Favorite non-verbal character moments

POSTED BY: shambleau
UPDATED: Saturday, October 9, 2004 16:06
VIEWED: 41700
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SHAMBLEAU

Thursday, February 26, 2004 7:30 PM

One of the many glories of Firefly is that so much is said visually. Simon is urged to tell a funny story and there's a quick cut to River. Her eyes are shining. She's expectant. "It's going to be a great story! My brother is so shiny!" is all there in one brief reaction shot. I started thinking about the scenes which brought out something about the characters' inner cores without a word being said.

shambleau

FOURSKYS

Thursday, February 26, 2004 8:39 PM

I have to say, Mal's got some really great facial expressions:

In serenity, when he kicks off the lid of the box, and does a double take.

In Mrs. Reynolds when Saffron tells him she's his wife, the double blink in priceless.

In Ariel, when he meets Jayne, Simon, and River at the back exit, he gives this shrug that just says "What are you waiting for, let's go." And as non-chalant as can be too.

Gotta give Kaylee props for the Strawberry scene too, good non-verbal moment there.

MERLINDREA

Thursday, February 26, 2004 8:44 PM

Yes, I have to go with Mal, too. The look on his face when Saffron offers to wash his feet is priceless!

Merl

MADMAN

Friday, February 27, 2004 4:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by merlindrea:
Yes, I have to go with Mal, too. The look on his face when Saffron offers to wash his feet is priceless!

Merl

Yes!! This has to be the best moment of the whole series!!

VETERAN

Friday, February 27, 2004 5:30 AM

Yeah. That's good. But I'm just going to have to watch every episode one more time and come up with a list to see if it's the best. (Not like a really need an excuse to watch 'em all again.

SOJOURNER

Friday, February 27, 2004 6:00 AM

There are so many it's hard to make a list! As far as funny, Wash's face when he sees Mal after his beating at the beginning of trash. As far as scenes that really struck me I'd have to say every scene where they do a brief cut to the characters internal emotional state. Inara had a few of those moments. Early had the longest. I'd have to say that the entire crew has a wonderful moment at the end of the message during Tracy's voiceover. That gets me everytime.
My last isn't really a non-verbal one, but it's not terribly verbal either. At the very end of the teaser for Heart of Gold when Mal points his gun and says "Whaaaa" in that menacing tone. Switch from playing for a laugh to that "mal's just plain cool" feeling.

ok, enough rambling.

--Bryan

HKCAVALIER

Friday, February 27, 2004 6:34 AM

One of my favorite sequences in the whole series is the interrogation montage from Bushwacked, in which each character is summed up in just a few lines--or in the case of Jayne, no words at all. Just that totally redundant "You can't break me" look. One of my faves.

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

SERENA

Friday, February 27, 2004 6:51 AM

Oh, I've got one that kills me every time -

At the end of Our Mrs. Reynolds when Mal gets Inara to admit that she didn't just fall and hit her head. Her whole face speaks volumes - you can see that quick struggle and the decision to finally admit everything. And then Mal interjects with this little smirk and says "see, I KNEW you let her kiss you" and walks off leaving Inara just standing there stunned, blinking - like that's all she's capable of.

She looks like she's been winded, or just felt the wind of a bullet whistling past her head.

Priceless!

"Every well bred, petty crook knows that the small, concealable weapons always go to the far left of the place setting."

SINGULARITY

Friday, February 27, 2004 10:56 AM

I'd have to say the best faces where made during the scenes in Janyestown were a) the crew sees the statue, and b) when Hero of Canton is being sung. Great tv, and dvd IMO.

At times I wonder about my own sanity. Then I remember I have no point of reference and feel much better....

AERONSTORM

Friday, February 27, 2004 12:18 PM

"Objects in Space" where River is floating down to the Captain and he catches her. Beautiful moment!

CALHOUN

Friday, February 27, 2004 12:26 PM

I like the scene in "Jaynestown" where Jayne has to remove the gun taped to his waist. RIP! The look on Jaynes face is classic.

SHERECE

Friday, February 27, 2004 12:49 PM

When Kaylee hands the message to Tracy's family then walks to Simon, without making eye contact she softly takes his hand...I love the way she seeks his comfort without even looking at him and he gives it without looking back.

Jayne removing his hat as the message is being played...a silent tribute to a fallen soldier.

Jayne crouched at the window of medical watching folks working to save Kaylee's life.

The look on Mal's face as he's about to give in to Saffron before he says "oh I'm going to a special hell".

The look between Inara & Mal as they kneel over Nandi's lifeless body before he takes off after the bad guy.

All the ones already listed and about a million more.

HPUFFIN

Friday, February 27, 2004 2:01 PM

Kaylee's smile after she says "That's my good girl." (Has to be the prettiest smile I've ever seen.)

River dancing (a jig?) in Safe.

DUEY

Friday, February 27, 2004 2:55 PM

In Serenity, Wash giving Zoe the thumbs-up after she calls Mal 'Sir'.

In Ariel, the proud look on River's face as Simon saves the hospital patient.

And, although it's not strictly nonverbal, probably the look on Book's face as he sticks his head around the corner to again remind Mal "The SPECIAL hell."

