Galactic Watercooler » Audra

The New FemShep and Female Game Protagonists

Audra — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:40:57 +0000

The votes are in: FemShep will be a kick-ass ginger. This week at the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), BioWare unveiled the final image of the female Commander Shepard for the cover of the upcoming Mass Effect 3 (to be released in March 2012). In two heavily debated rounds of voting, fans on Facebook voted for facial structure and hair color on various versions of “FemShep” (or as Chuck and I call her, “Shep” — the other Shep is “ManShep”). Here’s the voting breakdown, according to MSNBC:

Blonde FemShep: 5,434 votes
Brunette FemShep: 5,573 votes
Black-haired FemShep: 12,834 votes
Red-haired FemShep: 19,571 votes

Interestingly, before voting Round 2, blonde FemShep was way ahead in the polls, much to the chagrin of Kim Richards at PCGamer.com. However, some speculated it was the hairstyle that pleased the crowds rather than the color. So FemShep kept the hairstyle, and in the end it was the cut that won out — except this time a redhead – and with quadruple the votes of the blonde.

The acclaimed actor Jennifer Hale, who voices the female Shepard in ME1 and ME2 (as well as, incidentally, lady protagonist Samus Aran in the Metroid Prime game series) spoke at PAX after the announcement:

“I want to say a huge thank you to everybody out there who plays FemShep who spoke up and said ‘we want to see FemShep,’” Hale told the cheering audience as the results were announced. “You have no idea what that means to me.”

Indeed. It’s about time we see a female Shepard get some props. Even if only 18% of ME players chose to go peen-less, how many more might have gone with a few role models paving the way?

A few other things are worth noting here. First, while not unprecedented, BioWare’s choice to feature a female Shepard as the default protagonist (at least on half of the collectors’ editions) is still pretty rare in the gaming industry, and it should be applauded. Female video game characters, while not hard to find, are usually featured as sidekicks, allies, or romantic interests to male protagonists (who generally represent male consumers). But let’s explore a few of the notable exceptions.

1. Samus Aran, Metroid Prime

Samus Aran, the female bounty hunter soldier from the Metroid Prime series, is born human but raised by bird-like Chozo aliens who inject her with their own DNA and give her a powered exoskeleton that melds with her mind and body. Samus’ revelation as female at the very end of the original 1986 Nintendo game made players focus less on her sex — and helped earn Samus the reputation as one of the least sexualized women characters in video game history.

2. Aya Brea, Parasite Eve

Aya Brea is the tough Euro-Japanese, mitochondrially-pumped NYPD cop and later FBI detective of the Parasite Eve series. Special squee for Chuck fans: Brea is voiced by Yvonne Strahovski in one game version – Parasite Eve: The 3rd Birthday. Aya has been called a “tasteful game heroine,” though she is also a sex symbol in her own right, making GamesRadar’s, um, prestigious list of “Videogame Characters We’d Go Gay For.”

3. Lara Croft, Tomb Raider

Lara Croft of the Tomb Raider series is a gun-toting, multilingual, intelligent, athletic, British-accented adventurer and archaeologist. She was initially conceived as a rejection of the “bimbo” and “dominatrix” stereotypes of female game characters — Toby Gard, lead graphic artist of Core Design, based the character on inspirations from Swedish pop star Neneh Cherry and comic heroine Tank Girl. Originally the character was an athletic, braided South American woman named Laura Cruz, but the management at Eidos changed her name and background to be more UK-friendly. (At least we get to hear her voiced in four games by the fantastic Keeley Hawes of BBC’s Ashes to Ashes. Speaking of who we’d go gay for…) While Gard maintains the character’s sexiness came from her power, the decidedly busty Croft is widely recognized as the first mainstream sex symbol in video games. Ironically (or not), she is still considered the most recognized female video game character, and has been credited for the later development of stronger female game characters.

4. Chell and GLaDOS, Portal

Chell is the player character and protagonist of the Portal games, and her sex is revealed only when a player catches Chell’s reflection in an adjacent portal. Mimicking the “silent protagonist” role of Gordon Freeman in the Half Life series, Chell does not speak and is rarely addressed by name. However, this enables players to see the world through Chell’s eyes, making her a quite effective protagonist: her female-ness doesn’t intrude into game play, and no one inside the game or out really calls attention to it. (Of course, there are the double-edged articles on GamesRadar, simultaneously lauding Portal as a subversive, feminist, social commentary and lamenting its lack of boobage.) GLaDOS is, of course, the psychotic, hilariously abusive AI who keeps the masochist in us coming back for more. While not corporeal in the traditional non-potato corpus, GLaDOS still fulfills a modern-day wicked stepmother image whom we love to loathe.

There are certainly other female video game protagonists, as well as other female game characters that can be considered self-possessed and independent. Of course, simply kicking ass or talking tough do not an independent woman make — but it’s a good start. Kudos to BioWare for challenging the limits of tradition and appealing not just to girl gamers, but to anybody who’s interested in experiencing gaming from a more complete perspective that’s true to the human condition.

San Diego Comic-Con: Day One!

Audra — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:24:47 +0000

Today was the first day of the five-day-long geekstravaganza that is San Diego Comic-Con! This is the second year Chuck and I have attended, with special thanks to our hosts and GWC friends, BKitty, The Hub, Topgun, and Lady D. Since GWC is indeed a family and no family event is complete without all its members, for those who couldn’t be here I wanted to share a tiny vignette of what SDCC looks like through my eyes.

After flying into LAX for the more affordable airfare (and the chance to fly Virgin America’s passenger-friendly line), Topgun, Lady D, Chuck, and I cruised down to San Diego this morning and met up with Barb, the Hub, Raemani, and Shooter, plus a few local friends. We all carpooled over to the Convention Center for badge pickup, which had begun a little earlier in the day in preparation for the opening of the giant exhibit floor for Preview Night at 6:00 p.m. The Convention Center was already swarming with geeks of many colors: a woman ninja with a cigarette dangling from her lips; a teenaged couple dressed as steampunk, well, punks; a little girl dressed as Wonder Woman, and a man in an oddly realistic-looking horse’s head mask (perhaps a Dr. Horrible nod?). In five minutes of walking along the city-side exterior of the Center, I saw more funny and clever geek shirts than I’ve seen in the last year.

Audra and Raemani, psyched to get in line for Preview Night!

Once inside, we entered the gigantic Sails Pavilion, with its endless ceiling, polished concrete floors, and low echoes of thousands of excited fans already lining up for Preview Night. (According to persistent rumors, many others have been lined up for Hall H and other major panel rooms since before dawn — even though they don’t open the door until tomorrow morning.) Smiling men and women, perched at long tables with dozens of computers and scanners, checked us in and gave us our all-important badges with lanyards; then we moved through the lines to pick up our swag bags — giant, sturdy, vinyl bags with adjustable arm straps and a backpack conversion option, this year sponsored by Warner Bros. I found the aisle with the Big Bang Theory print and got the bag I wanted; others in our group got bags with Fringe, Supernatural, Lego Harry Potter, and other cool designs. With each bag, we got a SDCC 2011 souvenir book as well as a thick newsprint-style book listing every event and exhibit of the week.

[/caption]After taking some photos, Tweeting updates to GWC peeps, and checking out the not-yet-stocked Freebie table, we joined the seemingly endless line of people waiting to get the first look at the exhibit floor when the doors opened at 6:00. Staff directed us down countless corridors and into a long, open hall, where our line snaked back around and eventually consolidated into one location where we could sit, eat a snack, and peruse the exhibit floor listings and map. Last year was my first SDCC experience, and on Preview Night I just took everything in as one amazing, wonderful, chaotic experience. This time I decided to do a little planning, so as we sat on the floor in line, I marked all the booths I knew I wanted to see and, with a black Sharpie (handy for impromptu signings on the floor), labeled the exhibit hall map to establish a kind of plan. Two fans at SDCC pose for photos in their old-school Batman and Robin costumes Of course, once the crowd was released onto the floor, we streamed in like a trillion ants taking on a Borg-sized sugar cube, and my plan dissolved into a general idea of which can’t-miss booths were in the vicinity. I bought a few cool 8×10 prints with screenshots from Cowboys & Aliens, Tron: Legacy, and Stargate SG-1; a tiny stuffed kitten; an artist’s original print of a cat and mouse team, and a t-shirt with an anime-style cat riding a bicycle surrounded by fluttering birds. The best part was that I bought my shirt from the same booth where I found a treasured t-shirt at the end of the con last year, and this time I got to talk with the woman who designed and created the artwork. I got my artist’s print signed by the creator and chatted with his wife about his inspiration in drawing animals. I got free comic books and pins, posters and flyers, and cool little trinkets that I grabbed, thinking of friends who would enjoy getting in on the Comic-Con swag. The Her Universe Booth, which sold charm bracelets, a Cylon "toaster" necklace, and Boba Fett undies, among other things Chuck and I together saw the Lego booth, where a pile of yellow lego bricks covered about a 50-square foot area on the floor and a small boy stood knee-deep in pieces and gleefully tossed them in the air. We saw a life-sized Batman made entirely of Legos and stunning glass-encased exhibits of Lego art. We passed a stage where the president of Dark Horse comics was talking to an enthusiastic crowd about upcoming developments, and tall murals of comic book characters like Mass Effect’s Liara shone with intense color in the background. Teenaged boys stood at dozens of individual game consoles and screens, trying out the latest releases in video games. A few slave Leias posed coyly with grinning guys. People everywhere bustled through aisles browsing through one of the largest geek markets I’ve ever seen. After a couple hours, we GWCers reconvened near the California Browncoats fan booth and headed out for dinner. Soon after we were at our host home, unloading our day’s haul of treasures, sorting through piles of electronic devices and chargers, and packing lunches for tomorrow — it’s going to be another big day.

