Shindig (1 Nov. 2002)

After scuffling with one of Inara's clients during a royal ball where the Serenity crew is hired by a diplomat to smuggle some unusual cargo, Mal is challenged to a duel of swords by the snobbish and arrogant royal Atherton Wing.

Director:

Vern Gillum

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator), Jane Espenson

Stars:

Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Nathan Fillion	...	Captain Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds
Gina Torres	...	Zoë Washburne
Alan Tudyk	...	Hoban 'Wash' Washburne
Morena Baccarin	...	Inara Serra
Adam Baldwin	...	Jayne Cobb
Jewel Staite	...	Kaylee Frye
Sean Maher	...	Dr. Simon Tam
Summer Glau	...	River Tam
Ron Glass	...	Shepherd Book
Mark Sheppard	...	Badger (as Mark A. Sheppard)
Edward Atterton	...	Atherton Wing
Larry Drake	...	Sir Warwick Harrow
Carl Bresk	...	Wright
Larry Pennell	...	Murphy
Michael McMillian	...	Younger Hopeful

Storyline

While pursuing a smuggling job, Mal and Kaylee go undercover at an upper class fancy dress ball. Inara is attending the same ball with her wealthy client, Atherton Wing. In an attempt to defend Inara's honor after Atheron makes an offensive comment, Mal punches Atherton in the face. Outraged, Atherton challenges Mal to an old-fashioned duel using swords. Meanwhile, Badger returns and under Atherton's payroll, holds the Serenity crew hostage, while River begins showing some more of her sane side in a verbal confrontation.

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Plot Keywords:

sword | duel | fancy dress | honor | sword fight | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin

Release Date:

1 November 2002 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mutant Enemy

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The covered bridge seen in the background during the Duel is the same covered bridge seen early on in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Emissary.

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Goofs

While playing pool in the bar, the balls make a futuristic electronic sound when hit. However, later in the brawl when someone gets thrown onto a pool table, they make the traditional sound.

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Quotes

Mal: Whoa, whoa, I'm not runnin' off. I don't know what you got in your head, but I didn't do this to prove some kind of point to you. I actually thought I was defending your honor. And I never back down from a fight.
Inara: Yes, you do. You do all the time.
Mal: Well, yeah. But, I'm not backin' down from this one.

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Connections

Referenced in White Noise 2: The Light (2007)

User Reviews

Excellent!!!!

I am a firefly fan. I have the series on DVD(TWICE), I have the movie on DVD. I have the books the t-shirt and the mug and the soundtrack. On a weekly basis I watch Firefly but for some unknown reason I did not watch the Shindig episode. Not sure why. Then I started to watch it and you know what? It is now my favourite episode. Why? It gives a further insight into the characters. The love between Zoe and Wash. Kaylee with her grease smudged face but all feminine underneath. The scene when Mal insults her over her fondness of a dress is particularly moving.The feelings Mal has for Inara and vice versa. But most of all the dialogue, there are some terrific lines in this episode just like all the other episodes but because there are no crash bang wallop scenes you tend to miss them. for instance Simon says "I sure the captain knows how to use a sword Zoe replies " I think he knows which end to hold". I could go on and on suffice to say give Shindig at least equal time with all the other episodes and you will see what I mean. Once again I am filled with sadness that this series was cancelled PLEASE CAN THERE BE A RETHINK!!!!