Why was Book in the cargo by in 'Serenity' ?

POSTED BY: AURaptor
UPDATED: Tuesday, April 6, 2004 23:25
VIEWED: 5340
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AURAPTOR

Monday, April 5, 2004 3:29 AM

Again, I know this must have been posted, but it just dawned on me. Sorry if I missed an earlier discussion on this.

After Wash intercepts the signal to the Aliance, Mal finds Simon in the cargo bay. The passengers were told to stay out of there unless w/ an escort, so Mal was justified in thinking Simon was the mole. But Simon was checking on his cargo - River, and Lawrence was tailing Simon..why was Book in there ?

Ok, so this isn't the most pressing question ever, but it just hit me when Book comes out from behind Mal and says he has the wrong man.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. Worked that out myself. "

JEBBYPAL

Monday, April 5, 2004 5:41 AM

I think this is shortly after Mal tells them all they can go and get their things isn't it? The bigger question would be where's Zoe?

I assumed that Book was also getting luggage etc, but would need to rewatch to be sure.

ECGORDON

Monday, April 5, 2004 11:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jebbypal:
I think this is shortly after Mal tells them all they can go and get their things isn't it? The bigger question would be where's Zoe?

I assumed that Book was also getting luggage etc, but would need to rewatch to be sure.

No, that was earlier, remember when Dobson bumped into Simon as he was getting his stuff and checking River's cryo box? Then camera pans to Mal and Zoe discussing the passengers and their hidden cargo. The passengers were told they could only be in the cargo bay with an escort, and this was later, with Wash obviously on the bridge and Mal was in his quarters when Wash called him about the aborted message on the Cortex.

I can't recall who it was that posted one of the Book theories a week or so ago, but their idea was that Book was involved with the people that helped Simon rescue River from the academy, and he is there to observe and protect them, and he always seemed to be in a position to do that. On the other hand, he could be involved with the Blue Hand guys, there to observe River to see if she reveals any of the types of behaviour they were trying to induce in their subjects. Either way, Book is usually around whenever there is a direct threat to Simon or River.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

EMBERS

Monday, April 5, 2004 2:29 PM

Wow! My theory on Book couldn't be more different than THAT one (the protecting/helping theory):
I'm thinking Book was a very high-up Govt/military/corporate official, that he was involved with the Alliance crushing the independents...and he may even have signed off on or approved the budget for the 'school' where they experiemented on River.
I think that when Book cried to Inara that he was on the wrong ship it was because, even tho he had left the Alliance and become a Monk in the hopes of redeeming his past sins, he is now on board a ship which will remind him every day of the terrible things he has done in the past.

JMPO(!)

PALADIN

Monday, April 5, 2004 2:42 PM

Book was there most likely because he knew something was about to happen. The question is, what did he have to do with what happened? Although Dobson was indeed an officer of the law, couldn't he have been a diversion sent in to help Book make good with the crew?

That is to say - perhaps Book was sent onboard as a mole to keep an eye out for Simon and River (be it a good eye or bad), and Dobson was just a decoy.

Of course, none of this goes with my preferred theory on Book, but it could happen.

------------
"If you take sexual advantage of her, you're going to burn in a very special level of Hell, a level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater." -Book

BLAZINGBUG

Monday, April 5, 2004 3:35 PM

I think it's a little more straightforward. Book just followed Simon.

Book and Simon are staying in the passenger quarters. We know Book is highly perceptive. Simon trying to sneak into the cargo bay would be obvious to him, and it probably intrigues him, so he follows.

Simon goes in and directly to the box. Book however takes the best tactical position. He sneaks around the cargo and the Mule towards the front where he can observe both Simon and see every entrance into the cargo bay.

Then Mal coming from the cockpit enters the cargo bay from the front steps. He would immediately see Simon, who would have his back to him and his focus would be there. Book would be nearly invisible below him.

When Mal punches Simon, Book doesn't interfere because his attention is on Dobson, whom he has seen enter openly carrying a gun (greater threat). And when Dobson points the gun at Mal and Simon, Book enters the scene.

"Wacky fun..."

AURAPTOR

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 2:55 AM

'Bug, that makes about as much sense as anything. However, as was likely posted in another thread about Book, Jayne sure does pick up on how much the good shepard knows when it comes to crime. After watching the episodes over and over, while Jayne is so often w/ out a clue,yet he sure does show flashes of brilliance.

*In OiS, he's the one who found Mal and Zoe
*In Shindig, Jayne picks up on what Badger said when he's talking about getting his " hands on a pair " - of tickets , to the party. Jayne also comes up w/ the word Badger is trying to think of - pretentious - when trying to characterize Mal.

Ok... this is slowly becoming a thread about Jayne, and not Book. My bad.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. Worked that out myself. "

JENTLE

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 3:07 AM

Theories are great and all, but I'm afraid that this instance is FAR less complicated than all that.

Book was coming back from taking supper to Inara in her shuttle.

==================
Every well-bred petty crook knows that the small concealable weapons always go to the far left of the place setting.

WHOODAHN

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 3:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
Wow! My theory on Book couldn't be more different than THAT one (the protecting/helping theory):
I'm thinking Book was a very high-up Govt/military/corporate official, that he was involved with the Alliance crushing the independents...and he may even have signed off on or approved the budget for the 'school' where they experiemented on River.
I think that when Book cried to Inara that he was on the wrong ship it was because, even tho he had left the Alliance and become a Monk in the hopes of redeeming his past sins, he is now on board a ship which will remind him every day of the terrible things he has done in the past.

My fun theory is that you both are right.

Book was a high level officer and joined the Abbey to repent from his war sins. The Abbey turned out to be filled with high level officers that decide to fight a secret war against the Alliance. Since they know what the Alliance is doing and all of the secret projects. They do what they can to covertly sabotage the Alliance. Book is working with his brothers in the Abbey's to keep an eye on River.

Remember the Academy had a lot of students, there have to be a lot of 'Rivers' out there. The Abbeys on each planet give the repentant war criminals a united organization to watch all of the gifted children the Alliance is after.

EMBERS

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 3:42 AM

so you are figuring that Book helped River escape...?
But then why would Book question (at the end of 'Serenity') his being on the right ship? Because if he was supposed to be looking after River he would clearly be on the correct ship.

oh, and Jentle: I think you are probably right about Book's reason for being there

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