Big Damn Heroics #1: Firefly — Serenity (the Pilot)

In the first instalment of Big Damn Heroics, we take a look at the pilot episode of Joss Whedon’s Firefly…

Name
Serenity

Not be confused with Serenity, the major motion picture sequel.

Broadcast Date
20th December 2002

Synopsis
The story follows the crew’s attempts to sell illegal salvage, firstly to Badger, who declines, and later to Patience, who accepts but double-crosses Mal. Along the way Serenity takes on three passengers: Shepherd Book, Simon Tam and Lawrence Dobson. Dobson attempts to arrest Simon, Mal discovers River among Simon luggage. All the while trying to avoid both the Reavers and the Alliance.

Firsts And Lasts
This episode was intended to introduce, in order, Mal, Zoe, the Alliance, Serenity, Jayne, Wash, Kaylee, Blue Sun, the title sequence and song (clips from Serenity and The Train Job), Inara, Inara’s shuttle, Persephone, the Mule, Book, Badger, Dobson, Simon, River and Reavers. First episode written and directed by Joss Whedon.

This episode was ironically first broadcast on the last day of filming after the series cancellation and was the last episode of the original run. The character of Dobson was…