BSG: Crossroads II

[beccatoria]

I’ve been putting off writing this for a while and I can’t really explain why. Perhaps the episode needed time to settle in my mind. It left me with a strange sense that this should be the last episode, unresolved as it is. Also, this is monster long, even for me. Use of cut-tags to skip to more interesting sections is encouraged.


I think I’m experiencing shark-jumping nerves. I know, I know, a lot of people were skeptical about the year jump forwards and that worked out. But I was never worried about that. The jump forwards changed a lot of superficial things; the location in time and place, some of the ways the characters interacted. But even the most vaunted change – the estrangement between Kara and Lee, wasn’t really so much of a huge change. For starters the two of them weren’t even in the same area of space for most of the plotline and the issue was then resolved, secondly them fighting is nothing we haven’t seen before, and thirdly, the whole thing was a ploy to continue the friendship and the friction between them – the whole thing ultimately reinforced one of the key relationships in the show. So honestly I found the jump exciting and clever but ultimately quite a safe choice. A good way to introduce real change without risking the base mechanics.

But this ending…I worry. Revealing so many people to be Cylon, showing us Florida (though that less so; who says when we’ll reach Earth), using contemporary Earth music and so locking into a specific timeline, bringing back Starbuck. This is incredible, incredible stuff to throw out, but also troubling as it would be so easy to fail to capitalize on this, to make it worth it. Much easier to screw this up, I think, than a jump forward in time.

So I’m unusually worried – I usually have a lot more faith in the writers than this.

Having said that, I also really, really liked it. The end montage with the slowly rising rock music was creepy and surprisingly powerful. Aside from the problematicness of the song being an Earth song, it was a good way to introduce the Cylonness of the Final Five Four. It was effective and atmospheric, and while I’m suspicious of the Chief’s proclamation because he always half wanted to believe he was a Cylon, I do think that they’re four of the final five.

I suppose what I feel is that this is an awesome episode, but that it’ll be very easy to fail to live up to its potential. Building a mystery if easy; resolving it satisfactorily is hard. Perhaps I feel this should be the last episode (not that I want it to be, that’s just my emotional reaction) because it feels like a Donnie Darko ending. Perhaps an Angel Season Five ending. And ending that is really the beginning of a whole new mystery. That moment where you think you’re about to walk through one last door; discover one last mystery, understand your universe, and instead you find you’ve been exploring one room in a galaxy-sized mansion.

It’s the end of Men in Black where you pull out of Earth, out of the Galaxy, and find it trapped in a marble, one of many, being used by an alien playing a game.

An ending that confuses you – that takes all the threads you’ve been following and explodes them into something new and strange, but on closer examination tells you everything you need to know about the resolution of the story. Or at least gives you some compelling, forceful fact that outline the trajectory of the future on second glance.


For instance, if this were the finale, here are some of the things I’d take as “facts” and “resolutions”.

Starbuck’s return: gods exist. The divine in this show is absolutely real.

Following on from above, Roslin is a prophet and will die before they reach Earth. Further, they will reach Earth.

The final five are intimately linked to Earth. Whether that’s because (as nightxade hypothesizes) they were created independently as the humans on Earth also developed humanoid robotic technology (an idea which fascinates me though I’m not sure I buy), or because they were created when “all of this happened before” during the first exodus from Earth and have been around since that very ancient time. I really like this second hypothesis as it explains why the other Cylon are vaguely aware of them (they seem to know stuff about the Colonials’ religion and history that they don’t) but can’t recognize them/are in awe of them/fear them. It also explains how Tigh could have such a long history without meaning that the Cylon developed humanoid models stupidly fast.

The fact that the final five don’t seem to be in communication with the original seven is further proof that they are very different “types” of Cylon and further supports their being either ancient or Earth created. Either way, not only are the five linked to Earth, they’re linked to the journey to Earth.

