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Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II

2005-04-03T05:56:03Z

ALACE: /* First Run Air Dates & Releases */

[[Image:bsg-klg2-1.jpg|thumb|"Kobol's Last Gleaming Part 2" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]
== Overview ==
''Starbuck has gone to Caprica. Adama insists Roslin must stand down as President. When she refuses, he is forced to deal with that situation while simultaneously adapting the plan to rid themselves of the Cylon baseship over Kobol''

== Summary ==
*[[Raptor]] 1 is down on [[Kobol]] and is on fire, as the crew struggle to get out and remove the bodies of the dead and injured, [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar]] becomes trapped by fire in the back of the vehicle
* [[Crashdown]] tries to help him, but Baltar is too terrified to move. [[Number Six|Six]] appears and gives Baltar the strength to escape by giving the impression ''she'' is helping him out of the ship
* As they get clear, the ship explodes, and Baltar wanders into the long grass before collapsing, as the rest of the crew start checking on their injured
* [[Adama, William|Adama]] challenges [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] over [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck's]] actions with the [[Cylon Raider]] and she admits her role
* Adama requests her resignation as President. Roslin refuses. He states he is terminating her presidency. When she reveals the press are recording the conversation, he hangs up
* He isolates ''[[Colonial One]]' using the [[CAP]] to physically isolate it, and by jamming all communications from it. He then orders [[Tigh, Saul|Colonel Tigh]] and [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] to set-up a strike force to take ''Colonial One''
* Visiting [[Valerii, Sharon#"Boomer" Valerii|Boomer]] in sickbay, Adama asks her to fly a dangerous mission: take a Raptor fitted with a Cylon [[IFF]] transponder, jump to the Cylon [[Baseship|baseship]] and drop a nuclear bomb into its landing bay before jumping clear
* The strike team flies to an isolated ''Colonial One'' aboard two Raptors, lead by Tigh and Lee Adama, and they start cutting their way into the ship
* Boomer's Raptor makes it through the Cylon perimeter around the baseship, but the bomb release mechanism fails, forcing them to land inside the basestar and attempt a manual removal of the bomb
* While there, Boomer encounters a number of her "sisters". While she tries to claim she is human, they inform her she cannot escape destiny
* After she leaves on the Raptor, her "sisters" make no attempt to disarm or remove the bomb
* On Kobol, Baltar recognises Six "saved" him, and she takes him to see exactly why he has been chosen by God, and she walks him towards the ruined Tomb of Athena
* Entering it, he is shown the "face of things to come", apparently a baby in a crib, the "first of the new generation of God's children" - and he is to be their protector
* Roslin refuses Adama's final request to yield and her security team ready themselves for an assault and the strike team access the ship
* A confrontation ensues between Colonial forces and Roslin's security. It is broken only when Lee Adama sides with his conscience, and turns on Tigh. Afraid of a bloodbath, Roslin surrenders and Lee Adama is arrested
* Roslin is returned to the ''Galactica'' and placed in the brig, while Lee Adama is in irons in CIC
* Boomer and Racetrack arrive in CIC following the success of the attack on the baseship, and as he thanks them, Boomer shoots Adama twice at close range, seriously wounding him

=== On Caprica: ===
* [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] has taken [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] to hide near the [[Delphi]] Museum of the Colonies
* She is aware of the importance of the [[Arrow of Apollo]]
* They have discussed the fact that she is a Cylon (rather than a Cylon-created human clone as Helo suggested ([[Colonial Day]])
* She reveals her relationship with him is important as it brings the Cylons closer to God. She also reveals she is pregnant
* Starbuck completes her long-range jump and arrives over [[Caprica]]. Passing through Cylon lines, she sets down in Delphi and heads for the museum
* Locating the [[Arrow of Apollo]] she is confronted by [[Number Six|Six]] and a fight ensues in which Starbuck is initially badly beaten, before a last-minute rush sends them both over a landing, killing Six
* Helo comes to Starbuck's aid, and she panics when she sees Valerii, but Helo stops Starbuck from shooting her, citing that she's pregnant

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 19:36, 24 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Questions ==
* Are Adama's wounds fatal?
* What will be public reaction when the news of [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin's]] arrest finally breaks through the communication's embargo?
* Who will take over as the civil leader with Roslin in the brig and [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar]] "lost" somewhere on the surface of [[Kobol]]?
* How will [[Tigh, Saul|Tigh]] rise to the demands of command?
* What is the baby in the crib?
** The offspring from Valerii and [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]]?
** The future offspring of Baltar and a corporeal [[Number Six|Six]]?
* If the Cylons understand the significance of the Arrow of Apollo (and by extension, the Tomb of Athena), why don't they use them themselves find [[Earth]]?
:* Might they possibly also want to open the tomb in order to find and in turn sabotage Earth for the remaining fleet?
:*If they want the humans to find Earth, why try and prevent Starbuck from taking the Arrow in the first place?
** Are the Cylons genuinely interested in Earth, or has it simply been a means to bring them to Kobol?
* Why didn't the sound of Starbuck's Raider landing attract Helo's attention sooner? He's across the road from the museum, and so could hardly fail to see it touch down, or see Starbuck climb the steps to the museum itself.
* How did Six know Starbuck's name so readily? Is this a pointer to her being in communication with her "sister" in Baltar's head? Or having been in communication with Conoy ([[Flesh and Bone]])?
* Did Boomer sabotage the bomb release mechanism, thus forcing herself into landing on the baseship?
* Why didn't [[Racetrack]] raise concerns about [[Valerii, Sharon|Boomer's]] ability to survive in a vacuum on their return to the ''[[Galactica]]''?
* Did the IFF transponders genuinely work, or did the Cylons simply allow Starbuck's Raider to pass and the Raptor to reach the baseship in order for Starbuck and Boomer to continue along their "paths"?
* How many operational [[Raptor|Raptors]] does the ''Galactica'' have? [[Water]] gives the impression she had five. A total of six are used in Part I and Part II of "Kobol's Last Gleaming".
:*Not necessarily. In [[Water]], Tigh only said that there were five ''systems'' within their "Practical Jump Radius". If one raptor each was adequate for survey purposes, there would have been no reason to deploy the sixth.

== Analysis ==
An extraordinary ending to a remarkable first season; not by any means a traditional cliff-hanger episode so frequently used by sci-fi writers, it nevertheless fulfils the same purpose by both bringing several of the on-going arcs of the season together, without actually tying the thread together nor leaving them dangling in the wind. The result is to confirm much of the speculation developed throughout the first season, while simultaneously opening the overall arc of the series by providing both crises and a glimpse of the future.

As with “Kobol’s Last Gleaming, Part 1”, music plays an important part of the episode – particularly with reference to Baltar’s visions in the ruins of Kobol, where the string orchestration used in the teaser of Part 1 becomes the motif for Baltar’s transition from confused pawn to willing participant in the Cylon’s plan. Similarly, music is used to indicate Boomer’s shifts between her human and Cylon selves. And the counterpoint couldn’t be more interesting: while both utilise strings, the harmony around Baltar’s enlightenment indicates - as Six points out – the rhythm of his life falling into line with God’s will, whereas the discordant working of strings around Boomer’s contact with her “sisters” underscores the final collapse of her human will, opening the door to her Cylon personality to take control of her conscious actions and shoot Adama when the time comes.

And it is with Boomer that some of the arcs of season one draw together: yes, Valerii on Caprica is pregnant; yes love and procreation were the keys to Cylon desire with her and Helo; yes her true nature would be revealed to her crewmates – if not directly through her actions in shooting Adama, then certainly through Starbuck’s return to the Galactica. While Starbuck is liable to be thrown into the brig on her return, that’s no reason for Tigh and others not to believe claims about Boomer in light of what she has seen on Caprica and what has happened in CIC.

Another element that is finally revealed is what the Cylon’s really want out of Baltar – but this in itself raises questions. Not only about his relationship with Six, but also about the future of the Helo / Valerii storyline, and those questions centre on what he saw in the crib.

That he was seeing into the future is clear: but is the child he sees the product of Helo’s relationship with Valerii, or his own (future) relationship with a corporeal Six? On the one hand, much of what is seen points to the child being born of Valerii: she admits her condition to Helo (and thus opens the door to him remaining on Caprica with her while Starbuck returns to the Galactica with the Arrow) and the Cylons were apparently aiming for her to become pregnant by Helo (or at least, Doral and Six showed no surprised when she reported her lovemaking with him). But – Six’s words to Baltar as she prepares him to see the future are interesting: “You are the guardian and protector of a new generation of God’s children,” – a somewhat neutral explanation that comes before she smiles, catches her breath and adds, “The first member of our family will be with us soon, Gaius.” This could be a reference to the fact that Valerii is pregnant; however the shift to the possessive “our family” and “with us” could be seen to indicate the child could be Baltar’s own.

