FIRST TIME WATCHING: Firefly Episode 9 (Ariel) - POOR RIVER!! 😣😣😣

[@robtrinreact2825]

Simon: "For this to work, River and I will have to be dead." Jayne: "I'm starting to like this plan." Poor River. The fact that she can't control her fear or any other strong emotion explained a lot. And that last scene between Jayne and Mal was exceptional, Jayne's response added another layer to his character, and was probably the only response that would cause Mal to reconsider killing him.

[@LukeMaynard]

What's remarkable is that even in the face of his death, Jayne never tells anybody what he's DOING with all his money, or why he needs so much of it to begin with. Keep an eye out for it. He's a complete mercenary who will turn on almost anyone if the price is right... but there's a reason for that, and we do get one tiny glimpse at why in one of the last episodes.

[@evsonelus4340]

In this episode, I think we can see something we have been grasping all long till here, this is not just a "crew", but a family, like Mal being the father.. and if he is the father, so Inara, the only one who stands against him, specially to protect the others, would be the mother. Jayne would be the older brother, the one who has "free opinion", goes against the father, are more violent, bigger, though, and so on, but cares about family too.. preacher not show here, but maybe a grand father? Kaylee middle sister and Simon and River the new childs on boat (and thats why Jayne doesnt like they, he is jealous about the new born ones). Zoe is more like Mal sister, since theres no sex tension amongst they both, and Walsh would be like Mal brother in law... Its a family. You can set like this or any other way you want. That is one aspect who makes this show amazing too, cos, since its a family, every single member of it is important.. and so all characters matters.

[@Smido83]

@@evsonelus4340 One small point. Book is more like the older Uncle who had seen to much in his life. The bond between Mal and Book is not strong enough to be a father son dynamic.

[@evsonelus4340]

@@Smido83 true thst. I think Kaylee as a cousin too, shes not like "a sister"... Simon and River could be "nrewborns" so jayne would be jealous of they OR recent adopted, I dunno.. we can think on it on several ways.. Its pretty amazing how they built it.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@evsonelus4340 I agree, they are almost like a family. Especially when they're gathered around the dining table. One thing to note though. "Father" Mal was totally prepared to kill "older brother" Jane for what he did. Most families don't go quite that far in discipline.

[@ayannajohnson5072]

That fancy core hospital is where Simon is at home. He has authority and confidence in this environment in a way he doesn't living on the raggedy criminal outskirts. We see him constantly out of his element, but even on the ship, he has swagger and command in a medical emergency. Love how much you love this show!

[@MsMelyjean]

The reason why Simon is not awkward is because he is in his world, his element. Doctors are a upper class in this universe and he knows how to work it. Conversely, the other crew members are uncomfortable and awkward in this situation.

[@salyx]

Came to say this!

[@nullunit]

Also, we get a glimpse of what he had to do to find River. If he was just a bumbling aristocrat he couldn't have gotten River out of whatever facility she was held in before we meet then in the pilot.

[@MsMelyjean]

@@nullunit Right, he is a genius, after all. He used his wits, his wealth, and his contacts to break into a high security government facility, save her, and escape capture.

[@Aeroldoth3]

@@MsMelyjean To add to that, I'd suggest that as an aristocrat he didn't even have "contacts". Rather, he used his wealth and wits to find and MAKE contacts, just for this highly specific purpose. If YOU had a relative held by unknown peoples in an unknown location, how would you go about solving that? How would you even find people, let alone trustworthy people who weren't just taking your money and/or secretly reporting you to the very people you're seeking, who could tell you where your loved one was, who held them, how to get in, how to get out... it boggles the mind. Would you try to find military contacts? People in the Intelligence community? Underground groups?? Simply finding River is incredibly amazing, and IMO by far the biggest hurdle. Getting her out and then getting away... almost as equally impressive.

[@sharkdentures3247]

Yep. I LOVED seeing Simon being CONFIDENT for once! (With the other medical personnel, with the Fed commander, etc.) Simon (along with being a Doctor) comes from a wealthy (& powerful?) family. He KNOWS how to command respect in the Core. (as well as just how far he can successfully "push it") And I really enjoyed watching him stand up to the Fed Leader! (even with his hands handcuffed behind his back) Very cool.

[@TwotoTenth]

Simon drilling Mal, Zoe, and Jayne on the correct answers to the medical questions, only to have the answers not come up (except that Jayne gives his anyway) is a tremendous bit of comedy, one of my favorites in the show. But at the same time, it's also a low-key cool character moment for Simon - because Simon, had he been on duty, absolutely would have grilled the paramedics, to make sure that even if they forgot something this time, they would remember it next time, and possibly save their next patient as a result. That level of dedication is so built into him that he assumes everyone else in that situation would do the same.

[@jameshitt3263]

"Don't tell 'em what I did." We seem to be on the same page on so many moments for this episode. Jayne and Mal's exchange at the end was always so striking to me. Not only because of Mal's cold (and righteous) justice (I believe he absolutely would have let Jayne die), but Jayne's reaction and the depth of character it shows. "Don't tell 'em what I did." --- That was potent! Especially coming from a character like Jayne.

[@txxredtache]

River slashed the Blue Sun logo on Jayne’s t-shirt. The show never got to explore the role of the Blue Sun corporation, but you can see the logo throughout the series.

[@michaeltempsch5282]

För instance on the labels of the canned food River tore the labels off of.

