Lets talk about six
January 7th 2009 03:40
There are many streams of conciousness we can enter into when discussing Battlestar Galactica, many long winded discussions, and though we may touch on them here, this post is solely for worshipping the beauty and mystery of Six.
When my dear Kman and his best friend started to go all a twitter for a new show called 'Battlestar Galactica' I was not impressed. I assumed this would be another boy toy show that I would have to endure - I enviseged long rants based upon weaponry and warfare, despite my interest in these things the boys seem more interested in the grit and dirt of war where I am more enchanted by its specifics and mechanics. The movie length pilot aired and I think I slept through most of it, busy work hours at that time meant that I had no reason to make time for the show. I was certain I was going to be bored stupid, if not by the show itself, than Kmans breathless descriptions.
It was in its first episode of '33' when the enchanting Gaius Baltar sees his girlfriend in his head that I pricked up my ears. The sound, identified on the soundtrack as 'sense of six' trickled into my senses and drew my eyes to the screen. Of course, I had noticed the flawless Tricia Helfer and thought the show might be worth watching just for the sake of her particularly graceful near nudity. At this Kman laughed and scoffed - "Ah K, you love your Barbie dolls dont you?" Yep, I do. Shuttuppa ya face!
But the fact that Baltar is a scientific genius that suddenly hallucinates his girlfriend - it struck an instant chord. I mean, Im highly intelligent, and I hallucinate (though nothing as lovely as Six) so I put myself in the same boat as Baltar, heavily identifying with him. He swiftly became my favourite character due to the fact I could constantly see myself in his shoes making similar decisions. Decisions that seem good at the time, based on providing the best good for all - specifically himself - that always end up screwing up. And I felt infinitely sorry for him, blaming himself for the cylon attack when in fact he was the worst betrayed of all the human race. Forced into a corner, Baltar is the ultimate damaged hero.
In the first series we dont know what or who she is - Baltar finally diagnosis himself with stress related hallucinations, not able to physically find a chip in his head. I always assumed that the actual essence of the Six that was his love on Caprica, indeed, the woman who saved his life, had transferred somehow to his conciousness to allow their relationship to continue. This theory fell apart for me in season two.
Specifically, in episode 'Downloaded'. This may still be my favourite episode as it for the first time brings us into cylon society and lets us see how they live and that they actually had a purpose for destroying the colonies - I never imagined they would move into it themselves! But paramount of this episode for me is darling Caprica awakening from her resurrection to find Baltar by her side. Throughout this episode we see the return of the original Baltar, as he was on Caprica. Abrupt and rude and scathingly intelligent in his jabs, this Head Baltar directs and drives the six much the same way Head Six does for the real life Gaius. This episode opened up to me the theory I had played on all along - that the images in their minds are based on memory, not reality. The Head Six for Gaius is quite vicious despite her religious beliefs, almost as savage as a wild animal. The real Caprica six is nothing like this, always thinking of Gods plan and what he would want her to do. Likewise, the Head Baltar is as confident as the one Caprica knew on ..Um Caprica, not the faltering human being he has become by that point.
And Downloaded has the honour of some of the most beautiful lines I have ever heard uttered on TV. This was written down and stuck on my wall -
So, my theory of the real Six from Caprica somehow becoming ethereal was dashed, as she was very much alive and leading a cylon revolution with a Head Gaius by her side. I was frantic for the two of them to get together again, what would happen? Would Head Gaius and Head Six chat while the physical two made their greetings? Would they both disappear? Are they memories? Are they visions, guides, come in guises that the physical counterparts can understand? Or, the most beautiful of all, are they simply caught in real, utter true love that knows nothing of human and cylon, war and peace, a great streaking light of love that connects the two no matter what lies between them? My nails bit down to stubs I was so excited. I did not expect gratification until season three, and was utterly amazed in the last, 'Lay down your burden' Six and Giaus actually come face to face.
I still had to wait though, the six only gets in a few enigmatic words - "I know you Gaius, I know you very well" before the season closes. I think I must have been frothing at the mouth by the time we got season three. I definitely had knuckle issues from all the fist clenching. And I was amazed and disappionted to find I had been the victim of a famous Battlestar dodge! This is one of the things that makes the show great, no matter how much it pissed me off - dangle the absolution of the story line in front of you before tearing it away. Six and Gaius were together, intimately so, yet it frustrated me deeply - and I screamed it often enough - that neither one had thought to say to the other, "You know, I see a rather vicious image of you in my head"
Even once we get on the cylon baseship, no communication over this issue occurs. Perhaps they are embarassed to show so much affection for each other, implying that they have created the imaginery image. Or, perhaps their level of intimacy is not what it seems, and its just not comfortable enough to dish such information. The Head six and Caprica six almost clash at the end of season two at the cylon invasion, where head six stops in just long enough to tell Gaius its judgement day. Well, she did warn him, when she thought he let Hera die, that the whole human race would suffer Gods vengeance for this atrocity. She likes being right.
I was happily enjoying the ride, content that its only a TV series, therefore, has lots of issues to get through and cant get too caught up on one or the other. There is lots that Im sure we'd all like to see expanded upon - the cylon 'projecting' which is very like psychic talent, and could also be a reason for Head Gaius and Head Six. The mystery of the Hybrid and how much it looks like Laura Roslin.
Quick sidenote - I no longer believe so surely that Roslin is a cylon. Too many clues now and Battlestar is better than that. Its got to be a red herring. But, the 'final four' cannot be cylons. If they were, then how could Tigh get Caprica pregnant? The whole purpose of the farms, the experiements such as Helo and Athena, is for the reason that cylons cannot biologically reproduce. But, as with it all, we shall wait and see how they pan it out....Im really believing now that the cylons and humans are all part of the same race anyway. We created them so they could create us, cyclical time, everyone on the Galactica is in fact the 13th tribe...It has a nice wrap up feel to it, and those are the stories I like best!
But back on topic. I was content to enjoy the story line and ride it along...Until Im watching season four and HEAD GAIUS appears in REAL GAIUS' head! And its the same memory based Gaius that Six sees, dressed in his fine Caprican garb, super confident in a way that seems niave due to the hardships humanity has suffered since the decadence he displays. This is one fascinating plotline!
Also, to throw a bit more uncertainty in the mix, Gaius and Caprica appear in the visions shared by Roslin and Athena. Gaius does not appear to actively share the visions even though the others all see him there. Even though all of them seem concerned with the welfare of Hera none trust the other, so they assume to lose her to any of the others means some kind of doom. My first clue of Roslin being a cylon came from these visions - the clothes, hair and youthful appearance, but most noteably, the five upon the mezzanine while the Six runs away with Hera, desperate to save her from the Final Five. Six always promised Gaius that Hera would be their daughter, and it looks like thats exactly what destiny has planned for them, as in every vision Hera out runs Roslin and her desperate mother to snuggle happily in Six's arms.
I can only imagine how this particular mystery will play out, but the seeming telepathic connection between two lovers has been sufficient to entrance me with the show itself and has captured my imagination in every episode thereafter. A love story of stunning beauty and mystery that breaks down barriers forged by race and war, it has connections that can be explored seemingly forever.
Photo from Wiki - if this pic is out of public domain authority please inform me for it to be removed.
When my dear Kman and his best friend started to go all a twitter for a new show called 'Battlestar Galactica' I was not impressed. I assumed this would be another boy toy show that I would have to endure - I enviseged long rants based upon weaponry and warfare, despite my interest in these things the boys seem more interested in the grit and dirt of war where I am more enchanted by its specifics and mechanics. The movie length pilot aired and I think I slept through most of it, busy work hours at that time meant that I had no reason to make time for the show. I was certain I was going to be bored stupid, if not by the show itself, than Kmans breathless descriptions.
It was in its first episode of '33' when the enchanting Gaius Baltar sees his girlfriend in his head that I pricked up my ears. The sound, identified on the soundtrack as 'sense of six' trickled into my senses and drew my eyes to the screen. Of course, I had noticed the flawless Tricia Helfer and thought the show might be worth watching just for the sake of her particularly graceful near nudity. At this Kman laughed and scoffed - "Ah K, you love your Barbie dolls dont you?" Yep, I do. Shuttuppa ya face!
