Why is Jayne Afraid of Mal?

POSTED BY: milford
UPDATED: Wednesday, May 3, 2006 13:42
VIEWED: 12656
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RHYIANAN

Thursday, April 6, 2006 3:48 AM

The way I see it, Jayne hasn't turned on Mal because he feels like everyone on Serenity (with the exception of Simon and River) is family to him. As we see in the message, Jayne takes family seriously, so he wouldn't betray them.

This is also why he was so worried about Kaylee when she was shot and ultimately why he decided to turn in Simon and River, because they were a potential threat to everyone on the ship.

PIRATEJENNY

Thursday, April 6, 2006 4:56 AM

Why is Jayne Afraid of Mal

Its not really that Jayne is afraid of Mal, its more the fact that Mal is the Captain, and Jayne believe it or not respects that authority, there relationship although tenious is more clear cut then you think, and although Jayne is rash and sometimes stupid, more because he doesn't really think things through, but emotionally Jayne isn't as tough as he seems to be, we see hints of this in many diffrent episodes

and I have to disagree about Simion and Kaylee, I think had the show continued, I'm not so sure they would have hooked up, at least I certainly hope not!!

Also one of the most facinating relationships on the show to me is that of Mal and Zoe,because in many ways with the exception of River and Simon they are closer then anyone else on that ship! in War stories Mal tells Wash that him and Zoe go way back even before the war, I've always wanted to know more about their relationship,

just some food for thought

PJ

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER

Thursday, April 6, 2006 5:46 AM

Any fear Jayne has for Mal, I think, is based on a undiscussed (except in certain fan fics here and elsewhere) issue of being under an abusive (or strict at the very least) parent while growing up. Jayne's relationships with both Mal and Book seem to represent a need for a fatherly figure whom can talk with Jayne without belittling him.

With Mal, I think Jayne gets flashbacks to his childhood with a iron-handed parent. I don't recall Mal ever directly praising Jayne to either Jayne himself or others. Mal certainly lays out Jayne's skills, but to point out they are those of a mercenary and criminal....kinda like a parent belittling a child by laying out their flaws or limited skill set. Jayne wants respect from Mal, and wants to keep his "family" safe from harm, like any child wants a happy family and respect from their parents.

Unlike Mal, Book is more careful about his attacks on Jayne's behaviour and skewed morality, probably because of his mysterious past. Book sees someone seeking help and encouragement in Jayne, a lost soul that needs guidance. Book actuals uses more vitrol with Mal and his choices than Jayne, so Jayne sees the Shepherd as a confidant with life knowledge.

Fear is a big tool in Jayne's arsenal, whether by simply being a bruiser of a man or by having serious weapons like the Boo, Binky and Vera. But Jayne's ability to creat fear in those around him is based on the ole chestnut of first impressions: have the biggest presence...the biggest weapon...the meanest attittude...and you get the opponent all bibbly. However, Mal is a user of fear, but a calculated fear...a primal fear. Mal is all about the mind game; as a battlefield-hardened NCO, Mal is familiar with knowing how to motivate and frighten by committing certain actions.

Jayne knows Mal is skilled at the deeper kind of fear (hence the "mean streak" remark mentioned previously) and respects it. Certainly clashes against Mal's alpha-male personality, but just as any pack or tribal culture does. Leader's gotta stay aware of things and able to kick ass, foreign and domestic (can anyone picture the Captain making that pledge: "I promise to defend my crew from enemies, both foreign and domestic..." ). Given more time, I think Jayne will mellow out a bit more as he takes his experiences and stews on them for awhile.

BEB

Literature has shown us some of humanity's greatest achievements; history, some of our greatest failures -- Alun Lewis

DEEPGIRL187

Thursday, April 6, 2006 12:50 PM

I'm sure this has probably been said already, but here goes.

I think that one of the major reasons that Jayne always backs down from Mal is that deep down, he knows he's not a leader. No matter how headstrong Jayne tends to be, he's still better at following orders than giving them. He also realizes that Mal, no matter how stubborn and selfish he can be, ultimately will make the wisest decision he can for the well-being of the crew. And perhaps, Jayne may on some level admire Mal for his ability to lead. Jayne's views towards Mal may not be due to fear so much as knowing his own limitations.

At last.
We can retire and give up
this life of crime.

THUNDER

Thursday, April 6, 2006 1:01 PM

Mal is in charge. He also has backup, & just because he's bigger does'nt mean he's the toughest. Mal come's off weaker but he actually has it in him to be a bad ass, & you don't know when it will come out & that keep's a lot of poeple off balance

HISGOODGIRL

Thursday, April 6, 2006 1:15 PM

Hey BEB,

I think your response is very accurate and astute. As I remarked in my own post earlier in this thread, anyone with experience in working with abuse survivors can see the hallmarks of this in Jayne's behavior. He is definitely fear-driven and compensates with bluster and bravado. In many ways, he's still emotionally childlike.

