Ariel
Firefly Episode Review
In which Jayne does bad things and Mal is awesome.
What Happened
Simon works up a plan to get himself and River into an Alliance hospital, hoping to use their diagnostic equipment to find out what happened to her at the Academy. To cover the cost of their help, he gives Mal a list of drugs they can lift from the hospital supply cabinet, but Jayne has other plans for making money.
Jayne turns Simon and River in to the Alliance, then winds up in handcuffs himself. As the mysterious Men of Blue arrive to take River into their custody, the prisoners break free and escape. Though they all make it back to the ship, Mal realizes what Jayne did and does something about it.
He locks Jayne in the airlock as the ship is leaving the atmosphere and cracks the outer door, threatening to blow Jayne out into space. When Jayne seems to display some regret, however, Mal lets him live.
The Good
- In arguing that Mal should kick Simon and River off the ship, Jayne plays to his protective instincts by pointing out that Crazed-River could go after Kaylee next.
- Oh. Bad Jayne, turning them in.
- So Mal's basic move is to look confused while Zoe hits people from behind.
- Simon has a little spine: calling the flunky's bluff and kneeling on that guy's neck. And he has a brain, grabbing the gun for Jayne.
- Mal's wordless "Well, are you coming?" shrug at the door.
The Bad
- Nothing.
The Cliche
- The whole heist gone wrong / captured and rescued story, but they did it so well.
- Threatening to toss Jayne out the airlock, then changing his mind. Jayne is in the opening credits, but that's never stopped Whedon before. I certainly wondered if Mal would do it. Good suspense.
Best Lines
Mal: "You could be meditating on your very own rock garden."
Jayne: "Beats just sitting."
Wash: "It is just sitting."
Kaylee: "Couldn't do some shopping at the triplex ... ooh, synchronizers." So cute!
What Did I Think?
Cool heist episode. Good development for Jayne and for Simon.