Preacher's origin

POSTED BY: DeckardBR
UPDATED: Friday, October 28, 2005 01:14
VIEWED: 8299
PAGE 1 of 3

1 2 3 NEXT PAGE

DECKARDBR

Sunday, October 23, 2005 11:43 PM

Hi, this is my first time posting to the message board, seems like a great community.

Being a recent convert to Firefly (after seeing the film, watched all 14 episodes immediatly), Im curious if theres been any more information given by Whedon or the show's writers about Shepherd's origins other than what was on the show.

My guess is that at some point he was a soldier or some kind of hero for the Alliance before giving up on the orginization, perhaps seeing how corrupt they were etc.

Any thoughts?

VOLUNTEER

Sunday, October 23, 2005 11:55 PM

No, not really. I guess we'll never know for sure where the character was headed.

Although, on my second run through the movie I noticed Book seemed to have some insight for Mal into the Operative before Mal even meets the Operative. Perhaps Book had been a member of Parliament or an Operative himself?

Joss likes to leave a few things open to interpretation. And why not? Mystery and speculation are what create fanboys. LOL.

THESENTINEL

Sunday, October 23, 2005 11:59 PM

Again...loose ends not tied up equal more reasons to do another season. :)

AND WATCH WITH THE SPOILERS!!!

UNREGISTEREDCOMPANION

Monday, October 24, 2005 2:25 AM

Yup...I am thinking retired Operative..with a lot to attone for. That is why he went to the abby...guilty conscience.

~~~~~
"Funny and sexy. You have no idea. And you never will."

SMOKE

Monday, October 24, 2005 2:25 AM

He is an ex-Operative, it makes sense if you think about it.

Smoke em, if you got em.

PURPLEYIN

Monday, October 24, 2005 6:14 PM

plus we know that Book is a Believer, which seems to be a prerequisite.

URSULA

Monday, October 24, 2005 6:32 PM

Yeah, I'd say he was like the operative's operative, la creme de la creme of the merciless killing set.

One thing that has puzzles me is in "Objects in Space" River's little "read" of Book: "I don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not." Where's that comin' from?!

MADRIK

Monday, October 24, 2005 7:27 PM

River is a reader. I think she knows.

Anyway, keep in mind of Book's 'ident' card in... that one episode. And yes, Book knows quite a bit about crime, the Alliance and its operations... also, he did in fact shoot that Alliance ship down that was burning Haven. So apparently he has... excuse me... had... some keen knowledge on weapons use.

"I wasn't born a shepard, Mal."

The world may never know.... dun dun DUN!

MALECHI

Monday, October 24, 2005 8:16 PM

I was disappointed that there wasn't an answer to the question who is Shepard Book. Referring to Book's past Malcolm says "You'll have to tell me about that someday." to which Shepherd Book simply replies "No, I don't."

Myself, I tend to believe he was a central alliance Bounty Hunter/Assassin in the same vein as Jubal Early from the episode "Objects in Space" and the operative from the movie "Serenity", who later found religion.

Here are the clues:
1) Book's weapon proficiency in the episode "War Stories" when attempting to rescue Mal.

2) Book's knowledge of central alliance proceedure in the episode "The Message" while running from Lt. Womack's ship seem confirm this.

3) The biggest clue is, of course, the guards reaction to Book's ID when he is injured and needs medical attention in the episode "Safe".

But, I guess we may never know.

DECKARDBR

Tuesday, October 25, 2005 12:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ursula:
Yeah, I'd say he was like the operative's operative, la creme de la creme of the merciless killing set.

One thing that has puzzles me is in "Objects in Space" River's little "read" of Book: "I don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not." Where's that comin' from?!

I took this to mean that even though she seems like an innocent girl, Book doesn't care and just as well would have her off the ship. Or at least thats how she read it.

1 2 3 NEXT PAGE