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102

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Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I
"Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I"
An episode of the Original Series
Episode No. Season 1, Episode 2
Writer(s) Glen A. Larson
Donald Bellisario
Story by
Director Christian I. Nyby II
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No. 50204
Nielsen Rating
US airdate USA 1978-09-24
CAN airdate CAN {{{CAN airdate}}}
UK airdate UK
DVD release 2004-12-28
Population survivors
Additional Info
Full Credits
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
Saga of a Star World Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
Photo Gallery @ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: [{{{itunes}}} USA]



With many warriors suffering from an unknown ailment, Galactica recruits new Viper pilots — mostly young women, including Apollo's new bride, Serina.

Summary

  • The episode begins on board Galactica. Adama, Apollo, Serina, Boxey, Starbuck and Athena are all enjoying a meal prepared by Serina, with Athena's help. Adama drops hints that Serina would makes some young man happy and that they have been waiting sometime for a major announcement by Apollo. Apollo finally announces that he and Serina are to be married if Boxey approves. Everyone celebrates and Athena looks at Starbuck longingly. Starbuck quickly gets up from the dinner and leaves stating that as best man he has to prepare for the groom's send off.
  • Boomer and Jolly prepare for their patrol and as they wait for launch clearance Starbuck and Apollo reminisce in the launch bay. Starbuck feels that Apollo's marriage is an end of the closeness of their friendship, Apollo is touched by Starbuck's devotion of friendship.
  • Boomer and Jolly launch on their patrol, soon followed by Starbuck and Apollo.
  • Meanwhile on board the Cylon basestar Baltar's order of execution is countermanded. He is spared and given command of a basestar and introduced to an IL-Series Drone, Lucifer, as his second-in-command.
  • Starbuck continues to reminisce with Apollo on their patrol and they come across a black void. Apollo ventures out to investigate the void much to Starbuck's chagrin. Starbuck keeps track of Apollo so they won't get lost.
In Pharoas Tomb - concept art for Lost Planet of the Gods by Frank Frazetta.
  • On board Galactica Greenbean shows up with victuals for the party and security enters questioning where the supplies came from. Colonel Tigh enters and says that he is responsible for the supplies being at the party. Tigh jokingly reprimands Greenbean for lifting rations and orders the party be in full swing before Apollo returns.
  • Starbuck continues to track as Apollo ventures deeper into the void. He fires a round of lasers so Apollo can find him and Apollo does. Apollo follows Starbuck out of the void and the two head back to Galactica. Apollo owes Starbuck a fumarello.
  • Boomer and Jolly land on an asteroid in the Otarsis Quadrant and Boomer notices pods. At first Jolly can't see them and Boomer points them out. Boomer reminds Jolly that if they miss any one of these outposts they'll never know what hit them. They hide as a Cylon patrol launches from the pods and after the ships veer away from the direction of the fleet, Boomer and Jolly quickly leave to warn Galactica.
  • On board Baltar's basestar Lucifer reports that they spotted the patrol at the listening outpost and follow the route to Galactica. Lucifer says they will take them by surprise. Baltar reminds him of the defeat at Carillon and tells Lucifer to keep Galactica just beyond their detection range as he formulates a plan.
  • Adama orders Boomer and Jolly's patrol in. As Boomer follows Jolly in he notices Jolly not flying properly and tells him to steady up. Jolly appears feverish but manages to land. Boomer makes his report to Adama about the outpost and Adama asks Tigh to change course that will eventually take them into the void.
  • Boomer skips decontamination and heads to the party. Boomer falters and Giles tells him to quit clowning around since Tigh is watching. Tigh warns them that if they are going to get falling down drunk then he will send them back to quarters. Boomer almost passes out from his fever.
  • Apollo and Starbuck return from patrol and go to de-con. Meanwhile on the bridge Salik reports to Adama the nature of Jolly's illness. Adama orders security to quarantine everyone who has been in contact with Jolly and Boomer. As Apollo and Starbuck approach the Warrior's lounge Salik and Adama stop them just in time and orders the other warriors back in and Salik orders them quarantined.
Athena in a warrior uniform.
  • Apollo makes his report on the void to Adama and Tigh. Adama is distracted by mention of the void and goes to his quarters to think about this news. He apparently knows something that Tigh and Apollo don't.
  • Apollo returns to his quarters and talks with Boxey. Boxey won't tell Apollo what Serina has planned. Apollo enters and sees Serina in her flight uniform. He find out she has been training as a shuttle cadet and she has finished her first solo. Boxey leaves so Serina and Apollo can argue. Apollo mentions about how dangerous being a pilot is including a shuttle pilot. Serina reminds Apollo that Athena is a pilot and a warrior. They both mention how dangerous the other's job is and about the losses suffered on Carillon. Apollo finally relents and asks her if she is any good and Serina says she is top of her class and Apollo says she better be since she is going to be married to the squadron commander.
  • Salik reports another warrior has gone critical. Adama questions Salik about the warriors' condition and Salik tells Adama of the cryo-containers. Adama stresses the importance of the warriors and Salik tells Adama that his main concern right now is keeping them alive.
  • Adama reads a journal in his quarters about the days of Kobol and the magnetic void. Apollo enters and Adama gives him a roster of colonists who are deemed experienced enough to be combat trained. Apollo is shocked at this revelation. Adama stands his ground and sends Apollo on his way with his orders to train the new pilots. Apollo asks Adama to read the names on the roster. Adama does and notices Serina's name.
  • Apollo and Starbuck begin the female shuttle pilots' training as Viper pilots. Serina flirts with Apollo during the training.
  • Cassiopeia reports on another unit going critical. Salik goes to the bridge to ask Adama for a shuttle to go the asteroid where Boomer and Jolly were to find the source of the infection. Faced with the great loss of warriors Adama now has no choice but to get the very green Viper pilots who are still in simulators ready for the mission. Adama orders Salik to get his team ready.
  • In training Athena is in the simulator and as she destroys a Cylon she also inadvertently kills Starbuck. The training is interrupted when Apollo is called to the bridge.
  • On the bridge Adama asks about the status of the trainees. Adama then tells Apollo that there is no choice now but to launch the new warriors on the mission to the asteroid. Apollo reminds Adama that the pilots will be throwing away their lives if they go on this mission. Adama weighs the odds but still elects to have the mission proceed much to Apollo's amazement.
  • Apollo and Starbuck launch their Vipers first, followed by the new Blue Squadron pilots. The launch goes off without an issue except for Brie who has difficulty getting control of her viper after launch, but she does and Rigel announces the successful launch of Blue Squadron.
  • On board Baltar's ship Lucifer reports to Baltar that they have overtaken Galactica and that Galactica is turning into the void. Baltar requests that they capture one of the warriors during their patrols. Lucifer leaves, happy in Baltar's deviousness.
  • The warriors continue on their mission. Apollo goes ahead to the asteroid to destroy the outpost while Starbuck stays behind with the new warriors. Brie reports on objects coming from behind and Starbuck notices that it's a Cylon fighter. Athena follows Starbuck as his wingman. Starbuck allows Athena to follow but tells her "for Sagan's sake, don't shoot me". The Cylons warn the outpost and they launch fighters to intercept. The new warriors engage the Cylons to help Apollo after Apollo tells them not to. The new warriors successfully fight off the Cylons while Apollo destroys the listening post. With the mission a success, the medical shuttle lands and finds the source of the infection.
  • Adama orders the fleet to probe speed, Tigh can't believe they are going into the void. Adama tells him they have no choice since the outpost has now alerted other Cylons.
  • Lucifer reports to Baltar on the destruction of the outpost and Baltar is confused since there is nothing of value on the post to begin with. Lucifer reports on the erratic flight patterns of the Colonial Warriors. Baltar warns Lucifer not to fence with him, he then orders Lucifer to capture one of the patrol ships.

