Engaging BSG discussions, Feb 07 onwards

[Administrator]

Posted on behalf of BSG fan blog:

Yo folks. Please take a look at my new BattleStar Galactica blog.

www.watchingbsg.com

I’m hoping in the next episode, president Roslin can get Tom Zarek to get something going. He’s been too far in the background. I’m getting hungry for some of his action. Zarek gets things done. He’s solid and dependable. A true man of his word. If I were in danger, that’s the person I want leading me at all times.

Zarek has a vision for humanity. Although some may not fancy hjis tactics, the bottom line is he gets the damn job done. Been a while since we’ve seen some Cylon arse got kicked.

Now there were some old time fans who wished he had come back as the old Apollo. But I think he’s much better in this role. Remember the focus of BattleStar Galactica, while the same in concept, needed the characters to evolve, and it wouldn’t make sense to have him back in that old role, again. The show would be no good if it mimicked the original series too much. The format of the new series is great.

His character is much needed. Underground patriots have always been a part of human warfare. In every war we’ve always had them. Civilian militancy is part and parcel of war’s history. If BSG was just a straight military show, it would lose it’s strength.

His comix series is getting a great response. I suggest getting them when you can. The covers are real quality, as well. OK, enough of me “preaching it” for now. As always, I want to read your opinions.

Mel

[Administrator]

As time passes us by, I wonder if another attempt at getting anything useful from Giaus Baltar will be useful. He survived the threats of being airlocked by president Roslin. He sank even deeper in the recesses of psychosis with the drug induced interrogation. Lt. Gaeta certainly didn't help matters by allowing Baltar to discover his deception, and then trying to cut his throat. Baltar will in future be even more suspicious, not to mention more paranoiac and delusional as ever. The only "person" Baltar trusts is Caprica Six, who seems to tax up 98% of his mental powers.

I think at this point, a damn miracle will have to happen to get anything relevant from him. However, to put him on trail now, might be a great mistake. I'm near sure he has vital information, that would assist the Colonial humans, so to consider him as "dead weight" would be wrong.

What would you do to be successful in getting info from Baltar? What methods would you be willing to do, if given a free hand to do whatever you want? Would it involve a form of torture or physical coercion?


Mel

[Administrator]

These are the words of president Roslin. With a depleted number of people in the ranks, I would agree. Seems though, no-one appears to be getting busy on it. How many adults in ratio to children do you think would be an actual number is this were our reality? What would you do to encourage people to start replenishing the numbers?

I agree with her on this. Their number are way down, and the folks seem to be more involved in fighting, and drinking it up than concentrating on the issue. As I said, if this were our reality, we would need to start ASAP!

Another question I have is this. I don’t see a really new crop of pilots running around to my satisfaction. I might be wrong in this, but I’d like more volunteers to show up. Or, people running to sign up, either as military, or having children.. Are the Cylons having a problem with numbers? Not likely.. If this were our reality, we’d be in bad shape.

Too many damn civilians. More people should be stepping up to the plate, ready to give themselves for the military cause, and winning the war.

What do you think?

Mel

I wanted to continue the debate of having children on the Galactica series. Several people brought up some arguments about this;

1). Some people might be too selfish to start having children
2). There are limited facilities to properly house, feed the rear new children
3). How do we decide what roles they play, as either military or the "grunts" as some put so finely, as a point of debate.

Well, I had a buddy who watches the show, and a statistics major, perform a little math for me on the survivability of the Colonials.

He set the medium or average age of every person able to have children at around 30-35. In about five years with the losses of human life, due to conflict and incidentals, this is what he concluded.

5 years would equal about 5-600 deaths per year.
10-15 years would equal 1900-3400 deaths
20 years or more, there would be at least 4000 dead

If the Colonials do not make adjustments to have children, if this were our reality, we'd be down to about 25-26.000 folks, and most of them not really able to have kids, because the medium age would not be in the mid-50's. The Colonials in my opinions need to make serious adjustments, and cannot afford this "living for now attitude." They're not looking toward future generations. They're caught in in the "now of things." They should be looking at the now and later.

Especially in the military leadership areas. Adama and Tigh are not as exactly young bulls fresh out of the gate, either. Roslin, herself was almost out of the picture, episodes, back. If it was us, could we afford to have a "please, not now attitude"?

Hey, if we could have children on "vats of Jello" (please not lime green), then OK. But something needs to be done. You can philosophize all you want. The numbers will not lie, and wait for a decision.

Ok, your opinions?

Mel

[Administrator]

In the last episode, Zarek warned Roslin that putting Baltar on trila would result in a volcanic social eruption. He warned of riots, political assassination, underground militant, or insurgent reations, resulting in both death and destruction, fleet wide.

Makes me kind of wonder if he doesn’t already havge something in mind for Baltar. However, I would imagine some kind of strange death for him, in any case. Ifsay while on the way to trial, Baltar was suddenly gunned down. Or perhaps murdered the night before? Perhaps discovered hanging in his cell? He already attempted that once, so suicide would probably not be a surprise to the Galactica crew.

