BSG: the fulcrum has shifted
Aug. 4th, 2005 11:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousieAll through the first season, I found myself annoyed by Laura Roslin. I don't know why. She was a competent and smart woman, who did the best she could in a horrible situation. But for some reason, she just rubbed me the wrong way. And when she became chamalla-dependent, and sent Buck on that bizarre (to me) mission, I became severely annoyed and thought: "Oh no. Will I always dislike her?"
Well, no more. I ended up really admiring her in S2. I still think that the chamalla-induced visions are far from reliable. So is the blind dependence on prophesy wrong.
But. But but but. She is in a cell, her bid has failed and she still manages to keep her composure. She is cool enough and pragmatic enough to ask Lee to disassociate himself from her because that would be in her best interests. She acts in such a manner that the guard assigned to restrict her is now her puppy. She shows incredibly cool head in "Valley of Darkness" and at the end, when she asks Tigh about returning to the brig, it's clear who is in control. And it isn't Tigh. And then in the last episode, she manages to turn the tables spectacularly, manages to turn her greatest weakness (her dying, her chamalla-taking) into her greatest strength. By mentioning her cancer herself, there are no rumors in the fleet, leaked in such a way as to damage her credibility. It's out in the open, and viewed in the way that is best (evidence of Prophethood). By mentioning the Prophesy herself (and when they have just found the mythical Kobol, no less, so even the agnostics have to waver), she takes action into her own hands and ensures that she will not be tossed aside, that she will get what she wants done, that she will have her own power base, one that loves her as much as BSG personnel loves Adama. And she does it minutes after suffering from horrible, painful withdrawal. She is one smart, tough cookie. I guess adversity brings out the best of her. My hat's off. Three cheers for Laura!
Well, no more. I ended up really admiring her in S2. I still think that the chamalla-induced visions are far from reliable. So is the blind dependence on prophesy wrong.
But. But but but. She is in a cell, her bid has failed and she still manages to keep her composure. She is cool enough and pragmatic enough to ask Lee to disassociate himself from her because that would be in her best interests. She acts in such a manner that the guard assigned to restrict her is now her puppy. She shows incredibly cool head in "Valley of Darkness" and at the end, when she asks Tigh about returning to the brig, it's clear who is in control. And it isn't Tigh. And then in the last episode, she manages to turn the tables spectacularly, manages to turn her greatest weakness (her dying, her chamalla-taking) into her greatest strength. By mentioning her cancer herself, there are no rumors in the fleet, leaked in such a way as to damage her credibility. It's out in the open, and viewed in the way that is best (evidence of Prophethood). By mentioning the Prophesy herself (and when they have just found the mythical Kobol, no less, so even the agnostics have to waver), she takes action into her own hands and ensures that she will not be tossed aside, that she will get what she wants done, that she will have her own power base, one that loves her as much as BSG personnel loves Adama. And she does it minutes after suffering from horrible, painful withdrawal. She is one smart, tough cookie. I guess adversity brings out the best of her. My hat's off. Three cheers for Laura!
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Date: 2005-08-04 06:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 07:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-05 03:53 am (UTC)To paraphrase some Klingon or other, she "may be a swaggering, overbearing tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood, but she's not *soft* - "
- say I in complete adoration...
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Date: 2005-08-05 04:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-05 04:09 am (UTC)And it's SO good to see a character who is a middle-aged, middle-size, well-groomed and competent, not trying to pretend she's still 25 but still sexy in the sense of 'competence is sexy.' Next to Roslin, Ellen Tigh comes off as someone who's never got over the high-school girl-games.
I think they have to let Roslin die, one way or another, but it's kind of a shame.
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Date: 2005-08-05 04:18 am (UTC)Exactly. Ellen seems like Lady Macbeth, but when you put her next to Roslin, they are not remotely in the same class.
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Date: 2005-08-05 05:23 am (UTC)But they've both made the BIG mistake of latching onto a man they could manipulate--only to find that a man that easy to manipulate doesn't have what it takes to handle power without cracking--especially when there's a load of guilt along with it.
It's nice to have a show that actually has some thought to the plotting and characterization, isn't it?