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. Not as the world gives, give I unto you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." John 14:27

GORAMSHINY

Saturday, February 28, 2004 10:15 PM

I can't beleive no one's mentioned that moment in OIS (least i think it was then ) when Mal brushes his thumb over the cut on Inara's lip.

I mean c'mon... that moment had everything *but* words.

TMURRIE

Saturday, February 28, 2004 11:26 PM

I think that Our Mr.s Reynolds is the king of non-verbal episodes, there are just so many...

Like when Mal gets married to Saffron when he's drunk, and mouths to Jayne "Look at the hat" and he does this funny little squint.

Once he finds out that he's married to Saffron.

When she offers to rub his feet, and he just walks away.

When Mal says "Me and her have inly one thing in common, we're the only one's who don't find this funny" then he walks off and we see Inara's look.

And when Saffron trys to do in Wash, she takes him away from the console and they stand by eachother to watch the stars, and Wash looks funny.

Oh...I must stop somewhere.But there are so many more!

JAHZARA

Sunday, February 29, 2004 2:58 AM

There's a nice one in Serenity, when Simon operating on Kaylee. Mal looks at Inara, and then looks away a second before she glances at him. Or maybe it was the other way around. It just sums up so much of their relationship.

I just love that.

TEELABROWN

Sunday, February 29, 2004 3:09 AM

When Simon and Kaylee hold hands in The Message. And the music helps.

The assorted looks on people's faces (Especially Simon's) when Jayne's song starts up...so funny

_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Teela Brown, keeper of bad typing.
"No one reads these things any way."- Bart on Blackboard

LERXST

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 2:41 AM

The Train Job:

During the big fight, guy hits Zoe in the face and she grabs a big handful of dirt and flings it into his eyes.

Safe:

Guy gets the pistol shot out of his hands, then the camera pulls back to reveal that it was Zoe who took the shot, from like 9 miles away.

______________________________________________________
"Two-Fry. Nice hat." (Blam!)

NUR

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 3:08 AM

If you blink you miss it, but....:

The look of pure evil on Book's face in his OiS "inner moment" right before you shift back into reality.

Those who restrain desire, do so because thiers is weak enough to be restrained.
-William Blake

SASJA

Sunday, March 7, 2004 3:19 PM

When Mal comes striding back into the ship after the deal in 'Serenity' and just shoots the tiresome fed holding a gun against River's head - priceless! Cracks me up every time I see it.

MILORADELL

Sunday, March 7, 2004 4:41 PM

In OIS, when River picks the "branch" up off of the deck in the cargo bay. I love the way she moves her foot - it is so ballerina-ish!

ANKHAGOGO

Sunday, March 7, 2004 5:43 PM

Oh my, there just are so many. Lemme see...

Our Mrs Reynolds: When Mal says "I never married you", and Book pops up with, "I believe you did." The way Mal's expression changes from "this is all mistake" to "oh crap -- did I?" is beautiful.

War Stories: When Zoe's helping Wash out the door, and he says, "Mal", and we see Mal shaking his head at them. That gets me.

Shindig: The look on Zoe's face when she takes the bag from Mal, and his reaction when he finally totally realizes what he just said to Kaylee.

Trash: The expression that goes with Wash's "What is she doing on the ship?!" and Kaylee trying unsucessfully to hide her grin.

Our Mrs Reynolds: Inara's face the whole time they're in Mal's cabin.

Ariel: When Simon takes a bite of whatever-the-hell it is, trying to convince River it's good.

Crap, I forget what episode the hair is. Anyhow, when Book pops his head around the corner with all that hair -- I don't know what you'd call that expression, but it's great!

"You are such a boob."

ANKHAGOGO

Sunday, March 7, 2004 5:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sojourner:
My last isn't really a non-verbal one, but it's not terribly verbal either. At the very end of the teaser for Heart of Gold when Mal points his gun and says "Whaaaa" in that menacing tone. Switch from playing for a laugh to that "mal's just plain cool" feeling.

And not only is that a "he's just plain cool" moment, for me, at least, that moment makes me very happy to be a heterosexual female. Actually, any time Mal gets real damn captainy, it makes me happy to be a girl who likes boys. Me-yow, you'll pardon the term.

I just remembered --- I also never, ever get tired of seeing people point their guns directly at someone without looking. Mal does it most, but Jayne does it at least once, and Zoe may, too.

"You are such a boob."

ZENOPHITE

Monday, March 8, 2004 8:53 AM

mal looking at serenity for the first time

jayne brushing his whore's hair in heart of gold

gosh there are so many....:)

OKKAY

Monday, March 8, 2004 4:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ankhagogo:

I just remembered --- I also never, ever get tired of seeing people point their guns directly at someone without looking. Mal does it most, but Jayne does it at least once, and Zoe may, too.

"You are such a boob."

Don't forget that River does it once too. Or actually thrice.

Other favorite non-verbal River moments:

In Ariel as Simon's ready to "kill" River (It's time to go to sleep) and you see a tear run down her cheek...

In OiS, two of Joss's favorite moments: the batgirl scene, and when she bends down to look at the gun/branch

And two scenes in Trash:

when Wash mouthes "what happened?" after seeing Mal.

not really non-verbal, but when Inara looks up at Mal as she's saying the chinese word for "petty"

Probably a bunch more that I can't think of right now.

