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Date Posted: 15:27:16 10/08/05 Sat
Author: OnM
Subject: Re: His actions are "evidence to the contrary"
In reply to: KdS 's message, "His actions are "evidence to the contrary"" on 12:18:46 10/08/05 Sat

But much of this film is about the lines that one draws, and where they are drawn. All of Whedon's works have as central points issues of morality, choice and in particular redemption. The latter theme comes up over and over and over again, so it isn't a surprise that we see it dealt with here.

Recall that Zoe questions Mal about leaving the young man behind when he was trying to escape the Reavers, and that the entire crew is shocked that Mal would desecrate the bodies of the victims of Haven in an attempt to get to Miranda. As the stakes get higher, Mal is willing to push the line further and further. At what point does Mal travel beyond the point of redeeming himself? A moral person could argue quite reasonably that it has happened already, and pick either of the above points of demarcation.

Does one reach a definitive point after which it is impossible to return to some sense of morality? Whedon's answer seems to be yes, and no, and it depends. I would have to say that it is essential that the Operative does what he does in the end, or one of the major themes of the work would be inconsistent with the author's consistent intent. If the Operative cannot repent, then all of Mal's efforts are useless, because nothing will ultimately change. The Alliance will spin things the way it wants them seen no matter what happens, but it can no longer spin one of it's most powerful advocates. This is the real loss, not the information about Miranda that it so feared the revelation of.

Recall that Lucifer supposedly departed Heaven because he wasn't happy with the way God was running things.

Some character in the movie (Zoe? Wash?) mentioned that history gets altered to suit the needs of the rulers, or words to that effect. It is one thing to accept what your leaders tell you is real, and act accordingly to preserve their idea of a "Perfect Society". It is another thing to see that lie revealed incontrovertably.

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