200th Post!

For the 200th post, I decided I would put up links to my favorite posts so far. They are in no particular order, but they are all a lot of fun. Enjoy!

12 of my Favorite Opinion Pieces (in no particular order)

Bedwetter:Stories of Courage and Redemption
I love Sarah Silverman, and her autobiography is inspiring and hilarious. Worth the read.

Review of the Silver Chair movie
What happens when you take a book and completely rework it to make a move?

My Plans for the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who
This won't happen, but it should.

Christmas Songs I'm already sick of hearing
One year I just got sick of these Christmas songs.

Signs of the Apocalypse
What happens when you put Justin Bieber and Willow Smith together? The end of the world.

My Top Weird Al Song
I love Weird Al and here is my favorite song.

Fake rules for being Irish
What do you have to do when it's St. Patrick's Day and you want to be Irish

Top Firefly Episode
I love Firefly, and so I did a Top 12 list of the 14 episodes.

Shadowcat is my favorite X-man (that is all)
Top 12 X-men based on my preference and their roles in the Marvel Universe, but Kitty is my favorite over all.

Stupid Sexy Costumes
I did lame scary costumes the year before, so I chose stupid sexy costumes for 2012

Picard Primer
I decided to do a Top 12 storylines in Star Trek TNG and then realized I need to do an entire list for Captain Picard. This is the primer on the Captain to get the list started.
Top 12 Christmas hymns
This is the entire list with videos of performances of each song.

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Number 1

Number 1-Out of Gas

If you've been following this list, then you may already know my top pick. It might surprise you a little considering how the last few picks have been because they don't focus completely on Mal, but this episode is the exception to that rule. Sure we get to see lots of snippets about the characters and a look at some of the background of the crew, but the story is really about Mal trying to save his ship and stay alive.

A part goes wrong on the ship causing an explosion and the systems to shut down. In an attempt to save everyone, Mal sends everyone off in the shuttles and tries to keep the ship from dying. You don't get all of that from the start. It comes in flashbacks. Actually what you know at the start is that Mal is alone on the ship and in really bad shape. Probably dying.

One of the great parts is the way-back flash backs. We get to see Zoe and Mal the first time they walk onto Serenity. We get to see Wash when he gets hired to pilot the ship. We also get to see how Kaylee and Jayne join the crew. There is also the first time that Inara gets a tour of her shuttle.

In the present time, Mal is in a lot of trouble because a ship answered the distress call, and while he is trying to negotiate for the part that he needs, the captain of the other ship shoots him. Mal manages to work up the will power to keep himself going enough to stand up to the other crew, shoot his heart full of adrenaline, and get the ship up and running again.

• Young Wash's mustache.
• Mal fell in love with Serenity the first time he saw it.
• Mal wants to go down with the ship rather than leave it to die.
• It's Simon's birthday.
• Jayne sells out to the highest bidder most of the time.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 2

Number 2-War Stories

Mal and Wash have an issue because one of them is married to Zoe and the other one is her captain. While Mal is trying to take care business, Wash insists that he go on the mission instead of Zoe. This is an issue because an old friend, Niska, is looking to get some payback from a job the crew didn't finish earlier in "The Train Job."

This episode is great because it deals with the dynamic between Mal and Wash, but it also gives the crew a chance to show just how much they love Mal when they have to make a rescue attempt.

The biggest problem is that Niska doesn't just want to get payback, he also wants to "discover" who Mal and Wash truly are deep down. This involves lots of torture and pain.

Zoe tries to buy them back with the money that they have left over from the the hospital job in the last episode. Niska offers her one of them, and she quickly chooses her husband. They go back to Serenity to prepare a rescue attempt.

All of the crew insists on being a part of that attempt and they manage to pull it off, but not before Mal dies a few times and loses an ear. Niska gets what he wanted. He gets to see the real Mal.

• No power in the 'Verse can stop me.
• Hey, I've been in a firefight before. Well, I was in a fire. Actually, I was fired... from a fry-cook opportunity. I can handle myself.
• Mal and Wash arguing about Zoe while being tortured.
• Preacher talking about guns (Zoe: Preacher, don't the Bible have some pretty specific things to say about killing? Book: Quite specific. It is, however, somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps.)
• Kaylee ends up back at the ship, and she's in a lot of trouble until River shows up. River picks up a gun and kills all three men that are attacking. She does it however with her eyes closed. This gives a little insight into what is happening in River's head. After she kills the men, she says, "No power in the 'Verse can stop me."
• Tension arises between Kaylee and River because of this moment.
• Zoe make Wash a bowl of Wife Soup.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 3

Number 3-Trash

The episode opens with Mal sitting naked on a rock and he makes a comment, "That went well." It's a strong opening because it causes the watcher to wonder what could lead to Mal being where he is at the moment. I'm sure the female viewers enjoyed the sight too.

