Editing You Can't Go Home Again

{{Episode Data
| image =Starbuck_cant_come_home.jpg
| title=You Can't Go Home Again
| series=TRS
| season=1
| episode=5
| guests=
| writer=[[Carla Robinson]]
| story=
| director=[[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| production=105
| rating= 2.5
| US airdate=2005-02-04
| CAN airdate=2005-02-12
| UK airdate=2004-11-15
| dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 47954
| oldpopulation= 47958
| syfyname= you_can_t_go_home_again
| prev=[[Act of Contrition]]
| next=[[Litmus]]
| amazon=y
|deleted=y|archives=y}}
: ''Continuing from the events of "[[Act of Contrition]]", Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] and Captain [[Lee Adama]] risk the security of [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] as they try to locate a downed [[Kara Thrace]].''

== Summary == 

* {{Callsign|Starbuck}} is missing [[Skirmish Over the Red Moon|following a dogfight]] with [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raiders]] {{TRS|Act of Contrition}}. While he was forced out of the fight, {{callsign|Hot Dog}} is convinced her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] was not destroyed.
* [[William Adama]] immediately orders a search started, and [[Lee Adama]] leads it in a Viper.
* On the surface of a [[Red moon|small moon]], Thrace awakes to find herself being dragged by a strong wind catching her parachute. Before she can cut herself free of the parachute lines, which have tangled about her legs, she is dragged a considerable distance, smashing her knee in the process.
* When the initial space search fails to locate Thrace's Viper, [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] suggests she may be on a [[Red Moon|moon orbiting the gas giant]]. Adama orders a low-level search of the moon's surface. At the same time he accepts an offer from [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to have the ships of the Fleet continue the space search. Lt. Gaeta calculates that Thrace has around 46 hours of air left in her oxygen tanks.
* [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] is worried that if they remain in the area too much longer, the Cylons might find them.
* Aware she is probably being searched for, Thrace determines to try and make her way to high ground, where she stands a better chance of being seen. Along the way, she asks the [[Lords of Kobol]] for help, and comes across a downed [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raider]] from the confrontation leading to her crash.
* As the search of the moon continues, the dust-laden atmosphere begins to have its effect on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} Vipers: 13 are grounded due to mechanical problems. The constant flying is causing other problems: ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} fuel reserves for her fighters are being used at an alarming rate.
* Tigh also points out that [[The Fleet (TRS)|the Fleet]] is now spread right across the star system, leaving it vulnerable to attack should the Cylons show up.
* On the moon, Thrace is determined to make the Raider space-worthy, and sets about accessing it – only to find it is bio-mechanical: inside the vehicle is a mass of organs, veins and tubes.
* As time passes, Adama and Lee further risk the Fleet by pulling in the [[Combat Air Patrol|CAP]] Vipers to assist with the search.
* When the timer in the [[CIC]] indicates Thrace's air has (presumably) expired, Adama continues the search, relieving Tigh of his duties when he challenges the order.
* With her air supply all but gone, Starbuck manages to find an oxygen supply hose in the Raider and seals the insides of the vehicle so she can breathe. She then sets out trying to work out how the Raider flies. 
* As Lee and Adama continue to monitor the search of the moon, Roslin arrives on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. Determined to put a stop to things, she challenges both Adama and Lee concerning their single-mindedness and the way it is putting the survival of the fleet and mankind at risk.
* Realizing they have perhaps gone too far, Adama calls off the search and orders the Fleet readied to [[FTL|jump]].
* With the Fleet successfully away, ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' is about to jump herself when a Cylon Raider appears. Vipers are prepped for launch, however a malfunction with ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} [[Launch tube (TRS)|launch tubes]] allows only Capt. Adama's Viper to launch.
* Making contact with the Raider, Lee discovers the truth – Thrace is piloting [[Starbuck's Raider|the Raider]]; she used tape to write her name on the bottom of the Raider and flew formation with Lee's Viper. He escorts her back to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', where she lands and is taken to [[sickbay]].
* Visiting her in sickbay later, Adama congratulates her on her performance – an indirect way of letting her know she is forgiven for [[Zak Adama|Zak]]. 

===On Caprica=== 
* {{callsign|Helo}} and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Valerii]] are still hiding in the "fallout shelter", but Agathon determines they must move on.
* A pair of [[Cylon Centurion]]s arrive, apparently conducting a search. A firefight ensues between Agathon and the Centurions.
* Agathon destroys one of the Centurions but is knocked unconscious by the other, and when he awakens, Valerii is gone.

== Notes == 

=== In-Universe ===
*[[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raiders]] are bio-mechanical in nature, and their biomass uses a breathable, oxygen-rich mix suitable for humans.
*{{RDM|Viper}}s are atmosphere-capable; it appears they may have been regularly used in the atmospheres of Colonial worlds, given they are equipped with a parachute.
*Vipers can be refueled in space (and presumably in relatively calm atmospheres).
* Thrace's damaged Viper disintegrates around her upon re-entry, compelling her to eject.  The Raider that she disables and forces down on the moon is, when she finds it, notably space-worthy.
*Colonial [[flight suit]]s are capable of full life support, both planet-side (Thrace) and in space ({{callsign|Hot Dog}}). In the case of Vipers, the back section of the pilot's seat appears in effect to be a life-support backpack that detaches from the rest of the seat following ejection.
*[[Raptor]] cabins can be depressurized and repressurized (Costanza's rescue), adding to their versatility.
*[[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] has the same [["Lest We Forget"|image]] that the pilots touch when leaving the Ready Room.
*Colonials play billiard pool.
*[[William Adama]] is capable of letting personal feelings rise above professional duty.
*The toaster used by {{callsign|Helo}} on Caprica that triggers the attack of the Centurions in the kitchen appears to be a slightly modified Magimix 11062.
*Following events in this episode, Kara Thrace suffers from an injured knee for the rest of the first season.<ref group="development" name="moore_companion_kara_knee_injury">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref>

=== Military Observations ===
* Following the hangar deck accident in the previous episode, ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' has a remaining contingent of 40 Vipers, but the dust-laden atmosphere of the [[red moon]] grounds 13 of them due to mechanical problems.
* The constant flying during the search mission causes ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} fuel reserves for her fighters to be used at an alarming rate.
* The Fleet becomes dangerously spread across the star system during the search, leaving it vulnerable to Cylon attack.

=== Real-World and Production ===
*The messy organic interior of the Raider was inspired by [[w:Xenomorph|Xenomorph]] hive designs depicted in the ''[[w:Alien (film series)|Alien]]'' series, according to [[David Eick]] on the DVD commentary.
*The Raider's biomechanical interior design revealed in this episode would become foundational to later Cylon ship aesthetics. Production designer [[Richard Hudolin]] later explained that the concept for the interior of the [[Basestar (TRS)|Cylon Basestar]] in [[Season 3 (2006-07)|Season 3]] was directly based on the interior of the Cylon Raider revealed in this episode, with Hudolin noting that the half-machine, half-living creature design established here informed the biomechanical feel of Basestar landing areas and other organic spaces.<ref group="production" name="reeve_bsg_mag_7_hudolin_raider_basestar_connection_p21">{{cite magazine|magazine=Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine|issue=7|pages=21|date=October/November 2006|publisher=[[Titan Magazines]]|title=Base of Operations: Production Design|author=Tom Reeve}}</ref>
* The scene where {{callsign|Starbuck}}, in a Cylon Raider, shakes off [[Lee Adama|Apollo]]'s attack is remarkably similar to a scene from the {{OS|The Hand of God|prose=y}} in which [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] and [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] avoid being shot down in a Cylon Raider by waggling their wings.
* While there are parallels to the {{G80|The Return of Starbuck|prose=y}}--where [[Starbuck (1980)|Starbuck]], after [[Battle near Planet Starbuck|a space battle]], is also forced to crash on a [[Planet Starbuck|barren planet]], discovers a [[Raider (1980)|Cylon Raider]] and uses it to build [[Hybrid craft|a new ship]] in the hopes of escaping--[[Carla Robinson]] was neither aware of that episode nor that series when writing this script. .<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_robinson_galactica_1980_disclaimer">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=60}}</ref>
* The episode was filmed at a gravel pit in Port Coquitlam, Vancouver, which was situated some twenty minutes away from Vancouver Film Studios.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_port_coquitlam_location">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref> Art director [[Douglas McLean]] noted that the location effectively created a hostile and barren place.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_mclean_location_assessment">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref>
* Director of photography [[Steve McNutt]] color-corrected the footage on location to create the strange, hostile alien environment, with visual effects supervisor [[Gary Hutzel]] noting that they augmented some elements afterwards but most of the effect was achieved through McNutt's on-location work.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_mcnutt_color_correction">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref>

