In the eleventh episode of the first season of Battlestar Galactica, Tom Zarek’s political maneuvers threaten the stability (and possibly the life) of President Roslin. Meanwhile, Helo makes a horrifying discovery as he and Boomer try to escape off of Caprica. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Battlestar Galactica. No, seriously, how the fuck does this show continue to keep up the momentum of intensity for eleven straight episodes??? I don’t think I have ever experienced anything quite like this, and the closest comparison I can think of is Breaking Bad, though it is nowhere near as immediate as the chaos in Battlestar Galactica. (Can I also take this moment to recommend that each and every one of you watch Breaking Bad? It’s the best show on the air right now. DON’T SPOIL ME FOR SEASON FOUR, BY THE WAY. I haven’t started it yet!) There’s so much here in “Colonial Day” that pretty much confirmed that I’d fallen deeply in love with Battlestar Galactica, so let me just spell that out for everyone: I’m pretty hooked on this show, and I’m really happy that I started watching it. And its not that I didn’t enjoy it before now, that this was the first episode that really sold me on all of this. I proclaimed my joy over Avatar: The Last Airbender a lot quicker. But this was so good that I was waiting for the inevitable fall down to…something not as good. Eleven episodes of AWESOME is a pretty good run if you ask me. So, you know what this momentous occasion deserves? A GODDAMN LIST, THAT’S WHAT.
Things In The “Colonial Day” Episode of Battlestar Galactica That Made Me Realize I Really Like This Show
1) I am enamored with the idea that this show, by using the varied fleet that survived the Cylon invasion/massacre, can utilize sets that look nothing like one another. I know I said in before when watching, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” but I honestly did not expect that much of this show could exist outside of scenes set in space flight, or the interior of the various ships. Well, technically, Cloud Nine is a ship, but aside from the shifty horizons, it doesn’t look like one, and it was definitely filmed in an actual location. I was just happy to see sunlight and green grass and shrubbery. BRING ME A SHRUBBERY!
2) Even if we don’t think about it, “Colonial Day” is rife with massive amounts of info-dumping regarding the history and political processes of the Twelve Colonies. Through the process of this political thriller, we learn about the Quorum of Twelve, more about the Articles of Colonization, the process by which nominations and elections occur, and how remarkably similar the political climate is to what we’ve experienced.
3) Scenes of political process and grandstanding are not boring. I’m a political person and I’m not prone to boredom, but I understand that others don’t necessarily feel the same way. By injecting Tom Zarek and Valance into the plot, we’re forced to pay attention to see if we can catch any piece of information that might help us figure out what’s going on.
4) The writers manage to bring back Tom Zarek in a completely refreshing way. I love that we now see him respected, wearing a suit, shaking hands with various representatives and politicians. The violence that seemed to follow him before is now hidden away in black briefcases, in shifty glances, and in suggestive handshakes. It’s an entirely different context and it is fascinating. Plus, we get to see the support he has instead of it merely being a concept. Clearly, people support what he stands for, and it presents a complicated situation for the viewer, at least until the end of the episode.
5) Lee and Starbuck playing with a water hose. Enough said.
6) Baltar’s transformation from being the bored Quorum of Twelve representative to the Vice President. It’s such a brilliant explanation of his character, once you think about it. Baltar finds anything that doesn’t benefit him personally to be dreadfully trite and uninteresting, but any chance of bettering his situation brings out the genius in him. (Question, though: How is he going to run the Cylon blood tests while also being the Vice President?)
7) It’s not ignored that there are positive aspects to Zarek’s work, especially the fact that he and his men have performed technical favors on other ships, or that the ideas he holds really aren’t that far from being quite admirable. SORT OF.
8) ROBERT WISDEN. Oh my god it’s ROBERT PATRICK MODELL FROM THE X-FILES. oh my god he is Pusher THOSE ARE TWO OF MY FAVORITE EPISODES EVER. Ok, seriously, everyone, The X-Files is on Netflix still (I THINK???), but y’all need to download or stream or buy the episode in season three called, “Pusher.” The final ten minutes are unlike anything you have ever seen on television and that goddamn show was so ahead of its time FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. Ugh i love it so much.
9) Ok, now actually about the episode itself: I have no idea who that man is that Lee argues with a couple times throughout “Colonial Day,” but they couldn’t have picked a better character actor. Just sayin’!
10) THAT AMAZING FIGHT SCENE. Holy christ, it’s so unbelievably intense, and Starbuck doesn’t even give a fuck that she’s got a crutch or is still limping. She still goes after Valance as soon as she spots a gun. Christ, I love her forever. I’d want her on my side for….EVERYTHING.
