|
|
Post by William the Bloody on Sept 7, 2005 7:21:20 GMT -5
Join in here on discussion of Linda's extroidinary and very insightful piece on Malcolm Reynalds, Captain of that Firefly-class freighter, Serenity. To read the original essay, go here. |
|
|
|
Post by Squeemonster on Sept 7, 2005 13:18:06 GMT -5
This is a very interesting and entertaining essay, Linda! #wavey# I remember listening to the commentary in the two-parter episode, but had completely forgotten that NF had said that about each character being an aspect of Mal. I really loved how you went through each episode and gave us examples to prove this theory. You have given me much food for thought, and now I am anxious to rewatch all the eps again, so that I can rediscover all the characters with a fresh point of view. This was very well done. Thanks, Linda!  |
|
|
|
Post by Queen E on Sept 7, 2005 16:18:23 GMT -5
This is a very interesting and entertaining essay, Linda!  I remember listening to the commentary in the two-parter episode, but had completely forgotten that NF had said that about each character being an aspect of Mal. I really loved how you went through each episode and gave us examples to prove this theory. You have given me much food for thought, and now I am anxious to rewatch all the eps again, so that I can rediscover all the characters with a fresh point of view. This was very well done. Thanks, Linda! Doesn't she just rock? |
|
|
|
Post by SpringSummers on Sept 7, 2005 17:30:32 GMT -5
I haven't seen Firefly, so I have no business posting here, except this title, "Aspects of Mal" made me remember Patti's Course Outline: Introduction to SpikeCentric Behavioral Studies 101 , which can be found on the site, here: www.geocities.com/scubiefan/sample3.html. Describing what would be studied under "Aspects" of Spike, she wrote: 1) The Ass 2) The Pects So when I saw "Aspects of Mal," all I could think was: 1) the Ass, 2) the Pects. I know, I'm bad. But it is all Patti's fault. And Linda - thanks so much for making this thoughtful contribution to the S3! |
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Sept 9, 2005 7:52:22 GMT -5
#claps# I'm so glad you did this, Linda! I remember reading your episode posts on the theme of other characters as an aspect of Mal and am so glad you created this essay! Loved the additional phrasing of "aspects of the man he was before he lost everything in the Battle of Serenity Valley", by the way. So true - as you remind us by mentioning the scene where we see Mal at that battle - such stunning moments in the final shots of that scene. Haunting to watch, like the event has haunted Mal. And of course they didn't show this two part pilot episode until the end, when they'd already canceled it!!! Bastards! Grrrrr! Ahem. Not gonna rant, not gonna rant. Your breakdown of the various aspects is wonderful - I particularly liked how you split the crew (the folks / aspects keeping Mal alive so far) and the passengers (the folks / events / aspects re-energizing or reawakening Mal; helping Mal "reclaim those qualities that made him extraordinary"). Zoe as the soldier, the good soldier, the one "that has never been betrayed"; Jayne the id, the survivor, the often uncomfortable honest response that folks don't want to hear; Wash the innocent, fun-loving and competent. And Kaylee as hope and openness - keeping it all going when it would be easy to just . . . stop. Inara as Mal's heart, a matching heart, each with their own "issues" is very true, but I particularly loved your take on Book and Simon and River. The aspect of faith and conscience that Book represents is the first, obvious mirror. But, like you and Vlad, I think had we seen more of Book's story we would definitely have found a mirror for Mal's actual war experiences and your theme of forgiveness. We had hints already of the how the history of Book might reflect and interact with Mal's history. And lastly, it was a perfect idea to link Simon and River (heroism/heroic action & spirit/broken spirit), linked as the characters are by family ties; like linked hands - like the examples of hands you point out. Best of all, I loved how you took the scene where Kaylee is shot by Dobson in the pilot and dissected the different character's roles as aspects of Mal's reaction and feelings. Perfect way to illustrate your theme! I loved the examples from other eps as well, but this was my favorite. So concise and tight. I'll hopefully come back with a few more thoughts on the individual ep commentary, but I had to quick stop by and put my first thoughts down now, while they were fresh in my head. Counting down to September 30, 2005!! Thanks so much for this essay, Linda! |
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Sept 11, 2005 7:34:40 GMT -5
This is a very interesting and entertaining essay, Linda! I remember listening to the commentary in the two-parter episode, but had completely forgotten that NF had said that about each character being an aspect of Mal. I really loved how you went through each episode and gave us examples to prove this theory. You have given me much food for thought, and now I am anxious to rewatch all the eps again, so that I can rediscover all the characters with a fresh point of view. This was very well done. Thanks, Linda! Awww, thanks Monnie! I admit that one of the reasons I did this essay was that it provided a good excuse to watch the eps all over again. And again. And ... well many times. There's always something new to see in a Jossverse show. (Which is why Lola's Sizzlin' summer Festival is so much fun.) One of the other things I admire about Jossverse shows is that all the regular characters are still 3-dimensional, even if they also mirror something about the central character. Joss's brain is a strange and wonderful place. And please feel free to point out any errors I've made. I love it when ideas "click", so I may try to fit things together that don't really fit. Linda, who went "eep!" when I realized the essay was posted already. |
