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beccatoriaI read the Caprica script.
I am not enthusiastic.
This is not because the script is a bad one. It's a little soapy for my tastes, but there's nothing fundamentally wrong with that. It evokes a strong sense of place and with good actors I could see it being a reasonable TV movie. Had I never seen BSG, it wouldn't set my world on fire, but my response to it would be, "there are some interesting ideas here, this has potential, I'll check it out."
I'm also aware that I rarely read scripts and since it's an unfamiliar medium, I'm fairly certain I'm not getting 100% of the end effect.
But.
I can't read Caprica without the context of Battlestar Galactica, and that in that context I find it weak and disappointing. Which is very disappointing personally because I love this universe; I desperately want more of it. But not if it will undercut the things I love about it.
There were some things I enjoyed greatly. They were primarily to do with the portrayal of religion and culture. The polytheism and the cultural differences between the colonies seemed very real to me; alien but fascinating. Sometimes as small as wearing black gloves for mourning. Sometimes as large, as frightening and compelling, as an entire world devoid of flowers.
Against the backdrop of BSG where I am more and more concerned that it may be prioritising monotheism over polytheism, it was fascinating to hear an argument from an agent of the FBI-analogue that monotheism was dangerous because it promoted an absolute view of the world: a single god to divine what was good or evil allowing adherents to absolve themselves of the responsibility of choice or the consequences of their actions (y helo thar gaius baltar...)
This did feel like the same world the members of the Fleet used to inhabit, and it was vivid.
Why then, the disappointment, you ask?
Because effectively, this story undercuts a lot of what I find interesting about Battlestar.
This breaks down into three sections: 1) the confusion of biological/technological boundaries 2) cylon psychological evolution and identity 3) monotheism.
1) this takes the smallest hit and perhaps I'm simply being picky in light of other more serious concerns. Zoe-A, the first sentient computer program (arguably) only exists in a faux-organic form in the show's internet-analogue and is still confined to a mechanical body. However, when combined with points 2) and 3) the fact that the goal is to make her into a human replica, underscores the way the cylon choice to mimic humans and replace them - along with their key beliefs - are being retconned into goals that were human in origin, robbing the cylon of agency. Still, at least making the cylon almost purely organic remains something that plausibly still happened after the armastice when the cylon disappeared for forty years.
2) While the humanoid cylon and their identities may very well have evolved independently during that forty year absence, again I find something is taken away from the fascinating evolutionary nature of that jump when we discover that all this started (at least, that's what the pilot script suggests) with a perfect replica of a specific human consciousness made by a human. Actually, let me rephrase - it's more than that. Taking the sentience granted by a human and moving with that toward their own goals; that's fine. It's the way that part of the story is handled that bugs me.
Usually I'm all for glossing over technical details. But I actually found the explanations of how Zoe managed to create Zoe-A to be inadequate. I can understand in a highly technological society being able to use an search engine to create a fantastically detailed model of a person who moves similarly, expresses similar opinions; perhaps even copies tics of speech. But not private memories. So firstly, how did Graystone create Tamara-A, and was she as detailed as Zoe-A?
Secondly, I take issue with Zoe-A's genesis for other reasons. The script plays it up as almost something miraculous - divine intervention granting this program sentience. That bothers me. And I say that as someone who loves the religious aspect of the show; the fact that the cylon have a god who might very well be real. But when the very idea of something as complex as Zoe-A is almost unthinkable to the people foremost in that field, and it was created by a teenager in her bedroom, it gets a little...
I don't know. If I was watching this show in isolation, I'd be willing to roll with it as an exploration of divine genesis. But in a show that discusses technology and the ramifications and evolution of technology and our relationship with it in a way as fascinating as Battlestar, and which has always managed to do so while concurrently holding a discussion on religion, well, I think this fails to live up to that standard of discussion.
It suggests that the cylon didn't develop into complex organisms almost independently. That there isn't an evolutionary line from centurion to hybrid to humanoid. That they sprung, fully-formed, from the head of Zoe Graystone. And in this, it fails in the technological discussion.
It fails in the religious discussion for reasons I'm about to detail.
3) monotheism. Perhaps the defining attribute of the cylon, and source of such richness and complexity in Battlestar. Again, reduced to something they got originally from humans. Again, their agency and choices in their own evolution reduced to attributes given to them by Zoe Graystone via the first sentient AI (yes, I am assuming a direct link between Zoe-A and the genesis of cylon sentience and their eventual rebellion, but I don't think that's unreasonable given the premise of the series).
My primary feeling about this show is that ironically, by suggesting God Himself had a hand in creating the cylon, it argues against their existence as more than programmed machines rather than for it.
The fascinating things I previously thought they chose to develop on their own: monotheism, psychologically functioning like humans, development of sentience and emotion beyond those displayed by the original cylon, even humanoid self-image - all of them are now attributable to humans - can be used as evidence they haven't exceeded their programming rather than evidence they have. How limiting.
If there was no Battlestar, I would be more interested. I'd be interested in whether divine influence created sentient AI. I'd be intrigued by the idea of an entire race created by accident because of a 16 year old's programming hobby. I'd want to know more about this mono- vs polytheism issue. I'd like that monotheism is quite explicitly portrayed as the "bad guy" but also as the creator of Zoe-A who is not a "bad guy".
Independently Caprica works and raises interesting questions about technology and religion.
They are not questions that work well with the questions Battlestar Galactica raises; they undercut them. They're similar enough they can pretend they're sailing along the same track, but they're not.
The show could surprise me. It could later make it very clear that the cylon development of monotheism was a specific choice they made independently of Zoe Graystone's influence. It could be made clear that Zoe-A's existence is something else - a different storyline to the centurion development of intelligence, rebellion and eventual evolution. Some parallel tale that develops concurrently with the centurions'. I could handle that. I wouldn't love it, but I could handle it.
I'm trying to leave room for faith RDM as I think that he is pretty good at sketching out a story in broad beats, at knowing what themes will work and how.
But the problem is, I don't think this pilot suggests Caprica will be a bad show. Just that even if it's really, really good, it's likely to be telling the exact opposite of the story I want it to tell. Which makes me sad.
And now, in news of OTHER things that are making me antsy, the FINAL CYLON poll.
I'm terrified it'll be Gaeta. I really, really don't want it to be Gaeta. God that would be boring. I mean, I like Gaeta. But as the built-up final cylon? AT BEST we get a few reveals about "what he was really doing" in a few scenes, and worst, it's a total rehash of the final four. If he didn't know who he was...it's not really all that dramatic even if he suddenly has loads of cool information/becomes a magical special bunny in 4.5. The shocking minor character getting way more mystically important thing worked well in the S3 finale because there were four of them to share the plotline and because it was new. The fifth must not have shown up for a reason: either s/he wasn't there, or s/he's different. I guess I'm just not a big fan of suddenly turning to a C-List character and saying, "LOOK! It was HIM all ALONG!" It feels really...lazy. The reveal has to be significant on a level more than just oh, well, now we know he's a robot. That's been done too many times.
Just...blargh. I wish I were spoiled for who it was so that I could just chill the fuck out/deal with the disappointment/excitement. But I'm not and I don't think anyone really is, so I will instead, poll people!
[Poll #1325035]
I am not enthusiastic.
This is not because the script is a bad one. It's a little soapy for my tastes, but there's nothing fundamentally wrong with that. It evokes a strong sense of place and with good actors I could see it being a reasonable TV movie. Had I never seen BSG, it wouldn't set my world on fire, but my response to it would be, "there are some interesting ideas here, this has potential, I'll check it out."
I'm also aware that I rarely read scripts and since it's an unfamiliar medium, I'm fairly certain I'm not getting 100% of the end effect.
But.
I can't read Caprica without the context of Battlestar Galactica, and that in that context I find it weak and disappointing. Which is very disappointing personally because I love this universe; I desperately want more of it. But not if it will undercut the things I love about it.
There were some things I enjoyed greatly. They were primarily to do with the portrayal of religion and culture. The polytheism and the cultural differences between the colonies seemed very real to me; alien but fascinating. Sometimes as small as wearing black gloves for mourning. Sometimes as large, as frightening and compelling, as an entire world devoid of flowers.
Against the backdrop of BSG where I am more and more concerned that it may be prioritising monotheism over polytheism, it was fascinating to hear an argument from an agent of the FBI-analogue that monotheism was dangerous because it promoted an absolute view of the world: a single god to divine what was good or evil allowing adherents to absolve themselves of the responsibility of choice or the consequences of their actions (y helo thar gaius baltar...)
This did feel like the same world the members of the Fleet used to inhabit, and it was vivid.
Why then, the disappointment, you ask?
Because effectively, this story undercuts a lot of what I find interesting about Battlestar.
This breaks down into three sections: 1) the confusion of biological/technological boundaries 2) cylon psychological evolution and identity 3) monotheism.
1) this takes the smallest hit and perhaps I'm simply being picky in light of other more serious concerns. Zoe-A, the first sentient computer program (arguably) only exists in a faux-organic form in the show's internet-analogue and is still confined to a mechanical body. However, when combined with points 2) and 3) the fact that the goal is to make her into a human replica, underscores the way the cylon choice to mimic humans and replace them - along with their key beliefs - are being retconned into goals that were human in origin, robbing the cylon of agency. Still, at least making the cylon almost purely organic remains something that plausibly still happened after the armastice when the cylon disappeared for forty years.
2) While the humanoid cylon and their identities may very well have evolved independently during that forty year absence, again I find something is taken away from the fascinating evolutionary nature of that jump when we discover that all this started (at least, that's what the pilot script suggests) with a perfect replica of a specific human consciousness made by a human. Actually, let me rephrase - it's more than that. Taking the sentience granted by a human and moving with that toward their own goals; that's fine. It's the way that part of the story is handled that bugs me.
Usually I'm all for glossing over technical details. But I actually found the explanations of how Zoe managed to create Zoe-A to be inadequate. I can understand in a highly technological society being able to use an search engine to create a fantastically detailed model of a person who moves similarly, expresses similar opinions; perhaps even copies tics of speech. But not private memories. So firstly, how did Graystone create Tamara-A, and was she as detailed as Zoe-A?
Secondly, I take issue with Zoe-A's genesis for other reasons. The script plays it up as almost something miraculous - divine intervention granting this program sentience. That bothers me. And I say that as someone who loves the religious aspect of the show; the fact that the cylon have a god who might very well be real. But when the very idea of something as complex as Zoe-A is almost unthinkable to the people foremost in that field, and it was created by a teenager in her bedroom, it gets a little...
I don't know. If I was watching this show in isolation, I'd be willing to roll with it as an exploration of divine genesis. But in a show that discusses technology and the ramifications and evolution of technology and our relationship with it in a way as fascinating as Battlestar, and which has always managed to do so while concurrently holding a discussion on religion, well, I think this fails to live up to that standard of discussion.
It suggests that the cylon didn't develop into complex organisms almost independently. That there isn't an evolutionary line from centurion to hybrid to humanoid. That they sprung, fully-formed, from the head of Zoe Graystone. And in this, it fails in the technological discussion.
It fails in the religious discussion for reasons I'm about to detail.
3) monotheism. Perhaps the defining attribute of the cylon, and source of such richness and complexity in Battlestar. Again, reduced to something they got originally from humans. Again, their agency and choices in their own evolution reduced to attributes given to them by Zoe Graystone via the first sentient AI (yes, I am assuming a direct link between Zoe-A and the genesis of cylon sentience and their eventual rebellion, but I don't think that's unreasonable given the premise of the series).
My primary feeling about this show is that ironically, by suggesting God Himself had a hand in creating the cylon, it argues against their existence as more than programmed machines rather than for it.
The fascinating things I previously thought they chose to develop on their own: monotheism, psychologically functioning like humans, development of sentience and emotion beyond those displayed by the original cylon, even humanoid self-image - all of them are now attributable to humans - can be used as evidence they haven't exceeded their programming rather than evidence they have. How limiting.
If there was no Battlestar, I would be more interested. I'd be interested in whether divine influence created sentient AI. I'd be intrigued by the idea of an entire race created by accident because of a 16 year old's programming hobby. I'd want to know more about this mono- vs polytheism issue. I'd like that monotheism is quite explicitly portrayed as the "bad guy" but also as the creator of Zoe-A who is not a "bad guy".
Independently Caprica works and raises interesting questions about technology and religion.
They are not questions that work well with the questions Battlestar Galactica raises; they undercut them. They're similar enough they can pretend they're sailing along the same track, but they're not.
The show could surprise me. It could later make it very clear that the cylon development of monotheism was a specific choice they made independently of Zoe Graystone's influence. It could be made clear that Zoe-A's existence is something else - a different storyline to the centurion development of intelligence, rebellion and eventual evolution. Some parallel tale that develops concurrently with the centurions'. I could handle that. I wouldn't love it, but I could handle it.
I'm trying to leave room for faith RDM as I think that he is pretty good at sketching out a story in broad beats, at knowing what themes will work and how.
But the problem is, I don't think this pilot suggests Caprica will be a bad show. Just that even if it's really, really good, it's likely to be telling the exact opposite of the story I want it to tell. Which makes me sad.
And now, in news of OTHER things that are making me antsy, the FINAL CYLON poll.
I'm terrified it'll be Gaeta. I really, really don't want it to be Gaeta. God that would be boring. I mean, I like Gaeta. But as the built-up final cylon? AT BEST we get a few reveals about "what he was really doing" in a few scenes, and worst, it's a total rehash of the final four. If he didn't know who he was...it's not really all that dramatic even if he suddenly has loads of cool information/becomes a magical special bunny in 4.5. The shocking minor character getting way more mystically important thing worked well in the S3 finale because there were four of them to share the plotline and because it was new. The fifth must not have shown up for a reason: either s/he wasn't there, or s/he's different. I guess I'm just not a big fan of suddenly turning to a C-List character and saying, "LOOK! It was HIM all ALONG!" It feels really...lazy. The reveal has to be significant on a level more than just oh, well, now we know he's a robot. That's been done too many times.
Just...blargh. I wish I were spoiled for who it was so that I could just chill the fuck out/deal with the disappointment/excitement. But I'm not and I don't think anyone really is, so I will instead, poll people!
[Poll #1325035]
