Quote Originally Posted by Miriel
Oh yeah. And I gotta say, knowing Whedon's penchant for killing off beloved characters (Joyce ) when they were being attacked by the Reavers, I honestly thought that there was a chance that every single one of them would die.

Also, Wash.
I think that was the point. I was at the edge of my seat in the theatre. I honestly thought they would die.

And yeah, aside from her slashing Jayne and saving Kaylee, her madness was never that extreme.