I had an interesting conversation the other day with someone experienced in screenwriting (and whose writing has actually made it to screen) about BSG’s Season 3 cliffhanger. He said he thought the ending, in which four well-established characters are revealed (as far as we know) to be Cylons, was a “cop-out.” His reasoning? Writers who have led the audience to be so invested in these characters shouldn’t suddenly pull the carpet out from under us and say something akin to: “Psych! It was all a dream!” I know that creative writers often adhere to this concept, since a move like this can cause the audience’s disillusionment, alienation, or a sense of having been betrayed. (These are my own interpretations of that argument.)
But I can’t help but disagree when it comes to BSG. I’m sure the rule is a good one for most writing, but I think that the suspense of the “Cylon reveal” -Â ever since we’ve known Cylons can look exactly like people – has been a significant and exciting aspect of the show. I don’t feel cheated by this revelation (perhaps it’s because I think they’re good Cylons who want to help humanity get to Earth) – but instead I find it exhilarating to be in the same shoes as these characters who are simultaneously discovering the truth.
We’re all fans of the show, so I’m not expecting overt criticism of the writing or anything, but I’d love to know how you all respond to this question.
What is there to say about the season three finale except “wow.” Highlights: we walk through Baltar’s trial step-by-step all the way to the “jury’s” decision, consider the many, many explanations as to why we saw/didn’t see the “final five,” theorize on the possibilities of starbuck’s “fate,” and, well, wonder (just like you) how we’ll get through the ten (plus?) month off-season. (Hint: like the Cylons, we’ve got a plan.) We again welcome back GWC senior legal analyst Bill Watkinson, who walks us through this episode’s trial scenes. Don’t forget to call or send in your audio for next week’s listener ‘cast!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Here’s the new weekly presidental approval poll. Remember — even if you voted last week, you’ll want to vote again on this poll as this is a weekly feature and the results will vary from week to week. Let your opinion be heard (for free)!
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Laura Roslin is handling her job as president?
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Approve: 46% (207 votes)
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Disapprove: 42% (187 votes)
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Unsure: 12% (52 votes)
Total votes: 446
Note: This poll is closed, but you can vote in the current poll here.
If you’re not already attending a Frak Party — or hosting one! – join us here for the GWC online ‘party. Or hell, even if you are watching with friends, post their comments, too! There’s room for everyone, though you’ll have to bring your own snacks…
And, since we record the podcast right after the episode, we’ll check in here first to see what you had to say in real-time. Sweet.
Holy frack, it’s the season finale already! First off, I’d like to say thanks to all of you who’ve made this already great show un-freakingly-believeably-great for Audra, Sean and me with your great comments, theories, emails, and calls.Â
Secondly, if I may, I’d like to offer some advice about watching tonight’s show:
As you’ve heard via the podcast, I was really pissed after last season’s finale. I was angry for a lot of reasons, but mainly I was mad that a full year had passed in the lives of characters that I followed very closely (and held dear) without me seeing it. The chief was married? Why wasn’t I invited?Â
But after a while — even just a few weeks — I began re-thinking my initial reaction. As I started to wonder how the “resistance” would work — and how each of the characters would participate — I started to see how this storyline would add great depth to the entire cast, and I started to like it.
Eventually, after I saw what we described to Rolling Stone as “the best moment in on-screen sci-fi since the return of the Millenium Falcon at the end of Star Wars” during what many of you described as “the best hour of sci-fi TV ever,” I came to see the occupation on New Caprica as a truly brilliant story arc.
My advice: when you watch tonight, be prepared for some major shocks. I’ve successfully avoided the spoilers, so I have no idea what’s going to happen. I have some ideas, and I know you have ideas — because I’ve seen a lot of them via Submit a Theory this week. But one thing’s absolutely certain: whatever happens tonight, it’s going to be big, and it’s going to be controversial in the fan community.
I thnk it was Patton who said, “In war nothing is impossible provided you use audacity.” That’s good advice for the creators of BSG who from all reports have been fighting an uphill battle this season, struggling to expand to fill the new time slot. We’ll likely see some of that audacity tonight.
