With the movie finally making its public release this week it's time to do a little last-minute browncoat recruitment. Having seen the movie 9 months ago, Cybil and I are lending out the DVDs with a list of "must watch" episodes for those few friends who aren't properly prepared for the movie. Not that I think you need to watch the show to see the movie, but I'm in no position to judge, having watched and re-watched it many times.
So here is our attempt at a required viewing list:
- Pilot: Serenity Part 1 & 2
- A proper introduction. Once you've seen this, you're hooked.
- Bushwhacked
- Fear of Reavers: important for the movie.
- Our Mrs. Reynolds
- This one actually isn't that critical to the overarching story line, but it's the one that we always go, "oh, that quote is from this episode too?" while we're watching it.
- Out of Gas
- Great back-story. Plus it's got my favorite plot structure.
- Ariel
- River's story progresses, and the Tams vrs. Jayne conflict becomes very immediate.
- Objects in Space
- OK, so there's a new bounty hunter in the movie, but this episode's important because it cements the relationship between River and Serenity. And for other reasons, but no spoilers here, right?
There are a couple more that episodes that really wanted to squeeze their way up into the "must see", but we figured letting Our Mrs. Reynolds slide into the otherwise movie-centric list was enough.
- Shindig
- An exploration into Mal's off-beat sense of honor (*cough* chaotic-good), and his relationship with Inara.
- Jaynestown
- This episode has my favorite quote about a "special hell". Jayne's character grows a bit, and we see what life is really like under the Alliance.
What to you guys think? Are there any other episodes that are essential pre-movie watching, given that the movie is, to quote Joss, "Mal's story told through River's perspective," and is about the origin of the Reavers? Any that could be taken out?
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