That's right, I'll be working without a net this evening and liveblogging tonight's episode of BSG, "Collaborators." Naturally, to prevent any spoilers from escaping, I will perform in the hermetically-sealed environs of the extended post. Other BSG fans are invited to jump in via the comments.
So, Tigh, Anders and Tyrol along with other members of the New Caprica resistance have formed a little vigilante justice squad called 'The Circle' to take out humans who collaborated with the Cylons. They use some aspects of a court, but it doesn't look too likely they'll be interested in finding anyone innocent. First victim, Jammer, who joined the New Caprica Police in the hopes he might do some good. One of The Circle complains that Jammer was involved with a raid in which his son was killed, but as the man realizes after Jammer has been spaced, his son is still dead. Now, Jammer is too. Ugly.
Understandable, of course. History seems filled with examples of vengeance-seeking after occupations; this is nothing new. Much as I hate to use BSG as an allegory for Iraq, that's something to keep in mind after we leave: the Iraqis who have worked with us in good faith will likely face a similar fate.
Update: Hmm, the human race is down to a little more than 41,000 survivors; they lost almost 20% of the entire remaining human race on New Caprica. That's a pretty damning indictment of the decision to settle there. Fortunately for Baltar, he's safely ensconsed with the Cylons now.
Oops. I guess he's not. How odd; it certainly seemed he was going with the Cylons.
Never mind...Baltar's hyperactive imagination is at work again. That man is wasted in politics; he should be in the entertainment industry. Although the idea of Tigh and Adama forgiving him for collaborating with the Cylons should have tipped me off as a clear rationalization for Baltar's actions and wholly out of character for them. Looks like Baltar is in for an interesting time as the sole human among the Cylons.
Meanwhile, Kara and Anders appear to be on the way out. And they did remember that Tom Zarek was Baltar's vice president: he's going to nominate Roslyn as his VP, then step down so she can take over as President again. Of course, he has little choice, since Adama wasn't going to follow him, but a wise move nonetheless, as now he'll be Roslyn's VP, and he'll eventually have a shot at succeeding her.
Tigh has apparently been reinstated as XO of Galactica, and he's back to his old lovely self. Even had we not seen Gaeta before The Circle in the teasers, it's obvious he's close to the top of Tigh's list of people who deserve to die for collaboration. Adama's not thrilled with him, for good reason, as the implication was he was drunk on duty. Will he keep Tigh on as XO if this keeps up?
Interesting. Tigh really seems to want the collaborators to face justice. How much evidence he requires is open to question, but he's clearly interested in at least justifying his actions.
Update: Ah, Tigh's evidentiary standards are clearly not very high. They point out that there is no evidence that Gaeta did anything, but Tigh is certain that he's guilty. Tyrol and Anders point out that there is no evidence, but that doesn't seem to matter to the others. Anders bails out on The Circle; presumably he has seen enough death. Good for him. Tyrol holds off on voting because they need six votes to serve as a proper jury.
Poor Baltar. Trapped with the Cylons, ill, and the Cylons aren't even certain they want him with them. The vote is deadlocked: three to three, with the deciding vote resting with the Sixes. Why the other five skinjobs don't get to vote is left to our imagination.
Apollo is losing weight, slowly. I feel his pain; that's a miserable thing to try and do. Eleven people have vanished from the fleet thus far. The Circle mentioned that they had 57 more names to go. And obviously the sixth member of the jury will be Kara, who has also already decided that Gaeta is guilty. As have most of the crew of Galactica, to guess from how he's being treated. Human nature is such a lovely thing to witness, isn't it?
Update: The Cylons complained on New Caprica that they were short on resources, but they certainly don't seem to lack for spacecraft. Is there a reason for that, or just carelessness by the creators?
Six wants to go back to being a Cylon. Watching Baltar manipulate people is always interesting, but it appears he blew it this time. You've got to love his closing line: "I should have said that first."
Yep, Kara is invited to join The Circle. Has Roslyn really approved this? If so, that's an awfully big strike against her in my eyes. No luck for the Chief; Kara quickly votes against Gaeta. Will Chief stand up for his principles? We know he won't, at least not yet. "Someone has gotta pay." Kara's mantra, and doubtless the same thing a lot of people are feeling. I'm impressed that Anders has figured out that this is all a very bad idea. Tigh pulls out the Ellen card; I suspect he wants to kill everyone else because if his wife had to die for collaboration, then so should everyone else. Kara, meanwhile, is cutting Anders loose because, as usual, about all she has in her is anger. Tyrol votes guilty under pressure from the others, no surprise. The big question is, what will he do when Gaeta is in front of The Circle.
