Was Book at Serenity Valey

POSTED BY: palehorse
UPDATED: Friday, February 13, 2004 00:27
VIEWED: 9709
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PALEHORSE

Tuesday, February 3, 2004 11:23 PM

Now, I know that there have been some wild and somewhat valid conjectures regarding the past and future of our beloved Sheppard.

I propose that he was in some way in command of Aliance troops during the battle of Serenity Valey, a dark day for all of us loyal to the independants.

As support for my hypothesis I offer a only incedental evidence.

1. Mal has owned Serenity for 5 years(commentary - "Out of Gas")a year or two after the war

2. Book is proficient in the use of weaponry and usually has the reflexes of a cat (just watch him in action in "War Stories")

3. It was common after a safe return from the Crusades, to join a monastic order once the horror of war, and the guilt associated with not only your own actions but also the guilt of surviving when others you knew had died, finally caught up with the well to do

4. Book has not yet been ordained(I believe that I remember him saying as much)

5. Even if he had been ordained, the seminary would take @ 6 years for most faiths.

6. Book is given top notch medical care on the Aliance cruiser in "Bushwacked". The kind of care that an enlisted man would not recieve, and not the fawning and bowing that a highly placed government official would recieve, more like a respected officer or hero might expect.

7. Durring a conversation with Inarra over a crisis of faith (said conversation rife with supporting lines for fans of Joss's thinking) book says that he thinks he got on the wrong ship, and is told that he is right where he needs to be.

If you look to Tim and Joss's styles, I'm sure that you will find that my idea is not only plausible, but probable

Browncoat till the Reavers publish a manifesto.

PALEHORSE

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 12:01 AM

I mean, other than Joyce, when has Joss given us a parent or life guide figure who was not hiding something

Giles- Ripper and the drugging of Buffy

Wes's dad- Never thought Wes was good enough

Angel's da'- Phys. abusive

Cordy's dad- Tax evasion

Willow's mom- Distant and wanted to burn her at the stake

Xander's 'rents- alchoholics

Spike's mom- Wanted sex with her son once vamped

Watchers in general were warped with own agenda

PALEHORSE

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 12:07 AM

Also wouldn't it be interesting for Mal and Zoe to find this out at a time when the crew needs to realy be united.

Inarra and Kaylee would just want peace and this would call into question their loyalties.

Mal is fond of his "you're part of my crew" honor code. Good moral exploration would come of this.

Just the monkey wrench our beloved crew would need to F-them up

PALEHORSE

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 12:43 AM

good to come out just before the end of season

If only.

SHINY

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 1:10 AM

Of course, the other clue you didn't mention is his "I don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not...so where does that put you?" scene where River is 'reading his mind' in Objects in Space. Not sure exactly if this points to a military past or something else, but I definitely agree with the theory that Book was in the monestary to work through some guilt/issues from his past life, and is now trying to make up for that past.

RIVER
Purple elephants are flying.
MAL
Good. Thanks for the update.

CHARLES

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 1:24 AM

One other little interesting tidbit to ponder... in one of the deleted scenes, Simon is learning up on Civil War history, specifically the Battle of Serenity. He gets interrupted by Zoe RIGHT AFTER the speak 'n' say history book gives the name of the General who led the forces at Serenity Valley and eventually overcame the rebel forces. Wouldn't it be so like Joss to throw out a name like that, even if the scene didn't make it in the end, so that it could be referred back to when the time was right and all the viewers could go, "So THAT'S what that meant?"

Just a thought...
Charlie

PALEHORSE

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 1:39 AM

I'm gratified to see that others are willing to entertain this notion.

I personally feel more right about it than any Blue Sun connection.

TRASK43

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 2:05 AM

I think this is probably more likely than the whole blue sun connection. As if the blue sun thing was true book would have to leave once it was exposed. Whereas if the alliance story was true it would ust make for more interesting character developments and stories.

KERNELM

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 2:13 AM

Argh. I've seen this theory bandied about forever, with no real evidence for it _at all_. Yes, obviously Book has some kind of military/law enforcement background. Yes, he obviously has powerful ties within the Alliance. But that has no bearing on whether he was at any specific battle. Why would you assume so? It's the worst kind of Victorian big coincidence plotting (cf Jane Eyre).

ROCKETJOCK

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 2:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Shiny:
Of course, the other clue you didn't mention is his "I don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not...so where does that put you?" scene where River is 'reading his mind' in Objects in Space. Not sure exactly if this points to a military past or something else, but I definitely agree with the theory that Book was in the monestary to work through some guilt/issues from his past life, and is now trying to make up for that past.

The real question is, who is Book mentally addressing when River scans his thoughts, Jayne or River?

If Jayne, we can assume that book has figured out at least part of what happened at Ariel, perhaps not enough for an open accusation, but enough that he no longer trusts Jayne worth the aforementioned half a hump.

But if the remark is focused on River, that puts a different complexion on things. Exactly what, I'm not sure... It might be ammo for the "Book is monitoring Simon and River for Blue Sun" theorists. Or not.

My personal theory is that Book is associated with the unnamed underground movement that breaks River out of the Academy and then is never heard from again. It would explain why he was (quasi-quote)"looking at ships, not destinations"; he knew "the girl in a box" and Simon had been directed to Serenity, but might not care what the target destination was, as long as he was along for the ride.

This theory isn't contradictory of his being an actual shepherd, (which his actions in "Bushwhacked" support; an alliance mole would have no reason to push for helping survivors on the derelict) or having something in his past to atone for.

"Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you." -- Anon.

RocketJock

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