Mark here...Laurel and I are sitting down for another night of blogging Battlestar Galactica Season 2. This Episode is called "Home, Part 1" Since both of our apartments are "under construction" today the menu is chinese takeout! Sorry to all those looking for a new recipe!!
On to the episode...Not a whole lot to say here as it's part one of a continuing story. Basically Roslin has left the fleet with several ships to return to planet Kobol in the hopes of finding a mythical tomb that will lead to Earth. The broader story though is that the fleet is divided and it's showing. Adama says everyone is replaceable only to find out he's wrong when he tries to replace Apollo as CAG. He's shocked when he give Lt. Dualla permission to speak and she tells him he's divided the fleet and opened wounds that need to heal. To his credit, by episodes end he decides it's time to put the fleet back together, which means returning to Kobol. Roslin and her team have already landed and been attacked by Cylons. They's reunited with Starbuck, Helo and Caprica-Sharon-Cylon (she is kept alive by promising to lead them to the tomb...also she's pregnant with Helo's baby, the first Cylon-Human fetus)....
Hi Laurel here...nothing new to say really but just wanted to highlight what Mark said about D. She really gives it to Adama, and it's awesome. I always liked her but I don't think we have ever seen her character take a stand this way. You go girl!
Also in this episode they seem to be playing up the chemistry between Starbuck and Appollo. Where are they going with this?
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
The Farm
Mark here... this episode was way better than the last. And it actually moved the plot forward.
On Caprica, Starbuck gets captured in an ambush by the Cylons, while planning a way back to Galactica. She wakes up in a hospital, but something seems suspicious about this hospital. The hospital is very quiet. As it turns out its a Cylon hospital interested in human women. Specifically, the reproductive organs of human women. Starbuck slowly realizes the creepiness of this place and also we get to know a fifth cylon model, Simon. In the end she makes a nice break from the hospital and is rescued by the resistance movement. As she's escaping, she stumbles into a room of women hooked up to...breeding machines? Anyway, she destroys them and it's a creepy sight, and a nice reference to Alien Resurrection...
Back in the fleet Roslin has sent out a message to the fleet that she will be going back to Kobol on a religious mission to find Earth. Adama, who is now back in charge is convinced no one will follow her, but yet half the fleet ends up jumping away.
One point from last episode we didn't address was Cally shooting Galactica's Sharon, so now the only Sharon is the one on Caprica, who is pregnant with Helo's child. She ends up helping with the rescue of Starbuck by stealing a ship to go back to Galactica. Starbuck basically tells Anders, "I'll be back" while he handles the Caprica resistance, but it's a bit shady. I mean, yes they couldn't for everyone on the ship, but the odds of them coming back?
Hi Laurel here...are you guys confused about who is good Cylon and who is bad Cylon and who resistance etc? Me too. I'm like an alzhiemers sufferer asking poor Mark wtf is going on every 10 minutes.
Here's what I do know...the show takes an interesting turn culturally when Starbuck ends up in the Cylon baby farm. Until now she has been doing everything she can do to deny that she is even a woman, acting unbearably masculine all the time, because that is what solders do? Now that she has been a victim of a crime that was specifically designed towards women, how is the show going to treat women moving forward? Until now the show has not dealt with gender equality as an issue because it is the "future"and they are supposed to be so evolved. But they just made it an issue by turning women in to a biological commodity. It will be interesting to see how the show handles this issue moving forward, and how Starbuck handles it as a character.
On Caprica, Starbuck gets captured in an ambush by the Cylons, while planning a way back to Galactica. She wakes up in a hospital, but something seems suspicious about this hospital. The hospital is very quiet. As it turns out its a Cylon hospital interested in human women. Specifically, the reproductive organs of human women. Starbuck slowly realizes the creepiness of this place and also we get to know a fifth cylon model, Simon. In the end she makes a nice break from the hospital and is rescued by the resistance movement. As she's escaping, she stumbles into a room of women hooked up to...breeding machines? Anyway, she destroys them and it's a creepy sight, and a nice reference to Alien Resurrection...
Back in the fleet Roslin has sent out a message to the fleet that she will be going back to Kobol on a religious mission to find Earth. Adama, who is now back in charge is convinced no one will follow her, but yet half the fleet ends up jumping away.
One point from last episode we didn't address was Cally shooting Galactica's Sharon, so now the only Sharon is the one on Caprica, who is pregnant with Helo's child. She ends up helping with the rescue of Starbuck by stealing a ship to go back to Galactica. Starbuck basically tells Anders, "I'll be back" while he handles the Caprica resistance, but it's a bit shady. I mean, yes they couldn't for everyone on the ship, but the odds of them coming back?
