BSG 4×01 - He That Believeth in Me
Merry Christmas!
I believeth in you Gaius, and I want your baby. James Callis too, you are sex. For you, sir, are at the heart of this show and one of the biggest reasons I continue to watch.
The arc that opened season three, where Gaius Baltar spent time aboard a Cylon Basestar, was fascinating. Obviously because it was our first long term glimpse into the Cylon's inner life, but I enjoyed it more as meditation upon the nature of humanity, and what it means to be human. That could said also of Baltar in general. This chameleon has inhabited more roles than any other character and just when you think you can define who Baltar is, he slips away from your fingers.
Please God, I'm asking you this one last time, don't let this child die. Has he sinned against you? He can't have sinned against you. He's not even had a life yet. How can you take him and let me live... after all I've done? Really, if you want someone to suffer, take me. We both know I deserve it. I'm selfish and weak. I have failed so many people. I have killed. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I'm just asking that you spare the life of this innocent child. Don't take him. Take me. Take me, take me, please.
Baltar is more illusory than the definition of ‘self,’ and until now he could best be described as interested only in his own self preservation. True to form, just when that seemed immutable, he goes all altruistic and willing to surrender his life for some whelp. Back in season one, HeadSix convinced him he was an instrument of God. Has he taken the next step in an evolution? There was certainly something more to it than mere self preservation. I for one, believed the sincerity of his prayer, was moved by it. A day or two earlier he was on trial for his life, for the betrayal of all humanity to their greatest enemy. And today he’s ministering the word of the one true God, direct from his hands to your tits. You go Gauis.
Another crackling scene was the final four Cylons (Tigh, Tyrol, Tory and Anders), hidden away in a room, debating their own nature. Expressing fears of what evil may lurk within as earlier visualized by Tigh horrified at killing imaginary Bill Adama, the man who might as well be his brother.
Sizzling with great potential was their fear of being outed as Cylons. I’m really looking forward to this theme being explored more in the future. With a twist of perspective, we now have Cylons as a hidden minority group. A group that has done no wrong to the fleet, in fact Anders glowy red eye has saved Humanity. A group that has demonstrated humanity via Tigh, and compassion via Tyrol. And a group primed to be persecuted, just like Cult Baltar. As Lee’s conversation with Papadama skirted: are our feelings toward someone enough to make them human? It was enough for Athena.
Not to be omittted: full crazy ass mad props to the Awesome Space Battles Dept. of BSG. Ron Moore once said that every time they went into space, he wanted it done differently. Boy howdy did they succeed this time. A fantastic glimpse into the nugget eye view of a raging space battle. One that shouldn’t have been survivable, but somehow was.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on our first Galactica fix after such a long wait, chime in as you like. Did God actually listen to Gaius? Is Gaius actually listening to God? Is my wild shot prediction of Romo Lampkin as final Cylon correct?
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Great start to the new season. You know, I'm sort of looking at the Baltar character a little differently. A lot of what Starbuck has become (or, more correctly, probably always was) seems to be almost a Jesus-type figure (and really, think about it, after BSG originally drove fanboys nuts with the idea of Starbuck being a woman, could they resist the idea of a female Jesus character???). And every Jesus needs a Judas, someone to martyr them. I dunno, I'm likely just flailing around at idea, here.
And, yeah, space battles = sweet. It's not a coincidence that DS9 started to seriously kick ass when they started engaging in open warfare against The Dominion.
Oh yeah, and are these BSG get togethers going to be a weekly occurrence, like last year? If so, I can make it every 2nd week, at least.
Hey James, did you show Janine the last few paragraphs of that interview? You know, the one that says Starbuck isn't the final Cylon?
@Cliff: I could definitely buy Starbuck as the Jesus/savior. They've certainly built up Gaius with the messianic imagery, but this isn't a show that likes taking a straight path to it's destination. I wonder though, could they make Baltar both the cause of the genocide and the savior of them all at once? If there's a character likely to preach the acceptance of the hybrid human/cylon future, it's Baltar.
And BSG get together's are definitely a weekly thang. I probably won't be spamming every BSG lover I know like for the premier, but anyone who's up for a good time is totally welcome. I should really send something out.
@Chad: Not sure what interview you're talking about, 'cause you linked to the last super picture instead of an interview.
Keep in mind though, Ron Moore completely lied to everyone about Starbuck after Maelstrom, so take any interviews with a grain of salt. That said, i think Starbuck's too obvious a choice. Now, Saul Tigh being Kara's father, that seems more likely....
I've been having to curtail my websurfing habits, actually. With so many spoilery stuff out there, I like to keep my head free of such things when possible.
I fail at the internet.
I meant this interview.
Ah yes, I saw that interview, it was really good, but I didn't read past section 2 (about the WGA strike, which I found fascinating). Once I saw sections labeled "spoilery stuff" I got scared and went and hid under my bed
Oh dear, well I apologize for potentially spoiling it for you. I guess you may as well stop watching the show now.