Firefly - Episode 12: 'The Message'
Recap: A package has arrived for Mal - the erstwhile dead body of his former squadron mate, Tracy. After a touching recorded message, it turns out Tracy isn't quite dead, and that he's trying to use Mal to smuggle his juiced up organs. Tracy is hunted down by Alliance marshals, so he turns on Mal and Book when they attempt to open the doors to the cops. This of course winds up in his death. So Tracy coming back to life is both hilariously obvious and a cool narrative device. One of the best parts about Tracy's presence is the way that others react to his message both the first time and the last. It seems like everyone's head is bowed and eyes are moist when they first hear Tracy's titular message, but the sympathy quickly turns to incredulity and disgust when they see Tracy's true colors. Yet by the end of episode, as Tracy's voiceover montage returns - and we are fully aware of its insincerity - Simon and Kaylee nonetheless link hands again, Jayne takes o...