Interesting how my Step-Daughter who really liked Buffy, and her pals have no interest in Firefly, and I who love Firefly think Buffy to be, well, really dumb. 
Sig line!
:: shrug :: I love Buffy & Firefly both.
I have a close friend back east and we both like pretty much the same shows. She’s a Buffy fanatic, so I’m trying really hard to get her into Firefly right now. Since she’s (I think) not the type to go look up Firefly fansites, she doesn’t know about the upcoming Firefly movie. So I’m hoping she’ll get hooked on Firefly, then when she’s going through that post-Objects in Space episode depression we all go through, knowing we’ll never see Firefly again, I can surprise her with the news.
That’s entrapment, space scum!
I prefer to think of it as viral marketing. 
I know I’m bumping this, but NETexan did say that was OK.
I disagree with everyone about why Zoe was upset. I’ve got a different theory:
“Saffron” wasn’t just trying to seduce Mal, she was trying to get the entire crew off balance. She takes every opportunity to find the weak spots and upset people, so that they are paying attention to how upset they are with each other, and not paying attention to her.
So, during the dinner scene, she takes the opportunity to take a few subtle digs at Zoe. We know there are some strains in her relationship with Wash, and Saffron senses that, pokes around and hits buttons. Zoe and Wash end up yelling at each other, not noticing what Saffron is doing now. (And what is she doing while they fight?)
I think Zoe is being honest when she tells Wash why this isn’t funny anymore. It’s because she can see that Mal isn’t doing “captainy things.” He isn’t paying attention, he isn’t noticing the ship, the crew, the cargo, or anything else. He’s focussed on Saffron, off balance and not up to his usual level of ability.
That’s my theory. Any takers?
Late to the party, but what can I say, Sci-Fi just got to the episode and I just got around to renewing my subscription here.
My GF and I watched this last night. In the last scene where Mal confronts Inara about how she passed out, we had different takes. GF thinks that Mal knew what Inara really did, but let her off the hook so to speak. It’s an interesting possibility that could be explored in a later episode? (don’t know, first time through for me)
Me, I think Mal had visions of hot lesbian sex between Inara and Saffron. Inara kissing him never crossed his mind. That’s probably how it would have played out in my head too. Males don’t always think straight around females.
If Mal knew what really happened, he would have had no reason confront Inara. Now, it’s possible that he was playing a mind game with her, but in all likelihood, he would have just kept his mouth shut.
No, Mal wasn’t thinking straight.
Following the “Mal knew” idea. If he did know, I could see him doing one of two things. He could have confronted Inara just to mess with her and then swerve at the end keeping his knowledge a secret. He could also do the same just for the sake of letting Inara breath a little easier. After all, she seemed pretty shook about the idea of someone finding out that she kissed Mal. Either would be in Mal’s character, and both would have followed what was shown. However, I still think it would be giving Mal a bit too much credit. Inara and Saffron does make a pretty sweet picture after all, probably especially sweet if you’ve been couped up in a ship with Jane for too long.
Personally, I was kind of hoping Zoe would be the one to put the beatdown on Saffron. I’m sure she wasn’t too happy about Saffron roughing up her man.
When puns are bound by law, only those bound by law will have puns.