I wish I could remember the genius person on cylon_secrets that pointed this out: the four revealed as Cylon were all major resistance leaders on New Caprica. The only one left out is Roslin (who as I will explain in a minute I don’t believe to be a Cylon no matter how much I might love that) who is tied in with religious prophecy anyway. I like the idea that this means the Five are actually working to help and protect humanity (perhaps never having rebelled in the first place?) I have big credibility problems with Tigh and Tyrol’s placement. Not so much Tory or Anders (they were in places more likely to ensure their survival; high altitude or in-flight) and worked their way up the ladder to positions of influence from their – it makes sense. But why put Tigh and Tyrol on the same Battlestar as Boomer, as Doral? Aside from my long-held belief that perhaps the Cylon device found in the mini series was because the Cylon had specific plans for the Galactica. It makes a lot more sense if the five are specifically trying to save the humans – perhaps Tyrol was sent there to counter-act Boomer’s influence – perhaps that’s even why they loved each other, to a degree? Either way, this is an assumption I’d be left with if this were the finale.

I don’t think Roslin is a Cylon. She’d have to be one of the final five and they don’t seem to share their visions with the original seven. Further, there have now been two people who’ve had visions of the final five in the Opera House (a place linked to the original exodus I might add). If Roslin were one of them, I doubt she’d be in the same position as Athena, Caprica, D’Anna and Baltar – of looking at them. It seems more likely, given the Oracles’ use of chamalla and their apparent ability to include the Cylon in their religious visions, given that the two religions seem more and more similar, and given that Starbuck’s return proves the gods’ existence, given all that it seems more likely that chamalla induces a state in a human where they can interact and “project” at the same ‘frequency’ as the Cylon. That seems, to me, a more consistent explanation of why Roslin is experiencing Cylon visions than her actually being a Cylon. Though I wish it were otherwise.

Finally, given that the Final Five appear to be protecting the humans on their divinely inspired mission to Earth, I would argue that the Cylon God is a) from Earth and b) protecting humanity. But if the Cylon God is also responsible for the Cylon jihad, then either the Cylon misunderstood him (possible) or they were deliberately cast (this time) as the aggressors.

Conclusion – the Cylon God (and human gods?) is perpetuating the cycle, the exodus, the near-extinction, the war. The Cylon and humanity battle it out, creating the thing that will destroy them, eating their own tails a thousand times over. This is the beginning of the final act which has thematically answered everything though the specifics are hazy (what is the relationship between the god and the gods, the five and the seven and the oracles?). We know what will happen and how this will end. We just don’t know how it’ll get there. 300’s story ends as soon as they are betrayed by the hunchback. Perhaps as soon as they leave for the Hot Gates. They’re already dead, they just have to die. BSG has already given our heroes Earth, they just have to get there.

The only real question thrown out of this is: Hera and Nicky. The hybrids. Are they different? Is this the change that will break these people from their patterns? Was this the ultimate goal of the Cylon God; to subvert the endless cycle of the human gods? Or are they the final puzzle piece that locks us into the next cycle as they start the new wave of humanity that will eventually create their own Cylon to kill them.

We re-construct ourselves endlessly, but we never find anything new.

So, um, yes. I think maybe I’m just nervous because I’ve found myself with a fairly structured, clearly delineated set of beliefs about the final five and Earth and Starbuck that I don’t find dumb but I can think of a million ways it would be totally dumb. So I guess I’m worried because I’m over-invested. It will now matter to me if my personal fanon is overwritten if I don’t think it’s as good. (Which, to an extent is always the case. But usually I’m not so attached to my fanon as “THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THIS’LL MAKE ANY SENSE, ZOMG!”)

Beautifully played, Ron Moore, but you have painted yourself into one hell of a corner and the only way out is a rickety-step ladder leading to the roof.


Okay, so for some less philosophically pretentious stuff, how about Lee on the stand?

His testimony was ridiculously illegal, but he did manage to state all the stuff that makes me believe Baltar genuinely isn’t guilty of what he’s been accused of. I’m not even sure he’s guilty of assisting in genocide since he didn’t know what Six was up to. Things I believe he’s guilty of – breach of security for the ministry of defence, attempted murder (Boomer, Doral), endangering the military during wartime by withholding information (the Cylon detector), giving a nuke to a mentally unstable Cylon thereby responsible for being found by the Cylon, assisting the enemy in their pursuit of Earth (presumed human asset) though this was possibly under duress. Anyone have any more?

