Mal... 'bad' in the latin....

[browncoat2x2]

I've been having this discussion with goldy_dollar about Mal, and I've come to a point where I have to start examining him more closely (*G* and if *that's* not a double entendre for you...)

Seriously though, in trying to explain what I feel Mal's motivations are, I have realized that my ideas and opinions about Mal are really in their infancy, and need further exploration in order to a) explain in an understandable manner what I believe and why, as well as b) see if I'm right in my belief, or if I've missed some fundamental components of his character that could reform my opinions.

To this end, I have started jotting down my thoughts, general and free flowing, about Mal, and thought I would perhaps post a couple of questions about the good Captain here, and hopefully engage those of you interested in a discussion about what makes him tick.

So, taking a random thought from my random thoughts:

Why does Mal barge into Inara's shuttle?

Anyone care to share their ideas?

Comments

[agent-rouka.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely, I can't wait to read your thoughts!

My Theory(tm):

Barging in... Well, he goes there obviously to spend time with her, connect, even if it's just teasing, which puts him in the "inferior" position of asking for her attention. He has no real business being there, after all.

Barging in makes him the powerful one. He disregards her boundaries, invades her territory. That way he isn't actually asking for her attention, he's demanding it. Like it's something he has a right to. Note, also, he always has some flimsy excuse. It makes him feel less weak about everything between them.

Also, asking politely would be a barrier. It would be like honoring the professional distance Inara reverts to when things are bad. Her clients treat her with respect, her peers and the entire 'verse, really. It's like a wall of intangible friendliness. By being rude, Mal distinguishes himself. Ignores her status and gets right up close and personal with private Inara, not business Inara. The Real Her, so to speak. *g*

[goldy-dollar.livejournal.com]

I really like what agent_rouka said. *nods*

But... also. I think Mal simply enjoys being able to irritate her. Inara's decently unflappable, and barging into her shuttle is one way to get an annoyed reaction from her. He likes when he annoys her, because he gets under her skin, and evens the score between them. Irritated!Inara isn't Companion!Inara, it's real person Inara, who's letting herself have real human emotions. And I think Mal likes being able to get that kind of reaction from her. He is, after all, one of the sole human beings on the planets who manages to really pester her on a regular basis.

And I'd also like to say, having an opinion on Mal doesn't have to be right or wrong. I constantly re-evaluate what I think are the reasons behind his actions. And I love any kind of Mal related discussion, because I think he's a character who's motivations are not always easy to determine. Though I'm definitely interested to see what kind of conclusions you come to.

*hugs*

[hjea.livejournal.com]

I agree with all that's been said about why Mal might barge into Inara's shuttle, but on another note, him being in her shuttle (disregarding the actual barging) it's totally an escape for Mal. Though I know it's been said before, in Inara's shuttle Mal is not the captain. He can't give orders to Inara, as long as she pays rent the shuttle is her private space and he doesn't have to be anything other than himself in her space, irratating though that may be. ; ) In Inara's shuttle he doesn't give orders, he doesn't have to make any of the tough decisions - he can relax and escape for a bit before returning back to his "captainy" business. He admits as much to Inara in Our Mrs. Reynolds when he's hiding from Saffron and then in Serenity he goes to the shuttle to just let himself break after leaving Haven.

Isn't it interesting? Mal is just so... I love talking about him! (See: above evidence)

As one last note, I also rambled for a good long while in agent_rouka's last post, and it got me thinking yet again about how much there is to talk about on a show that only lasted 14 episodes. It's amazing!

If that's not evidence to show that Firefly really was the best show ever than I don't know what is.

[agent-rouka.livejournal.com]

Fly-by: "AMEN, sister!" *g*

[hjea.livejournal.com]

w00t!

Should I get out the choir gowns? ; )

[agent-rouka.livejournal.com]

That highly depends on the color scheme.. Is there pink to them?

[hjea.livejournal.com]

I think pink is a definite possibility.

Hot flaming pink perhaps?