The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II

"The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II" An episode of the Galactica 1980 series
Episode No.	Season 1, Episode 8
Writer(s)	Glen A. Larson
Story by
Director	Barry Crane
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)	Roger Davis as Andromus Wolfman Jack as Himself
Production No.	1.8
Nielsen Rating
US airdate	1980-04-20
CAN airdate	{{{CAN airdate}}}
UK airdate
DVD release
Population	survivors
Additional Info
Full Credits
Episode Chronology
Previous		Next
The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I	The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II	Space Croppers
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Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
			@ BW Media
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Overview

The human-looking Cylon android Andromus and Centurion Centuri plan to use a radio station to broadcast a distress signal so that the Cylon fleet can destroy Earth, and it is up to Troy and Dillon to stop them.

Summary

Act 1

• Cops chase Dillon and Troy, who are driving a stolen New York Highway Patrol car. Troy believes that, as New York City is the largest they've seen on earth, they'll be able to lose their pursuers. Dillon remarks that he should tell that to the police pursuing them.
• The Warriors happen to drive in the Port of New York towards Pier 60. Dillon notes to Troy that they're running out of city. They flip in the air and crash into the water, thus ending the car chase.
• Troy and Dillon manage to get out of the car before it sinks further into the ocean. The cops see the car sink into the ocean and the cops on scene order the Harbor Patrol to start looking for bodies, while they cordon off the area just in case they made it out.
• Troy contacts Commander Adama on Galactica. Troy reports that they've located the crashed Cylon ship. Doctor Zee replies that they know and asks if the people of Earth know about the Cylons. Troy tells them that the ship auto-destructed and nothing remains of the ship, to which Adama thanks the Lord. Troy notifies them that not all the crew members perished inside the craft; Troy adds that they are likely en route to a powerful transmission station.
• Zee begins to tell Adama that the Cylons can't reach the transmitting station, but Adama knows full well about the grave nature of the situation. He tells Troy and Dillon that their mission has never been so grave and tells them to prevent the Cylons from transmitting Earth's location to their battle fleet. Troy and Dillon realize this and begin to make their way out of the Port of New York.
• The doorbell rings to Arnie's apartment penthouse. Mildred answers it, seeing that Norman Blower and his wife, Shirley, have arrived. Mildred tells her brother that "the boss is here" and he replies to tell him that he's "baking a real surprise" in the kitchen. Norman replies that they've baked a real surprise for them, introducing two more guests, the Cylons Andromus and Centuri, whom they believe to be humans dressed up as spacemen.
• Arnie comes out of the kitchen to see what the fuss is about and is surprised to see the Cylons. He begins speculating on who is inside the costume, throwing out the name of an acquaintance, Wilt Chamberlain. Norman tells him to guess again, but Arnie replies that he has to return to the kitchen and accidentally spills the beans about what he's cooking: the meatballs. Arnie rues spilling the surprise and Norman sarcastically retorts that he wishes it only were a surprise. Arnie offers to let him have the first taste. Norman refuses, saying that he ought to introduce his friends around.
• Andromus and Centuri are being introduced to party goers. A group of kids, led by Tommy (dressed as Raggedy Andy) is introduced to the Cylons by Shirley as "Andy" and Centuri, wishing them Happy Halloween. Andromus returns the greeting, saying "Happy Halloween little people."
• Shirley expresses her hope that they like the crowd, explaining that it is mostly people from the media. He reiterates his interests in radio and Wolfman Jack. She mentions that they've come to the right party, since anything they'd need to know would be answered at the party.
• Troy and Dillon are walking down a New York street near Remos Club when they hear the sirens. Troy and Dillon duck into an archway before the club. The cop car stops at the curb and a distraught mother runs to to meet them. She berates them for taking so long and tells of her kid who has locked himself in the bathroom. She reports that she can see him through the crack at the door and he's sticking his tongue out at her.
• After the cops enter the domicile, Dillon checks the signal strength and notes it is getting weaker. He surmises that the Centurions are on the other side of the city.
• They overhear a dispatch about them and go to the car, which has its driver side door ajar, to listen more closely. However they are interrupted by a middle-aged NYPD cop who asks them if they want something. They reply they're just heading into the city. As they leave, the cop approaches his car and overhears a supplemental update that tells of two Caucasian suspects having wet clothing heading west from the river. The police officer calls out after them and begins a pursuit on foot. They round the corner of a theater building, but the police officer is still pursuing them.
• Hiding behind a wall, Dillon notes they can't wear their clothing for much longer. Troy observes that the clothing stores are closed and, as Dillon points out, it is difficult to not be noticed when you're soaking wet.
• They hear music coming from a side door which is unlocked.
• On the theater's stage, a bunch of performers in dog costumes dance to "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-day". Troy and Dillon, from behind the stage, notice this and see "dancing mammals", which Troy notes as strange.
• Troy points out a clothes rack with white suits of every size. They help themselves to the clothing, which Dillon remarks a strange looking, but apparently notes their acceptability on Earth.
• After getting dressed, the director of the play hands the Warriors canes and top hats and pushes them out to the stage. Soon they are thrust in a middle of a performance of the "Good Ship Lollipop" and are pushed and directed by the other irate performers, whose actions the Warriors attempt to emulate without much success.
