Situated Ideological Allegory and Battlestar Galactica

Abstract

Allegory has been a focus of recent rhetorical criticism. Critics recognize that traditional allegory can be used to support an ideological system and that there are few limits to the interpretation of postmodern allegory. What has not been recognized is that a variant of traditional allegory can be used to subvert an ideological system. Situated ideological allegory uses ideologically related but not germane symbols to challenge the audience's viewpoint. In this essay, we argue that much of the power of the award winning drama Battlestar Galactica comes from a critique of the War on Terror that subverted the dominant ideology.

Keywords:

• 9/11
• Allegory
• Battlestar Galactica
• Subvert
• War On Terror

Acknowledgments

Both authors wish to thank the editor and reviewers for their insightful comments in revising this essay

Notes

It is important to note that while the contemporary series shared a name, some plot similarities, and character names with the series of the 1970s, in other ways the two programs were very different.

The notation refers to the season and episode. In this case the episode “33” aired in the first season as the first episode. BSG was a bit unconventional in terms of how it defined seasons. After season one, the show was released in season two, then season 2.5, then season three, and so on. All references to the series are from Battlestar Galactica.

It is important to recognize that the plot of BSG continued to develop in the remaining seasons of the show and that additional narrative themes were present. The plot development in the remainder of the series is beyond the scope of this essay but not inconsistent with the argument developed here.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mike Milford

Mike Milford is an Assistant Professor of Communication and Journalism at Auburn University.

Robert C. Rowland

Robert C. Rowland is a Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas.