Battlestar Galactica: Unpopular Opinions

[butterfly]

Because, after having watched the recent episode, I realized that this actually is a show that I have unpopular opinions about. So, yes.

1. Boomer is not only my favorite Eight, she's my favorite character. Still. I found her story compelling and heart-breaking and think that (everyone for real killed off excepted) she got the rawest deal of any character. She was forced to be a traitor, was killed by her people, and had to see Athena (well, she wasn't Athena yet, but it does help for clarification purposes) get acceptance, including love (and a kid). She's incredibly damaged by the last time that we see her and we maybe are supposed to think that she's for real dead and it... it makes me very sad. Because, as previously mentioned, favorite character.

I do think that Athena and Helo are very adorable (and Hera is just so cute. she's the cutest kid ever).

2. I liked Lee better with Dee than with Kara. I don't... have any strong feeling about Kara/Anders one way or the other, but I thought that Lee and Dee had such adorable potential. Despite this, I totally thought Kara and Lee's most recent kiss was sweet.

3. I find Adama/Roslin objectionable and frustrating to watch. I think it illustrates their poor leadership skills. The military and civilian heads of government shouldn't be in bed together, particularly when both of them are prone to acting like dictators already. They reinforce each other's bad habits. This is, possibly, my biggest squick in relationships (Joey/Dawson and John/Aeryn are the other two relationships I can think of where I have this reaction).

4. On a somewhat-related note, though the violence disappoints me, I so completely understand Gaeta's feelings that led him to rebel against Adama.

5. Adama's definition of what makes a person good seems to always end up being 'person who is loyal to Adama'. Though I believe that it's his greatest flaw, I often feel like the writers think that it's a good thing. Fundamentally different worldviews can sometimes lead to massive dissatisfaction when the series ends and the viewer (me) realizes that all along JKR believed that a person's ethical make-up is fully and completely decided at age 11. Which isn't to say that I shouldn't watch shows where I disagree with a fundamental premise, but that I should be aware that my priorities and the show's are not going to be the same.

6. I still adore and want to cuddle Tyrol. This has never gone away. Even when he was being criminally stupid.

7. Of the humans, Lee is my favorite. Gaius is my second favorite. Lee, I like for the reasons that I tend to like the ridiculously ethical and "beats himself up when he fails to live to his own standards" guy. Gaius, I love because he's come so far and he's brilliantly amusing, even when he's being a horrible human being.

Comments

[kita0610.livejournal.com]

6. Yes. Always, no matter what he does. I think it's the forehead.

*As for the Eights, I feel like my bias is well known. ;)

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

6. Yes. Always, no matter what he does. I think it's the forehead.

That is entirely possible.

As for the Eights, I feel like my bias is well known. ;)

Hee.

[kerri]

I don't actually have problems with many of these, except I ♥ Kara and Lee so much (omg pilots!), haha. I love them together for their potential, though I do get frustrated with their inability to get it together so far, as much as canon shapes that inability.

Emotionally, Gaeta's actions frustrate me, even though when I look at it logically, I can understand where he's coming from. I think the emotions get in the way, though :P

I LOVE Tyrol. I think that he's one of my favourites, actually. Kara's about my favourite, but Tyrol and Boomer and Tigh are up there as well.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I don't actually have problems with many of these, except I ♥ Kara and Lee so much (omg pilots!), haha. I love them together for their potential, though I do get frustrated with their inability to get it together so far, as much as canon shapes that inability.

I think that they made really awesome friends, but things always seem to go terribly wrong when they get romantic.

I LOVE Tyrol. I think that he's one of my favourites, actually. Kara's about my favourite, but Tyrol and Boomer and Tigh are up there as well.

He is so cuddly and awesome!

I love Tigh, too, but I haven't seen anyone not loving him, so I didn't include him in unpopular opinions.

[kerri]

Haha, yes, they frak up spectacularly when it comes to romance. But. I love that sort of thing, the angst potential? It's odd. I just think that they know each other better than anyone else ever could, and they fit. One day they will work it all out.

Hmmm, maybe it's just that Tigh kind of gets ignored? At least, by the people that I'm reading on my flist.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Haha, yes, they frak up spectacularly when it comes to romance. But. I love that sort of thing, the angst potential? It's odd. I just think that they know each other better than anyone else ever could, and they fit. One day they will work it all out.

I definitely agree that they know each other better than anyone else does.

Hmmm, maybe it's just that Tigh kind of gets ignored? At least, by the people that I'm reading on my flist.

It is true that he doesn't appear to bring up the upsetting/overpowering emotions that some characters tend to. I don't know. I always enjoy watching Tigh these days (though, as I recall, I think I disliked him in S1 up until Ellen was introduced).