And again, how much more of an effective guardian and protector will Baltar be, if he is in fact protecting his own offspring, rather than that of another Cylon / human relationship? And if this is the case, where does that leave the Valerii / Helo relationship?

This episode also reveals some more about Six: if the offspring on the crib she sees with Baltar is that of Valerii and Helo, then it would more or less confirm that she is in contact with corporeal Cylons elsewhere – how else would she know of the developing Valerii / Helo situation otherwise as it started after her “death”? Similarly, it is interesting to note the degree of savagery involved in the beating Six gives Starbuck. In many respects, it mirrors the beating she gave Valerii in “Litmus”; at the time, the viciousness she showed seemed to be linked to the jealousy evident between her and Valerii. We now know that Six has been affected by Baltar’s reaction to sleeping with Starbuck (“Kobol’s Last Gleaming, Part 1”); could the physical beating Starbuck receives be a manifestation of the jealousy she feels for what happened on the Galactica, transmitted to her corporeal sister?

But the key question is what will happen to Adama? It is very hard to conceive of the series progressing without his presence. While the ensemble cast is one of the best put together on-screen, and while many of them – Callis in particular – have put in powerful performances, it is fair to say that Olmos is very much the anchor of this series. Without his strength and gravitas, Battlestar Galactica could end up drifting very badly. Therefore, while it will be interesting to see what new dynamics may develop while Adama is out of commission – how will Tigh handle the vagaries of command, who will he nominate as his XO, etc, – it is essential Adama’s presence is felt sooner rather than later in the next season.

While discussing Adama, it may be interesting to note that his shooting almost brings the story full-circle. As he was dying on [[Ragnar Anchorage]], the [[humano-Cylon]] [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]] warns Adama that, “Sooner or later, the day comes when you can’t hide from the things you’ve done” ([[Mini-Series]]). Adama has waged war on the Cylons – both as a young officer during the Cylon War and now in his efforts to protect his people and the fleet. He has just been responsible for the destruction of a Cylon baseship, complete with many copies of Valerii; and now Valerii has shot him.

And how will the fleet react once word of Roslin’s arrest breaks through the communications blackout the Galactica inflicted on Colonial One? What can the civilians do? In many respects Adama holds all the cards – or would do, were he in a fit condition. His ship is the key to the protection of the fleet. She is pretty much unassailable, and without her facilities, 16,000 people in the fleet would very soon be without water (“Water”). Therefore, it is hard to see anyone stepping too far out of line when it comes to making major decisions: where the fleet will go, what it will do, etc. But within the civilian community, it is hard not so see repercussions: Roslin has been arrested; Baltar is missing, possibly dead. Who is available to take the civil reigns? Wallace Gray (“Colonial Day”)? Tom Zarek (“Bastille Day”; “Colonial Day”). Is it a coincidence that not too long before, at the Quorum of Twelve, Zarek himself raised the spectre of a military coup – and that’s more-or-less what they now have on their hands?

All told, this episode generates outstanding drama that demands a successful renewal and second season. It brings what has been an excellent first season to a powerful close, reflecting the almost unbroken run of quality drama evidenced by the show. Indeed the overall quality in terms of production, writing, casting and acting more than demonstrates both Ronald Moore and David Eick are correct in limiting the show to 13-episode runs.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 19:36, 24 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Notes ==
* This episode takes place directly after those of [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]
* Cylon vessels are indeed capable of very long-range jumps
* [[Delphi]] was once a cultural centre on Caprica, and apparently held a lot of historical / religious artefacts
* Cylon basestars appear bio-mechanical, like Raiders
* In [[Water]] it was established that the ''Galactica'' had at least 5 [[Raptor|Raptors]] on board: [[Adama, William|Adama]] orders Raptors to survey local star systems for water bearing planets, 5 are dispatched. This episode reveals ''Galactica'' has at least 6: 1 is destroyed over [[Kobol]], one crashes on Kobol; three take part in the raid on ''[[Colonial One]]'', 1 simultaneously carries a nuclear warhead to the Cylon basestar,

Question: In the episode summary, you will find the entry "The strike team flies to an isolated Colonial One aboard two Raptors, lead by Tigh and Lee Adama, and they start cutting their way into the ship". TWO Raptors used in the raid. Yet, this section refers to THREE raptors being used and creates a problem with the total number of Raptors there are. Which is correct?

===Nods===
The use of [[IFF]] transponders by the Cylons is an indirect nod to [[TOS Battlestar Galactica|the original series]], in which [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] and [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] use an IFF-type device to identify their [[Cylon Raider#Original Series Raider|Raider]] to Colonial forces when they launch an attack on a Cylon Basestar ([[The Hand of God (TOS)]])

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

== Official Statements ==

== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===



*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lorena+Gale Lorena Gale] as [[Elosha]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alonso+Oyarzun Alonso Oyarzun] as [[Socinus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jim+Shield Jim Shield] as [[Karna]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Leah+Cairns Leah Cairns] as [[Racetrack]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Warren+Christie Warren Christie] as Gound Crew #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jen+Halley Jen Halley] as Ground Crew #2



=== Writing & Direction ===

*Story by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+David+Eick David Eick]
*Teleplay by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ronald+D.+Moore Ronald D. Moore]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Rymer) Michael Rymer]




=== Production Notes ===

*Series: 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.13
*Airdate Order: 13 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 24 January 2005 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: 01 April 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I

2005-03-26T04:01:38Z

ALACE: US airdate added

[[Image:bsg-klg1-1.jpg|thumb|right|"Kobol's Last Gleaming Part 1" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

== Overview ==
''The Galactica discovers Kobol, and a chain of events are set in motion that threaten to change everything.''

== Summary ==
* Following the [[Colonial Day]] celebrations, [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar]] finally beds [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]], but as they make love, she cries out for [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]], shattering Baltar
* Stricken by her apparent rejection of him in their coupling, Baltar in turn comes close to rejecting [[Number Six|Six]] and find it impossible to concentrate on anything – including his duties as Vice President
* Elsewhere on ship, [[Valerii, Sharon#"Boomer" Valerii|Boomer]] attempts to take her own life, but breaks down in tears before she can shoot herself – and she is called to the Ready Room for a pre-flight briefing
* [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] discovers that her cancer treatment is not going well; her cancer has in fact spread to her lymphatic system, giving her perhaps 6 months to live
* Baltar verbally fences with Lee Adama and is somewhat insulting to Starbuck, tipping Lee off that the doctor has slept with Starbuck; later, still thinking about Starbuck, Baltar cracks in front of Roslin
* Following a recon mission, Boomer and [[Crashdown]] return to the ''[[Galactica]]'' with evidence they’ve stumbled upon [[Kobol]]
* Determined to have things out with Starbuck, Lee confronts her in the hanger bay, and the two come to blows, Starbuck realising that her actions with Baltar have hurt Lee Adama
* Reviewing the evidence returned by Boomer and Crashdown, Roslin has a vision which [[Elosha]] confirms to be the [[City of the Gods]] on Kobol
* Roslin has two further visions – the [[Arrow of Apollo]] and the [[Tomb of Athena]], and accepts the scriptures as fact
* Boomer, still confused, attempts to take her own life – “encouraged” by Baltar in defiance of Six
* When [[Adama, William|Adama]] reviews the evidence, he orders an extensive surface survey of the planet, seeing it as a opportunity for them to settle. Warned his should get off the ''Galactica'' by Six, Baltar assigns himself to the survey
* Roslin tries to convince Adama that Kobol will point the way to [[Earth]], but they must use the captured [[Cylon Raider|Raider]] to return to [[Caprica]] and retrieve the Arrow of Apollo
* Three Raptors depart the Galactica for Kobol, but on arrival they find themselves in the midst of a Cylon force of Raiders – and a basestar
* One Raptor is destroyed, and one - carrying Baltar – is forced down on Kobol
* Before a rescue mission can be launched, the basestar must be taken out – and Starbuck hatches a plan to do just this using the captured Raider
* Hearing this, Roslin meets with Starbuck and convinces her into going to Caprica instead to retive the arrow, with telling her that Adama does not know where Earth is.

===On Caprica===
* [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] is on the run – alone – when he encounters “his” [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]], and he shoots wounds her. Unable to kill her outright, he takes her with him
* When Valerii tries to explain things to him, Helo informs her that all she is to him is a way off the planet.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 09:59, 26 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Questions ==
* Why did the people leave [[Kobol]]?
* What happened to the gods who lived on Kobol “with man?”?
* Did the gods remain on Kobol after humanity left?
* Given the similarities with the [[Greek Gods|Greek Pantheon]], did the gods decide to follow the 13th tribe to Earth, thus establishing the myths of the Olympian gods?
* Do the Cylons consider Kobol as their spiritual home as well (“The birthplace of us all” – [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]], [[Flesh and Bone]])?
* Did Boomer's Cylon personality interfere in her attmept at suicide, resulting in her wounding herself, or did her human personality lack the conviction of the act, resulting in the wound?
* If the disk devices investigated by Gaeta is indeed an [[IFF]] transponder, why did the Cylons make such an attempt to destory the ''Galactica'' during their first attack - up to and including deploying nuclear weapons against her? Was the device inactive - if so, why was it in [[CIC]] in the first place ([[Mini-Series]])?

