Another season of Battlestar Galactica is now in the books, and for better or worse it had a lot of people talking. The finale threw us a surprise that I don't believe very many people saw coming, and really changed the nature of the series. In my view, I think it changed for the better, because it has made possible so many more scenarios that should keep BSG on for as long as the ratings say it is worth it. Some wondered how such a big change could happen, but it shouldn't come as a shock. We've been told the Cylons have a plan, and we now have an idea of just how that plan is going to affect us.
The finale was 90 minutes long, and although it rambled around a bit in the middle, it ended with something that should be worth at least three more seasons worth of conflict. First, we should tidy up some of the minor details from last episode like that whole thing with Cally and Tyrel. I have always thought that the two of them should get together; you could see how much she loved him, even if he didn't return the favor. After speaking with the Chaplain, Tyrel got up the courage to come and apologize to Cally while she was still in the hospital. He is almost embarrassed at how easily Cally forgives him. And even though her face is smashed and you can barely hear the words, she says that she has always cared about him, and always will. I know this was supposed to be a touching moment, but it was a little too battered wife syndrome for me. I happen to agree with Cally when she says that she knew that the Chief wasn't himself at the time, but I would think she would have been at least semi-hesitant at the reunion.
As it turns out, the centurions never came. After waiting a day, it seemed as if the Cylons were never going to come, and after sending out a small recon party, it looked as if the Cylons just up and left. Everybody was so happy, including the Dean Stockwell character, who appeared out of nowhere saying, "Praise the Gods!" and led everybody in prayer. As soon as we saw Dean Stockwell, we all knew there would be trouble. There was a Dean Stockwell on Galactica as the Chaplain, so if there is a Dean Stockwell on Caprica, that means that he is a Cylon, and the disappearance of the enemy at this critical time should cause some suspicion. I would have thought that these people would have noticed when some random old guy comes out of nowhere and starts praying. If he had already infiltrated the resistance base camp, you would think that their guerilla attacks would be less successful. But I guess since Sharon didn't tell Helo that he was a Cylon, things must have seemed OK.
Returning to Galactica, it seemed like things couldn't be going any better. Starbuck was back from an impossible mission with actual survivors. Sure there was an election coming up that held the fate of civilization in the balance, but the fact that they were able to come back from Caprica alive and that the Cylons basically capitulated despite overwhelming odds that they would be victorious was quite the morale booster. That was until Tyrel saw Dean Stockwell, jumped on him, and accused him of being a Cylon. Most people thought that the Chief had just gone crazy again, but when the Dean Stockwell said, "Well, actually, I am a Cylon and I have message. Uh, take me to your leader", the mood changed. Dean Stockwell was thrown in the brig, and so was Sharon.
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Comments (8)
Why why did everyone roll over for Baltar so easily? What happened to the military ignoring the President because they have the guns? I think the "new" plot is great, but...Roslyn and Adama might have let Baltar win if it was just a question of his bad judgement and the tendency to talk to himself. But if they suspected he was in league with the cylons? NO WAY. They should have spent more time developing this situation and less time being all character developmenty the last few episodes.
1 of 8 | Posted by tiffany
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Posted on March 15, 2006 6:10 PM
My BSG watching buddy and I had mixed feelings about this finale. She didn't like the end so much but I thought it was cool. We both thought the first hour was kind of lame.
Velma from scooby do (Cally) is an idiot. I would have beat the crap out of her too. Rolled my eyes big time at her little 'shut the frack up!'
The cylons jumping out scared the crap out of me. I think this new storyline could be very cool. And for the rest of the weekend, all through the big east tournament while the Cuse rocked it, I kept repeating to myself Starbuck's awesome mantra: "we fight till we can't fight any more."
She is so badass.
2 of 8 | Posted by Leah3t
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Posted on March 15, 2006 6:59 PM
After a very uneven season this finale was just what the show needed. Some real movement of the main plot line. Loved the shots of the Cylon craft filling the skys and the Cylon soldiers marching down the streets. Sent chills up my spine. I can't wait to see how the humans get out of this next season.
