| Latest revision |
Your text |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| {{Episode Data
| | [[Image:bsg-1-04.jpg|thumb|"Act of Contrition" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]] |
| | image =bsg-1-04.jpg
| | |
| | title=Act of Contrition | | == Overview == |
| | series=TRS
| | |
| | season=1
| | : <i>When several Viper pilots are killed in a freak accident, Adama turns to Starbuck for help - but her involvement in the aftermath of the accident and in training new pilots causes the truth surrounding Zak Adama's death to finally surface. </i> |
| | episode=4
| | |
| | writer=[[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| |
| | director=[[Rod Hardy]]
| |
| | production=104
| |
| | rating= 2.5
| |
| | US airdate=2005-01-28
| |
| | CAN airdate=2005-02-05
| |
| | UK airdate=2004-11-08
| |
| | dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| |
| | population= 47958
| |
| | oldpopulation= 47958
| |
| | prev=[[Bastille Day]]
| |
| | next=[[You Can't Go Home Again]]
| |
| | amazon=y
| |
| |deleted=y|archives=y}}
| |
| :''When several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots are killed in a freak accident, [[William Adama|Adama]] turns to {{callsign|Starbuck}} for help - but her involvement in the aftermath of the accident and in training new pilots causes the truth surrounding [[Zak Adama]]'s death to finally surface.''
| |
|
| |
|
| == Summary == | | == Summary == |
| | * It is [[Saunders, Dwight|Dwight “Flat Top” Saunder’s]] 1,000th deck landing, which brings the Galactica’s pilots down to the hangar deck to celebrate |
| | * As the celebrations continue, a set of communications drones are manoeuvred in the hangar bay and one breaks loose from its restraints, falling to the deck and igniting the motor. The drone flies across the hangar, smashing into the celebrating pilots where it explodes, killing Flat Top and twelve others and putting seven more in sickbay |
| | * As the surviving pilots prepare for a memorial service for their fallen comrades, [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]] has flashbacks to her first meeting with [[Adama, William|Adama]], following the death of his son, [[Adama, Zak|Zak]] |
| | * During the memorial service itself, she, [[Adama, Lee|Lee]] and Adama all have flashbacks – to Zak Adama’s funeral and (in Starbuck’s case) to her telling Zak he’s qualified as a [[Viper]] pilot |
| | * Following the service, Adama asks Starbuck to oversee the training of any new pilots they can find in the fleet |
| | * She is initially hesitant, and Adama guesses the cause is Zak’s accident. He reassures her that his son’s death was not her fault – which causes Starbuck to remember her admission to Lee Adama: that she passed Zak through his basic training when he had in fact failed ([[Mini-Series]]) |
| | * She reluctantly accepts the duty, but memories of Zak continue to haunt her as she plays cards with [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar]], oblivious of a conversation that takes place between [[Crashdown]] and [[Gaeta]] concerning Baltar’s [[Cylon detector]] – a conversation that leaves [[Valerii, Sharon#"Boomer" Valerii|Boomer]] very uncomfortable |
| | * Elsewhere on the ''Galactica'', [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] is examined by the ship’s medical officer, Doctor [[Cottle]]. His diagnosis is not good: her cancer is inoperable. Roslin decides that she wants to try alternative therapy using [[Chamalla]] extract – something entirely unproven in its effectiveness |
| | * Later, Starbuck meets her first batch of recruits. They are all pilots – but none have ever flown a Viper. With no simulators aboard the ''Galactica'', the newbies – [[Nugget|nuggets]] – are thrown in at the deep end: straight into the cockpit of the real thing |
| | * Their performance during their first training flight is hardly stellar, and Starbuck is uncompromisingly hard on the first batch of recruits, washing them all out |
| | * Lee confronts her on her decision, and realises it is caused more by guilt about Zak than on the ability of the trainees. When she refuses to reinstate the trainees, he takes the matter with Adama |
| | * Adama initially support’s Starbuck’s decision, but a misunderstanding between him and Lee causes him to meet with Starbuck to discuss Zak’s death |
| | * When Starbuck tries to dodge the issue, Adama pins her down, and she admits the truth: Zak bodged his final training flights, but she passed him because she was in love with him and they were engaged – but Zak really wasn’t the right material for flying Vipers |
| | * Angered and hurt, Adama orders her to reinstate the trainees and to get out of his cabin |
| | * Starbuck leads a handful of the trainees on a training flight, only to have a group of [[Cylon Raider|Cylon Raiders]] show up |
| | * In the ensuing dogfight, Starbuck takes care of the Raiders, but her Viper is damaged, forcing her to eject inside the atmosphere of a weather-wracked moon |
|
| |
|
| === On ''Galactica'' ===
| |
| * It is [[Dwight Saunders|Dwight "Flat Top" Saunders']] 1,000th deck landing, which brings ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} pilots down to the [[hangar deck]] to celebrate.
