FIREFLY, Season 1 Episode 11, “Trash”

Viewed at home, 10/24 at 11 PM.

Saffron returns, strongly reinforcing my already strong opinion that she should have been a regular on this show since “Our Mrs. Reynolds.” Fantastic actress playing a fantastic character. We learn in this episode that Saffron has many husbands, each of which she has ruthlessly stolen from and then abandoned. Mal’s meeting her this episode is purely coincidental (she’s married one of his old friends from the war) but they end up teaming up for a job, though, inevitably, she betrays him at the end.

The plot of this one was structured like a heist, but unlike the previous “heist” episode, “Ariel,” this one was redeemed by Saffron and her interactions with Mal, despite the similarly weak story.  Despite the fact that there is no love lost between these two, I actually think they’d make a great couple. The sexual tension was definitely there, and they do work well together. Saffron would make a great addition to the crew if they came to a Jayne-like agreement in terms of payment, and I just wish she’d been there all along. Her crazy adds so much to the crew’s dynamic and I loved watching them all, especially Mal, try to deal with her.

There was also a long-overdue confrontation between Simon and Jayne about the betrayal on Ariel (another connection between that episode and this), but Simon chose not to take revenge in a rather brilliant little monologue, which I reproduce in all its glory here:

You’re in a dangerous line of work, Jayne. Odds are you’ll be under my knife again, often. So I want you to understand one thing very clearly: No matter what you do or say or plot, no matter how you come down on us, I will never, ever harm you. You’re on this table, you’re safe… ’cause I’m your medic. And however little we may like or trust each other, we’re on the same crew. Got the same troubles, same enemies, and more than enough of both. Now, we could circle each other and growl, sleep with one eye open, but that thought wearies me. I don’t care what you’ve done, I don’t know what you’re planning on doing, but I’m trusting you. I think you should do the same. ‘Cause I don’t see this working any other way.

To which River added shiftily, “Also, I can kill you with my brain.” And then I laughed, and then I was all, “Wait, what?” Plus, Jayne’s look of horror here is gold.

Thoughts:

• Wonderful opening shot of naked Mal. This alone should have won over at least a few (million) more viewers.
• I want to meet whoever does Inara’s gorgeous makeup each episode.
• Speaking of which, Inara saving the day (finally!) was great to see.
• Mal needs to learn that Zoe is ALWAYS RIGHT. Thus far she has never been wrong about anything. Whenever Mal ignores her advice, he ends up in trouble. Kind of like Harry and Hermione in the Harry Potter novels.
• Minor quibble: how did they reprogram the garbage disposal without being spotted?
• Mal’s sense of chivalry is going to be his downfall. This is why he continually falls for Saffron’s manipulations.
• Love that Inara doesn’t once look down while talking to naked Mal. She does, however, sneak a furtive glance at his butt as he walks away.

Quotes:

“I SHAVED OFF MY BEARD FOR YOU, DEVIL WOMAN!” –Mal’s friend
“Jayne is a girl’s name.” –River
“I’m trying to think of a way for you to be cruder, but it’s just… not coming.” –Simon
“Brilliant. Except it’s idiotic.” –Saffron
“Did you think I was a princess? That I would stay locked up here in the tower? With you? You’re a rudding fool.” –Saffron
“I hate to bring up our imminent arrest during your CRAZY TIME, but we gotta go!” –Mal
“I’ve seen you without your clothes on before. Never thought I’d see you naked.” –Mal

Saffron: You missed a spot.
Mal: [shoves her away] Can’t miss a place you’ve never been!

Saffron: He’s my husband.
Mal: Well, who in the damn galaxy AIN’T?

Rating: 4.5/5. Love the return of Saffron. Very solid writing. Great acting; Nathan Fillion and Christina Hendricks shone in particular. Probably should’ve been a 4/5, but had to give extra points for the naked Mal scene.

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