"If you're showing up time and time again and they're taking you for granted, and they're not showing up for you and you communicate that and they don't change, it doesn't mean you're doing it wrong, it means this isn't your team." I needed to hear this today. Thank you.

When Jayne says "Make something up, don't tell 'em what i did.", that is the point, where Jayne realized that he actually cares about the rest of the crew, and their opinions of him. Mal realizes that as well, that's why he pushed the button, because Jayne was no longer someone that needed to be 'let go'.

My favorite thing ever was the line, "well, she is our witch! So cut her down." It wasn't just about loyalty it was a wonderful statement on how to deal with a crowd. He didn't bother with need to argue against the crowd about witches but the fact the person is part of his crew and it doesn't matter what you call them.

"When you can't run you crawl, and when you can't crawl, you find someone to carry you" never fails to make me cry

Firefly is one of the best shows. This is how you portray diversity. I wish Disney and Amazon would take notes.

The family unit really works because of Mal. Each member of the crew was meant to represent something that Mal had or wants to have. Zoe is his tie back to the war and the comradery of service. Book is his tie to his faith that died the day the war ended. Wash is that lighthearted spirit that runs deep within him. Jayne is the rough gun-slinging persona he shows the outside world. Kaylee is the conduit of love for Serenity, the means that lets him escape into his own world. Inara is a look into a life with love. An escape from a life of just getting by. I don't think it was a coincidence that her room was a repurposed escape shuttle. Simon is a reflection of what Mal would do for his family, his crew. River is a reminder of what the Alliance is capable of and why Mal cannot trust them, even in times of peace.

I love that Jonathan and Alan found family in each other through a show about found family. ❤️

In serenity I always lose it when during the final firefight she is comforting Simon saying how he always looked after her and she goes “my turn” and runs into the melee. It’s such a huge moment for her and the movie.

1. Serve without judgement - 02:53 2. See the good in those you disagree with - 07:22 3. Look after who you're with - 10:58 4. Make a home of wherever you are - 13:28 5. Create loyalty by showing loyalty - 18:40 6. Find the group that will reciprocate love - 20:32 7. Trust is a choice - 24:03 8. Grieve with and comfort each other - 28:00

OMG PLEASE spend several episodes on this group of people. They are so well written, so different in everything. PLEASE. PLEASE! We NEED IT!

I took a fantasy literature class in sophomore year and our teacher had a thing he called "Firefly Fridays" where the class would watch an episode each Friday. Needless to say, the writing in this show was so good that our class totally bonded with the characters, felt their pains, and truly cared for them.

Guys I think I said this before, but your subtitles are just next level, even changing position to not obstruct anything Huge thanks to Anna Preis

The medics separation between duty and personal feelings are how you know he's a damn good medic.

This show was cancelled way before its time, though at least they managed to get a film three years later. The characters are immensely memorable, and so diverse, and their connections with each other really draw you in. The actors' performances also work wonders.

Simon is one of my favorite characters of all time. He sacrificed everything for his little sister with absolutely no hope of them returning to a normal life, but he shoulders the burden of protecting his _mei mei_ with a sincere smile and zero complaints because he truly, genuinely wants to do this, and he has no regrets about any of it. And you really get a glimpse of how much his sacrificed in _Ariel._ He didn't just sacrifice his comfort and safety, he sacrificed his potential, his dignity, his authority, the work that he loved, the untold good that he could have done for hundreds if not thousands of others. He could have been greater than all the other crewmembers combined, and he threw it all away in a heartbeat for River.

I loved Doc's speech cause it was framed like he was going to threaten Jane but he doesn't. He became a doctor to help people, he isn't going to ruin his morals, especially when he knows Mal will fight to keep them safe too

I really love stories about found family, and how you don't have to be biologically related to someone to consider them kin. It reminds me of that Buffy episode where the Scooby Gang firmly lets Tara's abusive parents know that THEY'RE her real family.

