A ruthless bounty hunter boards Serenity to retrieve River. But he's feeling a bit unwelcome onboard and find a very unique way of escaping. What are objects made of? What is real? What is right? We have a great time exploring the themes in the final episode Firefly for In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe. SHOW TIMES Upcoming Shows Our Browncoat News Review Songs from the Last Episode Five-Minute Show Summary Firefly Discussion This Week’s Songs SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast and currently the MIKEYtalks podcast. MARC: This is part FOURTEEN of our 14 part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: The first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are no more episodes of Firefly, and these last eight episodes were funded by Mikey’s fans helping him hit a Patreon milestone as well. But you can still support us in this and other creative endeavors by supporting him at  http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ MIKEY: And by supporting Marc at http://patreon.com/celtfather UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MARC GUNN JUN 11: Celtfather Live on YouTube @ 8:30 PM EST JUN 13: Quarantinapalooza @ 7:00 PM EST (I go on around 8:15) JUN 20: The Lost Druid, Decatur, GA @ 7:00 - 9:00 PM JUN 25: Tucker Brewing Company, Tucker, GA @ 6:30 - 9:30 PM JUN 28: The Courtesan & The Cabin Boy on Facebook @ 4 PM EST WEDS: Coffee with The Celtfather (*Season 6 - New Time!) at 11:00 am EST on Facebook UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MIKEY MASON Mikey does smarty Pants trivia every Tuesday from 7-9 pm EDT on Facebook BAND NEWS Two new Firefly videos: Reavers, Malcolm, Reavers, Tough Times Gunn Runners Club: completed special offer Mikey: My Patreon patrons are still getting a new song EVERY Monday - that’s 52 songs a year for as little as $1/month (though you’re perfectly welcome to pledge more, if you can afford it and want to!) Shades of Gray! What’s next??? REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: By Amazing Grace Mikey: Ties That Bind FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 14: Objects In Space - Written by Joss Whedon PLOT SYNOPSIS (completely unedited version of wikipedia entry on it) MARC: As Serenity flies by a planet, River lies in bed listening to not-quite-audible voices. She arises and takes a walk through the ship's rooms and corridors, in her bare feet, encountering her shipmates in varied conversations with each other. Simon is relaxing with Kaylee in the common room, telling her an amusing anecdote about medical school. River suddenly "sees" them looking at her, with Simon telling her that he'd "be there right now", implying she is responsible for taking him away from his successful medical career. MIKEY: She then finds Jayne and Shepherd Book in the kitchen, where she "hears" Jayne repeat his confession to Mal about selling out the Tams on Ariel, and Book mutter an angry but cryptic statement hinting at his less wholesome past. River continues to wander the ship and is moved by the sound of ocean waves as Zoe and Wash passionately kiss on the nearby bridge. Above the cargo bay, as Mal and Inara discuss her impending departure, River sees their unspoken frustrations over their unrealized relationship. None of the people she encounters are aware of her presence - except when speaking directly to her - making it clear that this is River's mind "walking" telepathically through the ship. MARC: Fleeing the intense emotions, River runs down to the unoccupied cargo bay, where she spots a tree branch. She sees herself on leaf-strewn ground and picks up the branch, telling herself "It's just an object. Doesn't mean what you think." Suddenly, the real world returns, and she finds that she is holding one of Jayne's pistols while the crew surrounds her in a panic, trying to get her to give up the weapon. Mal takes the gun from her and discovers it is loaded and ready to fire. When Mal admonishes her for handling loaded weapons, River runs off, crying. MIKEY: As Mal comments on how alone they are, a small vessel closes with Serenity, aboard which is a man reviewing wanted bulletins for Simon and River. Meanwhile, the crew discuss the dangers of River's presence on the ship. When Zoe muses whether River has ever handled a gun, Kaylee reluctantly tells everyone about her experience during their assault on Adelei Niska's SkyPlex, when River killed three attackers with single shots with her eyes closed. The crew begin to speculate that River may be a "reader", having psychic powers, and though Simon objects, they begin to question whether she is a danger to them. While talking, the crew are being listened to: outside the hull of Serenity, the bounty hunter has left his ship and has tapped into the hull, and below the room, in the cargo bay, River is listening through the floor plating. MARC: Once the crew goes to sleep, the bounty hunter boards Serenity. He first encounters Mal, quickly knocks him unconscious, drops him into his cabin, and then locks the rest of the sleeping crew in their cabins. He surprises Kaylee in the engine room, ties her up, and threatens to rape her if she does not cooperate. Next, he disables Book with a surprise attack. Simon hears a noise and rises to check on his sister, only to be attacked by the stranger, who addresses him by name. The bounty hunter, Jubal Early, waxes philosophically on the nature of things while he demands to know where River is. Though Simon refuses to help Early, the bounty hunter threatens to kill him and rape Kaylee if he refuses, and the doctor reluctantly agrees. MIKEY: With Simon accompanying him, Early checks out the cargo bay and shuttles. When Inara tries to appeal to Early's emotional side, he smacks her across the face, and then locks her in her shuttle. The two men finally arrive on the bridge, where Early settles on a direct threat, announcing loudly to the ship that he will kill Simon if River doesn't reveal herself. River then responds over the ship's intercom, telling Early about how she was unwanted on the ship but could not bring herself to leave, so she simply "melted away", becoming part of Serenity. MARC: In the engine room, River's voice comes over the intercom, reassuring Kaylee and asking her for help. On the bridge, Early is skeptical about River's claim, but she reveals uncanny knowledge of the bounty hunter's own weaknesses. Early gradually starts to accept the possibility that River has joined with the vessel. Meanwhile, River sends Kaylee, who has freed herself, to unlock the cabins. Zoe begins to prepare an assault, but River insists that they do not use guns, and instead tells Mal of an alternate plan. MIKEY: On the bridge, River continues her conversation with Early, needling him about his violent tendencies and his past. Early realizes that River is not part of Serenity, but she has managed to sneak onto his ship, which puts him on the defensive. River reassures him that she will go with him as his bounty, as she is a burden on her shipmates, and her departure will allow them to get on with their lives. As Early starts to leave, Simon tries to stop him, but in the process is shot in the leg. Jayne wakes up and pulls the curtain off of his weapons compartment, but just uses it as a blanket and returns to sleep. Leaving Simon in the cockpit, the bounty hunter starts his EVA back to his ship, but finds Mal outside, waiting in ambush. Mal shoves Early off into space, before welcoming River back aboard Serenity. MARC: Later, in the infirmary, Simon instructs Zoe as she removes the bullet from his leg. Inara walks away from Mal as he tries to examine her cut lip. In the cargo bay, Jayne mocks Book's failure to defeat Early, despite "all them years of priest trainin'", and Book implies that he fought Early and only succumbed after a prolonged fight. Their friendship apparently restored after being damaged by the events of War Stories, Kaylee and River play jacks while Kaylee relates a racy anecdote from her past. River picks up and examines the bouncing ball, with its swirling, multicolored surface. MIKEY: Meanwhile, Jubal Early tumbles helplessly through space and says, "Well... Here I am."   NEW SONGS Marc: I am ever so grateful for the kindness and generosity of Gunn Runners over on Patreon. Thanks to all of these patreons: Angela Hughes, Troy Rodgers, Cary Whitney, Lilith Marek, Les Howard, James Regan, Marie Alm, Eric Ray, Alexis , Scott & Melanie Wienhusen, LauraMay Sorkin, Kurt Goodyear, Carol Baril, William McKissack, Sarah Crockett, Melinda & Jeremiah Westly, A. Murphy, Not Higgins Mikey: Thank you so so much to the amazing Patreon patrons who help keep the music being made, especially Robin Abess, Brian Jackey, John Haight, Michael Khandelwhal, Les Howard, Jeremy Jackson and Jennifer Lewis, Josh Logan, Scott Mealy, Scott & Melanie Weinhusen, John R Woolard. CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Sun Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/

