Explosions in Space

[hornslongtx]

So throughout the entire show they took care to maintain proper space physics. No fire in space, no explosions in space, no sound in space, that sort of thing. This was typified in the episode "our Mrs. Reynolds" where they use the spare space suit to fire Vera at the net.

Then in the movie they completely throw that out the window and we get sound and explosions and fire in space. The height of which was the space battle between the alliance and reaver ships.

Did this bother anyone else? It definitely rubbed me the wrong direction.

It is the one big flaw, not just from a "it's bad physics" perspective but also from a continuity from the show angle.

[bowlwoman]

Well, from what I recall, the sounds and explosions and fire occurred within in the ion field surrounding Mr. Universe's planet very close to said planet's atmosphere.  There was quite a bit of debate on whether or not the occurrences within the ion field could be considered proper space physics or pseudoscience.  I think the consensus was that it was theoretically possible, or else bended the rules only slightly with a theoretical explanation, therefore most people elected to not have a big problem with it.

[hornslongtx]

That would be fine except that when Jayne fires the canon to get the Reavers to chase there is a sound from the gun when it fires and when the blast hits.

[Zeek]

I think the fan wank on that one was not that we were getting sound in space, but we were getting the sound coming from inside the suit and that it was more of a vibration of serenity rather than sound in space thing.  It's a stretch too.  As for the fire I guess it was supposed to be very brief and then put out by the vacuum of space.

[bowlwoman]

I agree, very dicey on both accounts.  I chalk this up to Joss wanting his movie one way, the suits wanting it more "action packed" and palatable to non-'verse folk who are used to seeing explosions and whatnot in space.  This was probably the best compromise Joss could come up with to make the suits happy while also respecting his stance on the theoretical and actual physics of space.

[hornslongtx]

thats pretty much how I reacted when I saw it. My thought was "Well, they did need to try to draw in a bigger audience." I guess explosions in space does that.

[bowlwoman]

Yes, because Star Trek:  Nemesis was such a huge box office hit.   

[hornslongtx]

Hey! These are movie execs we're dealing with here.

[bowlwoman]

Oops.  Should I bring the wet naps?