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no_takebacksPlease 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. : )
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no subject
Date: 2009-07-29 02:43 pm (UTC)You know I totally agree with Lee in this - either they are a sociey abiding by the people run and established government or they aren't. At this point, neither Adama nor Roslin is willing to appear less than democratic. They want the power of a dictatorship they just don't want anyone to call them on it and Lee effectively throws it in their face and forces them to choose.
And why do people think that things would have been better if Roslin The Hallucinating Despot was still in charge? They may not have settled on New Caprica, but then they would have been wandering around with a finite set of supplies. Or she would have let the cylons kill them all, thus ending all but 1000 people if they had decided to settle on New Caprica. There is no evidence that life would have been better under Roslin.
The Tigh/Kara scene is a bit of a nonsequitor. But I think it's funny that those two are calling each other on how bad the other one is. The irony is enjoyable.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-29 09:28 pm (UTC)It's moments and ideas like this that make me *kinda* wish sometimes we could have seen the perspectives of the regular citizens from time to time, beyond their dull, dull reps in the quorum. But no, we get Saggiterean flu outbreaks and xenophobic doctors.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-29 11:39 pm (UTC)I think that's one of the reasons (among many) that I was drawn to Lee, because he seemed to be the only main character who gave a rat's ass about anything outside of Colonial One and Galactica. The actual well-being of the people were incidental to everyone else, ships to track on a dradis screen, a number to edit on a whiteboard. I'm not saying he was always thinking of others, because he definitely was not, but at least he thought about consequences for everyone, not just the military and Roslin's pack of of merry synchophants.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-29 11:54 pm (UTC)According to EGO, they are planning more spin off flicks; I wonder if the mutiny will get further development after the fact. Not that it matters or interests me (because the actors/characters I care about watching have most assuredly moved on from BSG) but when you mentioned the mutiny that popped into my head. It was certainly a hot potato of a dropped storyline, and an interesting one at that. So much potential.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 12:02 am (UTC)Maybe they should do a spin off from Black Market where's Lee's supporting the working boys too. He believes in equal opportunity. . .
no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 12:47 am (UTC)In a similar vein, I would also love to read a WWII BSG AU. I know Sept 11 is the noted historic parallel for BSG, but WWII makes perhaps more sense to me. Or maybe I'm projecting my fascination for that era's culture. Idk, Idk.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 02:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-29 11:55 pm (UTC)I love you guys so freaking much.
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Date: 2009-07-30 12:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 02:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 04:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 01:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 03:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 03:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 03:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 03:47 pm (UTC)That is one classic that should be left alone. Lawrence Olivier IS Zeus, dammit!
no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 12:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 03:29 pm (UTC)