| |
| * As the celebrations continue, a [[communication drone]] stowed on the hangar deck breaks loose from its restraints, falling to the deck and igniting its motor. The drone flies across the hangar, smashing into the celebrating pilots where it explodes, killing Flat Top and twelve others and putting seven more in [[sickbay]].
| |
| * As the surviving pilots prepare for the [[services for the dead]], [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] has flashbacks to her first meeting with [[William Adama]], following the death of his son, [[Zak Adama|Zak]].
| |
| * During the memorial service itself, she, [[Lee Adama]] and Bill Adama all have flashbacks – to Zak Adama's funeral and (in Thrace's case) to her telling Zak he has qualified as a [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilot.
| |
| * Following the service, Commander Adama asks Thrace to oversee the training of any new pilots they can find in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
| |
| * Thrace is initially hesitant, and the Commander guesses the cause is Zak's accident. He reassures her that his son's death was not her fault – which causes Thrace to remember her admission to Lee Adama: that she passed Zak Adama through his basic training when he had in fact failed {{TRS|Miniseries}}.
| |
| * She reluctantly accepts the duty, but memories of Zak Adama continue to haunt her as she plays cards with [[Gaius Baltar]], oblivious to a conversation that takes place between {{callsign|Crashdown}} and [[Felix Gaeta]] concerning Baltar's [[Cylon detector]] – a conversation that leaves [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] very uncomfortable.
| |
| * Elsewhere on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', President [[Laura Roslin]] is examined by the ship's medical officer, Doctor [[Cottle]]. His diagnosis is not good: her cancer is inoperable. Roslin decides that she wants to try alternative therapy using [[Chamalla]] extract – something with entirely unproven effectiveness.
| |
| * Later, Thrace meets her first batch of recruits. They are all pilots – but none have ever flown a [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]. With [[Computers#Colonial Fleet Computers|no simulators]] aboard ''Galactica'', the newbies – [[nugget]]s – are thrown straight into the cockpit of the real thing.
| |
| * Their performance during their first training flight is hardly stellar, and Thrace is uncompromisingly hard on the first batch of recruits, washing them all out.
| |
| * Captain Adama confronts her on her decision, and realizes it is caused more by guilt about Zak Adama than on the ability of the trainees. When she refuses to reinstate the trainees, he takes the matter up with Commander Adama.
| |
| * Commander Adama initially supports Thrace's decision, but a misunderstanding between him and Lee Adama causes him to meet with Thrace to discuss Zak's death.
| |
| * When Starbuck tries to dodge the issue, Adama pins her down, and she admits the truth: Zak botched his final training flights, but she passed him because she was in love with him and they were engaged – but Zak really wasn't the right material for flying Vipers.
| |
| * Angered and hurt, Adama orders her to reinstate the trainees and to get out of his cabin.
| |
| * Starbuck pilots [[Viper 1104]] and leads a handful of the trainees on a training flight, about to begin a [[Thorch weave]] maneuver lesson when [[DRADIS]] detects a group of [[Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raiders]]. Starbuck orders her nuggets to return to ''Galactica'' and enters the combat zone, initially unaware that Hotdog chose to stay as her wingman.
| |
| * In the ensuing dogfight, Starbuck takes care of the Raiders (with [[Brendan Costanza|Hot Dog's]] aid), but her Viper is damaged after dispatching (but not destroying) the last Raider, losing first her transponder and then complete flight control.
| |
| *Hotdog's Viper is severely damaged, but he survives and awaits a [[SAR]] pickup.
| |
| *[[Viper 1104]] goes into a flat spin as Thrace and the last [[Raider]] (that's apparently dead) from the small squadron fall into the gravity well of a [[Red Moon|nearby moon]]. The moon's atmosphere eventually tears [[Viper 1104]] apart, forcing her to eject.
| |
|
| |
|
| ===On {{RDM|Caprica}}=== | | ===On [[Caprica]]=== |
| * {{callsign|Karl Agathon}} and [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon Valerii]] are tracking the source of the signal they previously picked up out in the woods {{TRS|Water}}. | | * [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] are tracking the source of the signal they previously picked up out in the woods (“Water”) |
| * The signal leads them to a restaurant in the city, which has a radiation shelter under it, stocked with everything they need to survive — water, food, blankets — even [[anti-radiation medication]]. | | * The signal leads them to a restaurant in the city, which has a radiation shelter under it, stocked with everything they need to survive - water, food, blankets - even anti-radiation medication |
| * Their arrival at the restaurant is observed by a copy of [[Number Six|Six]]. | | * Their arrival at the restaurant is observed by [[Number Six|Six]]. |
|
| |
|
| | == Questions == |
|
| |
|
| == Notes ==
| | <!-- Use bulleted lists. Try to list questions in number of importance. If the question was answered in a future episode, make a link to the episode. --> |
|
| |
|
| === In-Universe ===
| |
| * The episode takes place 48 hours after the prisoner uprising on [[Astral Queen|''Astral Queen'']] in "[[Bastille Day]]".
