Bushwhacked (Firefly)

"Bushwhacked" is the third episode of the science fiction television series Firefly created by Joss Whedon.

"Bushwhacked"
Firefly episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 3
Directed byTim Minear
Written byTim Minear
Production code1AGE02
Original air dateSeptember 27, 2002 (2002-09-27)
Guest appearance(s)
  • Doug Savant as Commander Harken
  • Branden R. Morgan as the survivor

The crew of Serenity comes across a transport ship drifting in space. After recovering a terrified survivor and a valuable cargo, they are pulled in by an Alliance cruiser. While the Alliance commander grills each member of the crew, it appears that Reaver-spawned violence has not yet run its course.

Synopsis

Serenity encounters a drifting spacecraft which turns out to be a short-range scow converted to a one-way settler transport to the "Outer Planets". Mal decides to check out the derelict in order to either help survivors or loot the dead. He sends his crew off in teams to explore the ship, while he and Zoe head to a section that he suspects holds the more valuable supplies.

They arrive in a room, followed shortly by River who points out mutilated bodies hanging from the ceiling. Mal knows what did this and orders everyone to regroup in the engine room, but en route Jayne is hit from behind by an unseen attacker, whom Jayne shoots blindly four times. Mal finds the wounded man hiding behind an air grate; they bring him back to their ship.

As Simon treats the wounded man, Mal announces that he must be the lone survivor of a Reaver attack. He explains how the Reavers were driven insane after seeing the nothing at the "edge of the galaxy" and now commit unspeakable acts of evil. He allows Shepherd Book to say a few words over the victims, while Kaylee removes a Reaver booby trap that attached itself to Serenity when they docked earlier.

Once the derelict's cargo is aboard, Serenity starts to leave, only to be stopped by an Alliance cruiser. The Feds board the ship and find Mal and everyone but River and Simon waiting for them, the salvaged cargo plainly in sight to avoid accusations of theft. Alliance Commander Harken accuses them of harboring two fugitives and detains them for questioning.

Commander Harken interviews each member of the crew while his crew tend to the survivor and search Serenity. The space-suited Tams are undetected, outside clinging to the ship's hull.

Harken accuses Mal of attacking the settler ship, revealing that the survivor's tongue has been split and implying that Mal did it to keep him from speaking. Mal, however, realizes that the survivor is becoming a Reaver, having been traumatized by what he witnessed. Harken dismisses Mal's idea as nonsense designed to avoid blame.

As Harken prepares to confine Mal, his lieutenant informs him that the survivor has killed the medical personnel attending to him and is loose on the ship. Mal convinces Harken that he knows where the madman will go. Harken allows Mal to lead him and soldiers back onto Serenity. The survivor attacks the soldiers, but Mal is able to kill the Reaver, saving Harken's life. As a result, Harken allows the crew of Serenity to go, though he still confiscates their cargo. After Serenity undocks, the cruiser is seen firing on the derelict.

Guest cast
  • Doug Savant as Commander Harken
  • Brandon Morgan as Reaver attack survivor
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References
    • Espenson, Jane; Yeffeth, Glenn, eds. (2005). Finding Serenity: Anti-heroes, Lost Shepherds and Space Hookers in Joss Whedon's "Firefly". Dallas, Texas: Benbella Books. ISBN 1-932100-43-1.
    • Wilcox, Rhonda V.; Tanya Cochran (20 May 2008). Investigating Firefly and Serenity: Joss Whedon's Worlds Beyond: Science Fiction on the Frontier (Investigating Cult TV Series). I B Tauris & Co Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84511-654-5.
    • Joss Whedon (1 Sep 2005). Serenity: The Official Visual Companion. Titan Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84576-082-3.
    • Whedon, Joss; et al. (25 August 2006). Firefly: The Official Companion: Volume One. Titan Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84576-314-5.
    • Whedon, Joss; et al. (25 August 2006). Firefly: The Official Companion: Volume Two. Titan Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84576-372-5.
    • Whedon, Joss (December 9, 2003). The Complete Series: Commentary for "Serenity" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
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