11) THAT AMAZING INTERROGATION SCENE. Lee and Starbuck are getting along better and better with each episode, and whenever they are on the same wavelength, as they are here, they knock it straight out of the park. I wouldn’t say that I ship them, necessarily, but I do enjoy seeing them interact with one another.
12) Baltar’s impromptu, unplanned speech about Roslin. Holy shit that man is good.
13) Roslin asking Baltar to be her vice president in a bathroom.
14) Baltar accepting this with almost no thought and probably doing so because he doesn’t want Roslin to know he was having sex with a reporter in one of the stalls. (Also EW PUBLIC BATHROOMS HAVE SO MANY GERMS I WOULD DIE)
15) Not ignoring the fact that Wallace Gray would be less than excited about Roslin dropping him. It’s incredibly uncomfortable to watch, and maybe Gray’s words are a bit harsh, but they’re understandable.
16) Lee’s warning to Zarek, telling him they have Valance and that he is next. UGH BAMF.
17) Starbuck in a dress. Hot damn she looks good.
18) The continued use of Ellen Tigh. This show does not forget characters or events introduced in previous episodes, and all of her interactions with Zarek are made even more suspicious and creepy because we still don’t know if she’s a Cylon. Plus, it seemed all too convenient that after she spoke with Zarek, who was looking for his “friend” named Valence, he’s discovered dead in his cell the next day.
19) Maybe I ship Roslin and Adama? MAYBE. But their dance scene at the end….god, that is so adorable.
20) Zarek’s “threat” at the end of the episode. OH GOD WHAT IS HE DOING WHY ARE YOU MAKING A WONDERFUL DANCE SCENE SO CREEPY.
21) And yet as great as all of this was, the scenes on Caprica stole the show. I guess I was right in assuming that Helo would have to figure things out quickly. He’s a smart man, and it wasn’t hard for him to put two and two together in order to determine why he just saw two of the same person. The entire episode teases us with hope. Boomer tests the water with Helo, seeing if she can get him to admit that maybe the Cylon-humans still possess human emotions, that perhaps they were just “misled.” But he refuses to believe such a thing, given the destruction of humanity.
It’s all one damning set-up. I genuinely believed we were going to see Helo and Boomer leave from Caprica, that we’d have to deal with Boomer Galactica meeting Boomer Caprica. As they plan to steal a Cylon ship, Helo sees a copy of Boomer. I mean…oh my god. NO. NO THIS IS THE WORST POSSIBLE WAY FOR THIS TO GO. And even though Boomer shoots…herself? WHATEVER. Even though Boomer fires on her copy, Helo just runs. I mean, that is just so fucking depressing. He gives not a second of attention to Boomer’s dejected, defeated cries. He just leaves, Boomer standing behind with a look of loss on her face.
No, seriously, FUCKING AMAZING. ugh my god. I can’t believe I’ve already made it to the two-part season one finale! EXCITED!!!
’You know, all of those years, I watched you. Working with Adar, you were always so quiet, so polite. So dignified. I never thought you'd fit in with the bare knuckle, backstabbing politicians. I guess I was wrong.’
It’s interesting to see Roslin playing the political game. I know Roslin needs to stop Zarek from becoming vice president, but it’s sad to see Wally, who was clearly a loyal, hard working friend, get left to the side in favour of someone who just happens to be more popular. Although, scary thought, Gaius is now a heartbeat away from the presidency.
’I shaved very closely in anticipation of being smacked by you.’
I find Zarek intriguing because on the one hand he’s doing something good that’s needed politically but on the other he’s doing it purely for personal gain. Roslin needs a vice president, not only because she’s dying, but because they live in an inherently dangerous situation. Who’s to say that nothing’s going to go horribly wrong at any stage? Not to mention Zarek’s assassination attempts. I’m also curious about how the Quorum of Twelve is elected since Gaius didn’t even seem to know he was in the running in the first place.
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Shallowly, how adorable is everyone in this episode? Especially at the end.
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’Politics. As exciting as war, definitely as dangerous.’ ‘Though in war, you only get killed once. In politics, it can happen over and over.’ ‘You're still standing. ‘ ‘So are you.’ ‘And I can dance’
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Maybe I ship Roslin and Adama? MAYBE. But their dance scene at the end….god, that is so adorable.
Give in to it Mark, give in.
