Firefly Reflection: Episode Nine

How does one justify what is morally right? And why is it sometimes that when one follows the law, it seems less ethical than breaking it? Why do we dislike Jayne for making plans with the police, but support Simon and River for running from the law? Why does it seem just for Mal to threaten Jayne's life and position, although he only abided by the rules of his government?

I believe that if more people were willing to consider these questions, to push the envelope of vaguely held beliefs and ideals, and to challenge why they have the morals that they do, we would all come to one of two conclusions. The first: there is no objective morality, and each must decide on their own what is right and wrong in the context of their lives. The second: morality is objective, and that morality must include a lawmaker outside of all governments and higher than all peoples.

The first is a superficial belief, and although this episode does not explicitly mention a relative moral code, I believe it does a good job of shutting down that belief. When the viewer learns that Jayne has made a deal with the Alliance feds, he or she is very likely to feel anger and betrayal. Jayne has denied two members of his crew, and is trying to sell them back into very dangerous situations in order to secure a large sum of money. The immorality of this holds true throughout the episode. The viewer is not alone in his or her anger, because Mal challenges Jayne's actions by knocking him out and threatening to end his life.

The values held in the highest regard here are loyalty and faithfulness. There is an overarching belief that these values are above even the most lawful actions: reporting two runaways to the feds. It is clear that, as Mal says, Simon and River Tam are part of the crew--really treated as a more of a family--and to betray them is treachery.

If upholding these values has more weight to all involved than following the law does, they must be outside of the realm of government and of law itself. They are objective, spanning all people, and they are above other principles. So where do they come from? If not the law, surely they must have a source above and outside of the general population. These are metaphysical questions, thoughts that, to a Christian, must result in a defense of God. Firefly did not arrive at that point, but through the fine discussion of morality in this episode, I did.