Book was an operative!

POSTED BY: GrayFury
UPDATED: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 18:01
VIEWED: 14087
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ETHAN

Saturday, December 17, 2005 7:16 PM

Not only do I think Book was an Operative...I think he was still one when he boarded Serenity!

Book's mission may have been deep cover to shadow River or one of the other Serenity crew, but something about life aboard Mal's ship made him question and turn his back on his duty/beliefs. I base this on a several lines that come out of left field :

1) In 'Objects in Space,' River's vision of Book saying "I don't give half a hump whether you're innocent or not. So where does that put you?" These are chilling words which may hint at a still possible betrayal at his hands.

2) In 'Serenity, the pilot' Book tells Mal when he wrongly thinks Simon is the Alliance mole, "I hate to say it, but I think you have the wrong man." Why would he hate to say that at that moment?

3) Book in 'Serenity, the BDM' suddenly doesn't care what Mal believes, "As long as you believe" something with conviction. It sounds like Book has had a prolonged struggle with his own conflicting beliefs before settling in his life on Haven.

EXCITINGNEWCRIME

Saturday, December 17, 2005 8:08 PM

It all sounds like a good theory - but when Joss was in the UK someone asked him that and I'm fairly certain he said it was a good thought, but no. :D

KESSIE

Saturday, December 17, 2005 8:34 PM

I dont know, but knowing Joss, the answer that Book was a operative would be too obvious for me. I rather think that Inara could have to do something with that since it was her voice which was on the com in the academy. Also maybe that could be an explanation for the syringe? As weapon or whatever ?
But well just guessing here since until Joss tells us we can never know for sure!

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STAKETHELURK

Saturday, December 17, 2005 9:49 PM

At this point, I agree that all the evidence seems to be indicating that Book was an Operative. However, we never have any direct confirmation, only the thematic parallel between Book and the Operative, and Book's knowledge of the working of the Alliance. I think this is a brilliant move on Joss' part as a storyteller. As it stands, Books past seems to be resolved for us. But, if (please!) there's a continuation, Book's past could turn out to be something entirely different--and that would not contradict the BDM! It's closure without restricting further development; Joss at his best.

So, for now it seems that Book is an Operative. But it could turn out that he's something else entirely. And both answers are good in my book.

LIVIDLIQUID

Saturday, December 17, 2005 9:50 PM

Joss had absolutely nothing to do with that book and refused to even read it for fear that he'd want to do it better himself. Things in the book that aren't in the movie, such as your example, and the explanation of Mr. Universe's past, are non-canon.

SERRADA

Saturday, December 17, 2005 10:02 PM

"Thankx"
Very well done.I don't know if your theory's correct but Book is certainly one of my favorite characters.
"Lord,I'm walking your way.
Let me in,for my feet are sore,my clothes are ragged.
Look in my eyes,Lord,and my sins will play out on them as on a screen.
Read them all.
Forgive what You can,and send me on my path.
I will walk on untill You bid me rest.-Shepherd Book

GIANTEVILHEAD

Saturday, December 17, 2005 11:04 PM

Book being an ex-operative would be too obvious. I think it would be cool if Book was the reason why Operatives were created in the first place. Someone had to do what Operatives did before there were Operatives.

The Operative has an interesting ideology, he commits evil to create a better world and that it is done through something greater than himself even though he didn't really know what was really accomplished through his actions. The belief that he is carrying out the will of something greater than himself makes him very dangerous because it takes away all his uncertainties and his doubts.

I think that Book once committed evil to prevent the world from falling further into darkness and that he did not rely on the judgment of an entity greater than himself, he relied on his own judgment or perhaps the judgment of other men. I think that Book knew full well of all the consequences of his actions but he did it anyway because it was necessary to prevent a greater evil. However, because he was relying on his own judgment, there was doubt; he began to question his own actions and the actions of those around him and perhaps began looking to other places for answers. That would be interesting wouldn’t it? Book found faith due to the consequences of his actions while the Operative lost faith due to the consequences of his actions.

"I swallowed a bug." -River Tam

THEREALME

Sunday, December 18, 2005 4:34 AM

While I am quite willing to believe that Book was once an Operative, I do not believe that he had some secret mission when he boarded Serenity. I think that the Book we see is who he claims to be... a shepherd.

What he USED to be, that is the question!

But if he WERE undercover, he did a lousy job at it. Even Jayne spotted holes in his supposed cover. No, if he were CURRENTLY an Operative, he'd be such a good actor that he'd never slip, and we would have no clue.

TheRealMe, First Officer of the Sereni-Tree

RCAT

Sunday, December 18, 2005 7:11 AM

I've gone back and forth on this, mainly for the reasons mentioned in the original post (tho' I didn't read the novel), nice job bringing them together. One of the first hints was in the pilot when he cold-cocks the agent w/ out hesitation.

I'm still not sure he was an "operative" but he clearly was some kind of Alliance covert agent/figure. David Morrel writes a lot about the connections between black-ops agents and a monastical life-style. I don't think he still was once he got to the ship. The line in River's vision was spoken w/ venom but maybe she misunderstood...perhaps his thought of her were non-judgemental but in her confusion saw it as anger...

'Cause how you get there is the worthier part.
-Book

THEREALME

Sunday, December 18, 2005 12:33 PM

I'm not convinced that Book's "Inner Thoughts" that River picked up in Objects in Space had anything to do with her.

I think those thoughts DID give a clue about why Book turned his back on his previous life and sought religion.

TheRealMe, First Officer of the Sereni-Tree

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