"People Don't Like to be Meddled With"~ River

Serenity is another movie depicting the destruction of civilizations when the government/ruler attempts to decide what is best for its citizens. Why is it human nature to desire a perfect world? Perfection is subjective in the first place because we all have different ideas of what would be considered supreme. The German Nazi's considered a certain heritage, beliefs and looks as supreme and murdered those who were not in possession of those traits. The Egyptian rulers considered Hebrews inferior, and held them in bondage, in the same way caucasions treated African Americans. Does this make Nazi's, Egyptians and caucasions evil? No, it just makes them people with a desire to create a perfect world, from their subjective view of perfection. I am glad that the Serenity crew suceeded in holding the Alliance back and would compare it to the defeat of Nazism, slavery, and discrimination. It brought freedom from government oppression. I think Wash said it best when he stated, "I'm a leaf...watch how I fly." A leaf is a free object on the breeze and when you're truly free there is no limit to how high you can fly.

Come get your tickets to the Nazi theme park!!!

Watching Buffy and Angel reminded me I wanted to read Bram Stoker's Dracula at some point. Alas, I haven't so I can't compare the modern vampire to Dracula. However, it seems that the novel is probably less scary than the the extra-textual legend of Vlad the Impaler. I'd rather be soulless and live for ever than be impaled, personally. Or even just had the blood drained out of me. Probably pass out after a certain amount of pints.

Legend vs. reality, also makes me think of the use of the Nazi theme in Angel. It was sort of interesting, but just couldn't match up to the reality of Nazi scary. Combining the evils of reality with fantasy seems to cheapen how scary history could be. I just didn't feel that the length of "Hero" allowed enough time to build up the complexities of persecution.

An extra-textual example of combining reality with fantasty is when there were proposals to build a Dracula Land theme park in Translyvania. I think the idea was eventually shut down. I'm sure this would make the area some money, but it'd be exploiting a historical and literary landmark.

*sigh* Another Christ Figure... I Like Him Though

In the Angel episode "Hero" Doyle dies. Sad moment of my life. For one he becomes the cliche "christ" figure that ends up sacrificing himself to save many lives, regardless of the fact that they are half-demons, whom he saves. Admirable, I know, however I noticed that he did so more out of guilt than for wholehearted selflessness. Doyle, as flashbacked in the episode, has had a previous experience with the "Scourge", where they killed entire clans of his demon race. This puts Doyle in a bit of a shock as he looks around the room as if he should be fearing for his life.

I do admire however the symbolism that is presented with Doyle's death. Because he is half demon one could argue that in his death he was saving the humanity of all that would die before him. Doyle transforms into his demon form when he jumps into the "Beacon of Light" and deactivates it however in doing so it kills him. As he dies he transforms back into a human as his demon side withers away before the light and though it kills him, Doyle does so with a human smile. This death symbolizes the cleansing of Doyle's past inaction and purification to redeem himself as he dies in his human form, thus saving the rest of the half demons.

Even though the death of Doyle causes me a bit saddened it happened in a way that is fitting of any person who is trying to make right things that they may not have been able to in the past, granted I'm not saying everyone should die to save the masses just to right a wrong but that it is "never too late" to change the way your life is led.