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I <3 them so much! Gaeta and Boomer were pretty damn cute, too. And I can forgive Lee and Starbuck for wasting water (we just had a crisis, you guys!) because they're adorable. I love this cast, even the terrible, unscrupulous ones.
You cannot resist the cuteness of Adama/Roslin!
They are beyond cute during the end of this episode 😀
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There is no escape from this adorable ship.
I remember watching this with my friend and she started humming 'Walking in Memphis' because she claimed her shipping wires got crossed.
What ship is that? "Walking in Memphis" always reminds me of The X-Files because it featured heavily in my best friend's favorite episode.
You have in fact, put your finger on it. 😛
'Walking in Memphis' plays at the end of the X Files episode 'Post Modern Prometheus' where Mulder and Scully dance in a similarly adorable way. My friend is quite the Mulder/Scully shipper.
As am I, if it comes down to it.
I haven't seen much of The X-files (eps here and there in syndication), but I've seen that episode probably five times because of my friend. I really should go back and watch the entire series
Ah, my best friend was a little more persuasive than yours, I think. She got to me when I was around 13 years old chattering about alien abduction and black oil and flukemen and made me watch the show. Six years later, it's still my favourite!
As you might have guessed from my username!
V nz snfpvangrq ol gung tvs bs Tnrgn naq Obbzre, pbafvqrevat ur yngre unf n eryngvbafuvc jvgu na Rvtug ba Arj Pncevpn. Nyfb, va frnfba Gjb ur'f gur svefg gb pnyy Nguran/Pncevpn!Obbzre 'Funeba' (va gur PVP, jura fur chgf gung pnoyr va ure nez?) naq V nz fhqqrayl BZT!'q ol gur vqrn gung ur'f znlor uryq n gval ovg bs n gbepu sbe ure sebz qnl bar?
nyfb, QNZA, gubfr ner fbzr nggenpgvir crbcyr orvat phgr.
YES I can't help it.
I'm too sappy to resist.
I figured we'd gif the same moment eventually.
(Maybe we should start coordinating with each other or something.)
Dancing! Happiness! Adore the Gaeta and Boomer one.
My favourite is Cally and Starbuck because that's exactly how me and my sister dance when one of us bumps into the other when out dancing.
(I'm going to miss most of next week so you'll be the main gif force)
It does simply look like a friendship dance or something. Totally endearing.
(I'll be a sorry gif force cause I have nothing until 2×03)
It's nice to see Boomer looking happy in that gif of her dancing with Gaeta. You're right everyone is adorable in this ep.
love all these gifs! I wish I were talented enough to make them.
Bahaha, I love Gaeta. Alessandro Juliani can get it ANY DAY.
I've seen tons of fandoms with thousands of alternative ships for people, but I've never seen Adama or Roslin shipped with anyone else.
Oh god the dance scene was so adorable.
The scenes aboard the Cloud Nine made me realize how much, aside from the nature stuff (such gorgeous grass! I'm an outdoorsy person I don't think I'd take cooped up in an metal ship flying through space very well for very long- ships at least you're surrounded by the ocean) I really noticed the lack of bright color on this show. That sky! Such a blue….cerulean I think….
Baltar during the deliberations- me when anyone brings up politics.
I like the outdoors, too. When Zarek said that the gardener didn't get anything out of his work, I thought that was a bit condescending. He could love his job, and get spiritual benefit from it! It's better than sitting around in a ship doing nothing. And look how much people enjoy themselves on Cloud 9. It's worthwhile, dammit.
Hey, I'd get way more from being a gardener than being a politician (and you can actually SEE the fruit of your labors)
Sometimes literally!
/runs away
This is my big problem with that part of Zarek's speech, admittedly the gardener does start nodding along but there's probably a lot of people in the fleet who want to continue with their jobs because they enjoy them.
My problem is that he doesn't provide any reasonable alternative. His entire platform consists of saying that Roslin is wrong, but he never really lays out what he plans to do differently.
To me it just read like an instance of "Attention, zoo patrons: Clamu the giant oyster is on an emotional rampage. Please scream and run around in circles. Thank you." Except, you know, not played for laughs.
For most of those people the idea that they're holding on to their past is the only thing they've really got.
…wait, what?
Aw Caprica Sharon trying to protect Helo 🙁 🙁 I want to give her a hug so badly cause she's succeeding at fighting her cylon imperatives, but the guy she (I assume) loves is running away from her. Both her and Boomer are these wonderfully complicated characters, and I feel sympathy for both even though they're going through very different experiences and are entirely different characters. Two of the most interesting characters so far, both played by the same actress. You get it Grace Park!
I also like that we get some moments of happiness in this ep. And it's not relief like when Starbuck rescued herself after a skirmish with some cylons, nor is it because of a victory against the cylons. This is all about them as a society, where you can almost forget about the cylons in this ep (minus what's going on on Caprica).
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I love their water hose fight. I love their whole relationship. They're so good together.
I feel so bad for Sharon because she tries to tell him that maybe not all Cylons are bad but he's having none of it, understandably though given what's happened to him so far. I just want them to work it out and for Sharon, and Boomer, to be happy.
ROSLIN AND ADAMA DANCED, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.
Okay, well, I guess the whole political intrigue and Helo-finds-out-Sharon's-a-Cylon bits were great, too. Is it wrong that I hoped that Wally would have been behind the assassination attempt? Just because he's all Karl Rovey? (It's not like there's no historical precedent for a president giving power to someone else who then uses it to seize control after the president's death.) Anyway, that was all very exciting and fun. I'm assuming VP is a largely ceremonial role, so Baltar will be free to fake his Cylon tests, and occasionally do his electoral duty.
Helo and Sharon broke my heart. I feel bad for her, even though she's a Cylon, because it seems like she really cares, and I feel bad for Helo because he trusted her and now what the hell must he think? Sad times.
Normally I don't like "political thrillers" but I actually found this episode fascinating. There was just no *boring* here, and in fact this episode had me literally on the edge of my seat and riveted. I definitely thought that the end, with Helo realizing the truth about Boomer, was the best part. Part of me is rooting for her because I can't help but like her but then I'm also like CYLON!!
"17) Starbuck in a dress. Hot damn she looks good."
So say we all.
I love your lists, Mark.
The actor you're referring to, at least if you mean the character that I think you mean, is Patrick Gallagher. Which I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I recognize him from Glee, where he played the football coach in the first season.
The thing about Lee and Starbuck is that I love their dynamic so much, and in this episode in particular, it seemed kind of flirty to me. Which on the one hand, I find it super sweet, but on the other, I just keep thinking, "She was engaged to his brother! No!" I mean, I know it's not unheard of or anything, and maybe I'm just super-sensitive about it because I'm from West Virginia and we get a ton of incest jokes directed our way, but please tell me I'm not the only person whose sex ed contained the phrase, "If you sleep with someone, you're sleeping with everyone they've slept with, too." Which in this case, is Lee's brother. And then my brain goes, "NOOOOOO!" except I still find the two of them sweet and kind of flirty, so I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY EMOTIONS ARE DOING.
*cough* Ohhhhkay. Now that I've gotten that out. Roslin playing the politics game makes me so happy and so proud of her and I was so shocked and pleasantly surprised that they brought Zarek back and in such an interesting way. I figured we were done with him after they gave him the ship, but no, and that's awesome.
I also think there's an interesting point to be made that his crew of former prisoners got the repairs done much more efficiently than the official government. Hmm…
Oh great Zarek's back. Lee ILU for your "You're just after power" comment in the bar, that's basically my opinion about pretty much everything Zarek says and does. Yes he makes some good points but as I said back at Bastille Day, I can't escape the feeling that he's just after power.
Wally…the man who has apparently kept the fleet running yet we've NEVER HEARD OF HIM before this episode. Honestly that puts a major dent in the way I watch this episode. If he'd at least been mentioned at some point then I'd buy his part of the plot more than I do now.
Sharon and Helo both have a pretty rough time of it. Grace park really sells the scene where Helo insists that "They're not human". It's just raining on your face right honey? (okay it IS raining but you know what I mean)
"But always remember I have your heart." "Yes of course you do." "And I can always rip it out of your chest if I need to." It's an incredibly disturbing conversation when you really look at it but it's a moment between Gaius and Six that always sticks in my mind. The moment in the party at the end where Gaius is clearly talking to thin air…how is everyone around him keeping a straight face and not shooting "WTF?" looks at him?
Lee and Starbuck playing with a water hose.
Most adorable moment so far? Well it's pretty high on the list.
Bill and Laura dancing at the end is SUPER CUTE and I ship them forever but that whole scene does raise an important question: if Bill, Tigh, Gaeta AND Dee are all there…who's running Galactica?
OH MY GOD WHO'S FLYING THIS THING
I'm sure whoever it is, he/she is a leaf on the wind.
It's gotta be Boxey. No other explanation.
Oh gods the Fleet is doomed.
Oh, so THAT'S where he's been.
(Can I also take this moment to recommend that each and every one of you watch Breaking Bad? It’s the best show on the air right now.
