As the penultimate episode of the BSG series, “Islanded in a Stream of Stars” is unlikely to be remembered as one of the series most dramatic or memorable episodes in terms of specific moments or events. However, as we’ve seen in the previous episodes following the discovery of Earth, the focus of the series in this last leg has been an internal examination of how the principal characters are dealing with the new reality of there being no real collective goal for them to rally around. This particular episode continues on that approach and in doing so, shines a light on the very heart of the series – how will these characters find their new home.

The scene in sickbay between Adama and Roslyn sums up this episode’s message best when Roslyn starts discussing the idea of home, that perhaps it’s not so much a specific physical space but more a state of mind and the individuals who populate your life. Looking out from that lens, it becomes apparent that Roslyn is one step closer to her proverbial death bed because she’s realized that, for her at least, she has come to the end of her search for a home. In some ways, her journey is like Gaeta’s in that it’s only when she is nearing the end of her life that she is finally able to free herself of all the burdens – of tending to the fleet as a sheepherder does to his flock – and is now able to take out her emotions from whatever internal box she’s kept them in all these years and at last experience genuine peace. Her admission that it’s only been in the last few months that she has been able to feel this sense of contentment replacing that feeling of longing is a stark contrast to the Click here to continue reading »”BSG “Islanded in a Stream of Stars” – Finding One’s Place To Call Home”

In my earlier BSG post “Four More Days Until It’s ‘Frakkin’ Friday“, I described how one could approach the series as a whole much in the same way as one would a five course meal, with each season playing a specific part in the overall effect of both the meal and its presentation. With most of the episodes in this final chapter of the series now past us, it’s becoming clear that this analogy can also be focused onto this handful of episodes given the variety in character and plot arcs that were dealt with, if not also the manner of their presentation. For example, despite the prevailing disapproval among the BSG audience for “A Disquiet That Follows My Soul”, when viewed in such a context, the episode comes across much like a palate cleanser, something that was meant to wipe away the savoury tastes and textures of episodes past so that we could be prepared for the more elaborate and vibrant dishes to come in the episodes “The Oath” and “Blood on the Scales”. Watching last night’s “Someone To Watch Over Me” evokes the same idea, with its role being to remove the flat and unsatisfying impressions held over from the previous two offerings in this series countdown to what will hopefully be a decadent delight.

Continuing on using this analogy, it’s not uncommon for certain ingredients to be carried over from one dish to another in the meal plan and in some ways that’s what occurred at the start of this episode with the focus being on picking up on where we left the relationship between Boomer and Tyrol. Coming on the heels of last week’s focus on the love triangle between Tigh, Ellen and Caprica Six, it’s obvious that we’re once again revisiting the idea of viewing these characters through the initial lens of being humans – and not Cylons – and what their ability to love and feel pain and hurt means in regards to the distinction between the realities of being human or Cylon. And yet, the history that the audience has shared with Boomer and Tyrol makes their story Click here to continue reading »”BSG “Someone To Watch Over Me” – A Return to the Well Executed and Balanced Meal”

After watching last night’s BSG episode “Deadlock”, I found myself caught between enjoying some wonderful, philosophical character arcs and despising the overly simplistic, if not downright perplexing, portrayal of others. Sure, we could argue that some events were meant to set up those that are to come in the remaining episodes; but effective storytelling shouldn’t sacrifice telling a proper story in one episode for the sake of another. As you’ll see, my subtitle for this episode relates as much to the episode’s theme as it does to my own impressions of it.

In that vein, I’m going to start off picking away at those elements of this story that just didn’t work or which demonstrated a clear glossing over of some significant points in terms of the series and certain character arcs. First off, the arrival of Boomer and Ellen. I’m certain their arrival came as no surprise to any of us watching, but for me that’s still a really big issue. Why? Simple – how come Boomer was able to find the fleet so easily? Now, I’m certain we’re all anticipating the return of the Cylon fleet under the control of John/Cavil, considering his thirst for punishing his creators, all of whom are now once again in the fleet, if not also his needing the Final Five to help him rebuild the resurrection ship. Given the ease with which Boomer found the fleet, it’s not hard to imagine John/Cavil also having no issues in tracking them down. Add to this plotline they’ve created that Galactica at present can’t jump without putting the ship’s integrity at risk and yeah, this isn’t exactly a hard equation to calculate. And I’ll be honest here – if this indeed turns out to be the plot for what’s to come, I’ll be extremely disappointed. One of the hallmarks of what makes BSG such a compelling show is its unconventional approach to series television. We’ve all become used to getting a healthy dose of mind fraks simply because Moore and Eick would lead us down one path only to suddenly bank a hard right into another direction. So if John/Cavil is to return, I hope it’ll be under less obvious circumstances than what I wrote above.

Regardless, the simple fact is that when Adama et al find out that it’s one of the Sharon Cylon models aboard the Raptor, Click here to continue reading »”BSG “Deadlock” – Between Hate and Love”

I’m sure it’s become obvious from my previous reviews of BSG that I’m a big fan of examining the inner workings of characters and the subtext behind the events that unfold. From that vantage point, I think you’ll understand why this week’s episode “No Exit” was a little underwhelming due in large part for it being more an exercise in trying to tie up stray loose ends before the end approaches. Of course, that’s not to say that there weren’t some tasty morsels in the offering and it’s those aspects of the episode that I’ll discuss in this review since I don’t have enough interest to dissect all the series’ origins details that were provided courtesy of Anders’ subdural hematoma.

Speaking of Anders, it was clear from Starbuck’s reaction to Anders’ revelation about being able to remember everything that she had some hope that he might be able to shed some light on who – or what – exactly she is. Since her reappearance at the end of Season 3, many fans have speculated that Starbuck must be a Cylon and personally, I’d hate for that to be the case. It’s been clear since the first episode that Starbuck is a character in search of some meaning or grounding in her life. Her fractured sense of identity and subsequently, her relationship with those around her, gave her character a great deal of potential to be an interesting character study, something which sadly was never realized and remains one of the weak points for this series. But having her become a Cylon would be an even greater let down because of the obvious cop-out it presents – Click here to continue reading »”BSG “No Exit” – Time To Accept What We Are”