HUGE BSG POST!!eleventy!!!
Re-watching the Pegasus arc, because The Oath got me in the mood for it. This is my favorite arc ever, so I'm just sitting here and wondering to myself how amazing this show can be, and how last week's episode was like a tribute to it.
"Is this a scorecard?" asks Starbuck, and there's pride in the positive response. "You guys put scorecards? On the side of your ships?" Racetrack chides Starbuck, "Like you don't keep score," but Starbuck makes the distinction that she doesn't actually paint them on her Viper "like [she's] bragging to the whole fracking universe." I think I see what she's saying, but I'm not sure. She's so conservative and military about stuff like that I'd think she'd be impressed, but she does tend to draw little etiquette lines for herself. I, of course, agree with her in principle, but it's a surprising note to the character.
I love this paragraph from TWoP's recap of Pegasus, because I'm still obsessing over the motivations of all the pilots who joined Gaeta in his Asshole Rebellion, and this scene reminded me that Racetrack kind of totally hates cylons.
Can I just say that the scenes with Cain and Gina in Pegasus are incredibly painful now? Thanks, Razor, for giving me more layers to Helena Cain than I know what to do with. Now I want to shoot Cain AND hug her, 'cause it's all fucked up. Also extremely painful to watch, but in a Jerry Springer way: Cally and Tyrol.
Also, the first time I watched this arc, I basically screamed at Cain the whole time, and called her names... which is basically how I reacted to Gaeta for the last couple of weeks. And now, when I watch this arc, I'm slightly annoyed at Cain for the whole court martial and plotting to kill Adama, but now every time I watch it, I mostly feel sorry for her.
The extended version of Pegasus has a scene where some officers from the Pegasus bring Gaeta a bunch of disks with the ship's digital library. And Gaeta asks "is there any porn in there?" My first response was "yes, but all Baltar porn is with women, so you wouldn't like it." Then I thought "you know, if there had been porn there, then maybe he could've worked out some of his stress instead of letting it build until he decided to mutiny. FUCKER."
Adama disagrees that the relationships [to Lee, Kara, Helo and Tigh] blind him to "their weaknesses, and to the damage that they're doing" to morale and whatever. Cain gets steely and sizes him up. It's very subtle and very scary: "Well, that is certainly your right." Then there's a glare-off, and she dismisses him with a "You have your orders."
Gaeta is Cain. It's scary.
Baltar's scenes with Gina always make me weepy, because it was the only time in the show I actually cared about his character for something other than comic relief.
Also, I think I was just reminded that Lee Adama is the moral compass of the fleet. Seriously, any mutiny he takes part in is good, and any mutiny he doesn't, is wrong. It helps keep everything separate.
My question is this: what the hell was Apollo doing? Did he know that this would happen? Did he just want Starbuck to come in and save him? Did their messages in fact extend further than we saw, and he told her to come in dark and then suddenly scare everyone? What was his plan? Was there one? Does Starbuck at all know what's going on? Or is this just another example of one or both of them doing something impetuous and somehow saving everyone's bacon at the same time?
"Starbuck to all Vipers: do not fire. Repeat, do not fire! I am a friendly, okay? We're all friendlies. So, let's just be... friendly." I ♥ this scene so much. It's my 3rd favorite space scene (top one is viper sex from the mini, because it makes me melt).
The point is, I feel about Human v. Cylons the way Kara treats Galactica v. Pegasus, which is: get to the point already and stop acting like war as a concept hasn't changed. You're not emperors of the olden days fighting over principalities -- you're all we've got. The Cylons are fighting a twenty-first-century war: become the enemy. Interbreed. Take down the walls between us and them. The humans are outpaced and outclassed, because they think it's all about annihilation, even as they're being herded. Maybe it was once, but it's not anymore -- the Farm and all of Six's creepy shit prove that, at least. You know, I've always loved Jacob's recap of Resurrection Ship I & II, and Razor, but I confess I used to be way more anti-cylon before the F5 reveal... now a lot of things have changed in my perspective, and this makes perfect sense. Gaeta's revolution is just more of the same old shit, which I'd criticize on any other show, except this is a show that bases itself in the endless repetition of history, so it's fitting.
Over on Colonial One, Roslin is blowing my mind. She's taking back all the respect Cain refused her last episode, with fucking interest, standing behind her presidential desk and addressing the slouching Cain and Adama like she's about to assign them as lab partners for the rest of term. Have I mentioned I love this arc? Because I do.
Apparently the only thing she's managed to pick up from her DVD set of the first two seasons is the so-rarely-telegraphed fact that Starbuck rules. All Cain knows is that the boys are deviant toasterfuckers who will murder for the object of their affection, and have done so. And that's why this episode is good, not because of the ways in which she's nuts, but because of the ways in which she's not. Also why I think they chose Gaeta to lead the rebellion arc, because we know he's gone crazy, and he's probably gonna die for his little stunt, but it'll hurt because we'll always know he had a point. And maybe, just maybe, his side should win, but you know they won't because you don't get to make bets against the First Family on this show and live.
