The spirit of the law versus the letter: Bastille Day

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

Please for give my tardiness, y'all. RL has been off the charts insane this week, and I haven't had time to devote to the meta-poetry-fic. Instead, I'm pulling a page from the eighth-grade playbook and throwing out some discussion questions.  I love this episode for many, many reasons.  (Not the least of which is the one we're looking at below.)

 

 

To the discussion!!!

Letter \ˈle-tər\ — actual terms or wording; literal meaning, as distinct from implied meaning or intent; the strict or outward sense or significance; Meaning in our case, succession of office was properly implemented—authority is just. We don’t owe the people anything else. No reason to promise anything, especially once you have the upper hand.

 

Spirit \ˈspir-ət\ — the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc.; In other words, the law must be followed, but not manipulated. Power doesn't exist to gain more power; it exists to ensure freedom and the rights of all. It means you that can't hold on to power simply for the sake of keeping order/control—even if you feel it's in the best interest of the people.

 

Be polite to all, but intimate with few.

 

Every generation needs a new revolution.

 

I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.

 

                                                                                     – Thomas Jefferson

 

 

 

Discussion questions:

 

What does a free society mean when there are only fragments of a civilization left? How does survival change the equation?

 

Did Lee make the right decision about promising the elections, especially considering what happened (and who was ultimately elected)?

 

Why do you think Starbuck insisted on going on the mission? 

 

Is Zarek a noble figure, an idealist—or merely out for himself?

 

 

Important pilot-centric shippy discussion questions:

 

Zarek has a long bit of dialogue explaining the meaning of Lee's callsign, Apollo. Lee calls it "just a stupid nickname." How does his callsign fit him (or not fit him)? 

 

Why did Kara apologize/offer the olive branch to Tigh at the end? What was she feeling guilty about? And was Tigh right that her problems are professional and not personal?

 

 

 

Really REALLY important discussion questions:

 

What the hell ever happened to Boxey?

 

Why does Lee look even hotter all beat up?


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All right, kids.  Go forth and discuss.  : )

Comments

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

You're going to hate me by the end of this post. Bastille Day brings out my "I Actually Sort Of Heart Old School" stuff. (Even though I've only seen... 5 out of 24 episodes)

I think Kara tried to make peace because... hey... when you are stuck with Tigh as your XO for the forseeable future... you might wanna make nice so that your life isn't total hell. And I mean... though he's an ass to her about it... to be fair... he tried to do the same thing at the end of the mini and she was an ass to him.

NOW. (Oh gods you brought up Boxey. I'm not going to shut up) *cracks knuckles of Old School BSG*
I just have to go into my TOS stuff right now... I know it's probably obnoxious but whatev.

Anyways... I wish something had become of Boxey. And I understand why they used him because while he wasn't "important" in the old series he was prevalent.

Story of TOS Boxey for those who want to know... Boxey was the son of a reporter from Caprica named Serina. During the first few episodes Serina and Apollo got really close (and Starbuck got really jealous)... Serina's actually pretty badass and goes from reporter to shuttle pilot to viper pilot really fast. And by episode 4 they were engaged and they got married in episode 5. (Hilariously enough... magical space marriages make them find Kobol!) And then Serina died and the last thing I saw in my viewing of TOS was tiny Richard Hatch taking tiny Boxey by the hand and calling him son. And for some reason there are officer's uniforms tiny enough to fit him... why I'll never know. Boxey also has a really freakish robot dog that freaks me out.

Also, old school related. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE EVERY SCENE WITH LEE AND ZAREK ESPECIALLY WHEN ZAREK CALLS HIM APOLLO.

ALSO LEE LOOKS HOT WHEN HE'S BEAT UP BECAUSE HE LOOKS BADASS. WHICH IS A GOOD LOOK ON HIM.

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

How much do I love that you just have us the old-school Boxey backstory??? **squishes you**

You know, it would have been so nice if we'd seen Boxey again. Really wish they would have let him hang around.

Love the new Apollo/old Apollo scenes. V. cute. : )

Badass is definitely a hot look. And being smeared with blood never hurts. (What is up with my obsession with blood?? Hee.)