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Firefly/Serenity
Episode Studies
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This is PopApostle's home for studies of the TV episodes, videos, movie and licensed tie-ins to Firefly and Serenity. I will be presenting my studies relating to each, such as commentary on the science described, sound bits of memorable dialog, screen grabs and my own musings. I'll be presenting them in my estimation of the chronological order each story takes place.
Firefly/Serenity Chronology

(Also, see the Brand New 'Verse Chronology)
Firefly: River Run
"Fun With Dick and Jayne" "The R. Tam Sessions" "River Run" "Serenity" "Government Goods"
Firefly: Still Flying Online webisodes Firefly: River Run
(BOOM! Studios)		 Episode 1a Episode 1b
A piece of Jayne Cobb's boyhood is revealed in a vignette. The strengths and weaknesses of a young girl are revealed in a series of counseling sessions at an Alliance facility. Simon Tam is determined to rescue his little sister from the depredations of the Alliance Academy. The crew of the smuggling ship Serenity take on some passengers, not knowing the people may be even more hazardous to carry than their standard cargo. Mal must make a decision about what to do with his fugitive passengers.
         
"The Train Job" "Bushwhacked" "Shindig" "Safe" "Our Mrs. Reynolds"
Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6
Mal and his crew are hired to hijack a shipment from an Alliance train. Serenity encounters a shipwreck left booby-trapped after a horrific Reaver attack. In order to secure a job transporting cargo off-planet for a client, Mal attends a social event that leads to him being challenged to a swordfight in defense of Inara’s honor. When Simon is kidnapped by a village in need of a doctor, Serenity is forced to dock with an Alliance ship to seek medical help for a critically wounded Shepherd Book. Mal inadvertently marries a young village girl.
         
Firefly: Bad Company
"Bad Company" "Jaynestown" "Out of Gas" "Ariel" "War Stories"
Firefly: Bad Company
 BOOM! Studios		 Episode 7 Episode 8 Episode 9 Episode 10
The secret origin of Saffron. Serenity visits a world where Jayne is considered a hero of mythic proportions. After an explosion leaves Serenity crippled, Mal orders the crew to abandon ship. Simon hires the crew to pull a heist—one that will help him diagnose and treat River. Tension surfaces with Wash over his wife’s relationship with Mal; Niska seeks revenge on Mal for his earlier refusal to deliver the goods hijacked from the Alliance train.
Firefly: Big Damn Hero
"What Holds Us Down" "Downtime" "Trash" "The Message" Big Damn Hero
Firefly: Still Flying Webcomic Episode 11 Episode 12 Novel
A junkyard heist goes wrong, leaving Kaylee to play the hero to get herself and the injured Wash out alive. Serenity spends some downtime snowed-in after a planetary rendezvous. Mal is shocked to discover that an old friend’s new bride is Saffron under a new name. Mal and Zoe receive a large package that they find contains the body of an old war buddy. Browncoat vigilantes accuse Mal of being a traitor to the Independent cause during the war.
         
Firefly: Carnival Firefly: What Makes Us Mighty Firefly: The Sting (Part 1)
"Crystal" Carnival What Makes Us Mighty "Heart of Gold" "The Sting"
Part 1
Firefly: Still Flying Novel Novel Episode 13 Graphic Novel
River has visions of the fates of Serenity's crewmembers. The Serenity crew takes on the sinners of a gambling mecca on the Rim world of Bethel. The Serenity crew takes a simple job that turns into a potential war crime. A bordello, whose madam is an old friend of Inara’s, hires the crew to protect them from a gunslinger and his gang. Saffron approaches the women of Serenity with a proposition.
         
Firefly: The Sting (Part 2) Firefly: The Sting (Part 3) Firefly: The Sting (Part 4) Firefly: The Sting (Part 5)
"The Sting"
Part 2		 "The Sting"
Part 3		 "The Sting"
Part 4		 "The Sting"
Part 5		 "Objects in Space"
Graphic Novel Graphic Novel Graphic Novel Graphic Novel Episode 14
Saffron takes the girls to the site of their upcoming theft. Saffron's anticipated double-cross begins. Saffron's diamond heist is made, but what will be the aftermath? Never leave a woman behind. A bounty hunter secretly boards Serenity and methodically disables the crew one-by-one to claim the enormous reward on River’s head.
         
Firefly: The Magnificent Nine Firefly: Clipped Wings
The Magnificent Nine "Better Days" Part 1 "Better Days" Part 2 "Better Days" Part 3 "Clipped Wings"
Novel Serenity: Better Days #1
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Better Days #2
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Better Days #3
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Firefly #1
(BOOM! Studios)
The crew of Serenity meet Jayne's long lost love, Temperance, and his previously unknown daughter, Jane. The crew pulls an art heist, but something is watching them. The crew heads to the resort world of Pelorum to enjoy some of their new-found wealth. After Mal is kidnapped by Ephraim, Zoe makes a revelation to the crew. Losing her starboard engine and chased by Alliance deputies known as the Unificators, Serenity is forced to land on an outer world moon to hide and seek repairs.
         
