River's Limitations

POSTED BY: Ariane
UPDATED: Thursday, May 31, 2007 00:19
VIEWED: 7616
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SIGMANUNKI

Wednesday, May 30, 2007 8:44 PM

My opinion, though I'll probably get flamed for it, is that BDS River is seriously limited. More along the lines of an expert in many things, but nothing supernatural or anything similar.

BDM River I would say is more along the typical Buffy 'Verse. She's gonna have as much or as little ability as the situation/context dictates.

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"We don't fear the reaper"

PENNAUSAMIKE

Wednesday, May 30, 2007 9:20 PM

As far as her physical abilities, I see her more in line with David Carradine's character in the series "Kung Fu" than as Supergirl. She has an edge, but she isn't unbeatable.
In the bar she was facing a group of alcohol drinking bar patrons, rough, maybe; but not an organized or trained group of people.

And the Reavers? They shot/maybe-killed Simon! Think back to "Safe" where River says to Simon, "You gave up everything you had to find me, and you found me broken." When River has her moment of clarity and tells Simon he can't go because he takes care of her-he's always taken care of her...MY TURN; well shoot-hell, I can't believe the Reavers lasted as long as they did!

So, against trained or criminally inclined sober adversaries and without the "over-the-top-you-killed-Simon" motivation I think River would be more like a second Jayne rather than boringly unbeatable.

I don't think at the end of Serenity that River is truly "cured". Functioning with more clarity, perhaps, but still working with surgically created psychosis and abilities. I see dramatic potential in the crew relying TOO much on River's insight and her mis-interpretation getting them into trouble. I also see the government pardoning her and Simon in the wake of the Miranda revelation. Their attempts to re-enter society would surely be rocky. Simon is a doctor accused of multiple criminal offenses and River is akin to a psychologically damaged Special Forces soldier returning from too many tours of Vietnam. Especially for River, trying to find her place in the "real" world would be a great way to explore the obstacles that face unusual people (Geeks?) trying to fit in with regular folk (Mundanes?).

(Excerpted from an earlier post)

Mike

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER

Wednesday, May 30, 2007 9:30 PM

For me, River's limitations vary depending on whether you are looking at River's physical capabilities or her mental ones.

Physically, River is only as strong as the level of conditioning her body has undergone. She can fight multiple enemies and decimate mobs of attackers because she automatically goes for kill or incapacitation shot from the start. She can't hold off 6 burly spacers with brute strength because she's not strong enough. As an example, look at how River defeats Jayne in the BDM: she attacks vital points to incapacitate or stun (twists Jayne's testicles to sun before smacking him with a serving tray, and beats him upside the head with a metal can). That and her forced-upon-her combat training gives her an edge against brawlers.

Mentally? River definitely seems to be a telepath, with probable enhanced psychometry due to her immeasurable IQ. That and improbability-related precognition.

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ZZETTA13

Wednesday, May 30, 2007 10:42 PM

Z

Sorry just checking out my sig. A little large, needs a little adjustment.

REGINAROADIE

Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:19 AM

I second that. I think that if River were a free woman and went out on her own to find her place in the world, that she would gravitate towards people who have had similar experiences whom she can relate to.

In my story You Can't Go Home Again (I'm pimping because after this final I'm finally going to get back to work on it), I have River go out on her own a find a group of musicians who are trying to resurrect the long forgotten art of rock music. And the co-lead of the band is a guy named Johnny who is a true musical prodigy, but whose scarred both physically and spiritually from an abused childhood and many years in juvie. And in him, River find a sort of kindred spirit that will definitely be beneficial down the road towards her recovery.

I'm more inclined to her hooking up with an OC in fanfics as opposed to Mal or Jayne because it seems more emotionally honest than hopping into bed with a man in his early 40's.

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