I'd seen Firefly, loved it, cried over it, couldn't get enough. Then I moved to Britain and met the man who was going to be my last forever husband. He'd never seen it. So, we both ended up getting flu early in our relationship and I was stuck at his flat. We took care of each other, hot tea with lemon and lots of tissues and we watched the whole of FireFly together. That was it. We bonded tighter than tight over Firefly and we've never looked back in anger. We adore each other and we still adore Firefly.

Firefly was really ahead of it’s time. It would have cleaned up in the streaming era. Powerhouse cast, compelling story. Doesn’t get much better than that.

This show was that “lightning in a bottle” type magic. The perfect cast, wonderful writing… screwed up by network executives.

Best series ever. Just saying. I'm not sure if I'm gutted that there's only one season, or relieved that I didn't have to see it drag on until the message and magic of the show got lost. Either way, it's the Princess Bride of TV series. Fun, somehow moving, endlessly quotable, and not nearly long enough.

The writing is so concise. The fewest words to say so much. Never treating the audience like children. We don't feel led through the story, but experiencing it.

One thing I like about Mal is that even when he lost his faith he didn't loose his humanity or compassion when it really mattered. Two of my favourite lines: "My days of taking you seriously are definitely coming to a middle." Mal "This is a moment in time; step aside and let it pass." Inara A good friend of mine encouraged me to buy the box set sight unseen and based on my trust in her opinion. She wasn't wrong!

"Create loyalty by showing loyalty" is a powerful way to put that. I've always said that you should always be the first one to do something for someone else, even if you don't get anything back from it. I've worked in environments where no one ever sticks up/out for each other because "no one ever sticks their neck out for me." That's because someone has to be the first one to do it.

it is so funny how the priest and the courtisane are the most similar people on that ship despite their glaringly different stands on sex. They are very spiritual, well educated, highly moral people that have strong mother hen tendency and see it as their calling to help people, are usualy serious and thoughtful, but with good humor. everyone else works through their contrasts , not their similarities

The scene between Simon and Jane in the medbay is one of my favorites. Up till then in the show, Simon has never seemed as "dangerous" as anyone else in the crew. Then this scene comes out of nowhere and you realize he's been prepared to be an ice cold *rational* murderer all along. And, after you've seen the movie your brain re-contextualizes Simon's oppositions to heists and killing as being more about the fact he and his sister are fugitives trying to lay low.

I think the team works mainly because Mal is a good leader. His ability to draw together a completely disparate group of people because he values each of them in different ways is incredible. And his willingness to show loyalty to create loyalty is an amazing insight. It kills me the show was never allowed to develop past the first series. Love Serenity though. The opening is masterful.

This group dynamic is a lot like my research group. We had vastly different individuals, almost every continent represented, sorry Antarctica. Our desire to be together was often remarked on by other groups. Any two together would eventually become all of us. We loved our differences and would spend hours together discussing our views. I’m so thankful for the time I had with them, it was formative and has provided amazing memories and friends.

I always liked the idea that Mal surrounded himself with people who had parts of him he felt he lost. Mal is also a good manager as he treats each person in a way to get the best of them. What works for Wash wouldn't work for Jayne.

I seriously teared up a bit at the "you're on my crew" scene. That level of loyalty is just beautiful!

They meddle, the Alliance. I want to point out the amazing music, as well. I find a lot of cinema music these days incredibly heavy handed. The music for Firefly is a unique fusion of traditional folk American and folk Chinese. Hauntingly beautiful.

You're so right about Mal being actively pissed about his heart of gold lol like in the Train Job, when they return the meds and the Sheriff talks about it being tough times, man might take a job, not look too close at what it is... but then when he does learn, he has a choice. Mal just replies "I don't believe he does." Mal wishes he could just shut off his heart and take the loot... he's literally incapable of doing it lol

“Now I did a job. I got nothing but trouble since I did it, not to mention more than a few unkind words as regards to my character, so let me make this abundantly clear: I do the job, and then I get paid.” Mal has a very clear set of principles, and he doesn’t break them for near anything, and that’s what I love about him.

HOW?!?!? How is Firefly 20 years old?! **brain explodes** Firefly was such a huge part of my young adult fandom experience. I have such fond memories of the huge Browncoat revolution that happened during the show's run and after its cancellation. DragonCon 2004 and 2005 were pretty much all Browncoat/Firefly/Serenity. Fans raised so much money for charity, spent so much effort toward trying to save the show, and felt such vindication when we got the movie! And being in the earlier days of the Internet, it was one of the first movements where the show's creators and cast really got involved with and communicated with the fans. It created such a camaraderie as strangers all over the world bonded over this thing that we all loved so dearly. Can't stop the signal! You can't take the sky from me!!!!

This show is so unbelievably good. The writing and the characters were highlighted a lot in this video, but also a shout-out to the music and prop people. The sets look like real, lived-in places while also embodying everything that makes this universe unique, and the music invites you to settle and contemplate. It's such a tragedy that it was cancelled, but honestly, it says so much in the one season it got that I feel there wasn't too much left out. The one thing I would have liked to see is Mal completing his arc. For all the time we get with him, he's either a callow inexperienced young man who wears his heart on his sleeve and is intensely optimistic about the universe (opening flashback) or he's a bitter, cynical veteran hollowed out by the loss of everything that used to define him. All the people around him, simply by being themselves, act as constant beacons calling him to step back into life, but he can't yet. I'd have loved to see him come full circle, to learn to open himself up again and realise his full potential whilst holding onto the valuable lessons hardship has taught him. Writing this comment has helped me to realise that Serenity (the film) didn't do much thematically to move Mal along his arc, which is part of why I find it less satisfying even though on a plot level it very much wraps up the core narrative from the show.

The witch-burning scene and the payoff for it is the epitome of "you don't have to understand or relate to someone in order to give them the acceptance and dignity they deserve" and it's a lesson I think so many people today could still stand to learn. Even by the end of the series they don't completely 'get' River, but she's part of the crew, and they won't let anyone question it.

I will argue until I am blue in the face that Out of Gas is one of the greatest episodes of any television show ever. Flashbacks within flashbacks to tell an emotionally rich origin story. Just incredible! Thank you both for doing this!!

Each character now deserves their own episode.

For me, the big take away for the last scene in Out of Gas, was when Mal asked if everyone was going to be there when he woke up. If you watch Nathan Fillian's performance in that scene, in that moment he is suddenly lucid, and you can catch a hint of how afraid he is of losing them. That one line of dialogue showed who Mal truly was and changed the perception of his character for the rest of the show without Fillian having to change his performance as Malcom Reynolds.

Jonathan we've had a very similar religious experience. I often feel I don't fit in, but I really feel grateful when I find good role models in faith. People who are compassionate, accepting, and loving to the world. Thank you so much.

Nathan Fillion was THE perfect actor for that character. They serendipitously had the most perfect cast and the most funniest writing for a sci-fi flick.

Firefly is what cemented Nathan Fillion as my celebrity crush. He is FANTASTIC in the series, and in my humble opinion, the best character. Malcom is just really good at bringing out the worst in people, but still holding them together by simultaneously bringing out their best. Its something I always really appreciated about the show.

If you want to watch a show with a similar concept of found family (albeit a different genre) I highly highly recommend The Good Place. It's one of my favorite shows of all time, because it covers different philosophy about human nature, the impact we have on the world, and comes to the conclusion that our connection with others makes us better people. It's a show filled with hope, and I think it's something we need more of today. I'd love to hear your take on it!

I was SO mad at my friends for dragging me to Serenity without even telling me about Firefly first. And it's still one of my absolute favorites to this day.

Simon is the Fish out of water but so courageous when it comes to his sister. He tries to jump a martial artist assassin in Objects in Space and he drops on the alliance agent in the pilot from twenty feet above both times to save his sister. I like the movie showing him breaking her out of the "school". Ah Ron Glass. Miss him. Was like a Joseph Wambaugh character in Barney Miller. "Blood on the Badge"

Jayne and Book is an underrated dynamic, I feel like Books mission would have eventually worn Jayne into a much better person. From Books past Jayne is the one he was most like ironically so hed have the best bet or succeeding with him.

Alan is like me when I want to force my friends to do something with me. "I'll pay" 🤣 Works every time.

Story time: I got myself a Fruity Oaty Bar shirt after watching y’all’s first Firefly videos some time back. Anyway, I went on a first date with someone recently who is also a fellow nerd and Firefly fan. He showed up in a brown coat, and me in my Fruity Oaty Bar shirt. 😂 we’ve decided to continue seeing each other. Thank you Jon and Alan for giving the Firefly series the hype and love it deserves and for creating such an amazing channel that has become part of my self care routines.

I love Firefly specifically for the relationship between the cast. Did you know that in an interview with Alan Tudyk the chemistry was created by Nathan Fillion on the first day Nathan went up to Tudyk and said that they were going to play a game the person who knows the most cast and crew names wins he then proceeded to name three crewmen say "I'm winning" and walked away.

I definitely identify with jonno talking about struggling with his faith in college and not feeling like he fit in because of it. Especially because at the end of the day I just wanted to take care of people, but everyone around me in my faith was very judgemental of everyone else. Struggled with that for a long time

My favorite quote from the show is "if you can't run you crawl and if you can't crawl then you find someone to carry you" because that is the meaning of found family, you find people who will be there for you no matter how broken you may be.

The character of Shepherd Book completely started the change in the way I live my out my faith!

I love how complex all the characters are. For example, Jayne is pretty crass and selfish, frequently making observations that others would keep to themselves. However, we eventually learn that he's been supporting his mother and sister. He also has an unexpected friendship with Shepherd Book, feels obvious guilt about being treated like hero by the mudders, and has a last minute change of heart about betraying River and Simon when he realizes the full extent of the danger they're in. PS) You could easily do a video on each of the 9 main characters.

What I wouldn't give for an entire series of you guys just watching through and picking apart Firefly. There's SO much to it, and I agree with you - it's not like we can fix society with one TV show. But if we could, Firefly would be that show. And if anyone could, it'd be you guys. My favourite video of yours already, and that's a high bar to clear. Thanks so much for posting this, and God bless you for all you do ❤️

I love Firefly so much. And Shepherd Book's approach with people is absolutely worth striving for. I have no words really for what this show means to me.

I so needed this episode. I recently was fired from a job with an organization that I thought fit well with my values, skills and lifestyle. Figuring out what makes a good team is something I was struggling with. This episode showed me how to be a better team member, and I don't feel as bad for losing the job because they were not willing to follow your advice, so it wasn't the right group for me to invest in

Lemme see if I can list everything. 1. My mother watched this while pregnant with my little sister, and got me hooked on it, as well as named her after River Our pets, the first generation of them (cats are insane) were all named after the cast of firefly. Our dog (who we still have) is named Malcom, and as for cats, we've had Simon, Preacher, Kaylee, Zoe, and Einara. Don't have Wash yet, but 3. My little brother was almost named Jane. He even got Jane's hat. Really wish the show had continued. The movie is good, but not the same as the show. (Sorry if I spelled the names wrong. I've never watched the show with subtitles, and they don't really show the names usually)

Nathan fillion is so damn funny. They all were great (the actor's), but if you've never seen the Firefly bloopers you need to. Him running around the camera in this one tracking shot is my all time favorite blooper from anything

One of my favorites is actually how the doctor, Simon, plans one of the best paying heists the crew ever did. He's not a criminal but he has intimate knowledge of how hospitals work and which medicines would be worth the most (and easy to replace so patients aren't put in danger). If Jayne hadn't chosen that moment to get stupid it would have worked even better, but his dislike of Simon and River coupled with greed is too much.

Oh man, I'd love to see you two just react to this whole series! It's a beautiful show!

Still I think one of the funniest lines of all time After Zoe brings back the ear as she returns from Nishka torturing mal and tells Jayne we are getting Malcolm Back. Jayne "What are we gonna do? Clone him?" It is up there with Scotty sayin "it's green"

Forget the like button, we need a super love button. Lol. Firefly is a true gem that made me think and feel all the things and I loved it. My friends and I did our own breakdown of everything firefly/serenity. The characters are beautifully written and well rounded and interact together so amazingly. BEST. EVER!

The closest real-world example, to the family dynamic in this show, is probably how soldiers interact with each other in the Squad/Platoon level. You get wildly different people from all over the country, and sometimes from other countries, from all walks of life, and throw them together in sometimes life/death situations.

"Mal has a heart of gold and is pissed about it" ...that. That is how you sum up my favorite characters right there.

I love Firefly, especially "Out of Gas" - great use of cinematography to distinguish two levels of flashbacks so that the viewer is never lost, as well as glimpses of our favourite characters' backstories.

I have very conflicted feelings about Joss whedon as a person but his works are undeniably masterpieces. And what you guys were saying about how you can never have a heartfelt scene without a joke at the end is why I love Joss whedon's work. That seems to be his signature move in all of his stuff Buffy the vampire Slayer Firefly the first avengers movie and even Dr horrible's Sing-Along blog. They are all character driven stories with brilliant humor all the way along and it's phenomenal

God I love a good Firefly analysis - especially from you two knuckleheads. I literally couldn't click the video fast enough :D [Edit] About #7 - Trust as Choice: One thing that I don't think gets mentioned or observed enough is during the table scene towards the end of Serenity, Jayne passes the bottle to Simon, and Simon takes a swig. That wouldn't have been possible before their encounter in Trash. Subtle, in the grand scheme of the show, but powerful.

I fully didn’t expect to ugly cry on my commute to work today. The scene at the end of “The Message” has always been a really powerful statement for me, and in recent years with the build up of all this trauma and grief and anxiety…it was so much worse. Tracy: "When you can't run, you crawl, and when you can't crawl...when you can't do that..." Zoe: "You find somebody to carry you." 😭

The greatest tragedy here is that there are almost as many principles as there are episodes of Firefly 😢 Never has a show so deserved a longer run than it had.

There's this awesome scene in the movie blink and you'll miss it where Jayne checks everyone's straped in before he is, just goes to show how some of those lessons might've sinked in just a little.

"That thought...wearies me" That is an awesome line that I have used in life. I love it.

Firefly is one of the strongest ensemble shows. I adore the found family theme that runs throughout. So much heart. A true gem and classic.

This show gives me so much that makes me who I am. Simon talking to Jayne, Mal looking after his crew, Book's compassion are all qualities I want to emulate

I will forever *love* Firefly and the characters. Hands down one of my top favorites, right up there with The X-Files, BtVS and Supernatural.

I do really like how the crew all sit together at the table for their meals, even though they don't all get along - like a real family. I also like how Shepherd Books doesn't shame anyone for their ways or imposes his own his views on them. In fact he's more than happy to join them in their life of crime.

“ you’re on my crew” was a line that has suck with me like no other. Even when I forgot about the rest of the show ( I know I know I’m sorry) I still remembered that line.

Yes, another Firefly/Serenity video! The chemistry and relationships between the characters is what makes the show work. The way these nine vastly different people come together to form a family is just beautiful. As a man of faith myself, Sheppard Book is especially inspiring and he's always been my guiding light for what a good Christian should be.

I'm glad you did this. I was a big Firefly fan. I remember balling like a little baby at the end of "The Message", and that clip you showed made me teary eyed again. It was such a great show.

As a lifelong browncoat, I'm so excited to watch this. Firefly is my favorite show and what really made me fall in love with the found-family concept.

What is so amazing about the chemistry of the cast is that it happened so quickly. I mean the show barely started! It can take a couple seasons for some shows to exhibit this level of synergy. So many amazing things about this show.

I can so rely on this team. When I moved into my first shared house, my roommates became my extended family. It was a mix between punks, metalheads, hipies and jazz fans. We all came from broken homes more or less and we managed to build our small community for some years. We are still like siblings 20 years later, living in differnt cities, following differnt paths. It is always like meeting a sister or brother,even after months or sometimes years and I know we will always have our backs. I have the privilege to have this extra family and having them brought me through the darkest times of my life. Accepting others for what they are, without judging was our key and a life lesson that helped me a lot in my work and my private life. It gives one the chance to truly know another person and it enriches my life to this day.