People, listen to Mark! Read my Breaking Bad review!
(Can I also take this moment to recommend that each and every one of you watch Breaking Bad? It’s the best show on the air right now.
People, listen to Mark! Read my Breaking Bad review!
I love how different this episode is from everything else this season. It focuses on the politics instead of the military, which is a refreshing change-up. And the sets! It's so bright and happy with the grass and blue sky. It's great that the same show can produce something so different.
The look on Lee's face when he sees Kara in the dress is priceless. They're like Ron and Hermione at the Yule Ball except not in the throes of puberty and able to deal with their feelings like adults. The whole dance scene is just so happy and wonderful. I love all of it.
"Next time there's a ball, pluck up the courage and ask me before someone else does! And not as a last resort!"
"Lee, if you want to ask me to dance, just ask."
Perfect parallel. You're so right.
Suitably excited for my *FIRST EVER POST YAY*, so I figure It's an appropriate time to share my (sadly incomplete) MarkShelf with you all 😀 Note the inclusion of Buffy and Sandman. Though it might not be entirely inkeeping with the spirit of the blog, I am at least SLIGHTLY PREPARED.
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The twilight books could have also been on display, but they would've been next to Harry Potter, and I think that Rowling might have felt insulted by association. That, and that I refuse to let them out of the dusty abyss that is under-my-bed. They're surprisingly useful in keeping the OTHER monsters away.
Also, a Bear and a Monkey holding hands. Because why the hell not.
Books are beautiful, and admittedly while I like ebooks one of the drawbacks is not being able to simply look at them.
Thanks for sharing this! Very very awesome.
I moved to a new apartment a couple of months ago, and it didn't really feel like home until we had unpacked our books and put them on the shelves. Ebooks just aren't the same.
So true. I always end up unpacking my books first when I move (which has been way too often in recent years)
Oh god, I am moving at the end of the month (TO A HOUSE HOPEFULLY), and I cannot wait to have a bigger space and just SPREAD MY BOOKS OUT.
I am currently unpacking my books and it is wonderful! They've been in storage since December. Yikes!
We wanted to paint the living room, so we kept our books in boxes so the bookcases would be easier to move around. Now it's all painted and the books are unpacked and I can breathe a sigh of relief 🙂
Welcome 😀
I wholeheartedly approve of the existence of a Mark shelf. I have a Mark collection on my kindle, but it's not nearly as impressive to look at.
Oh dude, I love the idea of a Mark shelf! I don't have quite as extensive a collection as you, but I have five seasons of Buffy and every book of Sandman except my #5, which I lent to someone and never got back (sob). And of course I have the HP books, Firefly and Serenity DVDs, and a HDM box set.
Welcome to the community!
That is a most awesome shelf! Most of my Mark Does Stuff materials are scattered across various shelves in multiple rooms, although seasons 1 and 2 of BSG are currently living on my desk to be used for the newest thread/the next episode I'm rewatching in advance.
I want your shelves so badly. Beautiful!
And welcome! Helluva way to join the community. 😀
That is a mighty fine shelf of stuff you have there! Welcome to the wonderful world of posting!
…
Or something that makes more sense.
Thanks for being so welcoming everyone 🙂 It's kind of a strange feeling to be actively participating here, particularly after MONTHS of dedicated lurking. Seriously, I've been here since the serenity liveblog WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME
Oh, you are not alone. I have been a dedicated lurker since about 2/3 of the way through Mark Reads Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but I've only commented off and on during the liveblogs. Apparently I have quite a few ~thoughts~ and ~feelings~ about BSG, though, since I've been commenting here recently.
Because it bears repeating
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Gaeta's face is precious beyond all things.
The Roslin/Adama and Lee/Kara scenes in this episode make me SO SO SO HAPPY. Also, political intrigue. Where's Josh Lyman when you need him?
GAETA YOU ARE ADORABLE WILL YOU DANCE WITH MEEEE.
Gaeta is pretty much one of my favorite random characters. Mostly for little character touches by Alessandro Juliani like this.
Juliani does so much with what he's given.
I feel like I should have some deep commentary about the ~politics~ of this episode, but right now I only have two thoughts in my brain…
– The guy who plays Wallace Gray is also Robert Patrick Modell aka ‘Pusher’ from The X Files, and will therefore never be anything but creepy to me. I kept expecting him to start talking about Cerulean Blue…
-MY SPACE PARENTS ARE DANCING TOGETHER!! Squeeeee!
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-MY SPACE PARENTS ARE DANCING TOGETHER!! Squeeeee!
