Owen Harper Thoughts
Feb. 21st, 2008 04:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
andrasteI have not had much to say about Torchwood this year, beyond that it is approximately a MILLIONTY TIMES BETTER than Torchwood last year. Possibly the writers watched The Sarah Jane Adventures and were embarrassed into improving.
After today's episode, though, I have actual thinky thoughts. Hey, it makes a change from squeeing about giant robots, right?
My reaction to the end of last week's episode was "Owen! Noes!!!" This is not what I would have expected my reaction to be if Owen had been shot to death last year. I always found him an interesting character, but at some point this season I have grown emotionally attached. I keep wanting to give him hugs and going 'awwwwwwwwwwww' when Jack ruffles his hair.
I've seen a lot of people say that they just can't get past his use of the date rape alien drug back in Everything Changes in order to like this kinder, gentler Owen. This is an entirely reasonable and understandable position, so I've been trying to work out why Owen's past behaviour is not bothering me.
I think this is partly because many of my favourite characters in other canons have done much worse things. Which is not to minimise what Owen did, but I'll see you his date rape and raise you G'Kar mentally assaulting Londo in Dust to Dust, not to mention the sainted Charles Xavier ripped Magneto's mind apart and leaving him a vegetable in Fatal Attractions, not to mention Magneto attempting genocide against the whole human race, and the things Londo had done to deserve ... well, you get the idea. And that's limiting myself to four characters, none of whom are evil giant robots. Most of them have 'better' reasons for doing these things than sexual gratification and ego, but that hardly makes it OK.
It has also occurred to me that this is not unlike my love for Andrew Wells from BtVS. Among other things, Andrew colluded in the attemped rape of Warren's ex-girlfriend Katrina and murdered his best friend. But when given the opportunity, he changed and grew and became a better person.
Owen has done the same. For me, that process started way back in Ghost Machines when he was placed into the mind of a rape victim and has followed on logically ever since. (Which is not to say that he did not behave like a total arsehole in much of Season One.) I really like that Torchwood is demonstrating that positive change is possible on both a story level and a meta level. If the show he's in can become consistently entertaining, I see no reason Owen Harper shouldn't become a decent human being. Like Jack, I'm not ready to give up on him.
After today's episode, though, I have actual thinky thoughts. Hey, it makes a change from squeeing about giant robots, right?
My reaction to the end of last week's episode was "Owen! Noes!!!" This is not what I would have expected my reaction to be if Owen had been shot to death last year. I always found him an interesting character, but at some point this season I have grown emotionally attached. I keep wanting to give him hugs and going 'awwwwwwwwwwww' when Jack ruffles his hair.
I've seen a lot of people say that they just can't get past his use of the date rape alien drug back in Everything Changes in order to like this kinder, gentler Owen. This is an entirely reasonable and understandable position, so I've been trying to work out why Owen's past behaviour is not bothering me.
I think this is partly because many of my favourite characters in other canons have done much worse things. Which is not to minimise what Owen did, but I'll see you his date rape and raise you G'Kar mentally assaulting Londo in Dust to Dust, not to mention the sainted Charles Xavier ripped Magneto's mind apart and leaving him a vegetable in Fatal Attractions, not to mention Magneto attempting genocide against the whole human race, and the things Londo had done to deserve ... well, you get the idea. And that's limiting myself to four characters, none of whom are evil giant robots. Most of them have 'better' reasons for doing these things than sexual gratification and ego, but that hardly makes it OK.
It has also occurred to me that this is not unlike my love for Andrew Wells from BtVS. Among other things, Andrew colluded in the attemped rape of Warren's ex-girlfriend Katrina and murdered his best friend. But when given the opportunity, he changed and grew and became a better person.
