Assorted general Firefly/Serenity questions
POSTED BY: Anna
UPDATED: Wednesday, March 8, 2006 22:45
VIEWED: 6897
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First and foremost: thank you all so much for such a lovely, warm welcome! I already feel like part of the crew, I really appreciate it :)
All the answers were so interesting to read and I think everything I asked has been answered wonderfully really. I definitely think now that that's why they were playing that ad, to catch River (although wouldn't someone else maybe try to capture her or kill her? But I guess they wouldn't know she was also just an ordinary girl and wouldn't take their chances with a killer, and the Operative probably thought he'd get to her before anyone else would, too).
I also noticed a big change in Mal from the pilot to The Train Job, I remember being baffled the first time I saw it. After watching the series on dvd for so long, I was really taken back when I saw Mal in the BDM again yesterday (heh, just figured out what that [BD_] meant yesterday 
), for the first time since it was released (I know, I know, but it only just came out on dvd over here veeeery recently. AND they never played Firefly! Poop). I thought he seemed much harsher, especially to his crew who we know he'd lay down life and limb for - but EngineAngel, I guess you're right that he's just under tons of stress (still, I had to keep telling myself, "You know what he's like in the series, you know what he's like in the series", heh 
)
As for stripping River's amygdala, the idea of it meaning that she, as a psychic, couldn't push other people's thoughts away, that she had to feel them, that she'd be like, uber-pyschic, I think that's a fantastic theory and it really makes sense to me. I also think she was always psychic for some reason, maybe that's why she was the star pupil, why she had that edge (or maybe not, I just think she was anyway). I think it's in Objects in Space where Mal calls her a reader? Something about that makes it seem that people are just born with that gift. Alas, I'm rambling.
How long ago was Miranda? (Did I hear somewhere it was around 10-12 years before the BDM's time? Maybe I'm imagining that part)
I'm really starting to think that's why River and the others were created. Think about it: the Alliance f's up, overdoes the PAX in the air on Miranda, turns a fraction of the population into, oh, you know, bloodthirsty tortuous cannibals. Now, if (and I guess I'm smellin' a lotta "if" comin' offa this theory) it was 10-12 years ago, I'm under the impression that it was soon after that they set up the Academy. River can obviously take more than her share of Reavers out - no doubt, the other students can too. River is obviously deeply connected somehow with Miranda...I think it's looking not entirely unplausable that these students were created to destroy the Reavers. (My apologies, I didn't explain it very convincingly, but the theory is there in essence).
Although, another theory for River's link to Miranda, is when our little psychic mei-mei was reviewed by the biggest, most influential and most important figures in the Alliance. She could have read the memory about Miranda from them: hence, perhaps, "It's not mine, this memory isn't mine and I shouldn't have to carry it" (although that could also work with the other idea, the Alliance could have planted it in her brain so she'd know what she was fighting and why, or something).
As for Reavers, StoryMark, that is a great idea about the PAX in the flesh!
Now, I think it's pretty obvious the Alliance won't want to be creating more of these li'l critters. If they really have a pack mentality, they might try to recreate...again, I think it's safe to say they won't be doing this with candlelight and rose-petals. I think sex is out of the question, and anyway, they can't see anything but rape, I'd say. Besides, if they DID have sex and conceive a child, that child would just be a normal human, no? (Then they would probably rape, torture and kill it, no doubt). Maybe slightly different or mutated like other children/fetuses that have been overexposed to a dangerous or harmful gas. Not to mention, the Reavers are so mutilated, I'd be
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A few comments...
Anna, welcome!
At least a couple of (fan-created) recipes have been posted for Fruity Oaty Bars. So it's entirely possible to make a batch for your own self. 
A thought about Reavers: maybe the reason they cut on their own faces is to mark themselves as "off the menu" to other Reavers. This could work in a couple ways. First, it could be like the bright colors on a poisonous frog or insect -- a sign saying "don't eat me!". In those cases it means "don't eat me or you'll get sick". In this case it could mean "don't eat me or I might eat you first".
Or, perhaps Reavers have some innate preference for undamaged prey, so damaging yourself makes you less appetizing to fellow Reavers. Or even yourself (do Reavers have an impulse to take bites of their own flesh?)
Reavers first appeared about 10 years before the BDM (according to Jayne). This fits reasonably well with the fact that Miranda was being colonized just before the war. So reproduction isn't really an issue one way or the other -- if there were 30,000 originally, there would still be plenty around 'now' as long as (1) few have been killed in raids and (2) they don't kill each other. Even if they don't mate or have another way of making more Reavers.
