My thoughts on Book by mrgreen

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My thoughts on Book

POSTED BY: MRGREEN
UPDATED: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 11:29
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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 9:42 AM

To me, Book is the most intriguing(sp?) character of all.

My theory on him are that he is an ex-Alliance officer. He's old enough to have served his time and retired. Many retired military people are young enough to start up a second career in life, and also, after seeing the horrors of war, many turn to God. Seems to me that Book was done killing and fighting, and is seeking a little redemption.

We can look at some things from the show to support this. First, his obvious combat training. Second, the immidiate medical aide from the Alliance (veterans benifits are probably really good in a militaristic society like the Alliance).

Why is he on THIS ship? I think it's a combination of several things. He is travelling with his old enemies. Does he feel bad about the war, does he think he was on the wrong side? Or is it a punishment, for sins he has committed in the past? Probably a little of both, but more the former than the latter. Also, he sees a vet (albeit from the other side) who has lst faith and seems to be suffering from a lot of inner turmoil. Does he sympathise with Mal, and want to help him? I think so.

God help him if I'm right and Mal finds out. I hope i get the chance to see how that character plays out.

Rob

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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 9:49 AM

MRGREEN

Heh, just looked back into some archived posts (is there any good way to search this forum??) and saw a couple of people had this same idea already...

http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=1323

ALso mentioned was when Early said that Book 'was no preacher'. Which ties together the idea of Book being former Alliance and Early having been trained/created by the Alliance (and be disassociative(sp?) about it with the 'Am I a lion...' bit).

So anywho, guess its already been hashed out, y'all can ignore me now.

Rob

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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 11:06 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:

Originally posted by MrGreen:
My theory on him are that he is an ex-Alliance officer. He's old enough to have served his time and retired. Many retired military people are young enough to start up a second career in life, and also, after seeing the horrors of war, many turn to God. Seems to me that Book was done killing and fighting, and is seeking a little redemption.

We can look at some things from the show to support this. First, his obvious combat training. Second, the immidiate medical aide from the Alliance (veterans benifits are probably really good in a militaristic society like the Alliance).

These were my thoughts exactly MrGreen. He is obvioulsy tied to the Alliance somehow, whether it be directly through the military, military intelligence (yes I know that is a contradiction) or in some other capacity.

I also touched on the regret of his actions or his orders resulting in regrettable action turning him to religion. It has happened often and is a well used plot twist.

I also picked up on Early's statement "he is no shephard". Did Early recognize him? Was there something about him that gave Early that indication or was it just instinct?

I would love to see more development of this character. Hell, at this point I would like to see anything pertaining to Firefly.

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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 7:03 PM

SUCCATASH

I bet Book was more that an ordinary Alliance officer. I bet he was a special assassin or something, and did terrible things.

Since he is a good man, I'd venture to say that he believed in what he did but was tricked and betrayed by the government he served, so he somehow gracefully retired, found God, and got out of Dodge. Obviously, Book is on good terms with the Alliance or they would not have treated him.

Or he might just be a rebel preacher, related to someone very high up in the Alliance. If he were younger he could be someone's wayward son, but I'm not sure how this idea works with an old man. Maybe his son or daughter is very important, who knows?

Book is pretty damn good with a gun, and Early DID seem to recognize him. Strange, but Early also avoided bantering with Book as well. It seemed to be a part of Early's character to converse with his prey and engage in word play, he toyed with every crew member he came across. Why not Book? He just took him out by surprise, as if he knew he should be careful. As stated above, he casually mentioned that Book is not a shepherd.

I'm surprised Simon didn't say, "What? He's not a shepherd?"

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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 7:58 AM

JOHNNYREB

If there is anything that you can count on Joss for, it is surprises. It only makes too much sense that Book was part of the Alliance, given all of the supporting evidence. It would be more in Joss's style to throw the truth at you from out of left field. The truth would make perfect sense once revealed and also be the last thing you would have expected.

Viva Firefly

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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 8:11 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
I'm surprised Simon didn't say, "What? He's not a shepherd?"

I think Simon was a it preoccupied at the time.....gun pointed at him and a bounty hunter looking for his sister and all.

As for your theroy of his being an assassin or something of that nature that found religion, that is what MrGreen and I were getting at I believe. He did something so terrible in service to the Alliance that he left and turned to God. The Alliance is so much in his debt that they treated him without question and returned him while keeping his true identity secret. Don't think for on minute that Mal did not notice this and will keep an eye on Book.

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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 9:01 AM

LOSTANGEL

what if Book was part of the Blue Glove Group?

It would explain why Early recognized him, and it could be a reason for his guilt and wish to enter into religion. And he could appoint himself a secret guardian angel for the Tams as penance for what he did in his past.

It would also explain why alliance people treated him so shiny when he was wounded.

Whaddya think?

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 9:25 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by LostAngel:
what if Book was part of the Blue Glove Group?

It would explain why Early recognized him, and it could be a reason for his guilt and wish to enter into religion. And he could appoint himself a secret guardian angel for the Tams as penance for what he did in his past.

You know, I never considered that possibility. That would explain Early recognizing Book, and why Book would leave the Alliance and take up the role of a Shephard.

Nice theory.

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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 11:29 AM

SENSOU

What if Book's ID card is stolen?
He could be a former crime lord who turned good, and thus know so much about crime. The Alliance was only good to him after they saw his ID. Early could know him from former dealings, and he would know Niska by reputation. Now, having found redemption, he tries to help others find God as he has.

Sensou
Sweet is love when all is sane
Sweet is death to end the pain
Cruel is death when all is well
Cruel is love when all is hell

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