Shindig makes my Firefly top 3. It's a great example of taking an incredibly simple "stock plot" and letting these characters provide the wrinkles that make this telling of the story unique.The episode is simply Mal trying to make a social connection, and accidentally landing in hot water by running afoul of local customs. Star Trek: The Next Generation did this exact plot in the first season ("Justice") -- in fact, about as many episodes into its run as this episode was into Firefly's. And yet that Star Trek episode -- sorry, TNG, you know I love you but... -- really just stank, while this hour of television soars.
The humor in this episode feels effortless even when it's clearly being staged by the writers. ("You couldn't buy an invite without a diamond the size of a testicle, but I happened to get my hands on a couple." "Use of a sw-what?") It's partly that the writers know better than to take such a stock plot too seriously, but partly that the comedic current of Firefly had already been well-established by this point.
But again, it comes back to how wonderful the characters are in this episode. For Kaylee in particular, this hour represents a full meal. The audience feels her heartbreak when Mal casually insults her desire to buy a frilly dress. We smile at her joy to attend the party. We're crushed when she's tormented by the privileged woman there, and cheer when someone at the party comes to her defense. We laugh when her technical know-how makes her the belle of the ball, and love her wistful gazing at her dress as she remembers her experience at the end of the episode.
Mal and Inara have a wonderful arc together in this episode. The former convincingly argues the difference between disrespecting Inara's profession and disrespecting Inara herself. The latter showcases that her skills extend beyond frippery and seduction; she has some claws that can come out when needed.
Even the guest characters in this episode are outstanding. Badger, in his second appearance, is a perfect blend of villain -- oafish enough that you can believe Mal outfoxes him, but menacing enough that he remains a credible threat. Atherton is a brilliant heel to boo and hiss at. Even minor characters like the noble Mal is seeking to do business with, and the old man that defends Kaylee at the party, get true zinger lines that would never be wasted on a guest star on any other TV show. (And it's okay, because the main characters get as good or better!)
This is top notch Firefly, in my opinion -- an absolute grade A episode.
2 comments:
Yes, that was one great episode.
FKL
the tension during the duel was very well done. of course you know they wouldn't kill the main character but for a while there he seemed to genuinely be in deep trouble. classic JW good-stuff.
the mole
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