Despite being listed here as episode eleven that is just due to FOX broadcasting the episodes in the wrong order, this is in fact the feature length pilot episode which really needs to be seen first as this is were we are introduced to the crew of Serenity and where we see three members of the crew come on board for the first time.
As the programme opens it looks like a war film as we see Mal and Zoe fighting in a battle where the rest of their platoon is killed and they are ordered to surrender, this it just an introduction to let us know what the two of them have been through and that there friendship was formed in a time of war. Some time later they are no longer soldiers but living on the edge of society running illegal salvages and smuggling items aboard Mal's ship Serenity. Their first operation that we are shown is a salvage which goes slightly wrong when an Alliance cruiser turns up, they manage to escape but learn that their new cargo is covered in government markings making it harder to sell. The man who commissioned the job is no longer interested so they are forced to find a new buyer. To make some extra money they take on passengers a couple of whom aren't quite what they seem. There is a nice surprise towards the end when we learn just what it is they are smuggling... I won't spoil it here.
I really enjoyed this episode all of the cast did a really great job as did series creator/writer/director Joss Whedon who gave us an interesting group of characters in a different setting; it was nice to see the mixture of science fiction and western and have it based on a small unarmed ship rather than a heavily armed shiny starship. Another strength is the dialogue which has a slightly old fashioned feel to it without feeling awkward, there is also a humorous feel without it ever getting jokey.
As the programme opens it looks like a war film as we see Mal and Zoe fighting in a battle where the rest of their platoon is killed and they are ordered to surrender, this it just an introduction to let us know what the two of them have been through and that there friendship was formed in a time of war. Some time later they are no longer soldiers but living on the edge of society running illegal salvages and smuggling items aboard Mal's ship Serenity. Their first operation that we are shown is a salvage which goes slightly wrong when an Alliance cruiser turns up, they manage to escape but learn that their new cargo is covered in government markings making it harder to sell. The man who commissioned the job is no longer interested so they are forced to find a new buyer. To make some extra money they take on passengers a couple of whom aren't quite what they seem. There is a nice surprise towards the end when we learn just what it is they are smuggling... I won't spoil it here.
I really enjoyed this episode all of the cast did a really great job as did series creator/writer/director Joss Whedon who gave us an interesting group of characters in a different setting; it was nice to see the mixture of science fiction and western and have it based on a small unarmed ship rather than a heavily armed shiny starship. Another strength is the dialogue which has a slightly old fashioned feel to it without feeling awkward, there is also a humorous feel without it ever getting jokey.