The Message

POSTED BY: GuerillaTheatre
UPDATED: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 04:03
VIEWED: 8087
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GUERILLATHEATRE

Saturday, August 20, 2005 11:51 PM

I am more and more amazed with this show with each and every episode I watch. I thought it couldn't get any better than "Out of Gas" then I came to "The Message". I honestly don't know what to say except, "Wow!" This episode featured some of the highest drama and best comedy. A perfect blend. Shakespeare would be hard pressed to do better.

More and more I ask, "How the hell could Fox cancel this show?"

REALLYKAYLEE

Sunday, August 21, 2005 12:00 AM

ok so the message is up there with my favorites
BUT HONESTLY who do you think you are for comparing it to shakespeare? :) seriously-- shakespeare used more words than God (or at least the king james version) and his work is read by millions today. not to mention turned into a wishbone episode. *giggles*. i went to die-hard shakespeare camp this summer after adoring the man my whole life and that's where i met firefly. in a room surrounded by 20 girls all leaning over a laptop-- so ya know- i guess there's room for both!
but yeah, the message=wicked shiny!
1.) God
2.) Shakespeare
3.) Firefly/LOTR
4.) BBC Costume Dramas

GUERILLATHEATRE

Sunday, August 21, 2005 12:19 AM

Well, I feel that I am fairly qualified to make such a comparison being as my Bachelor's degree is in Theatre with an emphasis in Classical Performance and I hold I minor in English Literature which I earned almost entirely by studying Shakespeare's works. ~wink~

Honestly, of the modern screenwriters, Joss Whedon and Quentin Tarantino come the closest to matching the Bard's wit and uncanny ability to place the perfect comedic moment at the precipice of dramatic tension. It's truly masterful.

I'm so glad my friend Robb forced me to start watching this show! If he hadn't snuck his DVDs into my house and left them there for nearly 3 weeks, I never would have watched Firefly.

REALLYKAYLEE

Sunday, August 21, 2005 3:03 AM

you=my hero.
the hero of shakespeare the (wo)man they call gorillatheatre!

my plans are to study shakespeare and history. i suppose i'll have to worry about specifics soon. curses.

GUERILLATHEATRE

Sunday, August 21, 2005 2:30 PM

(I'm a man btw)

Good for you! Some will tell you that there is no future in studying the past, but I would strongly disagree. Studying Shakespeare and History, you'll find, go hand in hand. Study other famous playwrites as well, Moliere, Marlowe, and so very many others that provide such insight into their particular time periods.

You'll also find that Joss Whedon is a fan of Shakespeare. Many of his themes come from Shakespearean works and he tosses in more than a few clevel homages to the bard for those who know where and when to look.

PERIDIDDLE

Sunday, August 21, 2005 3:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reallykaylee:
not to mention turned into a wishbone episode. *giggles*.

The TRUE mark of Shakespeare's greatness!

(The sad thing is...I'm kinda not kidding. My first exposure to Shakespeare, and now that I think about it a LOT of awesome literature, was from that little dog...)

I love The Message. It's not my favorite episode, because that's just incredibly hard to decide on, but I watch it often. I kind of love the Tracy character, and I would watch that episode JUST for the music that is played over his funeral - it's so lovely, and was pretty much written as a goodbye to Firefly. When you're in the mood to watch The Message, but also want to have a bit more of a laugh, I would highly suggest turning on the commentary with Jewel Staite and Alan Tudyk. You learn a bit of behind the scenes things, Alan and Jewel are HILARIOUS, and...it's quite obvious they've both had a bit too much to drink. ^_^

"Bwaa...it's kind of a warrior...strikes fear into the hearts of..."

SERGEANTX

Sunday, August 21, 2005 5:02 PM

Definitely an amazing episode. I certainly don't have any problem comparing it to Shakespeare. I've seen a lot of that in Joss's work. For me, it comes through in his obviously love afair with language. Joss has a way of writing dialogue that is poetic and lyrical, yet something decent actors can deliver in a naturalistic way. I suspect that's how Shakespeare sounded to those hearing it in their native language (ie old english).

This episode isn't my #1 (due in part to a gnawing plot thing - why didn't they just TELL him they had a plan?) but it is in my top few.

* It features on of the best single shots of the series, namely the final frame of Mal standing alone, deep in thought, as the snow falls around him. Not to mention the best musical piece of the series in that same scene.

* Adam Baldwin's acting is wonderful in this episode. I haven't seen a lot of his other work, but he seems to be born to play Jayne.

* I've always felt like Kaylee, despite her outer shell of sunshine, is a deeply lonely person. This episode highlights that in such a beautiful way.

* The whole theme of this episode is something that was just beginning as a story arc, and given the cancellation, and shift in emphasis with the movies, something I fear won't see follow through. I'm talking about the idea that Mal can't be entirely content with the path he's chosen. The episode brings home the fact that Mal and crew, despite their various heroic qualites, are thieves and killers.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

GROUNDED

Sunday, August 21, 2005 5:06 PM

The Message is great at face value, but it's got plenty of plot holes that tend to spoil my enjoyment of repeat viewings.

SERGEANTX

Sunday, August 21, 2005 5:17 PM

I often wonder if, from Joss's point of view, the plot isn't the 'face value' and the character drama is the real core.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

JACQUI

Sunday, August 21, 2005 6:10 PM

Quote:

* I've always felt like Kaylee, despite her outer shell of sunshine, is a deeply lonely person. This episode highlights that in such a beautiful way.

Oh, thank you. I couldn't have put it better myself. That is such a perfect description. And, yes, this is one of the few things I like about 'The Message'.

(I may be biased as I cannot stand Jonathon Woodward and the whole episode is ruined for me due to him).

*~*~*
"Your toes are in the sand."
"And your head's up your..."
"Hey!"

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