Mark Watches ‘Serenity’ LIVEBLOG!

This should be fun, since we’ve not done a liveblog on the new site with the new comment system. If this is your first liveblog ever, welcome and sit down for a brief instruction on how these things go down.


1) This is where the liveblog will take place. You can bookmark this page.

2) The liveblog starts at 11am PST. That’s 2pm on the east coast and 7pm in London. Consult a world clock if you aren’t sure what time it starts!

3) At exactly 11am PST, press play on your copy of Serenity! Inevitably, you may be a few seconds ahead or behind other people, but that’s ok.

4) COMMENT. That’s it. We are all going to be sharing our thoughts, emotions, reactions, and CAPS LOCK GIF PARTIES throughout the duration of the film.

It is literally that simple!

I will post a recap tomorrow afternoon with my thoughts of the film and then ask for what you guys thought. And then everything will be sad because that’s it. 🙁

Well…actually, I’m going to get ahold of the graphic novels ASAP and I’ll post one-off reviews of those over on Mark Reads! And then it will all be over. Sad times.

Anyway, if you have any questions, let me know. See you tomorrow!

About Mark Oshiro

Perpetually unprepared since '09.
This entry was posted in Firefly, Serenity and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

1,674 Responses to Mark Watches ‘Serenity’ LIVEBLOG!

  1. EldaTaluta says:

    Question before we begin! Are we trying to break the Harry Potter Liveblog comment records, and if so will we break the site?

    • xpanasonicyouthx says:

      Hahaha, i don't think we will. These weren't nearly as popular as the HP reviews. Much smaller audience. The site should not break because we aren't dealing with javascript comments like on Buzznet. The pagination is also much, much smaller, so the server won't have to call as much initially.

      • EldaTaluta says:

        That's somewhat disappointing. The not breaking the record part, not the not breaking the site part.

      • momigrator says:

        I can understand that obviously nothing will reach the audience size of Harry Potter reviews, but every die hard Harry Potter fan knows that it's practically impossible to find something to compare to how amazing HP was. I am grateful to have this website and find joy in things I never experienced before. Firefly was AMAZING, Hunger games is ehhhhh okay, but it's just awesome to have something else to read/watch instead of wallowing in grief that HP is over. 🙁 So, although I joined up in your Harry Potter days, I have certainly become a fan of the Mark Reads/Watches series. 😀

        Also, I am SO EXCITE waiting for these next 3 hours to pass. I believe I watched Serenity when it released, but having never seen Firefly, I didn't really get it. Luckily I don't remember anything at all, so hopefully it's a really good movie this time. And, geeze, I can't believe this is IT. 🙁

        • ldwy says:

          Unfortunately, I was not able to participate in the liveblog, but I watched Serenity, and loved it. I hadn't watched this series before Mark Watches, and now I am so sad that it was so short lived.

          Basically I agree with your whole comment. I may not love everything that Mark reads and watches, but I am loving reading and watching new things or old things with new outlooks with a group of awesome people, and Mark as an awesome guide. It's so wonderful and I will definitely continue to stick around. <3

  2. Fuchsia says:

    I'm getting my gifs ready!

  3. Fuchsia says:

    Also, doesn't that movie poster just look kickass? GET EXCITED! Hell, I've seen it dozens of times now and I'm still excited!

    • xpanasonicyouthx says:

      It's very 70s sci-fi. I love it!

      • Araniapriime says:

        I love this movie. I may have to twist Boyfriend's arm to let me take part in the liveblog, but on the other hand, perhaps once I start the movie, maybe we'll have a convert… *mine is an evil laugh*

    • amandajane5 says:

      That's the Australian movie poster – the American one is much more boring. I mean, still hanging on my wall, but much more boring, it's just River and Mal and is all in blue.

