I think it's somewhat appropriate to lump these episodes together, because you could consider them the core of the show. Comedy, backstories, chilling betrayal, excessive hemorrhaging. A small arc, of sorts, for Jayne. Learning, in the first case, that his actions can have unintended positive consequences, and, in the second case, that they can also have unintended negative ones. Maybe there's something to this loyality thing after all?
And in the comic: I really liked how it all wrapped up. Or, rather, I really liked the fight in the wrecked ship. I guess the return of Dobson was something planned for the show, but I still don't buy it. The only downfall the comic has, really, is that it reads like only the first act of an episode; and I don't mean that it serves only as a prequel to the movie. The movie connections are pretty slight.
One interesting thing, though. An Alliance higher-up, talking about a couple of the blue hand guys who came to a bad end: "Our independant contracters have. . . disappeared." Suggesting that they aren't government agents at all.
Posted by Mighty Blogger Snay (Member # 411) on :
Well, yeah, weren't they Blue Sun(?), which it was suggested had deep government links?
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
I think that's the shared assumption now; I mean, we know for a fact that Blue Sun was heading for a major role in the plot. But, as far as the show as aired goes, Blue Sun wasn't present beyond the occasional advertisement or corporate logo, and nothing at all is ever said about those men, beyond the facts that A.) they have authority of some sort and B.) are mean. But the idea that they were private agents, instead of public ones, isn't, I don't think, derivable from the show, which never got the chance to get into their origin or purpose. (Beyond retrieving River, of course.)
Posted by Mighty Blogger Snay (Member # 411) on :
... and, c) wear BLUE gloves!!!!!!!
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Well, yeah, them and every medical examiner this side of CSI: Anytown.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Actually, they're not gloves. Theyre body suits with blue gloves on the end of the sleeves. There's one frame in the comic where one of the guys gets hit and his shirt rips open. You can see the blue suit underneath with knobs or nipples or something on it.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
?
*checks*
!
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
(Though I'm sure the actors were just wearing those fancy medical examination gloves.)
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Probably.
I rewatched Ariel the other day and was reminded of the coolness with which the one guy kept slipping out his bleed-o-matic and opening it up.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
I really liked the Blue Hand Group, too... they were creepy without overdoing the horror genre too much, plus their limited appearances didn't overdo things. *cough*BORG*cough* I just wish we'd gotten a bit more information about who they were and just who they were working for...
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
This is as far as I've gotten, since I managed to get the box set cheaply enough.
I don't like the Blue Hand Gang. It's far too X-Files, goivernment-conspiracy stuff (and, just like the X-Files, they don't actually seem to be government at all). And the way they just stomp around killing everyone in the most messily noticeable way possible.
(this is probably all old news to you, since youi've all seen the film and I haven't)
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
If you want a spoiler about the Blue Hands from the comic, read below. They don't show up again in the series, anyway.
$$$$$$$$$$$$
The Blue Hands are independant contractors hired by the Alliance to track River down. They die in the comic series thus paving the way for The Operative to get on th job in the movie. And their hands are not actually blue. The men are wearing full body suits under their MIB outfits which end in blue gloves.
(Which, upon re-reading this thread, I see was all covered already...)
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
$$$$ Comic spoilers to follow
Yeah I almost think it's more interesting if they are just gloves. If I'm honest, the body suit thing from the comic kind of disappointed me. As did the idea that there were only two of them. As did the idea that they weren't actually part of some mega-super conglomerate/government agency. Me likey conspiracy.
/$$$$
So I've mulled it over and I think that "Out Of Gas" is my favorite Firefly episode. "Our Mrs. Reynolds" is written/acted to within an inch of its life and "Objects In Space" is obliquely profound yet still funny, but "Out of Gas" gets me every time. When Mal asks "Y'all gonna be here when I wake up?". Every time.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Speaking of them, I get a very blue-handed vibe off those two guys watching the security monitors at the facility in the beginning of Serenity.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Ariel is the clear favourite for me, I guess I'm just a sucker for heist movies. Plus it was nice to see that there are ray guns in the future and they're about as much use as a chocolate teapot.
Out of Gas is a close second, mainly for the scene when you see how Jayne was recruited. "Tell us where you hid the stuff, so's we can shoot ya!" Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Sol: I just watched Serenity tonight and I was thinking the same thing. But I looked real close when those guys came in the archive room with Dr. Mathias, soon before they all got sliced, and they didn't have blue hands.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I was hoping to se the "Blue Hand Group" in the movie, but the Operative was far cooler.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
No, I know they didn't have blue hands, I'm saying that, based on the, you know, vibe of the scene, that that's what they felt like. (And, indeed, while watching the film for the first time I was sure for a moment that they would have them.)
