Shepherd the Book, & Wash

POSTED BY: BrucePluto
UPDATED: Sunday, October 23, 2011 09:02
VIEWED: 7732
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ZEEK

Thursday, October 20, 2011 10:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrucePluto:
Alan and Nathan themselves seem all depressed about it.

I've never gotten that impression from either of them at all.

Nathan was actually at the prescreening when I first saw Serenity. He had mentioned that Joss promised he would find some way for Ron to be in a sequel. So, I asked Nathan if it was the same for Alan. He quipped "No, I saw to that personally" (paraphrased).

I also saw Ron at CSTS last year and in his question and answer session he said that he needed to be talked into doing the movie. So, if anyone was depressed about the character death I'd say it was Ron. No one seems to care about Book dying as much as they do Wash. It's odd. I guess because Book had some last words it's ok for him to die.

RIONAEIRE

Thursday, October 20, 2011 11:20 PM

Yeah, I was bummed out about both of them dying in the movie, I think that people felt Wash's death more keenly because Wash is comedic and people feel really sorry for Zoe because she is losing her husband, that ray of joy in her life.

"A completely coherant River means writers don't deliver" KatTaya

BYTEMITE

Thursday, October 20, 2011 11:35 PM

I don't know, back before Shepherd's Tale came out a lot of people were upset about Book dying because they thought they might never find out what his story was.

BYTEMITE

Friday, October 21, 2011 4:29 PM

...And a lot of people were upset AFTER it came out because they thought the reveal could never live up to the mystery.

One of those things I guess.

STORYMARK

Friday, October 21, 2011 5:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by two:

It's pleasant to daydream that Joss Whedon always had a master plan to resurrect Wash in Serenity 2. Joss is a loving god with power over life and death. I don't want to believe that Joss has no idea where the story for Serenity 2 would be going when he killed Wash and Book. That would be so aimless.

I believe he had an idea where to go for Serenity 2.... but I highly doubt that it involved bringing back Wash. Especailly since both he and Alan have said Wash was always slated to die at some point.

"Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"

STORYMARK

Friday, October 21, 2011 5:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
No one seems to care about Book dying as much as they do Wash. It's odd. I guess because Book had some last words it's ok for him to die.

I think, part of that is that people are somewhat conditioned to expect the "wise mentor" type in films to die at some point anyway.

"Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"

THESOMNAMBULIST

Sunday, October 23, 2011 9:02 AM

Originally posted by BrucePluto:

Quote:

My question, was it wise for Joss to have exited two main characters from Serenity just as it was being introduced to the masses of the globe? I’m not questioning his talent as a writer, only inquiring as to why he didn’t wait to do such a thing until the BDM2, or maybe even later.

Having first tasted the sheer shininess of the crew of the transport then having two of it’s top folk eliminated before renting the series on Net-Flix, I already knew what was coming. Shouldn’t Joss have known that so many folk wouldn’t know about Wash & the Shepherd before Serenity? I mean, in hindsight, pretty much all that was gained was that he pissed off some browncoats ( both present & future). Not that it would help or hurt the film, but it certainly coulda waited!

It just was meant to be.

Personally the film just wouldn't have resonated on the same level. I don't think you can expect to take an audience on that kind of a journey with such insurmountable odds and not have one or two of the crew die. It would belittle's the point of the story. It would be akin to watching the A-Team.

Quote:
actually find myself in agreement with so many browncoats who voice their total shock and distain as to why Mr. Whedon would do this? Alan and Nathan themselves seem all depressed about it. Had there been a sequel immediately following, I’m sure Joss had a story that would have picked up at the tail end of where it left off. But as we know that didn’t happen.

Wash and Book had their own fans bases while the show was being aired. I’m sure there were a multitude unhappy with the choice of extinguishing these two player at the get-go when Serenity hit the big screen.

Just some thoughts wondering through the old noggin after watching DTI. I was wondering what other browncoats think about this or anything else.

You know here in England we had a show back in the 80's called Blakes 7. I was about eight or nine when that show ended and I have never forgotten that finalé in which all the crew perished. It was shocking and brutal (at least to an eight year old) but the fact is - that last episode has always stuck with me, even, what thirty years later.

Joss had no idea whether he'd be given the opportunity to make a sequel so he gave SERENITY everything he could within the context, and that's what you have to do. You cannot be thinking what may happen should the film be granted a sequel because you'll compremise the content.

So. When Sean Maher utters the line:

"River.. I hate to leave"

It hits you hard. Because frankly at that point you think we're also going to lose the Doc! Had a death not have occured before hand a line such as this would just simply NOT have carried the weight.

The fact that SERENITY didn't generate any sequels doesn't for me diminish it's punch. It's a fabulous film. Sometimes if a story is told properly it doesn't warrant a sequel. I'm far happier with one SERENITY than three rushed for summer release, blockbusters; of which there have been far too many this decade.

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