“Safe”
Written by Jane Espenson Directed by Vern Gillum The Story Serenity lands to deliver the cows to the buyers, who, it happens, are wanted for murder. A gunfight between them and local law enforcement breaks out while Mal, Zoë, Jayne, and Book are still in the area, and Book takes a nasty gunshot wound. But Simon will be unavailable to treat him, because he got hauled off by crazy hillbillies who collect tradesmen for their town. Simon helps people there, even though he’s super indignant about being kidnapped, and River eventually raises the suspicions of the townspeople with her uncanny observations. Inara convinces Mal to take Book to an Alliance facility. The Allience men are shockingly eager to treat Book. Then they return for Simon and River, just in time to save them from getting burned at the stake because these whackos think River is a witch. Things I Liked
Things I Didn’t
The Characters One of Mal’s most admirable qualities is his loyalty. He fights for his crew. He might need some nudging from Inara to remember that the Alliance have the best medical facilities in the ‘verse, but he’ll risk it for Book. And he’ll come back for Simon and River, even if it means risking the wrath of an entire backwater town. Zoë’s subtle, morbid sense of humor makes an appearance. I like the wordplay with “sanguine.” Her bedside manner is also pretty good. Fun battle stories to reassure the badly wounded man. Wash doesn’t really have enough to do in this one to get any real character development. A joke here, some flying there. Same as usual. Inara is so much more considerate than Simon. She thinks most of the stuff in that shop is junk, like he does, but she doesn’t look at it with nearly the same open disdain. If Kaylee wants to buy a nice gift for Simon, then Inara will be supportive and genuinely excited for her. Kaylee will keep smiling and pretending to agree with Simon when he insults an object she wanted to buy for him, but if he says one word against Serenity, then he’s getting the guilt trip of his life. Bahaha. I think Mr. Tam telling Simon he wouldn’t come for him again has given him serious trust and abandonment issues. Mal might just be repairing those now. I think the main purpose of this episode was for Simon to realize that even though he doesn’t enjoy so many things about life on the run, it’s all more than worth it if it means River is safe. River loves Simon as much as Simon loves her. She feels horrible that Simon had to sacrifice everything for her, and that she’s not even whole. How can she possibly repay him for everything he’s done? (I don’t think she needs to, but she clearly thinks she needs to.) Jayne is such an opportunist. I’m teetering on the verge of changing his Sorting from Gryffindor to Slytherin. More hints about Book’s mysterious backstory! This is one of the many reasons the show’s premature cancellation is so frustrating. Overall Rating 3.5/5
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The Watcher's Diary
In this blog, I'll be reviewing, analyzing, and generally fangirling over excellent television. Exhibit A: the Whedonverse. Archives
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