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== Overview == | |||
:''[[Galen Tyrol|Chief Tyrol]] throws himself into the task of constructing a new [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] from scratch, despite the ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' crew's misgivings and apprehension. [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] must deal with the repercussions of his relationship with [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon Valerii]] on Caprica. A Cylon computer [[Cylon computer virus|virus]] long thought deleted reasserts itself in ''Galactica'''s computers, putting the ship and the crew in danger.'' | |||
:''[[Galen Tyrol|Chief Tyrol]] throws himself into the task of constructing a new [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] from scratch, despite the '' | |||
== Summary == | == Summary == | ||
* [[Laura Roslin]]'s illness has reached a critical level. While she is still well enough to walk, Dr. [[Cottle]] gives her approximately one month to live. | * [[Laura Roslin]]'s illness has reached a critical level. While she is still well enough to walk, Dr. [[Cottle]] gives her approximately one month to live. | ||
* | * [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] has become ''persona non grata'' to many of the crew who distrust him due to his romance with the Caprica copy of [[humanoid Cylon]] [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon Valerii]]. [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and Chief Tyrol have a fight over Sharon Valerii's love. | ||
* Many of the crew, even the generally level-headed and reliable Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]], are showing the strain of the apparent futility and fatigue of running from the Cylons. | * Many of the crew, even the generally level-headed and reliable Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]], are showing the strain of the apparent futility and fatigue of running from the Cylons. | ||
* Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]], with also little else to do with scrapped Vipers, begins a project to craft a new fighter. Initially, many crew are very skeptical, but they and others help Tyrol. | * Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]], with also little else to do with scrapped Vipers, begins a project to craft a new fighter. Initially, many crew are very skeptical, but they and others help Tyrol. | ||
* Helo suggests carbon composite material for the skin in lieu of the scarce metal plating normally used for Vipers. As a result Tyrol's new ship has stealth capabilities; it is nearly invisible to [[DRADIS]]. | * Helo suggests carbon composite material for the skin in lieu of the scarce metal plating normally used for Vipers. As a result Tyrol's new ship has stealth capabilities; it is nearly invisible to [[DRADIS]]. | ||
* | * [[Kara Thrace]], [[Brendan Constanza]] and [[Lee Adama]] nearly suffocate when the life-support systems on the [[firing range]] malfunction. | ||
* A Cylon [[logic bomb]] has studied all ship's systems. It will fully control '' | * A Cylon [[logic bomb]] has studied all ship's systems. It will fully control ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' once an expected Cylon force arrives to activate it by infiltration. Gaeta and Baltar work together to figure a way to rid the ship of it by erasing the hard drives of all computers. Doing this, however, will leave the ship a sitting duck for an attack while time is needed to restore function and data to the computers. | ||
* Adama, after asking the advice of the President, allows the Caprica Valerii to connect herself to the ship's mainframe and communication systems while Gaeta and Baltar erase the hard drives of all computers. | * Adama, after asking the advice of the President, allows the Caprica Valerii to connect herself to the ship's mainframe and communication systems while Gaeta and Baltar erase the hard drives of all computers. | ||
* A Cylon fighter armada consisting of hundreds of [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]s and [[Heavy Raider]]s attempts to activate the bomb. However, Valerii responds by transmitting a version of the same bomb to the Cylon fleet, disabling it as the Cylons did the Colonial fleet during the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]]. The Viper squadrons annihilate the helpless Cylon fleet in a [[Great Cylon Turkey Shoot|joyous moment of payback]]. | * A Cylon fighter armada consisting of hundreds of [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]s and [[Heavy Raider]]s attempts to activate the bomb. However, Valerii responds by transmitting a version of the same bomb to the Cylon fleet, disabling it as the Cylons did the Colonial fleet during the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]]. The Viper squadrons annihilate the helpless Cylon fleet in a [[Great Cylon Turkey Shoot|joyous moment of payback]]. | ||
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* In a ceremony similar to the one given to Commander Adama in the [[Miniseries]], President Roslin inspects and christens the new fighter. Many sign the ship. Tyrol reveals the name of this first fighter: ''Laura''. | * In a ceremony similar to the one given to Commander Adama in the [[Miniseries]], President Roslin inspects and christens the new fighter. Many sign the ship. Tyrol reveals the name of this first fighter: ''Laura''. | ||