THIS, just THIS!
The guy who plays Wallace Gray is also Robert Patrick Modell aka ‘Pusher’ from The X Files, and will therefore never be anything but creepy to me. I kept expecting him to start talking about Cerulean Blue…
SO MUCH. I can barely look at the screen when he's on, just in case. *nailbite*
My reaction to this episode:
OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD
Which is pretty much my reaction to this entire show so far. And there is NOTHING WRONG AT ALL with shipping Roslin and Adama. They are so adorable together! I just want them to be bffs forever <3
"Maybe I ship Roslin and Adama? MAYBE. But their dance scene at the end….god, that is so adorable."
ONE OF US. ONE OF US.
So say we all!
So say we all.
I swear, nothing ruins suspension of disbelief in modern sci-fi television like having lived in Vancouver. I used to walk to class every day along the Cloud Nine main mall, and I believe at one point Sharon and Helo run past my old library.
Hahaha, that's simultaneously really cool and really unfortunate.
The library thing is confirmed in the BSG wiki. Apparently it's one of the most recognizable buildings in Vancouver…
Oh yes, the main branch of the public library is definitely in the show. I was actually thinking of an earlier scene where they come up on UBC's Koerner Library.
Pretty much all of this episode is filmed at UBC's Vancouver campus. I work here everyday, so it's super recognizable to me! It's always strange to see how many different ways the same locations are used for different TV shows and movies.
NGL, one of the reasons I was disappointed that the Botanical Cruiser was left behind in the miniseries is that I wanted to explore the inside of it, and thought that that was going to be the only chance we'd get to see greenery inside one of the ships. Clearly, I was not prepared.
I'm guessing (and by "guessing," I mean "hoping") that it means that Baltar will have to delegate that task to someone else who won't just half-ass it and let everyone pass regardless of their results. I'd like it to be Gaeta, but I'm guessing he'd be too busy with his regular duties?
Was I the only one who immediately thought that the assassination thing would turn out to be Zarek hiring Valance to attempt/fail at killing him, so it would look like Roslin ordered his assassination? If Roslin was attacked, it seems like pretty much everyone would suspect his involvement, a lot of his support would falter, and the military would be able to justify detaining him pretty easily, even if he was elected Vice President. The people on his own ship would defend him, of course, but I would think all the others would turn against him in that situation, and they'd just make an FTL jump and leave the Astral Queen behind to fend for itself.
Mark, I have to tell you that I love you for watching BSG. It convinced me to rewatch. I've been doing so listening to Ron Moore's podcasts, and I'm prob gonna rewatch AGAINS without because this is genuinely one of my favorite shows EVER TO GRACE TELEVISION. (that list includes veronica mars, the wire, and buffy the vampire slayer.)
I call Buffy, Battlestar and Babylon 5 the Three Big B's.
Hmmm, since I'm a huge fan of both BSG and B5, I guess I'll really like Buffy when we get around to watching it!
I need to get around to watching Babylon 5. Tv Tropes tells me that it contains some of my all time favorite tropes (and even named one of them – Touched by Vorlons). Netflix needs to put that stuff on instant so I don't have to spend money to watch it.
It may be cliche at this point (I hope that it's cliche at this point), but rough-and-tumble Starbuck "cleaning up good" is not played for laughs. She looks good, she knows she looks good, everyone else does — and she's still Starbuck. It's just another aspect of her character, and she's just as female and feminine as any other woman on the show.
She and Suki should totally hang out.
It makes me a little sad that we didn't get to see Roslin wearing a pretty dress though. Everyone else got to…
lol shallow post is shallow. I just think Mary McDonnell is gorgeous ok?
I want to pet her hair. In a respectful way, mind you.
There's a time a place for shallow posts, and this is one of them 🙂
So the designated successor of the terminally-ill president of the entire human race is now a complete narcissist with absolutely no foresight or planning skills, who is under the control of a Cylon agent, and who has been proven to care about absolutely nothing except saving his own skin. Things are not looking good for humanity.
Tom Zarek in this episode is strongly reminding me of a certain character from the new "Torchwood: Miracle Day" that's airing right now.
I'm not going to say more because I don't know if Mark wants to watch this someday, plus I don't want to spoil any other commentors either, who might be planning on watching.
Ner jr gnyxvat nobhg Bfjnyq Qnarf urer?
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I agree so hard.
Let's talk about #5.
So adorable. I'm just glad they got a moment of fun.
And I can't help it. They'd be so cute and good together although it would certainly be a forceful whirlwind. I predict it will happen.
