Serenity Episode 1

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Serenity

Se*ren"i*ty\, n. [L. serenuas: cf. F. s['e]r['e]nit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being serene; clearness and calmness; quietness; stillness; peace. A general peace and serenity newly succeeded a general trouble. --Sir W. Temple.

2. Calmness of mind; eveness of temper; undisturbed state; coolness; composure. I can not see how any men should ever transgress those moral rules with confidence and serenity. --Locke.

Note: Serenity is given as a title to the members of certain princely families in Europe; as, Your Serenity. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

serenity - the pilot episode of Firefly is anything but.

The opening is set in the Battle of Serenity Valley, where a bloody battle against the Alliance is fought in the Unification War, and after losing most of his soilders and witnessing the destruction of the Valley, Mal and Zoe are forced to surrender. Then we jumped to six years later where they are eking out an existence on the edges of space in a Firefly-class spaceship, taking odd jobs that often involve petty crime. The crew is scavenging an Alliance cargo from a destroyed satellite base and have been spotted by an Alliance ship. They take one passengers in Persephone to supplement their income and seek a buyer for their hot goods. The passenger, Simon, has a secret that will make their lives very complicated.

A deleted scene explains the Serenity story:
A scene where Simon is taking care of the wounded Kaylee. Book asks why Simon chose to come aboard Serenity and he replies that it seemed disreputable. Book suggests that Simon lacks a knowledge of history. Simon researches the Battle of Serenity Valley on his encyclopedia and Zoe tells him about how many soldiers died during the battle and its aftermath. She tells Simon that Mal won't kill him unless he's got no other option. When Simon asks why Mal named the ship after such a horrible battle, Zoe replies that "once you've been in Serenity, you never leave".

For Joss Whedon, every episode is about creating family. Serenity, the spaceship, is their home. It is the safeplace. He uses meals around the supper table to incorporate the family feeling. Serenity is home, it is family, it is a place to be after or in the midst of chaos. Serenity is the holy space.

Recently I attended worship during Holy Week. During a moment of liturgy and prayer I felt a holiness of that moment. A moment that was sanctuary. A moment that God was not ordinary but holy, life was sacred, and being was of an essence. I wish I could say I had moments like that every time I went to church, but I don't. When I do, I am blessed. Serenity - that place to belong, be still, and be one in God? Yes I think so...in God.