[@CaptainFrost32]

@@michaeltempsch5282 which led to the mystery meal that Simon ran afoul of, and she would not touch.

[@quentinmichel7581]

The Crybaby in the pilot was made from a Blue Sun Corp Coffee can.

[@flynngames4703]

Baldwin does an amazing job of being Jane. Is a able to capture a character that is self serving into an incredibly sympathetic person that you root for.

[@ZackScroggins]

The reason “don’t tell em what I did” saved Jayne’s life (and you’re 100% right, that is what saved him) is because he showed Mal that he was ashamed of what he had done. Hell, it showed Mal that Jayne was capable of shame in the first place. It also proved that, on some level at least, Jayne cares about the crew, at least, he cares what the crew thinks of him.

[@ZackScroggins]

Also, if you think this episode went dark, I can’t wait for you guys to get to the movie.

[@sirmoonslosthismind]

that's the sentimental take. the utilitarian take is that jayne's shame demonstrates he might still be more useful to mal alive than dead. every crewmember poses some potential liability (some more than others), but they each have something to contribute. after jayne's treachery, his contribution was in question.

[@canadianicedragon2412]

If you pay close enough attention you'll notice a pattern to River's "violence" she only reacts to certain things. It is subtle, and not quite a spoiler... with just that.

[@Rivercoon]

For a real explanation they would have needed a couple more seasons.

[@broodhunter2]

A detail that seems lost on most people: Remember when River took all the labels off the food? Blue Sun corporation food. See the shirt Jayne is wearing? Blue Sun Corporation logo. Two by two, hands of blue....

[@robtrinreact2825]

It was a really quick and sudden scene, good point :)

[@inarar5334]

And her "reasoning" that he looks better in red.

[@ceji566]

Exactly the reason i watched all episodes 3 times, so many hidden clues.

[@rayhutchinson640]

Spectacular catch!

[@quentinmichel7581]

The Crybaby in the pilot was in a Blue Sun Corp Coffee can.

[@flipfloppoet4377]

09:47 certain areas in River's brain light up as she recognizes Jayne's lie.

[@m.g.enriquez6855]

Now, that is a nice detail! 😃 I've noticed the lights in her brain before, although I guess I didn't connect it with what was happing. I thought it was just signaling River waking up. It placed a greater insight into the scene for me and was very much worth the rewatch. Cheers! When you think about it, this is also what those scientists at the "school" must have seen as well. It gives us a creepy insight into just how deep and precise their research must have been. Rob & Trin got it correct: Poor River! 😟

[@Aeroldoth3]

@@m.g.enriquez6855 I'd say it's not just (or possibly not even) sensing that Jayne is lying. A lying Jayne is hardly new, and certainly no reason to scream. I think she either sensed WHAT Jayne had set in motion (hands of blue are coming for her) or she was able to sense that they were on their way to the hospital... nothing to do with Jayne's words at all. But yes, her brain lighting up should not only have clued the audience in to her ESP abilities, but also planted the idea that Simon would later see that when reviewing the scan (since she was still being recorded when that happened). Whether Simon would connect those sections lighting up with that moment with Jayne is arguable, but the possibility is there. So Simon might have evidence of her having psychic powers... if he connects the dots.

[@lafelong]

Another detail that seems to be missed by many in that scene is Jayne's reaction when Simon is describing the part of the brain that "pushes back emotions"... something that Jayne can intimately relate to. That *should* have been enough to make Jayne abandon his plan entirely... he still went through with it, but I think he gained some real understanding of River's plight in that moment.

[@stuartrobertson5689]

​@lafelong I always thought that Jayne did change his mind in that moment when he found out what had been done to River... that's why he said the plan had changed & tried to rush them out. Unfortunately, the Feds turned up earlier than he expected so he had to revert to his original plan.

[@JakkFrost1]

Also, it's been noted a couple of times, even by Mal, that Simon isn't weak or cowardly. He's just out of his element, doesn't know how to behave, and doesn't possess the skillset more common in "uncivilized" folk.

[@BKPrice]

That last performance between Mal and Jayne is exactly why this is my favorite episode of all of them.

[@robtrinreact2825]

Absolutely it is one of our top favourite scenes!

[@CanadianAmerican]

@@robtrinreact2825 You're gonna love episode 10. Just sayin' .............

[@broodhunter2]

Throughout the show, we have seen Jayne stand down to Mal, well I suspect he has seen Mal like this before, which is WHY he backed down, the money had to be "too good" for him to risk being on the the other side from Mal. Also, Joss Whedon said that this show is really about a bunch of people looking out at the universe, and all of them seeing something different. Which is really the essence of Firefly. Seeing these different people work and come together, even with drastically different outlooks.

[@liglury175]

I really like that Mal understands what happened, and treats it as the last straw with Jayne. Jayne's life is spared only because he shows remorse and guilt. I believe Mal would have let him die if not for that plea to not tell everyone what he actually did

[@CanadianAmerican]

Agreed. Seems that Jayne did feel guilt and shame ... actually caring about what the others would think of him.

[@Torthrodhel]

You're right, and it had to be something he didn't sound like he thought would save him either. Had to be him resigned to it, showing that it still meant something.

[@DocMicrowave]

Agreed. Mal was totally prepared to kill Jayne for what he did. Not even concerned about how to explain his death to the crew. He was the Captain. This was his decision. Didn't even dwell on the repercussions. Those final words by Jane were just enough, just in time to show Mal that there may have been a glimmer of hope for Jane.

