23 posts tagged “battlestar galactica”
Recap: BSG4, E08/10: “Sine Qua Non”
President Laura Roslin's abduction by the Cylon Hybrid fuels a bitter power struggle within the Fleet. The Quorum has little information and demands to be told what happened, while Tom Zarek insists that he should rightfully be declared interim president. Lee Adama opposes him and enlists the help of notorious lawyer Romo Lampkin into finding a candidate for the post, leading to a surprising decision. Meanwhile, Admiral Adama and Colonel Tigh come to blows over Tigh's relationship with Caprica Six and Adama's obsession to find Roslin.
I'm just going to declare from the outset that Sine Qua Non was my least favourite episode of Season Four thus far.
It particularly drove home for me how character-driven this series is and how, when my favourites are missing or near missing, replaced by either those that I actively dislike or that I am "meh" about the story unless it's a really powerful one, does not resonate for me. Sine Qua Non, even with some really good dialog/performances sprinkled throughout, did not grab me.
First Up:
The Quorum: Hate them. These are the best civilians they can find to represent the Fleet?! All they do is talk over one another and bleat and bray and...I want to slap each of them, especially their wannabe leader, Tom Zarek. Many have an opinion on the character of Tom Zarek but mine is of the stunt casting of an original Battlestar Galactica actor. I'm sorry, but I've never liked anything about Richard Hatch and the role he plays in the "reimagined" Battlestar Galactica has not changed my opinion. Like the Quorum of 12, his character's huge sense of entitlement and constant bitching and moaning make me wish for his death. Save some good guys RDM, kill off a few more of these crybabies.
Speaking of crybabies: Lee Adama. Who does a better whine on BSG? No one! After all these years the only reason I want him to survive is because of his dad.
Now however he is President Lee Adama of the Colonies and he really has no choice but to stop whining. Hoping to see the actor show a bit more of what he showed as a civvy tonight: spine.
Lee Adama turns to Romo Lampkin, former attorney for Gaius Baltar, for advice on in seeking a replacement who meets with the approval of both the Quorum (who won't act, since Zarek has them "inhaling fear and exhaling anger") and Admiral Adama. Someone with the "right skills and abilities."
Romo Lampkin (Baltar's trial eps lawyer) should know lots about those things.
Pike's lifeless body in the Raptor:
Tigh upon reporting to CIC, learns that one of their missing Raptors from the now-missing rebel baseship has jumped to the Fleet. A Raptor crewed by Racetrack and Skulls are enlisted to intercept the craft, which has not returned hails... and is spewing fuel. Racetrack performs a spacewalk, to discover the Raptor with it's now-dead pilot, Eammon "Gonzo" Pike, whose cold blue-hued "corpsicle" floats near the top of the the back compartment.
After the Raptor is brought back to the Galactica, Adama makes the unusual gesture of examining it himself. He finds the book Searider, that he'd lent to Laura Roslin, in a slightly singed state. When Tigh arrives he brings news that Laird was able to retrieve the coordinates that the Raptor jumped from. Adama orders a search to that location--the original jump point was deep in “sector Delta-Nine.”
A Raptor reconnaissance party comes across a debris field, consisting of Cylon debris and damaged Vipers. Tigh informs Adama that the debris consist of a Cylon baseship and fragments indicative of resurrection technology, and notes that they detected radiation from nuclear weapons. Adama refuses to believe that the destroyed baseship was the rebels', insisting that Roslin has survived. Adama presses on with the search, until Tigh points out that the Fleet is left behind with "their asses hanging out in the wind". Adama thus revises his orders to include only four Raptors to stay behind to search until they "find something concrete".
Adama goes to sickbay to query Doc Cottle about how Roslin's sudden disappearance will affect her cancer treatments. Cottle says that with her weakened immune system and her cancer's ability to regroup, the sooner she's found, the better. He also provides Adama with a medical report on Caprica Six is pregnant--a surprise to Adama but not to the audience:
Tigh reports to Adama's quarters about the Raptor's lack of success in finding anything about the whereabouts of their missing people. Adama replies that he's not interested in the search, confronting Tigh about impregnating the Six and putting the Fleet at risk over his weaknesses. After Tigh broaches the topic of Adama's reckless search for Roslin, Adama brings up the question of what Ellen Tigh would say about Tigh impregnating a Cylon, which results in fisticuffs. After Tigh's fall cracks Adama's model ship the fight stops and they both ask each other what they'll do about their....respective women.
