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| title= Fire in Space | | title= Fire in Space | ||
| series= tos | | series= tos | ||
| | | season= | ||
| episode= 12 | | episode= 12 | ||
| guests= | | guests= | ||
| writer= [[Jim Carlson]] <br> [[Terrence McDonnell]] | | writer= [[Jim Carlson]] <br> [[IMDB:nm0568131|Terrence McDonnell]] | ||
| story= [[Michael Sloan]] | | story= [[IMDB:nm0805994|Michael Sloan]] | ||
| director= [[IMDB:nm0638527|Christian I. Nyby II]] | | director= [[IMDB:nm0638527|Christian I. Nyby II]] | ||
| production= 50917 | | production= 50917 | ||
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| dvd= 2004-12-28 | | dvd= 2004-12-28 | ||
| population= | | population= | ||
| prev= [[The Living Legend, Part II|The Living Legend, Part II]] | |||
| prev= [[The Living Legend, Part II]] | | next= [[War of the Gods, Part I|War of the Gods, Part I]] | ||
| next= [[War of the Gods, Part I]] | |||
}} | }} | ||
== Overview == | |||
:''After [[Raider (TOS)|Cylon Raiders]] ram ''Galactica'' on destructive suicide missions, the crew scrambles to fight a raging fire threatening to incinerate the ship.'' | |||
== Summary == | |||
* Lieutenant [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] enters ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica's]]'' [[rejuvenation center]] to relax and unwind with [[Athena (TOS)|Athena]] and [[Boxey (TOS)|Boxey]], who are playing a shuffleboard-type game (Boxey is winning); Boomer is on [[furlon]] from duty for the next 24 [[Centar (TOS)|centars]]. | |||
== Summary == | * Boxey tells Boomer that he has trained [[Muffit]] to "sniff" out [[mushies]] (edible treats for [[daggit]]s). | ||
* Lieutenant | * Suddenly, a loud siren begins to blare, and red alarm lights flash throughout the ship. On the bridge, Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]] informs Commander [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] of incoming [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] forces, possibly from a [[Basestar (TOS)|basestar]] they encountered 10 centars ago. [[Blue Squadron]] is launched. | ||
* Boxey tells Boomer that he has trained [[Muffit]] to "sniff" out [[mushies]]. | * As Tigh and Adama study the [[scanner]], they come to realize that they face a major attack rather than a mere combat probe. All squadrons are launched, and ''Galactica's'' compartments are sealed to protect against hull breaches. | ||
* Suddenly, a loud siren begins to blare, and red alarm lights flash throughout the ship. On the bridge, Colonel | * The [[Viper (TOS)|Vipers]] engage a huge number of [[Raider (TOS)|Cylon Raiders]], which are not fighting back. The Vipers are destroying Raiders at will in numerous quantities, but two Raiders slip through the rain of Viper fire. | ||
* As Tigh and Adama study the [[scanner]], they come to realize that they face a major attack rather than a mere combat probe. All squadrons are launched, and ''Galactica'' | * One Raider heads toward ''Galactica's'' bridge, which closes its protective [[Defensive shields|shield]] in defense. [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] and [[Sheba]] close in and appear to destroy the Raider with laser fire. However, the destruction of the Raider occurs too close to the bridge, which suffers heavy damage, suffering explosions, fallen girders, and shattered glass. | ||
* The | |||
* One Raider heads toward ''Galactica'' | |||
* Adama, nearly unconscious, lies motionless on the floor of the bridge. Tigh finds him and orders [[Omega]] to bring [[Salik|Dr. Salik]] immediately. | * Adama, nearly unconscious, lies motionless on the floor of the bridge. Tigh finds him and orders [[Omega]] to bring [[Salik|Dr. Salik]] immediately. | ||
* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] tries but fails to destroy the other suicidal Raider. It successfully rams ''Galactica's'' port [[landing bay]], causing massive explosions and damage throughout the ship, including the rejuvenation center. | |||
* Boomer extinguishes a small fire and then attempts to restore communications, while Athena and Boxey tend to the wounded. | * Boomer extinguishes a small fire and then attempts to restore communications, while Athena and Boxey tend to the wounded. | ||
* Tigh believes the Cylon fighters were packed with [[solonite]] or a similar explosive. [[Boroton]] is used to extinguish the fire on the bridge, but they have lost "deep scan" and internal communications. They decide to use the Viper pilots as their "scanners, | * Tigh believes the Cylon fighters were packed with [[solonite]] or a similar explosive. [[Boroton]] is used to extinguish the fire on the bridge, but they have lost "deep scan" and internal communications. They decide to use the Viper pilots as their "scanners", so they begin rotating squadrons to maintain a constant patrol. | ||
