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.