The war is over. We lost. But again, the "war" concept is all that has kept Cain alive -- "And we'll keep fighting!" -- so it makes sense that she's not trying to hear that. This all hearkens back to the very first Roslin/Adama thing, and will continue to do so all episode: stay and fight? Or run and build? The concept of the show, in other words: which is smarter and/or more honorable?
The difference between Apollo and Starbuck in this arena is that she's so about following her instincts (and getting constant positive reinforcement for it) that she can't see past her own self, while Lee takes a different but parallel route, following honor and justice and the Colonial way. Which amounts to the same thing, in terms of being self-directed and ego-based, and he's no better at following orders besides those of his inner tight-assed Virgo demons. But at least if Lee's your CAG, there's a handbook. With Kara, it's like you have to always do what she tells you, even if it changes from moment to moment, because she's always right but if your reflexes aren't good enough, you won't live to see that fact. So, going against Kara and Lee as a team is like going against the law and human instincts at once, and it's never good. NEVER.
Starbuck requests Apollo on her team, and Cain gets right up in her grill, and the love is both strong and crazy in her: "Do you always get what you want?" "Most of the time....Sir," responds Starbuck. It's intense. Cain goes as soft as she can -- like, less diamond, more ceramic -- and lets Starbuck have Apollo. OMG I LOVE THEM.
Back on Colonial One, Roslin and Adama are chilling out for a bit. Roslin turns to him like you might turn to someone and suggest margaritas, and says, apropos of who knows what, "I'm afraid this can only end one way. You've got to kill her." Have I mentioned I love this episode? No? Because I loved Roslin and Adama before this arc, but I really loved Roslin and Adama after this scene.
Gaius wakes with a start, still in Gina's cell, and Cain is looming. "Can you get it to roll over? Beg?" She tosses him the recon photos, and then starts the creepy slow burn she's so good at: "You know this thing used to sit in our mess and eat our food? Listen to our stories. Didn't you? You just sat there, listening to us, pretending to be our friend." Cain starts kicking Gina really hard, and Gaius begs her to stop, saying that any physical contact will set his efforts back. Um, she knew that, dude. She just didn't care. My heart is BREAKING. It would hurt if Cain never cared, but it hurts so much more because she did. Being loved by Adama is special, but he'll love anyone who says "good morning," and Cain won't... even before, she didn't seem like the type. But she did love Gina, and that makes it so much more special, and this scene is a million more times more meaningful when you realize that Cain's love for Gina damned her, while Gaius' love for Gina is the closest to redemption he'll ever come.
The Scylla story gave me chills the first time I heard it, but after having seen it? Ouch.
She grins, and becomes as sexy as a person in the last weeks of life can be, which it turns out is lots: "A new body. Perhaps one of those young Cylon models from the Resurrection Ship." Adama smiles sadly. "I can't see you as a blonde." Laura laughs a little bit, and wiggles. "You'd be surprised." Adama's into it, but, like, the tree doesn't fall far from the apple, and he gets up to leave. Hee. Seriously, Adama and Roslin's scenes recently give me so much hope for Lee, because maybe... just maybe... it could happen.
I would remind you, Commander, that your ex was about to get remarried when the attack happened: you're allowed. In fact, I require it. Yes, I'd like to remind you, Lee, that your wife suicided like eight eons ago, so you're allowed. You're expected to move on.
Admiral Cain's in her office, wondering if Starbuck drinks. Starbuck: "Only to excess, sir." Cain laughs. "Learn that from Colonel Tigh, did you?" Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Which, I have to admit, my Kara-as-Tigh's-daughter theory used to entertain me in a cracky way, now it's the only thing keeping me sane so my brain doesn't explode from the face she burned her fucking corpse on Earth. I don't even care if I'm right or wrong, because I'm pretty sure I'm wrong, but for right now it makes sense, so I'm sticking to it because there's far too little sense in BSG atm.
*sigh* Why must this show be so good?
I'm going back and re-reading through my old BSG posts, to see if I find anything interesting since this show changes my mind about thing every other episode or so. Seriously, though, some episodes are so much more fun to watch in retrospect, like when I rewatched the mini last July. You know, the whole "let's vent everything forward of frame 30" is kind of more frakked up considering what they went through to rescue the Chief and Cally in S3. I mean, yeah, time was a constraint during the fire and all, but at the same time they don't even try to hide the favoritism, do they? "Who's down there? Anyone we care about? If no, vent it. If yes, radio Starbuck and ask for a crazy rescue idea."
Adama to Lee: ...we're in the middle of a war, and you're taking orders from a schoolteacher?
Bill, Bill... Bill. Just... no. First of all, that's rude. Second of all, soon enough you'll want to take orders from this schoolteacher (well, after her mutiny and all).
♥. I also found the link to the List of Things I Am Not Allowed To Do Aboard the Galactica, including my favorites: Not allowed to spell Colonel Tigh's name "T-G-H" and claim "the Cylons took the I," as it is cruel and not remotely funny. or It is not appropriate when Capt. Agathon is worried over his wife or child's health to lighten the mood by asking him if she's still under warranty. * Or if it covers parts and labor. * Or if it requires him to return her to the manufacturer. * Or if Doc Cottle is going to void it by opening her up. * Or if he needs a second estimate.