Notes

Production Notes

  • An earlier episode title was "The Tombs of Kobol," according to the novelization of this two-parter.
  • The opening prologue is changed from that of the feature film/pilot. Gone are the mentions of the lost civilizations of Lemuria and Atlantis. The dialogue is shortened and the end tag is changed to "who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens."

Colonials

  • Adama is likely in his 100s. When talking to Serina about what a catch she'd be, he mentions that "if he were a 100 yahrens younger...". In a later episode, Adama mentions "the average life expectancy of a human, Cylons not withstanding, is about 200 yahren."

Baltar

  • The scene with Baltar and Imperious Leader is altered from the epilogue in the pilot episode. In the original epilogue, the Imperious Leader mentioned how the Cylons were omnipotent and wanted to extend the hand of peace. In the scene during this episode, it is shortened to have Baltar just go in search of the humans, with the ominous inference that he is to exterminate the Fleet. The scene has an addition in the form of Lucifer escorting Baltar out of the throne room. The reason for cutting out the lines about tolerance and peace were to allow for Baltar to be a more aggressive villain, who would attempt to destroy the human Fleet (as he attempts to in the series) and not be a peace-maker. It is worthy of note, however, that Baltar's plan (as explained to Adama) in the "Lost Planet of the Gods" two-parter, is never explicitly explained to have been either genuine or a ploy.
  • In the original movie, Baltar was beheaded in front of the Imperious Leader. However, the scene was altered when the series was being picked-up, as the producers wanted John Colicos to return as Baltar. As such, they re-edited the scene in the pilot to have Baltar removed from the original basestar over Carillon and added the epilogue, then altered the scene further in this episode.

Female Warriors

  • On the DVD box set, there is a deleted scene with Serina piloting a shuttle and making her first landing. There is dialogue in the aired episode from Boomer to Jolly, who succumbs to the unknown illness, about this landing:
    Boomer: Hey, Jolly, get your nose up. That cadet [Serina] made a better approach than you're making.
  • Several of the female warriors would again be shown in future episodes during battle scenes. Brie would return in "War of the Gods" when she and Greenbean are captured by the Ship of Lights.
  • The character of Serina was originally to have died in "Saga of a Star World" from the affects of pluton poisoning from the Cylon bombardment of Caprica, however the scenes were removed from the final cut, thus permitting her second appearance in the series.
  • During the preview of the episode there is a scene showing Starbuck instructing the female warriors but this scene is not included in the episode as aired or made available via deleted scenes.
  • It is explained that the beige jumpsuits, first seen worn by Athena in "Saga of a Star World," are worn underneath the Warriors uniforms help in counteracting the G-Forces endured when flying a Viper. Of note, no man was ever seen wearing this suit.

Medical Staff

  • A scene filmed in the Life Center with Cassiopeia and Apollo explains Cassiopeia's change from socialator to Med Tech. She mentions to Apollo that one good thing came out of the destruction of the colonies people were given a chance to start anew.
  • The med techs and doctors wear the regular Galactica patch, instead of the specialized Life Sciences blue patch seen later in the series.

Analysis

  • Overall this is a good beginning to the series. It gives some background information on the Colonial religion when Adama reads about Kobol and the black void and ties into the pilot movie by mentioning the battle of Carillon a couple of times and Baltar's new role in the series.
  • The scene between Baltar and the Imperious Leader appears identical to the epilogue of "Saga of a Star World," with the exception that in this episode the Imperious Leader does not correct Baltar when he says, "To serve the Empire!" In the epilogue version the Imperious Leader says that it's actually, "To serve the humans," by passing on the Cylon peace offer.
  • Lucifer tells Baltar that he shall "inherit the most capable Centurions in all the Empire". Since the Cylons are all mechanical and should be equal in all aspects, this seems to be a rather unnecessary and ludicrous claim even for a robot to make.
  • Apollo asks Serina if she knows how many shuttle pilots were lost on Carillon. She replies many civilians were lost too. The implications are the number civilians and Colonial Warriors killed when the planet was destroyed may have been high, though an exact figure is never given.
  • The beginning of the episode establishes the crew of Galactica as being very much a family. Not only do they share the closeness of family, but also the conflict that can arise. Apollo's clashes with Adama establish him as an independent son, willing to butt heads when orders are given that he does not agree with, but ultimately he ends up following them.
  • Basestars appear to have a vastly superior scanner system than the battlestar. Baltar's basestar is able to keep out of Galactica's scanner range, yet is able to track the Fleet.
  • Adama keeps his suspicions to himself regarding the magnetic void, causing a great deal of confusion and doubt on the part of Colonel Tigh. They are steering the Fleet into an abyss that might be infinite, and Adama is not elaborating on why they are taking such a risk. Tigh complies, proving his loyalty, but Adama's lack of communication on the issue is starting to get to him. Another second-in-command might have more openly questioned the order, or even refused it. This situation shows that Tigh is not only willing to follow Adama into the abyss, but that he would take the whole Fleet along as well.
  • The progression of Serina from shuttle pilot trainee to Viper pilot feels rushed. Apollo is dismayed that Serina has been (conveniently) training on shuttles for a while, but eventually accepts her decision. Serina's point about everybody needing to contribute (in ways that may be different to before the Cylon attack) is a powerful thought, although it is one that is not explored very much in the original series. Serina's shuttle pilot status is short lived, when she happens to be one of the group of (all female) shuttle pilots selected for Viper training. It is surprising that Adama hadn't examined the list of names he was handing Apollo, but the details of such personnel matters may be below Adama's pay grade.
  • Adama presents Apollo with an ethical dilemma, giving him the choice of not deploying Serina when the time comes for the shuttle pilots to fly their first Viper mission. Apollo refuses to accept the special treatment, but it is interesting that Adama even offered him the chance. If they had wanted to keep Serina out of combat, removing her from the initial list of shuttle pilots to train would have been far more discreet.
  • Baltar's fortune changes dramatically in this episode, going from a prisoner to the commander of a basestar. It doesn't take Baltar long to get used to being in charge again, and his arrogance quickly reasserts itself. Lucifer is initially quite impressed with him, although he does not understand his reasoning. Towards the end up the episode Lucifer is beginning to openly question Baltar's plans, setting the groundwork for later conflict between the two.

