In Disbelief Watching SERENITY! First Time Watching | Movie Reaction

[@Skye_Writer]

Mal knows Zoe so well, they have a true war-buddy almost sibling bond. It always gets me when he takes the time to stop and ask her, "Are you here?" because he knows what she's going through inside.

[@SquiresIsle]

It always hits me when Mal/Nathan Fillion looks straight into the camera and says "Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down." This movie only exists because the fans refused to let the show die. The cast, crew, everyone was very clear about the fact that 13-episode TV series do not get theatrical movie releases without a huge outpouring of fan love.

[@unluckydiablo9502]

My line was Mals "I aim to misbehave." speach. He knows the stakes, he knows what might happen, but this is bigger than them, and thats one thing Mal believes in.

[@jerryfick613]

That was Joss' acknowledgment, and thank you to the fans who made it possible.

[@FulcanMal]

"They never lay down". Damn. I've seen this movie a million times and I don't know why I never made that connection.

[@jasoncaldwell5627]

My favorite part is when they're planning how to hit the Alliance, Jane slides hos drink to Simon- FINALLY accepting him into the fold.

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Waaaaaait!! I missed that!

[@StarlasAiko]

It is a great point of characterisation that it was Jayne who was the first to demand that the video is shut off. It is deliberately kept ambiguous whether he was the most disturbed and first to not be able to keep watching or if he was the least disturbed and the first to be able to respond rationally. And I have not yet seen any Reactor note on the fact that the tunnel where they hunkered down in at the end was completely dark, but when River resolves to take an active part and protect them instead of always being the one being protected, the lights all turn on, singifying the completion of her story arc.

[@Cobinja]

If you want to know the official version of Shepherd's past, there's a graphic novel called The Shepherd's Tale. I personally like to think he's a retired Operative who was as good as or even better at his job than the one in the movie. Would also explain why the Alliance took care of him no questions asked in "Safe".

[@mizrolist]

And it also gives a reason why Jubal Early took him out so fast in Objects in Space.

[@toriasygramul7128]

That is my favotite theory too ever since I watched the movie for the first time. It also fits his conviction, that a person has to believe in something. That is the sentiment of someone who lost one absolute belief (in the alliance) and had tu struggle to find another (in god).

[@frankiek2269]

@@toriasygramul7128. There is an explanation to his past. It’s not a theory, it’s his back story. It wasn’t revealed until circa 2009 in the comic books. But his character arc could be an entire 3 year series on its own.

[@PeterSedesse]

I always kinda thought there was a 'circle of life' thing... where at the end of this movie, the 'bad guy' was kinda setting up to become the next Shepard.

[@falxonPSN]

​@@PeterSedesseabsolutely. That is the strong implication.

[@Sephiroth144]

You have to remember, this movie was two hours to wrap up a series that had roughly four more seasons planned- and came out several years after the series was canceled. It wasn't gonna (be able to) get everything tidied up. Wish we had gotten those seasons, but Serenity at least gave a feeling of finality, even if it came far too soon.

[@kevinstanton5998]

One of the things that makes Serenity great, is I saw it before Firefly and wasn't lost at all. I loved it. My wife had seen firefly so we bought the dvds to watch it all :) its a great time for old and new fans

[@IslandpferdeHaukagil]

Same here. Watched Serenity first and loved it right away. Didn't find out about the tv show until a year later.

[@thomasharris4942]

Same. The opening scene is a master class in fine exposition by showing and not telling. I loved this movie having never seen a single ep of Firefly. Of course now I've seen em all several times.

[@dariusthegr8one81]

Same. I just thought it was a dope sci fi flick with a great villain. no context whatsoever. Didn’t watch the show til years later tbh. Owned the dvd for this though

[@Atlas_Redux]

Add me to the "same" group.

[@JerriBlank]

i had seen firefly but my mom and brother hadn't, so when we got back from the theater i explained the deal with firefly and its unjust cancellation and then grabbed my dvds and they binged it with me.

[@paulcurlin2789]

40:58 It may be the saddest thing that Wash couldn't see Zoe in this slinky dress . . . 😞

[@urborg74]

It hurt so bad to lose Shepard and Wash but in retrospect it's such a masterstroke, because it puts REAL fear in you for the rest of the characters. Losing Shepard was a "Oh no! Well, now the team is mad, time for payback!" moment and it lulled us into a sense of security for the remaining characters. Surely they wouldn't kill more than 1 of the team. When Wash died so suddenly and unexpectedly it had all of us questioning and genuinely fearing for everyone. Your reaction was spot on and a lot of fun to watch, even had me chopping onions in the end. Kudos.