Firefly: War Criminals Firefly: The Spilling of Blood Firefly: The Deal of Your Life Firelfy: Birth of a Unificator Firefly: Kaylee and the Bandit
"War Criminals" "The Spilling of Blood" "The Deal of Your Life" "Birth of a Unificator" "Kaylee and the Bandit"
Firefly #2
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #3
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #4
(BOOM! Studios)		 BOOM! Studios Free Comic Book Day 2019 #1
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #5
(BOOM! Studios)
The Unificators come after Mal and Zoe as wanted war criminals. Mal and Zoe face the Unificators; the Pilgrims of Moriah arrive at the Sacred Spires and begin a ritual. Mal strikes a deal with Boss Moon. A brief, semi-origin of Boss Moon. Zoe resolves to track down and rescue Mal from Boss Moon.
         
Firefly: A Stand Up Fight Firefly: Changing the Game Firefly: Welcome to the Club Firefly: War! Firefly: Serenity Valley
"A Stand Up Fight" "Changing the Game" "Welcome to the Club" "War!" "Serenity Valley"
Firefly #6
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #7
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #8
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #9
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #10
(BOOM! Studios)
Zoe abandons Serenity to lead a new crew. Wash, Book, and Inara set out to catch up with Zoe in her mission to rescue Mal. Our splintered damn heroes all get in deeper than they thought. A new Unification War begins. Mal tries to put a stop to the building war...until his mother steps in.
         
Firefly: Big as Life Firefly: War Crimes Firefly: The Outlaw Ma Reynolds Firefly: New Sheriff in the 'Verse (Part 1) Firefly: New Sheriff in the 'Verse (Part 2)
"Big as Life" "War Crimes" "The Outlaw Ma Reynolds" "New Sheriff in the 'Verse" "Duty Calls"
Firefly #11
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #12
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly: The Outlaw Ma Reynolds
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #13
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #14
(BOOM! Studios)
The war Mal is trying to stop is instead escalated by Ma Reynolds. The "war" comes to an end, but at what cost to Mal? As Mal pursues his outlaw mother, each muses on their past history together in their own way. Mal begins his stint as an Alliance sheriff. While Mal takes his new job as sheriff seriously, Zoe also has a mission of her own.
         
Firefly: Into the Fire Firefly: The Target is Your Heart Firefly: Small 'Verse Firefly: Cops and Robbers Firefly: Who Wears the Crown
"Into the Fire" "The Target is Your Heart" "Small 'Verse" "Cops and Robbers" "Who Wears the Crown"
Firefly #15
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #16
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #17
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #18
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #19
(BOOM! Studios)
Mal finds himself aligned with Blue Sun agents to solve a series of murders of innocent settlers. Mal's friends begin to be targeted by the mysterious assailant. Mal and Boss Moon track down the mystery killer. Serenity runs into some big trouble against Blue Sun. The Chang-Benitez gang falls under the wing of the Bandit King.
         
Firefly: Blue Sun Rising (Part 1) Firefly: Blue Sun Rising (Part 2) Firefly: Blue Sun Rising (Part 3) Firefly: Blue Sun Rising (Part 4) Firefly: Blue Sun Rising (Part 5)
"Blue Sun Rising"
Part 1		 "Blue Sun Rising"
Part 2		 "Blue Sun Rising"
Part 3		 "Blue Sun Rising"
Part 4		 "Blue Sun Rising"
Part 5
Firefly #20
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly: Blue Sun Rising #0
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #21
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #22
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #23
(BOOM! Studios)
Zoe's crew continues the search for a new home. Sheriff Mal is sent a trio of robo-deputies to aid him in upholding corporate law. Blue Sun introduces the future of law enforcement. Ma Reynolds lays down the law with Sheriff Mal. Mal puts a new plan into motion to stop the Robo-Mals.
         
Firefly: Blue Sun Rising (Part 6) Firefly: Blue Sun Rising (Part 7)
"Blue Sun Rising"
Part 6		 "Blue Sun Rising"
Part 7		 "Those Left Behind" Part 1 Those Left Behind Part 2 "Those Left Behind" Part 3
Firefly #24
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly: Blue Sun Rising #1
(BOOM! Studios)		 Serenity: Those Left Behind #1
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Those Left Behind #2
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Those Left Behind #3
(Dark Horse Comics)
The crew launches its attack against the Blue Sun "remote deprecation" facility. The crew has their showdown with Blue Sun and Director Sang. A job goes wrong on a border world, forcing a hasty escape; Inara prepares to leave Serenity for good. On old foe reappears to aid the Blue Hands in setting a trap for Serenity. While the blue-gloved agents move on Serenity, Mal has his own showdown with Dobson.
         
Firefly: The Ghost Machine Firefly: Generations Firefly: Life Signs
The Ghost Machine "The Other Half" Generations Life Signs "Triggered"
Novel Webcomic Novel Novel Serenity movie (Part 1)
A prototype pacification device made by Blue Sun incapacitates the crew of Serenity, leaving each trapped in their own hallucinated fantasies of life that turn to nightmares. Mal accepts a job that sounds too good to be true. A tattered star map leads the crew to an ancient Earth-That-Was space ark, bringing River under the spell of another former Academy experiment. When the Serenity crew discover that the departed Inara is dying from a terminal illness, Mal decides they will stop at nothing to help her recover. River gets “activated” by a subliminal message planted in a TV commercial.
         
