Jubal Early and Inara by InevitableBetrayal

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Jubal Early and Inara

POSTED BY: INEVITABLEBETRAYAL
UPDATED: Thursday, December 16, 2004 22:18
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Monday, December 13, 2004 3:40 PM

So today my wife and I watched Objects in Space, one of my faves. As I watched, I thought to myself how Early never wastes any words. He may, by his own admission, go on at times, but everything the man says means something (cf. with his statement, "That's not a shepherd"). Even when he's threatening Kaylee, he doesn't go over the top with it. He just says exactly what he needs to say in order to guarantee her compliance. And then he says no more.

Progessing to the point, it makes me wonder why Early would mention that only women can bear children. Now, if by that he meant that Inara is strong, then I doubt he would have gone through the circumlocution required to discuss the whole child-bearing issue.

So the question is, why did Early say that? What was on his mind? Could it be that everyone's favorite companion is, *gasp*, pregnant? Or that perhaps she's in the mood to bear a baby?

Thoughts?

_______________________________________________
I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 5:46 AM

CYBERSNARK

Or maybe Early himself has a child somewhere. Perhaps begotten on a Companion (or ex-Companion), or possibly even from a rape (for the kind of psychopath River described, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility).

Or heck, maybe a clone (assuming Jayne wasn't being completely imbecilic in "Safe"), neatly sidestepping the imlied unfairness ("that seem right to you?") of only women being capable of bearing children.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 5:59 AM

PSYCHICRIVER

Crap i double posted!

PsychicRiver

"Two by two, hands of blue."

"We can take care of each other. I'll knit!"

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 6:00 AM

PSYCHICRIVER

Well we have always been led to believe that Inara has a secret or is running from something. Could it be she had a child which for some reason she had to give up? I mean we already know that Early knows exactly how to handle everyone. He physically takes out Mal and Book, threatens Kaylee with rape, and threatens Simon with Kaylee. Could it be the comment about bearing children was they way he saw how to deal with her?

PsychicRiver

"Two by two, hands of blue."

"We can take care of each other. I'll knit!"

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 6:31 AM

EMBERS

good observation..
and interesting theory.

Of course we need to tie it in to the box w/the syringe to make it work...

but definitely food for thought

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 6:47 AM

PURPLEBELLY

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
Of course we need to tie it in to the box w/the syringe to make it work...

Companions are neither exclusively male nor exclusively female, and can assume the most advantageous conformation given the appropriate preparation, but are sterile. Early warns Inara that he is aware of her abilities, and that she should maintain her cover. That's no shepherd, either.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 10:27 AM

ZEEK

That's a very good point. I'm going to have to watch Objects in Space again (it's a tough job but...yadda yadda

). I mean he does seem a bit off at times. The "Am I a lion?" thing for example. Then again he does seem extremly intuitive. Maybe our companion is pregnant. Which could be a very good reason for her leaving Serenity.

Oh oh oh and that also could be another explination for Inara's extreme reaction to Mal's "Me with a passel of critters underfoot?" (er something like that) line. The siringe could have been a suicide thing just not for her...for her baby. Could she be taking something to stop the baby from growing but not killing it?

I like it...very thought provoking.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 10:57 AM

INEVITABLEBETRAYAL

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
good observation..
and interesting theory.

Of course we need to tie it in to the box w/the syringe to make it work...

Everyone assumes it's a suicide kit, even though Joss explicitly stated it's not. Perhaps it was some kind of medical treatment (innoculation or somesuch) for the baby. And now that the reavers are here, she is reflecting on the pointlessness of caring for an unborn baby who's going to by slain by reavers.

_______________________________________________
I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 11:15 AM

PURPLEBELLY

Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
I mean he does seem a bit off at times. The "Am I a lion?" thing for example.

I like the notion that River can access minds in a more active fashion, in addition to the passive reading of repressed thoughts and emotions, but that this interferes with the observed object. So Early suffers misperception (hearing a lion for Alliance or not hearing You're a bounty hunter) and released behaviour (licking the stanchion like a baby) or emotions (whatever confusion the jump-cutting represents).