SHINY

Tuesday, March 9, 2004 10:43 PM

I love the River/Book 'I'm fixing your bible' exchange, especially how she rolls her eyes when they have a tug-of-war over the pages she's torn out, and the expression on her face after she's won as he says 'why don't you just hang onto those then'. Her little tilted-head-smile is adorable.

RIVER
Purple elephants are flying.
MAL
Good. Thanks for the update.

KARENKAY

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 12:58 AM

there are many and it's hard to chose a fav but ...
in OiS when mal wakes up and river is talking to him over the com. he has questions and she says she needs for him to trust her.
then he says "i'm not dreaming" and river says "we all are". mal rolls his eyes which is funny all by itself but then river says "don't make faces" and he steps back and looks around like where the hell is she. great!!

"Huh."

LTNOWIS

Thursday, April 1, 2004 9:13 PM

I can't believe nobody's mentioned the "We're all happy" improvised backwards hug Mal gives Kaylee when they all get back in Ariel. That's a great example of the comradery amongst the crew.

KALIMEERI

Thursday, April 1, 2004 9:40 PM

Here's one worth a thousand words:

In Serenity, when Simon's confronting Dobson in the cargo bay, and he's starting to fall for the excellently done "Just doing my sworn duty" speech...

Just as he says 'I don't want to hurt anyone', Book staggers into the doorway behind him, and you know it's a lie because he didn't HAVE to hit him three times.

Jen dao mei.

KARENKAY99

Thursday, April 1, 2004 10:52 PM

i love this thread. thanks for reviving.

how 'bout when the noise in OiS wakes up jayne. the look on his face, he grabs the curtain over his guns, covers up and falls back to sleep.

ever see that face on someone you woke up? murderous!!

"They say the snow on the roof is too heavy. They say the ceiling will cave in. His brains are in terrible danger."

MAUGWAI

Friday, April 2, 2004 12:39 AM

In "Bushwacked" When Simon and River are outside the ship. Simon is terrified, but he looks at River, and she has the happiest look ever seen on a human face. He looks so surprised to see how full of joy she is over something he dreads. That gives us such a clear look into both of their personalities.

"Dear diary, today I was pompous and my sister was crazy."

EBONEZER

Friday, April 2, 2004 1:57 AM

in War Stories as thery're taking off in the shuttle Wash turns to Mal and says, "Are we going to sing war songs?" or something and he has this big goofy grin. Thats great.

I can't remember which ep but river is standing on the railing on one of the cat walks in the cargo bay with her head cocked up, like she;s listing to whats going on in the deck above.

In Serenity where Jayne is all crouched down looking in the sick bay window at Kaylee.

In OoG when jayne shoots the bad guy standing next to him, with out even looking.

Can't remember the ep but when Wash an Zoe are making out on the bridge.

so many...

LORA

Friday, April 2, 2004 2:56 AM

Out of Gas: Wash's look when Zoe's telling him that Niska will make it take days if he can. His demeanor totally changes between "he's gonna kill him" and "bastard's not gonna get days". Chilling. Every time.

Serenity: Mal, right after Simon leaves the bridge at the end.

Out of Gas: Zoe, as Niska is saying "Not enough for two. It is, perhaps enough for one. Ahh..." right before she cuts him off, we see what's going to happen flicker across her face.

Safe: Simon climbs right up on the burning platform beside River.

Heart of Gold: Inara sitting on the floor, sobbing painfully instead of crying daintily, the way I'm sure a Companion is trained to.

Out of Gas: the camera pans across the crew's faces as they react to Mal's "what we do got" speech.

Out of Gas: the content smile on Mal's face after Book assures him that they'll be there when he wakes up and he remembers the first time he saw Serenity across the used spaceship lot.

(I'll stop now.)

"Is there any way I'm gonna get out of this with honor and dignity?"

JEBBYPAL

Friday, April 2, 2004 4:51 AM

>When Mal comes striding back into the ship >after the deal in 'Serenity' and just shoots >the tiresome fed holding a gun against River's >head - priceless! Cracks me up every time I see >it.

Yes!! This is my alltime favorite scene in the entire series! The look of shock on Simon and River's face (as well as the fed's) and the just plain fed-up look on mal's!

Of course, close second is the expression on Mal's face in Ariel when everyone's left the cargo bay and he's reaching for the wrench to clobber Jayne.

JEBBYPAL

Friday, April 2, 2004 4:54 AM

Ooh, just remembered, my favorite River expression: when she sticks her tongue out at the needle in Serenity after she wakes up!

SLAYER730

Friday, April 2, 2004 5:32 AM

My faves?

CUTIE Kaylee with her hand over her mouth and yet unable to contain her shock and joy when she finds out Mal has gotten married in "Our Mrs. Reynolds". It's a reaction with all the sweetness and innocence of a child...she's definitely the heart of Serenity.

Jayne's expression of sheer dumbfoundedness, (more so than usual), when his song is being sung in "Jaynestown". Classic.

Inara's heartwrenching sorrow in the corner on the floor in "Heart of Gold" (Still haven't forgiven Nandi, although my opinion of Mal hasn't changed )

Lastly, Mal's look at the end of "The Message" standing in the snow on St. Alban's. A stoic, quiet grief that shows so deeply in his eyes...one of the more powerful moments.

