The Shepherd

POSTED BY: ShadoworBust
UPDATED: Friday, October 21, 2005 00:55
VIEWED: 19132
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GRRARRG

Friday, March 4, 2005 8:50 PM

hmm...
shortly after Firefly ended, Joss created a god-like character on Angel (played by Gina Torres, no less) who's power over the world was only taken away when someone said her name.

Not that Book's real name would have that kind of power, but something along the lines of the Lone Ranger bit would not surprise me at all. So, would Jayne be Tonto?

I'm pretty sure it's not his birth name, but not because of the way he introduces himself - although that does seem to support the theory. It just seems to corny for a shepard's name to be "Book." It's probably just a nickname given to him at the abbey that he grew to like more than his given name, because it allows him to separate himself from his past life. Kind of like Saul's name was changed to Paul (except that was a bit more than just a nickname) - Saul ruthlessly persecuted and killed Christians shortly after the death of Jesus; after he becamse a Christian, his old self died and he was born anew as Paul (to paraphrasically apply Paul's own writings to himself).

I mock you with my monkey pants

CHRISTHECYNIC

Friday, March 4, 2005 9:38 PM

It does make sense to me for him (Book) to change his name to separate him from his past, which I think we all agree he doesn’t like.

Book is a good name for a man of god because they are meant to be an extension of the word of god, represented in the “good book” sometimes shortened to just, “the book,” or, “this book.”

I try not to say, “I’m called,” because the truth is that I’m often times not. I used to be called, “Frodo,” you can’t introduce yourself as that. So I had to say, “My name is Chris.” Book seems to be the kind of person who would be very aware of the difference and say, “My name is Book,” if that were his name.

An interesting thing is that telling people what you are called is often a better indication of who you are than your name, even though people often associate names with identity. In high school there was a kid called, “Mike,” his name was, “Jimmy.”

[Edited to make it less likely to incite riots.]

DARKJESTER

Saturday, March 5, 2005 4:04 AM

I knew a guy in school in Scotland named James Harris. All the teachers called him Hamish (at his request), but all his mates called him Eggs. Don't know why we called him Eggs, don't know why he didn't like James. The only way I knew his "real" name was overhearing a teacher use it during a formal reprimand.

I also think that Book changed his name to separate himself from his past. Hopefully we get some info on Book in the movie. And NO, I am not asking for spoilers!! I'm happy to wait for September. Unless they happen to have a test screening in the midwest...?

MAL "You only gotta scare him."
JAYNE "Pain is scary..."

SIMONWHO

Saturday, March 5, 2005 4:32 AM

I think there's several pivotal bits that give some indication of Book's previous identity. Obviously whoever he was, it was someone who still retained enough clout to get the military to take special care of him. It's also worth noting that he kept his real identity card. If he truly wanted to be a humble preacher, nothing more, then why didn't he destroy it? Clearly he doesn't want to/isn't able to fully let go of his past.

There are also two choice character moments: Book boards Serenity because of how she looks (assuming Kaylee is right). Perhaps he had some connection with craft design in his past. Also he insists to River that you don't fix the Bible, it fixes you. Evidently he felt the need to be "fixed" - something that suggests he was a bad person, rather than someone who did bad things.

When Oppenheimer witnessed the first nuclear bomb test, he said "Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" (a religious quote, incidentally). What if Book was involved in the design of some weapon of mass destruction (like the ones that blew apart Serenity Ridge)? I think that he was "a bad guy" during the war is a bit simple for Joss, he normally likes a complication factor of nine.

INTHEBLACK

Friday, March 25, 2005 12:25 AM

Wouldn't surprise me if it turned out that he was something to the Tams' father. Some sort of covert bodyguard perhaps. Their family seems to have the weight to warrant priority treatment for their trusted minions.

He don't care whether River is guilty or innocent, but he'll protect her anyway 'cause that's his job... kinda, sorta. Or maybe his job is to protect Simon, and River is gravy.

One thing's for sure, he ain't no simple shepherd. Man has a Past with a capital 'P'.

Shiniest gorramn show in the 'verse!

SKARVY

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 8:23 PM

I don't know if anyone else hasn't touched on this but I beleive that Book has to be somesort of ex-cop figure. When he shows knowledge about Niska in the Train Job, Police procedures in The Message, The way he shoots and is always calm and confident, Early recognizes him and Early is a bounty hunter which might mean he recognizes him from law enforcement of some type by reputation or Demeanor (im not sure). The scene when they boarded the alliance cruiser when he was wounded. Combined with a few other choice scenes I beleive that he was involved in Law Enforcement in some way and then something bad happened and he went to a monastery and know is where he is trying to atone.

PHILJONES

Friday, April 29, 2005 4:06 PM

On imdb.com it says that his name is 'Shephard Meria Book'.. not sure how that affects this disscussion

DIETCOKE

Friday, April 29, 2005 4:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PhilJones:
On imdb.com it says that his name is 'Shephard Meria Book'.. not sure how that affects this disscussion

I think he was explaining what people usually call him. It's his nick name. They call me Book.

ANTHONYT

Friday, April 29, 2005 4:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SimonWho:
What if Book was involved in the design of some weapon of mass destruction (like the ones that blew apart Serenity Ridge)? I think that he was "a bad guy" during the war is a bit simple for Joss, he normally likes a complication factor of nine.

Hello,

I think the bombs that blew up Serenity Ridge looked pretty conventional to me, along the lines of weapons our military uses. (Have you seen footage of cluster bombs and whatnot? Or Fuel-Air Explosives? Pretty scary stuff.)

However, I agree that Book was an important Alliance person. I agree that he's not proud of his past. I agree that he's not been able to let go of his past completely.

I am not sure whether his passage on Serenity is coincidence or not. I wonder sometimes if he wasn't drafted from retirement to do a job... and then elected not to do it.

--Anthony

"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner

CHEESYPOOF

Thursday, July 7, 2005 6:41 PM

It's not just that Book said that he's called Book, a lot of characters do that. It's his long hesitation; it sounded like he was making a name up on the spot. He said "Book...I'm called Book." It was spur of the moment, and the hesitation, which was probably scripted, gives it away. No way Book is his real name.

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