Firefly: Watch How I Soar
"A Better World" "Living Weapon" "Take the Sky" Watch How I Soar The Shepherd's Tale
Serenity movie (Part 2) Serenity movie (Part 3) Firefly: Still Flying Firefly: Watch How I Soar GN
(BOOM! Studios)		 Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale
(Dark Horse Comics)
The crew of Serenity discover the secret of Miranda. The crew of Serenity must get through Reavers, the Alliance, and the Operative to reach Mr. Universe and broadwave the Alliance's crime to the 'Verse. A seventy-odd-year old Mal receives a package at his remote rim world home. Attend previously unseen moments in the life of Wash-That-Was...and a future moment of Wash-That-Could-Have-Been.  Who was Shepherd Book before he took his message of salvation to the stars? Who was he when he learned to fight without pause, without remorse, and with a blinding fury? And how did he find God in a bowl of soup?
         
Serenity: Leaves on the Wind (Part 1) Serenity: Leaves on the Wind (Part 2) Serenity: Leaves on the Wind (Part 3)
"Float Out" "It's Never Easy" "Leaves on the Wind"
Part 1		 "Leaves on the Wind"
Part 2		 "Leaves on the Wind"
Part 3
Serenity: Float Out
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Free Comic Book Day Serenity: Firefly Class 03-K64
 (Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #1
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #2
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #3
(Dark Horse Comics)
Friends from Wash’s past toast to their departed comrade. A would-be hijacker, plotting to take Serenity, gets the drop on Mal. Where is Serenity? Everyone is searching for Serenity...and someone finds it. River goes in search of secrets, while Jubal Early finds his prey.
         
Serenity: Leaves on the Wind (Part 4) Serenity: Leaves on the Wind (Part 5) Serenity: Leaves on the Wind (Part 6) Serenity: The Warrior and the Wind Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse (Part 1)
"Leaves on the Wind"
Part 4		 "Leaves on the Wind"
Part 5		 "Leaves on the Wind"
Part 6		 "The Warrior and the Wind" "No Power in the 'Verse" Part 1
Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #4
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #5
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #6
(Dark Horse Comics)		 Free Comic Book Day 2016
(Dark Horse)		 Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse #1
(Dark Horse)
Mal assembles a team to take on the Academy and free its students. Showdown against the Alliance! Mal stages a breakout of Zoe on the prison moon. River tells little Emma a bedtime story. The crew receives a call for help from Iris.
         
Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse (Part 2) Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse (Part 3) Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse (Part 4) Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse (Part 5) Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse (Part 6)
"No Power in the 'Verse" Part 2 "No Power in the 'Verse" Part 3 "No Power in the 'Verse" Part 4 "No Power in the 'Verse" Part 5 "No Power in the 'Verse" Part 6
Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse #2
(Dark Horse)		 Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse #3
(Dark Horse)		 Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse #4
(Dark Horse)		 Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse #5
(Dark Horse)		 Serenity: No Power in the 'Verse #6
(Dark Horse)
The crew agrees to help Iris find Bea with some help from the Peacemakers, but things take a turn. The crew puts their plan to rescue Bea in motion. Bea is sprung from an Alliance cell; River returns not her old self. Having rescued Bea, the crew now find themselves having to ally more closely with Mericourt to rescue River and Iris from the Alliance. The crew escapes from Burnet, but not without damage.
         
Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 2) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 2) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 3) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 4)
"A Christmas Cobb" "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 1		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 2		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 3		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 4
Firefly: The Holiday Special #1
(BOOM! Studios)		 Firefly #25 Firefly #26 Firefly #27 Firefly #28
Jayne learns the true meaning of Christmas. A few years after the crew's defeat of Blue Sun, the crew is divided and seeking divergent fortunes on two different ships. Zoe makes a startling discovery on Regina. Kaylee and Zoe attempt to track down the self-exiled Malcolm Reynolds. Kaylee's and Zoe's crews launch an attack on the portal ring.
         
Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 5) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 6) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 7) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 8) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 9)
"Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 5		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 6		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 7		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 8		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 9
Firefly #29 Firefly #30 Firefly #31 Firefly #32 Firefly #33
The crew explores Earth-That-Was. The crew parleys with the Earthers. Kaylee develops a plan to take on the plunderers. When the portal ring was destroyed, Serenity was not the only ship pulled through. Kaylee's partnership with the Earthers takes a turn.
         
Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 10) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 11) Firefly: Return to Earth-That-Was (Part 12)    
"Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 10		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 11		 "Return to Earth-That-Was"
Part 12		    
Firefly #34 Firefly #35 Firefly #36    
Double-crosses galore! The crew makes a plan for a way to return to the 'Verse. But who will decide to stay behind on Earth-That-Was? Return to the 'Verse!    
 
 
Brand New 'Verse Chronology