{"id":651,"date":"2011-10-07T13:00:49","date_gmt":"2011-10-07T20:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/?p=651"},"modified":"2011-10-04T12:59:03","modified_gmt":"2011-10-04T19:59:03","slug":"mark-watches-battlestar-galactica-s03e09-unfinished-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/2011\/10\/mark-watches-battlestar-galactica-s03e09-unfinished-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Watches ‘Battlestar Galactica’: S03E09 – Unfinished Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the ninth episode of the third season of Battlestar Galactica<\/em>, in order to help relieve tensions of the crew, Admiral Adama reinstates an old tradition of having various crew members beat the shit out of each other. And shit gets real<\/em>. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Battlestar Galactica<\/em>.<\/p>\n

I think it’s a sign of how strong the writing is on this show when something that interests me as little as boxing can still provide a riveting, emotional episode like “Unfinished Business” just did. I think my aversion to boxing comes from being forced to watch it as a child. The same goes for football and baseball. (But not professional wrestling??? Maybe I just loved looking at half-naked buff dudes. lol can you tell i am gay<\/em>.) I did try<\/em> to be interested by sports, but I’m sure it was more to impress my father. It seemed like the only way for me to be close to him, but I knew that I didn’t actually<\/em> like it.<\/p>\n

So it’s not an intellectual dislike of these things. I think I associate them too much with my problems with masculinity when I was growing up, and I’m at a point now where I’ve just…gotten interested in other things? Like I am not going to sit here and even attempt to say I’m opposed to sports or anything. It’s a disinterest: it happens, and I’m just too busy watching Doctor Who<\/em> serials to care about it.<\/p>\n

Yet HOLY SHIT THIS EPISODE IS SO AWESOME. The highly detailed camera work that dances around the boxers, putting us in the middle of these emotionally-charged fights helps create a sense of urgency. Even if we don’t know why<\/em> there’s a fight when the episode opens, it’s clear that it’s not just<\/em> for sport. Helo and Lee are fighting a bit too personally, it seems, but why?<\/p>\n

What I loved about the format of “Unfinished Business” is how this is structured as a flashback episode, but the flashbacks are designed to imitate the thoughts of the people in the story. Obviously, it’s designed in a poetic fashion to slowly reveal the story to us, but I appreciate the way that we got these brief flashes that filled in what happened when the humans first settled on New Caprica. I didn’t think we’d ever return to those moments, but now, in hindsight, I’m glad we did<\/em> get another look on the colonization efforts and how that has affected the human population.<\/p>\n

“Unfinished Business” also works because it spends time on a variety of characters instead of focusing on the main conflict between Starbuck and Lee. Though, let’s not kid ourselves: they are the main attraction. (The whole thing really does<\/em> work as a giant boxing metaphor, doesn’t it?) As Lee and Helo fight, Lee is distracted by memories of New Caprica. I will admit that I initially thought these were visions or daydreams, not a recollection of a memory. It wasn’t until Roslin’s and Adama’s memories started flashing on the screen that I realized everything we were being shown was real<\/em>, that it had actually happened. Honestly, I can’t explain why<\/em> I thought this. My brain does strange things sometimes, so at that point, I just FORGOT about the image of Lee waking up without a shirt on. It’s like my mind just wants me to be constantly surprised.<\/p>\n

Okay, I’m sidetracking myself. I think that if I was to ascribe a single theme to “Unfinished Business,” I’d say this episode shows us that if you think things are awkward, you are wrong. The writers will make the very next moment more awkward than the last. At least things start off kind of pleasant, and the Roslin\/Adama shipper in me gets a veritable FEAST of material for me to gush over in this episode. And look, there has not been enough of these two being cute as hell in this season, so “Unfinished Business” gives us:<\/p>\n

Adama complimenting the color of Roslin’s dress, and Roslin acting all shy<\/p>\n

The whole sticking-toes-in-the-sand-but-it’s-not-really-sand thing.<\/p>\n

“It’s good to see you.” Oh, no, Roslin, it’s good to see YOU. oh my god.<\/p>\n

The arm squeeze. THIS IS WHAT I’VE TURNED INTO. An arm squeeze calls me to fall off the couch. I love this show.<\/p>\n

ROSLIN AND ADAMA GETTING HIGH. YES. BEST SHOW OR BEST SHOW<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The entire sequence where they snuggle under starlight and talk about how good life is at that very moment. This is what I want from life. I will judge all future relationships against this scene and no other. If my future boyfriend doesn’t do this with me, WE ARE THROUGH<\/em>. The bar is set high, y’all.<\/p>\n

And just when I am full of the most giddy, sappy joy of all time, we are treated to a procession of painful, horrifying awkwardness. From here on out, it’s TERRIFYING<\/em> how this episode takes what is suppose to be mere catharsis for the ship’s crew and gives us an emotional disaster. The more I think about it, I think that this is a massive chunk of the show’s mythology hidden in what might seem like a disposable one-off. I would argue that “Unfinished Business” is integral to the entire series because it not only gives more of the timeline on New Caprica, but it gives us a very specific context for what is to come. I would no be surprised if multiple events from this episode are referenced in the near future, especially what happens between Lee and Starbuck.<\/p>\n

Yet if this episode were a line graph, the final portion would violently jut off-screen. The thermometer would explode. And I would sit on my couch, clutching my head in my hands, wondering if Todd Solondz had decided to visit the BSG writers’ office and giving them tips on how to best make me feel like I shouldn’t be watching what’s going on in this episode. I mean, seriously:<\/p>\n

