Shepherd book was abused as a boy, and lived on the street for a while. To the crew of serenity, derrial book s past was a mystery. Whats the evidence of shepherd book being an operative again. Nov 28, 2016 in memory of ron glass, here are the 10 best moments from his performance as shepherd book in firefly and serenity. The primary antagonists of the show are the alliance, and their operatives. Operative the firefly and serenity database fandom. I always took the implication from his performance, and things like this in many episodes, that book used to be a very bad man, on the level of the operative from serenity. Also, shepard books journey with the crew ends just before the operative comes into their lives. He indicated early on that he was a shepherd who had been living in the. Behind this peaceful man is a secret warrior with a dark. The secrets of firefly s shepherd book will finally be revealed. He took a few of them with him, using a flak gun to shoot down an alliance assault craft.
Karl mordo loved serenity, and he loved the operative even more so. Those left behind is a 2005 threeissue comic book limited series published by dark horse comics. Several years later, book woke up in a homeless shelter after being beaten by alliance soldiers for his role in the alexander disaster, and had a spiritual revelation while eating a bowl of soup, which prompted him to join the church and train as a shepherd. Shepherd book, possibly the most mysterious character on joss. Firefly first and then serenity, you clearly cared enough about it to actually watch serenity. However, there is also the looming threat of the reavers for both sides to contend with. So much in fact that he made his own costume without the use of magic and decided to show it off at comic con. Shepherd book shows up in the film, and you wonder. Behind this peaceful man is a secret warrior with a dark history. Book was born henry evans, a boy who was raised by an. Im hoping for a curveball of some sort that he wasnt and operative and. Despite the cinematic spinoff of tvs firefly being a moderate success, the trading cards remain very active on the secondary market.
In serenity, the alliance operative shows zealotlike devotion inara. Before his time aboard the ship, he led a life marked by violence and conflict, both inside and out, which remained a secret from the crew. Oct 14, 2010 strangely, so does ron glass, the man who played shepherd derrial book in the tv series firefly and movie, serenity. Shepherd book, possibly the most mysterious character on joss whedons illfated spacewestern firefly is to star in in a comic book that will finally let us in on his past. A 14 episode tv series, created by joss whedon and tim minear in 2002.
Book was then discharged and dumped on a nearby planet via escape pod. Instead they smiled and come at you sideways, using the targets blind spot to gain the element of suprise. Therefore, i conclude that shepard book is the operative who somehow we are in science fiction after all went back and became the proverbial fly on the wall. The series focuses on shepherd books previously unrevealed secret past. Shepherd derrial book born henry evans was a passenger aboard serenity, and a friend and spiritual teacher to its crew. Ive just started watching war stories for the umpteenth time, and again the question who or what is shepherd book. The secrets of fireflys shepherd book will finally be revealed. Okay, technically shepherd books history doesnt fit into what happened after serenity remember, the operative killed him during the events in the.
Mal finds him lying next to the gun, an irony not lost on the dying shepherd. Played by ron glass, the shepherd the term used for men of the cloth on the show clearly. A few years later book found god, joined the abbey, and finally left, healed, to become a member of the crew of serenity, where, in the end, he would find love and family. Serenity is a 2005 space western film which continues the canceled fox science fiction television series firefly, taking place about two months after the events of. Jaynestown is seventh episode of the firefly tv series and was first aired on fox on october 18, 2002.
He eventually took the identity of derrial book so he could embed himself as an undercover operative in the. The shepherd s tale by joss whedon, those left behind by joss whedon, better days by joss whedon, firefly. I mean, shouldnt you be off bringing religiosity to the fuzziewuzzies or some such. In the book, this fact is stated, and his recruitment was shown. Shepherd book is mortally wounded during an alliance raid on haven mining colony mr. His actions mirrored the operative in serenity and he was the sole survivor on the. This is how he is commonly referred to in the tv series and film, and it is also the common name in reliable sources. Also, shepard book s journey with the crew ends just before the operative comes into their lives.
Browncoat operative i originally posted most of this in response to the recent post suggesting that book was a current alliance operative tracking down the fugitive tam siblings. Operative tracks mal serenity 2005 bonus feature youtube. With the film serenity came resolution to many of fireflys best mysteries. Derrial book the firefly and serenity database fandom. Firefly class 03k64its never easy is a short story released as part of a free comic book day issue on may 5, 2012. Derrial book is a fictional character played by ron glass in the sciencefictionwestern television series firefly and its sequel movie, serenity. It is a canonical continuation of joss whedons firefly television series and the 2005 film serenity, which are all part of the firefly media franchise.
