Firefly thought

[scarfman]

The core conflict in the relationship between Inara and Mal is that he doesn't respect her vocation. So they can't be together until at least one of them grows into being someone else than s/he is now.

Alternatively - judging from whedonological precedent - Inara could end up with her own spinoff series.

Comments

[larksilver.livejournal.com]

I've only just begun the dive into the Firefly series, having watched the pilot. Tomorrow night, the next 2 episodes (whee!), and then this weekend, the rest of the series, in and around painting and continuing to set up the house.

But aye, there is definitely a wanting for the two of them, and he clearly has issues with her choice of profession. Not that he doesn't make use of it, and her, as "Ambassador" when it's handy.

[angryricecooker.livejournal.com]

Similar also to Buffy/Angel precedent, it's worth nothing that the conflict isn't general, but focused on their particular relationship. Note "Heart of Gold," Mal has no problem with prostitutes generally, he just can't really handle the fact that Inara, whom he has real feelings for, has sex with other men for money. A tragivc irony that Whedon likes to hit in his romantic stories is that because two characters love each other, they can't be together. Angel can't sleep with Buffy because she makes him happy. Oz can't be with Willow because his feelings for her let out the beast in him. And Mal can't overlook the fact that Inara is a prostitute the way he can with the Heart of Gold woman because he cares about her in a different way.

Not that the relationship wouldn't evolve if Firefly continued--the only constant in Whedon character dynamics is change.

Man, have I read too much slayage.tv

[scarfman]

he just can't really handle the fact that Inara, whom he has real feelings for, has sex with other men for money

And what Mal needs to realize that she doesn't do it for money. She does it because it's (as I said above) her vocation, her calling. She just happens to be one of the lucky people who makes money doing what they love. Yeah, it seems sleazy saying that about someone whose vocation includes sex acts, but that's western enculturation talking. The philosophy behind Companion training is not necessarily western; after all, Firefly culture is half Chinese even if the part of the galaxy where Mal hangs out doesn't show it except in the swearing.

[larksilver.livejournal.com]

For a Geisha, the sex is just.. well, it's not even generally part of the package. I got the impression that companion training leaned a bit more on that side of things. Geisha, traditionally, were supposed to be educated, intelligent, able to converse on many subjects, and able to play at least one instrument reasonably well.

Inara seems more like this type of character than just "woman who sleeps with man for money." The interactions I've seen her have with clients, thus far, reflect that. Seems to be as much about healing, and confidence, as about a place for a man to stick his thang.

Shoot, most of the women I know end up providing a lot of these same "services" to their mates, and we don't even get paid for the trouble. In fact, most of the women I know find that they're just expected to do this stuff for free, and with little recognition for the help and support they provide. So perhaps getting paid for your energy isn't such a bad idea. Just my thoughts, anywho.

Hmm.. wonder if I could start expecting some form of payment for my extra efforts. "Sure, honey, I can make chocolate chip cookies for you because you've had a bad day. You will of course need to go buy me a pair of earrings to show your appreciation later. 'k?"

[angryricecooker.livejournal.com]

I think the most important difference between a companion and a traditional prostitute is actually power. Granted, clearly the companions of the show are drawn on traditions (or at least popular perceptions) of Geisha or courtesans of various era. But what really separates Inara is power. For me, the most defining element of a traditional prostitute is that she can't say no. The client has all of the power in the relationship, the prostitute none. For a companion, this is reversed. It is repeatedly mentioned that companions choose their clients, not the other way around. As she puts it when her relationship with Atherton Wing goes south and he threatens to ruin her, "Actually, that's not how it works. You've just earned yourself a black mark in the client registry. No companion will ever contract with you again." (thanks IMDb) Beyond that, note that the companion's social prestige is great, probably greater than that of the back-country baron types Inara services. Remember how much respect she immediatelydemands in The Train Job when she shows up to spring Mal and Zoe?

Bringing this back to the original topic, I think that both one of the things that both draws Mal to Inara and pushes him away is the power she asserts.