This is a really fascinating read, with a lot of interesting points. Firefly is also by far my favourite Joss series, followed by Angel and then Buffy, for the same reasons as you.

Thank you for including the links as well, I shall be following them up as soon as I get a chance.

Very insightful and well written! I love the fact that non of the characters are finished yet, they all have changes in different ways to grow, and how the traditional Male leader is the one who needs to grow most.

One annoying trait I found with Buffy is how she would refuse to change or accept that change occured unless she decided it, she was very immature in many ways, most of the Scoobies were but they refused to acknowledge it, even when it was plainly in front of them.

I enjoyed reading Finding Serenity, have you read that one? It has some very interesting essays in it.