* The mere work on the new fighter renewed the creativity and hope of the crew--a reason why Adama allowed its construction to continue, despite the logic bomb crisis. | * The mere work on the new fighter renewed the creativity and hope of the crew--a reason why Adama allowed its construction to continue, despite the logic bomb crisis. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
* Population count is 47,853. This is the first time this season that there has been no net change in the count from the previous episode | * Population count is 47,853. This is the first time this season that there has been no net change in the count from the previous episode ([[Final Cut]]). | ||
* ''[[Wikipedia:Flight of the Phoenix|Flight of the Phoenix]]'' is the title of a 1964 novel where survivors from a plane crash in the middle of a desert attempt to rebuild the plane from the wreckage. Two movies, one made in 1965 and the other in 2004, were also made following a similar story line inspired by the book. | * ''[[Wikipedia:Flight of the Phoenix|Flight of the Phoenix]]'' is the title of a 1964 novel where survivors from a plane crash in the middle of a desert attempt to rebuild the plane from the wreckage. Two movies, one made in 1965 and the other in 2004, were also made following a similar story line inspired by the book. | ||
* The [[Wikipedia:Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] is an animal from Egyptian mythology (and those derived) that, at the end of its lifespan, burns into ashes from which another arises. | * The [[Wikipedia:Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] is an animal from Egyptian mythology (and those derived) that, at the end of its lifespan, burns into ashes from which another arises. | ||
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* Despite Valerii's belief that she has become a "liability" to the Cylons, the previous episode made it clear that at least some Cylons considered the survival of her baby a paramount concern. The virus, installed before her arrival, was probably oblivious to this, but the massive fleet the Cylons deployed to interdict ''Galactica'' could not have been. Additionally, an earnest attack would almost certainly have included a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]. It has therefore to be assumed that the Cylons have a more complicated motive in making such a massive material sacrifice. | * Despite Valerii's belief that she has become a "liability" to the Cylons, the previous episode made it clear that at least some Cylons considered the survival of her baby a paramount concern. The virus, installed before her arrival, was probably oblivious to this, but the massive fleet the Cylons deployed to interdict ''Galactica'' could not have been. Additionally, an earnest attack would almost certainly have included a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]. It has therefore to be assumed that the Cylons have a more complicated motive in making such a massive material sacrifice. | ||
** It is likely (as shown later through the events of "[[Downloaded]]" to "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]") that there are indeed different Cylon [[Caprica-Six|factions]] working at cross purposes. | ** It is likely (as shown later through the events of "[[Downloaded]]" to "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]") that there are indeed different Cylon [[Caprica-Six|factions]] working at cross purposes. | ||
* The Colonials pass up a major opportunity by destroying the Cylon fleet. Adama revoked Roslin's presidency on the basis of the misappropriation of a ''single'' captured Cylon Raider, yet they eliminate dozens of crippled-but-serviceable assets in the name of retribution. After all that work to create a single new fighter, wouldn't a squadron of superior Raiders be worth maintaining in the unused starboard flight pod? | * The Colonials pass up a major opportunity by destroying the Cylon fleet. Adama revoked Roslin's presidency on the basis of the misappropriation of a ''single'' captured Cylon Raider, yet they eliminate dozens of crippled-but-serviceable assets in the name of retribution. After all that work to create a single new fighter, wouldn't a squadron of superior Raiders be worth maintaining in the unused starboard flight pod? | ||
**A point against the idea of capturing a Raider involves the lucky manner in obtaining the first one. The Raider in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]" was brain-dead from a lucky shot. The Raiders here are turned off by a virus, but it may be too difficult to remove all of their control mechanisms. Since these are in fact organic mechanisms that could still be fighting to survive, they may have their own ability of causing additional harm if captured alive. | **A point against the idea of capturing a Raider involves the lucky manner in obtaining the first one. The Raider in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]" was brain-dead from a lucky shot. The Raiders here are turned off by a virus, but it may be too difficult to remove all of their control mechanisms. Since these are in fact organic mechanisms that could still be fighting to survive, they may have their own ability of causing additional harm if captured alive. | ||
**''Galactica'' had no idea how long until Cylon reinforcements could appear, or the effect of the virus would wear off. Further, the civilian fleet has jumped away from ''Galactica'' in anticipation of the attack, and ''Galactica'' probably doesn't want to leave them unattended too long. There is not enough time and it is too dangerous. | **''Galactica'' had no idea how long until Cylon