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Originally posted by dqbaby76:
Does anyone think that the names "River" and "Reaver" are somewhat alike? Was that supposed to clue us in earlier before we knew the secret. I wonder if this was on purpose or just pure coincidence? *pondering* hmmm...

please let me know if this is just plain ridiculous or do we have something here.

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Shepard used to tell me...can't do something smart, do something right.
I'm so into Firefly, my butt glows in the dark.

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Originally posted by StakeTheLurk:
Question 1: The Operative probably killed the doctor because he was ordered to--the Operative always does what he’s ordered to on faith that it’s all done to make “better worlds.” As Nanite1018 suggests, the Op simply went about it in a fashion that fits his own bizarre code. It would be far more honorable for Dr. Mathias to take his own life than to merely be assassinated, so the Op puts him in a position where he can’t help but fall on his sword. If people won’t fit into his perfect system of honorable conduct, he makes them fit in for their own good--it’s the Alliance in a nutshell.

Question 2: As for River’s connection to the Reavers, there’s actually a lot thematically to tie them together in the film. Both were innocents warped by the Alliance and its good intentions, both are out of Alliance control. River can lash out with mindless violence, as we see in the Maidenhead, much like Reavers do (although without the underlying rage). In her vision-dream of Miranda, when the rest of the class lies down to die, she refuses. She doesn’t lie down. She’s the reaver of the group. Reavers are often described as insane--and the same term is applied to River. And then there’s the similarity between the two names, River and Reaver. I think we are meant to draw some parallels between them, and River--being a genius and all--can probably see the parallels herself. She’s probably afraid that she could turn into one, be irrevocably lost. Become the “weapon” rather than the “girl.” But at the end of the movie, she is able to use her violent abilities while retaining her humanity--and killing Reavers, no less, symbols of her inner fear. By defeating them, she conquers her violent side, shows that she is more than just a “weapon” without rejecting the martial skills she’s acquired.

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Originally posted by FutureMrsFIllion:
Space and PR
Put the BDM in and watch the heist. When Mal is down in the vault and River is standing in the room upstairs, she "hears" the Reavers and then "sees" a flash of a Reaver - that Reaver is her.

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