12 Days of Laura Roslin : Day 5
Laura Roslin is an incredible character. On her 5th day, allow me to show a few of the reasons why :)
Strength vs Weakness
Roslin: My prognosis is doubtful. I wish I could say it was the least of my worries, but the world is coming to an end and all I can think about is that I have cancer and I'm probably going to die. How selfish is that?
Billy: It's not selfish. It's human.
Laura had me at 'hello.' This was because we all see her diagnosis, know the panic she must be feeling, and in the face of that she turns and takes on the leadership of all that humanity has left. I didn't expect it, and I was so moved by how Mary played the swearing in scene, the mix of strength and terror. That moment has stayed with me for years. Her strength is not an easy strength; she has to fight for it, embodying the picture on the left while always on the edge of the picture on the right.
And, less literally, Laura is not perfect. She doesn't always have the right answer or make the right choice. She's compassionate, but doesn't always treat others with compassion. Love isn't easy for her. She's not untouchable even when she seems so; she's very human.
Hero Arc
"I have a few months to live. And in that time, I will lead the people to salvation. It is my sole purpose."
I've watched a lot of science fiction. I can honestly say that I've never, ever, seen the classic hero arc played out for a woman, much less a mature one. How many times have we heard 'it's a coming of age story, wherein [Luke, Harry, Frodo, Neo, Jake,...] realize that they are so much more, that they have a destiny. Aided by his mentor [Obi-wan, Dumbledore, Gandalf, Morpheus, Grace,...], he learns and grows, only to truly accept his role with the mentor's death. And the woman's role in all this: most often girlfriend, loving supporter of 'the one.' I can't say I donn't love this arc overall, but it was special to me to see it played out with Laura and Elosha on Kobol. It felt like a long time coming.
I also loved that Laura fought eye tooth and nail for her Presidency, willing to 'play the religious card' in order to guarantee the Fleet's future before her death. Weak and hurting, she's trudging through the rain on Kobol, never wavering. Even from her sickbay bed in Epiphanies, she is still making decisions, wielding power. And, if not for Baltar, would have died a President, too. And what a nice touch that the religious card may not have been just a card after all.
Free
"In the mountains north of here there's this little stream that comes down into this lake..."
At first I wasn't a big fan of the 'one year later' plot device; I didn't want to leave the frantic pace and action of the race from the Cylons. But when I think of Laura: cured, free, living an entire year without significant responsibility, I wouldn't have it any other way. It was a time to breathe, to flirt, to live. And the following Occupation was so kick ass and dark, bringing her right back into the fight. I love it too much.
Loved
"I don't think I've ever felt truly at home until these last few months, here, with you."
Maybe it's not a hero's end. Maybe she doesn't choose to fight for her people, her Presidency, one more time. Instead, perhaps for the first time in her life, Laura makes a decision for her. Is that weak? In the end, she dies two deaths on the show. Would we do it the same way twice? Yes, that 'blah blah' line was badly written, but the sentiment is powerful. What more do we want from her that she hasn't already given?
I love that it's Bill Adama, because here is one man whose love is not a game, it's not ambiguous or given and taken away. It's there in his every word and action toward her, constant, almost as though it could be touched. It's no secret. And I can't get over it, it means so very much to me that when Laura died, it was knowing that she was deeply loved and had loved deeply in return.
For all these reasons and more, Laura Roslin may be my most favourite female character ever.
Merry Christmas to everyone at rememberlaura!
Strength vs Weakness
Roslin: My prognosis is doubtful. I wish I could say it was the least of my worries, but the world is coming to an end and all I can think about is that I have cancer and I'm probably going to die. How selfish is that?
Billy: It's not selfish. It's human.
Laura had me at 'hello.' This was because we all see her diagnosis, know the panic she must be feeling, and in the face of that she turns and takes on the leadership of all that humanity has left. I didn't expect it, and I was so moved by how Mary played the swearing in scene, the mix of strength and terror. That moment has stayed with me for years. Her strength is not an easy strength; she has to fight for it, embodying the picture on the left while always on the edge of the picture on the right.
And, less literally, Laura is not perfect. She doesn't always have the right answer or make the right choice. She's compassionate, but doesn't always treat others with compassion. Love isn't easy for her. She's not untouchable even when she seems so; she's very human.
Hero Arc
"I have a few months to live. And in that time, I will lead the people to salvation. It is my sole purpose."
I've watched a lot of science fiction. I can honestly say that I've never, ever, seen the classic hero arc played out for a woman, much less a mature one. How many times have we heard 'it's a coming of age story, wherein [Luke, Harry, Frodo, Neo, Jake,...] realize that they are so much more, that they have a destiny. Aided by his mentor [Obi-wan, Dumbledore, Gandalf, Morpheus, Grace,...], he learns and grows, only to truly accept his role with the mentor's death. And the woman's role in all this: most often girlfriend, loving supporter of 'the one.' I can't say I donn't love this arc overall, but it was special to me to see it played out with Laura and Elosha on Kobol. It felt like a long time coming.
I also loved that Laura fought eye tooth and nail for her Presidency, willing to 'play the religious card' in order to guarantee the Fleet's future before her death. Weak and hurting, she's trudging through the rain on Kobol, never wavering. Even from her sickbay bed in Epiphanies, she is still making decisions, wielding power. And, if not for Baltar, would have died a President, too. And what a nice touch that the religious card may not have been just a card after all.
Free
"In the mountains north of here there's this little stream that comes down into this lake..."
At first I wasn't a big fan of the 'one year later' plot device; I didn't want to leave the frantic pace and action of the race from the Cylons. But when I think of Laura: cured, free, living an entire year without significant responsibility, I wouldn't have it any other way. It was a time to breathe, to flirt, to live. And the following Occupation was so kick ass and dark, bringing her right back into the fight. I love it too much.
Loved
"I don't think I've ever felt truly at home until these last few months, here, with you."
Maybe it's not a hero's end. Maybe she doesn't choose to fight for her people, her Presidency, one more time. Instead, perhaps for the first time in her life, Laura makes a decision for her. Is that weak? In the end, she dies two deaths on the show. Would we do it the same way twice? Yes, that 'blah blah' line was badly written, but the sentiment is powerful. What more do we want from her that she hasn't already given?
I love that it's Bill Adama, because here is one man whose love is not a game, it's not ambiguous or given and taken away. It's there in his every word and action toward her, constant, almost as though it could be touched. It's no secret. And I can't get over it, it means so very much to me that when Laura died, it was knowing that she was deeply loved and had loved deeply in return.
For all these reasons and more, Laura Roslin may be my most favourite female character ever.
Merry Christmas to everyone at rememberlaura!