Questions

  • How long has passed since the Battle of Carillon (and, therefore how long has Serina been training as a shuttle pilot)?
  • How many people were lost at Carillon?
  • Why do Galactica's command staff, namely Adama and Tigh, risk contamination by accompanying Salik to the Officer's bunk?
  • What of the technicians and maintenance personnel in the landing bay that had contact with Boomer and Jolly? How did they avoid being infected?
  • Why weren't any males being trained as shuttle pilots (or as potential Viper pilots)? Wouldn't it be wise to constantly be bringing new pilots into the ranks?
  • With the question of material losses, how many Vipers and shuttles do the survivors have left? Is the Fleet capable of building more?
  • If the Fleet is restricted to sublight speeds, how are they able to flee the Cylons at all, even after being detected?
  • Why does Adama steer the fleet into the magnetic void? (Answer)

Noteworthy Dialogue

  • A dishelved Baltar is presented to the Imperious Leader:
Imperious Leader: I have examined your epistle suggesting you would be able to locate the humans.
Baltar: Why, yeah. (looks around) Oh, yes. I think... as they do! I– I– I– I know where they... will go, what they must do.
Imperious Leader: I find your reasoning logical.
Baltar: Then... then I am to be...?
Imperious Leader: Spared.
Baltar: (rises, proclaiming) To serve the Empire!
  • Adama gushes about Serina's cooking and needles Apollo about his future:
Adama: I am an expert in the art of culinary graces, and you are a find, Serina. You're a genuine find. And if I were a hundred yahrens younger... But some man will fall into the lap of early glory.
  • As Starbuck and Apollo exit the magnetic void thanks to Starbuck's flying skills:
Starbuck: ...and you owe me a fumarello.
  • Baltar plots strategy with Lucifer:
Baltar: Speak.
Lucifer: I bring good news. We believe that we have located the battlestar Galactica.
Baltar: Oh?
Lucifer: A scouting expedition of Colonial Vipers landed on our listening post in the quadrant Otarsis. They were permitted to escape, as you instructed.
Baltar: How far is this outpost from us?
Lucifer: 1.5 hectares. Since Galactica is kept to a minimum speed by the slower vehicles under her protection, at lightspeed we can easily catch her within a centon.
Baltar: Is she aware that she's been detected?
Lucifer: No. Our fighters take her by complete surprise.
Baltar: As they did at Carillon? Hmmm? One basestar is not sufficient to ensure victory over Galactica. Find her, but follow just beyond her scanner range.
Lucifer: Until we can call for reinforcements?
Baltar: Such a call would surely be picked up by Galactica. She would be alerted and escape.
Lucifer: Logical.
Baltar: Yes. Now perhaps you see why the Imperious Leader put me in command.
Lucifer: But if we cannot call for assistance, and you will not attack, is not the end result the same? The Galactica escapes.
Baltar: (laughing) Have faith, Lucifer. Have faith. I have a plan. All I need is the opportunity to present it. That will come.
Lucifer: By your command.
  • Apollo and Serina argue over Serina training to be a shuttle pilot:
Serina: Your own sister's a pilot and a warrior.
Apollo: She's my sister, not my wife to be.
  • Starbuck gives a bit of advice to the female Viper pilots on their first launch:
Starbuck: Remember, these controls are as sensitive as a school girl's... lips.
  • Lucifer and a Centurion leave to execute Baltar's commands:
Lucifer: Isn't he wonderfully devious? We can learn much from him.

Guest Stars

Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II
"Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II"
An episode of the Galactica 1980 series
Episode No. Season 1, Episode 2
Writer(s) Glen A. Larson
Story by
Director Sidney Hayers
Assistant Director
Special guest(s) Herbert Jefferson Jr as Boomer
Production No. 85510
Nielsen Rating
US airdate USA 1980-02-03
CAN airdate CAN {{{CAN airdate}}}
UK airdate UK
DVD release
Population survivors
Additional Info Script available for download (incomplete)
Information Novelization
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
@ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: USA



As Colonial Warriors attempt to contact Earth scientists to aid in improving their technology, Earth authorities complicate Troy and Dillon's mission, while Doctor Zee discovers that a rogue Council member is attempting to change Earth history.

Summary

  • The young boy Willy Griffin arrives home to tell his dad he's found two spaceships. His dad is skeptical but eventually decides to take a look.
  • When Griffin's father sees the Vipers, he calls the police.
  • Meanwhile, Jamie Hamilton has reached the UBC television studios, where her interview is not going well. During the interview, she is interrupted to take a phone call from Dillon. Hamilton refuses to talk and hangs up.
  • Dr. Mortinson calls Hamilton, having determined she was somehow connected with Troy and Dillon.
  • Overhearing part of this conversation, Mr. Brooks, the UBC station manager, offers Hamilton a reporting job if she can manage to get an interview with Mortinson. Hamilton agrees to the offer.
  • Followed by a UBC camera crew in a van, Hamilton goes to meet Mortinson as planned, and Troy and Dillon catch up to her on the way.
  • When Mortinson arrives, he is pleased to meet the Colonials, but realizes Hamilton is trying to get him on film.
TV Guide Ad for Galactica Discovers Earth.
  • Troy suggests they leave, and the four get into the doctor's car.
  • As the UBC van sets off after them, Dillon grabs the wheel and a car chase ensues.
  • Dillon plows the car into the front of a store, but the four are without injury and manage to escape by use of the invisibility screen.
  • Leaving Mortinson behind, Troy, Dillon, and Jamie return to Galactica.
  • The Vipers cross the night sky and are witnessed by Willy Griffin, his dad and the police - but the police discount them as shooting stars.
  • Arriving at Galactica, an amazed Hamilton accompanies Troy and Dillon to the briefing with Adama.
  • While the two were away on Earth, Xaviar has been arguing with Adama over the merits of introducing technological advancements to Earth in 1980, and has taken matters into his own hands.
  • Xaviar steals Doctor Zee's time machine to travel to the past and make changes to history to speed up the technological development of Earth.
  • Doctor Zee determines that Xaviar has gone back to Nazi Germany during World War II.
  • Troy, Dillon, and Hamilton launch for Earth and, using Doctor Zee's space warp, travel backwards in time. The process alters the molecules in their clothes, leaving their uniforms and equipment white in color.
  • Arriving in the skies over Germany of 4 June 1944, they are detected by the Germans. The Nazi Commander initially believes they are the 423rd Spitfire Squadron, but he is informed that there are only two. Believing that the craft are American reconnaissance bomber planes, he orders the Luftwaffe to intercept. However, the Colonials avoid the pursuing Luftwaffe after the Luftwaffe's commander notices that the Vipers lack American or Allied markings. The Luftwaffe commander sternly orders his wingmen not to mention anything about the incident, believing the Vipers to be the Germans' own experimental aircraft and Troy and Dillon land the Vipers in a field, or they would personally answer to him.
  • Suddenly, the trio sees a B-17 sail into view, under heavy fire. The plane is downed, but a lone parachutist makes it down.
  • The parachutist is Major Stockwell, who is in Germany to try and sabotage the new V-2 rocket which is being tested nearby.
  • On their way to the rocket base, Troy, Dillon, Stockwell, and Hamilton observe a transport of Jews about to be shipped to Auschwitz.
  • Suddenly, the SS arrives to raid the bookstore. The team uses the invisibility cloak to avoid capture.
  • Promising to help those who were taken by the SS later, Troy determines that they need first to find Xaviar.
  • Xaviar is indeed at the rocket base, posing as a British rocket scientist with Nazi sympathies. He is overseeing the testing of an augmented V-2 - equipped with a jet using Colonial technology.
  • Dressed as German soldiers, the Warriors, Hamilton and Stockwell sneak into the base just in time to see the V-2 sitting on the pad, awaiting the test that could give the Nazis the upper hand in the war, altering Earth's history.

From Script to Screen

In the December 13, 1979 revision of the script for this episode, there are a few noted differences:

Notes

  • Segments of the episode were filmed at the Golden Oak Ranch. The Nazi rocket base was filmed in part on the Universal Studios backlot.
  • The "white uniforms" are reuses from the episodes "War of the Gods, Part II" and "Experiment in Terra". In "War of the Gods," the uniforms are seen on Apollo, Starbuck and Sheba when they are aboard the Ship of Lights. Later, Starbuck and Apollo have these uniforms when given an aura that permits them to see John, a Being of Light, during their assignment on Terra.
  • The only new Viper-based special effects created for this episode involves the time warp effect as Troy and Dillon pursue Xaviar back to 1944.
  • Dillon uses the vulgar word felgercarb in this episode, which is the first occurrence of a vulgarism in this series. It is also interesting, given the restrictions the FCC placed on programming that occupied 1980's timeslot.
  • In reality, the first V-2 test launches took place in 1942. By 1944, the rocket was already massproduced by slave labor in underground factories. Due to Allied bombings a large part of the research staff was also moved away from Peenemünde. Although tests to refine the technology took place there until shortly before the war's end, the rocket wasn't still undergoing basic development as implied by the episode.

