Another Generation of Serenity

I have been a fan of Joss Whedon's space Western Firefly for a long time.  I frequently mentally curse the executives at the Fox network that fouled up the shows episode order and then cancelled it entirely too quickly.

Many fans of the beloved crew of the Firefly-class transport ship have asked, begged, and pleaded for more episodes.  Unfortunately, the actors have all moved on to other series.  Bringing them back together would be extremely difficult, almost impossible.  There is also the fact that the performers have all aged in the decade since the movie Serenity was released.  Some of them may not be up to the kind of role another season of chases, shootouts, sword fights, and dances may demand of them.

There is a simple way around this problem.  A second generation of crew.  A new group on board the Serenity taking what jobs they can get paid for and avoiding the long reach of the Alliance government.  Children of the original crew and some new passengers travelling the 'Verse.

Chloe Washburne-- The daughter of Zoe and Wash.  After discussing her desire to start a family, Zoe unknowingly becomes pregnant a matter of days before Wash is killed by the Reapers.  Zoe's pregnancy becomes evident and continues during a rare extended period of legitimate business endeavors by the crew of the Serenity.  Chloe is born and raised on board the ship, tools becoming her toys and removable panels her hiding places.  By the time she reaches the age of fourteen, she knows the ship intimately enough to become the best pilot ever to fill Wash's vacated seat.

Jeremiah Reynolds-- One day a teenager is waiting outside the ship with a note in a sealed envelope.  The message simply reads "Mal, I have had my time with our child, now it is your turn.  Signed, your loving wife."  The young man is the son of Malcolm Reynolds and Yolanda/Saffron/Bridgette.  In the underground life they lead, the crew of the Serenity encounter this manipulative woman a number of times.  Not all of them end as successfully as the episodes we have seen.  During one particularly dark event, Yosafbridge knocks Mal out and manages to impregnate herself with his child.  Her exact reasoning and goals are unknown.  All that is certain is that he inherited his father's drive and sense of right along with his mother's flexible morals and sense of self-worth.  Some day he may fill his father's boots as captain, but only once he realizes the kind of man he is and wants to be.  For the time being, he struts his stuff as the intimidating muscle of the ship.

"Ambassador" Richardson-- Thomas Richardson is a political attache with a small planet.  The planet's position is just outside the Central Planets that make up the core of the Alliance government, but it provides an essential service the Alliance military requires.  This allows members of the planet's ruling family nearly as many privileges as high ranking members of the military.  Having seen the extremes the Alliance would go to and their lack of concern for their own people, Thomas is more than willing to undermine them whenever he can.  Like Inara, his presence on board gives the Serenity a degree of legitimacy and allows it to dock many places they would otherwise be denied.

Kaylee and Simon Tam-- The married couple retains their roles as engineer and ship's doctor.  Her wedding dress was a familiar poofy pink gown and their cake prominently featured strawberries on each layer.  Much of Kaylee's unique decorating style now adorns the couple's shared bunk and the infirmary as well as the engine room.  The two of them take care of the ship and crew like loving parents watching over an active and potentially dangerous family.

River Tam-- The youngest person on the original crew now leads the current personnel as Captain.  Her unique abilities earned her much respect from friends and foes alike.  As time passed, new abilities surfaced and her control of them has waxed and waned.  She has become comfortable with what was done to her, but still fears the pairs of individuals with "hands of blue."

The addition of a new crew does not mean the old crew is forgotten.  Malcolm could make occasional appearances as the operator of an out of the way station or settlement.  He would have legitimate and illegal missions for the crew to complete as well as fatherly advice for his son that may or may not be heeded, or even correct.  Jayne easily has a future as an arms dealer.  His beloved Vera mounted on the wall behind his desk as he gives the current crew access to specialized equipment, at a price.  While I can't think of a reason for Inara to appear, I do feel confident that Joss Whedon could if the situation demanded it.

What next generation character would you like to see in an extended Firefly series?  Is there a villain that you would like to reappear?  Am I completely wrong on all of my characters?  Let me know what you think in the comments.