| |
| * Water replenishment operations are still underway.
| |
| * [[William Adama]]'s relationship with {{Callsign|Starbuck}} is not as long-standing as the [[Miniseries, Night 1|Miniseries]] appears to suggest: they have only served together for two years. However, their dynamic is very much like that of a father and daughter.<ref group="commentary" name="moore_podcast_father_daughter_dynamic">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 08:23</ref>
| |
| * Word is leaking out about [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s [[Cylon detector]].
| |
| * The central conflict revolves around [[Kara Thrace|Thrace]]'s guilt over her fiancé, [[Zak Adama]]. She passed him for flight duty despite his poor piloting skills, which led directly to his death.<ref group="commentary" name="moore_podcast_zak_death_guilt">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 07:50</ref> According to the commentary, the writers decided William Adama did not know about her involvement prior to this episode, making his discovery genuine.<ref group="commentary" name="moore_podcast_adama_genuine_discovery">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 08:04</ref> The producers considered this a "one time only" storyline that was a key emotional moment for the season.<ref group="commentary" name="moore_podcast_one_time_storyline">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 32:15</ref>
| |
| * According to [[Ronald D. Moore|Ron Moore]], the writers were still "feeling our way through" the [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]] storyline at this point in the season.<ref group="commentary" name="moore_podcast_caprica_storyline_development">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 17:49</ref> [[David Eick]] noted that this episode's plot for {{Callsign|Helo}} and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica-Valerii]] was "a bit of shoe leather" to keep the story active, as they felt they had to visit Caprica in every episode.<ref group="commentary" name="eick_podcast_caprica_shoe_leather">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 18:13</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| === Military Observations === | | == Analysis == |
| * Following the hangar deck accident, ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' has a remaining contingent of 40 Vipers, but now only has 21 combat-ready pilots and a further 8 newbie "[[nugget]]s".
| | An interesting episode that reveals a lot of the back story around the late Zak Adama, hampered by a weak start. |
| * [[Dr. Cottle|Dr. Cottle]] makes his first appearance. Ron Moore states he was intentionally written to be the opposite of the "touchy-feely," [[w:Leonard McCoy|Dr. McCoy]]-style doctor, wanting a character who would light a cigarette in front of a [[Laura Roslin|cancer patient]] and refuse to put it out.<ref group="commentary" name="moore_podcast_cottle_character_design">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 21:58</ref> The actor, [[Donnelly Rhodes]], was one of the finalists for the role of [[Saul Tigh]].<ref group="commentary" name="moore_podcast_rhodes_tigh_audition">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 22:41</ref>
| |
| * The Colonial military use what appear to be [[w:High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle|HumVees]] and [[w:M35 series 2½-ton 6x6 cargo truck|Deuce-and-a-half]] trucks.
| |
|
| |
|
| === Real-World and Production ===
| | The bonhomie between Starbuck, Lee and Adama as seen in the teaser doesn’t entirely work. Coming on top of the clear division between Adama and Lee following the latter’s activities on the ''Astral Queen'' just 48 hours before, it is hard to accept the cameraderie that they share here. |
| * The hangar deck accident was inspired by a real-life disaster aboard the [[wikipedia:1967 USS Forrestal fire|USS ''Forrestal'']] in 1967.<ref group="production" name="moore_podcast_uss_forrestal_inspiration">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 04:31</ref> The network was concerned about the number of deaths, which was reduced from 30 in the script to the 13 seen on screen as a compromise.<ref group="production" name="moore_podcast_death_count_reduction">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 06:07</ref>
| |
| * The "Jody" chant performed by the pilots was adapted from a real [[w:United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] cadence for [[w:Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10 Warthog]] pilots.<ref group="production" name="moore_podcast_jody_chant_adaptation">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 03:23</ref> The show's military advisor, [[Ron Blecker]], was reportedly not a fan of the adaptation.<ref group="production" name="moore_podcast_blecker_chant_disapproval">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 03:03</ref>
| |
| * The recurring Viper ejection sequence that opens each act is an homage to the film ''[[w:The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]''.<ref group="production" name="moore_podcast_right_stuff_homage">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 39:48</ref>
| |
| * The original plan for the ejection sequence was for the pilot's identity to remain a mystery until the very end of the episode. The decision to reveal it was {{Callsign|Starbuck}} early on was made late in post-production, a choice director [[w:Rod Hardy|Rod Hardy]] was reportedly not happy with.<ref group="production" name="moore_podcast_ejection_sequence_reveal">[[Podcast:Act of Contrition|Podcast for "Act of Contrition"]], timestamp 06:33</ref>
| |
| * While Starbuck's Viper is burning on entry into the atmosphere, the Viper's [[w:Altimeter|altimeter]] is shown going in reverse, indicating altitude ''gain'' instead of a descent.
