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When Inara asks the crew to help a friend (and erstwhile Companion) with a business problem, Mal immediately agrees. Jayne doesn't take much convincing once he learns the occupation of those in need, and Shepherd Book thinks he might be able to spread the good word.

Planetside, our heroes attempt to surmount loneliness, temptation (er, some of 'em do - there's a bit of plowing as well), jealousy, baby talk, childbirth, a hijacking, and ruttin' illegal lasers. It's just another day in the life...

Along with The Message, this episode was nominated for a Hugo award for Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) in 2004.

Original airdate: unaired
Written by: Brent Matthews
Directed by: Tom Wright
Read the script

Highlights

The Mal and Inara storyline was excellent. Most folks probably didn't need any further incentive to be attracted to her, but watching Inara move the small concealable weapon to the left side of the place setting in the first act seems to have done the trick.
Wash and Zoe's conversation about the possibility of having a child was as entertaining as it was enlightening. This may have become a major bone of contention between them as time went on.

Quotes

INARA: Every well-bred petty crook knows: the small concealable weapons always go to the far left of the place setting.

INARA: I suppose you heard most of that?
MAL: Only 'cause I was eavesdropping.

JAYNE: Good. 'cause I don't know these folks. Don't much care to.
MAL: They're whores.
JAYNE: I'm in.
MAL (moving off): Wash -- plot a course.

KAYLEE: Look, they got boy whores! Isn't that thoughtful?

KAYLEE: Wash, tell me I'm pretty...
WASH: Were I unwed, I would take you in a manly fashion.
KAYLEE: 'Cause I'm pretty?
WASH: 'Cause you're pretty.

MAL: Then so will I. Inara, think you could stoop to being on my arm?
INARA: Will you wash it first?

Referring to Petaleen's womb, which she is intently staring at.
RIVER: Who do you think is in there...?

Chinese Phrases

gun HOE-tze bee DIO-se

"engage in a feces hurling contest with a monkey" (Inara, about what the companion house could go and do.)

TZOO-foo nee, mei-mei.

"Blessing on you, dear sister." (Nandi, addressing Inara.)

Mei Mei

little sister {in script without English} (Nandi, addressing Inara.)

(wuh doh juh man tzai ur choo)

"Little by little, the tribes used the Earth up. Barren, she had little left to offer them. / Swollen of her, they left." {just part of this} (Puppet Theater Narrator, about leaving Earth That Was, as Mal and Inara enter theater.)

dong MA?

"Understand?" (Jayne {off-screen}, to prostitutes about proper shooting and punishment.)

jen mei NAI-shing duh FWO-tzoo

"Extraordinarily impatient Buddha" (Nandi, to Mal about waiting to kiss.)

Wang bao {sic} DAHN-- {Nandi sounds like Wung bao dahn}

"dirty bastard sons-of--" (Nandi, referring to Rance's man who just shot her male prostitute.)

niao SE duh DOO-gway {Wash sounds like niao say duh goo-ay}

"p-ss-soaked pikers" (Wash, on trapping Rance's men on Serenity.)

LAN-dan JIANG!

"Weak-ass sauce!" (Mal, referring to his fancy drink.)

For more information and a pronunciation guide, see the Firefly Chinese Pinyinary.

Trivia

The script held somewhat more detail than the filmed version of Heart of Gold in showing Book's original objective to "bring the word to them as need it told."
The script also held some detail on what happened to Earth-that-was. Some of this is still visible briefly during the playhouse scene.

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