1.01: Serenity - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Lonewolf89 · 10th December 2002, 04:33 AM

From Orbiting Lights:

Mal's efforts to sell a stash of ill-gotten Alliance materials is derailed by the raiding Reavers and a possible on-board mole in an episode that explains the origins of the Serenity's rag-tag crew.

CynVision · 21st December 2002, 04:43 AM

It was nice. And Mal was more um... Mal-ish than ever. Hard to believe he had a lot more rough corners before he picked up the Preacher, River and Simon.

Dave · 2nd February 2003, 01:40 AM

I took Tabitha's advice to watch 'Serenity' parts I & II before 'The Train Job' and it works much better that way. These are a much better introduction to the characters.

For a start, I really didn't know if Kaylee was going to die or not. When Mal told the Doctor she had died, I believed him. That would obviously be a lie if you saw these as episodes 11 & 12. The same would go with the Doctor and Shepherd staying aboard, to me they were just passengers who were going to leave. And you would have no idea why River acted so strange.

I like the Mal Reynolds character:

Doctor: [about Jayne] "I was just wondering what his job is?"
Reynolds: "Public Relations."

And I noticed he got toned down a little before 'The Train Job' also, he's much more moody here.

What does that word-art painted on a bulkhead say: "Kaylees ...."?

Tabitha · 2nd February 2003, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
I took Tabitha's advice to watch 'Serenity' parts I & II before 'The Train Job' and it works much better that way. These are a much better introduction to the characters.

Good! Glad to hear it

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave What does that word-art painted on a bulkhead say: "Kaylees ...."?

I believe it says "Kaylees Room", but I could be wrong, you'll get a better look at it later in the series, I think.

I think this double-episode was a wonderful opening to the series. I wondered if they toned down Mal's moodiness for The Train Job, or whether he was just more grim in this than usual - we do see his lighter moments after all.
I found it very interesting to see how the crew reacted to the discovery that they were harbouring fugitives. Jayne is the complete mercenary type, but Mal swings between wanting to give the Tam siblings up to the Alliance, and keeping them on board for little reason other than Simon's skills as a doctor. I wonder how much of this decision was due to the fact that it would be a small blow against the Alliance to keep it from getting something it desperately wants.

Amazing to think that this long ep cost somewhere in the region of $80M! But I wonder if these costs included the setting up costs for the entire series? I don't know, but I certainly think it was money well spent.

Tabitha · 2nd February 2003, 11:53 AM

Poll added.

ray gower · 8th March 2003, 01:42 PM

Actually I think Mal accepted the Doctor and Roberta on the pain of abandonment by his crush (still can't rmember her name).
Think this affair is going to provide the comic relief in the series, it is as obvious as a truck

Otherwise I keep thinking I've fallen in to a cross between Star Trek, the Waltons and Raiders of the Lost Ark! I had visions of all of them whisking past my mind as this and the last episode played.

Can't think of the last time I saw a cockney in a bowler and as for waistcoats for day to day use. I thought I was the only one that did that now!

$80 Million I would say would cover a large part of the cost of setting the series up. It is starting to look like a good people led series of adventures, what effects there are are being kept subtle and not 'Look at me, I'm in your face!' as many others.

Of course I've only watched a few of the episodes properly, so I may eat my words yet

Tabitha · 8th March 2003, 02:21 PM

Roberta? Do you mean River? :lol:

Quote:

what effects there are are being kept subtle and not 'Look at me, I'm in your face!' as many others.

I agree with that - and I especially like how there is no sound in space - the way it should be!

ray gower · 8th March 2003, 02:45 PM

No she was definitely introduced as Roberta.
I assume River was a childhood name.

Beside anybody as scyzophrenic as she is deserve at least two names!

Tabitha · 8th March 2003, 02:49 PM

OKay... but I have no recollection of hearing that name - trying to resist the temptation to go and rewatch....

markpud · 18th April 2003, 01:01 PM

Again, on Tabitha's instructions, I watched this first before going back to ep 1..

A good introduction to the series, building up some interesting characters and relationships/conflicts..

Have to admit that I fould little redeeming about Mal in most of this episode, I was kinda feeling that he was the bad guy and the Alliance were the good guys.. But I think they just about justified his position in the end..

The suspense surrounding the Reaver's fly-by was good, Joss' skills evident here, and of course they came back later, a chance to show some of the Firefly's moves...

So, a good start to the series, but probably would make little sense as "episode 11/12".

