Firefly 1.13: 'Heart of Gold'

POSTED BY: Entilzha
UPDATED: Thursday, January 11, 2007 12:51
VIEWED: 9776
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The first time I saw this episode, I focused on all of the good points, especially the character development. It wasn't until later that I realized that there wasn't much more to the episode, and for that matter, there wasn't much of that in the first place. This was the only one of the unaired episodes that I read the shooting script before watching as well, and I think that it ruined it for me, because a lot of the moments I had been looking forward to had been edited out. For that reason alone, I have avoided the test screenings of "Serenity"; for that matter, I've avoided the vast majority of the comments and discussion on the new film. I certainly hope the film isn't like this episode!

Here's my review for Firefly 1.13: "Heart of Gold":

http://www.entil2001.com/series/firefly/season1dvd/ff1-13.html

Overall, this episode is an interesting concept, and the resulting consequences were clearly the point of the entire situation. While the shooting script still contained a number of unfortunate flaws, the final cut left out some of the nuances, thus compounding the errors. The villain is never very compelling, and frankly, Nandi’s inconsistent characterization, a requirement of the plot, is a major drawback.

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What's inconsistent about it?

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I get into that in rather great detail in the review...

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"At the same time, she’s aware of the fact, perhaps belatedly, that she has crossed over a line. Mal is willing to take on a rather dangerous job with no payment on her behalf, and she didn’t even have to ask."

It's the writers who crossed the line and pussified Mal beyond belief. Firefly loses its reality when the combat veteran who has decided "no more lost causes" decides to engage in a hopeless battle for no good reason. Only the writers (and the audience) know that the crew is going to get out of that unnecessary situation alive.

The charity and heroism cards here are played over the top and it breaks continuity and believability. In reality Inara, and the entire whorehouse themselves, would be posing serious questions whether they ALL WANT TO DIE over a whore's wish to keep a child.


"He won't kill anyone UNLESS HE HAS TO." - Nathan Fillion on Mal

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Here's how it is. Even though Joss likes to write his overall characters and plotlines as non-cliche as possible (which in itself sometimes is cliche), he still gives nods to his inspirations.


Heart of Gold is your classic western showdown. One side is holed up inside of a building and the other side (usually the "bad guys") assualts from the outside with greater numbers and better weapons.

I dunno if there are many western fans around here, but I have seen my fair share of weapons since I like a good handful of them, and it's something that is a popular event in westerns.


Lets see, Joss has covered:

A train robbery
A stage coach robbery
Transporting a herd of cattle
A brothel
A showdown
A bank robbery


As for regualr sci-fi fair, Joss has covered:

A traitor on board
A bounty hunter
Ship running out of life support systems
A psychic
An emergency without a medic

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Meh, it was a decent episode. Not my favorite, but better than most of the best episodes of the stuff on TV.

I just have to post this: Am I the only one who thinks that Petaline (or however you spell it) sounds like a medicine for infants? Or a baby-dietary-supplement? I'm just curious, because that name...

~A message from Serenyty~

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I agree, Serenyty, I kinda liked this episode. What I like is Mal and Nandi - they're both stubborn fools, and they have a fantastic dynamic together. (Though I think I may be alone in that opinion.) I also liked the triangle setup, and Inara's heartbreak - she acts that part so convincingly, it makes me want to cry every single time.

Granted, the plot wasn't great but there are more than enough reasons for me to like it.

And this is more than a bit off-topic, but if Heart of Gold isn't a favorite because of its plot, then why on earth do so many people like The Message? I know how much sentimental value it has, as the last episode to be filmed, but still...

Julia

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Quote:

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Originally posted by pingjing:
I agree, Serenyty, I kinda liked this episode. What I like is Mal and Nandi - they're both stubborn fools, and they have a fantastic dynamic together. (Though I think I may be alone in that opinion.) I also liked the triangle setup, and Inara's heartbreak - she acts that part so convincingly, it makes me want to cry every single time.

Granted, the plot wasn't great but there are more than enough reasons for me to like it.

And this is more than a bit off-topic, but if Heart of Gold isn't a favorite because of its plot, then why on earth do so many people like The Message? I know how much sentimental value it has, as the last episode to be filmed, but still...

Julia

---

See, it's weird that you say th at.

I love The Message. Personally, I think it's a great episode, but that's just me.

I love all the Firefly episodes, so...

~A message from Serenyty~

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Quote:

---

Originally posted by Serenyty:

Quote:

---

See, it's weird that you say th at.

I love The Message. Personally, I think it's a great episode, but that's just me.

I love all the Firefly episodes, so...

~A message from Serenyty~

---

It's not just you - it's the majority of flans, I think. I'm alone in my wayward thoughts... Not that I hate the whole episode, it definitely has its moments, especially the last scene.

Julia

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