More about sex and Inara

POSTED BY: mal4prez
UPDATED: Saturday, August 1, 2009 19:12
VIEWED: 20411
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KAOSIUM

Friday, June 26, 2009 5:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bytemite:

If that's true, why not go back to ranching, i.e. what Mal would believe a normal life?

I think because it hurts too much.

Why not get a job as a salesrep for a core corporation, or something within the bounds of Alliance law?

I think because it reminds him he lost.

I don't think it's so strong as revenge, he's a good sport all considering to that commander in Bushwhacked. But I think he can't stand any other job he might take, because they would be self-lacerating.

I don't disagree about the becoming JUST a transport, Mal would be perfectly happy, and perhaps safe, doing that. But I don't think Joss would've ended it that way. I think he would've ended Mal's story with a big change of some kind.

I see him coming full circle, really. I think when he can give up Serenity Valley and take up ranching again, he'll truly have recouped from his losses in the war.

He wouldn't want those jobs because he'd still be under the heel of the Alliance. I took the the theme of the program to be he went to the frontier to start anew, and find some measure of independence away from the jackboots of the Alliance. "you can't take the sky from me."

I recall reading in an interview with Joss or maybe it was the commentary from the movie that when Mal responds to the Operative saying "I know how you feel about the Alliance" with "You really don't" that he really means he's come to terms with the loss and doesn't hate them but just wants to stay out of their way. Kind of like how so many defeated Confederate soldiers drifted out west after the war rather than endure the occupation of Reconstruction.

As for what Joss would have done, I'd say that it's even money he'd have killed him. :)

BYTEMITE

Friday, June 26, 2009 5:35 AM

We pretty much agree then, at least about Mal and his job choices, if not about Inara or where Mal would end up. :)

KAOSIUM

Friday, June 26, 2009 5:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRouka:

Which was also the smarter choice, because now he might still do business with her in the future, instead of becoming The Guy Who Killed Patience.

Why on Earth would he do business with her ever again? He said he could understand why she shot him the first time, but the second she set to murder him and Zoe when he offered her quality goods at a reasonable price. Had he killed her they would probably built him a statue like they did Jayne in Canton, unless you know of a place where greedy, double-dealing ruthless murderers who gobble up half a moon are especially beloved. ;)

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRouka:

Which was also the smarter choice because keeping the money would have meant being hunted down for sure. The medicine was an act of honor, yes. Mal will do the right thing if cornered. It's more often than not an easily suppressed instinct, though.

That would seem to describe Jayne, not Mal. As for Niska's money, Crow told him he could keep it, and what would happen anyway after Mal made a point of saying they were 'not thieves, but they were thieves but they weren't taking Niska's money.' Crow told him flat out it didn't matter, except in Mal's mind they were behaving honorably and not thieving.

Quote:
Which was also the smarter choice because a second later the officers want to see official papers for the cattle and shooting ensues.

I don't remember this, I'll look for it the next time I watch the episode. I recall them getting bound by law for something entirely different, and then starting the gunfight to escape.

Quote:

Not getting into this one.

Huh? Is this some sort of controversy here? I can't imagine how it could be.

SHINYGOODGUY

Friday, June 26, 2009 6:26 AM

Gillianrose, I read your post and became inspired to write to you this response. First, I have to say, when I began reading I just could not stop.
You really poured yourself into it, much like Inara, and gave a heartfelt account of her essence.

I thought back to when I first saw the pilot when I unwrapped the DVD set, several moments come to mind: despite Mal's sometimes brutish behavior she tactfully parries his thrust (no pun intended) without so much as a moment's hesitation. Of course that spoke more to their rather volatile relationship, but nonetheless I got the impression that this woman was a force to be reckoned with.

I thought also of two very telling moments, again in the pilot, where Inara's strength and vulnerability were shown. The absolution scene with Book was great theatre and brilliant storytelling. It gave us a true hero without so much as a bullet being fired or a punch being thrown. Here is a man of the cloth, who is ordained to give comfort and promote forgiveness, being comforted and forgiven in one subtle but powerful stroke. It is a scene I will always remember. It's Mary Magdalene forgiving Jesus. It is one spiritual being reaching out to another, she eased his pain.