Status · 22nd February 2004, 11:30 PM

I got hold of what they claim is the 'complete' series of Firefly so I could see what all the talk was about.

I think I should have read the whole of the threads before I watched the first DVD today (Serenity Pt 1 & 2, The train Job and Bushwhacked-- in that order). Now I'm going to have to watch it again just to see if I find the name Roberta. I'm with you, Tabitha, the only name I recall her being introduced as is River (don't recall the name Roberta being mentioned.)

In my opinion, they have quite a verity of crewmembers that compliment each other.

While the special effects are very impressive it doesn't seem to overpower the show.

Since I've been on these forums I keep hearing the term 'space westerns' and 'space cowboys' and now I know what they are. So far I like it and only watched the first of 4 DVDs of it .

I was a bit confused when these Reavers came about. Are they an offshoot of the AVs from 'Space: Above and Beyond'? Whatever they are, they sound like something I wouldn't want to meet up with in a dark ally.

I look forward to watching the rest but think an hour and half is long enough to set for one showing, besides I'd run out too soon. :lol:

ray gower · 23rd February 2004, 01:17 AM

Quote:

by Status
While the special effects are very impressive it doesn't seem to overpower the show.

I thionk that is what made the show seem so different. The effects are well muted, so it is the story that is being told.

Dave · 27th May 2004, 09:33 PM

I've also now got the 'Complete' series on DVD. I'm starting again from scratch rather than rushing to watch the three episodes that I haven't seen yet. This is a really good two-parter.

Quote:

Originally posted by Status
I was a bit confused when these Reavers came about. Are they an offshoot of the AVs from 'Space: Above and Beyond'? Whatever they are, they sound like something I wouldn't want to meet up with in a dark ally.

The Reavers are meant to be humans that have gone feral, they prey off other ships and are cannibals. They rape you, take bites out of you, and sew your skin into their clothes... and if you are lucky they do it in that order. (Star Trek: Enterprise copied the idea in one episode too.) I'm not sure why they would turn like this, but it may be because they use 'unshielded' engines. Maybe the radiation has fried their brains. I get the impression that we would have seen a lot more of them if the series hadn't been cancelled, with presumably a lot more answers.

One other thing -- the 'Western' theme is much stronger in this episode that many others. Is that the reason it wasn't shown first on TV? Did TPTB think that people wouldn't like the series if it was too 'Western'?

I still didn't catch Roberta either, sorry Ray. It may be there, but I didn't hear it.

We've been talking about Book's motives in the character thread, but purely from this episode he shows no ulterior motives for coming aboard and then staying. I think he genuinely is new to the real world after staying at a monastery, likes Kaylee, finds Mal interesting and is intrigued by the mystery of River. If I was him, I would want to stick around for some answers just like the audience presumably do.

little smaug · 12th July 2005, 03:29 PM

I just got the Firefly DVD, and this is the only episode I've watched so far. I wasn't even aware that the episodes were shown out of order, but it seems weird that this episode wouldn't be shown first. It pretty much sums up who everyone is, the relationships between the characters, etc.

I really like Mal - he's one of those grumpy but loveable characters, and he had some great lines. Simon is cute, and I get the feeling that he and River are both going to turn out to be very complex. And I really like Book, especially when he whacked the bad guy - very cool.

I haven't really decided about any of the other characters yet. Though I was upset when Mal said that Kaylee was dead, so I guess that means I like her.

Anyway, I absolutely loved this opener, so I have high hopes for the series as a whole. I like the 'space western' thing, and it seems like the show is going to focus more on characters and plot than on big effects and fancy camerawork.

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10th December 2002, 04:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lonewolf89 Fear is the mind killer. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Flatplanet Cafe Posts: 1,608	Episode 1:11 "Serenity" (The unaired Pilot) From Orbiting Lights: Mal's efforts to sell a stash of ill-gotten Alliance materials is derailed by the raiding Reavers and a possible on-board mole in an episode that explains the origins of the Serenity's rag-tag crew.

2nd February 2003, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tabitha Save Angel! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,638	Rate this episode Poll added.

