Top 25 TV Shows: Part 5

My list of the Top 25 TV Shows of All-Time continues with five more entries! If you missed my previous parts, click here for Part 1, here for Part 2, here for Part 3, and here for Part 4.

5: Firefly

Firefly is the definition of shiny (awesome in Firefly lingo). Joss Whedon is the king of making lovable and believable characters, and Firefly is a shining example of his skill in writing an ensemble cast. Almost everything about Firefly is perfect and endlessly quotable. It is one of the few shows that I could re-watch. Unfortunately, (or fortunately for Marvel and The Avengers), Firefly was cancelled after one brilliant season. Despite being cancelled, if you enjoy science fiction or well written characters, Firefly is wholeheartedly recommended to pretty much anyone.

Watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime

4: Sherlock

With season 4 of Sherlock set to arrive.... whenever Steven Moffat bloody well feels like it, there is no better time than the present to catch up with the modern reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes. Despite the series' relative brevity, basically ten 90 minute TV movies, BBC's Sherlock is an absolute must watch. Benedict Cumberbatch is a brilliant Holmes and Martin Freeman is, by far, my favorite John Watson put to screen. Equally balancing characterization, humor, and each mystery, Sherlock elevates the TV mystery genre to new heights, and being so short, you have absolutely no reason not to watch this brilliant and witty adventure.

Watch on: Netflix

Seasons: 3

Episodes: 9

Runtime: 90 mins

3: Daredevil

Daredevil introduced viewers to Matthew Murdock, a lawyer trying to help the little people in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen along with his friend Foggy Nelson. And during the nights, Matthew tries to clean of the streets of Hell’s Kitchen as Daredevil. Marvel not only proved that they deliver the best comic book films, but also the best comic book television series. Season 1 of Daredevil established the character and presented a darker, more violent side of the Marvel Universe, without losing the core aspects that make Marvel adaptations truly great. Season 2 raised the stakes, introduced riveting new characters, like The Punisher, and continued the character development of Mat and the supporting cast. In many regards, Daredevil stands right next to the MCU’s best films. Every episode is an experience that has me glued to the screen from beginning to end. It is worth $9.99 Netflix subscription fee just for Daredevil, so do yourself a favor and watch it.
Watch on: Netflix

2: Doctor Who

Deciding what should be number one is SO DIFFICULT! On one hand, Breaking Bad is a complete masterpiece of television with the most consistently high quality writing through 62 episodes. On the other, Doctor Who is a continuously changing adventure with some episodes being absolutely brilliant and inventive, while others fail. While Doctor Who might be my “favorite” television series for fueling my love of science fiction for over half my life, Breaking Bad ultimately takes the top spot due to Doctor Who containing entire seasons that are disappointing, despite my love of the series. 

Doctor Who is certainly weird. It’s cheesy sometimes, especially the early seasons. However, if you give the series a chance, Doctor Who is an incredibly inventive series. The time-and-space-traveling aspect produces so many fun adventures, unique creatures, and episodes that standalone as an engrossing experience. “Blink” is a stunning piece of gothic horror and possibly my favorite episode of any television series. Many other episodes fascinated and intrigued me. Doctor Who is a large part of my love for time-travel, and while a few other works execute time-travel better, Doctor Who’s creativity and sheer fun is among the best. If you are up for something different, give Doctor Who a try.

Watch on: Amazon Prime

1: Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is the greatest television series of all-time. Sure, this might be the most clichéd top pick, but hear me out. When watching Breaking Bad for the first time over the course of a month late last year, my expectations were somewhat, albeit cautious. How could something that LITERALLY everyone claims to be the “BEST THING EVER” actually be the BEST THING EVER? 

Season 1 started slow and setup an interesting narrative. Season 2 meandered just a tad in the middle, but still balanced the humor, character development, and plot twists skillfully. Then, Season 3 happened. Each episode left me on the edge-of-my-seat. Plot twists left and right. Would Walter and Jesse get caught? Where could the story go next!? Season 4 capped off Season 3’s exceptional story arc with some of the most exciting twists in television. Season 5 brought things to a riveting conclusion, and while arguably not quite as perfect as the previous two seasons, still surpasses just about any other television series. So yeah, Breaking Bad is the best television series of all-time for so many reasons. Nothing is perfect, especially television series with their wide margin for dips in quality, but Breaking Bad does every single thing right and more than surpassed expectations. Breaking Bad is a once in generation type of experience, and while that sounds like hyperbole, I have yet to see a television that even comes close to its quality. If any television deserves the title of “Best,” Breaking Bad certainly deserves it, so, if you are old enough and can handle mature content, watch Breaking Bad.