12. If the thought of something makes me giggle for longer than 15 seconds, I will assume that I'm not allowed to do it.
* If the thought of something makes Captain Thrace giggle for longer than 15 seconds, I will alert the CAG. Immediately.
13. Not allowed to speculate on the penis size of anyone who outranks me.
* Especially Captain Thrace.
24. If Tory Foster hears me referring to her as "the president's sex-retary," she is hereby authorized to hurt me.
25.Not allowed to have comm sex while flying CAP.
* Not allowed to have comm sex with someone flying CAP.
* Not allowed to have comm sex. Period.
29. Not allowed to lock Major Adama and Captain Thrace in a supply closet in the hope that sex will take place.
* Even if it does.
* Not allowed to lock Major Adama and Samuel Anders in a supply closet in the hope that sex will take place.
* Even if it does.
36. Not allowed, under any circumstances, to ask President Roslin who died and put her in charge.
37. The time has passed for the joke about the Cylon, the pyramid team, the elevator, and Ellen Tigh.
38. There is no such thing as "recreational gun use."
* No, not even if Captain Thrace did it first.
* Oh my gods, especially not if Admiral Cain did it first.
* Not allowed to mention Admiral Cain. Ever
42. Not allowed to hand slices of bread to Lt. Agathon and ask her to "do me a quick favor."
60. "I'm drunk" is a bad answer to any question posed by the CAG.
* Even if Captain Thrace says it.
62. Our Vipers cannot be assembled into a giant battle robot.
64. Not allowed to speculate in President Roslin's hearing about whether the carpet matches the drapes. Ever.
* (It does, but I didn't hear that here.)
82. Not allowed to sell naked pictures of Major Adama.
* Not allowed to sell naked pictures of Captain Thrace
* Unless she gets a cut.
90. Viper jocks do not "do it in the cockpit."
* Raptor jocks do not "do it in pairs."
* Knuckledraggers do not "do it with lube." Except when they do.
* Not allowed to speculate about when, where, how, why, or with whom President Roslin does it, as I do not want to know what will happen should she overhear me.
95. After destroying a Cylon Basestar it is not appropriate to yell that "All your base are belong to us."
92. Not allowed to play "Hide The CAG's Wedding Ring."
*Any more.
*Not even if Captain Thrace tells me to.
*Especially not if Captain Thrace tells me to.
105. Not allowed to mutiny.
* No, not even if President Roslin did it first.
109. I may never use the phrase "hornier than Starbuck in a locker room."
* No, not even if she laughs.
120. Not allowed to put mustard in Lt. Costanza's flight suit.
*Or ketchup.
128. Not allowed to ask Captain Thrace if she's a natural blonde.
*Not allowed to ask Sam Anders.
*Not allowed to ask Major Adama.
*Definitely not allowed to ask Dr. Baltar, or imply that I might.
130. Not allowed to start a war reenactment group.
153. Am not allowed to cough-say Billy's name during Major Adama and Lt. Dualla's wedding.
*Also not to cough-say Captain Thrace's.
181. Admiral Adama never killed a man on Picon just to watch him die.
* As far as I know.
* Neither did President Roslin.
203. Lt. Gaeta does not have a callsign.
* And if he did, it would not be Recount.
221. I have not "had it with these motherfrakking Cylons on this motherfrakking ship".
228. Not allowed to advertise Lt. Thrace's bunk as the 'A little slice of Prometheus aboard Galactica...no charge'
*Even if her husband made the joke first
*Especially if Major Adama is within earshot
242. President Roslin has not "had it with these motherfrakking snakes on her motherfrakking podium."
244. It is better to ask permission than to beg forgiveness.
* No matter what Captain Thrace does.
* In general, Captain Thrace is a poor role model.
263. Major Adama does not frak hookers.
* Any more.
* Those claiming that Captain Thrace doesn't count because "hookers get paid" should check first to make sure the doors are closed.
275. I am not allowed to refer to Agathon fornication as "uploading".
* Not even if Capt. Thrace said it first.
* Also not allowed to sing "Did you ever know that you're my Helo?" ever.
310. I am not allowed to sneak around in the dead of night, taping extra corners to octagonal shapes.
*Or to start anymore movements called "Demand Squares"
*Or any variations thereof
*Turns out that is not the shape of things to come
353. “Maybe if the Admiral hadn’t been high and cuddling with the President…” is not an acceptable explanation for the occupation.
*If any cuddling is mentioned, Roslin, and not Baltar, must be specified as the President in question.
*I am not allowed to picture Admiral Adama cuddling Baltar.
*If I suggest any cuddling went on between the Admiral and Baltar, Roslin will have all three of us airlocked. It’s really the only thing to do.
*Captain Thrace does NOT cuddle. Don’t try. Especially during briefings.
356. Not allowed to hand the Agathons a bottle of WD-40 with the admonition: "You two kids go have yourselves some fun, now."
364. No longer allowed to record appointments between the Admiral and the President as “Senior Sexcapades” in the official logbook
*Even if both Tory and Tigh nodded knowingly and Captain Thrace got the giggles.
