 by Malinda LoColumns
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Five observations about "Battlestar Galactica"Last week's Battlestar Galactica episode, "Faith," rocked the house. This whole season, though, has been incredible, delving into complex, challenging issues such as religion, mortality and politics. This is not TV lite, therefore I rarely watch it on Friday nights at 10 p.m., since by then my brain is fried from the previous week's work and I can't concentrate with the appropriate amount of attention. So, after watching "Faith" on DVR delay, I have a few observations to share with you about this most recent episode of BSG. (Please note: No attempt at synopsis has been made; for a synopsis, go here. This post is pure critique and conjecture.) 1. Starbuck has a fan base in the BSG world, too. When Jean Barolay (Alisen Down) volunteered to go with Starbuck, Anders and Athena to the Cylon base ship to talk to the Hybrid, Starbuck told her she wasn't looking for volunteers. Jean countered that yes, Starbuck had asked for volunteers back on the Galactica, that Starbuck had been a super-hot badass leader since forever, and Jean would like nothing less than to be ordered around by Kara "Lesbian Icon" Thrace. (OK, maybe I'm paraphrasing a little, but didn't Jean seem to have a little crush on Starbuck? Too bad that crush got her killed.) Jean Barolay (Alisen Down) in Episode 3.11, "Rapture" 2. Six kisses Six. After the Six who accidentally killed Jean Barolay was shot by Natalie, she confessed to Natalie that she had not been able to deal with the trauma of being killed by Jean on New Caprica. Natalie called her "sister" and kissed her before she died. I saw this as a grand, poetic statement of blood calling to blood, as well as a reflection of the fact that each Cylon model is so closely linked — closer than family, even — to the others of their model. Here's hoping most folks didn't see it as gratuitous girl-on-girl action starring hottie Tricia Helfer in a fantasy twin lesbians scenario. Tricia Helfer as Natalie 3. Welcome back, Number Three! The Hybrid, once she is unplugged in a disturbing and somewhat grotesque manner, declares that the Three will be used to find the Five. What does that mean? Natalie thinks it means that Cylon model Number Three, aka D'Anna Biers (Lucy Lawless) and her sisters, need to be "unboxed" so that they can reveal the identities of the final five Cylon models. All I thought was: I've missed you, Lucy, and your strange threesome with Gaius and Six, too!
4. Sometimes I think the BSG writers screw up. I was shocked to find that I thought the mostly awesome BSG writers messed up in this episode. Not during the majority of the episode, but with the sub-story line involving President Roslin's cancer treatments. Basically, I didn't understand why she was having all those intimate conversations about mortality and religion with a total stranger in the sick bay who was going to die at the end of the episode, when she could have been having them with Admiral Adama, her true love! Edward James Olmos as Admiral William Adama (left) and Mary McDonnell as Laura Roslin OK, fine, maybe she needed to talk to someone on the verge of death, but this is one time I docked the BSG writers some points here. In my opinion, Adama and Roslin don't get nearly enough screen time together, and to give such an intimate scene to someone we viewers have no connection with when there's a character available who would give the scene much more bang for the buck — well, it just didn't make sense to me. And it made the story line less affecting to me than it should have been. 5. Starbuck is the harbinger of death! As the Hybrid said in this episode and as another Hybrid said at the end of Razor, Kara Thrace is part of the prophecy to lead the human race to its end. Does this mean that Starbuck should not be trusted?
Or, does this mean that the Hybrid is just plain crazy? I am not sure whether the ramblings of the Hybrid really should be believed or not, and yet at the same time it seems like it would make a twisted kind of sense that Starbuck would inadvertently bring destruction upon the human race. She's well-meaning and all, but she's also a bit hotheaded and not, perhaps, the best kind of leader. On the other hand, maybe Starbuck really is a Cylon. She heard that weird music and all. What did you think about last week's episode? Please mark any discussion of upcoming episodes with clear spoiler warnings! Submitted by on May 14, 2008 - 9:00am. |
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symbolic
I don't think Starbuck is going to bring death in the sense that all the humans are going to die...I think it's more symbolic...death to old beliefs, prejudices...an end to the way humanity feels about the Cylons, about their old gods...bringing an end in order to start a new beginning.