• At the crash site of the A-B Raider, investigators are pouring over it without much success. Also at the scene is Colonel Briggs. Behind him is a Highway Patrol officer questioning Max and Leroy, apparently showing them pictures. The officer reports to Briggs, saying that the colonel was right and tells him that the two men climbed out of the ship (which is untrue). They presume they are smugglers.
• Briggs orders the cops to get their likeness out to every police department in the Tri-State Area. Max notes that this is already been done. Briggs makes it clear that he wants the men taken alive, to which Leroy replies that this would be up to them.
• Behind the stage, the director is walking over the cop (and his partner) that pursued them to the edge of the stage, pointing Troy and Dillon out. The Warriors notice and say they have to get out of there.
• They are prompted to pick up the star of the show and they do so. They also take the opportunity to engage their invisibility fields, which has the unintended side effect of making the performer appear as if she's floating in the air.
• The director and the cops look at the display in astonishment and disbelief. The crowd is wowed by the display and, during this, Troy and Dillon make their escape. The cop asks if the director felt something, after he is bumped by the Warriors.
• Troy and Dillon exit the stage, now visible. Troy rues over the fact that they've lost a lot of time. Dillon notes that the Cylon signal remains constant at 4.6 acron ions in strength. This means that they either reached their destination or have been stopped by something.
• Dillon hails a taxi, which, much to his surprise, works out.
• Wolfman Jack arrives at the party with his trademark wolf howl and gets the party goers psyched.
• On a balcony, Andromus tells Centuri that he'll need his help; he's learned about the location of the transmission centers and the need of a special key for emergency admittance. Centuri is tasked with finding the keys or taking one of the people who have the keys with them, and will start by investigating Arnie.
• Tommy runs up to the Wolfman with his group of friends, telling them that he was right about Wolfman attending the party. He tells all the "little ghost and goblins and part-time Frankensteins" to have a good time. Shirley arrives to bring Wolfman to the balcony, when he notices Centuri and is amazed, and asks "who's the chrome head". She tells him his name and Wolfman notes that he has all his fans here, but convinces him to make his way to the balcony to meet a fan that's been dying to meet him all night. He accepts, saying that "anybody with taste like that, I can't keep waiting". He excuses himself from the children.
• Shirley introduces Andromus to Wolfman Jack. Wolfman tells him to "lay it on him" and does the finger wiggle shake, which, in reply, Andy tries to emulate. Shirley leaves them alone. Wolfman begins the conversation by saying that the "walking monument" belongs to him, which initially confuses him, but Wolfman describes Centuri as having a big dude with a silver hairdo.
• Andromus notes that he and Centuri enjoyed hearing his transmission very much, but noted it to be primitive. Wolfman replies that primitive is his style, but goes further and notes that what was even more primitive was when Marconi sent the letter "S" across the English Channel in 1901.
• Andromus does not reply to this directly, saying that he's interested in radio. Wolfman replies by giving him his own take on radio, which he says is the "real music of the spheres" and says that each planet and star are sending out their own signals, "just like the old Wolfman who is a heavenly body in his own right". He adds that the only thing that can stop radio cold is a "big old solar wave" and discusses this further, comparing the sun's coronal ejections to eating spicy food and experiencing flatulence. Andromus notes that this would stop radio transmissions, to which Wolfman replies "Yeah, can you dig it?" Andromus replies that he quite possibly digs it.
• Troy and Dillon are dropped off at Central Park. Troy notes the "vegetation center in the middle of all this concrete" and tells Dillon that the signal they're getting is coming from the buildings beyond the Park. Dillon observes that it isn't the place where a powerful transmitter would be held.
• Troy tells Dillon that there's a link to the Cylon mission at the dwelling and begin their trek through the park.
• Dillon notes that it's too bad that they're on such a serious mission, since New York appears to be a nice place. A bunch of people hiding behind bushes begin to move out as the Warriors walk by.
• Dillon notes that the signals from the distress beacon are growing stronger. As they continue on the path, they are stopped by a quartet of muggers.
• The lead mugger notes the "fancy Dans" and asks them if they are going to a party. Troy notes that they are and are also in a hurry. The mugger is satisfied with going through things quickly, making it "short and sweet", saying "your money or your life".
• Dillon notes that it doesn't seem like an equitable trade and Troy says they don't have any money they can use.
• In response to the mugger's question about the kind of money they're carrying, Dillon explains that it is stolen money, Troy elaborates that he's correct and, technically, while a misunderstanding the money is stolen.
• Now that "Fancy Dan" has been heard from, the thug leader says to hand over the stolen money and they will worry about it from there. They say they can't do that, since it would implicate you in a bank robbery which would be unfair to them.
• The lead mugger notes that he's heard "some jive in his time, but this is prime stuff". He offers them one more chance to give up their money. Dillon suggests taking advantage of the vegetation, and they soon jump up on a large branch of the nearby tree despite being rushed by the muggers. The muggers look up at the tree in shock and disbelief. Dillon reminds Troy that they're in a hurry and, after saying farewell to the muggers, they jump from the tree limb to the top of a nearby roof. The main mugger notes that he believes he's seeing things because of all the junk food he's been eating.