But the fact that Baltar is a scientific genius that suddenly hallucinates his girlfriend - it struck an instant chord. I mean, Im highly intelligent, and I hallucinate (though nothing as lovely as Six) so I put myself in the same boat as Baltar, heavily identifying with him. He swiftly became my favourite character due to the fact I could constantly see myself in his shoes making similar decisions. Decisions that seem good at the time, based on providing the best good for all - specifically himself - that always end up screwing up. And I felt infinitely sorry for him, blaming himself for the cylon attack when in fact he was the worst betrayed of all the human race. Forced into a corner, Baltar is the ultimate damaged hero.
In the first series we dont know what or who she is - Baltar finally diagnosis himself with stress related hallucinations, not able to physically find a chip in his head. I always assumed that the actual essence of the Six that was his love on Caprica, indeed, the woman who saved his life, had transferred somehow to his conciousness to allow their relationship to continue. This theory fell apart for me in season two.
Photo from Yahoo galleries. If this pic is out of public domain authority contact me and I shall remove it.
Specifically, in episode 'Downloaded'. This may still be my favourite episode as it for the first time brings us into cylon society and lets us see how they live and that they actually had a purpose for destroying the colonies - I never imagined they would move into it themselves! But paramount of this episode for me is darling Caprica awakening from her resurrection to find Baltar by her side. Throughout this episode we see the return of the original Baltar, as he was on Caprica. Abrupt and rude and scathingly intelligent in his jabs, this Head Baltar directs and drives the six much the same way Head Six does for the real life Gaius. This episode opened up to me the theory I had played on all along - that the images in their minds are based on memory, not reality. The Head Six for Gaius is quite vicious despite her religious beliefs, almost as savage as a wild animal. The real Caprica six is nothing like this, always thinking of Gods plan and what he would want her to do. Likewise, the Head Baltar is as confident as the one Caprica knew on ..Um Caprica, not the faltering human being he has become by that point.
And Downloaded has the honour of some of the most beautiful lines I have ever heard uttered on TV. This was written down and stuck on my wall -
"I Love you Gaius....My heart and soul and yours...."
"Life is short....But the next ones not....Let your heart adrift.....And your soul will get caught."
"Life is short....But the next ones not....Let your heart adrift.....And your soul will get caught."
So, my theory of the real Six from Caprica somehow becoming ethereal was dashed, as she was very much alive and leading a cylon revolution with a Head Gaius by her side. I was frantic for the two of them to get together again, what would happen? Would Head Gaius and Head Six chat while the physical two made their greetings? Would they both disappear? Are they memories? Are they visions, guides, come in guises that the physical counterparts can understand? Or, the most beautiful of all, are they simply caught in real, utter true love that knows nothing of human and cylon, war and peace, a great streaking light of love that connects the two no matter what lies between them? My nails bit down to stubs I was so excited. I did not expect gratification until season three, and was utterly amazed in the last, 'Lay down your burden' Six and Giaus actually come face to face.
pic from Yahoo Galleries, if out of public domain please notify me for its removal.
I still had to wait though, the six only gets in a few enigmatic words - "I know you Gaius, I know you very well" before the season closes. I think I must have been frothing at the mouth by the time we got season three. I definitely had knuckle issues from all the fist clenching. And I was amazed and disappionted to find I had been the victim of a famous Battlestar dodge! This is one of the things that makes the show great, no matter how much it pissed me off - dangle the absolution of the story line in front of you before tearing it away. Six and Gaius were together, intimately so, yet it frustrated me deeply - and I screamed it often enough - that neither one had thought to say to the other, "You know, I see a rather vicious image of you in my head"
Even once we get on the cylon baseship, no communication over this issue occurs. Perhaps they are embarassed to show so much affection for each other, implying that they have created the imaginery image. Or, perhaps their level of intimacy is not what it seems, and its just not comfortable enough to dish such information. The Head six and Caprica six almost clash at the end of season two at the cylon invasion, where head six stops in just long enough to tell Gaius its judgement day. Well, she did warn him, when she thought he let Hera die, that the whole human race would suffer Gods vengeance for this atrocity. She likes being right.