Losing lesbian street cred every second of the day at www.attictales.com
Hybrids....
My thinking on Kara is this: she's the first cylone/human hybrid. Like Hera, who I think next week will start showing some Cylon like qualities. Kara was the first, that's what makes her special, and makes her dangerous. Have you noticed that the cylon/human hybrids, Athena's child, Hera, and Cheif Terrils child are both girls? Might be something to that....
www.myfandoms.com - visit us :)
suff....
I'm totally on board with you about the Kara/Hybrid theory, especially because they never expand on Kara's dad, except to say that he was a musician who composed with more creepy music(which is just happens to be composed in reallife, by the guy who composed the music for The Hours).
also FYI, Tyrol's kid is a boy named Nicky ;)
Honestly, I think it's Lee
Honestly, I think it's Lee Adama. I got this thought into my head when Starbuck was talking to the dude... you know, her "husband" and since we found out he was a cylon, it was interesting to hear Starbuck say that if she found out he was one, she'd blow his brains out. But the thing is I totally get that because honestly, she's never really been IN love with this guy, right? But what if they're going to come back to this with Lee being the one telling her he's a Cylon. She and Apollo have had this thing between them and as much as I hate to admit it, I think they do love each other and I think she'd have a hard time killing him. It would be an interesting to see one of the most anti-Cylon characters (Starbuck) coming face to face with the choice of killing the one she loves.
Plus, I feel that Lee Adama's been kind of inching his way into a position where he has a lot of power (politically speaking) and it could serve the Cylons if he's "activated" at some point.
Plus, there's the fact that his father wasn't much around when the Adama boys were raised so who knows if he actually saw Lee born?
I don't know. I also think that that'd be like the ultimate question for Lee's father. Would he kill his own son or try and make peace with the hybrid Cylons?
I'd love to see a peaceful resolution to all this, but who knows. All I know is that this season's been totally AWESOME! One amazing episode after another. So whatever they come up with, I'm sure it's going to be one helluva ride.
BSG Fan videos
I love Starbuck and all the ladies of BSG- one of my favorite videos is this one- which highlights all the powerful women on the show.
http://www.tellofilms.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectli...
Jan Espenson (from the Buffy series) has helped write some wonderful female characters. If you guys have other fan videos that you love please upload them to www.tellofilms.com to share them with other BSG and Starbuck fans!
I am so so so loving this
I am so so so loving this series so far. It makes me grin like an idiot when I know I can sit down to watch it.
The whole fact the cylons and humans are more linked than ever is just wonderful. It's so tense, so full of possibilities. In a way I don't want to find out who the last cylon is. I'd be happy it remaining a secret as I try to scramble the clues together.
Whatever they do, I'm going to be very sad this is the last season when it's over :(
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dylan_Femslash - Dylan Femslash Yahoo Group
http://www.femslashfanfiction.com - Femslash Fanfiction
Whose the Hot Babe in the Leather Jacket?
I so going go back to BSG just for the babe in the leather jacket. Who is she? I didn't see a name in the caption. Heck, I'll just star watching BSG again anyway.
Seriously?!
ummm... that be Lucy Lawless. Kinda known in Saphic circles for a role she used to play... also involved leather... went by the name of Xena? any of this right a bell?
In BSG she's a cylon. Less leather, same hotness.
Highly recommend checking BSG, and not just for the girly goodness.
Oh, and you might also enjoy Xena: Warrior Princess. Look it up, you won't regret it.
Really That's LUCY LAWLESS!!!
LOL
When did last stopped on BSG?
I think her first appearance was in Season 2, when she was a reporter doing a documentary on the life of the Galactica crew. D'Anna Biers - remember her?
