Lee Adama's mixed, or *allegedly* mixed motivations for getting married to Dee had been haunting his ability to indulge in family happiness for quite a while (up until he actually managed to frak things up into nearly loosing the one truly good thing that'd ever happened to him - Dee).
Incidentally, I don't happen to believe the sole reason driving Lee into marriage was woe and/or spite over losing his 'one twuuuu wuuuuv', Starbuck, that is, and going after a consolation prize (which still seems to be a popular opinion in the fandom). That would've been too soap-opera cheesy and inconsistent with his previous and following characterization, which clearly indicated the relationship with Dee was both immensely cherished by him and instrumental to recurrently reconsider his own personal shortcomings. I do not really think, the professed eagerness (in a state of alckoholic and hormonal intoxication, no less) to defy commitment to Dee would have seen the light of New Caprican morning, once he had a chance to give the matter a secon thought. Because frakking under the stars for an assortment of wrong reasons is one thing, pursuing a responsible relationship - is a different one altogether. Starbuck's stint with marrying Sam, however, didn't give him the chance to reconsider the plausible reality of their mutual 'happily ever after', employing reason. (Of course, talking it out and reestablishing their actual loyalties would have made them responsible adults, which none of them was at that point).
Thus the character and viewrs alike were deceived into assuming, betrayal overuled *all* of Lee decisions, henceforth. Which, in part might be true, keeping in mind why he would go after a cheating one-night-stand in the first place. Lee Adama had a canon established track record of running the other way whenever things got too real (or close) with Dee. Besides, Lee Adama just didn't seem to have a reference pattern to identify a serene, untroubled, supportive relationship as fulfilling or happy, or love (here goes the backdrop of abused childhood and multiple esteem-issues). Commitment phobia + enabling streak = second-guessing and plunging into an ultimate 'what-if' with the woman he, incidentally, had a fairly long-standing history of obsessing about. By coinsidence, Starbuck had never met a commitment she didn't whant a way out of, bringing a drunk and testosterone-frenzied Lee to deem them a perfect match.
But morning came, and apart from a Starbuck at her impulsive finest, he also had to face the woman he already considered spending a lifetime side by side with (somehow, I think it took two of them to initiate Dee's transfer to Pegasus). The woman he all but disowned the night before, and might have very well gone ahead with losing, were it not for Kara's impromptu wedding. Guess, if anything, that hit hardest. Lee, by happenstance, never shyed away from a hefty helping of self-loathing and shame. Hence, betrayal it was, guiding him in a way, but betrayal of his own making.
Furhtermore, Lee didn't do guilt well. And burrowing down a dark spin, Lee doesn't seek redemption or absolution right away, but disdain and contempt (if hooking up with Shevon back in the day was any indication). Which, enhanced by lingering inadequacy, feeling unworthy and anger (over return of Cylons, loss of Pegasus, loss of his edge, loss of direction for himself) would later tantamount to the repeat performance with the one person deeper encompassed by darkness at the point, than himself - Starbuck. Claiming his way back to light and integrity, and to Dee, that would be a start of a journey to maturity. But that's a different rant altogether.
Incidentally, I don't happen to believe the sole reason driving Lee into marriage was woe and/or spite over losing his 'one twuuuu wuuuuv', Starbuck, that is, and going after a consolation prize (which still seems to be a popular opinion in the fandom). That would've been too soap-opera cheesy and inconsistent with his previous and following characterization, which clearly indicated the relationship with Dee was both immensely cherished by him and instrumental to recurrently reconsider his own personal shortcomings. I do not really think, the professed eagerness (in a state of alckoholic and hormonal intoxication, no less) to defy commitment to Dee would have seen the light of New Caprican morning, once he had a chance to give the matter a secon thought. Because frakking under the stars for an assortment of wrong reasons is one thing, pursuing a responsible relationship - is a different one altogether. Starbuck's stint with marrying Sam, however, didn't give him the chance to reconsider the plausible reality of their mutual 'happily ever after', employing reason. (Of course, talking it out and reestablishing their actual loyalties would have made them responsible adults, which none of them was at that point).
Thus the character and viewrs alike were deceived into assuming, betrayal overuled *all* of Lee decisions, henceforth. Which, in part might be true, keeping in mind why he would go after a cheating one-night-stand in the first place. Lee Adama had a canon established track record of running the other way whenever things got too real (or close) with Dee. Besides, Lee Adama just didn't seem to have a reference pattern to identify a serene, untroubled, supportive relationship as fulfilling or happy, or love (here goes the backdrop of abused childhood and multiple esteem-issues). Commitment phobia + enabling streak = second-guessing and plunging into an ultimate 'what-if' with the woman he, incidentally, had a fairly long-standing history of obsessing about. By coinsidence, Starbuck had never met a commitment she didn't whant a way out of, bringing a drunk and testosterone-frenzied Lee to deem them a perfect match.
But morning came, and apart from a Starbuck at her impulsive finest, he also had to face the woman he already considered spending a lifetime side by side with (somehow, I think it took two of them to initiate Dee's transfer to Pegasus). The woman he all but disowned the night before, and might have very well gone ahead with losing, were it not for Kara's impromptu wedding. Guess, if anything, that hit hardest. Lee, by happenstance, never shyed away from a hefty helping of self-loathing and shame. Hence, betrayal it was, guiding him in a way, but betrayal of his own making.
Furhtermore, Lee didn't do guilt well. And burrowing down a dark spin, Lee doesn't seek redemption or absolution right away, but disdain and contempt (if hooking up with Shevon back in the day was any indication). Which, enhanced by lingering inadequacy, feeling unworthy and anger (over return of Cylons, loss of Pegasus, loss of his edge, loss of direction for himself) would later tantamount to the repeat performance with the one person deeper encompassed by darkness at the point, than himself - Starbuck. Claiming his way back to light and integrity, and to Dee, that would be a start of a journey to maturity. But that's a different rant altogether.