Analysis

  • Doctor Zee has earned the respect of the Council of Twelve and Commander Adama due to his accuracy and his feats that have saved them. The Council has never rebuked or challenged Zee, unlike Adama, who has fought the council on nearly every issue in the Original Series.
  • The Colonials do not know the science of time travel. Xavier points out that it is something that the Colonials have tried to achieve, but failed in their past.

Questions

  • Instead of going back to develop Earth's technology, why not go thirty years and attempt to change the Battle of Cimtar? Or even further, given how far back Xaviar is capable of going (i.e. roughly 1700 A.D)?
  • Xaviar is clearly a Colonial Warrior, and is given the rank of commander, but what is his role outside of the Quorum of Twelve?

Noteworthy Dialogue

  • Xaviar attempts to convince Adama to back his time travel escapades:
Xaviar: Adama, your grandson was to have reported in long ago. We've heard from all the others.
Adama: Xaviar, please be patient.
Xaviar: (interrupting) The folly of the whole plan is so desperately dangerous, I cannot agree.
Adama: Not exposing this planet Earth to our enemies is in the best interests of our Earth brothers and ourselves.
Xaviar: That I agree with! But we have other means. A tool we have sought for generations and possess, thanks to our young genius.
Adama: Well, if you are referring to the time warp synthesizer, I cannot agree. The whole concept of time travel is extremely dangerous. Forcing a whole civilization forward beyond the speed of light, pushing it back into the past. It's never even been tried.
Xaviar: Adama, what could be more vital to the speeding up of Earth's civilization and by going back into her past and introducing scientific tools hundreds of Earth years earlier?
Adama: We know nothing of the consequences of changing that which has already been.
Xaviar: Then we'll find out. I could lead an expedition into Earth's past. We could introduce electronics, flight, atomic energy. Let me at least present it to the council for a vote.
Adama: The council has never overruled Dr. Zee. He's never been wrong.
Xaviar: It has never been this critical. Side with me. I am a great leader. I could deliver us a planet capable of saving us now.
  • Jamie Hamilton stops Troy from driving the stolen cop car in reverse:
Jamie Hamilton: What are you guys? Martians?!
Dillon: (after consulting the wrist computron) Close.
  • Stockwell gets bemused over Hamilton's use of the term Galactican:
Stockwell: Look, lady, you're making me very nervous with all this strange terminology.
Troy: What, you think you got a problem with terminology?
  • Stockwell and grammatical tense issues:
Hamilton: (after Stockwell brings up the V-2 rocket) Of course, the V-2. It almost changed the course of the war.
Stockwell: Almost changed? Why are you always talking in the past tense?
Troy: This is no time to be correcting grammar. Now, let's do whatever it is we're going to do.

Guest Stars

External Links


Water
"Water"
An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No. Season 1, Episode 2
Writer(s) Ronald D. Moore
Story by
Director Marita Grabiak
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No. 102
Nielsen Rating 2.6
US airdate USA 2005-01-14
CAN airdate CAN 2005-01-22
UK airdate UK 2004-10-25
DVD release 20 September 2005 US
28 March 2005 UK
Population 47,958 survivors (Population decline. 2,340)
Additional Info
Full Credits
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
33 Water Bastille Day
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D SkitView
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
Photo Gallery @ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: USA | Canada | UK



Galactica loses over 60% of her water reserves due to sabotage, forcing the Fleet into a crisis and Commander Adama to seek a new supply.

Summary

In the fleet

  • Sharon "Boomer" Valerii finds herself dripping wet in her flight suit, sitting in an equipment room on the flight deck. She is disoriented, and upon opening a duffel bag containing her uniform, she discovers explosives, complete with detonators.
  • After drying and dressing herself, Boomer goes to a small arms locker and finds that a further six detonators are missing, throwing her into a panic and seeking Galen Tyrol’s help.
  • Laura Roslin visits Galactica to thank the crew for their hard work in defending the Fleet following the recent events (TRS: "33").
  • Protocol is observed during her visit, with officers in dress uniform. Roslin believes this is because William Adama enjoys it; Lee Adama informs her that his father ordered the reception out of respect for her position as President.
  • Virgon Express arrives alongside, ready to take on new water supplies. Adama explains to Roslin of Galactica's near-perfect water reclamation abilities, and how it must tank water to ships that don’t have recycling facilities themselves.
  • In the equipment locker, Tyrol and Boomer, on the verge of a breakdown, discuss the missing explosives. Tyrol promises he’ll see her through the situation, convinced someone is trying to frame her.
  • As the water transfer operation commences, a series of explosions rip through Galactica, rupturing her water tanks and spewing much of her massive reserves of potable water into space.
  • An investigation of the explosion begins. Over 60% of Galactica’s reserves of water have been lost, leaving the Fleet with a critical shortage. Because of its recycling/storage capabilities, 16,000 people are dependent on Galactica for drinkable water.
  • Pushed to give a reason for the loss of the water, Lieutenant Felix Gaeta presumes that the detonation of a nuclear warhead close to the water tanks (TRS: "Miniseries") may have weakened the tanks, causing them to rupture.
  • During his presentation to investigators, Tyrol admits sabotage was the cause of the explosions, revealing the fact that explosives had been taken from a small-arms locker, but covering for Valerii by saying it is unlikely they will discover who took the explosives as security throughout the ship has been lax, and record-keeping patchy, at best.
  • Adama orders Raptor flights to nearby star systems in an attempt to find an alternative source of water.
  • Reducing the number of people in the inquiry to senior command staff, Roslin and Gaius Baltar, Adama reveals the truth about the humanoid Cylon threat, stating his belief that there is a Cylon infiltrator aboard Galactica.
  • Baltar is quizzed about his progress on constructing a working Cylon detector. He makes various excuses for his lack of progress, all of which Adama discerns as Baltar's need for assistance on the project. Adama assigns Lieutenant Gaeta to aid him.
  • Following the meeting, Gaeta leaves with Baltar, unhappy about having someone “watching” him. He escapes Gaeta by joining one of Kara "Starbuck" Thrace's card games and ends up flirting with her.
  • Boomer locates water, but has problems trying to report the find while her Cylon sleeper personality tries to detonate explosives she has strapped to her chair.
  • Boomer finally is able to report the find, and she and Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo return to Galactica to be greeted as heroes.
  • Boomer gets Tyrol to check her seat, where he finds the explosives. He later reveals to Boomer he has handed the explosives to the Master-at-Arms, assuring her that this is good, as it puts the Master onto the same lines of investigation they are now pursuing.
  • On Colonial One, impressed at the way Lee Adama helped her through the pomp of her reception on Galactica at the start of the episode, Roslin asks Captain Adama to become a special advisor to her, to help her understand military jargon and protocol. She also tries to help him come to terms with the destruction of Olympic Carrier (TRS: "33"), which has been plaguing his conscience.

