Canceling this show was one of the biggest fudge you to legions of fans.....amd they kept like 7 garbage shows with shit ratings that didn't even finish the seson
Mal is a killer, and in a fair duel a seasoned killer has at least a fighting chance against someone who just takes on fighting as a hobby. Also, having fenced for years i could see the clear skill disparity in the fight and attributed it to time spent practicing with the stunt team. For it to be called out the way it was in the episode I absolutely loved it. Mal was swinging that delicate little small sword like it was a damn claymore.
Man, I could be an elderly man on my death bed some day, and still won't forgive Fox for cancelling Firefly just to put some shitty "reality TV" shows in its place. Same with them cancelling Dark Angel around the same time. No longer seeing young Jessica Alba in tight leather pants was very disappointing for teen-me.
The hard part is getting it right under pressure, that much I'd agree with. I haven't tried sword throwing, but I have some decent experience with knife throwing (I have a video on my channel where I get my knife out of the sheathe and into a target about 8-10 feet away in just under 4 seconds). At the super close range they're at, that would be an appropriate distance, if you're to make such a throw. I just gotta say, the maneuver would be easier to get down than learning to sword fight well. The kick, grab, throw you could probably get in about an afternoon of practice (with a dull sword, if you're wise). Takes a lot longer to learn sword fighting.
The difference is that Mal probably had practiced throwing knives or something similar (as Jayne is also shown to be able to do in another episode) and was coordinated enough for the technique to transfer. Whereas rapier fencing was entirely foreign to him.
2:20 is also great proof of Atherton’s total lack of knowledge of fighting. First off, he gets impaled and takes the weapon out - meaning he’s going to bleed more, and possibly get infected since the wound is exposed. Not smart, but understandable as pulling the weapon out of his body would mean he HAD a weapon. But then he just…throws the sword away?? He had a weapon in hand and tossed it aside because it had his blood on it?? Doesn’t matter if it’s squicky or if you’re in pain, don’t give up your last means of defense.
Never seen the show but admittedly, this duel doesn't feel awkward to watch. It actually feels like they are fighting as opposed to just tapping blades
Fair warning, if you watch the show and the movie, you may feel some of the rage us fans back in the day felt when the dipshits at Fox cancelled it to make way for "reality" TV shows.
This episode of Firefly was also one of the very best at addressing the class snobbery and entitlement in a very creative way. Both Larry Drake (RIP) and Larry Pennell (RIP) both support this episode as genuinely honorable individuals in contrast to the many other examples of narrow and entitled gentiles. The smoke effects during the fight are (I believe) a homage to Ridley Scott's first Feature Film "The Duellists" (1977) which is one of the finest examples of Editing and Cinematography to ever grace the screen. It was all but eclipsed that year by "Star Wars" but it did win "Best Debut Film" at Cannes (1977). It remains a masterwork, however.
@@bugwar5545 And how at least one (maybe more? not sure) of the original cast have passed away, not to mention how much they've aged. Sadly, it's gone and it won't be coming back, best thing to do is just to enjoy what we do have rather than pining for more.
I like the part where she is telling him that it "takes less than a pound of to break human skin" and I'm like "is not a unit of pressure damn it!!!!!!"
This reminds me of those martial art tropes where the highborn is taught to fight by masters but spars with opponents who hold back and let them win intentionally, and the lowborn who had to fight brutally for their life.
I'm not sure if this is an example of that trope. Atherton is genuinely a brilliant fighter and beats Mal 9 times out of 10. Mal only won because Atherton was distracted by Inara.
Agreed, but he makes a miraculous escape. He's not seen anywhere in Season 3 but does return in the Season 4 finale and is a main antagonist in Season 5. I like that universe, 8 wonderful seasons of Firefly, and no COVID.
I believe season one was all about setting up the future of firefly with villains and heroes to go up against. To bad the verse never got to be fully realized.
I think I know a bit about sword combat but tbh apart from the silly behind the back stab (it’s not that easy to stab through shirt and skin) nothing to crazy happened. The broken sword however... the fuck is it made of glass? You either tempered that so poorly it would have broken long before he stepped on it, or it’s a bunch of bullshit. Not to mention the guard on “bad guy’s” award must be soooo heavy and it would get in the way of anything you do that isn’t at arms length.
@@alexanderbyrne9684 That is from Doctor Who. And I would say a perfect quote. It says a good man, not lawful. A good man has a moral compass to guide him, no need for rules.
Disagree, I'd say Mal is a genuinely good man. He only has one rule - if you're on his crew, you're under his protection. He'll have your back if you have his. That's the mark of a great man. Well, maybe an alright one.
I saw this before Serenity and was expecting Mal to just let the dude stab him, so he could grab the hilt keeping the saber in his gut while he progresses to lop the dude's head off.
to all these pretentious folks in the comments talking about honor and how this was a cheap shot or they were cheating, or whatever your problem is, you do remember that mal does crime for a living and is a space pirate, right? And Inara helps in those endeavors, she's as much a pirate as he is. Also, when your crush is about to die at the hands of a misogynistic sack of shit, you'd intervene too. Also, this takes 500 years in the future, you don't know what duel rules are like there.