My Favorite Dragons

Audra — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:08:55 +0000

It’s true that Sean is GWC’s resident dragon expert and fantasy fiend — but as we begin our three-week Dragon Arc for the ‘cast, I’ve been remembering my childhood introduction to dragons and my own take on this diverse mythical species. I’ve included a few of my favorites here to illustrate why dragons have always been, in my view, friendly and enchanting rather than the terrible, destructive kind often portrayed in film.

1. Falkor, The Neverending Story (1984)

Other than Pete’s Dragon (1977), which my mom took me to see when it played in a local second-run theater in the early eighties, Falkor was the first dragon that I decided was badass on my own. The Neverending Story captured my imagination with its fascinating, and kind of scary, story, and perhaps the best ending possible in any fantasy movie. The main character basically gets infinite magic wishes from a beautiful princess, and then rides on Falkor’s back to show up the school bullies who used to throw him in the dumpster.

Falkor is about eighteen feet long, with long, shaggy, pink-ivory fur, and large, round eyes set atop a friendly dog-like face. He laughs aloud with kind of a growl and protects and befriends the kid(s) who must endure a difficult journey. Falkor is trustworthy, wise, and loyal, and the perfect dragon friend I could imagine any kid wanting to have by her side.

2. Draco, Dragonheart (1996)

Draco is in some ways a descendant of the trusty, Falkor-like dragon-steed. His look is more reptilian, with rougher scaly skin and dinosaur-like horns protruding from his crown. But he’s also got expressive golden eyes, a kindly expression, and Sean Connery’s rich brogue to emphasize his regal wisdom.

3. Norbert/a, from the Harry Potter Universe, here looking uncannily like our cat, Felix, when he’s sleepy

Above you see the slightly goo-covered, just-hatched Norbert the dragon, one of Hagrid’s beloved creature companions from the Harry Potter books and movies. Of course, later Norbert turns out to be Norberta, and an intimidating dragoness at that. But what makes Norberta one of my favorites is the way that Hagrid’s love for dragons (in spite of their frightening size and capacity for destruction) seems to bring out the best in the them, just like with people. I like to think that some people seem scaly and scary on the outside, but with a little support they can flourish into heroes — and maybe even swoop down and save the day just when it matters most.

4. Toruk-Makto the Flying Banshee, Avatar (2009)

Toruk is the red banshee that Jake Sully is finally able to tame at the end of Avatar. (Technically, perhaps, banshees and dragons are different, but in my mind they’re close enough for this comparison.) As Jake discovers a part of himself and gains an enlightened view of a different culture through his experiences with the Na’avi, he also learns something about the Na’avi’s connection with natural forces. By physically (and therefore spiritually) connecting with the wild banshees, the Na’avi earn the trust and acceptance of the creatures. Each person connects with his or her banshee uniquely, depending on both personalities. While the Avatar banshees aren’t as snuggly as Falkor or Draco, they have attitude and a fierce independence that I respect.

I have not yet seen the widely acclaimed movie How to Train Your Dragon (2010), so please forgive the omission. I’d also like to know: What are your favorite dragons? How were you introduced to dragons earlier in life, and what films or stories reinforced or changed that concept for you?

Stargate Universe Premiers

Audra — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:21:34 +0000

Having seen the two-hour premier of the new SyFy series Stargate Universe, I am stoked for what looks like another well-crafted, action-filled sci-fi drama. As we’ve seen in shows like Battlestar Galactica, established actors can bring the skill and gravitas required for a good dramatic series — in this case, Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Eragon), Lou Diamond Phillips (La Bamba, Stand and Deliver, Young Guns), and a host of experienced television actors.

Compared to previous Stargate series, SG-U‘s serious and gritty style stands out, more reminiscent of BSG than of the campy humor and geeky in-jokes we’ve come to love, particularly in SG-1. We get colored filters that make the world look gray and inhospitable, and we get shaky cameras. Most importantly we get realistic characters who hook up in the storage closets and people who get wounded (and killed) in action in a way that feels more true-to-life than say, the way Star Trek: Voyager scrubs the deck clean of pesky casualties and carpet stains only moments after an explosion decimates the crew.

But to do SG-U true justice, it helps to resist the urge to compare it to SG-1, Atlantis, BSG, Lost, Voyager, Halo, Mass Effect, Lost in Space, The Last Starfighter (ahem) … You get the idea. SG-U borrows favorite elements of these shows, but its situation, plot, and characters stand up on their own.

Robert Carlyle’s intelligent, morally ambiguous, and impenetrable (except for teary alone moments) Dr. Rush proves complex in the way we expect of quality hero/villains. Elyse Levesque plays a so-far interesting Chloe McGavin Armstrong. And David Blue brings to life Eli — a video game genius who gets transported to Rylos an alien ship to provide a little Shakespearean comic relief/wisdom. (He’s my favorite character so far.) It’d be nice to see some strong female characters emerge as the show progresses, and I expect we will if the Stargate tradition exerts its influence.

Of course SG-U already delivers some juicy sci-fi action: a sweet alien ship where you’d expect to find Ripley running around, space battles and exploding planets a-la Death Star, PSP-operated Guilty Spark floating spherical cameras, FTL, red buttons, airlocks, and energy shields — and, of course, the now 9-chevron stargate itself with its gorgeous liquefying wormhole effect and a new intriguing propensity for flinging its travelers headlong into walls.

There’s a lot of good sci-fi and supernatural television on this year — so much that I’m using a calendar to keep up with it all. But with its promising pilot, cool storyline, and well-crafted (and acted) characters, the only decision I need to make about SG-U is whether to watch it followed by Sanctuary while I TiVo Dollhouse — or the other way around.

Stargate Universe [SyFy]
Stargate Universe [IMDB]
Official Stargate Website [MGM]
GWC Calendar of Sci-Fi Events
Guide to October Science Fiction [io9]

Save The Games

Audra — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:53:43 +0000

Zachary Quinto stopped by the Video West arcade in Glendale, CA, last week to get his game on and help promote Stride Gum’s mission to help Save the Arcades. To help choose which local arcade will get a $25,000 boost from Stride, old-school gaming fans can play the online Flash game Zapataur — then choose which arcade gets their earned in-game points. The arcade with the most points in the end gets the cash.

As most gamers know, the arcades of the 70s and early 80s met their demise (mostly) with the increased popularity and affordability of home consoles. The Wikipedia entry on arcade history explains how arcades began to develop a reputation for being “seedy, unsafe places” while home gaming technology like the Nintendo NES, Sega Genesis, and eventually the PlayStation advanced to become equal to and eventually better and cheaper than arcade gaming — not to mention longer playing times.

But one of the coolest aspects the arcade offered is missing from living-room gaming: the social environment. At the arcade you could hang out with friends, compete with other kids you’d just met, watch the older guys kill at pinball, and learn the best tricks and shortcuts (as well as which machines would malfunction and give you an extra ball).

The newer family-friendly entertainment centers made famous by food-service places like Chuck E. Cheese and Gatti’s Pizza are descendants of the arcades of yore. But I would argue that despite its evolution, the classic arcade — the one you went to without your parents — lives on in a few important ways, including popular culture and nostalgic re-creations.

1. Emulators. You can check out the XBox Live Arcade or the upcoming Wii Virtual Console Service to play all the cool games from back in the day like Asteroids, Tron, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Missile Command. While emulators were likely made popular by the age group nostalgic for the older games (people currently aged around 25-40), old-school games and all things eighties really are hot and “new” to teenagers right now.

2. Mega Entertainment Centers. Okay, so they include restaurants, mini-golf, bowling, and laser tag, but the arcade sections are essentially technologically advanced versions of the classics. They still include some pinball machines and classic fighting games like Tekken and Streetfighter, as well as FPSs like the very cool Aliens game I played at our local place on the Fourth of July. And the social aspect seems to be back in a new way with games like Dance Dance Revolution.

3. Pop Culture. Shows like Chuck celebrate the video game coolness and nostalgia of the 30-something crowd, bringing back button-smashing and joysticks, Tron and Sand Worms, Rush and, well, Jeffster.