=== Writing and Development ===
* Picking up from events in "[[Act of Contrition]]," the episode was designed to serve several important functions.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_moore_episode_functions">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=60}}</ref> The episode shows Thrace's ingenuity in getting the Cylon up and running, gives her an injury that she would suffer from for the rest of the season, and provides the characters with a [[Starbuck's Raider|captured Cylon Raider]].<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_moore_episode_functions" />
* The episode marked staff writer [[Carla Robinson]]'s first scripting assignment on ''Battlestar Galactica''.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_robinson_first_script">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=60}}</ref> Robinson seized the opportunity to propel Kara Thrace on a physical and emotional rollercoaster ride, with the episode completing Thrace's emotional journey and forcing her to face the demons of her past.
* Robinson chose the title as a homage to [[w:Thomas_Wolfe|Thomas Wolfe]], seeing the Thrace storyline as being reminiscent of the character story in Wolfe's novel of the same name.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_robinson_title_inspiration">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=61}}</ref> According to Robinson, "Starbuck has 'come home' by the end of the episode, but things will never be quite the same for her."
* One aspect of Thrace's fight for survival that was carefully debated by the show's writing staff was her ability to revive and fly a Cylon Raider.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_thompson_raider_systems">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=61}}</ref> [[Bradley Thompson]] noted they asked themselves what happens if you want to fly a Cylon craft and what the systems would be like, ultimately guessing that Thrace was able to get pitch, roll, yaw and power out of that fusion of machine and biology.
* In Robinson's first draft of the episode's script, Thrace actually communicated with the Cylon Raider while she attempted to repair it.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_robinson_raider_communication">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=61}}</ref> Thompson confirmed they were going to have them talking, but realized it might have looked "pretty wacky" and didn't give them as much to play with as they'd hoped.
* The inside of the Cylon Raider was custom designed to fit [[Katee Sackhoff]], according to production designer [[Richard Hudolin]].<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_hudolin_raider_design">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=61}}</ref> Hudolin noted that Sackhoff was very excited about working with the set and didn't complain despite getting covered in "goop" during filming.
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] had written in the [[Series Bible]] that Thrace injured her knee years before the series and had to reinvent her life as a result.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_moore_series_bible_knee">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref> Moore wanted her to revisit that injury in this episode, making it interesting to have her suffer the same type of injury again. Of further note, Sackhoff experienced a similar injury earlier in her life, which resulted in her choosing to pursue acting.

=== Direction and Performance ===
* The episode was directed by [[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]], a distinguished filmmaker who had served as assistant director on the Steven Spielberg movies ''[[w:Schindler's List|Schindler's List]]'' and ''[[w:Saving Private Ryan|Saving Private Ryan]]''.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_mimica_gezzan_background">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=63}}</ref> Mimica-Gezzan made his episodic television directing debut with ''Battlestar Galactica''.
* The episode proved to be exceptionally challenging for [[Katee Sackhoff]].<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_physical_demands">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref> She wore a pack on her back that weighed between thirty and fifty pounds because it contained air tanks that blew air into her helmet to keep it clear. The heavy equipment caused her to sweat, after which they would blow freezing cold air on her to propel smoke into the scene.
* Sackhoff became so sick during filming that when shooting the scenes inside the Cylon Raider, she had the flu, making her sickly appearance in those scenes authentic rather than acted.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_flu_filming">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref>
* The "honey pot" shelter where [[Tahmoh Penikett]] filmed a battle with [[Cylon Centurion|Cylon Centurions]] was in a Vancouver café, The Alibi Room<ref group="external">{{Cite web|url=https://scoutmagazine.ca/dig-it-drinking-up-101-years-of-history-in-the-building-that-houses-the-alibi-room/|title=Drinking Up 101 Years Of History In The Building That Houses The "Alibi Room"|author=Stevie Wilson|date=9 May 2014|publisher=ScoutMagazine.ca|accessdate=28 August 2025}}</ref>, with the Centurions being entirely computer-generated and added during post-production.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_penikett_centurion_battle">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref>

