Firefly Character Deaths

POSTED BY: SergeantX
UPDATED: Sunday, September 28, 2003 22:12
VIEWED: 5053
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SERGEANTX

Thursday, September 25, 2003 11:10 PM

OK, I've never followed a Joss Whedon series before Firefly, but its my understanding that Mutant Enemy, and Tim Minear in particular, have a reputation for killing off regular cast member characters when the whim hits them. My question is, what do you all think of that in regards to Firefly. How would you react if they killed off your favorite character? I ask because I've seen some pretty angry posts online from Buffy fans pertaining to losing characters they liked.

As for me, I enjoy the suspense of knowing that it might actually happen. It made the ending of Ariel a much more intense situation for example. Even if that means we might actually lose a character we really like, I think it's worth it.

SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

GLUEHWURM

Thursday, September 25, 2003 11:47 PM

I agree with you that the show gains in suspense if you truly believe that a character could die. I could stand it on Firefly as long as the character was NOT Mal. In fact, it would be very moving to watch him deal with the guilt he'd be sure to feel from losing a crew member.

Gluehwurm

JOEMAN

Friday, September 26, 2003 1:25 AM

I'd have been upset if they'd have killed off Jayne, Mal, Wash, Wash's wife (shoot me, I don't remember), Book, or Inara.

Kaylee or the Doctor? Meh.

I would have been happy if they'd have killed off River. She annoyed the beJEEzuz out of me.

Purveyor of Pulchritude

KAYTHRYN

Friday, September 26, 2003 1:51 AM

What? And again with the “what”? Kaylee, Simon and River are my favorites! They kill those three off and I'll be crying in my soup for days.

I might be able to live without Inara or Mal, ugh, that might be a bit stretch. There would probably still be tears.

And Wash's wife is Zoe.

-------------------------------------
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Aristotle

VETERAN

Friday, September 26, 2003 2:28 AM

Could you kill off Mal? Isn't he the main character?

BRTICK

Friday, September 26, 2003 2:39 AM

I'd say pretty much anyone who isn't Mal would be fair game.
with good odds on Jayne, Kaylee, Zoe or Book(but only after he reveals his past, ala Jenny Calendar).

Keep Flying!

TALONPEST

Friday, September 26, 2003 4:10 AM

They can't kill Mal any more than they could have killed Buffy or Angel... though technically they've temporarily killed all three characters. I should say they can't PERMENANTLY kill him. While he's not the titular character, he's pretty much the lead.

Generally, I think they'd kill someone that they wouldn't have to replace with someone who does exactly the same job (unless one of the cast wanted out). So Mal, Wash, Simon, and Kaylee were pretty much safe.

That leaves Zoe, Jayne, River, Book, and Inara as fair game. I think Book or River would probably be the first to go, since one their stories unfold there's no longer much of a use for them. Once we know what Book's past is, then he can die a heroic, redeeming death. Once River gets her act together and realizes her full potential, she'd probably be too powerful to keep around. There wouldn't be any challange for her, or anyone else.

'Course, we'll probably never know who would have died, will we?

SERGEANTX

Friday, September 26, 2003 4:18 AM

Characters might also leave just as a matter of course. Book and the Tams are only passengers anyway, although Simon has been declared the 'medic'. Book could have any number of reasons to leave before they kill him off.

SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

GRANNYSTEEL

Friday, September 26, 2003 6:56 AM

Don't want to see anyone die.
Nada
Not for a long time.
I prize all of my FF friends.

Problems is Joss is becoming known for the gosspel that happy people don't make good drama.
The problem is that this belief makes the stories predictable on some level as a Greek play.
I am a rabid Firefly fan and tremendously admire Joss's writing and creativity, but I would like to see him grow up to have Terry Prachett's skill warping the old strories out of their tracks and pulling off a happy ending.

He seems unaware of the fact that keeping things running smoothly and happily is often requires luck, good will, and effort that would make the Keystone Cops look sadate. Maybe he thinks that clean socks and underware appear magicly.

ATHERTONWING

Friday, September 26, 2003 11:27 AM

Joss whedon is a total bastard for killing off his cast but theres usually a main theme (usually) they have to be involved in some great love story, tara,angel,spike,doyle...i could go on (but i wont) so that narrows it down to either simon,kaylee or inara...but i would be devastated if any of the crew died! i guess zoe or wash too but there realtionship really isnt the big will they wont they caper that spirals around mal/inara and kaylee/simon.

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