377. “Awww,” is not an acceptable reaction when the President and Admiral walk into a room together.
*The same goes for Baltar and Gaeta.
*Or Tigh and Cottle.
398. I will not giggle incessantly every time the President asks Admiral Adama to debrief her.
413. I am not allowed to call Maj. Adama's bullet wound a 'little love bite'.
415. Not allowed to point out that the letters "XO" actually sort of resemble the upper portion of Tigh's face.
*Not even if Captain Thrace pointed it out first
*Not even if Admiral Adama laughs
421. Telling Caprica her “Head-Baltar” and I are having a secret affair is just mean.
*Telling her Roslin is the one having the affair with him is meaner.
*Telling her Gaeta is having the affair is both fun and condoned by the President and the Admiral.
*Telling her Gaeta killed HeadBaltar with his favorite imaginary pen is also acceptable.
427. Not allowed to ask Gaeta if his pen is mightier than Baltar's sword
* am banned from saying the words "Gaeta" and "pen" in the same sentence
429. All copies of my book, "The A to Z of Roslin's Men," will be burned
* it needs a reprint anyway, since Adm. Adama pointed out that alphabetically he precedes Adar.
* so does Major Adama
467. Not allowed to refer to the Admiral's quarters as the "Love Shack."
* Especially not during Presidential visits
* Not even if Captain Thrace says it first.
476. I am no longer to pass notes between Mr. Gaeta and Dr. Baltar.
*Especially if those notes include the phrase “The back door is open. I repeat, the back door is open.”
*I am no longer to giggle whenever a “back door” strategy is suggested by Mr. Gaeta.
*I understand that comments to Mr. Baltar on Mr. Gaeta’s lovely penmanship leave Mr. Baltar crying like an infant.
479. I am no longer to explain my irrational behavior with references to a mystical podcast.
*I am no longer to insist that the President precedes any prophesies she receives from the gods by making air quotes and stating “spoiler.”
498. Not allowed to give the nuggets nicknames like, "BBQ", "Honey Mustard", or "No Trans Fats".
*Especially not "All-White Meat".
*Not even if Capt. Thrace likes that for Apollo.
*Not even if he likes it.
499. I am not to discuss Roslin and Adar’s affair with anyone.
*Even the Admiral
*Especially the Admiral
*I am not to punch the Admiral in the arm and state “So maybe you’ve got a shot, big guy!”
*I am not to tell the President that the Admiral referred to her ex as “a moron.”
*I cannot suggest to President Roslin that Captain Thrace probably had an affair with President Adar as well.
511. Although it was a thoughtful gift idea, President Roslin does not need a remote control for the airlock.
553. I am no longer to tell nuggets “You’re gonna die because you aren’t important enough to have a last name.”
*No matter how much the nuggets beg, I cannot assign last names.
*Especially not names such as the following “Stoleye,” “Hideye,” and “Smushdeye.”
*The resulting carnage when the Colonel took roll call and the fecal matter hit the rotary air impeller was not funny, and I take responsibility.
558. I now realize that refitting the airlock so that it could be operated by “the Clapper: Clap on! Clap off!” even though it was for the convenience of the President, was an error.
*Especially before her last speech.
*I would like, however, to point out that if Admiral would just clap a bit more frakin’ quickly, the airlock would have “Clapped off” a millisecond after it “Clapped on.”
567. I am not allowed to ask Helo if Sharon is "fully functional".
* I am not allowed to ask Starbuck this question about Lee.
* I am not allowed to ask Roslin this question about Adama.
And I went back and re-read my recap of Revelations, including this paragraph: Poor Felix. I still don't trust you. I feel sorry for you, but I don't trust you. Dee, I don't trust you, I don't feel sorry for you, and I hope you die. & Tigh's self-sacrifice throughout this episode makes me believe he really is somehow related to Kara-- no one is that frakked up.
I never watch music videos, usually, except for the rare times I'm in the mood and someone I know posts one or recs one. But I went to You Tube to see if I could find a Kara video to one particular song, but ended up finding a different video to a different song and I freaking loved it. Kara Thrace Music Video. Song: My Skin by Natalie Merchant. K/L, with some K/S and K/Z. ♥ And DFASFRWQQFS, nnaylime's Kara vid to Meredith Brook's Bitch = total ♥ ♥ ♥. Also worth the thirty seconds it takes to watch it, BSG opening a la The Office. And the "Catch the Frak Up" segments rule too (part 1, part 2).
Can someone please tell me why I can't find Kara videos to "Big Girls Don't Cry" or "No Man's Woman?" I guess this one will have to do for now. And Hot!Pilots to Sexyback = awesome (warning: may cause extreme horniness). And I'm peeing my pants from laughing at Brokeback Galactica crackvid - the part where Lee tells Sam "I need you" makes me giggle like crazy. That vid led me to Brokeback Battlestar, which was even better at telling the story of Sam and Lee... If anyone has BSG crackvids to recommend, please do so. Also accepting recommendations for UPBEAT Kara/Lee vids, Kara fanvids, and vids featuring the triangle or A/R fun (just no EJO naked chest, please). Sad vids will not be accepted, 'cause the show is depressing me enough as it is. Self-pimping is not only allowed, but encouraged.
