Gritty Reality or Just Disgusting?
Colonial Fleets recently sent out a letter due to the last episode. The letter is as follows:
"“Give it a chance.”
That was the oft –repeated mantra of the folks on the old Sci-Fi board. Give the new show a chance, don’t pre-judge it; watch it, see what you think. So we did. We watched it and in the spirit of fairness, we matched words with deeds, here at Colonial Fleets, and created a completely separate but equal sub-forum, strictly for new show conversation. It seemed to be the right choice, at the time.
Since then, we have been educated to the mindset of the author that the offerings on this show, called Battlestar Galactica (2003), were to be a reflection of society and we were challenged to “think about it”; that there would be parallels to real-life events such as the Sept 11 attacks and told, by the author, to “make your own judgments as to what they say to you”; and that this new show would completely “re-invent” the sci-fi genre.
Well, we have thought about it and have spoken those thoughts on these forum pages, for much of the past 2 years. Ever since the new series came about, this fanbase has been in a tenuous place and Colonial Fleets was often a tension spring within the fanbase for allowing and even promoting, at times, discussion of the new series. Through that time, we made a concerted effort to separate the comments from the commentator and to keep the debates focused on the issue. Primarily, though, each of us has strived to employ our own personal standards of morality and decency when presenting these thoughts.
An example of these standards of decency and morality can be witnessed by the following remarks by our good friend, Malkyte, who very eloquently expressed the thoughts of many members, here and elsewhere:
“Throughout the many years of human existence, there has always been a line. A line that represented on one side, the best of human decency and morality, and on the other, the pure animalistic and monstrous evil that humans can be. This line has moved back and forth throughout those same years, and depending on individual experiences, it has always been in different places.”
“Society in general has appeared to become more tolerant of rude and disrespectful behavior, to the point where it is celebrated when someone is deviant or rebellious. It’s rather disheartening and disturbing at the same time. But our society more and more rewards liars, killers and celebrity deviants, who in some cases are only in the news because of the crap they do, and not for any talent they may possess.”
We share those same concerns about society and can see, for ourselves, the truth in the remarks. In addition, we agree that the “line” has been shifting back and forth with a decided tilt toward the less than desirable aspect of human society. We also realize that the entertainment industry has “pushed the envelope as far as they could”, only because we have allowed them to do so.
We have allowed the entertainment industry to tell us that it was "ok" to have a baby's neck snapped (the script originally called for Number Six to drive her finger through the baby's skull); it was "ok" to draw a parallel of sympathy toward the terrorists who carried out the Sept 11 attacks - in other words, we got what we deserved; but, the straw that snapped the proverbial camel's back was the use of rape as a military torture tool in the "Pegasus" episode.
We will NOT allow the entertainment industry to tell us that it is "ok", at any time, for a rape to occur. It does not "advance the story", it glorifies a horrible aggression upon another human being. After nearly 2 years of this “educational experience”, we have reached the conclusion that the movement of the line must cease. While we absolutely hold no ill will toward our Fleets family members who are attracted to the show, we can no longer willingly sanction discussion about a show which goes against so many of our innermost values.
Mr. Moore, your show has had many events which have driven us away from its potential enjoyment. The negatives have far outweighed the positives, and in this case, the negatives have finally come to a head that cannot be ignored.
Effective with the posting of this announcement, the “New Battlestar Galactica Forum” as well as all of its related sub-forums will be permanently closed and removed from the Forum Index Page.
As mentioned above, the decision to close the "New Battlestar Galactica Forum", etal, is done with no malice toward any of our members attracted to the new show.
We value the contributions of all members of the Fleets family and will continue our journey as a Battlestar Galactica artists' site as well as a discussion forum centered on the Original Battlestar Galactica and, of course, the "fun" areas in the Rejuvenation Center. The Original Battlestar Galactica is the show whose revival this site was built to support and that is what this site will continue to focus on and support wholeheartedly. The "New Battlestar Galactica" series has shown it's true colors and it is time for us to bid it adieu.
The decision to close the "New Battlestar Galactica Forum", et. al., is based entirely on the content of the show and is FINAL and IRREVOKABLE.
Signed,
The Owner, Administrators, and Moderators of Colonial Fleets
Titon
Warrior
BST
Dawg
Fragmentary
Gemini1999
Jewels
Martok2112"
I do not agree with this statement. The line is indeed leaning more towards allowing "rude and disrespectful behavior", and the creators of Galactica are trying to point that out to us. They are pointing out the faults in society, and they are pushing the envelope of tolerance simply because they are showing, nearly uncensored and uncut, what happens out in society and in our military. I understand that some people get squeamish from seeing what is really happening, what humanity has become. This is, of course, the intent of the show.
This post was created per request to vent. Have at it, ladies and gentlemen.
"“Give it a chance.”
That was the oft –repeated mantra of the folks on the old Sci-Fi board. Give the new show a chance, don’t pre-judge it; watch it, see what you think. So we did. We watched it and in the spirit of fairness, we matched words with deeds, here at Colonial Fleets, and created a completely separate but equal sub-forum, strictly for new show conversation. It seemed to be the right choice, at the time.
Since then, we have been educated to the mindset of the author that the offerings on this show, called Battlestar Galactica (2003), were to be a reflection of society and we were challenged to “think about it”; that there would be parallels to real-life events such as the Sept 11 attacks and told, by the author, to “make your own judgments as to what they say to you”; and that this new show would completely “re-invent” the sci-fi genre.
Well, we have thought about it and have spoken those thoughts on these forum pages, for much of the past 2 years. Ever since the new series came about, this fanbase has been in a tenuous place and Colonial Fleets was often a tension spring within the fanbase for allowing and even promoting, at times, discussion of the new series. Through that time, we made a concerted effort to separate the comments from the commentator and to keep the debates focused on the issue. Primarily, though, each of us has strived to employ our own personal standards of morality and decency when presenting these thoughts.
An example of these standards of decency and morality can be witnessed by the following remarks by our good friend, Malkyte, who very eloquently expressed the thoughts of many members, here and elsewhere:
“Throughout the many years of human existence, there has always been a line. A line that represented on one side, the best of human decency and morality, and on the other, the pure animalistic and monstrous evil that humans can be. This line has moved back and forth throughout those same years, and depending on individual experiences, it has always been in different places.”
“Society in general has appeared to become more tolerant of rude and disrespectful behavior, to the point where it is celebrated when someone is deviant or rebellious. It’s rather disheartening and disturbing at the same time. But our society more and more rewards liars, killers and celebrity deviants, who in some cases are only in the news because of the crap they do, and not for any talent they may possess.”
We share those same concerns about society and can see, for ourselves, the truth in the remarks. In addition, we agree that the “line” has been shifting back and forth with a decided tilt toward the less than desirable aspect of human society. We also realize that the entertainment industry has “pushed the envelope as far as they could”, only because we have allowed them to do so.
We have allowed the entertainment industry to tell us that it was "ok" to have a baby's neck snapped (the script originally called for Number Six to drive her finger through the baby's skull); it was "ok" to draw a parallel of sympathy toward the terrorists who carried out the Sept 11 attacks - in other words, we got what we deserved; but, the straw that snapped the proverbial camel's back was the use of rape as a military torture tool in the "Pegasus" episode.
We will NOT allow the entertainment industry to tell us that it is "ok", at any time, for a rape to occur. It does not "advance the story", it glorifies a horrible aggression upon another human being. After nearly 2 years of this “educational experience”, we have reached the conclusion that the movement of the line must cease. While we absolutely hold no ill will toward our Fleets family members who are attracted to the show, we can no longer willingly sanction discussion about a show which goes against so many of our innermost values.
Mr. Moore, your show has had many events which have driven us away from its potential enjoyment. The negatives have far outweighed the positives, and in this case, the negatives have finally come to a head that cannot be ignored.
Effective with the posting of this announcement, the “New Battlestar Galactica Forum” as well as all of its related sub-forums will be permanently closed and removed from the Forum Index Page.
As mentioned above, the decision to close the "New Battlestar Galactica Forum", etal, is done with no malice toward any of our members attracted to the new show.
We value the contributions of all members of the Fleets family and will continue our journey as a Battlestar Galactica artists' site as well as a discussion forum centered on the Original Battlestar Galactica and, of course, the "fun" areas in the Rejuvenation Center. The Original Battlestar Galactica is the show whose revival this site was built to support and that is what this site will continue to focus on and support wholeheartedly. The "New Battlestar Galactica" series has shown it's true colors and it is time for us to bid it adieu.
The decision to close the "New Battlestar Galactica Forum", et. al., is based entirely on the content of the show and is FINAL and IRREVOKABLE.
Signed,
The Owner, Administrators, and Moderators of Colonial Fleets
Titon
Warrior
BST
Dawg
Fragmentary
Gemini1999
Jewels
Martok2112"
I do not agree with this statement. The line is indeed leaning more towards allowing "rude and disrespectful behavior", and the creators of Galactica are trying to point that out to us. They are pointing out the faults in society, and they are pushing the envelope of tolerance simply because they are showing, nearly uncensored and uncut, what happens out in society and in our military. I understand that some people get squeamish from seeing what is really happening, what humanity has become. This is, of course, the intent of the show.
This post was created per request to vent. Have at it, ladies and gentlemen.
posted by (and Ernie) at 11:54 AM
18 comments