  4. Don't forget the R. Tam Sessions!

  5. cjazzle says:

    AHHHH i am so sad this will shortly be coming to an end for you! and also excited for you to see every teensy tidbit of official firefly out there in the verse. but still sad of course. firefly/serenity is one of those series, where although short lived, every re-watching results in a new appreciating/noticing of a beautiful, no matter how small, moment.

    p.s.
    1) kaylee is my favorite.
    2) i love that her name kaywinnit or however the H it's spelled
    3) i followed MRHP and love how effortlessly i/and hopefully you have transitioned from HP slang to Firefly slang, i.e. "the verse", as used above. i also assume you have come to appreciate the unique turns of phrase that whedon and his excellent team of writers have produced. it is like nothing i have ever experienced/yet seen in television or movies (that i can think of at least at this moment) since i saw firefly/serenity.

  6. Hanah says:

    I can't participate because the weather is so appalling in England that the post couldn't bring my copy in time, but I hope it is wonderful and joyful and when I eventually get it (which will now not be before about 18th January which is when I go back to uni and can pick it up from the post office!) I shall read through the liveblog and post a long and rambling list of thoughts on your review post. 😛

    I hope that it is as amazing and wonderful and beautiful as Firefly has been, and that there is fighting and snark and wit and awesome, and above all that SIMON AND KAYLEE FINALLY GET IT ON.

  7. cait0716 says:

    I wish I could participate in the live blog. Unfortunately I have to work all day (not that I can really complain about that). Have fun everyone!

  8. nitrospira says:

    Yay! I can't wait to participate in my first liveblog!

    Mark, I hope you like this movie. I also highly, highly suggest that you watch the R. Tam sessions before the movie. They were a viral marketing campaign for the movie and really cool.

  9. fireflyfan says:

    I'd just like to say that if anyone has high expectations after watching the series, the movie won't disappoint. Alot of WTF moments just like in firefly.

  10. Pineappletastic says:

    Yaay! A liveblog I have the film for and can make! I've been following since Mark Reads Twilight, but never really commented. Mark, you are made of win, just so you know 🙂

  11. ThreeBooks says:

    Sometimes I wish I wasn't part of a Girl Scout troop- instead of watching you freak out about Serenity and all of its awesomeness, I get to go shopping in Union Square. (QUICK, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS EVERYONE?!?!)

  12. cheshire7 says:

    GOOD MORNING! Fellow Browncoats! Ready to firefly?!

    For your pleasure while we await the main event: MARK WATCHES SERENITY! YEAH! I have collected my favorite Firefly songs to share. Enjoy!

    My favorite Firefly song — Mal's Song by Vixy and Tony. Very, very SHINY!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUn-eN8mkDw

    Posted by jaysedai.

  13. cheshire7 says:

    Second Choice:

    "A Man They Call Jane" written/performed by Luke Ski. Posted on youtube by bakanomikostudios.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGlJ6p89vJU

  14. cheshire7 says:

    And last but not least, the Great Tom Smith's tribute to Firefly! "I'm On Firefly"

    (Don't ask me why the poster used anime images.)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_dPBlkvwOc

    Posted by Dragonkat.

  15. Laurel says:

    RAAAGH I AM EXCITE

    SO VERY EXCITE

  16. CollegeBookworm says:

    Things worth watching while you wait: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEIDvgapTw8&fe

    Adam Baldwin. In his Jayne hat. Singing "The Hero of Canton." What could be better?

  17. sara_subrosa says:

    This is me doing the Yes dance:

    YES YES YES YES YES YES

  18. nitrospira says:

    Getting close now!

    So how does this usually work? We post comments and madly refresh to see what other people are writing too?

  19. fireflyfan says:

    "Will I still be allowed to dance?"

    River Tam Sessions http://www.spike.com/video/river-tam-sessions/272

  20. siobhangx says:

    I wish there a way for this to livestream without having to refresh.

    13 minutes!

  21. cheshire7 says:

    Does everyone have their popcorn or potato babies ready?

  22. momigrator says:

    I wish I had a laptop so I could watch this on the TV and still be able to comment here!

  23. NB2000 says:

    I'm just poking through the extra features while I wait and I have to say, Mark you NEED to watch the Outtakes once you're done with the movie (they're on Youtube).

  24. kytten says:

    I have my copy on the title menu (well, actually on the anti-piracy ads at the moment)

  25. Mogatrat says:

    Yay! Last time I managed a liveblog was the Chamber of Secrets one. Awesome!
    NETFLIX STANDING BY.

