The Lyre and the Bow (Apollo Choosing Sides)

[dionusia]

I'm continuing the rewatch discussion with some thoughts on Lee's role as intermediary between the civilian and military powers in both the Miniseries and "Bastille Day." I hope this will eventually connect to my planned meta on Lee's arc in season 4 (as requested by siljamus), as it concerns his early support for the democratic system, and where he gives

Comments

[katiebugs18]

Great meta. If you think about it Lee pretty much ensured that the fleet remained a democracy. Had Lee not demanded the fleet follow colonial law, had he not made that bargain with Zarek, it's quite probable democracy as a form of government would have crumbled.

You say that had Laura not abided by colonial law her base of support would have crumbled but who would have challenged her? Who really would have stood up and held her to those laws? Given Roslin's pragmatism it's easy to see her temporarily suspending Adar's term limit and - because Laura does believe in democracy - sincerely promising to hold elections once the crisis was over and the fleet was stable enough to handle a transfer of power. But who would get to say the crisis was over? Adama? He ends up supporting her. The Quarum? While they might have tried did they really have enough power or support to make that happen?

And while one can argue that Roslin would have been right to take such measures, especially considering what happens when Baltar becomes president (whether he made the right decision is another debate), it very likely could have meant the end of democracy for the fleet.

Lee's insistence that Adama and Roslin abide by colonial law arguably secured the fleets survival by preventing anarchy and dictatorship.

Looking forward to your next meta. And I'm so loving Lee Love Week! :)

[dionusia]

You say that had Laura not abided by colonial law her base of support would have crumbled but who would have challenged her? Who really would have stood up and held her to those laws?

I think Lee's concern is that they already have people standing up and questioning why she should be in charge (or maybe I should say 'still'). The shock of the inital attacks is wearing off now. Zarek already made broadcast and pointed out that no one elected her, so the danger is that everyone would realize that there's no reason she should be in charge, and that the old laws don't apply any longer. In a lawless situation the fleet could easily tear itself apart with infighting and chaos. Lee wasn't certain that Roslin's government would face rebellion or anarchy, but I think he was trying to guard against that possibility.

Roslin's position early on is quite tenuous, too--lots of people, even Tigh and Adama, still think of her as a trumped-up schoolteacher who's out of her league, and the civilian government only exists because Adama allows it to exist.

Given Roslin's pragmatism it's easy to see her temporarily suspending Adar's term limit and - because Laura does believe in democracy - sincerely promising to hold elections once the crisis was over and the fleet was stable enough to handle a transfer of power. But who would get to say the crisis was over? Adama? He ends up supporting her. The Quarum? While they might have tried did they really have enough power or support to make that happen?

Interesting question! I think the post-NC Roslin could have pulled off a suspension of elections move, but I wonder if people would have been willing to go along with it early on. But no Quorum existed yet, and Adama wouldn't like dealing with the fleet himself, so she might have been able to pull it off. Not that I think that would have been a good thing -- I'm all about checks and balances, because I don't really trust anyone, no matter how awesome, to rule well without them.

I'm glad you are enjoying the Lee fest! I have way too much meta going on, but fortunately there have been lots of other fun things too. :)