Episode: Out of Gas

The Serenity hangs listlessly in space, appearing crippled and abandoned. Struggling to stay conscious amid the debris-strewn ship, Mal hears voices in his head, recalling the day he first happened upon the vessel while on a ship-shopping excursion with Zoe. In the flashback, Mal assures Zoe the dilapidated ship will run fine once they find a good mechanic and pilot. When the recollection ends, Mal winces in pain, reacting to a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

In flashback, inside the dining area, the crew gathers for a meal as they set out on their latest journey. Simon reacts with surprise when Zoe carries in a birthday cake. Straight-faced, Kaylee encourages Simon to "give a good blow." But just as Simon is about to blow out the candles, an explosion rips through the ship, sending a ball of fire rocketing through the corridor. Zoe is knocked unconscious by the concussion, and when Simon tells Jayne he must make his way through the ship so he can access medical supplies, his request is denied, as Mal gave orders to seal the vessel up tight.

A short time later, Mal extinguishes the blaze by opening air lock doors, denying the fire oxygen. Mal then orders a reluctant Wash to leave his wife's side and get to the bridge, where his expertise is needed to keep the passengers safe. In flashback, Mal hires Wash to pilot the ship…but Zoe takes an immediate dislike to him. Mal also hires a mechanic named Bester, but Zoe takes a dislike to his him after he propositions her. In flashback, inside the infirmary, Simon plunges a syringe into Zoe's heart when she stops breathing. Zoe's condition stabilizes. In another part of the ship, Kaylee informs Mal that without a catalyzer, the ship won't function…and life support has already shut down.

In the present day, a dying Mal drags himself to the engine room, hauling the catalyzer along with him. In flashback, Mal finds a half-naked Bester underneath the ship's engine…along with a half-naked Kaylee. Bester tells Mal the ship's gav boot is in need of repair. But Kaylee contradicts him, insisting the vessel is in fine shape.

Mal fires Bester and hires Kaylee in his place. In flashback, Mal tells Kaylee that everyone aboard ship is going to die unless she fixes the catalyzer. But Kaylee insists it can't be repaired. Meanwhile, Wash sends out a distress signal, hoping a passing ship might come to the crew's aid. When Wash attempts to abandon his post so he can be with Zoe, Mal slugs him in the jaw. A fight breaks out, and Jayne is forced to intercede. An alarm begins to sound, warning of life support failure throughout the ship.