On Caprica

Notes

Episode Notes

  • This is the only episode featuring the deckhands' white EVA suits.
  • Galactica has at least five Raptors on board.
  • Colonials have an equivalent plastic explosive to C-4 called G-4.
  • Tigh states that only three Marines know that the Cylons look human. Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo's comment to Sharon Valerii in "33" indicates that at least one of them is responsible for leaking this information to others.
  • Galactica has an astrometrics lab equipped with spectroscopes and telescopes.
  • This episode shows a population loss of 2,340, this matches the analysis in "33" as 300 were lost in on an screen estimate revision, and 681 off-screen losses (deleted scenes show some of this) possibly due to revised counts, plus the 1,345 lost on Olympic Carrier, minus a loss for the newborn. The final count in "33" was 47,973 so 15 losses occurred between episodes.
  • "The Plan" later reveals that Valerii's instructions came from Fleet Cavil, who summons the sleeper agent's personality via a carved wood elephant in order to supplant the "human" personality.

Production Notes

  • When Season 1 premiered in the United States, "33" and "Water" aired back-to-back as a two hour TV event. This was also the case when Season 3 first aired in the United States with the episodes "Occupation" and "Precipice".
  • Initially, the episode was to focus on a paper shortage in the Fleet.[4]
  • According to Gary Hutzel, the water tank was a virtual set consisting of one wall and a ramp leading away from it.[5]

Gaffes

Analysis

  • Some humanoid Cylon are sleeper agents (as stated by Six in the Miniseries). "Water" sees a new wrinkle added: that the Cylon "personality" within a humanoid Cylon can be active without the apparent knowledge of the "human" personality. Boomer's "waking up" scene and subsequent reactions demonstrate that her human persona has no idea of what is going on. Her confusion is genuine and complete, right down to the fact that she has lost track of time (wishing Cally Henderson a "good evening", only for Henderson to tell her it is early morning).
  • As promised at the show's outset, basic logistics and supply issues are a major concern on the series that the characters have to address.
    • Some viewers may think that 600-odd tons of food a week is a lot of consumables to have available and wonder where it all comes from. However, the Fleet comprises many ships, apparently including many supply ships with such supplies like Gideon.
  • The violent water ejection from Galactica is mostly accurate. Presuming that the water tanks on Galactica were under some pressure, per Baltar's comment that a human could not withstand the pressures within the tank, the water would leave the ship in the manner shown. Water in a vacuum and in the absolute cold of space will both freeze and boil. The resulting ice crystals will then quickly sublimate, attaining a vapor state directly from a solid state. The expelled water appears to sublimate instantly.[6]
  • Water is an excellent radiation shield, in particular for neutron radiation, possibly explaining why the water tanks are placed on the outside of the hull.

Questions

Answered Questions

For answers to the questions in this section, click here.
  • Is Sharon Valerii completely unaware her Cylon personality, which planted the explosives?
  • Is the wireless message picked-up by Karl Agathon on Caprica genuine, or a Cylon fake, designed to keep him on the planet?
  • Do the Colonials have food recycling capabilities to match their water recycling capabilities?
  • Why do the Cylons want to keep Agathon on Caprica?

Unanswered Questions

None listed.

Official Statements

From Ronald D. Moore's blog entry of January 27, 2005:

One of the strange things about writing and producing television is the delay between action and reaction. Tomorrow night's episode was written almost a year ago. The battles, thoughts, emotions, disappointments, and victories happened in what seems like the distant past, so when I sit down to watch the show along with the rest of you (and I do watch them on the air) it's like seeing a page out of an old yearbook. I can remember bits and pieces of the production process, the early drafts of the script, the days spent in the editing bay playing with the footage and waiting for the visual effects to be completed, but none of it is current, all of it belongs to a season now firmly planted in the past.
However, I do find that the same distance from the rigors of production also afford a better vantage point for watching the show with something approaching objectivity. You get so used to an episode during all the aspects of production that the simple pleasure of watching it as a piece of entertainment is slowly vacuumed away over time. Only now, months after the fact, can I watch these shows from a little remove and my impressions of the episodes are often not the same as when we produced them.
For instance, during the shoot of "Water" and shortly afterward, I was acutely aware of just how long the script was and how much material was going to have to be lost along the way. I was fairly upset with myself for writing something so bloated and large that it was killing us on the stage and would later require major surgery in the editing room to make our mandated runtime. The first cut of "Water" ran 10-12 minutes long—essentially an entire act that had to go—and for a long time when I watched the final locked picture I was always uncomfortably aware of the "cheats" involved. That is, the dropped scenes, the internal cuts made to scenes that made a hash of some of the logic I'd tried to lay out, the half-expressed thoughts, the missing emotional beats, etc.
However, when I saw the final aired episode, I was hard-pressed to even remember most of the cuts or why they had bothered me in the first place. (Although I still missed a nice bit with Baltar in the Wardroom, where he tossed off a theory of how six small charges could've blown open the water tank, as it was both helpful to the plot and an entertaining bit of grandstanding by the character.) Frankly, I used to think of "Water" as one of the weaker shows in the first season, but now it seems like a fairly coherent piece.
Of course, this kind of shift in perspective after shedding the baggage of production works both ways, and I've found that sometimes revisited shows much later that I'd always considered to be "classics" turned out to lose their charm along with the experience of making it. So as we go forward, I'm both excited and vaguely terrified at how I'll view the rest of the season.
Speaking of excited and terrified, I must admit to being overwhelmed by the response you've generated regarding this blog. There's a remarkable backlog of questions on the board and I'll try to both post here more often and answer more of your questions. I don't know what to tell you in terms of what will catch my eye, but I'll try to look for both the straight-ahead fan questions and the more off the wall questions—don't be afraid to venture far off-topic, some of the more interesting discussions I had at Trek had nothing to do with the show itself.
At the start of the season, I intended to reveal things very slowly – Sharon was going to realize something was wrong over a longer period of time, and her relationship with Tyrol was going to be very solid. But when I got into "Water" I decided to speed things up by putting Sharon and her relationship with Tyrol in a crisis immediately.[7]

Noteworthy Dialogue

Agathon: I don't suppose we have a plan B?
Valerii: Plans B, C, D and E are the same as plan A; get off the planet and get back to the ship.

Guest stars

References

  1. Script for "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I", p. 63
  2. Ibid., p. 72
  3. Ibid., p. 83
  4. Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 48.
  5. Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 51.
  6. Haberman, John (04 May 1998). Re: Will water boil or freeze in outer space? (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 4 September 2023.
  7. Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 50.


Rebirth
"Rebirth"
An episode of the Caprica Series
Episode No. Season 1, Episode 2
Writer(s) Mark Verheiden
Story by
Director Jonas Pate
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No. 102
Nielsen Rating 0.5[1]
US airdate USA January 29, 2010
CAN airdate CAN
UK airdate UK February 10, 2010
DVD release
Population {{{population}}} survivors
Additional Info
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
Caprica pilot Rebirth Reins of a Waterfall
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D SkitView
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
Photo Gallery @ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: [{{{itunes}}} USA]



Zoe's attachment to the Cylon Prototype makes it difficult for Daniel Graystone and his company to duplicate success with other U-87 units. Amanda Graystone looks into her daughter's life and finds that she barely knew the real Zoe. Sister Clarice invites Lacy Rand for dinner, as Sam Adama begins to exert a bad influence on his nephew.