***Never judge a book by its movie***

CALDEEN

Friday, April 2, 2004 9:44 PM

My favorite that didn't see mentioned was when Mal kicked Crow into the engine. It was at that moment that I fell in love with this show. My brother is always getting me hooked on these kinds of things......sigh

I am not worried about the bullet with my name on it. Just the thousands marked "Occupant".

MUTT999

Friday, April 2, 2004 9:52 PM

I know it was mentioned, but my favorite is watching Jayne as he's questioned by the alliance officer in "Bushwhacked". Classic Jayne.

"That's the buffet table....."

ASTRIANA

Friday, April 2, 2004 9:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Serena:
Oh, I've got one that kills me every time -

At the end of Our Mrs. Reynolds when Mal gets Inara to admit that she didn't just fall and hit her head. Her whole face speaks volumes - you can see that quick struggle and the decision to finally admit everything. And then Mal interjects with this little smirk and says "see, I KNEW you let her kiss you" and walks off leaving Inara just standing there stunned, blinking - like that's all she's capable of.

She looks like she's been winded, or just felt the wind of a bullet whistling past her head.

That one gets me too! I think it's great to watch the thought go through her head as Mal walks away... "I'm in love with a complete moron."

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

CASSANDRAE

Friday, April 2, 2004 9:57 PM

No one mentioned the one in Object's in Space, where River is telling Mal to listen and asks if's he dreaming and River says they all are...and Mal rolls his eyes, making a face. But River knows what he is doing and says "Don't make faces." And then Mal is startled. I thought that was so funny...

And any Mal/Inara moments, the unspoken ones were the best and meaningful.

I love the silent Jayne in Bushwacked during the questioning...too funny!

Mal:"So how was business?"
Inara:"None of yours."

QUICKSAND

Saturday, April 3, 2004 12:22 AM

I thought of a few, but all of them were stolen except one, by the time I got to the bottom of this thread. My favorite of the stolen ones is, hands down, Mal's reaction when Mrs. Reynolds offers to wash his feet. I fall out of my chair EVERY TIME I see this.

One I thought of while about to post this is Jayne's expression while playing that-there sport in the Serenity's cargo hold. Great face that probably goes by in a blink on the show, but is immortalized here on the boards. ;)

Miraculously, another of my favorites hasn't been mentioned yet-- the flashback (in "Out of Gas") when we first meet Kaylee, and she and former mechanic Bester are "busy" against the engine. It just flies in the face of everything I thought I knew about Kaylee.... and officially makes her the "Mary Ann" of the show. *rrrroooowrrr* Naughty girl.

XOXO

QUICKSAND

Saturday, April 3, 2004 12:27 AM

And, oh yeah.

If you define "verbal" as, y'know, with words, then here are two non-worded, "AHH!" moments that I love:

1) - Pilot -
Mal: Is it true love? Because if it's true love--
River: (pops up from crate) "AHH!"

2) - The Message -
Zoe: The trick to combat is to be quiet, careful, they never know where you are.
Mal: (bursts in, guns blazing) "AHH!"
Zoe: Of course, others have different schools of thought on the matter."

(I'm paraphrasing, but you know the ones I mean)

XOXO

ANKHAGOGO

Saturday, April 3, 2004 3:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Quicksand:
I thought of a few, but all of them were stolen except one, by the time I got to the bottom of this thread. My favorite of the stolen ones is, hands down, Mal's reaction when Mrs. Reynolds offers to wash his feet. I fall out of my chair EVERY TIME I see this.

Yeah, you're absolutely right. That is one of funniest moments on the show, period.

Actually, while we're on Our Mrs Reynolds, I think it's hysterical how often Saffron pops out of no-where and nearly gives Mal a heart attack. The constant "AAAHH!" just makes me giggle.

I thought of a total girly one, too, that I don't remember if someone's said.
At the end of Heart of Gold, Inara says she's leaving, and you can see how hard she's trying to keep it together. Then when she turns away, just for a moment you can see that she's breaking down. Aw.

"So...would his job be available?"

SHAMBLEAU

Saturday, April 3, 2004 3:50 AM

Inara in HOG at the end, when Mal is saying he's feeling kind of truthsome. The tension and expectancy in her face is great.

Inara rolling her eyes as Jayne leers.

Saffron's stealing of Mal's gun- very smooth!

shambleau

REKKA2

Saturday, April 3, 2004 7:13 PM

my favorite non-verbal moment has to be right in the begining of serenity, when mal looks over the bunker to see the ships opening fire on Serenity Valley...

REKKA2

Saturday, April 3, 2004 7:16 PM

okay...i couldnt stop at one...

so shoot me :)

Another early scene...when Mal tells Inara to take everyone in the shuttle if the reavers attack, and he touches her shoulder. He becomes..intoxicated..for a moment with her. No other word to describe it.

TALVIN

Saturday, April 3, 2004 8:25 PM

From the gag reel:

"Moustaches"

What more can I say?

TMURRIE

Saturday, April 3, 2004 9:17 PM

In Serenity, when they do the deal with Patience and neither of the groups leave. They just stand there for awhile, tense.

And then Mal says "Twofry, nice hat" BLAM. and then the shooting begins.

MALICIOUS

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 1:36 AM

My second favorite non-verbal has got to be Kaylee's colder and colder expressions in "The Message" while she and Simon are in the room with the upside-down alien cow fetus and Simon just keeps putting more and more feet into his mouth.

The number ONE is Mal's bare ass sitting on a rock in the middle of no and where.

Mal-licious

Simon to Jubal Early: "My sister's a ship. We had a complicated childhood."

MACBAKER

Monday, April 12, 2004 11:19 AM

Bar none, my favorite non-verbal moment is from the pilot "Serenity", when Kaylee takes a bite of a strawberry. It seems to be somewhere between sex and a religious moment for her, and her expressions make it one of the most sensual non-sex moments on Firefly.

I'd given some thought to movin' off the edge -- not an ideal location -- thinkin' a place in the middle.

MAOLIOSA

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 4:19 PM

Sort of surprised I didn't read this one yet.

Safe - How Zoe and Mal looked when the Alliance officer finished checking Book's Ident card and gave the order for him to be taken to the infirmary.

Maol Iosa

ALTA

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 5:13 PM

Two From Shindig
-Kaylee's face when Mal makes the "sheep on it's hind legs" remark.
-Kaylee in the engine room after Mal tells her he's got work for her, you know,that face you did after your mom/dad/whoever was done lecturing you.

ALTA

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 5:13 PM

Two From Shindig
-Kaylee's face when Mal makes the "sheep on it's hind legs" remark.
-Kaylee in the engine room after Mal tells her he's got work for her, you know,that face you did after your mom/dad/whoever was done lecturing you.
Sorry about the double post, gorram computer!

HEB

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 6:11 PM

I love Simon's expressions in the deleted scene on the DVD from Our Mrs Reynolds, when River says that she and Simon should get married and when she says she is in the family way. His expressions of confusion and 'are you insane?' looks are fantastic.

Also I love in Serenity Mal's expression when he orders Jayne to leave the table when he has insulted Kaylee. He's not messing anymore.

KARENKAY99

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 11:50 PM

i thought of another. don't think it was mentioned yet.

i OOG, after the shuttles leave, mal walks through serenity closing the doors behind him, opens up a blanket, wraps it around him, sits and ...

chokes me up everytime.

"They say the snow on the roof is too heavy. They say the ceiling will cave in. His brains are in terrible danger."

TOMTBA2004

Saturday, May 1, 2004 8:19 PM

i would have to say .. Jaynestown When Janye gets ready to pull of the tape then when he actually does it he makes the little whimper sound. that was High- larious

"please, people need peace"

DROKKA

Saturday, May 1, 2004 11:41 PM

One of my favourites that I didn't see mention (I apologize if I'm wrong) is near the end of War Stories, when Mal is going up the stairs and grabs Kaylee's hand affectionately.

Also, Jayne's face after Zoë (with gun aimedin his direction) tells him to tie up Dobson.

d~

HARDWARE

Sunday, May 2, 2004 12:59 AM

In OMR when Mal says about Saffron; "There's one thing we both have in common. We're the only two on this boat that don't think our being married is funny." And the camera pauses on Inara and her face is so expressionless and rigid that you know she is just seething inside.

At the end of OMR when Mal confronts Inara about how she "hit her head" Inara looks like she is about six years old. After Mal says what he thinks happens she has a stunned expression that is just priceless.

Anytime Simon is working on someone in the sickbay. Jayne is right outside or standing nearby. In Serenity he's looking through the window. In OOG he's standing by the door when Simon is working on Zoe and later when Mal is on the table he's right outside the door. And in Safe when Zoe and Mal are working on Book he has faded to the background. It is as if he is saying that he's strong, mean and dangerous, but when it comes to healing he's helpless.

At the end of Shindig when Kaylee walks back through Serenity and goes into her room to sit and look at her party dress, what a great character moment.

So sue me if I can't think of only ONE moment that I love.

The more I get to know people the more I like my dogs.

ANKHAGOGO

Sunday, May 2, 2004 11:44 PM

Ok, I just thought of another one.

In Out of Gas, when Mal and Wash are having the whole "make the signal go farther" arguement: Wash says something to the effect of "that would just screw up their navigation. They'd have to stop and dig the signal out.." or whatever, and you can see Mal about to burst a blood vessel. He's just got this look on his face like "I'm not gonna hit him. I'm not gonna hit him." Perhaps I'm twisted, but that just makes me laugh.

"We're just happy to be doin' good works."

MER

Monday, May 3, 2004 2:41 PM

I agree, Book's look from the corner regarding "Special Hell". I must also add, River on top of ship listening to the conversation in "Objects In Space"

I wish I could think of more. I'll post more if I come across it

(Just Added)
Jayne drugged on the ground. I wish I could include him snatching the air (lights) but he was talking :(
Simon: Hugging River when she was up to be burned.

ALIENZOOKEEPER

Friday, May 7, 2004 3:30 AM

Every time i watch that scene, i see Zoe looking, making sure Jayne is going to his bunk, watching Mal's back, because that's what she does.

Mal doesn't look to see if he's doing what he's told him to do, because of course he is, the captain told him too...

vince

JUMPY

Friday, May 7, 2004 8:19 AM

When River and Simon are clinging to the spaceship: River is in awe and happiness and Simon's about to piss his pants! hehe

__________________________
There's no show I'd rather see, than the one with Serenity.
You can't take the sky from me...

JUMPY

Friday, May 7, 2004 11:39 AM

Oh and also in Objects in Space where Simon is fighting Jubal, and Jayne wakes up, pulls back the sheet over all his guns...and then puts the sheet on himself and goes back to sleep!

