BSG: 2.04. They should just clone more Apollos

[dangermousie]

Very VERY good ep. I will start with least favorite bits, and progress to the best.

First off, Caprica storyline? Permit me still not to care. So Starbuck and Helo come across a sports team led by Caprica's Michael Jordan, and there is mutual waste of ammo and Starbuck shows she can play ball and likes her men alpha. *yawn* I hope to never see Caprica again, one of these days.

I literally spilled tea on myself when Adama walked into Tigh's room. Good to see him up! This said, he seems to be endorcing Tigh's choices and not having his head on a platter. Yes, there is such a thing as personal loyalty, but when it includes covering and not rebuking Tigh who screwed up beyond belief, that's a whole other matter entirely.

I liked Tigh first season, but I have lost any liking and respect for him. He allowed Ellen to manipulate him (she could have talked till the cows came home and neither Adama nor Apollo would have budged. Also, interesting sexual dynamics), he actually sent Marines to the civilian ships and put pilots (!!) in charge. He beat up on Tyrol for no reason. He is drinking on duty. The man is a menace, pure and simple.

Tyrol? Poor guy. He is having a week from hell, and having Boomer die in his arms, shot by Cally (who has lost her mind, apparently. That was stupid), is not improving it. I love that he still loved her (and the parallelism of his blood and her blood dripping similarly).

I love Baltar. The new Baltar that is. The one who is still selfish and unpredictable and who knows on what side, but who has actually grew a spine and is using his intellect and his ruthlessness to great effect: with Boomer, with Cally. Perfect. I hate wimpy whimpering wimps. (Also, neat to know Boomer really loved Tyrol and subconsciously knew the number of models). It's also clear that Baltar is now in control a lot more in his interactions with Six.

And now on to the best: Roslin and Apollo. How cool is it that the pilots love Apollo (and he seems so comfortable with them) and that Dee (and I am sure she is not the only one) thinks Apollo would make a better leader than Tigh? I love that Apollo plans the escape from the brig (he only gave his parole for when he is on duty) and that he pays a visit to unconscious Adama sounding like a son any father in his right mind would be proud of. I love that he thinks of Zarek as the best bet (which he is), and the fact that he is willing to risk being blown out of the sky. I simply love this man, and I think he is a very clever and able leader, and you know what? I don't care if Kara and he never hook up because so far I love how he operates Starbuck-less.

I loved Roslin's talking that guard out of shooting by plainly stating her case and her determination. I love Roslin, period. I need a Roslin icon.

I love Billy, Dee, Cottle et al working on the escape (and Gaeta covering for Dee) but Billy, ever the political idealist, refusing to come with Roslin (he can afford to be a bystander, Apollo can't. Without him, Roslin rots).

I loved the episode.

Comments

[linaerys.livejournal.com]

Also, neat to know Boomer really loved Tyrol and subconsciously knew the number of models

I actually wondered about that. Because Baltar was going "Ten . . . nine . . ." counting down and Sharon says "eight", so I don't know (a) if she knows and (b) if you can trust that is the correct number.

Maybe I'm overthinking it, though.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

That's true. There is a reason torture is not a reliable method of info. People will say anything to save themselves (or in this case, their loved ones).

RM has enough wiggle room with this. I wonder why Baltar simply doesn't ask Six in his head?

[raincitygirl.livejournal.com]

Possibly because Six has no compunction about lying to him "for his own good" and he knows it.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

You know, why DON'T they clone the hot guys? Why are there not like 20 Helos or Apollos running around, yet there's a surplus of Boomers and Sixes. Someone better start getting some male toaster ovens running around.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, and all the male Cylons are singluarly unattractive. Darn!

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't get that. There has yet to be an attractive slew of male Cyclons. I'm waiting.

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

Well, actually, I find Callum Keith Rennie (Leoben Conroy, whom Roslin tossed out the airlock), quite attractive, but we haven't seen him for awhile, sadly.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Well, he is better than Doral, but he doesn't do it for me :)

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

I loved Roslin's talking that guard out of shooting by plainly stating her case and her determination.

