Cats. Not to be trusted. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
catwalksalone) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
rat_jam2007-03-31 06:00 pm
catwalksalone) wrote in rat_jam2007-03-31 06:00 pm
Entry tags:
Meta: Real Issues Used In Battlestar Galactica
MJ Panel Mod: izzybeth
The reimagined Battlestar Galactica is more than simply an accomplished example of science fiction's post-apocalyptic subgenre; as well as creating nuanced human drama, the writers use the setting and society, which is both utterly distant from ours and entirely recognisable, as a lens through which to view real-world issues. Issues raised include the balance between individual freedoms and the needs of society: season one deals with freedom in the press in a society under unimaginable stress, and labour rights are the focus in season three's Dirty Hands. New Caprica has clear parallels to Iraq, and Season Two's themes of religion in government and separation of church and state also resonate with contemporary society.
NB: We're here to talk about the show, so let's keep discussion centred on the show, and leave personal politics for another time. That is, talking about the stance the show takes on a particular issue is fine; talking about whether you think the stance is right or wrong is off-topic.
Some examples from specific episodes:
Miniseries:
- Sept. 11
- power vacuum
Season one:
Bastille Day:
- prisons
- overcrowding
- use of prisoners as labor
- political prisoners
- hostage situations
Litmus:
- the independent tribunal
- Sergeant. at arms: who governs the government
- witch hunt; persecution vs. protection
- article 23: right to not self-incriminate used as evidence of guilt
Flesh And Bone:
- interrogation of POWs
- interrogation techniques and torture
Colonial Day:
- appointment to positions (Grey)
- ex-criminals in a free society (Zarek)
Kobol's Last Gleaming 1&2:
- military coup, martial law; civilian versus military government.
Season two:
Resistance:
- civilian protests
- demonstrations
- civil disobedience
- labor strikes
- violent retaliation
The Farm:
- female reproductive rights
Home 1&2:
- "religious fanatics and terrorists" -Adama
- religion and myth - parallels with creationism in our society?
Pegasus:
- treatment of POWs (Six), torture
Resurrection Ship 1&2:
- Cain's military civilian life
- women in positions of great power
- assassination (or damn close to it)
Epiphanies:
- more civilian protest
- sabotage
- sympathizers
The Captain's Hand:
- abortion ban for good of the fleet
- slippery slope - deny one basic right, how many will follow?
- good of the many versus good of the few
Downloaded:
- what does it mean to be human?
- humans are the ones who are taking reprisals against Cylons who never did anything to them, just because they are Cylons, which is a traditionally inhumane thing to do.
- the Cylons are the ones who show compassion and spare Anders' life.
Lay Down Your Burdens 1&2:
- misdirection of issues in election campaigns
- the role of media in political life
- election fraud
Season three
Webisodes:
- political spectrum
-- active resistance versus neutrality versus compliance/collaboration
Occupation:
- see title
- violent resistance
- political imprisonment
- informants vs. traitors
Precipice:
- compliance/collaboration
- resistance
- suicide bombings
- mass executions
Collaborators:
- see title.
- displaced military and civilian populations
- conviction of guilt by jury with obvious bias
- truth and reconciliation
Torn/Measure Of Salvation:
- cylon disease as parallel to AIDS if you want to play it that way
- genocide (thanks Angeli, i never would have gotten it)
Taking A Break:
- interrogation and torture
Woman King:
- racism
- religion
- the divide between "crazy" fundamentalists and society at large
Dirty Hands:
- labor issues
Crossroads 1&2:
- high-profile trial
- crimes against humanity
- working within the system versus dismantling the system and making a new one
Possible discussion points:
Why is science fiction such a popular medium for holding the mirror up to reality? Is the different perspective that can be offered by a different context more or less effective than a straight-out real-world treatment of similar issues?
On the other hand, can it be taken too far or too literally? For instance, do you find the parallels between New Caprica and Iraq too literal? Are there any other real-world conflics you think the arc draws on?
