Latest BSG (2-26-07) by Ozzysun

OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

Latest BSG (2-26-07)

POSTED BY: OZZYSUN
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 16:36
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VIEWED: 2482
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Sunday, February 25, 2007 6:43 PM

Rather blah episode I thought.
I'm not really enjoying the show like I used to. I understand they need to show the day to day struggles that go in the fleet, but comon.
If this keeps up I honestly don't see my self making sure I'm there to watch it every Sunday.

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Sunday, February 25, 2007 6:58 PM

DERANGEDMILK

I thought it was okay. Not great, but not bad either. I think people listening to Baltar so quickly seems unlikely, but I'm glad they're addressing class struggle, which we will probably be brought up later in the trial.

Next week's looks to be really good. I was bummed that they let the Starbuck-paints-the-future go so long without even a mention. That seems to be my major qualm with the show at the moment, lack of pacing.
-e

p.s. its the 25th

"Storms getting worse."
"We'll pass through it soon enough."

Vote for Firefly at http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html

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Sunday, February 25, 2007 8:36 PM

SINGATE

I agree with you Ozzysun. More often than not I find myself watching out of habit more than anything else. I've actually been enjoying the show that airs before BSG more lately. It speaks volumes that the person who convinced me to watch BSG in the first place has given up on the show. If the show doesn't catch my interest before season's end I may not have a reason to come back after another lengthy hiatus.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

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Sunday, February 25, 2007 9:09 PM

JOLLY

I sorta wish the miniseries had a more dominant place on television. Long enough to allow for more complex stories than the typical movie, but not so long as to allow for the kind of bloated storytelling that has made up so much of season three.

To be honest, I'm not really a fan of serial television, preferring the sitcom or cartoon (a self-contained half hour). Buffy was watchable for a sustained period of time because it mixed up humour with action and drama, and because each season was sufficiently different from the previous one to keep things interesting. (Seems odd ot be using Buffy as a reference, given where I'm posting, but I realize that I now view Firefly as the show that got me into Buffy.)

BSG feels like it's lost any kind of direction or focus. I can't help but think that the decision to stretch it out for five seasons plays a part...

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Monday, February 26, 2007 5:52 AM

CYBERSNARK

Actually, I really liked this one. Great to see Tyrol doing some problem solving (as opposed to last week's damsel-in-distress bit). Also a good look into the logistical structure of the fleet (which, I'll admit, is probably more fascinating to me than to anyone else), and I loved the resolution.

I'm a firm believer that fighter pilots should serve as their own ground crew. A pilot should know his fighter as well as he knows his own body --every bolt, weld, conduit, and wire, and he should be able to diagnose anything that could feasibly go wrong.

Rosslyn said herself; nothing in this fleet is ideal. It's way past time to throw out the old playbook and start adapting and improvising.

(Everything I know about space travel and warfare, I learned from the Rebel Alliance. If it's non-standard, but works, use it.

)

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Monday, February 26, 2007 3:16 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
I think people listening to Baltar so quickly seems unlikely,

Unlikely? Hell, that's putting it mildly! First of all, he's a scientist, and as far as we know, has had little to do w/ the struggles of the lower class. He was living the good life, due to some measure, I suspect, to the Cylons secretly supporting him.

I skipped this show, for 2 reasons. 1, I hated the premise I saw in the trailer. Where's Baltar get off preaching to the very folks he tried to annhilate ? Sure, his hands were tied, but he still was cozy w/ the toasters. But mainly, as a scientist, where in the heck would he find the time to dream up Karl Marx like material ? Class warfare ? Hell, these folks are having to deal with REAL warfare, and it seems doubly unlikely they'd be fretting over class envy when the entire species is on the brink of extinction. I'm sorry, but there's been little to suggest that the 'elite' have it all that much better off. This was nothing short of piss poor writing.

2nd, I went and saw Spamalot here in Atlanta. After that, a early dinner and drinks w/ friends..I was too wiped out to stay up and watch some whacked out version of The Communist Manifesto in space. Please.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Monday, February 26, 2007 7:15 PM

JPSTARGAZER

Wow, I guess my expectation for other people's responses was way off base. I thought this episode was a step in the right direction. Keep in mind, I'm a person that, once I'm familiar with a group of characters that I like, I would probably enjoy watching them sit around and watch paint dry. With that said, I'll argue for why this episode was a good one.

