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.
It's my understanding that the DVD's will have Ron Moore's commentary from his podcasts which well augment the show.
Guess BG developed this plot line to delay the long flight back to Earth. Once they find Earth it's like the end of the series, right?
Well said! I'll never give up hope.
Nicely done, Nunya.
Thanks Victoria. That's one hell of a ping list Evening Star has.
Well, that's where he usually finds me, LOL.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, Nunya.
And to you too ma'am.
Kindly explain who Ron Moore is, I'm not familiar with the name. I don't have cable and I don't receive podcasts.
Evening Star....Thanks for pinging me on this....I watch BSG, but I work on Friday Nights and get home late and "sort of" wat it while I do my piddling around the house, but did not seriously start paying attention to it until the last couple of months....I think it's great but I am kind of at a loss about what is going on...there seems to be 2 story lines going on with the same people in each story line but different...if that makes sense...I know it's a rag tag group of survivors trying to find a place to live having to run from the Cylons (sp)...can anyone kind of fill me in on the story line? I thought the last espsode this season was great...Is one of the Bridges boys in it? Also, I like Starbuck and commander Odommo (sp?). Is there a link I can go and read up on it so I will be ready for when the next season starts in October? Thanks.
In that case, you MUST beg, borrow, steal, rent, or buy the 5 DVD first season set.
Actually, the first DVD is the original mini-series, the next 4 being the entire first season. It's really something of a science fiction masterpiece.
Like all of the best science fiction, it's about the people. The stories (and there's usually more than one going on at any given moment) deal with people and their problems. The writers, directors, cast, and producers have come up with quite a series.
Mark
Well, I was very disappointed by the "Doctor Hunter" guy that Rose went to see, and how the current incarnation of The Doctor appeared throuout history. Of course, he could, but it would have been nice to see a nod to the other incarnations. I didn't catch the entire show.
Mark
Ron Moore is the Executive Producer and creator of the show. In other words, the guy that controls the content.
hey there. I'm on the South Park ping list, but I've never missed a BSG either, I absolutely LOVE the show!
I must say, when I read EveningStar's post, that you write like a pro, I had to scroll up and verify that it was a vanity. Good writing, I must say!
And if you do a BSG ping list, add me please!
Oh, and EveningStar, you should definitely start watching Battlestar Galactica. I was never into SciFi myself, but I love BSG!
Thanks, and I appreciate you taking the time to read it.
If you were there, then you know the show is a hit..
It came back for the 2nd season with a new actor playing the Doctor..
The 1st season Dr. was wildly popular in the UK.. and the 2nd seems to be doing well, despite the disappointment of the viewers at the loss of the 1st..
As a Very Long Time Fan of the Doctor Who series, ( I think I have seen them all over the years ) I understand that it's not everyone's "cup of tea"..
But in my personal opinion, tonight's 2 episode premier played very well and I was quite satisfied with what I saw..
I look forward to viewing the whole series..
Here's a good link for you, to catch up on the show episode-by-episode if you like. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Battlestar_Galactica_%282004_television_series%29_episodes
You asked if one of the Bridges boys was in the show...I don't know about that, I havent spotted one if they are. But I do know that the late (comedic genius) Lloyd Bridges was in the original series (78-80), playing the part of Commander Cain. The role of (Admiral) Cain is played by a woman in the new series.
Anyway, that link should provide you with enough info. If you have any questions, FReepmail me, I'll fill you in. I haven't missed an episode, and I have them all on my computer! =)
I too am a life-long SF and Fantasy fan (afficianado?) and can say I've enjoyed this new series of BSG...
It's much better written than the original series, the character development and interaction is better, there is more plot "background" which helps to provide motive to the character's actions..
And there is more of a sense of realism..
The original series was sort of "campy", suffering from a touch of "Lost In Space" syndrome...
The new show had developed a much more serious story line which I really appreciate..
The development of some female lead characters has helped the show quite a bit as well..
The story lends itself to exposing the human condition, so to speak..
Like the original, there are still the collaborators, the "quislings", working with the enemy for personal gain..
But now, there is a new Cylon, an android indistinguishable from the humans, that can infiltrate on it's own, and manipulate and sabotage..
It's not quite as action oriented as SG-1, or SG Atlantis, and a problem may not be solved in one episode, but just gives it depth..
Saw ya at the BSG forum.
I posted a link to here so we'll see if some folks make it over.
Heh-heh! Lot more conservatives over there than I thought there would be. A nice suprise. Ron Moore's Wife is a really nice lady to chat with as well.
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