"Ariel insures that Firefly is on the top of our to watch list."Click to read review - may contain spoilers
"A little slow to unfold, but important character building takes centre stage."Click to read review - may contain spoilers
I am again impressed by how well Whedon is able to bring his vision to life and to the small screen. There is not a moment where I don't believe that they are on a far away planet. The casting, the costumes, the locations all bring creditability to Firefly.
I didn't feel that this episode had the best story, but that aside the production values and every other facet of the show is excellent. It would also appear that River has a great ability to 'read' people. Is this a natural ability or something that she has been given? I'm sure it will be further explored as the series continues.
I was surprised that Mal was so quick to leave River & Simon behind after making the effort to engage his services as a doctor only a few episodes ago. The Shepard also appears to have strong alliance contacts.
In summary I think the weak point of this episode was a slow to unfold story but everything else in this production screams of excellence.
"A spoonful of action would have helped this episode go down."Click to read review - may contain spoilers
Again Firefly displays such strong themes in which you'd expect from Western style genre and throws it into a futuristic Science Fiction setting. With Inara, Kaylee & Mal all attending a grand ball and later having a Western style sword duel the episode just screams of Cowboys and Indians.
Visually the episode is spectacular something you'd expect of a big budget movie. The sets, costumes and the choreography of the dancing scenes is beyond words. Besides that the episode moved a little too slow for me and I'd prefer my Sci-Fi with a little more action.
But at its heart it showed us that Mal does have deeper feelings for Inara and I think this theme will continue throughout the series. Overall a slower episode but it built character for Mal & Inara's relationship.
Firefly just keeps delivering with another great episode this week. Last week's "Out of Gas" was beyond brilliant and Ariel delivers in the same fashion. With a great story, action, twists, betrayal and a laugh or two Ariel insures that Firefly is on the top of our to watch list.
There is nothing I can fault about this episode and what a powerful scene to end with. Mal will do what he has to do, to protect his crew. I'm glad that Mal was so quick to see through Jayne's betrayal and deal with him in a manner fit to his efforts. Excellent acting by Nathan Fillion makes this all the more powerful.
Ariel is a great example to why we all love this medium so much.