I think she lose some weight along the way too. In Xena she was more butch, but in BSG, Lucy Lawless played it up as the sleek, dangerous religious fanatic. It's a different character from Xena, and she is so creepy when she goes, "God loves me" with such absolute convicton.
Yes that's the one and only Lucy Lawless!!!
I've been going to Xena Conventions and other Lucy Lawless events since 1997 and that's definitely Lucy Lawless in that awesome leather jacket, looking so stunningly commanding and gorgeous.
And Lucy was only a few pounds heavier in the first and second seasons of XWP (and during her pregnancy in season 4/5) and then lost a bit of weight as the show progressed. I really think Lucy Lawless looked larger than life as Xena because she wore that leather mini dress, leather bracers, huge boots and sword, the bronze breast plate, and topped that off with that dark hair -- making her appear amazingly intimidating.
When I saw Lucy at the end of the show in May 2001, just a couple of weeks after the end of Xena, she looked really slim. Its only in the last year or so that she's gained a little bit of weight and doesn't look so gaunt as she did at the end of Xena, when she was just plain exhausted and drained of all energy.
About the 4th item on your
About the 4th item on your list. I thought it was pretty logical for Roslin to have the conversation with the dying woman in the hospital. A) they are both going through the same thing and B) it's sometimes easier to talk about really heavy stuff with complete strangers than to confide in your closest friends and family.
I would have liked to have seen a good scene like that with her and Adama but it did tie in well with the dream she had with the dying lady returning back to her family and Roslin seeing her mother but realizing she couldn't give up yet. I don't know, I thought it was a good pick and a logical pick.
But the woman wasn't a random stranger anyway.
I believe the oracle was
aw, darn, I could've sworn
aw, darn, I could've sworn they looked and sounded the same. *downcast*
...oh, um, I mean, I just didn't want to do the research to find out if I was right and I knew if I posted wrong facts, someone would do it for me (j/k).
Nana Visitor played the
Nana Visitor played the terminal cancer patient President Roslin was having her deep conversation with.
"Never explain, never complain." - Katherine Hepburn
I also thought the stuff
I also thought the stuff with Roslin and the other patient (Nana Visitor of Star Trek fame) was appropriate, though it went on a bit long. There has been plenty of Adama/Roslin this season for me. (Will they ever kiss??!!) It's nice to see them--actually just her--interacting with other people.
This episode is the first one that hasn't kind of bored me this season. "Less praying and more shooting" is my new BSG mantra, and it was like someone actually heard it for once, though it was still heavy on the religion. (As an atheist/agnostic I find the continual affirmation of "faith" on the show to be a bit tiresome.)
About the hybrid, how could her jibberish not mean something? If it doesn't, then what's the point? I have faith that it will.
About Barolay, it was so nice to hear someone acknowledge that Starbuck used to be a badass. I miss those days. Loved seeing her shoot down that centurion. It was like getting a glimpse of the old Starbuck.
But what's up with the whole red shirt thing they have going on this season? If a minor character has a few lines, you can kiss her goodbye. I am still sad about my favorite, Sgt. "Gunny" Mathias. *sniff*
I liked the 6-6 kiss and didn't find it gratuitous or even sexual. Boy, that Natalie is hardcore. And Tricia Helfer looks even hotter with the darker hair.
Split Season?
Those BSG keeping jerks
Powerful episode...
Losing Alisen Down(Anyone remember her from NBC's "Mysterious Ways"? She played the goth chick/teaching assistant? Sooo crush worthy.)was sad...But, it's kind of expected with BSG - People die. But, she was only one of Starbuck's fans...Look at Helo; even Athena were big boosters. What can we say...Starbuck is our addiction.
I disagree about the Lauren/Bill scene though...True; they have an unspoken love; but, some things can not be shared; even with those you love; such as, an illness...For example; the classic "X-Files" episode, Memento Mori, in fact; that episode shared a lot of similarities...
And, as far as Starbuck being the haribinger of doom for the human race...All I have to say is this: The end; doesn't necessarily mean "death". Think about it...
