Mal/Zoe - am I alone here?

POSTED BY: TaiShan
UPDATED: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 14:14
VIEWED: 10023
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FATHOUNDDAWG

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 9:15 PM

I disagree.

I think that Mal and Zoe are excellent partners. They have the history together and they trust each other and certainly do love each other, but it isn't the kind of love that will or should turn romantic.

I'd be really disappointed in Joss/Serenity/FF if they ever got together.

--------------------
Zoe: "I don't think she'd harm anyone."
Jayne: "Butcher knife!"
Zoe: "Anyone we can't spare."

AGENTROUKA

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 9:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TaiShan:

The power discrepancy? Like I said before, I see it like a barrier to keep them from getting any closer. Sort of like a line in the sand, keeping their relationship at a certain level, especially sinc ehe is her boss. As for Mal getting aggressive when she questions a command, is because that is work and that should be kept seperate from personal matters (I hope that made sense to you, it did in my head but I'm not sure if I'm explaining it right).

But how could they ever keep work and play separate on Serenity? She's his second in command 24/7, how would they drop it?

The way I see it, if they drop the power inequality in their relationship, then Mal loses his professional right hand. And that means a lot in terms of keeping him anchored to the world. What would he get to replace that absolute, unquestioning (by default of her subordinate position) loyalty?

They're not best friends in a traditional sense. It's like superhero and sidekick. One orders, the other obeys, close as they may be. They're not equals. We never see them talking to each other about anything personal, sharing, carrying each other emotionally.

It's all in the things they lived through together, the things they both understand through personal experience, and in their excellent working relationship.

Really, the more I think about it, the less applicable "best friends" becomes. They share a deep bond, but it's not a very personal one, beyond that forced intimacy of shared devastation?

Both of them emerged from the war, yet only Zoe returned to normality, due to Wash. Now Zoe is broken again, and Mal isn't particularly healed, either... just where would they lead each other if not a circle of painful memories? What do they give each other to grow with, personally?

TALLGRRL

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 9:57 PM

No, you're not alone.
I think that at one time Mal and Zoe probably had a fling. Sometime during the War. Something happened and they broke it off because they couldn't be a "couple" and fight. (Sort of like married soldiers/cops being in the same group.)
I mean, look at her! She's not only an awesome soldier, she's Drop.Dead.Gorgeous.
If I was leanin' that way, I'd have a big old GirlCrush on some Zoe/Gina Torres.
And Mal ain't blind. (Hell, neither is Zoe. Those are two fine lookin' people.)
Now. Since then, they've become Comrades.
I'm thinking the reason she continues to call him "Sir" is out of deference to the fact that she was the only one of their platoon to make it out alive...and to keep that distance between them.
Nothing wrong with thinking that they'd have some Chemistry.
She'd jump in front of a bullet for Mal. But she's definitely married to, and deeply in love with Wash.
*sniff*
That's my opinion...and I'm stickin' with it.

"Take me, sir. Take me hard." -- Zoe

DRAGONFEAR987

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 9:59 PM

i dun really see mal being with anyone, crew or an outsider. sure there are ppl we can easily see him with, and those wed like to see him with, but when it comes down to it, i just dont see mal as the kinda guy who would really want to have a wife. hes a mystery to ppl, he likes to be a mystery to ppl, and in having a wife hell lose his mystery as he gets close to whoever hed marry. notice how he stopped himself when he started opening up to saffron. neway, overall i think mals got a soft spot for soft gentle women, but hes more content being single. and i dun mean to put down opinions, but i really dont think he ever had a fling with zoe at all.

KPO

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 12:05 AM

Quote:
We never see them talking to each other about anything personal, sharing, carrying each other emotionally.

*********SPOILERS*********

That's a good point - intelligent thing to highlight. There's a good scene in the movie where Mal makes a subtle enquiry into Zoe's emotional state:

Mal - "You think she'll hold together?"
Zoe - "She's tore up plenty, but she'll fly true."

I guess one of the things that makes this scene so touching is that the two are burying their emotions behind their professionalism. It would seem wrong if Mal was there for Zoe in a 'shoulder to cry on' capacity.

Though it's tough for Zoe isn't it? Not sure she can get that shoulder from anywhere else now that Wash is gone... Most people would be too intimidated to offer consolance - I entertain the notion that Wash was kind of the first person to see past the warrior woman to the person underneath, and spoke to her addressing the person underneath, and thus got past her defences and this was what made him 'bother' her when they first met

I've got off the point haven't I? But yeah, a friendly professional relationship is my verdict.