As Adama watches the goings-on in a part of the hangar deck, Lampkin joins him with writs of forfeiture for him to sign; the captains of the ships Adama's borrowing do not want to be held liable for any wrongdoing that may occur in the rescue operation. As Adama signs the papers, Lampkin talks of hope and hopelessness before pointing out that he had thought that Adama was a realist in that he would never let a vain hope cost lives. Lampkin then adds that he supposes everyone has their limits. He then quotes, “Sine Qua Non” and discusses how it signifies the things that one can't do without. A couple can be seen embracing in parting as Adama concedes that Lampkin might have a point.
Admiral William Adama informs Colonel Tigh that he's stepping down as military leader of the Fleet, promoting Tigh to admiral, as Tigh's the only person he can trust to command Galactica.
Romo Lampkin arrives on Colonial One, wryly noting that Adama already has a first pet. Lampkin is told of that "Jake" is a hero of the Resistance on New Caprica and Lee gives the dog to Lampkin as a "new pet to loathe".
President Adama visits his father, who is packing things in his quarters. When pressed, Bill Adama admits that the reason he's undertaking his current mission is because he cannot live without Laura Roslin. He has faith that Laura will get to the rendezvous point.
Adama in a flight suit enters the flight deck and walks to a Raptor. Lee and Starbuck wait and both salute him. In an echo of his first lines in the miniseries, he asks Starbuck what she hears. She replies, “Nothing but the rain.” He finishes the quote and tells them to “keep a light on” because he'll be back. He then boards the Raptor and closes the hatch.(This scene was well-played.)
Adama launches from the Galactica as Admiral Tigh orders the Fleet to jump. After Adama watches all the ships jump away, he sits in his Raptor and reads the singed copy of Searider Falcon as he awaits Laura Roslin's return.
Conclusion too~
In her cell in the brig, Athena holds Hera as she hums a Korean lullaby.
Adama's Raptor takes off from Galactica and flies clear of the fleet.
Adama puts on his headset and reports that he's in position.
In CIC, Tigh acknowledges Adama's transmission. Tigh then orders the entire fleet to commence jump.
From his Raptor, Adama watches the fleet jump away.
Adama then picks up the charred book he had loaned Laura and begins to read as his Raptor sits alone in space.
Noted~
It is still unclear if the Hybrid's jump at the end of Episode 9 (11) was an automatic response by the Hybrid...or if this Hybrid was specially programmed to jump immediately upon reactivation. Despite the fact that Galcatica has left the Fleet before to engage combat, this episode marks the first time that the civilian Fleet is intentionally left without any defense. The only other time the Fleet was left without military aid was in Scattered, after Boomer's assassination attempt of William Adama.
Bill Adama's actions in the search for Laura Roslin, namely the unreasonable allocation of resources and putting the Fleet at unnecessary risk, mirror the actions he executed when searching for Starbuck in "You Can't Go Home Again". Also in the same vein is Colonel Tigh who in each case helps bring an end to Adama's emotional reactions, this time with fisticuffs and without Roslin's aid.
It's a hard call on what is the mental /emotional state of Romo Lampkin. My assessment is that he is half-mad.
(Noted cont.)
Tigh mentions that Peter Laird - the former Pegasus deck chief - retrieved the navigational data from Pike's Raptor, possibly indicating that Laird replaced Chief Galen Tyrol after his demotion in "Escape Velocity." I can't think of a better choice for deck chief at the moment.
Things that make me go "hmm."
- What exactly happened to the rebel baseship and the Resurrection Hub?
(Previews from next week show that Roslin is still alive).
- If it goes to term Caprica Six's and Saul Tigh's child will be the first full-Cylon child!
- If so, what will happen to the child?
- How will the Quorum and the Fleet respond to Tigh being left in charge of Galactica and the military and what happens when they find out he's impregnated a Cylon prisoner?
- Who will be Tigh's choice as XO? The pickings are getting rather slim.
Notable Dialogue~ Battlestar Wiki
William Adama: I know that you've been spending a lotta time interrogating the Six, but now the brig guards tell me that every time you order them out, you turn off the cameras.
Saul Tigh: I'm not torturing her, if that's what you're worried about.
Adama: I'm not. That I could almost understand. This I can't. Cottle tells me she's pregnant. What the frak have you been thinking, colonel? Do you deny it...? You don't... You can't. What the hell have you been thinking? Who's interrogating whom? How many of our secrets have you told this thing?
