Wagner and BSG 2.03, Fragged

[selenak]

shezan is back in Paris - brought her to the airport earlier this afternoon - , and I've had the most splendid weekend, showing off my hometown Bamberg (shezan is going to write a post about this) and going to the Bayreuth festival. This year's production of Tristan and Isolde wasn't the overcrowded horrible mess last year's production of Parsifal was. It was bleak, but with an internal logic (mind you, a perverse one, which was all about the impossibility of love and increasing coldness of the world in an opera which offers basically pure musical porn eroticism - the protagonists hardly ever touched), and you could see the singers had actual directing and acting guidance. Voice-wise, they were splendid, especially Isolde (Deborah Stemmer), Brangäne and Marke. What struck me most was the climax of the first act, where Isolde confronts Tristan and gets him to drink what she believes to be a poison but which is actually a love potion, and drinks it herself - very well acted - and the one point at which the director did allow them to touch, Isolde - who in act two is dressed as a sixties-style wife, presumably to show the artificiality of her position as queen of Cornwall - removing her glove.

***

Thanks to shmashcj, I got to see the newest BSG episode, Fragged. So far, it looks like season 2, like season 1, doesn't have a missable episode. Wow.



After showing the military guys and girls getting through the immediate crisis of the first two episodes, Fragged, among other things, showcases the dark side of the military command structure, or rather the way it can be applied. As I said in my review in the last episode, Tigh's problem is that he can't function outside it, and that he neither understands nor respects civilians. Showing contempt for the Quorum and the press, locking them up as long as possible so he doesn't have to deal with them was the absolute worst thing he could do, but it's absolutely consistent with Tigh from his "civilian cry-babies" remark from the miniseries onwards. Now someone with any political instinct at all would have used the fact that the Quorum was far from being a club of Laura Roslin fans. Even given his objection to Zarek, he could have used, say, the leader from Geminon who harboured resentments against Laura in Colonial Day, or one of the others, talked to the person or persons in question, suggested the Quorum vote for an interim leader until the Vice President either was confirmed dead or returned. But by treating the entire Quorum with the same abrasive contempt and showing simultanously his dislike and disrespect for Roslin, he prepared a common ground of solidarity - civilians versus military - even before they saw her.

You know, I think if they had seen her as Ellen Tigh had, in the state of Chamalla withdrawal, this might have caused them to accept her removal from office, but not the status quo of a military dictatorship. Certainly not with Tigh calling the shots, due to his earlier mentioned disastrous lack of ability to deal with or respect anything but the military. Zarek might have managed to unite them behind himself. Incidentally, I'm feeling somewhat smug because I did think of the possibility Zarek might go for a temporary alliance with Roslin against Tigh after season 1. Not because of sympathy but because of personal ambition (he's just heard she only has a few months to live, so, new president necessary, anyone? And who better than someone who managed to restore the last one and democracy when it was very dangerous to do so?) and because I think he's quite sincere in his dislike of a military dictatorship. Zarek is a ruthless ideologue, but a consistent one.

I wasn't surprised Laura played the "I am the prophet" card. It was her ace in the hole, the big one left, in all likelihood Tigh would make sure she didn't see the Quorum or anyone from the rest of the fleet again as long as she was in prison, this was the one time that counted, and she needed all the power in her externally powerless situation she could muster. Especially since as mentioned earlier the Quorum doesn't exactly consist of President Roslin loyalists. Prophet Laura, otoh, is another matter. See the reaction of the formerly disgruntled Sarah.

Mind you, this doesn't mean I don't also think she believes this herself. I think she started to believe in Kobol's Last Gleaming, as she said in her shocked "it's all true" scene then - and she would not have risked the fallout with Adama if she hadn't been completely convinced that this was the way to save what is left of humanity. She believes. But she is a pro, and she knows how to use it to her advantage. Lucky for her, since she needs all the advantages she can get. Especially given that Adama isn't the one in charge at the moment. Tigh, if pushed? Would shoot Roslin. If Ellen (great Lady Macbeth scene she got this episode!) doesn't poison her before. But maybe not if they realize they won't just have a dead President but a dead martyr on their hands.