"Is this a scorecard?" asks Starbuck, and there's pride in the positive response. "You guys put scorecards? On the side of your ships?" Racetrack chides Starbuck, "Like you don't keep score," but Starbuck makes the distinction that she doesn't actually paint them on her Viper "like [she's] bragging to the whole fracking universe." I think I see what she's saying, but I'm not sure. She's so conservative and military about stuff like that I'd think she'd be impressed, but she does tend to draw little etiquette lines for herself. I, of course, agree with her in principle, but it's a surprising note to the character.
I love this paragraph from TWoP's recap of Pegasus, because I'm still obsessing over the motivations of all the pilots who joined Gaeta in his Asshole Rebellion, and this scene reminded me that Racetrack kind of totally hates cylons.
Can I just say that the scenes with Cain and Gina in Pegasus are incredibly painful now? Thanks, Razor, for giving me more layers to Helena Cain than I know what to do with. Now I want to shoot Cain AND hug her, 'cause it's all fucked up. Also extremely painful to watch, but in a Jerry Springer way: Cally and Tyrol.
Also, the first time I watched this arc, I basically screamed at Cain the whole time, and called her names... which is basically how I reacted to Gaeta for the last couple of weeks. And now, when I watch this arc, I'm slightly annoyed at Cain for the whole court martial and plotting to kill Adama, but now every time I watch it, I mostly feel sorry for her.
The extended version of Pegasus has a scene where some officers from the Pegasus bring Gaeta a bunch of disks with the ship's digital library. And Gaeta asks "is there any porn in there?" My first response was "yes, but all Baltar porn is with women, so you wouldn't like it." Then I thought "you know, if there had been porn there, then maybe he could've worked out some of his stress instead of letting it build until he decided to mutiny. FUCKER."
Adama disagrees that the relationships [to Lee, Kara, Helo and Tigh] blind him to "their weaknesses, and to the damage that they're doing" to morale and whatever. Cain gets steely and sizes him up. It's very subtle and very scary: "Well, that is certainly your right." Then there's a glare-off, and she dismisses him with a "You have your orders."
Gaeta is Cain. It's scary.
Baltar's scenes with Gina always make me weepy, because it was the only time in the show I actually cared about his character for something other than comic relief.
Also, I think I was just reminded that Lee Adama is the moral compass of the fleet. Seriously, any mutiny he takes part in is good, and any mutiny he doesn't, is wrong. It helps keep everything separate.
My question is this: what the hell was Apollo doing? Did he know that this would happen? Did he just want Starbuck to come in and save him? Did their messages in fact extend further than we saw, and he told her to come in dark and then suddenly scare everyone? What was his plan? Was there one? Does Starbuck at all know what's going on? Or is this just another example of one or both of them doing something impetuous and somehow saving everyone's bacon at the same time?
"Starbuck to all Vipers: do not fire. Repeat, do not fire! I am a friendly, okay? We're all friendlies. So, let's just be... friendly." I ♥ this scene so much. It's my 3rd favorite space scene (top one is viper sex from the mini, because it makes me melt).
The point is, I feel about Human v. Cylons the way Kara treats Galactica v. Pegasus, which is: get to the point already and stop acting like war as a concept hasn't changed. You're not emperors of the olden days fighting over principalities -- you're all we've got. The Cylons are fighting a twenty-first-century war: become the enemy. Interbreed. Take down the walls between us and them. The humans are outpaced and outclassed, because they think it's all about annihilation, even as they're being herded. Maybe it was once, but it's not anymore -- the Farm and all of Six's creepy shit prove that, at least. You know, I've always loved Jacob's recap of Resurrection Ship I & II, and Razor, but I confess I used to be way more anti-cylon before the F5 reveal... now a lot of things have changed in my perspective, and this makes perfect sense. Gaeta's revolution is just more of the same old shit, which I'd criticize on any other show, except this is a show that bases itself in the endless repetition of history, so it's fitting.
Over on Colonial One, Roslin is blowing my mind. She's taking back all the respect Cain refused her last episode, with fucking interest, standing behind her presidential desk and addressing the slouching Cain and Adama like she's about to assign them as lab partners for the rest of term. Have I mentioned I love this arc? Because I do.
Apparently the only thing she's managed to pick up from her DVD set of the first two seasons is the so-rarely-telegraphed fact that Starbuck rules. All Cain knows is that the boys are deviant toasterfuckers who will murder for the object of their affection, and have done so. And that's why this episode is good, not because of the ways in which she's nuts, but because of the ways in which she's not. Also why I think they chose Gaeta to lead the rebellion arc, because we know he's gone crazy, and he's probably gonna die for his little stunt, but it'll hurt because we'll always know he had a point. And maybe, just maybe, his side should win, but you know they won't because you don't get to make bets against the First Family on this show and live.
The war is over. We lost. But again, the "war" concept is all that has kept Cain alive -- "And we'll keep fighting!" -- so it makes sense that she's not trying to hear that. This all hearkens back to the very first Roslin/Adama thing, and will continue to do so all episode: stay and fight? Or run and build? The concept of the show, in other words: which is smarter and/or more honorable?