This has links to the reification of River's abilities in the box-in-the-chair we see in the opening dance sequence. River can open a box, rummage through a box or pull things out of a box.

Once again, these thoughts are my own responsibility

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 11:25 AM

PURPLEBELLY

Quote:
Everyone assumes it's a suicide kit ...

I see you're not reading my stuff - probably a defense mechanism

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 11:59 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by InevitableBetrayal:

Everyone assumes it's a suicide kit, even though Joss explicitly stated it's not. Perhaps it was some kind of medical treatment (innoculation or somesuch) for the baby. And now that the reavers are here, she is reflecting on the pointlessness of caring for an unborn baby who's going to by slain by reavers.

I don't believe anyone thinks it is a suicide kit anymore.
However no one has come up with a clear theory of what it is...

Your theory seems to be that she is currently pregnant...which is an interesting one.
How long had she been on board? I thought she had been there for months, so the baby would have started showing long before...wouldn't it?

Or maybe the 'kit' is some kind of thing designed to slow down the development of the baby until she could decide where or when she wants to give birth.

But Joss said something after Ats that there would be no more babies...
so I was kind of thinking that even Zoe wouldn't be having one (much less Inara).

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 12:34 PM

PINGJING

Having a baby must be a touchy subject for a Companion. Presumably they're not allowed to have babies when they're sleeping with rich and important men - imagine the chaos that would ensue if a Companion's child claimed rights to inheritance! In that sense, Purplebelly isn't that far off, oddly enough.

Inara implied in Heart of Gold that she didn't want to be tied down. But maybe Jubal Early picked up on her desire to have the best of both worlds - freedom and power as a Companion, but also a relationship with Mal and a family. In that case, Jubal's comments are manipulative and hurtful, which is exactly how he dealt with the other crewmembers.

Julia

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 12:48 PM

INEVITABLEBETRAYAL

Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
Quote:
Everyone assumes it's a suicide kit ...
I see you're not reading my stuff - probably a defense mechanism

Quote:
Originally posted by Embers:
I don't believe anyone thinks it is a suicide kit anymore.

Just to set the record straight...

What I meant was that the folk I know who see this episode for the first time all seem to jump to the "suicide kit" conclusion. I did, my wife did, as did another Browncoat I converted. It's only after watching the ep with commentary that you discover that it's not. Hence the wild speculations.

Another record-striaght-setting:

I actually don't have a theory wrt why Jubal said what he did. I certainly don't think Inara's pregnant because 1) the Companions are sure to have some sort of fool proof contraceptive, and 2) if you assume that she had just conceived when the syringe makes its appearance, she'd be something like 4-6 months along by the time OiS rolled around. The only convincing thing that I can come up with is that Jubal knows that Inara wants children, so he hangs that over her head to guarantee her compliance (sort of like he did with Simon by hanging Kaylee over his head).

_______________________________________________
I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 3:42 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

embers wrote:

Quote:

How long had she been on board? I thought she had been there for months, so the baby would have started showing long before...wouldn't it?

Or maybe the 'kit' is some kind of thing designed to slow down the development of the baby until she could decide where or when she wants to give birth.

But Joss said something after Ats that there would be no more babies...
so I was kind of thinking that even Zoe wouldn't be having one (much less Inara).

As I recall from Bushwhacked, Inara had been on 'Serenity' for 8 months. I find the whole idea that she's currently preggers to be far fetched. Seems she could have any fertilized egg removed and put into some sort of frozen test tube thingy, instead of carrying it around and supressing its growth w/ some serum.

As for Jubal, it's clear that he does have unique powers of observation, if nothing else. Per his comments to Inara.. Man is stronger by far than woman. But only woman can create a child.
That seem right to you? After hitting Inara, he reiterates the point that man IS stronger....as an added emphasis that she get his meaning. Maybe somehow Jubal picks up on the fact that Inara CAN'T have kids.... either by Guild Law or some other reason..and that deep down inside, this causes great conflict w/ her. Possibly had something to do w/ why she left the House. It might also explain why Inara snapped at Mal as he comments about " a parcel of critters underfoot " .