Jump back 72 hours where Mal has a chance encounter with the woman who was supposedly his wife in "Our Mrs. Reynolds." This episode is the reason that story didn't rank higher than it did. After revealing the truth to his smuggling buddy, Mrs. Reynolds talks to Mal about a plan to steal an ancient gun. He is reluctant at first, but eventually he becomes desperate to prove his skill and daring to Inara.

The plan itself is simple to start. Mal and his "wife' slip into the house and make their way to the gun. She uses her knowledge about the security system to shut it down so they can take the gun. Kaylee and Jayne modify a trash bin so they can control where it goes. And the bandits simply throw the gun away and go to pick it up later.

This story is about more than Malcom Reynolds. We get to see the development of Mrs. Reynolds (She's got so many names, I'm not sure which one to use, so I'll stick with that one.) We also get to learn more about Inara and her ability to fit in with the crew of Serenity. She is a good fit even though she isn't always a part of the plans.

Mrs. Reynolds does a great job of playing with the heart strings only to turn right around and kick you. She does this to Mal after they make their get away and leave him stranded while she goes to pick up the gun. He isn't too worried about it since they actually have a contingency plan for just such an occasion.

While Mrs. Reynolds is digging through the trash with no sign of the gun, Inara has already gotten there first and picked it up. She locks the other woman in the container and the crew manages to pull off a job according to plan.

Oh, and the best line in the whole show is when River tells Jayne that "Jayne is a girl's name"

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Number 4

Number 4-Jaynestown

While on a basic pick up trip, the crew discovers that Jayne is a local hero to the people who are indentured servants on a planet that sells "mud." Jayne is a hero because he had to abandon a case full of money and it landed in the middle of the town. The people think that it was done out of altruism, but it was just a mistake.

This is an important episode for Jayne. It shows that there is a time and circumstance where Jayne will stand for something more than just money. There isn't a whole lot more, but there is something.

In the end, Jayne has a confrontation with the old partner that ends in one of the "mudders" jumping in front of a bullet for Jayne. Jayne wins the fight with his old partner, but the young man doesn't survive. he never really stood a chance.

This episode is great because we get to see so much of Jayne in it. There are other things going on, but it isn't focused as much on Mal. Sure we get to learn more about him, but it isn't all about him. Besides, Jayne is an interesting character, and this episode really shows what kind of a man he really is.

Here are some other fun/important moments in the episode:

• Simon only swears when the need arises. (like finding a statue of Jayne-see above)
• Inara helps a young boy becomes a man, and learn to stand up to his father.
• Summer tries to repair the Bible.
• Preacher tries to interact with Summer, with limited success.
• Preacher's hair is crazy when he lets it down.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 5

Number 5-Ariel

This episode is a great chance to get to know almost everyone better. The only character you miss seeing is Preacher, and he wouldn't want to be a part of things anyway.

River just keeps getting worse and worse. Her brother decides that he needs to do something drastic to uncover what the alliance did to her mind. He has a crazy plan, that might just work.

Is the Simon some kind of criminal mastermind? It certainly looks that way. It takes a lot of preparation, but the crew is able to break the Doctor and River into the hospital by faking their deaths and pretending to be an ambulance crew. They are able to steal a ton of medication while Simon scans River's brain. It looks like it is going to work perfectly, until someone throws a monkey wrench in the works.

Let's take a moment before we get there to look at some of the character development moments. It's pretty much a tie between Simon and Jayne as far as who has the most character development so we'll talk about them separately later.

• Kaylee and Wash build a medical transport ship out of a scrap yard.
• Mal and Zoe struggle with all the medical lingo.
• Mal has to make some hard choices about who he supports and how he does so.
• Awesome medical scan effects.
• River's head is messed up thanks to the Alliance.
• There are some crazy, messed-up people after River.
• Do not mess with Mal-ever.

Stuff for Jayne

• Works hard to learn his lines and gives them just to prove he could.
• Betrays Simon and River for the money.
• Cares what people think. Even when he thinks he's going to die, he begs Mal not to tell the real reason he is going to die.
• When it comes down to it, Jayne is a fighter.

Stuff for Simon

• Simon comes up with a great plan.
• Simon saves a patient that gets the wrong treatment.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 6

Number 6-Objects in Space

Do you know what Firefly really needs? Someone to make Jayne look a little less crazy. That's definitely what you get with this episode. Jubal Early is definitely the craziest person to ever grace the decks of Serenity. He even makes River look sane.

It's sad to note that one of the best episodes around what is happening with River, is where the story ends thanks to Fox.