Do you think the creators/writers/producers/etc. are deliberately trying to make a statement on any current issue with the show?
What differences do you see between the role of religion in the Colonies and religion on Earth?
The reimagined Battlestar Galactica is more than simply an accomplished example of science fiction's post-apocalyptic subgenre; as well as creating nuanced human drama, the writers use the setting and society, which is both utterly distant from ours and entirely recognisable, as a lens through which to view real-world issues. Issues raised include the balance between individual freedoms and the needs of society: season one deals with freedom in the press in a society under unimaginable stress, and labour rights are the focus in season three's Dirty Hands. New Caprica has clear parallels to Iraq, and Season Two's themes of religion in government and separation of church and state also resonate with contemporary society.
NB: We're here to talk about the show, so let's keep discussion centred on the show, and leave personal politics for another time. That is, talking about the stance the show takes on a particular issue is fine; talking about whether you think the stance is right or wrong is off-topic.
Some examples from specific episodes:
Miniseries:
- Sept. 11
- power vacuum
Season one:
Bastille Day:
- prisons
- overcrowding
- use of prisoners as labor
- political prisoners
- hostage situations
Litmus:
- the independent tribunal
- Sergeant. at arms: who governs the government
- witch hunt; persecution vs. protection
- article 23: right to not self-incriminate used as evidence of guilt
Flesh And Bone:
- interrogation of POWs
- interrogation techniques and torture
Colonial Day:
- appointment to positions (Grey)
- ex-criminals in a free society (Zarek)
Kobol's Last Gleaming 1&2:
- military coup, martial law; civilian versus military government.
Season two:
Resistance:
- civilian protests
- demonstrations
- civil disobedience
- labor strikes
- violent retaliation
The Farm:
- female reproductive rights
Home 1&2:
- "religious fanatics and terrorists" -Adama
- religion and myth - parallels with creationism in our society?
Pegasus:
- treatment of POWs (Six), torture
Resurrection Ship 1&2:
- Cain's military civilian life
- women in positions of great power
- assassination (or damn close to it)
Epiphanies:
- more civilian protest
- sabotage
- sympathizers
The Captain's Hand:
- abortion ban for good of the fleet
- slippery slope - deny one basic right, how many will follow?
- good of the many versus good of the few
Downloaded:
- what does it mean to be human?
- humans are the ones who are taking reprisals against Cylons who never did anything to them, just because they are Cylons, which is a traditionally inhumane thing to do.
- the Cylons are the ones who show compassion and spare Anders' life.
Lay Down Your Burdens 1&2:
- misdirection of issues in election campaigns
- the role of media in political life
- election fraud
Season three
Webisodes:
- political spectrum
-- active resistance versus neutrality versus compliance/collaboration
Occupation:
- see title
- violent resistance
- political imprisonment
- informants vs. traitors
Precipice:
- compliance/collaboration
- resistance
- suicide bombings
- mass executions
Collaborators:
- see title.
- displaced military and civilian populations
- conviction of guilt by jury with obvious bias
- truth and reconciliation
Torn/Measure Of Salvation:
- cylon disease as parallel to AIDS if you want to play it that way
- genocide (thanks Angeli, i never would have gotten it)
Taking A Break:
- interrogation and torture
Woman King:
- racism
- religion
- the divide between "crazy" fundamentalists and society at large
Dirty Hands:
- labor issues
Crossroads 1&2:
- high-profile trial
- crimes against humanity
- working within the system versus dismantling the system and making a new one
Possible discussion points:
Why is science fiction such a popular medium for holding the mirror up to reality? Is the different perspective that can be offered by a different context more or less effective than a straight-out real-world treatment of similar issues?
On the other hand, can it be taken too far or too literally? For instance, do you find the parallels between New Caprica and Iraq too literal? Are there any other real-world conflics you think the arc draws on?
Do you think the creators/writers/producers/etc. are deliberately trying to make a statement on any current issue with the show?
What differences do you see between the role of religion in the Colonies and religion on Earth?