[Canon Review] Episode Summaries
I've probably forgotten oodles of stuff already, sob. FOR MY OWN REFERENCE here is what I remember about the series.
"Serenity - Parts 1 & 2:" Establishes details about Teh War. Mal is an awesome son of a bitch who shoots people in the face rather than have a stalemate. Also, showcases Mal's pessimistic optimism: as long as Serenity's flying, he's okay. Review for: war info, baseline behavior.
"The Train Job:" ... not much for Mal? He has to punch someone out on Unification day. Also, he kicks bad guys into engine turbines. Review for: small details on the war / Unification.
"Bushwhacked:" I don't like this episode much, so I don't usually rewatch it. There's a line in here about how Mal and Zoe know about how Reavers act -- and the rest of the crew is surprised by the description. Therefore, Mal and Zoe probably got attacked by Reavers sometime before the series started. Also, Mal is damn good at fighting in handcuffs. Review for: Reavers, emergency mode.
"Shindig:" Important Inara-Mal relationship episode. I think someone once said that "Shindig" is all about how Mal feels about Inara while "Our Mrs. Reynolds" is about how Inara feels about Mal; I'd agree with that. Also, Mal is apparently capable of being sophisticated if he wants to be. Review for: Mal in tightpants, Inara interaction.
"Safe:" I'd say this is the first time that Mal really thinks of Simon and River as crew. Also a forerunner to his actions in the BDM. Otherwise, not much Mal in this episode. Review for: Simon & River interaction.
"Our Mrs. Reynolds:" Another good Mal episode. Some snippets of background here--Mal states that his mom ran a ranch and that he had "more family for a kid" than was probably usual. I'm guessing that he was an only child who was raised among the other farm hands and stuff. Review for: background details, Inara interaction.
"Jaynestown:" Awesome episode, not much Mal. Review for: ... the man they call Jayne?
"Out of Gas:" Huge, HUGE Mal episode. This is the episode I go back to the most when I need to refresh my Mal voice. Review for: EVERYTHING.
"Ariel:" Some interaction between Simon and Mal. Big big big interaction between Mal and Jayne. Hint: Mal hates being betrayed. A lot. Review for: Simon & River interaction, Jayne interaction.
"War Stories:" Interaction between Mal, Wash, and Zoe. More of the kuhrazy mental stamina from Mal--he talks Wash through being tortured and then gets killed. l-lol. Review for: Zoe and Wash interaction, torture tolerance, LESBIANS :Dd
"Trash:" Some interaction with Inara, a few details about the war (Monty specifically). Otherwise, not a whole lot. Review for: nekkid Mal |Dd
"The Message:" WAR INFO A++. Definitely fought in Du Khang (I think) with Tracey. Probably towards the end of the war, 'cause Tracey looked young in that battle and I play a Mal who started the war pretty young himself. Review for: war stuff, flashback stuff.
"Heart of Gold:" ... I barely remember anything about this episode because it's not one of my favorites. There's some good stuff between Inara and Mal, and there's some overall stuff in the episode that gave me fodder for making up Mal-background. Review for: Inara interaction, some general stuff.
"Objects in Space:" More of a River-centric episode, but there's still some important Mal moments in there. Mostly it's a good bridge between the relationship Mal has with River in the series and the relationship he develops with her in the BDM. Review for: River interaction.
"Serenity" (the Big Damn Movie): ... I'm not touching this one just yeeet. L-lots of stuff that I need to dig out after I sit down and rewatch it.