Summary

Teaser

All events in this episode occur one month after the bombing of Maglev 23, depicted in the pilot. The main part of the pilot started two weeks after the bombing.
  • At a lab in Graystone Industries, Cyrus Xander informs Daniel Graystone that the meta-cognitive processor (MCP) only works in the original U-87 prototype body; they are unaware that Zoe-A inhabits the body. Attempts to install the chip in any other body result in the other units becoming "morons." The technicians attempt to determine what makes the bonding between the MCP and U-87 body unique. Xander notes that the military liaison is giving him grief.
  • Graystone orders the unit be transported to his private lab at his residence.
  • At the estate, Amanda Graystone searches for old home movie tiles of Zoe, enlisting Serge to help.
  • At the Athena Academy, Sister Clarice Willow approaches Lacy Rand at the end class, asking if she received the lunch invitation for Saturday[2]. Rand says that she hasn't been to a teacher's house before and is uneasy about the invitation, but ultimately agrees to the lunch date.
  • Zoe-R calls Rand at the school. Zoe-R is losing track of time and is having dreams of not only her life as an avatar, but of the original Zoe's life as well. Rand offers to tell Sister Willow about the situation, but Zoe-R rejects the notion, believing that the only control she has is that no one knows she exists. After securing Rand's promise to not inform anyone, Zoe-R hangs up and returns to her place in the lab, where two of Graystone's technicians (Philomon and Drew) prepare the Cylon prototype for transport. Drew views Philomon's attempt to feminize the machine with disdain; indeed, he views the robot as merely another piece of machinery, much to Zoe-R's disgust.

Act 1

  • The scene opens with various broadcasts on CapTV channels: a news piece featuring Global Defense Department Agent Jordan Durham (sic) on the Soldiers of the One monotheist terrorist group; a follow-up on GDD officers arresting suspects from the STO; a piece on Cubits & Pieces discussing the 52-week low on Graystone Industries stock; and a sports broadcast from the Atlas Arena covering the long-awaited pyramid match between the Caprica Buccaneers and the Olympian Stallions hosted by sports commentators Steve Bahara and Abasi Lowe.
  • At this game, Daniel and Amanda Graystone watch from their private box. After the Caprican national anthem, Amanda leaves as she is not ready to be sociable as she once was.
  • From the front of Promethia High School, Joseph Adama calls Daniel in to hopes of seeing the avatar of his departed daughter, although he doesn't openly state this. After the phone call, he realizes that he's at his daughter's old school and calls up Wilson Elementary School in order to get a message to his son, William Adama, about how he would be late.
  • In the lab, Philomon is testing out voice commands for the Cylon prototype. His impatient associate becomes increasingly irate to the point of interrupting Philomon's tests, strapping down the unit forcibly, and notes how "she likes it rough"—mocking Philomon's preference of feminizing the robot. Zoe-R reacts painfully to this, but she does nothing as she is crated.
  • Joseph arrives at his apartment, finding that William—playing a handheld video game—was able to get a ride home. William asks his father if he went to Tammy's school again: he lies, saying that he was held up in court. Joseph checks his answering machine, after which Ruth mentions receiving an invitation for a Memorial Event at Apollo Park on Junius 7, commemorating the loss of family members and friends at the Lev bombing—financed by Graystone Industires. Joseph exclaims "Frak the Graystones!" and storms off.
  • Zoe-R begins to break free of the crate as she is being transported to the Graystone Estate.
  • At the Estate, Amanda watches an old family video with a young Zoe playing in a waterpark. During this, Serge announces Agent Durham's presence at the front door. Amanda goes to meet him, bluntly informing him that he cannot search the premises due to her husband's defense work; he inquires as to Zoe's now-deceased boyfriend Ben Stark. Amanda does not know the name and has no knowledge that he was Zoe's boyfriend; Amanda claims that she wasn't "old enough" to have one. She closes the door on Durham thereafter.
  • Arriving at the Estate, Philomon and his associate discover that the U-87 is working her way out of the crate. After a close call, Philomon talks the robot down pulls the MCP.
  • Ruth, Joseph and William are having a Tauron dinner she prepared; Joseph stares off at an empty seat, while William fusses over the meal. After Joseph offers the comment of "maybe going out for some burgers," William proclaims that he may not be that full after all; Ruth and William clean up the table, after Ruth's proclamation that she wouldn't cook another Tauron meal. As Joseph grabs a plate, he "sees" his daughter as she reaches out to him; he is visibly unsettled.
  • Drew and Philomon wheel Zoe-R to Daniel Graystone's lab. As Philomon offers his views on how the robot is able to do things that he thought no other robot would be able to do, Drew notices that a piece from the unit needs repair. Despite Philomon's objections that they run a diagnostic, Drew grabs a tool and begins to adjust the damaged facial component manually. As the tool reaches Zoe-R's face, she reacts and, as a result, severs a fingertip from Drew's left hand. Philomon finds the severed fingertip and he brings Drew away to obtain medical attention at a nearby hospital. Now free from their influence, Zoe-R begins to remove her restraints. She discovers blood on her cheek and wipes it off, seeing it on the gloved hand of the U-87 through her "eyes."

Act 2

  • Amanda seeks out Lacy Rand, finding her on the footsteps outside her home wearing a holoband. Amanda attempts to strike up a conversation with Rand, which is cut short by Rand's mother calling for her. Before she goes, Amanda asks Rand what Zoe was running away from, but feigns ignorance to the subject and notes that there'd be a "new family waiting for us on Gemenon." Amanda does not react well to this particular revelation.
  • As Daniel plays Nomion's 3rd Sonata on a piano in his lab, Philomon discusses his belief that the MCP is diffusing some of its control to the peripheral sub-units of the U-87 prototype. Daniel reminds Philomon that they have a contract for a 100,000 robots, not one.
  • Rand makes it to Sister Willow's house for the lunch date, where she is introduced to Willow's various husbands and wives, in addition to children from said wives. Willow is first introduced to a shirtless Nestor, who notes that not only is Rand pretty, but it was "about time that someone in this family brought home someone interesting"; Nestor is Sister Willow's husband. Rand is then introduced to three wives (Mar-Beth, Helena and Desiree Willow) and her various husbands (Nestor, Tanner, Olaf and Rashawn). Tanner notes the various soups he's made, the last one being "squirrel." One of the wives notes that the stew is just regular. Nestor is called over to the table, and he seems a bit uncomfortable with Rand's presence at the lunch.
  • Sam Adama and William are walking through Little Tauron, a part of Caprica where Sam and his brother Joseph grew up. Sam tells William that when hanging out there with Joseph and all the other Tauron kids that came there; Sam would try to pick up men while Joseph would get dates with the men's sisters. Sam picks up some food from one of the stands on the street, assuring William that he can do that here, since he knows the shop keepers—who can tell his whole story by his tattoos, or so he informs William.
  • Sam receives a call on his cell, which prompts William to later ask if it was the Guatrau. Sam tells him never to use that name in public, as they are en route to "break something."
  • After eating lunch, Rand sits down with Sister Willow and Nestor. Rand tells them that her mother is formal, whereas everyone in the Willow house is very comfortable with each other. Nestor, with Sister Willow's help, broaches the topic of Zoe Graystone and her computer work; Nestor reveals that his studies are in computers. He notes that software exists that was written decades ago and that such programs can outlive their writers, and that Zoe was an artist and that her work will live on. The conversation becomes more awkward from there.
  • In his lab, Daniel is listening to a sportscast on the Caprica Buccaneers while he lets the "old subconscious" find the answers when his wife enters. Upon seeing Zoe-R, she makes a crack that she once saw the "guy in a movie once" and that the robot was a "monster." She then brings up the subject of the memorial, believing that they attend it; Daniel comes up with various excuses, encouraging her to go. Caesar, the Graystone's dog, leaves Zoe-R's feet when summoned by Amanda; Serge informs Daniel that Joseph Adama is at the front gate, requesting entry. Daniel denies it.
  • Rand leaves the Willow household, where Tanner and Mar-Beth challenge Sister Willow on the reason why Rand was invited, claiming that she has a less than stellar "track record." She defends her position, claiming to be supporting a grieving student.
  • In his office, Daniel plays a game of makeshift pyramid with balled-up crumpled paper, while Serge offers pre-programmed sentiments about how the crowd "goes frakking wild" and demands another hour of game time. He then continues his work on the U-87 problem while attempting to figure out where Zoe-A went.