Tigh: How can you even ask me that? Question my loyalty?
Adama: Your loyalty? I need more than your loyalty. You're my first officer, I need judgment. I need your competence. You're jeopardizing this ship, putting it at risk because of your weaknesses.
Tigh: My weaknesses?
Adama: Yeah, your weaknesses!
Tigh: You're risking all our lives—for what? Our missing pilots? No—for a frakking woman! A frakking woman!
Adama: You watch what you frakkin' say about that woman! She's the president! Not some frakkin' skinjob that I've been banging! What do you think Ellen would say about this?
Tigh: Leave Ellen out of this.
Adama:What do you think Ellen would say about her husband impregnating a frakkin' Cylon prisoner?
Tigh: You motherfrakker! (violence ensues)
Lampkin to Lee Adama:: So you can't be dissuaded, will you? Not even when you hear my fee?
Lee Adama: Fee?
Lampkin: Appearances to the contrary, I'm actually in this for the money. I have a reputation to maintain after all.
Adama: OK, so what did Roslin offer you to defend Baltar?
Lampkin: (pointing at a small window in the bulkhead) Room with a view.
Adama: I'm not sure I can improve on that.
(Lampkin and Admiral Adama on the hangar deck, watching the deck crew and pilots at work)
Lampkin: Writs of forfeiture. The captains want to be absolved of any blame should anything untoward happen. One of the less ennobling consequences of a legal culture. No one wants responsibility. (hands him a pen to sign) ...
Lampkin: I've always imagined you were a realist, Admiral, not one to indulge a vain hope at the cost of lives. But then, everyone has his limits. "Sine qua non", as they say.
Adama: Without which not.
Lampkin: Yes. Those things we deem essential, without which we cannot bear living. Without which life in general loses its specific value, becomes abstract.
Bear's Battlestar Blog (BSG's composer) I think some of McCreary's insight's are completely unique.Adama: You may have a point, counselor.
The most lush arrangement comes at the episode’s conclusion, when Adama boards the raptor in his flight suit. The arrangement is noble and simple, with a subtle snare drum and percussion element to give it a ceremonial feel.
Interestingly, the Roslin and Adama theme also plays an important role in this episode, even though Laura is literally never on screen once in the entire show. But, in a way, the entire episode revolves around her.
It first plays as Lampkin speaks with Adama on the hangar deck.
”Sine Qua Non, as they say: those things we deem essential, without which we cannot bear living.” As Romo’s words sink in, Adama realizes that Laura Roslin is who he cannot live without. Here, the Roslin and Adama love theme underscores this absolutely critical turning point in the story. ”Sine Qua Non, as they say: those things we deem essential, without which we cannot bear living.” As Romo’s words sink in, Adama realizes that Laura Roslin is who he cannot live without. Here, the Roslin and Adama love theme underscores this absolutely critical turning point in the story.
Episode Name: Sine Qua Non
Episode Number: 408 or 410 including "Razor" Telefilm
Written by: Michael Taylor
Directed by: Rod Hardy
Original Air Date: 5/30/08 on SciFi Channel
Survivors: 39,674
Main Characters That Appear: Admiral Adama, Colonel Tigh, Lee Adama, Kara Thrace, Athena
Recurring Characters That Appear: Tyrol, Tory, Racetrack, Skulls, Natalie, Cottle, Dee, Hera, Caprica Six, Priestess, Zarek
Cylons That Appear: Tigh, Tory, Athena, Natalie, Caprica Six
Michael Hogan as Colonel Saul Tigh
Kandyse McClure as Lieutenant Anastasia Dualla
Donnelly Rhodes as Doctor Cottle
Leah Cairns as Lieutenant Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson
Colin Lawrence as Lieutenant Hamish "Skulls" McCall
Alexandra Thomas as Hera Agathon
Donna Soares as Gemenon Delegate
Andrew McIlroy as Jacob Cantrell
Judith Maxie as Picon Delegate
Iris Paluly as Speaking Delegate #2
Ryan McDonell as Lieutenant Eammon "Gonzo" Pike
Battlestar Galactica May 30 preview video: S4, E8/E10 Sine Qua Non~
Episode Name: Guess What's Coming To Dinner
Episode Number: 407
Written by: Michael Angeli
Directed by: Wayne Rose
Original Air Date: 5/16/08 on SciFi Channel
The Galactica crew teams up with Cylon rebels in a plot to destroy the enemy's vital Resurrection Hub and liberate the Number Three known as D'Anna.
