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Battlestar Gallactica season 3 opener


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In an episode that can only be dubbed the best episode of the best show currently on TV, last night's premiere proved that good sci-fi has nothing to do with science fiction. Let's list the topics addressed on this sobering, unreal, impressive, and mind-blowing episode: the politics of suiciding bombing (from the debate about its effectiveness, usage, acceptance to its reaction), holocaust-style stormtroppers killing their own kind, trusting the enemy, torture, rape - physical and emotional, obsecity, guilt, conflict of two very different religions, the price of freedom, the rationalization of death and, hope.

That sounds more like Iraq and Afganistan than New Caprica, the barely hospitable planet that the humans relocated to under the imept leadership of lame-duck President Baltar. For those of you who are not followers of BG, here is a brief BG 101: The humans created Cylon robots to do their chores but the Cylons evolved, rebelled and killed all but 40,000 humans in the galaxy. The remaining rag-tag fleet, lead by the only surviving member of the government, secretary of education Roslin, and the head of the military, Admiral Odama left their old home in search for a new home, Earth. The journey was not without its hicups as the Clyons were constantly one their tail and the humans had to rebuild society, the political appartus, and adjust to the new, post 9/11 normal of contanst threats from a cunning enemy of their own creation. Along the way, relationships were formed and this highly political, highly sensitive show addressed the very nature of the human condition. When it was believed that the Cylon threat was over the humans got a bit too comfortable. Upon discovering a new planet, a wave of defeatism swept over the population and they chose between two missions - colonozing New Caprica or contining the mission in the sterile, smelly, stale star ships towards Earth. This became the primary election issue and pro-colonization, clyon collaborator, Dr. Baltar, won the election and began colonizing the planet. This left the head of the military and some other ships in orbit while everyone else struggled with the harsh reality of starting over, again. The military lost its edge and when the Cylons returned they were forced to abandon the humans on the planet below and fly off to safety. Left defenseless, the Cylons conquered New Caprica and vowed to find a way to promote peaceful co-existence under their dictatorship. The cost of this co-existence, the spread of the Cylon religious orientation and the complete conversion of all the humans who have their own very different beliefs.

In essence, the Cylon bad guys are the American invasion forces and the humans are the Iraqis. Our currently world spun on its head. When the season starts out, the occupied humans resort to drastic measures in the forms of an insurgency. Under the defense of freedom fighting, the insurgents begin a series of suicide bombings that not only target Cylons but also innocent humans. The moral ambiguity of war is ripped even wider. The Cylons, who can't die, are noticably shaken which only reassures the insurgents that this new tactic is worthwhile. However, the reaction of the Cylons is cruel and swift. They reduce what freedoms the humans have left by closing the market, interning hundreds of innocents and coercing the president to sign an execution order, all the show the insurgents their motives are costly. In the end, former President Roslin is rounded up and shuttled to a rock quary where Cylon robots open fire, presumably killing her and the hundreds of other detainees. Meanwhile, the military fleet wrestles with its degree of preparedness and decides now is the time to go back and mount an impossible rescue. The irony isn't lost on the audience or the characters. Surely, this rescue mission is a suicide mission itself.

It was frack'n unbelievable.

The only thing that would be more unbelievable would be the absence of this show on the Emmy and Golden Globe ballot. Indeed, anything shy of a best drama win for both award shows is an injustice.

This isn't your typical science-fiction. It isn't really fiction at all.

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It's a hard show to understand but I'm trying. I started watching for Lucy Lawless but trying to understand the show in general. Like people get shot and then come back and then there are two of the same people? somewhat confusing haha

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Human Cylons can die, download their consciousness into another body, and continue on. Think of them as the human Borg from Star Trek: TNG.

A wonderful season premiere. Starbuck as a mother? History repeating itself. Now, the question with her is: will she be a good mother or a bad one, like her own mother?

Lee looked just horrible. He really needs to get his head back into the game if the human race is going to survive.

I just don't see how Adama is going to rescie 45,000 people from the surface. I also hope Balter is shot before this show runs its course. That man deserves it for everything he's done.

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Amazing. The Adamas and Tigh rescued 45,000 people and lost the Pegasus. What an amazing show. I felt so sorry for Starbuck. She wanted to be a mother so bad, and almost broke down when she realized that he had lied to her. And Saul, who had to kill his wife, whom he loved so much. The family is back together, but man do they have some work to do.

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The last episode was very dark but so well done. I am loving the themes of this year. They are definately not shying away from consequences. I prefer Roslin's version of moving forward opposed to Tom Skerricks but I understand where the circle was coming from. I'm glad that Gaeda made it through.

I doubt things will ever get back to normal inside Galactica. We still haven't had a scene between Starbuck and Apollo nor have we had a true tender moment between Adama and Roslin. Two things that I'm waiting anxiously forward... and I am probably in the minority, but man do I love Baltar. That actor and character are each so intriguing and engaging. I wonder if he'll be farmed to produce more hybrid babies with 6 (lucky guy) or if he'll be tortured to no end.

Next week's episode promises to be another amazing addition. Looks like the Humans will have to wrestle with their demons some more when they stumble upon a broken and battered Cylon basestar. Its gonna be frack'n good.

(Can we say frack on SON or is the censored too?)

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