![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Battlestar Galactica, season 1
Saw five more episodes of BSG last night. Good ones, though episode 5 ("You Can't Go Home Again") asked me to suspend disbelief past the point at which I was able to do so, for the situation as we know it. Which was unfortunate because I really enjoyed the episode, and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Starbuck. I'm withholding judgement a little, to see whether they'll circle back and tie up some loose ends here. If they don't, I shall be very disappointed.
----
Started the paragraph above last week, but then I finished the first season this weekend. All the religious stuff makes me really uncomfortable, truthfully. Let me start by saying I'm not normally put off by stories about religious struggle. Whatever my personal beliefs, and whatever your personal beliefs, I have utmost respect for freedom of religion as long as it harms none.
I know the real point of discomfort for me is that it's such a big deal to the characters on a personal level, and that it's so tied up with perceptions of good and evil, right and wrong. Yeah, so, like -- very realistic in many ways. I want it to be completely live-and-let-live and for the issue of religion to be of no consequence one way or the other, and I'm really torn about the levels of fanaticism depicted. Still, this conflict is clearly part of what drives the plot of the show, and it's very engaging on intellectual, ethical, and literary levels.
I'm making a real effort to tamp down my real discomfort on this issue, and continue to look at it as a plot device -- which includes questioning where the writers will go with it, how the characters will change and respond to the new situations and the new information as it trickles in...
So I actually don't think I can watch this show with anyone.
For anyone who has seen BSG, did any of this bother you, or is this just a sensitive spot for me? Any other thoughts/feelings/squee on season 1? Please remember to keep any potentially spoilery-responses limited to season 1!
UPDATE: THIS MEANS THAT IF YOU'RE NOT SURE WHICH EPS ARE IN THE FIRST SEASON, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE PLOT OR CHARACTERS. (I screened the spoilery comment.)
----
Started the paragraph above last week, but then I finished the first season this weekend. All the religious stuff makes me really uncomfortable, truthfully. Let me start by saying I'm not normally put off by stories about religious struggle. Whatever my personal beliefs, and whatever your personal beliefs, I have utmost respect for freedom of religion as long as it harms none.
I know the real point of discomfort for me is that it's such a big deal to the characters on a personal level, and that it's so tied up with perceptions of good and evil, right and wrong. Yeah, so, like -- very realistic in many ways. I want it to be completely live-and-let-live and for the issue of religion to be of no consequence one way or the other, and I'm really torn about the levels of fanaticism depicted. Still, this conflict is clearly part of what drives the plot of the show, and it's very engaging on intellectual, ethical, and literary levels.
I'm making a real effort to tamp down my real discomfort on this issue, and continue to look at it as a plot device -- which includes questioning where the writers will go with it, how the characters will change and respond to the new situations and the new information as it trickles in...
So I actually don't think I can watch this show with anyone.
For anyone who has seen BSG, did any of this bother you, or is this just a sensitive spot for me? Any other thoughts/feelings/squee on season 1? Please remember to keep any potentially spoilery-responses limited to season 1!
no subject
and it's very engaging on intellectual, ethical, and literary levels.
That's what I like about it I guess. For me, sci-fi can address these issues without being offensive. The religion is shared by humanity and different enough from majority religions that I don't see it as offensive but as an interesting statement/mirror of society. Fanaticism isn't pretty but I like that it is not black and white. I could imagine you'll end up being satisfied with the way it is handles. I can't tell for sure but I stop in order not to spoil you.
If it makes you feel any better, I do have my problems with BSG as well but I still think it's outstanding television. I hope you'll enjoy it (if you decide to continue). :)
no subject
I really like the issues show tackles, and the ambiguity that permeates the society. We're also getting into political machinations and maneuvering, which I tend to really enjoy within the context of military science fiction. I'm also very interested on where the religious issue will go when more is revealed about the cylons themselves, and the origins of humanity, etc.
And no, there's nothing in the show I find offensive. It's a good depiction of many aspects of our global society -- and it's always better to bring things to light than to leave them hidden.
With some further reflection, I think what's causing my discomfiture the most is my fear that BSG will be an amazing show on so many levels.... but then it'll "fail" me on the religion issue.
But I'm going to stick it through -- because even if it does that, it'll still be a valuable experience.