sigelphoenix

Okay, so the essay on chivalry in Finding Serenity? Did anyone else find that to be an overblown piece of reactionary tripe? I mean, honestly, I couldn't find much in the way of a point, and what I *did* find consisted of, "Men who aren't classically chivalrous are unmanly," and "Giving respect to whores is funny." There was also the "Wah, poor Christianity," as well as the implication that Buffy and Angel were nice pats on the head to the silly little people who don't like sexism or racism, but admittedly those were minor points.

I was particularly impressed by the so-called description of the plot of "War Stories." Wash, just to be clear, was not heroically inserting himself into Zoe's role to save her from danger. Mal only let him tag along because this particular drop-off was a "milk run." Also, though he is certainly concerned with Zoe's safety, Wash's motivations in this particular instance were not courageous, but jealous and petty. (Which is not to say I don't find them believable and sympathetic!) He did yell at Mal for (potentially) putting his wife into such a dangerous situation, but it was an issue of "How dare you risk this person whom I love" rather than "How dare you risk a woman, you unchivalrous person you."

And yes, the episode was indeed constructed to show that there was "something wrong with a husband trying to safeguard his own wife" -- or rather, with *this* husband wanting to protect *this* wife in *this* way. Wash's move was *stupid.* Zoe is the soldier; she is the one who should go along with the captain. Wash is the pilot; he is the one who should stay on the ship, and be ready to fly them out of there. It's not a husband/wife thing, or a man/woman thing. Were this situation about, say, Mal and Inara, it would make perfect sense for Mal to take the physical risk. It's all about whose strengths are where.

On the whole, though, I'm loving the book so far. "Firefly vs. The Tick" in particular had much funny, and I loved the examination of Wash and Zoe's marriage. I also appreciated the sex therapist's look at the historical tradition behind Companions -- I've actually read a similar history about the "holy whore" in Whores and Other Feminists. (Is it just me, or am I attracting material on sex work? Granted, I sought out the books on sex worker feminisms, but then there was Firefly. And last week I started reading Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart, wherein the heroine is pretty much a professional sub. Hm.)