Thoughts on BSG Season One
Oct. 31st, 2010 03:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amberfocusI finished watching the first season of the remake of BSG today (yes, I know I'm supposed to be writing, what's your point?). All in all I really like it. As a huge fan in my childhood of the original series, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it, but I went into it with an open mind. Much like Doctor Who I enjoyed the relaunched and reimagined series. Unlike Doctor Who, I think of this version of Battlestar Galactica as a completely seperate entity than the one I watched as a kid. Only the names remain the same. Everything else has changed.
I think my favorite character right now is Sharon. Even though she is a cylon, she often shows the most humanity of any character on the ship. She feels things so deeply and watching her slowly unravel as she first becomes suspicious and then has her suspicions clarified until she comes face to face with other versions of herself and it is actually confirmed, is amazing. And version 2 of her on Caprica with Helo is also constructed as an equally rounded character, one who loves and lives and hurts so much.
I'm not sure what to think of the pregnancy storyline, though. I mean, I get that they are biological life forms, but they aren't human supposedly. So unless their DNA structure is derived from humanity (which would make them more than cylons, but less than humans), I don't get how it would work. Unless it's like a donkey and a horse crossbreeding. It's close enough that you'd get a mule, but that mule is sterile. It was a natural conception, so there was no genetic tinkering in a lab somewhere to make it possible, so it's just a bit hard for me to buy without a good scientific explanation.
Having her blow up the cylon base star and then just a little while later attempt to asassinate Adama was a stroke of brilliance. You think she's chosen a side, the human side with the bomb, and then she turns around and with a single bullet manages to inflict almost as much damage on the humans. The fall out from that is likely to be long-lasting.
My opinons on Baltar and Six remain pretty much unchanged from the mini-series. Baltar is still skeevy and Six still is all about sex. I laughed when a real version of Six ended up on the BSG and Baltar thought she was the version from his head and when he suddenly realized she was actually there, it was hilarious. I don't really like the idea of Baltar being vice-president. Too much power for someone under cylon influence and who is slightly insane despite his vast intelligence. Also, really did not like the one night stand with Starbuck. I expected it of him, but I didn't like seeing it from her.
Starbuck is a deeply flawed character and most of the time I like that. Watching her struggle to be a good flight instructor when the last time she had that sort of power it resulted in the death of her fiance was good. The way that whole storyline played out with Apollo and Adama was great, though I think it should have lasted longer. If Starbuck hadn't been injured I don't think she would have been so readily forgiven for being responsible for the death of brother and son. I love her brains and how she was able to figure out the way to run a cylon fighter and I like that it's very hard for her to be pushed around. I can see that she gives into her base instincts a lot, with the gambling, drinking, and smoking, but after showing how deeply she had loved Zach, the idea of the one night stand with Baltar doesn't feel quite right to me.
Apollo is a bit too Dudley Do-Right for me. I like him a lot, and I'm all for him being a champion for democracy, but sometimes his reactions under pressure just seem a little much. He sure is pretty to look at, though. I like the chemistry between Apollo and Starbuck and hope that they build on that a bit more. I'm not sure I want to see them in a romance, but I just love having them together in scenes.
Laura Roslin continues to impress me. She is a strong and determined president, and willing to face down a lion to protect her people, but she makes decisions under the influence of visions and hallucinations caused by the cancer medication she is taking, which may or may not be a good thing, considering the prophecies. Calmly and rationally, she stands up to Adama until almost the end. I was disappointed, actually, that she gave in at the end and allowed herself to be arrrested for interfering in a military operation. I like the sparks that fly between her and Adama, but again, am not sure I want to see it progress to a romantic relationship.
Adama is wonderful as a strong and unyielding military leader. He butts heads consistently with the president, but is willing to see reason in most cases when it is the right thing to do. He wants to be in charge, does not want to have his orders questioned, but it is good that he is not, because a democracy can easily be brought to it's knees by a military coup bringing in a dictatorship. Although he is a fair and just man I would be afraid that kind of power might corrupt him. He'd try for it not to, but I'm not sure he'd succeed. At least at this point in the series. His character has grown a lot from the beginning so anything is possible.
Billy/Duella I still ship. They are just so cute together. So far the conflict of interest of her being Adama's girl and him being Roslin's boy doesn't seem to interfere with the relationship, but now that one's been shot and the other arrested, I don't know if that kind of harmony will continue. They are just so adorable though and it's nice to see a sweet romance brewing.
The religious overtones in this series feel very unique for a sci-fi show. I find it really interesting that such an advanced portion of humanity is still stuck back in time with mythic gods and goddesses, and that the cylons, who are really just advanced technology themselves, believe in a monotheistic God. Both seem anachronistic in the case of this show. Yet, at the same time, I don't think it would be the same without those underlying themes. It does make me curious as to what will happen when (or if) they actually make it to Earth and find that Roman gods and goddesses are dismissed and a huge portion of the population believes either in a monotheistic God of some sort or doesn't believe at all or has less popularly held beliefs (Hinduism, Budhism, and Paganism) that have nothing to do with their own. The culture clash should be significant.
*debates on starting season two or writing*
I think my favorite character right now is Sharon. Even though she is a cylon, she often shows the most humanity of any character on the ship. She feels things so deeply and watching her slowly unravel as she first becomes suspicious and then has her suspicions clarified until she comes face to face with other versions of herself and it is actually confirmed, is amazing. And version 2 of her on Caprica with Helo is also constructed as an equally rounded character, one who loves and lives and hurts so much.
