The Raptor as a sort of 'god' symbol/metaphor
Don't know if I ever posted this but have it in my notes.
There's a few striking scenes in the series where the Raptor not only functions as a crew transport but can be seen as a sort of metaphor for 'god' if the context of what it is doing is taken into perspective.
In the miniseries, for example, on Caprica, the Sharon's Raptor lifting off represents salvation for those on board. But for those on the ground it is sort of like they are losing all hope. Which is true, lol, but it's a strong symbol here. The Raptor slowly ascending.
On Kobol, it literally functions as a Deus Ex Machina when Chief, Baltar, Cally and Seelix are rescued from the Cylons.
During the battle to destroy the Resurrection Ship, Apollo is adrift in space, dying or even dead already. Suddenly he is bathed in light and taken on board where life is restored to him. Another deus ex machina- which is quite literal symbolism.
There is a striking image in the finale of Roslin on board the Raptor flying over the promised land and then dying within the embrace of the Raptor. If you change the Raptor to 'God' it is actually quite a beautiful image.
And of course, in the battle at the Colony, Racetrack's Raptor fires the nuke that destroys the Cylons. Interesting there because Racetrack is already dead at the time and it is a literal 'hand of god' sort of thing that causes the Raptor to fire.
You could maybe lump the time Adama waited for the base ship with Roslin into this category. For whatever reason, Lee seemed to view his father's actions as practically suicidal- but they were really just a simple act of faith. Adama didn't believe in much when it came to the gods but he believed Roslin was going to come back and maybe he needed to show himself too that he was willing to do something really singular to be with her again. So, the Raptor here sort of symbolized his faith and his willingness to act upon it. Like, 'Let the fleet leave me behind, this act of faith is all I need'.
Perhaps too, Racetrack and Skulls finding New Caprica. Their Raptor jumped to the 'wrong' coordinates- god showing them the way.
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This sort of plays into another idea that struck me once. When Adama goes waiting for Roslin, Starbuck and Apollo are in Adama's quarters staring at his desk. Starbuck says something along the lines of a parent having to die before a child can really come into their own and become who they really are.
In the end, the Galactica had to die before humanity could get to their next level of growth. The Galactica had carried its crew inside it like children in a womb and disgorged them into the world in the end. And then died.
Nothing profound. It's just that with the board dying in days, I figured if didn't post it now...
It's just something maybe interesting to think about if you like that sort of thing.