so behind the times

[jaina]

We've been way behind on BSG, catching up slowly. Tonight we watched 2x16, "Sacrifice":

I accidentally spoiled myself for Billy's death-- followed a fic rec, didn't read the spoiler warnings. My own fault. But I'm actually glad that I had time to get used to the news before I saw the episode. Billy, you see, was my favorite character. I know, weird, huh? Kind of a strange minor character to fixate on. But I loved everything about him: his horrible shirts, his awkwardness, his earnestness, that kind of uncertain half-smile he used a lot, his loyalty to Roslin, just absolutely everything. And I think I was really intrigued by his situation, and the way he responded to it-- one minute you're a minor governmental lackey, and then the universe turns upside down and you're chief aide to the president of the Colonies. I absolutely adored his relationship with Roslin. Her reaction on seeing him again in "Home, Part 2" remains one of my favorite moments in the series.

So this episode hurt a lot, obviously. I think if I hadn't been spoiled, if I hadn't already adjusted and accepted it, I would have been gutted. It hurt from beginning to end, really, as a Billy fan (all three of us in the entire BSG fandom). The whole situation with Dee was really painful, and opens up a whole other can of worms with respect to Lee/Dualla, which I won't get into because I'm sure everyone else already has.

Roslin's reaction to his death was perfect. I about lost it when she was fixing his hair. She had said Billy was the closest thing she had to family; I think he was the closest thing she had to a son. And he died, while Adama's kids lived. All because of a Cylon that Roslin would have preferred to see dead long ago. It really, really sucks to be Laura Roslin right now, doesn't it? Of course it pretty much sucks to be anyone on this show, but that's why we watch it.

Time for bed now. Cannot handle any more BSG.

Comments

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

I, too, share your grief for Billy. I had not a clue and was FLOORED when it happened. It really had a lot of impact. Very well done; even though it was a bit depressing.

I think I liked his character so much because he was sorta the EveryMan character. The poor schlub who was just minding his business and then got thrust into the middle of it. And he tries to find a little happiness in the horror and gets shot down right before he gets...um...shot down.

RIP Billy!

[jawajames.livejournal.com]

RIP billy indeed - from the intro where they showed clips from nearly every major Billy/Dee scene, i knew that something was going to happen...
it definitely hurt. i think i lamented it over the next few days (sort of a scaled down version of the catatonic state that wash's death had on me).

Billy was a very likable character, and possibly becoming a major mover and shaker... and now taken away!

[jainamsolo.livejournal.com]

I know, I flashed back to Adama telling Billy "She thinks you'll be President" and then I got sad all over again. BILLYYYYYY!

Poor Billy

[dlamming.livejournal.com]

I was a billy fan too, and not just because we shared a nickname. :) He was definitely a cool guy... a little out of his depth, but trying to do the best he could, and never freaking out or breaking down like so many other people have. His relationship with Roslin was so sweet, too.

The way Dee treated him makes me pretty angry with her. I liked her as a character in part because of Billy; I think she's largely been defined in terms of her relationship with him. She really just mean though. Billy handled the romance stuff badly, but he handled their breakup with class - and she cheated on him and treated him like garbage.

Re: Poor Billy

[jainamsolo.livejournal.com]

I agree, a lot of the reason I enjoyed Dee was because of her relationship with Billy. I mean we did see her somewhat outside that, besides when she was on duty, like that episode where Adama was using her as a sounding board, but then there was that out-of-the-blue moment where she was suddenly crushing on Lee and I went "WTF?"

Poor Billy. He really was a Nice Guy.

[asiansquishie.livejournal.com]

yeah, that was a hard episode to watch...
but i'm gonna get nori hooked on BSG!!! she was saying she needed a new sci-fi fixation, seeing as how star wars is about over, firefly and serenity are a wrap, and harry potter is winding down to a close...

[jainamsolo.livejournal.com]

Haha, we'll get her together! BSG!!!

[vetgirlbeth.livejournal.com]

I literally howled in agony when that happened. So much that my roomies came downstairs to make sure that I hadn't hurt myself or was hemorrhaging horribly or something similar. Billy was my fave too, it seems you are not alone in this thought.