BSG: Home Part II

[dangermousie]

Wow. Loved it.

So many interesting things in this ep, I will have to break it by concept and character.

First off, Helo/Boomer. I have found my OTP for the show, and it is them. Guuuuuuh! I now need about 20 H/B icons. They are beyond adorable/complicated/cool.



I really loved that he is comfortable enough with her, that they are easy enough with each other that they are cracking jokes about each other (when she jokes she is smarter than he is, or he calls her a dictionary) and the baby (He: "the baby can have your brains as long as it has my looks" She" "that would look nice on a girl!") Once he decided to accept her, he did wholeheartedly. Helo is a pretty simple guy. He loves her and that's that and the rest is immaterial. I loved the fact that they showed Apollo watching Helo and Boomer together and being not hostile but completely uncomprehending as to how he can love a machine when he knows she is a machine. This is an attitude Helo is going to meet a lot with. And I love Starbuck pointing out that he loves her, and he doesn't care about the rest. Basically it continues the exploration of what it is to love and who can love etc. I did wonder if their conversation was some kind of foreshadowing for other characters. After all, there are eight Cylons in the fleet.

I love when he visits her in the brig and she is the one who reassures him she is fine. I just love that Helo doesn't care how the rest of the fleet are going to regard him (I am sure Apollo's utter incomprehension is the best case scenario).

I love that when she aks him if he loves and trusts her, Helo is unhesitating. It's a good thing he is solidly there for her, because she doesn't seem to get a nice greeting (understandably) from anyone else. She does manage to win at least not being killed on the spot, one person at a time.

The whole fake-out plan with Zarek's second in command is rather neat. She has found the only way to get into Adama's "good graces." By showing loyalty. Loyalty and free will.

I found Boomer/Tyrol reunion quite interesting. She remembers himand feelings for him, but she doesn't feel them. I guess it's like being reunited with a friend or an ex who you have no feelings for any more. Her chosing to go back to Helo without any hesitation proves, even more than her shooting the bearded guy, that she does have free will. I also found it interesting that Tyrol's main reaction is being taken aback. Hmmmmm....

Also, if they do get their child, just imagine the fightd about religion and upbringing :D

On other fronts:

I loved the Baltar/Six parts. Baltar in the beginning, snarking at Six? I love the guy. I also found it interesting that there is no chip in hsi head. So what is Six? I liked that when she decided to "end" the fake-out she appeared in sweats, sort of like the woman who is tired of putting on an elaborate show and just shows the real her. I think it's a very clever idea, because Baltar would rather believe even that he is the Cylon chosen or something, than he is not special at all and this brings it home to him. Baltar is a dangerous dangerous guy and now he will take care of Boomer's baby? Scary.

Adama! Once he decides, he decides! He brings the fleet back together. His near death experience (and his little talk to Dee) really showed him what's important. I got all choked up during the scene where he sees Lee. The look on Lee's face! Such a potent cocktail of emotions. And then Adama, no recriminations, no questions, just pulls him into that bear hug. Whatever Lee was expecting, about his mutiny etc, it was surely not this. And then he sees Starbuck and looks like he can't believe his eyes. His children, both of them, have come back.

This is also the first time I've seen Adama/Roslin vibe. No, I don't think they are mating like bunnies, but they have this understanding of each other. I love when he offers her forgiveness and she says she isn't asking for it and he says he offers it anyway. And I love that she realizes that the fact that she broke her word bothers him more about her actions than the rest. I also love that he thanks her for the decision to run away and that it's due to her that he and Lee (I love how he emphasizes Lee and they both look over to see him with Starbuck, chatting) are alive. I also love how Lee and Kara seem to pretty much spend all their time together by default. Yay, friends!

Starbuck's revelation of Laura about resistance is not surprising, and so are Laura's musings about whether hers is the right course, but please tell me we are not going to be going back to Caprica. Ugh!

I liked the beared guy referring to Lee as Roslin's young prince (heeee). I also liked that Zarek ultimately decided to pull back with the plan. Also, Zarek/bearded guy=OTP. The death scene reminded me of Aragorn at Boromir's death in FOTR, only you know, not moving.

The way to find earth seems a bit mystical (and how did they get back anyway): is it a sensory halluciation, what? And with the "revelation" that Six is an "angel" I am wondering whose god(s) are right.

Anyway, great ep, can't wait for more.

Comments

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

I find the Helo/Boomer relationship interesting but really creepy. She's so unrepentantly superior and all about the Cylon god being the one true god that she freaks me out. (I also think this is a new ruse by the Cylons to insert a new Sharon copy in the fleet; they're making people trust her by having all of her Cylonness on the surface so people don't suspect deep dark things).

I liked the Adama and Roslin stuff - especially in that she didn't ask for or accept his forgiveness for something that she thought was right and that it's not a big issue with him. They can move on.

I also liked the way she dealt with Kara's we should go back to Caprica plan; she was as gentle as she could be given that that was not the best time to bring that up. I was most happy though that we got happy people for the first time in forever. Following the Joss Whedon school of thought, though, that means they'll all be dead or miserable by the end of the next episode.

