tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post8759757854086157964..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Battlestar Galactica, "Deadlock": Wait till your mother gets home!Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58702559027129972242009-02-28T14:34:00.000-05:002009-02-28T14:34:00.000-05:00I didn't dislike this ep as much as others did (an...I didn't dislike this ep as much as others did (and the prior week's with all the exposition really annoyed me--this was tame by comparison), and I actually liked the fact that as "above it all" as the final five are supposed to be...they're not. They're scheming and petty and loyal and loving and difficult and intractable and...human. I loved that Ellen is still the difficult, selfish b**** she was back in the day, and how she can manipulate everyone around her. And I love how Saul's greatest love is not either of the women in his life...but Bill. Although I teared up at both his emotional moments in the show--Hogan is such an amazing actor. The actual sci-fi storyline doesn't interest me nearly as much as the people in it, so I wasn't disappointed in "Deadlock". Although devoting as much time to Baltar was silly, I dug the return of Chip Six and her control of him.<BR/><BR/>As for Tyrol, he's one of my faves, so when I heard him say they should leave the fleet I said out loud "Oh, no Galen! Don't do that!" Because I'm an overly attached goober. But I hope he and Boomer get back together and find their happily ever after! Which makes me an overly-attached <I>romantic</I> goober.erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16186483042206438665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25631005679442558152009-02-25T13:28:00.000-05:002009-02-25T13:28:00.000-05:00Y'all are going to think I'm crazy, but I *just st...Y'all are going to think I'm crazy, but I *just started watching.* With the start of 4.5. I am so confused! But having a great time! ;-) <BR/><BR/>Since I don't have the long history of all these characters and interactions I think I get a bit different view of them. Last week I was really intrigued by Ellen and repulsed by John. I felt a surge of hope when Ellen headed off toward the fleet. <BR/><BR/>But this week I realized that John's cruelty and discomfort in his skin is part and parcel of Ellen's make-up. He is no crueler than her, and her desperate need for evidence that she is loved points to part of his motivation. <BR/><BR/>I had the sense that Caprica's baby was not to be, and that there was some connection between the baby and Sam's consciousness. Remember that the baby started moving after Sam's brain stopped? <BR/><BR/>I do get the feeling that these episodes are more like a big story cut into slices rather than crafted chapters to a bigger story. <BR/><BR/>I still don't get the mutiny. From the perspective of the proximity of the end of the series, what need does the mutiny create or move forward that jolts the story to where it needs to be for the ending. <BR/><BR/>I am also left wondering "where is the planet?" These are not a space-dwelling people and nothing in the plot suggests that they're preparing to become that. Yet nothing since the bombed-out earth episode suggests that anyone has a clue where the next planet might be. Yes, it should be a surprise, but with 5 hours to go it seems like there should be clues appearing lest it show up like a deus ex machina. <BR/><BR/>But as I type that, I realize that could be exactly what happens -- the god from the machine.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15325195365190586576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37052377618905976712009-02-24T15:11:00.000-05:002009-02-24T15:11:00.000-05:00I thik if the commenters paid as much attention to...I thik if the commenters paid as much attention to reading/understanding/responding to the Bailout Bill as they do to nit-picking Alan's BSG observations, this country would be in a lot better shape! People--focus your angst and criticism on a target that <I>really</I> needs attention! Alan: keep up the good work! I look forward to reading what you think, even if I don't agree with you all the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59269037743317447482009-02-24T01:52:00.000-05:002009-02-24T01:52:00.000-05:00That's the whole point, ALAN. You don't have an o...That's the whole point, ALAN. You don't have an opinion. And in not having one, you get to have everything. You get to post the vitriol of others without having to answer for it. You get to wink-wink with those objects of scorn by getting all high-minded about having an opinion, that EVERYONE has an opinion and we're all entitled to our opinions and nobody's ever going to stop Alan from watching them go by. And I won't even stoop to daring you into printing this because the message is for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-26187812954898626482009-02-23T22:55:00.000-05:002009-02-23T22:55:00.000-05:00Hi Alan - Just watched the ep on DVR, then read yo...Hi Alan - <BR/><BR/>Just watched the ep on DVR, then read your recap and Mo's post on the Watcher. <BR/><BR/>Were you able to ever get clarification on how Boomer & Ellen were able to so easily find the fleet?