DIRECTOR'S CUT: FIREFLY: Teamwork and Found Family
How do you set aside differences to work as a team? What makes a great team?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright go back in time to Cinema Therapy’s origin story when Jono and Alan bonded over Firefly. They discuss the eight principles for uniting a team as portrayed by the Firefly crew. The members of the crew all have different ways of living and thinking, but they come to form a family. Jono and Alan share why this diverse crew works so well together, they marvel at the perfect chemistry of the cast, and of course, they geek out a lot.
Comments (50)
I can’t watch this episode without tears; EVERY time, despite watching it more then a few dozen times, I STILL tear up every single time.
Whoever thought up "you can't take the sky from he" at the beginning over Alan's name deserves a raise.
Thanks for introducing me to this series. It's just great! Giving any thought to hero/villain therapy for Mal/Jayne, or Jayne/Mal?
Alas, I think that was a one and done. Maybe I'll do more on my Mended Light channel :) - Jonathan
You saved the best line for last!!
I keep coming back to this episode, and I think the reason I do is because it legitimizes family of choice and shows that family of choice can be just as important and filled with care as family of origin. Moreover, as more and more individuals move away from their families of origin, for whatever reason, families of choice become vastly more important.
So, so true!
Love this show. When I was in college, I'd watch an episode of Firefly to unwind after every final (2 finals in a row >> watch the pilot).
Great ritual!
Regarding the chemistry...well, Nathan Fillion was in it, so it was probably a lot of great acting on everyone else's part
Not sure what you mean by that? I mean, he and Stana Katic didn't get along, but he seems to have made close friendships with many of his costars.
Referring to the kids TV show with Jonathan Harris as Dr. Smith, though Gary Oldman in the 1998 movie has an interesting take too. Harris/Smith is out for himself, scheming, whiney and not to bright, cowardly. See Youtube.
Didn't know about Firefly til your post a few days ago. Streaming online now. It's fun and smart and lovely. Is it just me, or is Jayne channeling Dr. Smith from Lost in Space just a smidge? I like Jayne better, but there are similarities.
Now I have to watch Lost in Space so I can answer this question ;) Glad you're enjoying it!
I cannot wait to start streaming Firefly. It's been one I've meant to get into for years, especially after watching your previous episode on coping with trauma featured in Serenity. I was in Middle School/High School at the time of the series (and preoccupied with angsty teenage stuff) so never got around to watching it...UNTIL NOW!
14 episodes and 1 movie. Totally doable :) Enjoy!
Love, love, love this show. Thank you for doing this episode.
You're very welcome!
with loyalty I am always reminded of the dune books and the quote "loyalty buys loyalty". The show and your arguments are in a similar vain. But for me and by my experience, the only way to get loyalty is by being loyal to others.
"Getting loyalty by being loyal to others" is precisely what "loyalty buys loyalty" means. I'm not sure why you seem to think that "the only way to get loyalty is by being loyal to others" is somehow something different. It is exactly what Alan and Jono have described here.
I have been waiting for this episode! Best show ever! I was quoting the clips. Absolutely amazing. Truly, thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it!
I love River. I can relate to her a lot, except I didn't get super powers. It would be kinda nice if you got super powers with trauma. River and Jayne are my favorites. Jayne is an ass, but he's not really a deceptive ass, what you see is what you get!
Totally. Jayne gives Mal fair warning in that first episode.
Need. More. Firefly. Watched YouTube version during my physical therapy appointment and told everybody there they need to see it. As soon as I'm out of the office I'll be watching the director's cut. Now I just need the extended edition (i.e. DO MORE FIREFLY!)
I absolutely adore Firefly and this is totally part of why!