== Analysis ==

The finest episode of Battlestar Galactica to air so far; so finely tuned the it barely misses a beat. This is also the first episode where music is used to its most evocative effect, further lifting the story into the realm of outstanding drama.

From the outset the audience knows it is in for something special; the re-cap of previous episodes so tightly defined, it for once deals with a single strand of the story to date: the Cylons, only opening at the end to reveal the motivating thrust to this episode: the finding of Kobol.

This leads into one of the most beautifully-constructed teasers witnessed in television drama. Evocative, moving – and entirely minimalist in terms of dialogue -, it really is proof that frequently, less really is more. Why waste time with words, when actions and expressions speak so much louder, and music can imbue the underlying emotions.

Battlestar Galactica has not always fared well where music is concerned. The opening theme is one that is either liked or disliked, with little middle ground; incidental music in previous episodes has been sporadic in its ability to act – as music should – as the aural scenery that helps bring the drama to life. Sometimes it has worked, in others – notably the otherwise brilliant The Hand of God – it has been so out of keeping with the atmosphere of the show, it has detracted from the overall enjoyment of the episode.

Here, however, the music is perfect – and it is interesting to see that in immersing the audience into the subtleties of the teaser, the episode uses a “classical” approach through the use of an orchestral sound, rather than the more tribal beats common to Battlestar Galactica.

And the result is remarkable. Utilising the string section in the foreground – violins and cellos slowly building a theme to which is added further instruments as new revelations are made concerning the moods and responses of the various characters; providing an aural tapestry through which everything is linked; the bringing together and the falling apart of relationships; the expression of needs, and emotions.

The music perfectly underpins one of the main thrusts of the teaser: a demonstration of how alive the humans are; how driven by passion and instinct. It was in “Flesh and Bone” that Doral stated his envy of a human’s ability to experience such extremes. Now we’re cleverly shown everything the Cylon’s aspire to experience themselves: passions unbounded by the need for constraint, given form in both the boxing and in Starbuck’s fantasy view of her coupling with Baltar (“Lee”).

Turning to the boxing, it is evident more is going on here than a simple father-and-son sparring match. Aggression and frustration are being dealt with here – as witnessed by the clear satisfaction Lee gets from striking and hurting his father. When he lands his first big punch, he asks, “Are you OK?” not out of concern, but out of satisfaction; it could have so easily been followed by, “Because there’s plenty more where that came from.” Even so, his frustrations are released guardedly, whereas his father’s response is not. He allows himself to enjoy striking his son, giving his instincts the freedom of expression they need.

Another fascinating element of the teaser is the manner in which Boomer’s situation is offset with Valerii on Caprica. As Boomer takes her handgun and prepares to shoot herself, Valerii finds Helo, and tells him to shoot her. Both of them have reached the same point in their existence, both of them because of their entirely human responses – in Boomer’s case fear and in Valerii’s the anguish of lost love. Fear and love – perhaps the strongest of emotions we can experience; and both have driven these instances of Valerii to despair. In doing so, these emotions reveal both the “flaw” within the Valerii model that makes it “weak” in Six’s eyes while also demonstrating the Cylon experiment has succeeded – perhaps in a way the Cylons could not have conceived.

The rest of the episode is no less rich. Roslin’s acceptance of her roll and the reality of the scriptures, though sudden, is entirely in keeping with all that has been shown in recent episodes. The issues arising from this are both immediate and long-term. She has already subverted the strike against the Cylon basestar – putting the entire fleet at risk, as well as the lives of some 8-10 members of the Galactica’s crew stranded on Kobol. Whether Adama be willing to let this go if/when Starbuck returns with the Arrow of Apollo remains to be seen. However, as Billy points out, if she continues to act upon what he sees (and no doubt others will believe) as “drug-induced hallucinations”, then the stability of the entire government within the fleet will be put at risk – possibly well before the scheduled elections.

In a similar way, the flare-up of jealousy and anger between Lee and Starbuck is entirely in keeping with recent events: their potential attraction has been seen in brief flashes throughout, while their frustrations with one another have been witnessed through the likes of “Act of Contrition” and most recently, “The Hand of God”. Beyond that, they have a history together that bonds them from their time at flight school, where Zak Adama initially brought them together as friends through to Lee’s arrival aboard the Galactica. Thus, Lee’s very evident attraction to her during the Colonial Day party, is fully in keeping with what we have seen: but she ends up bedding Baltar.

While this latter point is somewhat surprising given the degree of open contempt she has shown him of late (“Bastille Day”, “Litmus”, “Secrets and Lies”), given the availability of drinks aboard the “Cloud Nine” their coupling could be put down to the effects of alcohol. Certainly, Baltar has never hidden his lust for Starbuck, and it is hard to see him missing the opportunity to take advantage of his new-found position as Vice President and the fact that Six has given her permission to sleep with whoever he likes.

Why did she do it? Probably because, despite his attraction to her, and her to him (hence her orgasm-induced cry) Starbuck sees Lee as unobtainable – possibly because of that same history they share. So in her inebriation, she opts for the closest available target – Baltar. Whatever the reason, her actions are more than enough to both become the perfect catalyst for Baltar’s conflicts with Six and his apparent desire to confound her (as evidenced through his conversation with Boomer), and to act as a catalyst to bring Lee’s jealousy to the surface.

Baltar’s time with Boomer is interesting. Taking heed of Six’s warning concerning the danger the Galactica while face and acting in defiance of her mocking comments in the bunkroom itself, he acts in defiance of her, gently bringing Boomer to the point where she can carry out the attempt on her own life. Through it all, Six is obviously confused by his actions. That Boomer’s Cylon persona more than likely stopped her killing herself, the fact that Baltar was willing to act as he does has a major impact on Six – hence her more gentle reminder to him when the survey of Kobol is being planned.

The episode also can’t be faulted for the standard of performance turned in. Across the board all of the ensemble cast put in sterling performances that serve to ratchet-up “Kobol’s Last Gleaming Part 1” so it stands head and shoulders above what has already been a remarkable first season run. Thus, to single any individual member of the cast out at the expense of the others would be somewhat unfair; everyone appearing on-screen – be it for 40 minutes or 4 – makes their character utterly engrossing to watch.

The final elements that round-out this episode are the writing and direction. With this story, Eick and Moore demonstrate they have a clear vision for where the series will hopefully go (allowing for future renewals), the territories it may cover and the ways in which the various threads can be intertwined and then neatly separated again to build a complex picture of humanity and circumstance. Furthermore, in ramping-up the Roslin arc, they are simultaneously bringing some of the threads that have formed the fabric of this first season to an end, while opening new potential avenues for exploration in future seasons.

Having veteran BSG director Rymer (mini-series, “33”) helm this episode is also a smart move. In both the mini and “33”, Rymer firmly established the look and feel of the finished Galactica product, and here he demonstrates his finesse with the docu-drama style the production has striven for; using the technique to draw the audience into the drama almost as if they are themselves participants.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 13:06, 19 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Notes ==
*It is 3 days since the events of [[Colonial Day]]
*There are now 47,897 survivors in the fleet
*The fleet is beginning to run short of supplies
*Humans departed Kobol some 2,000 years prior to the setting of the series
*Kobol is a place where the “gods and man lived together in paradise”
*Some of the "gods" appear to be buried on Kobol (Athena's tomb)
*[[Socinus]] has been released from the brig and returned to duty.

===Blooper Moments===
When Sharon shoots herself, she is holding an automatic pistol, but the sound was that of the larger sidearms carried by pilots when flying off-ship missions (only slightly suppresed), rather than the report of a "normal" pistol being fired.