The difference between Apollo and Starbuck in this arena is that she's so about following her instincts (and getting constant positive reinforcement for it) that she can't see past her own self, while Lee takes a different but parallel route, following honor and justice and the Colonial way. Which amounts to the same thing, in terms of being self-directed and ego-based, and he's no better at following orders besides those of his inner tight-assed Virgo demons. But at least if Lee's your CAG, there's a handbook. With Kara, it's like you have to always do what she tells you, even if it changes from moment to moment, because she's always right but if your reflexes aren't good enough, you won't live to see that fact. So, going against Kara and Lee as a team is like going against the law and human instincts at once, and it's never good. NEVER.
Starbuck requests Apollo on her team, and Cain gets right up in her grill, and the love is both strong and crazy in her: "Do you always get what you want?" "Most of the time....Sir," responds Starbuck. It's intense. Cain goes as soft as she can -- like, less diamond, more ceramic -- and lets Starbuck have Apollo. OMG I LOVE THEM.
Back on Colonial One, Roslin and Adama are chilling out for a bit. Roslin turns to him like you might turn to someone and suggest margaritas, and says, apropos of who knows what, "I'm afraid this can only end one way. You've got to kill her." Have I mentioned I love this episode? No? Because I loved Roslin and Adama before this arc, but I really loved Roslin and Adama after this scene.
Gaius wakes with a start, still in Gina's cell, and Cain is looming. "Can you get it to roll over? Beg?" She tosses him the recon photos, and then starts the creepy slow burn she's so good at: "You know this thing used to sit in our mess and eat our food? Listen to our stories. Didn't you? You just sat there, listening to us, pretending to be our friend." Cain starts kicking Gina really hard, and Gaius begs her to stop, saying that any physical contact will set his efforts back. Um, she knew that, dude. She just didn't care. My heart is BREAKING. It would hurt if Cain never cared, but it hurts so much more because she did. Being loved by Adama is special, but he'll love anyone who says "good morning," and Cain won't... even before, she didn't seem like the type. But she did love Gina, and that makes it so much more special, and this scene is a million more times more meaningful when you realize that Cain's love for Gina damned her, while Gaius' love for Gina is the closest to redemption he'll ever come.
The Scylla story gave me chills the first time I heard it, but after having seen it? Ouch.
She grins, and becomes as sexy as a person in the last weeks of life can be, which it turns out is lots: "A new body. Perhaps one of those young Cylon models from the Resurrection Ship." Adama smiles sadly. "I can't see you as a blonde." Laura laughs a little bit, and wiggles. "You'd be surprised." Adama's into it, but, like, the tree doesn't fall far from the apple, and he gets up to leave. Hee. Seriously, Adama and Roslin's scenes recently give me so much hope for Lee, because maybe... just maybe... it could happen.
I would remind you, Commander, that your ex was about to get remarried when the attack happened: you're allowed. In fact, I require it. Yes, I'd like to remind you, Lee, that your wife suicided like eight eons ago, so you're allowed. You're expected to move on.
Admiral Cain's in her office, wondering if Starbuck drinks. Starbuck: "Only to excess, sir." Cain laughs. "Learn that from Colonel Tigh, did you?" Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Which, I have to admit, my Kara-as-Tigh's-daughter theory used to entertain me in a cracky way, now it's the only thing keeping me sane so my brain doesn't explode from the face she burned her fucking corpse on Earth. I don't even care if I'm right or wrong, because I'm pretty sure I'm wrong, but for right now it makes sense, so I'm sticking to it because there's far too little sense in BSG atm.
*sigh* Why must this show be so good?
I'm going back and re-reading through my old BSG posts, to see if I find anything interesting since this show changes my mind about thing every other episode or so. Seriously, though, some episodes are so much more fun to watch in retrospect, like when I rewatched the mini last July. You know, the whole "let's vent everything forward of frame 30" is kind of more frakked up considering what they went through to rescue the Chief and Cally in S3. I mean, yeah, time was a constraint during the fire and all, but at the same time they don't even try to hide the favoritism, do they? "Who's down there? Anyone we care about? If no, vent it. If yes, radio Starbuck and ask for a crazy rescue idea."
Adama to Lee: ...we're in the middle of a war, and you're taking orders from a schoolteacher?
Bill, Bill... Bill. Just... no. First of all, that's rude. Second of all, soon enough you'll want to take orders from this schoolteacher (well, after her mutiny and all).
♥. I also found the link to the List of Things I Am Not Allowed To Do Aboard the Galactica, including my favorites: Not allowed to spell Colonel Tigh's name "T-G-H" and claim "the Cylons took the I," as it is cruel and not remotely funny. or It is not appropriate when Capt. Agathon is worried over his wife or child's health to lighten the mood by asking him if she's still under warranty. * Or if it covers parts and labor. * Or if it requires him to return her to the manufacturer. * Or if Doc Cottle is going to void it by opening her up. * Or if he needs a second estimate.