== Analysis ==
*On Caprica, the Cylons have apparently stepped up their manipulations of Agathon a notch: and they appear determine to test / increase his feelings for Valerii. "Love", and possibly "procreation" seems to be at the heart of their manipulations. The evidence for this comes from the last few episodes:
**'''[[Water]]''': Agathon scans the airwaves, failing to find any other signals. Caprica-Sharon makes a comment about them being the only two people left on the planet, and the way she says it makes it hard to keep the words "Adam and Eve" from popping into one's head – especially with all the other religious motifs that have surrounded our insight into Cylon aims (even if they are from "Six's" perspective);
**'''[[Water]]''': Agathon is obviously attracted to Caprica-Sharon, as evidenced by his embarrassment following the "spontaneous" hug she gives him when they first hear the radio broadcast. Sharon's disappearance seems to be the first Cylon attempt to accentuate Agathon's feelings for her;
**'''[[Act of Contrition]]''': as a result of the (clearly-planted) "radio broadcast", they come across a fully-equipped radiation shelter, which does not appear to have been used, and which is more than cozily set-up for a long duration stay for two people;
**This episode: when Agathon suggests they pack up and leave the shelter, Sharon's look is, for a moment, distinctly odd, and she challenges him with a slightly sultry "Unless you can think of a reason to stay here." Valerii's comment seems calculated to give Agathon an opportunity to express a physical interest in her. Her disappointment is evident when he says they should move on;
**This episode: no sooner is the decision made to move on than Cylon Centurions turn up. The ensuing firefight leaves Agathon unconscious, but (surprisingly) alive;
**This episode: when Agathon revives, Caprica-Sharon is gone, and he's no longer thinking about leaving the planet – he's only concerned with what has happened to Sharon.
*During the fight in the restaurant, the Cylon Centurion clearly makes only a token attempt to kill Agathon – although it does a pretty good job of shooting up the kitchen as a whole. Agathon is surprisingly incurious about his survival. His concern about Caprica-Sharon's disappearance seems to overwhelm any suspicion. Besides, unlike the viewers, Agathon has simply been given no outside reason to suspect that the Cylons want to keep him alive and that he is in an "experiment" of theirs.  However, as [[Season 1 (2004-05)|Season 1]] progresses Agathon ''does'' start to gradually suspect that something is amiss.  
*This episode seems to suggest a subtle demarcation between Baltar's [[Messenger Six|hallucinatory Number Six]] and the other Cylons.  Previously, she has referred to them as "we" – implying she is still a part of them. Here she refers to the Cylons very much in the third person: "they".  Is this indicative of a possible shift in her loyalties, that the Cylons truly are totally unaware of her presence, or is she simply manipulating Baltar?
*Are all Cylons bio-mechanical? They are not, as Agathon puts a shot straight through the head of a Cylon Centurion. If any organic matter were contained therein, one would expect blood and/or gore to exit the wound. This is not the case.

== Questions == 

=== Answered Questions ===

{{answered questions|season=1|series=RDM|episode=You Can't Go Home Again}}

*With almost 50% of [[tylium (RDM)|fuel]] reserves gone, can ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' obtain additional supplies to keep her {{RDM|Viper}}s flying?
*What use will be made of the captured [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]?
*How many more Cylon spacecraft include biological elements in their design?
*Will {{callsign|Karl Agathon}} now go in search of the [[Sharon Agathon|"missing" Valerii]]? 
*Will he question why the [[Centurion (RDM)|Centurion]] left him unconscious in the restaurant, rather than taking him prisoner?
*Did the Cylons develop bio-mechanical capabilities first in a basic form with the Raiders, before going on to develop the [[Humanoid Cylons|humanoid constructs]]?

=== Unanswered Questions ===

* When did Thrace write her name on the underside of [[Starbuck's Raider|the Raider's wings]]? Considering that she didn't know that she could fly the craft when she found it, one would think that she does it before leaving the moon. However, by that time she has used her flight suit to stuff the hole in the hull.

== Official Statements ==

=== Concept and Development ===
The writers and producers discuss the episode's thematic goals, including its title and the introduction of biological Cylon technology.