In the 'Verse, Firefly Song Crafting

Objects in Space #14

The crew of Serenity helps a Companion-trained friend of Inara when a local leader announces his plan to take the baby from a woman he impregnated. We talk about toxic masculinity, relationship complications, and strong women in this episode of In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe. SHOW TIMES 2:36 - Upcoming Shows 3:54 - Our Browncoat News 6:21 - Review Songs from the Last Episode 14:29 - Five-Minute Show Summary 20:15 - Firefly Discussion 43:39 - This Week’s Songs SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast and currently the MIKEYtalks podcast. MARC: This is part THIRTEEN of our 14 part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: The first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still more episodes of Firefly, and these last eight episodes were funded by Mikey’s fans helping him hit a Patreon milestone as well. But you can still help us in this creative endeavor by supporting him at  http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ MIKEY: And by supporting Marc at http://patreon.com/celtfather UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MARC GUNN MAY 7: Internet Concert on YouTube @ 8:30 PM WEDS: Coffee with The Celtfather at 10:30 am EST on Facebook UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MIKEY MASON Uh… about that... BAND NEWS Pub Songs Podcast. “Cat Music… and Kilts” Mikey: My Patreon patrons are still getting a new song EVERY Monday - that’s 52 songs a year for as little as $1/month (though you’re perfectly welcome to pledge more, if you can afford it and want to!) And there about 3 albums worth of material I’m working on being able to release soon... REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: Bright Side of Everything Mikey: Damaged Goods FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 13: Heart of Gold - Written by Brett Matthews (first and only entry in the Verse) It is the third of three episodes (Trash, The Message and Heart of Gold) that were not broadcast in the original 2002 Fox run. PLOT SYNOPSIS (slightly edited version of wikipedia entry on it) MIKEY: At a brothel in the middle of a barren land, a powerful man named Rance Burgess , accompanied by thugs, approaches the madam, Nandi , demanding to see a woman named Petaline. When Nandi denies the presence of Petaline, Burgess' thugs drag out Petaline, who is visibly several months pregnant, before Burgess, who extracts a DNA sample. He tells her he will return for his child if his test on the DNA proves the child to be his, threatening to cut it out of her if need be. MARC: Aboard the Serenity, Inara receives a distress call from Nandi, who it is revealed is a good friend of hers. After Nandi requests Inara's help, Inara goes to Mal. She explains that Nandi and the prostitutes who work in Nandi's brothel are not Companions, and are not protected by the Guild. After she relates their plight, Reynolds agrees to assist Nandi, but declines Inara's offer of payment for the deed. After Serenity lands near Nandi's ranch, Jayne takes advantage of the hospitality of the women there, while Shepherd Book joins some of the women in prayer, and Simon goes to examine Petaline, who will give birth soon. Reynolds gets to know Nandi, who explains the poverty that Burgess enforces on the locals. MIKEY: Seeking to size up his opponent, Reynolds, along with Inara, attends a public event attended by Burgess, not informing him of his alliance with Nandi. Reynolds speaks with Burgess, and even examines the high-tech laser gun that Burgess carries with him. Reynolds ultimately confirms Nandi's assessment of Burgess. After Reynolds and Inara depart, Burgess receives confirmation that he is the father of Petaline's baby. Returning to Nandi's ranch, Reynolds offers to evacuate the area with Nandi and her people, rather than face "a monster who thinks he's right with God" and who won't back down after only a single thrashing from some temporary help, but Nandi refuses to leave her hard-earned property and way of life. Reynolds, who admires her stubborn streak, reluctantly decides to stay and accept the challenge of defending the ranch. MARC: As the Serenity prepare for an attack by Burgess and his forces, Zoe has a tense conversation with Wash, in which she insists that they will have a child in the near future. Petaline goes into labour, with Inara, Simon and River at Petaline's bedside. Nandi and Reynolds also spend time together, during which Nandi inquires about Reynolds' relationship with Inara, and relates her own past, which includes the Companion training she shared with Inara on the latter's home world, Sihnon. She says that Inara was in the running to become house priestess of House Madrassa when she suddenly left, without explanation, to travel among the Alliance worlds. Nandi had left before then, however, straining at the restrictions of Companion life. MIKEY: She moved to this border world and assumed control of the whorehouse from its previous owner, who kept the employees there addicted to drugs, and in so doing, she improved life for the girls. Mal and Nandi gradually move toward sex, pausing only when Nandi says "I ain't her", which Mal deflects without directly acknowledging her implication of his feelings for Inara. MARC: Back in town, one of Nandi's girls, Chari, reports to Burgess on Mal's preparations, after which Burgess rallies his men, proclaiming women's ordained place as submissive servants to men, which he demonstrates by ordering Chari to kneel in front of him to do "a few more chores" in front of the crowd. MIKEY: The next morning, Reynolds tries to explain his night with Nandi to Inara, but Inara calmly tells him that there is no reason to be embarrassed about his sex life, and also thanks him for comforting her friend. Nonetheless, Inara subsequently sobs deeply in private, and Nandi realizes that there was more to Inara's feelings than she let on. MARC: Burgess's men attack the ranch, and a battle ensues, with the Serenity crew joining forces with the ranch's residents to fend off Burgess's forces. On board the Serenity, Wash and Kaylee  trap some of Burgess' men, who invaded the ship, though Wash realizes that in so doing, he himself has been cut off from the bridge, preventing him from responding to Reynolds' call to join the battle. As Petaline gives birth, Chari lets Burgess inside. He quickly storms into Petaline's room, taking her newborn son. When Nandi tries to foil the kidnapping, Burgess fatally shoots her in the abdomen. He is pursued, however, by Reynolds, who captures him and drags him back to the ranch, where Petaline, holding her son, whom she has named Jonah, executes him. MIKEY: Petaline tells the remaining thugs to leave, and orders the traitorous Chari to go with them, as she no longer has a place there. Following a funeral for Nandi, Serenity departs. Back on the ship, Inara reiterates her gratitude that Reynolds was able to comfort Nandi on what turned out to be her last night, but Reynolds can only regret his failure to save her. As Reynolds tries to broach the subject of his and Inara's unacknowledged feelings toward each other, Inara muses about how Nandi created a family, and how that kind of shared strength and love makes people never want to break away. She then informs him that she will be leaving Serenity. NEW SONGS "By Amazing Grace" by Marc Gunn Marc: I am ever so grateful for the kindness and generosity of Gunn Runners over on Patreon. Thanks to all of these patreons: Angela Hughes, Carol Baril, Eric Ray, Sarah Crockett, William McKissack, Alexis , Brian M, James O, Jan C, Josh B, Kate D, Kurt G, LauraMay S, Lisa D, Miranda Nelson, Tim O "Ties That Bind" by Mikey Mason Mikey: Thank you , as always, to my amazing Patreon patrons for helping keep the music being made, especially Robin Abess, Brian Jackey, John Haight, John Lach, John R Woolard, Les Howard, Jeremy Jackson and Jennifer Lewis, Scott Mealy, Scott & Melanie Weinhusen. CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Sun Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/  