reinforcements could appear, or the effect of the virus would wear off. Further, the civilian fleet has jumped away from ''Galactica'' in anticipation of the attack, and ''Galactica'' probably doesn't want to leave them unattended too long. There is not enough time and it is too dangerous. | ||
**At this point, ''Galactica'' has as many as two Heavy Raiders already—the one that crash-landed into the starboard pod in "[[Scattered]]" and the one Starbuck, Helo, and Sharon returned with in "[[Home, Part II]]". The use of the [[FTL]] drive from one of these ships is mentioned by Lt. Gaeta as part of the planning of the [[Caprica Resistance]] [[SAR]] in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]". Another factor would be the potentially still active Cylon Centurions, probably not affected by the virus transmitted by Sharon. | **At this point, ''Galactica'' has as many as two Heavy Raiders already—the one that crash-landed into the starboard pod in "[[Scattered]]" and the one Starbuck, Helo, and Sharon returned with in "[[Home, Part II]]". The use of the [[FTL]] drive from one of these ships is mentioned by Lt. Gaeta as part of the planning of the [[Caprica Resistance]] [[SAR]] in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]". Another factor would be the potentially still active Cylon Centurions, probably not affected by the virus transmitted by Sharon. | ||
*It is Helo who suggests the use of carbon composites for the Blackbird, and | *It is Helo who suggests the use of carbon composites for the Blackbird, and Starbuck says "Good call, Helo" after it is finished. Despite everything, Helo's opinions are still respected, perhaps symbolic of his redemption in the eyes of his crewmates. | ||
*Some viewers may express confusion over the amount of time necessary to build the new fighter as well as the time it took to fight off the logic bomb and the Cylon attack. All in all, the whole episode may seem like a series of ''[[Wikipedia:Deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]'' events to close up the episode. For more analysis on these events, see this [[Science in the Re-imagined Series#Construction of the Blackbird|section]] of the article [[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]. | *Some viewers may express confusion over the amount of time necessary to build the new fighter as well as the time it took to fight off the logic bomb and the Cylon attack. All in all, the whole episode may seem like a series of ''[[Wikipedia:Deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]'' events to close up the episode. For more analysis on these events, see this [[Science in the Re-imagined Series#Construction of the Blackbird|section]] of the article [[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]. | ||
**In his podcast for this episode, [[Ronald D. Moore|Ron D. Moore]] acknowledges the build-time dilemma for the Blackbird, and notes that the vagueness of time elapsed to build the machine was intentional so as to allow it to be built and done with in one episode, instead of drawing out the building into two or three episodes. | **In his podcast for this episode, [[Ronald D. Moore|Ron D. Moore]] acknowledges the build-time dilemma for the Blackbird, and notes that the vagueness of time elapsed to build the machine was intentional so as to allow it to be built and done with in one episode, instead of drawing out the building into two or three episodes. | ||
* | *Is order on ''Galactica'' starting to break down? In the [[Miniseries]], Starbuck was put in the [[brig]] for striking a superior officer. Now, Starbuck assaults Racetrack but there is no visible punishment, and Tyrol gets into a fight with Helo (who outranks him), also with no apparent punishment. The deck crews aren't bothering to hide the [[Wikipedia:Moonshine|still]] they built as much as before, going to far as to have a large "Welcome Back Cally" party with its products in public. Tigh makes a halfhearted verbal chastisement of Tyrol when Tigh finds the still, but doesn't do anything about it and ends up taking a jar of booze for his own use. Also, even Lt. Gaeta is now snapping back at the command officers, shouting and even [[frak|cursing]]. | ||
*The christening scene suggests that the ceremony may be conducted differently in the Colonies. Roslin jokingly moves to smash the bottle across the Blackbird | *The christening scene suggests that the ceremony may be conducted differently in the Colonies. Roslin jokingly moves to smash the bottle across the Blackbird -- as the ceremony is conducted here -- but then says she's joking and instead the bottle is opened and Tyrol takes a drink. It's unclear whether this is truly a variant of the ceremony, or if it was modified either a) out of concern for damaging the Blackbird or b) the scarcity of champagne. | ||
*The decision by Tyrol and his shipmates to build the Blackbird parallels a similar subplot on ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: Voyager|Star Trek: Voyager]]'' in which crew members build a similarly high-tech vessel, the ''[[MemoryAlpha:Delta Flyer|Delta Flyer]]'' which, like the Blackbird, also immediately becomes an asset to the mother ship. | *The decision by Tyrol and his shipmates to build the Blackbird parallels a similar subplot on ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: Voyager|Star Trek: Voyager]]'' in which crew members build a similarly high-tech vessel, the ''[[MemoryAlpha:Delta Flyer|Delta Flyer]]'' which, like the Blackbird, also immediately becomes an asset to the mother ship. | ||
