Inara: more bad ass than she seems?

POSTED BY: Bytemite
UPDATED: Saturday, August 15, 2009 18:37
VIEWED: 17936
PAGE 4 of 11

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEXT PAGE

BYTEMITE

Thursday, July 9, 2009 8:44 PM

I don't know about the Blu-Ray companion documents, but I know for a fact that at least the Serenity RPG manual lists her as competent in martial arts and her new-tech bow.

Obviously, she's better at talking her way out of situations, but I think the suggestion is she's not necessarily a slouch, and that she can be underestimated by someone if they're not expecting it.

GILLIANROSE

Thursday, July 9, 2009 10:58 PM

Well said - she's not a slouch, and, as for underestimating any female in the Jossverse, well, it's not the smart thing to do :) I've been thinking about the martial arts, the fencing, it's something she could practice with other people, but in a very defined way, with rituals, procedures, traditions, in a way it's a way to reach out and be with others but also still have those built-in protections.

And good point about the talking her way out - she took the conversation very smoothly in hand in Bushwhacked, and even chanced an exchange with the dangerous and obviously crazy Jubal Early. What an interesting character.

BYTEMITE

Thursday, July 9, 2009 11:13 PM

Tracked down the companion papers, since the RPG may not be canon. They say yes, Companions are ALL trained in martial arts.

Quote:
Guild-certified Training Houses instruct students in history, culture, spirituality, music, dance, self-defense, and, of course, the art of love, providing Guild Companions with a vast array of skills that enable them to converse on any subject, perform in any capacity, and satisfy even the most discriminating clients.

JACKWABBIT

Friday, July 10, 2009 4:14 AM

Wow! I'm flattered that my little fic stirred up such a discussion! I'm not over here much, and I hope my reply is in the right spot (this site is hard for me to navigate for some reason, which is why I'm not here often), but I wanted to say that I truly appreciate lively debate about our favorite show, so I'm glad my little piece could play a part in stirring the blood.

I'm way tired and need to get to bed as work comes early, but...let's see...story wasn't meant to mean that Inara was poverty-stricken but rather a normal girl. Normal children of both genders get into schoolyard fights. The mom...didn't set out to write her at all, but then she came to me and wouldn't let me go. I see her, in this fic at any rate, as overbearing/very strict and wanting to be in the upper echelons of society but not quite there.

You know the type-wanting more for their children and pushing too hard for it. This woman is a woman of class, but not quite enough class to be where she wants to be. That sort of thing. So, she pushes her daughter to be more constantly and doesn't want her to be a normal child, etc, but instead a perfect one, and she'll stop at nothing to get that.

As far as the "family business" thing...hm...I forgot about that...my bad...but could not the companion in the family been an aunt? A grandmother? Etc? Perhaps that's what gave mom that big old chip on her shoulder.

Honestly, this is a stand-alone little piece that is one view of Inara's past. I certainly don't stand by it as the only one...I might even write another story another day that presents a different view. I'm fluid like that.

But again, that's how I meant this one, and I'm happy to have raised some discussion.

Thanks for starting this, Bytemite. I'm truly flattered. (And FollowMal-I didn't know you read my fic?!)

Oh, and yes, Inara can hold her own. And deep down, she ain't as much of a "lady" as she lets on. That IS my honest opinion that ain't likely to change, unlike the mom/past angle.

JACKWABBIT

Friday, July 10, 2009 4:26 AM

PS-there have been some truly interesting viewpoints here...and I like them! I only just now got mostly caught up on the posts. More to talk about, but really must away to slumber.

Night, all!

BYTEMITE

Friday, July 10, 2009 4:41 AM

Thanks for clarifying. That's kind of how I interpretted your fic, but it's good to know your reasoning behind your choices too. I can see where you were coming from with her mother now. Kind of brings to mind her comment in Trash "You are not my mother, , or anyone else who has any say in my choices." I think that suggests SOMEONE may have taken extra special care of Inara's instruction.

I often change my mind too, but some ideas stick around with me long enough that I begin to include them into my over-all theory.

Man, I have a THEORY about Inara, a fictional character. That's really kind of sad. Oh well, she's fun to talk about. I think Joss Whedon outdid himself depicting her in season one, you just get glimpses of her different sides, but she could be so many things. Very mysterious.

AGENTROUKA

Friday, July 10, 2009 6:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jackwabbit:

Oh, and yes, Inara can hold her own. And deep down, she ain't as much of a "lady" as she lets on. That IS my honest opinion that ain't likely to change, unlike the mom/past angle.

Perhaps we just differ in our definition of lady, mayhaps?

AGENTROUKA

Friday, July 10, 2009 6:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bytemite:

Man, I have a THEORY about Inara, a fictional character. That's really kind of sad.

Not really. I say, if we can talk about Elizabeth Bennet without being embarrassed then we can talk about Inara.

AGENTROUKA

Friday, July 10, 2009 6:11 AM

I'm really glad we have generally similar views, even if we differ on some details.

Quote:
Originally posted by Bytemite:
I wonder really if it couldn't have been both. I know that sounds weird, but maybe she was in an orphanage like that, and at the same time had the High Priestess of House Madrassa grooming her for later companion training, too. In a good way, not a creepy child sex slavery way, with Inara taking interest in the companion way at a young age because of her mother.

I guess that still sounds a little too emotionally distant for me, like an occasional visit, or an observing teacher role. I don't disagree that such a person easily could have existed in her life, as well, but for me there was a much more present female care giver, who did all those mother-type things that come easily to Inara with the rest of the crew: hugging, hair-petting, emotional support, gentle teasing. A bond that's more personal, frequent and beyond grooming for a brighter future.

I really think we not that far apart in our views, though, that it impacts our understanding of Inara's character in most instances. At least, I get that impression from your posts, usually. :)

AGENTROUKA

Friday, July 10, 2009 6:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by GillianRose:

I have my own ideas about Inara's family life, but that's another long, long post.

Yes, please?

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEXT PAGE