[…] Reporter: Mr. Keith, there’s been a general assumption in that the space program will be brought to a halt for an investigation of the accident. Plus a general examination of our purposes in space and the morality of putting men into space without adequate… Charles Keith: What’s your question? Reporter: Are the results you’ve gained worth the lives you’ve lost? Charles Keith: You’re damn right they are. You want to know what they’ve accomplished living up there in a tin can for five months? Because of men like these, we’ve taken the first step off this little planet. A trip to the Moon …read more […]

River Tam: You take care of me, Simon. You've always taken care of me. My turn. [she dives through the closing doors, grabs the medikit, and throws it to Simon just before the doors close] The movie is a series of rescues and narrow escapes. Simon rescues River. River rescues the crew with her ability to see into the future. Wash rescues the crew, etc. At the very end ---this is very much the all is lost moment. My heart broke into a million pieces for sure. I was fighting along with them. And then this dark horse of a young woman truly shows her colors. So satisfying emotionally and story-wise it's making me tear up right. Ties into the theme of love too. Mentioned at the beginning by the Operative - as something to be feared. Mentioned at the end by Captain Mal Reynolds - as something that keeps his crew and his ship together. Gosh, Joss Whedon really knows how to do characters. Couldn't find the whole scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKpvyO3-qE