4. Die-hard fan re-creations. In particular, check out Peter Hirschberg’s vintage 80s-style Luna City Arcade (you won’t believe how incredible it is) he built at his home in Linden, Virginia. It’s so impressive it caught the attention of The Washington Post as well as a bunch of major bloggers like Wil Wheaton, Digg, Engadget, and Gizmodo.

Finally, the most fascinating thing I came across on the web while researching the topic is the history of arcades and arcade games. I had naively assumed that arcades were a product of the 70s. But it was 1920s-era Midways at amusement parks like Coney Island with ball-tossing games, shooting galleries (remember Big and Back to the Future III?), and the earliest coin-operated machines that would play music or tell fortunes. The first coin-operated pinball machines of the 1930s were made of wood and scored mechanically rather than electronically. The driving game pictured below is a 1960s-era Drivemobile by Sega. (Who knew this was a predecessor to the Genesis?)

When Atari was formed in 1972 and created the massively popular video game Pong (based on an earlier popular Ping Pong game), the modern video gaming era pretty much began. (See the cultural reference to Pong in Pixar’s WALL-E, which suggests that even after the earth’s garbage apocalypse, Pong will still be around and be cool.)

For more on vintage arcade games pre-1970s, I recommend this site by a game collector who details the history and includes pictures of old mechanical gun games, mechanical driving games, fortune tellers, diggers and cranes, coin-operated moving picture shows, and punching bags. As it turns out, even before vintage, there was vintage.

Zachary Quinto Helps Save the Arcades [Wired]
The Best Classic Arcade Games Ever Made [SFGate]
Vintage Game Collector [Website]
Arcade Games [Wikipedia]

Sci-Fi Romance Returns: The Time Traveler’s Wife

Audra — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:49:56 +0000

Eric Bana’s latest movie The Time Traveler’s Wife is sci-fi romance — a genre we haven’t seen often since the days of Han and Leia or George and Lorraine. Bana’s Henry DeTamble is a handsome librarian who travels through time; Rachel McAdams is Clare Abshire, the artist who falls in love with him.

Interesting trivia: according to IMDB, Bana shaved his head for his role as Nero in Star Trek just after finishing filming for The Time Traveler’s Wife. However, TTTW required some reshoots and they had to push back the release date almost a year while Bana’s hair grew back. Hello, people? Get a wig! No one’s going to be looking at Bana’s head anyway… because he apparently spends a good amount of the new movie in the nude. (The Terminator franchise firmly established that nudity in muscular men is necessary for time travel.)

However, Bana himself doesn’t seem too obsessed with body image:

“Abs are for people with no friends,” he said. “I don’t do the ab thing. I’ve even had them once, actually, for a film, and they were always covered up. I just said to myself, ‘Well, I’ll just never do that again.’ That was a waste of time. There’s so much more to enjoy in life.”

The film will be released August 14 in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, with later release dates around the world. Plus, it includes minor roles for fan favorites Ron Livingston and Stephen Tobolowsky (Bing!).

Eric Bana [IMDB]
Eric Bana on Nudity in The Time Traveler’s Wife (Access Hollywood)

Notes from GWC Meetup!

Audra — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:44:44 +0000

Clockwise from left: the Hub, Lady D, Topgun, Apollymy, bkitty

I’ve got so much to say about this past weekend- so for now I’ll post a few things and come back later when I’ve slept and am more coherent…

These last few days I have been surrounded by the funniest, kindest, smartest, warmest group of people in the world. People who’d never met in person were sharing jokes, finishing each other’s sentences, breaking into song, and saying things all at once, like right before we watched the finale- Chuck made an announcement to everyone and said the word “crap” and about fifty people all jumped in with “craaaaaaaap.” Then, laughter as everyone realized how much we were all on the same wavelength and how fun this was going to be.

I’ve got to follow Sean’s example and do a few shoutouts – and if I don’t mention you yet, don’t worry, I’ll be back updating soon!

Sherry (smarx) – we shared so many great stories about her current (and my childhood) home of Vancouver, WA, including Uncle Milt’s Pizza and Hudson’s Bay High School (my mom’s and smarx’s alma mater). Smarx just called from the Dallas airport to say that Aaron Douglas is on the same flight with her and David the Canadian!

Debbie (Furpey) – what a sweet lady! Also from the ‘Couv, who gave everyone at the meetup specialized GWC artwork – she makes handmade stamps! And she gave us cool t-shirts from Powell’s Books in Portland, OR, with Fup the Cat’s Star Wars adventures written on them. Furpey is full of smiles and generosity.

Sean the Younger (Konrad) – I didn’t get to talk to him a lot, but when I did this guy was hilarious, and he came all the way from Vermont to hang out with us. He also has a very cool goatee.

David the Canadian/Juan Drew/Kmehthas – What a sweet guy! bkitty describes him as a “teddy bear.” David gave me a copy of his song lyrics to all his GWC music and rode with me in the convertible. He also mopped the floor with me and smarx at Halo 3.

Holly (DemolitionPlayer) – Holly is one of the most self-sufficient people I’ve met (along with smarx). We found her cruisin’ around the mall Sunday afternoon by herself, having discovered a shuttle system that would take her around town. She is a true adventurer and enjoys exploring on her own. She came from Michigan where she plays on a women’s football team – w00t!

Greta (MissMuffett) – drove from Oklahoma with a few buddies, including Jessica. Do NOT try to beat her at video trivia – she will pwn you. Even if the category is sports.

Sarah and Sharon – came down from Denver and though relatively new to the group, fell right in and brought even more smiles and kind words.

David (Uchiha Daisuke/DaVinci) – accompanied me, Beef, Stroogie, Juan Drew, Leah, Xero1, Sherry, Furpey, Emily, and Holly to the JFK Museum in Dallas. On the way he patiently answered all my questions about Salt Lake City and its intricate grid roadways. He also makes a very clever werewoof.

Joanna (Mrs. Frakkintalos) – at first appearing timid, Joanna warmed up and showed us pictures of her beautiful kids and told funny mammogram stories. We’re so glad you were here with us!

More to come, including pics. For now, I have to do some work and get ready to teach some American Lit. The world slowly resumes…

SciFi Changes Reputation Through Homonym Use

Audra — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:29:35 +0000

According to TVWeek.com and Twitter, the SciFi network is finally ridding itself of its geeky image by changing its name to the slick new “SyFy,” which will attract the desirable demographics of hot women and people who hate science fiction.

After years of suffering the stigma of “geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements with video games,” SyFy’s savvy new marketing scheme will move the network away from hokey aliens, outer space, and futuristic worlds to better programs like Extreme Championship Wrestling, reality shows, and cutting-edge tv movies.

When the 18-to-34 techno-savvy crowd agreed unanimously that “SyFy” was how you’d text someone if you wanted to say “Sci-Fi,” the president of the network, Dave Howe, said “It made us feel much cooler, much more cutting-edge, much more hip, which was kind of bang-on what we wanted to achieve communication-wise.” One network source, who refused to be identified discussing such an exciting matter, said “The SciFi network has always hated science fiction. Science, fiction, yuck. Now we can finally show our fans what we’re really made of.”

Experts believe the new name will launch the SciFi network, which holds a long-established reputation for having its finger on the pulse of its consumer community, into a new arena of loyal fandom. Proof: when asked whether “Syfy” sounded cooler and less alieny and spacey than “SciFi,” 9 out of 10 people on the street told us to f#@% off.

Life Lessons from Constable Odo

Audra — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:11:50 +0000

Recently I’ve been watching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine again from the beginning. Every time I do this, I’m struck by the moral evolution of the character Odo over the course of the series. In the fourth episode of Season One, “A Man Alone,” Odo becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a Bajoran hero named Ibudan. Despite the xenophobic pitchfork- wielding mob threatening him outside his office, Odo pursues the case fairly and ultimately pulls the old-man mask off the real Ibudan, who had actually killed a clone version of himself he’d developed in shady lab experiments.

Three lessons can be learned from Odo in this episode; first, do what you know is right to the best of your ability despite suffering character attacks by bigots. Second, Sherlock Holmes’ logic always worked for the opium-smoking sleuth, always worked for Lt. Cmdr. Data, and will always work for Odo, too. Third: make DARN sure the guy whose face you’re yanking off really is wearing a mask. For Odo this works out, but for someone like me (or you), it never would. (Think Walter dumping the Big Lebowski out of his wheelchair.)

Having watched all of DS9 a number of times, I’m always torn over whether or not Odo is my favorite character. Early DS9 is Odo at his best: he is a noble man concerned with basically one thing: justice. But as the show progresses, it becomes clear that maybe the reason Odo was so morally solid early on was that he had very few personal attachments, desires, or motivations to be otherwise. It’s the evil hag She-Founder of the peach, panty-line revealing dress who is Odo’s downfall. Odo finds his true roots and allows the Founder to manipulate him, “link” with him to learn all his secrets (but supposedly offer him serenity), and to nearly conquer the Alpha Quadrant if not for the insurgent skills of Rom and Quark. Yes, because of Odo’s clouded judgment, the Ferengi pretty much save our part of the universe from overlord domination.

