{"id":593,"date":"2011-09-14T13:00:21","date_gmt":"2011-09-14T20:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/?p=593"},"modified":"2011-09-11T17:30:26","modified_gmt":"2011-09-12T00:30:26","slug":"mark-watches-battlestar-galactica-s02e17-the-captains-hand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/2011\/09\/mark-watches-battlestar-galactica-s02e17-the-captains-hand\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Watches ‘Battlestar Galactica’: S02E17 – The Captain’s Hand"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the seventeenth episode of the second season of Battlestar Galactica<\/em>, Lee is sent to the Pegasus<\/em> to help with a case of missing Raptors, where he finds that Starbuck’s usual anti-authority routine might actually have some justification this time around. Meanwhile, Roslin makes a gut-wrenching political decision that not only hurts her, but backfires completely. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Battlestar Galactica<\/em>.<\/p>\n

So I have a little theory of mine about Battlestar Galactica<\/em>. I think that shit will not stop getting real until the end of the final episode of the whole series. This constant one-up of everything that comes before is so goddamn entertaining, and I’m sure that there’s enough to keep this going for quite a while. You know, the survivors are so far from even thinking<\/em> about Earth at this point, and that’s kind of amazing to me. That was such a huge reveal in “Home,” but so much has happened to distract these people from that ultimate goal. I can’t help but think about Sharon’s words to Adama: Does humanity deserve to survive? How<\/em> can they survive if they continue to act so divisive and violent towards one another?<\/p>\n

“The Captain’s Hand” combines two frustratingly intense story lines into one episode, and it’s clear we are approaching the end of a season. Shit isn’t just real; I can already tell that there is literally not a single way I can be prepared for how season two is ending. This is going to be so fucked up<\/em>, and while “The Captain’s Hand” is a very satisfying story on its own, it’s also a warning to the viewer: You have no idea what is coming next.<\/p>\n

Oh god, we have so much to talk about.<\/p>\n

ROSLIN BETRAYS HERSELF<\/strong><\/p>\n

I mean\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6oh my god, my heart. First of all, a bit of silliness that wasn’t funny at the time, but now I’m wondering what the hell is going on in my mind. The entire impetus for Roslin’s story involves a pregnant teenager from Gemenon who sneaks on board the Galactica<\/em> in a shipment container in order to get an abortion. During the cold open of “The Captain’s Hand,” this is not at all what one thinks is going to happen. Cally spots movement in a container and reports it to Tyrol. (Christ, we haven’t seen Cally or Tyrol in a long time. MORE OF THEM, PLEASE.) Seriously, all I expected Tyrol to find was an alien or some sort of creature in that container, like something out of The Thing<\/em>. Of course, giving this FIVE SECONDS OF THOUGHT<\/em>, this makes no sense at all. This isn’t a horror show, and there are no aliens in Battlestar Galactica<\/em>, and John Carpenter didn’t write this episode. Thanks, brain.<\/p>\n

I didn’t expect the abortion story line; initially, I thought this would be more about medical access, that maybe Rya couldn’t afford a doctor on whatever ship she came from. (Do those from Gemenon all live on the same ship? You can answer that.) Dr. Cottle quickly becomes my own personal hero<\/em> when he doesn’t hesitate to inform Admiral Adama that he is providing abortions for those who need them. It’s so matter-of-fact for him. He doesn’t ask many questions, and he provides this service without judgment and with discretion. It becomes a political matter when a Gemenese demands Adama hand the girl back to her family before the abortion can be performed. And bless Dr. Cottle for suggesting Rya seek asylum, even if he didn’t mean it as an entirely serious thing.<\/p>\n

