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

[thrace-adama.livejournal.com]

How does survival change the equation?

I love that this was one of the show's biggest issues early on. "Captain's Hand" was the ep that made me think about this topic the most in BSG, but of course I like that Lee introduces it here. 'Cause while survival *has* to change the equation by its very nature, I get the sense that Lee would agree that you should try to make sure it changes as little as possible (sticking to the spirit of the law). Because otherwise, what have you got when the world rights itself again?

I'll add my voice to those who've already professed the opinion that yep, Lee was absolutely right to insist on those elections. I just think it was a shame that, in the end, it was all for naught. Because obviously RDM thought that government, along with technology, was eeeevil. *is still bitter*

I've always liked the idea that Starbuck volunteers for those missions (Sacrifice being another example, obviously) because she wants to have Lee's back. But okay, I can also admit that part of it's probably just that she always wants to be in on the action.

Whether Zarek had the right intentions or not, I'd agree with Dualla on this one: the moment he blew up a government building, he became a terrorist, pure and simple. After New Caprica, I started liking Zarek more, thinking he'd learned how to go about things the right way. But then the mutiny happened and now I'm back to thinking he was in it for the glory the whole time. Which is sad, since I think Hatch did a good job of developing Zarek as a character you really couldn't get a handle on either way (something I liked).

Apollo's callsign is love. Certainly it's fitting in that he is the son of the fleet's zeus, and in the fact that he is indeed a hunter. Furthermore, I think most of us agree that, superficially, he is quite deserving of the "sun god" title. Yum. Then there's the fact that, according to Wikipedia's article on him (*g*), "Apollo became associated with dominion over colonists, and as the patron defender of herds and flocks." Interesting... Of course, the biggest reason I really like that callsign for Lee is that he's brother to Artemis--it's weird (and disturbing if I really think about it, lol), but I love all the fanon comparisons between Kara/Lee and Artemis and Apollo.

Lee looks even hotter when he's bloody simply because it's evidence of Alpha!Lee. And there's no topping that, in my book... Yowza.