Hi Laurel here...are you guys confused about who is good Cylon and who is bad Cylon and who resistance etc? Me too. I'm like an alzhiemers sufferer asking poor Mark wtf is going on every 10 minutes.
Here's what I do know...the show takes an interesting turn culturally when Starbuck ends up in the Cylon baby farm. Until now she has been doing everything she can do to deny that she is even a woman, acting unbearably masculine all the time, because that is what solders do? Now that she has been a victim of a crime that was specifically designed towards women, how is the show going to treat women moving forward? Until now the show has not dealt with gender equality as an issue because it is the "future"and they are supposed to be so evolved. But they just made it an issue by turning women in to a biological commodity. It will be interesting to see how the show handles this issue moving forward, and how Starbuck handles it as a character.
Resistance
Mark here... Laurel and I are back blogging Episode 4 of Season 2 of Battlestar Galactica. Laurel has made us Pasta with Pancetta and peas and a kale salad. I've made an accompanying lentil vinaigrette salad.
On to the episode....this episode was a little bit slower paced after the last few although there were a couple of interesting things going on. Basically, while Adama is still recovering, Tigh has declared martial law and President Roslin is still a prisoner in the brig. This causes a great deal of upset in the fleet and several soldiers recognize the problem and devise a plan for Roslin to escape Galactica to the fleet (where she will presumably be able to hide). Tigh meanwhile, recognizing that leadership is not his thing, can't wait for Adama to recover. His wife Ellen is the scheming Real Housewives wife whispering in his ear in an attempt to further his power (power he doesn't seem to want). Once he realizes that Roslin has escaped, and that Lee Adama helped her, he is reluctant to fire upon them. This actually shows a bit of depth in his character. He is doing a terrible job of leading the fleet but seems to recognize this and really doesn't want to be responsible for executing his friend's son and the president.
One key thing we find out is that while Baltar is interrogating the Cylon who shot Adama (Sharon), she admits that there are 8 other Cylon models, bringing the total to 12...we've met Doral, Six, Leoben and Sharon...
Meanwhile on Caprica, Starbuck and Helo meet up with the local resistance fighters, who happen to be the Caprica "Pyramid" team. Essentially, a version of basketball. This leads to a game of pyramid between Starbuck and the leader of the resistance, Anders. Its a bit yawn inducing as they have a bit of sexual tension. Overall, the episode was good but not great. It really felt like a filler and didn't kept the plot status quo from the previous couple of episodes.
Laurel here...I agree with Mark, this seemed like a little bit of a filler episode, more of Tigh screwing up and more of the fleet being unhappy with it, which is a pause from the real issue at hand, the Cylons. Anyway Adama wakes up at the end of the episode. I think we are almost as relieved as Tigh that he is back and will be able to tai some action! Tigh is a great second in command, willing to be the bad cop all the time but being the bad cop all the time doesn't make for a good fleet commander. It also doesn't help that the power hungry real housewife is in his ear all the time.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the presidents escape party now that Adama is awake.
On to the episode....this episode was a little bit slower paced after the last few although there were a couple of interesting things going on. Basically, while Adama is still recovering, Tigh has declared martial law and President Roslin is still a prisoner in the brig. This causes a great deal of upset in the fleet and several soldiers recognize the problem and devise a plan for Roslin to escape Galactica to the fleet (where she will presumably be able to hide). Tigh meanwhile, recognizing that leadership is not his thing, can't wait for Adama to recover. His wife Ellen is the scheming Real Housewives wife whispering in his ear in an attempt to further his power (power he doesn't seem to want). Once he realizes that Roslin has escaped, and that Lee Adama helped her, he is reluctant to fire upon them. This actually shows a bit of depth in his character. He is doing a terrible job of leading the fleet but seems to recognize this and really doesn't want to be responsible for executing his friend's son and the president.
One key thing we find out is that while Baltar is interrogating the Cylon who shot Adama (Sharon), she admits that there are 8 other Cylon models, bringing the total to 12...we've met Doral, Six, Leoben and Sharon...
Meanwhile on Caprica, Starbuck and Helo meet up with the local resistance fighters, who happen to be the Caprica "Pyramid" team. Essentially, a version of basketball. This leads to a game of pyramid between Starbuck and the leader of the resistance, Anders. Its a bit yawn inducing as they have a bit of sexual tension. Overall, the episode was good but not great. It really felt like a filler and didn't kept the plot status quo from the previous couple of episodes.