== Questions == | == Questions == | ||
*Is [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] attracted to Apollo (or vice versa)? Dualla seemed to "check out" Apollo's "backside" in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]], | *Is [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] attracted to Apollo (or vice versa)? Dualla seemed to "check out" Apollo's "backside" in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]", and now she's in close physical contact with him ([[The Captain's Hand|Answer]]). | ||
*Helo gets angry at Chief Tyrol for calling Boomer a [[toaster]]. Is this a sign that Helo is thinking more sympathetically towards the Cylons than before? Like the Cylons, does he consider it an "offensive racial epithet"? | *Helo gets angry at Chief Tyrol for calling Boomer a [[toaster]]. Is this a sign that Helo is thinking more sympathetically towards the Cylons than before? Like the Cylons, does he consider it an "offensive racial epithet"? | ||
* Where does Helo get the idea to use carbon-composite on the Blackbird? Is that something he thought up himself, or perhaps did Caprica-Valerii 'point' him in that direction? | * Where does Helo get the idea to use carbon-composite on the Blackbird? Is that something he thought up himself, or perhaps did Caprica-Valerii 'point' him in that direction? | ||
*If the Cylons are so interested and cautious about protecting Caprica-Valerii and her unborn child as stated by [[Aaron Doral]] in "[[Final Cut]], | *If the Cylons are so interested and cautious about protecting Caprica-Valerii and her unborn child as stated by [[Aaron Doral]] in "[[Final Cut]]", why then are they willing to launch a massive assault against ''Galactica''? | ||
*To what extent are Cylon knowledge and experiences shared? [[Humanoid Cylon]]s can transfer their consciousness to other copies of themselves | *To what extent are Cylon knowledge and experiences shared? [[Humanoid Cylon]]s can transfer their consciousness to other copies of themselves ([[Miniseries]]), but are other Cylon models interconnected? | ||
*Is the software code Helo shows to Caprica-Valerii only a virus or does it contain instructions outside the scope of destabilizing and controlling ''Galactica'''s systems? (Valerii's response to the code seems to indicate it affects her on some level). | *Is the software code Helo shows to Caprica-Valerii only a virus or does it contain instructions outside the scope of destabilizing and controlling ''Galactica'''s systems? (Valerii's response to the code seems to indicate it affects her on some level). | ||
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*In an [http://www.battlestargalactica.com/outside_docs/bg_outdoc0050.htm interview with BattlestarGalactica.com on December 28th, 2005] RDM was asked about the continuity problems noticed with the number of Vipers deployed in this episode: | *In an [http://www.battlestargalactica.com/outside_docs/bg_outdoc0050.htm interview with BattlestarGalactica.com on December 28th, 2005] RDM was asked about the continuity problems noticed with the number of Vipers deployed in this episode: | ||
: "Q: In the battle scene with the Cylons in "Flight of the Phoenix, | : "Q: In the battle scene with the Cylons in "Flight of the Phoenix", some think they see more Vipers than pilots, there is the presence of many Mark 7 Vipers, and the Blackbird is in flight before its maiden voyage. Was this effects shot the victim of a script change or something in the editing room? Was the episode originally intended to appear after the Pegasus encounter? | ||
: RDM: To be honest, I don't recall the exact number of Vipers in the shot or where we were in the continuity at that point. I do recall the topic coming up in various VFX and production meetings, and I think there was at least an initial rationale for the number on screen | : RDM: To be honest, I don't recall the exact number of Vipers in the shot or where we were in the continuity at that point. I do recall the topic coming up in various VFX and production meetings, and I think there was at least an initial rationale for the number on screen -- but it's entirely possible that we cheated a bit in Post in order to make the shot a little sexier. Sorry. It happens." | ||
* In issue #348 of ''Starlog'' magazine, p. 32, Nicki Clyne (Cally) said: | * In issue #348 of ''Starlog'' magazine, p. 32, Nicki Clyne (Cally) said: | ||
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:'''Starbuck:''' And you guys can all go to hell. I'm going to go find Helo. | :'''Starbuck:''' And you guys can all go to hell. I'm going to go find Helo. | ||
:'''Racetrack:''' Good idea. Maybe that Cylon whore taught him a few tricks. | :'''Racetrack:''' Good idea. Maybe that Cylon whore taught him a few tricks. | ||
:(Starbuck | :(Starbuck politely turns around, walks over to Racetrack and grabs her by the neck and slams her head into the card table). | ||
*''Helo is sitting in Sharon's old Raptor when the Chief walks up:'' | *''Helo is sitting in Sharon's old Raptor when the Chief walks up:'' | ||
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*[[Dominic Zamprogna]] as Specialist [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]] | *[[Dominic Zamprogna]] as Specialist [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]] | ||
*[[Don Thompson]] as [[Anthony Figurski]] | *[[Don Thompson]] as [[Anthony Figurski]] | ||
{{episode list (RDM season 2)}} | {{episode list (RDM season 2)}} | ||
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[[de:Die Hoffnung lebt]] | [[de:Die Hoffnung lebt]] | ||