I speculated once that the Pax isn't just a chemical, but a prion (like Mad Cow disease), and that Reavers could make more Reavers by feeding normal people Reaver flesh. I still kinda like that idea.
On the other hand, if Reavers don't/can't reproduce and the Alliance knows that, it's another reason that they might leave them alone. The problem will just go away by itself when they all die off. Once that happens, the Alliance will be correct: Reavers aren't real.
On the gripping hand, the Alliance may *want* to leave the Reavers in play. Gives those pesky independence-minded rim worlds something to keep their minds off rebellion.
Hmmm, rather gruesome topic.
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I don't disagree on any particular point.
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Quote:
Originally posted by DonCoat:
A few comments...
Anna, welcome!
Thank you kindly
Quote:
At least a couple of (fan-created) recipes have been posted for Fruity Oaty Bars. So it's entirely possible to make a batch for your own self.
:O
:O
:O
Fantastic! That's great news! I was just posting in another thread about guerilla marketing, and thinking of these babies. I know I'd be interested! Plus, I'd like to have some for myself. (Hey, they don't make me flip out and kill people
) I wonder if they're made by Blue Sun?Quote:
On the gripping hand, the Alliance may *want* to leave the Reavers in play. Gives those pesky independence-minded rim worlds something to keep their minds off rebellion.
Ooh, interesting idea. I bet I could tie that in with my theory in that the independant rim-planets don't matter, and the Alliance ones...well, they've got an Academy of defence.
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hey anna,
glad you feel welcome! well, doncoat basically said everything i wanted to say, but i did want to say that i think your second idea is the main thing with river and that the first theory can tie into it.
Quote:
Although, another theory for River's link to Miranda, is when our little psychic mei-mei was reviewed by the biggest, most influential and most important figures in the Alliance. She could have read the memory about Miranda from them: hence, perhaps, "It's not mine, this memory isn't mine and I shouldn't have to carry it" (although that could also work with the other idea, the Alliance could have planted it in her brain so she'd know what she was fighting and why, or something).
she says a lot in that ramble, another part being: "old men covered in blood, i never touched them but i'm drowning in it." this is basically saying that she gleened some memories off of the head guys at blue sun that came to over see her when she was at the academy (and not the warm fluffy kind
) and it also implies that there could be more memmories haunting her brain still.and i soooooooooooooo agree with you about the fruity oaty bars, hell i would have bought 'em
i like your ideas, and i look forward to seeing your posts more often.stay shiny,
EngineAngel
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By the way, Anna, I'd like to point out the incredible resources on this site, beyond the forums.
If you go to the main page and select "Blue Sun Room" from the blue bar near the top, you'll see sections for fanfic (stories set in the 'verse written by fans), filk (music and/or lyrics by fans), and some truly awesome fan art.
I especially recommend opening the fan art section and tracking down the works of one MPhillips, an amazingly talented artist who posts there constantly. And he's just one of many contributors...
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I don't disagree on any particular point.
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Quote:
Originally posted by DonCoat:
By the way, Anna, I'd like to point out the incredible resources on this site, beyond the forums.
If you go to the main page and select "Blue Sun Room" from the blue bar near the top, you'll see sections for fanfic (stories set in the 'verse written by fans), filk (music and/or lyrics by fans), and some truly awesome fan art.
I especially recommend opening the fan art section and tracking down the works of one MPhillips, an amazingly talented artist who posts there constantly. And he's just one of many contributors...
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I don't disagree on any particular point.
I think I was looking at some of MPhillips' work actually, I was blown away. Really stunning! I'm an artist myself, but nothing even close to that realm of greatness, plus I haven't done anything at all even remotely artistic in god knows how long, haha.
I'll definitely look around this big here virtual ship and get acquainted though, thanks for the heads up
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Wow, I need to bake more brownies with all the newbies showing up!
Welcome *offers a brownie from my quickly emptying plate*
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ravenhair:
Wow, I need to bake more brownies with all the newbies showing up!
Welcome *offers a brownie from my quickly emptying plate*
How kind of you! Thank you very much, and it just so happens that brownies are my favourite dessert-y food! Shiny!
I'm really blown away by the kindness here
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It's all a plot.
We act nice to new folks, encourage their budding obsession, and get them to infect all their friends and family with the Firefly virus; they all go out and buy the DVDs, and Universal wises up and gives us a Big Damn Sequel!
That, or there are some genuinely nice folks aboard this ol' rustbucket.
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I don't disagree on any particular point.
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