Battlestar Galactica: PS, Gaeta, I Hate You

 

Gaeta, You Godsdamn Frakker!

Felix Gaeta, you muthafrakkin’ idiot. That’s how I have to start. Not because I don’t understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it but because you’re a godsdamn idiot and I hate how you’re doing it.

 

This past episode takes us back to the writing of the days when we began to see the Cylons as individuals, not as numbers, and the debate about how to think of them began in my family. My husband was firmly on the human side and is still ready to blast some Toasters. I was wavering because of the Sharon and how much she wanted to honor her implanted human memories and her love for Helo. I mean, when, as we cheer for the humans on New Caprica and we also have to deal with a suicide bombing… looking at our own reality through a fictional lens is the thing that makes the writing for BSG so good.

For a few episodes, the thing that makes BSG what it is has been missing. I mean, the first episode after the midseason break was gripping, but the “everyday” feel of the second episode was a little bit disappointing. However, the reason for that second episode became apparent as all the planning, the little things that seemed to fill the previous episode come together and you see that the inertia was all leading to this episode.

When you realize just how many people were on Gaeta’s side, when you realize just how much he relied on the trust that the Admiral placed in him, when you realize how the familial rifts still exist even after so much has gone on – honestly, I could feel my insides twist as, once again, the tables are turned on humanity, but this time by humanity. However, the thing that the “new resistance” (and honestly I) underestimated was Admiral Adama. The scene where he handles the marines made me want to cheer for the first time in a long time. This is humanity on the cusp, just as they were when we first meet them.

Don’t get me wrong. I understand why Gaeta protests. The only reason the Galactica survives the annihilation that was the Cylons is because they were not connected. Yes, they were old fashioned. Yes, they were being turned into a museum. Yes, they were kind of a laughing stock. But the lack of technology was what saved them and now, not only did they want to get some of that technology, but they also wanted to get technology that the enemy Cylons could infiltrate. I am one to forgive, although I guess if I lost people on Caprica, I would be against using Cylon technology, too. In the end, I would care that the human race continued. Humanity had already proved that we could take on the Cylons since they got rid of the Resurrection Ship, so being able to move faster, even with Cavil on my ass, would have been my number one priority.

It was good to see Laura Roslyn in the wig, which means she was in full presidential mode. Her speech, using Baltar’s shortwave radio signal, was very smart. It’s good to see Baltar hasn’t changed, even though he “got” religion. I was sort of afraid he’d started to believe he had a true breakthrough. Yes, Baltar wanted out for his own selfish reasons and Roslyn wanted out so that Adama could do his thing, but the ending (or the midpoint since it was a “to be continued”) left me on the edge of my seat. It was nice to see Gaeta begin to sweat a little and can I say, “Brava!” to Chief for working instantly for Adama and Roslyn? And I hope Helo gets to kick some ass. Damnit, Gaeta! What the hell is up with you?

This episode was exciting. It was nailbiting. It was infuriating. It was excellent. If the rest of the season pulls together like this episode pulled from the two previous episodes, not only will this be the best season of Battlestar Galactica, it may be in the running for best show. Period.