[@RicoRaynn]

It's one of the reasons I seriously love Serenity (and Firefly). It's damn heartbreaking to see both of them die, but man does it hammer home the stakes. As soon as Wash dies, you start to question if any of them are going to make it. And what a beast Zoe is. I've been to combat and had friends die, but seeing your spouse murdered and then still having the mind to do what needs to be done...that level of strength is incredible.

[@Mvaughn941]

@@tehaon I dont know about Book, but I have heard that about Wash

[@jasonrd316]

100% agreed. That real sense of impending fear only comes because of both of those deaths...Shepard was the "obligatory" death, Wash was the 'Oh shit, you mean everyone might not make it?!" death. Fantastic writing!

[@OpenMawProductions]

I never want them to remake this show. There's just no way to recapture the rough-around-the-edges earnestness of this group of characters. Joss really was full of passion for this world. You can't recreate that in the modern world of creation by executive compromise that we have now. Tim Minear and Joss Whedon made Firefly/Serenit what it was, as did this specific cast. Anything beyond that is just going to cheapen it. I was glad that the film killed off some of the cast, and concluded the primary story line. There's no reason, other than waxing nostalgic, to return here again. Enjoy it for what it is. a small set of really great episodes, and a pretty good movie.

[@Pink.andahalf]

I watched this movie years before seeing Firefly. It works surprisingly well as a standalone story.

[@OpenMawProductions]

The opening is designed to give you everything you need to know. It's the future. Earth has been abandoned. We have a bunch of colonies in another solar system. Alliance = bad, Indepedents = good. River = Run away. Alliance = wants river. Where is she hiding? Serenity. Boom, you're in. The downside is the poster title scene, the one-shot, always rubs people who have seen the show as "off" because of the shot work going on, and because they have Simon and Mal cover ground they already got past in the show. Somewhat needed though either way so we know where the characters are at now. It does make sense in a way, that their nerves are frayed. They're missing their spiritual guide, and aren't quite a whole family.

[@ernesthakey3396]

​​@@OpenMawProductions Exactly - they're missing both their spiritual guides - not just Book, but Inara as well.

[@onegemini420]

The Subliminal message from the Odi Bar commercial is also the company that was on the canned goods when River started tearing the labels off. It is also the logo on Jane's shirt when he slices him with the knife.

[@valashar5313]

36:15 Might settle your mind a bit to know that the Firefly story does continue from here in official comics, and that at the time of the film's events Zoe was already pregnant. Their daughter is shown in the comics.

[@JerriBlank]

they have been putting out books the past few years, a 9th (i think) came out this past spring, they take place between the show and movie so book and wash are alive

[@trulybtd5396]

They wanted to keep the door open for more firefly movies, but Alan Tudyk and Ron Glass could not commit, so they were dramatically written out. The effect of killing wash was exactly as intended, it left the audience with the feeling that noone was safe in the final act.

[@johncampbell756]

Killing them because they couldn't commit seems like petty BS to me. They hadn't started filming g this film. There isno filming date for any sequels. Alan in particular is a very in demand actor. Just because he couldn't commit then, doesn't mean he wouldn't be available if and when a sequel was made. I was done. One of the reasons, I never read the comics, etc. They killed my future interest.

[@7thsealord888]

@@johncampbell756 Ron Glass was terminally ill, and everybody knew it, when he appeared on 'Serenity'. This was one of his last dramatic performances

[@johncampbell756]

@7thsealord Killing his character mainly bothered me in not fitting his backstory. I have no interest in the books or comics. If it wasn't filmed, we didn't learn it. I got to meet Ron at an event in 2004. Very nice guy.

[@MrZeek1519]

@johncampbell... FWIW, Joss Whedon was a consultant on most of the comics, so they are canon.

[@Kesedrith]

"River?" Sorry Mal, she became an avatar of Kali and grew two extra sets of arms wielding flaming weapons.

[@stevenvicijan4338]

Hard not to cry, and in essence this very point makes the movie a powerful one. Of course, so much was left on the table and that is the agony that comes after its finality . . .

