That whole sequence, I was just covering my mouth with my hands and quietly whimpering.

Sadly, the non-fans going in aren't going to feel the hurt about the ship the way the fans do. I think newcomers are going to find that whole sequence of events thrilling, while the fans (though I'm mostly speaking for myself here) are going to feel like they've been punched in the gut repeatedly. That's not to say the occaisional gut punch isn't allowed, but by the end I was metaphorically (white font for squicky imagery) puking blood. It was just too much and I couldn't process it on an emotional level anymore.

Second viewing went over much better, though it still hurt.

This movie easily had the HSest HSQ I think I've ever seen.

Really? More than Fight Club? Or I See Dead People? Or the Crying Game?

Okay, those all rely on twists, and this didn't, but still.

Killing Wash (there, I said it) snapped things into perspective. I felt quite (well, even more) silly about worrying about the ship (and Kaylee's reaction) when presented with death and the potential of Zoe's reaction. So I'd thought it had been a gut punch, but I realised it'd been just a love tap, and wouldn't even leave a bruise.

However, the cheer I felt when the doors opened to reveal River untouched in the room full of Reaver corpses was directly proportional to the loss that had gone before.

And that I appreciated. I just had to remind myself to remember that scene as well as the sad ones.

How about Book's death? Was it expected? Was it a gut punch?

the potential of Zoe's reaction

I *loved* how GT played it, with the snap into soldier mode -- and yet you could see she was shattered, but there was never any doubt that she'd be less than 100% in the battle.

when the doors opened to reveal River untouched in the room full of Reaver corpses

One of those iconic Whedon girl-power shots. I loved it on an emotional level, but I'm still not sure the film earned it.

Book's death had foreshadowing. They're looking for him, and there's death and destruction all around. They've been finding corpses. In fact, Book's the only one alive (although not for long).

You're in a really safe space (relatively speaking) when Wash buys it.

So Tuesday I was at that Joss Internet Radio interview at The Fandom.com BTW, thefandom.com radio show is probably what the Allyson/Kristen show would be without the snark but with more kiss assery. (btw girls I have their address now, you should contact them about doing a show. It's the same people who do the fishbowl.com and they have multiple shows there.)

I was in chat logged under my old Bronzer name (IMMORTAL) It was a pretty good interview (1hr and 30+minutes,) not the standard questions Joss has been getting. At the end there was a Q&A open to those in chat and my question was the first asked. I asked about the possibility of Joss returning to TV is a limited indirect capacity by proxy.

Then they held a trivia contest. They had 20 tshirts and if you answered a question you got one. I answered the first question (Numfar!) Then they decided that since there were only 22 people in chat (w/mods) everyone would get a tshirt!

Here's the good part...I got a package today! Not only did I get a tshirt, I got a window cling, a bandana and chopsticks. That's 11000 points worth of stuff at the Browncoat store on the site. The funny thing is I've been answering questions there forever and only have 1600 points and one question elsewhere netted me all this stuff. Before you go hating on me I posted that the interview was going take place at a few places and was responsible for hooking those who showed up with the same stuff.

You're in a really safe space (relatively speaking)

Well, yeah. Because there's this big sigh of relief that he landed without smashing them to bits, and then WHAMMO -- sucka!!!!

there, I said it)

Yay! I have been sooo tempted all day.