S01.E04: Shindig

[Lisin]

From Wikipedia:

Inara attends a formal society dance, only to find Malcolm there as well, attempting to set up a smuggling job. Mal comes to blows with Inara's conceited date and finds himself facing a duel with a renowned swordsman, and only one night to learn how to fence.

I really love this episode. I love it a lot. I cannot be objective because Mal gets Kaylee a pretty dress and that's really all that happens in my head. I know there's tons more plot and twists and swordfights (hee) and all that, but Mal gets Kaylee a dress and she gets to act like a "Lady" and it's adorable. Also cows. Hee! 

[JayKay]

I really love this episode. I love it a lot. I cannot be objective because Mal gets Kaylee a pretty dress and that's really all that happens in my head. I know there's tons more plot and twists and swordfights (hee) and all that, but Mal gets Kaylee a dress and she gets to act like a "Lady" and it's adorable. Also cows. Hee!

Haha, I was just going to come in and say "the best parts of this episode included Kaylee and that dress and every scene in which she's wearing it." Murphy swooping in and shooing away those snide debutantes who dared to insult Kaylee and her frilly dress made me like him immediately. I also enjoyed Mal's "Guess I'm just a good one," *stab* "Well, I'm alright." Jayne, Wash and Zoe are hilarious together and I believe that this was the origin of the infamous "Captain Tightpants" nickname.

Atherton was the worst.

[decembar13]

I also enjoyed Mal's "Guess I'm just a good one," *stab* "Well, I'm alright.

That was my favourite exchange of the episode... That, and every barb and smirk Jayne and Mal shot Badger's way. Speaking of, I loved Badger, he made the episode for me!

Picture of Kaylee in that horrid dress stands where definition of the word "epic" is! 

Edited April 6, 2014 by decembar13

[jhlipton]

Inara is the worst "Space Hooker" ever.

Companions are supposed to be "highly respected".  Mal has Inara park her shuttle on Serenity because she adds class to a rather disreputable enterprise.  So why does she let everyone from Mal to Atherton call her a whore without any repercussions?  There's been a lot of discussion on why so much sf has brothels -- it lets the men have guilt-free sex, but still shames the sex workers.  Ugh.

Also, we see her pull up a list of potential candidates before she lands.  One man stutters and stammers and she shuts what looks like a profile down.  But then she clicks on Atherton and we see that this is a live feed.  That means that she just hung up on the first guy without even saying "No thanks".  Also, she knows that Atherton is a creep and a bully but she'd rather spend time with him than with some bloke who's a bit nervous about hiring a Companion for the first time (not to mention all the others -- about 10 -- whose profiles she didn't even look at).

I can't believe I ever liked her!

===================================================

Kaylee's dress is the most gawd-awful thing in the 'Verse but she has such fun in it, doesn't she?

[Portia]

I was bothered by Inara's brusque dismissal of the stammering guy, too.

This time around I recognized Sir Warwick as Larry Drake, better known as Benny from LA Law!

Captain Tight Pants. Hee hee.

[mstaken]

Companions are supposed to be "highly respected".  Mal has Inara park her shuttle on Serenity because she adds class to a rather disreputable enterprise.  So why does she let everyone from Mal to Atherton call her a whore without any repercussions?  There's been a lot of discussion on why so much sf has brothels -- it lets the men have guilt-free sex, but still shames the sex workers.  Ugh.

Ugh indeed! The whole 'companion' thing was a poorly conceived and at times contradictory mess for me. I think I have some vague idea of what Joss was trying to do, but for me it didn't work at all. And it doesn't help that...

 

 

Also, we see her pull up a list of potential candidates before she lands.  One man stutters and stammers and she shuts what looks like a profile down.  But then she clicks on Atherton and we see that this is a live feed.  That means that she just hung up on the first guy without even saying "No thanks".  Also, she knows that Atherton is a creep and a bully but she'd rather spend time with him than with some bloke who's a bit nervous about hiring a Companion for the first time (not to mention all the others -- about 10 -- whose profiles she didn't even look at).

I can't believe I ever liked her!

...that I can't stand Inara. She was just so haughty and condescending and snotty and patronizing and arrogant and just plain boring for me, and I see less than no chemistry between her and Mal. (Admittedly, I kind of hate the 'they have depressingly little in common and can never get along, so naturally it's true love!" trope in general.)  I, too, hated her 'too cool for the room' dismissal of hopeful clients who didn't meet her lofty standards. It annoys me even more than her patronizing crack to Kaylee in an earlier episode about how now that they're working on her hair, maybe one day Kaylee will even wash her face. 