* The damage report is grim: not only was [[energizer]] #1 destroyed, but so was the | * The damage report is grim: not only was [[energizer]] #1 destroyed, but so was the boroton mist control center (the main firefighting system aboard ''Galactica''). Also, fires rage out of control on numerous decks throughout their crippled vessel. | ||
* Smoke begins pouring into the rejuvenation center from the damaged doorway, but the lifemasks were destroyed in the initial impact. The stranded occupants move to the "safe" side of the room, while Boomer begins trying to hotwire the door to the storage compartment. | * Smoke begins pouring into the rejuvenation center from the damaged doorway, but the lifemasks were destroyed in the initial impact. The stranded occupants move to the "safe" side of the room, while Boomer begins trying to hotwire the door to the storage compartment. | ||
* Apollo visits a gravely injured Adama, who needs an emergency medical procedure that is quite risky, given ''Galactica'' | * Apollo visits a gravely injured Adama, who needs an emergency medical procedure that is quite risky, given ''Galactica's'' fragile state. | ||
* After several attempts, Boomer finally succeeds in opening the door. The trapped crew members crowd safely through the door to (temporary) safety. Boomer dives through the hatchway just as the outer door succumbs to the raging fire outside. | * After several attempts, Boomer finally succeeds in opening the door. The trapped crew members crowd safely through the door to (temporary) safety. Boomer dives through the hatchway just as the outer door succumbs to the raging fire outside. | ||
* Apollo studies ''Galactica'' | * Apollo studies ''Galactica's'' schematics to find a way to reach his stranded sister and son. A small duct (part of the ship's intricate ventilation system) connects the bridge to the rest of the ship, including the rejuvenation center, but the accessway is too small for a person to negotiate. | ||
* Tigh's first and foremost priority is putting out the fire threatening the ship. Apollo suggests firing | * Tigh's first and foremost priority is putting out the fire threatening the ship. Apollo suggests firing boroton into the launch bay from a modified version of a Viper laser turret, while the [[fireleader]] thinks of a new way to use the [[megapressure pump]]s in conjunction with the firefighting equipment. | ||
* Boomer, who has found their end of the small access way, affixes a help note to Muffit. Boxey order the mechanized daggit into the tunnel to seek help. | * Boomer, who has found their end of the small access way, affixes a help note to Muffit. Boxey order the mechanized daggit into the tunnel to seek help. | ||
* As they activate the megapressure pump connected to the | * As they activate the megapressure pump connected to the boroton firefighting system, Apollo, Starbuck, and finally Sheba fire their boroton loads into the landing bay, extinguishing the flames. However, the megapressure pump blows a seal and fails, reigniting the flames in the landing bay. | ||
* As the inferno nears energizer #2, causing a momentary loss of power in [[sickbay]], Adama is prepped for emergency surgery. He suggests Tigh put out the fire by blowing portions of the hull, employing the vacuum of space. | * As the inferno nears energizer #2, causing a momentary loss of power in [[sickbay]], Adama is prepped for emergency surgery. He suggests Tigh put out the fire by blowing portions of the hull, employing the vacuum of space. | ||
* Apollo and Starbuck don EVA suits and begin spacewalking (with tether lines), planting explosive devices at various points along the hull. Apollo remembers Boxey's "mushies" trick, and suggests to Tigh to put mushies near the open duct, which he does. | * Apollo and Starbuck don EVA suits and begin spacewalking (with tether lines), planting explosive devices at various points along the hull. Apollo remembers Boxey's "mushies" trick, and suggests to Tigh to put mushies near the open duct, which he does. | ||
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* Adama, after a successful surgery, is awake and recovering in sickbay. Muffit, presumed dead, is suddenly brought in on a stretcher, badly burnt but still functional. The daggit had returned to save the life of the fallen firefighter. They promise Boxey that [[Wilker|Dr. Wilker]] will fix up Muffit to be as good as new. | * Adama, after a successful surgery, is awake and recovering in sickbay. Muffit, presumed dead, is suddenly brought in on a stretcher, badly burnt but still functional. The daggit had returned to save the life of the fallen firefighter. They promise Boxey that [[Wilker|Dr. Wilker]] will fix up Muffit to be as good as new. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
