Battlestar Galactica 3.17 Maelstrom (Part 1)
I started writing last night and then (thankfully!) fell asleep. I still have a lot of sleep to catch up, and I think I'm only about halfway through what I want to say. *frowns at post* Anyway, here's for starters... ('scuse any typos--I was molto tired!)
( spoilery spoilers-duh! )
( spoilery spoilers-duh! )
I agree that the Leoben we saw was not the Leoben(s) we've met before. He was the same, yet just a little bit different. He seemed calmer, more patient, and more about what Kara needed then what he needed. Of course, that makes sense if this Leoben is a creation of Kara's mind.
Facing fear of death may be Kara's journey but it's not Lee's: his battle is to live.
Ohhh, I love this point! I didn't for a second think Lee would follow her into the abyss. As you put it, he's worked too hard to build himself a life, one he can be proud of, and one that has, in some ways at least, brought him some peace and happiness. Suicidal depression is in his past. But I hadn't thought about it as you did. You are absolutely correct. Lee's greatest fear was living because he had lost all hope - what was there to go on for? Kara has always fought to live, to 'cheat' death. We've seen it in YCGHA, in KLG Pt 2, and in the New Caprica eps.
Lee does emotional support so well, and he's ALWAYS wanted to be Kara's crutch. I'm so glad she finally let him be.
It's bittersweet, after Lee finally decides to move on (and I do believe it was the best and healthiest thing for him) that's when Kara finally allows him to be someone to lean on. This isn't just the anti-shipper in me talking ;), but this may have been the happiest I've ever seen the two together. Even more so then on New Caprica where he was obviously blissfully happy for one night, but she was scared and unsure.
Unfortunately, Lee will carry around quite a bit of guilt over his actions or non-actions. I do hope he gets past that though because I believe he did the right thing by her. Being a pilot, a great pilot, was the one thing she was proud of in her life. I think Lee feared taking that from her. She'd be lost without that constant. And it most likely would have added to her feelings of being a screw up and a failure. She caved into fear. She couldn't hack it as a pilot either. What's left for her? Yeah, Lee did the right thing and I hope he can see that as well as the fact she could have pulled up and didn't.
BTW, I'm as spoiled as you can be and I don't know where things are headed. ;-)
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Lee's greatest fear was living
It really really was, so the symmetry/reversal in having Kara die and Lee live worked for me so well, even though I didn't see it coming until this episode. It makes me happy, despite the sorrow. I was so proud of Lee in this episode--even the part where he told Kara that things were great with Dee. I'm glad he told her. From a Lee perspective, that's growth--not just that it's true but that he's willing to tell Kara that.
It's bittersweet, after Lee finally decides to move on (and I do believe it was the best and healthiest thing for him) that's when Kara finally allows him to be someone to lean on.
Definitely! *clutches aching heart*
This isn't just the anti-shipper in me talking ;), but this may have been the happiest I've ever seen the two together. Even more so then on New Caprica where he was obviously blissfully happy for one night, but she was scared and unsure.
I completely agree. In terms of both of them being happy together, it's the one time. They're still out of synch with one another in terms of their emotions/understanding about the bigger picture (Kara's anticipating death, Lee is blind to that), but in terms of their emotions for each other, they are in synch for the first time ever. (Other than, perhaps the emotion they felt in the moments of the UB hug--which was fleeting only, since the complexities of the situation quickly rose to the surface again.) I said elsewhere, and I should say it in this post too. That as a Lee-fan (and shipper), I believed (felt!) that Kara loved Lee for the first time ever. She showed it to him more than ever before, imo. (I'm not counting here the shouting to the stars on New Caprica because the significance of that was annhiliated for Lee given what followed.)
I think Lee feared taking that from her. She'd be lost without that constant. And it most likely would have added to her feelings of being a screw up and a failure. She caved into fear. She couldn't hack it as a pilot either. What's left for her? Yeah, Lee did the right thing and I hope he can see that as well as the fact she could have pulled up and didn't.
Mmm, yes, thank you for that comment! I totally agree. Part of me wants to say that Lee will see that to some degree, given his greater emotional strength now. But I think he'll also be consumed by guilt at some stage/to some degree. But I'm feeling quite positive that it's a journey towards strength for him. This is the hardest thing they could chuck his way other than the death of his father, and if he can get through this he'll be stronger still.
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I was surprised by his honesty in regards to Dee and also surprised that I believed what he said to be true. Of course, it's important to note he stated it's the best it's ever been between them and not "I'm so in love with her!". He's settled into a comfortable relationship, but at least he's not miserable and that makes me happy.
This is the hardest thing they could chuck his way other than the death of his father, and if he can get through this he'll be stronger still.
I agree. This is going to be rough on Lee, but I think he knows if he can get through this, go on without her, that it will help make him a stronger person. And I think he's already found enough inner resolve not to fall back to thoughts of despair, death, and, well, eating. ;)
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