That said, when I recently watched the series, I was surprised by how much I really liked this episode overall despite the fact that we get more of Inara in this one than maybe any other episode except Heart of Gold. I loved Kaylee refusing to let those horrid 'Mean Girls' ruin the party for her and how she found her niche among the people who respected what a kickass mechanic she is. And like decembar13, I'm a Badger fan. There are some great one-liners, and despite my general ugh-ness on Inara and Inara/Mal, the exchange they have at the very end---"Besides, why would I want to leave Serenity?"/"Can't think of a reason..." gets an "awww" from me every time. 

Edited April 8, 2014 by mstaken

[Wilowy]

I love Inara. I think she's warm and elegant and I love her survival instinct. Also aside from Wash she got some of the greatest lines. 

As far as the stuttering guy goes. I think she was checking her messages when Atherton beeped in. 

Shindig is the ep I rewatch the most, kind of like The Prom on Buffy. I know it isn't THE BEST episode, just my favorite. 

[jhlipton]

Speaking of great lines from Wash, I loved his "eulogy" for Zoe.  "Here she lies my autumn flower.  She was a lot more desirable before she became corpsified and gross."

[EC Amber]

I'm with Willowy - I don't think she was in the middle of a live feed but was reviewing potential clients via a profile (think video dating) and turned it off when Atherton's call came through. 

But I also agree with mstaken that the Companion class was poorly executed. I like the idea on paper and it certainly had potential, but in the end she came off as more of a "sex worker" and less of a highly educated, cultured professional where sex was part of the job... at least in this episode. Which is odd because this was supposed to be an episode that highlighted her profession beyond the sex act. The (psuedo) elaborate dancing high society where she was supposed to be among her people and instead it seemed very vapid and shallow. 

I also agree that Badger is excellent, but then there isn't a role Mark Sheppard I don't love. I love the scene with him and River where River just slides through there without garnering any attention AND putting him in his place (and him loving it). I would have enjoyed more interactions with those two. 

Thrilling heroics. 

[jhlipton]

Willowy:

As far as the stuttering guy goes. I think she was checking her messages when Atherton beeped in. 

EC Amber:

I'm with Willowy - I don't think she was in the middle of a live feed but was reviewing potential clients via a profile (think video dating) and turned it off when Atherton's call came through.

That was really poorly executed then. Atherton's icon looked just like Stuttering Guy (I wonder if that's how he's listed on imdb!). In this case, I'll presume that it was Production's fault and not Inara's.

Edited April 11, 2014 by jhlipton

[halgia]

(I let myself fall behind; now I'm behind on both Firefly and on work, so naturally Firefly is taking precedence.)

 

This episode has a lot of great lines and little moments ("Captain Tightpants"; Jayne saying "I could get nekkid"; Zoe and Wash being cute), but the whole swordfight stuff just doesn't really work that well for me - though I don't have any good explanation of why not.

 

I also interpreted the stammery guy as a video; maybe Atherton was on hold when she picked him up? That was pretty unclear. I also agree that the whole idea of the Companions was not pulled off very well at all, and this is probably the episode where that comes across the most.

 

This is maybe the first time we see River being surprisingly competent at something? That was nice.

[femmefan1946]

I wonder if the Companions are a respected profession in the Core , but the profession is misunderstood on the Rim?

Naah. It's just a male fantasy being played out, like all Hollywood streetwalkers being beautiful and having teeth or fat homely middleaged guys with gorgeous twentysomething wives. 

Which makes me think just a tiny bit less of Joss Whedon. Sadly. 

 

At least Whedon set up the arc so that Inara could die at any time (due to an incurable illness). 

Another even more creepy thing about Companions. If the girls are recruited in their teens or earlier, when and how do they get their training in the sexual arts? Is it something like the auction in Pretty Baby? And who would want psychological counselling (which seems to be part of the job) from a girl in her twenties?  How old is Inara anyway? 

Keep in mind that lifespans in the Core run to an average of around 120 years. 

[jhlipton]

I wonder if the Companions are a respected profession in the Core , but the profession is misunderstood on the Rim?

Naah. It's just a male fantasy being played out, like all Hollywood streetwalkers being beautiful and having teeth or fat homely middleaged guys with gorgeous twentysomething wives. 

 

 

Sadly, I think so.  

[Raja]

I wonder if the Companions are a respected profession in the Core , but the profession is misunderstood on the Rim?

Naah. It's just a male fantasy being played out, like all Hollywood streetwalkers being beautiful and having teeth or fat homely middleaged guys with gorgeous twentysomething wives. 

Which makes me think just a tiny bit less of Joss Whedon. Sadly. 

 

At least Whedon set up the arc so that Inara could die at any time (due to an incurable illness). 

Another even more creepy thing about Companions. If the girls are recruited in their teens or earlier, when and how do they get their training in the sexual arts? Is it something like the auction in Pretty Baby? And who would want psychological counselling (which seems to be part of the job) from a girl in her twenties?  How old is Inara anyway? 

Keep in mind that lifespans in the Core run to an average of around 120 years. 

The Alliance citizen class does seem to hold their companions on a pedestal or so we are told, and isn't our present fantasy to be game designers in a modern city, the Alliance man but with freedom and not a serf/indentured servant on a farm with little governmental interference except at the worst possible moment which many of the people Serenity's crew encounters seem closer to, is what I am seeing on my first re-watch in years. There seems to be a lot of religious fundamentalism out in the worlds and Mal used to be one of them. They might accept the status of the Companions but they don't like it. Meanwhile many of Inara's customers seem quick to revert to you're just a whore

[Joe Hellandback]

On ‎03‎/‎04‎/‎2014 at 6:14 PM, Lisin said:

From Wikipedia:

I really love this episode. I love it a lot. I cannot be objective because Mal gets Kaylee a pretty dress and that's really all that happens in my head. I know there's tons more plot and twists and swordfights (hee) and all that, but Mal gets Kaylee a dress and she gets to act like a "Lady" and it's adorable. Also cows. Hee! 

"I could have danced all night, I could have danced all night..."

 

On ‎06‎/‎04‎/‎2014 at 1:35 AM, JayKay said:

Haha, I was just going to come in and say "the best parts of this episode included Kaylee and that dress and every scene in which she's wearing it." Murphy swooping in and shooing away those snide debutantes who dared to insult Kaylee and her frilly dress made me like him immediately. I also enjoyed Mal's "Guess I'm just a good one," *stab* "Well, I'm alright." Jayne, Wash and Zoe are hilarious together and I believe that this was the origin of the infamous "Captain Tightpants" nickname.

Atherton was the worst.

Yeah, Mal's great Ash Williams moment "I ain't that good"

 

On ‎20‎/‎09‎/‎2014 at 10:00 PM, femmefan1946 said:

I wonder if the Companions are a respected profession in the Core , but the profession is misunderstood on the Rim?

Naah. It's just a male fantasy being played out, like all Hollywood streetwalkers being beautiful and having teeth or fat homely middleaged guys with gorgeous twentysomething wives. 

Which makes me think just a tiny bit less of Joss Whedon. Sadly. 

 

At least Whedon set up the arc so that Inara could die at any time (due to an incurable illness). 

Another even more creepy thing about Companions. If the girls are recruited in their teens or earlier, when and how do they get their training in the sexual arts? Is it something like the auction in Pretty Baby? And who would want psychological counselling (which seems to be part of the job) from a girl in her twenties?  How old is Inara anyway? 

Keep in mind that lifespans in the Core run to an average of around 120 years. 

Bear in mind hookers are a recurring motif in the Jossverse. Also that Joss is supposed to have had an affair with one of the Buffy girls so unless it was Kristine Sutherland...?

 

On ‎20‎/‎09‎/‎2015 at 3:54 AM, Raja said:

The Alliance citizen class does seem to hold their companions on a pedestal or so we are told, and isn't our present fantasy to be game designers in a modern city, the Alliance man but with freedom and not a serf/indentured servant on a farm with little governmental interference except at the worst possible moment which many of the people Serenity's crew encounters seem closer to, is what I am seeing on my first re-watch in years. There seems to be a lot of religious fundamentalism out in the worlds and Mal used to be one of them. They might accept the status of the Companions but they don't like it. Meanwhile many of Inara's customers seem quick to revert to you're just a whore

I always liked that, that this isn't the Rebellion against the Empire, there is much moral ambiguity in the verse.

  The good; Kaylee is the belle of the ball and isn't she WONDERFUL! Mal swordfighting and lots of good stuff with Badger, especially his conversation with River. Adore Mal's looks of amazement as Jayne knows what 'pretentious' means.

The bad; The cows in the final scene are amazingly quiet whilst Mal and Inara are talking.

Best line; Kaylee; "Great party, huh?" Debutante; "Not as good as last year" Kaylee; "Why, what did they have last year?" Debutante; (looking Kaylee up and down) "Standards" To quote Cameron on The Sarah Connor Chronicles 'Bitchwhore much?" Also like; Kaylee; "Maybe that's him over there?" Mal; "That's the buffet table" Kaylee; (hungrily) "How will we know if we don't ask?"

Kinky dinky; Naked Wash and Zoe get it on again, Zoe complimenting Wash that he 'knows all the steps'. Inarra's outfit at the party is also quite something. Kaylee comments that Mal's outfit shows off his backside and Inara subsequently spanks it with her sword.

Notches on the Serenity bedpost; Inara is hired for the evening but we've no idea if they have sex or not so I'll put him down as a possible.

