Thoughts on characterizations

I've viewed the mini several times, each time I am noticing more subtleties and nuances.

I was and am a fan of TOS (all the characters, especially Apollo, and the father-son dynamic, comrades in arms dynamics, and humor).

The mini; it's not the same BSG. But, I like it (yes, I have some quibbles).

I originally didn't like the dynamics between this Adama and Apollo, but a series can really explore how these characters reconnect.

In the TOS books, Apollo is a very self-contained man (less so in TOS). In one scene, Apollo responds to Adama's comment about words ringing in his ears with a loud "good," then visibly pulls his anger back inside himself and repeat "good" in a lower tone. The whole scene is nuanced, as are the later attempts to reconnect - Adama's pulling Apollo to him for a hug and Apollo's initial resistance, then weakening into his father's embrace. A very well played scene.

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Starbuck, as a woman. All the swagger and edge of Dirk Benedict, so far minus the charm. I wasn't too fond of this Starbuck for this reason, not because of the gender change. This Starbuck took on life during the action sequences (finally!) . Her yell of triumph when she blasted the missile coming at Apollo and the wide-eyes/facial expression when Apollo questioned her about coming in so hot. That's when I began to care about this Starbuck.

Balter - not the smarmy cartoonish characer we loved to hate, but a deeply flawed human being.

The leads, Tyrol, Boomer - nothing to add that hasn't already been well said.

Thoughts?

[The Rain]

I really liked Starbuck.

But Boomer should have been kept a male character. There were other female Viper pilots in TOS that could have been converted to the role of a scout pilot. But hey, I'm cool with it.

Olmos as Adama was fantastic! Totally believable.

[Soulmage]

I really liked the characters for the most part.

I thought K. Sackhoff did a great job on the new Starbuck and feel badly for her that she's taken so much flack over something that's not her fault, nor I think fair and reasonable view. Her acting in the series was fine.

I didn't like the part where Col. Tigh is apologizing to Starbuck and she goes off on him. But this is really the writer's fault, not any of the actors. My reasons for this are:

1. She didn't have much of a scathing come back. She says, "You're a bastard" and I'm left sitting there thinking. . . yeah. . . and. . . She should have had something really nasty to follow it up with. Or at least some rationale for why she felt that way other than "you're weak."

2. The scene was poorly timed as far as where in the story it fell. I got the impression that originally it was supposed to be earlier but they re-edited it into later in the film.

3. I understand that they're using the scene as a way to bring to the fore Tigh's alcohol problem. They probably could have done it in a way that didn't damage Starbuck's likability that she'd worked so hard to earn.

Anyway, these are really nitpicks and armchair quarterbacking. But that's what we're here for, right?

Originally posted by Soulmage
I really liked the characters for the most part.

I thought K. Sackhoff did a great job on the new Starbuck and feel badly for her that she's taken so much flack over something that's not her fault, nor I think fair and reasonable view. Her acting in the series was fine.

I didn't like the part where Col. Tigh is apologizing to Starbuck and she goes off on him. But this is really the writer's fault, not any of the actors. My reasons for this are:

1. She didn't have much of a scathing come back. She says, "You're a bastard" and I'm left sitting there thinking. . . yeah. . . and. . . She should have had something really nasty to follow it up with. Or at least some rationale for why she felt that way other than "you're weak."

2. The scene was poorly timed as far as where in the story it fell. I got the impression that originally it was supposed to be earlier but they re-edited it into later in the film.

3. I understand that they're using the scene as a way to bring to the fore Tigh's alcohol problem. They probably could have done it in a way that didn't damage Starbuck's likability that she'd worked so hard to earn.

You've completely captured why that scene didn't work for me either. Right when I warmed up to Starbuck, she went and acted like a little wench again.

Anyway, these are really nitpicks and armchair quarterbacking. But that's what we're here for, right?

Right!

Most of the characters and relationships are pulled out of the movie In Harm's Way. The mini is as much a remake of In Harm's Way as it is Battlestar Galactica. Watch In Harm's Way and a lot of what is going on between the characters becomes clearer.

Some of the problems I see with Starbuck is that she is an amalgamation of three characters from In Harm's Way. She has elements of Eddington, LT McConnell, and Mrs. McConnell. Sometimes the three characters don't merge well.

Apollo is obviously Jerrod Torry but he was giving some of the LT McConnel character. Because they shoe horned this, the Starbuck-Apollo relationship is a bit stiff. I think both characters will be better in a series once they move beyond the plot of In Harm's Way.

[callsignfalcon]

I had a hard time with that scene too... the intentions didn't seem to fit in with what had been built up! It just didn't work... I can only hope that the DVD will come with deleted scenes that explain this seeminly random scene!

