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The Raptor as a sort of 'god' symbol/metaphor

posted 7 years ago by Metatron_Fallen
7 replies | jump to latest

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.

...

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.

[–] thequirkyone 7 years ago

This is a perfect example of what I'm going to miss about these boards. BSG is the show I watch and rewatch most often. It seems like I notice new details or make a new connection every run through. I loved coming here to read other people's opinions and ideas about the symbolism and imagery in even the smallest details. It enriched and deepened my enjoyment of the show. I didn't really post all that often, (I'm more of the lurker type lol) but I loved having a connection with people who liked the as much as. or maybe even more than, me.

...and in conclusion that is why squirrels should always wear pants.

[–] Metatron_Fallen 7 years ago

I remember you because of your tag line.

I like wondering about those things without ever asking what they come from or what they mean.

[–] President_Ackbar_Impeached 7 years ago

Starbuck says something along the lines of a parent having to die before a child can really come into their own

Not only did I agree with that basic sentiment, I assumed it was foreshadowing a few deaths.

I still see it as a "missed opportunity" not killing Adama et al and then showing Lee and the others dealing with it ( and then succeeding anyway )

The show was ending no matter what, so they could have really done a lot more pursuing this angle.

[–] aerobell513 7 years ago

Thanks for this, I agree it's beautiful symbology, and now I'm eager for another rewatch of BSG, I've been missing it pretty severely as of late, especially since we lost Hatch. :'-(

I'm going to miss these boards, even if I was always just a lurker too.

[–] throw-41 7 years ago

I'm going to miss these boards, even if I was always just a lurker

I think this is precisely what the IMDb decision makers are missing. Actual participation in the discussions may not seem to be huge, but many times more people actually come here to read the posts.

[–] jock_tamsons_wee_brother 7 years ago

Thanks for that Met. When thinking about those scenes it does make sense.

I'm in the middle of watching Blake's 7 for the first time (I can mind watching individual episodes growing up but not seen the full series in it's entirety). Once finished I'm going to continue my current re-watch and keep my eye up incase there is any more similar symbolism in the series.

[–] Metatron_Fallen 7 years ago

You can play with a lot of different symbolism in the series.

For instance, substitute the word 'Earth' with 'God'. A lot of the series still makes sense and a lot of it makes even more sense.

Earth = God. Then 'God' is the noble lie that Adama invented in order to give the people a will to survive.

Yet, Adama did not believe in Earth/(God). He was an atheist to the core. He seemed almost bemused eventually that his 'lie' should actually lead them towards something actual.

Think on Starbuck deciding to take the Cylon Raider to Caprica. She told Adama, 'I believed in Earth'. This means the same if you substitute Earth for God. If followed through, she went after the arrow because of her faith in Earth, in contradiction to how she felt about Adama.

Think about when the fleet jumped to Earth I. You had a choir (you could almost say an 'angels' choir') going in the background- the 'approach to God', with all its fanfare.

And then Earth turned out to be a dead wasteland. The old gods were false.

And when they finally make it to their end, it is a place they have no name for. God has no name. It is bigger and better than they could have comprehended.

You could extrapolate this out to any number of lines delivered by actors or situations.