__________________________
There's no show I'd rather see, than the one with Serenity.
You can't take the sky from me...

SHAMBLEAU

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:42 PM

Here's a few that have never been mentioned, i think.

Book performing some kind of ritual over the dead robbers at the beginning of OMR. Everybody else is ignoring them, and celebrating with a dance. Not only does it show that he's a genuinely religious man, it ties in with OIS. Book has probably done something awful, as River's vision shows, and he's sought redemption for it. "There but for the grace of God..." is implied in his actions.

In Serenity, after Mal shoots Dobson, he calls for Jayne, who runs up with a wolfish grin on his face. Jayne's gotten what he wanted - a dead Fed. The other instructive reaction to what happens is Zoe's. She just stares impassively for a second and then heads over to the intercom to tell Wash they're all aboard. She'd been against killing Dobson. She'd thought it was stupid and would bring the Feds down on them. Once, Mal did it, she accepts it matter-of-factly and moves on.

What's also illuminating about Zoe is her non-committal reaction during the argument about whether or not Mal had the right to space River and Simon. Wash appealed to her and said "We're going to talk about this, right?" She just stared at him. In one of the unaired scenes on the DVD, Simon asked her what she would do if Mal asked her to kill him. She said, calmly, she would do it. I think it was artistically far more interesting to make that point with just a glance, as they ended up doing.

When Inara and Simon are talking on the ramp above the crew playing basketball in Bushwacked, they'd been talking about how Simon felt guilty that his actions had led to their being fugitives. Check out Simon's reaction to Inara saying "We're all running from something, I suppose." He thinks there's something odd about that statement, and I think it's supposed to be a clue to Inara's secret.

Simon's pleasure in watching River dancing in Safe is touching and revealing at the same time. There's some wonder in his look, because she seems so normal and happy.

Inara's look of "Well? I'm waiting!" when she's asking Mal what the last cargo they carried ( the bobble-head dolls) is just cute as hell.

shambleau

HOWDYROCKERBABY1

Friday, May 14, 2004 4:51 AM

In Serenity, the Punch-drunk-love look that Mal gets on his face when he places his hand on Inara's shoulder and tells her she needs to go to save herself from the Reavers.

The look on Simon's face when River says that she is going to go with Jubal Early in Objects in Space

The shot of River listening in on everyone talking about her in Objects in Space

and about a bajillion others that i can't think of right now

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
MAL: This is my scrap of nowhere. You go on and find your own.
SAFFRON: You can't just leave me here, on this
lifeless piece of crap moon...
MAL: Sure I can.
SAFFRON: I'll die.
MAL: Well, as a courtesy, you might start
getting busy on that, cause all this chatter ain't doin' me any kindness.

BENDIS

Thursday, May 20, 2004 6:28 PM

The end of the message when they bring out the coffin to present to the parents and they all stand around with that awesome music in the background. Very moving.

----------
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis.
You know why? Because we are so very pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die. Huh? Look at that chiseled jaw."

DELIA

Thursday, May 20, 2004 6:39 PM

There are tons I love, and they've almost all been mentioned on this thread, but to add a favorite I don't think I've seen. . .

In Heart of Gold, when Mal has caught up with Burges, and Burges says "She's just a whore." Mal has his gun aimed at Burges, like he's going to shoot him, and then there's this terribly cool little one handed toss, so that he can grab the gun and club Burges with it instead. I'm describing it very badly, but it's very cool.

___________________________________________
WESLEY : Feng shui.
GUNN: Right. What's that mean again?
WESLEY: That people will believe anything.

PURPLEBELLY

Thursday, May 20, 2004 6:52 PM

The moment in Serenity when Jayne puts a single round in his gun and you know that one's for him

HOAGIE

Thursday, May 20, 2004 7:53 PM

Two moments, both from Jayne and both in Serenity.

the first is when Mal and Jayne are interrogating the fed about how much information he sent out in the transmission before Wash cut it off. Mal says to Jayne "Just scare him." and Jayne responds "Pain is scary." and Mal shakes his head and walks out. there is this flicker across Jayne's face as he has to quickly recalculate his entire interrogation strategy from the ground up.

the second moment is when Kaylee is sitting on the floor in the engine room and is directing Jayne and Book on how to get the right things done. Jayne opens a panel to reveal a morass of wires and tubes and Kaylee says "Ok, it's very simple." the disgusted/confused/panicked look Jayne gives is priceless.

INSIGHT SPINNER

Friday, May 21, 2004 5:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by hpuffin:
Kaylee's smile after she says "That's my good girl." (Has to be the prettiest smile I've ever seen.)

River dancing (a jig?) in Safe.

Simon watching River dance.

insight spinner
__________

Just an object. It doesn't mean what you think....

INSIGHT SPINNER

Friday, May 21, 2004 6:02 PM

It's from OMR, but I'll cite it from opening credits: Wash holding Zoe as they watch the dancing. Shiny!

insight spinner
__________

Just an object. It doesn't mean what you think....

YORKY

Friday, May 21, 2004 6:54 PM

I liked the one in Trash, where Jayne thinks Saffron has picked a hole in Kaylee's plan, and then realises she hasn't. Another one in Trash with Jayne again, when Jayne repeats Saffron's question, then looks around for approvement for asking such an intelligent question.