I was happily enjoying the ride, content that its only a TV series, therefore, has lots of issues to get through and cant get too caught up on one or the other. There is lots that Im sure we'd all like to see expanded upon - the cylon 'projecting' which is very like psychic talent, and could also be a reason for Head Gaius and Head Six. The mystery of the Hybrid and how much it looks like Laura Roslin.
Quick sidenote - I no longer believe so surely that Roslin is a cylon. Too many clues now and Battlestar is better than that. Its got to be a red herring. But, the 'final four' cannot be cylons. If they were, then how could Tigh get Caprica pregnant? The whole purpose of the farms, the experiements such as Helo and Athena, is for the reason that cylons cannot biologically reproduce. But, as with it all, we shall wait and see how they pan it out....Im really believing now that the cylons and humans are all part of the same race anyway. We created them so they could create us, cyclical time, everyone on the Galactica is in fact the 13th tribe...It has a nice wrap up feel to it, and those are the stories I like best!
But back on topic. I was content to enjoy the story line and ride it along...Until Im watching season four and HEAD GAIUS appears in REAL GAIUS' head! And its the same memory based Gaius that Six sees, dressed in his fine Caprican garb, super confident in a way that seems niave due to the hardships humanity has suffered since the decadence he displays. This is one fascinating plotline!
Also, to throw a bit more uncertainty in the mix, Gaius and Caprica appear in the visions shared by Roslin and Athena. Gaius does not appear to actively share the visions even though the others all see him there. Even though all of them seem concerned with the welfare of Hera none trust the other, so they assume to lose her to any of the others means some kind of doom. My first clue of Roslin being a cylon came from these visions - the clothes, hair and youthful appearance, but most noteably, the five upon the mezzanine while the Six runs away with Hera, desperate to save her from the Final Five. Six always promised Gaius that Hera would be their daughter, and it looks like thats exactly what destiny has planned for them, as in every vision Hera out runs Roslin and her desperate mother to snuggle happily in Six's arms.
I can only imagine how this particular mystery will play out, but the seeming telepathic connection between two lovers has been sufficient to entrance me with the show itself and has captured my imagination in every episode thereafter. A love story of stunning beauty and mystery that breaks down barriers forged by race and war, it has connections that can be explored seemingly forever.
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Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
There is actually an explanation for this, to some extent, at the very beginning; it's a memory chip she implanted in him when she met him on Caprica.
Battlestar Galactica is actually somewhat based off of an old TV show under the same name. Starbuck is a guy in that one. Daddy loved that show. The 'Cylon Museum' actually has the original TV show's Cylons.
I only got to see the entirety of the first two seasons a long time ago, so I don't really know the show very well anymore. Thanks to my mother who seems to think cable television is evil.
It's a very interesting show. I enjoy it. And Six is fascinating.
Comment by NoaIzumi
Fine Politics
Anime Bottle
If you're able to, I would recommend checking out Battlestar Galactica: Razor, a TV movie that came out in late 2007 and is available on DVD. It's set sometime in the late second season, and has old-school Cylons, survivors of the first Cylon War, along with flashbacks to that war (We get to see Adama as a nugget). It includes Six as well, at least one version of Six. Very cool.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
You are behind in the Battlestar gossip! Baltar disproves the chip in his head with brain scans. It was a suggestion by her but after he is examined she admits she lied to him about that.
Yep, Ive heard all about the old one - dont care. I enjoy the female starbuck and the messed up sex between her and Lee!
Forget cable - get it all on dvd. As Noalzumi has mentioned, razor is cool, I have a complete review up here in category 'TV rants'
Hey Noalzumi,
Always good to see another fan. I think if Dianna reads my review its as good as watching it - I practically go through it line by line! Thanks for visiting.
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
I phail at having money for DVDs too.
~Dianna
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis