BDM Theory -- Needing some BC Feedback [spoilers]

POSTED BY: MajinBuu
UPDATED: Thursday, October 20, 2005 05:46
VIEWED: 8528
PAGE 1 of 4

1 2 3 4 NEXT PAGE

MAJINBUU

Sunday, October 16, 2005 10:00 PM

----------------------------------------
SPOILER WARNING ** SPOILER WARNING **
----------------------------------------
I aim to spoil.

Here I am again, having viewed the BDM, looking for solace at the bottom of a gin and tonic. But I do not intend to discuss *THAT* topic. A grief that is shared can be silent for a spell.

But I had a thought, and as I have no flesh and blood Browncoats in my life, I must impose my thoughts upon those of you kind enough to hear me, and hope for a response. My pardons if this has been discussed. Sadly, I cannot read all 9100 posts. And so:

On Miranda, the holo says, "It's the Pax." Now, I have a high regard for the intelligence of Firefly fans generally, and so I am certain you all know that "pax" in Latin means "peace." I find the entire 'verse summed up in the phrase, "It's the Pax." The Pax Gas, like the Alliance, is intended to legislate peace. To force peace, if you will. Totalitarian peace. The result of its use is a commentary on such attempts.

Most of the population "lies down." They die, as their spirit dies. The dead of Miranda are a symbolic representation of the Core Planets, taken to an extreme. Succumbed.

A tenth of a percentage, in response to a forced peace, react by becoming increasingly savage. The Reavers are symbolic of the Rim, those on the "raggedy edge." Resisting.

But this is no commentary that prefers one to the other. Both events are tragic. We root for the raggedy edge--we prefer it--but Mal doesn't want it. This is brilliantly and subtly expressed by Nathan Fillion when the Capn' says to River, "This is what I do" and the vaguest twinge of regret is expressed in his eyes and mouth. But the Alliance "meddles" and this is the outcome.

It's the Pax.

Salvation, for want of a better word, comes from the BDM's second theme: Belief. Belief runs like a River through the whole story. To name just a couple events: The Operative is dangerous because he is a "believer." And Shepherd Book tells Mal he must "believe." The preacher preaches no particulars, only belief in something greater than the self. This theme is as old as Mal kissing the cross around his neck in a fox hole in Serenity Valley. I am still untangling it.

*mourns anew the cancelation and what could have been*

*mourns the golden light that is gone from Serenity*

*mourns this empty Gin bottle*

How in the ruttin' hell did that happen?
:crap

"Watch me soar."

MAJINBUU

Sunday, October 16, 2005 10:19 PM

Bump -- for new title -- really want to hear what you guys think on this.

SEP7IMUS

Sunday, October 16, 2005 10:41 PM

I'll buy that. I'm not sure we are MEANT to equate the Reavers with our BDHs on the raggedy edge, but it certainly is an evocative thought.

I think another way to put it would be to say that the BDHs are trying (like most (all?) Whedon heroes) to negotiate a space somewhere between "lying down" and Reaver-dom, somewhere between acquiescing to (totalitarian) civilizational demands and rejecting society and civilization altogether.

If Whedon finds an answer for that dilemma, and I'm not sure he always does, it's in the close-knit groups or quasi-families of the Scooby Gang, the Angel whatever they are, and the Firefly crew. The thing is, of course, maintining those close-knit groups always creates a bit of... drama.

ODDNESS2HER

Monday, October 17, 2005 6:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sep7imus:
I'll buy that. I'm not sure we are MEANT to equate the Reavers with our BDHs on the raggedy edge, but it certainly is an evocative thought.

I think another way to put it would be to say that the BDHs are trying (like most (all?) Whedon heroes) to negotiate a space somewhere between "lying down" and Reaver-dom, somewhere between acquiescing to (totalitarian) civilizational demands and rejecting society and civilization altogether.

If Whedon finds an answer for that dilemma, and I'm not sure he always does, it's in the close-knit groups or quasi-families of the Scooby Gang, the Angel whatever they are, and the Firefly crew. The thing is, of course, maintining those close-knit groups always creates a bit of... drama.