Laurel here...I agree with Mark, this seemed like a little bit of a filler episode, more of Tigh screwing up and more of the fleet being unhappy with it, which is a pause from the real issue at hand, the Cylons. Anyway Adama wakes up at the end of the episode. I think we are almost as relieved as Tigh that he is back and will be able to tai some action! Tigh is a great second in command, willing to be the bad cop all the time but being the bad cop all the time doesn't make for a good fleet commander. It also doesn't help that the power hungry real housewife is in his ear all the time.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the presidents escape party now that Adama is awake.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Fragged
Mark here…we're on to episode 3 of Season 2 of Battlestar Galactica. This episode is called "Fragged" and it's very interesting. The premise is basically Col Tigh is barely holding on to leadership of the fleet while the team on Kobol struggles to survive, awaiting rescue from Galactica. On Galactica, Roslin is dealing with withdrawl from the drug she's been taking for her cancer (she' still incarcerated). At the same time the Quorum (the fleet's version of Congress) is demanding to see her. Tigh is reluctant to let them but his wife has visited Roslin in withdrawal and is convinced she is crazy. Tigh then allows the Quorum to see her, thinking she'll be talking nonsense. Unfortunately, her religious guard has snuck her some of the drug she needs. The Quorum encounters a lucid Roslin who declares her incarceration unconstitutional. This all prompts Tigh to declare martial law. It's all very interesting as Tigh, being a drunk is clearly unable to negotiaite politics as Adama could. Adama may not have agreed with Roslin, but he generally came around to seeing her point of view. Tigh hates this role and doesn't get politics.
Meanwhile on Kobol, the team there is barely surviving and is forced to make some fatal decisions in a an effort to take down the Cylon force there. Basically, they need to prevent the Cylons from shooting down their rescue team. As annoying as Baltar is, it's an opportunity for him to be valuable.
Laurel here…not much to add except this is the first episode in a while that Baltar (the doctor who is enraptured by the cylon "6") actually does anything of value. When the team scoping out Kobol are in the thick of it he actually steps up and does some work to protect the team. I am totally surprised that this complete douchebag finally decided to do something of value.
Also wanted to give a shout out to the old, craggy, grumpy, chain smoking doctor Cottle who seems to be saving Adama's life. We'll see what happens?!?
Mark and I are finished doing our "work" for the night and are about to watch the new footage from the director's cut of Alien…so excited!!
Valley of Darkness
Mark here… this episode, 'Valley of Darkness" picks right up at the end of last episode. Cylon Centurions have gotten aboard Galactica and managed to cut the power (or at least the lights). The episode is very tense. It's a sort of typical writing concept, everyone fumbling around in the dark, but it's done well. Lee Adama and Roslin are stuck making their way through Galactica with a team trying to avoid and yet destroy the Cylons. It plays out very interesting and even though it's sort of a "filler" episode in that it doesn't really address any overall plot issues, it's still interesting. Commander Adama is still in critical in sick bay. We also get some glimpses of the team on Kobol, although it's not super interesting.
Separately we see Helo and Starbuck back on Caprica. Compared to the drama on Galactica, this is a bit boring. They make their way to Starbuck's old apartment, where we learn that Starbuck was a painter and liked classical music. As Laurel said, the show is better than that. We're supposed to be seeing another side of Starbuck, but it's a bit obvious and dull. I was happy when they moved on. There are better ways of showing us Starbuck's character….
Hey Laurel here…Not much to add as this was pretty much just a continuation of what had been started last episode. The only thing to comment on really is to reiterate what Mark has said about Starbuck. Her character came on so strong so fast it seems like now they are trying to correct themselves and it is definitely an overcorrection. She was so hard and masculine in the beginning in almost a comical way, like a caricature now they are trying to right the ship and it goes to far the other way. Sensitive artist? Ok we get it. She's a "complicated woman". Quit shoving it in our faces! Many layers to the onion that is Starbuck! Enough already! All of the other ladies in the show are bad ass and feminine at the same time, not flopping from one extreme to the other. Starbuck's character is so painfully contrived. Hopefully she will find herself and level out, and this will quit being so annoying!
I think that Roslin is on her way to redeeming herself in the eyes of the crew. Fingers crossed! Although I have never doubted her.
Separately we see Helo and Starbuck back on Caprica. Compared to the drama on Galactica, this is a bit boring. They make their way to Starbuck's old apartment, where we learn that Starbuck was a painter and liked classical music. As Laurel said, the show is better than that. We're supposed to be seeing another side of Starbuck, but it's a bit obvious and dull. I was happy when they moved on. There are better ways of showing us Starbuck's character….
