BSG: 2.10 Best Episode of the Season
Sep. 25th, 2005 06:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousieThat's why I love Galactica: grab by your throat hour culminating in a cliffhanger that is making Dangermousie goggle and make whimpering noises.
Wow.
Even though I knew nothing good would come of the meeting with the Pegasus, I couldn't help but be excited: the music, the reuniting crews etc etc.
I think, in very huge ways it's about men who are in love with Cylons and the difference about Cain who is by-the-book and Adama who will go to the wall for the people under his command.
Tigh: I love that man. I think it was great how he figured out that the other CAG was telling the truth about Cain shooting the previous XO. That's the thing about Cain though: she is no Captain Bligh. She is very strict but she is not irrational. And you do see that Galactica is somewhat of a reject, second tier ship and crew compared to Pegasus.
Baltar: I think I am in love. He really cares about Six. For some reason, the only person he cares about except for himself is a Cylon, but there it is. I loved his and Six's horrified expressions when they saw the other Six. Though Batlar's Six's smugness before that is interesting: she does view the rest of Sixes as extentions of herself, quite different from Boomer(s). And of course, it's horrible that P-Six got gang-raped and tortured into a coma, but Cylons are in no positions to take moral high ground: they nuked 12 habitable worlds.
But to get back to Baltar: I think the most moving, my most favorite moment in this whole episode was his speech to P-Six about his Six and his feelings and he really opened up to her in a way he has not to anyone, even his own Six. And when he said he loved Six, just sitting there slumped on the ground, dischevelled...wow. I think not only does it good for him to bare his soul to someone, the fact he is so horrified by P-Six's condition (and you can tell that in the way he orders the soldiers out), is because she IS another version of a person he loved.
The thing that he had to say that the food is not a trick and he won't take it away from P-Six tells a whole huge story. And the look on his face as P-Six's hand finally reaches to the food...
Baltar and tears. Who would have thought? And I love that he is smart enough to refer to P-Six as "It" even though that is not what he thinks at all...
And then you have Tyrol and Helo and Sharon. The almost-rape scene was horrible to watch. I love the fact that Tyrol had to physically keep Helo off whoever was talking about the gang-rape, and I also love the fact that Tyrol is a bit cooler headed. I love that he is willing to protect Sharon, even though it's not HIS Sharon. In some ways, I think it's his expiation to her.
I know the death of Thorne was an accident but I was cheering. And I love the fact that there is a look of horror on Tyrol's face at Thorne's death and that Helo loses it so bad that he is pretty much oblivious to everything else but making the man's face a pulp. But my favorite in that whole scene is Sharon, completely traumatized, falling apart, crawling under a blanket (reminding me of P-Six a bit), making that horrible noise, and the camera cuts to Helo who is at that point is made to be on his knees with the gun pointing at him so can't move and you see it's killing him not to be able to go to her that second.
In other news: Kara and Apollo and the other crew. Adama once again tried to argue with Cain but once he ageed he will not say that he agrees with Apollo and Starbuck. The look of betrayal on Lee's face is devastating. Of course, once again, I can see why Cain would want to do what she did but it still drives me crazy.
I also love that Starbuck's usual insolent-way-of-stating-the-plan doesn't work: different team and all. And that Apollo keeps his nose clean but gets Starbuck to sneak the camera in and do what he and Kara wanted all along. That's the difference between them. He is good at planning because he can keep his temper under control and come up with creative ways to circumnavigate authority. That's the man who red banned books in collge, indeed! Also, the whole "distracted during flight" thing is not just for Helo and Tyrol. He is worried for Kara, there.
And then we get Cain's attitude to Roslin. She definitely treats her as a mere schoolteacher. She makes Tigh look like the biggest supporter of civilians ever.
And finally, Adama. Who knows he is supposed to give up his command, but despite what he tells Roslin, he's used to it and not too pleased to do so (btw, I so see all these shippy vibes between them). And then, he orders vipers to protect Helo and the Chief. That is so in character. That's Adama who wouldn't leave Starbuck on the moon. That's Adama who ordered a coup because he thought Roslin tricked Kara. Etc etc etc. The man will do anything for his crew, and that is why they love him.
