Forgiveness is like a great act of compassion. That it was done not because someone deserved it, but because they needed it. Joss Whedon More Quotes by Joss Whedon More Quotes From Joss Whedon People always say I write a lot of pop culture references. Can somebody please count the pop culture references in 'Firefly?' Because I don't know how to put this to you, but there was one. I referenced The Beatles in the pilot. Joss Whedon firefly writing people Casting is storytelling. Joss Whedon casting storytelling If something isn't working, if you have a story that you've built and it's blocked and you can't figure it out, take your favorite scene, or your very best idea or set-piece, and cut it. It's brutal, but sometimes inevitable. Joss Whedon cutting writing ideas I never tire of the heroes that I knew growing up. Joss Whedon growing growing-up hero That title, is one of the things I fought for. A lot of people said 'But it's stupid, and it's the title of a comedy movie, and people won't take it seriously,' and I'm sure there are some people who still don't. But for the most part, people do see that we really have a quality show. Joss Whedon quality stupid people Captain, I think you have a problem with your brain being missing. Joss Whedon firefly missing thinking You know, I always was an early morning or late night writer. Early morning was my favorite; late night was because you had a deadline. And at four in the morning you make up some of your most absurd jokes. Joss Whedon four morning night It seemed to be a fundamental thing that women have something men don't, the obvious being an ability to bear children, and the resilience to hang in as parents. I don't understand why or how anyone ever pulled off the whole idea of "women are inferior". Joss Whedon men children ideas I love a straightforward character. I am the guy who loves Cyclops on the 'X-Men', because he is square. Joss Whedon squares character men If you're going to make a science fiction movie, then have a hover craft chase, for God's sake. Joss Whedon crafts sake fiction I do remember what I said. The promise. To protect her. If I'd done that ... even if I didn't make it, you wouldn't've had to jump. I want you to know I did save you. Not when it counted, of course. But after that. Every night after that. I'd see it all again, do something different. Faster or more clever, you know? Dozens of times, lots of different ways ...Every night I save you. Joss Whedon clever night promise There's some great reality TV, and I'm not bagging on it completely. Joss Whedon reality-tv tvs reality Limitations are something that I latch onto - like working in genre, or if you're writing TV, there are act breaks, there's a length of time it's supposed to be. The restrictions of budget and sets can be really useful. When you can have everything, it's very hard to make things feel real and lived in. Joss Whedon tvs real writing Angelus: Now that's everything, huh? No weapons... No friends...No hope. Take all that away... and what's left? Buffy: Me. Joss Whedon vampire no-friends weapons 'The Dark Knight,' for me, has the same problem that every other 'Batman' movie has. It's not about Batman. I think Heath Ledger is just phenomenal and the character of the Joker is beautifully written. He has a particular philosophy that he carries throughout the movie. He has one of the best bad guy schemes. Joss Whedon dark character philosophy We talked about various aspects of what we wanted to talk about, Hillary [Clinton] and [Donald] Trump and down-ballot stuff, various issues. One of the things that it showed was you've got to use fear. Joss Whedon issues use stuff People used to laugh that academics would study Disney movies. There's nothing more important for academics to study, because they shape the minds of our children possibly more than any single thing. Joss Whedon laughing children people 'The Sixth Sense' is fine the second time around, but honestly, the first time around, it's dazzling. Joss Whedon fine first-time firsts Sarah Michelle Gellar's made some really good choices. She's had some bad breaks. She goes with the independent, interesting young filmmakers and then they get slammed, like 'Southland Tales.' I'm proud of what she's trying to do. It's hard. Joss Whedon independent choices interesting I'm not great at fear. I made the least frightening vampire show ever on TV. I'm pretty much good at heroic narratives and making people laugh, and that's pretty much it. Joss Whedon vampire laughing people