Posted on 02/24/2005 1:04:41 PM PST by KansasConservative1
I just want to lay out a few thoughts about the new Battlestar Galactica. I, like many sci-fi fans, have excitedly awaited the release of the new series. Here we are 5-6 episodes into the release and some items really bother me. I am not easily offended but I have stayed silent long enough. I am interested in input from other people that like the Battlestar series. I am interested to see if some of the observations that I make are legit or just hyper sensitive. Keep in mind I have sat through 5 episodes so that I have a clear context on the subject.
Positive Observations:
1) I think casting is great. I even think Starbuck is just as cool in a female character.
2) Effects are cool and the physics of space flight are great as well.
3) Cylon's are great (See exception below)
Negative Observations:
1) The sexual aspect between Baltar and the Cylon Blond is I think added for the male audience. (I just wrote that one off)
2) The thing that I really don't like is the religious overtones about the cylons and Baltar. The extremely sexually driven Cylon keeps whispering into Baltars ear that "God will forgive your sins, repent and be saved..." and stuff like that. This goes on throughout the series and in the latest episode (I think 5) Baltar is in deep trouble and in a minute of last desparation, he bows on his knees and repents of his sin. Also dedicates his life to gods devine purpose. At that time, the blond lady (who was absent for all of his troubles) appears behind him and "forgives his sin". "god" then alters the situation and Baltar is exhonorated for atrocities that he actually commited anyway. In a final scene, the blond Cylon is stripping as she walks upstairs and Baltar smiles and says "time to get down to "gods" work.
In no uncertain terms they seem to depict Christians as being evil and crazy. I know that is a tough statement but take the time to watch it and see the efforts that they go to to mock and even slam Christian values and a relationship with Christ. The also try hard to pervert that relationship with a sexual overtone that is unmistakable.
3) The final problem that I had was the episode where the terrorist character that is on a prison barge is let loose a series of events, he is made to look like a messianic savior of his people. Though he is a know terrorist and radical sympathizer, he is given his own ship and is presumably able to run for president once the existing term of the president is over.
The message here is that the terrorists are just victims of imperial opression and that they are heros and maryters. It almost seems that Ward Churchill wrote this episode for them.
Final Note: Since many of the actors are British, I am assuming that we are seeing the Socialist influence and backward thinking on the set. If I am wrong, please point out the error of my thinking so that we can have a civil debate of the actual facts.
The 'god' part of the blonde cylon's character is to break down Baltar. (You humans are so bad and we cylons are much better)
The 'terrorist' was, according to the show, a political prisoner before the cylon attack.
He didn't resort to violence until after the cylon attack and the subsequent exodus of the humans on their quest for Earth.
I'm not sure what brought about the resort to violence. I only caught part of that episode.
Important critique: actors don't write scripts. Don't blame the plot points you dislike on the actors, blame the writers.
I'm ambivalent about the Baltar business. He's been shown to be going bonkers since the miniseries.
And religion is treated with respect in other parts of the series.
"And religion is treated with respect in other parts of the series."
I guess this is true in the funerals. Thanks for the observation.
#2 seems to me an example of how the cylons aren't mere opposition, but evil.
Did you even remotely watch or pay attention to the latter part of that episode?
I see it totally differently... I see Battlestar Galactica as anti-Muslim.
- The Cylons can think like humans, yet are robotically programmed to destroy everyone not like them
- They "look like us now", an allusion to conversion of Westerners, and to jihadis who act like Westerners to blend in
- The coordinated sneak attack on human worlds, a big dramatic *synchronized* (AQ hallmark), awesomely destructive attack
- The suicide bomber in the last episode was IMO a dead giveaway
... and I'm sure I can think of others as well.
With regards to Balthar and the female Cyclon who talks of God, remember that Islam claims to worship the same. You didn't hear the woman mention Jesus, did you? What Christian would talk so much about God with zero mention at all of Jesus?
It just seemed to me that they are trying to parallel Baltar's crazy mental state and irrational actions with that of belivers.
God (also Christ) as the evil in sheeps clothing as portrayed by the Cylons.
"Did you even remotely watch or pay attention to the latter part of that episode?"
Yep, please point out how I am wrong.
Many web sites and discussions have pointed out the relationship between the original BSG and Mormonism. The originals creator, Glen Larson, confirmed that Mormonism influenced BSG.
Perhaps some of these undercurrent exist in the new series.
The new BSG is offered as an adult show. It lacks the cartoon character feel of the original.
It doesn't appear to be any more anti-Christian that 90% of the shows on television these days.
There isn't the slightest intimation that anyone...either the humans or Cylons...are "Christian."
The only character on the show to mock religion has in fact been Baltar....who is hardly a positively portrayed character.
The religiosity of the Cylons seems to be a deliberate mystery written into the show....particularly to differentiate it from the original BG. I don't think it's "fake" or being used by #6 to control Baltar. I really think the Cylons will turn out to have some sort of religion.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...once you stop LOOKING for ways to be offended and enraged, you'll be happier. And there's plenty of stuff that actually is offensive and outrageous without having to manufacture it, as seems so common now.
Well, I'm surprised you didn't pick up on the "blame America" undertones. In this incarnation, the Cylons are human creations thus mankind is responsible and getting what it deserves. Ron D. Moore, who reimagined this for Sci-Fi, has openly talked about his desire to emphasize 9/11 parallels.
In the classic, faith was a strong element as was family. Of course it was Mormon belief which was weaved through, since Galactica's creator Glen A Larson is Mormon, but the strong family element was key, especially strong father figures which something 2005 America could benefit from see more of on TV. Also, in the classic, Cylon's had betrayed their reptilian creators who had been seduced by the 'devil', a devious character which appeared called Count Iblis.
You already talked about the "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" element.
There's more of all of this yet to come.
There is nothing notably or uniquely Christian about those comments. What makes you think that there is?
If it is revealed that Cylons are religious kooks, again, there is nothing notably Christian about their characterization.
I have no idea how you connect their avowed religiocity (which may end up being insincere for all we know) inexorably with Christianity.
The long conversation between Apollo and Tom Zarek?
http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Television&action=page&type_id=&cat_id=270355&obj_id=43597
SCI-FI Channel has ordered a second season of its hit series "Battlestar Galactica." The series so far has aired five episodes of its first season of 13 episodes.
Creator and executive producer Ronald D. Moore previously has already been working on as many as six new scripts to resolve the multiple cliffhangers that will end season one. He wants to "delve deeper into the show's religious themes and open up the Cylon world a bit more in the coming season."
Throughout history, people have misused Christianity, either intentionally or through ignorance. Same can be said with other beliefs, not just Christianity. Maybe the writers are just reflecting on what has occured in our own world history and spinning it for this story. Not having seen the series, I can't comment directly on it.
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