Ho hum
I think this season has been a bit mixed. Yes, I like that they delve into deep issues and are nothing like the problem of the week Star Treks (although I love Trek too) but the show has been up its own arse a bit this year. Like Lost in recent years, you get the feeling the writers are just amusing themselves sometimes and don't actually know the answers or where they are going. I hope I am wrong and that we will get some actual plot movement soon.
Can't wait for Lucy Lawless to return. Did you all hear about her recent London convention/concerts and her awesomely funny "FRAK ME" knickers LOL. Zero spoilers from Lucy though. Let's hope D'Anna has some answers.
Xena Cylon!
bsg=awesome
i just thought i'd drop in here and say that i dont particularly 'get' or ship roslin/adama. roslin has a history of relationships with power/authority figures, but *wah* shes too smart for adama. Ive not yet seen the fourth season, but atm im still shipping roslin/zerrick. he seems to be her equal and there is no issue of power between them.
Re the final five, i reckon the last one has to be someone who hasnt died yet (otherwise the cylons would know about it?) - so that theory outs ellen or billy. starbuck is too obvious. im in denial that laura roslin is one. i guess im kinda plumpin' for doc cottle - also for the fact that they had that random scene on new caprica just so d'anna could meet him.
and yes, LL is smoking. but i applaud whoever it was in a previous blog who said that they wished for Renee O'Connor to make a cameo. aahh good times, good times.
i totally love this show. especially the music by bear mccreary that makes it. except for that father-son theme they got going on, that every time i hear it, it makes me think of the Titanic and it feels cheesy.
anyways, its shot beautifully, and i am so looking forward to getting my hands on razor and the 4th season.
The Six that was killed
Duh
great ep
I kind of want the 5th Cylon to be Bill Adama. If the ultimate human on this show turned out to be a Cylon, well I think that would make things pretty darn interesting. I hope it's not Lee. Ugh, I'm so over his wah-wah, I'm-always-right-and-I'm-so-good. i mean, he is right and he is good but he's still annoying. i miss Dualla. Give me D anytime over Lee.
I think the hybrid's ramblings are probably irrelevant. Anything she says can be interpreted in oh so many ways.
Natalie kissing the blonde Six was heartbreaking, sweet and bitter sad at the same time. What the blonde Six said right before the kiss was really poignant and made me wonder what the frakking difference is between Cylons and humans after all if the Cylons, so perfect in so many ways, cannot control their emotions because they feel everything, just like humans. I have teared up and gotten choked up at many scenes on this show: the part where Starbuck is in the mess hall on Galactica back in like season 1 or 2 and she recites, to everyone's surprise, the names of all the pilots that have been killed; many of (Bill) Adama's speeches; some of Bill and Lee's scenes; scenes between Helo and Sharon; etc. And sometimes I roll my eyes (while tearing up...I know) because I think they overdo it (but I still like it). But I think the intensity and startling vulnerability of Six's explanation - not excuse - for killing Jean (i.e. that she just couldn't get over being viciously murdered) was the most moving moment on this show for me (except maybe for Gina's scenes). It's redeeming because I have not been enjoying this season at all. Cogent53 has it right: the writers are a bit self-involved this season. But this episode might turn it around.
Final Cylon?
I have been thinking a lot (a little too much probably) about the final five cylons and have two theories. First, as we learned from the hybrid this week the final five are the children of the 13th colony, which means to me, amongst other things, that they evolved separately from the first seven. That it one reason I feel that the final cylon could be a dead character. Or maybe a child, that would be creepy.
My other observation is that the new four cylons are all in very strategic positions. Chief runs all the space shippy things and the other three are essentially second in command to the three most powerful characters on the show. So my theory is that the final cylon is some how related to or influential over Lee Adama. I don't think that means his wife anymore (ex-wife?) and wonder if it could be Tom Zyerick. I mean who else does Lee care about anymore? I really do not believe that Starbuck is a cylon, they have other plans for her (death and destruction and all).
