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The crew barricade themselves into a small part of a building and try to hold off the Reavers while Mal leaves them and heads to Mr. Universe. The Early-like character has been there before him and has killed Mr. Universe, but Mr. Universe's wifebot (echos of the Buffybot!) explains what happened and tells Mal there's a backup computer system deep in the building that's hard to get to but will broadcast the message about Miranda. Mal tries to get there but is intercepted by Early-like guy and they have a brutal fight. Mal wins, most improbably, and starts the broadcast.
Meanwhile, the rest of the crew are doing their best to hold off the Reavers but are failing fast. Zoe is mauled and Jayne is shot superfically--he's hurt but OK. Kaylee is shot, too, and isn't dead but isn't doing well. They retreat to a smaller room behind blast doors, but before they can shut them all the way, Simon is shot. Badly. He's going to die, but he left his medicine bag in the other room and as such can't do anything about it. River decides to take matters into her own hands and dives back into the Reavers, throwing the bag into the room with rest of the crew and sealing herself in with the Reavers. She then proceeds to kick Reaver ass until they're all dead.
She and Mal both re-enter the room where the rest of the crew are hiding; Early-like guy's men bust in a few seconds later and are about to kill River before Early-like guy calls it off, saying that it's too late and that the secret's already out.
In the tie-up montage, they rebuild Serenity, Zoe is strong in the face of her loss of Wash, Kaylee and (shirtless!) Simon finally hook up, and Inara and Mal nearly admit their feelings for each other. Inara thinks she might stay on the ship. Mal and River pilot Serenity off Mr. Universe's planet.
I thought it was incredible. Fans will appreciate it because everyone is clearly recognizable as the character they were in the show, and like the show, everyone gets good screentime. And I think new folk will like it because it's accessible to people who've never seen the show.
A lot of the language is the Jossiest of Joss; it brings the funny and the pain in equal amounts, and leaves you feeling bruised and traumatized but also amazed at the crew's fortitude and confident of their future. They'll keep flying. It won't always be easy, but they'll do it.
OK, now I have to go to bed.