OOG

Friday, May 21, 2004 7:38 PM

Many of my favorites have been meantioned, there are so many good ones.

My fav -
Trash: Mal, in all his nekkid glory, laces his hands together behind his head and just stands on the platform, blissed.

Loni

EST120

Friday, May 21, 2004 8:38 PM

I know it comes right after a spoken line, but I absolutely LOVE the look on River's face in Trash right after she says "Jayne is a girl's name". I laugh EVERY time I see her face in that episode. It is priceless.

EST120

Friday, May 21, 2004 8:40 PM

does he really put only one round in the his gun?! i NEVER noticed that! i always just assumed that he was getting his guns ready to fight. i never thought he was considering suicide! that is unreal! thanks for pointing that out!

PURPLEBELLY

Friday, May 21, 2004 9:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by est120:
i always just assumed that he was getting his guns ready to fight. i never thought he was considering suicide!

I thought that the reason that scene is preceded by Inara with a syringe in a tasteful case is to prepare and underline the suicide theme.

But then, I've ascribed the alternative theories about Inara's syringe to overactive imagination in the fan-base, and chain-pulling by those tired of fans demanding excessive explanation - so what do I know?

GABRIEL

Friday, May 21, 2004 11:21 PM

It's got to be River floating down from Early's ship in OiS, smiling. That suit is way too big for her, kind of like Willow in the Eskimo costume.

RIVER
Little soul, big world. Eat, sleep,
and eat... Many souls.
...They weren't cows inside. They were
waiting to be, but they forgot. Now
they see the sky and they remember
what they are.

MAL
Is it bad that what she said made perfect
sense to me?

EST120

Saturday, May 22, 2004 12:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
But then, I've ascribed the alternative theories about Inara's syringe to overactive imagination in the fan-base, and chain-pulling by those tired of fans demanding excessive explanation - so what do I know?

obviously more than me! i NEVER noticed that before! i guess it fits, though. jayne is not afraid of any human but he sure is afraid of the reavers. it is kind of like that native american guy in predator. remember that line?
"you aint afraid of no man."
"somethings after us, and it aint no man."
creepy!

BLACKSHAMROCK5

Saturday, May 22, 2004 2:12 AM

Don't know if this one has been mentioned sorry if it has. In Serenity when Kaylee is trying to tell Jayne what to do and she says,"Now this should be real easy", Jayne opens the box and sees all of these wires and looks at Kaylee like shes crazy. Priceless

SIOUX

Saturday, May 22, 2004 4:05 AM

It's not a big moment, but in Trash, I love it when YoSaffBridge's suitcase come flying off of Monty's ship and lands at her feet.

ELWOODMOM

Saturday, May 22, 2004 6:08 AM

For me, I love the scene when Jayne and Kaylee see Inara's companion, the counselor, the female counselor! And the smile on Jaynes face after Inara walks her counselor back to her shuttle after the visit. Inara's rolling of the eyes is priceless!

DRAKON

Saturday, May 22, 2004 9:55 AM

For me, its from "Out of Gas". Mal's first look at Serenity, years earlier, deserted, alone, possibly about to be scraped for parts, while the used starship salesman drones on and on, and Mal ain't hearing a word.

"Wash, where is my damn spaceship?"

PURPLEBELLY

Saturday, May 22, 2004 9:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by est120:
jayne is not afraid of any human but he sure is afraid of the reavers.

Sorry est120, I'm not trying to pick a fight, honestly. But my take is that, like all bullies Jayne is afraid of everyone, and compensates by blustering at those who are physically smaller. Jayne thinks he can push Badger around - a mistake when he's got backup. Jayne thinks he can push Simon around - a mistake when you are dependent on his skills. Simon is the person who has the courage to confront anyone, Mal, Book, Jayne, Early.

There is a whole other thread about Simon helping Jayne strengthen his character while Jayne helps Simon tone those abs

WEERWOLF

Saturday, May 22, 2004 10:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by est120:
Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
But then, I've ascribed the alternative theories about Inara's syringe to overactive imagination in the fan-base, and chain-pulling by those tired of fans demanding excessive explanation - so what do I know?

obviously more than me! i NEVER noticed that before! i guess it fits, though. jayne is not afraid of any human but he sure is afraid of the reavers. it is kind of like that native american guy in predator. remember that line?
"you aint afraid of no man."
"somethings after us, and it aint no man."
creepy!

His hand is shaking as he puts in the cartridge.

--------------------------------------------
"Damn it Mal... I forgot my line!"

EST120

Saturday, May 22, 2004 11:49 AM

i know you are not picking a fight. i never thought about it that way, though. it makes sense, that is for sure. :) i guess we need to see a situation where jayne is confronted by someone bigger and stronger than him. actually, now that i think about it, the only person that i have seen that seems to intimidate jayne is mal! as for simon, he seems pretty buff already! jayne certainly is helping book bulk up, though!

OBJECTIVEASSESSMENT

Saturday, May 22, 2004 6:18 PM

Simon's look in Out of Gas as he says "It was my birthday". He just gives over the feeling of despair that the whole crew are feeling.

