ANNE LOCKHART

Senmut · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:57 am Post subject: Adar: How do you see him?

Simply put...we all know that Adar led the Colonies into destruction at the hands of the Cylons. How do you see him as both a person, and as a politician? Was he essentially a naive fool, who accepted whatever Imperious Leader offered? Or was he essentially a good man, who was manipulated by the peace-at-any-price types, as well of course Baltar?
What is your take?
_________________
"The dull mind rises to Truth through that which is material." -Suger

Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigenti a Patre, plenam gratiae et veritas.

epaddon · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 711

You could easily say both with those two choices.

LZaza · Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:20 am Post subject:

He actually reminded me of someone with early dementia. Seeking that reassurance from a trusted friend (Baltar) and not listening to the opposing opinion from Adama. Almost like you had to treat him with kid gloves to get what you wanted. And if you knew how to manipulate him, you could.

A thought.

Lisa

Senmut · Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:39 am Post subject:

mikedx · Site Admin Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 88

I think he was an elderly statesman, who nearing retirement, wanted to give himself a legacy. Since the war had been going on and on and on, he really didn't see that he had contributed anything. And with the manipulation of Baltar, he honestly thought that he could bring about a peace that had been dreamed of for milenium.

Basically he put all his chips in the pot, and wouldn't accept the fact that he was wrong.

epaddon · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 711

My point was simply that it's possible to be both a good man *and* a naive fool at the same time.

Senmut · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:02 am Post subject:

Very true, EP. History has numerous examples. I think Zaza's point that he showed signs of early dementia is also a valid point.
_________________
"The dull mind rises to Truth through that which is material." -Suger

Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigenti a Patre, plenam gratiae et veritas.

MAD · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:22 am Post subject:

I always saw him as just "an old fool" who tought who could change something that was so rooted in the programming of all toasters: "the total destruction of the entire human race".

What I never understood and was better picked up in the New Galactica series: Why did they never elect a new president?!?! Sure, in times of war militairy rules, but in later episodes when Cylons hardly attacked Adama and the Council still made up the decisions. Adama got a double role as leader and militairy commander (in some countries this is called a dictator!).
_________________
GALACTICA.TV | My Battlestar Galactica | Terry Carter - official site | Anne Lockhart - official site

LZaza · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:08 pm Post subject:

Good point, MAD. Actually, Adar did seem to have much more power as President of the Quorum of Twelve, than Adama did as his successor, unless we can infer that the majority of the Quorum agreed with him and supported him--which might mean they were as addled as he. And, really it didn't make much sense to have Adama succeed Adar, since he was also Military Leader--though perhaps it was because he was the only surviving member of the original Quorum.
There was a vague reference to elections--which I'm sure Sen or Eric could pinpoint, but just who did the electing was never really clarified. Was it a general election? Or was the privledge of choosing their bureaucratic representatives limited to the elite?

Senmut · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:46 am Post subject:

I think that the elections were basically a vox populi affair, at least as far as circumstances permitted. After Adama announces that they are headed for Earth, that would have been a good time for the vote, since he tells us that representatives from "each ship in our fleet" were present.
_________________
"The dull mind rises to Truth through that which is material." -Suger

Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigenti a Patre, plenam gratiae et veritas.

MAD · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:38 am Post subject:

Still, when Cain arrived, another commander of the same rank and equal popularity, it was Adama who gave out the shots (against his liking but still). So even though there was no official election that made either of them higher in rank also Cain often agreed (or HAD to agree) to Adama's decisions.
_________________
GALACTICA.TV | My Battlestar Galactica | Terry Carter - official site | Anne Lockhart - official site

Senmut · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:41 am Post subject:

Adama's commission was posted before Cain's, technically making him Cain's superior. That, and Adama being the elected President meant Cain had to acquiesce.
_________________
"The dull mind rises to Truth through that which is material." -Suger

Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigenti a Patre, plenam gratiae et veritas.

LZaza · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:43 am Post subject:

Senmut · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:48 am Post subject:

Yes. See above. Wink

_________________
"The dull mind rises to Truth through that which is material." -Suger

Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigenti a Patre, plenam gratiae et veritas.

LZaza · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:52 am Post subject: