Shepherd's Tale discussion (for them that's read it only)
POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Friday, May 27, 2011 04:31
VIEWED: 34214
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Cool thread, guys. I just barely read it, maybe a little too fast, and my mind is still taking it all in.
My first disappointment is that we never learn why he gets such special treatment from the Alliance in Safe. Wasn't he discharged and hated, because he lost the war in a big way (on purpose)?
Also, I'm wondering if Jubal Early is the kid he left behind during the robbery.
And another question based on your above comments. Did I miss something? When is he a double agent? I thought his mission was to fuck up the big war, and he did. ?
"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."
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And yeah, as others have commented: So.. he's been recording with his eye this whole time? WTF?
"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."
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Quote:Noooo...hmmmmm. WAIT!
Originally posted by Succatash:
Also, I'm wondering if Jubal Early is the kid he left behind during the robbery.
Ummmm, no.
The laughing Chrisisall
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Well I know the flashbacks through the story were a kinda 'different', 'unique' sort of deal (at least they were to me) but am I the only one who thinks it would have all been a lot smoother working as flash forwards to each segment? Probably more traditional but still, I actually went and read it backwards from each flash and I found that interesting.
I'm not a huge fan of the comic book medium. The only ones that I'm really compelled to read have been the Serenity/Firefly ones but the art seemed to fluctuate a bit between being brilliant and then being really basic.
Mal's brief appearance immediately reminded me of this guy...
While I think the content was interesting enough, I just don't get as immersed in comics as I do in other forms of media and I think that's why I didn't really get anything good from this other than 'okay, now the mystery surrounding Book is gone' which to me was actually a bit of a bad thing.
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Quote:
Noooo...hmmmmm. WAIT!
Ummmm, no.
LOL, yeah I think I'd like to retract that question, thank you.
"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."
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Okay, I get that his war failure was covered up, which should explain why he was still given medical treatment in Safe.
HOWEVER! His name is obviously known, and so is his face, or he wouldn't be getting beaten up by Alliance officers at bars, brother or no brother, right?
"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."
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Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
My first disappointment is that we never learn why he gets such special treatment from the Alliance in Safe. Wasn't he discharged and hated, because he lost the war in a big way (on purpose)?
That's the way I read it to. It seems to me that his discharge from Alliance military ranks would make him the last person eligible for the type of reception he got in "Safe."
wo men ren ran zai fei xing.
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Quote:On the surface, one cannot help but agree.
Originally posted by ecgordon:
That's the way I read it to. It seems to me that his discharge from Alliance military ranks would make him the last person eligible for the type of reception he got in "Safe."
Suppose though, that Book had saved a company of men under the commander of the Alliance cruiser in 'Safe' years ago?
A personal debt of some kind?
The laughing Chrisisall
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If you look at the chronology (so, read backwards):
1) Book is appears to be a talented cadet wholly dedicated to the cause of the Alliance.
2) Betweeen the lines: Book develops a reputation as someone dedicated to the cause of the Alliance, dedicated to stamping out the Browncoats.
3) Book is the architect of a plan that will cripple the Browncoats--but the plan fails miserably and backfires on the Alliance.
4) Book's commander officer says that the high command is going to sweep it all under the rug.
This is the important part. It seems to me that the idea at the time is supposed to be that nobody knows Book is involved. To the majority of the military, he is still a very respected tactician.
5) Book is recognized and beaten by a guy whose brother died as a result of Book's actions.
While this would seem to contradict Book's continued good reputation, I don't think that's what we're supposed to take from it. I interpreted it that there are a small group of folk in the military, higher ups and those who were directly affected, who have a very different interpretation of events and who understand Book's role. The vast majority of the military, however, remain ignorant because the brass don't want it to be a topic to be discussed.
If this is the case, you can DEFINITELY feel the pain of the dude who beats up Book. Not only his is brother's killer going around unpunished, but most folk still think he's a HERO!
*****
ALTERNATIVE #2:
Joss retroactively changed details of Book's past, so things don't 100% jibe. He's done it before--most notably, perhaps, with the origin of the Reavers, and, of course, Simon's rescue of River.
Although one of the strengths of the House of Whedon is incredibly strong continuity, Joss has always placed story first, and has demonstrated a willingness, from time to time, to look the other way on a single fact from long ago to tell a better overall story.
Also, it's important to remember that when SAFE aired, Joss's agenda for revealing Book's history was probably very different, because he was planning to tell it as part of a TV series. Just as with Simon's role in River's rescue, I think that Book's background has changed in ways that no longer 100% synch with series.
We always have to remember that FIREFLY ended with OBJECTS IN SPACE (or THE MESSAGE, depending). Everything after that is SERENITY. They are close, but not quite the same universe.
*****
ALTERNATIVE #3:
Zack Whedon is a bit of weak tea as a writer.
Not terrible, mind you (he did a great job with downtime), but I personally think that THE SHEPHERD'S TALE is tricky enough that it should have been handled by a writer with more experience.
www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."
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Apart from Book's past, to see the Downward Spiral of the Browncoat Movement became depressing, but realistic to note. From seeing The Alliance building warships and cruisers, The Independents became paranoied of a future of Totalitarianism. So since The Alliance is built upon the Ignore, Convert or Destroy Mentality,those Farmers and Slaves decided that their only option was to Rebel against them inorder to seek independence.
The gentleman in the Rebel meeting, The Idealist, who disagreed with the notion of sending in a mole, is reflective of the philosopher or intellectual in history whom would spark a Revolution, the overthrow of a government by its charismatic citizens. But as soon as he left out the door, that's when the ideaology left with him. Then that Revolution, turns into a War, an armed conflict between two societies. Browncoats Vs. Alliance Troopers, the stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction and the torturing and murdering of millions of people. What are The Browncoats fighting for if it's not for independence? They are fighting for Power. As in the ability to acheive ends even in the face of resistance. Then that war turns into Terrorism, a pollitically motivated violent attack on civilians(Peace Enforcers)by an Extremist Group(Dust Devils). But we still have to take in mind that this Circa History is told from the Point-Of-View of The Alliance. Scary, Ain't it?
(((tO sPARK tHE mOVEMENT)))i
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