Monday, October 10, 2005

RDM-Colonial Fleets Contact

TO: Ronald D. Moore, Executive Producer, Battlestar Galactica

As you may know, Colonial Fleets has long been a supporter of the revival of the original Battlestar Galactica. Despite this, we have had fans from your version of our beloved story who have come in, singing the praises of your show, even at the expense of the original. We have embraced these fans, in the hopes that there might be good communication, discussion, and esprit de corps between them.

Battlestar Galactica, to us, has always represented a story that could be viewed by entire families. Yes, the story deals with a very dark subject (the annihilation of the human race across the stars, and the subsequent horrors and strife that follow), but the show also was a tale of hope and strength in the face of great adversity. It was a story of rising above the challenges the rag tag fleet had to face as a result of being exiled to the stars. And, the show was one of a family united against these processes that no despair could rend asunder.

Your version of this tale has twisted so many of the concepts of Battlestar Galactica into something that is barely recognizable by its fanbase. Constant dysfunction, a military that is far beyond any discipline we acknowledge, and stories far darker than need to be told in the realm of Battlestar Galactica.

Many segments of your show have been extremely controversial. Many TOS fans have spoken out against such events. In the miniseries, you depicted the murder of an infant in what you perceived to be an effort to show just how EVIL the Cylon race is supposed to be. We feel this was nothing more than "shock jock" material. In your efforts to evoke a sense of "The Cylons will PAY!" among your intended fanbase, you have instead evoked a response of "does RDM, et al, have no decency!?"

We have tolerated fans of your show giving lavish praise to your show, and quite at our own sufferance. However, your recent episode "Pegasus-Part One" has sparked more than just a controversy among the Battlestar Galactica fanbase. It has evoked such a negative emotional response among those who took an hour out of their lives to see what you had done with a classic, staple tale of Galactica, that we can no longer abide any continued support from this site for your show. Many families within our Galactica communities have suffered even as far as episodes of Post Traumatic Stress when witnessing the sickening scene you decided to air (regardless of how much "restraint" you'd shown). This has caused a sense of distress, outrage, and indignation among these good and decent people. AND, you also seem to have managed to drive away a segment of your own fanbase. For what? For the sake of shock?! The scene you filmed and aired doesn't even qualify as good drama. And the warning/advisory that was posted before that segment was insufficient to prepare potentially sensitive viewers for what they were about to witness.

Mr. Moore, your show has had many events which have driven us away from its potential enjoyment, but the negatives have far outweighed the positives, and in this case, the negatives have finally come to a head that cannot be ignored.

Yes, there are people still praising your show for its "gritty realism". Its "darker take". Its "grand reinvention of the genre". We have seen none of what you claim you've set out to do. Yes, you may have written off the fanbase of the original series. Yes, you may have spit and defecated all over a property we have long treasured for nearly thirty years. For all your airs, all you have served to do is destroy the name of something that was once considered a "family friendly" show.

Do not think for an instant that what we want from a revival for Battlestar Galactica is the exact same elements that existed in 1978. Yes, we would like to see an updated version of Battlestar Galactica. Perhaps a little darker, and more mature. But what you have given in your version of the show has pushed the boundaries of decency.

We, the staff, therefore withdraw any support that Colonial Fleets may have given your show.

We will still welcome fans of the new show to Colonial Fleets, but they will have to understand that your version of Battlestar Galactica is no longer a subject we choose to discuss here.

Please understand, Mr.Moore that we do not hold the flaws of the show against you, as a person. Not at all. But, as a professional, we cannot support your production. Our criticisms of your show are stictly at the professional level...not personally toward you.

Sincerely,
The Staff of Colonial Fleets



RDM's Response:

To the Administrative Board,
Thank you for the email regarding the changes atColonial Fleets.

It saddens me to read of the changes that have been made at Colonial Fleets, an exemplary forum where respectful discussion and debate flourished due to the dedication of the owners and moderators in providing ahome for all of the fans. In a fandom where less than ideal behavior often runs unchecked and is sometimes encouraged, Colonial Fleets' zero tolerance policy for personal attacks and rude off topic threads set astandard of tolerance and civility that other forums could only emulate, but not surpass. It was a place where all viewpoints were welcome (often in spite of the personal feelings of those same moderators and owners), and I often saw it held up as an example of what all boards both could and should be.

Colonial Fleets, is, of course, your property and you should do with it what you wish, and therefore I fully support you determining your own rules of behavior, etiquette or topic regardless of whether it has any relationship with Galactica or not. As for the topic at hand, think it worth noting that contrary to what some believe, I have yet, in my many years as a writer to write a scene -- ever -- strictly for shock value.I have no patience with the idea of a show that brings in an audience based on shock value alone, and have no interest in doing the dramatic equivalent of "FearFactor." I do try to write stories to provoke thought and passionate debate and I'm gratified that "Pegasus" has managed to do both, as evidenced by the debates on many boards on topics ranging from the historic dehumanization of prisoners throughout the world to the question of whether abusing a machine even counts as abuse.

On a personal level, I will say it's sad to see one of the oldest Galactica boards out there shut down discussion of Galactica. Colonial Fleets, by providing a meeting place between old and the new, provided a gateway for fans of the new to learn about, and possibly come to an appreciation of, the old. It goes without saying that the new series has broughtnew eyes and attention to Galactica, and it's unfortunate that Colonial Fleets will no longer provide an arena of discussion that can -- and has --instilled in new fans the same passion and respect forthe original that you on the Administrative Board obviously feel with such vigor.

One has only to look to newcomers such as Tabitha, who came to your board as a fan of TNS, only to join the ranks of those who value TOS, to see how openness and inclusivity can redound to the benefit of TOS. Certainly other TNS/TOS boards and forums exist out there, but I wonder if Tabitha would've come to the same appreciation of the old show had she not come to Colonial Fleets?

I am more than happy to let the audience decide whether this version of Galactica should continue or not based on nothing more than their willingness to watch it or not. If they decide to turn it off because of storylines or scenes they find offensive or morally repugnant, and as a result it gets cancelled, then so be it. I also find it a continuing source of fascination that the show is cited by publications as diverse as the National Review and The New York Timesas not only worthy viewing, but also as supposedly espousing views similar to those found on their own editorial pages.

There are those who will say: that all of the above is a lie and a manipulation, and simply further proof that I am a liar, that I have no morals, no respect for my audience, my country or our military institutions, that I am a misogynist, a pervert, and a drop out and and am only interested in dragging the American public into the muck. There is no way for me to prove otherwise. Perhaps if they knew me, my family, my friends, they might see things differently.

But that is not possible, and I am happy to be judged by the words that I write and more than willing to accept that many will judge me harshly.

If writers chose their words to win friends, there would be many great works that would have never seen the light of day. I think that it is essential that we all hold true to our values and beliefs and not be cowed by the views of those who may disagree with us.We live in a world where too few neither hold, nor are willing to stand by, core values and principles. I cannot argue with, and indeed have the greatest respect for, those who choose to stand by theirs, just as I choose to stand by mine.

I wish you all well in your new approach and look forward to seeing your commentary and opinions about the new show on the other forums so many of you still frequent.

All the best,
Ronald D. Moore


One thing: Post Traumatic Stress?

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Knowledge of the Masses

Tomorrow will offically be two weeks since the summer finale of Battlestar. No doubt many of you, like myself, have been distracted from constant theorizing by work, school, family, pets, etc... However, I have the greatest confidence that someone out there has a valid yet debatable theory. This post is dedicated to your ideas about the direction(s) of the show (instead of me prattling on about my own).

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Starbuck is NOT a Cylon

There have been a few ideas buzzing around that Starbuck is a Cylon. I wholeheartedly disagree. If she were a Cylon, the whole episode, "The Farm" would be useless. Another Cylon would not abduct her body and cut into her, rip out her ovaries if she were one of them. She also has a complex past of abuse which led to artistic expression, something we have certainly not seen in any Cylon character (or any other character, for that matter). Starbuck is special, but she is NOT a Cylon.