Bushwhacked

Explicit content warning

07/05/24 • 36 min

(Recorded on June 23rd, 2024) This week we’ve got “Bushwhacked,” episode three of Firefly. We’re finally seeing that space is actually scary and not just because of the mining activity that will turn you into soup. The Serenity crew comes across what they think is an abandoned settler ship and under the guise of checking for life they go to raid the ship. River walks barefoot (please get the girl some shoes) on to the settler ship following...voices? It’s unclear. Through her telepathic investigative work we find out the passengers on this ship have been tortured, strung up, and left for dead. They find one survivor (who is not well!) hiding in the air ducts and bring him back to Serenity. Mal finally tells everyone it was Reavers (who’s backstory is woefully underdeveloped) who attacked the ship and they should get out of dodge. Before they can, the Alliance docks and boards Serenity accusing them of stealing (correct) and harboring two adult siblings (also correct). The Alliance commander Harkin takes the Serenity crew (minus Simon and River who are hiding on the outside of the ship?) in for questioning, along with the lone survivor of the settler ship to medical treatment. Harkin does some lackluster interrogation work before being informed that the survivor has murdered the doctors helping him—not cool bro! Mal realizes the survivor has become a Reaver (see now this is an origin story) and has gone back to the Serenity ship. Mal, handcuffed, saves the Harkin’s life and the crew of the Serenity is allowed to go. I guess we just forgot all about the harboring fugitives bit, huh?

Also, Meaghan compares “Bushwhacked” to an episode of X-Files (though she confuses the name of the episode for a movie and doesn’t get the nationality of the ship’s crew correct—good work!); George won’t stand for Costner trash talk; and Meaghan blows George’s mind with her favorite Donald Sutherland movies. (Original network airdate September 27, 2002)

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Train Job

(Recorded on June 16th, 2024) Up this week is episode two, technically episode one, but really episode two of Firefly, “The Train Job.” No, they didn’t get new jobs as train conductors—we’re talking a heist. A heist gone wrong, but still a heist. The Serenity crew do a job for Adelai Niska, 26th century Russian crime boss (still? how?). They don’t ask questions, which maybe they should have? Because then they wouldn’t have stolen vital medication for an entire population. While Zoe and Mal are being detained by the town’s sheriff, Mal sees the havoc he’s wreaked on this dusty and ailing town and starts to feel guilty. Inara uses her status as a Companion to bail out Mal and Zoe and bring them back to the ship. Mal has a change of heart about his criminal activities and returns the medicine they stole but not before Niska’s gaggle of goons tries to stop him. Our anti-hero overcomes and the town no longer has to worry about their bones and muscles turning into soup.

Also, George and Meaghan can’t stop talking about OJ; Meaghan has some thoughts on the theme song; and George shares his feelings on the youth of today. (Original network air date September 20th, 2002)

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Next Episode

Shindig

(Recorded on June 30th, 2024) We’re back this week with episode four of Firefly, “Shindig.” We learn some new things this week, like: the 26th century has slave traders, men throw around the word ‘whore’ just as liberally in the 26th century as they do in the 21st, and Badger’s back (resounding BOOOOO). We’re in Persephone again—Serenity needs to refuel and Mal needs to find his next job (on the level or off) and Inara has been engaged to accompany Atherton Wing while in town. This ruffles Mal’s feathers (because it’s OBVIOUS he likes her) so he spends the majority of the episode being a real a-hole. Unfortunately Atherton is also an a-hole, just with more money. If we were hoping men were better in space, we’d be wrong. Mal has to attend a ball (the same ball that Inara is at with Atherton) to track down Sir Warick Harrow, someone who wisely won’t do business directly with Badger. He brings Kaylee, someone he insulted earlier, with him. At the ball Mal asks Atherton’s permission to dance with Inara and what is he going to do, say no? Inara tells Mal that Atherton wants her to become his personal companion (insert Ghost ‘you in danger girl’ gif). Atherton breaks up their dance telling Mal she’s bought and paid for (gross) and Mal punches him. And apparently in the future that means you’ve challenged someone to a duel. Later that evening Inara graciously tries to help Mal learn how to sword fight but all he does insult her. The next morning we’re in the English countryside section of Persephone where Mal and Atherton briefly fight before Inara distracts Atherton enough for Mal to get the upper hand. Mal lets him live and in the process impresses Sir Warick enough to give Mal his business. Inara and Mal share some Boone’s Farm on Serenity later that evening, ostensibly making up. You maybe asking yourself what about everyone else on Serenity and to that we say, they weren’t interesting enough to include in this episode synopsis.

Also, Meaghan is confused about what century we are in; George compares and contrasts the dancing in Firefly with the dancing in Bridgerton; and we seriously consider starting a Hitch podcast. (Original network air date November 1, 2002)

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