And I think now he can understand his son's mutiny better. He is rebelling against injustice, just as Apollo did.
Last note, I loved Cally going to bat for the Chief, as always.
Basically: perfect.
Wow.
Even though I knew nothing good would come of the meeting with the Pegasus, I couldn't help but be excited: the music, the reuniting crews etc etc.
I think, in very huge ways it's about men who are in love with Cylons and the difference about Cain who is by-the-book and Adama who will go to the wall for the people under his command.
Tigh: I love that man. I think it was great how he figured out that the other CAG was telling the truth about Cain shooting the previous XO. That's the thing about Cain though: she is no Captain Bligh. She is very strict but she is not irrational. And you do see that Galactica is somewhat of a reject, second tier ship and crew compared to Pegasus.
Baltar: I think I am in love. He really cares about Six. For some reason, the only person he cares about except for himself is a Cylon, but there it is. I loved his and Six's horrified expressions when they saw the other Six. Though Batlar's Six's smugness before that is interesting: she does view the rest of Sixes as extentions of herself, quite different from Boomer(s). And of course, it's horrible that P-Six got gang-raped and tortured into a coma, but Cylons are in no positions to take moral high ground: they nuked 12 habitable worlds.
But to get back to Baltar: I think the most moving, my most favorite moment in this whole episode was his speech to P-Six about his Six and his feelings and he really opened up to her in a way he has not to anyone, even his own Six. And when he said he loved Six, just sitting there slumped on the ground, dischevelled...wow. I think not only does it good for him to bare his soul to someone, the fact he is so horrified by P-Six's condition (and you can tell that in the way he orders the soldiers out), is because she IS another version of a person he loved.
The thing that he had to say that the food is not a trick and he won't take it away from P-Six tells a whole huge story. And the look on his face as P-Six's hand finally reaches to the food...
Baltar and tears. Who would have thought? And I love that he is smart enough to refer to P-Six as "It" even though that is not what he thinks at all...
And then you have Tyrol and Helo and Sharon. The almost-rape scene was horrible to watch. I love the fact that Tyrol had to physically keep Helo off whoever was talking about the gang-rape, and I also love the fact that Tyrol is a bit cooler headed. I love that he is willing to protect Sharon, even though it's not HIS Sharon. In some ways, I think it's his expiation to her.
I know the death of Thorne was an accident but I was cheering. And I love the fact that there is a look of horror on Tyrol's face at Thorne's death and that Helo loses it so bad that he is pretty much oblivious to everything else but making the man's face a pulp. But my favorite in that whole scene is Sharon, completely traumatized, falling apart, crawling under a blanket (reminding me of P-Six a bit), making that horrible noise, and the camera cuts to Helo who is at that point is made to be on his knees with the gun pointing at him so can't move and you see it's killing him not to be able to go to her that second.
In other news: Kara and Apollo and the other crew. Adama once again tried to argue with Cain but once he ageed he will not say that he agrees with Apollo and Starbuck. The look of betrayal on Lee's face is devastating. Of course, once again, I can see why Cain would want to do what she did but it still drives me crazy.
I also love that Starbuck's usual insolent-way-of-stating-the-plan doesn't work: different team and all. And that Apollo keeps his nose clean but gets Starbuck to sneak the camera in and do what he and Kara wanted all along. That's the difference between them. He is good at planning because he can keep his temper under control and come up with creative ways to circumnavigate authority. That's the man who red banned books in collge, indeed! Also, the whole "distracted during flight" thing is not just for Helo and Tyrol. He is worried for Kara, there.
And then we get Cain's attitude to Roslin. She definitely treats her as a mere schoolteacher. She makes Tigh look like the biggest supporter of civilians ever.
And finally, Adama. Who knows he is supposed to give up his command, but despite what he tells Roslin, he's used to it and not too pleased to do so (btw, I so see all these shippy vibes between them). And then, he orders vipers to protect Helo and the Chief. That is so in character. That's Adama who wouldn't leave Starbuck on the moon. That's Adama who ordered a coup because he thought Roslin tricked Kara. Etc etc etc. The man will do anything for his crew, and that is why they love him.