If I remember correctly, Patton also said, “Do not take counsel of your fears.” That’s good advice to the rest of us in responding to tonight’s episode. Last season I was afraid that we’d just lose that year. I was afraid we’d lose the vigor of the show’s premise with everyone stuck on the planet. In the end, those fears were unfounded.
My point is, whatever happens tonight, remember to give it a chance. Before you crank up your blog or podcast and begin firing shots that’ll be recorded for posterity, give it a chance to sink in.Â
Now I just have to take my own advice. Â
See you here tonight!
Lately, Laura Roslin’s been getting a lot of flak for her actions as president, even if the GWC polls indicate mostly favorable ratings. But I’ve noticed something new creeping into the fray: sexist rhetoric (or, one might call it, rhetoric that is hostile or condescending to women) aimed at Roslin’s character, whether intentional or not.
What constitutes sexist rhetoric?
1. The oft-repeated line about how Roslin, as the Admiral’s girlfriend/lover/protege, benefits from her relationship and uses it for immoral/illegal ends. Is it inappropriate for the president of the colonies and the leader of the military to have this kind of personal relationship? Perhaps. Is it sexist to assume that her power is derived mainly from her sexual ties with Adama rather than her own intelligence, experience, shrewdness, or destiny, whether good or bad? Yes.
We do know that Roslin had some kind of affair with President Adar. This could mean anything from- Roslin is attracted to powerful men- to Roslin fell in love with a guy who became president. Either way, nobody ever questioned Adar’s or Adama’s (hmm. interesting name similarity) capability on the job because they decided to have a relationship on the side.
This also goes for the female Cylons. Certain behavior might relegate women to being useless, undeserving arm candy, but having relationships with powerful men isn’t one of them.
2. There’s built-in prejudice against Roslin in the series because of her background as a teacher and Secretary of Education. But when viewers begin to ride this wave and refer to her as a “school-teacher” in a derogatory tone, my ire is raised both as a woman and an educator. Yes, our society has entrusted mainly women for the job of educating children. No, that doesn’t mean that a woman teacher can’t also be president, or kick ass, or both. As someone low on the totem pole in line for the presidency back on Caprica, maybe there is good reasoning to say that she should never have been assigned the job. But it’s not good enough to just scoff at her teacher-ness and dismiss her.
Roslin faces resistance based on her femaleness as well as her actions as president. Just criticism stems from the latter, the former being of no consequence to her ability to do the job.
Keith C. wrote:
I have a theory on who the revealed Cylon will be in Season 3. I believe it will be Tom Zarek for the following reasons:
1. He is one of the few people who could be a Cylon without having to be a sleeper agent (as far as believability is concerned). Also, I don’t think RDM will do another sleeper agent because he doesn’t seem to like to cover ground that he has already covered.
2. Zarek is a master at pulling strings/manipulation (seems to be a prerequisite for a Cylon).
3. He has sowed dissent in the Colonial government as the leader of a Sagittaron terrorist movement (“Bastille Day”), worsening the relations between Sagittarons and citizens of other colonies.
4. In late season one he tried to become vice president and had his eye on the presidency should “something” happen to Roslin.
5. Helped turn Roslin against Adama and helped split the fleet (early Season 2), getting many to go to Kobol in order to find the way to Earth (I think Earth has always been the plan of the final-five Cylons).
6. He convinced Baltar to run for president and came up with the New Caprica settlement issue in order to hand Baltar the election (the Six in Baltar’s head has always believed he had a special destiny — maybe the final-five share this belief).
7. He has never had any problem having people killed to serve his goals (Season one & “Collaborators”). This also seems to be a prerequisite to be a Cylon.
8. The seven known Cylons imprisoned Zarek for 4 months and were going to execute him on New Caprica, giving D’Anna a great reason to apologize to him when she saw his face.Well that is it. Of course the plausibility of this theory also depends on how long ago he was a Sagittaron terrorist (I figure the Cylons would need at least 10 to 20 years after the 1st Cylon war to develop humanoid bodies). It would also depend on whether he has any known/verifiable family (he was pretty well known before the fall of the Twelve Colonies).
On the other hand…MikeL989 wrote:
Roslin is the cylon.
1. Most of the female Cylons have affairs with powerful men (President Adar, Admiral Adama(?)), or people of influence.
2. Deanna Biers’ Cylons noted to the final five Cylon she recognized as “so beautiful,” and had she known who this Cylon was should would have treated her differently.