Act 3

  • Sam Adama and William make it to Sam's destination. As Sam talks about mechanics of automobiles, he picks up a trash can, empties its contents, and throws it through a window of a printing business[3] William is shocked at the blatant vandalism and is itching to run away from the cops that approach, but is stopped by Sam who states that running is admitting guilt. Sam and Officer Mendez are well acquainted with one another, submitting to arrest. Sam assures William that a phone call will fix the problem after they pay the "fine." He also tells William that "if you give them all the little things, they miss the big things."
  • Amanda watches an old video of Rand and Zoe from her bed when Daniel enters. He inquires about her reason for going to the memorial, she admits that she doesn't even know why. Daniel opens up, saying that he doesn't even want to think about Zoe. He admits to being angry at everyone and everything. After the chat, he says that if she wants to go to the memorial, he would go with her. He jokes that the reason for going was that Serge has a crush on the U-87 and he wants to give them some time alone.
  • Sam and William are released from jail, and he imparts more advice on his young nephew regarding guilt and smoking cigarettes.
  • As Lacy returns home, Zoe-R calls her and tells her to come to the Graystone Estate.
  • At the Adama apartment, William walks in to find his father waiting for him. He asks why he didn't attend the Tauron class, and William manipulates his way out of punishment by claiming that it's hard to be part of a family when there is no family.
  • Sister Willow finds herself across from an Opium den she's never visited before. After being greeted by the tender, she asks for a private room and partakes of the drugs.
  • Zoe-R visits Zoe's room, sitting on the bed while looking at a statue of a giraffe. The bed soon collapses under the weight of the robot. Lacy enters the room as Zoe-R continues searching through Zoe's belongings; Lacy is amazed by the robot. Zoe-R asks Lacy if she looks real to her, and while Lacy replies in the positive, Zoe-R explains her problems about being ordered about and even hurting a person who touched her. Lacy says that she doesn't know how to help. Zoe-R informs her that Zoe's original program was destroyed, and that she feels like three beings trapped in the same body—a Trinity, which Lacy calls her. Zoe-R is further conflicted when revealing that Amanda called her a "monster" upon seeing her. Lacy comforts Zoe-R, although she has her doubts.

Act 4

  • On Junius 7 at mid-day, Daniel and Amanda Graystone attend the memorial for the victims of the Maglev 23 bombing. While there, Amanda wants to talk to the parents of students from Zoe's school, however Daniel attempts to dissuade her from doing so—and fails. While looking at a display at the memorial, she meets up with Natalie Stark who confirms Agent Jordan Durham's assertion that Ben Stark was Zoe's boyfriend.
  • An irritated Joseph Adama approaches Daniel at the event. After Daniel waves away Sean, they begin discussing the avatars.
  • Stark returns a small collection of Zoe's things that she found while cleaning out Ben's room to Amanda. Amongst these possessions is the infinity symbol brooch that she saw Zoe wear in a video earlier; she looks up from the brooch to see Agent Jordan Durham in the crowd staring back at her from across the park.
  • Adama presses the issue of seeing Tamara-A again, while Daniel attempts to give him the runaround. He claims that she is gone, destroyed during a beta test to iron out the glitches in the avatar program. Adama fears that Tamara may be all alone in the virtual world, wondering where he went. Daniel abruptly leaves the conversation when he sees his wife take the stage.
  • During her speech to the crowd (which is televised and is watched by many, including Ruth and Zoe-R), Amanda shares that she never knew her daughter and that her daughter not only died on the train, but she may have caused it.

Act 5

  • Still on stage, Amanda Graystone "reveals" that Zoe Graystone was a member of the Soldiers of the One, holding up the infinity symbol brooch that she was just given. Daniel rushes to the podium, telling Sean to help him and to have a car brought around. Emphatically, the grief-stricken Amanda declares, "My daughter was a terrorist!" The crowd becomes feral and frenzied, expressing their outrage.
  • At the opium den, Sister Clarice Willow doodles in a notebook while listening to Amanda's pronouncement.
  • Sean and Daniel make their way through the crowd outside a police barricade. The crowd becomes increasingly violent and Sean pulls out his pistol as the Graystones enter their vehicle. The crowd runs after the Graystones's vehicle as it speeds off, while Joseph Adama attempts to deal with his own rage in his stoic manner.

Notes

General

Music

Colonial Society

Sam Adama positions himself to smash a window with a trash can.
  • Joseph Adama's car is a Citroën DS, a well-known French car produced between 1955 and 1975. Citroën cars were introduced in the Re-imagined Series' universe in the episode "Downloaded."
  • The sign over the window smashed by Sam says "ποιοτητα εκτύπωσης σε λογικές τιμές," which means "quality printing at a reasonable price" in modern Greek.
  • Colonial society is confirmed to use a 52 week year as demonstrated by the use of the "52 week low" in the Cubits & Pieces telecast on Graystone Industries.
  • The presence of Promethia High School, and its distinction from the Athenian Academy, implies the status of the latter as a private school. While the only students whose homes have been thus far shown are Zoe's and Lacy's, the large gap in apparent affluence suggests that Lacy may be present at the Academy as a scholarship student.
  • Further, this episode marks the establishment of both day and month names in the Re-imagined Series universe. Established is the day name "Saturday" (as evidenced by the conversation between Lacy Rand and Sister Clarice Willow) and the month name "Junius" on the Memorial Event card that Joseph receives at his apartment, stating that the memorial at Apollo Park takes place at midday on Junius 7th. By their existence, these names also introduce two Gods from the Roman pantheon: Saturn and Juno.
  • This episode introduces another Lord of Kobol in the pantheon, Atlas, in keeping with the Greek influences established in the Re-imagined Series.

Analysis

Relationships and Social Structures

  • Homosexuality is totally accepted by Caprican society. William Adama's uncle Sam Adama had no reluctance in telling how his brother Joseph, William's father, would win dates with the sisters of the boys Sam would flirt but strike out with when the two brothers were close to William's age. On modern Earth even in the most liberal modern countries, homosexuality is not usually discussed with frankness around or with children.
    • In further contrast to modern Earth, where although homosexuality is gaining acceptance in most "First World" countries it is still viewed negatively by much of the world and is actually illegal and punishable by death in some countries, primarily in the Middle East. In ancient Greece and Rome, and in a few other cultures, homosexuality was much more widely accepted as part of life, but even in that time and place the union of man and woman was the ideal, with homosexuality seen as a pleasurable dalliance at most.
  • Polygamous or plural marriages are legal in Caprican society. Sister Clarice Willow, so far the only person revealed in the series to have one, has three wives - Mar-Beth, Helena, and Desiree Willow (they use Desiree's last name as the family name) and at least four husbands - Olaf, Nestor, Tanner, and Rashawn - including a few that she didn't know if they were presently in the house or not. They range across the board in both ethnic appearance and age, including a husband that could had been young enough to be her son (Nestor). The family has children, and Mar-Beth is currently pregnant.
    • Judging from Lacy Rand's reaction, the practice is unusual but not against general social mores. Her reaction is similar to that of a person in modern America who just discovered a friend was in a homosexual relationship or, in 1980's America, in a relationship with someone of a different skin color, i.e. surprised but accepting. The fact that she feels compelled to say, "It's cool" implies that at least some people on Caprica would consider it not cool, but she also noted that she knew several kids that were from group marriages.
    • The Willow group marriage is different from the majority of polygamous marriages in those Earth cultures which allow the practice, which tend to be strictly polygynous, heterosexual, and patriarchal. In these arrangements, a man has multiple wives, who have no other husbands, do not engage in intimate relations with the other wives, and have an unequal relationship with their husband. Polyandry, where the woman has multiple husbands, and examples involving homosexual relations do historically and presently exist. There is, however, no known example of a culture where a group marriage would be polyandrous and polygynous.

