TVSquad

In the first of many flashbacks we see Simon and River Tam as kids, playing and studying at their childhood home, complete with stern yet loving father. They, like most kids, are playing war until Dad walks in. Their personalities as kids are remarkably similar to what they are as adults. Quick cut and we’re back where we left on at the end of "Shindig", with River having one of her episodes. Mal comes in to see what he can do to settle her down since he doesn’t want the cattle they brought on stampeding.

Planet side the crew helps with unloading the cows and Mal suggests Simon take River into town, a suggestion Simon is unsure about until Mal emphasizes that it was not, in fact, a suggestions. The siblings find themselves in the same supply shop as Kaylee and Inara where Kaylee is trying to pick out a gift for Simon. He manages to insult Serenity which Kaylee takes as a personal affront. While he fumbles for an apology River sneaks away from under him disappears. He of course follows her through town until he finds her at a local dance.

Meanwhile Mal and Jayne meet up with their “disreputable men” who are they to take the cows off their hands. Local law enforcement shows up after some negotiations between the two parties and throws a monkey wrench in the process of the crime. A shoot-out proceeds which ends with the local contacts getting arrested and Shepard Book getting shot. Mal brings Book back to the ship as River and Simon get kidnapped by some settlers.

Flashback #2: Simon just a bit younger than he is in the regular timeline. River has gone off to an academy and has been sending letters Simon finds strange and disturbing. Despite reassurances from his parents that everything is fine Simon thinks River is in trouble based on the non-sensical rantings in her letters.

With Simon and River missing Mal has to seek out medical attention for Book. Inara suggests, and they eventually go to, an Alliance cruiser nearby where Book’s identity card grants him unusually clear passage through Alliance red tape.  Back on the planet Simon is shown that he’s been brought to a village to be a doctor to the residents. Unfortunately River’s interaction with a little girl who doesn’t speak brings suspicion on her and Simon as the locals begin to believe River is a witch.

In the final flashback Simon has been arrested and his dad has come to retrieve him. The two have words about how this incident could affect both their futures. Simon proclaims he will keep doing what he has to do until he finds River and storms off. Back in the present the townsfolk are about to burn River at the stake until Mal, Zoe and Jayne come and rescue them, much to Jayne’s irritation. Back on the ship Simon is a bit confused as to why Mal came back for them, to which Mal simply explains, “You’re on my crew.”