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
I concur.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
"War Stories" was great. I totally got into it, which is unusual for me. But when River takes the three guys out with three shots without looking or opening her eyes, I said "Fuck!" out loud.
"Trash" was OK. Another heist ep, really. And the whole we-have-to-trust-this-person-even-though-we-know-she's-gonna-betray-us-eventually thig gets really tedious after a while.
Oh, no! Only one disc to go! Oh, well - in case I haven't already said it, I can at least say to Snay: "Nyahh!"
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
One disk... that means "The Message", "Heart of Gold", and "Objects in Space"...
"The Message" is good. Lots of cool F-14 spaceshipey stuff. Just wait... you'll see.
"Heart of Gold"... so-so. But funny. And kind of sad. A nice little recap of the exodus from Earth-that-was and arrival at the new system, but you have to watch for it.
"Objects in Space"... very cool. "She understands. She doesn't comprehend."
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
"...I don't know these folks. Don't much care to."
"They're whores."
"I'm in."
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
Out of Gas was a great backstory episode, but I found it kind of boring. Ariel is one of my favorite though, and Jaynestown is pretty good.
"No power in the 'verse can stop me."
I bought a couple reproductions of Jayne's t-shirts from the series and movie, but what I need is the hat so that when people see me wearing it they'll know I have no fear.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
I was going to make a "No power in the verse can stop me" t-shirt on CafePress... but then I didn't.
I could probably whip up a Blue Sun shirt, though, if anyone wants one. I'll just need to find reference for the logo.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
I'll wait for Alan's to come on the market. I'm still miffed that the guy doing BSG Viper shirts on eBay seems to have discontinued that range, leaving only Caprica Buccaneers ones available.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
You may be better just getting one of those, Lee. The lowest I'll be able to sell it for will be CafePress' base price, which I think will be higher than what he's charging. And he's got more color options than CafePress.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
I would recommend bluesunshirts, they're good quality, withstand many washes, and best of all arrive within 3 days of ordering.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
To get that real Jayne Cobb look though... do you really want them to withstand alot of washing?
I have the free shop, so I had to switch a couple of existing products over to these, since I can only sell one of each kind of product. If you want any changes or additions to them, I can make them.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
Sweet a classic thong!
True, I do like the worn in look myself, but I also like to wear it in myself, I'm not a fan of pre-worn in clothes. I just meant to say that the logo won't come off easily.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
You should make the Serenity logo from the movie- the one on the side of the ship. Mabye a baseball hat.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
Well, I'm home sick, so I watched the last disc in one go. Disaster! When's the film out on DVD? Is there any news on any other sort of continuation?
I loved "Objects in Space." I'm not sure how Mal went from having a second fight with Early in the corridor, to outside in a suit so suddenly as to boot Jubal into the infinite. And the mention of the low odds of him surviving, along with that great last line, make me think that if the show'd lasted we'd have seen him again. Bit of a Slave One influence on his ship, too.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
(also, I'm so committed to making a financial contribution to the franchise, I'm not even going to go see if I can locate a tango-oscar-romeo-romeo-echo-november-tango of the movie online!)
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Amazon.co.uk has February 27 as the DVD release date.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
I believe Whedon has said that if there is any further Firefly, he'd like to bring Early back.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Lee: Mal only had the one fight with Early. He whooped his butt, dumped him in his quarters, then went to see Kaylee. River helped Kaylee unlock all the crew quarters, then Mal went out and put his suit on while River kept Early distracted on the bridge. There seemed to be a good 10 minutes that Mal had to get suited up and on the hull. Worked for me.
The DVD is already out here in the US and I already own it The deleted scenes are so-so, but the gag reel alone is worth the cost of the DVD. Wait for it: "What aren't you doing?" "Crap."
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
Yep, I have the movie, too. 'Twas the perfect application of that Best Buy gift card we got for Christmas!
B.J.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
Now that's bloody strange. I posted a reply but it's vanished. Yes, it was Simon who had the second fight in the corridor. It never occurred to me it was him because he'd just been seemingly-incapacitated by the gunshot. I suspect they used the same stuntman for both fights (after all, Mal and Simon are closest in appearance), hence my confusion. . .
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Stuntman? You speak as though these events aren't real... as though they are being acted out in some fashion for some kind of... production...
