Roslin, the Adamas, and me tearing at my hair -- the usual

[caffey]

You know what? I'm beginning to understand why Roslin makes me want to rip my hair out occasionally. In some ways she's unpredictable. Every time I think I've got a handle on her character, she does something that I didn't see coming. Towards the beginning of season three when they're all still on occupied New Caprica Col. Tigh says something that exactly resembles my thoughts on Roslin. He says, "You know, sometimes I think that you've got ice water in those veins, and other times I think you're just a naive little schoolteacher." I think Crossroads hits that fact home.

I'm not talking about her desire to see Baltar convicted. I get that. I'm talking about how she treats people close to her on occasion. The woman can give the most magnificent set-downs but, again, I don't understand her reasons. Some people get leniency, others get close to having their throats ripped out, and I can never tell what's it going to be. After the press conference about her relapsed cancer when Tory snaps, Roslin hands out one of those set-downs and I didn't see it coming. I fully expected her to try and get to the bottom of Tory's problem. Instead, she goes all ice-queen on her and I went WTF? I may never understand her character which doesn't bode well for me writing a lot of A/R BSG fiction.

Now I like to rant about Roslin because I think her faults (for lack of a better word) are more in your face, but Bill Adama isn't all shiny either. He's rather quick to try and put an end to things he doesn't like, no matter that his actions are undemocratic. Yes, so he's the fleet admiral. But what's the point in supporting a democratic system when you reserve the right to pull the plug whenever something doesn't go to your liking?

As for Lee... well, Lee. The slug. I'm torn when it comes to him. I believe out of the three of them he's the one with the clearest concept of democracy. That puts him between a rock and a hard place, especially during the Baltar's trial. I like that about him. He knows the difference about right and wrong and he's not afraid to point it out, even if it's unpopular. But, other than that, he's a slug. Marrying Dee because Starbuck married Anders? Willing to kiss and grope Starbuck, but not willing to go all the way 'cause that's cheating? WTF? Speaking of Anders, overall I think he's the more interesting and likable character.

I hope season four rocks as much as season three does!

Comments

[joywriter-1980.livejournal.com]

Season four rocks so far (I'm just about to watch episode 5 this evening now if I can get myself away from the pc that is...). And wasn't that episode with Baltar's questioning just great? I mean the one were they used drugs on him (that doesn't mean I liked the fact that they tortured him, just enjoyed Callis' playing in that one...)

[caffey.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, that was some great acting on Callis's part. But then, BSG has a number of very talented actors. MM and EJO of course, but I'm also very impressed by Michael Hogan and Katee Sackhoff. Very impressed. ^^

I was going to start watching season four today, but I'm afraid that won't be possible. I'm working my way through A/R fanfic and loving every moment of it. *rubs hands in anticipation of the next story*

[joywriter-1980.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah, that was some great acting on Callis's part. But then, BSG has a number of very talented actors. MM and EJO of course, but I'm also very impressed by Michael Hogan and Katee Sackhoff. Very impressed."

Yeah, your right with that one! Many great people there. It's also a big plus that the storyline continues, so a great character development is possible (not just like in Star Trek were the characters were just walking on the same spot...)

[caffey.livejournal.com]

Amen to that. I love shows with a good, solid story arc and character development. BSG has got all of that and more.

[sira01.livejournal.com]

Hmmh, I know what you mean, although I don't know if I agree with all of that. I understand what you say about the way Laura treats Tory after the press conference but just imaging you learn - again - that you're about to die, then a man you formerly trusted tries to make you look like a drug addict and then - when all that you have left (because what kind of life does she have)is your job - someone tries to mess up with your job because of something you have no idea of. I mean, honestly, I can see why Laura doesn't show any patience with Tory in this scene. Is it a nice thing to do, no but it's human. And it's funny somehow. I love Laura, the woman, but don't really like Laura, the president. *lol* That's why my fanfic is mostly AU.

Hmmh, my opinion of Lee is best reflected by a comment Roslin makes in 4x4, so I can't really talk about him. *lol*

[caffey.livejournal.com]

I love Laura, the woman, but don't really like Laura, the president.

I'm sooo there with you. In fact, that's the crux of my problem. It's like she has two separate personas and I can't reconcile one with the other.

I don't know that I agree with your assessment of that scene. It didn't feel like Tory was actively working against her. And while I understand Roslin's unhappiness with Tory's comment about carcasses, the rest of her set-down was uncalled for.

[sira01.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't think that Tory was working against her, I only think that she was in no frame of mind to deal with her at the moment. Just think you had some really, really shitty day - and I think having everyone learn that you're dying (which is a dreadful thing in and on itself) again qualifies as shitty day - and then there comes the thing that broke the camel's back. I think Tory's and her behaviour was just too much at this moment. And if it hadn't been Tory she might have snapped about something else. And no, it doesn't make it right at all. I'm just saying I have some sympathy for her.

ANd I loooove your icon btw.

[caffey.livejournal.com]

I hear you and you may be right about her frame of mind. However, this wasn't the first time she's done this. Methinks it's part of her president persona. But, you know, the phone call to Bill at the beginning basically makes up for this lapse.

I'm regressing into full-fledged fangirlhood here. I haven't been this squee-y about a ship since I've watched Caretaker in 1997. And yes, I'm grinning like a loon every time Roslin and Adama get screentime. :D

And thank you! I needed an A/R icon that was all mine.

[clare009.livejournal.com]

Season four rocks like a big rock. I think part of the reason why I love this show so much is that the human characters aren't always easy to predict. They've all got this underlying desperation because of the situation they're in, but on top of that are all the things that knit together to form flawed, crazy and realistic people - and that seems to contrast so well with the cylon characters who are brushed out in broad strokes. Even in season 3, though, we start to see how not even the Cylons are as predictable as we once thought.

As for Roslin, I think she feels she needs this tough persona in order to command and so she puts it on from her very first time as president and every time after. In a lot of ways, she over compensates. But in the end, the lines between the persona and who she really is become blurred until even she can't tell the difference.

Baltar is another character I adore, and I think in some ways, his arc mirrors that of Roslin's in the true sense - they are both on opposite paths.

[caffey.livejournal.com]

I keep wanting to reply to your comment, but I'll need to get clearer idea of why I'm so very much in love with this show first. There's the obvious reasons of course, but a lot of shows have interesting characters and good story writing.

I'll say this, though. I'm Baltar fangirl, have been from the first episode, and it's always great to find someone who adores him just as much. Apparently, many people don't and I don't get it.