I don’t think I can ever forgive what Odo does to Kira and co. when he ruins their plans to sabotage the Cardassian-controlled station and take down the mine field. He becomes an enemy collaborator whether he intends to or not. But is it fair to judge Odo this way? He does start out as a man of conscience. And eventually, he becomes one again. The complexity of his character keeps me thinking about my own life and moral decisions, as well as how I judge other people, no matter how many times I see these 15-year old episodes. I still can’t decide whether Odo is an “evil crapbag” or a decent man who screwed up. Either way, I think mulling over the answer is the kind of thing that can make us better people, and maybe even more understanding of others when they screw up.

Why I Love Gaeta

Audra — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:34:05 +0000

Okay, so maybe it’s the sudden spark of love interest(s?) for Gaeta in the webisodes, or maybe that cute tiger tattoo has finally smitten me, but I’ve got to give some love to Felix Gaeta. First of all, the man is downright handsome. Sure, a teeny bit effeminate compared with the hunky Anders or the bulging-abbed Helo, but sexy nonetheless. Alessandro Juliani is of Italian and Chinese descent (sexy), is apparently known for his nice baritone voice in the halls of Montreal choirs (sexy) and, let’s face it, when he grows his hair out, it’s sexy.

Back when Do-Gooder Gaeta cocked up by interfering with election fraud that probably would have saved everyone a whole lot of misery, he wasn’t so attractive. You got this sense he’d rat on the deck hands for distilling booze in the storage closet. But after his heroic efforts on New Craprica, his ballsy defiance of the vigilantes when they tried to airlock him, his frak-off attitude afterward, and, yes, his little bit of scratchy facial hair, he became much hotter. His intentional lying at Baltar’s trial became a minor scratch in an otherwise increasingly cool character.

Now, I stick pretty closely to the webisodes’ official schedule and haven’t seen anything past webisode 5. So if Gaeta ends up being a scary sleeper skinjob or a psycho stump-legged killer, maybe we’ll reassess. But until then, I’m lovin’ this sweet, curly-haired, serenading, hobbling cutie.

Special thanks to cylune9 for the sweet Gaeta pic!

We’ll Miss You, Majel

Audra — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:38:34 +0000

Majel Barrett was Nurse Chapel in Star Trek:TOS, the familiar voice of the Enterprise computer beginning in ST:TNG, and the lovely, self-determined Betazoid Lwaxana Troi in TNG and DS9. She passed away yesterday at age 76.

I admit, I don’t remember much about ST:TOS or Nurse Chapel. And while many of us know Majel Barrett from her legendary romance with husband Gene Roddenberry, I will always think of her as Lwaxana Troi, mother of the Enterprise ship’s counselor, Deanna.

My first memories of Lwaxana Troi are of her amorous advances toward the reserved and slightly embarassed Captain Picard. Later, Troi shows up with a new husband-to-be, a man who has very little time left to live, but to whom Lwaxana is determined to dedicate herself. And of course we’ll always appreciate her insistence at getting married in the nude (and that all attendees follow suit), as is customary in Betazoid tradition.

And then there’s Lwaxana Troi the ambassador, who visits Deep Space Nine and falls for the even-harder-to-get security chief Odo. Troi is the perfect on-screen match for the tightly-wound, dignified Odo- her comfort in her own skin, her certainty that life is something to be enjoyed, her warm honesty and acceptance of everyone around her, and her need to keep talking- make her that kind of person everyone feels good around. When Lwaxana and Odo are trapped for hours in a DS9 elevator, Odo must face one of his greatest fears: indignity in front of a near stranger. Lwaxana comforts him by pulling off her elaborate hairdo, revealing it as a wig above her plain, short brown hair. Odo, the most private of men, finally succumbs to his liquid form as Lwaxana holds him in the folds of her dress and promises to care for him. No one could see her compassionate expression and sincere eyes in that moment and doubt the kindness of heart of the character or the actor playing her.

This is how I will remember Majel Barrett: a beautiful, warm person who was at the heart of every incarnation of one of the most beloved sci-fi series ever. We’ll miss you, Majel.

Top 10 Ways You Know You’re About to Die in BSG

Audra — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:33:45 +0000

10. A centurion tries to shoot the guy next to you
9. Dee blows you off for a buffer model
8. You’re alone in a bathroom with Baltar and a chick with a pipe
7. You’re standing next to Admiral Cain
6. Caprica Six slips you the tongue
5. Jamie Bamber’s wife is performing your critical surgery
4. You tell a smart centurion “don’t kill me,” but forget to say “please”
3. You set the table and serve Kara Thrace a nice dinner
2. You have an open wound on the poo barge
1. Hera creeps up to your bed and says “bye-bye”

Top Ten Least Likely Occurrences in BSG Season 4

Audra — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:47:14 +0000

10. All will be revealed –Â the next time Cavil’s sliding around in slick goo.
9. Gaeta hooks up with Racetrack. Or Seelix. Or any woman.
8. Little Nicky dons the nickname “Boxey” and grows his hair into a shaggy bowl.
7. Helo is revealed as the One True God.
6. Joe’s Bar becomes Quark’s Bar.
5.Â The fifth and final Cylon is discovered –Â in Baltar’s pants.
4. Basestar threesome with Boomer, Cavil, and Scar.
3. Poo Barge finds Earth and lands in Clark Griswold’s driveway on Christmas.
2. Bubbles in Grandpa Goo’s tub kill the entire fleet.
1. New radical Centurion political sect: Sons of Larry.

Article on Women and Sci-Fi Misses the Mark – Again

Audra — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:15:52 +0000

A recent article — on how Battlestar Galactica could save your marriage — includes a commentary on why women love BSG by sometime-geek chick Martha Brockenbrough, a former contributor to Slate and the founder of the SPOGG, the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (which I totally respect). But I beg to differ with some of Martha’s points on the issue of women and sci-fi. An excerpt:

There are other secondary characters in steady relationships, though, and this satisfies a woman’s romantic sweet tooth. One of these might even be the most adorable love affair on TV, between Karl “Helo” Agathon and Sharon “Boomer” Valerii, even if only one of the partners is a human. Neither of them knew Sharon was a Cylon when they first fell for each other. Both were devastated when they found out, but Helo never wavered. And even though the humans abused her, Sharon also did what she could to help them survive. These two are heroes, dammit!

First, there’s the stereotyping: a woman’s “romantic sweet tooth”? Second, a strange sense of “adorable”: I find Helo and Sharon attractive people, but their marriage is not “adorable.” It’s a strong relationship that’s been forged through a lot of determination and trust. Third and most egregious, a lack of understanding of plot and character: “Neither of them knew Sharon was a Cylon when they first fell for each other.” Wha-a? I suppose when Athena-to-be bedded Helo in the forest and then reported to Six and Doral afterward on the rooftop that “we had sex,” it was a completely unconscious move on her part? And — there’s the small fact that Boomer isn’t even the Sharon Helo married.

A female commentator who says women love BSG because it’s romantic and who can’t tell Cylon models apart or understand the basic elements of the story? I love ya, Martha, but you can’t speak for geek girls until you’ve spent a few dozen hours with the DVDs and done your homework.

One of the fundamental (and best) qualities of a geek girl is that she knows her stuff. Being intellectual equals with geek guys is what makes geekdom so cool – it’s not as comfortably nested in the old thinking that men should outsmart women and women should out-sexy men. (Well, at least not the first part.) Geek girls are allowed to make mistakes just like anyone — but if you can’t tell Sharons apart when there are only two to keep track of – you lose your geek card.

Update: Don’t miss additional comments on this post in this GWC Forum thread.

“Caprica” Pilot a Go for SciFi

Audra — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:45:56 +0000

According to Reuters, Tuesday the SciFi network told advertisers that they’ve approved a two-hour pilot of the BSG prequel series Caprica. While RDM and David Eick’s Caprica hasÂ been in the works for two years and production will begin “this spring,” no one’s guessing yet at an airdate. I suspect it won’t be “immediate.”

Either way, I’m stoked about the series, which will take place 50 years before current Galactica events and will purportedly focus on the lives of two familiesÂ – the Adamas and the Graystones. (Perhaps the Graystones are on Starbuck’s dad’s side.) Wikipedia claims Caprica will depict life in the peaceful Twelve Colonies and the technological breakthrough in robotics that gives rise to…well, you know the rest.

Another set of webisodes and a BSG video game on SciFi’s website are also in the works, according to Reuters. Now we know we’ll have more of the Galactica universe to look forward to even after the show wraps up in 2009. So say we all!