We'll soon find out, as Gaeta is unwisely wandering alone in a quiet corridor. Off to the launch tube for spacing.
Update: Gaeta's chance to offer a defense. Will he bother? No, he refuses to beg for his life. Kara taunts him with the stories he told her about helping the resistance. Tyrol hears her mention the dog bowl, which was Gaeta's signal that he had put out information for the resistance. Tyrol obviously has some soul-searching to do, but will the others learn anything from their nearly killing a man without whom they would not have escaped New Caprica.
Ah, of course. Zarek signed the order establishing The Circle. I should have been paying attention. As Zarek says, they got trials, but no lawyers, no publicity, only justice. Zarek tells Roslyn that if they go public with the trials, it will become a circus, and Roslyn will still be signing death warrants. As is BSG's strength, the bad guy has a point. Show trials a la the OJ Simpson trial do tend to make a mockery of justice, and the fact The Circle was expected to act on evidence at least suggests that Zarek was trying to do the right thing.
Instead, Roslyn goes the other way, with a general pardon and a Truth and Reconciliation commission that will uncover what happened but with no fear of punishment. A wise plan, given humanity's extremely limited resources. Meanwhile, just as Gaeta has been accepted back into humanity, it appears Baltar has been accepted into the Cylon community. That promises to offer some interesting storylines.
Summation: A pretty good episode, although I think it tried to wrap up the idea of revenge killings a bit too quickly. Although it's certainly possible that the reprecussions of what happened on New Caprica will continue to echo for some time, as they should. I hope that they will continue to develop the character of Tom Zarek, as I think he's a fascinating guy. He created the commissions in order to help Roslyn, because I think he honestly believes that he needed to clear that slate before she took office. He's a guy who wants to do the right thing, but he's so convinced he knows what the right thing is he can cause a lot of damage.
A quick question for next week: if more people had known I was going to do this going in, would they have participated, or am I better off just posting a review the next day?
Apropos of maybe nothing - I just wanted to get the link in before I spaced it - but an interesting political analysis of BSG's appeal to a certain audience: Battlestar Galacticons (via TAPPED).
Posted by: Jay C | October 27, 2006 at 09:40 PM
Just an offhand observation, since I haven't seen any of BSG, but the mention of the lone human traitor among the Cylons reminds me of the last installment of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the graphic novel) where the Invisible Man is punished for his collaboration with the Martian invaders by Mr. Hyde. It's a scene that is incredibly gut wrenching, and something that I can't really erase.
Posted by: liberal japonicus | October 27, 2006 at 09:57 PM
I don't know if I would have participated, since now that you've got me watching it, I tend to be all wrapped up while it's screening. But it's great to come here once it's done and not have to wait even a nanosecond for Galacticablogging.
I thought, as you did, that it was all tied up too quickly. I'm not sure what else they could have done, if they wanted it all confined to one episode, but I think that would have been an argument for letting it expand into two.
I now wish I'd seen all the previous seasons. Am I, for instance, supposed to remember some previous act of nobility on the part of the old guy with the eyepatch, that makes it harder for me to think: geez, I'm sure this guy has lots of good points, but should he be in a position of leadership? I strongly suspect that it would be a lot richer if I had some idea what -- Kara? -- used to belike before she was locked in the cell.
But it's great. (Still not as good as The Wire, but then, what is?)
Posted by: hilzoy | October 27, 2006 at 10:40 PM
I can't think of much noble about Colonel Tigh. He's an alcoholic who's been pretty much nasty and unpleasant since day one.
And Kara Thrace was pretty angry before she was locked in the cell, as I recall.
Really, that's the biggest weakness of BSG, for my money. Characters with flaws are interesting, but BSG tends to forget that characters also have to have some virtues that will make us care about them.
Posted by: Andrew | October 27, 2006 at 10:48 PM
Damn you to heck, I'm reduced to trolling iTunes for the new episode. I finally caught up last week after weeks of rented DVDs (the pirates on these internets are overrated) and now I'm jonesing for more. It's getting so bad I'm downloading "The Story So Far" from iTunes. At least it's free.
