new theory on shepherd book

POSTED BY: humble
UPDATED: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 13:03
VIEWED: 9894
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KUKOO

Saturday, March 20, 2004 10:06 PM

My theory on Sheperd Book is based on this:

Religion and Politics are always connected.

I think Book at one time was high up in Alliance, probably in the Blue Sun Group. Maybe he rose through the enforcement ranks which would explain his proficiency with firearms.

Then like many of you were saying he experienced a crises of Faith over what he was doing (like maybe finding out what was really going on at Rivers school and what they were doing to innocent kids like her). He then joined a religious order with ties to a group who are trying to overthrow the Alliance.

He told this group what was going on at Rivers school. The group used this information to get River out and back to Simon in exchange for money. Remember in Serenity there was this mysterious anti-alliance group that approached Simon with the deal to sneak River out of the school to Persephone in Cryo. Book was then suppose to keep tabs on River to try to figure out what made her so important to the Alliance and if she could be used to overthrow the Alliance. This explains the "i don't give half a hump if your innocent or not" comment in OIS. You remember in Serenity Kaylee noticed that when Book was deciding what ship to get on he was not looking at the destination. I think he was trying to decide which ship Simon and River were going to get on so that he could board the same ship. It is too coincidental that he just happened to get on the ship at the same time River and Simon did. I think he has to be connected to the two of them somehow.

ECGORDON

Saturday, March 20, 2004 10:22 PM

You may be kukoo, but that is the best Book theory I've heard yet. From the very beginning, Book seemed to have always been in position to protect Simon and River, or else persuade them that doing what Mal wanted was best in the long run, since he sensed Mal's loyalty to protect those under his command.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

MISGUIDED BY VOICES

Saturday, March 20, 2004 10:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kukoo:
Then like many of you were saying he experienced a crises of Faith over what he was doing

I thought that was what Xander experienced....

"I threw up on your bed"

CARDIE

Sunday, March 21, 2004 12:34 AM

I was reading the description of "The Operative" in the supposed casting call document, and it struck me that Book might have been very like that person, and doing his sort of job, once upon a time.

Cardie

SERENA

Sunday, March 21, 2004 1:42 AM

I like the judge idea, and it doesn't preclude some of the other ideas. For instance, it is possible that prior to becoming a judge he worked in law enforcement and/or as a lawyer or advocate, explaining his understanding of tactics and weaponery. Judges are usually chosen after they have proven themselves worthy in the field (as lawyers).

I'm thinking particularly of the scene in The Message when he confronts the Alliance guy who is there for Tracey. He is comfortable as the spokesperson for the crew and is used to presenting a case. He explains in a logical way that it is obvious that the guy is out of his jurisdiction, and therefore out on a limb (i.e. no back up).

Also, I think Book prefers to avoid violence and to resolve issues with talk, which is what lawyers and judges are all about.

"Every well bred, petty crook knows that the small, concealable weapons always go to the far left of the place setting."

CLEANER

Monday, March 22, 2004 3:13 AM

Hi all, this is the first time I have post but have been coming here for ff news for a long time.

I was asking myself this question about Book just b4 I read this. A few things we know about Book

War Stories: He's definately from a millitary background, I judge would not have his weapons knowledge in identifying a gun from the bullet wound.

Safe: he's someone of rank within the Alliance. The response he get from the Alliance when they check his ID card.

Unaired Pilot (deleted sceen): He knows what the ships name Serenity really means without anyone telling him. He tells Simon to go look up Serenity in his database (Simon carries an Alliance database which Book asks to borrow in Our Mrs Reynold's)

Lots of other bits and pieces in so few episodes but the whole part of Book is a counter point to Mal.

My instinct tells me that Book was high up in the alliance military and was present at the Battle of Serenity, most likely a field commander of the alliance troops and then turned his back on the Military after the fall of the alliance.

Book is someone that feels he has alot of blood on his hands and has turned to religon for absolution, where as Mal has lost his faith after losing so many men under his command.

This feels like what the writers had in mind, making for an interesting encounter down the track where both Book and Mal would have to bring their feelings about the war to some resolution and let them move on. But sadly we will never know if Book is not in the movie

"If wishes were horses we'd all be eating steak!"

CYBERSNARK

Monday, March 22, 2004 3:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Serena:
I like the judge idea, and it doesn't preclude some of the other ideas. For instance, it is possible that prior to becoming a judge he worked in law enforcement and/or as a lawyer or advocate, explaining his understanding of tactics and weaponery. Judges are usually chosen after they have proven themselves worthy in the field (as lawyers).

Yes, but (God help us) lawyers rarely use firearms.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

DEBBIEBUK1

Monday, March 22, 2004 8:01 PM

I still like the cop theory (can't believe a lawyer would know much about weapons), and maybe his crisis was from chasing up the underground guys becasue they were the "baddies" and finding out something about Blue Sun being involved in corruption high up - maybe the weapons they were developing which only harm people not property, and yes maybe the school River was at.

MISGUIDED BY VOICES

Monday, March 22, 2004 9:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by debbiebuk1:
I still like the cop theory (can't believe a lawyer would know much about weapons), and maybe his crisis was from chasing up the underground guys becasue they were the "baddies" and finding out something about Blue Sun being involved in corruption high up - maybe the weapons they were developing which only harm people not property, and yes maybe the school River was at.

Shades of Jean Valjean and Javere from Les Mis there....

"I threw up on your bed"

RYSH1

Monday, March 22, 2004 10:37 PM

Military judges know alot about weapons.
It would explain his knowledge of everything including reavers.
And it would not be a surprise if the blue sun group has several military contracts and dealings.

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