Subtle yet interesting show observations -- post yours
POSTED BY: AnimalM0ther
UPDATED: Friday, December 7, 2007 19:19
VIEWED: 121753
PAGE 35 of 40
Three things I noticed in the Big Damn Movie:
Serenity's engines are designed to not only rotate for VTOL and slow flight, but they're also articulated in a manner that allows them to fold up closer to the fuselage after landing. That articulation is controlled and supported by large hydraulic actuators underneath the pylons. In the series DVD extras, it's mentioned that the CGI animators often had to "cheat" on those actuators' exact location, since they couldn't stay rigidly attached while the engines rotate.
In the BDM, however, the actuators were redesigned. They are no longer permanently attached to the engines; instead each actuator extends from the fuselage but ends in a coupling, a few feet short of the engine.
(What's the purpose of articulating the engines like that, if they're not going to be used as flight controls, I wonder?)
Perhaps not quite as subtle, but I was pleased to notice... you can see part of the code hidden in the "fruity oaty bar" commercial for a few frames. It's very briefly superimposed over the octopus.
During the Reaver vs. Alliance battle, there's a very quick couple of shots in which a wall panel in Serenity's engine room catches fire, and Kaylee sprays it with a fire extinguisher. That brief image - blink and you'll miss it - is very reminiscent of the Millennium Falcon catching fire and R2D2 extinguishing it. (It's very frustrating that I'm not sure which movie that was in.) Remember Whedon's half-joking comment that everything reminds him of the Millennium Falcon? Me too! :)
"Half of writing history is hiding the truth."
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeLove:
Inara and Mal ~~~ Both of their professions require detachment--
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN.
When I read that sentence I was immediately reminded of River's chat with Early, (I forget the exact wording() but she essentially says that he chose the job because of who he was, and it wasnt the job that made him that way.
I hadnt realized how directly this applied to Mal and Inara (and possibly the others in the crew ?)
Inara and Mal chose their jobs, and to be where they were, because of their own problems and used the job as an excuse after that fact.... same as Early.
Very cool.
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What comes off as just a "typical" scene in BDM takes on a new meaning when you consider it with Jayne's character - when Mal warns everybody to strap in, Jayne runs to where River, Inara and the others are strapping in...and rather than thinking of himself first, he takes the extra ten seconds to instead check *their* belts are safely fastened.
That scene is probably my favourite "Aww, Jayne's not just a lecherous hump" scene
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Quote:
Originally posted by Nandifan:
I had no so much an observation, but a question about an observation.
Does Jayne ever recite Chinese verses? I know he curses in Chinese, but has he ever uttered one of the complex phrases JW assigns everyone else?
Please correct if I am wrong, 'cause its sort of driving me crazy trying to remember!
OOG, when Kaylee's telling the story about River at Niska's skyplex, Jayne begins speaking in Chinese - not clearly cursing either, just a "No way, that sounds unbelievable" kinda way.
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Quote:
What comes off as just a "typical" scene in BDM takes on a new meaning when you consider it with Jayne's character - when Mal warns everybody to strap in, Jayne runs to where River, Inara and the others are strapping in...and rather than thinking of himself first, he takes the extra ten seconds to instead check *their* belts are safely fastened.
That scene is probably my favourite "Aww, Jayne's not just a lecherous hump" scene
I actually saw that as following orders.
If I remember correctly Mal says "Everybody strap in. Jayne..."
He knows what is to be done. Maybe I am wrong.
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Quote:
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN.
When I read that sentence I was immediately reminded of River's chat with Early, (I forget the exact wording() but she essentially says that he chose the job because of who he was, and it wasnt the job that made him that way.
I hadnt realized how directly this applied to Mal and Inara (and possibly the others in the crew ?)
Inara and Mal chose their jobs, and to be where they were, because of their own problems and used the job as an excuse after that fact.... same as Early.
Very cool.
Inara started training at the age of 12. Mal went into "hiding" after losing a big war.
I doubt either "chose" their paths. But both accept the cards they have been dealt. Maybe even like them and don't want to change?
But I would not say they chose.
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Quote:
Originally posted by nbz:
Inara started training at the age of 12. Mal went into "hiding" after losing a big war.
I doubt either "chose" their paths. But both accept the cards they have been dealt. Maybe even like them and don't want to change?
But I would not say they chose.
Training may have started at twelve, but the actual Companin techniques are taught after the women graduate the academy, when they are of age and choose to go this route.
It's in the Serenity RPG Guide or some such. It's most definitely a real choice for Inara.
As for Mal.. I'd say it's a choice in so far as that he could theoretically have chosen to get a regular Alliance job in a factory somewhere. He didn't because it goes against everything he believes in, so it's both a choice and not.
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It is not a choice if it's the only thing you know.
Technically she did have a choice. She could have not gone ahead when the time came.
Practically? Not as much.
Same with Mal as you said. he could have got a job with the alliance. But it would have been very unlikely. Apparently the independent survivors from Serenity Valley were sort of notorious.
He could possibly have worked on a ranch for someone else.
Apart from that, browncoats would have been hard pressed for work, especially if public feeling turned against them. which it may not have. but on alliance supporting worlds and neutral ones who suffered there may have been a backlash. None of this is supported by anything ofcourse.
(I *want* to write a story. got some plot together, ideas for a backstory, circumstances etc which I buy... but alas, I cannot write too good. let's just say I see things differently than most people 
)
Back to topic, they technically had a choice. practically less so.
Mal could have probably gone a few different routes, but Inara? less likely.
PS this has got nothing to do with the Guild being good or evil or a business. It is more about schooling and expectations. She could have rebelled, but she did not.
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Quote:
Originally posted by nbz:
It is not a choice if it's the only thing you know.
Technically she did have a choice. She could have not gone ahead when the time came.
Practically? Not as much.
... Why not?
I'm confused why you assume that someone with as thorough an education as a Companion training house can offer - even without all the sexual and psychological manipulation - couldn't find other avenues of employment.
You're presuming a lot of psychological pressure to say that Inara knew of nothing else, and there is no evidence for that.
Quote:
PS this has got nothing to do with the Guild being good or evil or a business. It is more about schooling and expectations. She could have rebelled, but she did not.
Again, you assume a strong pressure to go this route, when you say "rebel". Who is pressuring her? The Guild probably asks for tuition fees, and parental or teacher-based pressure is entirely hypothetical. There's absolutely zero evidence that Inara was under any kind of pressure to choose the actual, practical Companion training after graduating the more neutral part.
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Quote:
Originally posted by nbz:
(I *want* to write a story. got some plot together, ideas for a backstory, circumstances etc which I buy... but alas, I cannot write too good. let's just say I see things differently than most people
Perhaps you could find someone to collaborate with you? You obviously put a lot of thought into all of your scenarios. I'm sure lots of people would enjoy a complex plot in a story!
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