Maybe tonight's ep will be online this weekend. Anybody know?
Posted by: kvenlander | October 27, 2006 at 11:54 PM
kvenlander: It's pretty annoying of Andrew. For my part, I am seriously considering starting at the beginning of season 1.
I mean, how could he do this to my free time, such as it is?
Posted by: hilzoy | October 28, 2006 at 12:44 AM
Tigh went from looking like the Old Man and the Sea to looking like the Angel of Death. I don't think he'll last long as XO - I think Ellen's death pushed him over the edge and he's not going to be willing to swallow his feelings for Adama anymore.
btw, iTunes is a next-day upload, as a rule. =)
Posted by: jon | October 28, 2006 at 01:05 AM
Posted by: Jay S | October 28, 2006 at 02:00 AM
I don't think Tigh is all that bad, but his military position is dependnet entirely on Adama and the few times he's been on his own as far as decision-making have been bad times. Tonight was the first time I've seen him really stand up to Adama, and I'm wondering how their relationship will fare in the future.
Much as I enjoy the angst of the episode, I'm just about ready for a comedy ep right now.
Posted by: pm | October 28, 2006 at 02:02 AM
Tigh is about sin and redemption (or maybe just alcoholism), over and over again. Adama gives him a lot of slack, based on history and personal loyalty. He's not meant to be a particularly likable character. He creates tension. There is some competency and perhaps even some heroism in his past, but it's not clear what his future holds. It's clear from the storyline that he has never been a perfect officer, perhaps never even a good one, but he and Adama go way back. His continued presence as XO is premised on the limited resources available. It's not clear who could step into his role. He's like Galactica, old and imperfect, but the one of the best available from a limited selection.
Posted by: Jay S | October 28, 2006 at 02:48 AM
I would say to wait until the end. I usually record BSG & then we watch it on tape so we can FF past the commercials & would really not want to be blogging & watching anyway. Life blogging's really better suited for presidential debates than TV shows.
the Truth and Reconciliation commission is based on what was done in South Africa after apartheid. I highly recommend "Long Night's Journey into Day" - documentary about the S. African commission for all BSG fans of this plot line.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0236447/
p.s. any clue why Sharon/Helo's child is so special?
Posted by: tarylcabot | October 28, 2006 at 03:24 AM
any clue why Sharon/Helo's child is so special
Because it's a human/Cylon hybrid. Apparently the Cylons have been unable to reproduce via natural means, so hybrids may be the only way for the Cylon skinjobs to evolve.
Posted by: Andrew | October 28, 2006 at 09:54 AM
A quick question for next week: if more people had known I was going to do this going in, would they have participated, or am I better off just posting a review the next day?
Personally I watch the show or I’m on the net – never both at the same time. So I never read live-blogging in real time. I do think it is very interesting to read your live-blogging after the fact though.
It is interesting to see how your initial reactions change as the show develops. It would actually be most beneficial for a show’s producers and writers to read a roundup of live-blogging. They can essentially follow how their work guides you from point A to point B, as well as where they screwed up, and where they did well.
With a focus group, you essentially get reaction and opinion after the show is over – that is, you get participant’s final reaction and opinion. You don’t get how reaction and opinion develop through the course of the show. Here, you get exactly that.
Posted by: OCSteve | October 28, 2006 at 11:21 AM
As I recall, Tigh did in one episode decide to launch Vipers because something didn't seem right. The decision ended up saving the fleet. Otherwise, he is hard to like. In any case, I'm really glad Helen is gone. Couldn't stand her.
Posted by: a-train | October 28, 2006 at 11:59 AM
Ditto on OCSteve's 11:21 comment (btw, how hard is it to have numbered comments?):
It is interesting to see [after the fact] how your initial reactions change as the show develops.
Posted by: a-train | October 28, 2006 at 12:02 PM
I agree with OCSteve about the benefits of liveblogging even though circumstances keep me from seeing the episode until Saturday.
Posted by: Bruce Baugh | October 28, 2006 at 06:49 PM
hilzoy, give in and get thee to Ye Olde Video Shoppe. If you rent the DVDs, get two at a time. Just saying. Now I almost wish I'd bought the discs myself. But that way lies madness. Or fandom or some such unmentionableness. Ahem, do Halloween shops carry Centurion outfits?
