I remember watching the premiere of Firefly at the recommendation of my bro-in-law, Achi, and not quite figuring out if I was going to be invested in the series or not. I love science-fiction. Cowboys, not-so-much. I gave it a few more episodes, and fell in love with the characters and how this motley crew came together as a family. Like most families, there were tensions and different points of view, but in the end the common ground of love and respect for each other saves them and provides an excellent ongoing theme for the series. Unfortunately it was cancelled, but that 13-episode run, and the movie, Serenity, that wraps it up, have become classics.
If I could have added a chapter to Super Girls and Halos: My Companions on the Quest for Truth, Justice, and Heroic Virtue, I totally would have included one of my favorite characters. You might think I’d go with Zoe Washburne as my super girl choice, the first mate on the ship who fought side-by-side with the captain, Mal, in the galactic war against the evil Alliance. She’s courageous, strong, fiercely loyal yet unafraid to take a stand on moral grounds. A perfect example of heroic virtue demonstrating prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice at various times throughout the series. Zoe would be a great match with any number of fascinating saints such as Joan of Arc.
Nevertheless, my favorite character, Inara Serra, taps into a different kind of strength. Although a courtesan and paid companion for wealthy men, she displays compassion and tenderness for the crew and everyone she meets, choosing to elevate every encounter to an exchange that recognizes, first, the human dignity of the person. Her approach with everyone is to lead with love. I thought she’d be a great match with St. Therese of Lisieux, who said, “What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love.” In my book, I match fictional characters who display human virtues with saints, who, through grace, perfect the cardinal virtues on their road to holiness. I don’t suggest that Inara is holy, but rather, that she has an admirable quality in her expression of love for others. St Therese of Lisieux embodies this heroic virtue in her “little way” which strives to do even the smallest of things with love.
Listen to our commentary on Episode 29 of Secrets of Movies and TV Shows: Firefly