[@michaelshea8086]

If you want more, watch the commentaries for each episode and for the movie. Also "Behind the Scenes Nathan Fillion" also the outtakes tapes and the " River Tam Sessions".

[@Bill_pierre]

The reason Book replied to Mal saying "No, I don't" after Mal mentioned Book would some day need to explain his past is because Mal (and us the viewer) have seen many moments throughout the show, where Book seemed to have not only strong knowledge (and capabilities) of combat, but also the world of secret police activities, espionage, spy craft, covert ops, counter intelligence, even top level government and military workings. He knows far more than any soldier or even upper ranking officers would likely know. We see this scene not long after getting an idea of who this operative is and what he does. The immediate shift from basically a "who the F are you!?" to "Apologies. An operative of the parliament will, of course, have full cooperation" is not unlike the immediate shift or tone earlier in the show, when Book gets shot during the cattle sale, and the Alliance officer tells them to piss off, then after seeing Book's ID, the officer wants Book rushed to medical care ASAP. However, we can also see that Book is a truly good man and seems to feel right at home with the people and places the crew visit. Was he an Operative? Was he an agent of the Independents, working undercover as an Operative with the Alliance? A spy? A member of Parliament working undercover? Was he perhaps someone who wasn't an operative but worked around that sphere of top secret, clandestine stuff? Book knows Mal has seen enough to have a general idea (so have we), so when Mal says Book will need to explain it some day, Book simply says, "No, I don't... [you already know]"

[@larryyeadeke2953]

It's an awesome shot when the doors open and River is standing there. But the question is, who opened the doors?

[@ernesthakey3396]

River hit the button with an elbow or a kick or something.

[@tankosaurus]

16:05 DAMN IT NIA!! I just took a big mouth full of water right at this moment! Blissfully unaware a joke was imminent. Bloody good one though, haha XD

[@NiaMakiReacts]

😂 😂 sorry about that one

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great review...👍

[@george217]

And now the Captain is a rookie cop in L.A. and the X.O. is an EMT Captain in Austin...

[@dalesharp9953]

Great reaction. This movie had to be made for fans and people who never saw the show. The Miranda story line was supposed to be revealed at the end of season 2. Book's death helped Mal find belief in something again. Wash's death was to show how dangerous this life is. It was also said the actor were asked to design for multiple movies if this movie was popular enough. Alan and Ron couldn't commit to additional movies due to other commitments. There are comic books/graphic novels that explore more back stories and future adventures. If you want more of Book's back story, you should read A "A Shepards Tales." Titan Books also have a series of books/audiobooks. The time period is Object in Space and this movie.

[@NiaMakiReacts]

I will never not cry for them 😭 the books are definitely a must, hopefully over the summer

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

"Old men covered in blood. Never touched them, but they're drowning in it." Is a reference to the "key members of Parliament" that personally observed her at the facility. They're the ones who have caused all the misery and death in among all their worlds. But as politicians, they're never the ones who did the deeds, just gave the orders. So, "they're drowning in it"...but it "never touched them".

[@margretrosenberg420]

When this was filmed it was hoped that it would bring new fans to _Firefly,_ which might have resulted in extra movies being made. Therefore all the cast were asked to sign contracts committing to extra films. But Alan Tudyk and Ron Glass had already signed contracts for other jobs and couldn't make that commitment. Whedon needed to write them out so that if and when those other movies were shot there would be no questions about where they were. This is why Shepherd Book and Wash had to die. And then, unfortunately, _Serenity_ was marketed in such a way that _Firefly_ fans could buy up most of the tickets, which they did, and almost no new fans were made because they couldn't get into the theaters to see the movie. So we lost Wash and Shepherd for nothing except a heightened sense that everything was on the line here; they could all die.

[@pleutron]

just starting this... I know you're going to love this

[@KingApeiron]

"I refuse to cry today!" You picked the wrong film! 😂

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Man!!!!!!!!!!! I hoped it was just more space cowboy fun not…NOT… 😭 😭 😭 I don’t wanna say it

[@ashleytuchin7693]