Heart of Gold #13

The body of a fellow soldier is mailed to Mal and Zoe with a message. They discover a secret plan to smuggle goods that become damaged in shipping. We discuss damaged goods and the bright side of single thing on the In the 'Verse podcast. SHOW TIMES Upcoming Shows Our Browncoat News Review Songs from the Last Episode Five-Minute Show Summary Firefly Discussion This Week’s Songs SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast and currently the MIKEYtalks podcast. MARC: This is part TWELVE of our 14 part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: The first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still more episodes of Firefly, and these last eight episodes were funded by Mikey’s fans helping him hit a Patreon milestone as well. But you can still help us in this creative endeavor by supporting him at  http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ MIKEY: And by supporting Marc at http://patreon.com/celtfather UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MARC GUNN APR 9: Internet Concert on YouTube @ 8:30 PM WEDS: Coffee with The Celtfather at 10:30 am EST on Facebook UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MIKEY MASON Mar 13-15 - BFGCON in Frederick, MD Mar 20-22 - AnimaticCon in Cincinnati, OH May 23 - Muncie ComicCon (tentative) May 29-31 - ConCarolinas Jun 19-21 - Fear The Con June 26-28 - Anime Fest Wichita BAND NEWS Marc's New CD - Selcouth FEBRUARY ALBUM WRITING MONTH is OVER - 14 songs My Patreon patrons are still getting a new song EVERY Monday - that’s 52 songs a year for as little as $1/month (though you’re perfectly welcome to pledge more, if you can afford it and want to!) REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: Naked Mikey: Trash FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 12: The Message - Written by Joss Whedon and Tim Minnear It is the second of three episodes (Trash, The Message and Heart of Gold) that were not broadcast in the original 2002 Fox run. PLOT SYNOPSIS MIKEY: The Message opens on a space station with a huckster selling admissions to “proof of alien life.” Simon and Kaylee are on a date viewing it which turns out to be a cow fetus. After an awkward joke, Simon offends Kaylee, and she storms off. Outside, Inara tries to convince Mal to let her help fence the Lassiter they stole in the previous episode, “Trash,” but Mal insists on keeping her out of that side of the business. MARC: Mal checks in with the station postmaster, who passes along two packages along with Serenity's mail. Jayne arrives to find that his mother has sent him a home-knitted cap, and he proudly dons it. The others observe the headgear with a mixture of amusement and sarcasm. The other shipped item is a huge crate addressed to Mal and Zoe. They open it to discover a dead body, the corpse of Private Tracey. MIKEY: Flashback to seven years earlier at the Battle of Du-Khang. As a young Independence soldier, Private Tracey, calmly prepares a meal behind cover, an Alliance soldier sneaks up on him. Just as the latter is about to shoot, Zoe appears behind him and cuts his throat. While she lectures the boy about stealth, Sgt. Reynolds comes screaming over some obstacles and crashes into their position. Tracey is injured when the Alliance zeroes in on them. Mal and Zoe grab Tracey and their shell-shocked lieutenant and bug out. MARC: Back in the present, aboard Serenity, the crew finds a recorded message from Tracey. He apparently anticipated trouble from some unsavory associates and has asked them to ship his body home to St. Albans, finishing the message with an old saying from the war, "When you can't run anymore, you crawl, and when you can't do that...well, yeah, you know the rest.” Back on the station, an Alliance soldier, Lieutenant Womack, threatens first to imprison, then to burn to death the postmaster, who quickly tells the man and his aide who left with the body. MIKEY: On Serenity, Mal and Zoe and Inara are enjoying some down time when the ship is shaken by a warning shot from an Alliance craft. Lt. Womack hails them and demands to board Serenity. The crew mistakenly think that Womack is after the Lassiter. When Womack mentions "that crate", however, Mal realizes he's after Tracey's box, and stalls for time while they take apart the crate to discover what secrets it might contain. Finding nothing, they decide to have Simon autopsy the hapless soldier, but the doctors' first incision causes the "dead" man to leap up and struggle with the gathered crew. MARC: After he calms down, Tracey confesses that he is smuggling illegal internal organs. He was supposed to deliver the implanted organs on Ariel, but he got a higher bid. Unfortunately for him, the original buyers killed the new customer and are now after their stolen "merchandise". Another shot from Womack reminds them of their immediate peril. After a brief pursuit, the Alliance ship finally catches up with them. MIKEY: Book does some checking on their Alliance pursuers and discovers some anomalous behavior, and he recommends to Mal that they allow the Feds to board the ship. Tracey overhears some of this conversation and pulls a gun on the crew. Annoyed at Tracey, Mal orders Wash to call the Feds. As Tracey fires at Wash, Zoe shoots him in the chest, injuring him but not killing him. MARC: Lt. Womack and his men enter the cargo bay. He tries to cow the smugglers with his Alliance authority, but an unarmed Book arrives to explain why he won't be using that authority, given the pains he's taken to keep his extracurricular organ-dealing activity from the local Feds. Faced with a surprisingly direct threat of death from the preacher, Womack decides to depart, dismissing the "damaged goods" in Tracey's gravely-wounded chest. MIKEY: Tracey belatedly realizes that Book's confrontation was part of a plan, one that he ruined by threatening the crew and getting himself shot for his efforts. Mortally wounded, he asks Mal and Zoe to really deliver him home this time; they agree, finishing the earlier saying, "When you can't crawl anymore, you find someone to carry you." Excerpts from Tracey's message can be heard as the crew of Serenity solemnly returns the fallen soldier to his grieving family.   NEW SONGS Marc: I am ever so grateful for the kindness and generosity of Gunn Runners over on Patreon. Thanks to all of these Heroic Patrons: Alan D, Alexis, Angela H, Brian M, Carol B, Cary W, Chrystin P, daniel s, David & Paulette G, Doris Lane, Ed P, Eric R, Garrett R, JACQUELINE H, James O, James R, Jan & Jim C, Jennifer B, Jennifer C, Jeremy H, Jerrie A, Jessica C, Jimmy R, Josh B, KaminaDuck, Karen C, Kate D, Kelira, Kimberly K, Kurt G, LauraMay S, Les H, Leslie M, Lilith Marek, Lisa D, Luke M, Marie A, Mario B, Miranda Nelson Designs, Rachel B, Randy B, River G, Robyn Louise F, Sarah C, Scott & Melanie W, Sherron S, Stephen C, Tammy G, Tim M. O'Brien, Tina R Mikey: Thank you , as always, to my amazing Patreon patrons for helping keep the music being made, especially Robin Abess, Brian Jackey, John Haight, John R Woolard, Les Howard, Jeremy Jackson and Jennifer Lewis, and welcome to my new Patrons: Jim McCoy, Boo, Marshall Bush, M Johnson, Accalia, Sean, Kevin Niesen, Jessica Rising, lindsay a, Wayne Cole, John Luck, Ame Morris, Jerry Landry, Terry Comer, Bobby Browncoat, Eric Distad CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Sun Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/  

The Message #12

Saffron is back in the Firefly episode "Trash. Let's all get naked and sing songs inspired by this fun heist with everyone's favorite nemesis. SHOW TIMES 1:26 - Upcoming Shows 2:52 - Our Browncoat News 8:53 - Review Songs from the Last Episode 15:10 - Five-Minute Show Summary 20:09 - Firefly Discussion 43:02 - This Week’s Songs   SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast and currently the MIKEYtalks podcast. MARC: This is part ELEVEN of our 14 part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: The first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still more episodes of Firefly, and these last eight episodes were funded by Mikey’s fans helping him hit a Patreon milestone as well. But you can still help us in this creative endeavor by supporting him at  http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ MIKEY: And by supporting Marc at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic   UPCOMING SHOWS MARC GUNN MAR 7: The Lost Druid, Decatur, GA @ 7:30 PM MAR 12: Internet Concert on YouTube @ 8:30 PM MAR 20-22: ConCoction, Cleveland, OH WEDS: Coffee with The Celtfather at 10:30 am EST on Facebook in January MIKEY MASON Feb 28-Mar 1 - the OTHER MarsCON in Bloomington, MN March 7 - Guardian Brewing Company in Muncie, IN Mar 13-15 - BFGCON in Frederick, MD Mar 20-22 - AnimaticCon in Cincinnati, OH NEWS Celtic Invasion of Italy Marc's New CD - Selcouth FEBRUARY ALBUM WRITING MONTH Mikey’s Patreon Patron Drive This is the first of the last four episodes of this series about firefly. Today were going to talk about trash, and the next three will be The message, heart of gold, and objects in space. And then we’re done. (Unless we do the big damn movie. Which we haven’t specifically talked about and wasn’t specifically within the purview or scope of the original intent of the podcast.)      In any case, four more songs and I’ll have my album, Shades of Gray, written. I’m still getting tracks back from musicians helping me with the final version of tunes: Lead guitar work from the incredible Trent Wilson from the Springfield, MO bands Transylvania and Big Damn Heroes, and keyboards from the amazing Sean Faust of New Jersey’s The Adventure Soundtrack. REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: My Man Mikey: Stories of War   FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 11: Trash - Written by Ben Edlund and Jose Molina PLOT SYNOPSIS MIKEY: The episode opens in a desert, where a naked Mal sits on a rock, staring into the distance and saying to himself: "Yeah… that went well." MARC: During a cargo transfer 72 hours earlier, Mal meets up with Monty, a war buddy and fellow Browncoat turned smuggler. As Monty's crew unloads cargo, he tells Mal that he's gotten married, introducing his wife Bridget. "Bridget" turns out to be Mal's nemesis Saffron, and a fight breaks out between them. Enraged to learn of Saffron's double-dealing, Monty leaves without her, stranding her on the deserted moon where Mal is waiting for a pickup. Mal orders Saffron to walk away and be left behind, but reconsiders when she tempts him with the prospect of a lucrative heist. Later, Serenity arrives to pick up Mal and the unloaded cargo. Later Mal lets Saffron out of one of the loaded crates in the cargo bay. MIKEY: In the common room, Saffron describes to the crew her plan to steal a priceless antique laser pistol, the Lassiter, from Durran Haymer, a wealthy collector of Earth-That-Was artifacts. She claims a detailed knowledge of Haymer's security arrangements, but explains that the difficulty lies in getting the weapon off the estate, something Serenity's crew could accomplish. The crew is outraged that Mal has brought Saffron on board, but they reluctantly agree to the plan. MARC: Jayne is assigned to watch over Simon and River and keep them out of Saffron's sight. River worries about the situation, telling Simon she doesn't trust Saffron and that she knows Jayne had tried to betray the Tams to the Alliance. Meanwhile, Wash and Kaylee instruct Mal and Saffron to dump the collectible pistol, once they procure it, into an automated trash disposal unit, which Kaylee can reprogram to have the trash taken to a remote location where they can pick it up. MIKEY: Mal and Saffron enter the estate without difficulty. They find the room that houses the well-protected collectible, but are met by Durran himself. Durran rushes to Saffron and embraces her, calling her "Yolanda" and thanking Mal for bringing back his wife, who had apparently disappeared six years ago. Saffron insists that Durran provide some compensation for Mal's "rescue". Durran steps out to get reward money for Mal, to allow them to finish retrieving the pistol. As Durran reenters, he attempts to remonstrate with her, but Saffron knocks him out with a kick and leaves with Mal, who has discarded the antique in the trash chute after which they escape. MARC: Meanwhile, Wash has been hovering Serenity directly under the trash unit of Haymer's estate while Jayne retrieves the control unit and Kaylee reprograms it, clinging to the ship's hull. A delay arises during the windy EVA when Jayne is incapacitated by an electric shock, but Zoe helps Kaylee replace the control board just in time for the automated pickup vehicle to collect the trash unit. Jayne is dragged back on board by Shepherd Book. MIKEY: As Mal and Saffron fly toward the rendezvous in Isis Canyon, Mal continues to explore his theory that Durran was Saffron's true love and original husband. Saffron seems to become emotional, but when Mal is off guard, she secures his gun and takes him prisoner. Saffron orders Mal to disrobe as revenge for him seeing her naked in the episode "Our Mrs. Reynolds", and strands him in the desert before proceeding to the drop location. MARC: As Saffron searches through the garbage for the antique laser pistol, Inara emerges above her to taunt her with the weapon. The Companion reveals that she has been part of the plan all along, knowing that Saffron would get the drop on them somehow and arranging to beat her at her own game of deception. Inara remotely closes the garbage container to trap Saffron for the authorities to pick up later. MIKEY: On Serenity, the crew discovers that Saffron has again sabotaged their ship, delaying their trip to the rendezvous so that Kaylee can make repairs. Jayne awakens in the infirmary to find that Simon has medically paralyzed him to rest a spinal injury. Simon reveals his knowledge of Jayne's plan to sell out the Tams, but reminds him that Serenity's crew are a team, and that as Jayne's doctor he will never harm him. River, however, warns Jayne that she can kill him with her brain. MARC: Once repaired, Serenity makes it to Mal's location. Mal and Inara, having reached an understanding, trade jokes about the heist. Mal casually boards Serenity in front of his crew, still unclothed. Wash and Zoe are shocked by the captain's brazenness, but Kaylee cheerfully congratulates Mal as the ship lifts off from the desert.   NEW SONGS Marc: I am ever so grateful for the kindness and generosity of Gunn Runners over on Patreon. Thanks to my Glorious Patrons: Alexis, Angela Hughes, Carol Baril, Cary W, Eric Ray, James R., Les Howard, Lilith Marek, Marie Alm, Troy R, William McKissack Mikey: My Patreon patrons are amazing, and helps keep the music being made. Thank you to all of you, especially Robin Abess, Brian Jackey, John Haight, John R Woolard, Les Howard, Jeremy Jackson and Jennifer Lewis. CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Sun Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/  