[@melaniecrouch2354]

Love your reaction. The ending of this episode is perfect. My favourite part is actually when they are searching through the trash yard and Wash picks up a catalyser that looks brand new. The same part they needed in "Out of gas". Shows the difference between the rich inner planets throwing away parts that look almost new compared the crew struggling to find that part to stay alive in the outer parts of the system. There's a lot of commentary about social disparity as a result of governing to protect the rich.

[@mkang8782]

Simon was finally in his element, so that's why he was on fire. The *only* thing that saved Jayne's ass was him accepting the consequences of his actions, and simply requesting that the others not be told what he did. When River slashed Jayne in the beginning, he was wearing a Blue Sun t-shirt. That's the cover company for the company behind the experiments on River.

[@marconatrix]

Thanks, I'd missed that important detail ...

[@mkang8782]

@@marconatrix to be fair, it's subtle and most viewers will only really pick up on it in later rewatches.

[@underAtack]

Yeah, I didn't know that (or forgot...the name "Blue Sun" sounds familiar in the context of this show, so maybe I knew it at one point)...thanks! As for Jayne's comment, I don't think it was about him accepting the consequences so much, but more about him revealing that on some level, he actually DID care about the other crew beyond himself enough that he worried about what they'd think of him after he was gone. We tend to want those important to us to remember us fondly after we die, so Mal saw that even though his drive for greed and materialism (which was firmly reinforced in the flashback last episode when he betrayed his old crew and joined the Serenity for a larger cut and his own room) is strong, his last request exposed that in the end, he did see at least some of the crew (I think specifically everyone who was crew before Episode 1) as family on some level.

[@Quessir]

The Blue Sun logo was also on the food tins she apparently randomly started unwrapping in an earlier episode.

[@thegwolf]

I always look forward to the Firefly reactions because the two of you are quick on the uptake and actually remember clues and past events from previous episodes. So I can practically see the way the puzzle of each character getting assembled live as the two of you watch events unfold. About Jayne, I like to believe that the fact that he was spared even after such actions against the crew, you can rely on him to protect them from now on. Simply because he does have a thick skull, but once he understands that the crew would come for him too, like they went back for Simon and River, he really starts to get what it means to belong to this crew.

[@primmoore6232]

8:40 - Of course medical supplies are a good heist. Remember *The Train Job?* Niska wanted the medicine those people needed. Food, like what they sold to Patience, is also a valuable black market item. 17:12 Simon called River "mei-mei" just as Mal called Kaylee that in the first episode.❤ Both girls are the "little sisters" of the crew.

[@CrowR75]

That ending is an amazing scene. Jayne is such a great character. When Kaylee gets shot, you see the difference between Jayne's bravado and Jayne the actual person. Plus, Nathan Fillion is massively underrated as an actor which makes this scene even better. His small scene in Saving Private Ryan made me cry in the movie theatre immediately and I'd held it together (just) up until that point. He has such range, and it comes across as so natural. You believe he's good and you believe he's bad.

[@ToEuropa]

A couple little bits. When Wash and Kayle were in the junkyard, Wash picks up and throws away the same part that broke in "Out of Gas". Also, the hug Mal gave Kayle in the hold was ad libbed. I agree with you that some of the best parts are when they are just being together, like the dinner scene. I've noticed that many really good shows have scenes like this, which add to characterization but don't forward the episode's plot. Star Trek: The Next Generation was great for that. Unfortunately, those are the parts that stations cut when showing repeats to increase ad times.

[@stefanforrer2573]

i might be completely wrong here, but i think in the moment where jayne says that the plan has changed and he wants to immediately get them out of the diagnostic imager, it's implied that he possibly changed his mind about selling them out after simon gave him pretty much a detailed description of what has been done to river but when the feds still caught up with them, he tried to play it off like he was still pursuing his original plan.... and at the end, his compassion for river, which he developed in that previous moment, brought him to the conclusion that he did not want river or simon to know what he did... i hope i could convey my thoughts properly, but since i'm not a native english speaker, this could just aswell come off as gibberish 😜

[@MsMelyjean]

No he did not change his mind. Immediately after leaving the imaging room, he still brought them to the agreed upon rendezvous point in order to sell them out and then asked for the reward money.

[@AndreaMGC]

Ah such a great reaction! This is by far my favourite episode (followed by Out of Gas). I loved the focus on helping River, and Jayne's character arc. Jayne has sporadic loyalty up to this point. He respects Mal, he loves Kaylee (we can see that by how he's hiding outside the med bay after Kaylee gets shot in episode 1 worried about her), he is equals with Zoe as she is the only other real fighter... and Wash he tolerates. But there's no cohesive whole for him. He's never been in a group where the whole mattered as much as the individuals in it. We can see that when we get his back story in Out of Gas. He was in a group, they worked together and got results but he turned on them easily. He was part of their group but again not a cohesive whole. So that is, conceivably, all he's ever known. In this episode he had to learn what it meant to be in a family, in a group dedicated to each other. And that's the lesson he had to learn and it really tears me up. I am so bummed the show ended before we could get a really good look at what Jayne could have become if he allowed himself to be vulnerable around the others and allowed himself to not just be in the crew but be in the family. Also the reveal of what the academy did to River turns my stomach. It's such a grim reminder of what humans are capable of and willing to do to each other. It makes River's outbursts more understandable. It's not just psychosis because of torture, it's also because she literally can't react any other way. Great episode. I absolutely love it. And your reaction was top tier.

