
Another reason I want to discuss marriage on screen is that often marriage has been merely the end game of the story and once they get together the credits roll and we don't see what real married life is like. Or, people are married but their relationship is splattered with infidelity and other kinds of quirky dysfunctional hijinks. Or, they're married and secretly want to kill one another (Gone Girl anyone? Yikes!) So I am making it one of my side-missions to talk about the on-screen marriages I adore and why I feel they deserve praise. If I don't pick certain ones it doesn't mean I am against them, it just means I'm extremely picky and want to only discuss couples I'm personally passionate about. Sorry, but life is short!
So without further ado, first on my list is Hoban and Zoe Washburne of the incredible, gone-too-soon Joss Whedon masterpiece, Firefly. These two are played to perfection by the adorable Alan Tudyk and the gorgeous Gina Torres.
For those who haven't seen Firefly, SEE IT. RIGHT NOW. Not even kidding. Until then...
***********************************SPOILERS************************************
Zoe and Wash are a wonderful pairing of opposites. Wash is goofy, loving, imaginative, energetic and positive. Myself and many other fans agree he's an ENFP (Myers-Briggs type), which is fun for me because I am too and it's rare to see male ENFPs on screen. Zoe is a reserved, serious, practical, honor and duty-bound soldier. She's a text-book ISTJ, the complete opposite of Wash.
For them, differences work well together and it's what attracted them to each other. Wash brings out a sense of humor in Zoe that enables her to let her guard down, be relaxed and have fun. When she's with Wash she's playful and carefree. Likewise, Zoe is Wash's guardian. He's the pilot of their ship Serenity and she's basically the captain's first mate. Wash's imagination and emotional desires can sometimes cloud his judgment, so Zoe is always looking out for him and has his back, even when he doesn't realize it.

Likewise, Zoe and Wash break a lot of stereotypes without making a big deal out of breaking the stereotypes. Wash is a lover, not a fighter. He's an amazing pilot, but when it comes to the fighting and the shooting, he takes a step back. Zoe is the soldier. She can shoot and fight better than most men and she doesn't get all smug about it either. Zoe has nothing to prove to anyone. She's a strong woman and her husband loves her for it. They embody all the necessary facets of husband and wife: lovers, friends, partners, teammates. They both love and respect each other for who they are and don't try to change the other. Wash isn't threatened or emasculated by Zoe's strength, he's simply himself and he encourages his wife to be herself. Fancy that!
Now that doesn't mean this respect doesn't get tested occasionally. Zoe and Mal (the ship's captain) have a long history of being friends and comrades together in the war long before she ever met Wash. Zoe listens to Mal because he was her commanding officer and she trusts his judgment. One good example of a moment Zoe and Wash are tested is in the episode called "War Stories." Here Wash struggles with Zoe's tendency to trust Mal's judgement more than his. He feels left out when he should be the most important thing to her. In the episode, Wash and Mal get captured and tortured by Nisk, who is basically a sadistic mob lord. When Zoe comes to their rescue Nisk says she can only take one of them. He assumes he'll get the joy of watching her agonize over the choice between her husband and her captain, but before he can draw another breath she points right at Wash and says. "Him."

They face many such challenges and moments of miscommunication or irritation with one another, but thankfully are never subjected to the stereotypical TV methods of testing relationships. Soap opera tactics like love triangles or couples willfully deceiving each other for some dramatic reason or other. These two have love, respect, a healthy sex life, and a strong bond with their ship family. I believe they are more relatable and realistic as a couple because of these qualities.
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Yes, Inara. I feel that way during the funeral scene of Serenity too. |
I don't give a good gorram about relevant, Wash. Or objective.
And I
ain't so afraid of losing something
that I ain't gonna try to have it.
that I ain't gonna try to have it.
You and I would make one beautiful baby.
And I want to meet that child one day. Period.
And I want to meet that child one day. Period.
~ Zoe Washburne
I leave you today with this fan video I found that may or may not have made my mascara run. Zoe and Wash forever. Peace out, Browncoats!
Great post! You hit the nail on the head about their relationship. They are a diverse and uncoventional couple without being obnoxiously preachy about it. Also, they both have strength of character in their own unique ways and that's what makes them so lovable. They are definitely a refreshing TV couple! And a reminder that HEY, marriage gets more awesome through the hard crap of life! :-)
ReplyDeleteBtw, your new layout and design is soooooooo perfect! ^_^
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Erika! Now I look forward to having you as a guest writer for this series! Us talking about it helped me get a move on haha. I already had thoughts for this post laid out but needed an extra push of inspiration. This is going to be a fun series all around. :-D
DeleteAs for the new look, I love it too! Thank goodness for Danielle! hehe I feel like I have more direction and purpose for what I want to do here. ♥