===Nods===
The use of [[IFF]] transponders by the Cylons is an indirect nod to [[TOS Battlestar Galactica|the original series]], in which [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] and [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] use an IFF-type device to identify their [[Cylon Raider#Original Series Raider|Raider]] to Colonial forces when they launch an attack on a Cylon Basestar ([[The Hand of God (TOS)]]

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
''In the bunk room, as Baltar interrupts Boomer’s second attempt on her life.''
*Boomer (as she pretends to be cleaning her hand gun): What’s going on?
*Baltar (cautiously): Well, I was going to ask you the same question….Actually, I was looking for Lieutenant Thrace but, ah…(sitting alongside her on the bunk)…sometimes it’s good to, ah, talk these things over.
*Six (feigning pity): Deep down she knows she’s a Cylon, but her conscious mind just won’t accept it.
*Boomer: Sometimes I have these dark thoughts…
*Baltar: What kind of dark thoughts?
*Six: Her model is weak (she allows herself a knowing smile), always has been. But in the end she’ll carry out her mission.
*Boomer: I don’t know, but I’m afraid I’m going to hurt someone. I feel like I ought to be stopped.
*Six (moving to the other side of Boomer): She can’t be stopped. She’s a Cylon. (Pity entering her voice again) You can’t help her, Gaius…(tone turning to a sneer) but you could probably sleep with her. (Baltar reacts with a look of disgust at Six.)
*Six: That’s what you want, right?
*Baltar (to Boomer): I’m not sure why….sometimes…we must embrace that which opens up for us.
*Boomer: Embrace?
*Baltar: Life can be a curse as well as a blessing. (Six reacts in confusion; this is not what she expected to hear from Baltar.)
*Baltar (becoming more intense): You will believe me when I tell you: there are far worse things than death in this world…
*Boomer: So you’re saying…?
*Baltar: No. No, no, no. Ah…What I say…is meaningless. Listen to your heart. Embrace that which you know to be the right decision. (They look at each other as Six regards Baltar with a look of complete incomprehension, then Baltar stands and kisses Boomer on the forehead before walking out of the bunkroom. Seconds later there is the sound of a single gunshot from inside.)

== Official Statements ==

=== Regarding Lack of Definitive Information Regarding [[Kobol]] ===
{{from_RDM_blog}}

:"In the last two episodes it is noted by the priestess that the the thirteen tribes left [[Kobol]] about "2000 years ago" and the initial esitmate of the age of the ruins is the same, but nothing is concrete of course. This is where I have a problem: They were obviously a star faring civilization to leave Kobol to being with. To do so requires information technology. Why is their history of that time so sketchy and lacking of concrete records? Yes it was 2000 years in the past but come on, it's not like they only had [[Wikipedia:papyrus|papyrus]] to write on. "

:I've been presupposing some kind of cataclysm or crisis that occured soon after mankind settled on the 12 worlds which either wiped out the knowledge base or had it deliberately destroyed for some reason. This doesn't seem that implausible when one considers that a tremendous amount of knowledge from the Greco-Roman tradition was lost after the fall of the [[Wikipedia:Roman Empire|Roman Empire]] and plunged the western world into the so called [[Wikipedia:Dark Ages|Dark Ages]]. Clearly, the Colonials did not fall all the way back to papyrus, and they do in fact, know that they are descendants of refugees from Kobol, hence the term "[[Colonies]]." They must have possessed star-faring technology at the time of the exodus, but I don't know how far we'll go into this specific backstory in the series, however.

== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===



*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lorena+Gale Lorena Gale] as [[Elosha]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Donnelly+Rhodes Donnelly Rhodes] as [[Doctor Cottle]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alonso+Oyarzun Alonso Oyarzun] as [[Socinus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as [[Cally]]
*[[Olmos, Bodie|Bodie Olmos]] as [[Constanza|Constanza / Hot Dog]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Stephen+Spender Stephen Spender] as Pilot
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+James+Bell James Bell] as ECO



=== Writing & Direction ===

*Story by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+David+Eick David Eick]
*Teleplay by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ronald+D.+Moore Ronald D. Moore]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Rymer) Michael Rymer]




=== Production Notes ===

*Series: 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.12
*Airdate Order: 12 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 17 January 2005 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: 25 March 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK)

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Delphi

2005-03-25T04:55:06Z

ALACE: Name correction

A Colonial city on [[Caprica]] featuring a large spaceport and military base.

Following the [[Cylon attack|Cylon Attack]], Delphi is used by the [[Cylons]] as their primary base of operations. [[Valerii, Sharon|Valerii]] and [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] make their way acorss the planet in the hope of being able to find a vehicle they can use to fly off [[Caprica]] ([[Flesh and Bone]], [[Hand of God]], [[Colonial Day]]).

It is also the city that contains the [[Arrow of Apollo]], an artefact that may be the only clue to the whereabouts of Earth ([[Kobol's Lasting Gleaming, Part I, Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). When [[Roslin, Laura|Laura Roslin]] has visions following the discovery of [[Kobol]], she overrides [[Adama, William|Adama's]] plans and persuades [[Thrace, Kara|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] to take her captured [[Cylon Raider]] to [[Caprica]] in order to recover the Arrow ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).

Successfully jumping to [[Caprica]], Starbuck lands next to the museum in which the Arrow is kept and manages to retrieve it, but she is badly beaten by [[Number Six|Six]], and encounters [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and the pregnant [[Valerii, Sharon|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]).

== Ancient Greece ==

The location of Delphi is one of many of the series’ influences by ancient Greek mythology and history. In antiquity, the Greek city of Delphi was home to the Delphic Oracle, a Sibyl who made predictions, delivered in song or verse, which may have been inspired or influenced by the breathing of vapors emitted from the ground. The Oracle was originally a Pythian priestess (named for the python, killed by Apollo). Overt time, she became known as The Pythia.

Initially, the Oracle was associated with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_%28mythology%29 Gaia], who became the foundation of the [[Greek Gods|Olympian Gods]]. However, with the founding of a temple to the god [Greek Gods | Apollo]], Delphi became more closely associated with him.

This relationship between Delphi and Apollo is reflected in Delphi on Caprica being the home of the Arrow of Apollo.

--[[User:Gizmojumpjet|Colonial Historiographer]] 10:04, 25 Jan 2005 (EST) 
--Expanded, --[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 19:18, 25 Jan 2005 (EST)

== External Links ==

Wikipedia entry for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi Delphi] 

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion]]
[[Category:Colonial Society]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Colonial Day

2005-03-25T04:46:37Z

ALACE: /* First Run Air Dates & Releases */

[[Image:bsg-1-11.jpg|thumb|"Colonial Day" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

: This article refers to the [[Episode Guide|episode]] "Colonial Day". For the holiday itself, see [[Colonial Day (holiday)]].

== Overview ==

: Colonial Day is due, and [[Roslin]] is using it to institute an interim [[Quorum of Twelve]]; then [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]], duly selected as the representative of [[Sagittaron]], stands for the post of Vice President, a position Roslin is determined he will not hold. 

== Summary ==
*[[Colonial Day]] - the anniversary of the signing of the [[Articles of Colonisation]] is due
*[[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] has chosen it to unveil a new [[Quorum of Twelve]]
*However, a crisis erupts when terrorist/criminal [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]] is selected to represent [[Sagittaron]] – and he accepts
*As the Quorum is convened, Zarek increases the crisis by insisting that the vacant post of Vice President is filled, in case anything should happen to Roslin – a move that is surprisingly seconded by [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]] – Tom Zarek is thereupon nominated as a vice presidential candidate
*Roslin responds by pushing [[Gray, Wallace|Wallace Gray]], her policy-maker into standing as an alternative candidate
*Manipulating the media, Zarek makes headway in his desire to secure the position as Vice President, with Roslin hampered by what may be the makings of an attempt on her life – possibly orchestrated by Zarek
*Surprisingly, it is Gaius Baltar who comes to her aid, giving an eloquent speech through the media that reminds the people of Roslin’s qualities – and Zarek’s background. As a result, Roslin has Gray relinquish his position as her nominee in favour of Baltar
*Baltar wins the nomination – through Roslin’s final intervention in an official capacity – but Zarek makes it clear matters are far from over: there is still the presidential elections due in 6 months.

=== On Caprica: ===
*[[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] have reached [[Delphi]]
*Helo considers the humano-Cylons to be human "replicants", created by the Cylons using human DNA.
*Valerii uses this idea as a means of testing his possible feelings towards her, should she reveal her true identity
*Later, as they try to enter the Cylon base at Delphi, Helo sees another Valerii, and realises the truth – which sets him on the run from the base – and Valerii herself

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 10:40, 26 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Questions ==

*Just how much freedom of movement within the fleet have Zarek’s people gained since the events of [[Water]]?
*Will Zarek be able to use this apparent freedom to rally support for the forthcoming elections?
*Was Zarek really behind the suspected attempt on Roslin’s life?
**If she had been assassinated before he secured the position of Vice President, he would have a prime suspect. Similarly, had she been assassinated after secured the vice presidency, he would still have been a prime suspect
**As the Vice President, he would have every opportunity to build a track record as an effective politician, and thus stand as a highly competent alternative to Roslin in the elections
*How does the Quorum of Twelve relate to the Office of the President? Does it function in a similar manner to the US Congress?

== Analysis ==

This is the most poorly-conceived and executed episode in BSG's first season. While it does make valid points about the nature and structure of Colonial society within the fleet (or at least [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]] makes them very briefly), outside of the [[Helo]]/[[Valerii]] situation on [[Caprica]], the storyline here is ultimately transparent and weak.