Watch on: Netflix

Are any of these your favorites? What do you think of my final list? Please comment below and let me know!

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Movie Music and More #23 : "Firefly" (2002-2003)

The soundtrack for Joss Whedon's tragically short-lived TV show Firefly is a lot of fun.  Composed mainly by Greg Edmonson, the music is a fascinating blend of east-and-west, like the show's culture.  You've got twangy banjos and ethereal flutes, pounding rhythm and delicate melodies.  It's got such a unique flavor, just like the rest of the show.

"Inside the Tam House" offers a good example of the more eastern music, with lyrical melodies from strings and a flute laid over a trickling piano.

"Mal Fights Niska/Back Home" represents what I think of as the classic Firefly sound -- lots of strings and wind instruments and percussion.  I like how this one starts a little slow, then switches to a more actiony vibe, because it definitely gives you the feeling of people facing each other, then starting to fight.  Around 1:22, it then flips to the more peaceful and gentle "home" theme that makes me feel cozy and happy.

Hands-down, my favorite track on the whole album is "River's Dance."  It's joyful and carefree, which the rest of the album isn't, for the most part.  Definitely makes me feel like dancing!

I'm so glad that, although Firefly was short-lived, the powers that be saw fit to release a soundtrack to CD, because I have had many hours of enjoyment from listening to this.  

If you've never heard this before, what did you think of it?

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 5

Finally, we have reached the Top 10; the best of the best. These are the films that go down in history as the pinnacle of the science fiction genre. At this point, everyone should have seen these films, and if you have not, you probably should go watch them.

10: The Terminator

James Cameron's breakout film as a director, The Terminator is responsible for both Cameron's later success as well as the "Governator," aka Arnold Schwarzenegger, becoming a household name. As for the film itself, The Terminator set the standard for the killer robot movie. Despite being more than three decades old, the film is every bit as hard hitting and thrilling as it was all those years ago. Just be sure not to think about the time-travel aspect too long; your brain will start to hurt. On a personal note, along with Star Wars and a few other sci-fi films, The Terminator is one of the films that inspired my interest in computers as a kid, which led to my current career path in IT.

9: Serenity

A sequel film to Joss Whedon's unjustly cancelled cult-classic Firefly, Serenity might not have been the second season that we all wanted, but Whedon gave us just enough conclusion to satisfy the fans. While Serenity can be enjoyed as a standalone film, without watching the series much of the emotional impact and callbacks are missed, so be sure to watch the series first. To quote the opening song, “You can burn the land and boil the sea, but there's no place I can’t be since I've found Serenity.”

8: Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park changed filmmaking forever with its revolutionary CGI effects, and yet, thanks to Spielberg's superb direction, the effects never overshadow the rest of the movie. In addition to the CGI, Jurassic Park used many brilliant practical effects, all of which hold up better than almost anything today. Special Effects aside, Jurassic Park is a fun film full of thrills, excitement, and breathtaking sequences that are as awe-inspiring today as they were 20 years ago. The film is the near perfection of the Summer Blockbuster!

7: Blade Runner

Ever since watching Blade Runner three years ago, the film continues to climb my favorites list for one simple reason: I am still thinking about the film. Every so often, I find myself considering the mysteries of the film and its depiction of Artificial Intelligence. Sure, at first, the movie might have seemed slow, but after watching the original cut and the Final Cut, it is a film that is the definition of "Staying Power." Anytime that I reference "Staying Power" in my reviews, Blade Runner is the one that sets the bar, because no other film has been able to change my opinion without a second viewing than Blade Runner. Often times, when you think about a film in-depth, it starts to fall apart, unless it is a truly great film, and thus Blade Runner is truly among the greats.

6: Back to the Future

From the clever script to the witty dialogue to the quirky sense of humor, Back to the Future is the definition of a classic. Few films pack so much pure entertainment into 116 minutes than Back to the Future! Even though its time-travel logic is a little contradicting at times, where else can you find a film that is just so much fun to watch!

What do you think of this part of the list? Please comment below and check out the previous parts in the links below.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

6 Unconventional Westerns

Westerns do not have to be set in the mid-to-late 1800s America. Sometimes, a story set in the distant future or other lands can still contain elements of a classic western. Those are the type of movies and TV shows that I highlight today. Also, this is not a list, but rather a collection of fiction that portrays a different take on the western genre.

Firefly / Serenity

Firefly and Serenity are an obvious pick for an unconventional western. Taking place in the distant future where humanity has spread across the stars, space is like a wild frontier with outlaws and smugglers. Everyone knows Firefly as the TV show that ended well before its time. While its short run is unfortunate, we will always have Joss Whedon and company's brilliant first season of television and the feature film, Serenity.

Back to the Future Part III

The third and final part of the madcap time-travel classic, Back to the Future Part III is a fun adventure through the old west with Doc Brown and Marty McFly. It might not be a stellar film by any stretch of the imagination, but it is full of classic western references and witty humor.

The Good, the Bad, the Weird

A South Korean film set in 1800s Korea, The Good, the Bad, the Weird is inspired by Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Much like the original film, it features a memorable cast of cool and zany characters, with Song Kang-ho as the "Weird" being the standout. This South Korean take adds an eastern action flare with lengthy action sequences with practical stunts and superb direction. If you enjoy westerns, foreign films, or entertaining action comedy, give this one a watch!

Trigun

Yes, I know what you are thinking: "An anime? Who would watch that weird Japanese stuff?" But hear me out. Trigun is a sci-fi action comedy set on a new plant that humanity colonizes, and it is a barren wasteland, just like the Wild West. The series follows Vash the Stampede, a man with a 60 billion "double dollar" bounty on his head. What makes Trigun unique is that it starts out as an action comedy with wacky characters and fun action, and then shifts gears to a serious series with complex themes of heroism. Interestingly, the writer of the original comic (manga) that the anime was based on is a Christian, which is evident by the themes expressed. It explores the consequences of a hero that refuses to kill, like Batman, and how that can lead to even more deaths of innocents.

Cowboy Bebop

Another anime, Cowboy Bebop, a classic that everyone should have at least heard of by now, is set in the future where humanity is spread across the stars where bounty hunters, referred to as "Cowboys," roam the galaxy in search of their targets. That's the premise of Cowboy Bebop, but that is only the beginning. The series is heavily influenced by American filmmakers, and the soundtrack varies from smooth jazz to classic rock with each episode being titled after a style of music. Once you get past the slow start, Cowboy Bebop is an unforgettable classic that should be watched by all; I even own the Blu-Ray set! If you are not sold on it after episode 1, skip to Episode 5; that should sell the show to you.

Rango

An animated film starring Johnny Depp, Rango is one of the funniest animated films of the last few years. The plot is a fun twist on classic western stories with animals and shockingly detailed 3D animation.

What are some of your favorite Unconventional Westerns? Have you seen any of the films on this list? Please let me know in the comments, and do not forget to check out my Top 10 Westerns list in the following links: Part 1 & Part 2.

Unless I think of one final post tomorrow for Emma, Plain and Tall's Legends of Western Cinema week on A Lantern in Her Hand & Meanwhile, in the River...., this is the end of my western posts. Thanks everyone for reading, and I hope you have found a few new westerns to watch. My Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies list continues next week, so be sure to check back for that!

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 10 Fictional Pirates

Ahoy again you scurvy bilge rats! I have created a list of the Top 10 Fictional scallywags to ever sail the Seven Seas in our favorite movies, TV shows, books, and video games. My list will not include the usual pirates like Blackbeard or Captain Kidd, but only the fictional. I am not limiting my list to pirates that sail the oceans, but also the ones that pillage and plunder the vast abyss of space, and even modern pirates. 

Honorable Mention: Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds, and Star Lord

As much as I wanted to include my three favorite galactic scoundrels, Han and Mal are more smugglers than pirates, and Star Lord is more of a thief, therefore, they will not be making the list.

At Number 10: Davy Jones

Honestly, Davy Jones is not a particularly compelling character to me in the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels. However, he looks cool, and Davy Jones is a very popular character. Plus, if I did not include him on the list, I might end up in Davy Jones' Locker!

At Number 9: Captain Hook

Captain Hook from the old Peter Pan book and movies is a classic pirate that almost everyone has seen in some form or another. Sure, he is not exactly menacing, and I have not seen an incarnation of the characters in years (except for that Neverland miniseries), but the original Peter Pan animated movie was one that I watched several times as a child. Hook has been played by many different actors throughout the years including, Rhys Ifans, Hans Conried, Tom Hiddleston, and next year, Garrett Hedlund will play a young version of the character in the new live-action reimagining of the story titled, Pan.

