“Objects In Space”

“Objects in Space” is a phenomenal way to go out, considering there was no tying up of loose ends possible. It just happened to end here. Unfortunately, it probably gives much more questions than answers and definitely a few hints as to directions the series might have gone if continued. So with that in mind, you have to forgive that.

River is more in depth explored and for really the first time all series we get a genuine look into who River was, and is at times.  We also get introduced to Jubal Early, a bounty hunter who has done his research on the Serenity crew, and knows them up and down.

River begins to see things that aren’t there, hear voices. It may be that we are actually seeing for the first time, how she “reads minds”. At first she sees her brother laughing and telling Kaylee about an old schooltime prank.

Then it shifts suddenly, we see Simon and Kaylee look very serious at River and Simon simply says, “I would be there right now”, implying that it is River’s fault. She quickly backs off and goes into the kitchen where Book and Jayne are having a conversation about holy orders and sexual drive.

Suddenly it shifts and Jayne repeats the confession he made to Mal “I got stupid, The money was too good” in an almost monotone. What’s even more intriguing is what she gets off Book.

“I don’t give a hump if you’re innocent or not. And where does that put you?”

Again, we know there is much more to Book than we could possible imagine. The violent and angry nature of what River sees is quite intriguing though and unlike the Book we know. Later on in the episode, Early knocks Book unconscious, leaving him on the ground.  When Simon asks him:

“And which part of your plan dictated the necessity of beating up a Shepherd?”

Early quips,

“That ain’t a Shepherd,”

Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll ever learn much more about Book, but inquiring minds definitely want to know.

River then sees Mal and Inara and she reads what they are thinking at each other.

Inara says, “I’m a big girl. Just tell me.” Mal says, “None of it means a damn thing.”

River then goes to the deck and sees leaves and branches. She picks one up and suddenly we jump to reality and everyone is screaming at her to put the gun down. She does and runs off.

After a little while they have a meeting on how dangerous she is and what options they should take.

As they all go to sleep on it, they get a surprise visitor.

Jubal Early, who is quite possibly the coolest character introduced on the show.

Modeled after Boba Fett to a degree, Early is a bounty hunter with some quirks. he can’t hear quite right (or at least doesn’t pay attention), but he spouts off existentialist philsophy, always ending with, “Does that seem right to you?”

He makes a usual kidnapping, hostage situation much more interesting with his ramblings and his eventual dialogue with River is fascinating.

River is fascinating as well as she makes it off the ship and onto his, but acts as if she has taken possession of the ship and everyone is talking to Serenity.

River actually runs a plan to save everyone and acts like she is going to give up because nobody trusts her, and gets Early to head back to his ship. He doesn’t count on Mal waiting for him outside the airlock. Mal smacks him and Early goes floating into space where he gets to utter the last words on Firefly.

“Well…Here I am.”

It’s truly a wonderful episode with suspense, and wonderful dialogue as well as great looks inside a few of the characters. It’s not a finale, but under the circumstances, it was a good way to go out.

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