Title: CapricaAppearing: The Syfy Channel When: Friday nights 1st run, reruns various times during the week, seasonal |
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Caprica is the Syfy Channel’s latest installment in the BSG saga. In this chapter of the Human/Cylon War (and also, apparently, of the coming of the One God) we are given a glimpse of life in the twelve colonies at a time just prior to the birth of the Cylon race. It’s not a pretty picture. There is prejudice here, and decadence, and elitism. There are old feuds, and sins that cannot be forgotten. There is lust and greed run rampant. In all, it is a very dark place (yep, that’s BSG!). Although they live in what should be a time of hope and prosperity, the Capricans seem to be shackled to ethnic (errr, planetary) values that drag them down and steal their broader sense of self. Because they are so strongly tied to these traditional value systems, they seem unable to set aside their individual differences long enough so that they might work together for a better tomorrow. Thus, they live in a world dominated by greed and corruption, without hope, without direction, without a future. This terrifying vista is the everyday world of Caprica.
Religion plays a central role in the new storyline. Although the citizens of the BSG universe seem faithful to their various beliefs, they also appear to be almost mechanical in their observances. It’s as though their religious practices have become more a way of life than a belief system (in other words, they’re just going through the motions). Despite this, religion is deeply embedded in Caprican culture. It plays an important role their day to day lives, as well as giving shape to their broader world view. In this incarnation, religion is a positive influence; it is the very fabric that binds together Caprican existence. But, there is (of course) a darker side. There are also many cases in which religion is used to justify crimes or violence. It can even become a verbal tool when used by characters during arguments, or attempts at persuasion. And yet, no matter where religion surfaces, it always seems to be practiced by rote, always by the book. It’s almost as if their culture had no true anchor, nor soul. Perhaps that’s why the futuristic Capricans suddenly find themselves so vulnerable to the teachings of the mysterious and secretive Soldiers of the One. This new (and much feared) movement is still underground, but gradually gaining strength. In the STO Capricans seem to find some sense of purpose, of right and wrong, of a better way (even if it’s to get religion and go boom?). Ultimately, of course, we know how this all turns out, but it’s still fun watching the producers and writers set the stage.
So, let’s recap. We have a (pre?) Apocalyptic society, teetering on the brink of cultural anarchy, without any sense of purpose or direction; and now, we’ll add the Cylons to the mix. Oh, there’s only one, so far (there is another), but that really doesn’t mean anything. Cylons tend to breed like cockroaches, and they are much, much harder to kill. The truly fascinating thing is though, that this one cybernetic lifeform embodies all that the Cylons are, or (within the scope of what is already cannon) all that the Cylons will ever be. Here is the anger, the indignation, the self-righteousness, the callous disregard for human pain and suffering-but here also can be found empathy, the need to love and be loved, even a desire to save humanity. This is the deepest glimpse viewers have been given into the Cylon psyche, and it is most revealing.
As to the effects-they are top notch, as usual, but in this latest effort, subtlety is the key. While there is still the occasional splashy effects scene, for the most part the CGI and mechanical effects are definitely understated. The idea here seems to be to blend the effects so carefully into the scene that they are not noticed at all; so that they simply become part of the background. (It is a credit to the Caprica effects team that they are able to accomplish this with such apparent ease.) Undoubtedly, there will be more to come, but, for now at least, we’ll just have to settle for a futuristic, three dimensional world, that is seamlessly executed. (Works for me!)
Will this show prove a worthy successor to BSG? Right now it’s still too early to say. But there is one thing we can be certain of, even at this juncture. Like its parent, Caprica is quality science fiction, of a kind rarely seen on television, and, as such, it is well worth the hour. Check it out and see if you agree.
(Viewers take note: Caprica is an adult show that deals with adult concepts. Unless you intend to set aside a block of time both during and after the show to answer some potentially uncomfortable questions, you may want to put the little ones to bed first before watching.)
