In the 'Verse

In the 'Verse is back with a brand new season. We're gonna write songs inspired by other shows and movies. Plus, we will take an in depth look at the Big Damn movie. Join us as we talk about Season 2.

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 episode ZERO of our new 10 episode season of the In The Verse Podcast..

Mikey: Since we are, sadly, out of episodes of Firefly to discuss and write about, we'll be finding inspiration in episodes of other media; TV shows, Comic Books, Cartoons, maybe even video games?

MARC: As always, you can support us in this and other creative endeavors by supporting Mikey at http://patreon.com/mikeymason/

MIKEY: And by supporting Marc at http://patreon.com/celtfather

UPCOMING SHOWS MARC GUNN

• OCT 7: Browncoat Drinking Songs on Coffee with The Celtfather
• OCT 15-17: Multiverse Con, Atlanta, GA
• NOV 5-7: CONjuration, Atlanta, GA
• EVERY THUR, Coffee with The Celtfather @ NOON

MIKEY MASON

• Tonight, October 2nd, I'll be doing 2 comedy shows at Origins Game fair in Columbus Ohio
• Thursday, October 7th I'll be at Sully's Comedy Cellar in Parkville, MD as part of the COMEDIANS OF THE GALAXY tour.

BAND NEWS

• In the Verse can now be found at FireflyDrinkingSongs.com
• Marc: Finishing up Selcouth, out next year. Pub Songs & Stories is my other main podcast for my music. Subscribe at PubSong.com. Get MP3s on Patreon every month.
• 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!) & MIKEYtalks podcast
• What's next???

TALKING ABOUT SEASON 2

We're gonna write songs inspired by some of our other fandoms. We'll start with the episode "Blink" from the TV show Doctor Who. We will announce each episode we plan to explore as we go.

We also plan to watch the Rankin & Bass animated cartoon The Hobbit, an episode of The Mandalorian, more Doctor Who episodes, an episode of the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon from the 80s, an episode of Peaky Blinders and Ripper Street. Plus, we will write a song inspired by the graphic novel, Shepherd's Tale, about Shepherd Book and we will write a song about the Big Damn Movie, Serenity.

We would love your help picking more episodes from some of these shows. If you have one that you think we should watch, drop us an email.

THANKS

Marc: I am ever so grateful for the kindness and generosity of Gunn Runners over on Patreon. Thanks to all of these patreons: Not Higgins, C.J. Taylor, Melinda & Jeremiah Westly, Sarah Crockett, Bill Mandeville, William McKissack, Carol Baril, Luke Miller, LauraMay Sorkin, Eric Ray, Alexis, Marie Alm, James Regan, Les Howard, Cary Whitney, Troy Rodgers

Mikey: Thank you so so much to the amazing Patreon patrons who help keep the music being made, especially @oopswrongcookie, Amy Stuart, Michael Khandelwal, Josh Logan, Ame Morris, Les Howard, Brian Jackey, Jon Haight, John R Woollard. Scot Mealy, Randy Brown, Robin Abess, Scott & Melanie Wienhusen, Jeremy D Jackson and Jennifer Lewis

CLOSING NOTES

Marc: Thanks so much for listening. You can download many of our 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, suggestions, 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 [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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 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 [email protected]

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 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

• 1:22 - Upcoming Shows
• 3:37 - Our Browncoat News
• 6:39 - Review Songs from the Last Episode
• 17:10 - Five-Minute Show Summary
• 21:30 - Firefly Discussion
• 38:18 - 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 [email protected]

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/

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 [email protected]

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/

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 [email protected]

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 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

Listen to an episode of Firefly Drinking Songs from 2010.

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 [email protected]

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/

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

Listen to an episode of Firefly Drinking Songs from 2010.

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/

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 [email protected]

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/

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 [email protected]

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/