Andromus and Wolfman Jack meet at Arnie's party

• Andromus and Centuri arrive at the party, and are introduced to Wolfman Jack who is dressed in a Henry VIII costume.

Act 2

• The Cylons plan to kidnap Wolfman, but when the host Arnie goes to heat up some meatballs in the microwave, Centuri collapses from the radiation.

• Leaping to action, Andromus destroys the microwave with a burst of red energy from his hand, and sets the apartment on fire. Under cover of the resulting panic, the Cylons capture Wolfman Jack and force him to take them to his radio station.

• On their way through Central Park, the Wolfman and the Cylons are confronted by muggers, who grow fearful of Centuri and let them pass.

• Having saved some people from the apartment blaze, Troy and Dillon follow shortly behind the Cylons, and use their ability to jump to get past the same group of muggers.

• Wolfman, under duress, lets the Cylons into the radio station, located high atop a Manhattan building.

• To stop his Colonial pursuers, Andromus puts the elevator out of order, so Troy and Dillon enter the elevator shaft and begin to leap from floor to floor.

Act 3

The damaged Centuri carries Andromus

• Heading to the roof, Andromus and Centuri begin to position a satellite dish for transmission when Troy and Dillon burst in.

• Wolfman Jack runs out of the way as the Cylons and Colonials exchange laser fire.

• Centuri and Andromus are both shot in the exchange.

• Disoriented, Centuri picks up Andromus and together they stumble off the roof and fall to their doom.

• The Cylons land right in a garbage truck, which drives past Troy and Dillon as they leave the radio station, their mission complete.

Notes

• Apart from the summary of "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I" at the start of the episode, Jamie Hamilton does not appear during the course of the program, despite the fact Robyn Douglass is credited with appearing in the opening credits.
• Again, there is much less of an attempt to show educational themes or lessons in this episode than in some others. However, mascots dressed as animated characters do appear in the stage production that Troy and Dillon participate in at one point. Was that put there for the kids, or was that to break up the intensity created by the appearance of Central Park gang members?
• The song in the background as Wolfman Jack escorts Andromus and Centuri through the corridor of the radio station is "That'll Be The Day" performed by Linda Ronstadt.
• In a later scene with Wolfman Jack and the two Cylons, "My Life" by Billy Joel begins to play.

Questions

• As microwave radiation interferes with Centurions, why wasn't this fact discovered and exploited by the Colonials sooner?
• Would Andromus and Centuri's bodies be recovered from the dump?

Noteworthy Dialogue

Arnie and Norman discuss meatballs

• Arnie and Norman discuss the meatballs for the party:

Arnie: Norman! Just in time for a fresh batch of meatballs.

Norman: Forget the meatballs, I'm worried.

Arnie: Forget my meatballs? Forget these morsels of heavenly splendor that I spent an hour and a half preparing?

Norman: Arnie, I don't care if you spent a year and a half!

• Centuri walks into the kitchen, inquiring of the danger that Norman spoke of:

Centuri: You were speaking of danger.

Arnie: (chuckles) Da- Danger? No, I, uh... (point to Norman) Did you say anything about danger?

Norman: Nnono. Uh, well, I, uh, I said that it was dangerous, I mean the meatballs. (Arnie glares at Norman) I mean, you take one, and, uh, you have to take another. And they just grow on you.

Guest Stars

• William Daniels as Norman
• Lara Parker as Shirley
• Marj Dusay as Mildred
• Val Bisoglio as Arnie
• Bernie Hamilton as Cop
• Heather Young as Star
• Peter Mark Richman as Colonel Briggs
• Ken Lynch as Grover
• Arthur Batanides as Cabbie
• John Finnegan as Officer in Trauma Room
• Herb Vigran as Pop
• John Widlock as Chuck
• Dan Ferrone as Police Sergeant
• Alexander Petala as 1st Tough
• Cosie Costa as 2nd Tough
• T. Miratti as 3rd Tough
• Louis Sardo as 4th Tough
• Paul Tuerpe as Fireman
• Chip Lucia as M.C.
• Rex Cutter as Centuri (uncredited)
• René LeVant as Max (uncredited)
• Ed Griffith as Leroy (uncredited)
• Unknown as Tommy

Original Series definition: a title of nobility (e.g. Lord Baltar)

Galactica 1980 definition:  Dillon goes to look up this term when the stewardess announces that the delayed passengers will be at their Halloween parties in plenty of time, but is stopped by Troy who tells him to look up the term FBI (1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I").

Galactica 1980 definition:  the Cylon variant of the automatic beacon; a portable version of this is taken from the A-B Raider and attached to Centuri before Andromus and the Centurion escape the crash (1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")

Re-imagined Series definition: the process of using the FTL engines to make an near-instantaneous apparent faster-than-light transport of a ship from one point in space to another