Just my 2 cents.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 6:58 PM

PINGJING

Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:

It might also explain why Inara snapped at Mal as he comments about " a parcel of critters underfoot " .

Now that it's been mentioned twice, would someone mind finding out what exactly Inara said when she snapped at Mal? As much as I'd love to rewatch the ep, I don't have my DVD's with me. Thanks!

Julia

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:12 PM

JADEHAND

Hmmmm........
How many months did they say pass between OiS and the BDM? 8 months?

So if she were only 1 month (not showing) ....the father might be....

A) Atherton Wing From Shindig?
B) Magistrate Higgin's Son from Jaynestown?

Maybe she finds out in Ariel....

Nah. Couldn't be. That would make things complicated between Mal and Inara. Joss doesn't make relationships complicated.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:23 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by pingjing:
Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:

It might also explain why Inara snapped at Mal as he comments about " a parcel of critters underfoot " .

Now that it's been mentioned twice, would someone mind finding out what exactly Inara said when she snapped at Mal? As much as I'd love to rewatch the ep, I don't have my DVD's with me. Thanks!

Julia

W/ out checking the source, I recall her saying something about wishing him and (YoSaffBridge) 100's of fat children. hee hee.

p.s. Ok, so I checked the source.

Inara : Yes. Great. I wish you hundreds of
fat children.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:35 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by Jadehand:
Hmmmm........
How many months did they say pass between OiS and the BDM? 8 months?

So if she were only 1 month (not showing) ....the father might be....

A) Atherton Wing From Shindig?
B) Magistrate Higgin's Son from Jaynestown?

Maybe she finds out in Ariel....

Nah. Couldn't be. That would make things complicated between Mal and Inara. Joss doesn't make relationships complicated.

Well, as was mentioned before, Joss isn't hip for the whole baby thing again, per Angel ( I suppose) It's not that a Companion wouldn't know about the many fine arts of protection, from all sorts of things. I mean, today , we have a Day After pill, so one can imagine how easy contraception will be in 500 yrs.

Well, I'm out of ideas at the moment.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 8:28 PM

PINGJING

Thanks, Auraptor. Now that I have the quote, I can give my $.02

I always took her comment to mean that she was jealous. But maybe Joss did throw it in there as a hint...

(not that she's pregnant, but that she has conflicting feelings about it.)

Julia

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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 9:17 PM

PURPLEBELLY

Pregnancy is considered gross by elite members of society on the Core planets; in vitro gestation is the norm. Companions and doctors do not have intimate practical knowledge of it (Heart of Gold). Young people find it amusing, the subject of jokes (deleted scene Our Mrs Reynolds). Small families and trans-generation marriage limit the dilution of the wealth and power of the great Families. Inara's reaction to Reynolds' proletarian imagination is one of cultural distaste.

Only Purplebelly believes this

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 5:37 AM

ZEEK

Quote:
Originally posted by pingjing:
Thanks, Auraptor. Now that I have the quote, I can give my $.02 I always took her comment to mean that she was jealous. But maybe Joss did throw it in there as a hint...

(not that she's pregnant, but that she has conflicting feelings about it.)

Julia

Well after her line about wishing Mal hundereds of fat children is when Mal says his line about a whole parcel of critters under foot. That's when she snaps at him and says "Can you leave me alone for five minutes" in a very harsh tone of voice. Then Mal "I wasn't looking for a fight" *Jayne cocks Vera* "always do seem to find one though".

I would say that jealousy is the easiest explination but considering we know Inara has a secret and that they are dropping hints about it, this scene could have meant more than what we assume at first glance.

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 5:59 AM

PINGJING

Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
Pregnancy is considered gross by elite members of society of the Core planets; in vitro gestation is the norm. Companions and doctors do not have intimate practical knowledge of it (Heart of Gold). Young people find it amusing, the subject of jokes (deleted scene Our Mrs Reynolds). Small families and trans-generation marriage limit the dilution of the wealth and power of the great Families. Inara's reaction to Reynolds' proletarian imagination is one of cultural distaste.

Only Purplebelly believes this

Should it disturb me that this argument sounds believable?

