This is a pretty fun episode. We learn a bit more about the alliance and I like how it opens up at what becomes a bar fight. We learn that it's the six year anniversary of unification under the Alliance.
We also learn that Inara's been on the ship for about 8 months at this point. Which really isn't that long.

I love the scene where Inara goes and "rescues" Zoe and Mal. And I love that we see that Mal has a lot of integrity for a thief. He returns the medicine even though it means crossing a man that probably shouldn't be crossed.

I loved Simon doping Jayne too, that was a great scene.

I also really liked the scene towards the end where Mal is trying to give back Niska's money to his men and the one refuses and Mal kicks him into the ship's…something thingy? And I love the second guy who just agrees and doesn't need a speech at all. That was cute.

We also get the whole "Two by Two, Hands of Blue" Thing going on with River.

I believe this was the episode that actually aired first and I do remember being really confused about what was going on with River. I remember being confused about a lot of it but still enjoying it.