I, too, enjoyed reading this essay. I have noticed hints of Kaylee/Inara & Kaylee/Mal in the series as well as the canon Inara/Mal, but I never really thought of them all 3 together.
The one thing I'd say your essay is missing, though, is the lusty bits. I realize that the basis for the relationship you describe is based on love, but that's no reason not to include moments from the canon that describe a lust connection (such as in the episodes "Our Mrs. Reynolds" and "War Stories," which include Mal & Kaylee's reactions to possible Inara/OFC relationships).
no subject
The one thing I'd say your essay is missing, though, is the lusty bits. I realize that the basis for the relationship you describe is based on love, but that's no reason not to include moments from the canon that describe a lust connection (such as in the episodes "Our Mrs. Reynolds" and "War Stories," which include Mal & Kaylee's reactions to possible Inara/OFC relationships).