I adore Roslin. I've started to shy away from episode commentary that talks about how freaky and/or awful Roslin is, because I'm just not seeing it. Yes, the whole prophet thing may be just a tad over the top, and yes, she's made mistakes, but who hasn't? Sheez.

I, too, care nothing for the current Caprica storyline. I just want them to hurry up and get Starbuck, Helo, Caprica!Boomer and all those people back to Galactica (not spoiler, just my current hopeful assumption).

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I didn't care for Roslin in S1 for some reason, but this season? I adore the woman. Yes, she is flawed of course (everyone is), but she is a better leader than Tigh and a good leader period.

As to Caprica? One word: Blah. Seriously, Vancouver scenery is pretty but that is the extent of it.

[(Anonymous)]

I literally spilled tea on myself when Adama walked into Tigh's room. Good to see him up! This said, he seems to be endorcing Tigh's choices and not having his head on a platter. Yes, there is such a thing as personal loyalty, but when it includes covering and not rebuking Tigh who screwed up beyond belief, that's a whole other matter entirely.


I'm kind of confused why people think Adama is endorsing Tigh's choices....Adama was asking, 'what'been happening on my ship?' and Tigh didn't reply with, 'well, I pissed off the civilians, eleveted Roslin to prophet-level, and shot up a bunch of marines', he said,'I frakked up'.

Now, as a friend, Adama seems to be trying to be comforting Tigh, as in, 'well, I have too'. He's not even aware of the extent of how much Tigh frakked up, so I don't see the 'excusing Tigh's behavior' in the short scene we saw at the end.


He [Tigh] beat up on Tyrol for no reason.


Actually, I thought beating up Tyrol was very much in character, and was not representative of 'mean Tigh'. Tigh suspected Tyrol was a cylon, which (in his mind) justifies beating up Tyrol. Even if Tyrol isn't, he knew of Tyrol's association with Boomer and probably suspects that he's been protecting Boomer.

Remember, Tigh's best friend has been shot by Boomer, so by association, Tigh is thinking Tyrol is guilty by association. I'm not condoning what he did to Tyrol (or Boomer), but I feel that alot of 'good' people would have an urge to beat up someone they think is partially responsible for his best friend's attempted assassination. It's human nature to want revenge. Look at Cally, few people are upset by what Cally did---she shot Boomer b/c she blamed Boomer for Tyrol's predicament. Tigh beat up Tyrol b/c he blamed Tyrol for Adama's current state. Yet, really, neither Boomer nor Tyrol were malicious in their intent.

Tigh isn't a bad CO, but a competent XO. I don't think people give Tigh enough credit for being competent at the one job he was assigned to do, which is to be second in command. He's just lousy when he doesn't have someone controlling him. I think tha'ts what makes the character so great. He's a man who knows his weakness, and fails accordingly b/c of it.


I love Baltar. The new Baltar that is.


Yeah, Balter is great. It's nice to finally see him do more than cower and have sex.

Sorry, didn't realize I was not logged in when I posted

[phylogenetics.livejournal.com]

Since I can't delete my post, a few corrections to it:


I literally spilled tea on myself when Adama walked into Tigh's room. Good to see him up! This said, he seems to be endorcing Tigh's choices and not having his head on a platter. Yes, there is such a thing as personal loyalty, but when it includes covering and not rebuking Tigh who screwed up beyond belief, that's a whole other matter entirely.


I'm kind of confused why people think Adama is endorsing Tigh's choices....Adama was asking, 'what'been happening on my ship?' and Tigh didn't reply with, 'well, I pissed off the civilians, eleveted Roslin to prophet-level, and shot up a bunch of civilians'. He said,'I frakked up'.

Now, as a friend, Adama seems to be trying to be comforting Tigh, as in, 'well, I have made bad decisions also'. He's not even aware of the extent of how much Tigh frakked up, so I don't see the 'excusing Tigh's behavior' in the short scene we saw at the end. I guess Adama probably won't replace Tigh with someone else, mainly b/c Tigh IS a competent XO, and he and Adama works well together. Adama is short sighted in that regard, but since they are so short on senior officers, I'm not sure replacing Tigh would be better.