I knew any episode you two did on Firefly would be awesome. When I saw that this one deals with found family, my expectations went way up. And y'all blew right past them. And gave me all the feels in the process. All of them. When I have thinky-thoughts about movies/TV, they are a different breed from what you guys bring to the table. I look at logic (plot holes!) and character arcs and whatnot, but thematic things I tend to intuit more than analyze. I love that you put all of these things into words that I can absorb on a different level, because all of the subjects you touched on here are personally relevant. Please don't ever, ever doubt that your abilities to break down movies is not only a talent but a gift. And thank you so much for sharing that gift with us! Thank you, too, for reminding me of all the reasons I love Firefly (and that I'm long overdue for another viewing.) I realized that the novel series I started many moons ago had drawn some influence from Firefly, and it's rekindled the spark to write it that I wasn't even sure was still there. <3 Also, I'm about to do something I've never done before - rewatch this episode immediately. Well, as soon as it's up on YouTube. Gotta help those alogs. :)
I love every word of this comment. - Jono
Loved this episode. I've never actually seen Firefly, but this has made me want to jump down the rabbit hole! This seems like a series I would really enjoy. One of the only other TV series I have really enjoyed was the show Eureka. If you all haven't watched it, I would encourage you to give it a try. It's be cool for an episode, but I get that normally tv series aren't focused on here
Jono here. I've heard good things about Eureka! Maybe I'll give it a shot. Hope you enjoy Firefly!
OH MY GOD!!!! This episode is SO good!!! I'm gonna send this to literally everyone. Just. Everyone. I will make people watch firefly with me, just so we can watch this episode together.
Bring them to the fold!
Lol. “Everything I need to learn about life, I learned from Firefly.” Amy next book…😏
One of my favorite shows! Thank you for high lighting it in this context. I’m showing this to my boss.
Ugh, I wish I could send this to my former boss lol
It'll be on YouTube tomorrow. Send it then :)
Jonathan, the character arcs in Firefly remind me of those (my framework) of Peter – from fiery disciple who wants to blast nonbelievers from existence, to using his sword to slice off the ear of opponent, to trembling/fearful denier of Jesus, to humble repentance, to sharing the Gospel (1 Peter 3:15) “with meekness and fear”. True believers do not hate, they lovingly care for all.
Alan: "I don't think you've been more excited for anything in your entire life including the birth of your children." XD Jono: "He has a heart of gold and he is pissed about it" XD So good. I love how your energy goes up with this episode and that we can see the sparkles in your eyes^-^. Jono dives right into the memories of how it all started. Btw. the edits at the beginning are super funny ;] Your bromance is so sweet but I have one question: What happened to 24? Is it on 2nd place or 3rd place right after any Chackie Chan movie? Come on Bauer up :D
24 had five amazing seasons, then was hit or miss after that. But I still love it. - Jonathan
Loved getting to see y’all geek out. Now - if I may - I’d like to take a chance to geek out and recommend a film that I think also displays the complexity of friendship and team work: The Man in the Iron Mask. Whether you’re just watching it or you’re analyzing it, I believe this film can also show you a thing or two about these topics (whether it’s how to achieve them, how not to achieve them, or how to work through/around obstacles to them).
That was a cool movie!
YYYYAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!!! Can we do a Patreon perk of deep diving into episodes??
I'm intruiged - Jonathan
FIREFLY!!!!! Finally!!! Why is this video only 35 minutes long??? I could sit and listen and chat about Firefly for dayyyyyyys! Also, Jonathan, my Firefly journey mirrors yours. I was invited by friends to go to a Can't Stop The Serenity event... and I fell in love with the film, the universe, the characters... And my friend let me borrow his copy of the show, I binged it, and then bought my own copy of the show and the movie. Thank you for this video. There is so much to unpack and learn from the relationship dynamics of the crew, and it's all wonderful. Thank you!!!
Love it!
Firefly!! I share your love of the show so much, I can't wait.
Yay, this is going to be so fun!
Before watching, I have to mention where I learned to work on a team -- MMORPG! I played with my close friends as well as internet friends met in the game EverQuest. Later, my friends and I (who all lived together) played City of Heroes. We would sometimes get our butts handed to us and have a meeting in the hallway to discuss new strategy and then we'd prevail. I still hold that our experiences made us stronger team members at work and life overall because we ran so many simulations. Great memories, too. 💗
FIREFLYYYY
Yay! More firefly 😁