[obcooke]

With all due respect to your opinion Shaun, when it comes to fire fights, mysterious past and cool lines, how can you beat River?

It seems clear to me that while Book did have an interesting story to tell, that River was the one driving the BIG story arc, at least for the first season.

And don't forget her occasional flashes of humor.

Since the season is over, spoilers don't seem appropriate any more.

When her plan is the one that beats the bounty hunter -

MAL: Go on, get in there. Give your brother a thrashing for messing up your plan.

RIVER: He takes so much looking after.

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And, of course, who can forget...

RIVER: No power in the 'verse can stop me.

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I'm convinced that if the show had continued that we would have found that to be a nearly true statement.

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EDITED TO ADD ONE MORE POINT:

Would it be reaching to say that River was the Buffy of this series? By that I mean, the young woman who eventually finds within herself the power to overcome her trials... and more.

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I liked them all, sadly we may never know what was the plan for all of them. I would have liked to seen more about Kaylee's past, for instance.