However, it would bring up questions of ethics, safety and security measures. Let’s suppose it was you,accused of a Colonial crime, and suddenly without explanation, ended up dead? We already see those incidents now in real life. Zarek in my opinion, may have some scheme in mind concerning Baltar. And even if Adama tightens security, which of these people is really above being bribed off? Since there’s no-one on this program, of what I consider high moral calibre there’s no telling what variables come into play.

And if this occurs Roslin might make a public display of shock and disappointment, but in the deepest of her heart, we know she really doesn’t give a flying pig what happens to Baltar. She might secretly have a sigh of reliefm while she, Adama and Tigh, sip their whiskey and ponder things. Real concern? Only played in public, you can believe that.

Will Baltar even make it to trial?

Mel

[Administrator]

TOBSG = The Original battlestar Galactica
TNBSG = The New Battlestar Galactica

Frankly, I am disappointed by the technology in TNBSG. Yes, the story's much more complex and so sometimes intriging, but the technology (perhaps in trying to keep it relevant to our time with bullets and nuclear warheads)... well, just plain sucks.

Gunpowder-powered projectile weapons? i.e. pistols, rifles, wing mounted cannons? C'mon! How does gunpowder combust in airless space? When you have FTL Battlestars and Vipers, how can you have bullets for your weapons? And since the mechanical Cylons seem well-armoured (explosive rounds are required to take them down), it makes sense that beam weapons capable
of melting metal would be the better technology.

In TOBSG, they used laser blasters (Colonial Warriors) and cannons (Vipers) which could take out a Cylon with one shot. And it seems the pilots in TOBSG were better trained as they only needed one, max three salvos before they got their target. In TNBSG, they had to fire hundreds of projectiles before hitting their
target. Sloppy!

And why dirty nuclear weapons? If there is anti-radiation medication available (and you can survive a nuclear environment apparently, by looking at how healthy Helo, Starbuck and Sharon are after they return to the BSG), aren't atomic bombs useless? I mean, since the cities of Caprica weren't in ruins, that means the Cylons were using 'dirty' low-yield nuclear weapons meant to create a nuclear winter with dust thrown up in the air and lots of lethal radiation.

In TOBSG, the BSG could go FTL (only seen in one or two episodes when the BSG could leave the fleet behind) without having to retract its hanger bays. TOBSG Vipers had that cool turbo boost feature too. And what kind of a name is 'Raptor' for a support vehicle? A raptor is a bird of prey and a vicious prehistoric carnivore. The ship in TNBSG doesn't seem very dangerous to me.

Anyway, just my rant on some of my (perceived) weaknesses of the new series. I've watched 1.5 seasons of TNBSG and am re-watching TOBSG and am just surprised by some of the superior aspects of the older series...

Sort of OT:
And the religio-babble in TNBSG is just choking!
Compared to that, the techno-babble in Star Trek make some sense, TNBSG's constant inferences to atheism vs Christianity is just laying it on so thick, it almost makes the show unpalatable.

And good grief, can't the producer please stop making Starbuck the sexual drive-thru of the series! Gods, you'd think she'd frakked everyone on and off the BSG! That resistance leader in Caprica, Baltar, Lee Adama, his deceased brother Zak, who else? Take a number please!

In TOBSG, the love triangle was a source of amusement for us with Starbuck, Athena and Cassieopea. In TNBSG, it's a love pentagon!

Tigadee

[Administrator]

Medical Murderer?

When does medicine go mad? When does a respected physician cross the line? In a culture where the numbers are already low and impoverished, allow someone who is sworn to do no harm, to so such harm as to destroy the lives of other humans, based upon their respective culture?

Is racism alive and well on the Colonial Fleet? Apparently, yes. One of the so called respected Dr. Roberts entrusted with the salvation of one of the cultures, chose to create harm. And why? Racism of all things! You would think that should a thing could not happen. It could, and did Thanks goodness for Capt. Agathon, "the cylon lover" who exposed Dr. Roberts for the homocidal bigot he was.

The Sagittareans represent a space age mixture of new age hippies and Jehovah's Witnesses in a rather strange mixture. Their belief in natural naturopathic medicines and non-traditional paths made them appear culturally inferior, to Dr. Roberts, who rather than truly treating then, as a doctor should, injected his patients with w neuro disruptor serum. Out and out murder, just because of their belief systems In a way it mirrors the racial conflicts we have today with people who still follow ancient customs, or superstitions.

This guy makes the Cylons look like saints.

If this were World War II, Dr. Roberts would be the Dr. Adolf Eichmann of the time. I hope in later episodes he gets fried.

Mel

[Chakotay]

BattleStar Galactica. Memories....... Sweet Memories?

Was Colonel Tigh drunk, or just being an arse, when he said: "happy anniversary"
to Adama? Especially seeing as
how his own marriage fell apart? Of course his wife was certainly no angel of
the universe in the program. She was a mean spirited and ego bruising woman. But
seeing what I did on this episode, I can see why Adama left his. His
responsibilities were simply too
overwhelming for him to have more time for his family. From what I've seen in
military marriages where one spouse is a civilian it's too much of a reality.
One spouse is constantly gone, the other is left to handle things, especially
where children are concerned. How about you? When Dad/Mum, are away missing
holidays, birthdays, graduations, games, not being their when you needed advice,
someone just to watch tv with, or having them just occasionally hug you, telling
you how they love you?

