Caprica and Breaking Bad

[inverarity]

Caprica has returned. I'm still following it and it seems to have potential, but the way they've screwed with the schedule, I don't expect it to last much longer.

Comments

Atheist tropes

[anthonyjfuchs]

"'Grilled Cheesus'...hit all the usual stupid tropes about atheists."

I enjoyed hearing Kurt say that he couldn't make himself believe something he didn't believe. I've argued that many times, and it was nice to hear someone else say it (even in a fictional context).

It was also nice to hear Sue say that her realization that there was nothing receiving her prayers as a child was not a result of her sister's condition not improving (which made me think, of course, of whywontgodhealamputees.com), but as a result of seeing no change in the awful behavior of the people who tormented her sister because of her condition (as a child, she prayed for people to stop making fun of sister, not for her sister to get better, after all).

I also liked that Sue called religion immoral for trying to force false hope on children, and that she answered the charge that skepticism is "arrogant" by saying that it is no more arrogant than claiming to have direct line to a supernatural authority and insisting that others who refuse to take your word for it will suffer an eternity of inconceivable torment.

In short, I rather liked the episode, despite my annoyance at the theistic characters for insisting on forcing their superstitions on the nonbeliever (but that's true to life, ain't it?). Just a matter of personal taste. I will say, however, that I was nervous throughout the hour that I was being set up for the disbelieving characters to experience some kind of "epiphany" or "revelation" that would instigate a journey toward belief. Particularly Kurt, given his vulnerability as a teenager still trying to understand his own identity. Sue I wasn't too worried about.

Re: Atheist tropes

[inverarity]

It was a lot better than it could have been (like you, I was dreading the inevitable "epiphany"). Still, I thought there was an awful lot of the old "Atheists are just angry at God because he didn't give them what they wanted."

Also, Kurt's friends really should have been called out on their little prayer circle, and while I can see Kurt softening a little towards Mercedes, I think her talking him into going to church with her with self-centered on her part and unlikely on his part.

And while I certainly believe Sue as an atheist, I was kind of groaning that all the best atheist lines were put in the mouth of the most unsympathetic and nasty character on the show.