Posted by: kvenlander | October 28, 2006 at 10:36 PM
kvenlander: I went to the videoshoppe while I was of grocery shopping and buying various fix-the-wall-related things, but did they have it ? Noooooooo...
Woe is me.
Posted by: hilzoy | October 28, 2006 at 10:52 PM
I could send them to you, if you like. :)
Posted by: Andrew | October 28, 2006 at 10:55 PM
I could send them to you, if you like. :)
Andrew – I would like to see a hilzoy post here sometime in the next few weeks, even if I know I won’t necessarily agree with it. Back off dude.
On the other hand, I missed the first two seasons, and it would keep me off here for at least 2 weeks :)
Posted by: OCSteve | October 28, 2006 at 11:16 PM
Actually, come to think of it - just how many people worked for the "Baltar Administration", except for Gaeta and two girls of questionable character? Out of those four, who do you think could have been the Mysterious Informant? Even a toaster should have been able to figure that out.
Posted by: kvenlander | October 28, 2006 at 11:18 PM
Well, at a minimum she should review my reviews. :)
Posted by: Andrew | October 28, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Andrew: too late. I ordered the miniseries and season 1. Should keep me occupied for a while.
At least I have finally dispatched the Grant From Hell, hopefully for the very last time, and I am making headway on the Wall of Death.
Posted by: hilzoy | October 29, 2006 at 12:43 AM
I'll be interested to hear what you think of the miniseries.
What is the Wall of Death?
Posted by: Andrew | October 29, 2006 at 12:47 AM
How soon we forget...
I thought about it some more, consulted with xanax, spent a few days considering (and, you know, doing my actual job), and fixed on a course of action. I am now in the midst of the concrete patch stage. Later: plastering. Then: painting.
Also, one of the world's great songs, from Richard Thompson's Shoot out the Lights.
Posted by: hilzoy | October 29, 2006 at 01:46 AM
Liveblogging is okay--I wouldn't participate, but it gets the post up immediately.
This show is definitely on my Christmas or birthday list--gotta catch up.
I have a purely tactical question from last episode. The humans are trying to release the prisoners, but a couple of metallic Cylons are spraying bullets around and the humans stay undercover until a Viper comes along and takes them out. So, are metal Cylons bulletproof? I'd guess they would be against pistols, but given the fact that the humans seem to get into firefights with them a lot (I saw one episode last season where some humans were trapped in the woods firing back at Cylons), I would think they'd have rifles with armor-piercing bullets, or something like that.
Posted by: Donald Johnson | October 29, 2006 at 12:43 PM
There was an episode in season 2 where some centurions boarded Galactica. It was explained that these newer models could only be killed by a head shot with an explosive bullet. I'm not sure they've been all that consistent with this though...
Posted by: kvenlander | October 29, 2006 at 01:38 PM
Donald,
When you're bringing an airstrike in, it's advisable to stay under cover, whether you could kill the enemy with hand weapons or not. That may or may not have been the thinking of the writers, of course, but it made good tactical sense.
Posted by: Andrew | October 29, 2006 at 01:44 PM
Andrew--
That makes sense. Also, of course, why risk your ground troops if you know an air strike will take care of the enemy? I was just wondering whether rifles work against the shiny cylons.
Thanks, kvenlender. I'd guess the writers would try to be consistent on a point like this, so if one needed a rocket launcher to kill these things, I'd expect the troops to be carrying rocket launchers.
Posted by: Donald Johnson | October 29, 2006 at 01:53 PM
This really brings things to a head between Tigh and Adama. Tigh has now either conspired with the President to commit murder, or obeyed illegal orders from the President to commit murder. Either way, he's both busted the chain of command, which goes President=>Adama=> everybody else in the navy, and committed murder.
It's an act of betrayal, and (presumably) a soon to be widely known act. Either Adama busts Tigh, or Adama, for all practical purposes, endorses Tigh's actions.
Posted by: Barry | October 29, 2006 at 06:57 PM
I don't watch the show live (we roleplay on Friday nights), so I won't participate-- though, as Bruce pointed out, it might be useful for other reasons.
Nice wrap up Andrew. I agree that it was a little fast-- so far, I've had that feeling about the last three episodes. Still, that's better than the mid 2.5 season, where it felt like listless filler...
Posted by: ScottM | October 30, 2006 at 01:27 PM