Jubal Early is a messed up bounty hunter who is trying to collect the reward on River. He does a great job of dealing with the crew and company. He does some extremely strange things. Check them out here:

Jubal's path:

1. Fights Mal and beats him pretty easily. Locks him up in his room. 
2. Locks up Zoe and Wash.
3. Is really, really mean to Kaylee. (Also suggests he might be Santa or a part of Serenity forever)
4. (He also threatens to rape her, which is not cool Joss Whedon.)
5. Knocks out Preacher.
6. Says lines like this: Doctor: Are you alliance? Jubal: Am I a lion? Doctor What? Jubal: I don't think of myself as a lion. You might as well though. I have a mighty roar. Doctor: I said Alliance. Jubal: 
7. Hits Inara.
8. Has a conversation with River as Serenity.

This episode speaks to so many great components of the show. It's good that this was the last of the episodes, but it's a shame that it had to end at all. "Does that seem right to you?"

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Number 7

Number 7-Our Mrs. Reynolds

Yes, pretty much every episode of Firefly is all about Mal. You'll just have to deal with it. In the beginning of this episode, the crew is celebrating with the local on a planet where they have just helped eliminate some local bandits (which included Mal in a dress and pretty bonnet.) Mal dances with a pretty girl and that seems to be all there is to tell. Not much of a story, right?

Wrong.

Back on the ship, Mal discovers his new wife waiting to serve him. No, he doesn't know anything about her until they meet again. Sure he enjoyed dancing with her, but that doesn't mean he wanted to be married to her. The crew takes advantage of the situation to give Mal a hard time even though Mrs. Reynolds doesn't seem to enjoy the situation.

However, it turns out that Mrs. Reynolds is not anything she pretends to be. She takes down pretty much the entire crew and sends Serenity on a course to get dismantled for parts. Here are a few interesting points:

• Mal breaks down and kisses poisoned lips.
• Inara breaks down and kisses Mal.
• Wash doesn't break down, but still gets hit in the head.
• Jayne is just Jayne, like always.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 8

Number 8-Shindig

This episode is a lot of fun. Not only to you get to see Mal in a duel, but you also get to see Kaylee in one of the most ridiculous outfits ever. Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself again. Let's take a step back and approach this from closer to the beginning.

The crew gets a lead on a transport job, but because of a variety of issues, Mal has to prove to the client that he is respectable enough to take the job. This involves a variety of problems, but Mal manages to overcome each of them.

Inara takes a Companion job with a guy that turns out to be a complete jerk with control issues. He expects her to leave her life and become his Companion full time. She holds off on the question. Meanwhile, Kaylee is overcoming the silliness of her dress the only way that she knows, being an amazing engineer. After she gets put down by the mean girls, she's surrounded by men that are impressed by her knowledge.

At one point, Mal get frustrated by Inara's date and somehow ends up on the wrong end of a sword duel. Somehow Mal survives this and even gets the contract.

One major point for this episode is that it may or may not have the moment where Mal gets stabbed in the place of the pressure point the bad guy in the movie uses against him. I'm not 100% sure that is right, but it's pretty darn close.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 9

Number 9-Heart of Gold

How can you complain about an episode that tells us a lot about most of the characters and really pushes the limits of Mal and Inara's relationship? The answer is simple, you can't. To make things even more interesting check out the setting of this episode. (Let me step back and make a different approach to this.)

So Inara gets a distress call from a former companion and friend who has an emergency situation. She has a house of unlicensed companions and they are about to be attacked by a man that is convinced that one of the woman is pregnant with his child. Mal and company agree to help the women out and all sorts of interesting stuff happens.

Here are a few major elements to the story that develop character arcs:

• Preacher doesn't judge the women for what they do, continuing the character development of him as being nonjudgmental of sinners.
• Jayne joins the party because of the sexual favors offered.
• Jayne also shows off his love affair with guns.
• We get to see deeper into the relationship between Mal and Inara when Mal sleeps with the former companion and we see that Inara is not OK with that. 

Even as good as this episode is, there are better ones that happen on either side of this story. Be on the lookout for them down the road. 

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 10

Number 10-Message

I had to give the whole list another look when I saw this was next. The main reason is because the rest of the episodes are really good, and I'm not sure how I managed to rank all of them. Of the 10 remaining episodes, this is the least, and that's still an amazing place to be.

In this episode, we learn a lot about Mal and Zoe and their experiences in the war against the Alliance.

While checking on their mail, Mal and Zoe discover that they have received a dead body of a former war buddy. He plays the sympathy card and the two decide to take him home to his family.

Unfortunately, he isn't all that dead, and he's just trying to use Mal and the crew of Serenity to steal a genetically engineered heart. There is a group of government agents after him and the crew, and they aren't afraid to do some unsavory things to get what they want.

