In the episode of Firefly, “The Train Job”, Zoe seems to have the same beliefs and morals as Mal. Would she voice her own opinion if it contradicted Mal’s? If Mal didn’t want to return the medicine and Zoe did, would she have stood up to Mal or just followed along with the plan? How would Zoe have told Mal his intentions were bad? It seems like Zoe has the capability of sticking up for beliefs, especially when it comes to right and wrong situations. I think Mal has enough trust and confidence in Zoe that he may even switch to her side. Maybe if Mal had wanted to give the medicine to Niska and not return it, Zoe could have persuaded him otherwise. They are together all the time, and it seems they never even doubt each other. If the situation did arise, the final decision is in Mal’s hands, so his opinion matters most, but I think he would still respect Zoe’s opinion. I think Zoe would stand up to Mal if she had to, but probably doesn’t because she doesn’t want to risk her job. Zoe is still under Mal’s command so unless she wanted to quit her role on the ship, she would probably have to go along with Mal. I guess this makes it seems that Zoe doesn’t have much of a choice if she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to her job. Another reason why Zoe probably wouldn’t stick up to Mal is because of her husband. She knows Wash will always be on her side, so if she somehow offends Mal she could end up getting both of them kicked off the ship.
I think you're right in saying that Zoe has the capability for sticking up for herself but also has to watch what she says to Mal because of her job and her husband's job. I never really thought of it that way when you talk about how sticking up for her beliefs could ultimately lose her her job. It's like that in our society sometimes too, where people sometimes have to keep their mouths shut in order to keep their jobs.
ReplyDeleteWow, I analyzed Zoe and I didn't even put into consideration that she does seem like the type of person that Mal would listen to, or at least hear her opinion. It's funny, because when I was watching the episodes, it felt like Mal and Zoe were a couple, NOT Zoe and Wash. I felt that way because Mal and Zoe got along so well and were always together. You never really see them bicker. They make a great team. But I think you're right. I think if Zoe had an opinion that differed from Mal's opinion, it's possible that he would listen. Then again, it is hard to say because sometimes I feel like Mal believes he always knows what is best--which is why he is the captain. It's a hard call. Thanks for expanding my ideas, though! Nice blog. (:
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