Trash #11

Join Mikey Mason and Marc Gunn as we discuss "War Stories" from Firefly. We're going deep with one of the most-emotional episodes of the series. I think I'm gonna cry. Yes, there might be tears... SHOW TIMES 1:23 - Marc’s Upcoming Shows 2:02 - Mikey’s Upcoming Shows 2:25 - Marc and Mikey News 2:53 - Review Songs from the Last Episode 8:12 - Five-Minute Show Summary 40:53 - This Week’s Songs SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast and currently the MIKEYtalks podcast. MARC: This is part TEN of our 14 part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: The first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still more episodes of Firefly, and these last eight episodes were funded by Mikey’s fans helping him hit a Patreon milestone as well. But you can still help us in this creative endeavor by supporting him at  http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ MIKEY: And by supporting Marc at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic   UPCOMING SHOWS MARC GUNN JAN 24: Interstellar Ginger Beer and Exploration Co, Birmingham, AL JAN 25: Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL, US MAR 20-22: Cleveland ConCoction 2020, Aurora, OH, US MAY 14-17: California Autoharp Gathering, Dunlap, CA WEDS: Coffee with The Celtfather at 10:30 am EST on Facebook in January MIKEY MASON Jan 17-18 - Marscon in Williamsburg, VA And, online shows every month (don’t have dates currently nailed down for December or January yet, so… Check my schedule at mikeymason.com NEWS Celtic Invasion of Italy Marc's New CD - Selcouth   REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: Keel Haul Y’all Mikey: Don’t Tell ‘Em What I Did   FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 10: War Stories - Written by Cheryl Cain Plot synopsis: Marc - Onboard Serenity, the crew bonds in many ways. Shepherd Book and Simon discuss the writings of a sadistic warrior poet, River and Kaylee chase each other through the ship, we learn that Jayne has purchased a crate of apples for the crew, which is uncharacteristically generous of him, and Mal and Inara have a terse discussion about a client of hers, a politician looking for discretion and privacy, and is coming aboard while they are on a planet selling some of their stolen medical goods. Mikey - Elsewhere, crime lord Adelei Niska is having another betrayer tortured, also alluding to Xiang Yu. An underling interrupts him to announce a nearby Firefly-class ship that might belong to Malcolm Reynolds. Wash learns that Mal rejected his plan to sell their stolen medical goods directly to doctors, rather than through middlemen, and they argue. Meanwhile, Book, Kaylee and Jayne get a glimpse of  Inara's arriving client, who turns out to be a woman, against the crew's expectations. Jayne utters the famous phrase, “I’ll be in my bunk.” Marc - Mal and Zoe learn that Wash changed the launch sequence on the shuttle so he could go with Mal while they make the drop. The tension between Wash and Zoe is obvious, and Mal eventually allows Wash to accompany him to make the exchange. Mikey - While Inara pampers her client, Wash, Mal, and their buyers are ambushed by Niska’s men. The buyers are all killed, Mal and Wash taken. Later, when Mal and Wash are late getting back, Zoe, Book, and Jayne head out to investigate, finding the bodies of the buyers and the merchandise left abandoned, with evidence pointing to an abduction by Niska. Marc - Mal and Wash are tortured by Niska as Zoe launches a plan to take the money they earned from their last heist to try and pay Niska off. This ploy doesn’t completely work, but Niska lets her leave with Wash and part of Mal’s ear. After Zoe and Wash reach the shuttle, Wash is resolved to rescue Mal. Mikey - The entire crew joins in on the attack, and eventually saves Mal, killing many of Niska’s men, but leaving Niska still alive. Simon reattaches Mal’s ear, and things go on, almost as usual, aboard Serenity.   NEW SONGS Marc: I am ever so grateful for the kindness and generosity of Gunn Runners over on Patreon. Thanks to my Glorious Patrons: Carol Baril, Les Howard, Cary Whitney, Angela Hughes, Lilith Marek, Troy Rodgers, William McKissack, James Regan, Alexis, Marie Alm Mikey: The generosity of my Patreon supporters is amazing, and helps keep the music being made. Thank you to all of you, especially Robin Abess, Brian Jackey, John R Woolard, Les Howard, Jeremy Jackson and Jennifer Lewis.   CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Sun Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/  

War Stories #10

The first 40 minutes of “Ariel” make this seem like the most generically, palatable episode of Firefly. It’s a fun but simple heist episode. Then comes the twist. The ending gives us a deeper look at what motivates and drives the characters of Malcolm Reynolds and Jayne. We talk about keelhauling a crew member and a touching way of asking for forgiveness after betraying the crew. SHOW TIMES 1:30 - Marc’s Upcoming Shows 3:00 - Mikey’s Upcoming Shows 3:50 - Marc and Mikey News 8:56 - Review Songs from the Last Episode 12:46 - Five-Minute Show Summary 42:22 - This Week’s Songs SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast and currently the MIKEYtalks podcast. MARC: This is part NINE of our 14 part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: The  first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still five more episodes of Firefly, and these next five episodes were funded by Mikey’s fans helping him hit a Patreon milestone as well. But you can still help us in this creative endeavor by supporting him at  http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ MIKEY: And by supporting Marc at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MARC GUNN DEC 14: Tucker Brewing Company, Tucker, GA JAN 10-12: GaFilk, Atlanta, GA JAN 24: Interstellar Ginger Beer and Exploration Co, Birmingham, AL JAN 25: Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL, US MAR 20-22: Cleveland ConCoction 2020, Aurora, OH, US MAY 14-17: California Autoharp Gathering, Dunlap, CA SEP 30-Oct 4: ALEP 5, Shakerstown, KY WEDS: Coffee with The Celtfather at 10:30 am EST on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Ends Dec 11, 2019   UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MIKEY MASON December 6 - Hillsdale, MI December 13 - Guardian Brewing Co. Jan 17-18 - Marscon in Williamsburg, VA And, online shows every month (don’t have dates currently nailed down for December or January yet, so… Check my schedule at mikeymason.com GEEK MUSIC NEWS Stories from the Road Celtic Invasion of Italy Marc's New CD - Selcouth New Single "Genetic Counseling Song" Celtic Christmas Podcast REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: “Breathing” Mikey: “Last Gasp”   FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 9: Ariel - Written by Jose Molina Plot synopsis: Marc - The Serenity is headed for Ariel, a core planet of the Alliance, because Inara is due for her annual Companion physical exam and license renewal. Following an incident in which River attacks him, Jayne demands that she and Simon be left on Ariel. Mal quashes any talk of leaving people behind, but privately warns Simon that River has to be kept under control. Simon acknowledges that his sister is getting worse. Mikey - Simon approaches the crew with a job: he wants to get into the hospital in Ariel's capital city in order to scan River's brain with an advanced piece of medical equipment, and he needs the crew to get him inside. As payment, he will tell the crew how to steal valuable medical supplies undetected (they will be replaced automatically by hospital machines). Marc - Simon drugs himself and River so they appear dead, allowing the crew to enter Ariel city's hospital using a scrapped medical shuttle they refurbish and fake EMT IDs. The group then split up, with Jayne guarding Simon as he analyses River's condition while Mal and Zoe steal drugs from the hospital. However, Jayne betrays the Tams, placing a call to an Alliance officer who agrees to pay their bounty. Mikey - Once awakened, Simon dresses as a doctor and takes River to the diagnostic ward with Jayne. There, Simon discovers that River's brain has been surgically operated on many times, disabling her ability to suppress emotions. With the analysis complete, Jayne leads them to a rear entrance, where they are arrested by Federal marshals, Jayne included, the Alliance officer deciding to keep the reward money for himself. Meanwhile, Mal and Zoe return to the medical shuttle with the loot, but realize that Jayne and the Tams are late so head back into the hospital to find them. Marc - The three prisoners are moved to a holding area where Jayne and Simon overpower their escorts and escape. Shortly afterwards, two blue-gloved men arrive to take custody of the Tams, using a mysterious sonic device to kill all the marshals when the pair learn that some of them talked to the Tams. Meanwhile, a terrified River leads Jayne and Simon to a locked door, which is opened from the other side by Mal and Zoe, enabling the group to escape. Mikey - Inara returns to Serenity just as the medical shuttle arrives. Once everyone else has left the cargo area, Mal knocks Jayne out. Jayne awakens to find himself in an open airlock as the ship begins to leave the atmosphere. Jayne eventually confesses that he betrayed Simon and River, but denies double crossing Mal. Mal tells him that what he did was the same as betraying him. As Mal turns to leave, Jayne asks him not to tell his shipmates about the betrayal. Mal closes the outer door, sparing Jayne's life. NEW SONGS Keel Haul, Y’all Don’t Tell ‘Em What I Did   Marc: I am ever so grateful for the kindness and generosity of Gunn Runners over on Patreon. Thanks to my Glorious Patrons: Carol Baril, Les Howard, Cary Whitney, Angela Hughes, Lilith Marek, Troy Rodgers, William McKissack, James Regan, Alexis, Marie Alm Mikey: The generosity of my Patreon supporters is amazing, and helps keep the music being made. Thank you to all of you, especially Robin Abess, Brian Jackey, Les Howard, Jeremy Jackson and Jennifer Lewis, and James Doster. And also to all my new patrons in the past few months that joined us and help keep the podcasts, music, and other projects coming: Christine G, Keith B, Ed, Jason Y, Gregory Mayer, Tony C, Tim S, Lar D, Thomas C, Kdawg, Jim W, Winterknight, Ira P, and Theresa B! Thank you for joining the family. LISTENER FEEDBACK   CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Sun Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/  

Ariel #9

One of the most powerful episodes of Firefly is episode #8, “Out of Gas”. We get a lot of backstory on the characters. We discussed this episode LIVE at Dragon Con 2009. Some of the themes discussed in this episode: Keep breathing, everybody dies alone, gotta be there to answer, and see past what she is. SHOW TIMES 0:33 - Live from Dragon Con 2019 2:41 - Mikey Mason’s Firefly Story 3:44 - Marc Gunn’s Firefly Story 6:10 - Songs from the last episode, “Jaynestown” 7:07 - Introducing Marc’s Song 7:55 - “Just a Hero” by Marc Gunn 11:30 - Mikey introduces his song 12:30 - “Canton by Mikey Mason 16:40 - Discussion of “Out of Gas” 40:46 - “Serenity Valley Waltz” by Marc Gunn 45:35 - “Serenity for One of Us” by Mikey Mason 57:08 - “Freedom Costs” by Cedric Hazelrig, performed by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason 1:01:30 - “Breathing” by Marc Gunn 1:05:37 - “Last Gasp” by Mikey Mason Support Marc Gunn on Patreon:  http://patreon.com/mikeymason/  Support Mikey Mason on Patreon: http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic  In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/   

Out of Gas #8

Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason discuss "Jaynestown" from Firefly as they talk about symbols. * Special Note: Are you going to Dragon Con? We have a live episode of In the 'Verse scheduled. Check the Dragon Con Filk track for details. SHOW TIMES 2:42 Upcoming Shows with Marc Gunn 3:29 Upcoming Show with Mikey Mason 3:59 Geek Music News 8:10 Marc’s Song: 9:29 Mikey’s Songs: 12:01 Plot Summary 14:42 Discussion of Episode 6 “Our Mrs. Reynolds” 38:41 Mikey's thanks and song 42:18 Marc's thanks and song  #jaynestown #firefly #intheversepodcast SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast. MARC: This is part SEVEN of our 14 part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: The  first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still eight more episodes of Firefly, and these next eight episodes were funded by Mikey’s fans helping him hit a Patreon milestone as well. But you can still help us in this creative endeavor by supporting him at  http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ MIKEY: And by supporting Marc at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic   UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MARC GUNN Aug 1-4: Gen Con, Three shows, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Aug 23: Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Co, Birmingham, AL Aug 24: Pepper Place Farmer’s Market, Birmingham, AL Aug 29-Sep 2: Dragon Con with Brobdingnagian Bards Sep 21: Pepper Place Farmer’s Market, Birmingham, AL Sept 27-28: Browncoat Ball, Las Vegas, NV Season 3 - Coffee with The Celtfather every Wednesday at 10:00 AM EST starting August 7   UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MIKEY MASON May 3-5 - Penguicon in Detroit, MI May 10-11 - VisionCon in Springfield, MO May 31-Jun 2 - ConCarolinas in Charlotte, NC June 14 - Origins Game Fair in Columbus, OH July 5-7 - InConjunction in Indianapolis, IN And, online shows every month (don’t have dates currently nailed down for Feb/March yet, so… Check my schedule at mikeymason.com   GEEK MUSIC NEWS Marc is…MOVING Mikey is releasing songs from his EP Polyjuiced, as well as new music, fairly regularly on his Bandcamp site (mikeymason.bandcamp.com) His Patreon patrons get all of that music, too. REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: “Spiderweb” Mikey: “Good Night Kiss”   Mikey: Good Night Kiss is a character song that could have multiple perspectives, and I like the ambivalence. It could be from Mal to Saffron, or Mal to Inara, or Inara to Mal. “We’re not who we thought we are. We’re both complicit in this.” FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 7: Jaynestown - Written by Ben Edlund Plot synopsis: Marc: The crew sets down at Canton, a town on Higgin’s moon, to discreetly pick up some contraband to finish a deal. They pose as buyers of “mud” (a type of clay) because the magistrate (Higgins) doesn’t take kindly to outsiders who aren’t buying. Mikey: Jayne is nervous because he botched robbery on this planet a few years ago, a robbery of Magistrate Higgins, and wears a ridiculous disguise. When they get into town they realize that Jayne is viewed as a local hero, and even has a statue in his honor and songs in his honor. Marc: They learn that the contact they were to meet had been caught and punished, but that his stash of contraband is still there. Then, Jayne gets recognized, and any chance of lying low disappear. Mal decides to use Jayne’s fame as a distraction so they can get the contraband. Mikey: Inara meets with Magistrate Higgins, who wants her to sleep with his son, Fess, a 26-year-old virgin, in order to “make a man of him.” She assures Fess that virginity is just one state of being and that he should be his own man. Marc: On the ship, an agitated River dismantles Shepard Book's Bible, insisting that it makes no sense and that she has to "fix" it. Book manages to calm her down and explains that the Bible is not about making sense, but about believing in something. Later, she attempts to repair and return it to him, but panics when she sees his wild head of hair that he normally keeps tied back. Mikey: The Magistrate learns that Jayne Cobb is back in town and releases "Stitch" from what appears to have been four years of solitary confinement in a very small cell. It’s revealed that Stich is Jayne’s former partner, whom he betrayed, from the botched robbery years ago. Higgins gives Stitch a loaded shotgun and then tells him that Jayne is back. Marc: After Inara and Fess have shared their intimate moment, she learns from him that Jayne is about to be captured and tried, and that the ship has been "land-locked". He tells her that he would rather Jayne escape. Mikey: The crew finds the contraband, and get it back to the ship behind the distraction of Jayne Day, then Mal & Kaylee go back to get Jayne, who is making a speech in the town square in fro nt of his statue. That speech is interrupted by a gunshot from Stitch. Marc: Stitch tells the mudders that Jayne is no hero, that the robbery was botched and that the only reason Jayne threw the money from their damaged aircraft is that it was still too heavy to fly after Jayne threw Stitch from the aircraft. Stitch fires the shotgun at Jayne, but a mudder jumps in the way of the blast. Mikey: Jayne stabs Stitch with a knife and, after a brief struggle, Stitch dies. Jayne then checks on the mudder who took the shot for him, finding him dead. Jayne knocks the statue of himself over, and they go back to the ship. Marc: With everyone back on Serenity, Wash attempts to take off, but finds the ship "land-locked" per the magistrate's order. It is quickly released, however, as Fess decides to prove himself a man by defying his father's attempt to capture the "Hero of Canton." Marc: I am ever so grateful for the kindness and generosity of Gunn Runners over on Patreon. Mikey: The generosity of my Patreon supporters is amazing, and helps keep the music being made. Thank you to all of you, especially Robin Abess, John R Wollard, Shouts Out Unicorn, Jeremy Jackson and Jennifer Lewis, and James Doster. And also to all my new patrons in the past few months that helped us get to this milestone: Paige, Mitch & Kelly P, Michael M., Matt B., Mark C (aka Sandpunk,) Adam G, Charlie T., Christopher R., Diana D., Eric H., Jerrie A., Jesse R., Jim M., Joshua O., Keith D., and Kevin B. (aka Moose!) Thank you for joining the family. CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Sun Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/