Congratulations, you're now officially a Browncoat, having experienced the shared trauma that binds us all together. I'm not going to lie, there's a certain sadistic pleasure that comes from seeing reactors experience THAT scene for the first time. Just be thankful that it wasn't spoiled for you, when I first saw it the "leaf on the wind" scene had been memed to death, so I already knew about it. You've probably heard this already, but the show was originally meant to go for seven seasons and when the cancellation lead to the movie, there were hopes for a trilogy, which is why there are still plenty of questions and plot threads left unexplored. Ron Glass and Alan Tudyk were also the only cast members unable to commit to any future sequels, so their characters were killed in service of the story, and you can't deny how effective that was. I'm sure you've been told about the novels and comics out there, which are of varying quality. I'd definitely recommend the Serenity comics from Dark Horse, but don't bother with the more recent Boom! Studios comics. The ongoing series of novels from Titan Books are also worth a look too. If nothing else though, you should check out The Shepherd's Tale comic book, because it reveals Shepherd Book's backstory. Oh and I'd definitely recommend watching the bloopers from both the show and the movie as a nice pallet-cleanser. They're hilarious! 😂

[@margretrosenberg420]

Summer Glau never meant to become an actress; she was a ballet dancer. But then she broke a toe and could no longer dance en pointe, which is crucial for a ballerina. So she went with Plan B, acting. She may not be able to dance en pointe, but she's lost none of her other dancing skills, and that's what we're seeing from her in River's fight scenes. If you watch that epic fight with the reavers again, notice that there are no cuts. It was all one long take. I've heard (and I think it must be true) that the cameraman also had some training in dance, so he and Summer choreographed that scene as a pas de deux, basically a dance featuring two people, Summer and the camera man, with assorted reavers getting in the way. I believe this is the only way a scene like that could be filmed so beautifully, with a camera operator who was also a dancer and knew exactly where he should be at every moment in order for the dance to work properly.

[@russellward4624]

Now that you've finished Firefly you've got to watch Buffy.

[@dwightgruber8308]

Interesting detail you missed: when River collapsed in the bank after precog-ing the Riever, it was Jayne who rushed to her side and asked if she was alright.

[@michaelrunnels7660]

The Parliamentary Operative had total and unwavering belief in the righteousness of the Parliament. His belief was shattered when he saw the video that Mal played. A scene that was cut from the movie when the Operative and Mal were talking was a continuation just before Serenity leaves. In the DVD cut scene it shows the Operative looking at the "Serenity" insignia on the side of the ship and he says "You lost everything in the Valley of Serenity. Everything you believed in. How did you go on?" Mal refused to answer him and said "If you're still standing there when we take off, you'll never figure it out". Then as Mal walks up the ramp into the hold of Serenity he says to himself "What a whiner!". The operative is a changed man who is lost and doesn't know where to turn, perhaps like Shepherd Book was.

[@jeffthompson9622]

This was the last thing I saw Ron Glass(Shepherd Book) in. There is a graphic novel that tells a possible backstory of Book. I knew a woodworker in SC who knew and played basketball with Ron Glass at the Buddhist retreat they both visited.

[@steelirony1622]

The fact you know what seppuku is and can use it that quickly without having to think about it was impressive to me.

[@JakkFrost1]

The Operative was such an excellent villain, something Joss Whedon excels at writing. He was indeed a monster, but also such a tragic figure. He wasn't a psychopath who did what he did for kicks, he deliberately chose to damn his own soul and get his hands dirty because he truly believed he was doing it for the greater good, that he was making a better world for innocent people. And it's true that sometimes dirty work is needed for the greater good. He was just naive in believing in the government so easily.

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

River is, effectively, a Jedi...but without the telekinesis or a lightsaber. Since she has perfect physical coordination, and can read her opponents' minds before they even make a move, she can always move with perfect timing and accuracy to counter any attack. Give her the training to control her abilities, and a lightsaber, and she'd be absolutely wrecking Sith.

[@ProtusMose]

"I'm not going to cry today." Yeaaaaah, we'll see about that. lol

[@donpietruk1517]