And I think now he can understand his son's mutiny better. He is rebelling against injustice, just as Apollo did.
Last note, I loved Cally going to bat for the Chief, as always.
Basically: perfect.
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no subject
Date: 2005-09-25 10:47 pm (UTC)Heh! Baltar shed PLENTY of tears in the mini, but they were was only for his own sorry ass. This time it was for someone else and it was gorgeous to watch.
I thought the ep was perfect, too. :)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-25 11:29 pm (UTC)This time it was for someone else and it was gorgeous to watch.
Oh yes. I think it's the first time we've really seen him so devastated or caring for someone else, with no ulterior motive at all. And it's wonderful.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 12:26 am (UTC)(Btw, I definitely discovered both Roslin love and A/R this season :))
LOL I love a convert! :D
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 01:46 am (UTC)Yeah, I don't know why, but this season I keep seeing A/R subtext all over the place!
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 02:05 am (UTC)Hee!
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 01:27 am (UTC)I had the feeling that it was the first time he'd even admitted to himself that he did love her. Seeing her like that...just forced him to confront it--and he actually rose to the occasion. I loved it too :-) It's about time he got to do something besides act stupid and masturbate in public places ;->
And honestly, as much as I really don't fully trust Caprica Sharon's (or Six's) motivations, and am worried about these "women" worming their way so far into to the hearts of human males, I really am a romantic, and my heart sings to see love reach across such a seemingly unbridgeable gulf. (How's that for a run-on?)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 01:48 am (UTC)Oh yes. Because the inhuman mistreatment of P-Six (or Sharon) is also about how we (as people) shouldn't sink to such a low level but should hold on to our humanity. The fact that Helo, Tyrol, Baltar can love even under such circs is quite a plus point for the human race!
it was the first time he'd even admitted to himself that he did love her
Oh yes, I think so too. To see him so short of pretence ot tricks was amazing.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-25 11:43 pm (UTC)That was just so incredibly powerful, that he knew she'd need those reassurances to even move, his utter devastation at what this woman has been reduced to. And I think this is the first time he's used his deviousness on behalf of someone besides himself, because he was clearly manipulating Cain into better treatment for Pegasus Six, being careful to refer to her as it, maintaining the facade that it's all about the intelligence-gathering.
And then we get Cain's attitude to Roslin. She definitely treats her as a mere schoolteacher. She makes Tigh look like the biggest supporter of civilians ever.
There was a reference earlier to the fact that the Galactica had received supplies from the Pegasus, but that supplies promised to the civilians hadn't been delivered. I don't think Cain cares at all about the civilian fleed; I think she's ready to take what she needs and move on to continue her war. That's what it's all about for her.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-25 11:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-25 11:53 pm (UTC)Exactly. In some ways she is as much machine as the Cylons she hunts. Of course, the brings up the interesting point of resources. We saw that Glacatica had to play nice with civilians because they didn't have enough resources to survive by themselves. This is obviously not the case for the Pegasus. But why? Is it because they weren't decomissioned? But still, they should know they'd run out sooner or later.
That was just so incredibly powerful, that he knew she'd need those reassurances to even move, his utter devastation at what this woman has been reduced to
Oh yes. To see Baltar care was just incredible. To know that there is someone he'd take care of, and risk himself for, and have selfless feelings for. And he is very good at "sneakiness:" his approach was just right re: Cain.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 12:22 am (UTC)Well, they certainly didn't seem to have any problems pressganging a deck chief. Where did they take him from? A civilian ship? What else did they take? Although the Pegasus was a much more modern vessel (which gives rise to another set of questions--why weren't they affected by the Cylon virus that took out the rest of the Colonial military ships?) and lost a lot of men right away, so may have had more supplies than the soon-to-be-decommissioned Galactica.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 12:33 am (UTC)And the Pegasus wasn't affected by the Cylon virus they were in the shipyard for a major overhaul. Their computers were offline. (This from Ron's podcast for the ep.)