| |
| * In the scene where {{Callsign|Helo}} and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon]] find the fallout shelter, the bookshelf that covers the entrance contains books from modern-day Earth. As it falls, "The Final Diagnosis" by [[w:Arthur Hailey|Arthur Hailey]] is visible, as is another book with what appears to be a [[w:Nazi flag|Nazi swastika]] and a photo of [[w:Adolf Hitler|Adolf Hitler]] on its cover.
| |
| * The first draft of the script for "Act of Contrition" contained a subplot in which President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] visited an overcrowded ship and attempted to improve its passengers' conditions.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_roslin_subplot_cut">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=56}}</ref>
| |
| * Director [[Rod Hardy]] is an Australian director whose credits include ''[[w:The X-Files|The X-Files]]'', ''[[w:JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'' and the soap ''[[w:Neighbours|Neighbours]]''.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_hardy_background">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| === Writing and Development ===
| | Also, while hi-jinx are to be expected, even in the most dire situations – the crew are going to have to let off steam at times – the whole “1,000th” landing idea smacked too much of a contrivance to get ''Galactica’s'' pilots together so that a bunch of them can be knocked off. |
| * The storyline for the episode came from writers [[Bradley Thompson]] and [[David Weddle]] asking, "What happens when they start [[List of pilots|running out of pilots]]?"<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_thompson_weddle_concept">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=56}}</ref> This naturally led into the events surrounding [[Zak Adama]]'s death, as it is Kara's job to train replacement pilots, forcing her to face the past.
| |
| * [[Ronald D. Moore]] had set up a fascinating triangle between [[William Adama|Adama]], [[Lee Adama|Lee]], and [[Kara Thrace|Kara]] in the miniseries and left "a huge skeleton in Kara's closet that was worth exploring." Thompson and Weddle wanted to explore all three characters' reactions to Zak's death and the circumstances surrounding it.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_triangle_exploration">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58}}</ref>
| |
| * Instead of having the characters merely talk about the events surrounding Zak's tragic death, Thompson and Weddle decided to depict them in flashbacks. Their concept was embraced by Ronald D. Moore, who personally added Adama's first meeting with Thrace to the episode's script, and ultimately decided to frame the whole episode around Thrace crash-landing her Viper onto a [[Red moon|barren moon]].<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_flashback_structure">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58}}</ref>
| |
| * The flashbacks were consciously written like the opening of [[w:Sam Peckinpah|Sam Peckinpah]]'s ''[[w:The Getaway (1972 film)|The Getaway]]''.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_peckinpah_influence">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58}}</ref> Moore came up with the idea of Thrace's Viper going down at the beginning of each act, which the writers thought was brilliant because it was a metaphor for what was going on in her life.
| |
| * While writing the flashbacks to the time of Zak's death, Thompson and Weddle used Moore's [[Series bible|Series Bible]] as a source of background information about the characters. "The Series Bible contained a lot of really good ideas about why these people ended up where they are, and where they came from," notes Thompson. "We used things in that whenever they helped the drama, but also changed things where it helped the drama. Ron is great in that respect — he's always open to new ideas".<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_series_bible_usage">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58}}</ref>
| |
| * An idea that came out of the Series Bible was a one-night stand between Lee and Kara. Thompson and Weddle's original story outline for "Act of Contrition" featured a romantic encounter between the two characters, but it was dropped from their script. "We decided it was too early to do that," reveals Weddle. "We wanted to keep the tension between the characters and really expand it over a longer period of time".<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_lee_kara_romance_dropped">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58}}</ref>
| |
| * Originally, the writers planned to do the attrition phase of the [[w:Battle_of_Britain|Battle of Britain]] and show ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} pilots repeatedly getting shot up by the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] and dying. But as Moore pointed out, that was way too hard to produce. So instead, he suggested they do something like the accident that took place aboard the [[wikipedia:1967 USS Forrestal fire|USS ''Forrestal'']] in the [[w:Vietnam_War|Vietnam War]]. "That was a great way to kill the Viper pilots off quickly with one effect".<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_battle_britain_forrestal_change">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| === Performance and Reception ===
| | Moving on, there is Adama's cosy tête-à-tête with Starbuck regarding the role of instructor, the cosy little cuddle at the end just doesn't sit right. Until now, Adama has been portrayed as approachable but aloof. Personnel of all ranks have been comfortable in talking to him openly, and have clearly regarded him with respect. However, there has always been a degree of separation |
| * The episode provided [[Katee Sackhoff]] with a welcome opportunity to explore Kara's feelings about her involvement in Zak's tragic death, and share some memorable moments with [[Edward James Olmos]]' Commander Adama.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_opportunity">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58}}</ref>
| | between him and those around him. So it's a little hard to accept Adama as a man given to heartfelt hugs with junior officers - no matter what their past. |
| * The episode also required Sackhoff to shoot a love scene with guest actor [[Tobias Mehler]], who plays [[Zak Adama|Zak]].<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_mehler_meeting">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| |