Great reaction Mia. They really pushed your emotional buttons here. It's amazing how emotionally attached we all became to this crew after barely over a dozen episodes and a movie. One of the things about Joss Wheadon is that he really never hesitated to kill off major characters in any of his shows if he felt it moved the plot. Also Ron Glass had cancer and knew he might not come back for a remake and Allen Tudyk had other contractual obligations going. The movie had to give enough back story to those that didn't watch the show to explain the universe. Hence the beginning was a bit awkward because we saw some fractured crew interactions. If the series had gone on Joss Wheadon would have explained a lot of this in more depth. At the beginning when River says it's too dangerous she means dangerous for the Firefly crew for her and the Doc to remain aboard it's because she realizes the Alliance has started hunting for her intensively. The Operative is not psychotic like the bounty hunter was. He's a true believer and the tip of the Alliance spear. He simply will do whatever he deems necessary to carry out his mission. When he doesn't kill Mal at the end it's precisely because he's not a psychopath. He basically failed in his mission to not let the word get out. Once it got out there was no further point to him pursuing it. Also, his final words to Mal at the end might mean it did get through to him and the world he was helping create was not without sin. He might become some version of a Sheppard Book who I firmly believe was an Operative at one point, or at least a high ranking Alliance officer. Finally regarding River. Many Firefly fans believe she is really a slayer and this series takes place in the Buffy verse. She was the prize pupil because she already had some level of genius and heightened psychic ability even before the Alliance started experimenting on her. In fact Wheadon had plans to have the actor who played Spike in the Buffy series meet up with the Serenity crew in a later episode that obviously didn't get made. Slayers can basically move as fast as vampires when they activate their abilities and are supernaturally strong. Also River is in the right age range for a slayer's abilities to activate. In the Buffy verse slayers are almost always older teen girls. A lot of the fandom believe that Buffy, Angel, The Dollhouse, Cabin in the Woods and Firefly inhabit the same universe and once you get deeper into these series and movie you see the interconnections between them. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts when you get yourself together. I get that you were a bit thrown by this. Lol.

[@therabbits69]

They continued firefly in novels/comics and it was shown that book was a double agent for the independents. He had a high rank in the alliance as a commander but that was a cover as he was actually helping the independents. when he learned that the alliance used his information to basically win the war, it broke him and that's when he became a sheppard. It's why he had all those codes and knew everything. He was basically extremely high up.

[@RoGueNavy]

It felt so wrong; laughing at Kaylee's declaration that she's gonna live, just after Wash died. But it was necessary.

[@crashtesteryo]

You MUST watch the bloopers! Both the show and the movie!

[@frankromero5782]

I heard a story that Alan Tudyk was doing a fan meet/greet and a young woman told him that Wash was her favorite…he signed “I am a leaf on the wind…” and she burst into tears.

[@RoGueNavy]

Early was a bounty hunter, trying to bring River back to the Alliance, for a financial reward. The Operative was working for the Alliance government, with the goal of killing River and anybody who knew the truth about her.

[@7thsealord888]

I feel like 'Serenity' was a compression of the long-term plans for 'Firefly', what we would have seen if more episodes, or even additional seasons, had been done.

[@unluckydiablo9502]

Fun fact, Summer Glau did all her own stunts. The hanging from the ceiling, all of it. She was so graceful (former ballerina I believe) that they had her do all of it and its awesome.

[@KesinX]

Between the end of Firefly and Serenity was a hard and dark few months. Everyone has been pushed to their limits. Mal, in particular, is a man on the edge. That's why he's so much harsher throughout.

[@rayharley597]

The movie is an alternative ending to the series; to an ending we never got. They rewrote how River was gotten out of the Academy; reset relationships and made, necessarily I suppose, changes to accomodate a cinema audience unfamiliar with the TV series. I saw it seven times in the cinema but it's still not as good as the series because everything looks just a little too slick in comparison. Greater emotional punch, but the writing is just a little less sharp to create that, and the humour not as subtle. I don't rewatch it as often as the series, but it's still great for all I don't have the same feelings for it, kerk

[@Flastew]

I love this movie and it seems you did also (as did all Firefly fans aka Browncoats). There is so much more they could have done with continuing the series, even after this movie. I remember in the theater there was lots of crying when Book and Wash died. There is speculation from the comics that Zoe was pregnant (just a month or so) during this time. So she still could have had their baby and had a little Wash or Zoe running around the ship. Great reaction Nia and I am sure you will be like us and watch this series over again at least once a year.

[@datalaughing]

I’ve been going on a jag of watching Serenity reactions recently, and I have to say, this is one of the most intelligent and insightful ones I’ve seen. Thanks for a great watch!

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Thank you so much for that!! You have no idea!

[@danh8804]

"Storm's getting worse" "We'll pass through it soon enough" I think about those words a lot in hard times

[@ikeettgaming]

I'm a leaf on the wind is part of the poem that japanese kamikaze use during their one way ride to keep their courage , it was by itself a foreshadowing

[@WyldstaarStudios]

You'll be happy to learn that in the sequel comics, it's revealed that Zoe discovers that she's pregnant shortly after the events of Serenity.

