No one but Mal (and what would he know?) said they were after River because of Miranda. The Operative said she was a risk because of what she might know. My impression is that he suggested the chase be ended because the damage was done -- I'm sure they have more important things to do right now. And also because his belief was shattered.

I don't see any reason why Mal's read would be wrong. We shouldn't expect someone from the other side to repeat what we surmise from Mal's read unless it contradicts him. I think we are supposed to assume this is the thing and the chase is over, which is basically what the Operative told us. Lack of resources never seemed to be an issue.

No one but Mal (and what would he know?) said they were after River because of Miranda. The Operative said she was a risk because of what she might know.

I wouldn't want the next movie (if there is a next movie) to be all about River, but I hope this is the case and that there's more to it. I want the secret to be more about what they did to her and less about which government messes she knows about.

I think we are supposed to assume this is the thing and the chase is over, which is basically what the Operative told us.

The Operative never said that, though. The Operative said the problem was that she could know any number of secrets (he lists categories). He never gets more specific than that.

Mal says it's because of Miranda. I don't see why his assumption should be given more weight, even given the ending. If it was true, The Operative would have been more sure they were off the hook, no? I get the impression he wanted it stopped because he was disillusioned, and figured it just might work. Or it might not.

The Operative said the problem was that she could know any number of secrets (he lists categories). He never gets more specific than that.

I agree that before the Pax reveal I thought River's ish was that she knew too much about everything. But it could be that the Operative declined to go into detail with the doctor because, well, he didn't want the doctor to know the big scandal River knew.

I give points to finality-- I am more inclined to believe that this ending is a real ending. But Joss may have left it intentionally ambiguous.

Didn't the operative say something early on along the lines of he doesn't worry about what people's secrets are, he's just concerned about whether they're kept? I remember that we approved of his security model.

I get the impression he wanted it stopped because he was disillusioned, and figured it just might work. Or it might not.

Concur. 'Damage done' was the Op's excuse to walk away from something he didn't want a part of anymore.

I can readily see the Miranda thing being as big a deal as it's made out to be too. Easily enough to trigger a new war. First, things can't be as stable as all that, seeing as how the old war hasn't even been over for a decade. Second, Killing a planetful of folk in an effort to drug them docile is in fact a pretty scary thing, and fairly recent too. Thirdly, and mostly: Dude. Reavers. The rim lives in utter, pants soiling terror of these guys, the government claims they don't even exist when they're responsible for their creation even? If I were a retired browncoat, I'd be thinking 'See? Here's exactly why I thought unification was a bad idea.' Shortly thereafter, I'd be calling my war buddies and rambo-ing up.

he didn't want the doctor to know the big scandal River knew.

Since he killed the doctor scant minutes later, I don't think it was a strong motivation.

I don't believe it's a real ending because The Operative said it mightn't be. Joss has left himself plenty of wiggle room.

The Operative himself told the Alliance that River Tam was no longer a threat. The fact that this gets mentioned at the end of the film suggests they're going to let her go. Sure, it's possible they won't, and that a potential sequel will include more we're-coming-for-you action, but it's also possible that they crew's been given an out.

Besides, we've got a new story issue to springboard the next film, provided they use it: How is Serenity going to find work now that all (or at least most) of the people who harbored her at any time have been killed by the Alliance? Mal and his crew have been made an example of, and I'm willing to bet they'll start the next story with more enemies, and brand-new ones.

Since he killed the doctor scant minutes later, I don't think it was a strong motivation.

Fair enough, I forgot that. Though he himself may not have known.

The Operative himself also told Mal he wasn't sure the Alliance would listen, Mr. Broom. Why give that so little weight in comparison?

Bon - he mightn't have known, but I can see no reason Mal would know more than The Operative.