Adama and Roslin Are Sci-Fi's Ultimate Power Couple

Many television shows have at their core a romantic relationship. Be it the bickering of Booth and Brennan on Bones, or who is sleeping with McDreamy or McSteamy or McWhats-his-thing? on that Anatomy show, the push and pull of the innie and the outtie invites conflict and tension, jealousies, vulnerabilities and passion. But nowhere in TV-land is it as certain and tender as the bond that has grown between Admiral Adama (Edward James Olmos) and President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) on Sci-Fi's Battlestar Galactica (BSG to the devout).

While the 60,000 odd souls of the human race fled through space to evade the murderous cylons, two figures quickly became the pillars that held aloft what was left of the Colonial civilization: Admiral William Adama and President Laura Roslin.

For Adama the transistion to being one of the leaders of all mankind came easily, as though he might not have even realized his ascendance. His world of uniforms and ranks, codes, respect and honor made him a natural magnet for the terrified survivors of the holocaust of the Twelve Colonies. He is the natural warchief and just as naturally people so traumatized would react as if any situation might be war.

President Roslin, on the other hand, had been the Secretary of Education (and had actually been asked to resign her post the day of the attack on the Colonies), so she had to be magnitudes more certain and severe. She proved herself again and again, unflinching in the face of the hardest decisions: on rules of interrogation, abortion and execution by airlock. Even at one point she donned the robe of the church, claiming to see visions of prophecy and follow literal scripture, her political power merged with religious authority and put her at odds with Adama and isolated her.

Slowly did this romance bud and reveal itself to us over many episodes spread out over two seasons. But in a brilliant two-partner that told the tale of mutiny on Galactica (the episodes "The Oath" and "Blood on the Scale"), the love between President and Admiral blossomed. No longer were they sneaking around, an open secret to every knuckle-dragger on Galactica. When the two publicly kissed, it was an affirmation of every stolen glance and quiet scene of comfort that had come before, and it confirmed the absolute faith each had in the other to overcome insurmountable odds.

The story so compelling, the performances so outstanding, the least remarkable aspect of the reltaionship is also the most obvious reflection of how this romance is different than on almost any other show : Adama and Roslin are 'middle-aged'(if people in the Colonial world live to be 120, that is). Ever youth and glamour drives the dramatic romance that thrives on the tube, especially on any show basic cable or below in the TV menu. But the acting of Olmos and McDonnell is so intimate and accomplished that one can scarcely consider their age. They are such equals on the screen, but also generous in giving each other room to work in subtle, yet telling ways.

Whether as the Admiral and the President directing the fate of humanity or merely Adama and Roslin joining hands and locking eyes: These two are the ultimate Sci-Fi power couple.