12. If the thought of something makes me giggle for longer than 15 seconds, I will assume that I'm not allowed to do it.
* If the thought of something makes Captain Thrace giggle for longer than 15 seconds, I will alert the CAG. Immediately.
13. Not allowed to speculate on the penis size of anyone who outranks me.
* Especially Captain Thrace.
24. If Tory Foster hears me referring to her as "the president's sex-retary," she is hereby authorized to hurt me.
25.Not allowed to have comm sex while flying CAP.
* Not allowed to have comm sex with someone flying CAP.
* Not allowed to have comm sex. Period.
29. Not allowed to lock Major Adama and Captain Thrace in a supply closet in the hope that sex will take place.
* Even if it does.
* Not allowed to lock Major Adama and Samuel Anders in a supply closet in the hope that sex will take place.
* Even if it does.
36. Not allowed, under any circumstances, to ask President Roslin who died and put her in charge.
37. The time has passed for the joke about the Cylon, the pyramid team, the elevator, and Ellen Tigh.
38. There is no such thing as "recreational gun use."
* No, not even if Captain Thrace did it first.
* Oh my gods, especially not if Admiral Cain did it first.
* Not allowed to mention Admiral Cain. Ever
42. Not allowed to hand slices of bread to Lt. Agathon and ask her to "do me a quick favor."
60. "I'm drunk" is a bad answer to any question posed by the CAG.
* Even if Captain Thrace says it.
62. Our Vipers cannot be assembled into a giant battle robot.
64. Not allowed to speculate in President Roslin's hearing about whether the carpet matches the drapes. Ever.
* (It does, but I didn't hear that here.)
82. Not allowed to sell naked pictures of Major Adama.
* Not allowed to sell naked pictures of Captain Thrace
* Unless she gets a cut.
90. Viper jocks do not "do it in the cockpit."
* Raptor jocks do not "do it in pairs."
* Knuckledraggers do not "do it with lube." Except when they do.
* Not allowed to speculate about when, where, how, why, or with whom President Roslin does it, as I do not want to know what will happen should she overhear me.
95. After destroying a Cylon Basestar it is not appropriate to yell that "All your base are belong to us."
92. Not allowed to play "Hide The CAG's Wedding Ring."
*Any more.
*Not even if Captain Thrace tells me to.
*Especially not if Captain Thrace tells me to.
105. Not allowed to mutiny.
* No, not even if President Roslin did it first.
109. I may never use the phrase "hornier than Starbuck in a locker room."
* No, not even if she laughs.
120. Not allowed to put mustard in Lt. Costanza's flight suit.
*Or ketchup.
128. Not allowed to ask Captain Thrace if she's a natural blonde.
*Not allowed to ask Sam Anders.
*Not allowed to ask Major Adama.
*Definitely not allowed to ask Dr. Baltar, or imply that I might.
130. Not allowed to start a war reenactment group.
153. Am not allowed to cough-say Billy's name during Major Adama and Lt. Dualla's wedding.
*Also not to cough-say Captain Thrace's.
181. Admiral Adama never killed a man on Picon just to watch him die.
* As far as I know.
* Neither did President Roslin.
203. Lt. Gaeta does not have a callsign.
* And if he did, it would not be Recount.
221. I have not "had it with these motherfrakking Cylons on this motherfrakking ship".
228. Not allowed to advertise Lt. Thrace's bunk as the 'A little slice of Prometheus aboard Galactica...no charge'
*Even if her husband made the joke first
*Especially if Major Adama is within earshot
242. President Roslin has not "had it with these motherfrakking snakes on her motherfrakking podium."
244. It is better to ask permission than to beg forgiveness.
* No matter what Captain Thrace does.
* In general, Captain Thrace is a poor role model.
263. Major Adama does not frak hookers.
* Any more.
* Those claiming that Captain Thrace doesn't count because "hookers get paid" should check first to make sure the doors are closed.
275. I am not allowed to refer to Agathon fornication as "uploading".
* Not even if Capt. Thrace said it first.
* Also not allowed to sing "Did you ever know that you're my Helo?" ever.
310. I am not allowed to sneak around in the dead of night, taping extra corners to octagonal shapes.
*Or to start anymore movements called "Demand Squares"
*Or any variations thereof
*Turns out that is not the shape of things to come
353. “Maybe if the Admiral hadn’t been high and cuddling with the President…” is not an acceptable explanation for the occupation.
*If any cuddling is mentioned, Roslin, and not Baltar, must be specified as the President in question.
*I am not allowed to picture Admiral Adama cuddling Baltar.
*If I suggest any cuddling went on between the Admiral and Baltar, Roslin will have all three of us airlocked. It’s really the only thing to do.
*Captain Thrace does NOT cuddle. Don’t try. Especially during briefings.
356. Not allowed to hand the Agathons a bottle of WD-40 with the admonition: "You two kids go have yourselves some fun, now."
364. No longer allowed to record appointments between the Admiral and the President as “Senior Sexcapades” in the official logbook
*Even if both Tory and Tigh nodded knowingly and Captain Thrace got the giggles.
377. “Awww,” is not an acceptable reaction when the President and Admiral walk into a room together.