Meanwhile, back on Kobol, the folk down there get the best parts of a good episode. I forgot to mention this before, but it's noticable that this season, when Baltar enters a scenario his mind conjurs up to talk with Six, he does not change his appearance to his old, well-dressed, comfortable self as he did during season 1; he remains as he appears in "real life", a wounded mess. Six also hasn't tried to manipulate him sexually so far; she presses other emotional buttons instead. In some ways, this was his episode, and not just because he shot Crashdown at the end. (Which btw I actually saw coming from the moment they showed Gaius positioned behind Crashdown.) There were his conversations with Six about whether or not killing is the defining human (and thereby Cylon) characteristic. Baltar asking what the point of this endless Cylons kill humans, humans kill Cylons cycle of death was. Talking about why God would want to bring a child into such a world, and his utter unsuitability to be a father, which didn't sound like weaseling out of responsibility but as utterly sincere and settles it - last week's vision wasn't a fluke. With the arguable exception of his conversation with Sharon early in Kobol's Last Gleaming, this is the first time Baltar is shown to be concerned about another being.

His objection to Crashdown's plan for a suicidal charge - and boy, Crashdown really channels Charge of the Light Brigade here - is perfectly sensible one, and Tyrol makes a mistake when instinctively following the military command structure and backing Crashdown in this confrontation, even though he himself basically thinks the same thing about the plan. There is a distinct parallel going on with events on Galactica, I guess. Because the command structure is important, especially in a crisis, no doubt, but it is a means, not an end, and when it becomes an end to itself, there is something deeply wrong. The goal on Kobol should be to keep the survivors alive. Following orders is not as important.

Though it was great character continuity, down to Tyrol not being able to actually shoot at Crashdown (or at least not in time to stop him from shooting Cally - maybe he would have pulled the trigger later, maybe not, we can't know). I wonder, too, whether the fact that Baltar did - and let's forego the likelihood of Gaius delivering a lethal shot when he never used a gun in his life for the moment - another eerie case of Gaius Baltar luck, I suppose -, and later Tyrol supporting Baltar's lie about Crashdown's death points to a future alliance between the two. Could become very interesting. Bear also in mind that poor Tyrol will hear the bad news about Sharon now they'll go back to the Galactica and is in for a major shock, AND that there might be a Cylon/Human hybrid on its way to Galactica which Baltar promised to protect. Tyrol is a protector by nature, and now he might feel he owes Baltar...

Incidentally, both Baltar shooting Crashdown and his later lie were nicely ambiguous actions. He wanted to save himself in both cases, but in the former I think saving the lives of the rest of the survivors and in the later making a gesture of respect (to them, if not to Crashdown) were as likely motivations.

It will be a torturous week of waiting for the next episode...

Comments

WHY AREN'T YOU IN THE BRIG???

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about your comments last week re: Tigh and politics, throughout this episode; I think you really called the way that he is eventually going to lose the political war. And Ellen facing off with Laura - aye aye aye! She's a better politician than her husband, by a long shot (and maybe if he had followed her advice right away, instead of ducking into quarters for another drink, her strategy would have worked).

I become more and more suspicious that if I were a citizen of the colonies, I would probably vote for Tom Zarek, maybe even over Roslin. I'm not sure that I'm proud of this, but I probably would. I was hoping for a bit more of a Zarek episode, but I'm trusting there's more to come. In the first Quorum scene, was impressed with the way that he let everybody do the yelling before he stepped up. I'm wondering if Hatch might be on the way to becoming a series regular (really, it's not like he has a lot else on his plate.)

This one was good enough that I hardly complained about the total absence of Starbuck. Hardly. I'm thinking there's a big Starbuck-Helo episode in the future (that or else Katee Sackhoff is on honeymoon with Olmos; or maybe with Grace Park -- she says, writing RPF in your comments).

Re: WHY AREN'T YOU IN THE BRIG???

[selenak.livejournal.com]

She's a better politician than her husband, by a long shot (and maybe if he had followed her advice right away, instead of ducking into quarters for another drink, her strategy would have worked).

Oh, Ellen definitely is, and it would have worked short term, though I think it would have backfired long term. I.e. the Quorum might have written off Roslin for good but would still have resented the hell out of Tigh - and maybe blamed him for her condition -, so unless he tried to split them by not treating them all the same way (badly) and get some of them on his side, which Ellen would be actually quite good at, there was going to be trouble.