* In the [[rejuvenation center]], crew members are briefly seen playing a board game resembling a combination of chess and checkers. Instead of being a two-player game, though, there are four players, each sitting at an edge of the playing board. | * In the [[rejuvenation center]], crew members are briefly seen playing a board game resembling a combination of chess and checkers. Instead of being a two-player game, though, there are four players, each sitting at an edge of the playing board. | ||
* Other rejuvenation center games include Colonial variations of billiards (without cue sticks), table tennis and shuffleboard. | * Other rejuvenation center games include Colonial variations of billiards (without cue sticks), table tennis and shuffleboard. | ||
* Boomer and Boxey agree to play a game called "[[compartment bulyarks]]" but are interrupted by the attack. | * Boomer and Boxey agree to play a game called "[[compartment bulyarks]]" but are interrupted by the attack. | ||
* Unlike the [[Officer's Club]], the rejuvenation center is open to everyone aboard ''Galactica'', from flight officers to crewmen; even civilians, children, and daggits appear welcome. Presumably (although not explicitly mentioned), people on vessels other than ''Galactica'' may reserve time in the rejuvenation center (after a short shuttle hop to the battlestar). | * Unlike the [[Officer's Club]], the rejuvenation center is open to everyone aboard ''Galactica'', from flight officers to crewmen; even civilians, children, and daggits appear welcome. Presumably (although not explicitly mentioned), people on vessels other than ''Galactica'' may reserve time in the rejuvenation center (after a short shuttle hop to the battlestar). | ||
* The [[:md:Image:GalacticaSchematic.jpg|schematics]] of ''Galactica'' were very deficient, devoid of any markings or labeling; the naming schemas used for decks, sections, compartments, etc., appear to be little more than hastily-assembled dialogue sound bites. It seems that a lot more effort had gone into the intricate games in the rejuvenation center (which were destroyed in the first few microns of the episode) than on the "detailed" blueprints of ''Galactica''. | |||
* This episode and the two-part episode "[[The Living Legend]]" were edited together for a video release called ''[[Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack]]''. | |||
* The [[:md:Image:GalacticaSchematic.jpg|schematics]] of ''Galactica'' were very deficient, devoid of any markings or labeling; the naming schemas used for decks, sections, compartments, etc., appear to be little more than hastily-assembled dialogue sound bites. | |||
* "[[The | |||
== Analysis == | == Analysis == | ||
* ''Battlestar Galactica'' meets classic 1970's-style disaster movie. If all the "action" caused by dealing with the fire mentioned in the title | * ''Battlestar Galactica'' meets classic 1970's-style disaster movie. If all the "action" caused by dealing with the fire mentioned in the title was removed, very little is left in the way of story or character development. Despite the [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] attack at the beginning of the show, the real enemy is the fire. This episode marks a point in the series when the Cylons disappear for the rest of the season, until their appearance in the final episode. Perhaps this is because the Cylons didn't represent a credible threat to the Fleet after the Colonials overcame overwhelming odds so many times, or maybe Glen Larson and company were trying to take the show in a different direction. | ||
* This episode | * This episode did give a few of the secondary characters a moment to shine. Colonel Tigh gets to take command for the first time since the Battle of Kobol in "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II", returning the Fleet to his commander in considerably better shape than his re-imagined counterpart. The situation with Tigh having to assume command for an injured Adama plays itself out in the Re-imagined series starting with "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II". [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] demonstrates that he picked up some unusual skills in his misspent youth, establishing some basis for the electronics expertise that he demonstrates in "The Hand of God". Muffit gets to save the day, not only through his nose for mushies, but also in saving the firefighter. | ||
