This morning, I finally had a chance to have time beyond watching Battlestar Galactica, Season 4, Episode 1 (or 3, if you count Razor, the between-seasons TV movie) two times.
I found a number of goodies. You may have noticed that a lot of effort by the network went into getting people pumped for this final, Fourth Season and the Official Battlestar SciFi Channel site has several cool things, one of which is embedded in the post above.(Helloooo, Joss Whedon!)
While I was refreshing my memory about the episode and taking notes of the Writers and Director ans stuff,
Episode Number: 401
Written by: David Weddle & Bradley Thompson
Directed by: Michael Rymer
Original Air Date: 4/4/08 on SciFi Channel
I came across other info, some of which takes place in the private lives of the Galactica bunch off-screen. There is a very interesting pair-up between two of the women outside of the series. There are tons of cool pictures on triciahelfer.com (Tricia's Official Site, coming together nicely)--but you will have to hunt a little. Also a bit of a revelation from a pivotal character but not Trica('s). It has to do with off-screen cast dynamics.
I have so much info that I think I'll spread it out over the next week or so as I continue following the series.
I will tick off a few intriguing things that I thought were worth sharing.
New character with an important role: She's next to president Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell).
LINK to full size photo
Showrunner Ron L. Moore discusses the photograph if you enlarge the photo. He does reveal things.
Natalie (Tricia Helfer): A new Six model with an agenda that differs from the humanoid cylons we've been dealing with. I believe she is to be in 402 Episode 2 this season and beyond. Cool!
Because I love Tricia I'm going to show the campiest picture I could find. It's magazine scan and it features Grace Park and Katie Sackhoff as well.
You can find lots more pictures and Tricia-related swag to benefit charity (100% net goes to save cats...) at Tricia's official website: triciahelfer.com
They are very cute though Katie looks a wee uncomfortable.
Katie has been quoted as saying she's "sick of guns" and it would appear so here.
Grace Park (Athena/Sharon Valerii) Tricia Helfer (all the Number 6's including Caprica, "Head," Shelly Godfrey, Gina, and now "Natalie," and Katie Sackhoff (Kara Thrace/Starbuck)
LINK to full size photo
As I was perusing pictures I was startled for minute to come across one of Tricia that I had screen-capped and then got as close as I could to her face, then wanted to use it as an avatar so it has a very distinctive edging. This makes the second time I come across it. I think it's good to share so I do not mind. I do try to get around thing by using screen grabs or magazine scans but always try to give credit where due.
Anyway that's a lot of writing and I gave you some good scoop.
Here's just a bullet point of the epi. I can tell you where to go --the best sites with Battlestar Galactica info. My fave is in my sidebar but I found nice screen at another so--next time.
"He That Believeth In Me"
Good:
- Lots of James Callis (Gaius Baltar). Love him, didn't see him enough last season. Callis is stellar. I so enjoy him. Love how a desperate moment turns unintentionally funny.
- Michael Hogan (Saul Tigh) has never been my favourite character but the actor--one of Canada's best in this medium. It is time for this guy to get an Emmy.
- the opening scene. Right where they left off with Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) flying in their vipers side-by-side --slight hitch, She was blown up two months prior. Colour Apollo puzzled.
- All the fight scenes were awesome, except the ones that took place inside the ship.
- Great soundtrack by Bear McCready. This is some of what he says about it:
Season 3 concluded before a hypnotic, rock-inspired “All Along the Watchtower” backdrop, but Season 4 begins with a cold snap back to reality. So the score enters simply, with the strains of a solo erhu, playing Kara’s Destiny Theme as we return to Kara and Lee, flying side by side. The oddly serene moment is not too last, however, and we’re almost immediately thrown into one of the biggest battle scenes I’ve ever had to score for Battlestar Galactica.
He goes on to say:
This sequence is immense, spanning the entire first act, and the music had to match.
Then he goes on to name songs like “Storming New Caprica,” “Fight Night” and “Mandala in the Clouds” come to the foreground here. The entire ensemble of ethnic soloists, including er hu, zhong hu, bansuri, duduk, yialli tanbur, electric fiddle and duduk are tucked away behind the full arsenal of nagado daikos, shime daikos, tablas, frame drums, whale drums, and hand percussion.
However, what makes this battle cue unique is that it includes strands of a very important theme, that I now call the Final Four theme:
...This riff was first developed while I was arranging Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” for the third season cliffhanger, although it is in no way derived from Dylan’s music. It will play an increasingly important role in the score for the fourth season.
The Final Four melody is first heard when Tigh pulls a gun on Adama in the first few minutes, hidden beneath a wall of electric sitar, violin and guitars, echoing “Heeding the Call” and “Watchtower” from Season 3.
Bear McCreary has some hugely insightful things to say. He does after all set the music that is part of BSG's greatness. Visit him and know more bout this episodes music and atmosphere:
SPOILER!!!!!
Several other themes that play important roles throughout the season get their foot in the door in this episode. Kara’s Destiny theme, represented by the solo erhu, is heard as she is haunted by her past demons and her missing two months. This theme was first composed for the Season 3 opener “Occupation,” developed in “Maelstrom,” and has come to represent the divine, yet confused spirit within her. /end quote Bear McCreary
If you don't want to know what or who Kara is BECAUSE YOU SAW HER DIE just as Apollo witnessed, don't look any further.