Adama has to share some of the responsibility. Certainly there were things he
could have left in the hands of others, too look over, while he could have
checked on. That's why you have a chain of command. You trust the officers and
people below you to do the job. Adama might have been too much of a
perfectionist. A man constantly worried about his job, is not a great family man
to be around. I wouldn't be surprised if this episode didn't strike more than a
few family memories of things that have happened between people, and their
parents.

Especially since Lee revealed the drunkenness and both physical and
psychological abuse his mother unleashed on him, as a child. I know there are
folks here, who can identify, to some degree, even if small. It hurts, and
leaves a bitter sting for years. I have seen in myself. Most of my buddies are
military. I host a Xmas party for three of their wives, Marines whom they've
each seen only 6 times since 2002. That's right, I said 6 times.

Adama's son has turned out the same way, although I suspect he uses that as a
shield to cover his real emotions. They use other methods to unload their
emotional baggage, but that can be misleading and dangerous, especially leading
such a small population of people. Just the bitterness of his voice told me, he
was not missing her in any respect.

This is why I wrote about two weeks ago that Roslin and Adama should have a
relationship.She understands the hardships of the jobs. Her personality is the
perfect foil for him. Besides that, every time I see her I can imagine just how
lonely and vacant her life has become. She brings out a warm side of him.

Ok enough mushy stuff,

Mel

[Chakotay]

BattleStar Galactica

I have no doubt when it comes to Lee Adama’s skill as a pilot
supervisor, and executive Galatica officer. He’s firm, demands that things be
done to code, and doesn’t miss a beat, when it comes to pilot techniques
and precautions. If I were a pilot, I’d desire to be his “wingman” so
to speak. Even serving with him in a deck capacity would be great.
Now Roslin wants him to serve as a justice tribunal officer for Giaus
Baltar’s trial. She believes he has a sharp mind for it.
Let’s be honest though, although as a child reading hid grandfather’s
law books, does that qualify him to now become a form of legal counsel?
Roslin is not even sure how to properly try Baltar. Plus the fact that
they have so many different systems of Colonial laws, she’s not sure
which laws apply. She said it herself to William Adama; “so many
different laws, Capriican Laws, other tribes,laws.” So, she has no real idea
where to start.
If I were Baltar, I could attempt to legally use that to my advantage,
for such an indefinite period to stay alive, even if in prison. It’s
better than facing a quick trial and getting executed. Time is precious,
no matter how limited. (Off topic, look at people sentenced to the
death penalty. Through appeals and such, they can hang on for over 10-15
years.)
And if I’m Baltar’s counsel, and vigorously defending him, I could
bring out all kinds of inconsistencies legally, and tie the trial process
into knots for an extended period of
time. Lee is a bad choice, even with Roslin’s good intentions, in my
opinion.
Mel

[Chakotay]

BattleStar Galactica Too edgy for teens?

One must agree that there are some very contrasting differences to the
characters now, as opposed to the original series. In fact some of my neighbors
won't allow some of their kids to watch the new series episodes, unless they've
pre-recorded the episode first. For them, the show has become more that a bit
too edgy for their kids.There are many sexual innuendos noted, and they
Colonials seem to spend just as much time drinking and hooking up, in contrast
to saving themselves, and searching for earth.

Well, while the notion of "living for the now cause I might be dead tomorrow"
attitude might be prevalent I think you must stay within the reality of the
program. Otherwise it loses it's true message. Any attempt to water it down
creates a loss of artistic integrity, and BattleStar Galactica loses it's
meaning. As a science fiction fan, we must be willing to progress into modern
themes, where the show is in that direction. Otherwise we'll be stuck in a world
of where a "Dungeons and Dragons" type of environment exists."

Society and technology cannot go afford to take a slide back on the clock,
because some might be upset at the results. BattleStar Galactica speaks truth to
its own story type, and must remain that way, else the program becomes a facade.
In this case, I say edgy is a good thing.

When your children go out into the world as adults, they will face these same
issues. So unless you're going to raise a generation of shuttered, sheltered and
unsophisticated little ***** ***** type, there are just certain realities they
can't escape. I was reared in Europe, whjere they edit not for content, but for
time, and grew up just fine.

Believe me, the music videos, and MySpace.com (which they see all the time
whether you know it or not) video games, and network television are certainly no
less comparable. And i'm sure that most teens understand, the hsow is fiction,
and not real life, and the characters are acting out roles.

Your opinions?

Mel

[Plo Strax-Avix]

Re: Old vs New Battlestar Galactica

-I totally agree with you. For a civilization to have FTL technology, the weapons they use are kind of lousy. Starbuck is a guy name. She is most probably a tomboy or a les. I don't think she is sexy. The religious babble just sucks.

TOBSG's Viper with the turbo boost it's real cool.

The retraction of hanger/launch bay before FTL is cool too in TNBSG.

Dylan Lim