  26. amandajane5 says:

    I am SO EXCITE! Movie is in the 'puter and I'm making popcorn!

    • amandajane5 says:

      And am currently ripping the little plastic pieces off the case of my copy that make it, I dunno, more secure? Mostly just harder to open. I saw this the first time on Joss Whedon's birthday at a special showing in DC (the effects weren't totally finished) and last saw it at the fundraiser Save the Serenity at Arlington Drafthouse. So many good costumes! Did I mention the SO EXCITE?!?!?!

  27. kytten says:

    Ok, can I just say this is one of the BEST dvd menu's ever? And the music for it! Yes!

  28. embers says:

    Wait! Okay I realize this is going to start in like 5 minutes… but after the TV show and before the movie Joss made a short series of online clips of River when she was being interviewed at the Academy… (staring Summer Glau and Joss Whedon)… you need to watch those!!
    Session 416: http://www.session416.com/

  29. cheshire7 says:

    5 minutes to go! Got yor popcorn or potato babies ready?

  30. pica_scribit says:

    I'm here! We can get this party started now, right? ;p My first Mark liveblog! SO EXCITED!!!

  31. Pingback: Tweets that mention Mark Watches ‘Serenity’ LIVEBLOG! | Mark Watches -- Topsy.com

  32. kytten says:

    3 minutes…

  33. Mogatrat says:

    Is there some way for me to set it so that most recent comments are shown first?

  34. CollegeBookworm says:

    My netflix is all cued up and I managed to squeeze in a shower before the liveblog starts. And might even have time to grab cookies or something. SO EXCITED.

  35. Laurel says:

    AIEEE IT'S TIIIIME

  36. canyonoflight says:

    yaaaaaaaaaaaay!

  37. redheadedgirl says:

    HERE WE GO

  38. hpfish13 says:

    Woohoo!!! It's starting

  39. nitrospira says:

    Started! Hello Universal World!

  40. Mogatrat says:

    UNIVERSAL
    THIS LOGO=/=EXCITE

  41. sara_subrosa says:

    YES YES YES YES YES YES

  42. Fuchsia says:

    Earth That Was! Finally the story!

  43. kytten says:

    'We found a new solar system'
    MARK ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH BACKSTORY FOR YOUR TASTES

  44. EldaTaluta says:

    OMGOMGOMGOMG GUYS! It's starting! Now that I think about it, this is my first real liveblog.

  45. Mogatrat says:

    UGH PRIVILEGED PEOPLE

  46. Mogatrat says:

    River is always right.

  47. kytten says:

    Hello, mini-river

  48. nitrospira says:

    Cute freckles on baby!River.

  49. Daniela says:

    'We meddle…people don't like to be meddled with.' Love River!!!!

  50. Pseudonymph says:

    Is that Cam from Bones?

  51. xpanasonicyouthx says:

    omg omg RIVER FLASHBACK.

  52. Neb989 says:

    I want to learn how to do that!!

  53. Fuchsia says:

    AHHH that still always freaks me out, sticking things in River's head!

  54. sara_subrosa says:

    OH MY GAAAAAD THAT GETS ME EVERY TIME

  55. EldaTaluta says:

    I think Book's opening monologue is my favorite. I wish they had used it in this.

    Oh! It's Cam from Bones!

  56. SorrowsSolace says:

    Yeah it gets me too, it's so damned jarring! D:

  57. hpfish13 says:

    This opener is so disturbing

  58. Michael says:

    OooooOoo, reality matrix.

  59. cheshire7 says:

    REAVERS! YIKES!

  60. Miss_Connell says:

    I LOVE SIMON'S PIMP CANE

  61. EldaTaluta says:

    Haha. That always makes me jump.

  62. Mogatrat says:

    I love this opening beyond all reason.

  63. CollegeBookworm says:

    SIMON KICKS ASS. I love that we get this scene about her break out.

  64. pica_scribit says:

    This is a bit off given how little Simon knew about what River went through in the series, but I can see why they had to do it like this for the film, so non-fans would understand where we're at.

    • CollegeBookworm says:

      Well he did always know they had done something, right? Something to her brain? But you're right, this is a little too much info for what he knows in the early episodes.