[sideofzen.livejournal.com]

Following the Joss Whedon school of thought, though, that means they'll all be dead or miserable by the end of the next episode.

If they weren't, I might be concerned I was watching the wrong show!

[rhi-silverflame.livejournal.com]

I'll second that.

I cannot have my TV without angst.

Unless it's Power Rangers, but, you know, it's Power Rangers . . .

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Heeee. Love the icon!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Indeed :)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I also liked the way she dealt with Kara's we should go back to Caprica plan; she was as gentle as she could be given that that was not the best time to bring that up.

I just really hope we NEVER go back to Caprica. Urgh!

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

I fear Caprica. I really do.

[kaseido.livejournal.com]

The whole fake-out plan with Zarek's second in command is rather neat. She has found the only way to get into Adama's "good graces." By showing loyalty. Loyalty and free will.

I saw that coming - but I love the way you put it. She got to Adama by demonstrating his core value. Smart, direct and effective. I like this Sharon way better than I ever liked GalacticaSharon.

The death scene reminded me of Aragorn at Boromir's death in FOTR, only you know, not moving.

lol! I actually saw a lot of the Aragorn/Frodo dynamics playing through the ep. And it does leave Zarek in a particularly interesting position as Leader of the Race of Men, compared to Zeus and his consort, to totally mix metaphors. I think/hope Zarek comes out of this tempered, and more effective, as a player rather than a spoiler.

TWO WEEKS till more?! Aargh!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I like this Sharon way better than I ever liked GalacticaSharon.

Of course, this Sharon has the advantage of knowing who she is.

I think/hope Zarek comes out of this tempered, and more effective, as a player rather than a spoiler.


Yes indeed. I really like Zarek as a character: a ruthless idealist who is out for himself but still has some principles.

[musicforcylons.livejournal.com]

And with the "revelation" that Six is an "angel" I am wondering whose god(s) are right.

Eh, one religion's angel is another's demon.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

True, but I am wondering if there are both "gods" and "god" in this Universe. Hmmm...

[musicforcylons.livejournal.com]

I can't see why not.

[zephyrrs.livejournal.com]

I LOVE your icon!!

[musicforcylons.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :D

[repr0b8.livejournal.com]

Yes, this is the episode that sets the love of Helo and Sharon in concrete. They love each other, and that's all that matters. The rest of the universe of course will not see things as simply.

It's fascinating the way the two of them approach things. He is so simple, so trusting, so ready to believe in the plain goodness of people. Sharon isn't willing to trust in anyone but herself and Helo, and her pro-active approach to things is really fun to watch.

Best episode ever for H/B lovers.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Best episode ever for H/B lovers.

Oh yes. *nods fervently*

[grace-om.livejournal.com]

The whole fake-out plan with Zarek's second in command is rather neat. She has found the only way to get into Adama's "good graces." By showing loyalty. Loyalty and free will.

It was clever and almost too calculating on her part. Personally, I'm still not convinced she doesn't carry a sleeper program somewhere--she wouldn't be aware of it, so she can swear she's all free will all she wants to. While I'm glad they didn't summarily execute her (clearly that would be wrong on many levels), I hope they have enough sense not to ever trust her completely. And like Lee, I'm uncomprehending of Helo's attitude. Sure, I can see him wanting to believe in her love for him (and she has given him evidence of that), but given how fooled they all were for so long by the other Sharon and all the good things she did for them (as a friend and fellow warrior) he really should be wary.

I love when he offers her forgiveness and she says she isn't asking for it and he says he offers it anyway.

They did have a great scene there, but I'm still worried about Adama. He graciously forgives her for what he sees as a military and personal betrayal. Fair enough. But he still appears to have no comprehension that his coup was totally illegal as well as an act which nearly destroyed the fleet. And yet I love Laura for *not* bringing that up; her ability to keep her mouth shut when she has justification for opening it, but realizes that speaking would be unproductive is a quality I really admire (and totally lack, LOL!). But if they don't resolve the fundamental issue of how to resolve disagreements between them, how long will it be before we're right back where we were a few episodes ago?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

But if they don't resolve the fundamental issue of how to resolve disagreements between them, how long will it be before we're right back where we were a few episodes ago?


I think she now has a lot more leverage than before and maybe he realized it wasn't such a good idea...

[zephyrrs.livejournal.com]

But he still appears to have no comprehension that his coup was totally illegal as well as an act which nearly destroyed the fleet.

[zephyrrs.livejournal.com]

But he still appears to have no comprehension that his coup was totally illegal as well as an act which nearly destroyed the fleet.

That bugs me as well. OTOH, I think his coming down to the planet to begin with is an admission that she was right and he was wrong. He gives in first.

However, we'll see how it plays out now that something *did* happen directly related to the arrow.

