“Safe”

1AGE04
Writer: Drew Z. Greenberg
Director: Michael Grossman
Airdate: 11/8/02

We open on the Tam estate of the past, and are introduced to Simon and River as children. River demonstrates her amazing mental abilities, and Simon’s father promises Simon a gift in exchange for him growing up to be a successful doctor.

In the present, Serenity touches down on Jiangyin. Judging from the locals, it seems to be fairly primitive. And they're not happy to see a "fancy vessel" like Serenity coming in. The locals figure the ship is only looking to sell something.

After landing, the crew unloads the cattle cargo from their most recent job. River talks to the cattle as they mill about their new pen. She says they remember where they are now that they see sky. Mal orders Simon to take River for a walk so he can wrap up his cattle-smuggling business. Simon is reluctant since the Alliance considers he and his sister fugitives, but Mal says go. He says the Magellan is a thousand miles away, so they shouldn't worry about the Alliance.

In town, Inara and Kaylee go supply shopping. Simon and River walk in. Simon isn't enjoying looking after River. He also doesn't enjoy being on a junky ship schlepping across the galaxy, which Kaylee takes offense to. River wanders off during their conversation and Simon can't find her.

At Serenity, the men show up for their cattle. Heavy negotiation ensues, but a price is finally met and a deal is struck. Unfortunately, as the men are paying, the law shows up looking to arrest Marcus and Nathaniel Grange, the would-be cattle buyers. They're wanted for a murder.

Simon finds River as she wanders into a dance and music performance. River joins right in as Simon nervously looks on. Back at Serenity, a shootout ensues. One Grange boy is shot down and the other is tackled from behind by Mal. In the aftermath, Mal sees that Shepherd Book has been shot in the chest.

Over at the dance, three men - local boys - throw a sack over Simon's head and drag him away. The men walk Simon through the forest. We flash back to Simon’s past, and see him arguing with his parents over hidden meanings in River’s letters to him from the Academy. He suspects that something is wrong, but his parents attempt to convince him otherwise. In the present, River comes across Simon and the kidnappers and figures they're playing a game.

On Serenity, Wash returns from town. He says there's no sign of Simon and River in town. Wash thinks they were kidnapped because of some warning signs he saw in town. It seems to be a problem on this planet. Mal gets ready to lift off in order to rush Shepherd to medical help. He's not worried about leaving River and Simon behind.

Speaking of which, they see Serenity lift off as they're walked through the woods by their captors. On board, Mal and Wash check galactic charts for the nearest medical help. Inara comes on the bridge and suggests “certain nearby facilities.” Mal doesn't want to discuss that as an idea.

On Jiangyin, the kidnappers march Simon into town and show him off as a doctor. The filthy masses straggle out to see him. The captors take Simon to a sickhouse. They want him to help heal their residents. Simon realizes the situation and begins to aid people.

In space, Serenity glides next to the Alliance cruiser Magellan and requests permission for docking.

Mal and Jayne carry Shepherd onto the Magellan. Armed guards are there to meet them. The ship's security chief seems reluctant until Shepherd begins mumbling about an ID card. His card is fetched from his pocket and scanned. The security chief orders Shepherd taken into the emergency room immediately.

In the sickhouse, River bonds with a girl named Ruby. The nurse doesn't think River will get much out of Ruby because she's a mute - at least for the past few years. Later, River says Ruby explained what happened to her, but not through speaking. The nurse thinks River is a witch and must be killed.

The nurse rings the old town bell, rallying the citizenry. The town patron slaps River after she explains that the old patron was sick and died. The patron thinks she's a witch because she can read minds. The townsfolk tie her to a pole for a good, old-fashioned witch burning.

On the Magellan, Shepherd comes to. Mal wonders why the Alliance allowed a wanted ship to dock, then took care of Shepherd. Shepherd doesn't offer any answers, but says it's good to be home.

Simon tries to save River from the mob. He attacks their ignorance and says this is not God's will. He hugs River and tells the people to light the post if this is what they want. At that moment, Serenity hovers over the people. The cargo door opens, and there's Jayne, gun trained on the townspeople.

Mal and Zoe walk toward the crowd, guns also drawn. They take back River and Simon without much fuss from the patron or anybody else.

Back on Serenity, Mal says he came back for Simon simply because he's on his crew. That's all that matters. The crew shares a nice dinner and all is well on Serenity once again.

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