alexandral | I am all "Firefly" and I am all "Let's go to the beach"

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I am all "Firefly" and I am all "Let's go to the beach"

I usually get passionately involved with one thing at a time and other things just don't exist. :D But I am quite torn between watching two things at once at the moment – "Firefly" and "Let's go to the beach" (Korean drama)

Firefly Is quite unique. I love it's atmosphere, I love it's characters, I love it's soundtrack, I love it's dialogue. Hee! I had to switch subtitles on because I didn't want to miss anything, so wonderful it is. But the icing on my "Firefly" cake is the relationship between Mal and Inara.

Mal/Inara

Aren't they just so good together that having one glance at the two of them even standing next to each other one gets a definite "OMPH, OTP forever" vibe? And what is totally my thing: He is a type man who for some reason or another thinks that he can't have her. May be because of his status as a captain, may be because of her profession as some sort of geisha or may be because he has something broken inside his soul ever since they lost the War against Alliance and he doesn't want to allow himself even tiny thought about his own happiness. And a selfless, care-for-everyone, noble man is so much of "my thing".

Though I am a little angry and confused at the way Mal treats Inara. And I also a little confused why does she let him treat her like that? All the calling her "whore" repeatedly seems to be quite inappropriate. Ok, I understand that he is some sort of puritanical personality, which is a little confusing again considering his dislike of religion. But why is he trying to hurt someone he is so undeniably attracted to? Does he unconsciously want to push her far away from himself because he can't trust his own cool head in this? Or is he one of the people who must say what they think no matter what?

I understand Inara a little better. It seems that she had fallen for him hard long long ago. She throws his words back to him, but because she is so in love Inara doesn't try to leave "Serenity". She can't imagine her life without him, it seems.

Below are some screencaps from episode "Shindig": Inara is teaching Mal to swordfight. Aww! Isn't it such a great chance to get close together? My love for this episode can be expressed in tree words: duel, dance, dialogue. I loved Mal's protectiveness of Inara's honour to the point of almost forgiving him all his previous "whores" and adored that piece of fabulous dialogue that he left his opponent with :
"I guess I'm just a good man!..I'm alright."

Let's go to the beach: I am enjoying it much much more then I expected. It is bringing me so much glee that I keep grinning like silly whilst watching it.. It is light as a feather, very funny and has a lovely fast pace. I am through 10 episodes already (out of 14) and I find that this was one of the most addictive doramas I have ever "met". I watched about 6 episodes of it non-stop on Monday. I can't quite put my finger on why it is so addictive,, May be because I just feel happy whilst watching it and admiring eye candy in the form of Lee Wan and Jun Jin. Or may be because the story of Tae-pung and So-ra falling in love and finding their place in life feels so right psychologically.

I definitely rec it to anyone! Especially if you would like something happy to watch!

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I avoided “Firefly” for a long time because so many people on LJ kept saying that it was the Best Show Ever (which makes me suspicious because “The Wire” is the best Show Ever :P – I’m kidding! I’m just very contrary!) But I did recently buy the DVDs and also the one for the movie “Serenity” and now that YOU like it so much, I think I might have to sit down and watch them, because I totally trust you!

EEEEE! I am sure that "The Wire" is THE best show too, but the cancellation of "Firefly" doesn't make any sense to me. :D I understand about being contrary too – I am always not a little suspicious of the things that get too much hype (like Anders, IMHO). Luckily "Firefly" hype happened before my fandom life began. I saw "Serenity" in the movies and liked it very much, but I think I like the series more.

I'm so glad you like Firefly! Mal and Inara are gorgeous together, it's definitely one of my favourite things about the show (although I also love Simon/Kaylee- it's a good show for shipping!) Just wait until you see Our Mrs Reynolds...

I saw "Our Mrs Reynolds" already. YAY! I am an officially rabid Mal/Inara Shipper. And I adore Simon and Kaylee too, she is my favourite character at the moment. Ladies who can do mechanics and pink dresses at the same time do indeed rock.

The thing that gets me the most is how much further Joss could have developed the relationship if it hadn't been cancelled. Apparently there was also a masssive Inara plotpoint that they just never had time to do, not even in the film. It's got something to do with the syringe we see her take out in one of the really early episodes, when they think they'll get boarded by the Reavers... And Joss won't tell us what it was for!