      • D.J. says:

        I talked about this before, but it was pretty obvious in the series Simon knew a lot more than he was letting on (which doesn't necessarily mean he understood everything, just that he knew). Plus it fits with his character (bad-ass AND non-lethal…and not 100% trusting of Mal) and Joss liked it enough to make it a major plot point down the road, so…there ya go:) It wasn't originally planned at the very beginning, but it works.

  65. Fuchsia says:

    She always did love to dance. *BOOM*

  66. nitrospira says:

    Badass!Simon, hello!

  67. cheshire7 says:

    RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!

  68. Jack says:

    major simon needs no reason for inspection

  69. hpfish13 says:

    Simon is so awesome in this sequence. He's like ACTION HERO! Simon!

  70. xpanasonicyouthx says:

    HOLY FUCK intensity in ten cities oh my god

  71. amandajane5 says:

    It took me forever to realize why I recognized her when they cast her on Bones!!

  72. Mogatrat says:

    You know, this was my introduction to the world of Firefly. What a shame I had to see the rented Serenity before I understood the awesome.

  73. Daniela says:

    River on the ceiling – epic.

  74. hpfish13 says:

    Summer Glau you are so ridiculously flexible!

  75. EldaTaluta says:

    Haha Ceiling River.

  76. Narcissaa says:

    IT'S KEIRA KNIGHTLEY'S HUSBAND IN LOVE ACTUALLY. I ONLY REALISED THIS LAST WEEK. DFKJHSDKFJHSDF.

  77. Fuchsia says:

    BADASS ESCAPE SEQUENCE!

  78. Mogatrat says:

    REVEAL

  79. xpanasonicyouthx says:

    OH MY GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING.

  80. kytten says:

    'I don't exist'

  81. ravendaine says:

    First time I saw this part, I was totally all MIND BLOWN! Omg it's a hologram!?!?!?!?

  82. hpfish13 says:

    The Operative!

  83. agirlinport says:

    Never liked how the breakout scene didn't match what was said in the season….but it's a good scene nonetheless

    • Fuchsia says:

      Yeah, doesn't explain why she was frozen in a box in the pilot, but whatever.

    • siobhangx says:

      I think a possible explanation for that is that Simon was lying the first time round. a#At the time Simon and River were still trying to gain the crew's trust, and maybe Simon didn't know them well enough to confess to sneaking into a high-security institution?

  84. cheshire7 says:

    Jayne! Ouch!

  85. sara_subrosa says:

    God I love the beginning of this movie. It's like BAM BAM BOOM BAM BAM INFORMATION EXCITEMENT WHAT.

  86. Karen says:

    BEST OPENING SEQUENCE EVER.

  87. Asta says:

    Every aingle part of this movie, omg.

  88. jessimuhka says:

    "Do you know what your sin is Doctor? It's pride."

    Love it. You are so creepy Operative.

  89. cheshire7 says:

    Barnswallow maneuver! So cool!

  90. CollegeBookworm says:

    ACK I love the opening of this movie. I love how much exposition we get. Whedon took such a risk to start the movie so far from Serenity and Captain Mal and so on, and it's so great.

  91. Mogatrat says:

    Key. Members. Of parliament.
    OH this actor is awesome.

  92. SorrowsSolace says:

    Simon is so awesomely badass in this, I love his slicked back hair he just looks so cool. They upped the special effects for this too and that's great.

  93. kytten says:

    Urrggh, the operative.

  94. ravendaine says:

    Madness? It's love. Something a good deal more dangerous…. :DDDDDD Aaaah!!!

  95. Maya says:

    THE OPERATIVE IS SUCH A BADASS I CAN'T EVEN HANDLE IT.

    CHEWIE FTW.

  96. CollegeBookworm says:

    The Operative is SO FUCKING TERRIFYING.

  97. fireflyfan says:

    "And you put them in a room with a psychic." My favorite line

  98. sara_subrosa says:

    OH NO MR. SCIENTIST DR. EXPERT THIS WILL NOT END WELL FOR YOU. KEY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. ADGAKFHIDF.

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