This week we’re checking out my favorite episode: Jaynestown. Who couldn’t love this ep? We get to see a great statue of Jayne, a rare moment where Jayne stops to think about what’s happening, and we all sing!
Of course, as Sean pointed out in this week’s podcast, I’ll probably claim any number of other episodes as my favorite, too. But today it’s Jaynestown.
This is a great episode…one that becomes more significant the more you watch it.
I am going to call in my specific thoughts and personal observations, but here is something to consider (and is basically the central point of what I will say):
Consider the symbols in this episode. It is extremely significant when someone speaks about symbols in reference to a particular event.
I would call Jaynestown my #4 favorite episode after Objects in Space, Out of Gas and Ariel. Then again…I pretty much love all the episodes equally…I just love some of them a gram more.
Right there with you, Solai. I have a really hard time coming up with a favorite episode–or a top 3 or even 5. in any of my favorite series there are at least a couple of episodes–especially in the first season or two before a series tends to hit its stride–that I’d just as soon skip. Not so with Firefly. I literally love them all, which makes me wonder sadly just how great it could have been.
okay so this is one of my many, many dirty little secrets, the first time i watched it i didn’t like.
the second time watched it i almost pee’d myself with hilaritude. Any time Jayne is front and center well a good time is to be had by all. (all being me anyways and suspect a few of you.)
But the third time through i saw the deeper meanings.
and Mal is actually taking care of Jane, this is about the only time you see it, but Jane is crew to Mal even if Jane thinks they are expendable. We see Inara fighting for the crew of serenity without credit, or acknowledgment. and you realize they are all family to each other, no matter the words they say.
We see Simon jealous of Jane, Kaylee taking advantage of Simon, the statute the song. i’ll sing it i swear to you all i will, and of coarse Mal Describing Simon.
than there was books hair. (i’ll give you all a moment…)
but with all the farce and comedy i will add this quote as something that touched me, now i’m a little more religious than most, excommunicated or not but it was one of few lines that really stuck with me as profound.
River: i tore these out of your symbol, and they turned into paper but i want to put them back
Followed directly with more Hilaritud.
plus we have the whole point of swearing is that it aint appropriate
it might be the best balanced show i’ve ever seen between, Comedy and drama, not just firefly but of anything i’ve watched. there was meaning behind everything but it was never preachy or just for effect.
Edited to add Inara’s reaction to Jayne’s fame,
and Mal’s line “I know your name Jackass”
edited again to add to the Simon Kaylee interaction
Kaylee: it don’t mean nothing out here in the black
Simon: It means more
shows Simon adjusting to his new life while holding on to the positive values of his old life in the alliance. but still cements there feelings for each other.
followed by even more hilaritude
Mal: Its my estimation that every man that ever got a statue made of him, was one kind of son of bitch or another.
just think about the the statues we have made and research the lives of the people they represent its the story the legend thats important not the people.
so i’ll agree with Mal
this here is a spectacle that might warrant a moments consideration.
Ive not watched an entire Firefly episode…until today. I recorded the marathon on SciFi and I have to admit I’m liking it alot.
Jaynestown wasnt one of them unfortunately.
Thats a shame . Buy the dvds they’re soooooo GOOD!
I’ll second what Nickname Boomer. This episode has that great mix of humor and drama that you see in the other episodes, and here you see each character have their chance of showing both in the same episode.
Not one of my faves either (although, that’s a bit like saying Rocky Road isn’t my favorite ice cream. It’s still ice cream, after all.)
I think my top three match yours, Solai. And I really like Joss Whedon’s commentary track on Objects in Space --really deep and interesting, shows what a real artistic chap Whedon is.
I think I can say this is my favorite episode because I am such a big Jayne fan. I find Jayne’s complexity so interesting. He can be smart or stupid depending on which will better serve him. Then there are also the times he’s smart or stupid without knowing it. This is why I love him. It’s the same thing that makes Kevin Dillon’s Johnny Drama on Entourage so great. (FYI- any fans of the ComicCon episode of Entourage?)
I agree with many of the comments on the show’s careful mix of humor and drama. I laugh out loud, which is something we don’t often get to so in BSG. The BSG moments of humor are more subtle and more centered on character, whereas in FireFly both plot and character are weaved together. That said, I think the humor in BSG packs a bigger punch- satire, irony, etc. where FireFly can be more slapstick.
I’m so grateful to GWC for getting me hooked on this show. I just ordered all these FireFly books from Amazon and bought the Serenity graphic novel- I can’t get enough of it.
I actually had to learn to play the song Hero of Canton afterwards. Still can’t the tune out of my head.
It gets played at least once at jam sessions.
“I want to go to the crappy town where I am a hero.” 
Is there are a Firefly soundtrack somewhere? The song was actually not that bad. And I might wanna listen to the title theme over and over again once I’m through watching it all.
So, Jaynestown. A funny episode. Apart from when the boy jumps in the line of fire. Say, it was my understanding that they had kept the beardy guy in that box for four years? I can see why he looks like a Yeti now, but four years with no means of exercising and he can beat the crap out of Jayne (somewhat)? Nah, but it was a cool episode.
i loved hearing adam baldwin sing the song in the extras for the dvd.
and those expressions on everyone’s faces when they heard about jayne being a hero. priceless.