Firefly 1.02
I’m a little afraid to admit it, but I’m gonna have to side with the Fox executives on this one: “The Train Job” makes a better first episode. As much as I love “Serenity”, I kept feeling like it was a bit ponderous and preachy. I felt none of that with “The Train Job”. I think it was a perfect example of the difference between Telling and Showing.
We are shown the current political state. We don’t have to be told explicitly that Mal was on the losing side and that he’s still got issues with that. We are shown Zoe’s loyalty for Mal. We are shown Jayne’s unhinged but loveable manner. We are shown the mad flying skills of Wash and Zoe’s love for her seemingly mismatched husband. Yes, this was all covered in the pilot. But the pilot was 2 hours and this episode just zips along.
I think one of the things that grabbed me right away when watching this for the first time is Kaylee’s cheerful attitude about doing some crime. She’s so casual and joyful about it! I also prefer Niska as a bad guy over Badger. Yes, yes, I love Badger and yes, yes, I love Mark Sheppard in all his many roles. But Niska is FUCKING SCARY AS HELL and I just didn’t get that from Badger. So it takes some major balls for Mal to defy Niska in the end when he decides the stolen shipment of meds needs to stay where it is.
Another great example of Showing? Inara marching in to the sheriff’s office and slapping Mal. It’s so perfect. We get to see the power and respect given to a Companion, instead of just some soft-focused sex-and-tea montage.
Two by two, hands of blue. I keep expecting to see them floating, with giant scary smiles plastered on their faces.
We are shown the current political state. We don’t have to be told explicitly that Mal was on the losing side and that he’s still got issues with that. We are shown Zoe’s loyalty for Mal. We are shown Jayne’s unhinged but loveable manner. We are shown the mad flying skills of Wash and Zoe’s love for her seemingly mismatched husband. Yes, this was all covered in the pilot. But the pilot was 2 hours and this episode just zips along.
I think one of the things that grabbed me right away when watching this for the first time is Kaylee’s cheerful attitude about doing some crime. She’s so casual and joyful about it! I also prefer Niska as a bad guy over Badger. Yes, yes, I love Badger and yes, yes, I love Mark Sheppard in all his many roles. But Niska is FUCKING SCARY AS HELL and I just didn’t get that from Badger. So it takes some major balls for Mal to defy Niska in the end when he decides the stolen shipment of meds needs to stay where it is.
Another great example of Showing? Inara marching in to the sheriff’s office and slapping Mal. It’s so perfect. We get to see the power and respect given to a Companion, instead of just some soft-focused sex-and-tea montage.
Two by two, hands of blue. I keep expecting to see them floating, with giant scary smiles plastered on their faces.