Ah well, at least we got Simon/Kaylee in Serenity.

The thing that gets me the most is how much further Joss could have developed the relationship if it hadn't been cancelled

Definitely, and I also can't see their relationship as something that can be developed quickly. The characters have to go through some major changes before they can exist happily together. Yes, I am lamenting it so much! I noticed the syringe too, but I thoguht that this was some sort of lethal drug that Inara was going to take as she didn't want to be ravaged by Reavers.

Ah well, at least we got Simon/Kaylee in Serenity.

Yes!!!!! but I must say that thir relationship comes as much more intersting in the series.

Mal and Inara have some fantastic exchanges in Serenity, so I can't wait for you to get there.

One of my favorite Firefly scenes ever is from Shindig, when Badger is guarding the crew and they're trying to figure out how to get free. Then, River walks in and they all get worried and Simon tries to push her out... then she totally throws them all with her cockney accent and getting one up on Badger in banter. I've watched that scene a disgusting amount of times.

Mal and Inara have some fantastic exchanges in Serenity, so I can't wait for you to get there.

I have seen Serenity, actually. I did understand it; I think it worked well as stand-alone film too. Though I wish Mal and Inara's relationship was developed even further in "Serenity". Like for example, Simon and Kaylee's relationship. :D

I've watched that scene a disgusting amount of times.

This is indeed awesome, it is a first glimpse of her real abilities. I still remember how in "Serenity" she wiped out a whole squad of Reavers all by herself. :D

Awww, the picture of Lee Wan is so cute! The drama sounds great! I can't wait to join you! :)

EEEEEEE! (But mostly good luck with your finals!)

Thank you so much! :D **hugs**

Though I am a little angry and confused at the way Mal treats Inara.

Well, I can understand that - and it's slightly complicated.
I think as far as Mal is concerned there are a lot of obstacles in the way. For in the war Mal was on the loosing side, whereas Inara, even if she didn't fight was on the Alliance side.She also voted for unification, whereas Mal fought against unification. In addition Inara is from the main core planet, whereas Mal is, IIRC, from a plant on the Rim. So in Mal's view she is supposed to be the enemy.

Only she isn't and he rather likes her. In fact he likes her A LOT - and this complicates things. (in fact that is one of Mal's main complaints to Inara - that she complicates things. She takes his world view and turns it around)

As for the calling her a whore part I agree that it's problematic. But I've always taken that as more an attack on the whole Companion system, more than one on Inara personally. He feels that simply calling someone a Companion and dressing them in fancy clothes, does not take away from the fact that you are making a human being into a commodity.

Remember in the opening-scene of "Shindig" they are at a bar and he steals and fights with slavetraders. Later Mal hits Aterthon Wing when Wing says he has bought Inara for the night, to do with as he pleases. I feel there is a connection there. Mal disapproves of a system that disguises the fact that human beings are bought and sold, like the Companion system does. (at least in his point of view)
Somewhat summed up in this wonderful piece of dialogue:

Inara: "You have a strange sense of nobility, Captain. You'll lay a man out for implying I'm a whore, but you keep calling me one to my face."
Mal: "I might not show respect to your job, but he didn't respect you. That's the difference. Inara, he doesn't even see you."

I understand that he is some sort of puritanical personality, which is a little confusing again considering his dislike of religion.

Hee. I see your point - but I've always understood Mal as not so much disliking religion, as having lost faith. In the battlescene in the first episode, before he starts any fighting, Mal kisses a cross and prays. There are also other indications that he used to be very religious, but that he lost faith after the battle of Serenity. That is why he is always so wary with Shepherd Book, because it touches him personally.
Mal used to believe in so much - he believed in justice, and God and the Alliance - and after the war he felt all his hopes were crushed, so now he doesn't dare believe in anything. But in a war he is still very religious,only he doesn't dare admit this to himself out of fear that he will be disappointed again. That's my take on it at any rate.

And now I've ranted - but this is what happens when I start talking "Firefly". Hee. I'm so glad you're watching the show! Yay!

in fact that is one of Mal's main complaints to Inara - that she complicates things. She takes his world view and turns it around

If you're referring to the exchange I think you are, I have to agree: Best. Ever.

