Firefly: Safe

September 30th, 2008

Episode 4

Firefly: Safe

Synopsis

Eleven years ago, a young Simon studies while a much younger River plays behind a sofa. Their father tells them Simon will become a doctor. Back in the present, Simon thinks the Alliance doctors have given River paranoid schizophrenia. Serenity lands on a planet where a rough hunter, observing from the woods, voices his plans to steal whatever is aboard.

As the precious cargo of cows is offloaded to be sold, Mal tells Simon to take River for a long walk.

At a local store, Kaylee asks if a Chinese plate would make a nice gift for someone. Inara guesses she means Simon. River and Simon enter, and Simon comments on the plate saying it was crap and offhandedly insults Mal and the rustic borderland people. Kaylee tell Simon he’s being mean and leaves with Inara. Simon then realizes River has run off, and goes off to find her.

As River joins a group of locals dancing, Simon is kidnapped. River follows them into the woods.

As Mal negotiates the cattle sale to some locals, a group of officers appear, to arrest the buyer for murder. A gun battle breaks out. More officers arrive and apprehend the bad guys. Shepherd has been wounded, and is returned to Serenity. Jayne is crassly more concerned about the money. Mal sends Wash after Simon.

Flashback to Simon worriedly showing his parents River’s letters from the Academy – he thinks she’s in trouble.

Wash returns to Serenity without Simon. The sheriff said “hill people” are known kidnappers. Mal decides to leave the planet in order to find medical attention for Shepherd. Simon and River sadly watch Serenity lifting off in the distance.

Jayne digs through Simon’s stuff. The Serenity flies to an Alliance ship, to hopefully use their hospital. The Alliance soldiers initially refuse Shepherd, but he produces an identity card which suddenly makes him a top priority. Mal and Zoe are surprised.

The hill people have brought Simon to their town to take care of their gravely ill. River brings Simon some berries and remembers how Simon abandoned his medical career for her. She tells a nurse the thoughts of a girl who cannot talk. The nurse backs away – saying River is a witch.

In another flashback, Simon’s father is angry with him getting in trouble with the law. He was only trying to save River.

With Shepherd taken care of, the Serenity leaves the Alliance ship. Jayne is glad Simon and River aren’t aboard anymore.

The entire town decides to burn River at a stake. Helpless, Simon asks to be burned with her. Just then, Serenity arrives to save them. Back aboard Serenity, Jayne hurriedly empties a bag of pilfered loot in Simon’s quarters.

Safely aboard Serenity, Simon asks Mal why he returned for them, to which Mal replies, Simon is a crew member.

Thoughts

This show moves really quickly – quite a bit of information is communicated before the credits begin.

As the previous episode explored Mal and Inara’s relationship, this episode deals with Simon and River, through informative flashbacks demonstrating what lengths Simon goes to protect his sister. We learn he gave up a very comfortable life as a doctor and damaged his relationship with his parents.

There’s also some class issues going on, as Simon is obviously well to do and a bit unsure about his present situation among outlaws.

We also learned that Shepherd has an Alliance connection – there is more going on than his humble profession as a preacher.

Mal says he returns for Simon because he’s part of the crew. Simon hunts for River because she’s his sister. But there is also a hint that what is considered “family” or “crew” is tenuous – Simon abandons his father, and Jayne is obviously the most self-centered and out for himself. This family may be one of circumstance, but it’s better than floating among the outer moons alone.

Next Episode: Our Mrs Reynolds
Previous Episode: Shindig

TV Shows: Firefly

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