Across the Universe- Medical Access on BattleStar Galactica

3/12/09 - Chris Goldstein

BSG Episode 420 (no kidding):

The seasoned old military commander, Admiral Bill Adama, sits gently reading to his longtime friend and lover, President Laura Roslin, amidst their broken down ship, Galactica.

She has lost her hair and lays on a hospital bed dying of cancer . The pair, worn by hellish trials of war in space against relentless machines bent on the destruction of our species, take out a hidden blunt in Galactica’s Sick Bay, then light it up and smoke. Really!  Edward James Olmos (Adama) and Mary McDonnell (Roslin) convincingly inhale to relieve their bodies and their minds. Check out the clip

In a universe where Humans and Cylons are engaged in sleek computer generated war or fun futuristic erotica there has been this smokeable substance featured recently. It is instantly comparable to marijuana in the appearance, rolling techniques and technical acts of inhaling.

Here’s the scoop on this new strain according to BattleStarWiki:

 “New Caprican leaf refers to a mildly-psychotropic plant …”

“Adama and Roslin take effort to hide their enjoyment of the drug…”

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Shame they fucked things up so bad on New Caprica because apparently this stuff grew wild!

The showcase medical use of the plant was in the most recent episode “Islanded in a Stream of Stars” and it really was an excellent portrayal of their version of medical cannabis. Adama and Roslin smoke the blunt and relax. They engage in a deep conversation, in a positive fashion. And most important, they do have a laugh.

Now Adama has shown to be an ugly drunk, ripping up in his quarters like Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now. And Roslin has tried any number of fantastic space-age alternative therapies that have still left her hooked up to machines and counting her days. But in this moment, their stress and mean-streaks are quelled, allowing for some solace and perspective.

Olmos directed the episode, which was largely character driven and featured few of the sci-fi-eye-candy special effects. This moment of New-Caprican-Blunt-Burning kind of stood out, and perhaps it was meant to?

You don't expect to find a good marijuana reform message in a science fiction series, but this one featuring normalized medical use, was rather effective.

BSG is a fairly well known program. Yet the loyal, weekly watchers are somewhat of a niche audience. In other words - nerds like me.

I don't catch many other series programs on TV. So, I honestly have to ask: Are there cannabis or cannabis-like references on other shows?! Are they roasting phatties on the L-Word or Boston Legal? How about bongs on Big Love?

Seriously folks; inquiring, relaxed, postive minds want to know!