Harrow: He’s down. You have to finish it, lad. You have to finish it. For a man to lie beaten, and yet breathing? It makes him a coward.
Inara: It’s humiliation.
Mal: Sure, it’s humiliating. Having to lie there while the better man refuses to spill your blood. Mercy is the mark of a great man. (lightly stabs Atherton in the stomach) Guess I’m just a good man. (stabs him again) Well, I’m all right.
Firefly — Episode 4 — “Shindig”
Mal: Don’t take his offer.
Inara: What?
Mal: Don’t do it. Because in the case it happens it means he’s the fella that killed me and I don’t like fellas that kill me, just in general. I said before I don’t have call to stop you, and that’s true, but anyways, don’t.
Firefly — Episode 4 — “Shindig”
Badger: Who’s that then? Here, look at me. What’s your story, love?
Simon: She’s … just a… just a passenger.
Badger: Yeah? Why ain’t she talking? She got a secret?
River: (with Badger’s accent) Sure, I got a secret. More than one. Don’t seem likely I’d tell ’em to you now, do it? Anyone off Dyton Colony knows better than to talk to strangers. You’re talking loud enough for the both of us though, ain’tcha? I’ve known a dozen like you. Skipped off home early, running graft jobs here and there. Spent some time in the lock down, but less than you claim. And you’re what? Petty thief with delusions of standing? Sad, little king of a sad, little hill.
Badger: Nice to see someone from the old homestead.
River: Not really. (to Simon) Call me if anyone interesting shows up. (leaves)
Badger: I like her.
Jayne: That there — exactly the kind of diversion we could have used.
Firefly — Episode 4 — “Shindig”
Jayne: What we need’s a diversion. I say Zoe gets nekkid.
Wash: Nope.
Jayne: I could get nekkid.
All: No!
Firefly — Episode 4 — “Shindig”
Once again, it’s time for Oscar predictions. I did pretty well last year, getting 16 correct once again (that seems to be what I always get [seriously, I didn’t even have to edit this sentence]). There are some tight races this year, but also a few sure things, so it’s bound to be an interesting evening. I can’t wait to see how Chris Rock tackles the shocking lack of diversity among the nominees. And while awards shows always seem fairly out of touch with popular opinion, I’ll always be a fan of the Oscars. So read on for my (dicey) predictions, as well as my picks if I could hand out the statues as I see fit. And then let me know who you think will be a big winner Sunday night!
Best Short Film, Live Action:
Prediction: Ave Maria
My Pick: N/A
Best Short Film, Animated:
Prediction: Sanjay’s Super Team
My Pick: Sanjay’s Super Team
Mal: I thought he made it pretty clear he has no regard for you.
Inara: You did manage to push him into saying something, yes. Made a nice justification for the punch.
Mal: Well, he insulted you. I hit him. Seemed like the thing to do. Why’d this get so complicated?
Inara: Well, it’s about to get simpler. There’s a back door. Desk clerk is on alert. He’ll let us out.
Mal: Whoa, whoa, I’m not running off. I don’t know what you got in your head, but I didn’t do this to prove some kind of point to you. I thought I was defending your honor. And I never back down from a fight.
Inara: Yes, you do! You do all the time!
Mal: Well, yeah… but, I’m not backing down from this one.
Firefly — Episode 4 — “Shindig”
Book: A duel?
Wash: With swords?
Simon: Captain’s a good fighter, he must know how to handle a sword.
Zoe: I think he knows which end to hold.
Firefly – Episode 4 – “Shindig”
This post is part of the Movie Scientist Blogathon, hosted by Christina Wehner and Silver Screenings. Day 1 is all about good scientists, day 2 is for mad scientists, and day 3 covers lonely scientists.
The idea of “mad scientists” is probably as old as science, and it’s certainly been around since the beginning of cinema. There are countless iterations, from Victor Frankenstein to Dr. Jekyll, and it’s easy to see why the concept makes for such compelling storytelling. They’re often tragic heroes in the classic sense, full of noble intentions but undone by their own ambition or shortsightedness. The mad scientist is of course distinct from the “evil genius”. Where an evil genius is typically the villain of a story, using their knowledge and ability for nefarious purposes, the mad scientist is typically a character with noble intentions who is subject to the tragic flaw of being unable to see the consequences of their actions until they’re too late. (Then there are good scientists who are just kind of crazy or reclusive, whom I wouldn’t typically classify as “mad.) To me, there’s no better use of the mad scientist trope than in last year’s Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Atherton: I accept.
Mal: That’s great! What?
Gentleman: There has been a challenge.
Atherton: I hope you’re prepared, Captain.
Mal: What? You all talking about a fight? That’s fine. Let’s get out of here.
Inara: It’s not a fist fight, Mal.
Gentleman: The duel will be met tomorrow morning at Cadrie Pond.
Mal: Well, why wait? Where’s that guard? He collected a whole mess of pistols.
Gentleman: If you require it, any gentleman here can give you use of a sword.
Mal: Use of a sw—what?
Firefly – Episode 4 – “Shindig”
The Love Pirate 