* This is something of a standalone episode, in that no subsequent episodes make note of any consequences from the damage to ''Galactica'' or Adama. The only element that | * This is something of a standalone episode, in that no subsequent episodes make note of any consequences from the damage to ''Galactica'' or Adama. The only element that would constrain this episode is the presence of Sheba, which would require this episode to be shown after "The Living Legend, Part II". Otherwise it might have aired in almost any available slot. | ||
* In most disaster situations, when chaos is reigning, initial reports are very terse, with extremely limited and fragmented information. Despite this, [[Omega]] seems to have accurate information on the whereabouts of Boxey, Boomer, and Athena. | * In most disaster situations, when chaos is reigning, initial reports are very terse, with extremely limited and fragmented information. Despite this, [[Omega]] seems to have accurate information on the whereabouts of Boxey, Boomer, and Athena. | ||
** In sickbay, a crewman tells [[Cassiopeia]] that he saw Boomer, Athena and Boxey "go in there [the rejuvenation center] right before the attack". But how is this possible, as they didn't enter together at the same time? When Boomer is first seen entering the room, Athena and Boxey | ** In sickbay, a crewman tells [[Cassiopeia]] that he saw Boomer, Athena and Boxey "go in there [the rejuvenation center] right before the attack". But how is this possible, as they didn't enter together at the same time? When Boomer is first seen entering the room, Athena and Boxey were already comfortably camped out playing the shuffleboard game (which Boxey was winning, as they made a point of mentioning in the dialog). It is possible that the crewman couldn't remember correctly because his eyes were constantly being diverting down to Cassiopeia's figure; he couldn't quit glancing down at it, even while being led away. | ||
* Interestingly, the storage room seems to be about half as big as the rejuvenation center itself. It even | * Interestingly, the storage room seems to be about half as big as the rejuvenation center itself. It even had its own phone. | ||
* Equipping the Vipers with boraton pumps sounds like a feasible plan in the long run, but it also sounds like something that couldn't be done at the snap of the fingers, given that the equipment comes from two totally separate systems (military attack craft, firefighting equipment). | * Equipping the Vipers with boraton pumps sounds like a feasible plan in the long run, but it also sounds like something that couldn't be done at the snap of the fingers, given that the equipment comes from two totally separate systems (military attack craft, firefighting equipment). | ||
* The fire is a plot point mirrored in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|re-imagined]] [[Miniseries]]. Here the crew of '' | * The fire is a plot point mirrored in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|re-imagined]] [[Miniseries]]. Here the crew of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' deal with the fire by decompressing the area where the fire is spreading after a hit with a nuclear warhead. With oxygen depleted, the fire is effectively removed as a threat. In the Original Series however, Adama's comments about having the fire "smothered" by the vacuum of space is a sound approach, however the approach itself is not, as ''Galactica'' should have been able to open the airlocks to space in the affected sections and killed the fire that way, without blowing a hole in the hull. | ||
== Questions == | == Questions == | ||
* If the attack destroyed internal communication, how does Omega know so quickly (within [[Centon (TOS)|centons]]) that Boomer, Athena and Boxey are stranded in the rejuvenation center? | |||
* Why is the storage compartment of the rejuvenation center so large and accommodating? | |||
* If the attack destroyed internal communication, how does Omega know so quickly (within [[Centon (TOS)|centons]]) that Boomer, Athena and Boxey are stranded in the rejuvenation center? | * How do the technical crews so quickly adapt the boroton pressure pumps to the Vipers' laser turrets? | ||
* Why is the storage compartment of the rejuvenation center so large and accommodating? | * After activating the device interfacing the megapressure pump system with the boroton firefighting system, why do the engineers walk away from the device, leaving it completely unattended? | ||
* How do the technical crews so quickly adapt the | |||
* After activating the device interfacing the megapressure pump system with the | |||
* If Tigh ordered Omega to "have some mushies sent up" to the bridge, then why is he seen fetching them himself soon thereafter? Wouldn't it make more sense to have someone from the mess hall bring it to the bridge, rather than have the acting commander of the fleet go to the kitchen to perform a delivery himself? | * If Tigh ordered Omega to "have some mushies sent up" to the bridge, then why is he seen fetching them himself soon thereafter? Wouldn't it make more sense to have someone from the mess hall bring it to the bridge, rather than have the acting commander of the fleet go to the kitchen to perform a delivery himself? | ||
