On Atherton Wing & Companion-ism

POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Friday, June 13, 2008 16:50
VIEWED: 10879
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SHINYGOODGUY

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:18 AM

I agree with Platonist, who brought some very strong points.

Companions are likened to "ambassadors" partly because of the way in which they conduct their affairs, and partly because the alliance wanted to legitimize prostitution. In Joss's 'Verse remember, not all is as it seems; a theme that he admittedly injects in his stories. The Alliance's all-encompassing benevolence is called into question throughout the series and especially in the movie.

Inara indeed does follow the traditions and social mores of the Guild, but the reality of her position is always challenged by those of privilege. In the The Train Job it is established that she's a women of stature, but in Shindig she's treated like a "whore" and Mal comes to her rescue. But I firmly believe that Inara, despite her observences to the companion way of life, still values her freedom, autonomy and independence above all else; hence the attraction between her and Mal.

Shiny! Let's be bad guys!

BROWNCOATE3

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:31 AM

Well, the intigration of the Chinese culture (Though I know the premise I'm about to bring up is Japanese) might bring back the idea of the Geisha, and even take it a step further. I mean, don't get me wrong, but if I had the money and could pay a good looking girl to be on my arm for a night or two and make witty conversation and make me feel (how to put this delicately) better than the other men in the room, I'd be up for it. And most politicians/business men/higherups, if you notice, are rarely very attractive, hence the reason this "Guild" would hold so much sway, and be able to write their own laws.
Take to heart I'm only 19 and hardly know the workings of the world here, but this is how I see it from my eyes.
And on the Atherton thing, you could notice that in his wave he is much more polite and endearing, where as around everyone else he seems to be more, showing off a trophy if you will, much like Mal says. "The lie of it. This man parading you around on his arm as if he won you, as if he loves you.-" Just seems that public brings out the side of people that not everyone wants to see.

-A1C Browncoat

Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: [on the ship's intercom] This is the captain. We have a little problem with our entry sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and then - explode.

AURAPTOR

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:05 AM

He engaged her for DAYS. The boy has .... stamina, and $$$.

Is it too much to believe that Inara just wanted to get her freak on ?

Why we still talking about this ?

It is not those who use the term "Islamo-Fascism" who are sullying the name of Islam; it is the Islamo-Fascists. - Dennis Prager

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

PENTHOS

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:46 PM

Quote:
It's in the DVD extras. It was a deleted scene.

You mean the deleted scenes in the Firefly Box set? Because I can't find that scene. There are only 4 deleted scenes in my box set. Two from the Pilot, one from Our Mrs. Reynolds, and one from Objects in Space.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoe: Don't think its a good spot sir, she still has the advantage over us.
Mal: Everyone always does; that's what makes us special.

THATWEIRDGIRL

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:26 PM

I've always equated the guild with the Bene Gs. I think Inara is supposed to be on that ship. Some of her choices are her own and others are recommended to her. Why Ath? Not sure yet. But I'm sure there was a reason. Maybe she extracted info from him or something.

I think maybe she wants to distance herself form that control.

---
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charlie Brown
www.thatcostumegirl.com
www.thatweirdgirl.com

ECGORDON

Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Penthos:
Quote:
It's in the DVD extras. It was a deleted scene.

You mean the deleted scenes in the Firefly Box set? Because I can't find that scene. There are only 4 deleted scenes in my box set. Two from the Pilot, one from Our Mrs. Reynolds, and one from Objects in Space.