At Number 8: Captain Harlock

Captain Harlock is the fearless captain of the spaceship Arcadia, and he is the titular character in the TV series Space Pirate Captain Harlock, as well as the recent feature film, which I reviewed yesterday. He comes from the mind of the popular Japanese anime creator Leiji Matsumoto, and grew popular in the 70s and 80s thanks to the anime TV series. While there have been various versions of the character, he remains a stoic figure that fights for no one except for what he, himself, believes is right.

At Number 7: Edward Kenway

Apparently, not all of Desmond Miles' ancestors were noble assassins with Edward Kenway being just as much a pirate as he is an assassin. In the popular Ubisoft video game, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, you play as Edward Kenway, a privateer-turned-pirate, as he battles the Templars and plunders the high seas, alongside some of history's most infamous pirates like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. 

At Number 6: Hondo Ohnaka

Most notable for his various appearances in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Hondo Ohnaka can be an antagonist or reluctant anti-hero depending on who pays the most. He is the leader of the Weequay pirate group, and he has often clashed with Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in various episodes of The Clone Wars series. Apparently, Hondo has also had a romantic relationship with bounty hunter vixen Aurra Sing.

At Number 5: Captain Barbossa

After Jack, Captain Barbossa is the best character of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, hands down. In some ways, he is an even cooler character than Jack, and his lack of presence in the second film of the franchise is glaringly noticeable. Sure, he does not have a ton of depth, but Geoffrey Rush gives a fun performance in every film.

At Number 4: Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

More of a Space Cowboy/Bounty Hunter than pirate, Spike Spiegel is the main character of the classic anime Cowboy Bebop. Since he is not exactly a pirate by some definitions, Spike is not number one on the list, but he and the crew of the spaceship the Bebop fly around space trying to track down bounties across the known galaxy, which is kind of like a pirate. While he kind of sucks at his job, Spike is one of the most complex and compelling characters of any media. 

At Number 3: Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts

The most feared pirate of the seven seas, who is known for taking no prisoners, Dread Pirate Roberts, aka Westley, is not really that bad of a guy when you get to know him. In the extremely popular satirical fantasy adventure, The Princess Bride, Westley tries to save his beloved Princess Buttercup from the clutches of evil. If, for whatever reason, you have not seen the Princess Bride, just go watch it; the movie is a classic!

At Number 2: Revy (Black Lagoon)

A modern pirate/mercenary, Revy is possibly the coolest and most buttkicing female protagonist in any TV series or movie, and she is one of the main characters in the anime Black Lagoon. Definitely more of an anti-hero than hero, who often cares more about money and killing than anything else, Revy, along with Rock, Dutch, and Benny, are a part of Lagoon Company, a band of pirate mercenaries that are hired to do odd jobs ranging from VIP protection to ship plundering. Revy is also known for being a little (more like a lot) psychopathic at times, and throughout the series her dark past is explored. 

At Number 1: Captain Jack Sparrow

Honestly, who else could be number one other than Captain Jack Sparrow? Johnny Depp, in easily his most famous role, has almost single handedly made pirates the pop culture phenomenon that they are today with his Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. Depp was even nominated for Best Actor for his performance in Curse of the Black Pearl! Sure, the sequels range from mediocre to forgettably entertaining, but the first film and Depp's performance in it, more than makes him the best fictional pirate of all-time.

Who are your favorite fictional pirates? What do you think of my list? Please comment below and let me know.

Update Note: Well, it seems that I have made a massive mistake because Talk like a Pirate day is actually September 19, not August....

Honorable Mention: Long John Silver,

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2013 in Review

2013 has come to a close and now it is time to look back at the things that have accomplished in world of entertainment. This is only the first part in a series of Year in Review posts that are about different things like the year of television in review as well as the movies that I am most looking forward to next year. However, since I have yet to see all of the major movies that came out last year, I cannot make an accurate list of my favorite films from 2013,  but I will have a Television Awards post. For this post in particular, I will be covering the things that I have seen and done for the first time throughout all of 2013, with the exception of movies that I watched in 2013 because that is another post entirely. Basically, these are the older movies, TV shows, and fandoms that I have started during the year. 

Firefly

Ever since watching the Joss Whedon's masterpiece, The Avengers, my interest in his work grew exponentially, and thanks to my friends Buruk and Maegen heavily recommending Firefly, I watched it and loved almost every minute of it. Firefly has one of the best group of characters ever developed. Joss Whedon's amazing ability to write flawless sequences of witty and smart dialogue is showcased perfectly during the series. I am now proud to say that I am a Browncoat. 

Firefly Review: Part 1.
Firefly Review Part 2: the Characters.
Firefly Review Part 3: the Characters.
Serenity Review (Firefly Review Part 4).
Firefly Review Part 5: Episode Breakdown.

The Walking Dead 

Last year I finally watched the absurdly popular television, The Walking Dead. Despite my original skepticism, the Walking Dead is one of my favorite shows on television. I have now completely caught up to the series' current episodes, and now I am eagerly awaiting season four. In the near future, I plan to post reviews of each season and when season four starts, I might review each episode as it airs similar to how I review Agents of SHIELD. A quick shout out to my friends Rebecca and Jamie for convincing me to watch the show. 

Anime

Back in July of 2013 Stilwater at In the Shade of My Wide-Brimmed Hat recommended Death Note in a post about Anime, and since I had nothing better to do, I decided to give the show a try, and to my surprise, it turned out to be one of the best things I have ever seen. After that, I watched what is essentially the Citizen Kane of anime series, Cowboy Bebop, and then I enjoyed that, which lead to me watching various series and then some movies. Even though anime can be weird, with the proper amount of research, you can find a lot of great series that are not different than what is on television in America, except much of it is higher quality. I have already posted several reviews, and I have even more reviews written, which I will be posting throughout the year. My favorite genres so far have been suspense thriller, action, sci-fi, fantasy, and mind bender. In general, my preferred broad genre is Seinen and with an occasional high quality Shōnen series like FMA: Brotherhood. Here is a list of all the series and movies that I have seen thus far in roughly the order that I watched the series. Also I have split the list between the series I have seen in their entirety, the ones that I am currently watching, and the ones that I watched part of before stopping.

Completed Series: Death Note, Cowboy Bebop, Code Geass, Angel Beats!, Baccano!, Neon Genesis Evangelion, IS: Infinite Stratos, Eden of the East, Steins Gate, Fate/Zero, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya,

Currently Watching: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Sword Art Online, Accel Woirld, 

Unfinished Series: Future Diary, Fairy Tail,

Movies: Akira, Cowboy Bebeop: The Movie, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Ghost in the Shell, Interstella 55555, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, Summer Wars, Perfect Blue, Spirited Away, Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance,

Alien Franchise

After years of seeing the first two Alien films on many top science fiction movies list, I finally watched Alien and its sequel Aliens. Even though the first Alien was great, the sequel Aliens even better! The movies have tons of suspense, action, thrills, and intensity. While they are not my favorite movies, they are among the best thrillers ever made. Also, death by facehugger is probably the worst death in all of cinema history, and Ellen Ripley is the best heroine of the 80s.

Watched Some "Classics"

Even though both Godfather movies, Pulp Fiction, and Fight Club are still on my need to watch list, during 2013 I finally watched the "classics" Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz, Akira, The Shawshank Redemption, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Watching those movies was an interesting experience. At least I can now say that I am seen them.

Playing Top Video Games

My way of buying video games is a bit unusual, unless said game is a must own right now, I typically wait for the games to go on sale between Thanksgiving and Christmas and just buy all of the ones that I was interested in at half price or less. Among the games that I have enjoyed the most last year and the beginning of this year are Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, XCOM: Enemy Within, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and Batman: Arkham: Origins. After I finish the games I will hopefully have reviews for them whenever I get around to playing each one throughout the year. 

Overall, 2013 was a great year. Despite college slowing down my blogging and media consumption, I have become a fan of several new franchises and genres.  

Please check back next week for my rundown of all the television shows that I watched in 2012, which is quite a few, as well as awards for the best shows on TV. In addition to that, I have some posts about what I am most looking forward to in the future.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Firefly Post Ideas and a Shiny Firefly Video!

Last month my Firefly post series was surprisingly popular, so that got to thinking that I should find a way to write more Firefly posts and that is the point of this post: please comment with what Firefly things I can post about. If you do not have any ideas, then enjoy the Browncoat Anthem, which is incredibly shiny. My current idea to write something the few side characters that I had forgotten, which the readers pointed out, namely Badger and Niska.

 

 

Typically I do not like rap; for this I will make an exception.

Firefly Review: Part 1.

Firefly Review Part 2: the Characters.