Religion

  • The Soldiers of the One is viewed by many (including the Caprican security forces) as a terrorist group, but that may be a simplistic and overly monolithic view. The original Zoe Graystone had been a member of the group. Nevertheless, she never appeared to advocate violent action, and was horrified when Stark revealed his bomb seconds before it was detonated. Stark's unwillingness to inform her ahead of time suggests that those in the STO who advocate terrorism must operate separately from those who do not.
  • Lacy made reference to Zoe-R being a Trinity, "...three faces of one thing," when Zoe described her confusion of being Zoe, The Avatar and the Robot. The real world equivalent is in most forms of Christianity refer to God as The father , the son and the Holy Spirit as The Trinity. There is also the concept of the Trimurti in Hinduism.

Graystone Family Disconnect

  • Zoe was more comfortable with Ben's family than with her own. She visited Ben's house and Natalie Stark was well aware of her relationship with her son, whereas Ben presumably never visited the Graystone house and Zoe's parents didn't even know he existed. Or rather, Amanda didn't know about him. Whether Daniel knew about Ben is unknown at this point.
  • Amanda and Zoe's disconnect goes beyond Amanda knowing nothing of Zoe's religious and political affiliations. Amanda states that her daughter was too young to have a boyfriend, yet at 16 this is certainly not true. This is perhaps due to the idealization that many parents have of their children, thinking that they are more innocent and unworldly than they actually are.

Tauron Roots

  • Ruth continues her attempts at trying to introduce William Adama to his Tauron roots by cooking a Tauron meal, but ultimately ends in failure on her part. Interestingly, Willie begins to bond with Joseph's brother, Sam Adama, who introduces him to a different aspect of Tauron culture: the Ha'la'tha and the Guatrau.
  • Sam Adama showed William how to be a successful criminal including taking William along to intimidate a store owner by smashing his window after he got the assignment to do so from his boss over his cellphone. The policeman was right when he half jokingly accused Sam of running a criminal school as he handcuffed Sam and his partner handcuffed William, for Sam was in fact corrupting a minor. His teachings included making other people feel guilty about something when they try to make you feel guilty about something. He put the lesson to use when he deflected his father's accusations when he confronted William about his absence from school and his responsibility to the family by saying they haven't been much of a family lately. As his father guiltily hugged him William smiled at his new found ability to manipulate.

Questions

  • Is Zoe developing feelings for Philomon? If he finds out about her being in the U-87, will he become an ally? (Answer)
  • Why does Sam throw the trashcan through the store window?
  • Why does Sam not want William to say the name "Guatrau"?
  • Where is Tamara's avatar now? (Answer)
  • What is the previous incident that Clarice's spouses refer to? Did it involve inappropriate relations with a student?
    • If so, are they correct about Clarice having ulterior motives regarding Lacy (aside from potentially gathering information about Zoe-A)?
  • Is Clarice beginning a downward slide when she visits the Dive Bar? (Partial answer)
  • Under what circumstances in her past did Clarice smoke before?
  • How much did Natalie know about her son's activities?
  • Are Nestor and Clarice trying to get information out of Lacy about Zoe-A?
  • How is the common surname of a group marriage agreed upon, assuming it's agreed upon at all?
  • Did all the Willow spouses enter into the marriage at the same time?
  • Is the Willow group marriage a cover for STO activities? (Answer)
  • Why didn't Serge stop Lacy from entering the house, given that her security clearance was revoked in the pilot?
  • Did Daniel ever meet Ben, or at least know of him? Was Ben's existence (and relationship with Zoe) kept secret from both Graystone parents?
  • How did Zoe explain the time she spent with Ben and his family to her parents? Did they think she was with Lacy? Did Lacy ever cover for Ben and Zoe?
  • What is Clarice writing down in the Dive Bar?

Official Statements

Noteworthy Dialogue

Drew: Great piece of engineering.
Philomon: Yeah, I know. She gives me the chills.
Drew: [glares at Philomon] "She?" Dude, stop feminizing it. It's weird. It's unnatural.
Philomon: I don't think there's anything wrong with feminizing it.
Drew: Nothing wrong with it? It's not a person. It's useful. Just a tool.
  • Daniel Graystone is throwing crumpled balls of paper into a makeshift pyramid hoop in his home lab:
Daniel Graystone: Sudden death. Graystone steps up to the line and... [throws a crumpled ball, misses goal] Graystone lines up the shot, sees the angle—[throws another ball, makes the goal] Goal! What do you say to that Serge? We've been over this!
Serge: The crowd goes frakking wild, sir. They're tearing the seats. It's bedlam. [sounds of pre-recorded cheers come from Serge]
Daniel: Thank you! Thank you!
Serge: They demand another hour of game time, sir.
Sam Adama: Stick around! Stick around! If you run away, you're guilty of two things: the thing and the running away from the thing.
  • Sam imparts more wisdom on William:
Sam Adama: If you give them all the little things, they miss the big things. Okay? Now you remember that. Good advice.
  • Daniel opens up to his wife regarding his grief:
Daniel Graystone: I don't even want to think about her. I know it sounds awful but... it's true. I don't... I don't want to think... I don't want to think. I just feel awful, angry and numb.
Amanda Graystone: Angry at who?
Daniel: Everybody. Everything. Myself and the world. Her. The robot.
Amanda: The robot didn't do anything.
Daniel: [chuckles] No, it didn't. I'm just going a little crazy.
Amanda: Oh really? What's that like, huh?
Daniel: Oh, like you don't know... I sure love you. And if you want to still go to the memorial, I'll go with you.
Amanda: Because you're ready to think?
Daniel: Because I promised Serge some time alone with the U-87. [Amanda laughs] I think he's got a little crush...
Amanda: No!
Daniel: It's not pretty. It's not a pretty thing, but they need to be alone.
  • After leaving the police station, Sam imparts even more wisdom on William:
Sam: Someone tries to make you feel guilty, you figure out what they feel guilty about. You talk about that. Also, don't smoke. You know why?
William: Uh, because it's bad for you maybe?
Sam: No. Life's bad for you. You don't smoke because they can get genetic data off a cigarette butt now.

Guest stars

References

  1. Seidman, Robert (29 March 2010). “Caprica” Nielsen Ratings for “End Of the Line” (Mid-Season Finale) (backup available on Archive.org) . Retrieved on 23 October 2010.
  2. This is the first instance of a normal "day name" being used in the Re-imagined Series continuity.
  3. While not specified in the dialogue, the storefront features an ink stamp logo and Tauron language calling out "print quality at reasonable prices."
  4. Serge Graystone at Twitter
  5. McCreary, Bear (29 January 2009). Bear's Blog: "Caprica: Rebirth" (backup available on Archive.org) (in ). Retrieved on 30 January 2009.
  6. In the pilot, Avan Jogia was credited as part of the principal cast. He becomes a guest star in this and future episodes. On the other hand, Sasha Roiz and Brian Markinson, who were both credited as guest stars in the pilot, join the principal cast in this episode.

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