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...)

[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*

[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.