Jaynestown & Symbols #7

Welcome to In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe. Here are some of the themes discussed in this episode: Spiderwebs, Good night kiss, and Our Mrs Reynolds SHOW TIMES 2:42 Upcoming Shows with Marc Gunn 3:29 Upcoming Show with Mikey Mason 3:59 Geek Music News 8:10 Marc’s Song: 9:29 Mikey’s Songs: 12:01 Plot Summary 14:42 Discussion of Episode 6 “Our Mrs. Reynolds” 38:41 Mikey's thanks and song 42:18 Marc's thanks and song SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast. MARC: This is part six of our six part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: These first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still eight more episodes of Firefly. If you want us to finish out the series, like we do, make a monthly pledge to Mikey Mason on Patreon. Once he hits his goal, we will record eight more episodes! Go to http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ MIKEY: And I’m 97% of the way there! Of course, if you enjoy Marc Gunn's music, you can still make a pledge to support him at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MARC GUNN Coffee with The Celtfather every Wednesday at 11 AM CST on YouTube Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Co in Alabaster, AL on March 8 Celtfather Evening on YouTube on March 10 The Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL on March 17, St Patrick’s Day, with Kilted Kings Sherwood Forest Faire, outside of Austin, Texas on last two weekends of March w/Brobdingnagian Bards Brennan’s Irish Pub in Birmingham, AL on April 6 Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Co. on April 19 UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MIKEY MASON Mar 15-16 - BFG Con in Frederick MD Mar 22-23 - FantaSci in Durham, NC Mar 29-31 - Planet ComicCon in Kansas City, MO May 3-5 - Penguicon in Detroit, MI May 10-11 - VisionCon in Springfield, MO May 31-Jun 2 - ConCarolinas in Charlotte, NC And, online shows every month (don’t have dates currently nailed down for Feb/March yet, so… Check my schedule at mikeymason.com GEEK MUSIC NEWS Marc’s Special Offer on Patreon yielded 36 new Heroic Patron. Learned a LOT about Patreon once again. I also accidentally deleted my $1 level, which was a good move. I’m now making over $1000 per month on Patreon! Marc Finished his new CD, Heroes. And it’s fantastic. Great proof of concept too. Next up for Marc is working on the Brobdingnagian Bards next album. July Kickstarter. Blue Sun CD on Sale at the beginning of APRIL Mikey is recording a new album now. The Varlots! REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: “Like a Big Damn Hero” Mikey: “Safe” FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 6: Our Mrs. Reynolds - Written by Joss Whedon Plot synopsis: Marc: Transporting some goods from one location on Triumph to another, the crew is set upon by bandits. One successful gunfight later and they’re dancing and singing in a nighttime celebration. Jayne is given a rain stick, and Mal has a wreath of flowers placed on his head, given wine to drink, and pulled to dance. Mikey: After Serenity is underway again, Mal encounters a stowaway in the cargo bay. The young woman Saffron informs him that she is his wife. Shepherd Book reads up on the local customs and informs Mal that he had inadvertently taken part in the local marriage ritual by accepting a wreath of flowers, drinking her wine, and dancing together. Marc: Mal has a heart-to-heart talk with the woman. Despite Mal's encouragement to be her own woman, Saffron cooks him a meal and offers to wash his feet. Jayne attempts to trade his favorite gun, "Vera", for Saffron, but Mal turns him down. Mikey: When Mal enters his quarters later, Saffron manages to kiss him. However, her lips are covered with a narcotic which renders him unconscious. Saffron heads to the cockpit and tries her wiles on Wash. When she is unsuccessful, Saffron knocks him out with a kick to the back of the head. Marc: She quickly takes control of the ship, setting it on a mysterious course and sabotaging the controls, then welding the door shut behind her as she leaves. Running to a shuttle to escape, she meets Inara and tries to seduce her too. Mikey: Inara plays along to buy time, but the alarm goes off. Inara compliments Saffron on her skillful lying. After dodging a kick from Saffron, Inara rushes to Mal after Saffron claims that she is Malcolm Reynolds' widow. After Inara finds him only unconscious, she kisses him, then collapses after calling for help, another victim of Saffron's drug. Marc: After breaking into the bridge, Kaylee and Wash are able to restore only the navigational system. They are headed straight for a "net". Book explains that the net will probably electrocute everyone inside, leaving the ship to the net's operators. Mikey: Mal has Jayne shoot a crucial part of the net with Vera, shorting it out. Jayne also ruptures the window of the net's control compartment, ejecting the two men inside into space. Marc: Later, on a snowy world, Mal bursts into Saffron's cabin and, after an unsuccessful attempt to get some answers, knocks her unconscious. Mikey: Back on Serenity, Mal presses Inara for an explanation of her supposed dizziness. Inara thinks Mal knows about the kiss and agrees to "not play" with him, but Mal reveals he thinks she kissed Saffron. NEW SONGS "Good Night Kiss" by Mikey Mason "Spiderweb" by Marc Gunn CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/

Our Mrs Reynolds, Good Night Kiss, Spiderweb #6

Welcome to In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe. Here are some of the themes discussed in this episode: loyalty and safety. SHOW TIMES 2:42 Upcoming Shows with Marc Gunn 3:29 Upcoming Show with Mikey Mason 3:59 Geek Music News 8:10 Marc’s Song: Favor of Dance 9:29 Mikey’s Songs: Captain Tightpants and Sad Little King 12:01 Plot Summary 14:42 Discussion of Episode 5 “Safe” 38:41 Mikey's thanks and song "Safe" 42:18 Marc's thanks and song "Like a Big Damn Hero" SHOW NOTES MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast. MARC: This is part five of a six part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: These first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still eight more episodes of Firefly. If you want us to finish out the series, like we do, make a monthly pledge to Mikey Mason on Patreon. Once he hits his goal, we will record eight more episodes! Go to http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ And I’m 97% of the way there! Of course, if you enjoy Marc Gunn's music, you can still make a pledge to support him at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MARC GUNN Coffee with The Celtfather every Wednesday at 11 AM CST on YouTube Celfather Live on Thursday, February 21 at 8 PM CST on YouTube Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Co in Alabaster, AL on March 8 The Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL on St Patrick’s Day with Kilted Kings Sherwood Forest Faire, outside of Austin, Texas UPCOMING SHOWS FOR MIKEY MASON Feb 22 - Crown Point, IN Feb 23 - Coshocton, OH Mar 15-16 - BFG Con in Frederick MD Mar 22-23 - FantaSci in Durham, NC And, online shows every month (don’t have dates currently nailed down for Feb/March yet, so… Check my schedule at mikeymason.com GEEK MUSIC NEWS Sign up on Patreon in February as a Heroic Patron ($10+ per month), you’ll get access to my Celtfather Live Evening show and a new CD. Mikey is participating in February Album Writing Month. 14 new song demos in 28 days. I’ve already done 7 songs. FAWM.org and search for @mikeymason REVIEW SONGS FROM THE LAST EPISODE Marc: Favor of a Dance Mikey: Sad Little King and Captain Tightpants   FIVE MINUTE SHOW SUMMARY Episode 5: Safe - Written by Drew Z. Greenberg Plot synopsis: Marc: The crew delivers cattle to the Rim, but Book is gravely injured when they are stuck in the middle of a shootout. At the same time, Simon and River Tam are kidnapped by locals while sightseeing in town. Mikey: Mal chooses to leave the Tams behind to seek help for Book. Desperate, they turn to an Alliance ship. At first hostile, the Alliance officer they speak to provides medical aid after seeing Book's ID. Marc: Meanwhile, the kidnappers belong to a community in desperate need of a real doctor, and Simon tentatively hopes he has found a haven for himself and River. However, the religious residents come to believe River is a witch and attempt to burn her at the stake. Mikey: Serenity returns just in time to rescue the siblings. When Simon asks Mal why he came back, the captain tells Simon that he and River are part of the crew.   NEW SONGS “Safe” by Mikey Mason “Like a Big Damn Hero” by Marc Gunn LISTENER FEEDBACK CLOSING NOTES Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Mikey: We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. Use the hashtag #InTheVerse. You can post them on the Blue Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com Marc: In the ‘Verse was produced by Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason. Sign up on our website and find out more about the Blue Sun Tour at http://fireflydrinkingsongs.com/intheverse/  