3. She is manipulating people: especially Adama, Lee, the Quorum, and Baltar. She regained the presidency through manipulation of Zarek. She attempted (poorly) to manipulate the election.
4. The hybrid child cured her “cancer.” If nothing else she now has Cylon in her.
5. She behaves differently when not wearing her glasses.
Personally, I think Zarek’s too cool and messed up and valuable a manipulator as a human- sort of like Ellen Tigh. He doesn’t need to be a Cylon. And, if Roslin’s manipulation of other people is a red flag for her being a Cylon, then we need to add in about thirty other people to that list for consideration.Â
All right now, this is for the spoiler-free audience who’s still speculating, so let’s behave…
Here’s the poll for selecting the season three episodes for off-season GWC commentary tracks.Â
This works just like the season one poll and season two poll (which you should vote in if you haven’t already): vote for the episode for which you’d most like to hear a GWC commentary below. We’ll leave the poll active for a while, then plan on recording commentary for the top two episodes.
Note: We’ll have add’l podcasts to cover the organized “re-watch.” These will be separate commentaries timed to the episode so you can watch along with us.
With the brilliant introduction of Romo Lampkin and his accurate reading of people’s emotions and souls we all now realize that Laura backed the wrong horse with her choice in prosecutor. The trial would probably be over by now if Lampkin were on the other side of the fence. Then again, I don’t think the spectacled Romo often finds himself hanging with the popular crowd.
Now that Sam is good and messed up I think the general consensus is that he can stay awhile. I am hoping that Lampkin does the same; he comes prepackaged with issues and problems so he could have staying power if they wanted to write him in on a more regular basis. Even if we just see him once in a while it would welcome.
His regular day job has got to be quite interesting. What I want to know is where has he been hiding himself and why have we not heard or been forced to hear about this guy before? I’m really hoping he’s not a Keyser Söze type figure that just disappears after the trial never to be heard from again.
Romo gets my vote for coolest character this season. I really want to know more about the dude. At least explain the stealing or the real reason for the cat.
With “Crossroads, Part 1″ we’re firmly on the rollercoaster to next week’s season finale. Highlights: We ponder Lee’s “sacrifices,” question the quality of the prosecution’s case and performance, discuss Roslin’s future (personal and political), and, of course, speculate about next week’s big happenings. Also, we welcome back GWC senior legal analyst Bill Watkinson, who walks us through this episode’s trial scenes.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Here’s the new weekly presidental approval poll. Remember — even if you voted last week, you’ll want to vote again on this poll as this is a weekly feature and the results will vary from week to week. Let your opinion be heard (for free)!
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Laura Roslin is handling her job as president?
- Approve: 54% (196 votes)
- Disapprove: 37% (134 votes)
- Unsure: 10% (35 votes)
Total Votes: 365
Note: This poll is closed. Don’t forget to vote in the current poll.
If you’re not already attending a Frak Party — or hosting one! – join us here for the GWC online ‘party. Or hell, even if you are watching with friends, post their comments, too! There’s room for everyone, though you’ll have to bring your own snacks…
And, since we record the podcast right after the episode, we’ll check in here first to see what you had to say in real-time. Sweet.
See you here tonight!
PS: You know how everyone’s been talking about the “roller coaster ride” through the last few episodes? I get the feeling we just topped the highest hill and we’re about to plunge right in…
Kevin writes:
I think that Lampkin is Baltar’s brother or in some way connected to his past. My main reason for this is the fact that in the “Dirty Hands” episode when Baltar was talking about his secret past as a farmer’s son on Arelon, he started speaking with a different accent, and even a different voice. I thought that it sounded like a pack-a-day Liverpool accent, and Lampkin’s voice and accent was almost identical. Anyway I doubt that I am the first one to bring this up, but there it is.
Several people have written in on this one, including Angela Earle and anonymous others. The general concensus seems to be that there’s some significance to Lampkin’s accent, although what that might be varies with the responses. Personally, I just figured that’s the actor’s accent, since he sounded just like that as Badger on Firefly. But you never know… sometimes the smallest detail can be important in BSG.
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