An interesting–though somewhat spoiler-y!–analysis of some of the themes in the Battlestar Galactica finale. (Via Jim Henley; also see Jim’s thoughts here.)
A Thinking Reed
“Man is but a reed, the most feeble thing in nature, but he is a thinking reed” – Blaise Pascal
He makes interesting points.
For what it’s worth, my own very long-winded reactions to BSG’s finale are at these two places:
1. BSG musings: “Daybreak, Part 2″
2. BSG’s deity: not loving, and possibly insane
Kevin
That is interesting. They had their technology on New Caprica but were still basically living in tents – did they have electricity? I don’t remember.
If there’s only 38,000 people, would they really be able to sustain a high level of technology anyway? For example, what happens when Cottle dies? Is he training any other doctors? Besides John Hodgman? What the heck were they going to build a city with anyway?
I wondered about that too. Also – what about energy? Wasn’t everything in the fleet powered by some kind of space ore?
Yeah, tillium or trillium or something like that, and they had that one ship full of adults and children working 12 hour days seven days a week processing it, right? Remember that “Union!” episode with Chief? I think people’s lives within the Fleet weren’t much easier than what they will be on Earth. I mean, you’re going to run out of antibiotics eventually, anyway, at least you get some fresh air before you die of pneumonia, and real food, right?
Yeah, I also always wondered how good the whiskey made from algae (or whatever) would taste, and at the rate that Starbuck, Tigh, and Adama were going through it they’re bound to run out. Here’s hoping they can reinvent fermentation on Earth!
One of my favorite moments from the series is when Chief and others built the stealth raptor from spare parts and named it “Laura.” They gave Madame President a bottle of champagne and she pretended like she was going to smash it against the raptor and everyone rushed forward to stop her, like “Damn, woman, that’s the LAST bottle of champagne in the universe, don’t break it!!”
I think you should read “Ishmael.” It explains the true history of humankind and has some ideas about christianity mingling in it. I am trying to get everyone in the world to read this book, and if you could read it and then discuss it with me that would be much appreciated!