Sixty Second Review

Heart of Gold had great action, great emotion and great heart. Weeks after the news that Firefly was to be no more, Joss delivers this striking example of why Firefly is so great. Fresh writing, incredible performances, a perfect mix of mindless action and hearty story.

Mal & Inara finally coming to grips with their feelings for each other through a third party Nandi only to shock us all with the fact that Inara now wishes to leave Serenity. Truly a great shock I was expecting them to kiss, but I should know better.

I'm saddened with the news that next week will indeed be the last episode of Firefly - possibly ever, that is unless a miracle is preformed.

`The Message` set a different pace from the other episodes of Firefly. It was somewhat more grim and dealt with the aftermath of what seemed to be the death of a fellow war vet. Of course nothing is as it seems on Firefly and chaos ensues.

Great performances all round, Simon really needs to learn some better pick up lines... I paralytically liked Kaylee's performance this week. She has this very cute and innocent vibe about her, which really contradicts the way that the Mal first met Kaylee, (she was having sex in the engine room with with Serenity's first mechanic if I recall correctly). That Kaylee and the current Kaylee really don't seem to match up, but I take it that was some time ago...

The news broke last week that Fox has canceled Firefly its claiming that poor ratings have cost us our beloved show. Fans are already rallying together in what seems to be a very strong force so far.

With that news in mind I think I will savor the remaining episodes even more knowing there isn't anymore to come.

This episode didn't have the pace nor the urgency of 'Out of Gas' but none the less a well written piece of television and enjoyable at that. More than a few twists and turns with a pinch of betrayal to boot. Nice to see a return of the somewhat slippery 'Saffron' if that is her real name.

I'm glad that the trickees were able to out trick the trickster. I was in doubt for a while there, but thats thanks to creative writing. We also see that Simon has a darker side but only shows it when he needs to protect himself.

• Won the SyFy Genre Awards: Best Special Guest/Television Christina Hendricks for "Trash", 2006^[1]
• Won the SyFy Genre Awards: Best Episode/Television "Trash", 2006

Joss Whedon is never afraid to throw caution to the wind. Only he could pull off a futuristic science fiction meets western television show set 500 years in the future. Some might call this episode a little slow to get started and that is most likely the reason that Fox changed the order of the episodes making this the second last to air of the season.

The episode is beautifully written and we're slowly introduced to Caption Reynolds and the Crew of Serenity. The computer animation throughout the episode is breathtaking and gives the show extra credibility and realism.

As expected Whedon gives the characters great witty dialogue to play with and in a way that only he can. With a sense of humour and dignity you feel connected to the characters as if you were close friends.

The idea of the show is extremely unique and has endless possibilities for story arcs. I hope that Fox will give it the run it deserves and won't continue to limit Whedon's creative vision.

It appears that everything Whedon touches is gold and I'm looking forward to seeing what is coming next...

The feeling that I am overwhelmed with right now is anger. Anger that Fox cuts down a show in its prime leaving its story untold and its viewers in the lurch. This is clearly the direction that the past 13 episodes have been working towards and its cut short without an explanation. Not only have Fox reordered the episodes, disturbing the timeline of events and having everything make less sense. What it all comes down to is the all mighty dollar. Its a true shame when money and creative genius cross paths, it never ends well.

This wasn't the best episode of the series or the season but it was intended to be the beginning of a new branch of the story. Something in which we haven't explored thus far. It was great to see River have a few more lines and allow Summer Glau stretch her wings as an actress.

Its time for the fans to rally together and ensure that this story has an ending as it was intended.

Another piece of sheer brilliance from the Universe of Firefly. Great story arc, including a little back story. Husband & Wife fight, swap places, go on mission, mission goes south, get captured, tortured and then rescued. The episode has an excellent pace, great flow, we also have more Joss lesbian themes (which is remanisant of Buffy with Willow and Tara)...

Once again we see the crew pull together to rescue fellow Serenity members in danger without question. I'm glad to see that Kaylee had a human reaction to the gun fights. My only minor complaint about the episode was about the stray bullets flying around a spaceship... One stray bullet pierces the outer shell of that ship and they are all dead.

Classic Western gunfights in a futuristic world. Television gold people, television gold!

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.

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.

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.

Once in a while a piece of Television comes along and stands out from the other fuzz which is boardcast over the air waves. Firefly is that television... What sheer brilliance this week. A true excellence piece of storytelling. From three different time lines, past, present and future we watch the story unfold.

We find the crew in fits of laugher and even a surprise birthday cake greets us... that should have been our first clue. Then things go down hill fast with the ship being disabled mid flight. But Mal managers to overcome the odds and even a hijacking and come out on top. We're shown back story on how Mal came to purchase Serenity and meet the other crew members.

I can't speak highly enough of this episode, true creative genius!

What a laugh! Jayne a mistaken hero on a planet of mud farmers... Even with a folk song its truly funny on so many levels. Humour is a running theme on Firefly, last week with Mal's new found bride and this week with Jayne's new found heroism.

Great writing again is at the core of Jaynestown. We also witnessed the relationship between Simon and Kaylee develop further. But Simon like a true man says the wrong thing at the wrong time... But none the less there is chemistry.

Having Jayne brought back to earth by a young "mudder" sacrificing himself so his hero could live on was a good way of ending the episode. Ensures that he doesn't want to remain on the planet and keeps his ego in check for future episodes aswell. This also marks the middle of the season.

Yahoo! Now this is more like it! What an episode, twists, trickery, betrayal we saw it all. When you see the words "Written by Joss Whedon" you know you're in for a treat! Our Mrs. Reynolds was great, a masterpiece with touches of comedy and twists you don't see coming! This is what I needed to confirm that what I have already known Joss is the master.

The episode flowed really well, loved the ending - I really had my hopes up but Mal proves that we don't always see something right in front of us. This episode has to be the highlight of the season so far.

Another great episode, with a great story at its core - discovering the ghost ship, discovering the bodies, the single survivor then being captured by the alliance. Bushwhacked was an extremely well paced and well written episode.

The strength and bond of the crew is again shown to the audience. I really liked the way that the interrogation was filmed on the alliance cruiser. This episode had everything that you expect from good television, good built ups, twists, strong story, great characters and a good ending.

I'm continually impressed by what Firefly offers. Its constant episode after episode and I know that Joss is just waiting to push the envelope just that little bit further very soon.

What's so great about Firefly is that it has all the best things you'd expect from a western but at the same time its science fiction. The characters have heart, the stories are beautiful and you are completely absorbed by the show.

This week we have a typically western hijack of a train, it really doesn't get anymore iconic than this. But instead of horses we've got a spaceship. As ridiculous as this sounds on paper Joss pulls it off without a pinch doubt.

There are big plans ahead, I think River is going to be the focus point for something very big. Only time will tell.