A River Runs

So, as I am sitting here, bored and channel flipping, OMG ITS SERENITY! ON HBO!

so, because i am obsessive, of course i stopped and watched. It was right on the Leaf on the Wind scene, so naturally i yelled, "JOSS YOU BASTARD!"

and then, we get to River and the Reavers. And this odd little annoyance popped up again...

Why do so many fanfic writers insist on writing post-Serenity fic with River as the new gun hand? Why?

Every. Single. Fic. I swear.*

Yes, she can kick ass. Yes, she has shown, a whole two times, that she can wipe the floor when triggered by the right thing (the Oaty Bar, Simon getting shot), but..why does that mean her only purpose after Serenity is to kick ass?

This BOTHERS me, for reasons I cant fully explain. Mainly because..I dont think its something she is proud of, or likes to do. So, why would she put herself out there like that?

I wrote In the Wrong Hands while I was feeling this irritation, and instead of it coming out where River tells Mal off..which is what I wanted, it came out..odd and strange. But she hates it, as far as Im concerned.

So, enlighten me. Why is River always the new gunhand after Serenity? Why isnt she an artist, or a writer, or a theoretical phyisist? Why?

And what else would you like to see River do? What other job could she have that could be useful aboard Serenity, or bring in money somehow, or..something?



*hi, im exaggerating! some fics have her as the new pilot!