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30006331765448494992009-02-23T20:24:00.000-05:002009-02-23T20:24:00.000-05:00Geez, I disagree with Alan sometimes when I read h...Geez, I disagree with Alan sometimes when I read his posts...but appreciate that he's willing to express his genuine opinions and thoughts about everything...whether he's with popular opinion or against it<BR/><BR/>shame on that post...Alan clearly has a great deal of intellectual integrity....he's allowed to be wrong sometimes :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42157286118598969082009-02-23T17:19:00.000-05:002009-02-23T17:19:00.000-05:00I think Espenson does good work in general, and lo...I think Espenson does good work in general, and loved the comical touches to this episode. Adama's line may have been a bit lowbrow, and MAYBE not completely in character, but I laughed out loud and the argument can be made that he has such contempt for Baltar he would use such a line to excuse himself - as in, his bathroom trip takes precedence over anything Baltar has to say.<BR/><BR/>I also loved when the clip in Baltar's gun fell out, and his reaction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35937540987591231992009-02-23T15:37:00.000-05:002009-02-23T15:37:00.000-05:00Linda C.:Mo and Alan have nothing to be embarrasse...Linda C.:<BR/><BR/>Mo and Alan have nothing to be embarrassed about.<BR/><BR/>Alleged fans posting misogynistic, hateful personal abuse (elsewhere) like "How many c**ks does this no-talent c**t suck to get work?" do.<BR/><BR/>When I read hateful and cowardly bullshit like that -- abuse I don't recall being thrown at Michael Angelli and Mark Verheiden for being the credited writers on poorly-received clunkers like 'Black Market' and 'The Woman King', BTW -- I'm ashamed to call myself a sci-fi fan.<BR/><BR/>Jane Espenson's work most definitely is not beyond criticism -- she sure couldn't turn me into a Gilmore Girl! But when the criticism gets that personal, poisonous and entirely disproportionate to her actual role in the episode, forgive for wondering if there's an elephant in the room. And it's called Sexism if not outright Misogyny.Craig Ranapiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923246310584658857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59693405634942900032009-02-23T15:29:00.000-05:002009-02-23T15:29:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Craig Ranapiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923246310584658857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-47222658350240644582009-02-23T14:37:00.000-05:002009-02-23T14:37:00.000-05:00Exactly Alan.The show was not universally panned.I...Exactly Alan.<BR/><BR/>The show was not universally panned.<BR/><BR/>I personally thought it was completely consistent thematically with the rest of BSG (see my earlier post).imnotbobbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18306475092005894772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-62551420202043409692009-02-23T14:32:00.000-05:002009-02-23T14:32:00.000-05:00What happened to opinions based on the material an...<I>What happened to opinions based on the material and not on networking and back-scratching with a writer from the show? Look at your frakking posts, Alan. Look at what most people are saying, Ms. Ryan! This episode was universally panned. Will you quit trying to make the proverbial silk purse? Honestly, you both should be embarrassed.</I><BR/><BR/>Yes, I am so, so, so ashamed for expressing my honest (and mixed) opinion about an episode of "BSG." <BR/><BR/>What, exactly, does sucking up to Jane Espenson get me? I'm not a reporter who needs to keep the scoop train running, and I'm not trying to break into the business. I'm not going to get extra page views because I say nice things about an episode -- if anything, rants tend to draw more traffic from rubberneckers. <BR/><BR/>Isn't it possible -- maybe, just maybe -- that not everyone shares the same opinion about everything?Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7169951216983998682009-02-23T14:08:00.000-05:002009-02-23T14:08:00.000-05:00Bloggers unite! What abunch of spin-crap. Jane E...Bloggers unite! What abunch of spin-crap. Jane Espenson, A WELL-KNOWN BLOGGER, Maureen Ryan, A WELL-KNOWN media blogger, and you, with your "What's Alan Watching?" -- and nary a discouraging word about "Deadlock," which was dead wrong. What happened to opinions based on the material and not on networking and back-scratching with a writer from the show? Look at your frakking posts, Alan. Look at what most people are saying, Ms. Ryan! This episode was universally panned. Will you quit trying to make the proverbial silk purse? Honestly, you both should be embarrassed. <BR/><BR/>Linda C.<BR/>LA, CAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41791995139700607912009-02-23T13:51:00.000-05:002009-02-23T13:51:00.000-05:00Someone's favorite moment: a toilet joke. Someone...Someone's favorite moment: a toilet joke. Someone else's: "Wow, dead chicks in space" <BR/> This had to be one of the most off-center, melodramatic, and poorly written shows of the Battlestar series -- including the original. It's as if someone -- David Eick? Ronald Moore? -- threw an episode of one of the greatest TV shows in the past 25 years to some friend who was owed a favor and just let her write whatever she felt like -- Which could even be okay if the writing was any good. But it was terrible. My money says J. Espenson will have a hard time finding work after this piece of ***.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36417586769387562152009-02-23T12:14:00.000-05:002009-02-23T12:14:00.000-05:00"But I think Ron's attitude has been that you've a..."But I think Ron's attitude has been that you've actually got to have a pretty strong case to take to the network -- who, quite understandably, are always going to be a little iffy about screwing with the schedules. "<BR/><BR/>I still believe they would have made more money selling advertising during the show, even if it went 10 minutes into the next hour. I doubt the ratings for the Stargate rerun or any other show they would have aired could match the advertising revenue of an original episode of BSG. Well, the SciFi channel never struck me as have too much business sense, anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-92097269356819684872009-02-23T11:39:00.000-05:002009-02-23T11:39:00.000-05:00I just watched again, and like this episode quite ...I just watched again, and like this episode quite a bit better upon 2nd viewing. The baby dies when Ellen says her selfless speech to Caprica6 and Saul looks at her with love - suggesting he felt more love for Ellen at that moment so the baby kicked off. It seems obvious that Ellen never got pregnant because she doesn't have the love (not Saul's fault).<BR/><BR/>Ellen seemed right on board the whole time with the notion that if Saul wavered in his love, the baby couldn't exist. maybe that is part of cylon programming and she knows it? That would explain why she was so hurt by the fact of the pregnancy.<BR/><BR/>I also enjoyed the Baltar storyline better this time. The military cannot be the civilian police as well (they currently need cylons to help with everything military - pilots, repairs, etc), and unless they take the time to recruit and train a civilian police force, a stand-in is required. With the cylon/human alliance not being all that acceptable to the humans, but the necessity of it obvious to Adama, arming and empowering Baltar's somewhat benevolent and mostly female force seems like the only short term plan.<BR/><BR/>It was a good set up episode for the final 4 shows. If Sam wakes up, the final 5 will be together and presumably the cylon baseship leaving the fleet won't be an option. Caprica6 can get back to being herself, Hera is the only answer for the cylons, Baltar's cult will be armed and dangerous, and Cavil will have to be dealt with.<BR/><BR/>Opera house? Starbuck? Daniel? Lots to cover in 4 episodes, even if some are extended. Can't wait!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-83397803692967428042009-02-23T11:12:00.000-05:002009-02-23T11:12:00.000-05:00I think this is probably the fifth or sixth episod...I think this is probably the fifth or sixth episode where Tyrol did something that was exactly the opposite of what happened the previous week, no?<BR/><BR/>I agree that this was one of the funniest episodes in awhile. Hot Dog's line ("how many dead chicks are out there?") was great. The worried look on the cylon faces when the Tighs are arguing was a classic "are mommy and daddy getting a divorce?" moment. And when Ellen comes back and puts her hand on Saul's shoulder at Caprica's bedside, they very much look like worried parents at a child's bedside.Butchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00470617214750867482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30940832268445000412009-02-23T09:20:00.000-05:002009-02-23T09:20:00.000-05:00This has all happened before and will again. Is t...This has all happened before and will again. Is the whole sequence a lesson/punishment for trying to play god and create "life"? Humans make cylons, cylons make cylons, Dr. Frankenstein makes a monster, all lead to destruction in one form or another? Stop trying to play god and peace will ensue? <BR/><BR/>Oh, and arming the least bad or best positioned group is what the government does in crisis situations. We did that in Iraq and all over the world to keep the peace. I have no problem believing that Adama would arm Baltar's group since his marines are stretched too thin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-56329373777221081102009-02-23T09:15:00.000-05:002009-02-23T09:15:00.000-05:00I thought Tyrol's vote to abandon the fleet made z...I thought Tyrol's vote to abandon the fleet made zero sense. Of course Tigh is going to vote to stay and Tory to go, but did they really need a "majority rules" plot to make Ellen the swing vote? It was really out of character and lame.