A while back, I started on an ambitious thirty-day meme about television. I had every intention to follow it through to the bitter end, but then Jenna got sick, and I got distracted, and never got myself tracted again. But I didn’t forget about it, and I figure I’ll pick it up where I left off. If you missed the beginning of this, there’s links to the previous entries behind the cut-tag at the end of the post.
Day 09 – Best scene ever
This is insanely difficult to pin down. There are scenes that are great because they’re funny, and scenes that are great because they’re poignant or profound.
But I if I have to pick just one, I’m going to go with the scene between Mal and Simon at the end of the Firefly pilot, “Serenity” (not to be confused with the Fireflymovie of the same title):
SIMON You need me to look at that?
MAL Just a graze.
SIMON (a beat, then) So where do you plan on dumping us?
MAL There’s places you might be safe. You want the truth, though, you’re probably safer on the move. (turns to him) And we never stop moving.
SIMON I’m confused. No wait — I think maybe you’re confused.
MAL It may have become apparent to you, the ship could use a medic. You ain’t weak. I don’t know how bright you are, top three percent, but you ain’t weak and that’s not nothing. You live by my rule, keep your sister from doing anything crazy, you could maybe find a place here. ‘Til you find a better.
SIMON I’m trying to put this as delicately as I can… How do I know you won’t kill me in my sleep?
MAL You don’t know me, son. So let me explain this to you once: If I ever kill you, you’ll be awake, you’ll be facing me, and you’ll be armed.
SIMON (smiles) Are you always this sentimental?
MAL I had a good day.
SIMON You had the law on you, criminals and savages… half the people on the ship have been shot or wounded including yourself, and you’re harbouring known fugitives.
MAL (looks out at the black sky) We’re still flying.
SIMON That’s not much.
MAL (almost to himself) It’s enough.
Day 01 – A show that should have never been cancelled
Day 02 – A show that you wish more people were watching
Day 03 – Your favorite new show (aired this t.v season)
Day 04 – Your favorite show ever
Day 05 – A show you hate
Day 06 – Favourite episode of your favourite t.v show
Day 07 – Least favorite episode of your favorite t.v show
Day 08 – A show everyone should watch
Day 10 – A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 – A show that disappointed you
Day 12 – An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 – Favorite childhood show
Day 14 – Favorite male character
Day 15 – Favorite female character
Day 16 – Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 – Favorite mini series
Day 18 – Favorite title sequence
Day 19 – Best t.v show cast
Day 20 – Favorite kiss
Day 21 – Favorite ship
Day 22 – Favorite series finale
Day 23 – Most annoying character
Day 24 – Best quote
Day 25 – A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 – OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 – Best pilot episode
Day 28 – First t.v show obsession
Day 29 – Current t.v show obsession
Day 30 – Saddest character death
keristor
“One small ship is enough” *g*. Yes, I’d have to agree (with both the choice and with Mal)…
kaffyr
Yes, that’s an exceptionally fine scene. Whedon really knows how to put things over with good dialogue, and without bashing people over the head with what’s going on. It just develops naturally; you can tell so much about Mal and Simon in that one short bit.
bardling
Yup, that. 🙂
Excellent Scene.
markbernstein
Thanks for picking this up again. I’ve had more fun riding along than I think I would have starting it on my LJ.
For best scene, there are a number of possibilities, but I’m going to go with the combination of one great actor and one great writer. I’m picking a scene I referenced in my day 6 answer -- President Jed Bartlet’s rant in the National Cathedral. It’s in the final episode of season 2 of “The West Wing”, titled “Two Cathedrals”.
markbernstein
As an honorable mention, I have to cite a scene that I’ve seen several times, but still chokes me up -- the presentation of the “Class Protector” award at Buffy’s prom.
“I had no idea that children en masse could be gracious.”
bercilakslady
I have to agree with you on the scene from “Two Cathedrals”.
Rob Wynne
The West Wing is still on my to-watch list. Thinking we might start it soon. 🙂
markbernstein
You’ll likely see me mention it again in future answers. 🙂
selenite
Yeah, that’s a great moment. Sums up what I love about the show.
tigerbright
Nice… and I’m glad that this shows that things have calmed down (in a good way) in your life.
batyatoon
I love that scene. So, so much.
selenite
Icon ow.
silvenstar
My two cents: Great scene.
I’m a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, and one of the best scenes I’ve seen in a while came when Dr Bailey and Dr Yang (African-American and Korean-American Jewish, respectively) are doing an operation on a man with a giant swastika on his abdomen. The scene shows them cutting him open directly down the middle of it. I found it very powerful.