Capt subtext; Wash jokingly refers to 'jealous men like me' regarding Zoe but is he really joking or sending Mal a not so subtle message? When Kaylee says 'Look at the pretties' Mal asks if she means the girls or the clothes? Mal and Jayne snigger as Badger implies he has his hands on some diamond testicles. Mal observes Atherton is such a catch 'I'm liable to sleep with him myself'.

How'd they get away with that? Mal gratuitously stabbing Atherton after he's defeated him in the duel. Mal's remark comparing Kaylee to a sheep dancing on it's hind legs is INCREDIBLY insensitive, Jayne's gynaecologist joke in the ep Serenity is less offensive.

Happy high-class hookers in Space (the title the porn industry wished they'd thought of!); Inara greets several other companions at the party. They are used by rich men as status symbols, who has the best one get's the most kudos. At the end she freezes him out, no other companion will now work for him after how he's treated her. Mal refers to the companion training school as a whore academy (jeez the man has NO CLUE!)

Alliance good or bad?; Would the Alliance allow slavery (or dueling?) on their worlds? Or are they like the Union forces in the American Civil War/British Empire in the 18/19th century, abolishing it wherever they go?

Fanfic; Mal and Inara getting together after this ep is common but a sizeable minority like to pair her up with Atherton, presumably the same folks who think Kate Winslet should have stuck with Billy Zane in Titanic (Mae West's quote of wanting a man who's "handsome, rich and cruel" springs to mind") If you like things a LOT more adult there's also one where Kaylee's admirers invite her to an after hours party and then indulge in group sex with her, more or less consensually (ie she starts off as less but ends up as more).

Missing scenes;. Reputedly there was a scene where we see Mal unload the walking arsenal he carries in his pockets before entering the ballroom plus a derringer he has Kaylee smuggling for him tucked in her stocking tops earning her a hearty spank on her bare hips from the guard. Also a scene where we see Larry Drake's character and Badger fall out and Inara gossiping with her fellow companions at the dance.

Reminds me off; Deranged River talking in her faux cockney accent is VERY Drusilla indeed. Inara the high class lady of the night is very Darla and her love/hate relationship with brooding hero Mal somewhat akin to Darla and Angel. Mal's hatred of slavery is reminiscent of Han Solo. The bitchy girls at the party are awfully like the Cordettes on Buffy. Kaylee's hilarious expression as Mal tells her that he has a job for her is very like Willow's when Riley's wife Sam makes suggestions for Xander's wedding in the s6 Buffy ep 'As you were'. Wash is a bad poet, much like Spike and not really an action man as with Xander. Jane comments that the Serenity crew are the misfits who don't fit in much like the Scoobs at Sunnydale High. Kaylee's rescuer at the party does indeed remind me of an older Clark Gable as the commentary observes but also of Dr Huer from the old Buck Rogers TV series.

Questions and observations; They still have the peerage system in the future. Unfortunately they've also got slavery too, even on a fairly civilized world like Persephone . 'Magic' Jane Espenson, hooray! Inara seems to have a thing about slumming, she really is out of place in the Firefly crew and certainly in the bar Mal and Jayne take her to. More social climbing by Badger but he's useless at it, crustless sandwiches (cucumber?) mixed with wood alcohol hooch, no wonder he needed Mal to be the middleman for him in the deal, at least he can fake class convincingly. Kaylee's surname is Lee Fry. She once again shows her love of fruit, both mangoes and strawberries as does Badger who's at the apples again. Zoe's remark about Jayne slitting her throat and taking over the ship again suggests he's the unofficial 3rd in command. However he wants to rescue Mal when Badger comes to the ship. Mal is in many ways too honest and honourable for the criminal world, he's probably more like the Alliance than he cares to admit but can't stand submitting to their authority.

Marks out of 10; 7/10 pretty good .

[femmefan1946]

They still have the peerage system in the future.

So does half of Europe, including the three Scandanavian nations, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Spain on alternate Tuesdays.

An aristocracy does not mean a lack of democracy.

 

Unfortunately they've also got slavery too, even on a fairly civilized world like Persephone .

There is chattel slavery, which is more or less permanent, and bond slavery, which is, at least in theory, for a period of time.

In bond slavery, the bondsman agrees to work for an amount of money that is paid upfront, usually to his family. Or hers. Many Indian brothels staff from paying off the debts of tenant farm families in exchange for their daughters.

Most Armericans think immediately of black slavery, which was chattel slavery. There was no choice on the part of the slave and leaving the condition was unlikely.  (Although my childhood hero, Harriet Tubman, was able to buy the freedom of several members of her family, for example.)

[tessaray]

Random trivia... My husband was watching Have Gun Will Travel tonight and he had me look up the actor (Larry Pennell) who played a young deserter. Perusing IMDB, I saw that he was in Firefly and before I even looked at the episode link, I knew it was Murphy/Shindig. (He also played Clark Gable a lot and was Dash Riprock in the Beverly Hillbillies.)