Owen has done the same. For me, that process started way back in Ghost Machines when he was placed into the mind of a rape victim and has followed on logically ever since. (Which is not to say that he did not behave like a total arsehole in much of Season One.) I really like that Torchwood is demonstrating that positive change is possible on both a story level and a meta level. If the show he's in can become consistently entertaining, I see no reason Owen Harper shouldn't become a decent human being. Like Jack, I'm not ready to give up on him.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-23 11:45 am (UTC)I caved and gave in to my impulse to write fanfic, despite the fact next week might joss me in some fashion. He was just that inspiring.
Owen and Gaius Baltar: good point, yes, they do have things in common.
Season 3 of BSG: poor Apollo. He won't get better until the last four episodes of the season, but then they give him some phenomenal stuff that actually manages to make sense of what happened with him before.
The occupation story rocks, doesn't it? Ellen's death scene breaks my heart every time.
I found Baltar's descent into alcohol-soaked depression was enormously affecting
So did I. Baltar really isn't a character you can classify easily, because he's so not an evil overlord, or even evil overlord wannabe. Both the scene with the gun to his head, literally, and his conversation with Roslin in which he asks her point blank whether she can honestly say she approves of suicide bombers and for the first time manages to make her look away are just what fanfic didn't expect.
I also noted with amusement that Gaita continues to manage the only m/m slashy vibes in the show. Not that hi idesalism wouldn't enough reason to pull a gun on Mr. President without bringing a soured crush into it, but it was a very intense scene.
Oh, there is more to come in that regard. I think it's undisputable Gaeta was in love with Baltar in some fashion or the other, which I would have said was one-sided (Baltar just finding him and his hero-worship pre s3 useful), except there is a deleted scene from somewhat later in the season which presents a good argument that Baltar at the least likes Gaeta.
, and I can't wait to see what the Cylons do with him now.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-24 04:48 am (UTC)I shall go read!
Season 3 of BSG: poor Apollo. He won't get better until the last four episodes of the season, but then they give him some phenomenal stuff that actually manages to make sense of what happened with him before.
This is a huge relief! I'm glad they finally thought of something for him to do.
The occupation story rocks, doesn't it? Ellen's death scene breaks my heart every time.
Every time I think this show can't get any darker? It goes ahead and does it. The whole storyline is heartbreaking, and we're left in no doubt that the Tighs love each other. Saul kills her because he believes he has to put his sense of duty above his personal feelings, not because he doesn't love her as much as she loves him.
Also: Brother Cavell has fast become one of my favourite Cylons! As soon as Dean Stockwell showed up, I thought 'oh, I hope he is a Cylon and can be around a lot in multiple versions!"
(I only made it through one season of Quantum Leap before deciding that it wasn't for me, and Stockwell was easily the best thing about the show.)
Both the scene with the gun to his head, literally, and his conversation with Roslin in which he asks her point blank whether she can honestly say she approves of suicide bombers and for the first time manages to make her look away are just what fanfic didn't expect.
Quite. Brilliant scenes, both, and it shows just how much he's developed as a character to this point. It was also clear that, even before the Cylons showed up, Baltar was not enjoying being President much. I don't think he's really cut out for politics ...
Oh, there is more to come in that regard. I think it's undisputable Gaeta was in love with Baltar in some fashion or the other, which I would have said was one-sided (Baltar just finding him and his hero-worship pre s3 useful), except there is a deleted scene from somewhat later in the season which presents a good argument that Baltar at the least likes Gaeta.
Ooo, I shall look forward to that. Speaking of the only gay man on Galactica (well, hypothetically and as far as we know) I spent a lot of time yelling at the screen during Collaborators when the Circle were threatening to put him out the airlock. Not that I thought they would, since Jammer had already suffered this fate, but it would have been a good idea to check who their source was before executing people close to the President!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-24 08:33 am (UTC)It seems they clued into Lee/romance being a dreadful pairing, whereas Lee/Ethical Dilemma really works. To put it a bit more spoilery, but just a bit, putting Lee in the same storyline with the most hated human in the universe had to work...
The whole storyline is heartbreaking, and we're left in no doubt that the Tighs love each other. Saul kills her because he believes he has to put his sense of duty above his personal feelings, not because he doesn't love her as much as she loves him.