I don't know if people saw this, it was a BSG photo spread in Entertainment Weekly that has some interesting things to saw about the final season. However, it is a little bit SPOILY, FYI:
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20169703,00.html
Late to this post, but I would like to disagree about the Roslin
storyline. Disagree with Malinda with all respect because that episode made me CRY!! Also, the episode was titled "Faith". I have to admit to loving every minute Roslin is on screen, but this time I was watching a show that sometimes is good and sometimes is great and I was sending out all this love to the writer or writers ( I still haven't checked to see who wrote this episode) for hitting all the right notes through out the whole episode.
Emily had faith that she would see her family "across the river".
Sam had enough Cylon faith built into him to comfort a dying Eight.
Sam had faith in Starbuck to reach her goal. Whether that is good or not, we don't know yet.
Helo had faith in Starbuck to give her the Raptor and wait until the last second for her.
Natalie (Six?) had enough of Cylon faith to know she had to be the one to kill the Six who killed Berolay.
Then Roslin actually hallucinates or actually sees Emily cross over the river and she sees her own Mother and tells her she's not ready yet.
And the biggie is that when Emily and Roslin were talking about their religions, they both knew they were just a bunch of metaphors and myths. It's simply faith in something that keeps you going.
And now they are going to have faith in unboxing the Threes to try and find the fifth Cylon and he/she is going to take them to earth and Starbuck is the harbinger of the end of humanity..and on and on LOL!
This is possibly my most favorite BSG episode after a couple in the very beginning when it was shockingly new and BSG RAZOR.
Please excuse errors..I'm on a very unfamiliar and awkward computer. :)
Afraid I'm a bigger BSG geek than you all
Okay... Here's the deal. The hybrid DOESN't say Starbuck will lead the human's to their death; she leads them to their end. She also says Kara Thrace is the Harbinger of death... but as she's a CYLON hybrid, she is likely speaking of Cylon death. In other words - Humans reach their end (as in end of their travel) and what was understood to be cylon dies forever The "they" who must not follow her are the Cylons..
Because the hybrid prohecies are written with such obvious deliberation (and good portent) I'll attach both the previous hybrid prohecy from Razr and this one... there are strong similarities, but if you read the first one you'll see how closely her prophecy reflects what we've seen, and gives strong hints as to who the final cylon may be...
Enjoy! (Not sure why the spacing is so yucky, but anyway)
The bolding for emphasis is mine.....
Prophecy 1 (Razr)
Soon there will be four, glorious in awakening,
struggling with the knowledge of their true selves.
The pain of revelation bringing new clarity.
And in the midst of confusion, he will find her,
enemies brought together by impossible longing,
enemies now joined as one.
The way forward, at once unthinkable, yet inevitable.
And the fifth, still in shadow, will claw toward the light,
hungering for redemption that will only come in the howl of terrible suffering.
I can see them all.
The seven, now six, self-described machines who believe themselves without sin.
But in time, it is sin that will consume them.
They will know enmity, bitterness, the wrenching agony of the one splintering into the many.
And then they will join the promised land, gathered on the wings of an angel.
Not an end, but a beginning.
Kara Thrace will lead the human race to its end
She is the Herald of the Apocalypse, The Harbinger of death.
They must not follow her.
Prophecy #2 (Faith)
Then shall the rejoice in the dance
The children of the one reborn shall find their own country
End of Line. Reset.
Hopes soar into slaughter all their best against our hopes
All these things at once
You are a spark of God’s fire
The children of the one reborn shall find their own country
End of line.
Scream
Thus will it come to pass
The dying leader will know the truth of the Opera House
The missing Three will give you the Five who have come from the home of the 13th
You are the Harbinger of Death, Kara Thrace
You will lead them all to their end
End of line.
Totally with you on the
Totally with you on the Adama/Roslin mistake. But I did love the ending sequence... totally made me smile.
One minor detail -- Starbuck didn't hear the music. Or we don't know if she did. She wasn't on Galactica at the time.