I won't give too much more away in case you haven't seen this episode. (If that is the case then what are you even looking at the list for? Go watch Firefly now.)

Here are some important moments:

• Jayne gets a hat from his mother. The hat explains a lot.
• Kaylee gets shot-again. Seriously, why does she get shot so much?
• We get to see more of Preacher and his strange mix of characteristics. How does he manage to almost save the day?
• "When you can't run, you crawl, and when you can't do that, you get someone to carry you."

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Number 11

Number 11-The Train Job

There's a reason that this episode feels forced. That's because it was forced. Fox decided that the original first episode, Serenity wasn't going to work as a start to the series, so this episode was mandated and aired first. It isn't a bad story, but it doesn't really do anything to move the main story of the show along. Well, we do get to meet a character that will show up later.

The biggest part of this story is that it shows the motivations of each of the people on the crew. Mal and Zoe are determined to make it right once they learn the truth behind the job they've just pulled. Jayne doesn't really care about the reasons, but he doesn't see the point in giving it back. What this episode is missing (because FOX insisted that it be added to the line up before the actual pilot episode, Serenity) is the rest of the crew. That's why it gets dropped down so far.

My favorite part of this episode, though, is when Inara gets to treat Mal like her runaway servant. It's just a great part of their story.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 12

Serenity

I know. I was just complaining about stories that are just about future story development, but this one is a bit different. After all, it was supposed to be the first episode before Fox started messing with the show. (I know they started be for the first episode.) As the first episode, you have to expect a certain amount of set up, so you can't complain about how this happens.

The episode does a great job of establishing the main characters and the relationships between them. Serenity picks up several passengers to help cover the costs of living. There's a Preacher and a doctor with a strange package and some other guy. (Sorry, I don't remember the other guy's cover story, and it doesn't really matter.)

It turns out that the doctor has something unusual in his luggage, a naked girl. She turns out to be his sister who was used in government experiments because of her unusual mind. The other guy is a government agent that is trying to turn in the doctor and River for the reward.

Even after all the trouble that happens, Mal shows who he is by keeping the doctor and River on the ship. We get to learn a lot about everyone and it really peaks the interest of the view to learn more. However, there are much better episodes on the way.

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Honorable Mentions

The best and worst thing about doing a Top 12 list of the episodes of Firefly is that there are only 14 episodes to pick from. On the plus side, you don't have to leave out any episodes that you love just because there aren't enough spaces for them, but on the minus side, it's harder to pick those two episodes that get left out of the list because there are so few to choose from.

Regardless I've got my two episodes right here for your perusal. I picked these episodes because to me they lack immediacy. What do I mean by that? Well, these stories seem to be more about preparing the audience for the future of Firefly. This is all good and fine, but while it is certainly important, it isn't going to make for an exciting episode. So let's get to our honorable mentions.

Safe

In an attempt to hint at the unusual nature of River's existence, we are treated to a backwater world filled with superstitious locals that take River's unusual abilities and ways as a sign that she is a witch. It's a good episode, but it's really just there to feed us information. We also get to find out more about Preacher's past. He's got some kind of background that gets him the medical attention he needs at an Alliance medical facility even though the rest of the crew was turned away without any consideration. We never really learn much more about Preacher's background, which is a bit disappointing.

Bushwacked

This episode would have been one of the most significant of the show if there had been more than one season. You get hints and whispers about the Reavers, but it isn't until this episode that you actually get to really see one.  If the show had continued and we'd seen lots of episodes featuring the Reavers, this would have been one of those episodes people always referred to as the one that started it all. Sadly it is relegated to just being a somewhat confusing tale. (Although the movie does help justify the concern about a single Reaver.)

Top 12 episodes of Firefly-Not quite qualified, but I'm writing about it anyway

Serenity-The Movie

I was a little torn about what to do with Serenity. After all, it isn't an episode. It's really a desperate attempt to bring some closure to a show that was cancelled way too soon. Firefly was only just starting to figure itself out and there were so many great things already started. Joss Whedon was lucky enough to get a chance to bring a little closure to his show thanks to this theatrical release.

I was unfortunate to see the movie before the show. You don't lose anything by not seeing the show, but it does make it hard to see the show after you've seen the movie. The movie jumps far enough ahead that you miss out on the key elements that make the movie so much fun.

When I went to watch the show, I kept looking for Mr. Universe and the Reavers. I never found the first and only glimpses of the second. It doesn't detract from the show and certainly adds to the movie.

This movie is definitely worth watching even though it really creates at least as many questions as it answers. Sadly, there isn't much more to explore at the moment. Maybe Firefly will come back some day and we can see what happens to the crew.