Yes indeed. In retrospect, when Bill Adama says "she brings out the worst in him", I'm tempted to say, no, Bill, that's Lee and Kara, and also you and CaroAnn (we'll get a flashback episode to Adama's marital history): while Ellen can bring out the addict in Saul, she also brings out his loyalty, tenderness and devotion, and no matter whom she screws, he brings out the same things in her.
I never saw Quantum Leap at all, but I knew Dean Stockwell was a genre favourite, and he was very good as Cavill. Though as male Cylons go, RayK still leads for me.*g*
It was also clear that, even before the Cylons showed up, Baltar was not enjoying being President much. I don't think he's really cut out for politics ...
Verily. The irony is that Roslin is really the only reason why he ever was in politics to begin with, twice over. First, she made him her VP because she didn't want Tom Zarek in the position (hah!), and then later Baltar ran for President to spite her. There are some terrific Baltar and Roslin scenes coming up in Taking Away From All Your Troubles, which follows after a mid-season slump.
Not that I thought they would, since Jammer had already suffered this fate, but it would have been a good idea to check who their source was before executing people close to the President!
True, but what I appreciate about the occupation arc - one of several things - is that it doesn't shy away from showing how ugly and warped the good guys can get in these situations, too. Also, remember DS9 and the first season episode in which Marritza is killed by a Bajoran in the end, not because he actually was a war criminal but because any Cardassian would do?
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-25 05:36 am (UTC)Yay! Baltar makes everything better.
I really, really hope they've permanently abandoned the possibility of Apollo and Starbuck ending up together, because that always seemed like a train wreck to me on every possible level. I much preferred Starbuck/Anders.
In retrospect, when Bill Adama says "she brings out the worst in him", I'm tempted to say, no, Bill, that's Lee and Kara, and also you and CaroAnn (we'll get a flashback episode to Adama's marital history): while Ellen can bring out the addict in Saul, she also brings out his loyalty, tenderness and devotion, and no matter whom she screws, he brings out the same things in her.
It's rare to see a couple on TV who are simultaneously so good and so bad for each other. I look forward with great interest to seeing Bill Adama's wife, a character I've always wanted to meet.
I never saw Quantum Leap at all, but I knew Dean Stockwell was a genre favourite, and he was very good as Cavill. Though as male Cylons go, RayK still leads for me.*g*
Leoben is indeed awesome, and I think he's even creepier if you've seen a lot of due South and have to process the cognitive dissonance of Callum Keith Rennie as a scary robot. Adored his interaction with Kara at the opening of Season Three.
Quantum Leap put me off with its endless girl-of-the-week storylines and other eyeroll-inducing politics, and I've never been that keen on Scott Backula. But Stockwell was very good in it.
Verily. The irony is that Roslin is really the only reason why he ever was in politics to begin with, twice over. First, she made him her VP because she didn't want Tom Zarek in the position (hah!), and then later Baltar ran for President to spite her.
I loved the scene where Roslin and Zarek are chatting just before their imminent execution and Roslin admits she wishes she had stolen that election. In hindsight, I guess everyone wishes that had turned out differently.
There are some terrific Baltar and Roslin scenes coming up in Taking Away From All Your Troubles, which follows after a mid-season slump.
Incidentally, when does the slump start? (And why must this show be incapable of producing twenty decent episodes all in a row ...?)
True, but what I appreciate about the occupation arc - one of several things - is that it doesn't shy away from showing how ugly and warped the good guys can get in these situations, too.
Oh, yes, from an out-of-story perspective I thought it was a great storyline. It just made me yell at the TV a lot *g*.
Also, remember DS9 and the first season episode in which Marritza is killed by a Bajoran in the end, not because he actually was a war criminal but because any Cardassian would do?
Both Tigh and Starbuck seem willing to attack anyone unfortunate enough to be standing near them. I love the irony of how chummy those two are these days, given how they started out. Even before the occupation traumatised both of them, there was that hug at the end of Season Two.
