R. Tam sessions (TV Series) (2005)

R. Tam sessions (TV Series) (2005) is a collection of five brief webisodes created by Joss Whedon, set within the expansive universe of his beloved Firefly franchise. These episodes delve into the early life of River Tam, a complex and troubled character from the Firefly universe. Although these videos were released independently, they served as a clever marketing strategy for the 2005 film Serenity. The sessions were made available online from August 16 to September 5, 2005, and are also included in the Collector's Edition DVD of Serenity. The narrative unfolds before the events of the Firefly television series and the film Serenity, focusing on excerpts from counseling sessions with River Tam while she is confined at an Alliance "learning facility" referred to as "The Academy." Joss Whedon portrays the counselor, while Summer Glau embodies River. The videos offer a glimpse into the horrific experiments and torture River endured at "The Academy," illustrating her transformation from a gifted but shy child into the emotionally unstable character seen in the television series.