I did, of course, love his testimony, and though he’s back in a Viper and I take it as read he’ll be re-enlisting, I kind of hope he doesn’t. This is the Lee I like best.

Laura Roslin – oh she was beautiful during that testimony. Quiet, thoughtful, not condemning him, not angry. Just thoughtful and curious and willing to take in his points.

Because the most powerful thing that was said in this entire episode wasn’t anything about religion or philosophical realities, it was what Lee said about civilizations and gangs.

Because he’s so, so right and I never realized it before but it punched me in the gut, I swear. Because they are a gang now. Perhaps a more polite term – a more appropriate term in view of their religion – would be a tribe. But now, they’re a gang. They have an elected leader, but you know, gangs have been de-facto electing the baddest, most likely to save ‘em leader for a long time now. And look at how Roslin regained the Presidency; a dodgy maneuver based on the mob’s dislike for an unpopular president, cemented with religious rhetoric and a (possibly calculated) friendship with the military leader. An unkind and not entirely representative depiction considering how much I love and respect this character, but slightly true, nonetheless. Roslin’s positions and attitudes, like everyone else’s, have been compromised.

Because they’re no longer a civilization. They’re a gang with one, much bigger gang as an enemy which conveniently means every human belongs to the gang. Which perhaps hides some of the uglier gang mentality that’s developed.

It’s important to note I don’t think this development is entirely negative. It’s necessary. They’re a gang now because that’s what happens when your numbers are decimated and you’re bound together in the face of enormous and deadly opposition. They’ve gotten good at forgiving themselves and letting themselves off the hook because, as Lee said, they had to.

But think about it. Think about what it means to no longer be a civilization. To face that and realize that you’re riding in the husks of a long gone civilization and you’re the shockheads, you’re the hoardes. You’re trying to practice democracy and law but lawyers and democrats are a dying breed and you’re raising your children to grease engines and kill the Cylon and make moonshine to trade for antibiotics you know will run out before your kid turns ten, because slowly, surely, survival is becoming more important than all those things you used to boast made you civilized. Made you better. Made you sure that your society treated its poorest well. Your world is stagnating into a classist, racist mob that loses a little of its idealism with every jump.

And the worst bit is, this is happening despite your best efforts. No one wants this. But look at Adama and the way he went from being so idealized. From stopping the inquiry into Tyrol in Litmus because he felt it had become a witch hunt and that the principles of the inquiry were being betrayed – that they were succumbing to mob mentality. Compare with his intervention in the trial. Superficially similar; assuming the authority to shut down an official line of inquiry, but very different because this time, it’s purely personal interest that’s motivating him.

I like to think that he realized how far he’d fallen which is why he ultimately made the correct choice. I’d like to give him that credit. But I have somehow developed a deep, deep mistrust of Adama and all this proves to me is that he needs to be shocked into sanity and that perhaps it won’t stick. How I mourn for his early-season self.


I’ll take this opportunity to mention that my recently rekindled shipper goggles totally ruined the “Get your ass out of that rack, Roslin,” scene for me. It just rang really…hollow and uncomfortable. And more and more I find myself interpreting the Adama-Roslin relationship as very calculated on her part. Her disappointment in him at the end, for instance. I read that as disappointment in him, that he hadn’t turned out the way she wanted.

She gave Lee a similar look, I suppose, when she left the courtroom. But to my mind the look she gave Lee was breathtaking in its complexity. The look she gave Adama suggested she was disappointed in a child.

Combine with the fact that throughout his rant, she actually seemed to be taking note – to be considering his words and believing them – adds even more layers. Like, I think she honestly believed what he said and saw the truth of it. But as she does sometimes, believed this was an instance where truth was secondary to the survival of the shockhead mob. (I’d note that while Roslin has made heartbreaking, morally dubious and sometimes even angering decisions to facilitate the gang so they’ll survive instead of fighting to maintain the system, I don’t think she has ever succumbed to mob mentality “by accident”. She’s far too aware of all her sins.)

