http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/06/battl
estar-gala.html
Originally posted: June 9, 2008
'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Lost': The similarities are spooky
I'm certainly not the first to draw parallels between "Lost"
and "Battlestar Galactica," two intense and rewarding dramas chock
full of dense mythologies. The hardcore fan bases for these shows
aren't averse to spending hours poring over the similarities the
programs share, and the Internet is a handy enabler for these
overlapping obsessions.
But there seemed to be more coincidences than usual as both dramas
wrapped up their most recent batch of episodes ("Battlestar" has its
mid-season finale on Sci Fi June 13 and airs 10 more episodes,
probably in 2009, before it ends for good; "Lost" just concluded its
fourth season on ABC and resumes in January. Pictured at left;
Francois Chau as "Lost's" Dr. Edgar Halliwax; at
right, "Battlestar's" Lucy Lawless, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park).
The parallels are uncanny. On both shows, people see visions.
Mystery babies appear to hold many answers. The "boxing"
and "unboxing" of key characters are crucial plot points.
So am I alone in wondering if Ben Linus might be the final Cylon, or
in speculating about the possibility of a polar bear hidden away in
the Galactica fleet? Or have I just spent too many late nights
watching and rewatching these delightfully convoluted dramas? HmmmÂ…..
In any case, the parallels below are mostly drawn from the most
recent seasons of each show. As always, weigh in with your own
thoughts in the comment area.
Box brouhaha
"Battlestar's" D'Anna: Her "unboxing," or revival from a form of
Cylon death, was a key plot twist. "Lost's" John Locke/Jeremy
Bentham: The appearance of this apparently dead character in "Locke
box" was a key plot twist.
Miracle baby
"Lost's" Aaron: This indestructible baby seems to be part of some
divine plan. "Battlestar's" Hera: This human-Cylon baby seems to be
part of some divine plan.
Wounded leader
"Lost's" Jack: In recent episodes, this headstrong, controversial
leader survived dangerous situations despite a Christ-like wound in
his side. "Battlestar's" Baltar: In a recent episode, this
headstrong, controversial leader survived dangerous situations
despite a Christ-like wound in his side.
Murderous, remorseless schemer
"Lost's" Ben: This enigmatic island resident killed without remorse
and always has a self-serving plan. "Battlestar's" Tory: This
enigmatic Cylon killed without remorse and always has a self-serving
plan.
Group with a big secret
"Lost's" Oceanic 6: They do all they can to prevent the world from
knowing the truth about them. "Battlestar's" Final Four Cylons: They
do all they can to prevent the fleet from knowing the truth about
them.
Shadowy figure
"Lost's" Jacob: Who is this guy and what is he really up
to? "Battlestar's" fifth Cylon: Who is this individual and what is he
or she is really up to?
Person seeing visions
"Battlestar's" Laura Roslin: She sees people who aren't there, or are
they? (Yep, I know, other people on the show have visions
too.) "Lost's" Hurley: He sees people who aren't there, or are they?
(Yep, I know, other people on the show have visions too.)
Mysterious pregnancy
"Battlestar's" Caprica Six: Allegedly Cylons can't get each other
pregnant. Or can they? Saul Tigh seems to have done just that,
because his secret lover, Caprica Six, has a toaster in the
oven. "Lost's" Sun: Supposedly women can't stay pregnant on the
mysterious "Lost" island. Or can they? Sun gave birth to a healthy
baby after her island rescue.
Powerful father-son duo
"Lost": A key story line involves the mysterious, possibly island-
ruling Christian and his stubborn son, Jack, the leader of the
Oceanic Six. "Battlestar": A key story line involves the commanding,
fleet-ruling William Adama and his stubborn son, Lee, the new
president of the 12 colonies' Quorum.
Big kaboom
"Battlestar": A human/Cylon team blew up the Cylons' crucial, life-
regenerating Hub. "Lost": A vengeful Keamy blew up the ill-fated,
possibly life-saving freighter.
Unhappy pet
"Lost": Bunnies. "Battlestar": Centurions.
Scary/freaky servant
"Lost": Richard Alpert "Battlestar": The base ship's hybrid
controller.
Disappearance
"Lost": The island disappears. "Battlestar": Gaeta's leg disappears.
Disappointing revelation
"Lost": A frozen donkey wheel controls the island's powers. Um.
Huh? "Battlestar": Romo Lampkin has a dead cat in his gym bag. Um.
Huh?
Majorly awesome fight
"Battlestar": Tigh vs. Adama. "Lost": Keamy vs. Sayid.
Angry spouse left behind
"Battlestar's" Chief Tyrol: The death of his spouse left him bitter
and angry, plus he's got a big secret to hide. "Lost's" Sun: The
death of her spouse left her bitter and angry, plus she's got a big
secret to hide.
Epic romance
"Lost": When Desmond and Penny reconnected and acknowledged their
deep love, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. "Battlestar": When
Adama and Roslin reconnected and acknowledged their deep love, there
wasn't a dry eye in the house. (At left, "Lost's" Henry Ian Cusick
and Sonya Walger as Desmond and Penny; at right, Edward James Olmos
and Mary McDonnell as "Battlestar's" Adama and Roslin.)
Directional catch phrase
"Lost's" Jack: "We have to go back!" "Battlestar's" Starbuck: "We're
going the wrong way!"
This week's unifying theory
"Battlestar": Whoever knows God is close to knowing the secrets of
the universe. "Lost": Whoever knows the island's secrets is close to
being a god.