If you haven't watched In Harm's Way you need to rent it. The overt story of the miniseries is fairly directly lifted. You can really get into the mind of the writer if you have seen both. In Harm's Way however has a definite conclusion and the majority of the characters do not survive. As such any series or another miniseries will be uncharted territory. Here are some details of the character and plot similarities:

Commander Adama/Admiral Rockwell Torrey: Both are divorced Naval Commanders of an obsolete capital ship on the eve of a sneak attack on their homeland. Both are estranged from their son and haven't seen him in years. Both are reunited as a result of military orders not desire. Both open their first conversation with their son with a question about the son's mother. Both receive a similar response--remarried.

Colonel Tigh/Commander Eddington: Both are alcoholic XOs on the capital ship. Both have issues with a wife who dies during the sneak attack. Both handle the hull breach in a similar manner. Both start a fight with other officers after drinking too much.

Apollo/Ensign Jerrod Torrey: See Adama story. Both screen for the fleet in the final battle. Both have their ship destroyed in the final battle.

Apollo/LT McConnell: Same MIA subplot via wife (Starbuck)

Starbuck/Commander Eddington: Placed in brig after fight with other officers. Performs recon in the clouds prior to final battle.

Starbuck/LT McConnell: Destroys enemy ships during initial attack. Unable to stop one torpedo (missile) from striking the capital ship initiating a hull breach.

Starbuck/Mrs. McConnel: Same MIA subplot via husband(Apollo)

Boomer/Burgess Meredith character(forgot his name):Neither crave front line combat duty. Both fear for their performance in battle. Both perform as a tactical intelligence officer. Neither are a macho military stereotype.

CPO Tyrol/Carol O' Conner character: Both are the engine/maintenance chief of the capital ship. Minor role in In Harm's Way. Note the Douglas interview. His part was fairly minor originally. He and the writers have done a good job fleshing this character out.

President Roslin/Maggie: Both are strong leads paired with Commander Adama/Admiral Torrey. Both have a scene where they give Adama/Torey an order. Both Torrey/Adama are initially taken aback. Both are in charge of the non-combatant personnel situation.

Boltar/Admiral Broderick: Both are book smart men without street smarts who's action/inaction lead to the death for those around them or under their command. Both are more concerned about their personal future than the success of the operation. Both lack self confidence in a crisis.

Cylon 6/Broderick's Liaison (forgot his name): Both are Brodericks/Boltar's sidekick. Both manipulate the perceived superior. Real brains in the pair. Both appear driven by their own agenda relating to their role in the government and personal desires.

Secretary to President Roslin/Nurse under Maggie: Both were minor characters who seemed mainly there to add a little youthful spice to the story. Young and naive.

Military Situation:
Pearl Harbor Attack/Cylon Holocaust
Submarine torpedos heavy cruiser/Cylon raider fires missile into Galactica
Hull breach scene/Hull breach scene
Deploy to Levuvana(Gavavutu)/FTL Jump to Ragnar
Rearm-resupply/Rearm-resupply
Eddington recon in the clouds mission/Starbuck recon in the cloud mission
PT boat strike led by Ensign Torrey/Viper strike led by CPT Torrey.
Captol ship battle/Galactica battles Cylon Base Star
Touchy speak about moving on to Tokyo/Touchy speak about moving on to Earth.

[SAR Pilot]

Man! I have really got to get back into the game. . . I enjoyed both and didn't even make the connection until you guys pointed it out!
Like they say, "Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!"

[Raymar3d]

With a few exceptions, I have to say that overall the actors/actresses did a superb job in their perspective roles. Olmos was an excellent Adama. He was completely believable and, borrowing from Imagination, the way he played the nuances made him even more so. His pauses in his lines, his ability to show the emotions of the moment as they should be, and his quiet authoritativeness made you feel that he has been in command of a ship all his life. Katee Sackhoff grew into her roll as Starbuck as the show went on and I think she will get better if the series does evolve. Mary Mcdonnel is a seasoned actress who I think will make a good oposite to Olmos' personality. I think she can pull this off. Jamie Bamber is a little more edgy than the 'old' Apollo but I think the dynamic between him and Adama will help his character develop. Kudos to whoever thought of giving the enlisted crewmembers star billing. I was a crew chief in the U.S.A.F. for several years and this is the first show that seems to have come close to presenting their lives and viewpoints.
Overall, the human faults that the shows producers gave these characters will ultimately give their stories more depth and make the characters more believable and easier to like and sympathize with. The only detractor in characters was Baltar. I hope he will pan out because I felt he was more of a screw-up than an evil traitor and he didn't make you feel sorry for him or even feel like hating him...he was just kind of there.
Ultimately, Good Job Guys!