[@ThePharaz]

This movie was not intended to be the end of the story. They had hoped it would do well and be the start of a movie franchise. Wash and Book were killed off cause they couldn't be available for additional movies. The film was not a financial success in part thanks to Universal screwing things up almost as badly as FOX did the series. Since they knew many had never seen the series Firefly they tried to walk a line between bringing the newbies up to speed while continuing the store forward for the Firefly fans. Think of Revers as Fast Zombies. Their goal is survival and anyone not them is food.

[@this.is.a.username]

and now that you've watched them. you get to watch 'em again, and love it all over again. #toosoon

[@Frank-Voight-Kampff]

So glad to see you finally react to this. I feel it answers a lot of questions that you had while watching the show. ❤️

[@joejoe3260]

Love this movie and It sucks that there’s only 1 movie and 1 series

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Yeah I’m glad we at least got the movie but I wanted so much more

[@Otokichi786]

You caould say the same about "Cowboy Bebop," too.;)

[@joejoe3260]

@@Otokichi786 heck ya love bebop

[@TheVosack]

I'm not gonna cry Wanna bet

[@NiaMakiReacts]

😭 😭

[@egk2584]

Nice reaction, Nia. It's sad watching this knowing it's the end. It didn't do well at the box office. If it had it would have probably inspired a series of movies. I didn't like it as much as the series when it first came out but have watched both the series and the movie many times. The movie has gotten better and better with each watch and it makes a good ending to the series.

[@AtomikaBlerd]

This movie was so bittersweet. But, it put Chiwetel Ejiofor on the map in a big bad way. Also, it does a justice to leaving a fully realized ending with also hope for a continuation. They did do a few comic book spinoffs that are really good reads.

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Oh yeah I’m definitely going to have to find out about Shephard at least

[@RoGueNavy]

​@@NiaMakiReacts you'll be looking for the graphic novel, "The Shepherd's Tale".

[@athos1974]

He is one of my favorite actors. Twelve Years A Slave is a phenomenal movie. His performance in that is heartbreaking.

[@NiaMakiReacts]

I’ll see u at the store @brandon

[@lordmorklen5166]

"I start fighting a war, I guarantee you'll see something new." are Nathan Fillion's coldest lines ever.

[@swish007]

"love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."

[@dennytaylor1005]

This has been a great ride watching you react to the series....and especially the movie.

[@19nzinga]

I absolutely loved this movie. I must’ve watched like 10-15 times. It was so funny and still had moments that could bring you to tears.

[@BraveSpy]

I guess they had to retcon crew relations to some degree to make the movie more self-contained piece. p.s. The code phrase to turn River off is Russian saying, which means "It's bullshit", literal translation "Even chickens will laugh at this". That was soo unexpected when i watched this movie first time.

[@Crazyivan777]

Follow up on some plot points that were never resolved in the show or movie, but were in the comics and some later interviews: - Innara was scared to get close to anyone because she was dying of some long-acting disease. She didn't want to tell anyone, but she also didn't want to cause Mal pain by getting close to him and then dying. - Zoey and Wash did have a kid. (A little girl, IIRC) - the implication was that Zoey was pregnant and didn't know it just yet during the film. - Book ... Has a very complicated history. He was a street thief that, while running from the law, killed the original 'Book' and assumed his identity. He joined the independents and ended up being their mole in the Alliance, eventually rising up the ranks there til he was in command of one of those enormous ships we've seen in the show. He intentionally lead them into a massacre during the war, but kept his reputation with the Alliance intact (hence him getting preferential medical treatment). The massacre, however, made him seriously question everything he'd done (both in the cost of betraying people that trusted him and causing so many deaths), and he broke off from the world and went to an Abbey where he eventually became a shepherd (the comic this is shown in has an amazing little page or two about how Book grounds his faith) - Jayne would at one point break away from the crew and become captain of his own ship. Thing is, he quickly learns what an absolute disaster it is to try to be a captain, and eventually comes back to the crew of the Serenity.

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Aw man Zoe having a baby just makes me tear up again… I’m not reading Shephard’s cause I do want to read the book, but thank you for fixing me a little closure with everyone’s details 😭

[@spartanJkut]

RIP Wash. That one hurt.

