Firefly

(S01E03) Now we’re talking. This, to me, is hands down the best episode of the series so far. It’s got action, humor and so many good lines that I wouldn’t know where to begin in choosing my favorite. Once the episode was over, I knew, without having paid attention earlier, that this episode had to have been written by Joss himself. And I was right.

Here’s the thing. I think it’s possible FOX was onto something when they made this episode air in the third spot rather than the fifth. They certainly couldn’t rightly place it first, as much of the humor would be lost on characters we hadn’t yet met. However, it was early enough to give anyone wavering about the show to stick around even longer.

Here on out, I believe the series follows the remaining episodes in order.

Where to start with what’s great about this episode? The double-cross was something you couldn’t have seen coming at all. Inara’s skill in knowing Saffron was an impostor. Book’s warning to Mal about the "special place in hell" for him. The attention to detail when messing with anything in the vacuum of space. Inara’s kiss denial (and Mal’s miscall on what really happened). Hell, there’s lots more.

One line comes up later in the Serenity bridge, when Book seems to know a little too much about the "net" the ship was about to get caught in:

"One day you’re gonna tell us all how a preacher knows so much about crime."

Oh, and it was cool seeing Benito Martinez make a short appearance in this episode, as I’m missing The Shield something fierce.

Jayne-ism of the episode:

Mal: "Zoe, would you get Wash."
Zoe: (Over the ship’s PA system) "This is Zoe. We need all personnel in the cargo bay."
Mal: "All? I said Wash."
Zoe: "Captain, everyone should have a chance to congratulate you on your day of bliss."
Mal: "Th-there’s no bliss! I don’t know this girl!"
Jayne: "Then can I know her?"