| * On the day they shot the love scene, Sackhoff won the crew's "Five Dollar Friday" drawing, receiving $300 in one dollar bills and quarters.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_five_dollar_friday">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| |
| * Kara's recollection of her life with Zak features a deliberately unconventional blend of musical themes from [[Bear McCreary]], including a hip-hop piece in 7/4 time that functions as source music during the card game.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_mccreary_music_description">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| |
| * The episode earned its place among the most memorable hours of ''Battlestar Galactica''{{'|s}} first season, with [[David Eick]] noting it stands alongside "[[33]]" and the [[Kobol's Last Gleaming|two-part finale]] as one of the season's strongest episodes.<ref group="commentary" name="bassom_companion_eick_episode_assessment">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| === Character Development ===
| | The hug serves a single purpose: a (transparent) means to give Adama's relationship with Starbuck a little extra depth ready for his fall when her revelation concerning Zak is finally made. |
| * [[Dr. Cottle]] is described as "an offbeat and quite irreverent character" who "is supposed to be retired but was pressed back into service following the destruction of the Colonies. He doesn't have a lot of supplies, so he's a bit cranky. And he's not someone who practices what he preaches — which you can see in the fact that he's a smoker".<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_cottle_character_description">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=134}}</ref> Actor [[Donnelly Rhodes]] made his debut as Dr. Cottle in this episode. A veteran Canadian stage and screen actor whose credits range from ''[[w:Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid|Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid]]'', ''[[w:The Young and the Restless|The Young and The Restless]]'' and ''[[w:Soap (TV series)|Soap]]'' to ''[[w:Da Vinci's Inquest|Da Vinci's Inquest]]'', Rhodes knew little about ''Battlestar Galactica'' before he was cast as Cottle.
| |
| * Writer [[David Weddle]] named [[Dr. Cottle]] after a real-life physician he knew from his childhood.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_weddle_cottle_naming">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| |
| * [[Bodie Olmos]], the real-life son of ''Battlestar Galactica''{{'|s}} leading man, [[Edward James Olmos]], was cast as one of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} Viper pilots after auditioning for the show's makers. Following {{callsign|Hotdog}}'s memorable debut in "Act of Contrition," Olmos went on to play the character on a recurring basis throughout the rest of the [[Season 1 (2004-05)|first season]].<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_bodie_olmos_casting">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=134}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| == Analysis ==
| | However, once the story gets past these little wobbles, it turns into a finely-crafted piece, weaving the past, present and - in Starbuck's case - the future into a picture of love, guilt, betrayal, need, and hurt. The acting throughout is outstanding, and the framing superb throughout. The interweaving of Starbuck's and Adama's recollections of Zak's funeral with the Service for the Dead on ''Galatica'' is particularly potent, while Starbuck's flashbacks in particular serve to reveal her angst far more effectively than any amount of dialogue. To quote an old cliché: a picture is worth a thousand words. |
| *This episode emphasizes many of the [[Naturalistic science fiction|goals set at the series' creation]] to make a sci-fi series that is grounded in realism. The logistical limitations on the Fleet are readily apparent: this episode highlights how difficult it is for ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' to train new combat-ready pilots, as there are no reserve pilots and civilians with little or no prior flying experience are all that they have to work with.
| |
| *Further, this episode shows that sometimes accidents simply happen on a battlestar: this is not a perfect, pristine in-story universe but a worn, run-down real world. The accident on the flight deck occurred not through sabotage or some sort of [[technobabble]] space anomaly, but simply because an old piece of equipment wore out.
| |
| *The realism highlighted by this episode is again apparent in the climactic scene between Starbuck and Commander Adama, in which she reveals that she was responsible for his son's death. The dramatic situation it focused on is not centered around some sci-fi concept, but the interactions between people which could have occurred on present-day Earth. If the script for this episode were ported onto another series set on a modern-day Navy aircraft carrier, there would be few if any changes to it. It is a drama script, which happens to be set in space, which was one of the goals of the series.
| |
|
| |
|
| == Questions ==
| | Alongside the main story arc, other elements are moved forward, either directly, or through dialogue. It is through the latter that we learn that the water situation in the fleet is still not resolved, and that operations are continuing on the ice moon discovered by Boomer and Crashdown in [[Water]]; we also learn – via the card game – that secrets on ''Galactica'' are proving hard to keep: rumours are already spreading that Gaeta is assisting Baltar in the development of his Cylon detector. |
|
| |
|
| === Answered Questions ===
| | Given a more direct reference is Roslin's illness. In a nice follow-on from [[Bastille Day]] she meets the ''Galactica's'' medical officer. Something of a cliché himself - a healer killing himself through smoking - but even so, he is a useful foil for opening a new mini-arc to Roslin's character: her determination to fight the cancer through orthodox and possibly unorthodox means. |
|
| |
|
| {{answered questions|season=1|series=RDM|episode=Act of Contrition}}
| | Finally, on Caprica, it is now clear that the Cylons want Helo to remain with Valerii. The receipt of the "military signal" and the discovery of the cosy little "radiation shelter" are together too much of a coincidence. The shelter is a honey-trap, and Valerii is the bait. |
|
| |
|
| * Why does Major [[Sherman Cottle]] smoke, knowing full well the medical implications of cigarette smoking?
