3.2 the negotiation and River’s first fight scene

[wposflv src=http://www.wiredcrow.com/serenity_analysis/videos/03-02-01.flv]
  • Another reveal of the situation the crew is presently in: Mal’s reputation is not doing so well. This is also background that gets developed much more in the series, so Whedon does’t let the dialogue dwell on why
  • The bar and the city it’s in is much more colourful and exotic but also less pristine and clean. This implies a seedier place where not necessary legitimate business is done
  • This is also where another visual theme gets introduced, that of the monitor. The monitors is a way of communication between different parties, but is later on also used to reflect other things like “the signal being everywhere” and later on in communication with the Operative but I’ll go into that particular scene with more details
  • The moments of “rest” in River’s fight scene usually has the camera panning over to Mal for his reaction, but reveals Mal acting contrary to his instincts for survival
    • At one point when he is involved in the action, Mal scrambles for the key to unlock the box holding his gun which shows he’s not exactly the smoothiest guy in the world
      • It also humanizes him.
    • There is also a brief moment of connection as River pauses in shooting Mal, just enough for Simon to put her to sleep. This again hints at an ephemeral connection between Mal and River that the audience probably can’t put a finger on at this time
  • The lighting here is also interest, as it’s all red, until that single moment with the guns pointing at each other, where Mal is then silhouetted by blue. The colour representation can almost be interpreted as violence then the aftermath of violence, still, emotionless…
  • However, the most revealing part and another defining moment of Mal’s character is when he goes to pick the unconscious River up.
    • He may have also kicked Jayne awake in the process but River is definitely his concern
    • This is again, contradictory to his mode of operation and can potentially be interpreted as a turning point for both the plot and his character