Squabbling and grandstanding and vendettas and a downward spiral disguised as idealism.
Yes, this is it exactly. And I do also find it fascinating. I think that the reason the episode didn't ping as strongly for me was mainly that they told this story using characters I found boring while not using the characters I find interesting very much and so it fell kind of flat for me?
Which is frustrating since the questions it poses are great.
Zarek is a huge missed potential for me, has been right since his first appearance. Someone with his ideals for change would be so much more interesting as a sincere character, a foil for the harsh and dictatorial pragmatism of Roslin and Adama, than as a small-minded fool.
I completely agree here. I think that the reason I have such a hard time getting a handle on Zarek is because I don't want to just write him off as a small-minded fool. For a long time, assuming that his idealism and belief in the revolution required that he just completely ignore the cylon threat in a dangerous fashion and continue to view himself as fighting the same government with the same stability and resources that he always was, worked. But...not really anymore. And that's frustrating.
I think in the end, I come down on the side that believes he really is an idealist, at least in his own mind, but one that's gradually come to believe that he is the revolution, and one who's come to hate this administration and government and grind of existence just as much as the last. Perhaps one who's fighting against admitting that because then he'd have to admit that the permanent revolution he seeks - but always, and only, on his terms and in his image - is impossible?
I don't know. Maybe I'm trying too hard to make him interesting. I wish I cared about him more and what he could have been less.
Also I forgive you for not being Laura-centric in your BSG love even though I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND IT! ;)
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Date: 2009-01-25 01:28 pm (UTC)Yes, this is it exactly. And I do also find it fascinating. I think that the reason the episode didn't ping as strongly for me was mainly that they told this story using characters I found boring while not using the characters I find interesting very much and so it fell kind of flat for me?
Which is frustrating since the questions it poses are great.
Zarek is a huge missed potential for me, has been right since his first appearance. Someone with his ideals for change would be so much more interesting as a sincere character, a foil for the harsh and dictatorial pragmatism of Roslin and Adama, than as a small-minded fool.
I completely agree here. I think that the reason I have such a hard time getting a handle on Zarek is because I don't want to just write him off as a small-minded fool. For a long time, assuming that his idealism and belief in the revolution required that he just completely ignore the cylon threat in a dangerous fashion and continue to view himself as fighting the same government with the same stability and resources that he always was, worked. But...not really anymore. And that's frustrating.
I think in the end, I come down on the side that believes he really is an idealist, at least in his own mind, but one that's gradually come to believe that he is the revolution, and one who's come to hate this administration and government and grind of existence just as much as the last. Perhaps one who's fighting against admitting that because then he'd have to admit that the permanent revolution he seeks - but always, and only, on his terms and in his image - is impossible?
I don't know. Maybe I'm trying too hard to make him interesting. I wish I cared about him more and what he could have been less.
Also I forgive you for not being Laura-centric in your BSG love even though I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND IT! ;)