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August 06, 2005
Battlestar Galactica -- Resistance
The episode opens with Col. Tigh looking decidedly like Capt. Queeg, heavy stubble, blood-shot squinty eyes, vile, irrational temper and constant fondling of the silver flask (a stand-in for the infamous marbles). He hates command but hangs onto it and we get even a further glimpse into this man's basic personal dysfunctions including his relationship with wife, Ellen. Like an idiot savant, Tigh is great in the narrowly defined role Adama had him in, and under Adama's command. Tigh is disasterous out of it and the riot on one of the supply ships that results in civilian deaths could be forseen by everyone except Tigh. Tigh put his own distaste with dealing with the civilian government and politics above longterm goals when he instituted martial law and fractured the loyalties of even the members of the Galactica. Ellen? Humbly, I still believe she's a Cylon.
And as much as Adama has been the dominate Father/Leader/Savior character of the first season, he is not perfect and has let his own temper and personality flaws lend themselves to tragic consequences. He cannot be let off the hook for his own contribution to dissension in the ranks when he "deposed" President Roslin. Sometimes a person's greatest asset can perversly become their greatest liability. In Adama's case his pragmatic grasp of using the legend of Earth to unite the frantic survivors coupled with his own strength of personality (hallmark of a great military commander) and self-confidence has held the fragile fleet together. However, it has closed him off to considering Roslin as little more than a necessary annoyance. He has failed to grasp the power of the legend he himself used and dismisses the power of faith in a leader to unite people. Roslin is showing a strength of character that equals, if not surpasses, Adama's at this point. It's also a complimentory stength and really makes one gasp at the possibilities if these two ever become true partners rather than the suspicious sniping they have engaged in.
The show doesn't flinch from the violence and paranoia, finding a balance that hasn't yet fallen into gratituous. When people are hit, you can feel the hurt.
Starbuck and Helo's journey on Caprica has taken an interesting side turn. I had to grin at the description of the survivors besides the Pyramid team -- "some hikers and survivalists." These little nuggets of nostalgia, like Starbuck sitting in her apartment listening to recording of her father playing the piano, underline the bitterness they feel at a life they can never get back.
Baltar has moved from self-serving sleaze into enigma. How much is he doing Six's bidding (and how much is Six still part of the Cylon's plan rather than now into her own agenda)?
The episode comes full circle at the end with the death of Boomer (and the direction seemed curiously reminiscent of the Jack Ruby/Lee Harvey Oswald shooting) and Adama conscious and demanding to know "what's been going on on my ship?" The next episode will be interesting to see what, if any effect, Adama's brush with death has on him.
Posted by Darleen at August 6, 2005 08:13 AM
Comments
The "arrow" will not "show the way" to Earth.
Adama, in fact, knows the secret location of Earth, just as he said.
Just how do you think he knew the expression, "sometimes, you've got to roll the hard six"?
Posted by: analytika at August 8, 2005 08:01 AM
I find most of what you wrote right on... except your characterization of Adama, especially how you think he finds Pres. Roslin an annoyance. I think things are more complex than that, and we'll see it develop over the next few episodes. I say that because practically zero time passed between his decision to arrest the President and his being shot. There was no opportunity to see his reflection of his decision. Instead we were left with Col. Tigh fumbling around not knowing what to do.
What I think we'll see play out is where Adama's loyalties lie. I think Adama was just pissed at the Pres. and took it too far, but now his hands have been tied by Tigh. So does he stick with his friend, or side with his son? I think we'll see a lot of internal conflict with him, and it'll make for a great story.
Posted by: Nick at August 9, 2005 09:54 AM