As one of the best sci-fi shows that aired for one season, the TV show Firefly has instilled a passion in its fans that persists today. After the show's untimely cancellation by the Fox network, strong DVD sales encouraged the creation of a sequel film, Serenity (2005).
While it may not have been one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time, it was certainly a fitting ending that the TV show never received. For die-hard Firefly fans (also called Browncoats), the snappy, clever dialogue that the show is known for is one of the many reasons for their admiration. Fans of the show have voted on their favorite lines of dialogue on the website Ranker, and while some are cool and some are funny, all of them are beloved.
"Curse Your Sudden But Inevitable Betrayal!" (Ep1)
Hoban "Wash" Washburne, the pilot of the spaceship Serenity, is introduced to viewers as he plays with a pair of toy dinosaurs. Giving voices to the toys as he plays with them, he makes one toy say this line after it's been betrayed by the other toy.
While this line and this scene are great introductions to the dry, silly sense of humor of the character Wash, it also foreshadows the sudden, but seemingly inevitable betrayal Jayne Cobb commits against Malcolm Reynolds and the rest of the crew in episode 9. The loyalty of Jayne is repeatedly questioned (and even joked about) throughout the show before his betrayal. Although Wash apparently never finds out, Jayne is eventually forgiven by Mal, Simon, and River, who are the only three to figure out Jayne tried to turn them into the Alliance.
"Yes Sir, Captain Tight Pants!" (Ep4)
Kaywinnet "Kaylee" Lee Frye, the ship's mechanic, says this to Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds after they infiltrate a party in order to find a client who needs to hire smugglers. Mal reminds her that she's there to make him look respectable before Kaylee teases him about his attire.
The upbeat, happy-go-lucky, trusting Kaylee is arguably the moral compass of the crew. This quote helps demonstrate her close friendship with the Captain and underscores her ability to be calm, positive, and jocular in the middle of an illegal operation (which is probably why Mal seems to take Kaylee's comment in stride). The fact that she's also more interested in catering than the crime is endearing to many.
"I Can Kill You With My Brain." (Ep11)
River Tam says this to Jayne Cobb. Her brother, Simon Tam, is the ship's doctor, and while patching up Jayne, he says that he'll never harm him while under his care, despite being aware of Jayne's betrayal. However, River doesn't share the same sentiment as her brother as she threatens Jayne with her mysterious powers.
First and foremost, it's fun to watch the usually tough and aggressive Jayne squirm in fear, especially as fans know it's likely an empty threat by River. The comedic timing of her peaking in with a surreal, bizarre warning after her brother gives a heartwarming speech is one of the highlights of the episode. River slinks away before Jayne can offer a reply.
"Ten Percent Of Nothin' Is... Let Me Do The Math Here... Nothin', And Then Nothin', Carry The Nothing..." (Ep1)
Jayne says this to Malcolm while arguing with him about their payment for a job they've completed. Jayne points out that he gets a share of the take, but if there's no take, he gets a share of nothing.
While Jayne often argues with a raised voice and a raised gun, this is a rare glimpse into a different side of him. Here, he is more sarcastic and annoyed while having an unusually fair criticism of Mal. It's also fun to see him trail off and mumble to himself as he's ignored and lags a few steps behind Mal and Zoe, the ship's first mate. While he does have his faults, namely treachery, he's far from being one of the worst and most powerful sci-fi villains ever.
"I Swear By My Pretty Floral Bonnet, I Will End You." (Ep6)
This quote was spoken as Malcolm and Jayne have disguised themselves as a married couple in order to ambush a gang of wanted criminals. After pulling their guns on the thugs, Mal says this to warn them not to draw their weapons.
Mal encounters hardened killers many times throughout the series, but he doesn't let that keep him from making light of the situations he's in. This single line is a microcosm of the high stakes and humorous nature that is found in this scene, and indeed, throughout most of Firefly. It's no wonder fans still theorize on how a Firefly reboot could happen.
"Jayne, Your Mouth Is Talking. You Might Wanna Look To That." (Ep1)
Malcolm, Zoe, and Jayne are trying to figure out what to do with a load of stolen cargo. Mal wants to be cautious about who they sell it to, but Jayne just wants to get paid immediately. After seemingly deciding Jayne's comments are unproductive, Mal gets him to quiet down.
Malcolm and Jayne have a brotherly relationship, complete with the constant bickering and jockeying for dominance. Aside from a clear point for Mal in this exchange, this is one of those quotable lines in a TV show that fans might take with them and remember for the next time they want to tell someone to hush up. However, Mal does concede that Jayne may have a point and risks selling the cargo to a shady character.
"D'Ya Know What The Chain Of Command Is? It's The Chain I Go Get And Beat You With Until You Understand Who's In Ruttin' Command Here." (Ep2)
After a train robbery goes awry and Mal goes missing, Jayne is trying to convince the crew to leave the Captain behind. All of them, especially Wash, disagree, and Jayne has a uniquely menacing way of pulling rank.
Perhaps no line of Jayne's captures his essence more so than this one, articulating his brand of "might is right" justice. On top of that, it's just a terrifically clever line of dialogue and oddly breaks the tension slightly for the audience as the crew decides what to do about their absent leader. The tension is broken further shortly thereafter as Jayne falls unconscious, having been drugged by Simon.
"We're Not Gonna Die. We Can't Die, Bendis. You Know Why? Because We Are So, Very, Pretty..." (Ep1)
While the show doesn't explain every character's role in the Unification War, the viewers are introduced to Mal leading troops in the Battle of Serenity Valley, along with his second-in-command Zoe. Under heavy enemy fire, he reassures a young soldier who fears for his life.
This is a rare depiction of the early Mal, whose overpowering optimism is moments away from being lost forever. Almost immediately afterward, Alliance fighter planes descend and bomb the rebel Browncoats, dealing the final strike of the war. His hopefulness wanes, although he keeps a leadership style that often involves underplaying the severity of a situation. Bendis seems to remain anything but assured, unfortunately.
"We Have Done The Impossible, And That Makes Us Mighty." (Ep1)
Mal is rallying his troops to hold on for a last stand in the Battle of Serenity Valley. He recounts their successes in the war so far to encourage them before delivering this line.
While this is a great line on its own for its inspirational qualities and how it characterizes the show's protagonist, it has also become a motto to describe the creation of the movie Serenity. Canceled TV shows rarely become feature films, and this quote from the show has become synonymous with the passion Browncoats have for the cult classic. While it may not be among those TV shows that won an Emmy in their first season, it succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of countless fans.