[@TerryYelmene]

Now Firefly is going to hit its stride - be prepared to come to a new, higher appreciation with each episode from here on out... and the movie rises even much higher.

[@Emburbujada]

You're right, it's great to just see this crew spending time together. They really look like a family.

[@marconatrix]

And after a while you feel like you're one of them 🙂

[@fightscrimewhilesleeping4024]

It's funny, cause if you think about it, this episode really is "just" a "simple heist story", and yet because it's executed so well, and actually explores so much depth and dynamics for the characters, it FEELS like it's much bigger than that. The "heist" is really just a vehicle for all these great moments between the characters, which makes it so much more impactful.

[@liglury175]

What we see in this episode is Simon in his element. After all the times we saw him in the Serenity and on backward planets and moons, here we finally see what Simon looks like when he belongs - on a core planet, in a hospital, in a position of authority and knowledge. This is what Simon would have been if not for all the River mess.

[@vorbis4860]

As a plot-focused guy, this is arguably my favorite episode. Also good to see Simon in his own element.

[@sherrysink3177]

I love Nathan Fillion in this episode. In fact, seeing him in this series made me wish they'd given him so much more stuff to do on Castle, because I knew what he was capable of based on Firefly. While the show Castle was fun, and Beckett had such fascinating traumatic stories throughout the series, I felt like they didn't give Nathan enough powerhouse stuff to do of his own. Because clearly he can do it! (And it makes the Mal character so well-rounded and intense and interesting.) I remember being so mad at Jayne in this episode, but was swayed by his last comment "Don't tell them what I did." That's what saved him for Mal, and for me. This episode is probably one of the most intense episodes of the (sadly too-short) series. Especially when that guy (and all his colleagues) were killed by the blue hands guys. That blood coming out of his eyes and mouth and nose and fingernails... *SHUDDER So brutal. So gross. So terrifying. It really made those blue guys so frightening. If the series had continued beyond season 1, I imagine we would have seen a lot more of them, and this episode established just how dangerous and driven they were. Yikes.

[@karlbecker8775]

Remember when Mal asked what would happen when the money to sell him out was good enough? Jayne said, "that'll be an interesting day." Here it is. :) Two by two, hands of blue...

[@anthonydean1743]

I was glad when Nathan Fillion finally got a long running show Castle; he's such a good actor. Castle was third series Fillion was the lead that finally stuck. There was another Fox tv show that he stared called Drive that lasted only 4-7 episodes that looked really good where he is being forced into a cross country race that people are doing for cash, but he is doing to get his kidnapped wife back; I don't remember the show saying it but they heavily implied that Fillion's character was some sort of exceptional get away driver in his past.

[@larrystuder8543]

this is both things about Simon: he js in HIS place, doing his thing,he's good at it;, and, River is THE single thing that matters to him, he's willing to spend all he is for her.

[@eschiedler]

The best part is anticipating your reaction since we know (and hold onto) all the good upcoming spoilers. The worst part is knowing it will all be over much too quickly.

[@stephenzepp6536]

the clues are incredibly easy to miss because of how fast the scenes go, but consider this: 1. Was River actually trying to hurt Jayne? Or was she reacting to something she saw and immediately feared? (hint: look at his shirt) 2. In a previous episode, River suddenly started ripping the labels off of cans of food. Was this mindless action, or (again) was she reacting to something she saw (hint: see if you can find something on the food labels). 3. Whenever River appears to be babbling senselessly, treat her lines as if they were poem lines: allegorical/symbolic instead of literal. If you can catch the sense of her choice of words, she suddenly sounds incredibly lucid.

[@CaptainFrost32]

As to point 2: Simon falls victim to one of the mystery meals caused by River removing the labels previously. A meal that River will not attempt to eat.

[@randalthor741]

One thing that's worth keeping in mind is that everything River says has meaning of some sort, it's just not obviously clear what that meaning is, because she's so muddled in her own brain. So when she says that Jayne looks better in red, that's a huge hint about why she did what she did, it's just not obvious what she means by that. There's a link between her slicing Jayne with a knife in this episode and her taking the labels off the cans in an earlier episode, but you have to pay close attention to the details to see it.

[@pleutron]

damn. your guys commentary on this one was so good. watching you "love" jayne in the beginning of the episode... just like I did my first time by the way lol. you saying "if mal finds out about this...". I was like, "just wait a few gorram minutes":P I really enjoyed this one.

[@SaulOhio]

Simon has always had that courage, even if it is inspired by his love for his sister. Remember when he jumped off the catwalk in the cargo bay going after the fed cop that had River at gunpoint.

[@Quessir]

Mal even makes a point of saying that Simon isn't weak, tells it to him directly in the first episode when offering Simon and River a place on the ship. "You ain't weak, and that's not nothing".

[@becca1189]

I know it's a great show when I can go from feeling bad for a character, to wanting to punch them in the face, to feeling hopeful for the characters redemption all in one episode. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@doorran]

something that doesn't get a lot of thought anymore is the commercial break in each episode.. they were required to put them in because it aired on prime-time TV. The breaks are so skillfully done that I don't think I've ever seen it does better.