Firefly Review Part 3: the Characters.

Serenity Review (Firefly Review Part 4).

Firefly Review Part 5: Episode Breakdown.

 

 



This is beyond awesome for Firefly and Doctor Who fans.

 

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Firefly Review Part 5: Episode Breakdown.

This is a breakdown of Firefly's episodes and ranking my Top 5 episodes at the end of the post. Since basically all of the episodes are fantastic, there is no real reason to give a number rating, but just a mini non-spoiler review of each and my impressions of Firefly as the series continued. This is mostly spoiler-free and I ample warnings before the spoilers.

 

 

 

Serenity (parts 1 & 2): The episode that started it all and was infamously aired out of order by the idiots at Fox! The first half of the episode was a little slow, albeit for good reason. It setup the characters gave the series a solid starting point to start from. While it was enjoyable, particularly the second half, the series did not immediately grab my interest. However, new comers be assured that the show continues to progress and become better later in the series.

 

The Train Job: Fun episode, it had a great classic western vibe to the whole thing. The action was good and the special effects where surprising impressive considering it was made top 10 years ago for TV. While I was not entirely hooked, I knew I was going to watch the series all the way regardless.

Bushwhacked: The introduction of Reavers that hinted at something grander and Shepherd Book had some good moments. Not much to say, one of the less memorable episodes.

Shindig: Now Shindig was when the started to get be hooked. Mal was hilarious in this one, and it was nice to see Kaylee gets some screen time. There was some action, Malcolm had good character development and I enjoyed the tension between Inara and Malcolm. At this point I was mostly hooked on the series.

Safe: River and Simon really came into their own in Safe. They solidified themselves as one of the best sibling teams in fiction. River is loony and loveable as ever in Safe as well. Also it had one of the many great quotes in the Gif below:

Our Mrs. Reynolds: After this episode I was 100% hooked, absolutely love this episode. Our Mrs. Reynolds is positively hilarious! It is one of those episodes that warrants multiple viewings. Saffron is one of the best characters. *Spoiler* When it turns out she is tricking everyone, it was unexpected and then she turned into an one of the best femme fatale villains. *End Spoiler* Who can forget all the quotes from this episode! Nearly every scene has a memorable line and we now know what happens to people who talk in the theater as well, just ask Book. Anything something in another culture or someone's opinion does not make sense, I now say: "Some people juggle geese."

Jaynestown: Another amazing episode and one of my favorites. Jaynestwon had everything, humor, action, character development, and so much more. While the episode is fantastic, there is not a whole lot that I can say other it was again, ridiculously quotable.

Out of Gas: Out of Gas is the episode that most people consider the best and while it was just as excellent as most other episodes, it did not seem that much better than most episodes. It would certainly rank in the upper half of my favorite episodes, but not quite Top 5. Seeing the background of the character was great and completely necessary and, it had some great suspense. If it is your favorite episode, please explain why did it your favorite episode and why everyone loves it so much.

Ariel: Fantastic episode, pure genius. Suspenseful, great action, and a perfectly placed dark moment near the end. Basically perfect, another re-watchable episode with movie quality production.

War Stories: Not exactly my favorite episode, it had its moments and Wash was given some great moments, but one of the weaker episodes in general. But it did have one particularly awesome quote:

Trash: Probably my second favorite episode of the series. *Spoiler* The return of Saffron or as Mal called her at one point, "YoSaffBridge." Saffron is such a great antagonist, even when she seems so innocent. Tons of humor and a perfect twist at the end with Inara helping the crew keep their loot. *End Spoiler*

The Message: Not the best nor the worst episode by any means, just an excellent addition to the series. There is not much to say without spoiling it, so I will say no more.

Heart of Gold: One of my least favorite episodes, however it did have some of the best action of the series and, it had a classic western feel to it. I felt Malcolm was acting out of character a few times and thought it could have been done better.

Objects in Space: Best episode ever. Even though it is saddening that this was the final episode, Objects in Space is pure brilliance, perfect humor, acting, and dialogue. River was at her best in the episode and the villain introduced, Jubal Early, was awesome. You really hate him, yet he is entertaining to watch. There scene is one scene (gif below), that is so freaking hilarious that is kills me every time I watch it, but do not read the gif if you have not seen the series.

Top 5 Episodes:

5: Aerial

4: Jaynestown

3: Ours Mrs. Reynolds

2: Trash

1: Objects in Space

 

What are your favorite episodes? Please comment below.

 

 

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