Was Book at Serenity Valey

POSTED BY: palehorse
UPDATED: Friday, February 13, 2004 00:27
VIEWED: 9709
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PALEHORSE

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 8:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
I agree w/ you Palehorse, to some extent.

I don't think he is hiding from anyone, so much as he is looking for something. I think he is looking for absolution from past crimes, and peace.

I do like the spin you put on it about his now seeing those that fought for the Browncoats differently now that he has lived with them and fought beside them, but that could not have led to his decision to enter the priesthood. I am thinking guilt drove him there.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Yes, absolution for ordering his troops to engage the Browncoats at Serenity Valey, therby innitiating the bloodiest slaughter of out numbered, under suplied troops in Aliance history(a true distinction to some but I'm sure a burden to that officer, our beloved Book)

FORTUNATUS

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 8:12 PM

Quote:
Don't forget that Early immediately recognized that Book was not a shepherd in OiS. The only way he could know that is if Book were already known to him (i.e. he didn't figure it out from combat prowess or identity scans or anything.)

In the commentary for OiS, Joss pretty much says flat out that Early could tell that Book wasn't what he appeared to be because of Early's uncanny insight.

_______________
"Yep. That's a cow fetus."

BROWNCOAT1

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 8:14 PM

Palehorse wrote:

Quote:
Yes, absolution for ordering his troops to engage the Browncoats at Serenity Valey, therby innitiating the bloodiest slaughter of out numbered, under suplied troops in Aliance history(a true distinction to some but I'm sure a burden to that officer, our beloved Book)

Very distinct possibility. No real tangible evidence in the series to this point to validate this theory, but it makes more sense to my line of thinking than anything else.

I am thinking that Book may have been at Serenity Valley, in charge of the Alliance forces, and he got a first hand look at the aftermath of the battle. Perhaps Book even killed Browncoats, saw their faces as they died, knowing they were dying and that they did not stand a chance, but fighting on anyway. Something like that would have to change a man's way of thinking.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

ADEPTUS

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 8:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fortunatus:
In the commentary for OiS, Joss pretty much says flat out that Early could tell that Book wasn't what he appeared to be because of Early's uncanny insight.

Ah, well either way, the rest of my evidence stands I believe. I still think that a (probably former) high level law enforcement officer/spy is the best fit to explain Book's knowledge and expertise.

No power in the 'verse can stop me.

ADEPTUS

Wednesday, February 4, 2004 8:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by palehorse:

ARRRGHH!

When have you ever seen Aliance police officers.

NEVER!

What about Ariel, Trash and The Message?

Quote:
He is not "on the lam" or desperatly trying to stay under the radar as the use of his ident card would have popped up a red flag to detain him
Well, it was a life or death situation. Had he not flashed the Ident Card, he'd have died. Also, if the people he's running from aren't operating in a completely official capacity, there are bound to be many holes in their net.
Quote:
Yes he was looking for a ship as a passenger, but what made him choose Serenity for, 1st transit,
Kaylee. Plus, how many times have we been reminded that there are a bazillion Firefly class ships in the galaxy?
Quote:
then a home is his personal growth and atonement.
The crew's ability to stay on the move. Mal told Simon that he and River would be better off on the move, and Serenity never stops moving. The same would apply to Book.
Quote:
If he were an officer in the aliance military,
It would not answer the question as to how he knows so much about police procedure and the criminal underwold. Neither of these are things you learn in OCS, nor on the battlefield.

No power in the 'verse can stop me.

RKLENSETH

Thursday, February 5, 2004 1:20 AM

My take on this is that Book is General Richard Wilkins. Notice he came in just as the thing said that. Any good storyteller loves to put symbolism like that into their stories.

I don't think Book is connected wit Blue Sun at all. Note that Book came to Serentity before Simon and River and the reason he came on was because Kaylee talked him into it. I think he would have otherwise passed the ship if she hadn't said anything.

And if Book was connected to Blue Sun then had many of opportunities to turn Simon and River in but never does. It seems to me that Blue Sun really, really wants River back pretty bad so you assume that if Book worked for Blue Sun then he woul have turned them in long ago.

The whole Objects in Space scene where River is reading the minds of the crew as she passes by was sort of reflecting on the character's personalities. So when River reads Book's mind, I see it that Book is talking to himself and about some inner struggle within him. Note that it is never implied at anytime that the rest of the crew knew of Jayne's betrayal on Ariel except Mal and later Simon after River tells him. And I can't see why Book would think River was guilty of anything unless this is River's big secret that is implied in the show and Joss said something about having to do with the movie in his post.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

PALEHORSE

Thursday, February 5, 2004 12:39 PM

THOSE WERE NOT POLICE OFFICERS THEY WERE SOLDIERS.

With the possible exception of the LAPD version of my Mayberry R.F.D. in Trash (rich people, though they have less street crime seem to need more cops)

If Book were on the run or incognito to avoid capture then he would not have been able to get off of Serenity, the crew would have been arrested,and the ship destroyed(exactly what Mal was told would happen if he were harboring the Tam fugitives).

Sure, Kaylee could charm many a man, or woman as a matter of fact, and not just sexually. But in my supposition what pushed him over the edge in the sales pitch would be the naming of Serenity.

I have still seen nothing even as tenuous as the web I'm weaving to support the idea that book is a fugitive, even a non-crime related fugitive.

As to your last point, I want you to picture yourself as General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

As European commander you are responsible for understanding the fullest extent of your power, and in many cases you will use this power. Who does one contact in the French black market to smuggle rifles to the partsan forces resisting the occupation? Hmmm....I know, let me check the compiled intel on organized crime. How does one send in a force to detain one of my code-breakers who has been found to have questionable sexual activities with possible Nazi opperatives and is now being blackmailed? I need to detain them on the sly though as others may also be compromised, and the knowlege of an arrest is intel none the less. Hmmm...I know, let me talk to someone who has done this before.

It's amazing how much a leader of many forces has to learn.

What is more amazing is just how little this is compared to a GREAT leader of many forces.

ADEPTUS

Thursday, February 5, 2004 2:40 PM

Well you obviously have your opinion PH, and certainly your reasons for believing it's true. I disagree, but I do admit my limited knowledge might lead me to be wrong.

No power in the 'verse can stop me.

PALEHORSE

Thursday, February 5, 2004 2:54 PM

All of the theories on all of the boards could be wrong for all we know. It's our honor, and some would say our duty, to be able to express our ideas in an open forum.

Wouldn't it suck to be a Browncoat in China with no access to any discussion groups.

Though...You wouldn't have to look up the meaning of every curse that spills out of Mal's mouth.

Keep it flying!

PALEHORSE

Thursday, February 5, 2004 3:27 PM

Let me clarify the police point for those who may be confused(and I may be one of the fortunate many).

The Aliance military is currently running things on the security front.

This may mean that core worlds don't see troopers wearing their armor as things are more lax. But do not be confused on this point, all worlds are under the thumb of martial law.

Keeping a strong military presence may be the only way to preserve the sham of actual government where the corporations(eg. Blue Sun) actually pull the strings

Those who are loyal to the regime feel no crush and press, but those who would even think to have a different view of the benefit:hazard ratio inherent in a military dictatorship are dealt with swiftly and harshly.

You might be surprised what civil liberties a group of people will surrender in order to be told that they will be safer under a government's protection.

Even the Tam fam were so instilled with unquestioning complacancy that they were deaf to River's and Simon's calls to action.(though once again we are dealing with parents in the Whedonverse and for all we know their particular weak spot could be that they knew what was to happen to River, or paid a debt with her. might have been a good route for the story)

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