Hey Laurel here…Not much to add as this was pretty much just a continuation of what had been started last episode. The only thing to comment on really is to reiterate what Mark has said about Starbuck. Her character came on so strong so fast it seems like now they are trying to correct themselves and it is definitely an overcorrection. She was so hard and masculine in the beginning in almost a comical way, like a caricature now they are trying to right the ship and it goes to far the other way. Sensitive artist? Ok we get it. She's a "complicated woman". Quit shoving it in our faces! Many layers to the onion that is Starbuck! Enough already! All of the other ladies in the show are bad ass and feminine at the same time, not flopping from one extreme to the other. Starbuck's character is so painfully contrived. Hopefully she will find herself and level out, and this will quit being so annoying!
I think that Roslin is on her way to redeeming herself in the eyes of the crew. Fingers crossed! Although I have never doubted her.
Scattered
Mark here…Laurel and I are on to our first round of Season 2 episodes! I made us Ina Garten's Green Risotto and herb wrapped fish and Laurel made a delicious kale salad to accompany. And we're off with season two of Battlestar Galactica. I'm excited to move on to Season 2s of our shows as we don't have to deal with the set up and establishment stuff of Season 1.
On to the episode! This episode picks up right after the cliffhanger from Season 1. Adama has been shot by Cylon Sharon and the entire fleet is thrown into disarray. Tigh takes over and orders an emergency jump, leaving behind Chief, Cally, Baltar and an expeditionary force on the planet Kobol. Fearing that Sharon has revealed their location to the Cylons, the fleet does the jump, and in the confusion, the civilian fleet ends up at a different location than Galactica. It's a tense and fast paced episode as the crew on Galactica struggles to find a way to locate the civilian fleet. At the same time Adama is in critical condition while Dr. Cottle is still lost with the civilian fleet. Col. Tigh struggles with the responsibility of leadership and eventually they devise a plan to find the fleet. All the while Roslin is still in Galactica's brig for sending Starbuck back to Caprica to retrieve the arrow of Apollo (a key to finding Earth).
In the end after a battle with the Cylons, Galactica does locate the fleet, but a ship full of Cylon Centurions has crash landed in one of Galactica's flight pods…unbeknownst to anyone…
Hey Laurel here…I'm a little confused about Sharon. It seems like she is still the same old Sharon that we love and trust, and just got taken over by her programming temporarily when she shot Adama. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.
I'm also interested to see how Roslin being in prison plays out. Will Starbuck come back with the arrow and save the day? Will Roslin be exonerated?
Also just wanted to add a note about Starbuck's makeup…when we see her this episode she is a little bloodied and beaten. It just so happens that some of the blood runs down her face in the shape of a goatee? Accidental or on purpose? hmmm..
Also is Adama going to survive? If not will Tigh be able to handle it? So far he seems emotional but is handling things well?
On to the episode! This episode picks up right after the cliffhanger from Season 1. Adama has been shot by Cylon Sharon and the entire fleet is thrown into disarray. Tigh takes over and orders an emergency jump, leaving behind Chief, Cally, Baltar and an expeditionary force on the planet Kobol. Fearing that Sharon has revealed their location to the Cylons, the fleet does the jump, and in the confusion, the civilian fleet ends up at a different location than Galactica. It's a tense and fast paced episode as the crew on Galactica struggles to find a way to locate the civilian fleet. At the same time Adama is in critical condition while Dr. Cottle is still lost with the civilian fleet. Col. Tigh struggles with the responsibility of leadership and eventually they devise a plan to find the fleet. All the while Roslin is still in Galactica's brig for sending Starbuck back to Caprica to retrieve the arrow of Apollo (a key to finding Earth).
In the end after a battle with the Cylons, Galactica does locate the fleet, but a ship full of Cylon Centurions has crash landed in one of Galactica's flight pods…unbeknownst to anyone…
Hey Laurel here…I'm a little confused about Sharon. It seems like she is still the same old Sharon that we love and trust, and just got taken over by her programming temporarily when she shot Adama. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.
I'm also interested to see how Roslin being in prison plays out. Will Starbuck come back with the arrow and save the day? Will Roslin be exonerated?
Also just wanted to add a note about Starbuck's makeup…when we see her this episode she is a little bloodied and beaten. It just so happens that some of the blood runs down her face in the shape of a goatee? Accidental or on purpose? hmmm..
