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rogueslayer452 ([personal profile] rogueslayer452) wrote2010-02-27 02:48 pm

Caprica: "There Is Another Sky" Episode Review + Meta

Caprica 1.05 "There Is Another Sky"

Stuck in the virtual world and unaware that she is pure avatar, Tamara tries to find a way back home and finds herself falling with a group a people who are playing a dangerous virtual game called New Cap City; this game has no law, and the only rules and objectives are to find out what those rules and objectives of the game, and if one dies in this game they can never return. This group of individuals uses Tamara's inability to deres back into the real world for their own purposes. In the midst of this Tamara makes a new acquaintance and finally discovers the truth about herself.

Meanwhile back in the real worlds, Daniel makes a startling announcement which will precede the beginning of humanity's end soon enough, while Joseph Adama's attempts with bonding with Willy fail as he understands how he needs to place peace with the deaths of his wife and daughter.


Tamara Adama: Can you truly be free if you're not real?

Besides the Zoe/Lacy involvement with the virtual world, as well as the virtual world itself, with this episode I've become more emotionally involved with Tamara's story as she's trying desperately to find a way home, except she can't. The more she discovers or understands what she's able to do in the virtual world that real life users cannot, such as being able to be shot without actually disappearing back into reality and somehow manipulating other pure coded virtual beings, the more she comes to the startling realization about what she is. At least, to an extent. We don't actually know how much she understands about being a pure avatar and what that might entail, and this could lead to some interesting places and discoveries along the way.

The thing is, you feel for Tamara because although you know she's just an avatar she feels and believes everything she's experiencing is real, she's absolutely terrified in the beginning. She's lost and she's scared and just wants to come home, and you feel horrible for her because you understand precisely why she can't, and it leads to questioning what's going to happen as she learns the truth. At the end of the episode we see that happening, and then we see her in complete resolve and when she walks away in the ending scene, alone in the deserted, dark and dank New Cap City game, and if you noticed completely and very Cylon-like.

But the question does remain, what will happen now that Tamara is aware that she's different? Becoming self-aware about herself, what will she be capable of? How far will she go, or will she try to find a way to get back into the real world somehow? Also the biggest question of all, what if the Soldiers of the One see her and instead of going after the Zoe Graystone avatar, they use her instead; what if Tamara will be used for their purposes, whatever those purposes may be? Also, what will happen if Tamara meets up with Zoe again at some point? Will they team up together or be against one another? And one wonders what would might actually happen if Joseph does finally meet up with Tamara. It really adds layers to the "what if" scenarios into this whole story, since the ending really left us wondering what this all could mean and how it'll fit with what's been happening in the show so far, particularly with the avatars and the fact that Zoe and Tamara are the only two pure avatars in existence (that we know of).

There are so many possibilities of where this is going to be heading, and I am excited to find out.


The Evolution of the Cylons: The Beginning of the End of Humanity, It All Begins With A Choice

I think the best way to define this entire reveal that Daniel Graystone laid out in this episode is this: HOLY MOTHERFRAKKING HELL WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!

Okay, an exaggeration perhaps but for those that aren't familiar with Battlestar Galactica what Daniel Graystone proposed to the board members is precisely how the end of civilization starts, this is the beginning of all the problems that start the first Cylon war and it's what stirs up the events which end civilization of the Twelve Colonies of humanity. It's in the way Daniel presented his presentation, entering with his Centurion Cylon model which mimics certain scenes with the beginning scene of the BSG miniseries with Six entering with two Centurions, or even later with Natalie and the Centurions with her own proposition with the other Cylon models, and using a speech to convince the board of administrators that he is making an advancement of their technology and going to be using these Cylon robots to do things for human society, to "do whatever we tell them to do" is what he says. This is the main problem in which starts the Cylon rebellion in the first place; being treated like slaves, especially since the Centurion he has is the one his daughter's avatar is already in, and she has to take orders from him as though she doesn't have a mind of her own which is going back completely what he said in the beginning of his presentation about seeming that there is someone living inside of there.

In the beginning of course Zoe seemed incredibly proud to be working beside her father, which is to say that she's excited to be doing something else instead of staying inside the house. But the tables turned when he commands her to rip off her own arm -- the look she gives him, it's between "what the frak are you kidding me with this shit?" and "hell no I am not going to do that." Imagine all Cylons thinking in this manner, and yet having no other choice to do those things because that's how they were programmed to do.

We all know this is where this is heading, and it's that moment of realization that you're staring and gaping at the screen because of the knowledge of what is going to happen with this idea going into production. It was exciting and fascinating to watch because this is the moment where everything changes, and yet it's devastating at the same time because this is how the end begins for everyone. Now we're going to see how it all plays out, and if Zoe or possibly even Tamara are going to be the virtual/Centurion models to be first in deciding they've had enough of being treated this way and wake the rest of whatever model in production up and fight back. Because you know this is exactly where it's heading, and it'll be tragic, but awesome at the same time.

Forgive me if I'm babbling away in an almost incoherent fangirlish manner, but that enter scene was so amazing and it's that "ah ha!" moment where you understand precisely where they're going with it. It starts with that one meeting, that one moment where Daniel Graystone is saving his corporation and from being kicked out and losing everything, which can be seen as endearing but with the knowledge of where this decision will lead has you terrified of what is going to happen next. And it's just so intriguing, and this is precisely why I love this show and how it really does extend the universe that we've known in BSG.

Like the show's tagline says, the future of humanity does begin with a choice, and it'll be one hell of a frakking ride let me tell you.


Memorable Moments of the Episode:

++ The entirety of Tamara's story was heartbreaking, because although you understood that she can never get out of the virtual world you wanted her to find a way back home, you were rooting for her to escape. But of course she doesn't, though still the whole reveal and with her befriending someone there, someone who does help her somewhat in the real world at her request, was interesting to see. Now all we got to do is see what happens, if Tamara is just going to wander about New Cap City or if she's going to be playing the game, or what have you.

++ I have to say, I love the extension of the virtual world and seeing just how much can be created and recreated there. Having virtual games that are extremely complicated and there are no limits, no laws, just play and survive or else you don't return. It seems incredibly scary if you aren't familiar with the atmosphere of the game in which you're playing, and we're seeing through Tamara's perspective because it's just as frightening with just entering and not knowing or understanding the rules or what is happening, etc. But at the same time, it is super cool, especially with the bank vault and the coins just floating up in the air in a very video game style.

++ Also, I have to mention the combining of the old fashioned with the new; a virtual world recreation of Caprica in a 1930s/1940s classic style with techno music. Awesome, and gorgeous too.

++ I loved the Adama storyline in this episode, as well. Mostly because the drama is very real between them all, Joseph trying to mend things with Willy, understanding that he needs to be there for his son instead of wallowing in the past, that Willy is growing up and becoming more interested with his Tauron heritage, the fact that Sam and his husband are willing to help him understand what needs to be done in order to resolve the tension and disorder between father and son. In the end, which is on the contrary to what is happening in the virtual world, we see Joseph and Willy being part of a traditional Tauron memorial ceremony and him giving peace to his late wife and daughter. Only to have that peace taken away once being told that Tamara still exists in the virtual world. But the point here, which wakes Joseph up, is that he has to put things to rest so he can move on, even if that moving on part was slightly interrupted.

++ We're also seeing Willy growing defiant and becoming more interested in the Tauron ways while his father is still living in the past. The fact that not only is Sam teaching him these behaviors and ways but also his grandmother, from the previous episode, it says that this is more for Willy's survival which he will need in the future.

++ I loved Amanda's talk with Daniel the night before heading off the make his presentation. He was at loss, and her words of encouragement was incredibly sweet. Even though his decision will have major repercussions that they cannot foresee, it was a lovely moment between them.

++ I'm kind of loving these obviously doomed relationships between Zoe and her cute boy and Tamara and her cute boy, neither understand their true nature, not entirely anyway, but there's a sort of chemistry and bonding between them in different kind of ways. I want to see how they will progress with this and whether the discovery of their true natures will change their minds.


Overall: The more this show goes on, the more amazing it becomes. The combination of writing and making sense with the timeline of things, especially when you know what is to come for the future of humanity, the relationship and journey of its characters and the universe and culture in which they are based on. I'm loving the extensive research and proper care with bringing forth certain traditional senses to different cultures, the Tauron memorial service for example. The familial difficulties and real life issues that occur, along with the science fiction element of virtual games and the purity of an avatar only trying to find her way back home. There are so many fascinating aspects to this show that, the more we're learning the more we understand where things could lead, especially since we already know of the outcome of these choices and decisions. It's a matter of how they get there that's the fun part, and I am enjoying every second of it. Moar, plz. ♥


WHY AREN'T YOU ALL WATCHING THIS FANTABULOUS SHOW? SERIOUSLY. THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY WELL-WRITTEN AND SMART AND EXCITING THAT I CANNOT ARTICULATE AND EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS SHOW, SO SO FRAKKING MUCH. WATCH IT, LIVE IT, LOVE IT. RINSE, LATHER AND REPEAT WITH BSG IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT SHOW EITHER.