22nd February 2004, 11:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Status Master Confusser Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,383	Finally!!! I got hold of what they claim is the 'complete' series of Firefly so I could see what all the talk was about. I think I should have read the whole of the threads before I watched the first DVD today (Serenity Pt 1 & 2, The train Job and Bushwhacked-- in that order). Now I'm going to have to watch it again just to see if I find the name Roberta. I'm with you, Tabitha, the only name I recall her being introduced as is River (don't recall the name Roberta being mentioned.) In my opinion, they have quite a verity of crewmembers that compliment each other. While the special effects are very impressive it doesn't seem to overpower the show. Since I've been on these forums I keep hearing the term 'space westerns' and 'space cowboys' and now I know what they are. So far I like it and only watched the first of 4 DVDs of it . I was a bit confused when these Reavers came about. Are they an offshoot of the AVs from 'Space: Above and Beyond'? Whatever they are, they sound like something I wouldn't want to meet up with in a dark ally. I look forward to watching the rest but think an hour and half is long enough to set for one showing, besides I'd run out too soon. :lol:

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21st December 2002, 04:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
CynVision CO, RDA's Leather Brigade Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,220	It was nice. And Mal was more um... Mal-ish than ever. Hard to believe he had a lot more rough corners before he picked up the Preacher, River and Simon.

2nd February 2003, 01:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dave Wherever I Am, I'm There Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greater London Posts: 11,421	I took Tabitha's advice to watch 'Serenity' parts I & II before 'The Train Job' and it works much better that way. These are a much better introduction to the characters. For a start, I really didn't know if Kaylee was going to die or not. When Mal told the Doctor she had died, I believed him. That would obviously be a lie if you saw these as episodes 11 & 12. The same would go with the Doctor and Shepherd staying aboard, to me they were just passengers who were going to leave. And you would have no idea why River acted so strange. I like the Mal Reynolds character: Doctor: [about Jayne] "I was just wondering what his job is?" Reynolds: "Public Relations." And I noticed he got toned down a little before 'The Train Job' also, he's much more moody here. What does that word-art painted on a bulkhead say: "Kaylees ...."?

8th March 2003, 01:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Gwynedd Posts: 3,579	Actually I think Mal accepted the Doctor and Roberta on the pain of abandonment by his crush (still can't rmember her name). Think this affair is going to provide the comic relief in the series, it is as obvious as a truck Otherwise I keep thinking I've fallen in to a cross between Star Trek, the Waltons and Raiders of the Lost Ark! I had visions of all of them whisking past my mind as this and the last episode played. Can't think of the last time I saw a cockney in a bowler and as for waistcoats for day to day use. I thought I was the only one that did that now! $80 Million I would say would cover a large part of the cost of setting the series up. It is starting to look like a good people led series of adventures, what effects there are are being kept subtle and not 'Look at me, I'm in your face!' as many others. Of course I've only watched a few of the episodes properly, so I may eat my words yet

8th March 2003, 02:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Gwynedd Posts: 3,579	No she was definitely introduced as Roberta. I assume River was a childhood name. Beside anybody as scyzophrenic as she is deserve at least two names!

8th March 2003, 02:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tabitha Save Angel! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,638	OKay... but I have no recollection of hearing that name - trying to resist the temptation to go and rewatch....

18th April 2003, 01:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
markpud Super-Mod to the gods Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: with Buffy, in Manchester, England... Posts: 4,732	Again, on Tabitha's instructions, I watched this first before going back to ep 1.. A good introduction to the series, building up some interesting characters and relationships/conflicts.. Have to admit that I fould little redeeming about Mal in most of this episode, I was kinda feeling that he was the bad guy and the Alliance were the good guys.. But I think they just about justified his position in the end.. The suspense surrounding the Reaver's fly-by was good, Joss' skills evident here, and of course they came back later, a chance to show some of the Firefly's moves... So, a good start to the series, but probably would make little sense as "episode 11/12".

12th July 2005, 03:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
little smaug Fire and Brimstone Join Date: May 2002 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 1,343	I just got the Firefly DVD, and this is the only episode I've watched so far. I wasn't even aware that the episodes were shown out of order, but it seems weird that this episode wouldn't be shown first. It pretty much sums up who everyone is, the relationships between the characters, etc. I really like Mal - he's one of those grumpy but loveable characters, and he had some great lines. Simon is cute, and I get the feeling that he and River are both going to turn out to be very complex. And I really like Book, especially when he whacked the bad guy - very cool. I haven't really decided about any of the other characters yet. Though I was upset when Mal said that Kaylee was dead, so I guess that means I like her. Anyway, I absolutely loved this opener, so I have high hopes for the series as a whole. I like the 'space western' thing, and it seems like the show is going to focus more on characters and plot than on big effects and fancy camerawork.