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Sept 11, 2005 7:43:16 GMT -5
This is a very interesting and entertaining essay, Linda! I remember listening to the commentary in the two-parter episode, but had completely forgotten that NF had said that about each character being an aspect of Mal. I really loved how you went through each episode and gave us examples to prove this theory. You have given me much food for thought, and now I am anxious to rewatch all the eps again, so that I can rediscover all the characters with a fresh point of view. This was very well done. Thanks, Linda! Doesn't she just rock? #bighug# Erin, this is all 'cause of you. Unless it sucks. (Then it's Joss's fault. ) Thanks for your guidance and encouragement and the immense improvements you instituted.  Linda, seriously: thanks for everything P.S. I told Vlad there was no need to worry about having waited a while to post this essay. The only danger was that I'd drive you crazy by trying to revise it *again* ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Sept 11, 2005 7:56:43 GMT -5
I haven't seen Firefly, so I have no business posting here, except this title, "Aspects of Mal" made me remember Patti's Course Outline: Introduction to SpikeCentric Behavioral Studies 101 , which can be found on the site, here: www.geocities.com/scubiefan/sample3.html. Describing what would be studied under "Aspects" of Spike, she wrote: 1) The Ass 2) The Pects So when I saw "Aspects of Mal," all I could think was: 1) the Ass, 2) the Pects. I know, I'm bad. But it is all Patti's fault. And Linda - thanks so much for making this thoughtful contribution to the S3! #rofl1# and and You are right! **nods earnestly** I must watch "Trash" and Mal's ... My research is obviously not complete! I hope the movie will provide further opportunities to study these very important subjects! (And yes, you are bad. But thanks for mentioning how much Patti is a part of all of this. ) Linda, now even more appreciative of Spikecentricity and Angelphile because of this essay exercise |
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Sept 11, 2005 8:08:59 GMT -5
 I'm so glad you did this, Linda! I remember reading your episode posts on the theme of other characters as an aspect of Mal and am so glad you created this essay! Loved the additional phrasing of "aspects of the man he was before he lost everything in the Battle of Serenity Valley", by the way. So true - as you remind us by mentioning the scene where we see Mal at that battle - such stunning moments in the final shots of that scene. Haunting to watch, like the event has haunted Mal. And of course they didn't show this two part pilot episode until the end, when they'd already canceled it!!! Bastards! Grrrrr! Ahem. Not gonna rant, not gonna rant. Your breakdown of the various aspects is wonderful - I particularly liked how you split the crew (the folks / aspects keeping Mal alive so far) and the passengers (the folks / events / aspects re-energizing or reawakening Mal; helping Mal "reclaim those qualities that made him extraordinary"). Zoe as the soldier, the good soldier, the one "that has never been betrayed"; Jayne the id, the survivor, the often uncomfortable honest response that folks don't want to hear; Wash the innocent, fun-loving and competent. And Kaylee as hope and openness - keeping it all going when it would be easy to just . . . stop. Inara as Mal's heart, a matching heart, each with their own "issues" is very true, but I particularly loved your take on Book and Simon and River. The aspect of faith and conscience that Book represents is the first, obvious mirror. But, like you and Vlad, I think had we seen more of Book's story we would definitely have found a mirror for Mal's actual war experiences and your theme of forgiveness. We had hints already of the how the history of Book might reflect and interact with Mal's history. And lastly, it was a perfect idea to link Simon and River (heroism/heroic action & spirit/broken spirit), linked as the characters are by family ties; like linked hands - like the examples of hands you point out. Best of all, I loved how you took the scene where Kaylee is shot by Dobson in the pilot and dissected the different character's roles as aspects of Mal's reaction and feelings. Perfect way to illustrate your theme! I loved the examples from other eps as well, but this was my favorite. So concise and tight. I'll hopefully come back with a few more thoughts on the individual ep commentary, but I had to quick stop by and put my first thoughts down now, while they were fresh in my head. Counting down to September 30, 2005!! Thanks so much for this essay, Linda! Lola, you are the bestest of S'cubies! Your thoughtful and insightful and encouraging comments are wonderful to read! And, if my brain ever has any energy left, you make me think even more. Having watched a few of the Angel eps recently, your mention of Book's possible aspect makes me wonder if he has something to do with Atonement for past horrors which he, himself, inflicted. It's hard to imagine that there were no moral horrors or compromises in the war on both sides. Gah! Fox network execs! Ptui! Linda, but I'm not gonna rant. Nope. See me not ranting? P.S. Grrr. P.P.S. But September 30! Yay! |
|