Anyone else happy to see the Space Park repaired?
Other than the Galactica, it's the most distinctive ship in the fleet. A passenger ship, it has not yet been given an "official" name.
The repair of the
This episode was very unusual in that it was framed by a song sung a capella by former university opera student, Alessandro Juliani who appears in BSG as Lt. Felix Gaeta. Previously, during a mutiny attempt aboard the Demetrius, a vessel upon which he was a crew member, Gaeta was shot from behind through the knee by Sam Anders as Gaeta attempted to jump the ship back to the Galactica.
Due to the extended time that Felix had to wait to get back to
the Galactica for medical attention, it became all but certain that he would lose his leg.The song Gaeta sings throughout the episode is called "Gaeta's Lament." The lyrics were written by the episode's writer Michael Angeli and the music is by the series's composer Bear McCreary. Actor Alessandro Juliani, who studied opera and performed the song live on set, also greatly influenced it. McCreary discusses the song in his blog.
And he does in fact,
lose the leg to Doc Cottle's saw blade.
On Galactica, Kara Thrace visits Roslin in sickbay. The President with a somewhat derisive tone, compliments Thrace on her plan to unite the rebels and the Fleet. When Thrace asks if Roslin is having visions, the president is quiet. Thrace repeats what the rebel baseship's Hybird told her some time before: "This shall it come to pass: the dying leader shall know the truth of the Opera House." Shocked at Thrace's knowledge of the dream's specific content, Roslin asks how the Hybrid would know about her dreams, but Thrace does not know. Roslin pleads with Thrace to help her determine the meaning of the dreams. Thrace accepts without hesitation and Roslin asks her to find Karl Agathon.
Tigh, Tory, Tyrol and Anders again meet secretly and talk about the unboxing of the Threes. Tyrol muses that they'll at least discover the last member of the Five, but Tigh comments with unintentional humour that finding the fifth will only "crowd the airlock a little more."
Tory Foster meets with Laura Roslin in a temporary office on the Galactica while the President is recovering from another diloxin treatment, staying close to sickbay for further treatment. Roslin first offhandedly comments on Tory's great mood anytime she is aboard Galactica. Roslin then asks Foster to find out who was sharing the rumors of the president's shared visions with Gaius Baltar, than startles Tory, telling her that she is very aware that Tory is sleeping with Baltar. Before Tory can say a word, Roslin tells her that there are enough reports of her visitations to "make her a charter member of his nymph squad.”* Tory admits to believing in Baltar's spiritual message, but Roslin, unforgiving, turns her back, returning to other work and orders Tory away but before doing so gets in a dig saying, “I don’t care if you have to spend the night on your knees praying or just on your knees, you have a job to do.”
*"Nymph"
When Adama asks Natalie of the seventh model, she says that the Number Threes were punitively boxed, explaining the process and why the D'Annas were boxed because they saw then-forbidden faces of the Five. She says that unboxing the Threes could give them information that could lead them all to Earth, since the Final Five are believed to have come from there. Kara Thrace, in uniform and standing with Sharon Agathon, confirms Natalie's comment. Natalie notes that the baseship can heal itself of its damage, but most of their Raiders were destroyed in the ambush by the enemy models.
Roslin pointedly asks why the Fleet should trust these Cylons.
Admiral Adama insists that Natalie reveal the coordinates of the Hub, but the rebel leader says she will only take them to the Hub, not give the coordinates. Adama response is to order the marines to escort her away. Natalie changes her mind, promising to give the coordinates if Adama gives his word that D'Anna will be unboxed and the Cylons will be allowed to leave with the Five once the Threes identify them. Adama gives his word.
Tigh suggests destroying the Hub outright without resurrecting the Threes, reneging on Adama's word. Adama believes the Five could lead the Fleet to Earth but Roslin thinks the Five will be uncooperative after the Hub's destruction.
Adama believes that the Five are like the rebel Cylons, but Roslin disagrees.
Tigh, obviously anxious about the topic at hand again, suggests destruction, putting trust in Roslin's way to Earth, but sounding disingenuous as he suggests it.
Finally, Roslin suggests a compromise plan: Unbox the D'Annas, destroy the Hub, but hold on to the Five until they all get to Earth, then turn them over to the rebels, believing the rebels will be compelled to wait a bit longer.
