Firefly: Every Main Character Ranked From Worst To Best

A preacher riding with a group of criminals? Now that is an unexpected decision.

Firefly was excellent thanks to its willingness to go in directions you weren't expecting. Introducing the character of Book to the show was a smart move, as it gave a new outlook on unlawfulness and sin in the realm of science fiction. Despite how unexpected his presence was, Book was vital for humanising the passengers of Serenity.

Ron Glass was perfectly cast in this role, as he gives off this sense of wisdom and authority, without being patronising. He is also instantly likeable, thanks to his softly spoken voice and incredibly charming sense of humour. However, further, than just being a friendly guy, Shepard Book was a great source of conflict for Mal, as although they clearly cared for each other, their conflicting ideals would sometimes force a rift between them.

Sadly, there was some great set-up about Book's past that fans never got to truly explore, which might have made the character even better. However, his position as the wise mentor role with a heart of gold made him a welcome presence in the show and caused him to be one of the team's most believable members.