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bop_radarIt is apparently my way to be intelligent about the shallow shows and shallow about the intelligent shows, so I'm just going to do lists today.
What I loved:
- a real Lee/Dualla scene, in which not only do we see that they have a genuinely endearing affectionate connection, but they are also lacking in clothing (pretty! squee!)
- all Lee/Kara interactions, complete with angst, tension, yelling, bitchiness, intense gazes, handshakes, hugs and humour ('You have a brain?')
- that the population issue was raised again (yay continuity!). The show was back to tackling difficult issues
- that Roslin took a rational decision over a religious one, showing her true nature as a politician
- that she choked on the words as she banned abortion
- Gaius and his tricksy ways! I was genuinely delighted at his return and I await the showdown with interest
- that once again Gaius's actions ultimately support the cylons in the destruction of the human race
- Lee gets command (his stunned 'I have the con' line was gorgeous)
- that Lee was all downplaying being made major at the start of the ep, but was genuinely moved by his father promoting him to Commander of the Pegasus at the end
- that Lee says command is about people, and his father validates that. I loved it because Lee's touch with people is what makes him a good commander, and he frequently underestimates his own ability but it was recognised in this scene.
What I didn't love so much:
- Sure, it's great that people actually die in BSG, but I found the Pegasus Commander a bit of a throwaway character with his whole 'machines' not 'people' thing. He wasn't around long enough to have that explored in a subtle or interesting way so it came out a bit clumsily. But he obviously had some strengths as a commander and had we seen more of him, his points could have been quite valid.
- Roslin moping over Billy. Ok, I'll come out and say it. I don't get what was so great about Billy. So I understand that Roslin feels deeply about his death, but I'm not going to enjoy her moping about it. Hopefully we won't have to see it for too long (if Lee can get over suicidal thoughts in a few months then Roslin can get over Billy's death by next ep). The new girl seems fab--way more what I would want or expect from a political aide. Where's the bad?
- (at first) that Kara and Lee hadn't talked about the shooting. But I'm only listing it to say that then I was totally won over, because it provided the wonderful scene where Lee is triggered into mentioning being shot by Kara and they both go into shock but he doesn't leave. That moment was so wonderful, it was worth the implausibility I initially felt.
- I was also going to list Lee's rapid return to perkiness, which I still have issues with. However, then I realised that this would make me an incredible hypocrite. I bitched so badly about how boring Angel's mopey/depression phase was… I can hardly complain now if the writers of BSG have decided that it doesn't make for good TV. I can, however, say that I wish they had shown us some reason for the internal shift, other than a new romantic relationship.
What I loved about Lee and Kara in this episode in a little more detail:
- the tension and distance between them when Lee comes on board the Pegasus. I love Kara's discomfort with him being there. Perhaps because I really sympathise with Kara following recent episodes, I felt I was able to see their scenes from both perspectives this week. Kara feels guilty and hides this by being resentful that Lee doesn't do more to back her up. Lee wishes he could but is trapped both by his need to be impartial as major and his own annoyance at having to fix her frak-ups again.
- Lee: 'knock off the schoolyard crap and start doing your frakking jobs' (he's so great when he cracks it, and I reckon Kara secretly likes it!)
- Kara's appeal with her eyes to Lee when she's getting yelled at by the Pegasus Commander. Lee is too hesistant with his support, attempting to dampen her down first. And of course this has the reverse affect of triggering Kara to greater insubordination in her wonderful 'I was just venting. Accurately' line. Hee!
- that Kara and Lee are so true to type in this episode: Lee toes the line, Kara breaks the rules. They're both 'right'.
- Lee walking up while Kara's doing push-ups, a great echo to the 'punching a superior asshole' scene in the miniseries. Here we go again! And sure enough, they're soon bickering again. (I just love them grr-y at each other!)
- that the little war of 'what is your problem?', which would seemingly have been aiming at a cathartic ending, ended on the startling, disconsonant note of 'you mean since I got shot?'. That scene was wonderfully played, with Lee looking almost frightened by his own words.
