I think the best way to handle the Starbuck incident would be just to kill her during the assault on the Colony. That way there’s no opportunity to explain what she was, the ambiguity is complete.

Good observation about “what is an ‘angel.’” Nora, Matt and Alaya suggested that the Starbuck resolution might have worked if there had been a hint that maybe she’s a member of a another AI/Cylon race so far advanced that to us they seem like gods; they intervene and mess with humans like the Gods of the greek pantheon (taking “it’s happened before, it’ll happen again” to a whole new level). I guess my problem is that in all those previous examples you cite, it might have been divine intervention or just luck. In the finale, there was no wiggle room, no place for multiple interpretations. She’s a divine force (although I’m still holding out hope that maybe she just ducked in that tall grass…:)

The first instance I can think of is the episode “Hand of God”, oddly enough, where they attack the refinery. Remember that 6 points out to Baltar on the recon photos the exact target to hit ? We passed it off as a coincidence at the time. But why not Someone pulling the strings?

The Final Five Cylons. Three of them just happen to be assigned to Galactica years before the attack? One of them just happens to be married to another of them? And the final one, Anders, is no where near the Galactica but survives the attack and is found and brought to the other four by who? Starbuck.

One of the biggest instances was the temple on Kobol. A literal map that no one has ever attempted to explain how it worked, who made it, and how it was correct in the scriptures. And how did they find that temple and the map? Starbuck bringing them the Arrow of Apollo.

Starbuck’s paintings of the nebula (was it a nebula or something else? I forget) fit the bill as well. Tyrol’s stumbling upon the temple to the Final Five. I’m sure there are others that will jump out light lightning bolts now in subsequent viewings.

Granted, all of the above could have been coincidences. Or it could have been [insert favorite diety here]. I think you’ll agree that when things out of the ordinary happen there are groups of people who attribute it to God, and others who attribute it to luck. At Gettysburg we spoke briefly about how many last minute actions just happened to occur at the right time to form the outcome of that battle. I’m sure there are many who did, and still do, attribute that to God’s hand, and others who did and do not. On Galactica, notice in the CIC that when the “God and Angels” speach is being given, it’s by 6, Baltar and Cavil. We don’t hear what the other humans who believe in multiple dieties believe. I’m willing to bet that Adama was having the same reaction he had a few episodes back about how he was tired of being told it was their destiny to do things.

What do I think Starbuck was? I have no idea. Over time I’ll probably come up with a theory that suits me. I prefer that. Was she an angel? Maybe, but what is an angel? What’s the context? What’s the point-of-view of the person saying she’s an angel?

I have a reaction to her ending like I did to the “Sopranos” finale; not sure what to make of it at first, and then the more I thought about it the more it made sense, and at this point I think “Sopranos” had one of the finest series endings I’ve ever seen. Perfect.

But then they made it to Earth and the story collapsed like a house of cards. As you point out, we’re supposed to believe that they’d all willingly give up civilization and live like primitives. Didn’t buy it. And that they’d give up the fleet and fly it into the sun. (Your solution would’ve worked far better). But the biggest fiasco came with respect to Starbuck. No, no, no. No. I repeat: no. That’s not a resolution; that’s a copout. Introducing a magical/religious explanation is the epitome of bad writing. It makes no sense. Sure, the series always discussed religion, but never before did God/the gods intervene in the show directly like this before. Resurrecting characters and their ships? Even worse, the story left no other explanation other than a mystical one: Starbuck is an angel; the projections of Six and Baltar are eternal angels. God is real and he personally intervenes in these characters’ lives. That’s why Kara knew the song; that’s why she resurrected; that’s why [fill in whatever unanswered question you have]. I’m sorry, but that’s cheating. What other explanation did you think could be the case other than the preposterous “Kara is an angel” solution?

I did like the resolution of Roslin and Adama’s story. And the views on Earth were gorgeous. But the Lee and Kara resolution was ridiculous. And the dialogue in the Times Square scene was baaadd (and unnecessary).

Angels? ANGELS? C’mon!