“What the frak did I just watch?” – My Take on the Battlestar Galactica Finale

Before you read on, I’d like you to know that this post is more of a rant than a review. My thoughts and feelings towards this finale does not reflect my view on the show as a whole. Battlestar Galactica is fantastic and I encourage you to watch it. But, if you’re reading this, chances are you already have.

First off, can I just say “WHAT THE FRAK!?!?”

The 3 part finale of Battlestar Galactica rapped up a lot of the prophecies, but also left me confused and disappointed. Parts 1 and 2 were probably some of the best episodes in the series, but Part 3 is a completely different story. If you thought the LOST finale sucked, then think again.

The confusion

What happened to Kara Thrace? Was she “an angel sent by God?” Is their “God” Ronald D. Moore (see below)? If Kara is an angel, what does that make Red-Dress-Six and Creepy-Ass-Baltar? Maybe they’re narrators of some sort, corporeal catalyst for the rebirth of mankind in this cycle of destruction? Will the liberated Centurions and Raiders ever come back?

The final five (minutes)

For your amusement, here is a breakdown of my thought process starting at 40:20 on Netflix:

• 40:20 – Hera! Damn, I wonder how much that kid got paid. Yeah, that was totally shot on a green screen…
• 40:50 – “150,000 years later”? Wait, is that New York? Yep. HOLD ON, DOES THIS MEAN I’M A CYLON-HUMAN HYBRID?!?
• 41:00 – Oh gods noooo! This is present day! It’s not even some alternate universe New York, this is actually New York!
• 41:15 – WHY THE FRAK IS RONALD D. MOORE STANDING IN THE FOREGROUND? IS THIS A JOKE?
• 41:40 – Are they really explaining the show’s message to the audience? Hell, you might as well break the 4th wall.
• 41:58 – They’re totally filming on location. I wonder if anyone will — yep, bearded dude just spiked the camera.
• 42:05 – Six: “That too is in God’s plan” Baltar: “You know he doesn’t like that name.” WAIT, IS HE REFERRING TO RONALD D. MOORE?!?
• 42:25 – Great, a news reel about present day human advances in robotics. Maybe I wouldn’t be cringing if I this wasn’t 2013.
• 42:50 – So. Much. Product. Placement.
• 43:12 – DID I JUST WATCH THE CREATION STORY OF MAN OR A SNL SKIT?!?

Maybe I’m taking everything at face value, or maybe I’m just unable see the big picture. Either way, this finale gets thumbs down from me.

12 Must See Holiday Movies

Happy 12/12/12! In lieu of the occasion, I have created a list of 12 of my favorite holiday themed movies and television episodes (In no particular order).

1. A Christmas Story
From BB guns to leg lamps, this movie has been claimed one of the best holiday movies of all time. Definitely a movie everyone should be required to see before they die.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch…
An iconic Dr. Seuss story with a nice lesson for the little ones. Be sure to watch the animated version and not that god awful live action version.

3. A Christmas Carol
I’ve never actually watched the movie(s) all the way through, but as a child I went to the local playhouse every year to see the stage version. It isn’t the holidays without it.

4. Home Alone
Another classic that is a must see. No one wants to be alone on Christmas, but Home Alone makes you wish you were. A clever kid makes a bunch of clever contraptions to fool two idiot kidnappers. I would be lying if I said I never tried to ride a sled down the stairs.

5. Elf
Will Ferrell at his finest.
Buddy the Elf must spread the joy of Christmas throughout the land of New York. There is something in here for everyone.

6. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
If you haven’t seen this movie, then I don’t know what is wrong with you. Another classic for the holidays that became the subject of a classic holiday song.

7. Edward Scissorhands
Johnny Depp. ‘Nuff said.

8. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Another Tim Burton film, this one of the best animated movies of all time, not to mention it’s a musical.

9. Every How I Met Your Mother Christmas episode ever
If your a frequent reader of this here blog, then you might have noticed my many HIMYM references. Not only does this show have heart, but the writing is clever, well thought out, and down right hilarious.

10. The Holiday Armadillo – Friends
The original How I Met Your Mother, Friends is a television classic that started the careers of many. Wether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas, you can find a laugh in this half hour of comedy gold.

11. Night of the Meek – The Twilight Zone
One of my favorite TV series inspires the gift of giving. But what happens when you give too much? You become Santa Claus.

12. It’s a Wonderful Life
The last movie on the list and the last classic. Often noted as one of the most inspirational movies ever, it truly is wonderful.

My Take on the LOST Finale

It’s been a little over 2 years since LOST ended, and almost 6 months since I decided to watch my first episode. Refusing to heed my friend’s warnings about “how terrible” it was, I allowed Netflix’s recommendation system to play “Pilot: Part 1”. I was hooked.

Now, this isn’t a rant or a rave (that might be a future post). This post is about my explanation and justification of the final episode of LOST and the events of season 6. I do not suggest reading this unless you have already completed the series. MAJOR spoilers are ahead.

Holy. Amazeballs. That pretty much sums up my feelings on the finale of LOST. I fangirled when old characters returned, I was angry when Kate didn’t wait 15 minutes then run after Jack, and I bawled my eyes out when Vincent ran out of the forest. I mean, my face was so distorted from crying I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror. Absolutely incredible.

I can’t say I am pleased with the ending, but I am not disappointed either. The final flash sideways scene tied everything together nicely, but left its present day counterpart open ended. What happens to Kate, James, and everyone else on the plane? Maybe Miles’ duct tape surgery fails to keep the plane together and they all crash into the ocean and die? Maybe they crash and float back to the island on debris? Maybe they land safely in nearby civilization and catch connecting flights back to LA? The same open ended type stories apply to Hurley, Ben, Desmond, and everyone else on the island. Now that Hurley is the new Jacob and Ben is the new Richard, does that mean Ben and Hurley will live forever? Does Desmond get back to Penny? Do they ever find and bury Jack? Does Jack actually die in that final moment? Maybe Bernard was out looking for Vincent and he finds Jack lying there unconscious and takes him back to his camp. Then, Rose patches Jack back up and he’s off on his merry way! I could go on forever, but the point is WE WILL NEVER KNOW. Six months later and this still pisses me off.

The flash sideways
From my perspective, the flash sideways are kind of like a “final count down” to Jack’s death. Juliet detonating the bomb was merely a catalyst for Jack’s impending doom. That is, if Jack is actually dead (see above). One could argue that the flash sideways are actually flash forwards that take place in purgatory. After all, they’ve all done terrible things or had terrible things happen to them. The only way for everyone to “move on” is to find each other in the afterlife. Certain predestined events had to happen. This would include things like Kate delivering Aaron, Charlie meeting Clare, and the Oceanic 6 meeting each other.

Overall

Overall, LOST is a fantastic show. Take it apart and you have a cluster of the most ridiculous science fiction story ideas ever. Don’t mind the confusing storyline and just enjoy the ride. Trust me.