Specifically:

*There has been no real sight nor sound of the Cloud Nine (admittedly a wonderfully-ironic name) in the fleet until now - and this is being passed off as being because she has been "under repair".
*"[[Wallace Gray]]" is allegedly the power behind Roslin's throne, setting her agenda and policies, overseeing the distribution of food and medical supplies - essentially performing the role of her Chief of Staff / right-hand-man yet never once has he been previously mentioned or seen! Wallace Gray is so clearly a plot tool - and a badly-handled one at that: first he doesn't want the VP nomination, but accepts because Roslin needs him; then when asked to step down, he comes off in an embittered huff (presumably never to be seen again)
*Zarek's challenge for the position of Veep is an obvious construction to lay the path for Gaius Baltar to become the Vice President
**It is surprising that, after her somewhat vicious words to him in [[Six Degrees of Separation]], [[Roslin]] can face off with [[Baltar]] without so much as an apology for past actions - it has already been established ([[Secrets and Lies]]) that since that event she has barely spoken to him - and it hardly seems likely she'd use their time together in the ''Galactica's'' [[Situation Room]] to make her apologies / overtures of friendship ([[The Hand of God]])
**It is equally surprising that Baltar's ego doesn't offer greater resistance to her request. True, she is to a degree pandering to his desire to be back in the limelight - but given his nature, such an open "forgive and forget" doesn't entirely sit with his nature
*Baltar's ascendancy to the position of Vice President is badly telegraphed - given the synopsis, it is apparent as soon as [[Starbuck]] informs Baltar he has been selected as Caprica's representative in the Quorum
*The intrigue around Valance and his gun, etc., is heavy-handed and comes across either as illogical or as padding for a storyline otherwise short on action
*Security is meant to be heavy aboard the ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' - yet there is ''no'' intervention from any security personnel in what amounts to a brawl in the bar
*Why, when [[Lee Adama]] has expressed concern over just about every aspect of security on the ''Cloud Nine'', is Valance held on the ship in an obviously insecure area (air vent access) - rather than being shipped back to the ''Galactica'', with her brig, for proper interrogation?

Indeed, it is the Valance sub-plot which is most poorly explained / illogical. Assuming Valance [[was]] working for Zarek, and was on the ''Cloud Nine'' to kill Roslin - then his presence undermines Zarek as a clever manipulator. Positioning himself for the roll of Vice President, getting the vote and then having Roslin killed - all at the same event - would inevitably point the finger at Zarek and place him at the centre of a major investigation, under the control of [[William Adama]], which is unlikely to relent until his complicity has been proven. In short, he would be paralysing his ability to act as the President.

As Lee Adama himself states to Starbuck - once Zarek has secured the position of Vice President, he can have Roslin taken care of at any time. Indeed, given the resources now clearly at his disposal (witness the Virgon representative's comment about Zarek's people coming to his aid ahead of Roslin's), there is no reason not to suppose Zarek could arrange for Roslin to meet with an "accident" - perhaps a failure with her shuttle as she moves around the fleet - which would make his complicity very much hard to prove.

That said, there is still some excellent acting in the episode - especially where Baltar is concerned. His interview with the press and particularly his "exclusive" to Playa Palacios in the toilets and both particularly noteworthy examples of [[James Callis|James Callis’]] marvellous handling of the character but this still doesn't compensate for the rest of the time spent on ''Cloud Nine''.

But other than this, the major story arc is a missed opportunity. Presented with a chance to explore the state of Colonial society within the fleet, and address key issues, the producers frittered the opportunity away with shallow intrigue and hollow political manoeuvring. The West Wing this was most certainly not.

The only time the episode truly comes alive is during the all-too-brief scenes on Caprica. These scenes beautifully-encapsulates all we need to know and feel:

*Valerii's attempt to probe Helo about his feelings, using his "replicant" theory
*Valerii is showing more symptoms of being pregnant
*They reach Delphi and the chance of a ship off the planet
*Helo is suddenly - and quite unexpectedly - confronted with Valerii's true nature.

This is excellent stuff, but amounts to less than 10 minutes of screen time, and it unfortunately, isn't enough to lift this episode.

Still, every show tends to misfire once or twice through the course of a season - some managing to do so a lot more frequently. We're fortunate that this is the first - and hopefully only - hiccup in what has otherwise been a highly-successful first season.

== Notes ==
*10 days have passed since the events of [[The Hand of God]]
*The office of the President operates in conjunction with the Quorum of Twelve, a council of representatives of the 12 colonies
*The Articles of Colonisation were signed 52 years ago
**Given the 12 colonies have been inhabited for millenia, the Articles therefore don't directly relate to the settlement of these worlds
**However, given the timeframe (52 years) and its proximity to the first Cylon War, perhaps the original articles were the document that united the 12 colonies to fight the treat of the Cylons, and became the bases for their peaceful co-operation after the war
*Issues surrounding the distribution of food and medical supplies are beginning to cause concern within the fleet
*Despite being "isolated" aboard the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' ([[Bastille Day]]), Zarek has managed to use his time to build up contacts within the fleet and offer assistance to other vessels - so much so that the representative from Virgon is only too willing to throw his support behind Zarek.
*Apparently convicted felons lose their citizenship under Sagittarian penal law but have it automatically reinstated after they finish serving their sentences. This included the right to vote and to stand for election.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 18:54, 27 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

Helo and Valerii have arrived in the vicinty of the Cylon base at Delphi, and the talk turns to the two women "helping" the Cylons

Helo: (Standing as Valerii crouches with her back to him, getting some food) I'm trying to make sense out of two women would sell [out] to the Cylons. 
Valerii: (keeping her back to him) And? 
Helo: I can't fathom why anybody would want to help the toasters...and they just happen to be twins? It's too weird. 
Valerii: You got a better explanation? 
Helo: Do you think the Cylons could be messing with human DNA? (Valerii reacts, mouth opening as she looks away). Cloning people or something? 
Valerii: (gathering herself and looking over her shoulder at Helo) Could be. 
Helo: (nodding and crouching) That would explain how they took us by surprise. They had these...replicated humans infiltrating the colonies, laying the groundwork for the surprise attack. 
Valerii: (pausing, as if considering this) You know, if they were human clones, that means they're capable of...complex emotions - maybe even love. Maybe they were misguided in the way they were indoctrinated... 
Helo: (interrupting) Wait a minute! They're not human! No human could do the things they've done - killed billions of innocent people (Valerii looks away, hurt) 
Helo. They've got to be frakking Cylons, just like the rest of them...

== Official Statements ==




* ''"I'm part of the nitpick brigade, but since the Colonies are obviously modelled after the US system of government, right down to the line of succession, are legislative and judicial branches? If so what are they called and will we see any manifestation of either branch take shape as series progresses?"''

:In Episode 11, "Colonial Day" we'll see the reinstatement of the [[Quorum of Twelve]], a political body established in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original series]], which seems to be a cross between a US style Senate and the UN Security Council, where each Colony has a single vote. Presumably there was also a larger representative legislative body and some kind of separate judiciary. There is also a religious body, (unnamed thus far) that acts in some advisory capacity to the government, along the lines of the British House of Lords. Although we haven't dealt with it yet, [[Elosha]] was probably a member of this body. -- {{from_RDM_blog}}

== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===


*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Richard+Hatch Richard Hatch] as [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Kate+Vernon Kate Vernon] as [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen Tigh]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Robert+Wisden Robert Wisden] as [[Gray, Wallace|Wallace Gray]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alex+Zahara Alex Zahara] as [[Valance]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Malcolm+Stewart Malcolm Stewart] as [[Bagott, Marshall|Marshall Bagott]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+David+Kaye David Kaye] as [[Macmanus,James|James Macmanus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Cylne Nicki Cylne] as [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Cailin+Stadnyk Cailin Stadnyk] as [[Ensign Davis]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Christina+Schild Christina Schild] as [[Palacios, Playa|Playa Palacios]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Biski+Gugushe Biski Gugushe] as [[Hamilton, Sekou|Sekou Hamilton]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+James+Ashcroft James Ashcroft] as Spectator #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Patricia+Idlette Particia Idlette] as [[Parker, Sarah|Sarah Parker]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Mario+Battista Mario Battista] as Gardner




=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Carla+Robinson Carla Robinson]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jonas+Pate Jonas Pate]




=== Production Notes ===
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.11
*Airdate Order: 11 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 10 January 2005 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: 80 March 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March, 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

The Hand of God (RDM)

2005-03-12T04:28:02Z

ALACE: /* First Run Air Dates & Releases */

[[Image:bsg-1-10.jpg|thumb|"The Hand of God" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

== Overview ==

: With the fleet short of [[tylium|fuel]], the ''[[Galactica]]'' launches a daring attack on a Cylon base.

