Who is the preacher?

on the episode where the bounty hunter comes onto the ship, he mentions that the preacher is more than that, and when he gets sick, his card is shown to the alliance and they give him priority medical treatment. so who exactly is he, that he is travelling with and helping these outlaws, and yet he is somehow extremely important person, so what gives?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kobble on June 6, 2011 at 4:26am

I'm guessing someone extremely high-up in the Alliance who, when it became totalitarian and corrupt, was forced to do awful things. Horrified, he sought penitence by joining an abbey and becoming a Preacher. But he was someone dangerous, and misled, and respected among the Alliance. And when he meets Simon and River... maybe he sees this as a chance to redeem himself? Help those who his Alliance harmed.

I love him <3

Permalink Reply by Cecilia Warren on June 6, 2011 at 8:31am

I like that idea! I haven't thought about it much, but it's really curious and intriguing. Too bad we'll never get the chance to find out. :(

Permalink Reply by Kobble on June 6, 2011 at 8:39am

I generally put too much thought into these things... xD

And yeah, utterly tragic :( I try to remain ridiculously hopeful, though *_*

Permalink Reply by Cecilia Warren on June 6, 2011 at 8:44am

Heh, same!

I like him so much though, and the thought of him being a vicious, corrupt Alliance member is a bit disturbing.

Permalink Reply by Kobble on June 6, 2011 at 8:49am

I don't know. I suppose... He isn't now what he was then. The Alliance probably had some good ideals, in the beginning (most things like this do) and he could have been young, and foolish. And got sucked down with them. What makes him remarkable is that he became someone... better, after that. That he realised it was wrong, and made amends. I dunno, kinda makes me love him more.

And let's face it: he's too badass to always have been a preacher, anyway.

"Preacher, don't the Bible have some specific rules about killing?"

"Pretty specific, yes. They are somewhat fuzzier, however, on," cocks gun, "kneecaps."

Badass :D

Permalink Reply by Cecilia Warren on June 6, 2011 at 8:58am

He definitely is badass! And he has had a long life, a lot can happen ...

Permalink Reply by Cecilia Warren on June 6, 2011 at 10:08am

WHAT? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS?!?!?!

Permalink Reply by Cecilia Warren on June 6, 2011 at 10:10am

Looks like Kobble was half-right ...

Permalink Reply by Kobble on June 6, 2011 at 10:22am

I'm pretty happy with half-right :D

That back story is even more complicated, in-depth, and sinister than mine O_O

Also awesome :D

Permalink Reply by Kobble on June 6, 2011 at 10:23am

That is so cool...

Permalink Reply by Brianna V on June 6, 2011 at 2:48pm

Wow. That's intense

And I'm almost sad that the secret of Book is no longer a secret but the truth is just so much cooler. If only Firefly had gone on longer so we could have seen some of this unfold. I find it quite interesting that after the war Mal lost his faith while Book gained his maybe that's why the two have such confrontations whenever faith is mentioned.

Permalink Reply by Kobble on June 6, 2011 at 2:59pm

Yes, it is an interesting contrast...

It is an awesome backstory, and it would have been so amazing to see it gradually come to light within the show... *sigh*

I loved that aspect of Mal's backstory, as well. It made me sad too, though. Seeing him as a man of faith, not just in God (who I don't mind a lack of belief in) but in, well, justice and goodness prevailing... Because, as Book later said, he needs to believe in something. He becomes so cynical, and hardened. And while I adore sarcastic, cynical, hardened Mal with all my heart, I'd also like it if he were happy, for his own sake...