Notice that jubal the bounty hunter, who deals with everyone on the crew. How the operative could save firefly stranger views a. The shepherd s tale is a graphic novel published by comics publisher dark horse. The comic book, the shepherds tale, offered the explanation that book had. Shepherd derrial book firefly planet claire quotes. His background is explored further in the comic book serenity. As one of the most moral and memorable characters on the show, book really. Jaynestown the firefly and serenity database fandom. I am still bothered by a shepherd s tale in which book is revealed to have been a spy for the alliance. Reynolds believed that sin is a reality and must be accepted for society to function. Unlike the other chap who is likely in a heap of trouble since the story of the reavers got out when he was supposed to stop the one who knew too much. It was written by brett matthews with joss whedon credited for story, illustrated by will conrad, and colored by laura martin it is the first comic book series to be based on whedons shortlived 2002 television series firefly and the 2005 feature film into which it was adapted, serenity. So, why would the alliance show him respect at the time the firefly events were taking place. His actions mirrored the operative in serenity and he was the sole survivor on the attack on his camp.
Sep 29, 2014 while shepherd books origins are are explored in other media there are interesting parallels between the characters and i can definitely see how the operatives arc could end up with him being somewhat similar to shepard book at the start of firefly. Yet, serenity firefly comics had given us two miniseries set between the tv show and the movie and a graphic novel providing backstory on the shepherd and a few free comic book day oneshots all except for one oneshot set before the movie. Ron glass announced it at the 2007 browncoat cruise. For me, firefly s biggest mystery was not about the mad skills of river. Shepherd derrial book born henry evans was a passenger aboard serenity, and a. I sent the audio recording of the opening ceremony to firefly talk, so they should have some of this in their next show. I will be presenting my studies relating to each, such as commentary on the science described, sound bits of memorable dialog, screen grabs and my own musings. Firefly serenity tv episode 2002 ron glass as shepherd. Similar to what was shepard book s past in firefly.
Book said that people like the operative never used a direct attack. Love firefly serenity to bits and mainly bought this as an upgrade to my dvd and to watch to extras. He eventually took the identity of derrial book so he could embed himself as an undercover operative in. The secrets of fireflys shepherd book will finally be.
A friend of mine has a theory that he was an alliance operative well, duh. Firefly encyclopedia immediately sets the tone and pacing of the book by producing a thorough timeline of events all the way through until page 99 by covering the backstory from the death of earththatwas leading into the main story of the tv series. Serenity is a line of comic books published by dark horse comics from 2005 to 2017. Passengers aboard serenity include professional companion inara morena baccarin and holy man shepherd book ron glass, but the real trouble aboard the. I had heard that serenity resolves the plot of firefly. The viewers of the show were teased now and again about this evasive past and was not resolved during the movie. Derrial book is a fictional character played by ron glass in the sciencefiction western television series firefly and its sequel movie, serenity. A character with a mysterious past is hardly a new idea for joss whedon, by firefly s shepherd book was a particularly good one. Firefly is a liveaction television series about a crew of space smugglers who end up on the run from the alliance government after taking on a pair of siblings, one of which has mysterious powers after being experimented on. He is a shepherd the literal english translation of the clerical title pastor, from the latin, and provides frequent spiritual advice and perspectives for the crew of serenity. Universe is killed by the operative inside his command center. Serenity is a 2005 space western film which continues the canceled fox science fiction television series firefly.
But his actions while a member of the alliance seem a bit too sadistic for his intended role. Okay, technically shepherd book s history doesnt fit into what happened after serenity remember, the operative killed him during the events in the. Firefly was cancelled before it ever was able to expand on the back stories of most of the characters, and the followup movie, serenity, simply didnt have the time. In memory of ron glass, here are the 10 best moments from his performance as shepherd book in firefly and serenity. Book signed on to firefly as a passenger before simon did, which on the surface appears to rule out his being there specifically because of the tam siblings. With the film serenity came resolution to many of firefly s best mysteries. Shepherd book mini masters figure firefly cargo crate exclusive march 2017 5.