== Summary ==
* The fleet is almost out of fuel, and the ''[[Galactica]]'' has [[Raptor|Raptors]] out scouting nearby star systems to find tylium ore - if they don't, the fleet can make two more jumps at best
* Aboard one of the Raptors, [[Valerii, Sharon#"Boomer" Valerii|Boomer]] and [[Crashdown]] find more than tylium – they find an asteroid full of the ore, complete with a Cylon base and refinery
* Faced with hoping to locate tylium elsewhere using their remaining supplies of fuel, or taking the asteroid from the Cylons, [[Adama, William|Adama]] opts to take the asteroid
* On ''[[Colonial One]]', [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] reveals she is being affected by taking [[Kamala]] extract to [[Elosha]] – her dreams about [[Conoy, Leoben|Conoy]] which occurred immediately before he was found on the ''[Gemenon Traveller]]'' ([[Flesh and Bone]]), and her hallucination about snakes
* On hearing about the snakes, Elosha reveals an ancient text written by [[Pythia]] 3,600 years ago concerning the exodus of humankind
* [[Tigh, Saul|Tigh]] and [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] draw up an initial plan to take the asteroid, but [[Starbuck]] comes up with an alternative idea, which is presented to Roslin, who gives her approval
* Plans are drawn up for the attack on the Cylon base on the asteroid, and [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar]] is involved in preparations. In doing so he completes his transition into “an instrument of God”
* The attack is launched – at first everything appears to go wrong; but as the situation unfolds, it turns out that there is a plan-within-a-plan – Adama doesn’t trust anyone other than his immediate officers with the full details of the action - not even Roslin
* Even so, things do not go well, until in a daring manoeuvre, Lee Adama manages to destroy the Cylon base on the asteroid, and win the supplies of tylium for the fleet.

=== On Caprica: ===
*[[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Boomer|Valerii]] are hiding-out on a farm on their way to [[Delphi]]
*When Helo offers to fix a meal, Valerii is uncharacteristically sick, leading them to try and settle down for some sleep
*They are interrupted by the arrival of a troop of Cylon warriors - lead by a corporeal Six!
*Forcing a stunned Helo into action - he cannot believe the woman he saw Valerii kill is coming after them - Valerii forces him back on the run

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 10:38, 26 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Questions ==

* Why did [[Adama, William|Commander Adama]] order the fighters to pursue the fleeing [[Cylon Raiders]], instead of securing the area?
* How many Vipers does Galactica actually have? Do they have a contingency plan should the a majority (or all) of the Vipers be destroyed? Or are they simply fraked?
* Are the Colonials able to build ships, such as [[Vipers]], from scratch? Or can they take destroyed hulks and rebuild off them?
* How exactly can a 3,600 year old text fortell the exodus of humanity, and the leadership of [[Roslin, Laura|President Roslin]]?
* Does someone have time on their hands to build miniatures of the new Cylon Raiders for the [[Situation Room]]!?

== Analysis ==

Another powerful episode – if unfortunately contrived in some areas - that did much to further several plot lines and again draw together so much of what has transpired in previous episodes.

The performances throughout were powerful, and it was in some ways good to see one or two of the characters falling back into their old ways – notably Starbuck sliding back towards her conceited, overly-confident “frak off, only I can do this” annoying in-yer-faceness, and Apollo with his “oh woe is me” routine. That both of these two – who have progressed so far in so many different ways in so short a time (36 days, to be exact) can be seen to still have the baggage of their formal lives kicking around their feet, ready to be tripped over, is again a point in BSG’s favour in portraying the reality of the human condition. No-one becomes an ideal role-model overnight – or over the course of a month.

It’s also interesting to see how Roslin’s doubts concerning Adama’s humanity ([[Flesh and Bone]], [[Secrets and Lies]]) have now reaped their harvest: Adama doesn’t trust her sufficiently enough to reveal all the details of tactical and strategic operations to her. In many respects, this side of their relationship is back to how it was back in [[33]].

With the Helo / Valerii situation on Caprica, the procreation element appears to have come to the fore. Despite the time of day, Vallerii's vomiting smacked strongly of "morning sickness". If this is the case, the meaning behind her statement to Helo that she is the one the Cylons are after ([[Secrets and Lies]] is doubly clear: not only do they want her back – they want what they suspect she may be carrying inside her. And now he’s seen Six again, Helo can’t go on much longer before he starts stringing at least some of it together.

But of the entire episode, it is the opening of the Roslin and Baltar arcs that are the compelling.

Roslin is interesting on a number of levels. First off, there is the fact that she herself has some limited precognition, presumably as a result of the Kamala treatment she is taking. But if it has happened once ([[Flesh and Bone]]), will it happen again? What will happen as her cancer grows, and she comes to rely on Kamala and other medications to a greater degree. Oracles are not uncommon, it would appear from Colonial legend (Pythia) – could we see Roslin travel the road from purely political leader to a more pseudo-religious leader / Sybil; a possible counter-point to Baltar himself?

Then there is the reference to Pythia herself, and a further link to the ancient Greece of our own planet. In Greek mythology, the Pythia was the priestess at Apollo's oracle in Delphi. The name itself comes from Python, the dragon slain by Apollo.

The Pythia operated as a vehicle for Apollo's will to be known to those on earth. A believer would make a sacrifice and present a question to a priest. The priest would then present the question to the Pythia. The Pythia sat on a bronze tripod in the adytum, or inner chamber of Apollo's temple. In this sacred chamber the spirit of Apollo overcame the Pythia and inspired the prophecy.

Note the interesting potential resonances here:

*In our mythology, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythia Pythia] was the servant of Apollo; in BSG, we see a woman foretold by the Colonial’s “Pythia” seeking the counsel of “Apollo” (Lee Adama), and using the knowledge he imparts to her to better understand the likes of Adama
*In our mythology, it is often inferred that Pythia’s trances were induced from chewing laurel leaves (hence depictions of her holding a sprig of laurel) – on BSG, Roslin’s “vision” are induced by her taking an herbal remedy known as Kamala extract.

A further interesting – possibly coincidental – resonance is that the Pythia in ancient Greece were the oracle of Delphi – and on Caprica, Helo and Valerii are making for the religious centre of Delphi.

On Baltar’s part, things are equally interesting – both in their religious context, and with the evolving situation with “his” Six.

Following his seeking God’s forgiveness ([[33]]) and his repentance of his sins ([[Six Degrees of Separation]]), Baltar finally becomes God’s “instrument”. He literally becomes the hand of God referenced in the episode title: he is the one that points out the target that will destroy the Cylon base.

This in itself is interesting. Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen Baltar move through the five emotional states that tend to guide our reactions to a new “truth” we’d rather not face:

*Denial (dismissing the “disappearance” of the ''Olympic Carrier'' after the call from Dr. Amorak as anything more than a serendipitous event - [[33]])
*Anger (his outright hostility towards Six as she continues to "bore" him with talk of God - [[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*Bargaining (praying to God for his safety in return for his obedience - [[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*Depression (leaving the Situation Room without having “heard” God’s voice & facing up to the fact that he had to – again - lie)
*Acceptance his messianic response to Six’s coaxing at the end of this episode.

Another interesting aspect of Baltar’s acceptance that he is indeed an “instrument of God” is in the fact that – as with many [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_Christianity fundamentalist Christian]] teachings here on Earth (which state that to truly become a Christian, one must undergo “death” and rebirth - hence the baptism) - Baltar experiences his own “death” as Six apparently breaks his neck while in his fantasy world, and he is “reborn” in the present, facing Tigh and Starbuck, and points out the tylium precursor tanks on the asteroid.

Given all this, is it any wonder we have a somewhat messianic Baltar at the end of the episode?

But what is the driving force behind Baltar’s “conversion”? The concept of a pseudo-Christian God is very much a Cylon concept, being repeatedly expressed by both Baltar’s Six and Leoben Conoy. It is also a concept alien to Colonial thinking. Taking it as read that Baltar is a human – one who prides himself on being a rational genius and “above” the need for religious “flim-flam” - why should he fixate on a Cylon religious concept?

Could it simply be a part of his mind playing on something Six said to him before Caprica was attacked? Or could it be the fact that “his” Six really is something more than a simple manifestation of his own psychosis? That she is an ideology / personality “downloaded” into him?

Again, this episode points towards Six being an ideology / personality downloaded into Baltar. To dismiss all that has happened around Baltar as a simple string of coincidences he has been able to knit together into his own personal version of reality is, on the basis of the events in this episode, becoming increasingly hard to accept.

And it is Six who brings the story circle – returning to the writings of Pythia and the two and ten serpents – only in this case, an alternative meaning is deduced (by Baltar): the 12 serpents are in fact the 12 Vipers lead by Apollo on the raid on the Cylon base. And again, notice the careful counterpoint: when Roslin reveals her hallucination to Elosha, the priestess reveals the writings of Pythia to her, essentially anointing Roslin as the leader Pythia once foretold. In the closing scene we have Six using the same writings to finally convince Baltar that he is also “anointed” – an instrument of God.

Is it mere coincidence that Six picks on the same passages as those identified by Elosha?