* Given the length of ''Galactica'' and seeing as the rejuvenation center is in the middle of the ship, how is Muffit able to find the mushies at the bridge by smell? Would it have be easier to find a vent opening in an area closest to the rejuvenation center that is not threatened by the fire? | * Given the length of ''Galactica'' and seeing as the rejuvenation center is in the middle of the ship, how is Muffit able to find the mushies at the bridge by smell? Would it have be easier to find a vent opening in an area closest to the rejuvenation center that is not threatened by the fire? | ||
* Why aren't Colonial spacesuits equipped with boots that can be magnetized? | * Why aren't Colonial spacesuits equipped with boots that can be magnetized? | ||
* Why blow the hull? Doesn't ''Galactica'' have airlocks? | * Why blow the hull? Doesn't ''Galactica'' have airlocks? | ||
* Furthermore, in the event of a hull breach, wouldn't the duct system (so aptly used by Muffit) be compromised and thus drain compartments of air this way? | * Furthermore, in the event of a hull breach, wouldn't the duct system (so aptly used by Muffit) be compromised and thus drain compartments of air this way? | ||
* With ''Galactica'' having multiple decks, and with a duct system that may very likely have vertical ducts as well as horizontal ones, how is Muffit able to navigate them? | * With ''Galactica'' having multiple decks, and with a duct system that may very likely have vertical ducts as well as horizontal ones, how is Muffit able to navigate them? | ||
* Where are the other ships in the Fleet during all this? Why don't they send people over to help? | * Where are the other ships in the Fleet during all this? Why don't they send people over to help? | ||
== Noteworthy Dialogue == | == Noteworthy Dialogue == | ||
* ''Starbuck noting that, despite | * ''Starbuck noting that, despite be outnumbered, the Vipers are winning the battle:'' | ||
: ''' | : '''[[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]''': [[Cylon Raider (TOS)|They're]] not fighting back. What are they up to? | ||
* ''Adama suggests a plan to deal with the loss of the scanners:'' | * ''Adama suggests a plan to deal with the loss of the scanners:'' | ||
:''' | :'''[[Adama (TOS)|Adama]]''': The [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]]s will be our eyes. | ||
* ''Boomer on his past:'' | * ''Boomer on his past:'' | ||
:''' | :'''[[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]]''': It doesn't show in my file, [[Athena (TOS)|Athena]], but when I was a kid on [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)#Caprica|Caprica]], I hot-linked more [[hover-mobile]]s than there are doors on [[Galactica (TOS)|this ship]]. | ||
* ''After Boomer jumps through the door into the storage room:'' | * ''After Boomer jumps through the door into the storage room:'' | ||
: '''Boomer''': | : '''Boomer''': [[Boxey (TOS)|Boxey]], it looks like I mashed your [[mushies]]. | ||
* ''Tigh tells Apollo how grave the results of the fire could be to ''Galactica'':'' | * ''Tigh tells Apollo how grave the results of the fire could be to ''Galactica'':'' | ||
: ''' | : '''[[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]]''': Apollo, if the fire reaches the [[energizer]] or the [[solium]], either one... the ''Galactica'' is doomed. | ||
* ''Adama suggests a plan to deal with the fire:'' | * ''Adama suggests a plan to deal with the fire:'' | ||
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* ''Tigh giving an order:'' | * ''Tigh giving an order:'' | ||
: '''Tigh''': [[Omega]], order some mushies sent up here. | : '''Tigh''': [[Omega]], order some mushies sent up here. | ||
== Guest Stars == | == Guest Stars == | ||
*[[George Murdock]] as [[Salik|Dr. Salik]] | *[[George Murdock]] as [[Salik|Dr. Salik]] | ||
*[[William Bryant]] as | *[[William Bryant]] as Fire Leader | ||
*[[Jeff MacKay]] as | *[[Jeff MacKay]] as Crewman | ||
{{Episode List (TOS)}} | {{Episode List (TOS)}} | ||
[[Category:A to Z]] | [[Category:A to Z]] | ||
[[Category:TOS]] | |||
[[Category:Episode Guide (TOS)]] | [[Category:Episode Guide (TOS)]] | ||
[[Category:Episodes written by Jim Carlson]] | [[Category:Episodes written by Jim Carlson]] | ||
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[[Category:Episodes with story by Michael Sloan]] | [[Category:Episodes with story by Michael Sloan]] | ||
[[Category:Episodes directed by Christian I. Nyby II]] | [[Category:Episodes directed by Christian I. Nyby II]] | ||
{{ | {{TOS}} | ||