Loyalty and Safety on Firefly #5

"Shindig" is the fourth episode of Firefly. We look at these themes from the show: Situational Respectability, Pageantry, The Game, The Dance, Rules Spoken and Unspoken, Collision of worlds, and Why did this get so complicated? SHOW TIMES 2:28 Upcoming Shows 2:31 Marc's Upcoming Shows 3:30 Mikey's Upcoming Shows 4:35 Review of 2018 Blue Sun Holiday Spectacular Tour 10:07 About Last Week's Songs 10:39 Thoughts about "Reaver's Drinking Song" by Marc Gunn 13:08 Thoughts about "Ghosts" by Mikey Mason 17:15 Short summary of Episode 4 "Shindig" 21:13 Discussion of themes in "Shindig" 44:56 Marc's thanks and song "Favor of a Dance" 49:26 Mikey's thanks and song "Sad Little King" 54:07 Mikey's songs "Captain Tightpants" --- Welcome to In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe.  MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast. MARC: This is part four of a six part series. We are rewatching episodes of Firefly. Our goal is to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: These first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in his Gunn Runners Club. He hit a milestone which made this show happen. MARC: There are still eight more episodes of Firefly. If you want us to finish out the series, like we do, make a monthly pledge to Mikey Mason on Patreon. Once he hits his goal, we will record eight more episodes! Go to http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ Of course, if you enjoy Marc Gunn's music, you can still make a pledge to support him at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic Upcoming Shows for Marc Gunn Coffee with The Celtfather every Wednesday at noon on YouTube Celfather Live on Thursday, January 24 at 8 PM CST on YouTube Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Co. at 7:30 PM on Friday, Feb 8 Brennan’s Irish Pub at 7:30 PM on Sat, Feb 23 The Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL on St Patrick’s Day with Kilted Kings News Special Offer on Patreon in February... Upcoming Shows for Mikey Mason MarsCon  Jan 18-20 Concert Window Jan 25 Standup show Cerro Gordo, IL Jan 26 Kentucky Pirate Festival with the Varlots on Feb 2 Standup Show in Martin’s Ferry, OH Feb 9 Comedy Zone in Harrisburg, PA on Feb 15-16 Crown Point IN on Feb 22 Coshocton, OH on Feb 23 Quick review of the Blue Sun Tour Huntsville, Maggie McGuinness Pub Birmingham, Brennan’s Irish Pub Indianapolis, Flying Cat Concert Series Cincinnati, Gateway Games & More Muncie, The Fickle Peach Review Songs from Last Episode 5 Minute Show Summary: Shindig Plot synopsis: Mikey - The show opens with Mal and Jayne playing a game of pool with some men on the planet Santo while Inara watches from the bar. After finding out the men are slave-traders, Mal picks one's pocket and a fight ensues. Marc - Back on Serenity, Inara books a regular client named Atherton Wing for several days. Down on Persephone, Kaylee admires a fluffy pink dress, and Mal offends her by comparing her to "a sheep walkin' on its hind legs.” Mikey - All head back to the ship save Mal and Jayne, who are invited at gunpoint to a business meeting with Badger, who wants them to smuggle cargo for Warwick Harrow, who won’t have anything to do with Badger. He got them a couple of rare invites to a fancy ball at which they can make contact with Harrow. Marc - At the ball, Wing proposes to make Inara his permanent companion on Persephone, and she isn’t quite receptive. Mal arrives with Kaylee on his arm. She is wearing the fluffy pink dress from the shop, and he goes to look for Harrow while she “interrogates” the buffet. Mikey - A group of young ladies is cruel to Kaylee about her dress, and she is rescued by an older gentleman who directs her to a group of men where she leads a rousing discussion about spacecraft and mechanics. Meanwhile, Mal is interrupted while making a bad first impression with Harrow by Atherton Wing and Inara. Mal asks for a dance. Marc - As Mal and Inara dance, wing becomes increasingly jealous, and at the end of the dance seizes her arm to march off. Mal and he get into a verbal altercation, which ends when Atherton says that Inara was bought and paid for, and Mal punches him. Mikey - Atherton publicly accepts this “duel” challenge, and Mal goes along, completely unaware of what’s ensuing. It turns out they’ll be sword fighting to the death at dawn, that Atherton is a master swordsman, and that he’ll be kept in quarters on Persephone to ensure that he doesn’t flee. The only real upside is that Harrow seems to like Mal for hitting Wing. Marc - Back on Serenity, Badger boards the ship with his men to hold the crew on board hostage until the duel is over so they won't attempt to save Mal. Inara sneaks into Mal's room at night and offers a means of escape, but Mal refuses and instead Inara stays to help him practice dueling for the morning. Mal asks her not to stay with Atherton if he dies in the morning. Mikey - On board Serenity, the crew is planning a method of getting around Badger's men when River enters and pretends to be from Badger's home world, criticizing his delusions of social standing and calling him a "sad little king of a sad little hill" before going back to her room. Marc - In the morning, Mal and Atherton duel and it's clear that Atherton is more skilled. He breaks Mal's sword and is about to deliver the death strike when Inara says that she'll stay on Persephone if he lets Mal live. While Atherton is distracted, Mal takes the opportunity to hit him with the hilt of his sword, then taking his unbroken sword and holding Atherton to the ground. After poking him with his sword two times, Mal spares Atherton's life. Mikey - As he recovers, Atherton realizes that Inara never intended to stay with him and threatened to put her out of work. Inara then says that Atherton has earned a black mark in the Companion registry and will never be able to contract with another one; or as Harrow puts, if he wants to court women, he'll have to rely on his "winning personality". Harrow says he will have his cargo on Serenity later that day. Marc - After boarding Serenity, Mal is attended to and Badger's men leave. That night, Inara expresses her gratitude to Mal for standing up for her and says that she wouldn't have accepted Atherton's offer. As Inara remarks, "Why would I want to leave Serenity?" Mal responds "can't think of a reason," and we learn that Harrow's cargo is a herd of cattle.   ---   Thanks so much for listening. We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. You can post them on the Blue Sun Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com If you're not subscribed to the podcast, please sign at FireflyDrinkingSongs.com. We would also love your reviews in your favorite podcatcher. You can listen and download this podcast early and these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Go to FireflyDrinkingSongs.com  

