I figured out why I love River

POSTED BY: FreelancePilot
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 14:10
VIEWED: 4495
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FREELANCEPILOT

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 7:00 AM

In my constant searching for the workings of my mind (can you tell i like psychology?) I was trying to think of why River is my favorite character in the show/movie. Why is it that I love her so much.
I mean, Wash is hilarious... which is usually what i go for. He is my avatar.
Mal is a hard ass.
Shepards a preacher (i like positive portrayals of christians in the media. It helps our image, especially because we have such idiots in the faith.)
Jayne is Funny and a badass.
So is Zoe.
Hell, Simon is noble and speaks well.
Inara is gourgeous and graceful.
And kaylee is just a sweetheart.

But it is all about river for me.
And now I know why.
I have what is known as a Savior complex. I usually date women who have something wrong with them. Drugs, mental issues (serious ones not the normal ones), or rebellious women are the ones i am attracted to. Being a conservative Catholic guy who doesn't do anything out of line makes this weird. But i think it is because i want to 'save' these people. Not that i think that they need 'saving' or anything. I just want to be a hero. and River needs saving, in a sense. Simon is that for her.
I thought it was interesting.
Thoughts?
Any wannabe BDH in the romantic sense lurking around?

Wash: Yeah, but psychic? That sounds like science fiction.
Zoë: You live on a spaceship, dear.
Wash: So?

ETHAN

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 7:13 AM

Wanting to save every girl I date always gets me in trouble. And yes, I love the River character too.

CHRISMOORHEAD

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 7:31 AM

You been listening to Loveline recently or something? Or is this something from one of your psychology classes?

"I love crazy women who can kick my ass", we got a little bit too much in common, my friend. Y'know, cept for the fact that you seem to have genuine prospects in life, while I live in a car.

"Deep in the battlefield covered in blood
Lies an Airborne Ranger dying in the mud
He fought for his country and he died like a man
Though some people back home just wouldn't understand"

STDOUBT

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 8:28 AM

I wouldn't read much into it FreelancePilot.
I believe men are naturally protective of women. It
has it's basis in 1000's of years of biology.

It's interesting that you'd like to 'save' a woman
who can kick your ass. Hmmm. Sounds to me like the
attraction may really lie in the idea that if she
can handle herself, maybe you won't have to do too
much work...Hummmmm?

No, OK, I think I figured it out. It would be a
validation for you if someone as powerful as River were to ever turn to you
for protection/salvation!
Just keep it simple bud -love her for the reason I do... she's HHhhaaaawwwwtt!
HTH

CHRISTHECYNIC

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 12:58 PM

I think you've really just hit upon one of the strengths of the character. Nathan Fillion says as much in the DVD commentary on the episode Serenity.

Summer plays a character where you just want to gather her up in your arms and comfort her. Every fiber of your being is begging you to help her.

People bring up the fact she can kick your ass, but that doesn't matter, from the first time you see her on screen you want to help this girl, from back in the episode when she shied from the sight of a gun if you were lucky enough to see the first episode first, from when she jumped of an Infirmary table if, like me, you caught it on Fox.

-

Why I love River most is a different reason all together. I understand her, in fact I see myself in her. (Does that make me a narcissist?)

I will never have her genius, nor her trauma (I hope), but I know somehow that that person, in spite of being a girl (I'm male) and having abilities I will never even understand and pain I'm glad I can't comprehend, is me. She is fragmented, she is fractured and for some reason that makes me love her.

I always found it interesting that any serious online quiz (the non-serious ones too) said I was River if they said who you are, and said she was my perfect girl if they said who you should date. (Again, does that make me a narcissist?)

She’s someone who I can understand and she’s got the one thing perfection lacks, flaws. I’m drawn to that.

I totally failed to explain myself, but I think the first part of the post came out ok.

GIXXER

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 1:16 PM

Been saving whales for a while now. OK, just the one, to be honest...

It's a small basement and it's getting a bit smelly. Probably should have gone for Beagles.