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Yeah and that timing too 😭 😭

[@buddah1221]

outside of true fans this movie doesn't get the credit it deserves for the absolute masterstroke that it is, both fom cast and putting together an amazing film and from the fans who pressured the studio with their undying support into making this movie. fans who did this before there was social media most canceled shows end on a cliffhanger setting up a season that will never happen and/or leave loose story threads that are never tied off. this movie not only gave us closure but also gave more of the background of this world that likely have been given if the show continued on for multiple seasons. this movie is the rarest of gems because of this.

[@johnfrick9639]

In one of the comic book story lines, Zoe continues with Serenity... with her (and Wash's) daughter. When first watching this movie with my late-wife and daughter (like the fifth time I watched it), they both reacted the same way when River jumped into the main room with the Reavers, "Oh, no! Now SHE'S trapped in there with THEM!" And I responded, "No. Now THEY are trapped in there with HER!" (Yes, I kinda "borrowed" it from Rorschach and The Watchmen, but it works).

[@lilrizq]

"Serenity: A Shepherd's Tale" is a comic book that explains Shepard Books backstory, read that if you want to know more about Shepard's past.

[@hashtagPoundsign]

I felt the same. Firefly is one of my favorites, Serenity is a film I rarely watch because of how it all ends. I highly recommend Primer (2004) Farscape (1999-2003) Twelve Monkey (The film, and TV series) Severance (Apple TV) Galaxy Quest (1999) Matchstick Men (2003) Super Mario Bros. (1993) Explorers (1985)

[@victore6242]

first of the best television shows ever. then cam WandaVision. then Falcon And The Winter Soldier. shows too true to have more then one season. a tear every time i see this. Zoe finally wears a slinky gown for Wash.

[@BubblyRainbows]

Great reaction! I'm both happy and sad to have reached this point on your "Firefly"" journey. Happy that you get at least some questions answered, and sad that there is little to nothing left to react to in this fandom (there's "The River Tam Sessions." and a bunch of bloopers and outtakes that could make for one more video, but that's about it). Still, despite the disappointment of the show ending prematurely, I will always be glad we got what we got. A world with a season of "Firefly" and a movie follow-up is better than a world with no "Firefly" at all. 😄 Fun Fact: Watching this movie is the only time in my life that I was threatened with grounding because of a movie. I just pulled "Serenity" out of my dad's DVD collection because it had a cool sci-fi cover and a cool name, and decided to watch it with no other context. I didn't know there was a show connected to it. My dad found me watching it at the very end, when Mal and the Operative were fighting, and he had a mini-meltdown over the fact that I watched the movie without watching the series. He went and got the DVDs for the show and told me to watch the series properly or I was grounded. 🤣 My dad... always focused on the important things. ✌🤓

[@retired4365]

Seen it in the theater, everyone cried.

[@stanleymyrick4068]

11:43 ruined it? Different personalities then. 11:43 was perfect.

[@Cobinja]

It will always be "too soon". I'm a leaf on the wind 😢

[@martinacosta3821]

that shot of River standing there with the rivers, thats my screensaver. Anyway, NOBODY saw Wash death, it came out of nowhere

[@Emelefpi]

"She's tore up plenty...but she'll fly true" 😢😢😢

[@CMF-qh1rw]

You really dropped a "fudge muffin" bomb? I honestly laughed out loud.

[@topherjones7497]

Apparently this was Summer Glaus' (River) first acting job. Before that she was a dancer, thusly the Amazing physical abilities.

[@singingwolf3929]

"I start fightin' a war, I guarantee, you'll see somethin' different." We saw somethin' different.

[@Otokichi786]

"Serenity": Picking up debris from the Fox TV's Dumpster and crafting a Gem. Some question answered, many not, new ones come up. The Operative is standout Villain; a "smiling Klingon Warrior.";) Dropping out of the clear, blue sky: Reavers! 14:52 1987 movie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2Slm2Buj7h0fa8 37:38 Mathezar: "Those poor Reavers..." Are you confused? See: "Galaxy Quest" (1999) a comic/dramatic/action movie that deserved a series or sequel.;) And now, for the final time, please stand for a fan-made song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYbRXpiEbdKeetk

[@ceejay6553]

Great review, first one of yours' I've seen. I never thought about how the Reevers are so far "gone" but not gone enough to work together or take care of their ships.

[@AndrewSmoot]

4:02, I love your reaction there.

