Article on io9 about Gaeta: Why is Gaeta So Bad?

Television, Movies Games and Books BSG-2003
#1

Interesting article on Gaeta’s backstory and current motivations.

Fav quote:

Adama and Tigh reaffirm their bromantic love for each other as they fight side-by-side for the freedom of the Fleet…

The article makes the case that a lot of Gaeta’s trouble comes from being too trusting of the people he’s following orders from, that he’s too much of an idealist.

What happens to a person who believes they have been doing good, but then learns they have been collaborating with evil?

That’s the thing about Gaeta-- he believes he’s acting for the good of the Fleet, but his idealism blinds him to other’s (Zarek’s) motivations.

#2

That was an excellent article. Here’s a direct linkfor anybody who wants one…

The story really does have that Greek tragedy vibe going for it, when you look at it from that perspective. I found the author’s point about the irony of the mutiny inadvertently doing some good by shaking Starbuck, Roslin, et. al. out of their torpors and back to being themselves very interesting.

#3

I’m not so sure Gaeta has such pure motives. I think there’s an element of revenge in his motives – he lost his leg last time he tried to mutiny on the poo-barge. I expect to see Gaeta do something like blow Ander’s leg off.

Yet, I do think that Adm. Adama has to take a certain amount of blame for letting things get this bad. As they keep saying, “all this has happened before…” This is the third mutiny. Come on, if even your robots can’t follow orders like robots should and they rebel on you, why would you treat people like robots? A soldier’s faith in your command decisions still has to be earned and you have to keep your ears open for doubts about your decisions so that you know when you need to explain or compromise. Adm. Adama kept claiming his right to give orders without explaining them.

I say more on that in my blog:
http://normdoering.blogspot.com/2009/01/battlestar-galactica-oath.html

#4

I totally agree. The way that Gaeta is trying to take leadership of the mutiny made me feel like he wants to redeem himself for all the craaaaap he’s taken in the past. Gaeta’s on his last legs (lol) physically and mentally and he’s latching onto Zarek as his last chance to be everyone’s hero. However, I think his reasons for his mutiny are more narcissistic than altruistic.