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Originally posted by humble:
had an epiphany this morning. was thinking about the episode with the bounty hunter (played by richard brooks).

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Originally posted by Channain:
what if...he was one of the original founders of the Independent movement?

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Originally posted by Sarahetc:
What about his treatment in Safe? Would they do that for an enemy?

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Originally posted by Channain:
...that would explain the line "is this what it's like out here?" in Serenity. that part always confuzzled me, because somebody military or affiliated with the Alliance government would probably know what it was like on the rim.

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Why would he cry like a virgin old man? He's faking that scene with Inara in Serenity, I bet ya!

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Originally posted by Succatash:
he cries in front of Inara because he had a bad day.
"Oh God, I punched a man senseless, it's so terrible, waah waah..."

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Originally posted by ItsAllShiny:

Here's my theory -- Once upon a time, Book was an Alliance Enforcer. (See The Train Job, Safe, War Stories and Our Mrs. Reynolds for information about weapons, crime and military tactics.) He also did some very bad things and was a very bad man. (See Objects in Space: his 'angst' moment as seen through River's mind.) He obviously held a position of some rank or influence. (See Safe: his welcome aboard the Alliance cruiser for medical treatment.) But he's also obviously a Shepherd and hasn't been 'in the world' for a while. (See Serenity, moment of absolution in Inara's shuttle.)

My guess is that something happened to Book, some life-changing moment, after which he decided to go into the monestary, turn his back on the world and find absolution in God. Now he's out in the world, testing his faith and his resolve to be a good man. However, his angst still exists deep in his soul and he still thinks of himself as a bad person (as seen by River) and he is still seeking absolution.

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Book: "I don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not, so where does that leave you?"

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So, Adam told me a few cool things about Book!

First of all, he was NOT a commander in the war, at Serenity Valley or anywhere else.

He IS Alliance though, and possibly connected to the Blue Hand Group.

He is a real preacher too, it's not just a cover story. His entry into the priesthood could have been a form of penance for the acts he commited while in the employ of the Alliance.

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Originally posted by Succatash:
Why would he cry like a virgin old man? He's faking that scene with Inara in Serenity, I bet ya!

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Originally posted by kukoo:
Then like many of you were saying he experienced a crises of Faith over what he was doing

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Originally posted by Serena:
I like the judge idea, and it doesn't preclude some of the other ideas. For instance, it is possible that prior to becoming a judge he worked in law enforcement and/or as a lawyer or advocate, explaining his understanding of tactics and weaponery. Judges are usually chosen after they have proven themselves worthy in the field (as lawyers).

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Originally posted by debbiebuk1:
I still like the cop theory (can't believe a lawyer would know much about weapons), and maybe his crisis was from chasing up the underground guys becasue they were the "baddies" and finding out something about Blue Sun being involved in corruption high up - maybe the weapons they were developing which only harm people not property, and yes maybe the school River was at.

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Originally posted by kukoo:
My theory on Sheperd Book is based on this:

Religion and Politics are always connected.

I think Book at one time was high up in Alliance, probably in the Blue Sun Group. Maybe he rose through the enforcement ranks which would explain his proficiency with firearms.

Then like many of you were saying he experienced a crises of Faith over what he was doing (like maybe finding out what was really going on at Rivers school and what they were doing to innocent kids like her). He then joined a religious order with ties to a group who are trying to overthrow the Alliance.

He told this group what was going on at Rivers school. The group used this information to get River out and back to Simon in exchange for money. Remember in Serenity there was this mysterious anti-alliance group that approached Simon with the deal to sneak River out of the school to Persephone in Cryo. Book was then suppose to keep tabs on River to try to figure out what made her so important to the Alliance and if she could be used to overthrow the Alliance. This explains the "i don't give half a hump if your innocent or not" comment in OIS. You remember in Serenity Kaylee noticed that when Book was deciding what ship to get on he was not looking at the destination. I think he was trying to decide which ship Simon and River were going to get on so that he could board the same ship. It is too coincidental that he just happened to get on the ship at the same time River and Simon did. I think he has to be connected to the two of them somehow.

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Originally posted by kalimeeri:
When Book gave his answer to Jayne's question "never?", it was not a direct answer. He sidestepped the issue quite neatly, and Jayne didn't pick up on it. I don't think he meant 'never ever'. Just since he took vows. And like somebody said before, many career military men never marry, especially if they travel around a lot.

Jen dao mei.

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