Caprica Pilot Given the Green LightÂ [Reuters]
Caprica TV SeriesÂ [Wikipedia]

Clarke Embarks on a New Odyssey

Audra — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:32:30 +0000

Sometimes I think we’re alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we’re not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. – Arthur C. Clarke

Sir Arthur C. Clarke, science fiction giant and author of over 100 books including Childhood’s End (1953), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Rendezvous with Rama (1972), and The Fountains of Paradise (1979), died today at his home in Sri Lanka at the age of 90.

Clarke’s ideas rippled throughout science, scienceÂ fiction, and broader popular culture. His concept of the geostationary telecommunications satellite in 1945 predates the creation of modern telecom satellites. And Clarke’s 1979 novel Fountains of Paradise laid the groundwork for what he believed would be his ultimate legacy — the concept of a space elevator that will replace space shuttles.

Clarke’sÂ fiction and nonfiction books, essays, and short stories as well as his work in the arts and sciencesÂ earned him numerousÂ honors and namesake discoveries (including a species of dinosaur found in Australia, Serendipaceratops arthurcclarkei). In 1998 he was honored with a knighthood by the Queen of England.

From the biography at the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation:

During the evolution of his discovery, he worked with scientists and engineers in the USA in the development of spacecraft and launch systems, and addressed the United Nations during their deliberations on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space…In 1954, Clarke wrote to Dr. Harry Wexler, then chief of the Scientific Services Division, U.S. Weather Bureau, about satellite applications for weather forecasting. From these communications, a new branch of meteorology was born…

Since 1956 Clarke has lived in Sri Lanka exploring a passion for marine diving, where he said he comes as close as possible to the weightless feeling of space. Having suffered post-polio syndrome and at times been confined to a wheelchair, Clarke once said, “I’m perfectly operational underwater.”

At his 90th birthday party last December, Clarke expressed his wish that one day extraterrestrial beings would “call us or give us a sign…We have no way of guessing when this might happen,” Clarke said; “I hope sooner rather than later.”

It’s time to dig out the ole’ 2001 DVD again. We’ll miss you, Sir Arthur.

Arthur C. Clarke [The Arthur C. Clarke Foundation]
Clarke’s passing [MSNBC.com]

Large Binocular Telescope Spots Distant (Base)Stars

Audra — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:55:59 +0000

Okay, so there haven’t been any confirmed sightings of a Cylon ship — but as of this year, the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) perched atop Mount Graham in Arizona is the closest we humans have come to being able to see clearly something that far away. At 580 metric tons (double the weight of the previous heavyweight telescope champ) and with ten times the clarity of the Hubble, the LBT can’t see farther than our previous best scopes, but it can see a wider, sharper view of space — and also whatever sexy cyborgs may be hurtling toward an inevitable invasion of Earth.

According to Spaceref.com:

With unparalleled observational capability, astronomers will be able to view planets in distant solar systems, and detect and measure objects dating back to the beginning of time (14 billion years ago)…It uses two massive 8.4-meter (27.6 foot) diameter primary mirrors mounted side-by-side to produce a collecting area equivalent to an 11.8-meter (39 foot) circular aperture.

To be honest, I didn’t know that scientists had quantified the “beginning of time” at 14 billion years ago. I have a pair of jeans at least that old, and something had to come before. Otherwise, who made them?

Academic and astronomy institutions in Germany, Italy, and the U.S. began with conceptual designs twenty years ago and today are undoubtedly popping champagne across the globe. Just keep an eye on the Dradus.

LBT Observatory [Main Site]
The LBT [SpaceRef]

Dr. Crusher Pulls All the Right Strings

Audra — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:12:10 +0000

What do Beverly Crusher, Ziggy Stardust, and Ludo have in common? Gates McFadden worked with Jim Henson as a choreographer for the movies The Dark Crystal (1982) and The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) and as Director of Choreography and Puppet Movement in Labyrinth (1986). As an actor she goes by “Gates,” while as choreographer she is credited as Cheryl McFadden (her real full name is Cheryl Gates McFadden, after her late mother, Veronica Gates McFadden).

And a cool piece of Dr. Crusher trivia: Gates McFadden, who considers theater her true love, is trained in stage swordfighting – as is Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi). Yet only the male actors were allowed to use swords in the Star Trek: TNG episode “Qpid” (1991, the one where Worf, dressed all in magenta-scarlet, complains “Sir, I must protest. I am not a merry man!”)

I always knew Gates McFadden was cool, but the puppeteering and swordfighting just top it off.

Gates McFadden Article [Memory-Alpha.org]

“Me. Hair Gray. Hot.”: Stewart Returns to Stage

Audra — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:03:39 +0000

Patrick Stewart, who was well known in the Royal Shakespeare Company for twenty years before becoming Captain Picard in 1987 on ST:NG, is back onstage in London in the title role of of Macbeth. He talked to the New York Times about his acting career and shot the breeze about working on Trek:

To his bemusement he was described in the Los Angeles Times, he said, as “unknown British Shakespearean actor Patrick Stewart.” On set he had difficulty fitting in and took offense at the way he felt his castmates tended to horse around. So he called a meeting and “lectured them about having to be more serious,” he said. That did not go over very well. “It was really awful, being dressed down by the captain,” said Spiner, who played the android Data, and is still close to Stewart. “We really thought, ‘Well, please, get over it.’ “

Stewart’s certainly no longer “unknown,” and he’s getting a lot of love from critics for his role as the bloodthirsty (and newly sexy) Macbeth, though apparently this wasn’t always the case with his fellow Brits:

Critics who sniffed that he had sold out “to zoom about television screens in a preposterous spacesuit,” as Nicholas de Jongh put it in the Evening Standard of London, have showered him with perhaps the highest compliment they can conjure. He has, they say, overcome the technique-destroying indignity of being a major U.S. television star…[later] De Jongh called Stewart “one of our finest Shakespearean actors”…

Huh. Wonder what they said about his role in “American Dad.”

Article [SF Gate]
Macbeth Review [The New Yorker]

The Twelve Days of BSG

Audra — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:43:05 +0000

On the Twelfth Day of BSG my true love gave to me:

Twelve Raiders Raiding
Eleven Vipers Viping
Ten Larrys Leaping
Nine Gaetas Prancing
Eight Naked Sharons
Seven Spines a’Glowing
Six Sixes Laying

Five Tubs of Goo!

Four Battling Birds
Three Hybrids
Two Pyramid Balls
And the Towel that was Draped Around Lee!

Top Ten Ways to Mispronounce “Battlestar Galactica”

Audra — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:37:35 +0000

10. Paddle-ball Fantastica
9. Cattle-barn Milk Lactica
8. Snaggle Yarn Cat Scratchtica
7. Heavy-Scar Raidertica
6. Anders Rocks the Sacktica
5. President Airlocktica
4. Whiskey Bar Frakked-up Gaeta
3. Buccaneer Beertactica
2. Cylons get Knocked-uptica
1. Battlestar Kick-Asstica

*Bonus from Chuck: Felgercarb Fraktaktica!

SciFi’s Top Ten Reasons for Delaying Season 4 Until 2009

Audra — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 03:55:56 +0000

10. By 2009, an entire new generation of sci-fi fans will have been born, and we can use the last half of SeasonÂ Four to squeeze profits from them.

9. The ass-beating the network will receive from Battlestar’s rabid fanbase will be less bloody than if we waited ’till 2010, like we originally wanted to.

8. Brilliant writing, acting, music, effects, and production have all come together on SciFi original series before. And it will all happen again.

7. SciFi network viewers are still stunned and confused from recent kickass programming with BSG. We must embrace our traditional mediocrity to comfort them.

6. In 2009, no one will be left alive who has seen the 1978 or 1980 Galactica series,Â eliminating pesky OG criticism.

5. Wouldn’t that be sweet if Battlestar Galactica ran for five years? FIVE YEARS!!

4. By 2009, inflation rates will have risen to the point where iTunes can charge what NBC wants for the shows.

3. The gap will help to explain why Chief Tyrol is already showing little Nicky how to shave.

2. When we finally view the end of Season Four, Adama and Tigh will be old enough to have been part of the original exodus to the twelve colonies, thus ending the debate about sailing ships once and for all.

1. Three words about the women in BSG: Sexier with age.

Top Ten Reasons Admiral Cain Became a Cold-Blooded Beeyotch

Audra — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 05:05:16 +0000

We know that when Razor is released we’ll get to see the back story of how Cain dealt with the attacks on the colonies. It’s been suggested she may not have always been the ice queen we came to know and love/hate.

Here’re the top ten reasons she got that way:

10. She was gonna be an actress. She was gonna be a star. She was gonna shake her ass on the hood of Whitesnake’s car. Then she got drafted.

9. Her college nickname: “Magic Carpet Ride.” She’d show them when she was in charge.

8. Lost a bet in grade school: Either Tommy Davison asks you out, or you become an all-powerful misanthropic dictator who terrorizes the last crumbling remnants of the human race.

