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February 21, 2005
I'm rooting for the polytheists
I've mentioned a couple times over at Darn Floor that I am enjoying the new Battlestar Galactica series. It's definitely a post-9/11 drama, showing us a military and civilian population in the aftermath of a sneak-attack that wipes out all of humanity, save 50,000 survivors. Unlike the 70s-era "Battlestar Galactica," this is a grown-up show. It's dark, gritty, occasionally violent, and has quite a bit of sex. (Watch it after the kids are in bed.) But it's more than just a good Sci Fi show . . . it's good drama, with the sort of continuing plotlines designed to hook viewers like me. Plus it's got Mary McDonnell, who is fantastic.
After watching last Friday's episode, I didn't quite know how to react. The Cylon Sex-bot character has talked about God in previous episodes, but never quite so . . . "evangelically" as she did in this latest episode.
I remembered reading on producer Ron Moore's blog that he decided to make the Cylons monotheistic and play up the religion angle to go along with the "Cylons as Al-Qaeda" theme. But he's made the good guys polytheistic and the bad guys monotheistic. Given that my sympathies weigh heavily toward the monotheistic point of view, this is an odd thing to wrap my brain around.
Sandy's got more at the new MAWB Squad blog. She points out that not only are the Cylons monotheistic, but they use the sort of lingo common to Christianity, and detects a hint of the oft-heard refrain that Christian fundamentalists are no different than Islamic jihadists.
Like Sandy, I've grown accustomed to the often negative way Christianity is depicted in science fiction, but this a new twist, and I will be interested in seeing where this is going.
Posted by Drew at February 21, 2005 11:37 PM
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I completely agree. The history of Battlestar Galactica (as I viewed it) was mormon-like in its view of the world and now I see this "God fearing" cylon and I wonder what they are up to. I am afraid I don't see Al Quaida in the way she expresses herself. I do see a stereotype of Christians which Hollywood often seems to put out. But apart from that annoying element (to me) I must admit, the plotlines do grab my attention. I plan on giving them a fair testing.
Posted by: Paula Whidden at February 22, 2005 02:11 AM
Well, first for the peace-offering: I love your blog and your commentary. I'll be back.
Now the bad part: You LIKE the new BG? I watched the pilot last year and thought it was the worst thing I'd seen on TV since..since..Babylon 5. A female Starbuck smoking a cigar? That wispy little thing couldn't intimidate a daggit. And the acting . With the exception of Edward James Olmos (sp?) it was horrid.
Maybe I'll give it another shot, on your word though. Good shows frequently have poor pilots....
Posted by: Jeff at February 22, 2005 07:40 PM
I enjoyed the miniseries, but I think the series is much better. And while I was initially skeptical about making Starbuck a woman, I think she's one of the best characters on the show. Yep, she smokes. Quite a few characters smoke, actually. Including the doctor! Take that, anti-smoking PC crowd!
(No, I don't smoke. But I can blow smoke rings.)
Posted by: Drew at February 22, 2005 10:33 PM
I'll admit, I don't know anything about Battlestar Galactica. But hey! I liked Babylon 5! :)
Posted by: Abigail Brayden at February 22, 2005 11:11 PM
I liked it, too. In fact, I'm working my way through the series again on DVD. The writing is both awful and brilliant, as is the acting. Some of the actors are fantastic. Some stink. The dialogue is clunky, but at times shot through with amazing soliloquys. (Of course, very few people actually speak in soliloquys, so there you go.)
Posted by: Drew at February 22, 2005 11:16 PM
I figured that the series was similar to the 1978 version. So, there I am -- with my entire family (including 4 kids under 15) watching the pilot. I turned it off after the third time of making the kids close their eyes.
I have to agree with Jeff -- a cigar-smoking Starbuck was a *real* turn off to my entire family. This seems like a PC SciFi version.
pax,
Dale
Posted by: Dale Courtney at February 23, 2005 12:13 AM
Now the bad part: You LIKE the new BG? I watched the pilot last year and thought it was the worst thing I'd seen on TV since..since..Babylon 5
Babylon 5, is that the best you can do! Babylon 5 was great, clearly you have no taste and I can dismiss your views with the apathy they deserv.
Posted by: Chris mankey at September 11, 2005 11:17 PM