Although I admit there's lots of obstacles…not least being they both lost someone they both loved, and were about to become more like brother and sister than together. Even now they're almost like brother and sister in that they both relate to Commander Adama as a father. So maybe if my prediction is right that dynamic changing will be a bit of their conflict.
Also #6) SO TRUE. Baltar, I don't really like you but you are so intriguing. I would never want to be your friend, but I want to know what is going to happen with you! If he has to have someone else run the blood tests, his "saying they're all green" strategy could go down the tubes.
I LIKED this episode, but I didn't love it. (There's a difference between like and love because I like my Sketchers, but I LOVE my Prada backpack.) I just personally connect more to stories that have a strong character component, and while there was some of that with Roslin, the episode was mainly about politics and political maneuvering which just isn't my cup of tea as a general rule.
It was a pretty good episode though and it definitely shook up the status quo by making Baltar VP.
+1 for 10 Things reference.
I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever be just whelmed?
I think you can in Europe.
I love this thread.
Excellent 10 Things quote. I will love that movie for all time.
But I love my Skechers!
That's because you don't HAVE a Prada backpack.
I wouldn’t say that I ship them, necessarily, but I do enjoy seeing them interact with one another.
This is me, basically. I've mentioned before that I didn't like Lee on first watch. Clearly that made it difficult to ship him with anyone. But liking Lee this time around – I'm really able to appreciate how adorable he and Kara are as BFFs.
I wish I had more thinky thoughts on this episode, but I'm feeling rather lazy this evening. Job burn out, I think. All my energy has been wasted attempting to stay awake during work. Fuck, is there any job worse than data entry? Anybody hiring? Bueller? Bueller?
Data entry while dealing with cranky people on the telephone? Plus I hate filing…I leave each day with tons of tiny paper cuts.
Oh, I hated dated entry, but had to do it for a year before I found a better paying job.
I pretty much keep working at my job because I'm working with family and it's flexible if I need to take time off for my acting. Otherwise…mind numbingly boring….
You have a much higher tolerance for tedium than I do, my friend. I don't think I can stand it a year.
It's supposed to be a temp job. 'Just until I find you something better' my agency representative said. 3 months later and I can't get her on the phone to save my life. I'm so tired of sending out applications.
[/whining]
I would love to deal with cranky customers, or file. Because it would be different. I literally have one task that I repeat, all day long, with little to no human interaction of any kind. Do you know how much time I've spent in the bathroom since starting this job? My coworkers probably think I have some awful disease, but it's literally the only change of scenery I have. Going to the bathroom is the highlight of my day.
<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnj252jNMm1qhafj6.gif"/>
Oh man, I sympathise. In my old job the trip to the bathroom (whether I needed to go or not) was the next best thing to lunch break. I got to stand up! Walk! See different walls!
I go there to text the guy I'm currently flirting with, and to read Mark's blog. Yeah, that's right, Mark Watches is my bathroom contraband. Thank god for smart phones.
AND AGAIN I FEEL FOR YOU. I would just take my own 5 minute break by going to the bathroom every hour on the hour and walking around. No one really minded since the task isn't really super important.
I agree with your sentiments on Lee/Kara. I never shipped them ~romantically. They were like my BROTP of BSG even though, well.. Kara is a girl. I loved watching their scenes together. I love their intense and deep connection, but I never thought 'MAKE OUT MAKE OUT' like I do with other characters.
Ugghh I worked in data entry for a summer, then was talked into continuing it via remote connection when I went to university. Loathed everything about it, finally starting a new job. I hope you find an alternative!
Helo speculating over clones/people with chips is kinda funny until it becomes incredibly tragic. I mean, we know they're Cylons so it seems pretty obvious to us but to Helo he just has that initial info that we got in the mini-series and nothing more! Doesn't know where the Galactica is, doesn't know if they're fleeing or fighting or just all dead, doesn't know Cylons look like people…Which really is all quite frightening when you think about it considering how long it has been, if he hadn't had Caprica!Sharon to keep him going and giving him a purpose/someone to talk to I don't know how he'd have held up mentally (or y'know, bodily, as he seems to have been kept alive as a plaything for the most part rather than having superior skills).
And of course he runs when he finally works it out. And Sharon calls after him 🙁 The whole situation is so heartbreaking and yet you can understand both points of view.
