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”

In my review of last week’s episode “A Disquiet Follows My Soul”, I mentioned how I thought the episode’s slowed pacing and focus on select character arcs was not only noteworthy, but that the character introspection was necessary to set the stage to help us understand the actions these characters would undertake in the episodes to come. Indeed, as I commented on another blog, last week’s episode felt to me like a palate cleanser that was meant to get us to move past certain plot revelations – like the true state of Earth and the final Cylon reveal – in order to savour the next course in this sumptuous meal. After watching “The Oath”, I’d say that was exactly what Moore and Eick had in mind.

While watching the episode last night, there was one word that kept coming to my mind – payback. And there are many layers or contexts to this one word, the most obvious one being the fleet lashing out at Adama et al for shoving an alliance with the Cylons that no one wanted down their throats. In my review of “Revelations”, I stated how I loved that episode right until the last 10 minutes or so because of how easily Click here to continue reading »”BSG “The Oath” – It’s Payback Time”

A follow-up to my previous BSG post is in order, especially since I put the ball in Moore and Eick’s court to leave us with something to ponder about until early next year. And I think they did, though at least for myself, maybe not necessarily what they were aiming for.

The first 45 minutes of “Revelations” really delivered what BSG is renowned for – intense character moments brought on by people facing an impossible situation and having to contend with some of the unpleasant realities that come with taking someone close to your heart as a friend, lover, etc. When they revealed at the end of last season that Tigh, Tyrol, Anders, and Tory were Cylons, one of my hopes for this season was that they didn’t stretch out this discovery being made by the rest of the human fleet one character at a time. That is, after all, the way most conventional TV series would handle it as a means to help drag out – literally – the suspense of when the other shoe would drop. But that’s not the way BSG ever did things and fortunately that held true last Friday where they had the Final Four rolled out in quick succession. Click here to continue reading »”BSG “Revelations” – We’re Off To See The Wizard”