BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: GREEK TRAGEDY IN SPACE, OR SCI-FI FAIRY TALE?
Rocketing soon toward whatever doom the Mighty Lords of Kobol fate, Battlestar Galactica has not lost any of the drama, tension, tragedy, and suspense that has marked each of its four seasons. And yet, it is just another sci-fi show--so some think. But it's not. Every once in a while a series comes along that rises above the pack. Many who read this blog know that I think Smallville is one such show. But whereas good old Clark Kent and friends are dealing with hopes, dreams and destiny issues in the passage from youth to adulthood, albeit framed by the inevitable conflict of good and evil, Admiral Adama, Lee Adama and President of the Colonies Laura Roslin up the ante and deal with the very fate of humanity, particularly exploring the question of what it means to be human. Here's the five reasons you should watch this show:
- First, its a timely epic dealing with a devastated humanity. Wiped out by the Cylons, the evil robotic enemies of man, only 40,000 humans are left on an exodus to find the true earth, home of the missing 13th tribe of humanity. Already, the religious overtones are manifest. There's a real sense that humanity might be defeated by a power greater than itself, and its search for salvation has the same desperation, angst, and haunted hope that afflicts many people today.
- Second, BSG wrestles with what makes a human being human. The Cylons question the same thing. Created by humans, they want to know if they are more than machines. In a great ironic twist, they are more believers in God, than many of the humans. No other show on television could sustain such a study of a deep subject over so many years.
- Third, we get an insight on the fact that good and evil are indeed easily perceptible, but the black and white boundaries painted in so easily in theory are often tinged with grey when they manifest themselves in reality. On the surface, BSG, might seem to be ambiguous when it comes to morality but its defense of human life (abortion is prohibited, even Cyclons are often spared) and its insistence on moral guidelines (Admiral Adama's adherence to duty and law see him through lots of ambiguity that could destroy all humans) make the show a noble exercise against relativism and for eternal concepts such as beauty, truth and justice.
- Fourth, death is constantly treated and explored as subject matter. It is close to every survivor and yet is faced and challenged. No other television show has so grittily depicted people's dealing with deaths of loved ones, terminal illness, sudden loss. There are no easy answers, but no one watching walks away without thinking about his or her ultimate destiny.
- Five, the need for hope. I add a caveat here. I give the show four grails right now[let's up that to 5 grails because of the great finale], but it is up in the air whether BSG will opt for the tragic ending or for a hope filled one. It will be a good show either way, but I betray my own bias when I say that our times need a concrete affirmation of hope. Hope that is never realized is just a pious fantasy. BSG and its characters deserve a better fate.
As a final comment, all the actors deserve major kudos, but the work of Jamie Bamber who plays Lee Adama, Edward Olmos who plays Admiral Adama and Mary McDonnell who plays President Laura Roslin is simply excellent. The Father/Son relationship (with a great theme song "Wander My Friends") is deeply explored and the growing love between the Admiral and the President reveals a deeper type of love that is possible between people than the usual "romance" angle of most entertainment today. Powerful stuff, very heavy, often dark and brooding, this is television at its best. Go enjoy.
******UPDATE:The finale has aired and, what is rare among tv series, the ending was spectacular--and hopeful!! Very beautiful denoument for all characters and for the plot. With the ending, BSG is cemented in history as one of the best stories every filmed for television.
After watching the first 6 episodes of the "final season", I've been captivated by the Admiral's ability to see the big picture, knowing that co-existence is possible, if not necessary for survival. I anticipate a final episode that will leave more questions than answers. Of course, I hope to be proven wrong.
Posted by: Mike Brehm | February 22, 2009 at 07:23 PM