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

Oooh, yes, on 2,3,5 and part of 7. I thought I would have liked Adama/Roslin, although I'm not sure I would have called myself a shipper, but...no. As you said, right now they're just reinforcing the bad things about each other and when I look at it objectively, it's just a terrible idea for them to be involved given the positions they hold. I know they're worn out; I know you could argue that they 'deserve it' in some way, but no.

I liked the idea of Dee and Lee, although I thought the execution was poor. Partly, because they're an alternative to Kara/Lee, which causes me to break out in hives. If you cannot be functional for more than five minutes in a relationship, please step back. Lee and Dee's scenes in the episode where she killed herself made me hopeful. :( I should have known better.

The thing that makes me prefer the younger Adama about 1000 times more than Senior is that Lee has got actual principles that extend beyond demanding loyalty to himself as the ultimate test. Adama...um. I'm not sure he does any longer, which is sad.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I thought I would have liked Adama/Roslin, although I'm not sure I would have called myself a shipper, but...no. As you said, right now they're just reinforcing the bad things about each other and when I look at it objectively, it's just a terrible idea for them to be involved given the positions they hold. I know they're worn out; I know you could argue that they 'deserve it' in some way, but no.

They really are their own personal echo chamber. Not healthy for any government.

I liked the idea of Dee and Lee, although I thought the execution was poor. Partly, because they're an alternative to Kara/Lee, which causes me to break out in hives. If you cannot be functional for more than five minutes in a relationship, please step back. Lee and Dee's scenes in the episode where she killed herself made me hopeful. :( I should have known better.

I liked Lee/Dee despite the writing, generally. I thought their character types were compatible and the actors had chemistry. But they really screwed up their relationship development (which became so clear when they started putting deleted scenes into the previouslys. Dude.

The thing that makes me prefer the younger Adama about 1000 times more than Senior is that Lee has got actual principles that extend beyond demanding loyalty to himself as the ultimate test. Adama...um. I'm not sure he does any longer, which is sad.

Exactly. Lee has an ethical base that means he can do things that he doesn't like but knows are right -- Adama judges everyone on whether or not they have personal loyalty to him.

[crossoverman.livejournal.com]

You think those opinions are unpopular?

3. I find them frustrating to watch - but I also think that's the whole point of their relationship, they shouldn't be in bed together. It creates drama.

4. Agreed.

5. It is his greatest flaw and I think the writers acknowledge that and write to it. I don't think they advocate a position one way or the other - which is why I love the show.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

You think those opinions are unpopular?

I can only base that off of my experience of my flist, but in that context... mostly, yeah.

It is his greatest flaw and I think the writers acknowledge that and write to it. I don't think they advocate a position one way or the other - which is why I love the show.

I would like to believe that the writers thought that Adama's loyalty kink and the Adama/Roslin relationships were unhealthy things. From what I've seen, it doesn't feel like they've portrayed it that way.

[outoftime.livejournal.com]

I so so so agree with #1 - I really am hoping that she gets redeemed/put back together with Tyrol before the show is over. Because that would be perfect - they loved each other.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I would love that so much. If that happened, then I would not need anything else.

[outoftime.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too. I am really just aching for it to happen because it makes SO much sense. Start with them, end with them. They both deserve it.

[kiki-miserychic.livejournal.com]

1. I like Boomer more than Athena as well. I hope her story as some closure.

3. AGREED.

4. As do I. I don't think there are any "bad guys" per se. They all think they're right and their actions are justified.

5. Adama is probably my least favorite character. I don't like his character, actions, motivations, and everything else about him. He always thinks he's right and everyone should fall in line.

6. Ditto.

7. Gaius has always been good at being horrible in my book.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I like Boomer more than Athena as well. I hope her story as some closure.

Yeah. I really would hate to think that they feel 'might have been blown up' to be enough closure.

Adama is probably my least favorite character. I don't like his character, actions, motivations, and everything else about him. He always thinks he's right and everyone should fall in line.

Exactly.

Gaius has always been good at being horrible in my book.

I agree that he's horrible. I just find it to be in an interesting way that the show doesn't sugar coat. He's definitely not a Good Person, though.

[nostariel]

1. Athena/Helo are my BSG OTP. But I hearted Boomer v.v. much.
2. Lee/Dee squicked me at first (Billy!), then they won me over. I like Kara and her Cylon boy. But last episode they finally sold me on Lee/Kara. I think it was all the shooting.
3. Oh shi-
   I never thought about it that way before. Too much Mom/Dad squee. Yeah, the military and civilian leadership hooking up is ethically wonky. Now I'm squicked too! DAMN YOU. But John/Aeryn rocked my socks and no-one can ever convince me they are not made of pure win.
4. Hahaha yes.
5. LOL JKR. God those books failed so hard.
6. It doesn't hurt that he now has a VAST NETWORK OF SPIES. Tyrol = ♥
7. Three way tie b/t Gaius, Lee, and Helo for me.