Away from these two threads, Adama further reconciles himself with his son – the scene played out in the Viper bay with the lighter is exceptionally well-handled, and fully in keeping with all that we’ve seen between Adama and Lee since the events of [[You Can’t Go Home Again]]. Indeed, in this, it is far more in keeping with the nature of both characters than the somewhat clumsy scene between Adama and Thrace that took place in Adama’s cabin during [[Act of Contrition]].

Similarly, and as mentioned, the re-bubbling of animosity between Lee Adama and Kara Thrace is handled by the writers and the actors with the right level of intensity that makes the situation so believable: Lee Adama’s resurfacing self-doubt; Thrace’s returning arrogance (born no doubt of her inability to fly herself): a careful mix that fully reminds us that there is still a lot of history to these characters – to all our cast – and past attitudes and doubts are not easily put aside.

Returning to the main thrust of the episode: the need of tylium and the attack on the Cylon base. In setting it up, the producers are making it clear that, as with the fall-out from the events of [[Water]], they are not going to forget logistical matters. We’ve have a water shortage, now we’ve had a fuel shortage. However, they’ve also very cleverly made it clear that such problems are not going to become an easy fall-back for writers stuck for ideas to use: in [[Water]] it was made abundantly clear that, saving sabotage or serious damage, the [[Galactica]] can keep the majority of the fleet supplied with clean water (and it was intimated that other vessels in the fleet can take care of their own water needs). Here, it is fuel that is currently the issue of the day – providing the Cylon base is taken; we’re informed that fuel supplies needn’t be a problem for the fleet for another couple of years – again barring mishaps.

But perhaps the most interesting question surrounding the entire tylium situation is: was it actually a set-up by the Cylons?

We know from Leoben Conoy’s promise to Starbuck ([[Flesh and Bone]]) that the Colonials are going to find Kobol. To do so, they are going to need fuel – and the chances are that the Cylons are aware of this fact, either through deduction (the fleet has been burning fuel at a considerable rate – no fewer than 238 jumps in the first five days of the “chase”) or via possible contact with their agents within the fleet. What better to ensure they reach Kobol that to not only provide them with raw tylium, but also with the facilities to rapidly mine it? Certainly, considering their vast numerical superiority (some 140 Raiders facing around 18-20 Vipers) – the Cylons gave up easily enough once the base had been destroyed.

Further, given the way they appear to set so much by Colonial religious writings – Six and Conoy both quoting scripture and ancient texts – allowing the Colonials to “win” the battle at the tylium asteroid could been seen as a means of fulfilling the prophesy quoted by Six to Baltar, and thus helping “ensure” the upcoming confrontation at Kobol.

Which is not to say the story is not without a few hiccups; for a start, how does a seasoned tactical officer like Tigh come up with a plan of attack on the Cylon base that is so fundamentally flawed in its concept from the outset: jumping the Galactica in “behind” the enemy, without considering the nature and extent of the enemy’s likely fighter patrols? One might forgive Lee Adama such a mistake – he’s hardly a veteran war planner; but Tigh? He of all people should know that this far outside of a friendly sphere of influence, when the enemy (the Colonials) have a warship capable of jumping in on them from any point in space, the Cylons are bound to have the most obvious hiding-places staked out with fighter patrols or automated scanning systems.

No, the flawed planning is designed to open the door to Starbuck’s “out-of-the-box” thinking & the planting of the decoy mission. Sadly, while it does this, the way the opening is played diminishes Tigh for his lack of foresight.

Then there is the question of why is Starbuck so upset that the first part of the plan - the attack by Viper Strike Force One is going “wrong”? It is her plan – as Adama states – and so she should be aware that it is the “Strike Force” that is in fact the decoy, not the freighters. As such, the decoys stand a good chance of “being cut to pieces” – yet her reaction, in facing Adama is accusatory, as if she had no idea this would happen.

Next up is the fact that - despite the loss of their base – the Cylons have a massive numerical superiority over the Colonial Vipers (some 18-20 Vipers (after losses), split into two small groups facing-off against 140-ish Raiders) – yet they failed to ram this advantage home. Part of the Cylon plan? Possibly, but the way it was handled in the episode (the Raiders simply “bugging out”) doesn’t really support this. Nor does the idea of those same 140-odd Raiders simply running away from a force of just 8 Vipers (the remaining ships of Strike Force One) without making some attempt at taking out several more Vipers.

Finally, there is Adama’s apparently reckless response to the news the Cylons are bugging out – ordering his fighters after them when a) the Cylons do have a massive numerical superiority that could quickly put his fighters at risk; b) the Cylons have FTL and so could easily evade the Vipers (after drawing them out) prior to jumping, re-grouping and then jumping back in (to, say, launch an attack directly on Galactica herself while she is still sans fighters.

But these really are minor glitches in what is otherwise an episode that again operates on several levels and cleverly interweaves a number of different threads.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 18:14, 27 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Notes ==
*Nine days have passed since the events of [[Secrets and Lies]]
*Tylium ore is use to power FTL systems, but probably not through any fissionable reaction
*Cylon technology is clearly a Colonial off-shoot, as one would expect: from the use of tylium down to the shape of doorways
*William Adama’s father was Joseph Adama
*Sharon Valerii on Capica may well be pregnant
*There is an ancient text some 3,600 years old foretelling humanity’s flight – and apparently, Roslin’s leadership
*Mark II Vipers can carry both missiles and munitions pods (bombs)
*The Mark VII Vipers all appear to be out of commission - even Apollo is now regularly flying a Mk II
*The religious overtones to the human / Cylon struggle are becoming more pronounced, with a now-promised confrontation due at the “home of the Gods”
*The Colonial fleet has a tylium refinery ship among its number
*With the capture of the tylium mining facilities on the asteroid, the Colonials should be able to gather enough tylium to keep them going for about 2 years – assuming they can shift that much tylium to their refinery ship before the Cylons return

*''The Hand of God'' is also the name of an [[TOS Battlestar Galactica|original series]] episode.

===Nods===
* After releasing the [[Raider]] is being flown by [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]], [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] falls into formation with her and they share a wing-waggle. This is a homage to the original [[The Hand of God (TOS)|Hand of God]] episode, in which [[Captain Apollo TOS|Apollo]] and [[Starbuck TOS|Starbuck]] use a [[Cylon Raider#Original Series Raider|Cylon Raider]] to escape a basestar and use a wing-waggle to identify themselves to identify themselves to [[Bommer (TOS|Boomer]].

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

Lee Adama sits with a battered Viper before the mission. He is joined by his father, who after a short conversation, Adama hands lee a lighter

Adama: It belonged to you grandfather. My mom bought it for him when he was in law school. See the engraving on it? 
Lee: (reading the name "Joseph Adama") Yes I, um, can barely make it out... 
Adama: He was a better father than I was. Dad used to carry that into court cases; claimed he never lost unless he left it behind. 
Lee So you’re worried too. 
Adama: About what? 
Lee: Sometimes it feels like the whole ship thinks...Starbuck...would do better. Adama: I don’t. 
Lee: How can you be so sure? 
Adama: Because you’re my son.

== Official Statements ==




== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===


*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lorena+Gale Lorena Gale] as [[Elosha]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Cylne Nicki Cylne] as [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Cailin+Stadnyk Cailin Stadnyk] as [[Ensign Davis]]
*[[Olmos, Bodie|Bodie Olmos]] as [[Constanza|Constanza / Hot Dog]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lucianna+Carro Lucianna Carro] as [[Katraine|Katraine / Kat]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Terry+Chen Terry Chen] as [[Perry|Perry / Chuckles]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Christina+Schild Christina Schild] as [[Kohn, Playa|Playa Kohn]]
*[[Gugushe, Biski|Biski Gugushe]] as [[Hamilton, Sekou|Sekou Hamilton]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Paul+Cummings Paul Cummings] as [[Fireball]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Camille+Sullivan Camille Sullivan] as [[Stepchild]]




=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+David+Wheddle David Wheddle] and [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Bradley+Thompson Bradley Thompson]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jeff+Woolnough Jeff Woolnough]




=== Production Notes ===
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.10
*Airdate Order: 10 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 3 January 2005 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: 11 March 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March, 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)|Hand of God, The]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down

2005-03-05T03:33:44Z

ALACE: /* First Run Air Dates & Releases */

[[Image:bsg-1-09.jpg|thumb|"Secrets and Lies" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

== Overview ==

: [[Tigh, Saul|Colonel Tigh's]] world is turned upside down when [[Tigh, Ellen|his wife]] arrives on the ''[[Galactica]]'' - but is she all she professes?