{{Quote
| text = I chose the title "You Can't Go Home Again" as a homage to [[w:Thomas_Wolfe|Thomas Wolfe]] because I saw the Starbuck storyline as being reminiscent of the character story in [[w:You_Can't_Go_Home_Again|Wolfe's novel]]. Starbuck has 'come home' by the end of the episode, but things will never be quite the same for her.
| sign = [[Carla Robinson]]
| source = Robinson on the title's inspiration <ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_robinson_title_inspiration">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=61}}</ref>
}}

{{Quote
| text = The episode is really about Kara and how much she means to Adama and Lee. It shows her ingenuity in getting the Cylon up and running, and gives her an injury that she would suffer from for the rest of the season. Getting our characters a Cylon Raider was another key element of the episode as well.
| sign = [[Ronald D. Moore]]
| source = Moore on the episode's purpose <ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_moore_episode_functions">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=60}}</ref>
}}

{{Quote
| text = We all worked very closely with [[Carla Robinson|Carla]] on that. We asked ourselves what happens if you want to fly a Cylon craft? What do you have to deal with? What are the systems like? After a lot of discussion, we guessed that Kara was able to get pitch, roll, yaw and power out of that fusion of machine and biology.
| sign = [[Bradley Thompson]]
| source = Thompson on Raider systems <ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_thompson_raider_systems">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=61}}</ref>
}}



=== Production and Physicality ===
The cast and crew reflect on the demanding physical environment of the shoot, ranging from heavy gear to actual illness.

{{Dialogue
| context = [[Katee Sackhoff]] on the grueling conditions of filming:
| lines = 
"That and the season finale were the most physically demanding episodes of the year for me. It was horrible — I had a pack on my back that weighed between thirty and fifty pounds, because it contained air tanks that blew air into my helmet to keep it clear. That was heavy! I would be sweating because it was so heavy, and they would then blow freezing cold air on me to propel the smoke into the scene."

"I got so sick doing those scenes that when it came to shooting the stuff inside the Cylon, I had the flu. So me looking sick in those scenes isn't me acting — I was shooting scenes and then throwing up! But it worked for the episode. It made it very realistic!"
| source = ''Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion'', p. 62 <ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_physical_demands">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref>
}}

{{Quote
| text = The inside of the Cylon Raider was actually custom designed to fit Katee. She was very excited about that. She's just such a great gal — she got all this goop over her while we were filming, and she didn't complain at all! Katee just got in there and was just fabulous. It worked out really well.
| sign = [[Richard Hudolin]]
| source = Hudolin on the Raider interior design <ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_hudolin_raider_design_2">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=61-62}}</ref>
}}

{{Quote
| text = I had the time of my life doing that! I got to play action man! It was great fun pretending the Cylons were actually there and getting to shoot at them as I jumped around.
| sign = [[Tahmoh Penikett]]
| source = Penikett on the Centurion battle <ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_penikett_centurion_battle">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=62}}</ref>
}}



=== Cast and Crew Reflections ===

{{Quote
| text = This theme was originally performed using pots, pans and [[toaster]]s for the metallic effects. It was composed before I had seen 'You Can't Go Home Again', which includes a scene where Helo battles centurions in a cafe kitchen and bullets ricochet off pots, pans and a toaster!
| sign = [[Bear McCreary]]
| source = McCreary on the "Cylon Theme" <ref group="external" name="mccreary_blog_cylon_theme_kitchen">{{cite_web|url=http://www.bearmccreary.com/html/blog/blog013.htm|title=The Themes of Battlestar Galactica, Part II|date=10 November 2006|last=McCreary|first=Bear}}</ref>
}}

{{Quote
| text = Sergio was the discovery of the year. He had never directed an episode of television before and he turned out one of the season's best-directed episodes! It was quite something.
| sign = [[David Eick]]
| source = Eick on director [[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]] <ref group="commentary" name="bassom_companion_eick_mimica_gezzan_praise">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=63}}</ref>
}}

{{Quote
| text = I love both those episodes. Kara really goes through the whole gamut of emotions in them, from telling the only person that she knows loves her that she was responsible for the death of his son, to being faced with the fact she might never see him again and might die not knowing if he has forgiven her — or if she even forgives herself.
| sign = [[Katee Sackhoff]]
| source = Sackhoff on the episode's emotional journey <ref group="commentary" name="bassom_companion_sackhoff_episode_emotional_journey">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=63}}</ref>
}}

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''{{callsign|Starbuck}} to the crashed [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raider]]:''

:'''Starbuck''': Are you... alive?

*''Starbuck upon entering the crashed Cylon Raider:''

:'''Starbuck''': You bite me, I'll bite you back.

