Was Book horribly mistreated on Firefly? by OPPYH

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Was Book horribly mistreated on Firefly?

POSTED BY: OPPYH
UPDATED: Thursday, June 21, 2007 15:20
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007 6:55 AM

A friend of mine recently returned my copy of Firefly and said he loved the series except for one thing: His favorite character was Book, and he thought the entire crew of Firefly(except Simon) treated Book like he was a complete idiot whenever he spoke, or tied to interact with the crew.

Now being my favorite characters in the show were everyone except Book, I never really picked up on that. It has been about a year since I watched an episode, so I will have to do a little investigation. Off the top of your heads, did any of you pick up on this?

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007 7:01 AM

MSG

See I never thought he was mistreated...they didn't always agree with him, but they always valued him...

"I'm not all that interested in the mental health of people who want to kill me. "- Leroy Jethro Gibbs

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007 7:25 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by OPPYH:
A friend of mine recently returned my copy of Firefly and said he loved the series except for one thing: His favorite character was Book, and he thought the entire crew of Firefly(except Simon) treated Book like he was a complete idiot whenever he spoke, or tied to interact with the crew.

Now being my favorite characters in the show were everyone except Book, I never really picked up on that. It has been about a year since I watched an episode, so I will have to do a little investigation. Off the top of your heads, did any of you pick up on this?

I never felt that. If anything by the time of the Message he pretty much takes control of that whole situation. Mal is up out of the way and it is Book who is down below to deal with the feds (such as they were)

Also he had no end of fun at Mal's expense in Our Mrs Reynolds and he a Jayne developed quite a bond, where they were lifting weights.

So I'm surprised by your friends comments. Shucks if I don't have to go and rewatch the whole series again now just to make sure.

www.cirqus.com

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007 7:32 AM

STARTROOP

I think there was an interesting relationship developing with Jayne and Book. Jayne was starting to mature (a little) and Book was being a mentor. Book also shielded River from some of the worst unpleasantness.

Book is an intriguing character. I am saddened that they bumped him off in the movie. I would like to have seen him developed more.

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007 7:39 AM

ZZETTA13

Oh contraire, I think Book was treated exceptionally well. Case in point when Kaylee’s toted down to the engine room in the pilot eps. and Book responds correctly to her question she tells him “Head of the class.” Where as Jayne seems to always gets that “You’re a dumb ass” look. In fact the feeling I get through the entire series is that the crew have a hard time believing that an intelligent, religious man like the shepherd wants to stay aboard their dinky little craft. That and his knowledge of worldly unlawful things have them wondering what secrets are within this mans soul.

Z

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007 8:07 AM

DARKFLY

DOn't you all get it the only reason Book and come to think of it Wash were killed off in Serenity is become they both were becoming everybody's favorite character, can't have that since they ain't the main character in a way they were becoming too cool when compared to the rest of the other characters

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007 9:08 AM

LAWMAN

Now I'm gonna have to watch the series all over again. I guess it was time anyway. Its been about 15 days since I went through the series the last time.

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Thursday, June 21, 2007 7:27 AM

DONCOAT

There was only one character who treated Book harshly, and that was Mal. For example, in the pilot episode he forbade Book from saying grace aloud at the dinner table.

Of course, the reason for that was not to show Book in a bad light, but to show how bitter and cynical Mal was.

I think Zoe may also have been a little cool to Book, but then she was cool to everybody (except Wash, sometimes).

As for the rest, River, Simon, and Jayne had philosophical discussions with him (well, Jayne...), Kaylee looked to him for advice, and Inara actually acted as his shepherd on one occasion. I don't remember much interaction between Book and Wash, either positive or negative.

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I'm pointin' right at it!

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Thursday, June 21, 2007 8:28 AM

JONGSSTRAW

Shepherd Book was absolutley treated very poorly during Firefly & Serenity.....

1) Had pages from his Bible ripped out
2) Had his hair style made fun of
3) Was told that God was not welcome aboard Serenity
4) Was bashed in the head and left to bleed to death (by Alliance man) on Serenity
5) Was bashed in the head and left unconscious (by bounty hunter) on Serenity
6) Got shot in the chest and nearly died while being a bystander during one of the crew's capers
7) Got killed along with all his flock just because he was friends with Serenity's crew
8) Was propositioned by whores to have sex with him if he would preach a bit to them

All of the above is true, but the fact of the matter is that Shepherd loved that ship and all of the crew. He had a profound influence on just about everthing they did, and they all loved him. The scene with Mal after the Haven attack is so hard to watch for me...I really can't....you really see the bond of love and faith with Mal (yes, war-bitter Mal finally allowed his true feelings to be revealed). Book would not have wanted it any other way.

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Thursday, June 21, 2007 8:55 AM

TERRI

I think that Book has been treated worse by the fans than by the crew. Bear with me here. After Serenity, it was like, you know, Wash and Book, whyyyyy? Now, if you look at the message boards, it's like all Wash, whyyyyy? It's like people forgot that he died in the movie, too. I see a lot more anger and sadness about Wash dying than Book dying. And, okay, I can see that, he's this old black guy, most people can't relate with that, and we all know that Wash is the funny one, so there's that, but still people, where's the Book love?

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Thursday, June 21, 2007 9:30 AM

ZZETTA13

So your telling me Book has been treated worse than Jayne? I don't see it.

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Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:07 PM

GORRAMSPACETRASH

Absoloutly not, your friend's way off, (two key moments in the series and movie respectively instantly come to mind... the race to save Book from his gunshot wound, and Mal's grief at his death!).

Book gained an instant respect from and rapport with the crew from the moment he arrived on the ship in the pilot - particularly Kaylee and Inara. Over the run of the series, he proved himself a valued member of the crew: Giving advice for their troubles ("You don't fix faith, River..."), wise words in moments of tension ("Don't be fool son, do as the man says..."), and generally looking out for them. He also particularly puts his morals and deep religious convictions at risk by helping the crew in moments of trouble - a trait recognised by the others.

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Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:41 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by Terri:
I think that Book has been treated worse by the fans than by the crew. Bear with me here. After Serenity, it was like, you know, Wash and Book, whyyyyy? Now, if you look at the message boards, it's like all Wash, whyyyyy? It's like people forgot that he died in the movie, too. I see a lot more anger and sadness about Wash dying than Book dying. And, okay, I can see that, he's this old black guy, most people can't relate with that, and we all know that Wash is the funny one, so there's that, but still people, where's the Book love?

Despite what Capt'n says, Book was more a paseenger than crew member. He didn't exactly 'earn his keep', not in any real sense, as Simon did. He was clearly welcome on Serenity, though I don't recall how much of his travels were paid for, and how much he was kept on board, because they thought so highly of him.

Contrast that to Wash. Wash was the pilot of the ship. Crew member in high standing. Oh,and he was married to the 1st Mate, Zoe. So Wash's death has a direct carry over to the rest of the crew, leaving behind a grieving widow.

But Book wasn't mistreated by the crew, not by a long shot. That's just the baggage which being a Preacher man has to offer, what with making folks feel all judged and everything.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:20 PM

6IXSTRINGJACK

Somebody call Al sharpton! Book's gettin' the IMUS treatment!

Seriously. I think Mal was a bit of a dick to him at the beginning, but I agree with anybody here that says they thought very highly of him.

He was my personal favorite character, and that's one of the main reason's why I don't even recognize that piece of shit movie as part of Firefly.

"A government is a body of people, usually notably ungoverned." http://www.myspace.com/6ixstringjack

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