# A Firefly poll: Kaylee, Inara, Zoe, or River? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 14, 2018, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130 "2018-05-14T13:53:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/41 "2018-05-15T22:33:08Z")
Zoe is an easy first. Smart, competent, sexy and we get to see how she dealt with conflict in her marriage. She’s a very good long-term fit for me. Inara - Smart, competent, sexy and a bit passive aggressive IMO in dealing with the underlying romantic tension Mal. I could see her being different in a different situation but Kaylee- Jewel Staite is stunning. Kaylee mixes sweet, sexy, and highly competent. I got a teenage infatuation type vibe from her interest in Simon along with a hefty dose of naivete. I’d be leery of the dynamic on anything long-term. I most certainly wouldn’t kick her out from under the engine for troubleshooting. River - Crazy and highly lethal. Run away! ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/42 "2018-05-16T11:44:19Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Long-term, Kaylee. > > For one evening, Kaylee + Inara. 😃 I’ll be in ma bunk. ---
**Author:** ![little\_bit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@little\_bit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/little_bit)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/43 "2018-05-16T14:30:52Z")
I’m straight and would love to see the men’s poll, but I’m answering anyway. I would switch teams for Zoe. I know myself well enough that Inara’s job would be a problem. Kaylee is sweet, but she’s too naive for me. River is too young and too unstable. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/44 "2018-05-16T15:32:01Z")
> [@little\_bit](#): > > I’m straight and would love to see the men’s poll, but I’m answering anyway. > > I would switch teams for Zoe. > I know myself well enough that Inara’s job would be a problem. > Kaylee is sweet, but she’s too naive for me. > River is too young and too unstable. Same for me everything in this post. The relationship between Zoe and Wash was one of my favorite things, and in the men’s poll I would go for Wash. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/45 "2018-05-16T15:34:39Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > For a serious relationship, Kaylee. Yes. Smart and sweet and beautiful. For a roll in the hay, Inara. No doubt. Uh… I’ll be in my bunk, too. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/46 "2018-05-16T21:16:31Z")
For what it’s worth, Zoe would be my second choice, mostly because she just exudes competence. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/47 "2018-05-16T21:31:41Z")
The characters are all awesome in their own way. My choice would be, “Anyone but River.” Her issues do not attract me nor make her a suitable romantic companion. While she’s supposedly quite awesome herself, she isn’t really herself for the whole of the series, so I don’t really know much about her. The actresses ALL seem pretty cool and awesome. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/48 "2018-05-16T21:34:55Z")
Kaylee is emotionally fragile. River is a little too mental. The Brazilian is classy and smart and pretty in a way that is almost a caricature. But Zöe is solid all the way around, a woman that I could like for a friend or love as a lover, with a shape that is beyond aesthetically pleasing. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/49 "2018-05-16T22:25:24Z")
Inara. Morena Baccarin’s a goddess. Also, is it me, or am I sensing systemic sexist bias in these polls? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/50 "2018-05-16T23:23:02Z")
Androphiles are perfectly free to post their own equivalents. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/51 "2018-05-16T23:56:29Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I voted Zoe, but only because [Saffron](http://iv1.lisimg.com/image/8569689/398full-saffron-a.k.a-bridget-a.k.a-yolanda-haymer-%28christina-hendricks%29.jpg) wasn’t a choice… Preach, brother! ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/52 "2018-05-17T06:01:08Z")
Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Kaylee. Horny, gorgeous, sensitive and caring, understands and likes machines. Where do I sign up, and how has she not been scooped up already? Seriously, she’s an analogue to my wife. I’m lucky. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2018, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/53 "2018-05-19T12:27:52Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Does River have a cannonical age? Because I think of her as like 15, tops. > [@Mtgman](#): > > canonically she’s ~16( to be precise she was 16 when Simon began trying to get her out of Alliance hands, not sure how long it took him, but probably \<2 years) Since we’re discussing the characters, I can see people wanting to take River’s age into consideration, but I think it is interesting to note that actress Summer Glau is a year _older_ than the poll’s popular favorite, actress Jewel Staite. (If their iMDB and Wiki listed birthdates are correct.) ---
**Author:** ![Reluctant\_A](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@Reluctant\_A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reluctant_A)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/54 "2018-05-23T20:38:02Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I voted Zoe, but only because [Saffron](http://iv1.lisimg.com/image/8569689/398full-saffron-a.k.a-bridget-a.k.a-yolanda-haymer-%28christina-hendricks%29.jpg) wasn’t a choice… This. A million times this. Saffron could steal the fillings out of my teeth, while stabbing me straight through the heart, and I’d thank her for the privilege with my last breath. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/55 "2018-05-24T13:09:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Kaylee. [With a strawberry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYopf8KSy4o). Staite was at a con here some years ago and during the Q&A I asked, “During the strawberry scene, who were you thinking of?” She laughed and said it was pure acting since she isn’t really fond of the things. It’s been a problem because now, everywhere she goes people offer her one, lasciviously. Needless to say, my vote was for Kaylee. An honest, open heart – if questionable taste in a couple areas – and engines turn her on. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/56 "2018-05-25T02:00:11Z")
I knew someone who was not only a dead ringer for Inara but she was a-maz-ing to spend time with. So absolutely no competition when my memories kick in. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/57 "2018-05-25T12:14:08Z")
An-n-nd thanks to Phoenix Comic Fest, and the Arizona Browncoats, I now am the possessor of a [Kaylee teddy bear](https://www.entertainmentearth.com/product/QMFFY0360?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o4&scid=scplpQMFFY0360&sc_intid=QMFFY0360&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6J7YBRC4ARIsAJMXXscFs6mtQk4id-z0vgPbXyTajONOY9KOaFcooNN0N7jfItw4YMz0AFwaAjyGEALw_wcB). It’s hard to see in the photo, but that’s an embroidered Kaylee patch on the left thigh. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/58 "2018-05-25T12:31:03Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > I knew someone who was not only a dead ringer for Inara but she was a-maz-ing to spend time with. So absolutely no competition when my memories kick in. Wow. I don’t know if that’s a lucky thing, or an amazingly frustrating thing. Then again, I dont’ know. . .maybe you rate attracting such a woman, in which case the frustration part wouldn’t be there, just the joy of the company. I’m getting a little older, so the hormones don’t overheat me like they used to, but Morena Baccarin is an _amazingly_ beautiful woman, and she complements it with style, poise and grace. To spend time with her must be like standing next to a sunset. I’m kind of a Kaylee guy, but being with Kaylee should bring the perk of seeing Inara frequently, and I would not mind that a bit. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/59 "2018-05-26T00:53:20Z")
I’d choose Kaylee as a friend, and River as a clinically insane friend. ---
**Author:** ![Anxious\_Squirrel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anxious_squirrel/32/1083_2.png) [@Anxious\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anxious_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2018, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130/60 "2018-06-05T04:56:06Z")
Well, since I once started a thread on IMDb stating that Morena Baccarin was the most beautiful woman in the world, bar none, I must choose Inara. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-firefly-poll-kaylee-inara-zoe-or-river/814130.md?page=4)