Mal knows who Book is.

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

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 1:50 AM

If Mal knows, Zoe knows. But Zoe toes the line with unwavering fidelity to her Cap'n, so if Mal's being mum about it, Zoe will follow suit.

BUZZARD

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 2:42 AM

Speaking of things that don't sit well: I never understood why Book was so wrecked at the end of "Serenity". If he's such a man of action who can punch out a cop or kneecap somebody, why is he to point of tears when he realizes he's part of a crew of criminals.

I tend to think that Book was never a warrior as such, but I have no idea what else he could be.

TALONPEST

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 2:49 AM

Mal doesn't know. Remember in Safe when Mal asks "what kind of ident card gets that kind of treatment from the Alliance?" or something to that effect (my DVDs are loaned out, otherwise I'd have the exact quote). Then later when Book wakes up Mal asks him about it and Book declines to say. And I have a feeling that if Mal DID know who Book was he never would have let him on the ship in the first place for any amount of money.

My theory: Book wasn't a general, he was a gestapo secret police kind of guy. He served as judge, jurry and executioner. It's the only thing that makes sense taking into account all the clues they've given us. A general wouldn't have known much about Niska or a carrion shop, but Book did. And of course there's the big tip from Objects In Space: "I don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not. Now where does that put you?" People wouldn't be claiming to be innocent to a general, now would they? Book was judging alleged criminals and carrying out punishment.

STATIC

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 2:53 AM

I agree with this theory WAY more than I agree with the notion that Book is AKA General Richard Wilkins, who commanded alliance forces at Serenity Valley. . .for more than one reason. . .but the biggest reason of those is. . .

That would be WAAAAAAAAAAAY to 'tidy' a little package for Joss's style.

It also doesn't justify his intimate knowlege of crime.

==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."

TALONPEST

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 2:53 AM

Buzzard- Book had become a Shepard to try to make up for his horrible deeds in his previous line of work. When he'd left the abby, he set out to do good to redeem himself, but ended up on the wrong side of the law right off the bat. That's why he was upset.

SHINYSEVEN

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 3:26 AM

Although "I don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not" is also something a defense lawyer would say.

TALONPEST

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 4:19 AM

How many defense attornies are trained in hand to hand combat (Serenity) and familiar with military weaponry (War Stories)?

CGREALMS

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 4:45 AM

I think the plan for Book changed mid-course. While I agree with the general consensus that Book wasn't always a preacher, the only thing that doesn't jive with a shadier past is Book's moral indignation in "Serenity" (the pilot, not the BDM). He seemed genuinely shocked about the proceedings in a way that the knee-cap bustin', Alliance VIP-card carrying Book wouldn't be.

Adam

EDIT: Reading more closely, pretty much what BUZZARD said

CGREALMS

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 4:45 AM

double post. *buries head in shame*

CAPTSTORM

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 8:06 AM

There are many clues for those of us who know Book is more than he seems. So I felt I had to give my two cents so here goes. How does a preacher know so much about crime? I would say the answer is he was a detective in some sort of police dept. the clues are not only his knowledge of people like Niska and the newer nets. Also the clue given in Objects in space about not giving a hump about innocence or not. I also noted in one scene in the dining area his clothes. Being x-military myself I noticed the alignment of shirt to trousers and the centering of his belt buckle. This is the way they taught us to dress and it sticks with you, I would assume a police academy would do the same. Early in “Objects in Space” may have recognized him and in “Serenity” the fed may also recognize him thus his brutal beating all point to a cop gone bad. Thus his mission of redemption. Perhaps his gunho attitude did lead to the taking down of a true innocent driving him to the abbey. Well anyway these are just my opinions and I do hope the Movie answers these questions for us all including the reason for Inara leaving the companion home and what was in the needle she broke out when she thought the Reavers were about to board. After all I think Zoe answered the mystery of River she’s a psychic assassin. We’ll see in the move or else have more to speculate about.
Also Mal may sense the military trainning but I don't think he Knows.

Keep Flying

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