Canceling this show was one of the biggest fudge you to legions of fans.....amd they kept like 7 garbage shows with shit ratings that didn't even finish the seson
It’s the future. People got ray guns and space ships and they’re still fighting with swords.
Ah yes, the old put your sword behind your back trick.
You cut out the best part where Atherton doesn't learn from disrespecting Inara and gets the black mark.
There is something so very badass with throwing that broken blade into him, followed by a straight out sucker punch.
Mal is a killer, and in a fair duel a seasoned killer has at least a fighting chance against someone who just takes on fighting as a hobby. Also, having fenced for years i could see the clear skill disparity in the fight and attributed it to time spent practicing with the stunt team. For it to be called out the way it was in the episode I absolutely loved it. Mal was swinging that delicate little small sword like it was a damn claymore.
I wonder if they were influenced by Liam Neeson and Tim Roth in Rob Roy?
Man, I could be an elderly man on my death bed some day, and still won't forgive Fox for cancelling Firefly just to put some shitty "reality TV" shows in its place. Same with them cancelling Dark Angel around the same time. No longer seeing young Jessica Alba in tight leather pants was very disappointing for teen-me.
"you didn't have to wound that man" "yeah, but it was funny"
We need a hero.... , I'm holding out for a hero 'Til the morning light He's gotta be sure And it's gotta be soon And he's gotta be larger than life
BUT just like in the first Black Panther movie, he (the main character) ACTUALLY LOST the fight😏🙄
it takes so much more natural skill to do at 2:19 what Mal did than just being a decent swordsman
The hard part is getting it right under pressure, that much I'd agree with. I haven't tried sword throwing, but I have some decent experience with knife throwing (I have a video on my channel where I get my knife out of the sheathe and into a target about 8-10 feet away in just under 4 seconds). At the super close range they're at, that would be an appropriate distance, if you're to make such a throw. I just gotta say, the maneuver would be easier to get down than learning to sword fight well. The kick, grab, throw you could probably get in about an afternoon of practice (with a dull sword, if you're wise). Takes a lot longer to learn sword fighting.
The difference is that Mal probably had practiced throwing knives or something similar (as Jayne is also shown to be able to do in another episode) and was coordinated enough for the technique to transfer. Whereas rapier fencing was entirely foreign to him.
2:20 is also great proof of Atherton’s total lack of knowledge of fighting. First off, he gets impaled and takes the weapon out - meaning he’s going to bleed more, and possibly get infected since the wound is exposed. Not smart, but understandable as pulling the weapon out of his body would mean he HAD a weapon. But then he just…throws the sword away?? He had a weapon in hand and tossed it aside because it had his blood on it?? Doesn’t matter if it’s squicky or if you’re in pain, don’t give up your last means of defense.
1:23 it makes my blood boil yeah you just have to run with the sword extended im sure that will make him not dodge
"You didn't have to wound that man." "Yeah, I know, it was just funny. "
can definitely see the influence from The Duelists in this scene.
i dont remember seeing this what episode was it in?
Shindig
So unconvincing. They didn't get any training and neither is athletic. How lame.
Never seen the show but admittedly, this duel doesn't feel awkward to watch. It actually feels like they are fighting as opposed to just tapping blades
Fair warning, if you watch the show and the movie, you may feel some of the rage us fans back in the day felt when the dipshits at Fox cancelled it to make way for "reality" TV shows.
Mighty fine shindig.
This episode of Firefly was also one of the very best at addressing the class snobbery and entitlement in a very creative way. Both Larry Drake (RIP) and Larry Pennell (RIP) both support this episode as genuinely honorable individuals in contrast to the many other examples of narrow and entitled gentiles. The smoke effects during the fight are (I believe) a homage to Ridley Scott's first Feature Film "The Duellists" (1977) which is one of the finest examples of Editing and Cinematography to ever grace the screen. It was all but eclipsed that year by "Star Wars" but it did win "Best Debut Film" at Cannes (1977). It remains a masterwork, however.
Oh Man Keitel was something else in that. A real gem of a film.
I was thinking of 'The Duelists" while watching this. I am glad someone else mentioned it here.
I just realized that was Durant from Darkman
They don't make them like this anymore.
Every dang time I watch this the ending still gets me.
Bahahaha!!!!
Now I understand why Castle fences a lot with Alexis and is top notch at it. Nathan did on FireFly.
"Well, I'm alright..."
BRING BACK FIREFLY
You might want to hold off on that wish, considering what the progressives have done to every series they touch.
@@bugwar5545 And how at least one (maybe more? not sure) of the original cast have passed away, not to mention how much they've aged. Sadly, it's gone and it won't be coming back, best thing to do is just to enjoy what we do have rather than pining for more.
"Eh, I'm alright." Classic.
Later, in Serenity: "What is your sin?" (I think that was the question, it was something like that) "Aww Hell, I'm a fan of all 7..."