[@CaptainFrost32]

Part of that is that Whedon found out the automated system used by the networks. It recognizes a specific amount of total blackness then cuts to commercial. Joss and his team researched how close to total black could be achieved before triggering the cutoff. Once that was found, he took steps to patent/copyright/trademark/whatever was required to lay claim to that color. The networks could not adjust the automatic system to exclude his color mix. It allowed him to add time to a scene for the audience to mull it over before moving on. He also established the scenes to require theater widescreen aspects instead of television broadcast aspects, shooting the scenes with both cameras and choosing the best cuts in editing. [This explains scenes such as Wash not holding Serenity's control yoke that made it to air. The previous takes had been tv aspect and his hands were below the margin, ans the scene was not reblocked for the widescreen aspect.]

[@kclightman]

This one is actually my very favorite episode, because of the tension and horror and how you don't know what's going to happen next. I think this Simon is Simon in his element. He's been a fish out of water this whole time but he really is very capable.

[@scipio7837]

Each episode is "shiny." Some are just more "shiny."

[@nihongodragon6485]

::glancing back and forth between you both:: You know that trope of watching someone else watching a show you love? I wind up giggling and gasping and holding my breath as you react. This is SO much fun!!

[@boqndimitrov8693]

Buffy, Castle, Firefly ... Nathan Gilliam definitely has something to be proud of!

[@CaptainFrost32]

"Gilliam"?

[@boqndimitrov8693]

another mistake of Google translator. sometimes you can correct it indefinitely, but he writes down what he has decided. to go crazy!

[@CaptainFrost32]

@@boqndimitrov8693 I have seen the autocorrect feature foul up often enough that I have made it a running joke as Kount Otto Von Korrekt in superhero fiction.

[@KevinLockamy]

In the junkyard, Wash picks up the part from 'Out of Gas', then tosses it over his shoulder.

[@robtrinreact2825]

hahaha omg, wish i noticed that 😂😂😂 thank you for telling me lol

[@evsonelus4340]

Hi Rob and Trim, great reactions, Im enjoying a lot to re-watch Firefly with you guys. I love your comments, a lot, and so I want give you something too (not spoiler, I swear). Its a past episode, Safe, and I recall Rob ALWAYS says he loves those scenes with the table, so, the very last scene of episode Safe (the one River and Doc get kidnapped in a planet while Mal is selling some catles), the last scene is a table one. You see everybody sitting there, there are talking but you cant identify clear whats is being talked and... And few people notices this happens on the scene, but theres a bread chest, and when River gets the chest to take a bread from it, Jayne take the chest out of her hands and grab a bread for himself (and put the bread on his plate). But then, instead of return the chest to River get her bread, he pass it foward.. River then looks around, and, well... she takes the bread from jayne's plate.. who looks to her with a mad/perplexe face, but instead of fight her, he tries to reach the bread chest again, I think it will be in Zoe's hand now. Its just a small curiosity about a past episode, and yes, I love those table scenes too ;-)

[@sean---the-other-one]

Another awesome episode. Jayne is our main, visible protagonist (the Alliance, Reavers, and Hands Of Blue guys are worse, but more of an impending threat than a constant combative force). It’s inevitable that this episode came as it was foreshadowed in the pilot episode: - How come you didn’t turn on me Jayne? - Money wasn’t good enough - What happens when it is? - Well… that’ll be an interesting day - I ‘spect it will So, we were always going to get a betrayal from Jayne. But the question now is, what has this episode done to him. We know he was deeply affected by the idea of being a hero in Jaynestown, and struggled with why someone would die for him. He didn’t see value in himself, nor did he previously have faith in the idea that people did stuff altruistically “There ain’t people like that.” he said, before uttering what he realises is a sad concept “There’s just people like me.” As for the one sentence that saved him in this episode, on the surface it means one thing, but underlying it is something far more important “Don’t tell ‘em what I did” on the surface sounds like he doesn’t want to be remembered for having betrayed them, which, whilst important, can be seen as having selfish origins (i.e. I don’t want to be remembered badly). But Jayne doesn’t really care what people would think of him when he’s gone. The true message, the one that Mal responded to, is that he realised what that betrayal would do to the trust that the crew has in each other. They stand together to overcome outward opposition, and they can deal with that. But if they are unsure of whether the person they’re with could stab them in the back, they lose strength, and humanity. So, it’s obvious Jayne has an arc. The question remains as to where it will go. And what would the plan have been over the seasons they would have expected to be able to tell the story over. This is why Jayne is my favourite character. It’s much harder for the other characters to grow in positive ways, since they’re already quite likeable and reasonably ’complete’. Not saying there’s not stories for them, some of the episodes ahead are brilliant, but it’s Jayne that’s got do much wiggle room in his character.

[@JKTritt]

Fun Fact - The Ambulance Shuttle was sent to a scrap yard after the studio cleaned out all the sets. A fan found it and a group was formed to buy and restore it. They then took it to sci-fi conventions to display. I have no idea where it is now.

[@milescoburn1845]

More excellent reactions, you two! I'm so happy you were bang on the reason Mal let Jayne live is because when he said, "Don't tell 'em what I did. Make something up", Mal could see Jayne DOES care what the rest of them think of him. And it's a short step from there to actually caring about everyone else. The "two by two, hands of blue" guys. Did you notice they never blink?

[@annapurna4054]

See? That's one of the reasons I love you guys so much. Both of you really get it. I've watched a lot of Firefly reactions, and many of the reactors missed the significance of Jayne asking Mal not to tell the others what he did. But you instantly understood that's what saved his life. Many of them thought Mal was bluffing, but he wasn't. I believe he 100% would have let Jayne die for his betrayal, if not for that. This was a significant character development moment for Jayne. He's still far from perfect, but it shows us he's a more layered character than many of us had previously suspected. I love every single episode of this show, but this and Out of Gas and one more that you've yet to see are probably my top three favorites. Or, to be more accurate, this and Out of Gas, plus two more episodes that lie ahead are all tied for my favorite ep. LOL! I love each of them equally for different reasons. Can't wait till you get to those!