The other moment that speaks volumes is when, while Wash is desperately trying to distance Serenity from the pursuing Reavers, Mal is telling Inara to take her shuttle with River, Simon and Book, places his hand on her shoulder, they give each other a knowing look, and Mal "shoves" her away. Actually it was more of a nudge, but everyone knows that what they both wanted was to hold onto each other. He wanted her safe, she wanted to save him. Classic moment of truth.

But here's what I've learned of Inara in the following eps. She is a Companion, with a capital C. What that means to me is that she is a life partner. A person who gives of herself, as you rightly described, in spite of what anyone might think. She never compromises her beliefs, although, in her strength, she adapts them. She aspires to make those around her better people in spite of themselves. To me she is Mother Earth - nuturing, strong and giving all at once.

She is not just a professional Companion, Geisha, Concubine; she is the High Priestess. I agree with you that there's more to her than companionship. I could see her becoming an accomplished artist, painter, sculptor. I could see her advising heads of state (I think back to her time with the councilor in War Stories - "I'll be in my bunk"). Perhaps she could become an effective Alliance Parliament member.

She's a hero because she chose to counsel, comfort and inspire those she came in contact with. Her knowledge, wisdom and intelligence were used for the greater good, especially the crew of Serenity. Inara, like Mal, Zoe and River, professes her love from the ship. It is only fitting that at the end of the BDM she's painting the Serenity symbol on the ship. It is a blessing of sorts and, I believe, her life's work.

--------------------------------------------

Art, beauty, love, communication, connection, intimacy, excitement, mystery...what do human beings really need? What can we do without? These are some of the questions that Inara and Firefly make me think about. This is why I love her, and the 'verse Joss created.

---------------------------------------------

I dedicate this to my grandmother; a woman of extraordinary strength, wisdom and love - Tomasa, RIP.

SGG

Tawabawho?

BYTEMITE

Friday, June 26, 2009 6:41 AM

I kind of have to say, thanks SGG. That is a very nice post.

GILLIANROSE

Friday, June 26, 2009 3:33 PM

Thanks for the kind words, SGG, and for sharing your own profound thoughts.

To me she is Mother Earth - this has occured to me as well, that on some level her character is emblematic of the Earth, of all the things that Mal gave up (as referred to in the song).

PLATONIST

Friday, June 26, 2009 3:54 PM

Shinygoodguy, a post like yours makes it worth wild coming to this site; you've put into words how many of us feel about Inara's character.
Mary Magdalena, Mother Earth, life partner, unsung hero, all of these describe her well and she could be anything or go anywhere, but Serenity is her home and where she brings her love.

For me, the most telling sign of her importance and uniqueness in the crew’s lives is how dark and unhappy they are when she is gone, in the BDM. And then when she returns and asks to stay at the end, Mal genuinely smiles for the first time and goes to rattle on about love, something I couldn’t imagine that character doing without her there.

And, If Inara really wants to be with Mal and he accepts what she offers, she’ll find away to juggle her life and make room for him, without hurting herself or him, in the process. She’s that talented.

BYTEMITE

Friday, June 26, 2009 4:42 PM

Ooh, I like that. Maybe you're right, maybe we haven't given Inara enough credit in being able to handle situations with grace, wisdom, and compassion.

AGENTROUKA

Monday, June 29, 2009 8:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaosium:
Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRouka:

Which was also the smarter choice, because now he might still do business with her in the future, instead of becoming The Guy Who Killed Patience.

Why on Earth would he do business with her ever again? He said he could understand why she shot him the first time, but the second she set to murder him and Zoe when he offered her quality goods at a reasonable price. Had he killed her they would probably built him a statue like they did Jayne in Canton, unless you know of a place where greedy, double-dealing ruthless murderers who gobble up half a moon are especially beloved. ;)

Then why give her that little lesson about how he does business? Why, indeed, NOT shoot her when he has no problem kicking Crow into the engine? Fact is, whether Mal likes her or not, Patience is a powerful woman who is "just about mayor" on her little backwater moon. She buys high quality food stuffs - for all I know she's buying them for her people, men women and children, and she's ruthless to hapless outsiders, not to the people on her moon.