SO SAY WE FRAKKING ALL.

[identity profile] dragonlit.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Amazing, detailed review of this episode. I'm enjoying reading people's reaction as the show progresses because being someone who did not watch many of the BSG episodes, it fills in some of the tidbits that are missing.

I do feel that I can watch this even without the BSG background because it is a great standalone without having to know the future of the society(ies).

I love that they have made Tamara a bassass character now, that she is not longer the whimpering girl we saw at first. I really want to see some Zoe/Tamara interaction particularly since from all the real world media, Tamara may get the information that Zoe was the one that caused her death. That has such great potential for conflict. And there is the possibility that Zoe could convince Tamara that she had nothing to do with the deaths and bring Tamara on side with the STO. Your idea that the STO might use Tamara sent chills because they do sound like the type of group to use any tool at hand.

While I love Daniel, his speech to the board seemed very self-serving and unlike what I had thought he was inside. I don't think he really believes his creations are going to be a new 'race' as such because I couldn't see him advocating the slavery that he stated in that speech if the Cylons were anything other than machines. Fascinating stuff and such food for thought.

All of these characters are so engaging and multi-layered which makes the show brilliant!!

I love this show so much!!! Can't wait for the next.

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
I do feel that I can watch this even without the BSG background because it is a great standalone without having to know the future of the society(ies).

It's really become its own show with both having ties to its predecessor as well as being a stand-alone for newcomers to become interested without having that said knowledge beforehand, because it creates an entire universe with these worlds and cultures that we only saw glimpses of in BSG. I think it's fantastic.

Tamara may get the information that Zoe was the one that caused her death. That has such great potential for conflict. And there is the possibility that Zoe could convince Tamara that she had nothing to do with the deaths and bring Tamara on side with the STO.

I'm thinking this as well, this is where it gets interesting because anything can happen now with what we know from this episode. Things are just getting setup for some potential amazing shit going to go down, and I honestly cannot wait to see what happens.

You have a point about Daniel doing this simply for his own personal gain, by keeping his job and position as founder of Graystone Industries. He doesn't think about the Cylons as individual beings but as a profit for his company, never minding that he doesn't even realize that his own daughter's avatar is stuck inside that one Centurion of his. This has me wondering what will happen if he discovers she is in there or if Zoe doesn't want to do anything he commands the robot to do, and if she rebels him and could be a possible potential threat and they want to destroy her or something. There are so many ways this can end up, I just can't wait for more.

All of these characters are so engaging and multi-layered which makes the show brilliant!!

This is exactly what I love in my shows, brilliant writing and acting, a created universe with so many different elements and everything being so complicated and complex, it's just a recipe for awesomeness. :D

[identity profile] wytchcroft.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
yeah i'm wondering if zoe vs tamara is the beginning of the cylon civil war...

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Cylon civil war? I think you mean the Cylons rebelling against the humans, in which I think either Zoe and Tamara will have some kind of conflict leading into it or something occurs that has them teaming up to awaken the rest of the Centurions that are created to start the first Cylon war.

[identity profile] wytchcroft.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
no, i mean the cylon civil war as seen in BSG seasons 3 and 4.

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not quite getting where you're getting at. You mean that the Cavils/Simons/Dorals versus the Sixes/Eights/Leobens are equivalent to what could possibly happen between Zoe and Tamara here?

[identity profile] wytchcroft.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
it's possible, i think.
some sort of past reflection, seed for the future type thing anyway.

it's all about the echoes...

[identity profile] wytchcroft.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
i definitely see the five coming together, Tamara (Tori), her V-friend/accomplice as Leoben, Lacey's bike fixing friend as The Chief, Zoe and Barnabus (??) makes 5...

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
Eh, I don't know. I don't see that as a connection, to be honest.

I mainly see it like this: either Tamara or Zoe will become adversaries with whatever conflict that might occur which springs forth the first Cylon war, or they work together to create it. Either way, its a repeating cycle and whatever happens we all know the end result.