This is the first show my now husband showed me. That was 15 years ago and we’re still going strong! So it’s pretty special to me too❤

I have never felt “no more running, I am aim to misbehave.” More than anytime more in my life. We need YOUR particular way of seeing things just like the crew does!

No matter how many times I've watched this series I still get goosebumps at certain scenes.

Messenger was the episode where they knew the show was cancelled. The funeral scene at the end of the episode has a double meaning… the composer did a brilliant job to go along with the visuals. I adore that your two have this as a catalyst to your relationship. My best friend and I basically have the same with another work of fiction (Lord of the Rings and Warhammer 40k). We basically became brothers to the extent his mom unofficially adopted me after my mom died.

It really is criminal that Firefly didn't get a second season (or more). Such a good show.

Firefly can be one of the top 3 tv series for many, but if you put 3 people in a room who thinks like that, it becomes number one with no hesitation. So underrated and yet so loved :(

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life" Quote from the book, Illusions by Richard Bach. That is how I saw the characters in this show and why I love this show so much! I love them as if they were my family.

The saddest part of the episode where their war buddy dies, is the funeral. Everyone looks as sad as they do, is because the cast had just got the news of cancelation, and the funeral was shot as a sort of goodbye to the show itself.

I am all for doing a few more videos on the firefly series and serenity movie. So many interesting things to go into. Like supporting others through trauma. Working through Jealousy (wash, Zoe, and mal). Just to name a few.

You hear these guys talk about knowing one another for years, but it doesn't sink in until you see the old photo. Its like, oh, you guys go WAY BACK!

It is a testament to this show's quality that I almost cried several times watching this *discussion* of the show.

Still hoping Farscape will be talked about here. The arcs of Scorpius and John Crichton are amazing.

Firefly is such a great show. I still have the series and movie on DVD. I don't understand how the viewership was so low that it got cancelled after one season.

I absolutely LOVE that the two of you bonded over Firefly!! No wonder I enjoy your channel so much! Big damn heroes, for sure!!

welp. i guess its time for firefly rewatch #437 this show has influenced literally every part of my life ngl. gods what a beautiful episode.

I will be a Browncoat forever. Firefly was (and still is) my all-time favorite TV show. The diversity of thought, beliefs, emotions, personalities, and life experiences coalesce into this quintessential found family that appeals to me the most. No matter how different they are, how much they bicker and fight, they are ALWAYS there for you when you need them. Their loyalty to one another, even when questioned by circumstance or by deed, never truly falters. They are all flawed, but that makes no difference at its core. They are family in every sense of the word and something we should all strive to be with the people we love.

I only watched the first 30 seconds of this and, I really needed this. Not even an hour passed and I was crying because of my emotionally unavailable and unsupportive parents. Thank you so so much

The "I can kill you with my brain" moment reminds me of a comic. Two boxers are squaring off, and one of the them starts to do the Kamehameha Wave, a signature move in Dragonball, and the other boxer gives up before his opponent pulls off the move. When asked why he gave up, I think his rational is the same as why River works as a safeguard to Jayne: "I know they prolly couldn't, but I ain't gonna mess around and see if they could." Man, I do love this show, and it's crime that we got so little of it. Guess we have to treasure how much of it we got.

This has got to be one of my favorite shows. There is so much to look at in this show, I wouldn't be surprised if someone has written a thesis about it. I love how characters work through their relationships, especially Mal & Inara and Kaylee & Simon (particularly their conversation at the end of Jaynetown). As a language teacher, I also love how they used Chinese in Firefly. While the actors may've struggled with pronunciation, it was incorporated in a way that 1) show's characters' fluency and 2) never impedes the audience's understanding of what is happening. There are many examples of language in context. When everyone is arguing and Mal yells "都闭嘴!" Since everyone immediately stops talking, you don't need to have studied Chinese to infer that Mal had said something along the lines of "Shut up!" Most of the time they use Chinese in Firefly (this is less true in Serenity), you may not be able infer the exact words, but you can infer whether it's an exclamation, an insult or giving permission to come in.