Firefly Reflection: Episode Two

"Mal. 'Bad', in the Latin."

This comment from River, the gifted and tortured young girl stowing away aboard the Serenity, brought my focus during this episode to Captain Mal Reynolds and his moral character. Soon after River comments upon the meaning of his name, Mal tells the Pastor taking passage on the Serenity (Shepherd Book) that he has room for a pastor on his ship, but not for God. Although this statement does not signify the way Mal lives his life, it says a lot about his beliefs. Following this scene, Mal challenges the moral behavior of the ship's visiting prostitute--or "companion"--although he himself is a professional thief and outlaw. Does this mean that he has a moral compass, or that he's hypocritical? Time will tell. Early in the episode, Mal told Shepherd Book that he was allowing River and Simon Tam to stay aboard because it's "the right thing to do." Jayne, however, threatens this comment by telling Kaylee that Mal "has a move he ain't made yet" and that Mal is considering trading the Tams in for a profit. Again, this suggests that Mal is conniving and self-centered. But is he?

The newest character introduced in this episode was a man named Adelai Niska, a kingpin whose evil deeds make Mal look like a fairy godmother or some other benevolent creature. Was Niska's purpose to foil the viewer's increasing confusion about Mal's character? If so, Whedon certainly succeeded with this devilish man.

As it turns out, the evil Niska hired Mal and his crew to steal medicine that was on a train, bound for sick people who desperately needed it. Mal's response to learning this? "Son of a bitch." The man has a heart, folks! And that same heart chose to return the medicine to the needy people of Paradiso. I still can't speak for his ethics, but I like him and I hope this compassionate side continues.

A note: in terms of a "space western", jumping from a spaceship to a moving train is one heroic--and fitting--feat.

Firefly Reflection: Episode One

I've never watched Firefly before, but I found this pilot to be very entertaining. As Joss Whedon planned, it really is a western set in the context of science fiction. It’s fast paced, a little bit intense, and character-driven. I realized as the action grew more violent towards the end of the episode that I was very heavily invested in what was happening, and that I was truly worried about the characters. When I feel that way about a TV show, I know I like it.

Lately I have been considering the philosophical principle of utilitarianism, and so it’s not surprising to me that I found similar themes throughout the episode. The story of River Tam, the gifted girl who was tortured at a government school, was in my opinion the most riveting part of the episode. Her safety after running away from her tormentors was at great risk, but because she found refuge on the Firefly, the entire set of crew and passengers were also endangered. The “fed” or government mole, Dobson, wanted to get rid of her. The passengers and crew could have gone along with this idea, but instead chose to sacrifice themselves in order to save her life. Of course, this led to questions as I watched the episode. What would I have done? What is the right thing? In this instance, as well as others, I believe that the end never justifies the means, and that River’s life should have been protected at all costs. Thankfully, it was. I believe that, although it was subtle and not blatant, the discussion of the utilitarianism concept was well done.

Other areas of interest after this episode include seeing what will happen to the rest of the passengers. There were some very interesting moments surrounding the presence of a prostitute on the ship and her interactions with the other characters. I look forward to seeing how she will affect the captain and the reverend, as well as watching the rest of the passengers and crew interact and develop as characters.