As far as Wesley had gone by the end of Season 3, that one line showed us just how distant he was from "all the maturity of a blueberry scone."

I think it was squandered, though. That level of amorality should have been shimmering right under the surface (or being fought against) the whole rest of the time. Even though he did dark things later, the bucket (while pleasing) seemed uncapitalised upon.

I've always thought a podcast was a better option for The Kristen & Allyson Show.

I doubt any radio station would let us smoke while we were working.

I think it was squandered, though.

How 'bout that scene with Wesley in the hospital with the pillow and the "you understand I'm me, not Angelus?"

Because you screamed.

Because you screamed.

I did. It was cool, and not squandered at all. I think it was both earned, consistent, and surprising. Which is my favourite kind of moment. Delightful.

However, I didn't rank HSQs, so if you're looking for a rating for this, I can't help you. Moments are too different to compare.

How 'bout that scene with Wesley in the hospital with the pillow and the "you understand I'm me, not Angelus?"

Gah, I loved that.

Salon's review is my favorite, for the description of Zoe alone

Zoe (the extraordinary Gina Torres), a curvaceous warrior who redefines womanliness as if it were a newly discovered muscle

It was a great scene. One of Season 3's highlights. Which means it was a precursor to Deep Down's bucket scene, & doesn't refute the contention that the promise of the latter was squandered. I agree that more could (should) have been done with possibilities raised by Wes's actions & character in that episode, but still found his story, especially his interactions with Lilah, to be the most compelling part of S4. (Naked Jasmine notwithstanding.)

Zoe (the extraordinary Gina Torres), a curvaceous warrior who redefines womanliness as if it were a newly discovered muscle

I was discussing female action heroes with my friend before the movie started. He said he didn't like it when the chick took out the whole room of baddies. I said that it depended on choreography -- if she's waifish and punches them all out, then, no. But no guy can take that room out either -- we just have to get used to extending the suspension of disbelief -- it's all about the choreography.

Meanwhile, there's also the option of having the women look physically capable.

I have to say -- Serenity did a good job on both parts. River didn't go mano a mano -- she was toe to toe (or toe to face) and used weapons. And Zoe just looked like she could kick as much ass as any guy in the room.

I just like the idea that feminine now means lush and curvy and ass kicking without sacrificing the looking lovely in a (an admitedly perfectly gorgeous) dress.

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

It's probably because I've seen the movie several times, but there's one line that I think is foreshadowy. On Miranda, Jayne has his little outburst, "She's right! Everybody's dead! This whole world is dead for no reason!" While he says that line at the left side of the frame, Wash is pretty much dead center and then the camera kind of hangs on him for a sec before he says "Let's go to the beacon." I have the feeling that shot composition was intentional.