*''The Adamas discuss their recent actions:''
:'''[[Lee Adama|Apollo]]''': I want you to know, I think [[Laura Roslin|she]]'s wrong. I think we have come to terms with what happened to [[Zak Adama|Zak]].<br/>
:'''[[William Adama]]''': I haven't.<br/>
:'''Apollo''': I need to know something: Why did you do this? Why did we do this? Is it for Kara? For Zak? For what?<br/>
:'''Adama''': Kara was family. You do whatever you have to do. Sometimes you break the rules.<br/>
:'''Apollo''': And if it was me down there instead?<br/>
:'''Adama''': You don't have to ask that.<br/>
:'''Apollo''': Are you sure?<br/>
:'''Adama''': If it were you... we'd never leave.<br/>

*''The confrontation between Commander [[William Adama|Adama]], [[Lee Adama|Apollo]], Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] over the [[SAR]] mission for {{callsign|Starbuck}}:''
:'''Tigh:''' (walking in with Roslin) President Roslin.<br/>
:'''Adama:''' Madam President.<br/>
:'''Roslin:''' Skip the formalities. You both know [[Skirmish over the Red Moon|why I'm here]].<br/>
:'''Adama:''' Termination of a [[Kara Thrace|pilot]]'s rescue mission is a military decision. <br/>
:'''Roslin:''' That's a bunch of crap. It's not military. It's personal. Neither of you can let go of Kara Thrace because she's your [[Act of Contrition|last link]] to [[Zak Adama|Zak]].<br/>
:'''Apollo:''' You don't know anything about my brother.<br/>
:'''Roslin:''' Don't even begin, Captain. You've lost perspective, as have [[William Adama|you]]. Under normal circumstances, it would just be sad that the two of you can't come to terms with Zak's death. In this situation, you are putting your pilots at risk, and you're exposing the entire [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]] to possible attack every moment we stay here.<br/>
:'''Adama:''' We've been at risk of an attack since [[Miniseries|day one]]. [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] won't be missing their patrol for at least one more day.<br/>
:'''Roslin:''' (steps closer to Adama) Colonel Tigh. How much aviation [[Tylium|fuel]] has been expended in this operation?<br/>
:'''Tigh:''' Forty-three percent of reserves.<br/>
:'''Roslin:''' Almost half. That's unacceptable. An operation into the [[Red Moon|moon]]'s atmosphere that has put one third of [[Lee Adama|your]] fighters out of action. That is also completely unacceptable.<br/>
:'''Adama:''' Crap. Unacceptable. Whatever you feel about this, the recovery of one pilot is a military matter.
:'''Roslin:''' All right. It's military. Fine. And you're both officers. And you're both honorable men. And you're both perfectly aware you are putting the lives of over [[The Fleet (RDM)|45,000 people]] and the future of this civilization at risk for your personal feelings. Now, if it's the two of you, of all people, that can live with that, than the human race doesn't stand a chance. Clear your heads. (leaves the room).<br/>

*''Lee sees "Starbuck" written on the bottom of the Raider he's fighting and realizes the truth''
:'''Lee:''' ''(laughs)'' Its Starbuck!
:'''Adama:''' ''(stunned)'' What?!
:'''Lee:''' Say again, the Raider is marked "Starbuck." Its written under the frakking wing!
:''(Everyone in CIC is cheering while Tigh and Adama are clearly stunned by this revelation)''
:'''Adama:''' Bring it into the bay, but if it does ''anything'', take it out!
:'''Lee:''' Yes, sir but I'm telling you its ''got'' to be her! This thing is flying with some ''serious'' attitude!
:''Lee escorts the Raider to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' and they waggle their wings at each other''

*''Kara has just made a dramatic rescue of herself and Lee has come to see her''
:'''Kara:''' ''(referring to her Raider)'' [[Starbuck's Raider|Like my new toy?]]
:'''Lee:''' When you take a souvenir, you don't mess around!

*''Chief Tyrol walks around the Cylon Raider''
:'''Tyrol:''' Your ass belongs to ''me'' now.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as Petty Officer [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Samuel Witwer]] as Lieutenant [[Alex Quartararo|Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Sherman Cottle]]
*[[Alonso Oyarzun]] as Specialist [[Socinus]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Costanza]]

== References ==

=== Commentary and Interviews ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}

=== Development and Creative Process ===
{{reflist|group=development}}

=== Production History ===
{{reflist|group=production}}

=== External Sources and Reviews ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Carla Robinson]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Kein Weg zurück]]
[[fr:Épisode:Crash sur la lune]]