Mal knows who Book is.

POSTED BY: Piersnica
UPDATED: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 09:10
VIEWED: 8961
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PIERSNICA

Monday, June 21, 2004 7:07 PM

As I was lying in bed last night digesting all the genetics info I need to know for my exam tonight, it occured to me that whoever Book is, Mal knows. He hasn't made a move against him because 1. He was a paying customer, 2. Mal deemed him not a threat.

The "You're a shepherd?" line never quite sat right with me; from Book's reaction, a shepherd's robes should distinguish him, and Mal's certainly been around enough to know what people look like in certain professions; he is very observant. His comment seemed to be somewhat incredulous, and less a question than almost an accusation (imo). He was surprised to see whoever Book was on his ship and dressed as a shepherd.

As far as Book's identity, I initially rebelled against the idea that he was an Alliance General, mostly because Mal and Zoe should've recognized him, but assuming Mal knows his real identity, everything falls into place.

Sorry if this is old news, but I got excited by the epiphany.

EMBERS

Monday, June 21, 2004 7:14 PM

well personally I'm guessing that Seargents in one army have little or no clue what the enemies Generals look like, unless they are actually on TV or something... It isn't like the General ever actually gets his hands dirty.

I still think Books secrets are secret, to everyone except Early and River...

JMPO

PIERSNICA

Monday, June 21, 2004 7:17 PM

I just spoke to a friend of mine who got back from Iraq; he was an enlisted man of some sort (I'm horrible with military ranks), but I know he was below a Sergeant. He said that they were all briefed on the Iraqi high-ranking officials, and they all saw pictures of said individuals. I asked him this specific question, and he answered that such a person should know what the General who masterminded one's defeat looked like, especially if this guy's the equivalent of Schwarzkopf or something.

RIJPE

Monday, June 21, 2004 7:35 PM

I don't think that Mal knows who Book is, but I think that he senses that Book is on some sort of path of redemption.

I think it is in "Safe," after Book is operated on, that there is a moment between Mal and Book where Mal says something like "Would you like to tell me how a preacher knows so much about X?"
Book replies "I surely would. Maybe someday I will."

Makes it pretty clear that Mal doesn't know who Book is, but trusts that Book's secret isn't a threat to the crew.

PIERSNICA

Monday, June 21, 2004 7:59 PM

That's a good point; though I still don't believe Mal ever thought that Book was really a Shepherd. I mean, he may be a shepherd, but it's not his life, or wasn't always, and I think Mal clued into that very early on.

CARDIE

Monday, June 21, 2004 8:16 PM

I think most of the crew, like most of the fans, don't believe for a minute that Book has always been a shepherd. But that's different from knowing what his past identity and pursuits were.

Cardie

EVERYWORLDSPINNIN

Monday, June 21, 2004 10:24 PM

This makes you have to wonder about what Early mentioned to Simon when he said, "That's not a shepherd." after Simon found him unconscious. Also, he could pop two guys in the knees with his weapon from shooting at rabbits? I think there was certainly something else going on with Book.

QUICKSAND

Monday, June 21, 2004 11:14 PM

The tricky langauge in there, and how you're going to convince me is... How does Mal know, and Zoe doesn't?

o.O

RELFEXIVE

Monday, June 21, 2004 11:33 PM

Could be that Mal's more talkative about it... or that Zoe's just a lot more sneaky than he is

Mal: "We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so... very... pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

AURAPTOR

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 1:22 AM

IMO, the simplist answer is often the best. Mal makes it clear what the thinks of religiosity and the like. So, when Mal asks Book if he's a Shepherd, I think he's doing it to make it clear he's not impressed w/ religion in general. Clearly, Shepherds are easily recognizable, probably just less so than Companions, so Mal is showing a slight of indifference to Book's profession. Kinda like .. " Oh, is THAT what you are....gee, how nice for you. " sort of attitude.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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