Regarding Inara's actions and reactions in this episode, they are heavily informed by a bit of backstory that they never got around to revealing onscreen, but which Baccarin eventually shared with Joss' permission (as has been mentioned a few times in the comments for previous episodes).  Viewed through that lens, I…

The foil-wrapped house does look kind of goofy, and bothered me the first time I saw it.  I've since decided that since they're meant to be in a non-affluent area, maybe it should look kinda cheap, and it bothers me less now.

The foil-wrapped house does look kind of goofy, and bothered me the first time I saw it.  I've since decided that since they're meant to be in a non-affluent area, maybe it should look kinda cheap, and it bothers me less now.

I know this episode is little loved, but I personally find that I like it a bit more each time I see it.  Something about does feel a bit undercooked, but there's some very interesting ideas in here.

I know this episode is little loved, but I personally find that I like it a bit more each time I see it.  Something about does feel a bit undercooked, but there's some very interesting ideas in here.

Garak, in his way, was a patriot, whereas Dukat claimed to be a patriot but was really a megalomaniac.  Garak would have realized that Dukat's leadership (and that of men like him) was ultimately bad for Cardassia.  Plus, I think Dukat's self-delusion would have rubbed Garak the wrong way.

Garak, in his way, was a patriot, whereas Dukat claimed to be a patriot but was really a megalomaniac.  Garak would have realized that Dukat's leadership (and that of men like him) was ultimately bad for Cardassia.  Plus, I think Dukat's self-delusion would have rubbed Garak the wrong way.

An entire article and over 200 comments about a show with feminist undertones using magic as metaphor,  and according to a quick search, it appears no one has tried to position this as a precursor to Buffy.  Actually, I don't think I've ever heard anyone try and make that connection, and I'm suddenly surprised by that.

An entire article and over 200 comments about a show with feminist undertones using magic as metaphor,  and according to a quick search, it appears no one has tried to position this as a precursor to Buffy.  Actually, I don't think I've ever heard anyone try and make that connection, and I'm suddenly surprised by that.

Speaking of space travel, anyone else in LA watching Endeavor's victory lap?

Speaking of space travel, anyone else in LA watching Endeavor's victory lap?

Mal doesn't really get a chance to explain himself, though. Tracey assumes Mal's going to hand him over and flies off the handle.  Therein lies the tragedy of the episode - Tracey should know to trust Mal, but he's not capable of it.  Even after their experiences in the war together, Tracey doesn't really understand…

Mal doesn't really get a chance to explain himself, though. Tracey assumes Mal's going to hand him over and flies off the handle.  Therein lies the tragedy of the episode - Tracey should know to trust Mal, but he's not capable of it.  Even after their experiences in the war together, Tracey doesn't really understand…

This episode returns to a theme seen in War Stories, that what makes Mal "heroic" is his ability to lead people through difficult situations. Tracey admits he only survived the war because of Mal and Zoe, and you get the sense from some earlier bits of Zoe's dialogue that Tracey's certainly not the only one. It's an…

This episode returns to a theme seen in War Stories, that what makes Mal "heroic" is his ability to lead people through difficult situations. Tracey admits he only survived the war because of Mal and Zoe, and you get the sense from some earlier bits of Zoe's dialogue that Tracey's certainly not the only one. It's an…

From the Firefly wiki:

From the Firefly wiki:

Actually, @avclub-64f027640f63616a277e92096313264f:disqus, put Lynch in the lead and pitch it as Bad News Bears for girls, I bet you sell it in 10 minutes.

Actually, @avclub-64f027640f63616a277e92096313264f:disqus, put Lynch in the lead and pitch it as Bad News Bears for girls, I bet you sell it in 10 minutes.

*tasers @Gentle Herpes in the balls*