Comments | idol_reflection: Mal Reynolds- Firefly

fantasticmuse in idol_reflection

Mal Reynolds- Firefly

Nov 10, 2004 19:34

Title: Guess I'm Just a Good Man (Well. I'm okay.)
Author: fantasticmuse
Spoilers: For the series in general- specifically "The Train Job" and "Safe".
Email: Fantasticmuse@gmail.com
Word Count: Roughly 1500
Note: Ai, thanks for being so patient with me- I had a minor emergency earlier this week and... well, better late than never, I suppose. *sigh*

( Space Cowboy )

Comments 7

poisonapple73 November 11 2004, 04:09:49 UTC

Nice job. Mal definitely is all about loyalty. What I've always loved about Firefly, is the first few episodes, he seems *so* dark- we're kind of introduced to the group through Simon. But the further into the family Simon gets, the more we see Mal being funny and sweet- but the darkness is never gone. It's just a more complete picture. Anyway, thank for you writing this- it's lovely, and the picture at the end...*drools*

fantasticmuse November 11 2004, 23:51:30 UTC

we're kind of introduced to the group through Simon

Very true! And the more we get to know him, the more we love him, yes?

Thank you!

heaven_eyes November 11 2004, 09:36:33 UTC

Hey, I enjoyed reading this esp. when I read the first sentence. When I first started watching Firefly, I hated Mal Reynolds. Lol. Although, personally, I didn't. I liked him right from the start. I wonder what Mal would have been like in the other episodes besides 'Serenity' if Fox hadn't told Joss and Tim that he was *too* dark and to make him quippier/ lighter. sigh. Anyway, you said it, Mal's complex and that's why I like him. And now, I really, really can't wait for the movie.

fantasticmuse November 11 2004, 23:59:53 UTC

I wonder what Mal would have been like in the other episodes besides 'Serenity' if Fox hadn't told Joss and Tim that he was *too* dark and to make him quippier/ lighter.

I do wonder about that, too. I think he would have been the same, just... even more reserved. The distinction between Mal and Captain Malcolm Reynolds would have been even greater, if that makes any sense.

Thanks for the comment. =D

executrix November 11 2004, 16:36:18 UTC

I always found Mal extremely *likeable* although I don't think he's much of a role model! I love the show because there are so many believably human and flawed characters and so many visions of what it is to be human.

How old do you think he is, BTW? I figure about 32, although he's not entirely blowing smoke with the "bitter old man" routine.

fantasticmuse November 12 2004, 00:05:26 UTC

Well, it took me a while, but I'd definitely say I like Mal, now! =D

As for age... I think 32 sounds about right, maybe between 32 and 36. That'd put him in his mid 20s during the war.

spikendru November 15 2004, 05:08:31 UTC

Thoroughly enjoyed your essay. In the Whedonverse, where heroes are often conflicted, colored various shades of gray, Mal Reynolds is Gary Cooper. He has a well-defined sense of "right" and "wrong"--as you so ably pointed out, there is a big difference in what is "wrong" and what is simply "illegal"; he's stalwart, brave and he has an inner sense of peace in knowing exactly who he is and what he's fighting for.

I'm definitely looking forward to the Serenity movie, and I will be looking out for the points you mentioned in your essay while viewing.