[@dunringill1747]

Hmm, @Anna Purna - We might be on the same wavelength here. For me, my favorite 4 episodes are "Out of Gas", "Ariel", and two that lie ahead written below ... "War Stories", & "Objects in Space"

[@annapurna4054]

@@dunringill1747 Ha! Yes, we are absolutely on the same wavelength! You got 'em both. 😂

[@dunringill1747]

@@annapurna4054 Yes! Great minds think alike 😜😂

[@VoIcanoman]

I love the way this episode mirrors "The Train Job." Both times, we see them steal medicine, both times, Jayne goes off and does something stupid, and both times, someone needs to be rescued from custody by the others. Something tells me the parallels were 100% intentional. Every Firefly episode from "Our Mrs. Reynolds" until "War Stories" is the best episode (in my opinion) as every one of them has been my favourite at one point or another. For a long time it was "Jaynestown" (because of the tonal shift, and the message regarding the need to find meaning in the chaos of life, Book with his faith and the mudders with Jayne) but "Out of Gas" is phenomenal too...the line "everybody dies alone" gives me chills every time. "Ariel" has also been at the top of my list sometimes, because of that scene at the end with Jayne and Mal, and "War Stories" has been there too, due to the torture scenes with Mal and Wash. And Christina Hendricks' two episodes are stunning as well, due to her incredible acting, and the way she changes the dynamic of the crew. Oh, what this show could've been...but at least we got 14 episodes and a movie. I wonder how many incredible television shows have never gotten even that, for whatever banal reasons studio executives might have.

[@menotu000]

Watching Firefly and the movie Serenity will become a yearly event for you just like the rest of us... and we all see something we missed the last time each time we watch. Welcome baby browncoats. :)

[@mogu73]

He was wearing a Blue Sun shirt. That's who is after River.

[@eddiemi]

Love your breakdown of episodes. Would love to see you two do Orphan Black. Loaded with reality based science (fiction), featuring one of the great acting performances in tv history.

[@undercoverasiant696]

"You're Damm right."

[@tinyderppotato5410]

yes, a 100% this! orphan black would suit you both so well

[@Guy8417]

What i like about Mals speech to Jayne is that if you look at Jaynes face when Mal, who is normally very stoic and...not quite unemotional but detatched, passionately talks about his crew, you can see Jayne is truly seeing the Captain for the first time (kinda like how he saw Simon for the first time when he was chewing out the other doctor) and that he would never turn on them or turn anyone in for money. I think he realized how truly he effed up when he realized that Mal would be just as loyal to him as they were all a family of sorts. That is what made him feel guilty and care what the others thought of him in the end. There really was no gain for Jayne in making the request...he would'nt know, he'd be dead. I think Mal saw that and understood that a part of Jayne had this realization, because i think he really would have gone thru with it. Mal is honorable and a good man, but don't fuck with him or his chosen people cause he don't play around!

[@warrengday]

My fav. Very rewatchable. Exciting every time.

[@dennytaylor1005]

Great reaction once again. This was one of my favorite episodes. (How can we say that about all the episodes?) In this episode you hate Jayne. At the end he's getting his just desserts .... but you still feel for him as he says, "Don't tell them what I did." He knows he's going to die ... but he finally shows a conscience. Favorite Episode Quote: When Jayne tells Mal at the end, "Make something up. Don't tell them what I did." Favorite Episode Scene: When Jayne blurts out his portion of what he learned about the cortical electrodes.

[@chavt66]

BTW, when simon calls River "Mei mei", that means little sister in Mandarin. If you remember in episode 1, when Kaylee is shot, Inara also screams "No, mei mei"!

[@dalesharp9953]

Another Great reaction. This is one of my favorite episode. I love the heist job as well as the scene between Mal and Jayne. I wasn't surprised about Jayne's betrayal, but I thought it would be later on in the series. I don't think the were officially cancelled, but it was mentioned as conventions that they were on edge. After the movies, you should go back and rewatch it. You catch so much that you missed.

[@catmanjesus1476]

Here dropping my like and comment, everyone have a good 420😊

[@salyx]

I’m not sure if others have said this before but: it’s highly recommended that you watch the movie and post it in two parts. It will be worth it, trust me! Also, great heist episode! We get to see Simon in his element (finally), we see a bit of what the Hands of Blue are capable of, and some amazing acting at the end. Rob, you’re not the only one who tears up at that scene, it’s so highly charged.

[@gryphonlsb]

I have been a fan since the day Train Job first aired and have been in the browncoats since I first heard about it. Watching you guys doing this brings me so much joy. Its a blast seeing someone come to love a show that means so much to me and my friends. You two are amazing.

[@JakkFrost1]

In case nobody's mentioned, "Meimei" is essentially Chinese for "little sister", both literally, and sometimes as a term of endearment for a younger female, related or otherwise, kinda like sweetheart/sweetie in English.

[@morganoconnell9824]

The hardest question put to a browncoat is not their favorite episode… we pick ones which touch you the most, it’s which is the worst episode…. I still can’t figure it out

[@DocMicrowave]

I always have a good chuckle when I see the "coffins" they bring River and Simon in on. They are the same model of Thule cargo carrier that I have on the roof of my SUV. All they did is remove the Thule logo from the case. What ever works I guess for a futuristic patient carrier.

[@seebee925]

Mal and Jayne in this episode is badass. Eat and be eaten. Mal, who knows he needs loyalty and social stability on his Serenity, and Jayne oppertunistic. I think that was a very difficult decision for Mal. - Another completely different episode. Different kind of tension.

[@davidedwards1705]

5:21 River needs a Hug. 7:57 What he sacrificed for River. 13:30 The ones sent to bring back River. Be very afraid.

[@Wolf-ln1ml]

Funny thing, they got the function of the amygdala pretty much exactly backwards. It's the part of the brain that "generates" the "higher" emotions in the first place (while the "lower" ones that developed far earlier like fear are situated in our "lizard brains" (limbic cortex)). So without her amygdala, River would *_not_* have any of the "higher", more complex (social) emotions (and there wouldn't be any significant change when it comes to the "lower" ones). As far as I know, what allows us to "push emotions back" is a more complex process that's not located in one specific area of the brain (though our frontal lobe probably plays a major role).

[@heather9857]

5:28 I laughed so hard with what was coming. So glad I found your channel. Your reaction to Firefly is the best.

[@michaelshea8086]

Jayne is wearing a blue sun shirt and River slashes the blues sun logo is exactly where she slashes his shirt.

[@jadejewel6586]

I saw Nathan in Buffy Season 7 before I saw Firefly! His character scared me so much. I didn't really want to watch him in Firefly, but my late husband assured me that I would love him and every one in Firefly!! He was right! Loved Mal within the first five minutes!

[@julie_eva]

When Simon calls River "mèi mei", it means "little sister"

[@CanadianAmerican]

Adam Baldwin was actually worried that he was being written out of the show. I'm glad that wasn't the case. As for River taking a knife to Jayne, there are a few theories; the one I agree with the most is that River had a premonition about what Jayne was going to do. This is probably my second favorite episode after "Out of Gas." Oh, but get ready for episode 10, Rob and Trina. It's another AWESOME episode !!!

[@brauliob]

I can't believe no one's mentioned that the part that Wash picks up and throws in the junk yard is the exact part they needed to fix Serenity in the last episode (Out of Gas) which was also mentioned in the first episode when Kaylee told Mal that things were wearing down.

[@dunringill1747]

Weird, I thought I read that so I kept it out of my comment. It could be that I expected to see it so I did, lol.

[@Dylan_Platt]

Everybody's already said it, but yeah -- great episode overall, elevated to phenomenal by that incredible final scene between Mal and Jayne. Great reaction y'all!

[@DocMicrowave]

Another little bug that thought was odd. Mal openned the bay doors while the ship was in atmospheric flight heading to space. You'd think a red indicator or alarm would have went off on the bridge telling Wash the outer doors are ooen and ships seals have been compromised. I'd like to think that alert system as just another thing that is broken, or not working right on the ship.

[@kevinlaw6185]

I might be wrong, but I've always thought that the part that Wash tosses when he and Kayla are in the junkyard is the same part that broke and almost killed them all in Out of Gas. Which is ironic as hell, if I'm correct. I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm right or not.

[@kevinlaw6185]

One other thing I should add for Rob and Trin (and I apologize if someone else has already mentioned it) is that, when they're in the hold, right after returning from the heist, and Mal grabs Kaylee and hugs her, that was completely improvised by Nathan Fillion. It wasn't in the script. I love knowing that, and watching her face when he does it.

[@kevinlaw6185]

Oh, and "No, Mei Mei - time to wake up" is another line that chokes me up every time.

[@ronaldjeffrey8712]

That is indeed the same part.... the part Kaylee also referred to earlier in the series as needing to be replaced.

[@lilrizq]

I think "Mei Mei" is like "Little Sister" or something like that in Manderin.

[@Smido83]

Here is a fun fact. Do you guys remeber the scene when River ripped the logos of the can's? Those were "Blue Sun Company" logos. Now rewatch the scene where River cuts Jayne's shirt. What is the logo on the shirt? "Blue Sun Company" ... Her cutting Jayne had nothing to do with him. He was just in the shirt when she destroyed the logo on it...

[@richardb6260]

Fillion played Caleb, an evil preacher, in the last season of Buffy. Probably most memorable for what he did to Xander.

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

Nathan Fillian is also in Saving Private Ryan. He plays James Fredrich Ryan!

[@jeremykothe2847]

Jayne was wearing a Blue Sun shirt. Blue Sun tortured River. "He looks better in red".

[@mbavdegrassidc1]

River slashed Jane for the same reason she removed the labels from the cans in a previous episode. Live your reactions!

