“Prep for Flight” from Serenity by David Newman
This soundtrack is remarkable.
The gorgeous solo cello at the beginning: that’s the Serenity theme, heard so often throughout the film. It’s sometimes sad and melancholy, as heard here, and other times perfectly adventurous and mischievous, as heard in the title track/end credits on guitar. I love the fact that essentially the same theme is used for both of those moods. That’s the whole essence of Firefly/Serenity - there’s gunslinging adventure and mischief and action, but so much emotion underneath. But I digress. I wanted to talk about this track in particular.
Listen at 0:45 - it sounds like a breeze. Like Wash’s wind. I think that sound represents the spirit that keeps Serenity flying - and it’s so beautiful here, because she will keep flying, even after the hardships she’s just been through, and even though we won’t get to fly with her anymore. At 0:56, you can hear raindrops falling on the ship. Mal and River are sitting on the bridge, watching them streak the windshield. The bass comes back in at 1:00 - that’s the engines starting. It’s time to go. Farewell, Serenity. (But not before Mal says a few simple words about love.)