7. Tired of her older brothers claiming she “fought like a girl.”

6. Had a fling with President Adar’s predecessor, Wally, and loved the taste of raw power.

5. Did a teaching stint in public junior high for three years before joining up.

4. Knew Paula Abdul was thinking of her when she writhed around, singing “Cold Hearted Snake.”

3. Always thought Cain was the cooler brother.

2. Thought women should rise to the top by kicking, rather than sitting on, men’s laps.

1. Out to shake off those damnÂ Ro groupies once and for all!

Top Ten Juiciest Secrets Deleted from Razor

Audra — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:00:49 +0000

Here’s the stuff they don’t want us to see – the stuff thatÂ landed on the cutting room floor.Â

10. Starbuck is really the love child of Brother Cavil and the Hybrid.

9. Lucy Lawless’ sidekick from Xena: Warrior Princess shows up to do a love scene with Baltar. Gets boxed.

8. Gaeta’s tattoo…goes all the way down!

7. The secret love tryst among Doral, Leoben, and a Daggit.

6. Tigh wore his eye patch on the wrong side for the first two days of filming, so they just left it in.

5. Adama and Roslin hooked up way before Season One.

4. Lee admits to Dee he’s been seeing Tory on the side. And Seelix. And Racetrack. And Laura Roslin.

3. The Algae Pot Pies in Hangar Deck B gain consciousness and form their own labor union.

2. Admiral Cain is a Centurion.

1. Baltar discovers that Six is real, and he’s the one who’s imaginary.

NYC Meetup!

Audra — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 02:15:20 +0000

Hey all, several people have expressed interest in a New York City-area meetup, possibly for a screening of Razor in November. If you are going to be in the area, have any suggestions, or want to jump in on the planning, now’s your chance!

We’ll continue to keep this post on the main page of GWC as long as needed.

Pay No Attention to the Face Behind the Avatar…

Audra — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:55:41 +0000

Galactica Watercooler listeners have a new presence on Facebook, thanks to our pal Steve Lunny up in NYC! If you get a chance, come by and say hello – everyone is welcome! It’s also a great way to contact other GWC-ers and even see the faces behind the names (unless you’re like me and just stick with Sean’s kickin’ avatar design).

To find the group, log into Facebook and search for “Galactica Watercooler Galactigeeks United.” Thanks to Steve and the first dozen members who are getting the ball rolling. Hope to see you there!

United Colors of BSG

Audra — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:26:30 +0000

As you may know, I moonlight as a teacher when I’m not bustin’ Cylon(z), and one area of teaching I enjoy immensely is African American/Black studies. It’s a delicate and wonderful thing to have civil conversations among diverse groups of people about the things that make us different – and to what extent they play a part in our lives.

That said, this is not a reckless comment, but rather a careful observation and a request for polite discourse on the subject: how are non-white characters portrayed in BSG? (We could say it doesn’t matter, since BSG is an alternate and fictional universe, but we must concede that all art comes from a real context, and the audience for the show lives in that same world context.)

A website reporting on discussion at the recent ComiCon in San Diego mentioned the following:

“Another member of the audience applauded the racial diversity but commented on the seeming play to the stereotype of the ‘spiritual negro.’ The leader of Gemenon, a planet well known for following the verse, is an older black woman. Moore admits that they weren’t aware of it until later and that it was an unfortunate oversight in casting, given how careful they usually are about this. Specifically, it’s important for them to not show prejudice and fear of Other through race, gender, or any other human characteristic. That’s why they have a woman president, the best pilot is a woman, and there are representatives of all races scattered throughout the show. The idea of racism – the issue of self vs. the Other – needed to be played with through the human vs. Cylon didactic. With the issue of the ‘spiritual negro,’ the creators had wanted a more spiritual world, picked Gemenon, cast an actress, and when they looked at it later, they realized that it had happened. It’s true that she was the right actress for the role, but they only realized in retrospect how it could also be taken.”

I admit I wondered myself early on in the show if there wasn’t a hint of unwitting stereotyping here, since a number of black or African-descended characters seem to be religious leaders (like Elosha) or hail from the religious colony of Gemenon (including Cpl. Venner, who smuggles chamalla into the brig for Roslin, andÂ Sarah Porter, the Quorum of Twelve representative of Gemenon). However, I don’t see anything wrong with casting whomever they like for the roles, and it can be noted that these three characters are portrayed as quite moral. With the exception of Dee, though, it does seem that other significant black characters get quickly shuffled offstage – Simon the Cylon doctor, Sue-Shaun the Pyramid player, Bulldog. I doubt this is intentional, but it’s always worthwhile, IMHO, to think about it anyway.

For what it’s worth, one sci-fi fanÂ recently told RDM face-to-face at the Nebula Awards that she thought the show needed more black characters, and he responded by saying, “That’s a fair criticism.”

MyÂ theory has long been that BSGÂ transcends ethnic and gender barriers in a way few shows have dared, and the egalitarian spirit that pervades the show is welcomed by its audience. I suspect, though, in some cases, that ethnic, gender, and other issues such as this will come up, and we should be sensitive to them. (Note: “sensitive” is different from “PC”; “sensitive” means thoughtful and decent about it, as opposed to obligingly inoffensive.)

Maybe the creators of BSG should consider casting more people of color if they want to reflect a universe more like our own.Â That said,Â the show demonstrates a thoughtfulness and integrity on these issues that I’d be glad to see more of, in the Sci-Fi world and in ours.

Dallas Meetup De-Briefing!

Audra — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 03:05:53 +0000

Thanks to Stevearino and his wife; Nick; and Gray (who drove all the way from Houston) for coming out to the GWC meetup Saturday night! We reveled in jokes, pop culture references, beer, and Indian food (hey, the “Irish”Â make a good tikka) and peeled off our GWC masks to reveal our true selves – Centurions! And, after Gray left, we actually did talk Galactica. (Sorry, GMDB*.)Â Anyway, we had a great time and hope to hear more from even more meeter-uppers from around the colonies.

*GMDB is Gray’s new nickname, as she kicks the collective asses of both Audra and IMDB in terms of TV and movie knowledge.

The Ultimate Cylon Experience!

Audra — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:26:41 +0000

A GWC listener recently asked an interesting question that I thought would be fun to pose to y’all:

If Battlestar Galactica were to become a theme-park ride, what would you like it to be? A themed boat ride like Pirates of the Carribbean, a screamin’ Viper-ride rollercoaster, a bungee drop, a no-gravity chamber surrounded by 360 degrees of video from Exodus, Part II?

My idea: We could all ride in individual tubs of gooÂ thatÂ glide on a smooth track through a model basestar. Then at the end you stop in a house of mirrors where copies of yourself are all around your tub. Cool!

This one’s just for fun. Let’s hear it!

Back in the Day…

Audra — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:51:16 +0000

Since we at GWC have taken the opportunities recently to pine over our favorite stuff from back-then, from action figures to TV shows, we’d like to hear your own stories about how you got acquainted with BSG. In Podcast #47, Chuck remembered running around a gymnasium as a little kid with a toy Cylon raider. And I admitted I wasn’t alive yet at that point, so my intro to BSG came, well, about three years ago.

Did you watch the original series (first run or re-runs)? Did you own any of the action figures? Ever have a crush on Dirk Benedict? Time to let down that tough BSG-fan exterior and come clean about your first timeÂ –Â with BSG, that is.

Watercooler, Watercooler, on the Wall…

Audra — Wed, 30 May 2007 21:07:19 +0000

Just in case you were worried the GWC crew was focusing too much on heady discussion, here’s your reprieve. Based on our discussion in podcast #45 and on popular demand (oh, all right, we just wanted to do it) — Who’s the hottest on the show? You decide. Vote once for each category. Boo ya!

Which is the "hottest" other character in BSG?

Reader Theory: Would I Lie to You?

Audra — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 22:06:03 +0000

Karl wrote:

I haven’t started the re-watch and to be truthful have not done any re-watches yet.Â Saying that, I can not think of a single time one of the Cylons intentionally lied to a human.Â That’s not to say they have not misled anyone, but I can not remember any actual untruth in the scripting of the Cylons.Â Please correct me if I am wrong, but it might add something as you go through the re-watch of the seasons.

Regarding Cylons’ truthfulness, I think the scene that is most in question is Leoben telling Roslin that “Adama’s a Cylon.” I think it was Sean who pointed out that Cylons may not outright lie, but say things that are what people need to hear at the moment (or what will further their own agenda). Personally, I think that either Leoben was lying in that case – or we’ll find out something like, say, humans and Cylons share common heritage and thus all humans are Cylons, orÂ someÂ other technicality.

And what about this? Check out the following excerpts of dialogue between Simon and Starbuck inÂ ”The Farm”:

Starbuck: Who brought me in?
Â
Simon: A big Guy called Anders. Used to be a pro pyramid player if you can believe that.

Starbuck: Yeah, I know him. Where is he?
Â
Simon: He diedâ€¦.on the table. I thought he was oÂnly slightly wounded. Turns out that a piece of shrapnel had nicked his aorta. Massive internal bleeding. Iâ€™m sorry. We did everything we could do.