He [Tigh] beat up on Tyrol for no reason.

Actually, I thought beating up Tyrol was very much in character, and was not representative of 'mean Tigh'. Tigh suspected Tyrol was a cylon, which (in his mind) justifies beating up Tyrol. Even if Tyrol isn't, he knew of Tyrol's association with Boomer and probably suspects that he's been protecting Boomer.

Remember, Tigh's best friend has been shot by Boomer, so by association, Tigh is thinking Tyrol is guilty by association. I'm not condoning what he did to Tyrol (or Boomer), but I feel that alot of 'good' people would have an urge to beat up someone they think is partially responsible for his best friend's attempted assassination. It's human nature to want revenge.

Look at Cally, few people are upset by what Cally did---she shot Boomer b/c she blamed Boomer for Tyrol's predicament. Tigh beat up Tyrol b/c he blamed Tyrol for Adama's current state. Yet, really, neither Boomer nor Tyrol were malicious in their intent.

Tigh is a bad CO, but a competent XO. I don't think people give Tigh enough credit for being competent at the one job he was assigned to do, which is to be second in command. He's just lousy when he doesn't have someone controlling him. I think tha'ts what makes the character so great. He's a man who knows his weakness, and fails accordingly b/c of it.


I love Baltar. The new Baltar that is.


Yeah, Balter is great. It's nice to finally see him do more than cower and have sex.

Re: Sorry, didn't realize I was not logged in when I posted

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Now, as a friend, Adama seems to be trying to be comforting Tigh

True. But if the preview for the next ep is any indication, he does seem to be backing him up (if it plays out differently, that is another matter of course).

Yes, Tigh is a good XO, but he is a horrible CO. Yes, he's never been CO before, but unlike a lot of others thrust into positions of responsibility that weren't theirs (Roslin, Apollo, Adama himself), he folds.

Beating up on Tyrol I think is just as dumb as shooting Boomer. Dumber actually, since Cally is young and there is proof Boomer is Cylon. Tigh is old enough to know better and should at least wait for the test.

As to the new Baltar? Long may he thrive!

[lpmufinfiend.livejournal.com]

*Lurks in shadowy corner and casts her Glare Of Death upon you*. YOU DON'T CARE?! Have you entirely abandoned the cause of hot pilot sex? Because we need torch brandishers on the front lines now more than ever. This shebang with Anders is not doing my OTP any favors, since maybe Kara screwing up is going to make a rift. I hate rifts. And even IF (this is a big if, and I am venturing into an uncomfortable subject for me) they don't get together, you've gotta say they fly well together, now that they're on okay terms. If Kara screwed up their groove in the emotional arena, Lee might fudge in the air. Which would suck.

And I hate Ellen. I have to say this. A colony in space is missing their World's Biggest Slut. Geh, she annoys me. Like she's doing the can-can on my very last nerve. Athough she does help round out the show, gives it a little 'desperte housewives' fringe on the side. But still. I hate her.

Not liking how certain backstory character flaws are consuming the present moment, like Kara's long-running tendency to frak up, Lee's to have split loyalties, Tigh's to hit the bottle, and Ellen's to be an egomaniacal, airhead tarnished trophy wife. I don't know, I'd like to see them play some cards besides the ones they set up as failsafes. We KNOW that Kara's a frak-up, Lee's indescisive, Tigh's an alcoholic, and Ellen's a skank. I don't need a fifty millionth example. Show me something different, and nothing cliche'd like hidden artistic talent or good-girl roots swayed by adolescent trauma.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I don't think Lee is indecisive. He's complicated yes, but he has no problems making decisions. The go against Adama's sometimes because he has his own code of ethics.

I am all for hot pilot sex, and hopefully I'll get my enthusiasm back when Buck and Apollo are back together. The Anders thing is rather annoying so I don't want to get my hopes up just to get my ship dashed. See how it works out.

