TELEVISION / Lost in The 'Verse: The Mishandling of Mal & Inara / Brian "Brie" Sheridan
Image © Mutant Enemy | 20th Century Fox Television
Before I begin, I just want to say that Joss Whedon is a piece of shit. I know that might upset some people reading this, but I hope they only feel that way because they don’t know the extent of his abusive behavior – both on and off production sets – and not because they want to defend it. His misogyny, microaggressions, and racism are all well documented and corroborated by various production staff, writers, and actors from his movies and shows as well as his ex-wife, Kai Cole. Anyone still in the dark about his character can easily search it up on any web browser. I also realize that Firefly is not without its faults (such as heavily integrating Chinese language and culture into the series without a single Chinese character in the cast), but this series still holds a very special place in my heart.
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I was first introduced to Firefly by a group of close friends I’ve known since childhood. They’d already been showing it to another of our group, and together we watched the final episode of the series as well as the follow-up film Serenity. I admit that at the time I might’ve only been interested in watching because I thought it would please my friends, but I’m glad I did. I think it was the first time I fell in love with something so completely. The setting, the story, the characters . . . everything. Looking back on it, it was probably one of the first things—if not the first thing—that inspired me to be a writer. To create something. I’ve also recently realized it was one of the first times something caused me to be inspired by my own femininity. I’m forever grateful to the people who showed Firefly to me.
Set in 2517, humanity has long since left “Earth-That-Was” after it was depleted of resources (which sounds like more of an inevitable reality every day). The People's Republic of China and the United States of America were the national superpowers that led the voyage into space, later forming “The Alliance.” The Alliance became the ruling government over many newly terraformed and colonized planets and moons. As a result of the two powers joining, both Eastern and Western cultures are heavily present throughout the series, and every main character uses phrases and language in Mandarin Chinese. Of course, not everyone was interested in living beneath Alliance rule. A group called The Independents—commonly known as The Browncoats—resisted their rule, fought, and lost in what became known as the Unification War.
Firefly follows the adventures of a “Firefly” class spaceship named Serenity captained by one Malcom Reynolds (Nathan Fillion). Reynolds, having fought for The Independents, evades Alliance scrutiny and control by drifting to the outskirts and rim of The ‘Verse. Though he often leads his crew through dangerous missions or has them take on illegal salvage or smuggling jobs, he adheres to a strict code of honor. It’s just one of many qualities Inara Serra (Morena Baccarin) finds admirable about him. Inara is a “Companion,” a high-class courtesan most closely reminiscent of Japanese Oiran and Geisha. Though trained in the art of seduction, Companions are also incredible empaths, able to discern and understand others’ emotions with something as simple as a prolonged stare. Inara’s presence aboard Serenity comes in handy when Reynolds needs a certain level of clearance or respect. She eventually even uses her status to help the crew pull off heists.
Even in their first on-screen interactions, the romantic tension between Mal and Inara is extremely evident. A sense of yearning overlays nearly all their scenes together. Just when one is about to catch the other looking for too long, they miss it. They come close to admitting their attraction to each other many times throughout the series but are always held back from finally falling over the edge. The two also share a hesitance about endangering and compromising their professions should they be together. Unable to act on their feelings, they often bicker and insult each other. It’s an admittedly interesting and engaging angle to write a relationship from . . . in the right hands of course.
While their relationship is one of the most compelling in the series, it suffers from a lack of creative oversight. That’s not to say they aren’t fully realized characters. Much of the appeal and magic of Firefly came from its main cast. Despite having only eleven of its fourteen episodes make it to air (and out of order I might add), Firefly and the crew of Serenity had heart, charm, and chemistry some writers can only dream of making. It’s just another thing that’s so disappointing about the show’s premature cancellation. Production members have often provided insight into some of the more mysterious elements and plot points in the series and where they would’ve been taken. Inara and Mal just needed a little more refinement.
Inara was probably the first character in the show I felt connected to. I remember seeing her and just being in awe. There was so much about her I wanted for myself. Traveling. Education in the arts. Distinguishable beauty. Emotionally connective and fulfilling sex. Inara was—and still is—one of my biggest personal inspirations. Baccarin plays Inara with such a strong presence that viewers and other characters alike can’t help but be drawn to her. Even when I first watched the series, I didn’t understand why Mal would sometimes be so mean to her. Given the controversial revelations surrounding Whedon, it’s not a stretch to say that some of Mal’s interactions with Inara were Whedon’s own misogyny sneaking into the scripts.
Mal is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve encountered in any kind of media. Charismatic, strong-willed, and sassy, Fillion perfectly embodies every aspect of the role. Mal simply wants to live his life his own way. While he admits he doesn’t care about what jobs he takes, his moral compass often complicates his line of work. Despite his hard exterior, he deeply cares for everyone on his ship. Plus, he’s a dashing smuggler who hates cops and aids those in need even at his own personal cost. What more do you need? The only thing off about him is his attitude towards Inara’s sexuality. Everything about his character points to him not doing that.