First off, this episode combined commentary on history (Marxism as mentioned before), current events (tillium=oil?), and ethical quandaries. I don't know about anyone else, but I think the class struggle aspect of the fleet is interesting. We learn more depth about the colonies, finding out that the colonies were a great place to live...if you lived on the right one. It just echoes Animal Farm and the portion of 1984 that talks about the proletariat, as well as the "book in a book" manifesto portion of 1984. I guess I just like that dystopian stuff.

We are all aware of the dependence of many countries (ashamed to say, mostly mine) on foreign oil. Considering the tactics OPEC uses to eliminate competition between oil-producing nations and keep oil prices high, the whole "you rely on our tillium" threat sounds familiar. Isn't that why this show is praised? It presents relevant issues in a construct that minimizes judgement? Isn't that what all great sci-fi does?

And last, the viewer has to weigh, is it better to be loyal to your shipmates and follow rules, or to take a stand and stand up for those that society doesn't favor? I understand the Admiral's point...orders aren't optional, and if the crew thinks they are, everyone dies. But could you sit back and watch teenagers in that dangerous job when they deserve an education and a choice in their future? Great sci-fi also has divisive moral issues.

I also find it very believable about Baltar as well. Think about it...first we find out he came from humble beginnings. I guess some people have a hard time accepting that Baltar probably started out with the best of intentions. He escaped his family's profession (for the record, there's nothing wrong with farming...I live in Illinois and I've known quite a few farmers) to go to the center of education in the colonies. That is a whole storyline in itself...how Baltar slowly discovered he was a genius and how it probably eroded his character into the self-centered person he is now.

It makes sense that he'd write this manifesto...keep in mind Gaius will do anything to save Gaius. If he becomes a hero to the underclass, it may vindicate him somehow and possibly result in his freedom, or even some position of leadership again. I know it's a long shot, but this is how he thinks.

Oh, and it was great to see Celix (spelling?) get the chance to be a Viper pilot. Granted, she was part of the Circle, but so was the Chief and I forgave him...sorta (RIP Jammer). It's like, in that fleet, those are the things that can elevate someone so much. If you foresee yourself doing the same thing day in and day out for the rest of your life on some ship, the future seem pretty bleak. The whole concept of being rewarded for you work and fulfilling your potential appeals to me.

Sorry I went on so long, but I felt I needed to stand up for this episode. And to all the people thinking about not watching the show anymore, please continue....I've noticed that Firefly fans have more dedication than most people, so why not parlay some of that and stick with the show?

"All I got is a red guitar, three chords, and the truth...the rest is up to you"
--Bono

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Monday, February 26, 2007 7:30 PM

FINN MAC CUMHAL

Quote:
Originally posted by Cybersnark:
I'm a firm believer that fighter pilots should serve as their own ground crew. A pilot should know his fighter as well as he knows his own body --every bolt, weld, conduit, and wire, and he should be able to diagnose anything that could feasibly go wrong.

That kind of thinking might have worked in 1914, but advanced technology is not something you just pick up. The amount of time required to master both the operation and maintenance of a modern jet fighter is not easily packed into a single career. The more advanced technology becomes the more diversified and specialized we must become and the more we must cooperate. Adama was right. Cooperation requires a firm command structures so that information is disseminated faithfully and timely to each individual so that many highly specialized people can operate efficiently as a single entity.

Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.

Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.

-- Cicero

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Monday, February 26, 2007 7:44 PM

JRC

Why is it that when any series, like BSG or Lost, creates an episode that shows development of a character(s), that it immediately gets pushed into the "filler" category?? Damn people, you can't get epic space battles or polar bears in every episode!!! People really do want to know what's happening in these people's lives, what makes them tick, their likes and dislikes, fears, plans for the future, lovelifes, what's happened to them in the past, etc. Remember the original BSG series (if you were born then)?? It ended up with almost every episode having the Cylons attack Galactica, which IMHO killed that show (that and bad acting). I love space shoot'em ups as much as anyone, but these characters must remain interesting, so, give me more character development.

Everyone dies alone.