<BR/><BR/>The transition from cool, clever scientist Ellen back to petty, dumb, floozy Ellen was absurd. Other than to show where Cavil gets his psychotic jealosy, I think the whole Ellen character as written in these last 2 episodes deserves some "razzy" awards. Really bad writing. Of course she'd be upset and concerned about hubby impregnating one of their creations, but her response was silly.<BR/><BR/>AND completely out of touch with the storyline. If Ellen remembers everything Sam did and more, how could she or the others even consider leaving? Cylons + cylons didn't work with the 13th tribe, but suddenly they are ready to run off because 1 cylon-cylon mating resulted in a pregnancy? If the 5 can redesign resurrection, isn't the result the same? They don't need the humans? Is that the real reason for the miscarriage - cylon/cylon reproduction displeases god?<BR/><BR/>The most interesting part of the episode was the return to highlighting Saul's obsessive man-love of Adama. That's what keeps Saul with the fleet, and what really gets under Ellen's skin. Those 2 guys should get it on and see if that pleases the 1 true god.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13381315590172487072009-02-22T17:46:00.000-05:002009-02-22T17:46:00.000-05:00Not sure I am following all of the back and forth ...Not sure I am following all of the back and forth trips and timelines - can somebody clarify?<BR/><BR/>Exodus #4: 12 Colonies to Earth & ? (Started 3-4 years ago).<BR/><BR/>Exodus #3: 13th Tribe from Earth to 12 Colonies (Ended 50 years ago but started 2,000 years ago relatively speaking (for the Final 5, the trip took months/years at subluminal speed and thus time slowed down for them as compared to Earth and the 12 Colonies - I used to know this math, but you can calculate the duration of the F5 trip based on the 2,000 dating of the destruction of Earth).<BR/><BR/>Exodus #2(a): 13th Tribe from Kobol to Earth (about 4,000 years ago, stopping off to build Temple of Five/Hope and dropping off the Lion's Head Probe); this ties both to the dates dropped earlier in the series and if you presume that the 13th Tribe did not have jumptech but had to travel subluminally like the Final Five in Exodus #3.<BR/><BR/>Exodus #2(b): Other 12 Tribes to 12 Colonies (about 4,000 years ago).<BR/><BR/>Exodus #1: Earth to Kobol (at least 6,000 years ago for the same jumptech/relativity reason in Exodus #2); this Exodus must have occurred: how else could the Temple of Athena have the Zodiac constellations as seen from the point of view of an observer on Earth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-61986843967356557292009-02-22T11:19:00.000-05:002009-02-22T11:19:00.000-05:00Alan, I have to say I love your blog and your insi...Alan, I have to say I love your blog and your insightful comments, observations, and connections. <BR/><BR/>This episode sorely disappointed me. BSG is THE ONLY TV show I watch. In the past, I have been impressed with the plot lines of each episode and enraptured by the greater, overarching plot of the entire series. The creators and writers of this show got me hooked onto this show with their vision, far thinking, and the superb character development.<BR/><BR/>I am sad to say but I fear that, instead of this show improving in quality and continuing to build suspense, the show is spiraling downward toward the finish line. Ever since the humans went to New Caprica, I have felt disappointed and un-fulfilled. Excellent acting cannot redeem scripts that do not significantly build and connect to the series' larger storyline.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-4440359553161539222009-02-22T06:31:00.000-05:002009-02-22T06:31:00.000-05:00At first I was dissappointed by the soap opera tur...At first I was dissappointed by the soap opera turn the ep took - but after thinking about it logically they <B>had</B> to address this Saul/Ellen/Six triangle, they couldn't just gloss over it so at least it was true to the characters IMOH E Pennypackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06976111802591827611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88335572558685853672009-02-22T00:37:00.000-05:002009-02-22T00:37:00.000-05:00This episode, more than others, felt forced, likel...