| | An essential element to any story is the performance of the actors, and "Acts" presents some of the strongest performances just seen in BSG. In this, [[Edward James Olmos]] clearly silences any critics of his acting abilities. With barely a turn of the lips, an opening or narrowing of the eyes, he conveys everything we need to know about Adama's reaction to Thrace's admission in his cabin: confusion, hurt, betrayal, loss, anger and finally – fury. It's been a while since such a range of emotional reactions have been so powerfully portrayed, and full kudos to Mr. Olmos and to the episode's director and director of photography for the manner in which the scene is crafted. |
|
| |
|
| === Unanswered Questions ===
| | Equally deserving of praise is [[Katee Sackhoff]] for her handling of Thrace's memories and dilemma. Here, for the first time, we get to see what goes on behind the “Starbuck” mask; and the flashback scenes to her time with Zak are handled with extraordinary poise, and add the required depth needed to reinforce her guilt at his loss, and her fear of what might happen should she ever be put in a similar position again – or that Adama should ever discover the truth. |
|
| |
|
| : ''None yet.''
| | Overall, a vastly different episode from all that has gone before and one that is, as stated before, saved from mediocrity only in the interweaving of the various story elements – future, present and past – and the outstanding performances from both Sackhoff and Olmos, well-supported by [[Jamie Bamber]] and [[James Callas]]. |
|
| |
|
| == Official Statements ==
| |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[Ron D. Moore]] discusses [[Cottle]]'s smoking:''
| |
| *: '''Moore:''' Because smoking is cool. Don't let anyone tell you different, kid. [...] Seriously, we're showing people doing what people really do and not all of their choices are smart ones. We smoke, we drink, we have sex with the wrong partners—we make lots of bad choices and some of them we do knowingly and in full cognizance of the risks and consequences. Dr. Cottle obviously knows the risks associated with smoking and he elects to do it anyway — that's his choice.<ref group="external" name="moore_blog_cottle_smoking_defense">{{cite_web|url=http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/02/|title=Ron D. Moore blog entry|date=19 February 2005|accessdate=18 February 2007|last=Moore|first=Ron D.|format=|language=}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[Bodie Olmos]] talks about his most challenging day on-set:''
| | --[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 00:14, 15 Jan 2005 (EST) |
| *: '''Olmos:''' Interesting[ly] enough, probably the first episode I was in, "Act of Contrition". I was so excited, nervous and amazed that I was on the show. That for me was a rough day, let me tell you! I could hardly sit still and the day seemed so long. I just wanted to be good, and make sure I knew what this character was all about, which is very difficult. I think it evolves. One minute you may think he is like this but then you see that he actually believes something else. So I was definitely glad to make it through that one.<ref group="external" name="craddock_scifiworld_olmos_challenging_day">{{cite_web|url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/bodie_olmos_01.htm|title=The SciFi World: Bodie Olmos interview|date=20 January 2007|accessdate=18 February 2007|last=Craddock|first=Lisa|format=|language=}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[Katee Sackhoff]] on filming the episode:''
| | == Notes == |
| *: '''Sackhoff:''' It was great to do that episode. When I first heard what they were doing, my initial reaction was that it was too soon for Kara to reveal her secret to Adama. But I now think it was played out just right. And I was really excited to have those scenes with Eddie just because I knew they would be great, because he gives so much.<ref group="commentary" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_episode_reaction">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=58-59}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[Edward James Olmos]] on the emotional impact:'' | | *It is 48 hours since the prisoner uprising on the ''Astral Queen'' |
| *: '''Olmos:''' That was a beautiful episode. Those scenes were just fantastic. You really feel for the characters. It's a brutal moment when Adama tells Starbuck to get out of the room while she still can. I dismiss her totally from my life in that moment. It's very hard for her, but it's a harsh reality that he has to face — he learns that this person effectively allowed his son to kill himself.<ref group="commentary" name="bassom_companion_olmos_episode_praise">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref> | | *Water replenishment ops are still underway |
| | *The ''Galactica'' has a remaining contingent of 40 Vipers on top of her 5 Raptors (revealed in [[Water]]), but now only has 21 combat-ready pilots and a further 8 newbie “nuggets” |
| | *Cylon Raiders have guns of an apparently similar nature to those mounted on Vipers |
| | *Zak and Starbuck were engaged, and that led to her passing him for flight duty |