Playing the Game, Rules and Respectability #4

“Bushwhacked” is the third episode of Firefly. The crew finds a ship that seems to be abandoned. While looting the ship’s goods, they discover a lone survivor... from a reaver attack. Try explaining that to the Alliance.  The episode touches on themes of civilization and nothingness. Get the full scoop, listen to our songs, and start writing yours in this week’s In the ‘Verse: Song Crafting In the Firefly Universe.  1:15 Upcoming Shows 3:54 About Last Week's Songs 15:06 Last show synopsis 18:11 Themes 39:45 Mikey Thanks 40:16 Ghosts 46:29 Marc Thanks 47:45 Reaver's Drinking Song --- Welcome to In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe. Now on Apple Podcasts MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast. MARC: This is part three of a six part series where we rewatch episodes of Firefly with the goal to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: It’s six parts because the first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in my Gunn Runners Club. They pledged enough money each for him to hit this big milestone which allowed this show to happen. MARC: There are still eight more episodes of Firefly. If you want this podcast to finish out the series, then make a monthly pledge to Mikey Mason on Patreon. He is 89% of the way away from his own milestone. When that is reached, we will complete the last eight episodes of the series, and maybe even do more past that. Go to http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ Of course, if you enjoy Marc Gunn's music, you can still make a pledge to support him at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic Upcoming Shows for Marc Gunn Coffee with The Celtfather every Wednesday at noon Upcoming Show for Mikey Mason Nov 16 - Concert Window Blue Sun Holiday Spectacular Tour Dates Saturday, December 8, 2018, Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL Sunday, December 9, 2018, Brennan's Irish Pub @ 7:30-10 PM, Birmingham, AL Thursday, TBA, Looking for in Louisville, KY Friday, Dec 14, 2018, “Flying Cat” House Concert Series, Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, Dec 15, Gateway Games & More, Cincinnati, OH Sunday, December 16, 2018, The Fickle Peach, Muncie, IN   5 Minute Show Summary: Bushwhacked Plot synopsis: Mikey - Serenity encounters a drifting spacecraft which turns out to be a short-range scow converted to a one-way settler transport to the "Outer Planets". Mal decides to check out the derelict in order to either help survivors or loot the dead. He sends his crew off in teams to explore the ship, while he and Zoe head to a section that he suspects holds the more valuable supplies. Marc - Once in the vessel, River points out mutilated bodies hanging from the ceiling. Mal suspects what did this and orders everyone to regroup in the engine room, but en route Jayne is hit from behind by an unseen attacker, whom Jayne shoots blindly four times. Mal finds the wounded man hiding behind an air grate; they bring him back to their ship. Mikey - As Simon treats the wounded man, Mal explains that he must be the lone survivor of a Reaver attack. He explains how the Reavers were driven insane after seeing the nothing at the "edge of the galaxy" and now commit unspeakable acts of evil. He allows Shepherd Book to say a few words over the victims, while Kaylee removes a Reaver booby trap that attached itself to Serenity when they docked earlier. Marc - Once the derelict's cargo is aboard, Serenity starts to leave, only to be stopped by an Alliance cruiser. The Feds board the ship and find Mal and everyone but River and Simon waiting for them, the salvaged cargo plainly in sight to avoid accusations of theft. Alliance Commander Harken accuses them of harboring two fugitives and detains them for questioning. Mikey - Commander Harken interviews each member of the crew while his crew tend to the survivor and search Serenity. Simon and River remain undetected, as they are outside the ship in space suits, clinging to the hull. Marc - Harken accuses Mal of attacking the settler ship, revealing that the survivor's tongue has been split and implying that Mal did it to keep him from speaking. Mal, however, realizes that the survivor is becoming a Reaver, having been traumatized by what he witnessed. Harken dismisses Mal's idea as nonsense designed to avoid blame. Mikey - As Harken prepares to confine Mal, his lieutenant informs him that the survivor has killed the medical personnel attending to him and is loose on the ship. Mal convinces Harken that he knows where the madman will go. Harken allows Mal to lead him and soldiers back onto Serenity. Marc - The survivor attacks the soldiers, but Mal is able to kill the Reaver, saving Harken's life. As a result, Harken allows the crew of Serenity to go, though he still confiscates their cargo. After Serenity undocks, the cruiser is seen firing on the derelict ship, destroying it. --- Thanks so much for listening. We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. You can post them on the Blue Sun Holiday Spectacular Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com If you're not subscribed to the podcast, please sign up. We would also love your reviews in your favorite podcatcher. You can listen and download this podcast early and these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Go to FireflyDrinkingSongs.com 

Ghosts of Civilization, Reaver Drinking Song #3

Welcome to In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe. We look at Reputation vs. Action and Crime with a Conscience in episode 2 of the TV show Firefly, "The Train Job". MARC: My name is Marc Gunn, the creator of the Firefly Drinking Songs show. MIKEY: And I’m Mikey Mason, creator of the Beer Powered Time Machine Podcast. MARC: This is part two of a six part series where we rewatch episodes of Firefly with the goal to find themes and stories that we can write songs about. Mikey: It’s six parts because the first six episodes were funded by Marc’s fans in my Gunn Runners Club. They pledged enough money each for him to hit this big milestone which allowed this show to happen. MARC: There are still eight more episodes of Firefly. If you want this podcast to finish out the series, then make a monthly pledge to Mikey Mason on Patreon. He is 89% of the way away from his own milestone. When that is reached, we will complete the last eight episodes of the series, and maybe even do more past that. Go to http://patreon.com/mikeymason/ Of course, if you enjoy Marc Gunn's music, you can still make a pledge to support him at http://patreon.com/marcgunnmusic Upcoming Shows for Marc Gunn 5th Annual Celtic Halloween Music Special, Thurs Oct 25 at 8:30 PM CST Coffee with The Celtfather every Wednesday at noon And a short Live YouTube show on Monday mornings Upcoming Show for Mikey Mason Oct. 26 - Fort Madison, IA Nov. 3 - Geek Gala @ Charlotte, NC Blue Sun Holiday Spectacular Tour Dates Saturday, December 8, 2018, Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL Sunday, December 9, 2018, Brennan's Irish Pub @ 7:30-10 PM, Birmingham, AL Thursday, TBA, Looking for in Louisville, KY Friday, Dec 14, 2018, “Flying Cat” House Concert Series, Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, Dec 15, TBA, Cincinnati, OH Sunday, December 16, 2018, The Fickle Peach, Muncie, IN 5 Minute Show Summary Plot synopsis: Marc: Mal gets himself, Zoe & Jayne into a barroom brawl on Unification day, just like he does every year. They find themselves backed to a cliff outside the bar, and Wash rescues them with a nicely timed arrival and some empty threats. Mikey: In the infirmary, Simon tends to his psychologically damaged sister and Shepherd Book compliments his bravery. Marc: The crew takes a job from Adelei Niska, a crime lord with a tendency to torture and kill those who fail to live up to their ends of the bargain. They’re to steal two crates from a moving train. Mal doesn’t ask what’s in them. He just wants the job. Mikey: They have a plan, and, long story short, it goes off, but not without a hitch. Mal and Zoe are stuck on the train til the next stop—Paradiso, a mining town—a delay which will cause them to miss their appointed rendezvous with Niska. Marc: In Paradiso, all the train’s occupants are detained and questioned. Mal and Zoe pose as newlyweds looking for work, and learn that what they’d stolen was medicine for a degenerative disease caused by mining conditions. Mikey: The sheriff suspects something is wrong with their story, but then Inara shows up, sent by a concerned crew, and using her elevated status as a registered companion is able to claim that Mal is her runaway “indentured man” who persuaded Zoe to leave her husband. The sheriff buys this story and lets them leave. Marc: Back on the ship, Mal decides to return the medicine to the townspeople, but Niska’s henchmen turn up and there’s a big fight, which our heroes win. Mikey: Mal & Zoe head towards town, intending to drop off the crates and notify the sheriff once they are well away, but they find themselves surrounded by the sheriff’s men. Realizing what they have done, he lets them go. Marc: Outside Serenity, Mal offers Niska's money to a tied up Crow—Niska’s henchman, but Crow threatens to hunt Mal down. Mal casually kicks Crow into Serenity's running engine intake, killing him. The next henchman is much more cooperative. Mikey: And finally, back on an Alliance cruiser, two mysterious men in suits and wearing blue gloves inquire about a girl and show the captain a photo of River Tam. Discussion of themes that stood out. Listener feedback. Guest submissions, lyrics, or themes. Thanks so much for listening. We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. You can post them on the Blue Sun Holiday Spectacular Tour Facebook page or email intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com You can listen and download this podcast early and these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Go to FireflyDrinkingSongs.com

Reputation vs. Action, Crime with a Conscience in The Train Job #2

Browncoats and Geek musicians, Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason, rewatch episodes of Firefly to find themes and inspiration for crafting songs inspired by Joss Whedon's cult classic TV series.  In this first episode, we watched the episode, "Serenity". We created a rather long synopsis before diving into some of the themes from the episode. Both Marc and Mikey shared the themes that inspired them the most.  At the end, we share the songs we wrote for this episode. Marc Gunn shares "Serenity Valley Waltz". Mikey Mason shares "One of Us". Thanks so much for listening. We would love your comments, songs and lyrics or links to videos to share in the next show. You can post them on the Blue Sun Holiday Spectacular Tour Facebook page  Or email us at intheverse@fireflydrinkingsongs.com  If you're not subscribed to the podcast, please sign up at FireflyDrinkingSongs.com. We would also love your reviews in your favorite podcatcher. You can listen and download this podcast early and these demo songs when you sign up on our Patreon pages. Find out more about Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason and how to support our music on Patreon. Go to FireflyDrinkingSongs.com 

Crafting Firefly Songs #1: Serenity Valley Waltz, One of Us

Welcome to In the 'Verse.  Song crafting for the Firefly universe.   Browncoats and Geek musicians, Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason, rewatch episodes of Firefly to find themes and inspiration for crafting songs inspired by Joss Whedon's cult classic TV series.    Find details and subscribe at FireflyDrinkingSongs.com.

In The 'Verse Trailer: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe

Browncoats and Geek musicians Marc Gunn and Mikey Mason rewatch episodes of Firefly to find themes and inspiration for crafting songs inspired by Joss Whedon's cult classic TV series.

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In the 'Verse, Firefly Song Crafting

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