[identity profile] wytchcroft.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
:)) i'm just thinking out loud really. i do feel a lot of echoes in the characters though, Tamara's pose, her friends profiles, a little Gaius in the first ep V-Club scene. Tahmoh in Sam and Lacy as Starbuck's mom. Even som Apollo in Graystone - but it's probably just my own head frakking up! LOL! :))

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
Well yes of course, there will be some parallels because obviously they will try to make those connections because this is a prequel and all. Like with Tamara's walk at the end of the episode was clearly Cylon-like and possibly foreshadowing of what's to come. I just don't think that there's a final five connection in which you've drawn up, but that's because I don't see it. It could be there, you never know with these people and how they plan on connecting certain things with this to BSG.

[identity profile] candesgirl.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't have any BSG background knowledge either, and I love that I can watch this without it. I'd like to watch BSG, but that I don't absolutely HAVE to before I get addicted to Caprica - oh too late, I already am!

I agree with what you said about Daniel to a point here, except for what I thought he was. He still comes across as a gray character to me (lovely, word play, Graystone, fun!) in every way. Joseph less so, but so far he is my favorite character, the one I find I care most about. I love the dynamic between him and Sam.

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
That's what I love how they've constructed the show, you don't have to be familiar with BSG but if you get addicted to Caprica you just might start watching BSG considering you already have some information of the universe. Either way, it's a great way to bring in both new and old fans, and they've done it so brilliantly. :D

[identity profile] dragonlit.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, he's definitely a gray character. I don't mean that he's heartless but in my mind, this show gave him more of the gray. When he gave his speech on the talk show about donating the proceeds of the holobands for youth programs, promising that Graystone Industries would no longer profit from them, it seemed very altruist. He was talking about giving up 60% of the profits of the company. Seems to me that would be akin to Gates saying he would no longer profit from his operating system. Now, Daniel, under the gun from shareholders, he has shown that bottom-line, he is a businessman. He has made the promise about the holobands and will stick by that, but he is justifying doing this by telling the shareholders that they were going to lose market share for the holobands in any case. The Cylon project was his new baby and he had to sell it as more than just a military, killing tool the thing it seems to have been originally designed to be. (I feel like I'm writing a business case here. Lol!)
(deleted comment)

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
I know, right? I can't wait to see the rest of this season as it continues on with this awesome streak because, damn. :D

It's kind of impossible for me not to make those connections because they fit so perfectly. The parallels between what is happening now and what will happen in the future is just, omg my inner geeky fangirl leaped with joy after I made that connection. And yes, I agree, the speech was horrific towards the end and you could see Zoe kind of going "uh, I don't think so" when he commanded her to rip out her arm. This will not end will and we all know this to be true, so we're just going to sit back and watch the trainwreck slowly begin.

My heart broke for Tamara and for Joseph because he was just getting back his peace of mind when all of that was loaded unto him. Yep, more tragedy. :( But I want to know what will happen now, with Tamara and with Joseph attempting to go after her, but it's not really her anymore, especially if she comes to terms with who/what she is or what she might encounter with her time in V World.

LOL THAT IS AWESOME. Bear McCreary, you are a genius. :D

[identity profile] noybusiness.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
Daniel's speech. It starts out with "a new race that will walk alongside us", sounding like the kind of attitude humans should take towards Cylons should they ever create them, and then it goes into clearly doomed territory. I wonder if they ever had robot rebellion movies. Perhaps the only reason we have robot rebellion movies in our time is a subconscious memory from their time? If only the Final Five had been there.

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
Didn't Amanda say in one episode that she recalled a movie where a robot was destroying a city and she was comparing the Centurion/Zoe-bot to that? So I think the kind of thinking is just our human minds coming up with the possible scenarios of creating things beyond our control. The dangers of technology, machines doing our bidding, etc. It's a cycle that continues which fits into the theme of "all of this has happened before"; it can either advance us or destroy us given how we use it.

[identity profile] icecoldrain.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
True, because those robots could have a mind of their own and then be like WTF WE HAVE RIGHTS TO. Plus all the robots taking over movies/shows come to mind. (LOL I wrote this before I read the next part about what happens with robots in Battlestar Galactica which I haven't seen). And when Zoe had to rip her own arm off I was like OMG WHY?!

And Tamara was all badass at the end. It should be interesting to see her evolve especially since she now knows that she's dead and only exists in the virtual world(for now anyway, it could go up an whole other level if she were to be put in the real world).

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Believe me bb, as a BSG fan myself it's all coming together with just his speech alone making such a proposition, it's just amazing. It's like fitting pieces to a puzzle you already knew had been somewhat completed, but with all this added information into the universe it just is so wonderful to see.

You should totally watch BSG at some point. :D

I arm-rippig-off scene was quite interesting to see, because I was wondering if Zoe would actually do it. Then we see the scenes interchanging between herself and the Centurion and then the mechanical arm comes off and it's like, omg! Then Tamara in the end, so amazing to watch. And yeah, it can totally go different places with different scenarios, and I can't wait to see more.

God this show, I can't even.

[identity profile] kitsu84.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
HOLY MOTHERFRAKKING HELL WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!

LOL. I'll admit to saying pretty much the same thing when Daniel made his proposition to the board. I was like, "HOLY SHIT. CONGRATS, DUDE. THAT IDEA OF YOURS JUST ABOUT ANNIHILATES YOUR ENTIRE RACE. WELL DONE(!) :D"

Also, how badass was Willy when he started wailing on that teenager? That was SO Adama. Here he is, 11 years old, and he's already at the point where he doesn't take any shit from ANYONE. Personally, I like that, because it shows that immense strength he had in BSG was there from the get go. NICE. I'm also loving the fact that Sam and Willy's grandmother are teaching him valuable lessons about survival. But at the same time, I like how Joseph is finally coming around and realizing the fact that his son needs him. (THANK YOU, SAM. ♥)

Oh, and on a completely shallow note... Joseph was totally working that robe. Just sayin'.

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
YEP EXACTLY. Dude doesn't understand what he'd just done, setting up events that will lead to their ultimate destruction.

I love how they're working out how young Willy becomes who he becomes later on in life, just by these little lessons from his Uncle Sam and his grandmother, it totally makes sense given what's been happening. It's all about survival and it's a traditional Tauron kind of way of becoming a man. It's all sorts of awesome because we're seeing how this young boy turns into the BAMF he becomes as an adult, it works. Plus yeah, it gives us this look that Joseph should definitely be there for his son and him realizing that in this episode, realizing he needs to find peace and move on with his life and be there for his family. Only that is interrupted by learning about Tamara's existence in the virtual world just as he gave that peace. :(

But yes, SAM IS LOVE. Him and his husband going by to reach to Joseph about what was happening, and God. I love this show so much for this. ♥ And yes, Joseph was rocking that robe. Sam was also looking mighty fine in this episode as well. But when has he ever NOT looked fine? ;D

CONTINUE TO BE AWESOME SHOW, KTHX.

[identity profile] candesgirl.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi. Just wanted to stick my head in and agree about Joseph rocking that robe (and the gold chain with it, guh).

[identity profile] wytchcroft.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
very nice review.

ah Tamara is so bad ass, i don't think she's just gonna wander about i think she's gonna OWN new cap city! :))

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you. :)

Considering that she cannot be killed and now knows that she's dead in real life, Tamara is definitely going to pwn everyone in that game. Maybe find a way of winning it herself? Could be a thought.

LOL :))

[identity profile] wytchcroft.livejournal.com 2010-02-28 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
it's cunning, throughout BSG i was all like "what's the plan???!?"
now it's gonna totally be like "what's the game??!?!?!"

[identity profile] missyjack.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
Wonderful review of a brilliant episode! I love seeing the seeds of all that is to come, basically arising from a rather prosaic business decision.

Tamara's avatar too is a brilliant charcter, rpecisely beasue, like Zoe, she makes us look at what we define as "real" or a "person" in a deifferent way. As you poitn out - it all feels real to her, and that makes us care.

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 11:37 am (UTC)(link)
I'm definitely loving how they use ways of making us sympathize from the beginning these characters, inter-cutting scenes between the Centurion and then Zoe to show that she is inside the robot, stuck in there, and with Tamara knowing that she had been created and isn't like others in the virtual world who can just come and go as they please. They make us care about these characters immediately because of what they're going through, and it makes us question due to that kind of complications that will arise later on.

Like BSG, the show presents plenty of morally gray situations for the characters and it's not all about black and white; there aren't any "evil robots" to define that. It's all about humanity and the choices we make and the consequences of our actions that follow. Those complexities and layering is what makes this show epic.

[identity profile] rawthorne.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
How touching was that funeral scene? I admit I got a little teary-eyed there for a second... and then Joseph finds out his daughter is still alive, so to speak. Tamara is growing on me. I pretty much just want to be a Tauron and marry into that family. Possibly via Sam Adama.

[identity profile] rogueslayer452.livejournal.com 2010-03-01 11:29 am (UTC)(link)
It was incredibly touching, and very beautiful with how they set it up. I love that we're seeing the different traditions and ceremonies between cultures in this universe. It's so amazing.

I'm right there with you bb, I kinda want to be part of their Tauron family too. Mostly because I know that Sam would totally have my back. ;)