I
Date: 2008-02-25 06:55 am (UTC)The fact BSG fandom has not realized this is an glaring truth is a mystery to me.*g*
I really, really hope they've permanently abandoned the possibility of Apollo and Starbuck ending up together, because that always seemed like a train wreck to me on every possible level. I much preferred Starbuck/Anders.
Me too, and amen to all of that. But I'm afraid you'll have to suffer through the trainwreck first before it gets abandoned. Which brings me to:
Incidentally, when does the slump start? (And why must this show be incapable of producing twenty decent episodes all in a row ...?)
Because they should have stuck to the 13 episodes format? I don't know, but it is so. Anyway, here's your quick guide to slump and awesomeness, assuming the last episode you've watched was "Collaborators":
Torn: still good. Painful, though.
Measure of Salvation: good, but in retrospect problematic because of the lack of follow-up. Well, so far.
Hero: Carl Lumley, our dear Dixon from Alias, guest-stars, and we get a glimpse of Adama's background and an important Tigh/Adama scene. Unfortunately and surprisingly, this still makes for a mediocre episode.
Unfinished Business: Hate it with the passion of a thousand suns. This is the trainwreck episode per se. Alas, I can't advise you to miss it, because it contains flashbacks to New Caprica pre Cylons which are important for the long run, not just for the Kara/Lee disaster. Adama and Roslin are rather adorable in them, too. Adama in the present does one of those things where I can't stand him, though. AND did I mention this is the UBER Kara/Lee episode?
The Passage: Jane Espenson's first BSG episode sadly so not lives up to her Jossverse episodes. But again, important for continuity reasons. A crucial scene late in the season loses its emotional punch if you haven't watched it.
Eye of Jupiter: getting better again. This episode btw is the one which would have contained the deleted Baltar/Gaeta scene. Big arc importance. Has also horrible quadrangle of doom scenes, but these are thankfully not dominating the plot; mostly, it's about a Cylon/Human encounter.
Rapture: second part of a two parter, and good. Finishes Three/De'Anna's arc that started with her dreams on New Caprica, and finishes someone else's arc as well as starting a new one for that person.
Taking a Break from All Your Worries: Now we're talking. I don't even mind the quadrangle of doom scenes, and not just because this is where it ends; they make character sense. But the A-Plot is just superb, and James Callis not getting an Emmy for what he does here is so unfair.
The Woman King: dire. Seriously dire. Skip.
A Day In The Life: The Bill Adama marital history tale, with a Tyrol b-plot. Okay. Also, it left me with the impression Lee has an oedipal complex not in regards to his s1 relationship with Roslin but his relationship with Kara, because the late Carolann Adama was... you'll see.
Dirty Hands: Tyrol-centric, but only so-so. Still, better watch it.
Maelstrom: Starts the final run of superb four episodes. Best Kara episode of the season and in a long while. Katee Sackhoff fantastic. Also featuring the first scene between Lee and Kara after Colonial Day in season 1 where I really enjoy them together on screen at the same time. Clearly, ending the trainwreck has done wonders.
The Son Also Rises: Introduces an awesome new character played by a Firefly veteran, and starts the return of the Lee/ethics OTP which brings back sympathy for Lee Adama and makes him interesting.
Crossroads Part I: OMG love it. So much!
Crossroads Part II: Crazy or inspired? Possibly both.
II
Date: 2008-02-25 06:56 am (UTC)Just wait until you see Maelstrom! (Also? Katee Sackhoff managed to upset both Kara/Lee and Kara/Anders'shippers by saying that she thinks that of the men in her life, Leoben knows Kara best.)
The early s3 scenes between Roslin and Zarek made me 'ship them. Sadly, then we never see Zarek again despite the fact he's now Vice President. It's very frustrating!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-24 08:36 am (UTC)I shall go read!
It's here:
http://selenak.livejournal.com/361610.html