Extremely unpopular opinion: When the BSG miniseries first aired I was all into Lee/Roslin. I still think that would have worked. And been hot.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Athena/Helo are my BSG OTP. But I hearted Boomer v.v. much.

Athena and Helo are adorable. I really hope that nothing bad happens to them. But I don't think that I've seen anyone hating on them, so liking them isn't unpopular. I don't think.

Lee/Dee squicked me at first (Billy!), then they won me over. I like Kara and her Cylon boy. But last episode they finally sold me on Lee/Kara. I think it was all the shooting.

Yeah, I really enjoyed the Lee/Kara in the most recent episode. It really worked for me.

Oh shi-
I never thought about it that way before. Too much Mom/Dad squee. Yeah, the military and civilian leadership hooking up is ethically wonky. Now I'm squicked too! DAMN YOU.

Um. I'm sorry?

But John/Aeryn rocked my socks and no-one can ever convince me they are not made of pure win.

The John/Aeryn thing is my Ultimate Unpopular Opinion. I think I've met maybe two people on the whole of the internet who feel the same way.

God those books failed so hard.

They did! They really did.

It doesn't hurt that he now has a VAST NETWORK OF SPIES. Tyrol = ♥

So true. Spies = automatic awesome.

Three way tie b/t Gaius, Lee, and Helo for me.

They are all awesome.

Extremely unpopular opinion: When the BSG miniseries first aired I was all into Lee/Roslin. I still think that would have worked. And been hot.

Dude! I totally 'shipped them the first season. And then they totally dropped any interaction between them in S2 and I started going toward Lee/Dee instead.

[nostariel]

Um. I'm sorry?

Don't be! I haven't been as happy with them hooking up as I thought I would be, and this is probably why. My subconscious is often swifter on the uptake than the rest of me. :)

Dude! I totally 'shipped them the first season.

They would have been so great together! *goes looking for Lee/Roslin S1 fic*

[javabreeze.livejournal.com]

Sigh. I am still devastated over Dee dying. She was my favorite character on the show. And I loved her and Lee together. So the premiere episode just gutted me. But I continue to watch for Anders, Gaius and the final five. Everything else is kind of meh for me.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Yes. Dee dying was like being punched in the stomach, especially since she was so lovely and happy right before. Very painful.

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

I completely and wholeheartedly agree with you on 5, and Lee is absolutely my favorite human. I've been finding Adama totally frustrating for years with his whole "my way or you're a traitorous scum" thing. *eyeroll* Whatever, Adama. Are you really that insecure, that anyone who disagrees with you is automatically a bad person?

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Lee! I love Lee.

I've been finding Adama totally frustrating for years with his whole "my way or you're a traitorous scum" thing. *eyeroll* Whatever, Adama. Are you really that insecure, that anyone who disagrees with you is automatically a bad person?

That's exactly it. I mean, when Lee chose democracy over his dad, Adama took it as a personal slight. Dude! The world is bigger than you!

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

This is officially the first BSG post I've been able to read, since we JUST got caught up after starting to watch the show a couple of months ago. Wheee!

Re: #7, I LOVE Lee and Gaius. Mr. WG despises Gaius and keeps hoping he'll die. I also love love love Kara.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased to be your first!

*grins*

Lee is so great and Gaius is so much fun to watch. And Kara kicks ass on a continual basis.

[jedi_of_urth]

1) I wish they would give us more insight into Boomer these days because I have no idea what's going on and they've pretty much dropped her as a character. But she is my favorite Eight (kind of by default because I'm not an Athena fan) and she got such a bum deal.

2) Lee/Dee was poorly done in my eyes but the last interactions they had were sweet. I used to like Kara/Anders but this last season has really put me off it. I do like Lee/Kara personally.

3) As a concept Roslin/Adama is kind of squirky, but I love them together so much sometimes it's hard for me to admit it.

4) I totally get Gaeta right now (not to mention that it looks like 90% of the crew agreed with him) even if he's taking it to an extreme I can't get behind.

5) Agreed, and it's frustrating because I'm not sure TPTB intend it to be a flaw/annoying. Sometimes I can think they do but others not so much. He demands such total loyalty that it's like if people even look at him cross eyed it's a betrayal.
Also, agreed on the JKR thing.

6) Tyrol is pretty cuddle worthy.