\n
Oh, cool. Starbuck thinks it’s awesome to insult Lee in front of his wife. That’s a good idea.<\/li>\n
Oh, a flashback to Adama denying Cally and Tyrol the permission to raise their child on New Caprica. Well, this is getting awkward.<\/li>\n
Oh, now Adama is challenging Tyrol to a fight. Well, this can’t be too bad, can it?<\/li>\n
Oh, it starts off with a sucker punch when Tyrol’s back is turned. Adama. Adama what are you doing?<\/em> Oh god, this fight has gotten so uncomfortable in a matter of seconds. Oh my god ADAMA WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO TYROL HE JUST WANTED TO RAISE HIS KID ON THE GROUND<\/strong><\/li>\n
Lee, you are really drunk in this flashback. Why are you talking to Starbuck? This cannot end well.<\/li>\n
TYROL IS KICKING ADAMA’S ASS. Holy shit LOOK AT THE CROWD, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING. my insides feel terrible i feel like I am sinning<\/em> just by watching this.<\/li>\n
Adama’s face looks like hell. This is like watching a visual representation of what it would sound like when my parents fought. MOM AND DAD ARE FIGHTING<\/li>\n
Oh, no, Lee. Starbuck. WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TWO DOING. YOU ARE MAKING OUT. I mean, it’s kind of hot? WAIT NO. I KNOW YOU ARE BOTH KIND OF MEANT FOR ONE ANOTHER. oh god this is so wrong. i can’t look at this oh my god what the fuck<\/li>\n
Oh, you’re yelling about how much you love one another and you’re naked and you clearly did not end up together so this is just setting this all up for disaster. This cannot get worse. This is so awkward.<\/li>\n
Why did I think that? It got even more awkward. Starbuck LEFT LEE OUT IN THAT FIELD BY HIMSELF. What if like…a wildebeest came out of nowhere and ate him or something?? Have you not seen The Lion King<\/em>? Those fuckers come out of nothing<\/em> to fuck you up.<\/li>\n
Oh. It got worse. Oh. Oh<\/em>. Everything just got a new context. oh my god Starbuck married Anders the day after hooking up with Lee. This is the very worst thing of all possible things. I just….I cannot handle how this makes me feel. They both cheated on their significant others and then ran back to them? That seems like a shaky foundation for a relationship.<\/li>\n
Oh, we’re back to the boxing match? You know what’s a good way to ruin a boxing match? You stand up after having your face bloodied by an officer of a lower rank and you give a speech that makes everyone feel guilt for not only enjoying the boxing match, but for the events that led to them being taken advantage of by the Cylons.<\/li>\n
No, seriously, I yelled, “ADAMA YOU BUZZKILL” during this scene. And just when I think this couldn’t not get any more uncomfortable….<\/li>\n
STARBUCK CHALLENGES LEE TO A FIGHT AND HE PUNCHES HER IN THE FACE.<\/li>\n
i just can’t. I was curled into a ball of awkwardness at this point.<\/li>\n
Okay, Starbuck could probably murder me. That’s not really awkward. Just admitting the truth.<\/li>\n
So it’s bad enough having to watch these two BLUDGEON each other when it’s clear they are both still in love with another. Right? Because it’s fucking awful.<\/li>\n
Then it’s made worse when it’s clear that Lee is just taking out his fury on being stood up on Starbuck and then I just want them to hug and make up.<\/li>\n
Which is fucking ironic, right? Because both Dualla and Anders watch this shit with looks of disgust and confusion\u00c2\u00a0 because THEY DO HUG. And I get what I want and it is then suddenly something I WANT NONE OF.<\/li>\n
No, seriously, when the crowd starts leaving, I realize there has never been a more uncomfortable moment in this show’s entire run.<\/li>\n
This is like a combination between watching a parent ruthlessly punishing her child in public and a gratuitous display of affection between a couple. It’s somewhere right in the middle of that, and I want to be shot out into space on a rocket, as far away from this moment as possible.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
There might be an element of romantic brilliance in that final scene, as the two hug each other, covered in blood, and they both tell each other that they’ve missed the other. Of course, I’ve been secretly wishing they would get back together, but this is a fucking nightmare. I can’t help but think how this is going to hurt Anders and destroy<\/em> Dualla. Oh god, Dualla. How does Lee go back to her after this?<\/p>\n
It’s fascinating to look at the urgent, joyful moments of the opening of “Unfinished Business” and then think about the final image given to us. This episode is certainly fascinating, but it is hardly a happy ending. Can I say this is a hot mess? Because that’s what it feels like. These characters have made a mess of their love life, and now I worry about how this will affect the future.<\/p>\n
I mean, this shit is good writing. Don’t get me wrong. It’s hard to take your characters to such a dark place, and I commend the show for being honest about Lee and Starbuck. But…good god, THIS IS SO AWKWARD. My soul<\/em> felt dirty after watching this.<\/p>\n
Christ. So what the hell<\/em> happens next?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In the ninth episode of the third season of Battlestar Galactica, in order to help relieve tensions of the crew, Admiral Adama reinstates an old tradition of having various crew members beat the shit out of each other. And shit … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[109],"tags":[112,115,120,119,9,110,113],"class_list":["post-651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-battlestar-galactica","tag-edward-james-olmos","tag-grace-park","tag-jamie-bamber","tag-katee-sackhoff","tag-mark-watches","tag-mark-watches-battlestar-galactica","tag-mary-mcdonnell"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/651\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}