The crew returns to Persephone (which they'd previously visited in the pilot episode) to re-supply, when Mal and Jayne are approached by Badger with a special job; a local aristocrat named Sir Warwick Harrow is struggling to obtain permits to move cargo off-world, and refuses to deal with Badger. Mal and Kaylee gain access to a ball which Sir Warwick is attending, and have to try and convince him to hand his cargo over to them. Coincidentally, Inara is attending the same ball with Atherton Wing, another aristocrat and regular customer who wishes to keep her on retainer. He also becomes jealous of Mal, who punches him when he insults Inara. Unfortunately, such an act is regarded as a challenge to a duel. And Atherton is a master duellist. And Badger invades Serenity so the rest of the crew can't intervene. However, the duel also offers an opportunity for Mal to work with Sir Warwick, who wasn't overly fond of Atherton.
This episode provides an excellent "fish out of water" story, while also exploring the...complicated relationship between Mal and Inara. It's suggested that there's meant to be some romantic tension between them, but they want to keep their relationship a professional one. Which means they spend most of the time bickering while Inara gives Mal a fencing lesson.
While our favourite captain and companion are the focus of the episode, we can't forget the rest of the crew. For example, Kaylee attends the ball wearing a frilly pink dress she'd coveted in a shop window earlier. Her attempt to mingle with a group of debutantes fails when they insult her dress, until an older gentleman masterfully insults the debutantes. We then find her at the centre of a group of gentlemen discussing spaceship engines. It's kind of touching, seeing Kaylee being courted for her practical knowledge rather than her looks or social status. Unlike the debutantes whom the gentleman sees as "useless people".
On top of that, you have the crew contemplating their options when Badger holds them hostage. Jayne, who has always treated Simon with hostility, actually seems eager when the doctor suggests taking them by surprise. It also gets one of my favourite laughs of the episode (well, one I can talk about without spoiling all the surprises) when Jayne suggests a diversion.
It's a good episode with a mix of jeopardy and humour, and the payoff is equally fantastic.
No comments:
Post a Comment