| | *Adama's relationship with Starbuck is not as long-standing as the mini appeared to suggest: they have only served together for 2 years |
| | *Word is leaking out about Baltar's “Cylon detector” |
| | *Helo and Valerii still appear to be the only “people” left alive on Caprica. Neither seem in any hurry to get off the planet. |
| | *The Colonial military use HumVees and Deuce-and-a-half trucks! |
| | *While the viper is burning on entry into the atmosphere, the viper's [[Altimeter|altimeter]] is going in reverse, indicating altitude gain. |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[Katee Sackhoff]] on meeting [[Tobias Mehler]]:''
| | == Noteworthy Dialogue == |
| *: '''Sackhoff:''' I think the first time I met him was in the makeup trailer when they were doing his body makeup. I was like, 'Pleased to meet you. I'm going to make out with you in two minutes!'<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_mehler_meeting">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[Katee Sackhoff]] on winning "Five Dollar Friday":''
| | <i>In Adama's Cabin, with Thrace and Adama, discussing comments made earlier by Lee Adama:</i> |
| *: '''Sackhoff:''' On Fridays, everybody on the cast and crew puts in five dollars and the winner of the draw wins it all — it's usually between $200 and $400. I just happened to win that day, so right after I shot the love scene, I got paid $300 in one dollar bills and quarters. I was like, 'Oh my God! Now I feel like a prostitute!' It was a perfectly fitting end to the day!<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_five_dollar_friday">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[Bear McCreary]] on the musical score:''
| | <b>Adama:</b> He said something else. That you might have been feeling guilty about something you did for Zak. What did you do for him?<br> |
| *: '''McCreary:''' I wrote a funky little hip-hop piece in 7/4 that functions as 'source music' while Kara plays cards with the gang. As we cut to her flashbacks of Zak, the beat drifts into the background, behind an atmospheric and ethereal score.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_mccreary_music_description">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| | <b>Thrace:</b> I don't know. You'd have to ask Lee.<br> |
| | <b>Adama:</b> I'm asking you. <br> |
| | <b>Thrace:</b> Well I don't kn- I, ah...I don't really know what he was talking about, so...<br> |
| | <b>Adama:</b> Don't fence with me, Kara. I love you like a daughter. I don't deserve that.<br> |
| | <b>Thrace:</b> Ummm...Zak...failed...basic flight. He wasn't a bad pilot, he just had no feel for flying...and, um, when it came to his final check ride he...busted...three of the test manoeuvres, and I should have flunked him, but I didn't. The bottom line is your...son...didn't have the chops to fly a Viper...and it killed him.<br> |
| | <b>Adama:</b> (following a flashback): You did it because you were engaged.<br> |
| | <b>Thrace (breaking down):</b> Because I made a mistake...because I was just...I was so in love with him...and I let that get in the way of doing my job...and um, and he um, he just wanted it so much, and I...I didn't want to be the one who crushed him...<br> |
| | <b>Adama:</b> Reinstate the trainees to flight status.<br> |
| | <b>Thrace:</b> I will...but I just want you to understand...that I...<br> |
| | <b>Adama:</b> Do your job.<br> |
| | <b>Thrace:</b> Yes sir...<br> |
| | <b>Adama:</b> And walk out of this cabin...while you still can... |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[David Eick]] on the episode's impact:''
| | == Official Statements == |
| *: '''Eick:''' I think it stands alongside '33' and the two-part finale as one of the season's strongest episodes. It's deeply emotional. It taps the reservoirs of two of our best actors, Eddie and Katee, and it just turned out great. I actually think it elevated the genre. A lot of people said they were not accustomed to being moved like that by a science fiction show.<ref group="commentary" name="bassom_companion_eick_episode_assessment">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| * ''[[David Weddle]] on naming [[Dr. Cottle]]:''
| | <!-- Use bullets or standard paragraph form. Please use links to sources!!! --> |
| *: '''Weddle:''' He was the doctor I had as a kid. He bears absolutely no resemblance to this Dr Cottle. He was kind, solicitous and did not smoke. And this is how I repay him!<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_weddle_cottle_naming">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=59}}</ref>
| | <!-- If you wish to create the source within the Battlestar Wiki, then do so! --> |
|
| |
|
| == Noteworthy Dialogue == | | == Statistics == |
|
| |
|
| *''In Adama's Cabin, with Thrace and Adama, discussing comments made earlier by Lee Adama:''
| | <!-- All the odds and ends items go here. --> |
| :'''Adama''': He said something else. That you might have been feeling guilty about something you did for Zak. What did you do for him?
| |
| :'''Thrace''': I don't know. You'd have to ask Lee.
| |
| :'''Adama''': I'm asking you.
