In earnest, Mal: why’d you bring her back on?
POSTED BY: Romanceguru
UPDATED: Sunday, December 16, 2007 08:17
VIEWED: 4944
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I didn't see any problem with what went on after the encounters at Mr. Universe's planet. No mention was made as to how long afterward that took place. Mr. U was stabbed in the chest, Mal in the left side (as is common when that character must continue in the movie), the operative probably just had his shoulders dislocated. But the recoveries of Zoe and Simon would have taken quite awhile, and the amount of damage to the ship makes me suspect that several months had passed, so the Operative looking healthy does not seem unusual to me.
As for bringing River back on the ship, it seemed to me that there was a lot of trust between them since at the end of the bar fight scene they each had the other at gunpoint. Everything River had done in that scene seemed to happen quickly and by instinct, not planning, yet she saw Mal's gun pointed at her and did not shoot him.
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Farfly: You're right, I didn't make myself clear. I meant when the Operative tells the soldiers to stand down. (What do you call the place where they all are, anyway?)
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(haven't read all the posts, so forgive if I'm rehashing)
on Haven
Mal: "I coulda left her there. I had an out. "
------->not exact quote, but gets the gist across
Book: "It's not your way, Mal"
'nuf explanation for me
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Quote:All excellent points, Far.
Originally posted by farfly:
I didn't see any problem with what went on after the encounters at Mr. Universe's planet. No mention was made as to how long afterward that took place. Mr. U was stabbed in the chest, Mal in the left side (as is common when that character must continue in the movie), the operative probably just had his shoulders dislocated. But the recoveries of Zoe and Simon would have taken quite awhile, and the amount of damage to the ship makes me suspect that several months had passed, so the Operative looking healthy does not seem unusual to me.
As for bringing River back on the ship, it seemed to me that there was a lot of trust between them since at the end of the bar fight scene they each had the other at gunpoint. Everything River had done in that scene seemed to happen quickly and by instinct, not planning, yet she saw Mal's gun pointed at her and did not shoot him.
Best movie ever made Chrisisall
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I think Shepherd Book explained why Mal brought the siblings back on board the best, when he said something to the effect, "It wasn't your way." I think Mal's look to Zoe was also best explained when Mal answered Book, "I have a way?"
I think that Mal is the father figure of this family, not the crew where River is very much a part of it. In the episode Safe, just before the crew returns to save the siblings River tells Simon that father was coming to save them. BDH!
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"It's just that...in a time of war, we would've never left a man stranded."
Not that I'm saying what happened in the Maidenhead was a battle (kind of one sided), but it was enough of a dangerous situation that the old Sergeant Reynolds probably kicked in. he had to make a decision fast, and although he can be a hardass, he's not the type to leave a helpless girl stranded (unconscious=helpless). besides, he knew she had trouble with the Alliance, and knowing how he feels about the Alliance, i don't think he'd leave someone for them.
__________________________
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Or fly to the heavens that watch over you?
"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar."
A man is least himself when he speaks in his own person. Give him a mask and he will show you his true self.
You can't take the sky from me...
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It was instinct IMO. "We need to get out of here. ALL of us."
First priority is to leave the crime scene. (maybe he should have got the feeds first?) Everything else can be sorted out later.
I never questioned til I heard the commentary and Joss mentioned he was asked the "why" of it. It felt totally in character.
Adding to that, the Tams had only been separated for what? half an hour? Not what I would call a success.
A part of Mal's "self-denial" thoughts of letting Simon go/pushing him was that Simon should now be better able to take care of himself. No longer a "babe in a basket". IMO part of the original reason he offered Simon a place on the ship in the first place was because he thought he could do a better job.
I always saw his glance at Zoe back on the ship as a question. "Do I need to explain myself? To You too?". Her opinion matters. If she wanted an explanation he would have to think of one pronto. Otherwise the rest could be ignored. (Like in Trash - until Zoe signs up there simply is no job. It don't matter too much what the rest may say.)
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I gotta agree with it being just the way he was. He wouldn't have left her behind unless there really was no other choice.
Plus I always felt that he never really had a problem with River, and saw her as somewhat of an innocent. Yes she could cause trouble, be annoying, loud or whatever, and could bring the Alliance down on them at any moment, but I always felt that he blamed Simon for that, not River. It was Simon that brought her aboard, Simon he always argued with. And most importantly it was Simon he kicked off in the BDM, River went because her brother went.
I also refer to the scene when they have the cattle on board in the series. He tells Simon to keep her quiet coz she's scaring them. He then asks how she is and that she seems to be getting worse. To me he seemed genuinely to care for her, was concerned for her wellfare. There are other instances but I can't remember them all now.
"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."
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There's also that Mal isn't *entirely* a bonehead.
Tell me, folk.. what *happens* to people whom the alliance believes she's been in close, comfy contact with.. like, you know, those cops on ariel, for instance ?
Now, if she got away and pulled a fade, that's one thing, but leaving her on the floor where she was *definately* gonna get bagged, and thus finger Mal and company for that kind of warm, fluffy... might we even say.. special attention from the Feds ?
Nuh-uh, no way... and had he thought it through, which he wouldn't cause he's not like that, the minute THAT idea occured to Jayne, he'd have picked her up too (but prolly push her out the airlock later,lol).
Basically, it's criminal habit, like pickin up your shell casings, or wiping off the prints - you never hand the cops a gimme, you know ?
-F
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Quote:Well, Mal isn't even certain why he brought her back on either, which is why we only get a confused look. But, Mal is a good man (despite what he tells people), and he was acting on instinct. It wasn't in his nature to just leave River behind. He feels for her. As a matter of fact, he has more in common with her than anyone else on ship. For example: both lives were destroyed by the Alliance, they're both orphans, they lost something that was essential to their existence (his faith, her mind), and so forth.
Originally posted by Romanceguru:
In re-watching Serenity (for the umpteenth time) I found myself wondering the above as well.
It’s odd that Mal and crew (with the exception of Kaylee) didn’t even blink an eye when Simon and River left of their own accord, but after Mal witnesses that damage River does first hand, he picks her up without hesitation and brings her back to Serenity.
When Jayne asks, “In earnest, Mal, why’d you bring her back on?” We get only a look.
I’m curious to know, what do you think Mal was thinking at that moment, or even in the Maidenhead? Or was he simply not thinking at all?
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