3 of 8 | Posted by Erazrhead
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Posted on March 15, 2006 7:00 PM
I loved the ending. I thought it was great. It gave me the chills and it made me think of sci-fi shows and movies I grew up with. Those cylons soldiers scare the crap of me. One thing I liked was the fact that they gave Baltar the election and they didn't fight it. It seemed like the crew was just weary and to me it made sense. Although, throwing the election was kinda lame in the first place. I loved the whole shift of the show when Gina blew up Cloud 9. At first, I wasn't sure if she did it to complete her mission or not. I thought that was the best part of the episode. Because they had added more episodes to this season it was kinda weak but I have renewed faith in season 3.
4 of 8 | Posted by nancydrew77
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Posted on March 15, 2006 7:46 PM
It wasn't just a few ships that left. The entire fleet jumped. That was at least a dozen ships. It will be interesting having the leadership split between the ground resistance and the cavalry trying to run the Cylon blockade.
The only thing I would have loved was for Roslin to walk into that office and slap the shit of Baltar. With that cold look she has when she's goin' head up with somebody. I really needed her to Mary Sue my outrage.
This change could bring a fascinating new dynamic to the show. We'll at least get more outdoor stuff instead of being on the ship or in the sun-soaked memories of the leads.
Gina did what she was programmed to do. What's great is that the infiltration units don't know what they're programmed to do a la original Galactica Boomer sabotaging the ship. They just do it. She was never meant to resurrect. She was meant to hook up with Baltar and ensnare him further. Where is Breeder Boomer now?
I'm interested in Leoben arriving and going straight for Starbuck. That must be the downloaded version of the one they beat up and threw out the airlock. Methinks there's some reciprocal torture in Starbuck's future. Or worse - she'll be forced to have his baby. I think Leoben probably killed Anders.
Whatever does Tom Zarek think of things now? Did the prisoners have to go back into their cells when they settled on New Caprica, to finish their sentences?
That last shot of Cally, Tyrol and Starbuck...that's what it's all about. "Fight 'em until we can't."
Someone please slap the shit out of Baltar!
5 of 8 | Posted by Lady J
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Posted on March 15, 2006 9:25 PM
So I have to ask: does anyone have a coherent idea what the Cylon "plan" is or was?
If it was to breed with humans, why were they trying to destroy the fleet for so long. Seems sort of counter-productive.
If the plan has something to do with the new baby, again, why were they trying to destroy the fleet and risk killing the baby?
6 of 8 | Posted by Soriner
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Posted on March 15, 2006 9:52 PM
OH. MY. FRAKKING. KOBOL GOD!
I Tivo the finale but set my timer for 1 hour. So when I watched it, I thought the episode ended when Baltar told Adama to jump the fleet to New Caprica. And then the show went to commercial and I thought it was the end and I hate credits so I just stopped the Tivo. I was like... that was so anti-climatic and the nuclear bomb didn't even get mentioned... I bet the guys at TVGasm might have a few words for this finale...
So I started reading it and it mentioned it was 90 minutes... surely it had to be wrong. It was an hour... and then I read about Cloud 9 blowing up and I was like WHAT? So I got a hold of the episode and just watched the last 30 minutes... I was just in shock the whole entire time. It had to be some sick dream... some alternate reality. Definitely a SHOCK. Really great stuff when you find out it wasn't so "anticlimatic." :)
7 of 8 | Posted by Double L
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Posted on March 16, 2006 4:16 AM
I liked the season finale since it took the show to new territory. Somewhat like tiffinay I find it surprising that Baltar was allowed to win. Admiral Adama never completely trusted him I find it surprising that he allowed him to claim victory especially considering Baltar did not contest the results.
I found Admiral Adam’s sudden adherence to the rule of law surprising considering he had no problem arresting Roslin when she stepped out of line and he had even less of a problem plotting the assassination of his superior officer Admiral Cain which is clearly against any civilian or military law.
In my opinion the civil government should have been tolerated as a useful control mechanism over the civilian population of the fleet, but should have never been given the authority to decide such weighty matters as colonization.
Further colonization would have never happened if Admiral Cain had lived. I believed that she had the right attitude when it came to the Cylons, there can be no peace. Admiral Cain was a leader of vision and Starbuck’s words were right the fleet was a lot less safe with her gone.
Gleaning from the next seasons previews it appears that the Cylon plan is to allow the humans to live but to rule over them to ensure their “protection�. The Cylons have always acted with an attitude of superiority when dealing with the humans and like a maturing child they have decided than they will run the show, though force.
I look forward to the new season.
8 of 8 | Posted by sheridan75
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Posted on March 16, 2006 8:38 PM