We haven’t really discussed it here but many other bloggers have including some Catholic bloggers have. I will keep it spoiler free and vague. I think BSG is back!
I must admit, even thought the content is sometimes inappropriate and there have been other troubling aspects of the show, I have been a big BSG fan. Over the last several years I have been preaching to the unconverted, mostly in my family. It was through my petitions and intercession that my brother Matthew and my sister began watching the show. As I watched the first several episodes of this final season of the show, I feared that I had led my family into a cult that might have seemed to have the answers but was destined to fall short.
Undoubtedly, the writers and producers of the show have many chess pieces to move into place in order to deliver the finale. Even with that said, this season has been disappointing to say the least. The story lines and character arcs wandered to places they didn’t belong. Felix Gaeta as the organizer of revolution (even if a a tool of Tom Zarek) seemed forced. But as I said, I tried to be patient. I knew that they had many pieces to move into place, but I admit that I have been losing faith. I began to wonder if the writers and producers themselves knew what they wanted to do with the show. But my hope, at least temporarily, has been restored.
Tonight’s episode reminded me of all that I have appreciated about the show. Back on plot. Characters who betray – betraying. Gullible characters getting sucked in. Hendrix. It was all back. There are three episodes left and my hopes are growing.
I cannot speak of my hopes, however, without speaking of my fears. What is my greatest fear? Moral equivalency. I worry that, as Dirk Benedict does, that ultimately there is no good or evil. He said “You can’t do a show about good and evil. Because then somebody has to be responsible.” My greatest worry about the show is that humans, with all their flaws, are no better than the Cylons. That the Cylons (at least five of them) have learned the lessons that humanity has yet to learn. I also fear that when we learn of the reasons for the Cylons attempt to annihilate mankind, we will find that we had it coming.
I sincerely hope they don’t go there. Tonight when we saw Boomer being bad., I had hope. Boomer is bad. She has betrayed the fleet, she has betrayed her fellow Cylons, she has betrayed all her fellow eights. Sharon betrays, that is what she does. Evil destroys, that is what it does. At least for tonight, bad guys were bad guys and all was right with the world.
I really hope BSG finishes the right way. Redemption, even for Cylons, is good. Saying that we are all bad to begin with, not so much.
(My prognostications follow)
Oh, and by the way. Adama is the dying leader that lead them to Earth, not the President and Starbuck is the daughter of a cylon that was an artist and was boxed. Starbuck is the hope for the future because she is the original offspring (hybrid?) of the Cylons. Dean Stockwell knew this and that is why he boxed Daniel.
(End Prognostications)
February 28, 2009 at 6:33 am
Speaking as a practically rabid BSG fan, may I say that I thoroughly agree with your prognostications regarding Adama and Starbuck.
I’m extremely interested in how the polytheistic/monotheistic storyline will play out and share your fears that good and evil will become indistinguishable from each other.
That said…MAN, is this a good show! Yes, it’s a bit raw, and yes, it can be downright depressing at times, but boy oh boy, have they got me hooked!
Regards,
Jenny
February 28, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Like Jenny, I think your prognostications are probably correct, particularly the one concerning Starbuck.
I actually was a little bored with tonight’s episode until the payoff in the final 15 minutes or so. The last three could be real good.
February 28, 2009 at 1:43 pm
YOu’re right on Starbuck but I’ve got to tell you I hardly care anymore. How the heck Did Caprica 6 get voted onto the quorum? They’re moving people around like plot points, not interesting characters.
And Boomer was so good in the first season and now she’s evil?
February 28, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who was screaming “Daniel” at the piano player/phantom Daddy Thrace. This could end up being very…good.
March 1, 2009 at 12:46 am
I’ve mainly kept from the show due to its inappropriate content and evocations of New Age theology from the mouth of Gaius Baltar and his cult. I also have the concern over moral relativism being a key to the ending of the show.
In the end, the only real way it can work is by not only somebody taking responsibility for the mess, but ultimately asking forgiveness for it. Some hints of this were given during season one, but it seems like a place a secularist (and the producer, by his admission, is an ex-Catholic) might have difficulty going precisely because of his secularism.
Especially if the secularist became one because he didn’t want to take responsibility himself for less savory aspects of his life.
March 1, 2009 at 8:19 am
When that song activates the Final Five, does anyone else think of “Strange Brew” and the music cueing the hockey guys???
March 1, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I am a big fan of the series. At times it has wandered off but it returns. The tight budget and the Acotr’s strike that was looming and happened also has caused some of the problems
I like how Garta was handled. There had to a episode dealing with Human reaction to the Cylons after finding Earth. It seemed to me his experiences on New Caprica plus his fury at Baltar during the trial set him up as a good character to head this up
As to moral equivalency I am not sure we shall see that. I am not sure this thought of Benedict’s has actually come to fruition. Of course we know now the Cylons are a little bit more complex with the emergence of the Final Five that sort of gives us bigger view of what is happening in BSG history. THe Cylons (or the 13th tribe was not the problem) but the children that they created.
I will be disappointed in the way to wrap up these plot lines is that this is some alternative Universe or some goofy Time Travel is involved. GOd help us if we have a Bobby in the Shower “It was all a dream ” Dallas moment.
March 1, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I am a big fan of the series. At times it has wandered off but it returns. The tight budget and the Acotr’s strike that was looming and happened also has caused some of the problems
I like how Garta was handled. There had to a episode dealing with Human reaction to the Cylons after finding Earth. It seemed to me his experiences on New Caprica plus his fury at Baltar during the trial set him up as a good character to head this up
As to moral equivalency I am not sure we shall see that. I am not sure this thought of Benedict’s has actually come to fruition. Of course we know now the Cylons are a little bit more complex with the emergence of the Final Five that sort of gives us bigger view of what is happening in BSG history. THe Cylons (or the 13th tribe was not the problem) but the children that they created.
I will be disappointed in the way to wrap up these plot lines is that this is some alternative Universe or some goofy Time Travel is involved. GOd help us if we have a Bobby in the Shower “It was all a dream ” Dallas moment.
March 1, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Just when I think I have to leave BSG because the writers became possessed by John Calvin’s pessimistic view of human nature, along comes a couple of episodes–namely those dealing with the mutiny–that are transcendent with hope. This show teeters on the precipice of unrelenting despair. May the writers make this a truly great series by giving us hope at the end. Either way, I’m glad I was along for the ride.
March 2, 2009 at 12:53 am
I admit, I was expecting the Time Travel loophole to resolve the show; now with the Starbuck as Cylon hybrid plot, I’m not so sure. One thing I’ve really missed is the Apollo character–they’ve done nothing with him at all.
March 2, 2009 at 2:21 am
Two thoughts:
1. The Battlestar itself is the dying leader.
2. Starbuck-how do you account for the Hyrbrid’s prophecy in your prognostication?