In the 'Verse

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 [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/

"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 [email protected]

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

"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 [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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

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.