Also, I wasn't down with the explanation for the Reavers 'cause it guts the thematic content of 'Bushwacked' and that was the part of the episode I admired most.

By that you mean the directing, right?

You know, in thinking about this, it occurs to me that some of the "hand wringing" could be due to all the advance screenings and how far out they were from the theatrical release. A lot of the hardcore fans saw the movie (perhaps more than once) months ago. So they've already had their happy squee moment and, now, are over that and looking ahead to more.

I've also wondered if there would have been more or less momentum for the film had Universal done the screenings closer to the release. It's certainly been an interesting experiment to watch.

By that you mean the directing, right?

Or maybe the interrogation scenes. Or the shot of River being so happy to see the vastness of outer space (that was directing!).

Also, I think my very favorite part of that whole episode is the guy looking for River and Simon...under a placemat.

I've also wondered if there would have been more or less momentum for the film had Universal done the screenings closer to the release. It's certainly been an interesting experiment to watch.

Absolutely. And that's an interesting point. Maybe they were so concerned with the product that they needed the reassurance of the early screenings. Unfortunately, they may have blown their wad too early--especially with the core of fans they were relying on for the big returns.

Like everything else in the industry, it helps to have good timing and a bit of luck.

they may have blown their wad too early

So, you're saying Uni had premature exhibition?

Hey, Ploter-cow! The interrogation scene was directing, too!

And you just HAD to go and bring up the placemat, didn'tcha? Makes me crazy. But it was an effects shot with three elements and that take was the best for other reasons. Curses, you!

Also, they put the wrong version of that effects shot on the DVD. Makes me nuts. In the aired version I had Zoic go back and speed up the pull back so it ended with a beat or two of the full shot of the Alliance ship just hanging there. For some reason on the DVD they got ahold of the shot I rejected, where the pull back doesn't have to complete itself before we cut in close to Simon and River. Curses again!

Hey, Ploter-cow! The interrogation scene was directing, too!

It was! And I liked it!

And you just HAD to go and bring up the placemat, didn'tcha? Makes me crazy. But it was an effects shot with three elements and that take was the best for other reasons. Curses, you!

Ha. I'm sorry, but it cracks me up every time. It's like, "Yep, they're not under here!" I mean, I can fanwank it as their being very thorough (leave no placemat unturned!).

Also, they put the wrong version of that effects shot on the DVD. Makes me nuts. In the aired version I had Zoic go back and speed up the pull back so it ended with a beat or two of the full shot of the Alliance ship just hanging there. For some reason on the DVD they got ahold of the shot I rejected, where the pull back doesn't have to complete itself before we cut in close to Simon and River. Curses again!

Aw, crap! That sucks. Why would they do that? I guess I don't understand how DVD transfer works. Don't you just hand them the episode? Why would they put in a different cut without being told?

Aw, crap! That sucks. Why would they do that? I guess I don't understand how DVD transfer works. Don't you just hand them the episode? Why would they put in a different cut without being told?

Yeah, it's really weird. I have no idea how it happened.

I think a lot of fans wanted to believe it was going to be a huge blockbuster success that would spawn several sequels and/or a return to the small screen.

This is so me. I'm just not ready for there to be no more of that 'verse. But I haven't given up hope. I really hoped it would do better in the theater, but I've got to think that DVD sales will really rock.

And Tim, it was totally the direction.

And Tim, it was totally the direction.

If by "direction" you mean...

I think the ideas in the episode are really elegantly laid out. The episode is frickin' diagrammable.