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Date Posted: 23:06:46 10/06/05 Thu
Author: BrianWilly
Subject: Re: Book's past?????? (Serenity spoilers possible)
In reply to: Meritaten 's message, "Book's past?????? (Serenity spoilers possible)" on 22:34:21 10/06/05 Thu

There has been massive speculation on many boards that...and yes, this is actually a possible ****SPOILER****!!...the movie does give the final clues as to Shepherd Book's previous occupation. It's very subtle, and yes it really could be fanwank for all we know, but I think the logic is sound and it's the best speculation I've heard thus far:
















Shepherd Book used to be an Operative.

Look at the similarities displayed between Book and the Operative in Serenity.

When Dr. Mathias asked the Operative for his credentials, we find that he has Parliamentary Override to be granted all access to Alliance facilities. This is incredibly similar to something we've seen before: when Book was critically injured in "Safe" and his ID guaranteed him treatment onboard an Alliance cruiser.

The Operative had no hesitations about slaughtering innocent men, women, and children to accomplish his goals, even if he did not relish those acts. Compare that attitude to what River finds in Book's mind, a quote that you yourself noticed: "I don't give half a hump whether you're innocent or not."

Both the Operative and Book are men of faith; different sides of the coin, perhaps, but their general principles both spawn from the same religious source. Book knew that, ultimately, Mal would have to fight the Operative with beliefs, and in the end the Operative is truly beaten when his beliefs are shattered. Book understands this almost all too well; perhaps he is recounting the manner and reasons in which he himself turned away from the Alliance in the first place.

And of course, add to all that Book's familiarity with lethal military strategies and weapons, the Alliance, and assault vehicles as evident throughout the Firefly series...and now in this movie, his detailed knowledge of what the Operative's plan will be. It's almost as if he had trained this man himself...or something;).

Again, this is all complete and utter fan speculation, but again...so far it's making a lot of sense to me.

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