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

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

That whole scene just never made any sense to me. Tight's quote is dumb, and I don't understand Kara's motivation for going there. She seems to have had some sort of ephiphany, but it's not colear what sparked it. All we've seen is the resolution of the hostage situation-- is that what caused the change of heart? How? Why? Why this need to apologize and make up with Tigh? Just comes out of nowhere for me.

And Tigh's line-- perhaps it was meant to mess with her... as her professional life is often the only things Kara's got together. Maybe he was just takign a shot at what she prides her self on.

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

I actually thought the fact that she goes to him with water (instead of alcohol) was her trying to make peace in her awkward way and to try to suggest he stop drinking. The "Yup and there's plenty more where this came from" was I thought the impetus of the scene...which would probably make more sense if this was at the end of WATER and not Bastille Day. Go figure.

Yeah, he could be doing that, but the line has still always bugged, because usually when the show tries to make a character statement like that ("You're fine with the dead guys..." or "You're a serial contrarian...")it's earnestly meant.

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

But why? Why the sudden change of heart and wanting to make up? It seems like something should ahve triggered it-- some realization in her own life.

True. Our little show's strength does not lie in subtlety. ; )

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing it's because he sticks up for her to Adama to let her go on the mission. Adama says Leave it to the marines and she says I'm the best shot in or out of the cockpit and Tigh says she's right and then Adama gives in.
So maybe that was enough.


See, we say that a lot, but I don't know. One of the things I loved about early BSG is that they never did lay all the cards out on the table. (Esp. between Kara and Lee. Their exchanges were all about the subtext.)