That Patience would be universally loathed or that people would be grateful to Mal for creating a power vaccuum is not the only possibility there, and actually a little unlikely.

Quote:

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRouka:

Which was also the smarter choice because keeping the money would have meant being hunted down for sure. The medicine was an act of honor, yes. Mal will do the right thing if cornered. It's more often than not an easily suppressed instinct, though.

That would seem to describe Jayne, not Mal.

Nah, for Jayne it's not an instinct. Mal still has it, but he suppresses it without much trouble a lot of the time.

Quote:
As for Niska's money, Crow told him he could keep it, and what would happen anyway after Mal made a point of saying they were 'not thieves, but they were thieves but they weren't taking Niska's money.' Crow told him flat out it didn't matter, except in Mal's mind they were behaving honorably and not thieving.

...right before he kicks the unarmed, bound man into his engine. Honorable, indeed.

Crow was a loyal, vengeful fanatic who would have made hunting Mal his personal goal ("the last thing you see will be my blade") and no use to Mal's plan. The next cronie up was more than willing to impart his message and the money. He didn't give it back for honor but because he knew that stealing from Niska would be the worst possible choice. Giving back the money, no matter what Crow says, would look like at least a chance at appeasing him.

Quote:

Quote:
Which was also the smarter choice because a second later the officers want to see official papers for the cattle and shooting ensues.

I don't remember this, I'll look for it the next time I watch the episode. I recall them getting bound by law for something entirely different, and then starting the gunfight to escape.

They were bound by law for something else, but Mal just sold them smuggled cattle. Without papers. Which would have involved him in the entire mess. There was no profit in claiming that cattle and all the benefit in the world in blaming the other guys. No honor involved.

Quote:

Quote:

Not getting into this one.

Huh? Is this some sort of controversy here? I can't imagine how it could be.

There have been many, many discussions on the subject.

ELPAGAN

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 5:46 AM

Hey yall,
Way earlier in the thread everyone was suggesting that Mal might dump serenity as part of a "healing circle".

What I've got to ask is- Why would he?
Its still his ship
He LOVES his ship
Its more a symbol of home, family and its the one place he can call HIS after the civil war.

His life of petty theivery and being one of those naughty men sneaking round the edge of the verse is probably rooted, in part at least, in defiance.
But to say that he is dissatisfied with "flyin" is- well- stupid
The pilot showed that he can be shot, have his crew-members shot (whom he is more protective of), be near killed by reavers, arrested by alliance moles and much more and STILL call it a good day!
He has a real smile on his face at that moment.
Cos hes "still flyin".

Simon- "thats not much"
Mal- "its enough." *contented smile*

Now, later in life, even as early as his early fourties, I could see Mal, Inara and Co laying down Serenity to rest (on the western side of a craggy red-rocked hill).
The important detail is that it'd be overlooking their new ranch :)

Makes sense. Serenity was originally found sittin in the dirt. Why not end it's days that way?
The important difference is that instead of rusting away abandoned, it'd become their house.
Its got a kitchen, bedrooms, walls and a roof.
It could be converted into the heart and hub of Mal's ranch. The seed of defiance, the one thing that represented (the) independence to Mal would become the heart of a truly "legitimate business enterprise".

It wouldnt be a perfect circle of healing.
It shouldnt be.
With a perfect circle you dont gain, learn, or discover anything. This would be post traumatic stress Mal healing, and moving on from Serenity Vally- but that doesnt mean he'd ever move on from his sense of freedom or family.
Serenity is much more a source of goodness than badness.
Have you ever imagined Mal without Serenity?
He'd self destruct.

Depending on how lucky (or unlucky) they are I could see Mal and Inaras influence and reputation fetching them some reasonable power and responsibilty on whatever planet they put down on.
Post-BDM with a weakened alliance, perhaps it could be time for the border planets to organize themselves and start wielding diplomacy properly.
The civil war was unwwinnable. Why'd it ever even happen?
As much as Mal'd likely gain the respect and loyalty of the locals pretty quick, itd be Inara who'd truly turn things upside down for the Alliance in the diplomatic arena.

Anywho, that was my response to the idea Mal would and should leave serenity. Cant honestly remember the original thread topic. Too late to stop my tangent I guess :)

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