Did Inara know?
POSTED BY: Causal
UPDATED: Wednesday, December 7, 2005 18:15
VIEWED: 6966
PAGE 3 of 4
Of all the Inara theories here, I buy the one that she's dying the most. There was also a thread posted somewhere on the idea that she's committed a murder and is sort in hiding for that. Based on a few of the comments that she makes throughout the series, I think that's a fairly compelling theory too (basically, she killed in self-defense, bringing back in the "I don't want to die at all" comment, and although it's perhaps justifiable, it was a member of Parliament or somesuch). If someone knows where that thread is, let me know; wouldn't mind re-reading it.
I'm pretty sure that the business in "Our Mrs. Reynolds" is comic relief and some folks are are reading too much significance into it.
As for Book, I have a feeling that we won't see too much more of him, although Whedon is supposedly doing another comic mini-series that would be set during the continuity of the show, so we might see hints there.
"Here's how it might've been..."
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Hi - I have more Inara guessing to throw in the mix, but first ...
I like the idea of her being drawn to the Firefly ship, like she's been on one before. That hadn't occurred to me but it makes sense. Maybe it could be related to something else I've noticed:
Inara seems to have a strong reaction anytime families are mentioned. On Bushwhacked, when they say there were families on the wrecked ship, OMR when Mal is in her cabin hiding from Saffron, and in HoG when she talks about being drawn into a family, and she'd rather leave Firefly instead. I think there's bad family background. I don't know what exactly, maybe she lost her family, or they are still alive but in danger somehow, or maybe she can't have children (part of the staying young or terminally ill theories?)
Whatever Inara's secret is, I so wish Joss could reveal it over a full season of episodes! 
Ask Dr. Science ... he knows more than you do.
"I have a Master's degree ... in science!"
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First off, a nitpick to the original posting: I don't get where Inara is supposed to be on the run--I've just rewatched "Out of Gas", and I didn't spot any telltales.
A simple but logical explanation for Inara's wanderings is presented in the novelization, where it is suggested that she was on what could be called a scouting mission. With Unification, and the opening up of new territories for the Companion's Guild, it was necessary for someone to explore the new markets, unless the Guild wanted to cede them all to unlicensed whores, and allow the attitudes that accompany suchlike to contaminate half the 'Verse. In this case, Inara's unwillingness to discuss her reasons for departure can be explained as a simple wish not to tip her hand, the same reasons restaurant critics don't announce their arrival in advance.
It's possible also that this mission was self-imposed, due to some secret desire on Inara's part to escape the restrictions of Guild life, at least for a while.
As for the mystery needle, at this point we may never know.
"She's tore up plenty. But she'll fly true." -- Zoë Washburn
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There’s also the issue how the guild acquires girls. We know that the Companions are partially based on the Geisha. The Geisha houses bought girls and trained them from a young age. It is reasonable to assume that the Companion Guild also buys girls in order to train them as Companions. Now what if the parents don’t want child to be a Companion? Is the guild going to give up? Maybe, if they don’t think the girl is worth it but what if they think that the girl has the potential to become a great Companion? The guild might have other ways of acquiring the girl, perhaps through some dishonorable or insidious methods -----------------
Badger was inspecting a youngish girl in the begining of the pilot/serenity ... she wasnt 12 but she could have been a companion prospectus
"Dear God In Heaven!" - Plastic Dinosaur
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Rocketjock, to your point about "Out of Gas," I agree that there's nothing obvious in the episode itself, but if you watch it with commentary, there's a comment made (I believe by Whedon, but I could be mistaken) that there's a hint in the scene where Simon and Inara are talking concerning Inara's past/backstory. There's also mention in the commentary (possibly the same episode/scene, but I don't recall), that someone like Inara doesn't necessarily need to be on a ship like Serenity, so that means she's probably either running away from or to something.
(For the record, the whole "running" idea, mentioned by the man himself, sort of debunks the admittedly-interesting idea that Inara has a strong connection with a Firefly in general or Serenity in particular).