The issue becomes further complicated when Roslin has to get involved. I was happy to hear her say that this issue is really about to control one’s own body, and her initial meeting with the Gemenon delegate, Sarah Porter, is just as reassuring to me. Even though Roslin has to deal with her upcoming re-election campaign, she effectively dodges the issue with Porter and privately concedes to Adama that she has not the slightest intention to ban abortion. And then goddamn Adama what are you doing<\/em>. He reminds Roslin that she herself said that the human race can only survive if they start having babies. He knows<\/em> she has an obsession with that whiteboard, with the numbers that represent the fate of the entire species. He knows that and, despite that he seems to have no stake in any religious objection towards abortion, he still feels the need to speak up. And it’s just enough to put just a tiny sliver of doubt in Roslin’s mind.<\/p>\n

That doubt takes her to Baltar (who I’ll get to in a bit). Is her belief in repopulating the human race a valid one? To me, she’s looking for any reason to discard that statement she made so long ago and to keep her own beliefs consistent. It’s never said whether Baltar’s report was actually<\/em> true, though. Did he lie for his own purposes? I actually think he didn’t, considering that the number of survivors has done nothing but drop, with the exception of the day the Pegasus<\/em> crew showed up. The human race is<\/em> losing their numbers, and the rate that they’re doing this by seems to suggest that Baltar’s prediction is pretty darn accurate.<\/p>\n

And so, contrary to her own nature and what she believes in her heart, Roslin betrays her belief in the right to choose and outlaws abortion. It’s an unbearable scene, one made all the worse by the fact that you can see<\/em> how upset she is for even having to do this. That being said, I still squarely stick myself in opposition to her and, despite that puts me on the side of Baltar’s manipulative display, he’s right. It is unfortunate that the human race has been decimated in the way they have, but forcing<\/em> folks to carry children to term? That<\/em> is inhuman and deplorable. I know that Roslin is conflicted on this, and I’m glad we see that this was not an easy choice, but she’s wrong. Surely<\/em> there is a better way to encourage pregnancy and childbearing, don’t you think? Offer incentives! Do anything<\/em> than to force those with uteruses to go against their own desires. Are your political ambitions more important than this, Roslin?<\/p>\n

Oh, right, this totally backfires in your face<\/em> because\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

BALTAR TAKES CHARGE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh, Baltar. YOU ARE SUCH A SLYTHERIN. I mean RIGHT? <\/em>His announcement of his candidacy for president is opportunistic at best. I don’t even know if he actually<\/em> believes what he’s saying, or if he’s putting himself in opposition of Roslin merely to gain power. Six certainly encourages him to make his stand against her and she’s quite impressed at the end of this episode by how well he performs during Roslin’s press conference. Hell, the guy completely upstages her emotionally-wrought announcement to the press, sending them into chaos. There are a lot of unanswered questions with this new plot twist, too. How can he still serve as Vice President if he’s going to run against Roslin? Will<\/em> he do that? Is he going to stick to his presidential aspirations? What will his platform comprise of?<\/p>\n

I also can’t forget that Roslin has one hell of a secret weapon, too: She knows about Baltar and Six. Oh god, she’s going to reveal it soon, isn’t she?<\/p>\n

LEE IS A BOSS<\/strong><\/p>\n

I know it’s the most played out song\/meme ever, but the bulk of “The Captain’s Hand” is devoted to Lee, and I couldn’t help but narrate his actions by adding LIKE A BOSS at the end of them. Start a sexual relationship with Dualla that totally looks like it works LIKE A BOSS. Get promoted to major and not really care LIKE A BOSS. Get sent to help out Pegasus<\/em> LIKE A BOSS. That’s not to suggest that Lee is the perfect leader or that he doesn’t have problems throughout “The Captain’s Hand,” but this is the most together<\/em> he’s felt all season. A month has passed since “Sacrifice,” the longest jump in time between episodes we’ve seen yet. Strangely, it feels like it’s been a day<\/em>. Continuity is so strange on this show, but that’s not a complaint. It just works so well because the flow of it is so natural that the passage of a month is so unreal to me.<\/p>\n

