Theory about Inara

POSTED BY: MsBigPileofDust
UPDATED: Thursday, May 14, 2009 19:56
VIEWED: 20391
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MSBIGPILEOFDUST

Monday, January 19, 2004 12:42 PM

I have another crackpot theory (apart from the one on Book working for Blue Sun and following River).

I've only been posting here for a week so I apologise, if someone has already posted this theory.

Based on the 'Out of Gas' commentary, I think that maybe Inara is either terminally ill or under threat of death. If its the former, this could account for her refusal to persue Mal and her having a painless-suicide kit in her possession.

Tim Minear tantalises the listener and poor David Soloman with hints about Inara’s big secret. I think he lets it out of the bag though by saying that her conversation with Simon after they find out that the ship will run out of air gives a big hint. She only really says one thing, something like 'its never a good time to die', and only does one thing, she looks at him significantly when he mentions his birthday.

So… Does she have a fatal disease?? Is she being threatened with death unless she spies on the cap?? Is she about to turn 40 but has really good beauty products or a haggard painting???? Whaddaya think?

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THALOS

Monday, January 19, 2004 2:05 PM

Joss Whedon in one of his commentaries mentions that the syringe we saw in "Serenity" had in fact nothing to do with suicide. He went on to say that since the show was cancelled that if viewers thought it was for suicide that's fine, but Inara's secret and the truth of what was really in that syringe would have been (and may be in the movie) disclosed.

I still like the theory that she is addicted to drugs which is why she is on Serenity and not the house priestess.

"Whoa, good Bible."

BROWNCOAT1

Monday, January 19, 2004 2:24 PM

Joss did say the syringe was not a suicide kit. As to what it was, there has been quite a bit of speculation, from a drug used to boost strength and speed, to drug to simulate death. No telling for sure, but hopefully we will receive some more clues when the movie comes out.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

SEGURANT

Monday, January 19, 2004 2:37 PM

Well I think she is in hiding. In Heart of Gold, it was mentioned that Inara was up for high priestess or something like that. She could have made an enemy or decide not to take the post and left.

Segurant

"You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with until you understand who's in ruttin' command here. "

BOBSUNCORP

Monday, January 19, 2004 2:57 PM

I had this idea that the drug may actually have been some kind of emotion supressor - hence the reason why she was injecting herself with a lot of scary reavers about to (possibly) attack. Also it seems to me that in a profession where she makes people fall in love with her, she would need to keep HER emotions in check and able to deal with. Her relationship with Mal (or lack of) may also cause her to want to stay in control. Partly I wonder whether this kind of a drug is obligatory for a companion - a theory debunked by the fact that the "heart of gold" (can't remember her name) did not seem to be aware of this, although did not disprove it either - perhaps she left the academy before she found out about it.

"If they board this ship, they'll rape us to death, eat our flesh, and sew our skins into their clothing. And if we're very, very lucky... they'll do it in that order."

VENA

Monday, January 19, 2004 7:38 PM

there is the fact that wheh she came back from her physical (sorry fuzze on the ep.) kaylee asked Inara how things went. She replyed with somthing close to "Same as last year"

That can get you to think a bit especialy when you tie it in to the mysterious meds, it's never a good time to die, and the odd leaving of the house.

I vote she is deathly sick.

Any takers?

***************************

Mal:"someone ever ties to kill you, you try to kill'em right back!"

NICOLACLARKE

Monday, January 19, 2004 8:12 PM

I like the idea that Inara is an addict of some sort (well, perhaps 'like' is the wrong term...). It would explain why, with such an apparently bright future ahead of her (Nandi's comment about ambition and Inara making house priestess), Inara chose to hide herself away on the most disreputable-looking ship she could find. I imagine a drug addict wouldn't be the kind of image a Companion house would want to project. I assume, too, that she left before she was found out, or else I'd guess she wouldn't be able to operate as she does - i.e. as a registered Companion with company health insurance perks.

Being dangerously addicted to something expensive might also add an extra urgency to Inara's need for clients - perhaps that's why she was forced to consider leaving when it became obvious Mal was keeping her from finding enough work. She loves Mal, and Serenity, but the addiction is too strong?

SHINY

Thursday, January 22, 2004 11:08 PM

When Joss jokes, "she's a druggie" in the commentary, maybe it's not totally a joke. She may in fact be dependent on the drug she takes out as they pass the Reaver ship in Serenity. Just last night, I noticed this from the transcript to "The Message" ( http://www.fireflyfans.net/feature.asp?f=46):

Quote:

During this, Inara finds a small package, squarish, addressed to her. She smoothly slips it beneath her outfit without anyone noticing, turns to see Kaylee arrive, looking glum.

If we assume that what's in the small package is another kit with the same syringe and vial, it's reasonable to assume that she needs to take this drug regularly for some reason (to stave off death, keep her young, surpress emotions, increase her pheromone production, whatever)

RIVER
Purple elephants are flying.
MAL
Good. Thanks for the update.

VETERAN

Friday, January 23, 2004 12:29 AM

I think she may be terminally ill.

NITEHAWK

Friday, January 23, 2004 1:02 AM

terminally ill would be painfully cliche. but it might explain her choice to go off and adventure or whatever, to experience life while she can (mrs heart of gold mentioned companion life being constricting). Might also explain why she doesn't open up to Mal (beyond it would ruin her career) - she doesn't want to have him love her and then die on him.

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