== Summary ==
* [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] comes aboard the ''[[Galactica]]'' as [[Adama, William|Adama]] receives a report that [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar’s]] [[Cylon detector]] is operational
* Unable to shake [[Conoy, Leoben|Conoy’s]] words to her ([[Flesh and Bone]]), she wants Adama to take the test first; he reluctantly agrees
* When a lone [[Cylon Raider]] shows up, [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] is ordered to intercept, and [[Tigh, Saul|Tigh]] is stunned to learn Adama is off-ship
* The Raider is crippled, and a [[Raptor]] is dispatched to gather intel on it
* Adama returns to the ''Galactica'' with a further shock for Tigh: his wife
* Roslin calls Baltar to check on the progress of Adama’s Cylon test – only to find Adama has cancelled so that a woman called “Ellen” can be tested. Roslin orders Baltar to restart Adama’s test immediately
* Roslin summons Tigh to Colonial One and reveals her suspicions regarding Adama, and challenging a defensive Tigh over Adama’s behaviour in leaving the Galactica unannounced
* Tigh takes the wind out of Roslin’s sails when he states Adama was off-ship so he could collect Tigh’s missing wife – [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen]]
* After Tigh has left her office, Roslin calls Baltar and orders him to stop Adama’s test and resume Ellen’s
* Later, at a dinner in Adama’s quarters, Ellen behaves with a mixture of her old self – trying to play footsie with Lee Adama under the table, and trying to flirt with him over the table – and strange curiosity concerning [[Earth]]
* Adama deflects her probing by asking how it could be that she got aboard a ship, the Rising Star without anyone having any knowledge or her or of treating her during her alleged 3 weeks of being unconscious
* Ellen simply shrugs off the questions in her apparently drunken state and breaks up the party with her “drunken” playing
* As she and her husband return to their quarters, they encounter Baltar, with whome she openly flirts, both annoying Tigh and raising Six’s curiosity
* After Baltar has departed, Ellen deflects her husband’s anger at her behaviour by claiming Adama wants her, then dragging Tigh after Baltar
* In Baltar’s lab, a row is brewing over the various tests that should have been carried out; things being even more complicated when Tigh and his wife arrive, and the disagreements and suspicions become a three-way argument, which is broken up when Adama, Lee and Tigh are summoned to [[CIC]]
* The Cylon Raider has stopped behaving oddly, and is on an intercept course for ''Galactica''. [[Alert fighters]] are dispatched at Tigh’s order, and the Raider is destroyed
* Later, back in Baltar’s lab, Ellen’s test results come through and are apparently green. Baltar, however simply states to Six that having everything turn up green makes life a lot easier.

=== On Caprica: ===
*[[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] are trying to avoid the Cylons by running through the storm drains under a city
*Valerii has a plan - she claims to have overheard the Cylons discussing a huge base at [[Delphi]], she believes they can steal a ship from there and get off the planet
*[[Doral, Aarob|Doral]] and [[Number Six|Six]] are definitely affected by the fact that even though Valerii has run off, she is experiencing emotions they have never had - as is Helo.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 10:25, 26 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Analysis ==

An episode that cleverly mixes intrigue and humour to conjure a rich tapestry that is somewhat different to earlier episodes – but no less entertaining in the questions it raises.

The intrigue is initially driven out of Roslin’s paranoia towards Adama, but quickly re-centres on Ellen Tigh.

Roslin’s paranoia is fed by Leoben Conoy’s last words to her in “Flesh and Bone” – she is genuinely concerned that Adama is a Cylon, and his pre-occupation with Ellen Tigh doesn’t help calm her fears. But even when the mystery surrounding Adama’s actions is resolved, the intrigue doesn’t let up: just who or what is Ellen Tigh? Human or Cylon?

The weight of evidence for her being human is almost overwhelming. She is vindictive, manipulative, calculating (witness her ability to play footsie under the table with Lee Adama after hearing about his brother's death), but human nonetheless. She has clearly been a destructive force in Tigh's life - and most likely the reason for his drinking problem, and despite her claims to want a reconcilliation, it is clear that little has really changed within her: she is man-hungry, and delights in sowing the seeds of mischief.

BUT - and there is always a "but" in BSG, the writers throw in just enough to create doubt:
*Why is it that - as Adama points out - no-one can remember her either being aboard the Rising Star or being treated for her injuries until the last few days?

*Why can’t the Captain of the Rising Star remember how she came to be aboard his ship. Her "rescue" from Picon sounds so dramatic, surely someone would remember her coming aboard the ship, whether she was conscious or not?
*And why is her interest at the dinner table focused singularly on the subject of Earth? Is it really the "talk of the fleet", or is there something behind her persistence?
*She operates in a manner strikingly similar to a cross between Six and Conoy. Like Six, she is not afraid to use her sexual mores against men; like Conoy, her words seem laced with half-truths and are frequently manipulative and border on the insidious
*Finally, there is her comment on meeting Baltar, “Oh, I know exactly who you are.” On the one hand, it could simply be a result of her recognising Baltar as a leading scientist and (no doubt) playboy, and her predatory nature kicking-in. On the other hand, knowing exactly who someone “is” usually means a person is not fooled: they know intimate secrets about the individual they are meeting, and so the comment is usually taken as a thinly-veiled threat. Does Ellen Tigh know more than she is letting on?

Even the denouement concerning Ellen Thigh’s heritage is open to interpretation: Baltar proclaims her to be human, but then admits to Six he’s decided all results are going to be “green”; as he puts it: “no muss, no fuss”. He won’t even reveal the true result of the test to Six.

Six’s reaction to Ellen Tigh is equally interesting: “Something here, isn’t there?” she states after Ellen’s unconventional introduction to Baltar – and it is doubtful she is referring to the flirting that takes place; rather, her words are a warning, as is her follow-up comment: “You should be watching her.” Six has sensed something in Ellen Tigh, and it is something she doesn’t trust.

So, could it be that Ellen Tigh is a Cylon? Certainly, it has been established that there are 12 models of Cylon, so again, this leaves room for her to be one. But – again – if she were, that would raise an interesting precedent: it would mean that that Cylons can replicate living (or once-living) humans. Were this to be the case, it would significantly alter the balance of things. For this reason, more than any other, it is unlikely Ellen Tigh is anything more than a human woman with an agenda of her own.

Meanwhile, on Caprica things also continue to take an interesting turn. Now fugitives together, Helo and Valerii are finally making an attempt to get off the planet, and Valerii is reaching the point where if she doesn’t admit her status to Helo, he’s going to guess. Above them – literally - we are given further insight into Cylon motivations for what was occurring around Helo, and once again it all seems to boil down to the emotions generated by love: loyalty, need, protectiveness, desire, generosity, anguish, the motivations it creates – all of which appear to be beyond Cylon understanding, even though they are capable of other, baser emotional responses, as witnessed by Six’s tears and Doral’s hurt envy. And there is still that small matter of procreation hanging in the air...

Perhaps the one weak link in the episode is the arrival of the Cylon Raider. Despite all the material the production crew have to play with in this episode, this one thread sticks out from the rest and almost screams “Padding!” at the top of its voice.

As an attempt to heighten concern about Adama’s real motivations (the Raider turning up while he is out and about in a Raptor), it is nothing short of clumsy. As a means of confirming the fact that the Colonials don’t have FTL systems of a comparable size to those contained in the captured Raider, and are thus keen to find out all they can about a “working” version, it is short on drama. Was the Raider really crippled? Was it playing a game with the Colonials - if so, to what purpose? What caused Starbuck to come to this conclusion? None of the answers to these questions are even hinted at - much less explained, leaving the entire Raider situation something that has a big “So what?” hanging over it.

But this aside, “Secrets and Lies” serves up another interesting blend of character-driven drama that demonstrates that Battlestar Galactica is also capable of some fine humour.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 18:50, 27 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Notes ==
*Also called "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down"
*It is 3 days since the events of Flesh and Bone
*There are now 47,905 survivors in the fleet. That’s a loss of some 52 people since the last count
*Billy’s relationship with Dualla is picking up, despite his attempts to pump her for information
*Tigh’s alcoholism was more than likely kicked-off by his wife – either directly or through her infidelity – or possibly both
*Baltar apparently has no intention of being honest about the results of his Cylon tests
*The test themselves apparently take 11 hours to generate results (although Boomer’s result in “Flesh and Bone” was obtained in far less time than this – less than 8 hours, in fact)
*The Galactica has a forward observation lounge that has become a much sought-after trysting-placing, with individuals and couples rotated through it at regular intervals
*The Cylons have established a major base at Delphi, another major city on Caprica

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

As Starbuck walks in on Baltar, as he "entertains" himself in his lab:

*Baltar (pulling up his pants and turning to face Starbuck): So, um, what can I do for you?
*Starbuck (eyeing him with abject disgust): You can zip up your fly!

== Official Statements ==




== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===


*[[Vernon, Kate|Kate Vernon]] as [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen Tigh]]
*[[Bennett,Matthew|Matthew Bennett]] as [[Doral, Aaron|Doral]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Slex+Green Alex Green] as Deckhand




=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jeff+Vlaming Jeff Vlaming]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Edward+James+Olmos Edward James Olmos]




=== Production Notes ===
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.09
*Airdate Order: 9 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 13 December 2004 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: 4 march 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]