The Hub
Finally:
Sharon Agathon returns to her quarters at the end of her shift to find daughter Hera colouring. Sharon picks up the drawings and sees the number “6” scrawled again and again as well as crude drawings of a blond figure and finally, the last, a rendering of the blond figure and a smiling Hera holding hands.
This sends Sharon over the top only to realize that somehow Hera has opened the door and gone from her quarters. She frantically chases after her, remembering visions of the Opera House as she runs, calling out Hera’s name repeatedly.
Natalie arrives by Raptor on Galactica, obviously very uneasy.
Hera finds herself at a stop in front of Natalie, being escorted by Tigh and a squad of Marines. But Agathon is there immediately and draws her sidearm, warning Natalie away. Tigh keeps the Marines at bay, standing them down.
Agathon asks Tyrol to take Hera away, which he does. However, Agathon's visions of the Opera House and a Six's kidnapping of Hera are too strong in her mind. "You are never going to take my child," she says as she shoots Natalie.
At the moment that the Hybrid awakes, she cries out "Jump!" The baseship disappears from the Fleet with the president and her entourage aboard.
This episode left me wondering:
-Does Natalie survive her gun-shot wounds?
-What will Adama do about Sharon "Athena" Agathon's shooting of the rebel leader?
-Will anyone be held accountable for the mutiny on the Demetrius?
-Will Anders be held accountable for shooting Felix, resulting in Gaeta losing his leg?
-How will the rebel Cylons react when they discover that their leader has been shot by a Colonial?
-Where does the rebel baseship end up after it's sudden jump? It seemed like a blind jump.
-Do Hera's drawings accurately depict a future event?
-How will Adama react to the rebel basestar's unexplained jump? Will he assume it was a trap for Roslin, who just went aboard the basestar with Baltar, Karl "Helo" Agathon, and others?
-The Hybrid's prophecy that Kara Thrace is the "harbinger of death" takes on a new significance during Natalie's speech to the Quorum...in that it may be referring to the potential loss of immortality among the Cylons--or will the "dying leader" turn out to be someone other than President Roslin--Natalie perhaps?
Survivors: 39,673
- Main Characters That Appear: Admiral Adama, Colonel Tigh, President Roslin, Lee Adama, Kara Thrace, Gaius Baltar, Athena
- Michael Hogan as Colonel Saul Tigh
- Aaron Douglas as Specialist Galen Tyrol
- Tahmoh Penikett as Captain Karl Agathon
- Michael Trucco as Ensign Samuel Anders
- Alessandro Juliani as Lieutenant Felix Gaeta
- Kandyse McClure as Anastasia Dualla
- Richard Hatch as Tom Zarek
- Callum Keith Rennie as Number Two / Leoben Conoy
- Donnelly Rhodes as Doctor Cottle
- Rekha Sharma as Tory Foster
- Bodie Olmos as Lieutenant Brendan "Hotdog" Costanza
- Tiffany Lyndall-Knight as Hybrid
- Brad Dryborough as Lieutenant Hoshi
- Leah Cairns as Lieutenant Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson
- Colin Lawrence as Lieutenant Hamish "Skulls" McCall
- Jennifer Halley as Ensign Diana "Hardball" Seelix
- Colin Corrigan as Marine Nowart
- Alexandra Thomas as Hera Agathon
- Donna Soares as Gemenon Delegate
- Andrew McIlroy as Jacob Cantrell
- Judith Maxie as Picon Delegate
- Iris Paluly as Speaking Delegate #2
- Marilyn Norry as Reza Chronides
Recurring Characters That Appear: Tyrol, Tory, Anders, Helo, Racetrack, Skulls, Natalie, Leoben, Seelix, Gaeta, Cottle, Dee, Hera, Caprica Six
Cylons That Appear: Anders, Tigh, Tory, Tyrol, Athena, Natalie, Leoben, Eight, Caprica Six, Hybrid, Centurions
Alessandro Juliani summed up the experience (of being the first singer on BSG), saying
“It was a challenge to make this bold idea truly believable. To go to that place of mourning and solitude that the song evoked and to convey that the song was a manifestation of a real sea change in Gaeta? – well, let’s just say that as an actor it was a welcome change from dradis contacts and star charts. Being the first character to ’sing’ on the show is exciting but a bit nervy. But, BSG has never played it safe. Why should they start now?” from Bear's Battlestar Blog
r43871
From Watch With Kristen at the ABC Fall Upfronts.
