Spheres of Influence

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

Pilots are wonderful together, but they are also amazing as individuals. Today, I'm thinking about how Kara and Lee influence each other to make decisions unrelated to their romance. In particular, just for an example, I'm pondering Kara's decision to retrieve the arrow. I've always believed that Lee's anger in KLG was a factor in her decision to retrieve the arrow. I know that Adama's lies about Earth were also a major factor, but I believe that Lee's rejection and anger gave her the extra kick she needed.

Thoughts on this? Also, more importantly, what other individual decisions and areas of personal growth were influenced by their interactions with each other? And if you the meta type, how did their influences on each other change the course of the series?

Some other ideas:
Lee's beliefs about the Gods/supernatural changing over the series?
Lee's ability to forgive?
Kara's beliefs in herself?
Kara's leadership fine-tuning?
Lee's thinking outside the box (maybe)?

(I'm wondering about decisions/traits not directly related to their romance, not things like marrying others or cheating, but things on a larger individual level.)

Comments

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

I think the biggest one for me is that they gave each other faith. She made him believe in the impossible, in miracles. And he made her ultimately believe in herself. He gave her the support and strength she needed to do what she had to do. <3

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

It's interesting that it took quite a few seasons for either of them to change in the ways that you mention. Early on, it seemed that they were sometimes working at cross-purposes, much more impulsive and calling each other out on things. Like you, I adore that they were able to get to the point of believing in the ways you say. (I just wish they had been able to capitalize on that growth and maturity!)

*happy sigh* I love thinking about how far they came together! <3

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

Well I think it was gradual actually. I mean you really see the culmination of it in the final season, but I think that every time Kara defied death, or pulled off some incredible thing no one else could, she made Lee a believer. (Hell, I made a video about Lee to the Smashmouth version of "I'm a believer"!)

And I think Lee gave Kara the strength all along too, especially in a professional capacity (end of Scar, telling her to get in the cockpit in The Captains Hand, the way he looks at her and says After You at the tomb in Kobol), but even in the moment where he gets her to shout her feelings for him to the stars, or to say I missed you. Does she backslide? Sure, she's human. And so does he, because they're so damn wrapped up in each other which makes everything "more complicated". But I do think it's still there deep down.

My take on their relationship (and I'm not sure how much tacit canon evidence there is for this just something I believe) is that she emboldens him and he grounds her. It's because of Kara's death that Lee finally becomes his own man and follows his heart (professionally). And with Kara, it's more of a body language thing I guess, but I feel like often his touch stills her a bit and gives her balance. Something in the way she sighs and closes her eyes every time they hug (such relief and comfort there) or collapse together (in the firing range in FoP or the ring in UB) or even gets very solemn about shaking hands. They don't always have that effect on each other, but it happens often enough and it's what rings true for me with their relationship (and I think the other stuff is just when fear--or the writers ;)--gets in the way of how they truly are and want to be).

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

SSWA. I agree with it all. Lovely and true! <3

[ddt73.livejournal.com]

I agree with Tara, Kara over the course of the series influences Lee's belief in a high power. This is no more true when she returns from the dead.

In season four they gave each other strength to do what was needed to bring humanity to their new home.

Lee in the end never treated her differently or suspiciously he believed in her most of all, even more then her husband.

Her return gave him the courage to start a new life as a politician, which leads him to eventually become president. Like he said to her "I got to do this, and even though I can't explain why, the reasons don't seem to matter any more."

Two times in season four when Kara was at her lowest (Six of One, Islanded) Lee was there to pick her up and give her renewed strength.

In season four they were really good for each other.