(new excerpt)
Starbuck: Are you a Cylon?
Â
Simon: What do you think?

Starbuck: I think you didnâ€™t answer the question.
Â
Simon: I am most definitely not a Cylon. Of course I donâ€™t know what you would expect me to say. If I was a Cylon I certainly wouldnâ€™t admit it.

So, there’s a chance Simon wasn’t lying about Anders, if we assume that Anders is a resurrectable Cylon and resurrected instead of died on Caprica. But denying he’s a Cylon is definitely a lie. (Remember Aaron Doral in the miniseries – “I’m not a frakkin’ Cylon!”)

And You Were There, And You…

Audra — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 23:17:35 +0000

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.

Our Roslin, Ourselves

Audra — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:24:03 +0000

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, undeservingÂ 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 resistanceÂ based on her femaleness as well asÂ her actions as president. Just criticism stems from the latter, the former being of no consequence to her ability to do the job.

Reader Theories: Zarek’s a Cylon. Or Roslin’s a Cylon.

Audra — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 06:42:16 +0000

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.”Â 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 aÂ 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…

Reader Theory: Lampkin’s Accent

Audra — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 01:32:00 +0000

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.

Reader Theory: Tyrol for President?

Audra — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 22:40:04 +0000

Cavatar writes:

“The Chief has, even if he does not know it, found himself in a position of great opportunity.Â He is now the Union leader for EVERY working human left alive. He is also a part of the working military… Now I don’t know how long Roslin’s term is.Â If we assume that they use a four year term system, and factor in that Baltar was President for well over a year and it has been some time since Roslin was reinstated by a back room deal, then you can guess that she has 2 years left. This gives Chief Tyrol plenty of time to make his way to the other ships, show he is a man of the people, improve working conditions in the fleet, and show he is going to take their rights as human beings seriously.Â Let’s also not forget that he was already elected by these people once before on New Caprica as their Union leader. If he plays his cards right, then the stars have just lined up for him to not only challenge the Roslin Presidency, but destroy it.Â From what we seen, they do a popular vote.Â Of the 40,000 plus humans left alive, if 25,000 are slaving away on ships like the refinery, he is as sure as in.”

This theory makes me wonder if there are any other would-be presidents out there that we’ve been overlooking all this time. Of course, not just anyone can do the job, but Chief does have a lot of popular support. But would he even want to run? One of Chuck’s favorite premises in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series is that anyone who wants to be president, shouldn’t be. Do you think this holds true in BSG? And if so, does this give the Chief an advantage?

A Writer’s Responsibility?

Audra — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:08:13 +0000

In the comments for Podcast #32, Armando asked a question that I think can support its own thread:

“…what responsibility, if any, does an artist have to his audience? Do Ron Moore, David Eick and the rest of the creative team at BSG really need to worry about alienating audience members through their story choices? Artistic integrity would argue that no, they donâ€™t. This is their work as artists (albeit based on somebody elseâ€™s work) and it is their creative prerogative to take their characters and stories in the direction they need to go. Artistic integrity and artwork are little more than vanity, however, without an audience which posits, therefore, that indeed RDM, DE and the rest of the writing/production staff at BSG do have a responsibility to their audience and should treat their characters/stories in such a way as to not alienate them (and in a commercial medium like television, alienating audience members means loss of revenue which could lead to cancelation).”

Storyknife and others have begun responding, so check out the comments link, but let’s continue the discussion here. I bet there are a lot of people on the site who have valuable insights on this question.

Downloaded Mash-Up

Audra — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 05:52:15 +0000

I found another cool BSG fan video on the ‘net and thought I’d share.Â This one is a video montage/remix of the episode Downloaded set to the Jay-Z/Linkin Park mashup Numb/Encore.Â Sweeet.

(Warning: It’s got some language in it — the song’s uncensored.)

Show Me the Money!

Audra — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 08:12:08 +0000

Okay, this may have been done before (I’m way too lazy to check out the fan ‘verse to see), but here goes. In the spirit of the less-cerebral and sillier side of GWC…Vote for your favorite money shot! (Or add one if you don’t see it here.)

Male money shot: 1.) Lee dropping the towel in front of D’Anna when she’s on Galactica as a reporter 2.) Anders after spending the night for the first time with Kara on Caprica 3.) Lee flexing in the mirror after losing the Fat Suit 4.) Lee in the Fat Suit (hey, you never know) 5.) Helo getting it on with Sharon on Caprica 6.) Baltar nude on his Fainting Couch

Female money shot: 1.) Caprica Six getting it on with Baltar (any scene) 2.) Nude Sharon doing Tai-chi or whatever on the Basestar 3.) Nude Sharon x100 when they tell Boomer she’s a Cylon 4.) D’Anna Biers in the white fluffy dress 5.) D’Anna Biers in the white vixen cleavage jacket 6.) Starbuck practicing boxing and kicking a punching bag 7.) Dee practicing combat moves with Lee around the time they start dating 8.) Laura Roslin chilling on Bill Adama’s couch in his private quarters

Non-gendered money shot (vote on best action sequence) : 1.) Galactica dropping out of FTL in New Caprica’s atmosphere and rescuing everybody 2.)Â Kara flying the Cylon Raider home 3.) The Pegasus slamming into a couple of base stars 4.) Gina’s nuke taking out half the fleet 5.) Lee flying his Viper through the mining equipment to drop a nuke on a Cylon base 6.) Kat taking out Scar 7.) Adama’s beat-down of the first Leoben at Ragnorak anchorage

Â Oh yeah! Comment on your favorites or add to the list. It’s all you now.

Top 5 Reasons the Goo is Different this Season

Audra — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 06:17:55 +0000

(Also, see comments on podcast #26 for further speculation)…

5. Dry air on basestar forced skinjobs to begin mandatory oatmeal soaks

4. Clumpy low-grade goo much cheaper than premium slick goo

3. Consistency of goo directly proportional to current mood of the Hybrid, and she ain’t happy

2. More useful consistency for slingingÂ during Cylon wet t-shirt contests

1. The pool guy got boxed

And… TopÂ 5 Least Likely Reveals for the Person Under the Glowing Hood:

5. Ellen Tigh

4. Hot Dog

3. Scar

2. Tom Zarek

1. Jammer

Speak Up!

Audra — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:10:30 +0000

All right, gang – tomorrow we’re recording the special call-in podcast where we play your phone comments on the air and discuss the issues YOU bring up.

So now’s your chance! Get your voice heard and your ideas aired. The site here is always brimming with thoughtful, intelligent comments – now we wantÂ to hear you voice them.

(If you’re worried about your secret identity being revealed, you can always pretend to be someone else. If you’re reluctant to hear your own voice played back – well, it’s time for you to know the truth.)

We’re looking forward to hearing all your great ideas, so call our Cy-line atÂ (214) 296-9229.

Starbuck’s Secrets

Audra — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:17:50 +0000

There’sÂ beenÂ speculation in the comments about Katee Sackhoff leaving BSG, and I would just go insane if they got rid of Starbuck.Â I’ve been musing on past episodes where we’ve gotten clues about why she is “special” – mostly involving Leoben and torture – but I’m always left wondering how it adds up. We never really got full closure on her mysterious “Farm” scars, what kind of abusive past she had, or why she continues to sabotage her relationships with other people. I’m still not sure if there’s a special religious significance to her retrieving the Arrow of Apollo.

Maybe this is completely out there, but in trying to guessÂ how theÂ BSG writers will go with the next season, I’ve come up with a few bizarre hypotheses: What if Kara Thrace is Hera/Isis? This would have to involve some sort of circular time or time travel, but it would definitely make her “special.” Even if she wasn’t the exact same person, if Kara was a Hylon, it might explain why the Cylons seem to know things about her childhood (unless Leoben really is a seer).

Further speculation: we’ve guessed before that Starbuck may have had an abusive mother. If Starbuck had mixed parents – say, a human mother and a Cylon father, perhaps the mother rejected her as the Hylon baby and hence Starbuck’s mother issues…

Either way, I hope Katee Sackhoff sticks around because, even as a messed-up version of herself, Starbuck still kicks ASS.

Cylon Nirvana?

Audra — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:49:52 +0000

According to the Battlestar Wiki, at one point in the series the priest Elosha delivers a sermon in Sanskrit, an ancient language of the Indian subcontinent. While trying to figure out how Eastern religion might play into the BSG world and why the writers would choose Sanskrit, especially with a people whose religion is predominantly a polytheistic, Greek-like belief system – I came across some interesting connections with Hinduism, the major religion of the Indian subcontinent (and the third largest in the world).

From Wikipedia’s entry on Hinduism:

Prominent themes in Hinduism include Dharma (individual ethics, duties and obligations), SamsÄra (rebirth), Karma (right action), and Moksha (deliverance from the cycle of birth and death).

