rewatching War Stories...

POSTED BY: embers
UPDATED: Thursday, October 5, 2006 17:23
VIEWED: 7191
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AGENTRUSCO

Saturday, August 19, 2006 3:36 PM

This has always been one of my favorite episodes. I'm not sure why, because it is rather harsh and Wash is not his normal self most of it. He's so "angsty" at the begining. But I love the development of each character.

I love River's parroting of Kaylee's earlier line "no power in the verse can stop me." It so like her, but kinda creepy indeed.

Seeing Kaylee with the huge-ass pistol always kinda breaks my heart. Almost the same feeling I don't get when seeing Wash with the sissy gun. That does make me laugh though.

I love Zoe's unflinching behavior when set with a "choice." It is oft debated whether she chose Wash because she knew he was weak or because she couln't bear to leave him. I prefer to think the latter, but I'm sure there's a bit of both.

I love how Mal keeps Wash alive, but after Wash is gone, basically gives up and dies.

I love Book's reaction to the severed ear. That is the only time in the series that he speaks Chinese, if I'm not mistaken. And its not a nice preacherish phrase either.

What I love most about this episode is Wash's shirt. Seriously. Em... yah.

Good thread.

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EMBERS

Saturday, August 19, 2006 4:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRusco:

I love Zoe's unflinching behavior when set with a "choice." It is oft debated whether she chose Wash because she knew he was weak or because she couln't bear to leave him. I prefer to think the latter, but I'm sure there's a bit of both.

well I always felt that Zoe picked Wash because the situation was of the Captain's making, not Wash's...
Mal decided to do business w/Niska in the Train Job,
and Mal decided to back out on the deal...
Wash was only a member of the crew, and shouldn't have to pay the price for those choices.

But then (in another thread a year or so ago) someone pointed out that Niska was just kidding around anyway, and Zoe knew that; there is no way Niska would let go of Mal. Niska never really wanted Wash (who had only a reputation as a pilot), he wanted Mal...

AGENTRUSCO

Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:14 AM

Quote:
But then (in another thread a year or so ago) someone pointed out that Niska was just kidding around anyway, and Zoe knew that; there is no way Niska would let go of Mal. Niska never really wanted Wash (who had only a reputation as a pilot), he wanted Mal...

Indeed that is true. However, I can't help but believe that Zoe picked Wash cos she's married to him. Call me a romantic. No don't. It's not a bit true. It's just all in the character is all. The depth.

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GRYFFYD

Sunday, October 1, 2006 1:23 AM

Personaly, I thought it was one of the funniest eps. I ever did see. But I s'pose you're right. I bought the series and watched them all one after another, it was probably the most informative, sans "Out of Gas" and a few others, when we get into charater development.

Gryffyd

HEWHOKICKSALOT

Sunday, October 1, 2006 2:35 AM

This is one of my absolute favorite episodes, so thanks for posting a thread about it.

Zoe was unhesitant, I believe, for a number of reasons. First, she did not want Niska to witness the process of choosing. He would eat it up, enjoying her pain to the fullest. Second, Mal stood a much better chance of surviving the torture for a greater length of time. Enough perhaps to mount the inevitable rescue. Third, she's Mal's second out of loyalty. She's Wash's wife out of love. Love makes us do crazy things.

I do enjoy the many revelations in this episode. River's obvious proficiency with firearms, as well as Book's. Wash taking a serious, balls to the wall stand, as well as his unfounded jealousy of Mal and Zoe's relationship. (the scene where they intend to "get it on" is possibly the funniest scene in the Firefly 'verse) Niska's spineless retreat. He's nothing without his hired muscle. Jayne stepping into what he's made clear is a suicidal mission.

A very graphic, poignant, and revealing episode, not just entertaining fluff, like most of the garbage on the Cortex nowadays.

"Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"

Rob O.

PHOENIXROSE

Sunday, October 1, 2006 5:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
I'm sure he has plenty of money (probably put in his wive's name for tax purposes).....

You think he had more than one wife, then?

(Sorry, I had to say something)
I'm sure Niska's reputation was damaged a bit. As with so many things, it would have been interesting to see what happened. No doubt he would have blamed Mal and Co. for his "fall from grace" in the world of organized crime, and after he fought his way back in to some extent, he would go after them a bit more viciously than before, I think. Probably would have popped up again in season two or three.

This is also one of my favorite episodes. I remember it had to grow on me, bcause the first time I watched it it was really the torture that stuck with me (that and the fact that I thought Niska was possibly the least interesting villain ever; a bully with a weak spine, oooooooo), but then the next time I could really watch and enjoy the episode, see the strength of the characters, ponder all the little details that makes the show so great in general.
As for Zoe's choice, a lot of people argue logic; she knew Niska wouldn't let Mal go, she knew Wash would break before Mal would, she knew Mal had brought the situation down on them through his choices, etc etc etc.... BUT. But she was so swift in her choice, no hesitation, and really not enough time to think "Ok, well, Wash will break before the Captain, and we might have time to get him out later and Niska isn't going to let him go anyway..." and on like that. To me it hit a very poignant note in Zoe's character. She saw someone she loved suffering, and she was not going to leave him behind. She was given the choice to take one of them, and her visceral reaction was "Him!" No time for thought, no hesitation. She wasn't going to give Niska the chance to play with her, and it can be argued that there was logic to her choice, which she probably thought of as she was half-carrying Wash to the shuttle, but her initial choice was from her emotions. Zoe and Wash are my favorite ever TV relationship, and I thought that moment between them was just gorgeous.

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RIMGIRL

Monday, October 2, 2006 4:04 PM

This is my favourite episode. I agree that we learn so much about every character.

Don't forget Jayne. He says its suicide and smells a lot of if but he's right there, leading the charge. He is much more loyal to Mal than many give him credit for. Plus I love his delivery of "Could be he harbours some resentment, us putting his man through our engine."

I love the quick cut of Mal shaking his head when Wash hesitates about leaving with Zoe. He knows that they need to get out. And I love the commentary when Alan tells Nathan that the hardest thing on the series was to walk away, "with you still screaming like that." It says so much about how close the cast was.
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SMARTBUTDUMBBLONDE

Thursday, October 5, 2006 5:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRusco:

What I love most about this episode is Wash's shirt. Seriously. Em... yah.
______________________________
I cannot abide useless people.

or in my case, Wash's shirt being open...

This is by far my favourite ep, none of the others come close for me. And I love the commentry too, so funny

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