- I loved that Lee got Kara back where she should be (in the pilot seat) and then circumstances allowed him to be where he belongs (in command) too. Kara calling out 'I've got your back' and laughing delightedly while firing at cylons was squeefully great.
- I loved, in the final Lee-Kara scene, that it was Kara, not Lee, who was looking for some emotional resolution from their discussion. She needed to know they had their friendship intact still, and I was pleased to see it meant that much to her. Her little handshake was really cute too. And of course I loved that they just couldn't let go of each other's hands once they held on.
- I liked Lee telling Kara why he was angry for once, and admitting that it was an emotiona, illogical reaction due to his own personal projections.
- Total joy at Kara's 'you should see the way my brain works sometimes'. Hee! Yes. Poor Kara and her brain and the way it makes her think of someone else when she's trying to have sex! (not that I think that's what she was referring too, but it was cute because we've seen the quirks of Kara's brain)
- The relief at the hug and Kara easing into it and then smiling as if she can't believe her luck.
I'm looking forward to the politicking I assume we'll see in upcoming eps, and I'm glad my pilots are back how I like 'em.
What I loved:
- a real Lee/Dualla scene, in which not only do we see that they have a genuinely endearing affectionate connection, but they are also lacking in clothing (pretty! squee!)
- all Lee/Kara interactions, complete with angst, tension, yelling, bitchiness, intense gazes, handshakes, hugs and humour ('You have a brain?')
- that the population issue was raised again (yay continuity!). The show was back to tackling difficult issues
- that Roslin took a rational decision over a religious one, showing her true nature as a politician
- that she choked on the words as she banned abortion
- Gaius and his tricksy ways! I was genuinely delighted at his return and I await the showdown with interest
- that once again Gaius's actions ultimately support the cylons in the destruction of the human race
- Lee gets command (his stunned 'I have the con' line was gorgeous)
- that Lee was all downplaying being made major at the start of the ep, but was genuinely moved by his father promoting him to Commander of the Pegasus at the end
- that Lee says command is about people, and his father validates that. I loved it because Lee's touch with people is what makes him a good commander, and he frequently underestimates his own ability but it was recognised in this scene.
What I didn't love so much:
- Sure, it's great that people actually die in BSG, but I found the Pegasus Commander a bit of a throwaway character with his whole 'machines' not 'people' thing. He wasn't around long enough to have that explored in a subtle or interesting way so it came out a bit clumsily. But he obviously had some strengths as a commander and had we seen more of him, his points could have been quite valid.
- Roslin moping over Billy. Ok, I'll come out and say it. I don't get what was so great about Billy. So I understand that Roslin feels deeply about his death, but I'm not going to enjoy her moping about it. Hopefully we won't have to see it for too long (if Lee can get over suicidal thoughts in a few months then Roslin can get over Billy's death by next ep). The new girl seems fab--way more what I would want or expect from a political aide. Where's the bad?
- (at first) that Kara and Lee hadn't talked about the shooting. But I'm only listing it to say that then I was totally won over, because it provided the wonderful scene where Lee is triggered into mentioning being shot by Kara and they both go into shock but he doesn't leave. That moment was so wonderful, it was worth the implausibility I initially felt.
- I was also going to list Lee's rapid return to perkiness, which I still have issues with. However, then I realised that this would make me an incredible hypocrite. I bitched so badly about how boring Angel's mopey/depression phase was… I can hardly complain now if the writers of BSG have decided that it doesn't make for good TV. I can, however, say that I wish they had shown us some reason for the internal shift, other than a new romantic relationship.
What I loved about Lee and Kara in this episode in a little more detail:
- the tension and distance between them when Lee comes on board the Pegasus. I love Kara's discomfort with him being there. Perhaps because I really sympathise with Kara following recent episodes, I felt I was able to see their scenes from both perspectives this week. Kara feels guilty and hides this by being resentful that Lee doesn't do more to back her up. Lee wishes he could but is trapped both by his need to be impartial as major and his own annoyance at having to fix her frak-ups again.
- Lee: 'knock off the schoolyard crap and start doing your frakking jobs' (he's so great when he cracks it, and I reckon Kara secretly likes it!)
