4.4 the closing

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  • The crew repairs Serenity, getting back to that balance. Mal is once more comfortable in his own skin
  • For the first time in the movie, we see rain, especially whereas before, many of the scenes look almost desert-like. This suggests a new beginning
  • The Operative comes, dressed more like a civilian, standing in the rain while Mal is sheltered by his own home
    • The camera begins this view by a close up of the Operative’s pants and shoes first
  • His walk back to and through the ship is reminiscent of the opening sequence, except this time, there is no hurried pace and the crew is revealed as working with each other like a family
    • Even Inara and Mal’s conversation becomes more pleasant, as if the man is more comfortable with himself now
    • There is less tension in the way he holds himself and in his facial expression
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  • The last bit of dialogue with River wraps the movie up nicely and sets them on course for a new equilibrium
    • Reference to River being his albatross, both are now finally at ease with each other and have established a bond
    • It is revealed very clearly that there are two pilot seats (where as before, there may only have been one). This suggests while things are “back to normal”, there are some new permanent changes
    • He also speaks of love to River whereas before the film, he does not seem like a man who is capable of explaining this verbally, suggesting that he no longer holds everyone quite at arm’s length anymore
  • And of course, the signature humour that makes Mal who he is: some part of Serenity still falls off