jewels
March 12th, 2006, 01:04 PM
I threw in Living Legend last night and noticed something that typified the attitudes in the original series that struck me so strongly as an teen. Perspectives that aren't as easy to find in a society that never really recovered from the "me-generation" of the '80s. In one scene Apollo tries to comfort Adama about the euphoric, hero worship that Commander Cain instantly arroused upon the Pegasus joining the fleet. Adama's response wise, focused, selfless, and so at ease with his own place in the colonials struggle for survival.
"We are not in a contest of popularity. We're in the midst of a life and
death struggle for survival. We need heroes, men and women that our people look up to. We need people like him [Cain]."
Adama only said it, not posted it here :)
As time goes on, I still find things of value in Galactica that define it as something that needs to be passed on for the next generation to hear. Things that must be communicated to those coming next, to our kids. Much like the unspoken portion of the message in the Spiderman movies is "With great power comes great responsibility [to use the power for good]" The attitude of Adama, the leader of a civilization, in understanding he's not the end-all, be-all, egotist too often we've seen exhibited in many business and polictical leaders of our day.
The original has so many small value statements in it like this. The attitude of never giving up. That faith is something to cling to in the darkest of times. That together even the bleakest of odds can be beat and the strongest opprossor defeated. To never surrender hope that tommorrow could be, even will be, better than today. All perspectives that give it a timeless quality, making it a testament to how humans over the ages have reached for the best parts of themselves to survive and to help their fellow man.
When I look at movies that have been really sucessful of late, I often see a thematic thread that is positive, that resonates within us as something we want our otherwise disconnected lives to share. With power comes responsibility (Spiderman), Friendship and loyalty are stronger than evil (LotR), Acceptance of those who are different, or differently gifted (X-men). Even when I look at some of the TV series and movies many of us like: Firefly and Serenity constantly spoke of the bonds and loyalties of friendships. Batman Returns stood against the evil of pure vengance not softened with the wisdom of mercy.
We, just as much as the survivors of the rag-tag fleet, still need our heroes. As BG approaches it's 28th anniversary of airing it still has a relevant core story to continue sharing. (Note: if we counted from when live film production started the anniversary passed about a week ago).
Jewels
"We are not in a contest of popularity. We're in the midst of a life and
death struggle for survival. We need heroes, men and women that our people look up to. We need people like him [Cain]."
Adama only said it, not posted it here :)
As time goes on, I still find things of value in Galactica that define it as something that needs to be passed on for the next generation to hear. Things that must be communicated to those coming next, to our kids. Much like the unspoken portion of the message in the Spiderman movies is "With great power comes great responsibility [to use the power for good]" The attitude of Adama, the leader of a civilization, in understanding he's not the end-all, be-all, egotist too often we've seen exhibited in many business and polictical leaders of our day.
The original has so many small value statements in it like this. The attitude of never giving up. That faith is something to cling to in the darkest of times. That together even the bleakest of odds can be beat and the strongest opprossor defeated. To never surrender hope that tommorrow could be, even will be, better than today. All perspectives that give it a timeless quality, making it a testament to how humans over the ages have reached for the best parts of themselves to survive and to help their fellow man.
When I look at movies that have been really sucessful of late, I often see a thematic thread that is positive, that resonates within us as something we want our otherwise disconnected lives to share. With power comes responsibility (Spiderman), Friendship and loyalty are stronger than evil (LotR), Acceptance of those who are different, or differently gifted (X-men). Even when I look at some of the TV series and movies many of us like: Firefly and Serenity constantly spoke of the bonds and loyalties of friendships. Batman Returns stood against the evil of pure vengance not softened with the wisdom of mercy.
We, just as much as the survivors of the rag-tag fleet, still need our heroes. As BG approaches it's 28th anniversary of airing it still has a relevant core story to continue sharing. (Note: if we counted from when live film production started the anniversary passed about a week ago).
Jewels