Would a New Firefly/Serenity Work With Only Seven Crew-Members?

POSTED BY: Schism
UPDATED: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 16:40
VIEWED: 12783
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SCHISM

Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:28 PM

Continuing the idea of another thread, and moving slightly to the left. ;p

If the crew came back for another series OR movie, should it just be the remaining crew?

WOuld you like them to pick up another crew-member, be it another medic or pilot, or a separate function altogether?

If River's the new pilot, and no longer the resident crazy person, the series would need a new focus. While I'm sure she's still hunted by the alliance, she's no longer completely crazy, or at the very least a little more understanded by the crew. So her as a fugitive become a bit lesser of a story.

We're all so complaicent with the current crew...could we accept a new face on board?

Things have to change in order to improve.

Just as long as the change is good.

VERONIC

Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:43 PM

ABsolutly YES
There are seven characters more(very interesting)

AGENTROUKA

Saturday, February 14, 2009 9:12 PM

I think they would need a new pilot, at least.

I don't think River was supposed to become the new pilot, she helped Mal lift off at the end of the movie and could do it in a pinch, but not as a full-time job. She's not stable enough and not really up for a full-time job watching controls 24/7.

If they continued from where the movie left off, new characters would be a great way to give the show a breath of fresh air after all the drama. An anti-Wash, though, not a replacement.

NEWOLDBROWNCOAT

Saturday, February 14, 2009 9:15 PM

from my POV, you'd need to replace Book-- you need somebody to voice the moral themes.

River can, so it says here, pilot the ship, so you don't need to replace Wash in the pilot's chair. But you need somebody to step up as the smart Plucky Comic Relief. Jayne can do the Dumb Guy Comedy bits, as well as the Horndog stuff and the heavy Thuggery, but having him do smart or sensitive just totally does not fit his character. You can do it once in a while, like Jaynestown or Ariel; but not often-- it has to be a special occasion for that side of Jayne to get out.

So you need somebody to replace Wash-- but replace isn't the right word, he was my favorite part of the crew, and I'm STILL mad at Joss for killing him.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't watch, tho'

BYTEMITE

Saturday, February 14, 2009 9:15 PM

It's not like the other crew members wouldn't be an important part of their lives, even if they're gone. Way I see it, it's still nine crew, always.

Although River as pilot... It works for now, so long as Mal can keep an eye on her if she starts having any trouble. And it gives her focus and a feeling of being important, useful. Long term it might help her be better, but if not, they really need a professional. River might be good at the astronavigation, but I don't see her having the natural talent Wash has as a pilot in atmo and with maneuvers.

SCHISM

Sunday, February 15, 2009 3:04 AM

If they simply made do without Wash, it would be an insult to his memory and his abilities.

If they replaced him with another pilot, even if he was likeable, it would seem cold.

I like River as a pilot. Sure she's not trained, nor second in her class from pilot school (wash was technically first, but Mr. Universe cheated him out of that), but she simply knows things, and that's a good enough plot lead to get her in there. Perhaps give her a shakey start, but her intuitive nature helps her get the hang of it.

Again, putting another shepherd in would be too convenient. So i would not even try to copy his characteristics. Just another crew member with a unique set of skills and characteristics.

And someone somewhere mentioned occaisional run-ins with the Operative. The man deposed, setting up some sort of life for himself, would be interesting. Maybe not an ally. Maybe not a foe. Something interestingly and complicatedly in-between the two. Like a man with a religious experience hell-bent on cleansing a planet of evil and uniting (and converting) it's people.

SIGMANUNKI

Sunday, February 15, 2009 11:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by NewOldBrownCoat:

from my POV, you'd need to replace Book-- you need somebody to voice the moral themes.

Not necessarily. If Inara stayed and didn't continue to be a Companion, she could fill that role.

Quote:
Originally posted by NewOldBrownCoat:

But you need somebody to step up as the smart Plucky Comic Relief.

I completely disagree. There's enough comedy produced by the other crew members that this isn't necessary. Not to mention the fact that any Wash replacement will feel artificial. It would really work against the show/movie if they tried to do that as every time a comment would be made, it'd be compared to something Wash did/said and it'd always fall short.

That being said, they could turn up Mal's level of funny (in various ways that makes sense for the character). I'm sure Nathan would appreciate it and it'd make sense for Mal if Inara stayed on board and something, anything started between them. There'd be less tension between them and that new relationship could be a nice place to put some funny and other types of tension in so that things change but don't at the same time.

It's just a new balance would have to be achieved in that and that takes a fine touch to do. It'd take some time to develop though. Not that that would be a bad thing.

That being said, I'd really like to not see that explored. That is, if the movie was any indication, they'd be even more off and it just wouldn't be pretty.

Still, an interesting thought experiment.

EDIT: I don't see River as the new pilot. After all, her stability is still questionable. Having someone at the helm in that state isn't exactly a reasonable thing. So, yah, a new pilot would be necessary. But, someone possible in a dual role on the ship? Don't know what else though.

EDIT 2: Having someone else as pilot might be perceived as "cold." But, that could be worked with. And if done right, could produce some interesting story-lines, etc. So, it could be of overall benefit to the show.

----
I am on The Original List (twice). We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

INSTANTKARMAGIRL

Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:47 PM

Not that anyone could replace Wash, but I think a professional pilot would need to be found.

River, while better after Miranda, might get too focused on one thing and the Captain would wake up to the proximity alarm going off as they nearly crashed into an Alliance cruiser...

I don't think the pilot needs to be Wash-like.

While I love Book and the role he filled, I don't think he needs to be "replaced" to cheapen his character.

I agree the Inara could take his place as the moral guide of the crew. She is a woman of stature, brought up on the Core, who does like to bring up right and wrong from time to time.

I think River having a function on the ship would be good for her, but I think her going on jobs and acting as a sensory guide is probably the best one for her.

Perhaps they add someone else besides a pilot to round out the cast...who would they need though...especially if this person were to get a cut of the pay?

Perhaps another Merc? Maybe Saffron, that would be hilarious! But no....

I can't rightly think what they would be missing after the addition of a pilot.

Maybe rotating characters who know of their activity but just need safe passage from here to there from time to time? Then you can have several "new faces" that aren't there all the time.

~**~
"How come you're flying about with us brigands? I mean, shouldn't you be off bringing religiosity to the Fuzzie-Wuzzies or some such?"~Cap'n Mal

ADS

Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:07 PM

Bloody oath there should be new crew members, eventually.

In a series Joss was always going introduce and kill off characters, even important ones eventually. That's why I like him so much. He makes you fall in love with a character and then kills them in a way that both suprises you and affects you emotionally.

Maybe not Wash or Book, maybe not at that time or place in the story, but if the series had of continued as it should have then some crew would have died and new characters would have been woven into the show and opened up new possibilites of character interaction as well as story direction.

The movie is a different story because you are allot more limited when it comes to having the time to introduce a new character, defining his/her/its place in the crew as well as weave the character meaningfully into the story.

Personally I would love to see new characters in a series but in a movie I would just prefer that they concentrate on the characters that have already been defined and we already love. A series of movies, well thats a different story :)

SCHISM

Sunday, February 15, 2009 3:26 PM

Just because we lost two characters, doesn't mean we have to bring in two new characters.

The universe does not balance itself out so accurately.

The only prime function left vacant that's required is a pilot. I like the idea of River as a pilot because now that she's less of a mystery, she needs a function. Not to say she's all better, but she's better-ish. So in that respect they could say they don't need anyone else.

However, the idea of a new pilot is an option. yes, as I said, it would seem cold, but yes, as someone else said, that could help explore new storylines - like Zoe automatically not liking the new pilot.

How about a former Alliance pilot?
Would Mal EVER trust him?

How about another fugitive turned pilot?
Have we over-done it on the fugitive harbouring?

How about a male companion (boy whores, how thoughtful) who wanted to leave the guild and be a pilot?
Do we have enough sexual philosophy on the ship enough with Inara?

How about a recent graduate from pilot school who has NO idea that he's now working for a thoroughly illegal operation and is a bit too naive to realize?

.....yeah that could work. He could provide a new kind of comic releif....because he doesn't realize that he IS being funny.

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