The original pilot was the two-part episode "Serenity Part 1&2 (2002)", not to be confused with the 2005' sequel movie, which had the same title: "Serenity (2005)".

The studio executives didn't like to start the series with the pilot and decided to air the second episode produced, "The Train Job (2002)", as the first one.

Some of the other episodes were also aired out of order. Besides that, there were three episodes not broadcast in the US in 2002: "Heart of Gold", "Trash" and "The Message". In 2005, shortly before the premiere of the movie "Serenity (2005)", the complete season was aired on the Sci Fi Channel.

When you follow the production order (production code):

1. "Serenity (2002)". Production code: 1AGE79 (Pilot)
   
2. "The Train Job (2002)". Production code: 1AGE01
   
3. "Bushwhacked (2002)". Production code: 1AGE02
   
4. "Shindig (2002)". Production code: 1AGE03
   
5. "Safe (2002)". Production code: 1AGE04
   
6. "Our Mrs. Reynolds (2002)". Production code: 1AGE05
   
7. "Jaynestown (2002)". Production code: 1AGE06
   
8. "Out of Gas (2002)". Production code: 1AGE07
   
9. "Ariel (2002)". Production code: 1AGE08
   
10. "War Stories (2002)". Production code: 1AGE09
    
11. "Heart of Gold (2003)". Production code: 1AGE10
    
12. "Objects in Space (2002)". Production code: 1AGE11
    
13. "Trash (2003)". Production code: 1AGE12
    
14. "The Message (2003)". Production code: 1AGE13

The discussion focusses mainly on the last four episodes.

11) "Heart of Gold (2003)".
12) "Objects in Space (2002)".
13) "Trash (2003)".
14) "The Message (2003)".

A) Relationship between Malcolm and Inara.

11) "Trash (2003)".

Inara is offering Malcolm tea and complaining to him about not having a client for three weeks now. They argue, both not wanting to admit that they might have feelings for each other. Is he deliberately going to places where there is no work for her, so that she stops being a Companion? Should she become a petty thief like him?

12) "The Message (2003)".

Malcolm and Inara talk about fencing the priceless antique, the original handheld laser pistol Lassiter, which they stole in the episode "Trash". He doesn't want her to get involved any further in his work.

13) "Heart of Gold (2003)".

Inara's feelings are hurt and she cries after she finds out that Malcolm slept with her friend Nandi. At the end of the episode she tells him that she wants to leave.

14) "Objects in Space (2002)".

At the beginning of the episode Malcolm and Inara discuss this decision and she is considering places where she could go to and contacting people about that. At the end of the episode she won't let him touch her bruised lip and walks away.

B) River's psychic abilities

11) "Heart of Gold (2003)".

No one mentions River's abilities.

12) "Objects in Space (2002)".

After River's latest strange behaviour, the crew discusses her being a danger to them. They mention the possibility of her being 'a witch', 'a reader', 'a psychic'.

13) "Trash (2003)".

No one mentions River's abilities, but River did warn Jayne that she could kill him with her brain.

14) "The Message (2003)".

River: "My food is problematic."
Jayne: "GirI's a mind-reading genius. Can't figure out how to eat an ice-planet".

In these last two episodes there isn't any mention about Inara leaving. She is even helping Malcolm steal and sell the Lassiter.

Did Inara change her mind about leaving?