While having Mal and Inara act antagonistically towards each other helps keep viewers invested, it loses much of its merit when one realizes the writers didn’t properly utilize everything about their own characterizations. Mal diminishes and degrades Inara’s profession at nearly every turn, but specifically focuses on the sexual aspect of her lifestyle. He refers to her job as “whoring” yet makes it a point to say while he doesn’t respect her profession, he respects her. It’s a feeble attempt to make his treatment of her justified to the audience. It also makes him a giant hypocrite when he ends up sleeping with another sex worker (and an old friend of Inara’s, more on that later). Sexuality, gender, and race are concepts often transcended and recontextualized in works of science-fiction, making Firefly’s mostly clunky handling of them even more disappointing. It’s even more perplexing to realize that the series had the content to do so but failed to use it.
The tension between Mal and Inara could’ve been established through so many different angles. Doing so would’ve opened a completely new avenue for their relationship while easily tying into the narratives and character development already in the show. One of the most obvious ways to accomplish this would’ve been through their political differences. Mal’s real dislike of Inara’s profession should have been for the fact that it caused her to be Alliance affiliated. Companions largely don’t operate outside of Alliance territory after all. It’d have been much more interesting for Mal to be suspicious of Inara’s loyalties. For instance, Mal and his crew are nearly apprehended for transporting salvaged goods and—albeit unknowingly—wanted fugitives to the outer rim of The ‘Verse in the original pilot episode “Serenity”. There could’ve easily been a scene or two involving Mal confronting Inara about being an Alliance mole.
It also would’ve helped to set up future storylines, especially since Inara most likely would have given up being a Companion (which is further backed up by the fact that she did so anyways in the comics). Though it’s revealed through a flashback in the episode “Out of Gas” that she supported Unification, her loyalty to Mal certainly points to a change in opinion. Perhaps she believed The Alliance represented security for her and her way of life. It’s unknown whether the Companions would even exist in a Browncoat ruled ‘Verse. Inara never did seem openly displeased or against stealing/salvaging Alliance goods. I like to think she only remained a registered Companion for the access and status it gave her. And for the safe sex. Good for her.
Furthermore, spirituality and religion could have played a bigger role as part of the tension between Mal and Inara. Inara states that the first—and last—thing she was taught as part of her Companion training was restraint. Physicality does factor into a Companion’s selection process, but Inara says Companions select their clients based on “compatibility of spirit.” She’s shown throughout the series performing intrinsic rituals and ceremonies for her clients and consistently emphasizes the spiritual aspects of her profession. Inara’s also shown to be a practicing Buddhist. Mal’s own faith was notably shattered during the end of the Unification War, and he dismisses most religion and spirituality. He’s often at odds with other characters over religion but never brings it up during the spats between him and Inara.
The penultimate episode of the series, “Heart of Gold” is the most pivotal point in the series regarding Mal and Inara. It’s simultaneously a shining example of the inconsistencies and every un-utilized aspect of their relationship. It’s perhaps one of the most consequential episodes of the entire show. Filled with character development and revelations, insight into The ‘Verse itself, and featuring a cliff-hanging conclusion, it perfectly sets things up for Inara and Mal’s relationship to continue next season. Oh wait.
“Heart of Gold” was the perfect opportunity to fully flesh out Mal’s issue with the Companions. All production needed to do was use their own lore. Inara hires Mal to help defend her old friend and former Companion, Nandi (Melinda Clarke), who was living out along the border planets. The tyrannical and self-appointed leader of Nandi’s planet was planning to exploit her and her prostitutes for an heir. Mal notably makes no derogatory comments about Nandi or her brothel, admiring how she carved her own piece of territory from more abusive hands. Her defiance and assertiveness—combined with her disregard for the more “restrictive” rules of the Companions—causes Mal to be drawn to her.
Nandi easily picks up on Mal’s feelings for Inara and reminds him as they grow closer that she “ain’t her.” Nevertheless, the two end up sleeping together, deeply upsetting Inara. Nandi is killed in the subsequent battle, and Inara admits to Mal that she’s glad he was able to provide some form of comfort to her friend during her last night alive. Nandi had confronted Mal about Inara’s feelings for him right before the fight, and her words had likely been pushed to the back of his mind.
“So, you weren’t before?” he questions, causing her to look away. Mal slowly starts closing the distance between them while he keeps talking. “Inara, I ain’t looking for anything from you. I’m just uh, feeling kinda truthsome right now.”
He breaks his gaze with her, and she stares longingly at him almost in disbelief. Her breath and voice are held in anticipation. A few half steps closer.
“Life is too damn short for ifs and maybes.”
She looks down before pulling her eyes back up to his. Inara tells Mal that seeing Nandi and the life she built caused her to reflect on her own. Comparing the two, she feels as though she’s built a family like Nandi’s with the crew of Serenity. Feeling tied to them now, she can’t break away. She doesn’t want to. The space between them has only gotten smaller and smaller.
“There’s something . . .” she says softly, causing Mal to straighten up a bit. “There’s something I should have done a long while ago. And I’m sorry—for both of us—that it took me this long.”