I'm not sure what to think of the pregnancy storyline, though. I mean, I get that they are biological life forms, but they aren't human supposedly. So unless their DNA structure is derived from humanity (which would make them more than cylons, but less than humans), I don't get how it would work. Unless it's like a donkey and a horse crossbreeding. It's close enough that you'd get a mule, but that mule is sterile. It was a natural conception, so there was no genetic tinkering in a lab somewhere to make it possible, so it's just a bit hard for me to buy without a good scientific explanation.
Having her blow up the cylon base star and then just a little while later attempt to asassinate Adama was a stroke of brilliance. You think she's chosen a side, the human side with the bomb, and then she turns around and with a single bullet manages to inflict almost as much damage on the humans. The fall out from that is likely to be long-lasting.
My opinons on Baltar and Six remain pretty much unchanged from the mini-series. Baltar is still skeevy and Six still is all about sex. I laughed when a real version of Six ended up on the BSG and Baltar thought she was the version from his head and when he suddenly realized she was actually there, it was hilarious. I don't really like the idea of Baltar being vice-president. Too much power for someone under cylon influence and who is slightly insane despite his vast intelligence. Also, really did not like the one night stand with Starbuck. I expected it of him, but I didn't like seeing it from her.
Starbuck is a deeply flawed character and most of the time I like that. Watching her struggle to be a good flight instructor when the last time she had that sort of power it resulted in the death of her fiance was good. The way that whole storyline played out with Apollo and Adama was great, though I think it should have lasted longer. If Starbuck hadn't been injured I don't think she would have been so readily forgiven for being responsible for the death of brother and son. I love her brains and how she was able to figure out the way to run a cylon fighter and I like that it's very hard for her to be pushed around. I can see that she gives into her base instincts a lot, with the gambling, drinking, and smoking, but after showing how deeply she had loved Zach, the idea of the one night stand with Baltar doesn't feel quite right to me.
Apollo is a bit too Dudley Do-Right for me. I like him a lot, and I'm all for him being a champion for democracy, but sometimes his reactions under pressure just seem a little much. He sure is pretty to look at, though. I like the chemistry between Apollo and Starbuck and hope that they build on that a bit more. I'm not sure I want to see them in a romance, but I just love having them together in scenes.
Laura Roslin continues to impress me. She is a strong and determined president, and willing to face down a lion to protect her people, but she makes decisions under the influence of visions and hallucinations caused by the cancer medication she is taking, which may or may not be a good thing, considering the prophecies. Calmly and rationally, she stands up to Adama until almost the end. I was disappointed, actually, that she gave in at the end and allowed herself to be arrrested for interfering in a military operation. I like the sparks that fly between her and Adama, but again, am not sure I want to see it progress to a romantic relationship.
Adama is wonderful as a strong and unyielding military leader. He butts heads consistently with the president, but is willing to see reason in most cases when it is the right thing to do. He wants to be in charge, does not want to have his orders questioned, but it is good that he is not, because a democracy can easily be brought to it's knees by a military coup bringing in a dictatorship. Although he is a fair and just man I would be afraid that kind of power might corrupt him. He'd try for it not to, but I'm not sure he'd succeed. At least at this point in the series. His character has grown a lot from the beginning so anything is possible.
Billy/Duella I still ship. They are just so cute together. So far the conflict of interest of her being Adama's girl and him being Roslin's boy doesn't seem to interfere with the relationship, but now that one's been shot and the other arrested, I don't know if that kind of harmony will continue. They are just so adorable though and it's nice to see a sweet romance brewing.
The religious overtones in this series feel very unique for a sci-fi show. I find it really interesting that such an advanced portion of humanity is still stuck back in time with mythic gods and goddesses, and that the cylons, who are really just advanced technology themselves, believe in a monotheistic God. Both seem anachronistic in the case of this show. Yet, at the same time, I don't think it would be the same without those underlying themes. It does make me curious as to what will happen when (or if) they actually make it to Earth and find that Roman gods and goddesses are dismissed and a huge portion of the population believes either in a monotheistic God of some sort or doesn't believe at all or has less popularly held beliefs (Hinduism, Budhism, and Paganism) that have nothing to do with their own. The culture clash should be significant.
*debates on starting season two or writing*
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no subject
Date: 2010-10-31 10:55 pm (UTC)I'm glad to hear you're watching it, if you didn't catch that from my calm and reasoned post. Heh.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 02:04 am (UTC)But I really recommend season 2, because there is an arc in there that is the best and bravest arc ever.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 02:50 am (UTC)Once it started, I was pulled in, held captive, taken along for the ride, totally and completely. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 03:16 am (UTC)I can't wait to read your reactions as you go through series 2 - 4. That show just keeps you on your toes the whole time and makes you want to strangle everyone at least once. SO AMAZING.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 10:07 pm (UTC)BTW, don't be so quick to dismiss Six. I personally think that all the main female characters in this amazing series pass the Strong Female Character test, as outlined here: http://www.overthinkingit.com/2010/10/11/female-character-flowchart/
no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 10:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 10:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 10:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 10:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-01 10:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-02 12:34 am (UTC)Don't try to inflict that level of logic on this show. In terms of motivations and subplots, it's often intricate and genius, while the mundane details like that... aren't. But oh man, you're in for a treat! The first half of the second season of this show is exemplary. :D I won't specifically vouch or not-vouch for anything past that, but that itself is my favorite section of BSG!
no subject
Date: 2010-11-02 11:20 am (UTC)I'd like to know how much of the overall storyline (that you have yet to experience, so I'm zipping my lip, don't worry!) was planned out in advance, and how much was driven by where the characters/actors/writers were naturally taken as a "team". I know when I write, I have a general idea of how I want the story to go, but the details sometimes fall into place like magic without my conscious effort... It would be interesting to know, with a series that has a pretty clear outline, such as this, how much free hand the writers had and how much serendipity played into some of the smaller story arcs.