I’ve been obsessed with Battlestar Galactica for some time now. No one has me more obsessed than Mary McDonnell as President Laura Roslin, the releuctant leader, thrust into the role after some 30 odd people ahead of her in line for the presidency were killed on the day the Cylons destroyed Caprica.
When they made it to earth at the end of season 4.1 and saw that it was uninhabitable no one took it harder than Roslin. She retreated and even refused her cancer treatments. One of the most interesting things of this new and final 10 episodes is the continuing development of the relationship between McDonnell’s Roslin and Edward James Olmos’ Commander Adama. Two leaders, one military, one civilian, who hated each other when they were first thrust into a partnership have developed a deep and caring relationship which is written very well. It’s great to see a strong man and strong woman together on TV.
Amanda Marcotte from Pandagon (who I got to meet yesterday at Feminism 2.0) puts it way better than I can:
the Adama/Roslin love affair is just another example of how television improves dramatically when writers relinquish certain crutches and fears, and instead tell stories that reflect the range of human experience. By finally getting over the rule that middle aged lovers should be shown in a non-passionate, desexualized manner, the writers accomplished the twin goals of writing some of the more intriguing characters on television and also moving forward this incredible mutiny plot that hinges so much on Roslin’s unwillingness to lead. Needless to say, congrats to them for also putting a woman into a role that you never see, outside of maybe “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”—as the critical leader, without whom the community falls apart. She’s like Jack from “Lost” in that way. Full post
I also love Starbuck and this episode was one where she shined in all the great Starbuck way. There is no gray in that woman, just black and white. You are with her or against her and she will kick your ass if you cross her. When I talk about Battlestar with friends I always say that it is a “post gender” show. Gender is not something discussed in any way on the show and it always comes off as liberating. It’s not the women are desexualized at all, it’s just that it doesn’t seem to matter in the greater scheme of things whether the pilot flying next to you is a guy or a girl. Catch up on the show if you haven’t seen it.
I don’t know if you have been watching since the beginning, but the show has taken a downward spiral in how it writes its women. Mary McDonnell is lucky that her character seems to have escaped this. The other characters that I was very fond of Starbuck, Boomer/Athena, Caprica Six, Cally, Dualla and Kat have either fallen into one of these categories. They either end up in jail, they become neurotic, become suicidal or end up getting labeled whores and sluts for sleeping around.
BSG is one of the best shows on TV. It’s full of beautiful subtleties and strong characters. The Adama/Roslin love story is finely crafted. I’m glad I’m not the only one who notices.