Posted on 03/17/2006 5:03:56 PM PST by nunya bidness
Since 9/11 there are really only two types of entertainment: pre or post. And in the timid world of television you won’t find much dealing with issues that approach our current era of uncertainty and conflict. Battlestar Galactica is the exception. The show has dealt with genocide, war, torture, treason, abortion, scarcity of resources, a prison uprising, faith, a breakdown of military discipline, love and loss, fear, cowardice, bravery, and an election. All while the constant and oppressive threat of annihilation surrounded the remnants of mankind after their planet was destroyed hurling them in to space escaping destruction and searching for a new home. It’s hard not to see the series as an allegory for America’s current state.
The final episode of the season put the “rag-tag fleet” in the middle of a presidential election whereby the central issue became settling a new-found planet. Populist candidate Baltar won based on the promise of finally starting a new life and escaping the perils of war against his more pragmatic opponent the incumbent former school teacher turned President Roslin. He won, naturally. Which begs the question: How long can a society last when confronted with battle fatigue before it simply gives up, pulls over, and gets out? Not long it seems.
This raises another question: Do people vote their hopes or their fears? On the one hand the humans could have been voting their hope that they would finally escape an enemy that has shown it would never rest until all of humanity was vanquished, on the other they could have been voting their fear that they might die without ever touching firm ground again. Of course the answer is a combination of the two. They voted in the hope that they would escape knowing that their fears would probably catch up with them later. Much in keeping with the American tradition of voting for candidates that would with any luck magically take them from peril to peace without the requisite hardship. Unfortunately, that never works.
So what did we learn from Lay Down Your Burdens? Quite simply, human nature is such that given a choice we will always take the path of least resistance even if it leads to subjugation. And in this case that’s exactly what happened. The humans were barely there a year before the hostile alien machines known as Cylons showed up and marched through the fledgling tent-city like the Germans in Vichy France. Why wouldn’t the good intentions of the fleet pierce the chrome-plated hearts of the enemy? The answer is simple: Cowardice is a punishable offense, and weakness is no defense.
Dilemmas like this make Battlestar Galactica compelling viewing. Science fiction has traditionally defined itself as utopian or dystopian as a matter of course, but reality is never that simple. What makes this different is that the present is more than enough of a canvas to paint a fictitious drama set in another time and place. Fear and doubt are prevalent human emotions since the Twin Towers fell. Indeed, palpable threats are the reason so many folks seek escape whenever possible. And few dramatic risks have been taken to combine the fantasy of space with the gritty and constrictive themes of blind sanguinity and overbearing dread.
And that’s what it comes down to when all is said and done. We can choose to witness the filtered news of faceless conflict surrounding us or we can escape and project on to unknown neighbors acts of sacrifice and valor depicted on the small screen. We can envision a day of peace but guard that faith with the reality of an enemy that has shown a visceral contempt for our lives. There is a message in Battlestar Galactica and in the optimism of most of us in a post-9/11 world: Hold on, keep the faith, and never give up hope.
All in all, not bad, not bad at all.
The first season is availalble now and the second (this season) will be soon. Or you can watch this season when the espisodes repeat.
Please take me off your ping list.
Done. Have a nice evening. :)
Don't know if you watch the show but you might want to check it out.
Thanks, you too.
I tried watching the show a couple of times. Pure space opera drek. I'm sorry I didn't get a thing out of it, political or otherwise. However it looks as if Dr. Who has taken its place for the time being. Let's hear one for the Time Lords!!
Great essay.
Only problem is, I've seen every new episode of BSG this season EXCEPT for the finale! It's driving me batty, and I can't resist not reading spoilers for it!
battlestar is the GREATEST show ever. period.
A+ writing in a world of water downed junk tv.
Got Dr. Who on hold tonight til my daughter gets home. It's not in the same realm of BG but sounds promising.
Only problem is, I've seen every new episode of BSG this season EXCEPT for the finale! It's driving me batty, and I can't resist not reading spoilers for it!
You missed a doozy. I think you can download it using iTunes.
Yes, the miniseries, the first season, plus the first half of the second season are on DVD; look for the rest of season two shortly.
I'm a sci-fi fan since I was a kid. I always loved it not just because of all of the whiz-bang stuff, but because it gives almost unlimited opportunity to investigate the human condition. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Bladerunner) is an excellent example of this.
The new BSG goes in the same lines. Yes, there are cool special effects, but they pale in comparison to the story and the characters. BSG is truly sci-fi at it's best.
And here I sat on a tape of the miniseries for a year because I didn't want to see how someone screwed up one of my favorite childhood series.
bummer no BSG tonight, the Doctor Who remakes sucks
Excellent essay! BSG makes a fantastic allegory to contemporary society. And with the baseball bat to the head ("One Year Later..."), I can't wait to see where things will go in October.
I finally listened to executive producer Ron Moore's podcast, and he makes some interesting points and only tosses a few hints about next season (the "Five Years Later" crack was a joke, I at least figured that much out).
One of the biggest is that Dean Stockwell (Brother Cavil) will return next season, and we already know that Lucy Lawless (D'Anna Biers) is joining the cast as well.
Thanks Mike, that means alot coming from you. The more I listen to Ron Moore's podcasts the more I know the guy gets it. The show is a rare treat.
I was in London last April when the new Dr. Who made its debut, and had a chance to catch one or two programs. IMHO the casting was terrible - the guy who plays Who has an idiotic grin and comes across as a brainless twit...
Since I don't have cable, I have to wait for the eps to come out on DVD. I have Season One and have enjoyed it very much. Here's hoping Season Two comes out before Christmas so my loved ones can gift me with it (hint, hint).
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