- Kara's appeal with her eyes to Lee when she's getting yelled at by the Pegasus Commander. Lee is too hesistant with his support, attempting to dampen her down first. And of course this has the reverse affect of triggering Kara to greater insubordination in her wonderful 'I was just venting. Accurately' line. Hee!
- that Kara and Lee are so true to type in this episode: Lee toes the line, Kara breaks the rules. They're both 'right'.
- Lee walking up while Kara's doing push-ups, a great echo to the 'punching a superior asshole' scene in the miniseries. Here we go again! And sure enough, they're soon bickering again. (I just love them grr-y at each other!)
- that the little war of 'what is your problem?', which would seemingly have been aiming at a cathartic ending, ended on the startling, disconsonant note of 'you mean since I got shot?'. That scene was wonderfully played, with Lee looking almost frightened by his own words.
- I loved that Lee got Kara back where she should be (in the pilot seat) and then circumstances allowed him to be where he belongs (in command) too. Kara calling out 'I've got your back' and laughing delightedly while firing at cylons was squeefully great.
- I loved, in the final Lee-Kara scene, that it was Kara, not Lee, who was looking for some emotional resolution from their discussion. She needed to know they had their friendship intact still, and I was pleased to see it meant that much to her. Her little handshake was really cute too. And of course I loved that they just couldn't let go of each other's hands once they held on.
- I liked Lee telling Kara why he was angry for once, and admitting that it was an emotiona, illogical reaction due to his own personal projections.
- Total joy at Kara's 'you should see the way my brain works sometimes'. Hee! Yes. Poor Kara and her brain and the way it makes her think of someone else when she's trying to have sex! (not that I think that's what she was referring too, but it was cute because we've seen the quirks of Kara's brain)
- The relief at the hug and Kara easing into it and then smiling as if she can't believe her luck.
I'm looking forward to the politicking I assume we'll see in upcoming eps, and I'm glad my pilots are back how I like 'em.
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no subject
Date: 2006-02-19 06:07 pm (UTC)- that Lee was all downplaying being made major at the start of the ep, but was genuinely moved by his father promoting him to Commander of the Pegasus at the end
That scene where Lee realizes it’s *all* on him was a thing of beauty. And after a moment of sheer panic, he pulls it together and saves the ship (with some assistance) from Garner. And didn’t it look like they took out a base star? Good work Lee. : )
I noticed right away that Lee’s promotion to major meant nothing to him. His reaction didn’t surprise me. I don’t think he felt he had done anything to deserve it other than survive this long. But with being promoted to Commander he knew what his accomplishments were to achieve that honor. I also think it meant more because his father admitted to him his previous failure and that he was relying on Lee to make things right for him.
Sure, it's great that people actually die in BSG, but I found the Pegasus Commander a bit of a throwaway character with his whole 'machines' not 'people' thing. He wasn't around long enough to have that explored in a subtle or interesting way so it came out a bit clumsily. But he obviously had some strengths as a commander and had we seen more of him, his points could have been quite valid.
Perhaps a better way to go would have been to have him survive, resign his commission, and go back to being chief engineer under Lee’s command. It certainly would have been an interesting dynamic to explore.
I wish they had shown us some reason for the internal shift, other than a new romantic relationship.
Agree. I can’t buy nor do I believe the relationship with Dee is the cause for Lee getting over his depression and having a renewed interest in life. It’s likely it has to do with confronting the past (the dead Caprica girlfriend, his failures) but that hasn’t been made clear at all.
Kara feels guilty and hides this by being resentful that Lee doesn't do more to back her up. Lee wishes he could but is trapped both by his need to be impartial as major and his own annoyance at having to fix her frak-ups again.
I’ve seen people comment that they were mad at Lee for not sticking up for Kara and for shouting at her. But they need to see the former from a military POV. Kara is being insubordinate. Lee is now the XO and, as such, has a duty and line he cannot cross. I think he did the best he could in a very difficult situation. No, he didn’t stand up for Kara, but he didn’t blindly follow Garner either going so far to voice his concerns when they were speaking with Adama.
Lee walking up while Kara's doing push-ups, a great echo to the 'punching a superior asshole' scene in the miniseries. Here we go again!
I didn’t think about that. Good catch!
no subject
Date: 2006-02-19 10:37 pm (UTC)Oh yes it was! LOVE I think it will go down as one of my favourite BSG moments.
I like your comment about it meaning more to Lee because his father admitted his previous failure. I hadn't thought of that part of it, but it makes total sense. I definitely saw that it meant a lot that his father was relying on him. He looked so awe-struck by that.
It's likely it has to do with confronting the past (the dead Caprica girlfriend, his failures) but that hasn't been made clear at all
No, it hasn't. Which is a pity, because they could have scripted 'Black Market' differently to work towards a catharsis for Lee on those matters, but it felt like they were trying to do too much in that ep.
I totally agree with you that Lee did his best in the circumstances of military command. He was in the command position and he needed to assert authority over her, not to mention that Garner would be justified in complaining if he displayed obvious partial treatment to Starbuck. I honestly think Starbuck knew all that as well and was just being pissy with her 'thanks Major!' lines because of her own angst. Typical Starbuck-y self-sabotage there. I could see Lee really making an effort not to piss her off completely and simply override her. He trusted her judgement because he knows her and he supported her plan. It's interesting because Garner dismissed the plan because it was Starbuck's plan but arguably Lee supported it for just the same reason. Both of them could potentially be accused of subjectivity there. It's just that Lee was right; he knows when it pays to listen to Kara.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-19 09:01 pm (UTC)I agree that Lee's depression (like Kara's drinking problem) were resolved far too easily - I don't see why those issues were raised in the first place if they were not going to have any consequences - like I said last week, it seemed to me that they could have skipped from "Epiphanies" to "Sacrifice" without missing a beat.
That said, I too loved the pilots' interactions - I think Kara almost wanted Lee to yell at her (sort of the way that he wanted to provoke her into punching him in KLG) because she needed to know how he felt about the shooting and the only way to do it was to provoke him - and then he spoke, it felt like they both wished he hadn't. I love that they're able to work past that and then end up as friends at the end. (And I totally think Kara deserved being yelled at here - her insubordinate attitude was not only putting Lee in a difficult position, it also meant her astute reading of the situation was ignored by Garner BECAUSE it came from her - and I was sad that she apparently learned nothing from having Kat mirror herself back at her.)
no subject
Date: 2006-02-19 11:00 pm (UTC)Yes, I agree that Kara was inviting the yelling. It's very Kara to do that. It's very typical of their dynamic, as you point out! They both use the provoke-the-other-to-attack mode at times. It's childish but real, and somehow very hot!
I loved that scene. I loved the fact he just stood there forever afterwards. Because you are right--they both wished he hadn't blurted it out. But he wasn't going to leave or storm off or apologise just because he had. Instead Kara turns and they look at each other so sadly and she asks if he's going to listen to her plan (that voice shake!). And we know that he will because no matter what happens between them, they need each other and their friendship to survive.
Yup--Starbuck was out of line, and I think she knew it. She was inviting trouble. As you say, it is a pity she learned nothing from Kat's mirroring. I had mixed feelings on that. At one level I could forgive her behaviour in this episode if she was reverting to old patterns because she's in a particularly angsty place right now (which seems true). But I think it's more than that--as you say, I don't think she's really reflected on her behaviour. However, at the end of the day I get so much glee from Starbuck's rebellious ways, that I would be a hypocrite if I said I really wanted her to change.
I just want to cuddle both of them! They are too cute and great!
no subject
Date: 2006-02-20 12:48 am (UTC)I too was a little annoyed at Lee's sudden attitude adjustment but that's the way I like him so I just shrugged it off.
Like I told my friend, keep blowin up stuff and Lee shirtless and I'll be a happy girl.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-20 02:57 am (UTC)Yeah, I can shrug off the Lee attitude adjustment, though I dislike the show being less than perfect for a change. Still, you are right that we really CAN'T be unhappy about shirtless Lee, explosions and so on!