On the outlook it feels like a western classic, as a rogue team is paid to help defend a whorehouse from the local, tyranic head rancher with a legacy interest. But in fact, it is the latest development of something that has been going on for quite sometimes in the show: the Mal-Inara relationship. A good thing IMO given Morena Baccarin's talent and character, who didn't have the screen time one would expect throughout the show.
They encounter another "companion" (geisha) here, the whorehouse's madam (exquisitely played by Melinda Clarke - the titular Heart of Gold), therefore someone who is learned and receptive to the affairs of the heart. She opens both Inara's and Mal's conscience about their feelings for one another. Inara's character, interpreted here with grace and emotion by Baccarin (one of the prettiest actress in the world), can live with the concept of sexual non-exclusivity, but she knows that Mal, as the cowboy that he is, can't live with the said concept and would really have to love one he would make love to, hence her pain and gut-wretching decision at the show's end. It's one of the elements that makes it even sadder that there ain't no second season as I am pretty sure Inara's character have fascinating secrets of her own, only hinted at here.
As for the rest of the show, the writers took some great risks in mixing out some futuristic elements with a classical western background, as the contrast here appears more marked than in the rest of the season. The risk paid off, IMO, and succeeded at representing the social difference even better between the Rancher and his posse. Fredrick Lehne plays a solid antagonist, with intensity, and won't leave anybody indifferent.
Greatest episode out of a great show.
They encounter another "companion" (geisha) here, the whorehouse's madam (exquisitely played by Melinda Clarke - the titular Heart of Gold), therefore someone who is learned and receptive to the affairs of the heart. She opens both Inara's and Mal's conscience about their feelings for one another. Inara's character, interpreted here with grace and emotion by Baccarin (one of the prettiest actress in the world), can live with the concept of sexual non-exclusivity, but she knows that Mal, as the cowboy that he is, can't live with the said concept and would really have to love one he would make love to, hence her pain and gut-wretching decision at the show's end. It's one of the elements that makes it even sadder that there ain't no second season as I am pretty sure Inara's character have fascinating secrets of her own, only hinted at here.
As for the rest of the show, the writers took some great risks in mixing out some futuristic elements with a classical western background, as the contrast here appears more marked than in the rest of the season. The risk paid off, IMO, and succeeded at representing the social difference even better between the Rancher and his posse. Fredrick Lehne plays a solid antagonist, with intensity, and won't leave anybody indifferent.
Greatest episode out of a great show.