They mispoke. It is not a deleted scene on the dvd set, but it is in the complete original script in the Firefly Companion, Vol. 2.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

NCBROWNCOAT

Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrowncoatE3:
Well, the intigration of the Chinese culture (Though I know the premise I'm about to bring up is Japanese) might bring back the idea of the Geisha, and even take it a step further. I mean, don't get me wrong, but if I had the money and could pay a good looking girl to be on my arm for a night or two and make witty conversation and make me feel (how to put this delicately) better than the other men in the room, I'd be up for it. And most politicians/business men/higherups, if you notice, are rarely very attractive, hence the reason this "Guild" would hold so much sway, and be able to write their own laws.
Take to heart I'm only 19 and hardly know the workings of the world here, but this is how I see it from my eyes.
And on the Atherton thing, you could notice that in his wave he is much more polite and endearing, where as around everyone else he seems to be more, showing off a trophy if you will, much like Mal says. "The lie of it. This man parading you around on his arm as if he won you, as if he loves you.-" Just seems that public brings out the side of people that not everyone wants to see.

-A1C Browncoat

Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: [on the ship's intercom] This is the captain. We have a little problem with our entry sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and then - explode.

I have to say that the first thing I thought of when the NY Governor was caught up in the high class prositution ring a few months ago was..."where's a Companion when you need one."

Companions are discreet and can keep secrets. you wouldn't see a Companion do a tell all book. Sometimes you have more power when you don't "spill the beans", so to speak.

And also I've been rereading "The Mists of Avalon" for the first time in several years. I was struck by the similarity between the description and ways of the pagan priestesses of Avalon, who advised kings, kept secrets that could bring down kingdoms, had sacramental sex and acted as political movers and shakers behind the scenes and Companions. I think Companions have more in common with the priestesses than with geishas despite the veneer of eastern culture.

http://fireflyfaninnc.livejournal.com/

PLATONIST

Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:43 AM

Inara works under contracts and money changes hands for her services. Companions are regulated by a Guild that she is a member of. She carries papers that give her creditability to conduct business in different settings. Clients apply for the opportunity to pay for her menu of services for long or short term engagements. A price is agreed upon. When services are rendered the contract is filled. Parties go their own way. No magic is implored communally or singularly. No faith based unworldly spiritual journeys are obtained by either party.

So, I don’t really see Inara as a priestess. My cousin is a nun who does charitable work and she is as poor as dirt and certainly doesn’t look like Inara. Plus, Inara is a Buddhist, fulfilling carnal desires as a priestess is not a ticket to Nirvana.

Geishas were living art (look at the dress) that entertained the wealthiest clients. Some sects also offered sexual services in the pleasure districts. Inara is more likely lifted from the pages of “Memories of a Geisha”.

Plus how can we forget “they were little Geisha Dolls with big wobbly heads” and “people love those!”, because that’s what Inara is.

SPACEANJL

Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by thatweirdgirl:
I've always equated the guild with the Bene Gs.

*does happy dance* Me, too! Absolutely.

Platonist, you are going to get flamed for even daring to suggest that her profession is about anything as sordid as cash...(*waits for AgentRouka, LeiaSkye etc to charge in*

)

I've always seen the geisha analogy, too - Inara is definitely towards the Ta-yu class. But however the Core choose to regard it - spiritual connection, emotional therapy (has anyone written a fic called 'Sexual Healing' yet?) - once out of that sphere, it IS just about the money for sex.

(in fact, when I finish my collaboration, I'm going back to my Guild fic...)

PLATONIST

Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:50 PM

Well, fans can inflate or deflate this character all they want, I'm just going by what Joss and Morena stated as their influences in bringing this character to life. And Joss does kind of refer to her as a whore on the Serenity comm. and Inara herself refers to those not registered with the Guild as "whores". I don’t feel the need to reconcile her behavior to fit into my moral belief system, just like I don’t need River to be healed, to value her as a person, as many fans need her to be.

I see the Guild as more or less an out growth of service orientated business. Any first year business student, at State, will concur that services are the fastest growing segment of business in the West. Wouldn’t it stand to reason that sexual healing and comfort would also keep the pace? And, I’m OK with that; I still love this character, because like Mal, she is a paradox. Subservient based on ideology, at times, but a free bird to the core.

The Bene Gs? In structure? Yes, but not in mission or intent.

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