*The same goes for Baltar and Gaeta.
*Or Tigh and Cottle.
398. I will not giggle incessantly every time the President asks Admiral Adama to debrief her.
413. I am not allowed to call Maj. Adama's bullet wound a 'little love bite'.
415. Not allowed to point out that the letters "XO" actually sort of resemble the upper portion of Tigh's face.
*Not even if Captain Thrace pointed it out first
*Not even if Admiral Adama laughs
421. Telling Caprica her “Head-Baltar” and I are having a secret affair is just mean.
*Telling her Roslin is the one having the affair with him is meaner.
*Telling her Gaeta is having the affair is both fun and condoned by the President and the Admiral.
*Telling her Gaeta killed HeadBaltar with his favorite imaginary pen is also acceptable.
427. Not allowed to ask Gaeta if his pen is mightier than Baltar's sword
* am banned from saying the words "Gaeta" and "pen" in the same sentence
429. All copies of my book, "The A to Z of Roslin's Men," will be burned
* it needs a reprint anyway, since Adm. Adama pointed out that alphabetically he precedes Adar.
* so does Major Adama
467. Not allowed to refer to the Admiral's quarters as the "Love Shack."
* Especially not during Presidential visits
* Not even if Captain Thrace says it first.
476. I am no longer to pass notes between Mr. Gaeta and Dr. Baltar.
*Especially if those notes include the phrase “The back door is open. I repeat, the back door is open.”
*I am no longer to giggle whenever a “back door” strategy is suggested by Mr. Gaeta.
*I understand that comments to Mr. Baltar on Mr. Gaeta’s lovely penmanship leave Mr. Baltar crying like an infant.
479. I am no longer to explain my irrational behavior with references to a mystical podcast.
*I am no longer to insist that the President precedes any prophesies she receives from the gods by making air quotes and stating “spoiler.”
498. Not allowed to give the nuggets nicknames like, "BBQ", "Honey Mustard", or "No Trans Fats".
*Especially not "All-White Meat".
*Not even if Capt. Thrace likes that for Apollo.
*Not even if he likes it.
499. I am not to discuss Roslin and Adar’s affair with anyone.
*Even the Admiral
*Especially the Admiral
*I am not to punch the Admiral in the arm and state “So maybe you’ve got a shot, big guy!”
*I am not to tell the President that the Admiral referred to her ex as “a moron.”
*I cannot suggest to President Roslin that Captain Thrace probably had an affair with President Adar as well.
511. Although it was a thoughtful gift idea, President Roslin does not need a remote control for the airlock.
553. I am no longer to tell nuggets “You’re gonna die because you aren’t important enough to have a last name.”
*No matter how much the nuggets beg, I cannot assign last names.
*Especially not names such as the following “Stoleye,” “Hideye,” and “Smushdeye.”
*The resulting carnage when the Colonel took roll call and the fecal matter hit the rotary air impeller was not funny, and I take responsibility.
558. I now realize that refitting the airlock so that it could be operated by “the Clapper: Clap on! Clap off!” even though it was for the convenience of the President, was an error.
*Especially before her last speech.
*I would like, however, to point out that if Admiral would just clap a bit more frakin’ quickly, the airlock would have “Clapped off” a millisecond after it “Clapped on.”
567. I am not allowed to ask Helo if Sharon is "fully functional".
* I am not allowed to ask Starbuck this question about Lee.
* I am not allowed to ask Roslin this question about Adama.
And I went back and re-read my recap of Revelations, including this paragraph: Poor Felix. I still don't trust you. I feel sorry for you, but I don't trust you. Dee, I don't trust you, I don't feel sorry for you, and I hope you die. & Tigh's self-sacrifice throughout this episode makes me believe he really is somehow related to Kara-- no one is that frakked up.
I never watch music videos, usually, except for the rare times I'm in the mood and someone I know posts one or recs one. But I went to You Tube to see if I could find a Kara video to one particular song, but ended up finding a different video to a different song and I freaking loved it. Kara Thrace Music Video. Song: My Skin by Natalie Merchant. K/L, with some K/S and K/Z. ♥ And DFASFRWQQFS, nnaylime's Kara vid to Meredith Brook's Bitch = total ♥ ♥ ♥. Also worth the thirty seconds it takes to watch it, BSG opening a la The Office. And the "Catch the Frak Up" segments rule too (part 1, part 2).
Can someone please tell me why I can't find Kara videos to "Big Girls Don't Cry" or "No Man's Woman?" I guess this one will have to do for now. And Hot!Pilots to Sexyback = awesome (warning: may cause extreme horniness). And I'm peeing my pants from laughing at Brokeback Galactica crackvid - the part where Lee tells Sam "I need you" makes me giggle like crazy. That vid led me to Brokeback Battlestar, which was even better at telling the story of Sam and Lee... If anyone has BSG crackvids to recommend, please do so. Also accepting recommendations for UPBEAT Kara/Lee vids, Kara fanvids, and vids featuring the triangle or A/R fun (just no EJO naked chest, please). Sad vids will not be accepted, 'cause the show is depressing me enough as it is. Self-pimping is not only allowed, but encouraged.