[ruby2andor.livejournal.com]

Captain Adama is the perfect patriarch; strong, decisive, passionate.
I liked the way both his son and Kara blinked and looked down when he they faced off with them; it reminded me of young dogs submitting to the alpha male.
I wonder if Roslin and Billy are going to end up romantically involved in some way...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

if Roslin and Billy are going to end up romantically involved in some way...

I can't imagine that. He is in love with Dee and she is dying from a pretty painful illness...

[zephyrrs.livejournal.com]

I think her glee at seeing him was more about restoring her "foundation" of people she can rely upon. She may be a strong-willed woman, but like anyone she must draw strength in part from the family that supports her. Right now, that would be her "sons" Apollo and Billy.

[sabaceanbabe.livejournal.com]

First off, Helo/Boomer. I have found my OTP for the show, and it is them. Guuuuuuh!

Yessssss!!! We have a new convert! We Elysians will take over the planet, one lj user at a time....

Helo is a pretty simple guy.

That is it exactly! Simple and stupid are worlds apart and I really wanna start poking people who call him stupid with a sharp, pointy stick. :P

I love that when she aks him if he loves and trusts her, Helo is unhesitating.

Loved that. Absolutely *loved* that.

The whole fake-out plan with Zarek's second in command is rather neat. She has found the only way to get into Adama's "good graces." By showing loyalty. Loyalty and free will.

The best part of that whole sequence, to me, was at the end when Sharon made her heart-felt speech, making sure that Adama understood that she was acting of her own free will when she handed him her gun. Knowing that he could shoot her much more easily than he could let it go.

She remembers himand feelings for him, but she doesn't feel them. I guess it's like being reunited with a friend or an ex who you have no feelings for any more.

That's it exactly. She remembers loving Tyrol in an intellectual sort of way. She knows what it is to love Helo with her entire being, body and soul.

This is also the first time I've seen Adama/Roslin vibe.

This is actually the second time I've noticed it, the first being the dance/party in Colonial Day.

the "revelation" that Six is an "angel"

I don't think Six is an angel anymore than I think she's a figment of his imagination or his id or what have you. Clearly, she isn't the product of a physical chip in his brain, but I think she is a real manifestion of a Cylon intelligence. We just don't know how she's doing it yet.

And, in that vein, did anyone else get a vibe that Sharon actually somehow intercepted Adama's thoughts when he remembered Boomer shooting him and the visiting her in the morgue and asking her why? I'm really beginning to think that Leoben may have frakked with Adama's brain on Ragnar Station in a similar way to what Six is doing to Baltar, only Adama has a much stronger character and value set than Baltar and thus is better able to fight against the influence. Heh. Or I could be full of crap.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

We just don't know how she's doing it yet.

Yes. I wonder how this Six works.

Re: Sharon. I too wondered about the "why" she mentioned. So, can she dl other Boomer's thoughts, or how does it work?

I guess the info retrieval Cylons talk about (if one of them dies) is not true resurrection: it's not as if some other Boomer will just wake up with all of GBoomer's memories. It's just the memories go into a collective pool.

Simple and stupid are worlds apart and I really wanna start poking people who call him stupid with a sharp, pointy stick. :P


Oh yes. He is a very strightforward guy. I love that.

[danceswithwords.livejournal.com]

I love that when she asks him if he loves and trusts her, Helo is unhesitating. It's a good thing he is solidly there for her, because she doesn't seem to get a nice greeting (understandably) from anyone else.

Helo is definitely in love, and he sure doesn't do it by half-measures--once he accepted what he felt for her, that was it. It's not very smart, but it's what he is. And I think Boomer loves him, but she's also coming across as deeply manipulative--like the way she handled Tyrol, which seemed to have little to do with genuine feeling and much to do with exploiting other people's emotions. I find Helo/Boomer less overtly romantic than vaguely creepy at this point. But, yeah, they're complicated and interesting, and a meditation on love and what it makes of us all.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, you never know what is going with them, and that is why I find it so fascinating. After all, sleeper programming she doesn't know she has might kick in tomorrow for all we know. But I find their relationship utterling interesting because it really meditates on what it is to love and to have free will etc...

[zephyrrs.livejournal.com]

And then Adama, no recriminations, no questions, just pulls him into that bear hug. Whatever Lee was expecting, about his mutiny etc, it was surely not this. And then he sees Starbuck and looks like he can't believe his eyes. His children, both of them, have come back.

Olmos' acting in this scene is utterly amazing....actually everyone is great in this ep, but Olmos' eyes make me want to cry when he sees Kara.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. I was sniffling.

[zephyrrs.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed reading your summation. I felt much the same way at several moments. I loved the way they wrote the Boomer confrontation. I saw it coming because I couldn't imagine her totally breaking Helo's trust --- yet. Even so, I didn't expect her little speech and I loved it!!

I also really loved Starbuck's reassurance to Helo immediately afterwards. I think Starbuck WANTS to believe but is still walking on eggshells. That little touch is all about her saying..."see it's OK, I think you are right" as well as "I guess bringing her with us wasn't a total frak up."

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I agree completely about Kara wanting to believe...