Virtual Firefly episode 1x20 (act four)
Saturday, February 4, 2006
“War Crimes” (act four): This is the fifth episode of the Virtual Firefly project. Check out our web site at stillflying.net!
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3279 RATING: 9.0 (PG) SERIES: FIREFLY
EXT. SERENITY – CONTINUOUS
Cariss picks himself up, glaring at Mal. The guards have turned their attention from the prisoners to Mal. Zoe steps up next to Mal.
CARISS
Are you insane? I should have you killed.
MAL
We ain’t your workers.
ZOE
And you wouldn’t get far.
Zoe gestures to the ramp. Jayne and Wash are there, both armed. Jayne waves Marie casually and grins. Wash looks like he’s rather be inside.
CARISS
It’s none of your business what I do with my people.
Cariss retrieves his gun.
MAL
They ain’t just your people. Don’t all of the Patricians share in the rights and responsibilities of government?
Mal looks pointedly at Geoffrey. Zoe takes a step away from Mal, looking directly at Cariss, who has just aimed his gun at Mal.
ZOE
You don’t want to do this. Word gets out our ship went missing, won’t nobody want to make deliveries here.
MAL
(to Geoffrey)
Say something, gorramit!
GEOFFREY
What should I say?
ZOE
(to Cariss)
I’m sure we can work something out. How much is your revenge worth?
CARISS
A great deal. Things will never quiet down if the likes of these rabble aren’t punished.
MAL
(to Geoffrey)
“They don’t work, no one eats.” How about that?
ZOE
(to Cariss)
We’ll return the extra twenty-five percent if we resolve this without guns.
GEOFFREY
They are worth more to us alive.
Cariss glares at Geoffrey.
GEOFFREY (cont’d)
They can’t work if they’re dead.
CARISS
(to Zoe)
The twenty-five back. And half of the original coin. For not holding up your end of the bargain.
He indicates the spilled barrel.
MAL
Half!? That’s one barrel out of more’n a hundred, and we’re barely making a profit as is!
Mal reigns himself in as he looks at the guns pointed his way.
MAL (cont’d)
We ain’t dealing with you. Nothing to stop you from turning and shooting them the moment we break atmo.
GEOFFREY
I assure you, they won’t be harmed further.
MAL
That ain’t much
On a different note, I was glad that Inara finally had a client who wasn't young and necessarily attractive.
Mal's character is becoming more interesting with your treatment. There is a clear progression towards the darker, morally ambiguous, isolated Mal of the film. Because of this, both Zoe and Inaras character arcs are complemented also. What is it they say, "behind every great man"? But these two are just about ready to bail.
I liked that mal/inara's relationship has graduated to thwarted lovers- they are too alike to kid themselves. I'm sick of reading coy fan fiction regarding these two- they are both seriously damaged adults. The use of River and Jayne as the voice of compassion- brilliant. But where was Book?- this was an ideal platform for him. I can see various set ups for the next few episodes, all I can say is don't peak too early- we still wan't to like everyone at the end of the series. The "war ain't over" thread is what Firefly is all about- but it can get stretched too thin if you are not careful. Overall: Iam SO sorry not to see this on screen.
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