Quite a bit was NOT explained, though. Like what might've happened to make Cain run mad.
January will be an interesting month. :)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 02:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 03:08 am (UTC)I had heard about the cuts to this episode, and am glad to know that the details of how the Pegasus got away were originally included. I'm inclined to cut a lot of slack for this episode, because it was so difficult and so complex and I can fully believe that they had to cut a lot that was actually crucial--there wasn't one moment wasted in what aired, not a single second that was inconsequential.
That said, I maintain my generalized irritation at RM's tendency to sprinkle little bits of canon wisdom through the podcasts to explain stuff that he didn't include in the show. Podcasts should be an addition, not a storytelling crutch or a shortcut. In cases like this, where the creators have a very strong vision of a longer episode, one that will make it to DVD, I can understand it. When he uses the podcasts to explain stuff he couldn't work into the show during the routine course of a week's episode, it annoys the crap out of me.
This is 100% my personal opinion, obviously, but I feel very strongly that the text of a show should stand as text, independent of the creator's intent. It's always interesting to hear about the intent, but what we see on our screens, and how we react to it, are what the show is about. If he has to explain crucial plot points in a commentary, the text has failed. I reiterate that I really don't apply this rule to this particular episode, but I think in general it's important.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 12:45 am (UTC)Press-ganging (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressment) was an old British naval precedure for seizing crew from captive ships. I too got the impression that the crew chief was aboard a civilian vessel, and that the way he ended up on the Pegasus was not completely pleasant.
Their computers were offline. (This from Ron's podcast for the ep.)
This makes sense, but it points to something that gives me very mixed feelings about the podcasts. On the one hand, I think it's a terrific way of connecting the creators to the audience and a great promotional tool. On the other, I am a little distressed (well, a lot distressed) by Moore's tendency to supply information in them that, if it's really important and needs to be known to understand what's happening on the show, should be in the goddamned show and not an extra in a podcast. Because, ultimately, the show is the text; the podcast is commentary. Does that make sense?
I'm really looking forward to seeing the way this is resolved; I'd like to see a little more of how the Pegasus got to where it is, though unfortunately, I can kind of see the way adhering rigidly to military rules and roles and procedures in these circumstances, with no mitigating factors, is explanation enough.
(Reply to this)(Parent)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 01:20 am (UTC)This bugs me as well. A lot. However, in this particular case, this was explained in a scene that was partly cut (the drinking scene with Adama, Roslin and Cain -- the part where she explains how they escaped) and will be on the longer director's cut of the episode.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 01:49 am (UTC)The thing that Pegasus should worry about is that they've obviously ran out of people/things to pressgang. So I wonder if they had any long term plan at all?
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 02:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 12:55 am (UTC)And you're right - this was Baltar's perfect moment, when all his talents at seduction, deception, misdirection, could be put to use for the one thing in the universe besides himself that he cares about. Beautiful and deeply moving, in a sociopathic kind of way... *g*
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Date: 2005-09-26 01:51 am (UTC)Oh yes. And I love the fact that this Baltar is so complex. He is deeply selfish and good at self-justification, but he also cares for someone other than self and he does have remains of decency left (we saw it on Kobol, we see it here again).
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Date: 2005-09-26 01:56 am (UTC)icon love!
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Date: 2005-09-26 01:22 am (UTC)And then we get Cain's attitude to Roslin. She definitely treats her as a mere schoolteacher. She makes Tigh look like the biggest supporter of civilians ever.
Hahahaha! So true. I still have a soft spot for Tigh anyway, even though he's an idiot, but it was nice to see him actually be right about something this ep.
And I think now he can understand his son's mutiny better. He is rebelling against injustice, just as Apollo did.
Definitely. I think since he woke up from nearly dying he's been much more into the whole "family above all" thing, which leads to more bending of rules & going by principle & not by the book--so, yeah. Yay for Adama family understanding!
no subject
Date: 2005-09-26 01:52 am (UTC)I think Adama was always more about intuitive leadership rather than the martinet style of Cain, and a near-death experience certainly brought even more of that to the fore!