"When you can't run...you crawl...and when you can't crawl...when you can't do that..."
"Find someone to carry you"

EST120

Saturday, May 22, 2004 8:27 PM

i just thought of a good one. in serenity when simon is explaning about river, he starts to go off on a tangent and jayne gets up out of his chair and goes to get more coffee. i love that. he is so bored!

LUPINADDAMS

Monday, May 24, 2004 11:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MacBaker:
Bar none, my favorite non-verbal moment is from the pilot "Serenity", when Kaylee takes a bite of a strawberry. It seems to be somewhere between sex and a religious moment for her, and her expressions make it one of the most sensual non-sex moments on Firefly.

That's the winner for me - reminds me of how my wife eats mangos...

Though Crow through the engine is a close second for other reasons.

"You are what you do."
Andrew Vacchs

BROWNCOAT1

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 2:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Drakon:
For me, its from "Out of Gas". Mal's first look at Serenity, years earlier, deserted, alone, possibly about to be scraped for parts, while the used starship salesman drones on and on, and Mal ain't hearing a word.

"Wash, where is my damn spaceship?"

Excellent example, and one of my favorites.

There are so many moments in the show where facial expressions convey more than mere word could for that particular moment.

Another example, and one I am surprised has not been mentioned, is when Mal looks up over the edge of his foxhole in "Serenity" and see the Alliance ships descending, firing their weapons on the battlefield. There is this look of complete disbelief, loss, and shock that conveys his feelings at the sight at that moment.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

JK

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 11:21 PM

That's my personal favourite, and the one I immediately thought of when I saw this thread: Mal looking over the trench as Serenity Valley becomes Alliance-held territory. It's so tragically beautiful; you can see in his eyes that the man he was has been completely stripped away to leave the shell that we all know and love. The music, too, and the soldier getting shot beside him. Oh, I could go on about it all day.

Not the funniest of moments, but it's the one that gets me the most out of all of them.

JK

MANTICHORUS

Wednesday, June 9, 2004 9:24 AM

Not strictly non-verbal, but... I like the look on Mal's face whenever he says 'Huh.' (Serenity, finding River. War Stories, Inara and Councilor going off together.)
Wash also gives some good faces...
Bushwacked- When Zoe tells him "Not now dear."
War Stories- The look he gives Zoe while Mal's talkin' about the middlemen of the 'verse.
Trash- When Mal boards at the end. Wash is struggling not to laugh his @$$ off.

-------------------------------------------
"BADGER: You think you're better than other people.
MAL: Just the ones I'm better than."
-------------------------------------
"MAL: Gotta say, doctor, your talent for alienatin' folk is near miraculous.
SIMON: Yes, I'm very proud."

CHRISTOPHERROBIN

Wednesday, June 9, 2004 10:00 AM

Oh god there are so many. I'm going to have to watch the entire series all over again (twist my arm) just to find all my favorites.
Off the top of my head though has got to be the scene with Kaylee and the strawberry.......OHHHHH MAN did i wish parts of me were a strawberry at that moment. (Hears comment from off screen ) Wha... she bit it in half... uuuuuhn cancel that last transmission

Mal: "Well lady, I must say...you're my kinda stupid."

PURPLEBELLY

Wednesday, June 9, 2004 10:02 AM

Whenever Zoe looks at Jayne; no-one hates a sniper like a grunt.

11THHOUR

Wednesday, June 9, 2004 10:34 AM

So many great moments have been mentioned. Great to revisit them.

I laughed out loud at this one:

War Stories: During Jayne's and Book's workout, Jayne was (again) leering lustfully as Inara and the counselor affectionately exchanged their good-byes. Then, just as Jayne is excusing himself (again) for some "bunk" time, Zoe strides in and says, "Jayne... grab your weapon!"

The wry grin Book flashed in bemused response to the ironic timing of Zoe's request was hi-sterical!

11thHour

EVILTOBZ

Wednesday, June 9, 2004 5:35 PM

just about any time we get a close up of inara. theres something about her eyes and smile that just devastates me.

SHINYSEVEN

Wednesday, June 9, 2004 6:04 PM

In "Serenity," when the group of people ROFL when Mal tells them what he's just done to Simon--because Zoe is there, and it's the first episode (for DVD viewers!) you know right away that she isn't going to be Ms. Sensitive New Age Gal.

ALTA

Thursday, June 10, 2004 3:31 AM

Thought of another one- Zoe & Wash's stammerings over Mal's nekkidness at the end of Trash, especialy Wash.

*****************************
There's no place I can be
Since I found Serenity

MANTICHORUS

Friday, June 11, 2004 2:02 PM

The Message:
-The look on Zoe's face when Wash is talkin' to the cow fetus: half-amused, half-annoyed, half-resigned, half-worried, and half-"When are you going to grow up, dear?"
Wait... that makes five halves...

-On Kaylee's face when Simon asks "Did we get something fun?" Priceless.

-------------------------------------------
"BADGER: You think you're better than other people.
MAL: Just the ones I'm better than."
-------------------------------------
"MAL: Gotta say, doctor, your talent for alienatin' folk is near miraculous.
SIMON: Yes, I'm very proud."

NEDWARD

Wednesday, June 16, 2004 10:38 PM

(Bump!)

War Stories: Jayne, Zoe, and Wash in perfect unison, finishing the thing the captain doesn't need to do for himself.

That moment and about a hundred others, anyhow.

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