But, Simon's shirtlessness is a dead giveaway. Mal tends to spend the whole of the episode all shirtified. Which, to me, seems rather a kindness.
Posted by Not Invented Here (Member # 1606) on :
Jubal Early is a brilliant character, and well acted too. I'd like to see him come back. One thing that surprised me was the fact that they left his ship behind. Considering it managed to sneak up on Serenity un-noticed, I imagine it would be a handy piece of kit to have around.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
How bout some Blue Sun boxers?
Read rumors of made-for-TV movies for Sci-Fi Channel.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Originally posted by Not Invented Here: Jubal Early is a brilliant character, and well acted too. I'd like to see him come back. One thing that surprised me was the fact that they left his ship behind. Considering it managed to sneak up on Serenity un-noticed, I imagine it would be a handy piece of kit to have around.
Yeah, I agree. I've liked that actor since his days on Law and Order.
His ship was indeed cool (very "Slave One with arms", but so cramped- imagine being stuck in there for days or weeks at a stretch: small wonder Jubal was a bit "odd".
Posted by Johnny (Member # 878) on :
I don't know, it had all those cool semi-transparent screens. Maybe it's just the nerd in me(hmm, it is just the nerd in me...), but those things could keep my amusement for weeks. With the right channels.
I'd be more concerned about everyone seeing when you go to the loo.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
I guess we have to assume that unloading Early's ship would have been more trouble than it was worth.
I do hope they sold that flying ambulance somewhere, though.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I just piced up the (very nicely illustrated) Serenity: Those Left Behind" comic book (written by Joss Whedon) but cant sit down to read it untill later tonight (gotta head to work just now).
Anyone else got this yet?
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
"Those Left Behind"? Is that the graphic novel containing all three issues of the comic that take place between the series and the movie? Or is this another comic project?
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
No, I'm pretty sure that the collection.
Really great art (though I still have ye to read it!).
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
He Who Shall Not Be named hath communicated the following to me via Ouji Board:
quote:Somehow, I think this fits here...
The Internation Movie Poster Awards for 2005. Serentiy got SHIT on.
Personally, I think the movie poster was pretty bad. Of course, so was the one for War of The Worlds, which managed to rip-off the horrible old TV show.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
I didn't really like Serenity's poster either, but it's far better than the DVD jacket which features a huge mass of people covering the background that are never seen in the movie. Could be the Reavers, but there weren't that many of them.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
The UK Region 2 sleave isn't much better. Very bland. Somehow I perfer the theatrical poster to either of these other two.
Mind you, I get that this was a difficult film for the marketing people to wrap their heads around. They should have pushed the cowboy angle more and eased off on the blade and gun weilding sci-fi babe side of things. The point is the trick people into watching a film they might not otherwise watch, no? It worked for the planet of the apes remake. I was completely duped by the poster.
Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
While the movie poster is indeed better, I kinda like the UK jacket better than the NA jacket... Now only if the UK jacket used the Papyrus font I'd be pleased as punch.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
And the tight-trousers-and-overcoat look isn't good for Mal, it looks like he's forgotten to put his trousers on.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Hmmm... yah, I hadn't noticed that, but you're right.
The UK version really has very little merit other than making River look really cool. OK... so there's a big explosion that never happens in the middle of a desert they never visit. And Inara's holding a gun she never uses. Kay.
I really am confused, too, about the font switch. Did they think the whole Zen thing wouldn't work outside the US?
Posted by Not Invented Here (Member # 1606) on :
I don't like the UK poster. Considering I live in the UK, that's a bit of a problem. Stupid marketing people. Also not happy about the stupid gap between the US and UK release, but I've got Battlestar Galactica to keep me company for the moment.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Hey, it's the time of year for wholly unsubstantiated rumors. (The last item on the page.)
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
CW?
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
CBS/Warner. I.e., the coming UPN + WB network.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
Ahh. . . I had a feeling the 'W' would be Warner-related, but I'd forgotten the recent announcement that the WB would be merging with UPN.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
I had a hard time making it past the Brooke Burke Calendar ad and the banner for the mother/daughter "who's hottest" issue of that magazine. Crickey.
Anyway... I'd of course be thrilled to see the series come back, but only if all the surviving characters are in it and only if Whedon is back at the helm. For instance, picking up the show with River, but no Simon would be dumb. And the place just wouldn't feel right without Kaylee or Jayne. Nope... they all need to be back.
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
Serenity $$$$$... . . . . . . . I'll miss Wash.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
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