Simon and River's Parents Involved in River's Abduction

POSTED BY: BrowncoatBear
UPDATED: Friday, January 28, 2011 00:34
VIEWED: 15118
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VETERAN

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 4:36 AM

River was known to be more gifted than her brother. Probably why she was "accepted" by the school. My theory is they (the blue hands oeople) looked for children within the top 2% of those identified as gifted, and started experimenting to see if they could develop a super soldier.

PLATONIST

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 4:37 AM

The emergence of River's psychic abilities is left vague. Was psychic testing done and that is why she was chosen for the program? Or did they somehow stimulate those abilities?

REGINAROADIE

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 4:38 AM

I'm with Mal4Prez with this one. I'd post a really in depth answer to that question, but instead I'll recommend that you read my fanfic series YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN. It's pretty much my very long answer to that question.

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"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

BROWNCOATBEAR

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 4:48 AM

Big response by WYTCHCROFT, so let me go point by point:

1. I don't think Simon was involved because he is always patient and caring, and never jealous of River, and is visibly distressed when he suspects that something is amiss. He is also quite frustrated with his parent's flagrant lack of concern when he brings his suspicions to their attention.

2. Saying that the Tams ARE the Alliance, to me, is like saying that a citizen of the United States IS the United States Government. I think there is a distinction.

3. It is likely that the parents were motivated by their allegience to the Alliance, and not motivated to be "rid" of River. I have seen no evidence that they were in any way displeased with her as a daughter, but rather that they felt the Alliance's motives were worthy of making the sacrifice for the greater good. This is a common theme played out frequently in history.

I will connect the dots later on this thread, and I will also offer my thoughts about how I think Book was a former operative who had quit and became part of the resistance movement. He was trailing the operative in the pilot episode. Actually, he was trailing the operative and Simon at the same time, having foreknowledge that Simon had booked fare on Serenity, and that he was looking for Serenity to arrange a "chance" encounter with Simon and River. All the while maintaining his cover. His interaction with Kaylee was all part of his plan to get on board Serenity to keep the operative from taking River back into Alliance custody.

It is clear that Book was formerly an operative who had a change of heart and got out to follow a more spiritual path, saving other's souls, in repentance for has past while retaining his trade craft.

Book knew that the Tams were involved in River's assignment at the academy, and that was going to become apparent in some later episode.

Then the show got cancelled and book got killed, and yadda yadda yadda.

BROWNCOATBEAR

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 4:56 AM

Platonist,

It is pretty clear from my understanding that River showed no psychic abilities until her time in the academy. There is no refernce to such ability in any of the back story.

In the pilot, Simon reveals in his monologue that River chose the academy based on its curriculum.

This actually creates a small continuity inconsistency with my theory, but it could be overcome with a little ingenuity, i.e., if the Alliance wanted her specifically, how would they know that she would take an interest in that particular academy.

PLATONIST

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 4:58 AM

I may take you up on that, reginaroadie, I've been looking for a believable fic to read, you know, one that reminds me of the show, I love. Reassure me it's not a ridicules River romance, where she's turned into a soccer mom, and we have a deal! lol

Interesting ideas about Book's invovement, maybe the comic book will shed some light.

BROWNCOATBEAR

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 5:03 AM

Platonist,

Oh, yeah. I created this thread without any reference to the comic book series.

I have not read any of it, and I think that those stories are somewhat of a departure from what would have been written into the t.v. series, had it continued.

But, anyone who has read the comic series would immediately know if I was off base on that point.

PLATONIST

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 5:07 AM

I hate to undermine everyone's confidence in our public schools, but we test for everything and know everything and most parents want their kid in the "special programs" so they can brag about to all the other parents, how their child made the cut. It reassures them that they are the good parents. Sad, but true. The Tams had blind faith and ignorant optimism in the Alliance, much like Miranda and that's what's going on here. They didn't "question" it like Simon did who really knew his sister.

VETERAN

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 5:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrowncoatBear:
[.....I think Book was a former operative who had quit and became part of the resistance movement. He was trailing the operative in the pilot episode. Actually, he was trailing the operative and Simon at the same time, having foreknowledge that Simon had booked fare on Serenity, and that he was looking for Serenity to arrange a "chance" encounter with Simon and River. All the while maintaining his cover. His interaction with Kaylee was all part of his plan to get on board Serenity to keep the operative from taking River back into Alliance custody.
.....

I think this is on target.. Good job.

SIGMANUNKI

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 6:36 AM

@Platonist:

Actually, in the flash backs, if you look at the way the parents are talking to Simon (body language, tone, emphasis, etc) there is every indication that they had an idea, but didn't act. Probably because of, again, knowledge of the repercussions.

There's a lot of real history to back this up. I mean, just look at the reaction to the Nazi's before they took power in Germany pre-WWII. The intellectuals thought that there was no way they'd get voted in. But, then they did. Then they thought that there was no way that the Nazi's would get away with doing the horrible things that they did do. But, they did. And of course, by that time it was too late to leave. So, they hid and did nothing. And a lot of the brave few that actually had some fight in them paid dearly for there efforts.

Similarly, the Tams had faith in the system, but then got bitten by it. Then they didn't have the character to go against it, if only because they didn't know what to do and were afraid of the consequences. Better to be a good little citizen and try to protect what you can.

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I am on The Original List (twice). We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

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