GARBAGECANMUSIC

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 12:55 AM

Yes you are. Desperately alone....there is...wait..

*rereads entire thread*

Ok....you're not desperately alone on this concept:)

But allow me to say....

NO! NO!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD NO!!!

And for the person who has Mal/River thoughts....have you LOST your FRICKIN' mind?!? No, no, NO!!

What is it fan fics and sex?!? Put a show on the air and all of a sudden EVERYONE has to be doinking?? There's no such thing as professional relationships? Friendships? Crimeny....I'm now afraid to go fan fic searching and finding:
"Serenity Baccanal-Ogry VII: The Revenge"

Crimeny.

Oh...um....if anyone happens to come across the above titles fan fic.....could you send it to my attention please?

How much is that little Geisha in the window?

KPO

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 12:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dragonfear987:
i dun really see mal being with anyone, crew or an outsider. sure there are ppl we can easily see him with, and those wed like to see him with, but when it comes down to it, i just dont see mal as the kinda guy who would really want to have a wife. hes a mystery to ppl, he likes to be a mystery to ppl, and in having a wife hell lose his mystery as he gets close to whoever hed marry. notice how he stopped himself when he started opening up to saffron. neway, overall i think mals got a soft spot for soft gentle women, but hes more content being single. and i dun mean to put down opinions, but i really dont think he ever had a fling with zoe at all.

I'll back you in that I can't see him ever having had a fling with Zoe.

But I don't like the idea that he cherishes his own 'mystery' image or that he's afraid of being 'sussed out'. Perhaps he has resigned himself to a single life, but I don't believe this is his wish.

He's not used to letting people in, especially not since the war and the scars he has in there. But I don't think he is now indisposed to relationships, he just requires a special woman.

Anyway, that's my view. Lol, don't mean to put down your view, it's just Mal's my favourite character and I have my own view of him which I guard very jealously (Grr Jane Espenson)

SHINYTALENT

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 1:17 AM

Sorry but I can't see it. I mean Mal and Zoe have a special bond sure- but it's not physical. I think if they were together in any other way they would be a liability to each other.

Also Mal needs someone to protect, can you see Zoe being protected? I sure can't.

But don't worry- where there is the possibility for a 'ship there will fic written about it, maybe you could try writing some- make those of us who are doubting Thomas's see what you mean.

The human body can be drained of blood in 8.6 seconds given adequate vacuuming systems.

ETHAN

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 1:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by kpo:
Quote:
Originally posted by dragonfear987:
i dun really see mal being with anyone, crew or an outsider. sure there are ppl we can easily see him with, and those wed like to see him with, but when it comes down to it, i just dont see mal as the kinda guy who would really want to have a wife. hes a mystery to ppl, he likes to be a mystery to ppl, and in having a wife hell lose his mystery as he gets close to whoever hed marry. notice how he stopped himself when he started opening up to saffron. neway, overall i think mals got a soft spot for soft gentle women, but hes more content being single. and i dun mean to put down opinions, but i really dont think he ever had a fling with zoe at all.

I'll back you in that I can't see him ever having had a fling with Zoe.

But I don't like the idea that he cherishes his own 'mystery' image or that he's afraid of being 'sussed out'. Perhaps he has resigned himself to a single life, but I don't believe this is his wish.

He's not used to letting people in, especially not since the war and the scars he has in there. But I don't think he is now indisposed to relationships, he just requires a special woman.

Anyway, that's my view. Lol, don't mean to put down your view, it's just Mal's my favourite character and I have my own view of him which I guard very jealously (Grr Jane Espenson)

I also agree that Mal perhaps isn't suited for a traditional relationship. That said however, I think Mal's attitude towards Zoe is the closest thing he can have when it comes to a long term relationship. If Mal ever had to commit to a particular someone, it would be based on loyalty and a mutual (if somewhat cold) understanding. That's why I think an intimate relationship with Zoe isn't out of the realm of possibility. If the right reason should arise, I could see Mal marrying Zoe out of a sense of responsibilty and friendship.

SAMEERTIA

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 1:31 AM

I can see Mal & Zoe, but I'm a not huge fan of it.

I wrote a fic about WHY Mal & Zoe aren't - and why Wash is. :D
It's here - Warning; it's gritty.

http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=5997

And I recently read a very lovely "Mal comforts Zoe" post BDM on here, but I can't remember who the author was! I'm so sorry.

Does anybody remember? Will the author step forward, please?

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