hazelk | BSG 3:09 Bad timing (Reply)

I really think this episode would have worked better just after Collaborators. They would have had to change Tigh’s part in the proceeding but those flashbacks of Ellen would have been even more painful. Moreover, Adama’s various odd decisions might have made more sense, the problem with most of them (particularly the idea that he was being soft on the crew) being that they were precipitated by things that happened on New Caprica, which feels an age away now. For example, the decision to use Tyroll to make his point suggested that either he had some previously undisclosed personal issues with the Chief or that, because the more obvious recent example of his being too lenient (Helo) would clearly have wiped the floor with him in any fight without holds barred, he was picking on the physically less able.

A boxing episode would be a hard sell in any case, it’s a sport that does little for me. Not sadly so much because of the exploitation and the head injuries - it just always seems so incongruous that people involved in displays of supposedly naked aggression restrict themselves to using their fists. Where are the noble arts of head-butting or groin-kneeing? Admittedly the latter would give women an advantage and the mixed nature of the ‘dance’ in this episode was thought provoking. The strict weight categories in boxing imply that, gender aside, height and reach do make a big difference. Although presented as such would Sackoff vs Bamber really be any kind of fair fight? It was symbolically apt but did raise the question of how realistic the equal opportunities policy on Galactica is supposed to be. On re-watching the Pegasus episodes I was struck by how that crew was quite overwhelmingly male, a single token female fighter pilot and some women communications officers (the Uhuru position). It would make sense if the Pegasus actually represented the norm, allowing for a few exceptional women to rise to the top but for the most part the more prestigious appointments going to men. Galactica being an old bucket that nobody stays on who can do better might appear more progressive.

Back to the episode – it was pretty and the glimpse of hope on New Caprica before the fall made sense of why they went there and what actually happened seem even sadder. Lee and Kara just feels a little creepy. Mildly incestuous although I suppose Adama’s usually disowned one or the other at any given time. And Lee, I love you but you seem to have no idea of who this woman is if you think drunken sex means she’s going to stay with you. Sex is Kara’s way of maintaining her distance even when she’s sober. The ending was cute (though not so much for Sam and Dee) but I hope it implies a re-affirmation of friendship not the beginning of another doomed romance.