Was Book an Operative
POSTED BY: WashsYoungerSexierBr
UPDATED: Saturday, August 26, 2006 15:27
VIEWED: 6271
PAGE 2 of 3
The BDM does make substantial implications that Book was an Operative, but never explicitly states it. This is a rather brilliant move on Joss’ part, since it provides a sense of closure and answers but doesn’t actually restrain him from coming up with a different explanation should the ‘verse continue. He used this kind of technique often in all three of his shows, which were frequently in danger of cancellation—he’d create something that could serve as and ending or an answer, but leave the door open for future explorations if the show was renewed. Had Firefly lasted a full season, we probably would have seen the same technique in its season finale.
So, for the moment, we can assume Book probably was an Operative. But I wouldn’t be shocked if down the line, the answer turns out to be something completely different.
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
That's the best answer I've seen yet. I think he WAS an operative that was no longer "useful". He was rewarded by leaving and maintianing some sort of rank and stature but he no longer "believed" in the Alliance. I see some parallels with Raskolnikov in "Crime and Punishment". I really wanted wanted Mal to send the operative to the Southtown Abbey on Persephone.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by WashsYoungerSexierBrother:
Just been re-watching the BDM and git to Mal and books fire scene.
Could book have been an operative??? Cos the way he speaks and the look in his eyes seems to suggest it.
The last debate was kinda split.. BUT, in the BDM you see the operative saying "I think they know, I am no longer their man".... and it obviously bothered him that he knew he was a "Monster"... maybe time in an "Abbey" would help his soul heal...
The Operative was a monster because he believed they were building better worlds.. once that belief was shattered, he seemed lost... And Book said, "I don't care what you believe, just believe it".. lots of parallels there.
So maybe that's why Book's fresh out of the Abbey when he joins the crew.... and of course he "Never Married", so whatever his career was, it didn't leave him time for a family.
________________________
..but eatin people alive, where does THAT get fun?
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
OK, newbie question alert:
What's a BDM or a BDS?
Enquiring minds and all.
_______________________________
You with the bathing...me with the watching you bathe 
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by WashsYoungerSexierBrother:
Just been re-watching the BDM and git to Mal and books fire scene.
Could book have been an operative??? Cos the way he speaks and the look in his eyes seems to suggest it.
Yet ANOTHER reason to BRING BACK FIREFLY!!!!
_______________________________
You do that, and you'd best make peace with your dear and fluffy lord.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Patience:
OK, newbie question alert:
What's a BDM or a BDS?
Enquiring minds and all.
Big Damn Movie/Series/Sequel It's a spin off from when Mal tells the guy in the firefight "We're all Big Damn Heros" (Or somesuch)
________________________
..but eatin people alive, where does THAT get fun?
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Ah so.
Zoe says it to Mal in 'Safe':
Mal: What does that make us?
Zoe: Big damn heroes, sir!
_______________________________
You do that, and you'd best make peace with your dear and fluffy lord.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by bad2verse:
It's a spin off from when Mal tells the guy in the firefight "We're all Big Damn Heros" (Or somesuch)
From Safe -
Mal: Looks like we got here just in the nick of time. What does that make us?
Zoe: Big damn' heroes sir.
Mal: Aint we just.
David
"Not completely as well as the series of Firefly..." - From a review of Serenity at amazon.de
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
As this has already been discussed, let me apologize if these questions have been asked and answered.
But, if Book was an Op. or a high ranking officer in the military, why did the take almost no defensive action in the BDM.
The methods used by the Op (killing everyone who knows the crew) shouldn't have surprised Book, right? That's something they might cover in an Ops training.
I would imagine Book would know that tactic was likely if he were an Op. or military and would have (maybe) sent his people down one of the shafts on Haven to hide (dug a trench, a foxhole, something, anything).
Even the little kids were running around outside, unless the Alliance killed them and then moved their corpses to the surface. Not beyond the realm of possibility, but still pretty unlikely.
Just can't jive no defensive action with great military mind.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by FellowTraveler:
But, if Book was an Op. or a high ranking officer in the military, why did the take almost no defensive action in the BDM.
He shot down the ship that was coming after them. "Not very Christian of me..." I'd call that defensive.
Now it's just a rumor (And I don't even remember where I heard it) but I was told Joss said specifically that Book was NOT an operative. Sucks, too, cuz I was so sure of it... Thinking about it though, it makes sense. Why would the Alliance give him medical care so quickly if here were a FORMER operative? We saw what happened when the Operative in the movie fell out of favor. I think Book had a higher rank than that.
I also believe that he really is a Shepard. I think he is trying to make up for his past. And I think when things go terribly wrong (Out of Gas) he starts to wonder if it's too late for him to change, and God is going to punish him. By the movie though, he seems to have his faith pretty well set in stone.
I also think he knew who River and Simon were. I don't think he was after them, but I think he had access to intelligence telling him about them. He probably chose Serenity.
"We may experience some slight turbulence, and then... explode."
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME