Saw Serenity again: Simon-centric spoilery thoughts behind the cut

[dangermousie]

Still amazing amazing amazing.

Husband loved it too.

It reminds me of all the classic scifi books, only better.

So much love.



The moment that still grabs me by the throat the most is when Simon gets shot (tonight there was an audible horrified gasp from the audience again). I know he doesn't die. I've just watched this movie less than 24 hours ago, but I still can't stop a horrified gasp of my own.

Because if Mal is my favorite character, Simon is probably the nicest: he is just such a sweet, gentle, caring person. He's gave up his whole life to take care of his sister, and has done nothing but try to help. And it's just horrifying.

And how amazing is that, that here he is, shot through the abdomen, and every word out of his mouth is about treatment for Kaylee. Because yes, a large part of it is because he loves her, but another huge part is because he is a doctor, and he would do the same for anyone, even Jayne.

And he looks so amazingly young and vulnerable and scared and he apologizes to River and I sob.

I also love his very quiet confession to Kaylee that by taking care of River he had to give up everything he wanted (i.e. her).

I think in a discussion a few months ago with crumpeteer, we agreed that Simon is only hovery over River because she so needs it. He is a caring person by nature. Whenever River flips or is hurt he is there, with never-ending patience and love that breaks my heart. But if she was better, he'd not do that to such a degree. And we see it's true. As River gets better, he stops hovering and instead you really see him with Kaylee. And I am so happy, because he can finally have a life of his own.

Also, how hot is this that they are having sex in the engine room as opposed to their quarters? River watching? Disturbing (he's her brother!) and funny at once.

And now he can be happy and have a life and love of his own and have the weight of the world off his shoulders. Darling Simon!

Comments

[rawles.livejournal.com]

Yes. I just completely agree, which is not surprising since as you know Simon is my husband. You've just listed many of the reasons that I fell in love with him.

And how amazing is that, that here he is, shot through the abdomen, and every word out of his mouth is about treatment for Kaylee.

You know, that's one of my absolute favorite parts and after the early screenings months ago some people were saying that the S/K wasn't...genuinely affectionate enough, I guess. Like it had been boiled down entirely to sex, but I disagreed and that was one of my favorite examples.

I also love that he's the one who pulls her out of the engine room when Serenity is crashing and when he tries to stop her from seeing the dead body behind her. And, of course, Kaylee's tearing up when she's telling Simon not to fly in anything with a Caperson 38 engine, since, as Joss put out (when saying that it was his favorite line in the movie), that's a mechanic's way of saying, "I love you."

Mmm. I am pleasantly gooey about OTP consummation once more.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

after the early screenings months ago some people were saying that the S/K wasn't...genuinely affectionate enough, I guess. Like it had been boiled down entirely to sex, but I disagreed and that was one of my favorite examples.


It's funny, because it was my husband who picked up on the whole thing in a "wow, he must really care for her" way.

It's little things too, like how they stand really close to each other at the funeral. Or how she keeps sneaking looks at him or how he wants to say something when he and River are about to leave and she walks off and he asks River if she wants to stay as if looking for an out...

I adore Simon. And he looked amazingly hotter in the big screen!

[garnettrees.livejournal.com]

The end of the series, and this movie, finally got me to really love Simon. I was sort of standoffish from him at the begining, liking him only because he was so kind to River and loved her so, but now I like him for his whole character. And you're right, the engine room scene was hot. (Also, River had that fascinated/disgusted look on her face-- much like in "Heart of Gold". I found that funny.)

I have only one problem with this movie. It's a big one:
MY WASH!!! *sobs* My poor Xander-in-space Wash...

Other than that, it was so thoroughly awesome that there are no words.
-Meredith
hiding in a corner

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

The end of the series, and this movie, finally got me to really love Simon. I was sort of standoffish from him at the begining, liking him only because he was so kind to River and loved her so, but now I like him for his whole character

That's how it was for me. At first, I didn't understand the fans' Simon-love. But somehow, gradually, I totally fell for him. And in the movie, when he hits Mal, even though Mal can take him apart in a second? *loves*

It's a big one:
MY WASH!!! *sobs* My poor Xander-in-space Wash...

I know. I was numb. I kept hoping it was a trick. And the second time I saw it, I kept thinking maybe this time it will be different!

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I remember a point in time when you just weren't all that wild about Simon. I told you he'd grow on you. ;)

Simon is probably one of the sweetest, most genuinely compassionate characters I've ever seen on a tv show. He really doesn't care so much about himself as he does about keeping everyone else safe. He proves that over and over as he continually risks his life to protect people he doesn't even know. Even though he's not as overtly tough and ballsy as Mal, Simon is just as tough in his own way. Fighting isn't is forte, but he'd do anything to protect River and Kaylee. Simon just has an incredibly big heart.

Which brings me to the point that Kaylee is perfect for him because she does too. There's something so sweetly innocent about the two of them, especially as a counterpoint to Mal and Inara's world weary and extremely messed up relationship. Kaylee and Simon are the type that will settle down happily, have their own little family, Simon will dote on her endlessly and they'll make use of the engine room. That's just how these two are.

