The only thing that keeps going through my head is "Jeez, we have to wait until JANUARY!?" I am sure many of you are thinking the same thing.
I could really feel this show pulling me in two different directions. On the one side is the Galactica with its happy go lucky atmosphere where everyone stays true to the idealistic views of duty and honor and family. On the other side is the Pegasus where a good Cylon is a dead Cylon, everything is black and white and the ends always justify the means. It is interesting that all this time, we thought we had an accurate picture of what a post-holocaust survival situation would be like. We didn't realize what was missing until the Pegasus showed up.
I like this episode because it feels real in a way that none of the episodes have. The Pegasus is a ship that we wish in our heart of hearts never exists... but we know that it does... and a part of us wants to forgive them because in the end every Cylon deserves what they are getting. Remember that little girl playing with her doll in the mini-series? The one in the ship that gets left behind and a missile slams into it as the fleet jumps away? The Cylons killed her... they killed everyone on that ship. Remember those nuclear warheads going off on Capirca?
The Pegasus is like Col. Jessep from a few good men:
"Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You?... I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to."
Metaphor and analogy aside, I guess I am saying that in a fully rational world, I can understand the role that Admiral Cain and the Pegasus play. They are the dirty side of war... the harsh... cruel... dehumanizing side... and although a part of me deep down wants them to exist... I really, really hate them for it.
That is what stands out to me the most... how much I just despise Admiral Cain and everyone on board the Pegasus. In the episode Final Cut we saw a nice little propaganda film put together that showcased the nobility of the Galactica crew. I am sure you could make an identical video about the Pegasus... about the hundreds of Raiders they have destroyed... the countless sacrifices they have made. Everyone on that ship is equally a person... with a history... a family... Like the Galactica they are doing their job against hopeless odds. They thought they were the last ship in the fleet and yet they continued to fight (on offense) against the Cylons. But it is easy to forget these things, especially when they come into our house (this show) and treat the characters we know and love like second class officers.
This is another interesting dynamic. Remember, the Galactica was set to be decommissioned. It was an old ship full of a third-rate crew... a collection of disciplinary problems, wash-ups and reserves. The Pegasus on the other hand is a top-notch technological marvel, staffed with probably one of the most hardened and talented crews in the fleet. It is an Admiral flag ship. For you Trekkies, Pegasus is the Enterprise NCC-1701-E while the Galactica is NCC-1701-B.
Of course, Enterprise comparisons aside, the Pegasus sure as hell isn't any starship we know. It is one hell of a dark place. With rumored shootings on the bridge for a single disobeyed command, sanctioned rape of enemy prisoners, and zero tolerance tribunals, it is no wonder the crew is a little hard to love. The contrast is stark when compared with Galactica.
Honestly though, I don't think you can blame Galactica for becoming as soft as it has. The mediating factor in all of this is the Colonial fleet. The Pegasus has been able to go it alone and concentrate on maximizing their military impact. The Galactica, on the other hand, is responsible for the lives of over 47,000 civilians. This naturally makes the entire operation much more community focused. The elements of democracy pervade all ships, both military and civilian. For proof you only have to look at the relationship between Roslin and Adama. He use to be a much harder "military" man and has definitely softened his touch to allow the virtues of human society to foster within such a hopeless situation.
If you think back to a conversation Baltar had with Number Six down on Kobol, she said that humanity's desire to kill is what makes them human. The Pegasus fulfills her observation, but Adama and the Galactica disapprove it equally showing compassion towards Sharon and a genuine desire to allow the virtues of a free society to persist... even when the easier path is martial law and armed force.
In the end, I really liked this episode. It made me think a lot over these past few days about the different sides of the war against the Cylons. The truth is that we hate the Pegasus, but part of us needs it to exist. We love Galactica, but only because it is an idealized vision of how we wish the world should work. The most interesting part is that when faced with a vision of how the world is, we hate it. In science fiction, reality makes the best enemy.
Principal MVP of the week is Edward James Olmos as William Adama. He gives some good monologues about the role of a soldier, but when pressed too far, his idealism and loyalty lash out. The scene where he throws down and launches the fighters gave me goosebumps.
Secondary MVP of the week has to go to Michelle Forbes as Admiral Cain. They couldn't have casted someone who I disliked more. Every moment she was onscreen I cringed. Being that I am a "Star Trek" guy, I also enjoyed seeing a familiar face.
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