This reminds me of something I didn't get until my 3rd 'Serenity' viewing: when The Operative tells Mal that innocent people are dying in the air and Mal replies: "You have no idea how true that is." It took until then for me to realize he was talking about the Reavers; that they were as much victims of Alliance meddling as River or the rest of Miranda's population. It gave me chills.

KHYRON

Monday, October 17, 2005 6:33 PM

Very interesting thought, MajinBuu, I didn't for a second think along those lines, but it would make a lot of sense.

The type of peace that the alliance tries to impose makes me think of the Pax Romana, the type of peace the Romans imposed on the rest of Europe: "Right, you blokes do as we tell you and there'll be peace; otherwise, we'll come over there and give you tossers a nice big kick up your backside!" Sort of like the Pax Americana, n'est pas?

"So, err, what stage of grieving is this?"
"It's the goofy stage!"

DECLAN

Monday, October 17, 2005 6:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Khyron:

The type of peace that the alliance tries to impose makes me think of the Pax Romana, the type of peace the Romans imposed on the rest of Europe: "Right, you blokes do as we tell you and there'll be peace; otherwise, we'll come over there and give you tossers a nice big kick up your backside!" Sort of like the Pax Americana, n'est pas?

Just to go all classical on you all, Tacitus:

solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant (they make a desert, and call it peace)

Hmm, sounds like Miranda and the Alliance.

***************
"'Course, there are other schools of thought."

DONCOAT

Monday, October 17, 2005 6:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Declan:
Quote:
Originally posted by Khyron:

The type of peace that the alliance tries to impose makes me think of the Pax Romana, the type of peace the Romans imposed on the rest of Europe: "Right, you blokes do as we tell you and there'll be peace; otherwise, we'll come over there and give you tossers a nice big kick up your backside!" Sort of like the Pax Americana, n'est pas?

Just to go all classical on you all, Tacitus:

solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant (they make a desert, and call it peace)

Hmm, sounds like Miranda and the Alliance.

A world without sin.

QUEENOFTHENORTH

Monday, October 17, 2005 8:24 PM

Something the Alliance needs to learn:
There is no such thing as a world without sin unless it is a world without people.

We are just too pretty for God to let us die.

ENGINEANGEL

Monday, October 17, 2005 9:16 PM

majinbu, i love it - the quotes, the analysis ... It all makes sense. Good job!!

Quote:

written by oddnesstoher:
This reminds me of something I didn't get until my 3rd 'Serenity' viewing: when The Operative tells Mal that innocent people are dying in the air and Mal replies: "You have no idea how true that is." It took until then for me to realize he was talking about the Reavers; that they were as much victims of Alliance meddling as River or the rest of Miranda's population. It gave me chills.

Sorry to break it to you, but this scene was before the crew even went to MIranda. They didn't have a clue what went on there yet. I liked the analysis until i realized this. Any ideas on what he's really talking about?

keep flyin'
EngineAngel

Wash, you were the best gorram pilot in the verse. Rest In Peace (and then come back again!!!)

ODDNESS2HER

Monday, October 17, 2005 9:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by engineangel:
majinbu, i love it - the quotes, the analysis ... It all makes sense. Good job!!
Quote:

written by oddnesstoher:
This reminds me of something I didn't get until my 3rd 'Serenity' viewing: when The Operative tells Mal that innocent people are dying in the air and Mal replies: "You have no idea how true that is." It took until then for me to realize he was talking about the Reavers; that they were as much victims of Alliance meddling as River or the rest of Miranda's population. It gave me chills.

Sorry to break it to you, but this scene was before the crew even went to MIranda. They didn't have a clue what went on there yet. I liked the analysis until i realized this. Any ideas on what he's really talking about?

keep flyin'
EngineAngel

Wash, you were the best gorram pilot in the verse. Rest In Peace (and then come back again!!!)

No, I'M sorry to break it to YOU. The exchange I refer to takes place during the final fight between Mal and The Operative below Mr. Universe's complex. After the flight from Miranda and during the Alliance/Reaver battle.

1 2 3 4 NEXT PAGE