7) I like, sometimes love, Lee. But Gaius needs to fall off a cliff as far as I'm concerned. The first couple seasons I really enjoyed him but since then he's either bored me so I wanted him to disappear or aggravated me so I wanted to do the cliff shoving myself.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I wish they would give us more insight into Boomer these days because I have no idea what's going on and they've pretty much dropped her as a character. But she is my favorite Eight (kind of by default because I'm not an Athena fan) and she got such a bum deal.

Yeah. I really wish that we'd gotten to spend more time with her with the base star so that we could see why she was making the choices she did.

Lee/Dee was poorly done in my eyes but the last interactions they had were sweet. I used to like Kara/Anders but this last season has really put me off it. I do like Lee/Kara personally.

Lee and Kara work for me occasionally. I really enjoyed them in the most recent episode.

[nicole-anell.livejournal.com]

I really, really demand to see Boomer again before this series ends.

Adama's definition of what makes a person good seems to always end up being 'person who is loyal to Adama'.
God, yes. I prefer it when the show doesn't just go along with that.

Adama/Roslin is weird for me. I enjoy them as a couple on a very human, shippy level, and the fact they finally got romantic this season makes me excited and happy. At the same time, the admiral and the president *should not be dating each other*. They're an absolutely horrible influence on each other politically. I thought that reveal of them peacefully in bed together was equally sweet and unsettling -- we already know the writing for Gaeta Gaeta Revolution is on the wall, and they should know too (maybe not from him specifically, but it's obvious something is about to snap) and they're just being so apathetic and willfully oblivious to it.

((love love love for Gaius, hopefully cancelling out my Lee ambivalence))

[prlrocks.livejournal.com]

Even though she is not my favorite I totally agree with you on Boomer. She got a raw deal and I hope things work out for her if she is still out there.

I didn't like Lee/Dee, but I don't like Lee/Kara either. If I had to pick Lee being with one of the it would be Dee every time.

As someone who not only ships Roslin/Adama, but looks upon both as her favorite characters I disagree on most of what you said about them. The one thing I agree with you on? That them sleeping together is dangerous, BUT to me that is part of the appeal of the ship. It's walking a fine line and they need to be careful.

People don't like Tyrol anymore? Wow, if it one of my favorite characters!

And lastly, lol. I HATE Gaius. Loathe, can't stand, wish they'd kill him off. I think even with all the changes, he is faker then fake. I think he says whatever is good for him at the time and doesn't believe most of what he says. I'm not a Lee fan either. I liked him in the first two seson, but since then he has driven me nuts.

[lookatmoiye7.livejournal.com]

I find people's relationships with BSG so interesting, simply because my experiences with it are so different from every other show I've ever followed. I don't have a ship. I don't love the characters. I don't want to have a million icons for it and write for it. But still, it is one of my favourite shows ever. Why is this? I'm assuming it's because of the story. It's one of the only shows that does, and can, make the story more interesting and important than the singular characters. Most of the time, in storytelling, this is a no-no, but here, in this wonderful show, I think it's important.

In regards to singular characters, I love Tyrol, and have since the beginning, but he's about the only one. I'm impartial to most of the other characters (although I must say I love Kara's bite, even if she can step over the line a ridiculous amount of the time), mostly, but that doesn't seem to matter.

Similarly, ship-wise, I've never liked any of them, which is exceedingly strange for me. In almost every show I've ever watched, even in TV movies or similar, I can be almost guaranteed to latch onto a a couple and ship them for all they're worth, but not here. No-one satisfies me. I don't like Adama/Roslin, or Lee/Kara or Lee/Dee (*giggles*) or Kara/Anders, or... anyone/anyone, really. Athena/Helo are okay, but I can't quite get over my Boomer/Chief love, as short-lived as it may have been (even though they are two totally different beings, and I know this, I can't help it. My Chief love is just too great). The only other couple I was briefly interested in was Kara/Leoben, and we all know how well that turned out.

Anyway! Enough about me! Thank you so much for posting your thoughts, it was a fascinating read. I think part of the reason I like this show so much is that it creates such divided opinions. It really demonstrates quite obviously that what one person sees doesn't necessarily have any bearing whatsoever on what the next will. ♥

[selenak.livejournal.com]

On that note, a poll of interest to you:

http://pellucid.livejournal.com/316035.html

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thanks for pointing this out to me.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, and might also be interested in this:

http://zinke.livejournal.com/123513.html

[parhelion-spark.livejournal.com]

OH GODS I SO WANT TO READ THIS.

I just watched the pilot last night finally.
(Seriously, 1 1/2 hours would've been more than ample time. Eurgh.)

It was..way overrated. I am going to finish watching it though, so it bugs me I cannot read the spoilers in this post and subsequently bitch about things.
Fie!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Hee. I would love to know what's bothering you so far! What characters do you like and dislike based on just the pilot?