We learn that Lee’s now acting XO on Pegasus<\/em>, and SURPRISE. Starbuck has problems with her superior officer! As someone whose upbringing naturally makes him diametrically opposed to nearly every authority figure ever, I must admit that even when Starbuck is totally wrong, I dearly love watching her take the piss out of everyone. But that’s what’s different about “The Captain’s Hand.” The Commander on the Pegasus<\/em>, Garner, comes from a different world as an engineer. Running a ship is a different culture than his, and the show makes sure we understand that. Garner is an asshole because he’s presented with techniques and philosophies he didn’t follow himself. Neither is inherently wrong; this is more about him being out of his element. Still, that doesn’t quite cover the conflict here. Garner is<\/em> wrong. The disappearance of the two Raptors at the beginning of the episode has largely stumped the crew of the Pegasus<\/em>. Yes, Lee and Garner are correct in asserting the fact that Starbuck’s constant complaining is a source of distraction for the crew, but Garner makes a massive mistake when he turns this into a personal crusade of his. Limiting Starbuck’s knowledge of events, or refusing to listen to her is not the way one is supposed to go as a Commander.<\/p>\n

Starbuck’s theory, that the Raptors followed a fake distress call and walked into a trap, seems to line up with what Sharon had told Adama in the past episode. Even if it might have been far-fetched for Garner to believe, the fact that he doesn’t even entertain the theory is a gross mistake on his part. That’s<\/em> why Lee is the better leader in this case; even knowing his own personal history with Starbuck, he’s able to put this aside in order to listen to her.<\/p>\n

But GOOD GOD THIS ALL GOES TO HELL. I had a feeling that Garner wouldn’t obey Adama’s command to send a recon squad ahead instead of the entire Pegasus<\/em> ship once I saw his facial expression. The man’s face was full of fury and scorn, and it was only a matter of time before he decided to make the jump to the distress signal anyway. When Lee confronts him on this, HHHNNNNGGG THE ACTING AND THE TENSION AND oh my god, I seriously love this show. I love it. The camera work heightens just how ridiculously suspenseful their confrontation is. I love when their arguing cuts out when Lee shouts that he’ll put Garner under arrest. I just imagined Martin Lawrence’s head popping up from Bad Boys II<\/em> and dramatically saying, “Shit just got real<\/em>.” There is no better moment for this in the episode either.<\/p>\n

Well, perhaps there is <\/em>a better moment. It might be when Garner realized HE WAS WRONG AND STARBUCK WAS RIGHT. God, I should never direct anything because I’m already thinking how hilarious it would be to have Martin Lawrence in every other scene of this episode. I would literally make television that only I would find funny.<\/p>\n

Back to the serious episode! Because Garner finally comes to a realization that he is an engineer. His regiment works for engineers. Lee’s persona works as a Commander, and Lee’s shocked when Garner gives him command of the ship. It’s a poetic plot turn because each person returns to what they’re best at. Looking back, it’s inevitable that Garner had to die after all of this. His character almost seemed destined<\/em> to. How would he assume command after giving it up to Lee and essentially admitting that he and Starbuck were right? Instead, he risks his own life and dies while repairing the FTL system, allowing the Pegasus <\/em>to jump to safety.<\/p>\n

It was at this point that my thoughts turned to how depressing<\/em> this show was getting. But there is a moment of unbridled joy here, and it is in watching Adama make his son the Commander of the Pegasus<\/em>. (Is it okay to imagine that those pins are actually Admiral Adama’s? This is my head canon and you cannot take it away from me<\/em>.) Lee is going to run AN ENTIRE SHIP. Oh god, ALL THE CREYS. This promotion prompts Lee to speak openly with Starbuck about why he was so furious with her about her behavior on the Pegasus<\/em>, and he spells it out for her: he’s jealous. At least that’s how I read it. Starbuck continually defies authority, gets away with it, and when Lee did this once<\/em>, he nearly lost absolutely everything. What can I say? She has a talent. But as the two hug after Starbuck asks if they’re okay, I can tell that Lee leaving is going to be particularly hard on Starbuck, who still hasn’t sorted out her feelings for her friend. And now she might not get to for a while, as he won’t be on the Galactica<\/em> anymore.<\/p>\n

Damn. That’s harsh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"