[@AndrewSmoot]

The blooper for 18:05 is hilarious.

[@irishinnj72]

There is a series of Firefly graphic novels and comic books, some written by Joss Whedon, that continues the show in book format. One is called "Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale" by Joss Whedon and Zack Whedon It tells Shepherd Book's entire back story from childhood right up to his meeting the crew for the first time. There is another book "Serenity: Leaves on the Wind" where spoiler alert, takes place 9 months after the events of the Serenity movie and Zoe gives birth to her and Wash's daughter Emma. Zoe only realized after Wash's death that she was pregnant. So if you are keen on continuing the Firefly Universe, the graphic novels are a good place to go.

[@helloemma]

Great Movie! Great Reaction! Great Show!

[@RoGueNavy]

Reading the novelization of the movie would give you some more in-depth detail on Mr. Universe, Shepherd Book's decision to stay in Haven, and some other important details in the movie.

[@Tonyblack261]

It amazes me that the Planet Uranus has a moon named Miranda, but no one in the show seems to realise this.

[@iwish1982]

The reason that Wash and Shepherd died in this movie is because they couldn’t sign a contract for additional movies/shows if this was able to get more things in the works. Sadly it didn’t get the series back in tv. There are numerous graphic novels that tell additional stories. There was a board game and even a video game at one point. There are rumors about a reboot coming from Disney but nothing is confirmed that I’m aware of.

[@mikedignum1868]

This film had a great bad guy, but then so did the series. This show/film seemed cursed from the get-go...The film was not a financial success due to Universal screwing things up with multiple previews before the main release date. And of course, we all know how badly FOX messed with the series. Fun factoid - The bruises on Mal's face are real, Nathan did so many retakes just to get the fight scene just right.

[@mikekay3313]

@41:47...I think the question and the answer was more than just about Serenity. It was also a question to Zoe..

[@jarrodjeffrey759]

It is a fan theory that Chiwetel Ejiofor's character of The Operative was originally written as Shepherd Book's back story. Both received instant co-operation from alliance officers & officials when showing their I.D. During the movie Book certainly knows exactly how the Operative will come after them. I find the idea quite credible. I don't know if Joss Whelan has ever confirmed or denied this theory.

[@lelandmaupin1096]

The "operative" in the movie is Joss Whedon's way of telling Shepherd Book's back story. It may not be the EXACT story, but Book was an operative and did something horrible enough or possibly learned that he was acting on behalf of people who didn't give a damn about the greater good, and he had a crisis of conscience. He walked away and became a shepherd.

[@clarkmichaels822]

Serenity came out in 2005. There is another movie called Serenity that came out in 2019 too though.

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Yeah when I was looking for the thumbnail pic I was so surprised lol! Never heard of that one

[@TheRealRedAce]

They intended to make more movies. Alan Tudyk and Ron Glass weren't going to be available due to other commitments. Wash's absence from the movies would have been hard to explain, so that is why they killed him off. Unnecessary as it happened, because in the end they never made any more movies. There is talk of making a new series, but I would imagine they would need a completely new cast due to the 20 or so years that has now passed since Firefly and Serenity. "Will she hold together?" "She's tore up plenty but she'll fly true." They were actually talking about Zoe, rather than Serenity in that scene.

[@Jskew]

so i don't like to mention this. Wash says in Shindig about buying Zoe a slinky dress. He basically begs Mal to buy it. At the funeral Zoe is wearing a slinky dress to give Wash his dream.

[@brittroberds5500]

I went to a convention and a group of fans through a “wake” for “Wash” after this movie came out. Alan Tudyk was there at the con and dropped by. 😸 The fans/Brown Coats for this project and show are incredible.

[@NiaMakiReacts]

Omg that’s so sweet!!!!! RIP 😭 😭

[@timothykalinowski504]

You should read the graphic novels put out by Josh Whedon. Acts as a direct sequel to Serenity. Whedon said he put all his ideas he would have used for Season 2 in them if Firefly would have been renewed. Also put out separate one digging into Shepard Book's backstory. Think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[@Henrik_Holst]

Jubal Early was a bounty hunter, and by the looks of it independent form the Alliance, the operative is a Alliance operative so they have nothing in common.

[@AndreaMGC]

How do Reavers clean their spears? They run it through the Wash

[@Lady_Vengeance]

Been waiting for this reaction all week and it didn’t disappoint. That Mario sound drop was 👌😘