Jayne and Mal

POSTED BY: bladeachilles
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 20:38
VIEWED: 5412
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MCALLEN

Monday, January 30, 2006 7:23 PM

The 2nd time I watched "Ariel" it really struck me how Jayne's actions in turning River and Simon in were a bit more justified (or at least understandable) than I had originally thought. Right before he turns them in, River slashes Jayne with a knife, and then Jayne subsequently gives the speech to Mal abaout how Mal or Kaylee or whomever could be next.

Not saying Jayne wasn't interested in the payoff for turning them in, but I think you could make the argument that he thought (perhaps even if only subconsciously) that what he was doing was really the best and safest thing for the rest of the crew. It's at least further justification for the position that Jayne is impulsive and greedy, but not truly a "bad" guy and not without feelings of protection and loyalty toward his crew family.

MAL: We're still flying.
SIMON: That's not much.
MAL: It's enough.

KIZYR

Monday, January 30, 2006 8:35 PM

Yeah, you notice that the only time Jayne's really angry or hostile towards the Tams is when he feels they pose an actual threat to the rest of the crew -- the rest of his family, so to speak. Jayne, a lot like Mal, puts the crew's life at the highest priority... Looking back on how he was during both Ariel and the Serenity movie, it seems that the only time he ever would've seriously turned them in would be when they posed a threat; the reward is a nice little side benefit.

Though, since Jayne doesn't always think through, sometimes he can't weigh the threat versus the potential benefit. A flaw, yes, but I don't think it makes him evil for it. Chaotic neutral, perhaps. KF

~KF

Lord, I'm walking your way. Let me in, for my feet are sore, my clothes are ragged.
Look in my eyes, Lord, and my sins will play out on them as on a screen. Read them all.
Forgive what you can and send me on my path. I will walk on until you bid me rest.
~Haven Prayer

MTNSCOTT

Monday, January 30, 2006 9:50 PM

I was watching Serenity, the pilot, last night, and I caught something for the first time. The Fed offer Jayne Enough money too "buy His own Ship" if turns on Mal. As we know he does not do this. When Mal asks him why he did not, Jayne Responds, The "Money wasnt good enuff". His own Ship is deffinately more money than ten percent of nuthin'. Jayne knows where he belongs and likes it that way.

Only the half mad are wholly alive!
E.A.

MER

Monday, January 30, 2006 10:10 PM

He HAS to be on Serenity. The crew is a family and apparently Jayne never had anybody but his own take a care to him.

Also, we need a Cordelia (from Buffy) on board to say things that others are too afraid of saying or doing what others are afraid of doing. I'm sure he as his specific reasons on doing bad things...I say it's all for his family back home. Times are tough and he seems the type to help mom out (aww)

GUTTERBALL

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 3:22 AM

I think that, no matter what Jayne does, no matter what dickens he kicks up, Mal keeps him on board for one reason only:

Jayne really CAN shoot a man in the neck from 500 yards with a bent scope. There are so many scenes in the episodes where his sharp-shooting comes so in handy.

Serenity (pilot): He caps TwoFry right through the hat, just as Mal comments on it (pointing him out as the best shot to the listening Jayne).

Our Mrs. Reynolds: He uses Vera to shoot out one of the transformers (?) on the net from how far away? Through space, anyway, and those contact points were relatively small. He then puts three neatly lined-up shots through the tiny window where the bad guys are standing.

Heart of Gold: He takes out that gunner on the back of Ranz's hovercraft before Mal can even ask him if he can do it. Easy-peasy.

And those are just the ones off the top of my head. Sure, he's a lot more loyal to his crew than he lets on, but let's be realistic. He has a very definite purpose on the ship -- muscle and killer aim.

He's much more than the sum of his weaponry, of course, but still. I'd put up with a lot of line-walking for someone who could thread a needle with a .20-cal.

________________________________________

Please remember that the 9:30 show is completely different from the 7:30 show. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

AERIN

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 11:12 AM

I completely agree with Kizyr. Jayne protects those he considers his crew, just like Mal. I suspect Mal hired Jayne only to avoid getting shot, kept him at first because he's a damn good shot, and ultimately keeps Jayne on Serenity because he's family now.

My theory is that Jayne had a very tight-knit, poor family. I think he's the only one who left and he did so to earn them money. Being alone in the world, Jayne didn't trust anyone and couldn't be trusted by anyone, until he found family again on Serenity.

On a side note, I just noticed Jayne put on a dress shirt over his t-shirt when they went to the whorehouse in Heart of Gold. He dressed up for them! I love Jayne.

Jayne: I once hit a guy in the neck from 500 yards with a bent scope. Don't that count upstairs?
Book: Oh, it'll be taken into consideration.
Jayne: You made that sound kind of ominous.

NOSADSEVEN

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 4:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Aerin:
[...]
I suspect Mal hired Jayne only to avoid getting shot, kept him at first because he's a damn good shot, and ultimately keeps Jayne on Serenity because he's family now.

My theory is that Jayne had a very tight-knit, poor family. I think he's the only one who left and he did so to earn them money. Being alone in the world, Jayne didn't trust anyone and couldn't be trusted by anyone, until he found family again on Serenity.

On a side note, I just noticed Jayne put on a dress shirt over his t-shirt when they went to the whorehouse in Heart of Gold. He dressed up for them! I love Jayne.

I quite agree with you, except for the very first part. It seemed that Mal and Zoe were already pretty impressed with the skill of whomever tracked them, so when Jayne boasts, "Found you easy enough," they know who their man is and start the negotiations. Certainly they did it to avoid getting shot and robbed themselves, but I think they were already looking for someone with such skills.

I also think Jayne is from a tight-knit family - tight enough that they don't trust or care about outsiders much - and being on Serenity provides him with a familiar role within. On Serenity he is not just a merc, but also a protector - of Kaylee, especially - a role that he probably also enjoyed growing up with siblings.

And I've always just adored that he dresses up for the whores.

But yeah, Mal knows how to keep Jayne in line, and Jayne has repeatedly proven himself a valuble asset. Mal has also decided that whatever threat Jayne represents, it can be handled - as it was in TTJ, OoG, and Ariel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ain't. We. Just.

HUTCH

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 8:38 PM

I have to agree with the idea that Jayne grew up in rough surroundings. This comes across in the harsh/rude comments to the rest of the crew such as the comment towards Kaylee in Serenity the pilot, when she is flurting with Simon, "Kaylee wishes he was a Gynaecologist". This was a genuine attempt to make fun of the situation not to be vulgar. I feel he didn't really see it was wrong until challenged by Mal.

Jayne does respect Mal and looks towards him for leadership

(first post, please be gentle)

"Lets moon them!!!"

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