BSG Ramble...
I am as giddy at the prospect of Battlestar Galactica tomorrow, as it's possible to be.
And this made me think about something in particular about BSG (triggered in part by queenofthorns' marvelous post here).
I love Season 4's premiere and I did love season 3, so I clearly don't mind the 'mystical destinies' story-turn (especially since it seems pre-programmed, not some sort of magic), but I do think Season 1 is my very favorite because it was so 'everyday' in its post-apocalypse. These people didn't survive because they had special destinies, were hidden Cylons or what not. There really was no sense in who made it or didn't. Galactica just happened to be a decrepit, soon-to-be decomissioned antiquated ship, and even the presence of Boomer didn't make it special (with tons of hidden Cylons around, some would bound to be placed on Battlestars). There was no rhyme or reason who survived and all these thoroughly ordinary people had to rise to the occasion or fail to do so. In a way, despite often being heroic, they were the people the usual heroic fantasy/scifi narrative leaves behind, the one the hero briefly passes on his way to special destiny, as they try to function in a mad world.
It really did address what an average, 'un-special destiny' person would do in an unimaginable situation. They could have been anyone and they happened to be them. In a way, seeing that there is some sort of special desitny for survivors, some of them are prophesied leaders or what-not, makes it less relatable and interesting. Less 'everyperson.' Less 'how will they get water? How will a person react in an unfamiliar situation' and more mytharc. There is nothing wrong with that, and it obviously makes compelling TV (I love BSG) but I do miss that 'they are not different from us' aspect. It makes it more fictiony and less real.
Part of the reason I love Lee so is it seems he is still not connected to any mythical destiny stuff.
Does this even make sense?
And this made me think about something in particular about BSG (triggered in part by queenofthorns' marvelous post here).
I love Season 4's premiere and I did love season 3, so I clearly don't mind the 'mystical destinies' story-turn (especially since it seems pre-programmed, not some sort of magic), but I do think Season 1 is my very favorite because it was so 'everyday' in its post-apocalypse. These people didn't survive because they had special destinies, were hidden Cylons or what not. There really was no sense in who made it or didn't. Galactica just happened to be a decrepit, soon-to-be decomissioned antiquated ship, and even the presence of Boomer didn't make it special (with tons of hidden Cylons around, some would bound to be placed on Battlestars). There was no rhyme or reason who survived and all these thoroughly ordinary people had to rise to the occasion or fail to do so. In a way, despite often being heroic, they were the people the usual heroic fantasy/scifi narrative leaves behind, the one the hero briefly passes on his way to special destiny, as they try to function in a mad world.
It really did address what an average, 'un-special destiny' person would do in an unimaginable situation. They could have been anyone and they happened to be them. In a way, seeing that there is some sort of special desitny for survivors, some of them are prophesied leaders or what-not, makes it less relatable and interesting. Less 'everyperson.' Less 'how will they get water? How will a person react in an unfamiliar situation' and more mytharc. There is nothing wrong with that, and it obviously makes compelling TV (I love BSG) but I do miss that 'they are not different from us' aspect. It makes it more fictiony and less real.
Part of the reason I love Lee so is it seems he is still not connected to any mythical destiny stuff.
Does this even make sense?