She keeps her eyes locked with him the entire time she speaks. Mal remains composed, but a softness registers in his expression. Inara’s lower lip slowly drops, her voice not caught in her throat, but her words caught in her mouth. Silent tension is all that fills the air. She takes a soft, deep breath.
“I’m leaving.”
The first time I watched that scene I was on the edge of my seat. It was certainly the first time I’d been so invested in something that wasn’t so fast paced. I was so shocked. Nowadays I think if I’d been in Inara’s shoes I’d have done the same thing. Yes, this is the man she’s longed after for near a year at this point, but he’d just slept with her friend. Why would she want to start a relationship right at that point? Had their fights been about anything other than Inara’s sex life it might’ve been a different story.
Emphasizing the political, cultural, and spiritual differences between Mal and Inara better fits their characters and the show’s overall premise. Doing so would’ve made their relationship stronger while also helping to set up some of the series’ planned plotlines. Inara’s past and presence on Serenity is often a subject of scrutiny—from both other characters and from a viewer’s perspective. It’s hinted several times throughout the show that she’s harboring some kind of dark secret.
In her very first scene, she speaks to a client about being born and trained on Sihnon, regarded as one of the most beautiful planets in the new ‘Verse. Her client admits he can’t understand her decision to leave. There’s a brief cut-away shot of Inara blinking and shaking her head in disbelief and annoyance. This is then shown only to be Inara’s inner thoughts, as the next shot has her smiling pleasantly while she continues to speak. She makes a comment about “not wanting to die at all” in “Out of Gas” when others lament about dying aboard Serenity. When Nandi and Inara were first reunited, Nandi observes that Inara hadn’t “aged a day” since they’d last seen each other. Nandi also tells Mal that Inara was quite focused on becoming the head priestess of her Companion house but left inexplicitly. Though originally just speculation, Baccarin herself later confirmed that Inara is afflicted with a terminal disease.
Since it was the plan to include Inara’s illness at some point, Firefly could’ve done more to lay out the groundwork. It would’ve been the perfect catalyst for her character arc and her relationship with Mal. It contextualizes everything about her presence aboard Serenity. She spent her whole life largely on one planet, and with death possibly coming for her at any second, she wanted more experiences. Combined with the limited psychotherapy she often provides her clients (and sometimes friends), Inara gets to learn things from all walks of life. Though she may complain about the lack of clientele on some of the planets and moons the crew travels to, she almost always lets it go. She enjoys the independent and colorful life she’s found. And like everyone else on the ship, she loves Serenity. It’s easy to imagine Mal seeing Inara’s life in a completely different light. I think he’d have quite liked the fact that she was exploiting her position in Alliance society.
Mal and Inara are ultimately after the same thing: freedom. Freedom to choose. Freedom to love and live. Freedom to roam The ‘Verse in all its glory. It’s what would’ve ultimately brought them together. The tension and drama between them could’ve easily existed without making Mal an uncharacteristic misogynist. While canonical comic continuations of the characters’ adventures exist, they ultimately don’t do Mal and Inara’s relationship—and in Inara’s case, her character—justice.
It's always been obvious that Mal and Inara would end up together. It had been since the first episode of the series. Though their relationship was left up in the air when the series was canceled, the cinematic continuation, Serenity, reopened the possibility of their relationship. It was perhaps one of the biggest things fans anticipated when several comic series were announced. Yet when they’re shown to have gotten together between the events of the film Serenity and the comic Serenity: Leaves on the Wind, fans don’t get the “how” or the “when” of what ultimately made them admit their feelings. It’s somewhat anticlimactic. Additionally, the comic No Power in the ‘Verse effectively assassinated Inara’s character and largely—if not entirely—disregarded and retconned her existing and planned storylines. It ultimately also led to Mal and Inara’s separation.
There was so much content and so many ideas already existing within the mythos of Firefly, yet it was all left in the ashes of the series’ cancelation. Having these characters pushed and pulled into nonsensical, conflicting directions makes the franchise lose the very appeal that drew fans to it in the first place. Changing the reason for Inara’s departure from Sihnon has no narrative value and is tacked onto No Power in the ‘Verse’s storyline just for the hell of it. Creating drama for the sole sake of it has never made any sense to me as a creative (or as a consumer of media). If you’re gonna take a character’s story in a completely different and controversial direction it needs to do more than just add shock value. There’s nothing worse than squandered potential. Yet here I am writing about a show that its own production company refused to believe in, so I suppose I can ultimately overlook things. Doesn’t mean I’ll be happy about them though.
Brian "Brie" Sheridan is a writer and educator based somewhere along the East Coast. When not writing, they can be found making coffee, searching for Sindel merch, and sleeping. The rest of their work can be found at briesheridan.com.
Jason Jacovini is a modern bard employed full-time as champion of a local grocery store’s dairy department who moonlights as a writer and editor. He enjoys music at a moderate volume, maintains an immaculately tidy living space, and is currently composing your next favorite fantasy novel.