IN Re: LOST upcoming episode. *SPOILERS*
"These two are piloting a Coast Guard transport that's bringing the Oceanic Six back to the mainland. Michelle Forbes is an Oceanic Airlines rep, strapped into the jump seat immediately behind the pilots. The pilots tell Forbes they're approaching the Tarmac....."
OMG. Ha! Michelle Forbes. Awesome. This lady will be good in this role, I'm certain of it. She starred in Razor, a Battlestar Galactica film last year. Also memorably, considering her self-imposed short stint on Star Trek: TNG as Bajoran on-off-on Maquis, Lt. Ro Laren. And a bunch of other non-scicnce fiction-type stuff that I didn't watch. She's quoted as saying when she quit Star Trek that she doesn't like science fiction. I guess anything to pay the rent now though, huh Michelle? :p
The Oceanic 6! :)
Last she met a Six was in Razor when Six (Gina) shot her between the eyes. It was quite memorable.
These show runners are so cutesy with their little nods to one another. *SPOILERS*
..."Jack speaks for the group and says that's fine, they're prepared to answer any questions. Michelle Forbes leaves, tottering back to the cockpit in her stilettos..."
"...Jack says they all know the story, but if they get any questions they can’t answer, the press will just assume they're in shock. Sun: "Jack, we are in shock..."
"...All three clans are overjoyed to see each other. Sayid and Kate have no families greeting them..."
"... Kate holds on tight to baby Aaron and looks around, all alone..."
Great! Jack is still acting like himself. An ass.
I want know if Jack's dad is there to greet him only just Jack can see him. LOL.
Episode Name: Faith (Battlestar Wiki)
Episode Number: 406/408
Written by: Seamus Kevin Fahey
Directed by: Michael Nankin
Original Air Date: 5/9/08 on SciFi Channel
Episode Summary:
The mutiny that began in E5/E7, "Escape Velocity," continues after Helo refuses to follow Kara Thrace's order to jump to the Cylon Basestar so Kara can learn more about the path to Earth via the Hybrid. In the commotion that follows, Kara attempts to jump the ship herself and Anders shoots Gaeta who was following the counter order to jump the ship back to Galactica. Chaos continues only a few more moments as they, with Kara most prominent, move to help Lt. Felix Gaeta, the writhing, swearing guy with a literal "blown out" kneecap. Everyone agrees to stand down and help him. Kara admits that she was "wrong," that she never should have considered risking the lives of the crew. She says instead she and Leoben will fly only a Raptor to the baseship with Athena and Anders as crew. They have but 15 hours to complete the mission before the Demetrius must jump to rendezvous with the Fleet or be left behind.
On this, day 58 of their mission, the crew prepares the Raptor. Despite the mutiny, Athena promises to work with Kara, as does Jean Barolay, a former Resistance fighter. The Raptor makes the jump and finds a endless graveyard of Cylon baseships and Raiders, lifelessly floating in space.
Kara seems relieved and in awe. They are near a large gas giant in a trinary star system, just as her visions foretold.
Bear McCreary, BSG's composer has this to say about it: (SPOILER-ish)
"I also have to mention that the entire visual effects team are outdoing themselves this season. The debris field left in the wake of the basestar battle, and the ringed gas giant are some of the most compelling images they've ever produced. And they’ve got even more impressive visuals coming in the next four episodes."
On the Demetrius, Gaeta is heavily medicated with morpha for the pain. He asks Helo to promise to not let Doc Cottle amputate his leg, as he realizes that the longer they put off treatment the more likely he will lose the leg.
The Raptor carefully searches for the baseship amidst the exploding weapons of Cylon civil war. Kara hears music which Leoben mentions is a rare trait. She takes over control of the Raptor directing it towards the gas giant. She sees the "comet" that has been in her dreams/premonitions, but not in the form she thought she'd seen. Instead, Leoben's crippled baseship flies by, trailing gas that gives it a comet-like appearance. The Raptor cruises past a warhead, which explodes too close to them. Kara awakens from a knock to the head to find the Raptor safely landed within the baseship interior. When Athena disembarks from the Raptor she finds herself surrounded by an army of her twins--the Number Eights, who admire her for being unique because she was the first Cylon to rebel against her programming. They ask her to help mutiny against the oppressive Sixes who they once trusted but now fear. Athena, clearly disdainful, dismisses their pleas telling them to find their own individuality and help her or get out of her way.