Also is Adama going to survive? If not will Tigh be able to handle it? So far he seems emotional but is handling things well?
Saturday, November 23, 2013
State
Mark here...Laurel and I have just watched the season one finale of Friday Night Lights, called "State." Laurel made us some Texas-appropriate Armadillo eggs, king ranch casserole and steamed artichokes, all of which were delicious!
This episode was great, a really nice cap off to the season. The premise is that the Panthers are playing the state playoffs. At the same time, Coach Taylor has accepted a job in Austin next year, which is understandably disheartening to the team. Saracen takes it pretty hard considering his father-figure is abandoning him and taking his girlfriend. Tami has decided to stay in Dillon with Julie but they haven't told Julie yet. Also, Tami finds out she's pregnant and Coach's reaction is great. At first you are afraid he will have a negative reaction, but his response is pitch perfect. I attribute it to great actors but also great writing.
Separately Lyla and Tyra have a blow out and come to realize they are not so different. It's nice to see their relationship grow beyond catfight territory. While that's fine for 90210, here it's more entertaining to see the characters grow beyond just hating each other. Landry is still carrying a torch for Tyra that kind of blows up on him in a funny way. He thinks he and Tyra will have a private drive to state when Tyra asks him to come because she has tickets. Unfortunately, her mom and sister show up and then Saracen's grandmother...leading to a very girl-centric trip that's nothing like he imagined.
I'll let Laurel go into the rest, but all in all a very good episode that triggered emotions in the best way!
Totally, Mark is right. Spoiler alert...Panthers win state! So the cliff hangers for season 2 are...Panthers win state, what's gonna happen next year? The episode ends with Jason Street giving the guys a talk about how football is a 365 a year job, so they can enjoy the day but the next day they are back to work. Are they setting us up for Jason being the new head coach next year?!?
The next cliffhanger is Tami is fucking pregnant!!! The last talk we see her and Coach Taylor having, Eric is ready to give up his dreams to stay in Dillon to tend to his new family. You would think that Tami would be ecstatic about this but she is like fuck no, you need to follow your dreams in Austin and I need to follow mine in Dillon! I'm dying to know what happens because I don't remember...
The others are less cliffhangery and just interesting to think about...will Lyla and Tyra become friends? Will Lyla make up with her dad? Will smash transfer to another school to get more visibility? Will Landry and Tyra actually against all odds start dating? Will Matt and Julie stay together? I can't wait to find out!
This episode was great, a really nice cap off to the season. The premise is that the Panthers are playing the state playoffs. At the same time, Coach Taylor has accepted a job in Austin next year, which is understandably disheartening to the team. Saracen takes it pretty hard considering his father-figure is abandoning him and taking his girlfriend. Tami has decided to stay in Dillon with Julie but they haven't told Julie yet. Also, Tami finds out she's pregnant and Coach's reaction is great. At first you are afraid he will have a negative reaction, but his response is pitch perfect. I attribute it to great actors but also great writing.
Separately Lyla and Tyra have a blow out and come to realize they are not so different. It's nice to see their relationship grow beyond catfight territory. While that's fine for 90210, here it's more entertaining to see the characters grow beyond just hating each other. Landry is still carrying a torch for Tyra that kind of blows up on him in a funny way. He thinks he and Tyra will have a private drive to state when Tyra asks him to come because she has tickets. Unfortunately, her mom and sister show up and then Saracen's grandmother...leading to a very girl-centric trip that's nothing like he imagined.
I'll let Laurel go into the rest, but all in all a very good episode that triggered emotions in the best way!
Totally, Mark is right. Spoiler alert...Panthers win state! So the cliff hangers for season 2 are...Panthers win state, what's gonna happen next year? The episode ends with Jason Street giving the guys a talk about how football is a 365 a year job, so they can enjoy the day but the next day they are back to work. Are they setting us up for Jason being the new head coach next year?!?
The next cliffhanger is Tami is fucking pregnant!!! The last talk we see her and Coach Taylor having, Eric is ready to give up his dreams to stay in Dillon to tend to his new family. You would think that Tami would be ecstatic about this but she is like fuck no, you need to follow your dreams in Austin and I need to follow mine in Dillon! I'm dying to know what happens because I don't remember...
The others are less cliffhangery and just interesting to think about...will Lyla and Tyra become friends? Will Lyla make up with her dad? Will smash transfer to another school to get more visibility? Will Landry and Tyra actually against all odds start dating? Will Matt and Julie stay together? I can't wait to find out!
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