TVSquad

(Webisode 2) I just watched the second BSG webisode. As one commenter (Hi, JScott!) noted on my post on the first webisode just a few minutes ago, this one was shorter. But I think there was a lot going on. Remember back to Freshman College English where we found out that you can tell what characters are like from what they say/do and what other characters say about them.

It has long been said that Battlestar is an allegory for our times. Laura Roslin was compared to President George W. Bush, and even quoted him directly at times. Well, the allegory continues. New Caprica is set up like tents, and the sets definitely have the look and feel of every movie about Desert Storm I've ever seen. The New Capricans are living in Cylon-occupied territories. Sound like any other group of people living in war conditions among troops?

The opening scene is interesting because we find out from Duck that he won't join the resistance because he has other plans -- which causes Chief to say bitterly that he has a wife and child. So, what makes Duck special? Isn't it important to fight back? Well, I think one of our commenters (Hi, Akbar!) on the last post was correct: I think Duck's wife is going to die, so Duck will join the resistance. And it will have the irony of the guy who decides to start running after he has had his heart attack. And don't get me wrong -- even if that prediction proves correct, I don't think that diminishes the potential emotional impact that storyline can have.

While Chief and Jammer (Thanks, Akbar!) are talking, we also note that Jammer is filling a milk jug (water jug) from a hose. But he keeps spilling it on the ground-- gasoline. So, we know that Chief and Jammer are pretty much fixated on the resistance, and they are always doing things to fuck with the Cylons. At least, that is what I gleaned from it. Anyone?

Next, we have another reference to our own times. Jammer and Tigh argue quietly in the temple about hiding weapons there. Can you think of any other group that hides weapons in their place of worship and then asks their enemies to respect them? Jammer argues that it is sacred territory and Tigh dryly tells him to pray for forgiveness. But we get a sense then from Jammer that not only is he devotedly anti-Cylon, but he is also genuinely religious. Why would they tell us that? Because it might be important. Duck = family. Chief = resistance. Jammer = religion + resistance. Chief is notably absent from the Temple -- what is the red-headed chick's name, please? And obviously Tigh is well past salvation of any kind. Or is he?

So, a short piece, but I thought it packed its own punch.

I am wondering about the teasers they keep throwing at us too, that the humans will never be able to resist until they forgive themselves. That is interesting. If they can forgive themselves, then can they achieve some kind of redemption? Will that make them deemed more worthy of survival in the Cylons' eyes? This show has had religious threads coursing through it from the beginning. Christianity poised against paganism -- but who is the Cylons' Savior? Who will redeem them?