Serenity - Part 1 & 2

Overview: The crew of Serenity is eager to rid themselves of an easily traceable cargo they salvaged from a vessel adrift in space, totally unaware that a passenger has brought an even more dangerous cargo onboard.

Airdate: 12/20/2002

Directed by: Joss Whedon

Guest Stars: Eddie Adams (Bendis), Philip Sternberg (Inara's Client), Carlos Jacott (Lawrence Dobson), Mark A. Sheppard (Badger), Andy Umberger (Dortmunder Captain), Colin Patrick Lynch (Radio Operator), Domingo Vara (Ensign), Stephen O'Mahoney (Man Dortmunder), Jamie McShane (Man), John F. Kearney (Old Man), Gabrielle Wagner (Slave #1).

Of Note:
This is the only episode in which the crew calls Inara the nickname "Ambassador".

Joss Whedon created the role of Badger intending to play the part himself. When that didn't work out he hired Mark A. Sheppard, who was intimidated when he found out that he was playing the Executive Producer's personal role. Joss Whedon, for his part loved Mr. Sheppard's work in the role.

Since this is the premiere (although it is not presented as such), this is why we out-of-sequence see how Book, River, and Simon join the crew despite the fact they've been with them since the beginning of the season.

Parts 1 and 2 originally aired as a single consecutive two-hour episode by Fox. Intended as the 2-hour premiere, Fox "asked" Joss Whedon to hold it back until later.

Quotes:
Mal: The Alliance said they were gonna waltz through Serenity Valley. And we choked 'em with those words. We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty.

Wash: I'm just the pilot. If we got boarded, I could always say I was flying the ship by accident.

Review By: Jason James Rating:

This was how the series was suppose to start. The Fox executives that make more money than they should thought that they knew there audience better than Joss Whedon and moved this episode back to later in the run. This created a problem because all the introductions to all the characters are in this episode and it explains how most of them come to be on the ship. The character development that Joss and the series are so well known for, have a major presence in this episode. This is a great episode and was a great start to this wonderful series. If you are starting this series for the first time, watch this episode first.