I’m not saying this is how it’s supposed to be. It’s just how I’ve come to see it. I don’t even want to see it this way. In some ways I honestly do wish I could “quit” Lee and Laura because I believe it to be a totally doomed ship; why torture myself? But I can’t help it. It’s what I feel the show is telling me.

Small aside: I could have done without the “Romo – on the stand, did you know what was going to happen?” cliché’d question. It was unnecessary and the audience is smart enough to see that question hanging in the air. Having Romo actually give the cryptic answer is just kind of…eh.


And I believe that’s all I have to say. Oh, whoops, no. Sam and Tory are hot together. I approve this pairing. Go away Starbuck so that Sam and Tory can continue to heat up my screen. Or, you know, go frak Leoben. I swear, Sam/Tory, Kara/Leoben and Laura/Lee. That might be even hotter than Laura/Lee/Tory. Though maybe not. ZOMG! Sam/Tory/Laura/Lee. Oh, OT4, where have you been all my life?

Also, while it still gets honourable mention, I think that Laura/Lee has outedged Laura/Maya as my OTP again.


Oh, no, whoops again. I forgot to mention my crazy mad love for Tigh. I always wanted him to go insane, right since the beginning of the season. And now he has. *is satisfied*

Him being a Cylon has all SORTS of irritating ramifications for what a Cylon IS (his military history; his age; was he replaced?) but it actually quite intriguing in terms of his character.

Also, Adama yet again wins the Enabling Douchebag Friend of the Year award for, “It’s good to have you back.”

ADAMA! You last saw him quite clearly certifiably insane ranting about Cylon music inside the walls of the ship. Yes, Bill. Your best friend believed that the Cylon were insidiously attacking you by putting rock music into the walls of the ship. This is called paranoid ideation with auditory hallucinations. So either he’s a CYLON or he’s MAD.

Thankfully, you at least had the presence of mind to relieve him of duty.

So, when you’re in an extremely dangerous combat situation, where you’ve been ambushed and are highly outnumbered, the correct response to your insane friend who stumbles into the CIC, probably drunk and certainly, as has been mentioned several times now, as mentally unstable as a spinning top on a see-saw, the correct response is probably not, “It’s good to have you back”!!

Edit - upon rewatching I realise I got that slightly wrong. The actual exchange is:
Adama: It's good to see you.
Tigh: You can count on me, Admiral.
Adama: I never doubted it.

Which...yeah. I don't think really changes anything I said above. If only I could believe Adama were humouring him so as to prevent making a scene during a battle. But I don't believe it. /Edit

Idiot. It’s getting the point now where I think Adama’s being seriously irresponsible. In the beginning at least Tigh was a high-functioning alcoholic who, arguably, served a very important purpose and was functional enough they couldn’t afford to lose him.

But now? IT’S IN THE SHIP, BILL! I’M TELLING YOU THE CYLONS PUT THE MUSIC INSIDE THE SHIP!

Joy.

Finally, Meme! Gacked from asta77

Comment and I will...

1 - Tell you why I friended you.
2 - Associate you with a song/film/tv show.
3 - Tell a random fact about you.
4 - Tell a first memory about you.
5 - Associate you with a character/pairing.
6 - Ask something I've always wanted to know about you.
7 - Tell you my favorite user pic of yours.
8 - In retort, you must spread this disease in your LJ.

Note – Unless you specify you’re commenting in response to the meme, I won’t reply re: it.

Also I don’t friend all that many people because I get nervous about being presumptive or friending people I’ve not really chatted to much. This doesn’t mean I discourage random commenters or new people. I actually love that sort of thing! I just get a little shy about up and friending people if I don’t know them/they don’t know me. So anyone out there who I haven’t friended or who’s friended me and I haven’t friended back, go ahead and comment and I’ll do my best to answer! I do actually like meeting new people.