On a side note, Simon is going to make a great dad.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

remember a point in time when you just weren't all that wild about Simon. I told you he'd grow on you.

It's funny, because I remember it too. I thought he was this stiff, prissy, bland guy. And now all I want to do is hug him. I think "Safe" was what won me over. When he, with only a sarcastic remark or two,started helping the villagers that kidnapped him! And when he saw that they were not going to cut River down, he jumped on the pyre to die with her. Not because it would save her but because he didn't want her to die scared and alone Just thinking about that scene brings tears to my eyes.

Simon just has an incredibly big heart.

Oh yes. Just...no words.

Kaylee and Simon are the type that will settle down happily, have their own little family, Simon will dote on her endlessly and they'll make use of the engine room

Yes. I love that Kaylee fusses over Simon (the way she does in the movie by trying to tell him how to book a ship in great detail, reassuring him about River etc) because Simon needs someone to fuss over him as he is so slefless he is never going to do it himself. He cares for others so much, he doesn't tink about himself at all. So it's good to have someone return the favor for him, take the burden from his shoulders for a bit.

They just make me melt, when they are together!

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I think that's the beauty with Sean Maher. He came across as really stiff and arrogant the first couple episodes, but then you slowly watch him turn Simon into someone really sweet and incredibly self sacrificing. Maher is gifted with a gorgeous smile that changes his whole demeanor when he uses it.

And Simon does need someone to give back to him. His entire life has been spent giving himself out to take care of everyone (most of the time to little or no thanks), it isn't until Kaylee comes along that he seems to find a "place" where he doesn't have to do the taking care of all the time. Until Kaylee, no one seemed to look out for Simon, which makes me think he's tougher than anyone ever gives him credit.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I love your icons!

He came across as really stiff and arrogant the first couple episodes

And of course in hidsight (or rewatching) you realize that is because he is so uncomfortable, lost, and out of his depths. He hides behind the stiff formality, as Kaylee figured out in an episode. Inside, there is this incredibly tender, selfless guy.

Maher is gifted with a gorgeous smile that changes his whole demeanor when he uses it.

Oh yes. When he smiles at River, calming her down, treating her, it's just this miracle to watch all this love written so plainly on his face. River is incredibly lucky! And so is Kaylee.

Until Kaylee, no one seemed to look out for Simon, which makes me think he's tougher than anyone ever gives him credit.

I think he doesn't expect much from the world in regards to himself. We saw in a falshback his parents were distant and self-absorbed. He and River were so close because there was no one else. So I think he learned early that there won't be anyone to take care of him. I think part of the reason he is so desperate to find and care for River is because she is the one person who genuinly loved him and cared for him. In which case, Kaylee is a lucky lucky girl, because Simon will go to the same lengths for her.

Basically, you give Simon love and care and he will repay it in some incredible ways. I think it's so incredible how his privileged but not love-rich upbringing didn't make him distant and withdrawn from feeling but instead he is so full of wanting to care.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I got a new batch of icons today (all Firefly and Supernatural). It's rare I get on a computer that's fast enough to upload them quickly.

Anyway, Maher is a cutie. He's the type you'd bring home to your mother. Fillion, probably not so much. He's a bit cheeky. Seems like a sweetheart though.

I still never really liked Jayne because he was so nasty to Simon. Simon just brought out my protective nature, just like Jamie and Wentworth and Hayden do. I think it's the cute smile thing. If you have a cute smile, I suddenly turn to mush. Forget the nice bodies on them, I'm only looking at the face (for a while ;)).

And Simon/Kaylee just make my heart smile. Not a whole lot of tortured angst, just a sweet, peaceful relationship.

[ayn-rand-fan-13.livejournal.com]

I saw it!
At five seperate parts in the movie, me and both of my friends with me had our hands clasped against our mouths in terror. There was a point at which I thought they were killing off every main character.
I loved Simon! He's a great person, yeah, but he cares about the actual people as well. There is a sort of distinction between his patients and the patients he loves (Kaylee and River, for example).
After they all live and such, I whispered to my friend "they're going to be having sex in the engine room". It's always fun to be proved right.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Let me just say your icon cracks me the heck up.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

At five seperate parts in the movie, me and both of my friends with me had our hands clasped against our mouths in terror. There was a point at which I thought they were killing off every main character.


Me too. Actually, the theater (even not the 12:01 one, which was loud) was gasping with Wash and Simon. With Simon, I think my nails left marks on my arms I was grabbing myself so hard tokeep from whimpering. Because he is an innocent, who was only trying to act out of love and save his sister from hideous mental and physical torture. But then he was OK *loves*

There is a sort of distinction between his patients and the patients he loves (Kaylee and River, for example).

Yes. Also, I am sure Kaylee is going to be getting a regular and thorough physical :P

I whispered to my friend "they're going to be having sex in the engine room". It's always fun to be proved right.

That is probably one of the hottest and sweetest scenes in the movie. So adorable. Kaylee finally "wins" Simon, and Simon actually gets to have a life and have some love on his own account. They are so adorably sweetly shy with each other.*is puddle of goo*