This is the episode where I think I really started to like Lee. I mean, I loved Starbuck from the very beginning (Obviously says Snape) but I thought Lee was kind of whiny in the beginning. I go back and forth on him throughout the run of the show, actually. When he and Kara are getting along and having fun like they do in this episode, it humanizes him in some way that make him more appealing. Also, poor Helo and Sharon. I think in his heart Helo knows he would have given up way before now without her but now he has to deal with the fact that the woman he loves isn't even human and basically helped destroy all of humanity. Talk about emotional baggage. Also, her calling after him reminds me of Hermione and Ron in Deathly Hallows and now I am sad.
Re-watchin' thoughts:
These cheerful reporters going on as though there has been NO APOCALYPSE… CREEPY. Also, hi missing black woman formation!
Still fucking HATE YOU, Tom Zarek.
And I see Tigh feels the same way. Good taste, Tigh!
"But always remember… I have your heart." IN MY REFRIGERATOR.
Six, Y U MAKE GAIUS SECOND. Seriously, I don't understand her motivations. "Make a Cylon detector, Gaius. Believe in God, Gaius. Randomly pick a spot on the map, Gaius. Elect a vice-president, Gaius."
Oh, hi random guy we've never met before who has apparently been keeping the fleet running all this time. Nice to meetcha.
The problem with Zarek's rant here about restructuring lives and not pretending to go on with your old job is the same problem I had with him calling for immediate elections. They are still in transition. While they're on the run from the Cylons, they can't build a society. Everything is too up in the air. I don't know, I could be wrong, maybe now IS the time to be establishing roles and jobs and systems, especially since they don't know how long they'll be in this state of transition. But when they have to run for their lives every five minutes, it's hard to see them making much progress.
It must take a lot of force to actually break a bottle over a dude's head. There has to be a TVTrope about that?
Why is it sunny AND raining on Caprica?
Poor Caprica-Sharon. I love you and your human-like emotions. (And your willingness to kill copies of yourself to protect Helo.)
Ceramic stealth gun! Is THAT a TVTrope?
I gotta say I like the "intelligent dude with glasses" look on Gaius.
Oh what, dude, you didn't want to be vice president in the first place and now you're all hurt that Roslin is picking someone else? Whatevs.
"Now I'm going to give you an exclusive." Hee, I kinda love you, Gaius. You suck sometimes, but you suck entertainingly.
LEE. NO SHIRT. HI. WHAT WAS I TALKING ABOUT.
Roslin's last-minute choice of Baltar kind of reminds me of
Tigh'sJohn McCain's random choice of Sarah Palin. It shook things up. Didn't work in that case, THANK THE LORDS OF KOBOL.LOL THE MUSIC WHEN BALTAR WALKS IN. Why are we suddenly in a madcap comedy film
STARBUCK. DRESS. HI. WHAT WAS I TALKING ABOUT.
This is my favorite ending to anything–A DANCE PARTY. Nothing can be bad if it ends with a dance party! (See also: Strictly Ballroom, that one episode of Avatar.)
Ellen, did you kill that dude. Wtf.
UH-OH. THE BOOMER CAT IS OUT OF THE BOOMER BAG. WHAT NOW HELO
Strictly Ballroom FTW!!
See also: Strictly Ballroom
"SHOW ME your Paso Doble!" Love that movie so much.
"Six, Y U MAKE GAIUS SECOND. Seriously, I don't understand her motivations. "Make a Cylon detector, Gaius. Believe in God, Gaius. Randomly pick a spot on the map, Gaius. Elect a vice-president, Gaius."
I'm genuinely convinced she's just screwing with him by this point. It's a kind of 'Hey, let's see what I can make Gaius do next!' game.
"Six, Y U MAKE GAIUS SECOND. Seriously, I don't understand her motivations. "Make a Cylon detector, Gaius. Believe in God, Gaius. Randomly pick a spot on the map, Gaius. Elect a vice-president, Gaius." "
This is where I am at.
Mark, did you know that on your lists, the number 8 shows up as a smiley? This guy: 8) It fits, really, because I love your lists and any post with them is SUPER-COOL.
And I’m so glad you’ve committed to saying you love the show. You and me both. I have a feeling we won't regret it.
Tom Zarek's speech about holding on to the way things used to work makes this the perfect time to mention: I was rather amused from the very beginning that despite the chaos going on, the fleet had managed to assemble a Presidential press corp. But now they've put together a pundit show, omg. XD
On a sadder note: poor Cylon!Sharon! T___T
And did Zarek saying, "I didn't kill Valance. …I wonder who did?" remind anyone else of Leoben? That wasn't just me, was it? HE IS SOWING DISCORD AND MISTRUST, ROSLIN, WATCH OUT!