Gee.. this looks awefully familiar... so does the actor lol ruclips.net/video/FZmLOTIMjug/видео.html
I've literally had this happen in a PF1e campaign. Not identical, but combat maneuvers are a bitch.
Loved the part where he asked Mail, “Why’d you do that?” Mail responded, “Because it was funny.”
I loved the part where Mail went postal!
"Yeah I know but it was funny"
if you are going to quote dialog, at least bother to get it right.
I loved the part where Mail was addressed, but he really delivered! The return wasn't so good.
I like the part where she is telling him that it "takes less than a pound of to break human skin" and I'm like "is not a unit of pressure damn it!!!!!!"
All events are time-bound. Never will know, for certain, when events turn for the better or worse. All events are time-bound.
" Mercy is the mark of a good Man" .... Me, looking at my enemy while I think of that quote ... " Yeah, I have plenty of work ahead of me" ....
Mercy is just familicide with extra steps.
Eh I'm right
This reminds me of those martial art tropes where the highborn is taught to fight by masters but spars with opponents who hold back and let them win intentionally, and the lowborn who had to fight brutally for their life.
I'm not sure if this is an example of that trope. Atherton is genuinely a brilliant fighter and beats Mal 9 times out of 10. Mal only won because Atherton was distracted by Inara.
And THAT makes all the difference in the world☝
Atherton could have been a great reoccurring villain in season 2 - oh no, I’m doing it again 😭
Agreed, but he makes a miraculous escape. He's not seen anywhere in Season 3 but does return in the Season 4 finale and is a main antagonist in Season 5. I like that universe, 8 wonderful seasons of Firefly, and no COVID.
I think you'll understand when I give you a well deserved middle finger.
I believe season one was all about setting up the future of firefly with villains and heroes to go up against. To bad the verse never got to be fully realized.
Well he got that nerve removed long ago, probably that's why he could still fight :p
who the good guy?
Malcolm Reynolds.
I think I know a bit about sword combat but tbh apart from the silly behind the back stab (it’s not that easy to stab through shirt and skin) nothing to crazy happened. The broken sword however... the fuck is it made of glass? You either tempered that so poorly it would have broken long before he stepped on it, or it’s a bunch of bullshit. Not to mention the guard on “bad guy’s” award must be soooo heavy and it would get in the way of anything you do that isn’t at arms length.
Mal should have Jane sit back with a sniper rifle and take him out.
I feel like "Good men don't need rules...Today is not the day to find out why I have so many..." would apply well to Mal.
Being a good man without rules?
@@alexanderbyrne9684 That is from Doctor Who. And I would say a perfect quote. It says a good man, not lawful. A good man has a moral compass to guide him, no need for rules.
@@CemKalyoncu I know, I was just clarifying your point.
Disagree, I'd say Mal is a genuinely good man. He only has one rule - if you're on his crew, you're under his protection. He'll have your back if you have his. That's the mark of a great man. Well, maybe an alright one.
@@Dracinard He certainly is a good man, just broken.
This felt more real than any other swordfight I'd seen on tv or movies.
Except the duelist that shits on point
It didn't look rehearsed or like the classic "everybody's a ninja master" type of fight
@@marketingwithwilliam Yep, looks like a sadistic master is toying with a novice.
Mal versus Kirk.......what a battle that would be.
River versus Worf with Battleliths would be shiny.
With pistols, I'd give it up for Mal. In almost anything else, I'd give it up for Kirk.
Mal vs sisko would be truly entertaining
Mal will always be my favorite Captain
Somewhere Richard Sharpe is going, "I would have kicked him in the balls."
The flat of the sword across the ass and fancy boy is a goner.
Kicking a man in the balls when he's down. That's soldiering. (Thanks for the setup Jon.)
I saw this before Serenity and was expecting Mal to just let the dude stab him, so he could grab the hilt keeping the saber in his gut while he progresses to lop the dude's head off.
That would make sense in Excalibur, or Highlander x (where x > 2).
2:57
How would Atherton fare against the Operative?
He wouldn't. Dead in one minute
Atherton would have had his ass handed to him.
@@robertenyart9883 Diced and sliced...in tiny, shiny pieces.
This is scene for scene the duel in Sharpe's Honor. Even has the same dude who plays Atherton. Both awesome shows.
ruclips.net/video/8I45e8BBdDc/видео.html
@@andyventures6574 Yep that's it. Lol. Had to be an inspiration.
Now that’s soldiering
It is similar, but I disagree... look to Ridley Scott's "The Duellists" (1977)... both the Sharpe and Firefly episodes are homages to "The Duellists".
@@stevenharper9108 not sure anybody here would understand....
to all these pretentious folks in the comments talking about honor and how this was a cheap shot or they were cheating, or whatever your problem is, you do remember that mal does crime for a living and is a space pirate, right? And Inara helps in those endeavors, she's as much a pirate as he is. Also, when your crush is about to die at the hands of a misogynistic sack of shit, you'd intervene too. Also, this takes 500 years in the future, you don't know what duel rules are like there.