Book: "The Man I Was Sworn to protect..." ???

POSTED BY: Sardonica
UPDATED: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 22:06
VIEWED: 7170
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SARDONICA

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 3:06 AM

There's a line in the pilot after the Alliance (officer? bounty hunter? cop?) who'd come after River is killed where Book is doubting his reason's for being on Serenity. He says something to the effect of "The man I have sworn to protect" has been killed...

This always was strange to me. When we saw Book come onboard with Kaley, he seemed to be travelling alone.

Any thoughts on this "sworn to protect" business?

Chief Editor, AFM
www.apocalypsefiction.com
Writer/Producer, The NUKE Brothers
www.nukebrothers.com

RIVERGIRL

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 3:12 AM

Any thoughts on this "sworn to protect" business?

think he was just that he swore to protect him from JAYNE

not they had a past or were working together

Also, I can kill you with my brain.

SUCCATASH

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 3:32 AM

Book says, "The man I swore to protect..."

He is referring to the scene in Serenity when he got in Jayne's face and risked his life to save Dobsen, the traitor fed. Jayne says, "I ain't jokin' with you, Preacher."

Book made a vow to Jayne that Dobsen would not be killed. Or so it could be interpreted.

"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."

THEREALME

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:03 AM

I agree.

Aside from Kaylee, I think that Book is the character who is most "exactly what he seems".

He IS a preacher. He had no secret plots going.

Now, what Book WAS is a wide open field.

The Real Me

SARDONICA

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheRealMe:
Aside from Kaylee, I think that Book is the character who is most "exactly what he seems".

He IS a preacher. He had no secret plots going.

Hm. I'm not sure that I agree with that... but only TIME will tell!

Chief Editor, AFM
www.apocalypsefiction.com
Writer/Producer, The NUKE Brothers
www.nukebrothers.com

SOUPCATCHER

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:12 AM

I've always interpreted this comment the way 'Tash just did. By the time the argument in the dining area erupts I think Book has made up his mind that he will protect Dobson. The four exchanges from the episode that helped me come to my conclusion were:

[Immediately following Kaylee getting shot]
JAYNE: Outta the way.
BOOK: You're not killing this man.
JAYNE: Not right away...
BOOK: He's no threat.

JAYNE: Move.
BOOK: Not gonna happen.
JAYNE(raising his gun): I ain't joking with you, Preacher.

[Book during the argument where the crew is deciding what to do with Dobson]
BOOK: I'll not sit by while there's killing here.

[Book to Inara during the absolution scene]
BOOK: I've been out of the abbey two days, I've beaten a lawman senseless, I've fallen in with criminals. I watched the captain shoot the man I swore to protect. (beat) And I'm not even sure if I think he was wrong.

I shaved off my beard for you, devil woman!

SARDONICA

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SoupCatcher:
BOOK: I've been out of the abbey two days, I've beaten a lawman senseless, I've fallen in with criminals. I watched the captain shoot the man I swore to protect. (beat) And I'm not even sure if I think he was wrong.

Forgive me if I'm misinterpreting (I'm gonna rewatch the pilot tonight!)... but aren't "beaten a lawman senseless" and "watched the captain shoot the man I swore to protect" both referring to Dobson? If so, it seems a little odd that Book would phrasxe things in such a way--it reads as if he's referring to two different people...

Chief Editor, AFM
www.apocalypsefiction.com
Writer/Producer, The NUKE Brothers
www.nukebrothers.com

SUCCATASH

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:21 AM

Nicely summarized, Catcher of Soup.

"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."

SUCCATASH

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sardonica:
Forgive me if I'm misinterpreting (I'm gonna rewatch the pilot tonight!)... but aren't "beaten a lawman senseless" and "watched the captain shoot the man I swore to protect" both referring to Dobson? If so, it seems a little odd that Book would phrasxe things in such a way--it reads as if he's referring to two different people...

That's an excellent point! That's why you are editor. I need to think...

"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."

THEREALME

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:29 AM

I think that Book hates these actions... beating a lawman senseless... watching the captain shoot a man...

He thinks that these actions are wrong, but he thinks that NOT taking these actions might be more wrong. It's a moral dilemma with no good answers. It has him wondering, perhaps, how he could have handled things better. Probably, he could not have.

The Real Me

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