Athena accesses the liquid datasteam interface in order to determine how to mate the Raptor's jump drive to the baseship. Doing so requires disconnecting the Hybrid. As the group preps, Anders considers touching the interface but stops himself.
A Six who appears to be suffering from PTSD, attacks and kills Jean Barolay (Alisen Down, below) in retaliation for killing her on New Caprica. Anders takes the Six down and is ready to kill her but Kara Thrace manages to distract him, talking him down. "PTSD" Six who killed Barolay speaks to Natalie, admitting that she thought she had put her (own) death on New Caprica at the hands of Barolay behind her but now it's obvious she "couldn't." After kissing the distraught Six, Natalie grabs Anders' hand and pulls the trigger on his gun, killing the Six permanently as there is no Resurrection Ship nearby, asking
the shocked Colonials if this "justice" is enough for them.
Kara arrives in the Hybrid's chamber. The Hybrid speaks continuously, rambling on, discussing ship functions, status reports, all the while repeating "prophetic babble." None of this makes sense to Kara who grows more tense as the clock ticks down. You probably noticed a weird camera movement/close up on Kara's face, in the Hybrid's chamber meant to evoke the Eye of Jupiter, with Kara's single blue eye in the center, "ringed" by her bloodied eyebrow and blonde hair.
Kara and Natalie continue to listen to the Hybrid's nonsensical ramblings though Leoben tries to aid Kara in listening by telling her that the Hybrid can't be rushed and that they have to absorb the Hybrid's words. He says that "the fate of two races can't be expected to come easily."
Athena appears, reporting that the modifications are complete and they must leave to make it back to the Demetrius in time. Kara listens to the Hybrid for a few more moments and then orders the Hybrid taken offline.
An Eight moves to disconnect the Hybrid, tugging sharply on it's the cable. As she does this the Hybrid begins screaming. A sentient Cylon Centurion reacts by shooting the Eight. Kara and Athena take down the Centurion and Anders moves into the room.
The Eight's body falls beside the Hybrid's tub and blood drips into the tub as the Hybrid continues to scream. Kara leans over the Hybrid and wants to know what it wants from her and then says, “please, I need you.” The Hybrid stops screaming and reaches towards Kara, touching her face and says, "The dying leader will discover the truth about the Opera House, the missing Three (D'anna Biers) will be used to find the (Final) Five, who come from the home of the Thirteenth Tribe (Earth?)," and that she, Kara Thrace, is "the harbinger of death that will take all to their end." Kara is understandibly totally freaked out by this news.
The group deciphers the Hybrid's message. All come to the conclusion that the final five Cylons came from the Thirteenth Tribe and so must also know the way to Earth. The Number Threes will lead them to the Final Five having gazed upon them in the Opera House before being boxed by "Brother" Cavil. Athena fully disconnects the Hybrid's cable, throwing the basestar into darkness. The group leaves to meet the Demetrius.
The Demetrius, led by Athena's husband Helo, is prepping to leave as the seconds count down... Just as he is about to order the jump, the baseship arrives and broadcasts a Colonial identity. Both ships begin preparing to jump to the Galactica and the Fleet.
On Galactica, President Laura Roslin meets with Admiral William Adama in his quarters. She tells him that something may be truthful in Baltar's words, but Adama is reluctant. A sad and weary Adama talks of Starbuck's death and return, son Lee's quitting the military. He worries too, about all the crew he sent with Kara, wondering if he will see ever see "those kids again." Roslin is a comfort to him, telling him she is "right here."
Another tender moment is shared between the two--both smiling, tearing slightly--as Adama tells Roslin that she helped him to believe that they really will find Earth (in a a voice like only EJO could be the owner of).
Things that make me go "hmm" in this episode:
Why did director Michael Nankin not realize how ridiculous that skull cap made Mary McDonnell look?
It took me right out of the scene and into the land of WTF?
I understand the point was to "shock" the audience--the diloxin treatments have left Roslin bald but for one thing, it's really not at all shocking as we've seen the President pulling clumps of her hair out, weeping. What would've worked--and been so easy to do was to use the skull cap with a kerchief/scarf/bandanna tied over her head so one could see that she was "bald" but not that Mary still very much has a full head of hair under the skull cap. (See photo above for my suggestion in action.)
Anders' bizarre behaviour was distracting--there was too much ping-ponging about.
