DPP: Pilots and PapAdama....... (a.k.a. We Are Family)

[winegums.livejournal.com]

Today's DPP is something that I'd be willing to bet all of us have thought about at some point or other: the fact that Bill Adama sees both Lee and Kara as his children. He can also clearly be a (inadvertent) source of friction between the two of them, given that in their very first scene together in the miniseries, he was the first thing they argued about - but what impact does he have on the way Lee and Kara relate to each other?




In canon, PapAdama seems to be completely unaware of the fact that Lee and Kara have a connection that's more than just platonic or familial, especially since they often act like siblings when they're around him. (see below: it's rather telling that Kara is the one who knows the story and not Lee).


On the other hand, pilots in canon seem to see their relationship with each other - and especially the romantic part of it - as completely separate from their relationship with Bill. (sample: in UB and also afterward, neither of them brings up his reaction as a possible obstacle to them getting together). So how do you see them, shippers?

Comments

[winegums.livejournal.com]

Oh I don't know, he can be pretty blind (cheerfully informing Lee of Kara's wedding? And not noticing that your son looks like he's had his heart ripped out and is watching the still-beating remains be torn to bits?). I suppose the mitigating factor is that he was still stoned/drunk from the previous night.

[useyourlove.livejournal.com]

I always thought that he knew. He knows pretty much everything that goes on on his ship. And he regularly sends in Lee when Kara is misbehaving (like when Lee gets sent to Pegasus specifically because Kara is acting up. There are so many other ways to deal with that situation, but instead he chooses "send Lee." And the way she's acting in "Sacrifice" and he's basically like "shooting the man you love is enough punishment so just let us handle this now.") But then that scene in UB where he tells Lee she got married and then doesn't even react when Lee looks like he's about to die? That always confused the bejesus out of me. He had to be stoned out of his mind, I swear.

Anyway, the Adamas+Kara+Roslin is one of my favorite parts of this show. I could spew meta about them for days.

[winegums.livejournal.com]

I wish I could read it the same way - he's certainly well aware that they have an unparalleled connection as best friends and as family, but about their not-so-platonic feelings? He really doesn't seem to notice that they have them. Or at least if he does, it's never acknowledged onscreen. PapAdama knows that his kids are the best remedy for each other, that's for sure, but it doesn't help that every time they're around him together they automatically seem to switch to sibling mode. Sometimes I think he just doesn't want to notice or acknowledge it.

And I would LOVE to read meta about my favourite dysfunctional space family (tied with the crew of Serenity for that spot). They can be so amazing together.

[useyourlove.livejournal.com]

Well, now I'm reminded of when she dies and Lee is halfway to complete meltdown just like "You have no idea!" and PapAdama is like "Do you think yours is deeper?" and I'm like "um... yeah, it kind of is since he was 100% wrapped up in her in every way possible." I don't know, it's so confusingly inconsistent sometimes with the acknowledging and the not acknowledging. It seems like everyone on the ship knows. Everyone. And half the people in the fleet. So how he could not know is beyond me. But yeah, maybe he does and just doesn't want to acknowledge it.

I adore the concept of "nakama" or having a found "One True Family." Even though there are some blood relations in this one, the fact that the two actually related people are the most dysfunctional part of the family makes it all the more interesting.

[winegums.livejournal.com]

I could come around to the pov that PapAdama knew about them if he had even one moment like Roslin's vision of the two of them hugging by her deathbed. Or something. But yes, it's something the whole ship seems to know and no one dares to inform him of (including his own XO!). Which ---> more head-in-the-sand for PapAdama.


"One True Family." ....[]......., the fact that the two actually related people are the most dysfunctional part of the family makes it all the more interesting.

Oh YES, me too. Though arguably everyone in the BSG fam is dysfunctional on some level, Lee and PapAdama have just been that way for the longest time.

[useyourlove.livejournal.com]

Oh, Roslin knows from Lee's frustrated phone conversation in "Act of Contrition" on. You can just see her face like "oh... well, ok then. There's plenty going on there." I'm still convinced Adama knows. And even if he doesn't, I don't think he'd have a terrible reaction to the news if he ever found out. Although if he knew just how far back their relationship went he might get a little upset.

[winegums.livejournal.com]

Oh, by S4 he could probably deal with knowing if he noticed. And I want him to notice, but just don't see any sign that he did.

Laura... has been a politician for years and knows how to read people, so I am not at all surprised that she sussed them out, especially since she doesn't know their history before getting the cliffnotes version from Tigh :)

[zenzero42.livejournal.com]

I think that exactly the exchange "don't you dare quantify my loss, Do you think yours is deeper?" is one of the proofs that Adama knows.

he lost a daughter, and Lee is suggesting that Adama doesn't feel a strong pain!!! what is worst: to lose a daughter or the love of your life? I think are both unbearable.
and Adama never said "mine is worst", but only, and he is damn right, "don't you dare to think that your is worst".

[useyourlove.livejournal.com]

I think that's a really good point that they both have to deal with unbearable loss in this situation so they resort to shouting at each other. Emotional Lee just feels extra pounds of guilt, I think, for turning the tables on her and shoving her away when she had finally decided to open up to him. And Lee (being Lee) probably feels completely responsible for her death. So he can't let it go. I really just want to write post-Maelstrom fic now, where Lee suddenly understands Kara's guilt over Zak.