I definitly see Book taking on the role of positive father figure to Jayne. First of all, there is mutual respect between them, a measure of quiet companionship, like working out together. Book offers Jayne non-judgemental support and acceptance, something he's probably had very little of. That's the sort of space that encourages a person to grow and move beyond reflexive defensive behavior.

The conflicting values and inconsistancies we see Jayne exhibit in the show are those of a man who's had no guidance in forming positive self esteem or personal ethics. This is a man on the pivotal edge, just beginning to shift from using brute force and cunning to provide for his fundamental needs to a man who is experiencing the first seeds of caring for those outside his family, a man who experiences regret and awareness of the impact his actions have on others. He's not there yet, may always be rough around the edges, and because the series ended too gorram soon, we really never got to see this evolution continue.

This aspect of Jayne is something that Jaylee writers like Jacqui and myself have tried to explore more deeply in works like Jacqui's "Didn't Mean Nothin'" and current "Something From Nothin'" series. I'm taking a different persepctive of much of this in my upcoming story, "Leaps of Faith".

I hope folks who want a deeper look into what makes Jayne tick beyond guns, whiskey, money and women will explore these stories.

KRIGAN

Thursday, April 6, 2006 2:14 PM

Jayne is afraid of Mal because Mal is a badass & his best friend Zoe is a bad ass. We have two war hardened cunning tough as nails bad asses here, Jayne wants none of that. Look at the way Mal fought the operative in the BDM. The operative was the best the alliance has with fighting skills trained to perfection & ultimately Mal finds a way to win. Of course he would have won a lot quicker had he aimed for the head but hey its a movie. Jayne is tough and would give Mal a hell of a fight but I think Mal wins & I think Jayne knows that Mal is at least his equal.

"Yeah but she's our witch so cut her the hell down"

AZHEA

Thursday, April 6, 2006 3:24 PM

I haven't anything to add, you've all said it better'n I could.

I'd just like to make the observation that Firefly fans are shiny smart. The arguments were cogent and well articulated.

The intelligence of the show is evidenced by the intelligence of Her fans.

You guys RAWK!!! I am impressed on a daily basis, and feel fortunate to be among you all.

*************************************************
I look out for me and mine... that don't include you 'less I conjure it does.

FLAME

Thursday, April 6, 2006 6:19 PM

I don't think Jayne was abused, he just comes from a hardscrabble background. Work hard for what little you get, get whatever you can, and always take care of your own.

It's not complicated. Mal is simply the Bigger Badass. Mal kicks people through engines. He shoots Alliance men through the head without blinking. He was one of the only survivors of a horrific battle. He gets in bar brawls. He flies unflinching through Reaver space.

But, I don't know if I'd say Jayne's afraid of Mal. Begrudging respect, maybe deference. But not fear. If he feared Mal, he WOULD off Mal in his sleep. Case in point, he fears River, so she's got to go.

I see the Mal/Jayne relationship as big brother/younger brother, sibling rivalry sort of thing. (With Book as the father. Throw in Simon, and you've got the BONANZA quartet of Pa, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe.)

I also think Jayne backs down because he knows Mal's right. Mal's right to make him leave the table for insulting Kaylee. We don't talk about our sister that way, especially in front of company.

Mal's right for (almost) kicking Jayne out of the house (ok, ship) when Jayne brought the feds down on all of them. He could have hurt the whole family, not just Simon and River.

"If you can't do what's smart, do what's right."

http://www.monkeyshinesbeadery.com/serenity/

ZZETTA13

Thursday, April 6, 2006 8:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Azhea:

I'd just like to make the observation that Firefly fans are shiny smart. The arguments were cogent and well articulated.

The intelligence of the show is evidenced by the intelligence of Her fans.

You guys RAWK!!! I am impressed on a daily basis, and feel fortunate to be among you all.

*************************************************
I look out for me and mine... that don't include you 'less I conjure it does.

My thoughts entirely

Mal is the big brother to Jayne. Smarter and Jayne is smart enough to know it.
The fear Jayne has is knowing that as ships leader he is not and couldn't be the respected commander that Mal is.

I do believe that parental abuse played a roll in how Jayne sees himself.I can see a time when he would go back to his home planet to face his father. "See dad, I have become something of a rich and powerful man."

Also in the "Out of Gas" eps. Mal chooses to stay on Serenity (his Love) when there is plenty of room aboard one of the small craft. Jayne sees this and respects his decision although I don't believe he would have made the same one himself.

A great leader (one that ppl will follow) leads by example. The Crew know full well that Malcolm Reynols would never ask them to do something that he wouldn't do himself. These are the kind of ppl folks follow and sacrifice for in battle.

One other thing, this is another part of the Joss/verse that just screams for more FF stories. Come on tv exects more Firefly is in order here. You guys have left my shoesstrings hanging.

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