ASARIAN

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 1:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by christhecynic:

I think you've really just hit upon one of the strengths of the character. Nathan Fillion says as much in the DVD commentary on the episode Serenity.

Summer plays a character where you just want to gather her up in your arms and comfort her. Every fiber of your being is begging you to help her.

People bring up the fact she can kick your ass, but that doesn't matter, from the first time you see her on screen you want to help this girl, from back in the episode when she shied from the sight of a gun if you were lucky enough to see the first episode first, from when she jumped of an Infirmary table if, like me, you caught it on Fox.

-

Why I love River most is a different reason all together. I understand her, in fact I see myself in her. (Does that make me a narcissist?)

I will never have her genius, nor her trauma (I hope), but I know somehow that that person, in spite of being a girl (I'm male) and having abilities I will never even understand and pain I'm glad I can't comprehend, is me. She is fragmented, she is fractured and for some reason that makes me love her.

I always found it interesting that any serious online quiz (the non-serious ones too) said I was River if they said who you are, and said she was my perfect girl if they said who you should date. (Again, does that make me a narcissist?)

She’s someone who I can understand and she’s got the one thing perfection lacks, flaws. I’m drawn to that.

I totally failed to explain myself, but I think the first part of the post came out ok.

Is it a bad thing that I understood everything you said? Wow! What an incredibly beautiful post you made here! How you said everything I wanted to say, but lacked the talent to express! Thank you from the depth of my heart!

"She's got the one thing perfection lacks, flaws."

You have the soul of a poet. *tears*

"I totally failed to explain myself,"

I could stand to hear a little more. :)

You're also so right about the ass-kicking. When I first saw Serenity (I saw the BDM first), I thought: "Okay, that's quite attractive the way this girl moves." But now, after two weeks of total River Tam adoration, I find myself really most attracted (if I would even want to call it that) to scenes where River is the most vulnerable. See, everybody can do moves; ask Jean-Claude Van Damme. But River... moves you!

Thank you for such a memorable tribute to our beloved River Tam, the one they call "little mouse."

There is a special level of Heaven, reserved for those who don't speak at the opera, and those who love River Tam. And you're in!

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam.

SAMEERTIA

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 4:28 PM

Maybe that's WHY I'm just a little afraid of River. I've been in too many really broken relationships to dare to try to fix her. Cradle her, comfort her, yes. Love her with every fiber of my being? No. Too much risk there.

Healing in relationships is great, but the growth must come from both sides. You can't fix someone who isn't ready to heal, no matter how much you want to.

*Oops, sorry. That was my inner Troi coming out. I'll try to control that!*

URSULA

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 5:14 PM

I'd have said because she can kick a man in the back of the head while he's standing behind her.

But that's just me.

ASARIAN

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 5:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SameErtia:

Maybe that's WHY I'm just a little afraid of River. I've been in too many really broken relationships to dare to try to fix her. Cradle her, comfort her, yes. Love her with every fiber of my being? No. Too much risk there.

Healing in relationships is great, but the growth must come from both sides. You can't fix someone who isn't ready to heal, no matter how much you want to.

*Oops, sorry. That was my inner Troi coming out. I'll try to control that!*

I know, Counselor, the light bulb has to want to change. :) And, as far as light bulbs go, River is the brightest of 'em all, ain't she? Erm, I mean, shiniest. :)

Okay, now I will try and be serious for a spell.

River, a real-life one, I would assuredly Love with every fiber of my being. And then some! Is not also every fiber of her being begging for Love? In the end, though, all rationale set aside, I would simply Love her for no greater reason than that I were unable not to.

Risk? What risk? In the history of man, who has ever died of an excess of Love? And, conversely, could I ever even give River enough Love? As for the latter, I would probably try and find out, though. :)

Giving Love, I believe, is per definition not a unilateral thing. I forgot the exact quote, but was it not spoken, that it is one of life's greatest rewards that one cannot give without receiving? (Yes, I've read a poem. Try not to faint). And River gives plenty back! It IS a mutual thing.

And because I could not resist ...

Love, like River, will cut a new path whenever it meets an obstacle.

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

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