[@dunringill1747]

This is one of my favorite episodes, and my list of favorites are not done yet. I don't think it is a spoiler to say this - Joss Whedon expected 5 seasons at 22 - 24 episodes packed with story. So every episode we see is following that 5 season arc. Even though the show is episodic, there is still a tie in with events and character development that makes this proper viewing order important. Simon really shines this episode. He devotion for protecting his sister is what drives him and this episode pushes that drive to a higher bar. Notice how Mal works to keep his "scolding" on a one on one basis with each of his crew. Early in the episode he reminds Jayne that Simon and River are part of the crew. When Jayne leaves in anger, only then does Mal issue his demands to Simon to keep River in check or "we revisit the deal". Keeping issues at a 1 on 1 is the mark of a great leader. We are in agreement - the Mal / Jayne end scene is brilliant. Jayne's moment of genuine shame was the only thing convincing Mal that Jayne is worth redemption and not death. I like to believe Jayne's character growth from Jaynestown is what gave him that genuine concern over what the crew might think. Imagine how humble Jayne will be when Mal decides to let him out of the exit bay. 1:03 "It smells like crotch". This scene involves a call back to the "mystery meals" from when River was ripping off can labels. Then River takes a knife and slashes across Jayne's shirt. The can labels & Jayne's shirt both had the "Blue Sun Corporation" logo on them. I don't think it is a spoiler to say the "Blue Sun Corp." is a company front for certain government "secret projects". 14:33 Mal grabs Kaylee, turns her around to face the camera. This was improvised. Nathan wanted to make certain Jewel's face was in the shot. Just like Mal watches over his crew, Nathan watches over his co-stars.

[@sirmoonslosthismind]

jayne: what are you taking it so personal for? it ain't like i ratted you out to the feds! mal: but you did! you turn on any of my crew, you turn on me! fox: what are you taking it so personal for? it ain't like i laid you off! fans: but you did! you turn on any of my crew, you turn on me!

[@robertanderson6929]

The way I have it figured for Simon is that when he is on the ship and away from the central planets he is out of his element and therefore timid and unsure. But in that hospital he knows he's the smartest person in the room and he is used to having the power and prestige that comes from someone with his wealth and position. So, he deals with the doctor and the Federal police like someone who is their superior in terms of class, wealth, position and intellect.

[@sokolov22]

You are absolutely right, but even if that wasn't the case, as soon as it was obvious River was in danger, "Big Brother" Simon would have come out.

[@robertanderson6929]

@@sokolov22 For sure that is the case. And of course he brought her back when she didn't want to come. So, guilt and the need to rectify that mistake is got to be a huge motivation. I just think the change in which he deals with people is a subtle indication that while Simon is a "fish out of water" in Mal's world that in this one Simon would giving the orders and people would be obeying him. The other reason I believe this is because of the scene where Zoe shocks the other doctor. His attitude toward them is a sign that on the central planets hierarchies of power are very much integrated with their society.

[@DocMicrowave]

I always wondered if River was sensing what was to come and was proactively striking out at Jane with the slashing.

[@Torthrodhel]

I'm with you on this episode feeling like a movie. Awesome episode.

[@SighKronmiller]

There is a subculture of Brown Coats now, it's amazing.

[@jonathanpatch5281]

There's a scene in The Matrix where Cipher and Neo are alone on the bridge and Cipher says, "I know what you're thinking: I should have taken the blue pill." It works in the moment as the kind of dark humor common on these types of shows, but in the next scene we see Cipher in the matrix eating a steak with one of the Agents and arranging to rat the team out. We realize that no...he really wants to have taken the blue pill, and his comment was in deadly earnest. So when Simon says that for this to work, he and River will have to be dead, Jayne says he's startin' to like this plan. And the rest of the crew and everyone in the audience are like, "Hey...just Jayne being Jayne."

[@NomeDeArte]

5:35 yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh totally, he realy cares.

[@tvdroid22]

The meds WERE the money. Simon quoted the street value of the drugs. Steal then sell.

[@nullunit]

Rewatching with y'all is a good reminder of how good this show was. The modern structure of prestige streaming shows would be a good fit for a reboot or continuation of the show. With Joss revealed to be an abusive shithead, Mo Tancheroen and Jed Whedon who picked many of Joss' best qualities as a showrunner and have a proven record, could do it and maintain some of that "Whedon" identity to the writing and tone. By the end of Agents of Shield they had really nailed a tone that reminded me of some of Joss' peak shows.

[@Fordy23]

Just found this channel and spent my day off catching up on the walking dead vids. Can’t wait for the next one

[@StevesFunhouse]

Love your reactions you two !!! Wish there were lots more episodes, but I feel that God took them so we'd have something to watch up there 😉😊👍😎👀

[@ruthrunyon5515]

I really enjoy the commentary from you two. I love, love this show. You can see why it pinfold it wasn’t continued, But then I wonder if they could have maintained the wonderful blend of characters. Who knows but I’m glad I own it and the movie.

[@ronaldjeffrey8712]

I keep telling myself that what makes this show so great is that it never had the chance to jump the shark.

[@calanor4130]

There were some _really_ dark episodes planned for future seasons, including one that would explain what was in the syringe shown in episode one.

[@donaldgilbert6739]

Great reaction!

[@sher-at-home]

I really want you guys to do Ozark, but only when you have less shows on your plate because I would need 2 reaction episodes a week😁

[@robtrinreact2825]

hahahaha on the list 😅

[@haukionkannel]

Simon is genius top of the class form the episode 1... Now we did see a glimpse of what he could be in his own element! So yeah definitely Simon moment... But just think what Simon may have to do before episode one to get his sister out from top secret government facility... yeah... He has it! He is not stupid.. just a dick with his own relations ;) Also not fear full when the matter is his sister.

[@cirrustate8674]

Near the end of the pilot episode, Mal and Jayne are in the cockpit, and Mal asks Jayne "why didn't you turn on me", Jayne replies "Money wasn't good enough", Mal asks "What happens when it is" and Jayne answers "Well, that'll be an interesting day", so when you, at the start of this, said that this will be an interesting episode, well, I nearly lost it.