The television breakdown:
Serenity:
The pilot was a great way to leap into the story of Firefly, setting the stage for the western drama in space. However, even we had to agree with Fox's Rupert Murdoch that it was just too long. Whedon has had far shorter and far better pilot episodes that explained just as much. It was almost as if he was trying to cram so much information of the universe into one episode. If he took his time, he probably would not have been forced into the problems he was in.
The Train Job:
After the long and slow start, Fox requested a more action-packed episode, in answer came The Train Job. To be honest, I have yet to meet a Browncoat who can even sit through this episode more than once. In fact, we tossed it to the side after the first couple of minutes. Lots of things blowing up, Jayne with his guns, and then Mal's conscience getting the better of him, seemed to be something Whedon attempted to throw together to please Fox.
To make matters worse, when the show first aired in 2002, Fox started at The Train Job and continued from there. No one had any idea what was happening.
Bushwacked:
First time we see a human become a Reaver. Well hello there classic Whedon witty dialogue and humor with the sci-fi realems, we've missed you. Thank you for joining us so late into the start of the television series.
Shindig:
Every Browncoat's favorite Kaylee episode. It showed Mal had a heart for his crew and Inara. It also furthered the class differences between the elite companions, and the low-class war veterans and smugglers.
Safe:
Dear Whedon, why do you like to accuse your main characters as witches in at least one episode and have them burned on at the stake?
Dear Whedon, why do you like to accuse your main characters as witches in at least one episode and have them burned on at the stake?
It was nice to see the little Tam siblings and the struggle of River and Simon's reunion. Zac Efron as Simon Tam was interesting.
This is also where the phrase "Big Damn Heroes" comes from.
Our Mrs. Reynolds:
As much as any sci-fi person loves Christina Hendrick's work and special appearances, we were personally not the biggest fan of her as Saffron in this episode. It added a new type of con man (er...woman) that could rival Mal like Irene could rival Sherlock Holmes, however, Whedon and the writers didn't seem to get a handle of her character until Trash.
Jaynestown:
"The Hero of Canton...the man they call Jayne!"
Catchy song, good lead up, bad ending. Also, as I would not suggest making Butterbeer at home...do not attempt Mudder's Milk.
Out Of Gas:
It seemed almost as if they were trying desperately to keep what little audience they had and offer them some back story with this episode. They held on to the classic idea of "the captain goes down with his ship" to the point where they almost killed off the Captain. Though, we all know from Buffy, Whedon is not opposed to killing off his biggest character.
Ariel:
"Two by Two, hands of blue."
Almost everything is revealed about River here for the aware viewer. The aliance, and her abilities are hinted at. Another great River and Simon history episode. Also Jayne betrays Mal...again.
War Stories:
In an attempt to make The Train Job not so wasted, let's bring back the Russian mafia man to torture Wash and Mal. Did I also mention Wash is upset with Zoe because she doesn't "obey" him? Dropped the ball with this one, my friend.
Trash:
Saffron is back and has a new husband she is trying to con. Her character is well-rounded and the thief vs. thief game in the episode is entertaining. We also get to see Nathon Fillion's tattoo.
The Message:
Trash was the last episode Fox ever aired on television. The last three were lost until Syfy decided to try playing the show in order. Whedon and company knew they were finished and wrote The Message to reflect this.
A war veteran's body is sent to Mal and Zoe, only to find that he is not dead. The tale of the tragic man finding a way to survive after the lost war, to the point where he does die. The sad music, and the cold, snow planet with Mal and Zoe carrying the coffin, were all to say goodbye to the show that never had a chance.
Heart of Gold:
The whorehouse. The only other episode not too many Browncoats like. It is also the episode Inara cannot wait for Mal's proclaim of love any longer. She leaves Serenity to establish her own training house for companions.
Objects In Space:
The segway into the film. The first bounty hunter we see, Jubal Early, tries to steal River from the crew. The crew is already having a difficult time controlling her, and saddened by this she considers going with Early. Luckily, she is smart and manages to create a plan to get rid of the hunter.
It is the first time we hear River is a psychic.
The film: Serenity
After Syfy aired the television shows in order, the fanbase suddenly skyrocketed, offering Whedon the chance to finish the story with a film.
There are the River Tam sessions and the comics that continue to try to bridge the gap between the show and the movie. Anything to complete the story and give the new fans what they wanted. But it was never enough.
Whedon pulled what he could together to fill in and reveal all behind the alliance and the secrets that "burned up River Tam's brain." And in his classic way, he kills off at least two characters everyone adores.
Sales soared after it was released to DVD. There has been talk of another film, but it would be difficult without the characters he killed, and all the realizations the characters went through in the movie. Although he played with the idea of it being River's dream, it seems Whedon plans to leave the mess that was Firefly/Serenity the way it is.
The show was doomed from the start. After Buffy, Fox was too eager to get another show out of Whedon. Issues rose when neither entered the filming stage with the same interpretations of how the show was to play out. A mistake made again with the creation of Dollhouse. Whedon lost almost everything after both Firefly, and then Dollhouse, failed. Now, as he gets ready to film Avengers, he tries to save what he can to make a comeback worth remembering.
