"Firefly" The Message (2003)

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Director:

Tim Minear

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator)
Joss Whedon (written by) ...

TV Series:

"Firefly" (2002)

Original Air Date:

28 July 2003 (Season 1, Episode 14)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A pleasant day out at a space station turns sour when Mal and Zoe receive the dead body of one of their old army buddy's in the post office...

Plot Keywords:

Old Friend | Death | Heroine | Back From The Dead | War Veteran

Cast

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
Jonathan M. Woodward	...	Tracey
Richard Burgi	...	Lieutenant Womack
Al Pugliese	...	Amnon Duul
Tod Nakamura	...	Fendris
Craig Vincent	...	Skunk
Morgan Rusler	...	Barker

Runtime:

44 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M

Company:

Mutant Enemy

Trivia:

Although it is not the last episode aired, this was the last episode ever shot.

Goofs:

Continuity: When all of the crew are around the Coffin, listening to the recording, Jayne removes the hat his mother made. The camera cuts back to the crew and Jayne still has his hat on.

Quotes:

River Tam: My food is problematic.

Heartfelt and poignant

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I couldn't disagree with the previous disappointed critic more. Continuity errors aside, I felt the story was perfectly balanced between humor, suspense and pathos, especially in its final moments. Yes, Jayne is funny throughout, but he perfectly counterbalances the more serious moments - particularly the betrayal by Mal and Zoe's friend - in the latter half. And for once, it's nice to see someone other than River and Simon bear the brunt of Jayne and Mal's hostility.

Plus, for those blessed enough to catch this one on DVD, Alan Tudyk and Jewel Staite provide a humorous running commentary on the story and all the behind-the-scenes happenings during while this episode was shot. The final sequence is made more touching considering this is everyone's "goodbye" to the series.