without someone trying to stat-out the characters. Did someone already do a thread like that, and I missed it? Or are we simply being direlect in our duty to be obsessively geeky?
If it hasn't been done in recent memory, how about we stat out the crew as 32-piont-buy 10th-level D&D 3.5 characters?
Spider
If it hasn't been done in recent memory, how about we stat out the crew as 32-piont-buy 10th-level D&D 3.5 characters?
Spider
Storm Raven
First Post
RigaMortus2 said:
She brought money and respectability.
Similar Threads
