Did the 'Companion' thing ever bug you in Firefly?

POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Saturday, February 7, 2026 14:42
VIEWED: 45553
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HAKEN

Monday, February 15, 2010 8:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
I hated the *game* in my 20's, and I'd hate it more now.

I'm lucky to have found a beautiful & sassy mate back when love was still the most important thing.

Yeah, same here. My wife and I were just talking about it earlier this evening how we were both fortunate and avoided the whole adult dating circuit.

Speed-dating, dating-in-the-dark, and all the other newfangled ways that people are using to try and find their true love just makes us feel tired and probably not survive the ordeal.

BIGRICHARD

Monday, February 15, 2010 12:48 PM

I'm 20, single, and am not looking forward to trying to find 'that special someone'.

I think I was born in the wrong generation...

PIZMOBEACH

Monday, February 15, 2010 1:12 PM

I liked how even after Mal gave Inara so much flack she came in to save him in The Train Job. Makes me wonder who is against legalizing prostitution, men or women? Too much power for women? And if it was legal and women ran it would it be more like in the show?

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NCBROWNCOAT

Monday, February 15, 2010 2:06 PM

As a single woman of a certain age (I'll be 50 on Thursday and far from being wealthy enough to be a "cougar" and I admit I'm lonely at times)I've made piece with myself and realized being alone has it's advantages.
Yes, I'll entertain the idea of a relationship if it presents itself but I'm not doing all the wacky dating stunts just to get a man.

As far as Inara is concerned, I like the idea of prostitution being out in the open and regulated but Inara's life seems to be rather lonely and without close personal ties.

She may have adulation, the men (and occasional woman) of her choice and all the sex she wants but eventually being on a pedastal is isolating.
And as the series progressed I think she was realizing it more and more.

http://fireflyfaninnc.livejournal.com/

ECGORDON

Monday, February 15, 2010 2:11 PM

There is a long and honorable tradition in many cultures of institutions like the Companion Guild, as well as other treatments of it in science fiction. For example, the character Tamara in Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough For Love" was a revered hetaera.

From dictionary.com - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hetaera

Quote:
Word Origin & History

hetaera
1820, "mistress," from Mod.L., from Gk. hetaira "female companion," in Athens opposed to "lawful wife," and thus embracing everything from "concubine" to "courtesan;" fem. of hetairos "comrade, companion,"

BTW, if you haven't already read that Heinlein novel, I'd recommend you read "Methuselahs Children" first.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

MAL4PREZ

Monday, February 15, 2010 2:49 PM

Sorry Chris, but...

Doesn't it seem that those who are uncomfortable with this idea of "Companions" are those who would be tempted to use the service? Not only in this thread, but in real life?

I'm thinking that the root of the discomfort is a man's (well... "client's" I should say) fear of his/her own sex drive. The client's own discomfort and shame gets externalized, put on the Companion.

Inara's in a position that she can refuse to accept that judgment: the fact that you'd hire her doesn't make her dirty. That's something you have to work out between you and you. And that's what I loved about what Joss did. He challenged the audience to accept Inara and her job, and by extension to accept our own sexual urges. You can spend your college savings on her when you're 18 and not feel guilty about it the rest of your life. Hell, in Joss's shame-free world you could even tell your future wife about it and she'd benefit from the fancy tricks you learned. Where's the bad in that?

As for the sex-for-dinner thing, I can't believe that actually happens often, (outside Sex and the City episodes) nor do I think it's prostitution when it does. What, you think the woman wouldn't be able to afford dinner otherwise? Or that a woman shouldn't act on an urge (yes, woman have those) simply because it's a common ritual for the man to buy dinner?

In my dating days I'd go 50-50 when possible. But some men were offended by that. Like opening doors - it seemed to make them feel good about themselves to treat me. Sometimes it was sweet, sometimes it was less so - when guys seemed to think I owed them in return. It was never stated, but sometimes the expectation was clearly there. That's just rude! To insist and buying dinner and then insist on payback... sheesh!

But not all women are empowered enough to say no in this situation. They're trained to think they have to do that payback, as men are trained to think the have to pay ahead. So... it's not at all prostitution, is what I'm saying. It's our society's fucked up gender/sex roles.

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CHRISISALL

Monday, February 15, 2010 3:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:
Sorry Chris, but...

Doesn't it seem that those who are uncomfortable with this idea of "Companions" are those who would be tempted to use the service? Not only in this thread, but in real life?

It comes from the idea that I wouldn't want my daughter to be one, yet I would have been tempted to use the service from someone else's daughter in my 20's. The inherent hypocracy there is the source of the discomfort, I conjure.

And yeah, this culture is whack when it comes to sex roles.

The laughing Chrisisall

ZEEK

Monday, February 15, 2010 5:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
It comes from the idea that I wouldn't want my daughter to be one, yet I would have been tempted to use the service from someone else's daughter in my 20's. The inherent hypocracy there is the source of the discomfort, I conjure.

And yeah, this culture is whack when it comes to sex roles.

I totally agree with this. Which I think you can take a step further and point it right back at men. What wouldn't we want our daughter or sister in such a profession? To me it's because we know the male mindset all too well. There are plenty of men who would treat those women as nothing but a piece of meat. Most guys probably feel some guilt thinking that they've at the very least fantasied about a purely physical encounter without a single thought about a woman's personality or feelings. So, for guys it probably all comes back to self guilt really. That's my guess at least.

IMNOTHERE

Monday, February 15, 2010 7:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Look, I feel that prostitution should be legal & regulated, but is the idea that it's a profession to be elevated to some "noble" & semi-spiritual service make any here cringe just a little bit?

Well, the important issue with legalizing prostitution is ensuring the workers truly have a choice and are in control. Giving them professional status, a guild and ensuring that they are highly educated is one possible way of achieving that. A bit of mystery and ritual helps avoid the problem that people can work out the basics of the trade without special training...

However, I think a bit of cringe is appropriate, and an important part of the Inara/Mal relationship: at the top level, Mal doesn't approve of companions and Inara doesn't approve of "independent businessmen (ahem)". A bit deeper, Mal isn't particularly proud of his own current vocation and I was never sure that Inara completely believed her own propaganda (she seemed to have a few wistful moments...)

NCBROWNCOAT

Monday, February 15, 2010 8:09 PM

I saw a bit on TV last week about the first male prostitute (as in he has female clients-not male)legally working in Nevada. OK looking and he lives and works in a trailer at a bordello in the middle of the desert in rural Nevada.

I was wondering how us females feel about that. I don't know if he'll go beyond a novelty. Us women aren't used to having a purely physical act without any emotions involved, paying and walking away.

At least me. I don't judge others but I would prefer an actual relationship exist before sex. I guess I'm just old fashioned.

http://fireflyfaninnc.livejournal.com/

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