<I>This episode, more than others, felt forced, likely due to corporate constraints (money). Wouldn't it have been more profitable to extend the show to 90 minutes (which would have raised additional advertising revenue) by keeping the parts that appear to have been left on the editing room floor?</I><BR/><BR/>Of course, anonymous, there have been episodes that ran to 90 minutes, but they've tended to be openers or season finales. (And I believe both parts of 'Daybreak' -- the series finale -- will run at 90 minutes.)<BR/><BR/>But I think Ron's attitude has been that you've actually got to have a pretty strong case to take to the network -- who, quite understandably, are always going to be a little iffy about screwing with the schedules. 'Pegasus' for example, wasn't felt that there was enough strong additional material to justify a 60-65 minute running time, but that there was enough to justify a 'director's cut' on the DVD. I don't think fans are going to be thankful for a few minutes of good stuff and lot of padding.Craig Ranapiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923246310584658857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25873890117243391032009-02-22T00:21:00.000-05:002009-02-22T00:21:00.000-05:00This episode, more than others, felt forced, likel...This episode, more than others, felt forced, likely due to corporate constraints (money). Wouldn't it have been more profitable to extend the show to 90 minutes (which would have raised additional advertising revenue) by keeping the parts that appear to have been left on the editing room floor? I believe many people would have continued to watch BSG for 90 minutes or more; did anyone stay up to watch yet another repeat of Stargate?<BR/><BR/>This episode didn't meet my expectations, but maybe my expectations were wrong. Not every episode is going to have the impact like the ones in early January. Most people who didn't like this episode will probably review it in the future for what they missed while complaining about it (I'm one of them). I think this episode was a victim of needing to jam too much info and emotion into a short span of time. I hope a future DVD collection will have a director's cut of these episodes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-12814121914481209052009-02-21T23:41:00.000-05:002009-02-21T23:41:00.000-05:00For that matter, on what do we pin Ellen and Saul'...<I>For that matter, on what do we pin Ellen and Saul's fertility problems?</I><BR/><BR/>While Craig R's points about both of them being alcoholics may be valid, one thing leapt out at me immediately: it wasn't Tigh who didn't love Ellen enough for them to conceive -- Caprica conceived his child while he was projecting Ellen onto her. It was <I>Ellen</I> who didn't love Tigh enough to conceive. It seems completely obvious to me that Ellen's soul is too small to ever be able to love selflessly. Her jealousy and pettiness stand in sharp contrast to all the lofty ideals she was spouting at Cavil before Boomer got her out of there. <BR/><BR/>The Baltar plot was a snooze and Head Six creeps me out. Adama is drinking too much because he <I>always</I> drinks too much when he loses control of a situation, and right now the entire fleet is running on fumes and Bill is waiting for Laura to die, which also explains the decision to arm Baltar's little cult.<BR/><BR/>Michael Hogan is absolutely incredible, this show was his Emmy reel for certain. Even a "bad" ep of BSG is way better than most everything else that's on, so I'm not complaining.Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06093453920666892035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25972320540710689742009-02-21T23:36:00.000-05:002009-02-21T23:36:00.000-05:00Yup, it was a 90210 episode. Though the funny was ...Yup, it was a 90210 episode. Though the funny was nice, especially Adama's bathroom humor. And the stuff about the cut Centurion talk at least clarifies the "last human solution" thing, which didn't make sense on screen why anyone would think Baltar's cult should get guns (answer: it still beats Centurions). Loved Paula. Loved that SOMEONE wasn't taken in by Baltar's crap any more. <BR/><BR/>I honestly have no interest in Baltar the character any more- no offense meant to the actor, but his role feels so played out and done and pretty much has since the trial ended. I rather wish he was airlocked because I don't care about his cult or him playing Lord Bountiful alluva sudden (though "oops, I slept with you? ummm..." was amusing), and I was annoyed that so much screen time had to be paid to Baltar just so he can get re-established so they can get to the Opera House whatever. Do not care. Would rather watch anything else right now than him.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16906089927390662087noreply@blogger.com