SPOILER ALERT - DO NOT READ IF YOU PLAN ON WATCHING THE SERIES (FINALE ESPECIALLY)
So tonight after four years of watching Battlestar Galactica, me and a group of friends finished the show with the second last episode, and the (almost) 3 hour series finale. I'd waited so long for everyone to catch up that I'd almost forgotten the story, but nonetheless, the marathon ensued - with croissants in the shape of cylon-raiders, nachos in the shape of a supernova, and pizza.
What struck me immediately was how satisfying the ending was, and also how much it aligned with the theories my friends and I formulated way back at the start. There are of course critics aplenty, but the finality and message was loud and clear, and left very little to the imagination. (I believe I'd be pretty spot on saying that Kara Thrace's 'exeunt' was and is the main reason for the 'MAJOR CLIFFHANGER!' outcries in the fan community).
One surprising and very well played aspect was Gaius Baltar's role in the endgame. While I had initially envisioned him becoming a Jesus-like character as the show neared its end (and almost saw that happening with his 'harem' of monotheistic believers growing steadily), I now picture him actually personifying humanity itself throughout the series.
His portrayal of the man that is intelligent and confident (and cocky because of it), charismatic, but undoubtably confused and lost as well, and who hides an insecure and very much unpredictable personality beneath his fine suit and slicked back hair, is enough to support the idea. He makes decisions to further himself rather than all, and only towards the end when he realises that he must start thinking about the greater good does he shift his perspective and find that he discovers that which he has been searching for ever since he abandoned his lineage back on Caprica; True, unconditional acceptance and love (given it is from his cylon-lady, but as long as we're talking metaphors...).
Now call me old-fashioned, but ain't morals what every story should really be about?
Baltar's redemption was in fact a big factor in both the character's personal resolution, and the series resolution; Had he not decided to be selfless and stay on board Galactica to fight, he never would have been present to talk down Cavil when Hera was being held at gunpoint. It was Baltar, ultimately, who broke the cycle and set humanity free, while committing his 'one, heroic act' that wasn't for personal gain.
The settlement and colonisation of the final 'Earth' was, as I said above, an aspect which was called from the beginning (sorry Mr. Moore, I love your work!), but has nevertheless been exciting and interesting to watch develop. From the moment Elosha first spoke of the 'writings of the twelve lords of Kobol' and we heard the names of the starsigns there were tingles of familiarity. When the tomb of Athena was opened and the statues, Aries, Taurus, and Capricorn were shown the feeling grew stronger. When we heard that each planet had its own native tongue, it's own set of beliefs, and it's own ... well racial differences, it became a no-brainer that these renegades - the tattered remains of humanity - would find a new home, and they would plant the roots of our present day human civilization there. (I did really enjoy the opera house montage also and couldn't help thinking 'wow, they set that up early' as the final events unfolded, a neat touch for sure).
As much as I loved the little 'outro' with the modern-day metropolis however, I felt that the series could very well have ended with Adama's reverie on the mountain top. Explaining the obvious is inevitable in a world where attention spans are short and people aren't too sharp, but having the message shoved down your throat is a little annoying nonetheless. Yeah, we make the same mistakes over and over ("all of this has happened before, all of it will happen again"), yes we should abstain from decadence and not forget the past, yes, love is worth more than money and power etc etc. But after all is said and done, that's a nitpick I'm willing to ignore. Overall, the series was pretty awesome, and the finale left me humbled, impressed and admittedly a little teary-eyed.
I feel everyone should see this show from start to end. They should see it if not for the simple reason that it's bloody well written, casted and directed, but also because obviously there's a cautionary message that's relevant today (I'm not talking about us creating killer robots either).
If you haven't delved into the world that is BSG, well, you shouldn't be reading this, but if you have read this and haven't watched it. Go do that. It's worth it!
Jimzip :D