What interests me most here in relation to BSG is Moksha – deliverance from the cycle of birth and death. Although the Sanskrit/Hindu reference was made by a human priest in the show, this concept sounds very much like the Cylons’ continual cycle of resurrection. It’s quite possible that, in their quest to be closer to God, they are also trying to be released from this cycle, which we know can be physically painful for them but must also be mentally torturous at times.

Again from Wikipedia:

When the cycle of rebirth thus comes to an end, a person is said to have attained Moksha or Nirvana. While all schools of thought agree that moksha implies the cessation of worldly desires and freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the exact definition of Moksha depends on individual beliefs. For example, followers of the Advaita Vedanta school… believe that they will spend eternity absorbed in the perfect peace and happiness… andÂ will no longer identify themselves as individual persons, but will see the “Self” (Ätman) as a part of the infinite ocean of Divinity (Brahman).

Perhaps Moksha, or Nirvana, is the same concept as whatever the Cylons are searching for. Most of the flesh CylonsÂ seem to be on a spiritual quest, and these guys go through the cycle of rebirth more than anyone else in that universe so far. D’Anna has shown her belief that through this cycle there is something greater to be learned about the nature of life itself. And the Hybrid’s existence between states of machine and organic life, as well as her/its ability to prophecy, may also indicate a special significance to that rebirth process.

As is often the case, I know just enough about the topic to get excited and make a few connections, but not enough to speak coherently about it. But there’s one other interesting point – when talking briefly with the Rev. Dr. Wichelns (who will be this week’s guest on the podcast), he confirmed that the concept of “this has all happened before and will all happen again” is one of Hindu origin.

“You Chose Wisely…”

Audra — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 07:58:28 +0000

When the Hybrid refers to “the Chosen One” to Baltar and D’Anna, I think each thought the Hybrid was referring to him/herself. And it did appear the Hybrid was looking directly at them, or perhaps directly at Baltar. However, I think the Chief is the Chosen One. Didn’t the Hybrid also mention something about the Chosen One entering the temple?

This would also explain why the Chief is drawn to the temple by some force that apparently no one else around him can sense. Cally also remarks on his sense of “reverence” when he’s inside the temple, and the Chief reminisces about his parents’ spiritual and religous teachings while there. (I love the naked dancing and porn magazine story, btw.)

So, what is it about the Chief or about the monolith that draws him there? Someone commented recently about the possibility of an Adama bloodline tracing back to the Thirteenth Tribe. What if the Chief holds a bloodline that can be drawn back to a significant figure in human/Cylon religion, such as the lord of Kobol who broke from the others and may turn out to be the Cylon god?

Provided that the temple and the monolith aren’t destroyed by nukes, I think the Chief can/will decipher the writing inscribed on the monolith and find out the true meaning of the Eye of Jupiter – assuming it’s not merely the painted target-shaped circle at eye level in front of him.

Does Not Fempute!

Audra — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 23:54:01 +0000

Ok, it’s driving me crazy and I’ve gotta ask: what’s with the Hybrid? I want so badly to know more about this woman/machine/fembot in the bathtub of goo. I suspect as soon as we get back to the D’Anna Biers storyline and explore her forays between life and death a little more, we’ll also see more of the Hybrid.

Some theories: the Hybrid is the original prototype the Cylons (Centurions?)Â built when trying to add biological/organic elements to themselves, either to enhance their own species or create a new one. I think that they experimented with various methods and the Hybrid was the first viable result, maybe the firstÂ one that could live on its own. We’ve speculated before about the Cylonz’ motivations and goals in creating the flesh models. It seems they thought they would be closer to perfection – or closer to God – by becoming biological. If their theology indicates that God created man first, and man created Cylons, then maybe they’re trying to take what they feel is their rightful place, closer to God, and replacing the humansÂ since weÂ ruined the chance God gave us. It’d be like, if after Adam and Eve got kicked out of Eden, the animals in Eden figured out a way to combine their genetic material into human-like form. Then they turned into the modern humans and Adam and Eve were never heard from again. Hell, maybe we all evolved from the animal experiments.

Enough of my speculations. But I am interested that the Hybrid vocalizes what seem to be computer codes, or some kind of mechanical language. I think she is the clue to the science (or magic explanation) behind how digital data becomes organic material in BSG, and therefore the key to the creation of the original flesh Cylons.

Hard Knocks

Audra — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 16:44:00 +0000

Katee Sackhoff is perfectly cast. Starbuck is so crazy, and I think she’s carrying around a lot of pain (about Zack, her childhood, the Farm, the whole Cylon war and occupation). She’s so wonderful and so terrible,Â sometimes in the same moment. What gets me is the look on her face the morning she marries Anders. Lee walks past, and she has that grimace that is so characteristic of her chaotic life.

Starbuck just depletes the men around her, uses them and takes off on her next adventure. We don’t get a lot of women characters quite like this in modern film and t.v., and I think the shift from an original male character helped make it happen. I wonder if we (I) look for reasoning behind Starbuck’s actions more because she is a woman, rather than just blowing her off as a selfish player, as we might if she were a guy (or Baltar).

At least Lee and Starbuck have gotten to the point where they can’t deny it entirely anymore. As Dualla said on the sidelines when it was mentioned that Lee and Starbuck looked like they were trying to kill each other: “That’s one perspective.” Poor Dee. Billy would’ve never done you that way.

G’Day, Mate

Audra — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 07:05:12 +0000

Has anyone else wondered why D’Anna Biers has an accent – or at least, an accent that is different from the one used by most of the other characters in BSG? “Well,” you might say, “It’s obvious: Lucy Lawless is from New Zealand, so she doesn’t sound like the American and Canadian actors.”But Jamie Bamber has a strong British accent, and as Lee Adama he speaks in the same kind of general Amer-Canadian accent everyone else uses. It’s not unusual for actors to change their normal voices to fit a character, but D’Anna Biers speaks in the New Zealand accent of the actor, and surely this was not just an accident. Assuming the writers decided to have her keep the accent, I wonder if it has any significance to the story?

Some ideas: 1) Chuck says it would be useful for the Cylons to have diversity in the skinjob models because they’d be more realistic. 2) Accents are often sexy, and the female CylonZ have to all be really attractive. Also, 3) Chuck thinks Jamie Bamber’s accent is one often associated with comedy in the U.S., which might clash with the show’s serious attitude, while the same is not true for a New Zealand accent.

Humans get their unique language characteristics from growth and experience, but Cylons supposedly have no real past- they reincarnate as adults with only adult memories. I wonder how Cylons get “programmed” to look, act, believe, and talk like the individual models they are. Was D’Anna, Number Three, programmed to talk like a New Zealander as well as everything else that makes her unique?

D’anna’s Love

Audra — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 05:38:12 +0000

It seems that D’anna Biers (Number 3) has found love in Hera/Isis, just as the Oracle on New Caprica predicted. But where is the baby? It seems like the baby is a significant part of D’anna’s newfound love, and based on much speculation here on the blog and in podcasts, love could be an invaluable element in separating skinjobs from toasters (and making their backs glow).

D’anna’s other “love experience” has to do with Baltar. Imagining he was speaking to Six-in-a-box, Baltar proclaims his undying love for…D’anna? All of the Cylons? Either, way, it’s clear by her expression that she is moved by his statement. As Lt. Slingshot commented, perhaps D’anna has a messiah complex of her own and is planning to unite and lead the CylonZ.

It is odd that D’anna is one of the most ruthless, cold Cylons, and even after she “knows” love she remains this way, at least toward humans. I look forward to seeing what love does to change her character and perhaps inspire a new leadership role for her.

At least let us see her changing dirty diapers and waking up every two hours to feed Hera/Isis. Now that takes love.

Trapped

Audra — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 06:20:18 +0000

I’ve noticed an interesting theme running through BSG – being trapped. It’s interesting how being trapped, held,Â or imprisoned -Â physically or psychologically -Â can affect people.

Some physical examples we see- Sharon in the cell on Galactica, Six (Gina) in same cell, Roslin in the brig, Lee in the brig when Adama is shot. Helo stuck on (Old) Caprica after Boomer rescues civilians. Starbuck held in the pregnancy farm on Caprica. Lee floating in space after ejecting (trapped in the suit with no oxygen). Lee and Starbuck trapped in the firing range room when the Cylon virus lets the oxygen out. A number of people held hostage on Cloud Nine when Billy is killed. Starbuck trapped in the apartment/prison with Psycho-Leoben, and actually banging on metal bars to be let out. The occupation of New Caprica essentially imprisoned the human population. Tigh and others held in the Cylon prison cells on NC. Baltar is stuck on the Basestar with the Cylons.

Mental examples? Baltar has a version of Six trapped in his mind, Starbuck’s trapped in her head trying to fight off demons. I’m sure there are plenty more- but this whole theme gets me thinking that the barriers thrown up against these characters and the way they keep fighting them offÂ really shows us what they’re made of. I hope that one of the toughest characters, Tigh, has it in him to break away from his demons as well.