It's such a shame that people who saw Serenity without seeing Firefly (which I've heard isn't actually that much) missed out on most of the meaning behind their exchanges in the movie.

If you're referring to the exchange I think you are, I have to agree: Best. Ever.

*g* YES! That is the one. I love that scene.

I suspect people seeing Serenity without Firefly must have been very confused.
I also love most of the deleted scenes. I wish they could make a special edition and put them in the movie.

So in Mal's view she is supposed to be the enemy.

This is a very interesting point, but I haven't got to this part yet. But yes, this makes sense!!!

Only she isn't and he rather likes her. In fact he likes her A LOT - and this complicates things. (in fact that is one of Mal's main complaints to Inara - that she complicates things. She takes his world view and turns it around)

This is what I think. That he is quite damaged inside by what has happened in the war, and now he just wants to live far far away from everyone without seeking any real purpose or forming any real connection. He loves his crew, but he is at the same time quite distanced from them. It is probably only with Inara we get to see some of his real self, one that does have doubts and hurts and everything else.

As for the calling her a whore part I agree that it's problematic. But I've always taken that as more an attack on the whole Companion system

I think this too, but it must still be upsetting for Inara, and he could have be more thoughtful. Though I expect that after "Shindig" he will calm down on name-calling.

Later Mal hits Aterthon Wing when Wing says he has bought Inara for the night, to do with as he pleases. I feel there is a connection there.

I also see that he is so plainly jealous. A lot of the things he says and does around Inara seem to be tarnished with the thick layer of jealousy. I can't really blame him because I am all FOR strong feelings.. :D

I understand that he is some sort of puritanical personality, which is a little confusing again considering his dislike of religion.

Hee. I see your point - but I've always understood Mal as not so much disliking religion, as having lost faith. In the battlescene in the first episode, before he starts any fighting, Mal kisses a cross and prays.

Oh, this is brilliant! (You are so awesome with the details as always!). This makes a perfect sense now - Mal had a strong faith, but he lost it. May be he is blaming God for what has happened? And yes!! I get why he is so touchy with Brook now, I noticed from my experience that people who strongly curse the faith (any faith) are quite often the ones that have some un-peace inside about the subject.

Mal used to believe in so much - he believed in justice, and God and the Alliance - and after the war he felt all his hopes were crushed, so now he doesn't dare believe in anything.

And I think this is one of the complications for his relationship with Inara. His life lost it's meaning and he resists a new meaning in her form. :D

I hadn't heard of Firefly until a friend took me to go see the movie. Of course, I ended up loving the movie and I bought the series immediately! I really enjoyed the characters and the stories. The relationship between Mal and Inara is pretty complex, and I like how both characters are far from perfect, and have such issues admitting their feelings for each other.
And now that you've started talking about "let's go to the beach", I might have to watch it. Because, I don't have this huge list of things to watch...lol. Oh well, Lee Wan's absolutely amazing : P

The relationship between Mal and Inara is pretty complex, and I like how both characters are far from perfect, and have such issues admitting their feelings for each other.

I am so angry that it has been cancelled. May be they would have admitted their feelings in the season 7?

And now that you've started talking about "let's go to the beach", I might have to watch it. Because, I don't have this huge list of things to watch...lol. Oh well, Lee Wan's absolutely amazing : P

Isn't he JUST? He can carry a tailored suit and swim pants with the same grace.

What is Firefly about? :)

And thank you for the picspam. I am interested in checking out Inara now. Looks gorgeous!

"Firefly" is one-season series set in the future. Captain Mal and his crew are making their hard living by doing various sorts of caper errands on a little space-ship called "Serenity". Much adventure ensures. Inara is some sort of geisha. This profession seems to be very highly ranked in the society and she travells with "Serenity" from planet to planet.

Oh, it is so so good. Truly worthy to see! All the charaters are so wonderful, not only mal and Inara. And it is done excellently well; it reminds me a little of "Star Wars" visually.

Hi! I just wanted ti let you know that i changed my username with this one (my last one, jenandhughlove, doesn't work anymore). Hope you'll friend me back as i already did. Thanks and sorry for this inconvenience. :)

Oh, no problem !!** off to friend you **

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I am all "Firefly" and I am all "Let's go to the beach"

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