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Date Posted: 10:02:26 11/18/02 Mon
Author: Robert
Subject: Re: What Mal knew... (spoilers for Ariel)
In reply to: Vickie 's message, "What Mal knew, Simon and the ethics of murder (spoilers for Ariel)" on 10:18:29 11/17/02 Sun

>>> I just can't figure out how Mal knew what Jayne had done.

Vickie, I think the better question is How did Mal know they had been betrayed? Once Mal had decided that betrayal had occurred, it was a very small step to determine the culprit. I agree with others that Mal knows to trust his instincts.

>>> ... was that the first time Simon has killed anyone?

As you pointed out, Simon did not in fact kill the guard, unless you are willing to make the argument that knocking the guard unconscious left him vulnerable to the TbTHoB crew.

In addition, I submit that Simon did not believe that he had killed the guard. As a very skilled doctor, he (if anyone) would know how to use the minimum amount of force required to render the guard unconscious. Even if he couldn't check the guard's pulse, he could still observe normal breathing.

>>> Will he feel deep guilt, or did he long ago decide that he'd even murder in defense of his little sister.

This question, as stated, borders upon harsh. Justifiable homicide is not murder. The term murder carries not only a negative connotation, but also a negative definition. According to Merriam-Webster;

murder noun
1 : the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought
2 a : something very difficult or dangerous < the traffic was murder > b : something outrageous or blameworthy < getting away with murder >

Only the first definition applies. As other posters have stated, Simon's relationship with River is akin to that of a parent for a child. River is in no condition to care for herself or her own safety. Would it be murder to kill a stranger who is holding a knife against the throat of your child?

The applicability of such a scenario might be questionable. The guard was a law enforcement officer who was discharging his lawful duty in guarding his prisoners. This would suggest that Simon would be just as guilty as a defendant in a U.S. court, who shoots his way to freedom. There is however a difference. River was enprisoned and tortured without the benefit of any due process. Given Simon and River's re-capture, there would be no jury or judge to decide if River's turture should resume. There would be no jury or judge to decide if Simon should die (and we know he would).

Without due process, it becomes very difficult to argue that the officers of a state are lawful in discharging their duties. Even when war is declared, there are conventions for due process of prisoners. When due process is absent, then the lawful actions of the state become unlawful.

Having said all the above, I do imagine that Simon will harbor some guilt over lives lost, but not much. One could argue that if Simon had never rescued River from her torture, then they would never have been in a position to be captured in the hospital, thus the guards would never have been murdered by the TbTHoB crew. This would be the extent of Simon's guilt. Any more than this would be ludricrous.

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  • What Mal knew, Simon and the ethics of murder (spoilers for Ariel) -- fresne, 17:15:02 11/19/02 Tue
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