I read the novel and didn't necessarily take away that Inara was on a "scouting expedition." Quite the contrary. I remember reading that she did whatever it was that she did to leave (which remains vague), and THEN the Guild took her back as an instructor because she has "real life" experience that many of the other instructors don't. As the Guild pushes out further and further, companions have to deal with situations very different from what they'd be trained for on Sinhon, and someone like Inara has the experience to help prepare them. Don't recall any mention of a scouting mission, though (if you remember where it was, let me know... I actually think I have the novel with me and can check it out at lunch).
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All story-internal considerations aside, that would be just plain bad writing; you don't attach two significant subplots to the same idea (Miranda). If there's one thing I haven't found the slightest trace of in Firefly/Serenity, it's bad writing. Sure, River had somewhat of a Buffy moment when
Select to view spoiler:
she faced that whole room full of Reavers on her own and killed them all
and I thought that was just a little too exaggerated, but hey, it looked so fucking cool I won't complain.
What a sequel must not be is anything like the first movie. Attaching another storyline to Miranda would be silly. We know its significance now, it's an important bit of 'verse background, but that's that. Miranda's done, let's move on.
What I *am* afraid of is how they'd handle the "over-powered central character" thing in a potential sequel. Not that I don't trust Joss to handle it decently, but let's say I wouldn't like to be in his position if he gets to write a sequel.
Oh hell, who am I kidding, of course I'd love to be in his position ;P
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Inara is obviously running from something, just like everyone on the ship. The difference between Inara & Book and everyone else, is that we don't know what they were running from. And unless the show comes back we never will.
See, the thing is, that in Serenity, Inara's back of Sihnon (I think). Why would she return if what she's running from is there?
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Hm, milk, cookies and Inara have kept you up at night?
You guys are all coming up with great ideas!!!...
I love the idea that perhaps, she had inside info about Miranda. Clearly, she's not running from the guild because when she leaves Serenity, she goes "HOME"...
I have my own personal theory about Inara, but first, lets see these great ideas that have come up (with my take on them).
(You haven't aged a bit) Actually, she stayed in nice, controled environments where Nandy is in the rough and tumble with desert conditions. And not close to beauty products (it's a poor planet-all the cash being sucked by the most powerful). I don't believe Inara is dying. And if she is, then we are all dying!
(Required companion medical exam-same as last year) Inara would not lie about that to the crew if it can be verified, if such a lie could be exposed. Compagnons have money, make money, want to keep their place in High Society. I believe they would put Health and medical treatment at a high priority for all companions. It's good business to stay Pretty...
(Atherting Wing's disdainful for the ship)this is just what keeps Inara from him, her home, so of course he wants her to change her mind... He's just a guy trying to get some...
(secrets and practices within the guild which drove Inara away) Inara leaves Serenity to go back to the guild. Of course, she doesn't see the House as Home. It isn't home for her, perhaps never was.
(PYCHICRIVER :Im also certain that either Inara or Mal will die in the third movie...)
I also believe this will not become the James Bond of space... And that Malcolm Reynolds is the series, is the franchise.
My theory about Inara lies in one simple gesture. It's the threat of Reavers taking over the ship in the pilot-Serenity.
My Damselle-in-distress-Defense-Mode goes off every single time I see it: Inara moves her hand to her thighs... To me, that suggests a horrible fear of rape. And a fairly recent event also. Had it been a childhood thing, it would have made her angry, bitter, something. Inara is confident, smart and funny and only glimpses of her secrets show up. I see it as happenning moments before she left the guild to board Serenity.
This being said, the culprit may be linked to Inara's knowledge of Miranda for all I know...
Gedeon
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Quote:Is it the "My Big Damn Inara Theory" thread in Firefly Episode Discussions?
Originally posted by GWEK:
If someone knows where that thread is, let me know; wouldn't mind re-reading it.
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Ain't about you, Jayne. It's about what they need.
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My understanding of the events in Serenity (BDM) is that Inara did NOT return to Sihnon. Instead, she became a teacher (professor?) at a satellite Guild school somewhere out on the frontier.
We certainly don't see any evidence that Inara's school is anywhere close to "civilization" as depicted in Ariel. Also, it seems unlikely she would have mentioned "trouble with the locals" if she were referring to Sihnon.
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Ain't about you, Jayne. It's about what they need.
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