Re: Ellen. I don't think even spacing her would do any good, as she's got vacuum instead of brains anyway.

[lpmufinfiend.livejournal.com]

You're right, Lee's simply unafraid to think controversially, and to act upon his own opinions. I'm just out of joint over Anders-- see my new icon? It is Anders protestation. It's the little things that bother me, see, and while I know he'll be out of the picture faster than you can say "hot pilot *reunion* sex", it irks me that he's IN the picture to begin with.
Ah, well, I suppose everyone needs a nervous habit. Kara's must be fracking. Mustn't nitpick my deity of flight, flirting and foxiness.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

ROFL re: icon! Heeee.

[tessercat.livejournal.com]

I don't think Kara's a real frak-up; she's impulsive, that's all. She's sooo gonna score. I love the cigar smoking, cocky, gambling, guy fracking free-wheeling energy of Starbuck. Apollo has nice arms, but the guy needs to loosen up.

Starbuck is my idol.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I prefer Apollo to Starbuck. He is a better, more qualified leader. Starbuck is a good soldier and a much better pilot than Apollo. But I know who I'd want running the fleet, of the two.

Of course Buck is going to score...he's cute, he's male, he's alpha :)

[tessercat.livejournal.com]

Starbuck can lead a fighter squadron, but not the whole fleet. Too much fraking responsibility. So, Apollo is a better leader, sure. A worse pilot, marksman, card player, and ball player though.

Baltar wasn't alpha ;)

But I agree, its a done deal.

Wouldn't mind Starbuck running the fleet if push came to shove. Imagine the new rules she would implement. Much fun. Might throw off the cylons with her unpredicability.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

No, Baltar isn't alpha. More like somewhere near the end of the alphabet. But Baltar wasn't a mutual attraction sort of thing, the vibe she has with Anders. More of a "heck why not?" thing.

A worse pilot, marksman, card player, and ball player though

Yes indeedy. :)

[sabaceanbabe.livejournal.com]

Without having read through all the replies so I don't forget what I was going to say...

This said, he seems to be endorcing Tigh's choices and not having his head on a platter.

I don't believe Adama is endorsing Tigh's choices at all. He's telling Tigh, without yet knowing the extent of the damage, that he's not going to have his head on a platter because Tigh did the best he could with what he had. Not the best Adama could've done, not the best Apollo could've done, but the best Tigh could've done. Adama is showing that he is a professional and giving Tigh the benefit of the doubt because no one else was in Tigh's shoes when he made the decisions he made.

Tigh seems to be an excellent XO, but an excellent XO does not an excellent Commander make. On one level, I think Adama understands this, but it'll be interesting to see how Tigh's bad decisions play out once Adama is back in control and can sort things out. He may have to rethink having Tigh second in command and I have to wonder if the Colonial military has any provision for putting someone other than the XO in command of a ship if the Commander is incapacitated? Probably not, but... :P

I wonder why Baltar simply doesn't ask Six in his head?

Because that wasn't the information Baltar was looking for. He didn't care what Sharon told him. He was more interested in whether or not she would let the Chief die (indicating that Cylons are machines and have no feelings for others) or if she would say/do anything to make Baltar give Tyrol that antidote (indicating that Cylons are capable of deeper emotions).

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Because that wasn't the information Baltar was looking for.

Wow. You know, that didn't even occur to me. Thank you.

Re: Tigh. I agree he is competent XO and not auditioning for the CO role. But I really hope Adama will be at least somewhat angry when he sees how badly Tigh derailed.

[sabaceanbabe.livejournal.com]

I really hope there is fallout between Adama and Tigh. So far, the writers have not disappointed me... :)

[wildtiger7.livejournal.com]

I love that Apollo plans the escape from the brig (he only gave his parole for when he is on duty)

Huh, I hadn't thought about that, but that's true. Upholding the letter of the promise while violating it's spirit.

I loved the episode, too.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I just thought it was such a clever and creative and Apollo-like thing to do. Look at his dealings with Zarek, after all.