| |
| :'''Thrace''': Well I don't kn- I, ah...I don't really know what he was talking about, so...
| |
| :'''Adama''': Don't fence with me, Kara. I love you like a daughter. I don't deserve that.
| |
| :'''Thrace''': Ummm...Zak...failed...basic flight. He wasn't a bad pilot, he just had no feel for flying...and, um, when it came to his final check ride he...busted...three of the test manoeuvres, and I should have flunked him, but I didn't. The bottom line is your...son...didn't have the chops to fly a Viper...and I killed him.
| |
| :'''Adama''': (following a flashback) You did it because you were engaged.
| |
| :'''Thrace''': (breaking down) Because I made a mistake...because I was just...I was so in love with him...and I let that get in the way of doing my job...and um, and he um, he just wanted it so much, and I...I didn't want to be the one who crushed him...
| |
| :'''Adama''': Reinstate the trainees to flight status.
| |
| :'''Thrace''': I will...but I just want you to understand...that I...
| |
| :'''Adama''': Do your job.
| |
| :'''Thrace''': Yes sir...
| |
| :'''Adama''': And walk out of this cabin...while you still can...
| |
|
| |
|
| == Guest stars == | | === Guest Stars === |
| *[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
| | <!-- Please use this format when listing actor/characters. --> |
| *[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
| | <!-- Also don't forget to link characters through the Wiki by using the brackets: [[ ]] --> |
| *[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]] | | *[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jill+Teed Jill Teed] as [[Hadrian|Sergeant Hadrian]] |
| *[[Kandyse McClure]] as Petty Officer [[Anastasia Dualla]] | | *[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Donnelly+Rhodes Donnelly Rhodes] as [[Doctor Cottle]] |
| *[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]] | | *[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lorena+Gale Lorena Gale] as [[Elosha]] |
| *[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
| | *[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Tobias+Mehler Tobias Mehler] as [[Adama, Zak|Zak Adama]] |
| *[[Samuel Witwer]] as [[Alex Quartararo|Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo]]
| | *[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Colby+Johannson Colby Johannson] as [[Saunders, Dwight|Flat Top]] |
| *[[Lorena Gale]] as [[Elosha]]
| | *[[Olmos, Bodie|Bodie Olmos]] as [[Constanza|Constanza / Hot Dog]] |
| *[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Sherman Cottle]] | | *[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lucianna+Carro Lucianna Carro] as [[Katraine|Katraine / Kat]] |
| *[[Jill Teed]] as Sergeant [[Hadrian]]
| | *[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Terry+Chen Terry Chen] as [[Perry|Perry / Chuckles]] |
| *[[Tobias Mehler]] as [[Zak Adama]]
| | *[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Bill+Melien Bill Meilen] as Caprica Cleric |
| *[[Colby Johannson]] as Lt. [[Dwight Saunders|Dwight "Flat Top" Saunders]] | |
| *[[Bill Meilen]] as Caprica Cleric | |
| *[[Bodie Olmos]] as [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Costanza]]
| |
| *[[Lucianna Carro]] as [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]] | |
| *[[Terry Chen]] as [[Donald Perry|Donald "Chuckles" Perry]] | |
|
| |
|
| == References ==
| | <!-- Please link people to the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB). --> |
| | <!-- Example of Link [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Edward+James+Olomos Edward James Olmos] --> |
|
| |
|
| === Commentary and Interviews === | | === Writing & Direction === |
| {{reflist|group=commentary}}
| |
|
| |
|
| === Development and Creative Process ===
| | *Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Bradley+Thompson Bradley Thompson] and [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+David+Weddle David Weddle] |
| {{reflist|group=development}}
| | *Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Rod+Hardy Rod Hardy] |
|
| |
|
| === Production History ===
| | <!-- Please link people to the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB). --> |
| {{reflist|group=production}}
| | <!-- Example of Link [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Edward+James+Olmos Edward James Olomos] --> |
|
| |
|
| === External Sources and Reviews === | | === Production Details === |
| {{reflist|group=external}}
| |
|
| |
|
| ==External Links ==
| | *Series: 1 (2004 / 2005) |
| {{ext-wikipedia-name|article = Contrition|name = Contrition }}
| | *Production Number: 1.04 |
| | *Airdate Order: 4 (of 13) |
|
| |
|
| {{episode list (RDM season 1)}}
| | === First Run Air Dates & Releases === |
|
| |
|
| [[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
| | *UK Airdate: 8 November 2004 (Sky One) |
| [[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
| | *US Airdate: 28 January 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel) |
| [[Category:Episodes directed by Rod Hardy]]
| | *DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK) |
|
| |
|
| {{quality candidate}}{{featured article candidate previous}} | | {{Episode List}} |
|
| |
|
| [[de:Zeichen der Reue]] | | [[Category: A to Z]] |
| [[fr:Épisode:Confession]] | | [[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]] |
| | [[Category:RDM]] |
