Mal is pretty darn heroic. They glossed over the space civil war so as far as we know the browncoats weren’t fighting to preserve slavery. Mal’s a pretty excellent moral guide for what these sovcit nerds wish they were, and enough of a moral actor to be a role model. Evenhanded and loving with subordinates (even Jayne), unrelenting in moral crusade against the government, and a preference for negotiation (even with Constance and Nishka!) but enough of a badass to get out of it (or having a loving found family who can help). He sticks his neck out to help people in need (like the Brothel), and goes along with a reversal even if it means all of their previous efforts were for nothing (my favorite episode, Ariel). A lot of the confusion is just how acidic and brooding Mal starts off, and his arc (such as we see it) is even just 'becomes less curmudgeonly and embraces this heroic side of himself)."

I think a real example in this space is Spike Spiegle from fellow late 2000s bounty hunter broke as dirt space opera, Cowboy Bebop. Spike is much more about money, revenge, and a good fight, and is very open about his nihlism and readiness to get himself killed, but somehow ends up helping a few people along the way.

A Firefly fan in the wild!!!

“I aim to misbehave”

Capt Tightpants