He's had many months to reconcile (as well as one would guess he could) that he is Cylon. He's spent the past two months living and working aboard the Demetrius with Sharon "Athena" Agathon, a Cylon who has adapted extremely well, living as part of the Fleet.
Instead, he is all over the map in a weird, just for the helluva it way and this is leaving aside shooting Gaeta through the kneecap--kind of an un-Fleet-like thing to do.
When first viewing the control area of the damaged Cylon baseship Anders surreptitiously contemplates dipping his hand into the liquid datasteam interface but before he can he is called away. So he's confident enough to be curious.
Then he goes completely off the rails when a Six kills Barolay in a hand-to-hand fight. It's possible that the killing was accidental as Barolay hit her head against the Raptor (granted, the Six hit her twice). Anders never made any time for assessment; he would have just blown the Six's head right off if Kara hadn't talked him down.
After that situation was more or less straightened out, Anders enters the Hybrid's chamber whilst Kara is trying to understand the Hybrid's monologue stream before the Hybrid must be taken offline for the ship to be able to jump with the Raptor back to the Galactica.
Husband and Wife: Sam Anders and Kara Thrace (Michael Trucco and Katee Sackhoff)
When the Hybrid screams out in shock/agony and the sentient Centurion shoots down the Eight who is trying to disengage the Hybrid, Anders tenderly holds the hand of the dying Eight and gently tells her he is "with" her.
I was left going huh? It was just too much in too short a time unless Anders is truly losing his mind.
Finally, It didn't sound right to me when Kara said that the Cylons don't know how to work an FTL drive and Battlestar Wiki confirms this saying, "Why should the Cylons have any trouble figuring out the Raptor's FTL system? They have previously used Raptors (Torn)."
Indeed.
Regardless, this was a fantastic episode. I couldn't wait to re-watch it (and in fact, I didn't).
While all that drama was happening with the Demetrius and the Cylons on the Galactica there was a bit of drama as well. I thought Mary McDonnell as the cancer-stricken President Laura Roslin was fantastic but the story itself--it's been on the Lifetime Channel, Movie of the Week, and many other places, many other times. I'll just recap it and be thankful that they gave Mary McDonnell some significant screen time on her own, mostly. (With help from the The Patriot Resource and Battlestar Wiki).
Laura Roslin is finishing the last two diloxin treatments, where she'll be on Galactica and indisposed during that time. Laura tries to encourage her trusted assistant (murdering Cylon) Tory to watch out for sudden moves by the Quorum of 12, nearly breaking down in tears while doing so.
In sickbay, amidst Gaius Baltar's voice on the wireless discussing his god, Laura encounters a woman, Emily Kowalski (Nana Visitor) who is dying--very soon--of cancer as well. Their first encounter does not go well as Laura offends Emily when she dismisses Gaius Baltar's speech on the wireless and Emily reacts by ordering her to leave.
Laura meets again with Emily--who apologizes and gives her a scarf as a present. The two make small talk of what they will do after they get well. She warns the President that her sickness will get worse and to be prepared.
Emily goes on to tell Laura why she listens to Gaius Baltar speak on the wireless. The night after Doc Cottle gave Emily the news of her impending death, she had a dream in which she saw people standing on the opposite side of a river: dead loved ones. She felt a presence, a warm loving presence that calmed her. Laura questions the dream but Emily notes that the dream is real.Emily and Laura continue to discuss the authenticity of the Lord's of Kobol and Baltar's God. Laura becomes upset when she talks of her mother's death from cancer and the striking lack of anything noble or calming at that moment. As Emily tries to comfort her, the woman suddenly has a violent seizure of pain. Doc Cottle arrives with medication, but tells Laura that Emily's end is near.
Emily's vision of a river comes to pass in a dream Laura experiences. The two stand on a boat, looking at a shore where human figures begin to appear, smiling and waving at Emily. Emily disappears to meet them, materializing on the shore. Laura feels joy, then sees her own mother, smiling and waiting for Laura to join her. She tells her she is not yet ready, stepping away from the boat's side, as the dream ends.
Awakening from her dream, Laura goes to see Emily but finds her bed empty. She died some time while she slept. Only her wireless receiver remains, still switched on.
Quote
"Kara comes back from the dead. I let her go off chasing her vision of Earth. Well she's overdue. Lee turns in his wings. Helo. Athena. Gaeta. Will I ever see those kids again?" -- William Adama