Firefly: Ariel
October 28th, 2008
Episode 8
Synopsis
Serenity is taking Inara to the “core” planet Ariel, when River attacks Jayne with a sword. Understandably angry, Jayne wants River to leave. Mal says this won’t happen but confines River to her quarters.
Simon has plan to steal drugs from the Ariel hospital in addition to River’s medical records. Kaylee and Wash visit a junk yard for parts to construct a medical vehicle. Simon teaches them medical jargon, which Jayne finds difficult to remember.
The medical ship lands on the hospital roof. The crew, in disguises, escort cases containing River and Simon, under heavy sedation to mimic death, to the morgue. Mal and Zoe leave to steal the drugs, leaving Jayne with River and Simon.
Alone, Jayne calls the authorities, saying he has the fugitives they’re looking for. River and Simon wake up.
Simon and Jayne wheel river through the crowded hospital. River stars freaking out. Putting the plan at risk, Simon saves a patient who is near death. They then make their way to an examination room.
Zoe and Mal reach the pharmacy and begin stealing piles of drugs.
River’s medical records reveal multiple brain operations. They hurry back to the morgue, and then back to the ship, where federal agents are waiting. River and Simon are arrested. Much to his surprise, Jayne is also arrested for aiding and abetting two fugitives.
Mal and Zoe wait at the medical craft for Jayne, River, and Simon.
Waiting in a holding area, Jayne and Simon attack the guards and arm themselves. Meanwhile, Zoe and Mal sneak back into the hospital, looking for their friends.
A large black ship arrives and lands next to the medical ship. It has two mysterious alliance agents aboard. They aren’t happy that the soldiers spoke to River and Simon, and pull out a blue device that causes bleeding from the eyes and mouth. The two agents start to chase River, Simon, and Jayne. Jayne opens a door to find Mal and Zoe on the other side.
Inara returns to Serenity just before the medical ship arrives with the crew. Nobody seems to know of Jayne’s attempt to turn River and Simon in, until Mal hits Jayne with a wrench and then threatens to throw him off the ship as Serenity takes off. He apologizes profusely, and Mal orders him to not turn on the crew.
Simon gives River some medicine that will help her “wake up.”
Thoughts
I really enjoyed the voyage to the “core” planet. It was a great change of pace from the “wild west” look, and also gave us insight to what life is like on the Alliance side of things – more space-agey, sleek, and busy. I also really loved the creepy, mysterious agents with the blue gloves and powerful technology.
Jayne tries to double-cross the crew, but his own stupidity keeps him from doing much damage. Mal is well aware of Jayne’s mental ineptitude, and knows he can be controlled with child psychology, bribes, or scare tactics. The final scare tactic Mal uses is surely more effective for its familiarity to Jayne – he once threw an accomplice off a ship as it was taking off.
Despite all the running around and medical technology, we still don’t learn much more about River’s special talents.
Next Episode: War Stories
Previous Episode: Out Of Gas
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[...] some soldiers were killed by apples with grenades in them. Mal comes in and says they will sell the recently stolen medical supplies the expected way, bypassing Wash’s idea to bypass the [...]
[...] lies in the sickbay, his head in a brace. Simon scolds him for turning he and River in back on Ariel. River says she can kill him with her [...]
[...] series were expanded upon. We see much more of the Alliance that we got a tantalizing glimpse of (Ariel), the Reavers (the pilot episode), and the mystery behind River’s fighting ability, evidenced [...]
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