Julia

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 6:30 AM

PURPLEBELLY

Quote:
Originally posted by pingjing:
Should it disturb me that this argument sounds believable?

OT: Certainly scares the shit out of me

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 7:56 AM

THATWEIRDGIRL

[QUOTE} originally posted by PurpleBelly: Pregnancy is considered gross by elite members of society of the Core planets; in vitro gestation is the norm. Companions and doctors do not have intimate practical knowledge of it (Heart of Gold). Young people find it amusing, the subject of jokes (deleted scene Our Mrs Reynolds). Small families and trans-generation marriage limit the dilution of the wealth and power of the great Families. Inara's reaction to Reynolds' proletarian imagination is one of cultural distaste.

likely true

Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
Quote:
Originally posted by pingjing:
Should it disturb me that this argument sounds believable?
Certainly scares the shit out of me

i've found most of his arguments intriguing. don't know if a loony will help his cause or harm it.

www.thatweirdgirl.com

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 9:11 AM

PURPLEBELLY

Quote:
Originally posted by thatweirdgirl:
i've found most of his arguments intriguing. don't know if a loony will help his cause or harm it.

OT: Don't know about the cause, but it helps me a lot. Open minds are always a comfort.

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 5:58 PM

PINGJING

QUOTE} originally posted by thatweirdgirl:

i've found most of his arguments intriguing. don't know if a loony will help his cause or harm it.

As do I, but...did you just call me a loony?

Julia

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 6:04 PM

THATWEIRDGIRL

Quote:
Originally posted by pingjing:
...did you just call me a loony?

Julia

no silly, I'm the loony..i did just call you silly though.

www.thatweirdgirl.com

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 6:37 PM

PINGJING

Quote:
Originally posted by thatweirdgirl:
Quote:
Originally posted by pingjing:
...did you just call me a loony?

Julia

no silly, I'm the loony..i did just call you silly though.

www.thatweirdgirl.com

lol. That's what I get for writing papers for three days straight. I start taking Purplebelly seriously

and I think people are calling me loony.

I have to say, though, that's the first time I've hijacked a thread.

So...back to Jubal and Inara.

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Thursday, December 16, 2004 2:23 PM

CAPNERIC

Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
Pregnancy is considered gross by elite members of society on the Core planets; in vitro gestation is the norm. Companions and doctors do not have intimate practical knowledge of it (Heart of Gold). Young people find it amusing, the subject of jokes (deleted scene Our Mrs Reynolds). Small families and trans-generation marriage limit the dilution of the wealth and power of the great Families. Inara's reaction to Reynolds' proletarian imagination is one of cultural distaste.

In "Heart of Gold" Simon didn't say he'd never delivered, he said he'd never delivered as the primary i.e. he'd only assisted before, probably when he was in medical school. This is typical with docs who specialize early, even now. A trauma surgeon like him wouldn't necessarily know more than the basics.

"Didn't she shoot you once?"
"Everyone's makin' a fuss..."

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Thursday, December 16, 2004 8:45 PM

SHINYSEVEN

Another possibility is that uncomplicated deliveries are normally performed by midwives and not doctors, and most complicated deliveries are performed by OB/GYNs. ("Gynecologist" must be a common term or Jayne would have had to think of something else to say to gross out Kaylee in "Serenity.")

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Thursday, December 16, 2004 10:11 PM

MANIACNUMBERONE

first off let me just say "circumlocution " is the best word of the week and applause in no doubt in order. After that, I think, perhaps Inara may be preggers, but when I first read about a thread talking about Inara and Early, I thought, they might be discussing whether or not Inara has had to handle psychological Early types before and was she taught how to do so in her training? Because she sure failed miserably didn't she?

-------------------------------------------
Inara: Who's winning?
Simon: I can't really tell, they don't seem to be playing by any civilized rules that I know.
-------------------------------------------

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Thursday, December 16, 2004 10:18 PM

LITTLEMANLOVESFIRE

From the first moment I watched that scene I always had the impression Inara and Early knew each other from before somewhere.

Did no-one else ever get that?

You don't say something like "I know you're tired..." to an insane bounty hunter you don't know. You just wouldn't.

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