Re: Zarek: yes, I'm sure there'll be more to come, too. And with 22 episodes, he might become a very regular recurring, like Garak or Dukat on DS9. He not only kept his cool during his few scenes but managed to steer events (trapping Tigh in the "you'll either have to declare martial law or give us access to the President" conundrum and encouraging the representative from Geminom to speak out during the jail visit).

[shezan.livejournal.com]

There will be a post, I promise. This week. But I had a memorable time.

And the only moment, in retrospect, when I had the hair-raising feeling that you invariably get when good music/opera passes the indefinable but clear line between "good" and "great" only happened, indeed, at the "Tristan...." "Isolde....." moment at the end of Act 1.

[asta77.livejournal.com]

Besides Baltar acting selflessly for a change (I really do believe he was thinking about saving Cally's life rather than his own when he pulled that trigger) this was something else that struk me as different:

I forgot to mention this before, but it's noticable that this season, when Baltar enters a scenario his mind conjurs up to talk with Six, he does not change his appearance to his old, well-dressed, comfortable self as he did during season 1; he remains as he appears in "real life", a wounded mess.

The safe illusion he had created with himself (or possibly with Six's help) has begun to fall apart. Reality is melding with fantasy and the place he sought to retreat to that provided him peace and safety, is no longer there for him. He's seen and done too much now to escape his psyche. From posts I've read, some feel that Baltar is well on his way to becoming a full on villian in the series. Personally, this is the first time I felt some hope for him.

[smashsc.livejournal.com]

I'll be out of town (again) for the better part of the weekend so 2.04 may be a little late but it'll get there.

when Baltar enters a scenario his mind conjurs up to talk with Six, he does not change his appearance to his old, well-dressed, comfortable self as he did during season 1

I hadn't noticed that. Thanks for pointing it out. In this episode, finally, Baltar became interesting to me. I hope that lasts. Now Baltar seems to be calling on Six, moving away from the group to talk to her at the end, instead of her always interuppting him.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

The Baltar/Six conversations in the presence of others don't get played as comedy relief anymore, either. Mind you, they weren't always in season 1, but often.

I'm grateful whenever you provide, believe me!

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a great weekend!

Who was responsible for the production of "Tristan and Isolde"?

I really need to watch BSG next so I can finally read your posts about the show.

Tristan

[shezan.livejournal.com]

Director: Christoph Marthaler; conductor: Eiji Oue (very good and i'd never even heard of him); sets and costumes (eeeeeeekkkk!): Anna Viebrock.

Indeed, a well-thought-out production, but as my first fully-staged Tristan (for some reason I have seen a large number of assorted Lohengrins, out of which the Deutsche Oper Harry Kupfer/Daniel Barenboim production stands out), it was despairingly bleak, with intentionally ugly sets and costumes. (Look how they made poor Nina Stemme, who was a sensational Isolde, look!)

[kiaforrest.livejournal.com]

igh's problem is that he can't function outside it, and that he neither understands nor respects civilians. Showing contempt for the Quorum and the press, locking them up as long as possible so he doesn't have to deal with them was the absolute worst thing he could do, but it's absolutely consistent with Tigh from his "civilian cry-babies" remark from the miniseries onward

You know - Tigh doesn't show respect for Anyone, not really. His contempt is pretty across the board. He doesn't speak More Respectfully to Dee or Gaeta than he does Zarek, less in many cases. I didn't really think about it until I re-watched Monday night and was thanking God I didn't work for someone like him (though I have in the past and Ug!).

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Well, he respects Adama, and I do think he regards the military intrisically as higher than civilians, but yes, he definitely has an attitude towards people-not-Adama-but-in-the-military as well.

[somedaybitch.livejournal.com]

wonder, too, whether the fact that Baltar did - and let's forego the likelihood of Gaius delivering a lethal shot when he never used a gun in his life for the moment

at that range, with the size of rounds it looks like they are firing, Baltar could have closed his eyes and still both tagged Crashdown and killed him. also, there really is something to the notion of beginner's luck. the first time i ever fired a handgun, i centerpunched the target...multiple times. when your brain doesn't have time to interfere, the link between hand and i is very true, at least where aim is concerned.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info - always nice to know that something would have worked out in RL.*g*

[somedaybitch.livejournal.com]

you're welcome. and ohmigod! that typo was horrifying. fwaps self in head.