This is popapostles home for studies of the tv episodes, videos, movie and licensed tieins to firefly and serenity. Since posting this article it has been pointed out,by pelhamsim on reddit, that the operative could be seen as answering shepherd book s origin story without actually showing it on screen. Mal decides to use this entertaining distraction to. Oct 11, 2019 joss whedon has never shied away from breaking the hearts of his audience, and it was to be expected that he would raise the stakes when his prematurely canceled space western became its very own feature film. Firefly a theory of books back story contains spoilers reddit.
Derrial book commonly called shepherd book and born as henry evans is a fictional character played by ron glass in the sciencefictionwestern television series firefly and its sequel movie, serenity. What i dont understand is from reading the shepherds tale comic which tells the untold story of shepherd book, the last thing he did before becoming a shepherd was cause a huge disaster for the alliance resulting in him being dishonorably discharged. Tells the story of the crew of the firefly class transport serenity, and the lives and struggles of the crew aboard her. Why did the alliance show respect to shepherd book, in spite of his past. Feb 15, 2017 storylines from firefly that were never resolved. Therefore following that train of logic, i call you a hypocrite for not caring about book being dead.
Jul 27, 2016 passengers aboard serenity include professional companion inara morena baccarin and holy man shepherd book ron glass, but the real trouble aboard the ship comes with the arrival of simon. Although the crew cant forgive the operatives role in killing shepherd book and wash, they require his help to locate the labour camp zoe. The shepherd s tale zack whedon, joss whedon, chris samnee, dave stewart, steve morris on. My guess though not confirmed is that he is a retired operative. Did joss whedon ever reveal the history to shepherd book. One day he told joss whedon that hes tired of facing fans at conventions knowing what they are going to ask and not having answers. Whats the evidence of shepherd book being an operative. Crayton killed by the alliance during the battle of serenity valley, bendis shot by the alliance during the battle of serenity valley. Serenity 310 movie clip the operative 2006 hd youtube. For the record, i am a longtime fan of firefly and serenity. Book just retired from being an operative and left on good terms.
Kaylee could read his body language rather well, and her intuition told him he was a good soul who was more interested in the ships than in the destinations. I think of shepherd s tale as his official version, the story he tells when he needs to reveal something. We already pretty much know what had to happenhe was an operative. The series focuses on shepherd book s previously unrevealed secret past. In the case of serenity, i believe a rating this high is warranted. The operative and malcolm reynolds showed polar opposites in their beliefs. Well, now hes going to get some info to answer those questions with. Returning to a planet where he ran into some serious trouble years ago, jayne discovers that hes become a local folk legend. Regarding mals new wife if you take sexual advantage of her, youre going to burn in a very special level of hell. As the storm abates and the serenity is taking off, river reveals that she knows shepherd book has a secret, that it is as easy for him to kill people as it is for her.
It was the enigmatic shepherd books and his promise of a dark past. One of serenitys greatest mysteries is finally revealed in the shepherd s tale, filling in the life of one of the shows most beloved characters shepherd book. Ive heard this theory kicked around numerous times a comic cons and amongst the fan base but. Despite the resolution fans were given by serenity, this question remains unfortunately unanswered to this day. Later when book talked with mal about the operative, why would he not have. Shepherd book, serenitys holy man is a riddle wrapped in an enigma donning an explosive haircut. Haven after serenity manages to shake an alliance assassin known only as the operative. An archive of our own, a project of the organization for transformative works. After the movie, fans of firefly wanted to find out what happened next and the comics were declared canon, so that seemed like a good bet. Firefly tv series 20022003 frequently asked questions imdb. While shepherd book s origins are are explored in other media there are interesting parallels between the characters and i can definitely see how the operative s arc could end up with him being somewhat similar to shepard book. Who was book before meeting mal and the rest of the serenity crew. Shepherd book, possibly the most mysterious character on joss whedons illfated spacewestern firefly is to star in in a comic book that will finally let us in on his past a character with a mysterious past is hardly a new idea for joss whedon, by firefly s shepherd book was a particularly good one.
What was the backstory to shepherd book on firefly. The operative believed in a world without sin, but was forced to realize that flawless perfection is a delusion. Why did the alliance show respect to shepherd book, in. Paralyzed by the operative to fall on his sword shepherd book shot by an alliance. The shepherds tale the firefly and serenity database. But many of firefly s fans were surprised to see that both shepherd book and hoban washburne didnt survive serenity. That girl will reign destruction down on your ship, she is a albatross captain. While the operative may have found the killing of innocents wrong, he believed that he was serving a greater good in the end, and thus the killings were necessary. When the browncoats began looking for a longterm operative who could infiltrate the.