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Monday, February 26, 2007 8:33 PM

SINGATE

Quote:
Originally posted by JRC:
Why is it that when any series, like BSG or Lost, creates an episode that shows development of a character(s), that it immediately gets pushed into the "filler" category?? Damn people, you can't get epic space battles or polar bears in every episode!!! People really do want to know what's happening in these people's lives, what makes them tick, their likes and dislikes, fears, plans for the future, lovelifes, what's happened to them in the past, etc. Remember the original BSG series (if you were born then)?? It ended up with almost every episode having the Cylons attack Galactica, which IMHO killed that show (that and bad acting). I love space shoot'em ups as much as anyone, but these characters must remain interesting, so, give me more character development.

This would be a fine point if every damn episode this season hadn't been exactly like this. As I have stated previously I don't expect a free for all in each episode, I simply would like a better action vs. drama ratio. There is simply too much soap opera like drama on this show right now.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

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Monday, February 26, 2007 9:11 PM

KHYRON

Quote:
Originally posted by singate:
This would be a fine point if every damn episode this season hadn't been exactly like this.

You haven't watched the entire season, have you?

I thought the epsiode was great.

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.

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Monday, February 26, 2007 9:29 PM

SINGATE

Quote:
Originally posted by Khyron:
Quote:
Originally posted by singate:
This would be a fine point if every damn episode this season hadn't been exactly like this.
You haven't watched the entire season, have you?

I thought the epsiode was great.

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.

I have been watching, hence my growing aggravation with the state of things. Early in the season the show seemed to be moving towards something. Earth, a resolution to the occupation, and lately Baltar's trial. However, over the course of the last month there has been no forward movement at all. Instead we keep getting overdoses of drama and unnecessary character development. I realize the writers are setting the stage with Baltar's "for the people riff" but they really need to get on with it.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:11 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

jpstargazer - all that political talk is well and good, for when there's time to hash such stuff out. But when you're running for the existance of your species, not just YOUR life, that's not the time. We see nothing of thise being brought up before the Cylons attack, why bring it up now ? It's a sure fire way to distract you from the task at hand, and get everyone killed.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007 12:16 PM

JPSTARGAZER

I would like to point out that a couple of episodes ago (can't remember which one it was), it was mentioned that there hasn't been a Cylon contact in forty-some days. Since human/Cylon interactions are the basis of the show, I think they'd show us if the Cylons jumped to the location of the fleet. It sounds like the crew is trying to maintain a constant state of alertness, but this is where the other aspects of the human existence creep in. The show is dealing with all the "little" problems that get overlooked when you're fighting for your life. So really, in the absence of the Cylons, I think it is the perfect time to hammer out problems in the political/social structure of the fleet.

"All I got is a red guitar, three chords, and the truth...the rest is up to you"
--Bono

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:49 PM

JOLLY

Quote:
Originally posted by JRC:
Why is it that when any series, like BSG or Lost, creates an episode that shows development of a character(s), that it immediately gets pushed into the "filler" category?? Damn people, you can't get epic space battles or polar bears in every episode!!! People really do want to know what's happening in these people's lives, what makes them tick, their likes and dislikes, fears, plans for the future, lovelifes, what's happened to them in the past, etc. Remember the original BSG series (if you were born then)?? It ended up with almost every episode having the Cylons attack Galactica, which IMHO killed that show (that and bad acting). I love space shoot'em ups as much as anyone, but these characters must remain interesting, so, give me more character development.

The problem is that not every character needs to be fully developed for the story to be told. It's also hard to believe that the "developments" that happens are going to have implications for the broader arc (hence the term "filler"), and unfortunately these episodes have also not been entertaining (some of the best episodes of Buffy were filler). A show can survive a few less than stellar episodes if the viewer retains interest in what is going to happen next. My problem is that the filler episodes are not only boring, but they are also making me care less and less about certain characters (Lee Adama comes to mind), making it less likely that I will invest further time with the show.

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007 4:36 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

40 days w/ out any Cylons makes the whole fleet forget about Baltar selling out humans to the toasters, or that until recently, 12 planets of mankind were now reduced to a rag tag fleet.... you get my meaning.

Sorry, I'm not buying it. Sounds like a (lame) ploy by some writers to stretch out a season. Glad I missed it.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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