what Inara did...I don't get it
POSTED BY: ethan
UPDATED: Thursday, November 9, 2006 17:49
VIEWED: 5210
PAGE 1 of 3
What Inara did at the end of Firefly's run...just leaving like that...I don't get it. Never did. But now I think I'd like to know why. Anybody have an insight? Does it make sense for a woman who has an ongoing "do-we-or-don't we" thing with a guy to suddenly up and leave his life? Is it an unusual thing for a woman or does 'pulling an Inara' actually happen often? How can she be mad when she never attempted to committ to anything either. I'd be much obliged for some thoughts.
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
In my opinion, it was apparent to Inara that since Mal finally wanted to talk about it, to bring the question into the open, she had two options: First (the one everyone wanted), say that she is in love with Mal, and start down a very complicated road for a companion to be in (she told Kaylee this about the "rules of dating for a companion"), especially on a disreputable ship. On top of that it would further be complicated because Mal is constantly in danger of being killed. The second choice is the one she made, leave and make everyone's like less complicated, even if she is less happy. It would be a hard choice to make for anyone. I actually think it was quite realistic that it happened the way it did. I mean, I've known plenty of girls that are in love with a guy, but don't want to complicate their friendship, and this is a magnified version of that. That is my opinion anyways.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
She couldn't commit to him - most ostensibly because of her profession, but there are other theories out there as well. I think she left because she was hurt - despite their words-without-speaking relationship, they did have an arrangement with each other. Mal knew it, that's why he looked so embarassed and regretful when he ran into her in the hallway. So long as neither of them had engaged in any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with someone else (e.g. not a professionla companion relationship) there was the potential to work things out. Once he stepped over the line it brought the question of their relationship to the breaking point, and for Inara the solution was to neutralize the problem by stepping away from it. Maybe, as some people theorize, it was because of something in her past, maybe because she wasn't willing or able to commit to Mal (she does say she never really gets to "know" him - maybe she thought things were still too complicated).
I think I would have done the same thing - both of them were torturing themselves day in and day out (anyone here every lived with someone you were in love with but couldn't have, and knew they felt the same way for you? that pit in your stomach gets bigger and bigger).
Don't make faces.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Good point Marina. I hadn't thought about an "unsaid" agreement. But that makes perfect since, it's so obvious now. I think that played a very large part in in too, but I have to add in that I do not think that was necessarily the thing that made her decide to leave, I think it was the fact of how she reacted that made her want to leave. She realized that she was way too much in love with Mal. Like she said over and over again BEFORE the incident with Mal sleeping with another woman, she wanted to keep their relationship professional and business, not personal.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by BusinessMan:
I mean, I've known plenty of girls that are in love with a guy, but don't want to complicate their friendship, and this is a magnified version of that. That is my opinion anyways.
But do you think BusinessMan, that these women would actually sacrifice the friendship for the sake of the friendship itself. If they are going to walk away anyway why not confront the situation first?
Quote:
Originally posted by Marina:
I think she left because she was hurt - despite their words-without-speaking relationship, they did have an arrangement with each other. Mal knew it, that's why he looked so embarassed and regretful when he ran into her in the hallway. So long as neither of them had engaged in any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with someone else (e.g. not a professionla companion relationship) there was the potential to work things out. Once he stepped over the line it brought the question of their relationship to the breaking point, and for Inara the solution was to neutralize the problem by stepping away from it....
...I think I would have done the same thing - both of them were torturing themselves day in and day out (anyone here every lived with someone you were in love with but couldn't have, and knew they felt the same way for you? that pit in your stomach gets bigger and bigger).
Interesting. Marina, you think what Inara and Mal had could really be considered an arrangement? I don't ask this in an accusatory or judgemental way. Studies have shown time and time again men and women perceive and process social situations in completely different ways-and I am just reaffirming my complete lack of comprehension regarding the female mind.
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by ethan:Quote:
Originally posted by BusinessMan:
I mean, I've known plenty of girls that are in love with a guy, but don't want to complicate their friendship, and this is a magnified version of that. That is my opinion anyways.
But do you think BusinessMan, that these women would actually sacrifice the friendship for the sake of the friendship itself. If they are going to walk away anyway why not confront the situation first?
Actually ethan, sadly, yes. One of my very good friends sacrificed the entire friendship because she thought that it would ruin the friendship by her liking him, even if she didn't act on it, rather paradoxical, I know. When relationships come into the picture, all logic goes out the window. But I still don't think that is the main reason that she left. It wasn't to save their friendship.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by BusinessMan:
Actually ethan, sadly, yes. One of my very good friends sacrificed the entire friendship because she thought that it would ruin the friendship by her liking him, even if she didn't act on it, rather paradoxical, I know. When relationships come into the picture, all logic goes out the window. But I still don't think that is the main reason that she left. It wasn't to save their friendship.
Wow. This is so bizare to me I don't know what to say.
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by BusinessMan:
When relationships come into the picture, all logic goes out the window. But I still don't think that is the main reason that she left. It wasn't to save their friendship.
I agree with that one too. To me, the main reason Inara left was that she realized how close she was to everyone on the ship (well, maybe not Jayne, but let's just say the crew in general). Inara saw how Nandi put down roots and loved everyone in the Heart of Gold and literally defended them with her life. Like Inara said in Out of Gas, she doesn't want to die at all (Tim Minear said that this was a Big Hint about Inara's past). Inara's fear came into conflict with her love of the crew. When she realized how much she was hurt by Mal sleeping with Nandi, and how Nandi died because she wouldn't let go of her home or her friends, I think Inara just wanted to cut all ties to her emotions and leave.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Very interesting point amyel. It would sort of fit with a certain unfilmed idea that Joss had, though that may be a fringe idea. I probably shouldn't bring it up, I'm not sure it would really apply. But it definitely showed she is terrified of death more than anything else. If only this show had been even able to finish the first season we would probably have a much better idea of what was going through her mind.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
While this touchy-feely stuff is all very nice, IMHO it has little to do with the central narrative of Firefly.
Inara had received instructions to leave Serenity from her cadre of the True Alliance faction to enable her to provide support for Book's close surveillance of River from the cells she had been establishing among the disaffected and ambitious of the border worlds. The romantic tension of the Inara/Mal relationship continues to play against her political responsibilities, so this idea doesn't just make more sense, it produces a better story.
This thread was abandoned for the Movie, but then so much was. 
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME