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Hero

2007-01-30T04:55:37Z

Dctcool: /* Questions */

{{Episode Data
| title= Hero
| image= Season 3 - Promo - Hero -Adama Tigh and Novacek.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 8
| guests= [[Carl Lumbly]] as [[Bulldog]]
| writer= [[David Eick]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Rymer]]
| production=
| rating=1.3
| US airdate= 2006-11-17
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| podcast=Y
| population= 41,421
| prev= [[A Measure of Salvation]]
| next= [[Unfinished Business]]
}}

== Overview ==
:''A [[Bulldog|figure]] from [[William Adama|Adama]]'s past returns to haunt him. His return raises questions about why the Cylons launched their initial attack against the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]].''

== Summary ==

=== On ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' ===

* ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' detects three [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raiders]]. Much to the surpise of the [[CIC]] crew, two Raiders are pursuing a third Raider, damaged by Cylon gunfire. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] are dispatched. After destroying the pursuing Raiders, they go after the third.
* In CIC, [[Admiral Adama]] orders Kat and Starbuck to escort the Raider to ''Galactica'', after hearing, from the Raider, a familiar human voice and callsign: [[Bulldog]].
* In the hangar bay, Adama and the party are surprised that a human has exited the Raider. A visibly weak Daniel Novacek salutes Adama; Adama returns the salute.
* Over a meal (noodles eaten with chopsticks) Adama asks Novachek how he escaped. He relates a story of plague on the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] and escaping after killing a [[Number Three]] with a blow to the nose delivered through the cell bars.
* Bulldog is debriefed by the [[Laura Roslin|President]] with Adama present, where they tell a (decidedly shaky) story of a mining facility too close to the Armistice Line. When the briefing ends, Roslin immediately questions Adama's story. He replies that it is "his mess" and that he resolve it. After she leaves, Adama kicks over a table in frustration.
* Novachek sees [[Saul Tigh]] in his quarters shortly after Adama talks to him. Tigh informs Novacek that Adama (aboard battlestar ''[[Valkyrie]]'') ordered Novachek shot down to get rid of evidence of their incursion into Cylon space.
*Meanwhile, Adama confesses the mission's actual specifics to his son, [[Lee Adama|Lee]], and his belief that he provoked the Cylon attacks on the Colonies. Aghast at first, Lee Adama tries to console his father, blaming the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Fleet Admiralty]], saying that he was "only one man." Adama responds, "It only takes one."
* [[Kara Thrace]] reviews their Viper's gun film from the fight with the Cylon Raiders and realizes that the Cylons were deliberately missing their target, letting Bulldog get away. She goes to Saul Tigh with this information, who deduces that Bulldog was sent there by the Cylons to kill the admiral.
* Tigh finds Novacek in the process of killing Adama and stops him. Bulldog has flashbacks to being let out of his cell.
* Later, Adama presents his resignation to Roslin. Bemused, she refuses to accept it, and points out that the Admiralty may have been trying to provoke a war, and that he cannot shoulder the entire responsiblity for the holocaust on his shoulders. She then tells him that his penance will be to accept a [[Medal of Distinction]] for his long years of service, and to be a hero, a trait badly needed for the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet's morale]].
* After sending Novacek off to a berthing on another ship with a uniform, Tigh (now wearing an eyepatch instead of medical gauze) and Adama sit down for a drink in the admiral's quarters to discuss what happened to [[Ellen Tigh]] on [[New Caprica]].

=== On a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] ===
*In a dream, [[Three]] is trying to avoid marines on ''[[Galactica]]''. The marines corner her against a hatch labelled "End of Line." The marines raise their weapons and Three tells them to shoot.
*As the shots go off, Three wakes up in bed with [[Baltar]] and [[Caprica-Six]]. She has apparently been having a sexual relationship with Baltar and possibly Six as well.
*In the Cylon control room, Caprica-Six questions Three about her bad dreams. Caprica Six asks if the dreams are about Baltar. Three indicates otherwise, but does not elaborate.
*Three gives a [[Cylon Centurion]] orders to shoot her, and then delete any information regarding the incident. The Centurion obeys and shoots her in the head. In the moments before she is downloaded, she experiences memories from New Caprica and a startling vision of [[Final five|five white-robed beings]] whose identity is obscured.
*Three awakes in a [[Cylon rebirthing tank]] where a Three, Five, Six, and Eight help her recover. The downloaded Three tells her counterpart, "There's something beautiful, miraculous between life and death."

== Questions ==
*Did Bulldog know of or see other human prisoners during his three years of captivity?
*What class of battlestar does ''[[Valkyrie]]'' belong to?
*Why would a "Stealth Ship" in enemy territory break radio silence and use active [[DRADIS]]?
*How was the ''[[Valkyrie]]'' able to track, target and engage a stealth ship?
*Was ''[[Valkyrie]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s mission the only one the admiralty undertook or were there others?
*Was [[Laura Roslin]] right in speculating that the admiralty might have sent ''[[Valkyrie]]'' in order to provoke a war?
*Just what exactly was the "Unknown" craft that jumped near Stealthstar, disabled it, and then jumped away? Whose was it? Where did it come from?
*Who were the five white-robed figures [[Three]] saw in her vision before downloading? ([[The Passage|Answer]])
*Does Bulldog have information regarding the five remaining humanoid Cylon models of which nothing is known?
*How did Baltar's status change from torturee in "[[A Measure of Salvation]]" to an apparent sexual relationship with [[Caprica Six]] and [[Number Three]]?
* Was Adama's whole command staff transferred from the ''[[Valkyrie]] ''to ''[[Galactica]]'' after the failure of the recon mission?
*Why did Number Three go through all the trouble to program the Centurion to erase its memory once it shot her? Was she afraid of being "[[boxing|boxed]]" by the other Cylons for reasons of insanity or because it would do some sort of damage on the Centurion once its processed the kill? ([[Rapture|Answer]])
*How did Bulldog find the Fleet?

== Analysis ==
*''Valkyrie'' appears to be an intermediate step between the ''Galactica'' and ''Mercury'' battlestar designs. In addition, it seems to be slightly smaller than either; this may mean that it is a "light" or "fast" battlestar type designed to support larger vessels.
*Adama and Roslin know each other well enough by now to tell when the other is lying, or is not fooled by a lie, even when others around can't. Roslin has always been the better of the two in this ability, as early as revealing Adama's initial ruse about the location of [[Earth]] ([[Miniseries]]).
*At the end of the episode, [[Saul Tigh]] is trying to deal with his guilt over his wife, but he does not seem to want his job as XO back, at least not any time soon.
*Adama's feelings of guilt over his actions during ''[[Valkyrie]]'s'' mission shed new light on the motivation for his speech at ''[[Galactica]]'s'' decomissioning ceremony at the begining of the series. Also, they explain his near-monomania with safeguarding and/or rescuing those under his command or protection.
*The Cylons are able to detect and destroy the [[Stealthstar]] that had only entered two kilometers into their space. This seems suspicious given the fact that they were unable to detect the [[Blackbird]], presumably a far less sophisticated design. Either the Cylons had more advanced detection equipment on the [[Armistice Line]], or they had advance knowledge of Bulldog's mission.
**It is only speculation that the Blackbird's stealth capabilities were less effective than those of the Stealthstar. The reason that the Blackbird went undetected by the Cylons is that its hull, at Helo's suggestion, was made of carbon composite. There is no way of knowing whether or not this was true of the Stealthstar.
**In addition, the Cylons near the [[Armistice Line]] would have known to look for stealth ships, as they probably suspected that the Colonial fleet would try to gain intelligence on the Cylon military status. After the destruction of the Colonies, it is unlikely that the Cylons believed that the Colonials were still in possession of any kind of stealth fighter and would not attempt to detect one.
**Bulldog was communicating to ''Valkyrie'' before being attacked. The Cylons may have been able to detect this radiation and fire at the source of it.
*Bulldog's story is even less believable given the fact that it took Kara Thrace several hours to gut a [[Raider]] and learn how to fly it. The Raider Kara captured was damaged, but it would still have taken Bulldog some time to adapt the raider for his own use.
**As the episode implies that Bulldog was deliberately released by the Cylons in an effort to direct his anger towards Adama, it is possible that the Cylons allowed Bulldog to gain a working knowledge of the raider.
*Bulldog probably could have stolen a Heavy Raider, which unlike the light versions seems to have a crew compartment and perhaps piloting controls, but then the production crew couldn't have re-used the captured-Raider prop from "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]" on the flight deck set.
*Kara Thrace going to Tigh with her findings is an acknowledgment of their shared semi-pariah status and the connection that was shown in "[[Collaborators]]" for the first time.
*The last two scenes of "Hero" appear to have been edited to ensure that the final scene was with Adama and Tigh. Right after the celebration scene, Adama is seen giving Bulldog a new uniform, but Adama is wearing his everyday uniform. In the final scene with Tigh, Adama is wearing his dress grays from the celebration. It appears at the very least, the two scenes were in reverse order, meaning the episode originally ended with Adama giving Bulldog his new uniform.
*During her experience between death and rebirth, Three finds herself reliving a series of memories from her various lives, including a shot of her in a theater on Caprica in "[[Final Cut]]", her final moments during "[[Downloaded]]", and her discovery of Hera on New Caprica in "[[Exodus, Part II]]". She also has a vision of another kind: the [[Opera House|opera house]] seen by Baltar during the final moments of "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
**This sequence, as well as this episode as a whole, showcases a number of fundamental BSG leitmotivs that have had little to no exposure in their original form since the end of season one/beginning of season two. The music as well as the imagery, reminds us that we've seen the opera house before, and the associated musical themes will likely help elucidate the symbolism behind the two visions.
*Three's flashbacks after being shot by the centurion indicate that she is the same individual who was killed on Caprica by [[Caprica-Six]] in "[[Downloaded]]" and who found Hera in "[[Exodus, Part II]]". It is of course possible that some of these recollections are the result of memory-sharing rather than direct experience.
**If she is the same Three that died on Caprica, that leaves the question how it can be that she didn't get the opera house experience on her first death, even though she was stuck in limbo for thirty-six hours because of the massive casualties at the cafe in "[[Downloaded]]". It is plausible that this Three wanted to die because she'd never experienced death before.
**It is also plausible that God is only just now trying to tell her something. The opera house may act as a cue, a signal sent from God that facilitates reflection on one's own destiny at a pivotal point in their existence, when it is no longer acceptable to ignore their role in God's plan out of arrogance or inconvenience (Baltar, "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]" ), or because it seems a contradiction of the identity they'd formed by refusing to question their fate (Three, from the final days of the occupation through "Hero"). In both cases, the opera house is revealed to a soul straddling the line between life and death, both in a physical and spiritual sense, and it is perhaps this balance that can uniquely invoke the presence of God, and guide the chosen instruments towards their intended destiny.
**It is interesting to note the central role Hera plays in both of the visions that bring us to the opera house.
*There is at least [[Stoffa|one other doctor]] of some kind in the fleet, because Cottle instructs Bulldog to report to him.
**This doctor is probably a psychotherapist that specializes in some sort of mental trauma issues. Considering that Bulldog was in captivity for such a long time, and his breakdown while attacking Adama, at the very least, Bulldog will need a counselor to help him work through all of the emotional and mental scars that he's endured. Cottle had already confirmed that Bulldog was generally well cared for, physically, by the Cylons.
*Based on the Raider's apparently staged attack, the Cylons appear to know the current location of the Fleet.

== Notes ==
*Laura Roslin reviews a [[:md:Image:Dossier.png |dossier]] prepared for her by [[Billy Keikeya|Billy]] on her first day aboard ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. It includes large photos of battlestar ''Galactica'', a photograph of the CIC crew of ''[[Valkyrie]]'', a (mostly illegible) certificate bearing [[Saul Tigh]]'s name, and a cursory biography of William Adama. This biographical information as been intergrated into [[William Adama]] article. Also, an analysis of Colonial dates used in the dossier can be found in the [[Timeline %28RDM%29#Analysis of Colonial Dates |Timeline (RDM)]] article.

*Admiral William Adama names Major Lee Adama to succeed him as commander of ''Galactica'' in his [[:md:Image:3x8-Hero-ResignationLetter.jpg | resignation letter]].

*In Adama's flashback, the admirals are wearing their decorations on their day uniforms. This contrasts with most Colonial Fleet officers shown thus far, who only wear their decorations on their dress uniform sash.

*Admiral Corman's office is decorated with weapons and war memorabilia. Admiral [[Helena Cain|Cain]]'s quarters were similarly decorated. Both individuals seemed ready, almost eager, for a conflict.

*Both [[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Sharon Agathon]] appear in this episode, but neither has any lines.

*In Number Three's dream, the door at which she is shot by the marines is labeled "End of Line". As well as being a metaphor for death, this is a statement repeated often by the Cylon [[Hybrid]]. "End of Line" is a also a reference to the movie [[w:Tron (film)|''Tron'']] <ref name="podcast2">{{cite rdm podcast| episode = Hero| act = 1 | id =endofline| timestamp = 00:16:56 | totalrunning = 00:47:05 }}.</ref> and could also be a computer/programming reference.

*This episode shares some plot elements with the ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode, "[[MemoryAlpha:The Defector|The Defector]]," written by Moore. Notably, it begins with a dramatic chase delivering a dubious ally into friendly hands that is later shown to be staged. Additionally, both episodes feature plots revolving around a contested border.

* For the episode, [[Bear McCreary]] created a musical theme for Novacek, called "Novacek's Theme", which was "very much inspired by [[w:Alfred Hitchcock|Hitchcock]]'s collaborations with composer [[w:Bernard Herrmann|Bernard Herrmann]]". <ref name="bear_mccreary">{{cite_web|url=http://www.bearmccreary.com/html/blog/blogmain.htm|title="Hero"|date=17 November 2006|accessdate=25 November 2006|last=McCreary|first=Bear|format=blog|language=English}}</ref>

*In her vision of the Opera house, Three briefly glimpses five white figures. In his Podcast for this episode, Moore implies that these correspond to the final five Cylon models.<ref name="podcast">{{cite rdm podcast| episode = Hero| act = 3 | id =fivecylons| timestamp = 00:30:51 | totalrunning = 00:47:05 }}.</ref>

* Adama jokingly chides Novacek for his "bullshit attitude". The line was censored in the broadcast of the episode on the [[w:Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]] in America, however in the release of the video on [[w:iTunes|iTunes]] and in the Canadian broadcast on the [[w:Space: The Imagination Station|SPACE channel]] the line was uncensored.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''Speaking to another Number Three after downloading:''
:'''Number Three''': There's something beautiful, miraculous between life and death.

*''Bulldog calls on Saul Tigh at Saul's quarters:
:'''Tigh''': So ... drink?
:'''Bulldog''': You have no idea!
:'''Tigh''' (scowling, unseen): Yes, I do.

== Official Statements ==
*A video blog gives an insight to this episode during filming. <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/video/index.php?cat=videoBlog&vid=34824|title=Introducing Bulldog|date=2006-10-11|accessdate=|last=|first=|format=VID|language=}}</ref>
*[[Bear McCreary]] discusses writing "Noavcek's Theme" on his web blog:
*: In general, I only write thematic material for characters who matter in the grand scheme of the series, in hopes that the character will return at a later point in the story. In rare cases I make an exception in order to give a guest star a particularly resonant musical voice. For example, [[Bill Duke]]'s [[Phelan]] from [[Season 2 (2005-06)|season two]]'s [[Black Market]] required his own theme, since all the events of the episode led up to his eventual stand-off with [[Lee Adama|Lee]].
*:
*:Hero was obviously another such case. Novacek's mysterious past drives nearly every scene in the entire show, and it was clear he required his own theme as well.<ref name="bear_mccreary"/>

== Guest Stars ==
* [[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Lucy Lawless]] as [[Number Three]]
* [[Carl Lumbly]] as Lt. [[Daniel Novacek]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Luciana Carro]] as Lt. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
* [[Barry Kennedy]] as Admiral [[Corman]]
* [[Tiffany Lyndall-Knight]] as [[Hybrid]] (credited)

== References ==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by David Eick]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Rapture

2007-01-26T11:36:27Z

Dctcool: /* Questions */

{{Episode Data
| title= Rapture
| image= Final Five.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 12
| guests= [[Lucy Lawless]] as [[Number Three]]<br/>
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Rymer]]
| production= 312
| rating=1.4<ref>{{cite_news|first=|last=|url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-battlestarsundayratings,0,863950.story?coll=zap-tv-headlines|title='Battlestar' Ratings Dip on Sunday|publisher=Zap2It.com|page=|date=24 January 2007|accessdate=24 January 2007|language=English}}</ref>
| US airdate= 2007-01-21
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population= 41,401
| prev= [[The Eye of Jupiter]]
| next= [[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]
| itunes= http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=VWbyALbmqZY&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewTVSeason%253Fi%253D212127611%2526id%253D200852806%2526s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30
}}

== Overview ==

: ''With an impending supernova, the Colonials and Cylons see their time running out as they endeavor to unlock the secrets of the [[Eye of Jupiter]]. Meanwhile, [[Number Three]] executes her plan to know the faces of the [[Final Five]] and [[Sharon Agathon]] tries to get [[Hera|her daughter]] back.''

== Summary ==

===Act 1===
*Others in ''[[Galactica|Galactica's]]'' [[CIC]], particularly Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]], become increasingly agitated and shocked as Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] continues issuing orders to arm and launch several nuclear missiles at the [[Temple of Five]]. He instructs Colonel Tigh to enter his launch codes as Adama does the same on his command console.
*In the [[The Eye of Jupiter|previous episode]], the Colonials warned that they would destroy the continent where the ancient [[temple]] resided if the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] attempted any landing there. Six [[Heavy Raider]]s are now heading to the planet, and Adama is intent on showing the Cylons that he is not bluffing.
*The Cylon [[basestar command]] detect Adama's continued missile preparations and become visibly worried that Adama will indeed destroy the Temple. Each of the available models immediately agree to a recall, except for the [[Number Three]] model, who defies the command group's consensus, and refuses to recall the last Heavy Raider.
*''Galactica'' notices the recall of all but one of the Heavy Raiders, which gives Admiral Adama a moment to reconsider. After several tense moments, Adama rescinds the launch order and orders his battlestar to stand down.
*The Cylons are relieved as well, but after the Three in the command room leaves in satisfaction, the others realize that the Cylon, a race predicated on consensus and not defiance or distinctive personality clashes, have a serious problem. A [[Cavil]] voices that the Threes are out of control, and that a decision regarding their actions must be made, sooner rather than later.
*In their quarters, [[Helo]] is angry, saddened and unable to convince his wife, [[Sharon Agathon]] of another course of action by way of Raptor or other transport in her desire to rescue their daughter, [[Hera Agathon|Hera]], in the hands of the Cylons. In the end, both embracing, Helo shoots his wife to force her consciousness to [[Resurrection (RDM)|download and resurrect]] on the Cylon [[Resurrection Ship]] to attempt the rescue.

===Act 2===
*On the [[algae planet]], [[Lee Adama]]'s resistance movement is preparing. However, the Major and [[Samuel Anders]] are still fighting over saving [[Kara Thrace]] after her [[Raptor]] crashed from a Cylon missile attack. When Anders angrily proposes that he will shoot Major Adama if Thrace is dead, Adama responds that he would oblige Anders if Starbuck was killed, relating his feelings about the downed pilot. Their impasse ends when Adama calls his wife, Lieutenant [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]], and orders her to attempt reconnaissance and rescue of Starbuck.

*[[Galen Tyrol]] and his team continue deciphering the writings inside the Temple of Five for discerning the location of the [[Eye of Jupiter]], believed to be an important artifact that gives further data on the road to [[Earth]]. Their investigation does not go well, although Chief Tyrol believes he is close to understanding the writings.
*Admiral Adama and President Roslin meet with Helo and question his wisdom in the Agathon's rescue attempt of their daughter. Adama is concerned that the Cylons may gain critical tactical data from their defected former [[Cylon agent]]. When Roslin criticizes Helo, he angrily reminds her that, if she [[Downloaded|didn't steal their daughter]], the Agathons wouldn't be in this situation.

*Dualla and Sergeant [[Omar Fischer]] make their way to Starbuck's location, but are soon attacked by a Cylon sniper. After her partner is killed, Dualla scrambles, weaponless, along an alternate path to Starbuck's location.

*Starbuck has survived her crash relatively unhurt except for severe burns on her hands. The pain is so severe that Thrace hasn't sufficient dexterity to inject herself with a [[morpha]] shot for the pain. When she hears a noise outside, however, Starbuck suppresses the pain long enough to raise her sidearm at her Raptor's open door.
*Thankfully, Dualla appears at the entrance. After administering a morpha shot, Dualla proceeds to assess the Raptors damage. She tells Thrace that she was ordered to "bring Starbuck to Apollo," describing less of the actual rescue and more of her pain over the "secret" affair between Adama and Thrace.
*Sharon Agathon downloads successfully. Through fortune or design, it is [[Caprica-Six]] who greets her at the [[Cylon rebirthing tank]]. Agathon seems truthful in her intentions, despite Six's concerns. In turn, Six tells Agathon that the child is ill and is worsening, to the confusion of the Cylons.
*On the planet, Major Adama's team have set a bomb kill zone in a ravine where any Cylon forces must walk through.

===Act 3===
*When the [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]] spot the trap, [[Jean Barolay]] is forced to detonate it before the Cylons completely enter the blast radius.
*The explosion removes the lower torso of one Cylon, but it, along with the two undamaged units, return fire. The Colonials destroy the legless Cylon, but lose one of their own in the firefight. Having lost their only chance to hold back a Cylon advance, they begin a retreat to the highlands of the planet to await rescue.
*Major Adama calls Chief Tyrol and orders the immediately evacuation and destruction of the Temple of Five lest it fall in Cylon control. A reluctant Tyrol orders his team out and soon follows, with a detonation cord reel to the [[G-4]] packs in his hands.
*Dualla continues to repair the damaged [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series#Colonial Avionics|avionics]] from cannibalizing [[datacord]] from the ship's communications system. When Thrace's pain increases, Dualla (with an apparently less-than-cordial "bedside manner") stabs Thrace's leg with another morpha injection. As she drifts into a sedated delirium, Thrace confesses to loving and hating Lee Adama and her husband. Dualla slaps the pilot both in annoyance and in an attempt to keep Thrace focused on a major problem: the former petty officer on ''Galactica'' is not flight-trained and cannot fly the Raptor, while Thrace's injuries make it impossible for her to fly.
*[[Gaius Baltar]], the "D'Anna" Three, and a [[Cavil]] prepare to enter the Temple. Baltar's virtual Six appears to remind him, despite Three's feelings, that Baltar himself and not Three is the "anointed one" who is meant to activate or access the Temple's secrets.
*Reunited with the other Colonials at a safe distance from the Temple, Tyrol is reluctant to detonate the Temple's explosives. When Major Adama wrestles the detonator away from Tyrol and activates it, nothing happens. Unknown to them, Cavil, Three, and Baltar have removed the detonator caps from the G-4 immediately after they entered the Temple.
*Chief Tyrol and the team see the atmosphere ripple and pulsate as the star begins its nova. The star's corona (or its effect on the atmosphere above the Temple) takes shape to form a likeness of the circular multicolored starburst-like [[w:mandala|mandala]] that decorated the Temple. Tyrol quickly realizes that the star itself ''is'' the Eye of Jupiter. The Colonial team goes to investigate.
*The algae planet's home star has made a helium burst of its outer atmosphere. The star is going nova. Everyone, Cylon and Colonial alike, have less than an hour to escape the system.
*Sharon Agathon and Caprica-Six arrive at Hera's room, where Agathon's ''Galactica'' predecessor, [[Sharon Valerii]], is tending the child. Valerii is visibly angered at Agathon's presence. When Agathon picks up her crying daughter, the child's cries cease momentarily. Caprica-Six curiously realizes that, while both Agathon and Valerii are biologically identical, Hera is able to recognize her mother.
*Agathon's human first-aid training recognizes that Hera's stomach is too firm, suggesting a possible intestinal blockage. When Valerii comments that the Cylon doctors detected no such problem, Agathon reminds her that the Cylons have no pediatric care experience, having medical experience only with the adult-sized humanoids of their kind.
*Agathon tries to have Valerii remember her love of Chief Tyrol and Admiral Adama, but the former "Boomer" denies her past and rescinds all possibility that humans and Cylons could co-exist, remembering the events on [[New Caprica]].
*Agathon pulls Caprica-Six from Hera's bedside and tells her that, for Hera to survive, she must return her to medical facilities on ''Galactica''. Complicating this, Valerii grows jealous of her inability to help Hera, appearing to become unstable, and physically threatens to break Hera's neck. Agathon pleads for Hera's life as Caprica-Six manages to knock out Valerii. To prevent Boomer from getting up, Six breaks the Cylon's neck.
*Agathon and Caprica-Six agree that Hera (and others that come after her) are crucial to the future of the Cylons (and, by implication, the Colonials). They make their way to ''Galactica'' by way of a captured Raptor.

===Act 4===
*Inside the Temple of Five, Baltar quietly notes a Colonial sidearm left behind while Cavil and Three example the structure. When the virtual Six points out the only mandala on a raised section of the floor, Baltar notes it, and Three gravitates to it as well.
*The nova's effect or light is being channeled through the central spire's crystalline mechanisms and activates a beam of light on the floor's sunburst.
*Cavil attempts to stop the Three from using the beam, questioning Three's intentions not to find Earth in as much as seeking the forbidden information of the [[Final Five]]. He points a gun to shoot Three, but Baltar shoots and kills the Cavil from behind.
*Three walks into the beam and immediately sees the vision of the five she's seen before. Unlike before, however, she is able to discern the specific faces. Three stands in front of one face (not visible to viewers) and immediately recognizes it, apologizing to the being for past transgressions before the vision abruptly stops.
*Dualla manages to fly the Raptor away to space, with Starbuck's guidance.
*Admiral Adama orders an immediate Raptor rescue of everyone on the planet after the Cylons [[Basestar (RDM)|baseships]] immediately retreat to escape the pending nova shockwave.
*Baltar holds Three, who apparently suffers mortal damage from the use of the Temple's vision mechanism. Baltar tries to get Three to tell her what she has seen; specifically, Baltar wants to know if she saw his face among the [[Final five|image of five beings]]. However, Three dies before he gets an answer.
*Baltar drops Three's body and stands in the starburst, attempting to see the vision himself. However, the Temple's illumination from the star has ceased, and so has the vision mechanism. As Baltar prays to God to help him, the barrel of a Colonial sidearm comes to rest at his head, and Chief Tyrol is holding it. The Chief sarcastically greets the deposed president and pistol-whips him unconscious.
*Raptors are seen flying away from the planet and to ''Galactica''. The battlestar is under full sublight power, escaping from orbit while buying time for the Raptors to land and for the battlestar to prep for an [[FTL]] jump.
*''Galactica'' escapes the remains of the algae planet as the star<nowiki>'</nowiki>s shockwave tears through its system.
*Chief Tyrol and his group unload a body bag from his Raptor onto a gurney. He stops the gurney and discreetly shows Colonel Tigh that Baltar is inside, alive but unconscious. Tigh orders Tyrol to have Baltar taken to the [[brig]].
*Samuel Anders and Kara Thrace reunite. Lee Adama and Dualla, each on opposite sides of Thrace and Anders, see this as well. Adama moves to embrace his wife.
*In a briefing, Tyrol, Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]], Roslin, Admiral Adama and Helo analyze the new nova and compare it to the Temple's mandala, realizing that the [[Thirteenth Tribe]] must have wanted anyone who followed after them to look for this symbol, or specifically, another nova. Gaeta finds a similar nova over 10,000 light years away, in the [[Ionian system]].
*Helo is fascinated over a picture of the temple's mandala. He makes his way to Kara Thrace's quarters and asks if she had any photos of her old apartment on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]].
*He finds a painting that Thrace had made on one of her apartment's walls. It is virtually identical to the temple's mandala, which was created 4,000 years before. When Thrace sees this, her mood darkens. She tells Helo that she had doodled this symbol often as child because she liked it, having no prior source for the symbol. She relates something that a [[Leoben Conoy|Leoben]] Cylon told her [[Flesh and Bone|over a year before]]: Thrace had a destiny, and, according to Leoben, it was already pre-written.
*On the Resurrection Ship, D'Anna-Three downloads successfully to find a Cavil sitting next to her tank. Cavil notes curiously that at least Three will not have to go through the process of resurrection again, and explains why.
*The other Cylons believe that Three's delusions of messianic intentions have revealed her as an inherently flawed design. Three counters that it is not wrong to seek ones own purpose, that the search for who and why the Cylons were built is an important task.
*The decision has been made to [[boxing|box]] the entire model. Three tells Cavil that he and the others will see the faces of the final five one day, but with a press of a button by Cavil, Three and all of her kind are deactivated.

== Questions ==
* Why did D'Anna die?
* Who did D'Anna recognize as being one of the [[final five]]?
* Why are the identities of the final five kept a secret? Why would the other seven Cylon models not know the identities of the final five, and why would the [[Cavil]] model want to prevent the others from learning about them? Do some or all of the Cylons not '''want''' to know and why would this be so?
* Have we seen the last of [[Number Three]]?
* Does a mechanism exist to revive boxed Cylons, given that their memories and thoughts still exist in cold storage?
* What will become of [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]?
* What is the connection between Starbuck and the [[Eye of Jupiter]]?
* What is Starbuck's destiny?
* What will President Roslin and Admiral Adama do with Baltar now they he is back in their custody?
* Has Roslin and Adama's relationship soured now that Adama knows of Roslin's involvement with hiding Hera?
* What will happen to [[Caprica-Six]] now that she is on ''Galactica''?
* Will there be any consequences to [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]]'s actions?
* Did the Cylons realize the significance between the mandala and the nova?
* With the [[Temple of Five|temple]] destroyed, what is the significance of Baltar being the "chosen one" rather than D'Anna?
* When Cavil told D'Anna to look at the damage that her convictions had done, was he referring to all of the other Threes who had been [[boxing|boxed]], to the Cylons as a whole, or to something else?
* How were the Cylons able to "box" all the Threes? Were they executed or were all resurrected because D'Anna's death triggered their own deaths?
* What did D'Anna mean when she told Baltar that he was right? Was she saying that he was a Cylon or was she referring to something else that he said to her earlier?
* Have any of the [[Number Three]] models escaped the boxing by fleeing for their own survival? Or have they all gone "quietly into the night"?
* Is the "[[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)|jealous god]]" of the Colonials, the God of the Cylons, and the god that the Temple of Five was dedicated to, one and the same?
* (WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS) Is the [[final five]] model second from the left [[Samuel Anders|Anders?]]

== Analysis ==
* The [[Final five|five figures in white]] bear a striking resemblance to the occupants of the [[Ship of Lights]] from the [[Original Series]].
* If the device which triggered D'Anna's vision was a viewing mechanism which was programmed when the temple was built, D'Anna's recognition of one of the figures in white would mean that there is some substantial connection between whomever the Temple of Five was dedicated to and the Cylons.
* If the five priests are actually the Final Five (this has not been determined to be more than assumptions), then the Cylons are using ancient genetic templates as indicated by their susceptibility to a virus that the rest of the human race was immune to.
* The basestar command apparently does not require consensus of all models, or need not have them to have a representative at the command center. [[Simon]] and [[Number Five]] are not seen during this episode. Of course, since there were only seven models at the time, four models casting the same vote is decisive. This is exactly what happened when Six, Eight, Leoben and Cavil voted in favor of recalling the Raiders.
* Despite no longer being XO, Helo is still included in high-level briefings. This may reflect another facet to his current duties aside from mere Raptor jockeying (this may also be supported by the fact that he is more often seen in uniform rather than flight suit or fatigues currently).
* The tension between Athena and Boomer reaches a climax when Athena attempts to rescue her daughter. It has become clear that Boomer, like Athena, was presented with two choices, but unlike Athena, did not choose the path that led to forgiveness. Though both Eights had suffered persecution from the Colonials, but Athena, partly due to her love for Helo and Adama, chose to forgive, Boomer allowed the failure of New Caprica to push her over to the belief that humans and Cylons should go their separate ways.
* Boomer comments that Cavil believes that the Cylons aren't supposed to have children. This is unsurprising, given that model's lack of religious faith and belief that the Cylons shouldn't be emulating humans.
* Caprica-Six continues her defiance against Cylon society by choosing to believe in a possible new future between Cylons and humans. This particular Cylon, ever since her deception that led to fall of humanity, has consistently shown increasingly human traits. Like her decision to save Anders by killing a [[Number Three|Three]] to pave the way for a possible new future between Cylons and humans, her decision to kill Boomer to save Hera echoes those same beliefs.
* The rescue of the people on the [[algae planet]] occurs in an extremely short amount of screen time. This is reminiscent of the short amount of screen time that was given to ''Galactica'' retrieving her fighters before jumping away from the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. As noted in prior podcasts, the producers may be conserving their special effects budget for later episodes. Furthermore there just isn't much time available in each episode, so not everything can be shown in detail, which makes it necessary to compress events.
* The survivor count decreased by one at the start of this episode counting the loss of one of the civilian combatants during a gunfight on the planet's surface.
* [[Hera]], according to Caprica-Six, is able to distinguish her mother from the other [[Number Eight|Eights]]. Whether this indicates that Hera inherited a Cylon ability is yet to be seen. At the very least, on an emotional level, Athena and Hera have a mother-daughter bond that does not exist with [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]].
* According to the RDM podcast, Boomer's jealousy and rage developed over time, especially when she became Hera's primary caretaker. When it became apparent that Hera was not responding well to Boomer, she slowly developed a resentment towards Athena, because according to the Cylons, Hera existed because of God's true love. This implicated that the reason that Boomer and [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] were not able to conceive was because they didn't have true love between them. This, and Hera's response once Athena arrives, eventually led to the rage Boomer showed.
* After the initial stand-off ends when Adama decides to not nuke the planet, the defiant Three model states that no one would do such a thing over just one ship. However, ironically, that is exactly what Adama himself fears in "[[Hero]]" when he believes that the one recon fighter that crossed over into Cylon territory was what eventually led to the genocide of humanity.
* Ironically, the boxing of the Threes may actually make consensus harder to come by in the future. Now that the number of known Cylon models is an even six, a tie is possible.
* The removal of the Threes also exaggerates the uneven gender ratio of the known models.

== Notes ==
* Prior to the airing of this episode, [[James Callis]] revealed that [[Gaius Baltar]] returns to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' in this episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1659 |title=Exclusive Interview: JAMES CALLIS SELLS iF MAGAZINE A BILL OF GOODS ON BATTLESTAR GALATICA SEASON 3 -PART 1 |date=2006-09-09 |accessdate=2006-09-09 |last=Elliot |first=Sean |format= |language=English }}</ref>
* According to the [[Podcast:Rapture|RDM podcast]], the [[:Image:Valley_of_Darkness-Starbuck_Helo.jpg|image in Kara's apartment]] was a symbol that the actress had decided to paint before the actual shooting occurred.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''Chief Tyrol finds Gaius Baltar standing alone in the Temple of Five:''
:'''Tyrol:''' Welcome home, Mr. President. (Pistol-whips Baltar, knocking him unconscious)

*''Number Three (D'anna Biers) to Cavil in the Temple of Five:''
:'''Number Three:''' This is my destiny. To see what lies between life and death.

== Official Statements ==

== Guest Stars ==

*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as Lieutenant [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Brad Dryborough]] as Lieutenant [[Hoshi]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Alisen Down]] as [[Jean Barolay]]
*[[Eileen Pedde]] as Gunnery Seargant [[Erin Mathias]]
*[[Diego Diablo Del Mar]] as [[Hillard]]
*[[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Aleks Paunovic]] as Sergeant [[Omar Fischer]]

== References ==
<div style="font-size: 85%"><references/></div>

{{Episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Torn

2006-11-08T11:00:10Z

Dctcool: /* Analysis */

{{Episode Data
| title= Torn
| image=Season 3 - Promo - Epi 5 - StarbuckTighAdama.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 6
| guests=
| writer= [[Anne Cofell Saunders]]
| story=
| director= [[Jean de Segonzac]]
| production=
| rating=
| US airdate= 2006-11-03
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population= 41,422
| prev= [[Collaborators]]
| next= [[A Measure of Salvation]]
}}
== Overview ==
:''Part one of two. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] create divisions between those who suffered under the Cylon occupation of [[New Caprica]] and those who stayed with the fleet. Meanwhile, [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] tries to prove his worth to the Cylons. <ref name="TVGuide">{{cite_web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?episodeid=6006095&tvobjectid=191395&more=ucepisodelist|title=Episode Detail for Torn at www.tvguide.com}}</ref>

== Summary ==

=== On [[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]] ===
* ''Galactica'''s air group runs war game exercises among the viper pilots. Captain Thrace breaks formation during the exercise and collides with another pilot, forcing an end to the war games, and causing Apollo to remove her from flight duty.
* [[Gaeta|Felix Gaeta]] meets with [[Laura Roslin]], [[William Adama]], and [[Saul Tigh]] to discuss matters Baltar related. During the year before the Cylon Occupation of New Caprica, Baltar was obsessed with analyzing the data from Kobol to find the path to Earth. Based on passages in the [[Pythia|Scrolls of Pythia]], Baltar identified a nebula he believed to be a landmark on the road to Earth.
* Upon Thrace's return to her bunk, she is met by Kacey and her mother, whom she dismisses, telling the Kacey's mother not to come again.
* In the pilots' mess, Lt. [[Sharon Agathon]] is given the callsign "[[Athena]]." Thrace and Tigh begin to sow dissent between the survivors of New Caprica and the crew that stayed behind on ''Galactica''
* Adama confronts Thrace and Tigh on their behavior. He challenges them to shoot him, as their constant complaining is tantamount to pulling the trigger. When neither do, Adama demands they shape up and move on with their lives.
* Spurred by Adama's words, Thrace cuts her hair and appears to return to duty. Later, in uniform, she visits [[Kacey]] and her mother.
* Meanwhile, Tigh returns to his room and begins drinking to excess, finishing off one bottle and starting another.
* In a Raptor, Athena and Racetrack jump into range of the Lion Head's Nebula, and are excited to find what the Scrolls described. They quickly realize, however, that they have jumped right next to the dying Basestar.

=== On a [[Basestar (RDM)|Basestar]] ===
*[[Gaius Baltar]], onboard the Cylon basestar, is having another hallucination. On a sunny beach, Gaius praises Six for returning to him in his time of need, and states that he enjoys having conversations with her. Six implores him to learn anything and everything about the Cylons, as he will need the information in the days ahead. Six also tells him that the Cylons use forms of projection to see the world around them, and when asked what she is, Six tells Baltar that she is an angel of God.
*Having been allowed to stay on the [[Basestar]], [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Three]] talk with Baltar later on, inquiring about the location of [[Earth]]. Gaius initially denies having any knowledge of where Earth is, but then reveals that he does have clues as to where its probable location is. He then finds out that the [[Cylons]] intend to find Earth so they can use it as their new home.
*Baltar is apprehensive about helping the Cylons, and Caprica-Six tells him that the Cylons are also leery as to whether his intentions are true or not. Caprica-Six leads Baltar through the ship, telling him that she uses a projection of a forest to navigate the ship. In his mind, Baltar realizes that his form of projection is similar to what the Cylons are using, causing him to question whether he is human or a robot.
*Caprica-Six informs Gaius that his rescue of [[Hera]] and his assistance in finding Earth has made him a valuable asset, and has gone a long way in impressing the Cylons. Baltar asks why there are only 7 models on the ship, and inquires about the remaining 5 models. Caprica-Six informs him that they don't talk about it.
* Three informs Caprica-Six that there is a situation, and a [[Five]] states that the basestar that went to check the pulsar has not responded back. The group head to a control center, where Baltar finds out that the missing basestar has been infected by a disease, and that any Cylon that dies and uploads to a [[Resurrection Ship]] will spread the virus even further. On the urge of his internal Six, Baltar offers to board the infected basestar and collect scientific information.
* Before he leaves on his mission, Baltar encounters the Cylon hybrid that controls the functions of the basestar. The hybrid is hooked into the systems on the ship, and continually vocalizes her seemingly non-sensical thoughts. Caprica-Six informs Gaius that it is thought by most of the Cylon models that the hybrid has gone insane from being connected to the [[Basestar]] and that her words hold no meaning, however the [[Leoben]] model takes the hybrid's words as coming from God.
* The Cylons provide Baltar with a Raptor to board the baseship, and when he arrives, he finds numerous Cylons, either dead or dying. He collects blood samples and takes pictures of the area to bring back for analysis, and also finds a large manmade object in the hold of the ship. He then finds a dying [[Six]] model (curiously with black hair), who informs him that the device the Cylons captured, a probe left by the [[13th Colony]], infected all of them, and wants to die so she can be released from her pain. Even though Gaius offers to bring her help, she tries to attack him, and Gaius strangles her to death.
* Upon his return to the Basestar, Gaius denies finding anything that could have caused the outbreak of the virus, but Caprica-Six notices the probe object in Baltar's picture, but doesn't let on to anyone else what she has discovered.

== Questions ==
*Would it be possible for the Colonials to salvage the derelict basestar for their own purposes?
* What has happened to the remaining five Cylon models? Are they so secretive that none of the other 7 variants have any knowledge of them? Did the Cylons permanently box the other models because they were dissenters to the cause of the Cylon race?
* What is Caprica-Six going to do now that she realizes Baltar may be withholding critically sensitive information?
* Cally and Chief Tyrol as seen both working on the deck. Who is taking care of their baby? Has a system been put in place to take care of crewmembers' babies?

== Analysis ==
*The crew-position shuffle continues from last episode, but some definite decisions have been made:
**Lee has been demoted back to Major, and has resumed the CAG slot, with Kat and Hot Dog as senior pilots under him. Kara is as well, until Lee revokes her flight status for reckless behaviour.
**As mentioned, it seems Kat has been demoted from CAG to leader of Blue Group (Although "Blue Group" may only exist for training purposes and not be a permanent viper squadron).
**As implied in "Collaborators", Helo has resumed the XO slot aboard ''Galactica''.
**Gaeta appears to have inherited Baltar's mantle as the scientific advisor (it is unclear whether he holds any additional positions), and is focusing his efforts on refining a course for Earth.
**Cally is shown working the flight deck alongside her husband, showing that she is once again active in the Fleet.
*Following her actions during the Battle of New Caprica, Sharon seems to have garnered some degree of acceptance among the ''Galactica'' air group.
*Sharon is given the callsign 'Athena' in this episode. As [[Hot Dog]] states, it is the name of a [[Athena, Lord of Kobol|Lord of Kobol]] (as well as the name of a [[Athena (TOS)|character in the original series]]).
*The Baseship hybrid appears to be viewed by the Cylons in the same way as the Centurions and Raiders. The hybrid has no vote in the Cylon decision-making process, despite its ability to express its thoughts and feelings, after a fashion.
*The Cylons apparently have a [[Raptor]] at their disposal, no doubt they would have aquired it during the Occupation of [[New Caprica]], but It also makes you wonder what other Colonial Ships they have.

== Notes ==

*According to an [http://www.nowplayingmag.com/content/view/4175/58/ interview] with executive producer [[David Eick]], episodes 5 and 6 are a two-part story in which ''Galactica'' discovers a dying Cylon Baseship, and deals with a plague that has befallen the Cylons. (Eick is counting "Occupation" and "Precipice" as one episode.)
*The phrase "End of line.", uttered by the Cylon hybrid in this episode, is a possible reference to the film "Tron", in which the Master Control Program finishes it's sentences with the phrase, "End of line."

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

''Adama's feelings towards, and regarding, Starbuck'':

'''Adama''': You were like a daughter to me once - no more. You're malcontent and a cancer, and I won't have you on my ship. So you have a choice - you can figure out how to become a human being again, and an officer; or you can find another place to live, off of this ship. You're dismissed.

== Guest Stars ==

== References ==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Anne Cofell Saunders]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Jean de Segonzac]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Occupation

2006-10-21T09:49:20Z

Dctcool: /* Questions */

{{Episode Data
| title= Occupation
| image=Season 3 - Promo - Epi 1 - 2 - Number Three talking.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 1
| guests= [[Lucy Lawless]] as [[Number Three]]
| writer= [[Ronald D. Moore]]
| story=
| director= [[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| production= 301
| rating= 1.8
| US airdate= 2006-10-06
| UK airdate=
| population=
| extra= '''Season 3.0 Premiere'''
| prev= [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]
| next= [[Precipice]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==
:''It's been four months since the [[Cylons (RDM) |Cylons]] occupied the human settlement of [[New Caprica]], and ''[[Galactica]],'' ''[[Pegasus]]'', and a handful of ships jumped to safety. On New Caprica, a resistance has begun to challenge the Cylons. Aboard Galactica, [[Admiral Adama]] struggles with plans for a rescue, having only a handful of untested pilots at his command, understaffed ships, and facing a nearly impossible task.

== Summary ==
*The episode begins with a series of cut scenes. Light flashes over [[Saul Tigh]]'s face. He is in a prison cell, his missing eye patched over with a gauze bandage, and has scratched notches into a calendar on the wall. His wife, [[Ellen Tigh]], is having sex with one of the [[Cavil]]s. [[Laura Roslin]] lights a candle and prays to the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#Lords of Kobol|gods]]. [[Galen Tyrol]] and [[Samuel Anders]] are planting a bomb using [[G-4]] and an [[A-type detonator]] within a building space.
*[[Kara Thrace]] is inside a neatly decorated room, setting a table.
*Admiral [[William Adama]] tries to strategize a rescue plan with a series of various models of fighters, support vehicles and other civilian ships in the [[Situation Room]]'s plot table, but becomes frustrated and hurls a model across the table.
*Another Cavil walks into Tigh's cell and taunts him as he attempts to hide the calendar that he has scratched in the wall. A copy of [[Leoben Conoy]] walks into the room where Thrace sits at table, carrying her dinner. He sits and prays to [[God|"The Heavenly Father."]]
*Thrace coyly asks the Conoy copy for a knife for her steak, but Conoy takes his knife and cuts her steak himself.
*Tyrol and Anders scatter away as a [[Heavy Raider]] lands near their bomb.
*After Ellen Tigh's liaison with her Cavil copy, she asks when will she gets what she asked for, suggesting a previous deal. The Cylon informs her that it should be happening right at that moment. At same time, the Cavil in the cell with Colonel Tigh releases him from prison in a very taunting way. Tigh exits the prison and his wife meets him at the gate.
*A group of '[[Cylon agent|skinjobs]]' including at least 3 [[Eight]]s, 3 [[Six]]es, and 2 [[Five]]s approach the Heavy Raider as several '[[Cylon Centurion|chromejobs]]' exit it. Tyrol and Anders set off the bomb. A great explosion ensues that is witnessed by the Conoy copy with Thrace from their apartment. He returns to the table, pushes his knife away from Thrace.
*As he comments on how beautiful she is, Thrace stabs him in the neck with metal chopsticks. As he dies (while Thrace repeatedly stabs his chest for good measure), he tells Thrace that he will see her soon. She tells him to take his time. Then, after wiping her hand on the carpet, she returns to the table and calmly resumes eating dinner.
*Colonel Tigh is running the resistance effort, with Tyrol and Anders acting as his second in command officers.
*Every day a Raptor jumps in and listens for a wireless broadcast. With the list of jamming frequencies provided by Gaeta, Tyrol manages to contact the Colonial Fleet.
* Now having made contact with the Galatica and feeling that rescue may be near Tyrol has second thoughts that a suicide bombing may not be the best course of action, but Tigh disagrees and says to only call off the attack if Baltar will not be attending.
*Baltar decides not to attend the graduation ceremony. Gaeta is unable to signal Tyrol in time of this last-minute change.
*With little left to lose, [[Duck]] prays to the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|gods]]. He has placed several packs of explosives around his waist, wiring himself as a living bomb. He dons his [[NCP]] uniform to attend their graduation ceremony, intending to kill [[Gaius Baltar]] and as many traitors and Cylons as he can.
*As a [[Number Three]] presents Duck with his graduation certificate he detonates the explosives attached to his body, his last words being "I'll see you soon [[Nora]]."

== Questions ==

* How did Anders manage to recover from his pneumonia without the medical supplies Thrace was seeking in "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II"?
**Left untreated, pneumonia may have a mortality rate of over 30%. If his recovery was entirely due to his own immune system and bedrest, there is a possibility that his lungs may have been permanently damaged by scarring.
**It is also possible that the Cylons made more medical supplies available to the colony. They certainly had a medical facility set up by the time of this episode (see Analysis) and may have been distributing medical supplies beforehand. In this case, further questions would be raised due to the involvement of Cylon Leoben Conoy with Anders's wife.
***Given the benevolent aura certain of the Cylon leaders have been trying to create, it seems likely that distribution of medical supplies would have taken place.
*Have Helo and Kat been given the promotions in rank that their new posts would warrant?
**Helo is still wearing 'Lieutenant, senior grade' rank insignia
*Why is Kat flying a Viper Mk. II instead of a Viper Mk. VII like in "Scar"?
**Maybe the Mark II are easier to maintain given the limited crew. However, pilots have switched between the two types before.
*How did [[Saul Tigh]] lose his eye?

== Analysis ==

* Prior to the Cylon occupation, the population of New Caprica City was 39,192. Since that time, there have been at least 43 deaths and 1 birth:
**[[Nicholas Tyrol]] was born sometime between "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]" and "[[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance]]".
**There were 10 deaths in "[[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance]]" due to the temple raid, including [[Nora]].
**There were at least 33 deaths in this episode due to the suicide bombing at the NCP graduation ceremony. The figure was supplied by the Cylon leadership, and it is unknown whether they included attacker [[Tucker Clellan]] among the casualties.
*However, establishing a current population statistic is impossible due to the long period of time (134 days) elapsed since that figure. There have almost certainly been additional births and deaths for which we are not able to account. Additionally, the status of [[Kacey]] remains an open question.
* Several New Capricans appear to have sores or lesions on their faces.
* Near the end of the episode, as Gaeta races to inform the resistance that Baltar won't be attending the graduation, a P.A. system can be heard advertising the New Caprica Medical Center, staffed by "a crack team of human and cylon physicians".
**This may explain Anders's recovery from his pneumonia, seen in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]".
* During the episode, Conoy mentions that Kara Thrace has succeeded in killing Conoy five times (including the killing that was shown).
* Conoy is obsessed with a future he has "seen" in which Kara falls in love with him. He repeatedly tells Kara that she only needs more time.
* A civilian government appears to be absent in the spaceborne fleet.
* The Cylons have either built a resurrection facility on New Caprica or positioned a [[Resurrection Ship]] near enough to the planet for downloads to take place.
**No resurrection ship was seen in orbit when the basestars were shown.
*Only two basestars are seen on screen, yet five are reported back to the Fleet.
**The others could be behind the planet or in another part of sky not shown.
* Number Three allows herself to be seen openly among the Colonials. Presumably the cover of infiltrator [[D'anna Biers]] was compromised with the return of [[Samuel Anders]] the previous year.
*Although Jammer has been widely speculated to be a Cylon agent due to his pessimistic attitude and unlikely survival during the events of "[[Valley of Darkness]]", the events of this episode and comments by Ronald D. Moore seem to preclude the possibility.
**In [[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance]], a copy of [[Number Five]] refers to Jammer as a human.
**In this episode, it is seen that Jammer has joined the [[New Caprica Police]], an exclusively human organization.
**While Jammer's survival of the suicide bombing may seem suspect to some viewers, Moore states that an unfilmed scene was to show him waking up, under bodies, and having to move body parts out of the way ([[Podcast:Precipice|"Precipice", podcast]]).

== Notes ==
*The episode started off with a warning indicating "'''Mature Subject Matter'''" during its initial Sci-Fi Channel United States debut. The following episode, "[[Precipice]]", also reiterates this warning.
*"Occupation/[[Precipice]]" was awarded the [[Awards and Honors|IGN.com Editor's choice award]], following a review in which it received a rating of 10/10.
*"Occupation" and "[[Precipice]]" is edited as one 2-hr episode with only one intro. However, in the podcast, [[Ronald D. Moore]] indicates the "beginning" of "Precipice".
*Unlike episodes of [[Season 2 (2005-06)|Season 2]], the intro to this episode does not give the survivor count. The population whiteboard present in season 1 & 2 has been replaced by Baltar's presidential portrait.
*The episode opens on the 134th day since the Cylon occupation.
*In her Diary/Journal Roslin notes that it is "[[Mars Day|Marsday]]", which is the Roman name for Ares. This is at least the second time that the Roman names for the Greek pantheon have been used.
*Crew changes in the year after settlement glimpsed in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]" are confirmed here: Helo is serving as XO on ''Galactica'', with [[Kat]] as [[CAG]]. [[Dualla]], shown for the first time with Lieutenant rank insignia, is serving as XO on ''Pegasus''.
* [[Lee Adama]] has gained roughly 40 pounds since the the fleet found New Caprica. The Admiral states that he is soft, both physically and mentally.
* [[Caprica-Six]] seems to keep [[Gaius Baltar]] company on Colonial One in an unofficial capacity.
* Eight cylons are visible at the graduation ceremony:
**To the right of the podium: an Eight, a Five, a Six, and a Cavil.
**To the left of the podium: A Six, an Eight, and another Six.
**Speaking: a Three.
*Duck's rank in the NCP is Captain.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''After hearing that contact had been established with New Caprica:'' <br />
:'''Admiral Adama''': It's gonna be okay. It's really gonna be okay. <br />

*''During a meeting about the insurgency:''
:'''Number Eight''': We're here to find a new way to live in peace, as God wants us to live!
:'''Cavil''': And it's been a fun ride, so far. But I want to clarify our objectives. If we're bringing the word of "God," then it follows we should employ any means necessary to so, any means.
:'''Another Cavil''': Yes. Fear is a key article of faith, as I understand it. So, perhaps it's time to instill a little more fear into the people's hearts and minds. Let's, uh, let's execute Baltar.
:'''Gaius Baltar''': Wha... WHAT?

== Official Statements ==

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol|Cally Tyrol]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[Rick Worthy]] as [[Simon]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil]]
*[[imdb:nm1569714|Erica Cerra]] as [[Maya]]
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lt. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Christian Tessier]] as [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Brad Dryborough]] as Lt. [[Hoshi]]
*[[Leah Cairns]] as Lt. [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
*Madeleine Parker as [[Kacey]]
*[[Dominic Zamprogna]] as [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]]
*[[imdb:nm1773454|Mylène Dinh-Robic]] as Officer #1
*[[imdb:nm1468333|Ryan McDonell]] as Pilot #3
*[[imdb:nm0493171|Byron Lawson]] as Pilot #4
*[[imdb:nm0492687|Colin Lawrence]] as [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]]
*[[imdb:nm1989989|Larissa Stadnichuk]] as Suicide bomber

== References ==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Occupation]]
[[zh:占领]]

Scar

2006-10-21T09:43:48Z

Dctcool: /* Questions */

: ''This article deals with the episode. For information on the ace Cylon Raider, see "[[Scar (Raider)]]"''

{{Episode Data
| image = Scar-Firing.jpg
| title= Scar
| season= 2
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[David Weddle]] <br/> [[Bradley Thompson]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Nankin]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-02-03
| UK airdate= 2006-04-11
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49,593
| prev= [[Black Market]]
| next= [[Sacrifice]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==

: ''An ace Cylon Raider, nicknamed "[[Scar (Raider)|Scar]]" by the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots, has been causing problems for the Fleet. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] compete to hunt it down while Starbuck pines for [[Samuel Anders|"a dead guy"]].''

== Summary ==

* Several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots have been killed while guarding the ''[[Majahual]]'', an ore mining ship located on top of a metal ore-rich asteroid. The Fleet's goal is to gather sufficient ore there to create two new squadrons of Vipers.
* With the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed as well as most of the nearest Cylon fleet, the Cylons are far less brazen in attacks, sending only a few Raiders to harass the mining operation.
* ''Galactica'' stays behind to guard the mining operation with their [[CAP]], while ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' stays with the civilian fleet at a remote location.
* There is too much debris in the system to use [[DRADIS]] to quickly sight and kill the Raiders. [[Combat Air Patrol]]s are needed instead, using their [[Mark One Eyeball]] to find the Raiders.
* One particular Raider, known as "[[Scar]]," is the cause of the pilot deaths.
* [[Kat]], now a seasoned and very talented pilot, challenges [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] over the "Top Gun" beer stein (currently held by Thrace) with the downing of Scar.
* Thrace's depression over the inability to convince Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to return to Caprica to rescue [[Samuel Anders]] and his [[Caprica Resistance]] causes her to drink excessively and behave very rashly. To suppress her feelings on the inability to fulfill her promise, Thrace begins to tell herself that Anders is dead.
*Thrace turns to [[Sharon Valerii]] for advice regarding Scar. Valerii explains that Raiders can reincarnate as well, and with the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed, Scar will do anything to survive.
*Valerii also mentions that "he probably hates you (Thrace) as much as you hate him", as well as asking "how many of us" ''[sic]'' did Scar kill. In an unguarded moment, Valerii and Thrace reminisce over old times, but when Valerii reaches to touch Thrace in friendship, [[marines]] on guard make it clear that it is not permitted. As a distraught Thrace leaves, Sharon tells her to be careful.
* When a rookie pilot from ''Pegasus'', [[Brent Baxton|BB]], is killed, Kat berates Starbuck for giving him "textbook" advice. Later, Kat berates a hungover Starbuck again for being late to lead her own pilot's briefing as well as assigning [[Joseph Clark|Jo-Jo]] in her place on CAP, which leads to his death at the hands of Scar.
* Thrace and [[Lee Adama]] talk over drinks, when Thrace propositions Adama for a "quick lay." The two pilots attack each other, clothes flying, but Thrace is too aggressive, which turns Adama's desire almost completely off. She admits that her feelings for Samuel Anders are very confused. When Adama tells her that it's the "living guys" she can't deal with, Thrace is so confused that she slaps Adama, then kisses him for his thoughtfulness in reminding her that he is her friend before she leaves his quarters.
* Starbuck is on patrol with Kat as her wingman when they spot a Raider. Both chase the Raider, but Scar uses that second Raider as a decoy by trying to ambush the Vipers from behind.
* Starbuck's instincts tell her to check their "six" (rear), which successfully locates Scar but leaves her Viper with moderate damage when Scar scores hits on her Viper.
*Starbuck leads Scar into a canyon on an asteroid, flips, and flies at Scar on a collision course. Kat shouts at Starbuck to break off as Scar is a machine and won't break off. Starbuck realizes this; she is making a suicide run, as her mind begins to drift out of focus as she thinks of Anders.
* At the last moment, Starbuck breaks off her [[CBDR]] run, and Scar chases her. Starbuck instructs Kat to ambush him from behind while Starbuck lures him into Kat's killzone, in a similar ambush that Scar attempted on them. The ambush is successful, with Kat winning her challenge over Starbuck.
* Starbuck fills the "Top Gun" beer stein for Kat and congratulates her. Then, Starbuck praises the memory of the many pilots lost to Scar and past battles. Admiral Adama and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], both laudable Viper pilots themselves in the [[Cylon War]], attend the celebration. Admiral Adama ends the tribute with "[[So say we all]]."
* Training with Helo in the gym, Starbuck says that she could have killed Scar, but she would have killed herself in the process. Helo tells her that backing off and letting her wingman get the kill was the right thing to do. Helo notes that Starbuck didn't make the suicide run, because she has something to live for now in Anders.

== Questions ==


*Is Scar a reincarnation of the Cylon Raider that Starbuck captures in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]?" Valerii seems to suggest this, and the "previously" segment seems to imply it.
**When ''BattlestarWiki'' [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques/Archive01#Scar|asked]] the writer of this episode, [[Bradley Thompson]], this question he said: "Sharon is speculating. She doesn't know, but it could have happened that way." So it remains an unconfirmed possibility.
*The Fleet has obtained enough metal ore to (eventually) construct two new squadrons of Vipers: will they be Mark II's, or Mark VII's?
**It is likely that the ''Pegasus'' production facilities will create Mark VIIs, as the ''Pegasus'' is a more modern battlestar than ''Galactica'' (which does not have these facilities). Since the Mark IIs are outdated models that were only on ''Galactica'' for museum purposes, the blueprints and equipment molds in the production facilities are most likely not set to produce equipment for the older Vipers.
**They may also decide to produce more of the stealth fighters, as they have now seen their combat and surprise capabilities. However, since these aren't robust fighters and sustain damage easily, the odds favor making more protection over stealth.
*With Thrace serving on ''Galactica'', who is instructing [[nugget]]s on ''Pegasus''?
*If Raiders reincarnate so that Cylon forces can benefit from their learned experience, why don't Centurions? (It was noted that Centurions cannot reincarnate in [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2006/01/#a000114 RDM's January 20 blog entry]. Centurions are not sentient.)
**The three basic Cylon models represent something of a spectrum of advancement: from their original, purely mechanical form (the Centurions), to the almost-entirely "organic" forms (the humanoid Cylons). The Raiders are described (podcast, "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]") as supposed to be "in the gap" between [[Number Six]] and a Centurion. Centurions cannot resurrect, and they also contain none of the more advanced bio-mechanical technology the Cylons have developed (as demonstrated by destroyed Centurions, etc). Raiders, on the other hand, ''do'' contain "bio-mechanical" technology, albeit not as advanced as that used in humanoid Cylons. Perhaps the resurrection technology is based on that bio-mechanical "wetware".
***Also, the Cylons may believe that fighter-piloting takes more skill than infantry combat.
* Do basestars also have the ability to reincarnate given that they appear to be composed of similar bio-mechanical technology as the Raiders?
**Although humanoid Cylons are truly sentient, Raiders are not. Raiders do have a level of self-awareness, as an animal. Basestars make use of some bio-mechanical materials, but little else is known on how they use their bio-mechanics (This may be answered in a Season 3 episode).
*As Apollo was not flying in this episode and is in a supporting role, could the events of "Scar" be taking place concurrently with the events of "[[Black Market]]," given that neither Starbuck or Kat are featured in that episode?
**Based on the population counts or Fleet status, it's not likely that the episode events are running concurrently. In "Black Market," the Fleet is united (else, Apollo could not fly to ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' or the ''[[Prometheus]]''). In "Scar," ''Galactica'' and the ''Majahual'' are in one system while ''Pegasus'' guards the rest of the Fleet in another location.
**As CAG of two battlestars, Apollo need not fly in every mission now with the relatively high levels of existing pilots and new recruits from ''Pegasus'' as well as ''Galactica's'' own pilots. Since Starbuck appears to have returned to her 2nd pilot in command status (acting as CAG in Apollo's absence), she manages some CAG responsibilities on ''Galactica'', such as pilot briefings. Kat appears to brief pilots as well, suggesting she is higher in the pilot command chain than before.
*How are the consciousnesses of dead Raiders "stored"? The resurrection ship images only showed humanoid bodies awaiting download from deceased Cylon agents, no full Raiders nor dissociated bio-mechanical brains awaiting transfer.
**There may have been bio-mechanical brains in storage we didn't see; also, the ship acts as a transmitter and could simply transmit their consciousnesses to accompanying basestars.
* Exactly how many Cylon Raiders were lurking within the Asteroid System including Scar?

== Analysis ==
*The title "Scar" refers to the "ace" Cylon Raider this episode centers around. While all Cylon Raiders appear visually identical, this particular unit has extensive hull damage, whether from asteroid impacts, scoring from near-misses or other debris, giving it a weathered, craggy look - essentially, "battle scars".
*Many of the pilots Starbuck toasts are minor and recurring characters who have died in previous episodes. In the order she lists them:
**[[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]] - killed in deck accident in "[[Act of Contrition]]", along with twelve others.
**[[Perry|Chuckles]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]] - killed in action in the [[Miniseries]], along with nineteen others.
**[[Crashdown]] - shot by Dr. Gaius Baltar in "[[Fragged]]".
**[[Flyboy]] - killed in action by a Cylon Centurion in [[Valley of Darkness]].
**[[Stepchild]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[[Fireball]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
*Among those not mentioned were Maj. [[Jackson Spencer|Jackson "Ripper" Spencer]], KIA in the [[Miniseries]], and [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]".
**This may be truthfully reflecting Starbuck's earlier comment that she can't remember the names of all of the pilots that have died. This is acknowledged in the podcast.

*During the "previously on Battlestar Galactica" intro, a clip of a scene which has never actually aired before in any episode was played. In the scene, Starbuck argues to Adama and Roslin that they must mount a rescue operation to save the Caprica Resistance, but Adama and Roslin are in agreement that it is impossible and tell her they can't. This is the opening of the extended cut of [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]] that was released later on DVD:
**'''Thrace: '''The Resistance base camp is here (''points at a map'') 300 klicks north of the only Cylon airbase in the area...
**'''Roslin: ''' I respect what you're trying to do here, however...
**'''Thrace: ''' We have a ''duty'' to the people we left behind.
**'''Adama: ''' We understand that.
**'''Thrace: ''' We ''have to'' find a way to Jump back to Caprica, and go get them--
**'''Adama: '''--Kara!
*During the "in this episode" sequence of the credits, there are two images not seen in the episode; one of Starbuck standing at a distance, and one of a gun being placed before the camera. These could have been cut from the training scene.
* This episode was the third of the most recent four episodes to begin ''[[Wikipedia:In medias res|in medias res]]'', after [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] and [[Black Market]]. Though the technique was used well in this episode -- aside from the use of the same endpoint, with Starbuck and Scar charging toward each other, for both acts III and IV -- its apparent prevalance in the series here detracts from the episode. (However, [[RDM|RDM's]] [[podcast]] for "[[Black Market]]" indicates that beginning that episode with Lee's confrontation with [[Phelan]] was not part of the original script and was done as an act of "desperation".)
**This episode's use of the flashbacks, going back and forth between past and current events, resembled "[[Act of Contrition]]" more than either of the Season Two episodes mentioned above.
**While the openings of "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]" and "[[Black Market]]" were a quick teaser from the end of the episode, jumping back to the beginning (to "hook" the audience), this entire episode was structured around such flashbacks. RDM stated that the flashbacks in the other episodes were done to get the audience's attention, (as stated above, "Black Market" wasn't even supposed to have this). "[[Epiphanies]]" also had flashbacks, but these were not ''in media res'' flashforwards to later events, but straightforward flashbacks.
*Regular series writers David Weddle and Bradley Thompson seem more responsible than anyone else for expanding the minor pilot characters as the series has progressed. They wrote "[[Act of Contrition]]," in which the nuggets were introduced, then "[[The Hand of God]]," which was the second time they all appeared (and when Chuckles died). Kat and Hot Dog reappear in "[[Scattered]]" and "Valley of Darkness," which Weddle and Thompson also wrote. The character of Kat received more development since "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," the writers' most recent entry before this episode.
**This is discussed in the [[Podcast:Scar|podcast]], such as when David Weddle mentions "We'll watch dailies and watch shows and when we see somebody we like we do bring 'em, purposely bring 'em back into our scripts and start to build on what we see."

== Notes ==

*As most of this episode is told in flashback, the survivor count is a little confusing. The episode begins with Kat and Starbuck's final mission against Scar, then flashes back to 4 days earlier, within the teaser. The survivor count is then shown to be 4 less than last week's count. Does this include the pilots killed by Scar? (because most of what we seen in the episode happens in the "past"?)
**At least three people died onscreen in Black Market (Fisk, Phelan, and Fisk's killer), and there was more than 1 pilot killed by Scar, so presumably the survivor count is for the "96 hours previously" section.
*As the episode begins, mining ship ''[[Majahual]]'' has been conducting operations in a thick asteroid field for 29 days.
*The [[landram]] from [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the Original Series]] makes a cameo appearance as we are first introduced to the ''Majahual''.
*Kat is now qualified to fly [[Viper Mark VII]]s.
*New nuggets are still being trained and added to the Fleet's ranks. Kat's assertion that "no replacements are coming" in "[[Final Cut]]" appears to no longer be relevant with the arrival of ''Pegasus'' and her resources.
**It was mentioned in "[[Act of Contrition]]" that ''Galactica'' didn't have any flight training simulators and so preferred to train pilots that had prior flight experience. With the arrival of ''Pegasus'', the Fleet now has Viper flight simulators and so pilots can now be trained more easily.
*Helo and Starbuck are further shown to be friendly in this episode.
*Nuggets enter the [[Colonial Fleet]] at the rank of Ensign after completing flight training.
*Pilot training apparently takes place on ''Pegasus'', with recruits being assigned to ''Galactica'' afterward.
**This is probably a result of the circumstances imposed by ''Majahual's'' extended mining operation. ''Pegasus'' is outside of the combat zone, guarding the civilians, while ''Galactica'' was constantly on guard for attack. Logically, trainee pilots would not be deployed to the combat zone until after they got their wings. Now that they have finished mining and have moved on, training may continue on both.
*Kara Thrace retains the rank of captain, but is now serving as a pilot on ''Galactica'' under CAG Lee Adama.
**She is still ''Pegasus'' CAG, but is flying under Apollo at the moment because the two battlestar have combined their resources for the mining operation's defense.
*The Fleet has found an asteroid containing large supplies of vital metals needed to build completely new Vipers in earnest (instead of making do with what spare parts they have). The Fleet has obtained a large enough supply of metals to create two entire squadrons of Vipers. (It has never been definitively stated how many Vipers are in a "squadron", but based on non-official concept outlines various interviews, it is probably 20.)
**''Pegasus'' has Viper production facilities, one of her more modern capabilities that ''Galactica'' lacks. During the episode, the ''Pegasus'' production team finishes its first combat-ready Viper.
*Anders appears in flashbacks (re-used footage) in this episode.
*[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Number Six]] do not appear in this episode.
*Chief Tyrol appears very briefly in this episode. Cally is mentioned, but does not appear.
*Lt. [[Gaeta]] and [[Dualla]] appear in this episode, seen in CIC, but have no speaking lines.
*Starbuck and Kat use the word [[frak|motherfrakker]] in this episode, its second use since it was introduced in "[[Valley of Darkness]]"
*In the podcast, it is revealed that a scene was cut of the pilots auctioning off [[Beano]]'s possessions, a tradition from the British Navy during the Napoleonic War Era. This auction, RDM explains, was a tribute to the fallen, as well as serving the practical purpose of recycling resources. There would be a shot of Apollo holding up Beano's "skin" magazine and taking bids, etc. This "skin" magazine can be briefly seen when Starbuck is packing it into a box of Reilly's personal effects. (Its name appears to be "[[Nymph]]".) During the following scene when they're talking about Scar in the pilot's loungeroom ("88 hours ago"), if you look closely in the background, you can see [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] reading it, presumably having won the auction.
*Lee Adama doesn't fly in this episode, and is never seen in a [[flight suit]]. A lot of the day-to-day work of being the CAG, such as assigning and briefing pilots, falls to Starbuck.
*The little model plane on top of the "Top Gun" mug sported by Starbuck and Kat is actually a U.S. Navy [[wikipedia:F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]].
*This episode bears some similarities to the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space:_Above_and_Beyond Space: Above and Beyond]'' episodes "Never No More" and "The Angriest Angel," both of which dealt with the introduction of an "ace" alien fighter and its detrimental effect upon the Earth military's morale, and the ensuing efforts of a main character to hunt him down.
*The song that plays in the final scene of this episode is "Cavatina," famous as the theme from the film "[[Wikipedia:The_Deer_Hunter|The Deer Hunter]]."
*A deleted scene for this episode explains that Kat is giving a pilot briefing about Scar at one point (ending with "That's the motherfrakker I'm going to kill") because Starbuck was late for the meeting, so Kat assumed she wasn't coming at all and started without her. In the deleted scene, Stabuck comes into the room right after the original scene ends, argues with Kat for starting without her, and then moves right into the next scene where Starbuck is summarizing the tactical situation for the past month.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*{{audio|Scar - one Tigh is enough.mp3|''Kat responds to Starbuck's runaway drinking, after being called a "stim junkie".''}}
:'''Kat''': One Tigh on this ship's enough.

*{{audio|Scar - get what we can.mp3|''Drinking heavily late at night, Apollo and Starbuck commiserate over all of the pilots that have died.}}
:'''Apollo''': You know what gets me? I know that in two weeks, I won't remember his face. I can't remember any of their faces after they're killed. No matter how hard I try, they just fade.
:'''Starbuck''': I don't even remember their names.
:'''Apollo''': Names. Oh, let's see, there was- there was [[Flat Top]]. (Starbuck spits some of her drink on him) Who bought it on his thousandth landing. There was [[Chuckles]]. (Starbuck spits out some more beer) Stop it, already. Please, not funny. All right. It's not funny.
:'''Starbuck''': It is funny. You know [[Laura Roslin|the President]] says that we're saving humanity for a bright, shiny future. On [[Earth]]. That you and I are never gonna see. We're not. Because we go out over and over again until someday, some [[Cylon Raider |metal mother frakker]] is gonna catch us on a bad day and just blow us away.
:'''Apollo''': Bright, shiny futures are overrated anyway.
:'''Starbuck''': That is why we gotta get what we can. Right now.

*{{audio|Scar - Starbuck's toast.mp3|''After Starbuck pours Kat a drink in her new ''Galactica'' Top Gun mug, she raises a toast to nearly every pilot that has died since their flight from the Colonies.''}}
:'''Starbuck:''' To BB, Jo-Jo, Reilly, Beano, Dipper, [[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]], [[Perry|Chuckles]], [["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]], [[Crashdown]], Sheppard, Dash, [[Flyboy]], [[Stepchild]], Puppet, [[Fireball]]...(stops, crying)
:'''Apollo:''' To all of 'em.
:'''Admiral Adama:''' So say we all.
:'''Crew:''' So say we all.
:'''Starbuck:''' So say we all.

== Official Statements ==

*According to an interview on Subject2Discussion.com on January 3rd, 2006, along with "Home" (Parts [[Home, Part I|One]], [[Home, Part II|Two]]), and "[[The Farm]]", this is one of Katee Sackhoff's favorite episodes.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lieutenant [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0856351|Christian Tessier]] as Lieutenant [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[imdb:nm1423766|Sean J. Dory]] as Ensign [[Joseph Clark|Joseph "Jo-Jo" Clark]]
*[[imdb:nm0415066|Christopher Jacot]] as Ensign [[Brent Baxton|Brent "BB" Baxton]]

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/215/ "Scar"] at scifi.com

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Nankin]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Scar]]

Precipice

2006-10-09T10:20:35Z

Dctcool: /* Notes */

{{Episode Data
| title= Precipice
| image=Season 3 - Promo - Epi 1 - 2 - C-Number Eight, Adama, Helo.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 2
| guests=
| writer= [[Ronald D. Moore]]
| story=
| director= [[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| production=
| rating=
| US airdate= 2006-10-06
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=
| prev= [[Occupation]]
| next= [[Exodus, Part I]]
}}

== Overview ==
:''After the suicide bombing, the [[Cylons (RDM) |Cylons]] institute stricter controls on the human population on [[New Caprica]]. Aboard ''[[Galactica]]'', plans for the rescue from New Caprica move forward now that communication with the resistance has been established.''

== Summary ==
*[[Gaius Baltar]] visits [[Laura Roslin]] (gathered up in detention apparently for his need) in her detention cell to discuss the suicide bombings, after which he releases her.
*After [[Duck]]'s suicide bombing in an effort to kill Baltar, the Cylons begin a crackdown and round up random civilians.
*The Leoben copy with Thrace introduces her to [[Kacey]], supposedly [[Hera|another]] Cylon-human hybrid fertilized by this Cylon's consciousness and using Thrace's [[The Farm|egg from her stolen ovary]]. Thrace immediately treats it as an "it."
*[[Felix Gaeta]] continues to give information to the resistance, though [[Galen Tyrol]] is unaware that Gaeta is his source inside the presidency. Tyrol calls Gaeta a collaborator.
*Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] swears in [[Sharon Agathon]] as a Colonial officer and sends her down to New Caprica to help the resistance.
*[[Saul Tigh]], Chief Tyrol, and [[Samuel Anders]] decide to meet Agathon in a canyon outside of town after she [[FTL|Jumps]] inside the planetary atmosphere.
*[[Ellen Tigh]], after being threatened with more harm to Colonel Tigh, gives the Cylons information on where the meeting is to take place.
*Another suicide bombing, attacking the power plant and causing severe damage, moves the Cylons to more drastic actions.
*The Cylons force Baltar to sign an execution order for 200 civilians, including [[Cally Tyrol]], Roslin and [[Tom Zarek]]. The detainees are transported outside the city.
*As Sharon Agathon and Anders formulate their plans, they are ambushed by Centurions.
*While stopping to ostensibly let the detainees stretch their legs, [[Jammer]] cuts Cally Tyrol's bonds and tells her to run from the area. As as she gets away, [[Cylon Centurion]]s show up to execute the detainees with Zarek pulling Roslin away from the front of the crowd. As Cally Tyrol runs through the forest, the sound of automatic gunfire rings out.

== Questions ==

*If [[Sharon Agathon]] is killed during her mission on [[New Caprica]], will she be able to download into a new body?
**Download is a probability, but she would be immediately captured as an intelligence source.
*Where will [[Cally Tyrol]] be able to run to? She was ordered to face execution by the Colonial Government.
*Why did the Cylons abandon their plan for a public execution?
*If viewers are to assume that the gunfire at the end of the episode is not from the Centurions, then who is firing?
**There is the possibility, however remote, that it was the New Caprica Police who opened fire on the Centurions. However, story-wise that might be a cop-out, and it is unlikely that the NCP would take such action, Jammer's release of Cally not withstanding.
**Another possibility is that the gunfire we heard is somehow coming from Sharon/Anders and their rescue team. Of course they would've had to escape/defeat the ambush and somehow come upon the execution scene, and these events appear to be happening concurrently.
**The gunfire does not sound like Centurion weapons, but it is not possible to determine its source.
*Is Gaeta showing rather unusual behavior? If so, how much will his role as "inside man" be affected?
**Gaeta is witnessing the oppression of humanity at the highest level, from a man he once admired. It is probable Gaeta's stress level is affecting his behavior.
*What is the role of the five unseen Cylon models in the occupation? Are they present and simply remaining off-camera for the benefit of the audience? Have they attempted to hide themselves from the Colonials?
*Why did no Leoben Conoy copies take part in the deliberation on ''Colonial One'' over whether or not to issue the execution order?
**Conoy's motives on New Caprica appear to be entirely selfish—he is there for Kara Thrace only.
***Even so, that is true of only one Conoy. Why have no others been seen participating in the decision making process so far?
*[[Cally Tyrol]] and [[Sharon Agathon]] both took their husbands' names upon marriage, as did [[Ellen Tigh]], [[Caroline Adama]] and [[Sesha Abinell]]. Are [[Anastasia Dualla]] and [[Kara Thrace]] now Anastasia Adama, and Kara Anders, respectively?
*What is the relationship between Caprica-Six's shooting and the reappearance of [[Cylon-Related_Hallucinations#Baltar.27s_Internal_Six|Baltar's Internal Six]]?
**It is possible that two events are not directly related. The reappearance was not immediate, but happened after [[Number Five]] and [[Cavil]] continued to threaten Baltar with death. Since Caprica-Six's support was gone, Baltar was under severe stress and thought that he might likely die. Internal-Six has shown a tendency to appear at those times, especially if Baltar's survival is at stake.
*Now that the Lt. Sharon Agathon has landed on the surface of New Caprica, how can she be distingushed from other [[Number Eight]]s there?
**Other than her [[flight suit]], it remains unclear how [[Sharon Agathon]] will be distinguished from other [[Number Eight]]s. Admiral Adama confirmed that Cylon Centurions are not sentient, and may take instruction from Agathon because of her true nature.
***How will ''humans'' identify Sharon Agathon should she ever leave their sight? How, for example, can she ever be safely returned to ''[[Galactica]]''?
**On a related note, how did Jammer identify the particular Eight he talked to as Boomer?
**As indicated by Adama earlier in the episode, Centurions are incapable of distinguishing each individual Cylon copy of a model (in this case, Number Eight), as they have limited sentience.
*If the Centurions are incapable of distinguishing between individual copies of a model, why would they fire on Sharon Agathon, who should be just another Eight to them?
**Agathon's back was turned to the Centurions at the time before the shooting began. They may not have registered her presence in the group.
**As referenced above, her Colonial-issue flight suit may have given her away. No "legitimate" Eight on New Caprica would need to wear one.
* What will happen if Sharon Agathon discovers that [[Hera]]'s death was faked? Will she renege on her oath to Adama -- and how will this affect her sympathies to Adama, who would clearly be "in the know" regarding this hoax?
* Why didn't Duck tell Tyrol that Jammer had joined the New Caprica Police?
**He may not have known until the graduation ceremony, since the members of the police force are secretive about their identities.
*Did Kacey fall down the stairs or was she pushed?
*Given that Zarek wanted nothing to do with Baltar's puppet administration, who replaced him as Vice President?
**Given the potential for further dissidence and/or rebellion beneath him, did Baltar do away with the office of the Vice Presidency altogether?
*Given Zarek's imprisonment for four months, what of Zarek's various supporters? Do they still exist on New Caprica or on ''[[Astral Queen]]''? If so, what of them?
*Is [[Kacey]] all that [[Leoben Conoy]] claims her to be?

== Analysis ==
*We learn a little bit more about the nature of the various humanoid Cylons here. Apparently a single copy is usually qualified to speak for its entire model. Interestingly, [[Caprica-Six]] was unable to dissuade her "sisters" from voting to execute the dissidents.
*As one of the Cavils notes, adherence to the Cylon creed has become increasingly perfunctory. The Cylons sought the President's signature as a mere formality.
*If [[Leoben Conoy]]'s story is true, [[Kacey]] can't be older than 16 months. As of this episode, it has been about 27 months since the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|fall of the Colonies]]. Kara Thrace's incarceration at the [[Farms|Farm]] on Caprica took place about two months after the fall of the Colonies.
*Even if Ellen Tigh's actions are as reprehensible as ever, her motivations this time around are rather more laudable. These two episodes seem to indicate that she truly does care for her husband.
*Cavil informs Ellen Tigh that they released Saul Tigh so that he may continue leading the resistance, thereby ensuring attacks against the Cylons, such as the two bombings that followed his release. These bombings and their results reinforce Cavil's argument that instilling fear and exerting total control over the population is the only viable solution.
*The Cylons' condemnation to suicide bombings is strikingly hypocritical, in light of the fact that a [[Number Five]] used the same tactic after boarding ''Galactica'' in "[[Litmus]]."

== Notes ==
*"[[Occupation]]/Precipice" was awarded the [[Awards and Honors|IGN.com Editor's choice award]], following a review in which it recieved a rating of 10/10.
*"Occupation" and "Precipice" were edited as one 2-hr episode with only one introduction. However, in the podcast, [[Ronald D. Moore]] indicates the "beginning" of "Precipice" as the scene with Baltar and Roslin in the detention cell.
*In the podcast, [[Ronald D. Moore]] states that references to "The Twist" and "The Swirl" are a homage to ''[[Wikipedia:Seinfeld |Seinfeld]]''. The episode in question is "[[Wikipedia:The Fusilli Jerry |The Fusilli Jerry]]."
*Felix Gaeta's given name, first revealed in "[[Final Cut]]," is spoken out loud for the first time.
*Caprica-Valerii has married Karl Agathon and taken his last name. She continues to be confined to her cell, but it has been decorated and furnished. Ironically enough, she still calls him "Helo."
*Sharon Agathon and William Adama have continued to develop the rapport which they established in "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]." In this episode, he comissions her as a lieutenant and releases her from her cell.
*[[Number Three]]'s claim that Caprica-Six's assault on her was the first case of Cylon-on-Cylon violence in their history is not really true. Sharon Agathon shot and "killed" another Eight outside the Delphi spaceport on Caprica ([[Colonial Day]]). The Cylons may not look on this in the same light because it was within one model. Alternatively, Number Eight may have been unable to identify her shooter. This is plausible because that copy was looking at Helo when she was shot, and afterwards could only stare up into the sky for a few seconds before dying and presumably downloading.
**Actually, Sharon Agathon also shot a Six previous to that in ([[33]]) but we may presume that the Six consented as part of the Cylons' plan for Helo.
*Ironically, a Five shoots Caprica-Six in the head shortly after Three's statement. Cavil indicates, however, that she won't be "boxed," as Caprica feared in "[[Downloaded]]."
*The apparent shooting of the captives and Cally Tyrol's escape at the end of the episode are an homage to ''[[Wikipedia:The Great Escape|The Great Escape]]''.
*Baltar's Internal-Six appears only after Caprica-Six is killed.
*This episode has the second highest number of guest stars. Only the [[Miniseries]] had more credited stars.
* [[Lee]] stated that there were about 2000 people that were in the fleet that escaped New Caprica, that would mean that around approximatly 8500 were killed in the destruction of [[Cloud 9]] as well as the the 3 other ship in [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''Discussing suicide bombings:''
:'''Galen Tyrol''': This is crazy. You know, we'll need to figure out whose side we're on?
:'''Saul Tigh''': Which side are we on? We're on the side of the demons, Chief. We are evil men in the gardens of paradise, sent by the forces of death to spread devastation and destruction where ever we go. I'm surprised you didn't know that.

*''After being arrested, held without charge and carted to a remote location:''
:'''Tom Zarek''': Laura.. That election last year. You tried to steal it, didn't you?
:'''Laura Roslin''': Yes, Tom. I did.
:'''Tom Zarek''': (laughs) Ah... I wish you'd gone through with it.
:'''Laura Roslin''': So do I.

*''Talking in a cell:''
:'''Cally''': "...frak you Sharon, you stupid frakked-up toaster. How many times do I have to shoot you anyway?"

*''After being slapped by Roslin for accussing her of working for the Cylons:''
:'''Saul Tigh''': You see, little things like that they don't matter anymore. Fact, not too frakking much really matter anymore. I got one job here lady, and one job only. To disrupt the Cylons, make them worry about the ant hill they stirred up down here so they're distracted and out of position when the old man show up in orbit. The bombings, they got the Cylons' attention, they really got their attention. And I am not giving that up.
:'''Laura Roslin''': We are talking about people blowing themselves up.
:'''Tigh''': You know, sometimes I think that you've got ice water in those veins. And other times, I just think that you're just a naive little school teacher. I've sent men on suicide missions in two wars now, and let me tell you something. It don't make a godsdamn bit of difference whether they're riding in a Viper or walking out onto a parade ground. In the end they're just as dead. (pauses) So, take your piety, and your moralizing, and your high-minded principles, and stick 'em somewhere safe until you're off the rock and sitting in your nice, cushy chair on Colonial One again. (stands) I've got a war to fight (leaves).

*''As the Cylons try to force Balter to sign the execution order, following Number Five's shooting of Capirca-Six in the head:''
:'''Baltar''': "Oh, God."
:'''Cavil''': "She'll be back..."
:'''Cavil''': "... but if he pulls that trigger now, you won't."

== Official Statements ==

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Lucy Lawless]] as [[Number Three]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Rick Worthy]] as [[Simon]]
*[[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil]]
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lt. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Leah Cairns]] as Lt. [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Christian Tessier]] as [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol|Cally Tyrol]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Dominic Zamprogna]] as [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]]
*[[Brad Dryborough]] as Lt. [[Hoshi]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]

== References ==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]

[[de:Precipice]]

Precipice

2006-10-09T10:18:25Z

Dctcool: /* Notes */

{{Episode Data
| title= Precipice
| image=Season 3 - Promo - Epi 1 - 2 - C-Number Eight, Adama, Helo.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 2
| guests=
| writer= [[Ronald D. Moore]]
| story=
| director= [[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| production=
| rating=
| US airdate= 2006-10-06
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=
| prev= [[Occupation]]
| next= [[Exodus, Part I]]
}}

== Overview ==
:''After the suicide bombing, the [[Cylons (RDM) |Cylons]] institute stricter controls on the human population on [[New Caprica]]. Aboard ''[[Galactica]]'', plans for the rescue from New Caprica move forward now that communication with the resistance has been established.''

== Summary ==
*[[Gaius Baltar]] visits [[Laura Roslin]] (gathered up in detention apparently for his need) in her detention cell to discuss the suicide bombings, after which he releases her.
*After [[Duck]]'s suicide bombing in an effort to kill Baltar, the Cylons begin a crackdown and round up random civilians.
*The Leoben copy with Thrace introduces her to [[Kacey]], supposedly [[Hera|another]] Cylon-human hybrid fertilized by this Cylon's consciousness and using Thrace's [[The Farm|egg from her stolen ovary]]. Thrace immediately treats it as an "it."
*[[Felix Gaeta]] continues to give information to the resistance, though [[Galen Tyrol]] is unaware that Gaeta is his source inside the presidency. Tyrol calls Gaeta a collaborator.
*Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] swears in [[Sharon Agathon]] as a Colonial officer and sends her down to New Caprica to help the resistance.
*[[Saul Tigh]], Chief Tyrol, and [[Samuel Anders]] decide to meet Agathon in a canyon outside of town after she [[FTL|Jumps]] inside the planetary atmosphere.
*[[Ellen Tigh]], after being threatened with more harm to Colonel Tigh, gives the Cylons information on where the meeting is to take place.
*Another suicide bombing, attacking the power plant and causing severe damage, moves the Cylons to more drastic actions.
*The Cylons force Baltar to sign an execution order for 200 civilians, including [[Cally Tyrol]], Roslin and [[Tom Zarek]]. The detainees are transported outside the city.
*As Sharon Agathon and Anders formulate their plans, they are ambushed by Centurions.
*While stopping to ostensibly let the detainees stretch their legs, [[Jammer]] cuts Cally Tyrol's bonds and tells her to run from the area. As as she gets away, [[Cylon Centurion]]s show up to execute the detainees with Zarek pulling Roslin away from the front of the crowd. As Cally Tyrol runs through the forest, the sound of automatic gunfire rings out.

== Questions ==

*If [[Sharon Agathon]] is killed during her mission on [[New Caprica]], will she be able to download into a new body?
**Download is a probability, but she would be immediately captured as an intelligence source.
*Where will [[Cally Tyrol]] be able to run to? She was ordered to face execution by the Colonial Government.
*Why did the Cylons abandon their plan for a public execution?
*If viewers are to assume that the gunfire at the end of the episode is not from the Centurions, then who is firing?
**There is the possibility, however remote, that it was the New Caprica Police who opened fire on the Centurions. However, story-wise that might be a cop-out, and it is unlikely that the NCP would take such action, Jammer's release of Cally not withstanding.
**Another possibility is that the gunfire we heard is somehow coming from Sharon/Anders and their rescue team. Of course they would've had to escape/defeat the ambush and somehow come upon the execution scene, and these events appear to be happening concurrently.
**The gunfire does not sound like Centurion weapons, but it is not possible to determine its source.
*Is Gaeta showing rather unusual behavior? If so, how much will his role as "inside man" be affected?
**Gaeta is witnessing the oppression of humanity at the highest level, from a man he once admired. It is probable Gaeta's stress level is affecting his behavior.
*What is the role of the five unseen Cylon models in the occupation? Are they present and simply remaining off-camera for the benefit of the audience? Have they attempted to hide themselves from the Colonials?
*Why did no Leoben Conoy copies take part in the deliberation on ''Colonial One'' over whether or not to issue the execution order?
**Conoy's motives on New Caprica appear to be entirely selfish—he is there for Kara Thrace only.
***Even so, that is true of only one Conoy. Why have no others been seen participating in the decision making process so far?
*[[Cally Tyrol]] and [[Sharon Agathon]] both took their husbands' names upon marriage, as did [[Ellen Tigh]], [[Caroline Adama]] and [[Sesha Abinell]]. Are [[Anastasia Dualla]] and [[Kara Thrace]] now Anastasia Adama, and Kara Anders, respectively?
*What is the relationship between Caprica-Six's shooting and the reappearance of [[Cylon-Related_Hallucinations#Baltar.27s_Internal_Six|Baltar's Internal Six]]?
**It is possible that two events are not directly related. The reappearance was not immediate, but happened after [[Number Five]] and [[Cavil]] continued to threaten Baltar with death. Since Caprica-Six's support was gone, Baltar was under severe stress and thought that he might likely die. Internal-Six has shown a tendency to appear at those times, especially if Baltar's survival is at stake.
*Now that the Lt. Sharon Agathon has landed on the surface of New Caprica, how can she be distingushed from other [[Number Eight]]s there?
**Other than her [[flight suit]], it remains unclear how [[Sharon Agathon]] will be distinguished from other [[Number Eight]]s. Admiral Adama confirmed that Cylon Centurions are not sentient, and may take instruction from Agathon because of her true nature.
***How will ''humans'' identify Sharon Agathon should she ever leave their sight? How, for example, can she ever be safely returned to ''[[Galactica]]''?
**On a related note, how did Jammer identify the particular Eight he talked to as Boomer?
**As indicated by Adama earlier in the episode, Centurions are incapable of distinguishing each individual Cylon copy of a model (in this case, Number Eight), as they have limited sentience.
*If the Centurions are incapable of distinguishing between individual copies of a model, why would they fire on Sharon Agathon, who should be just another Eight to them?
**Agathon's back was turned to the Centurions at the time before the shooting began. They may not have registered her presence in the group.
**As referenced above, her Colonial-issue flight suit may have given her away. No "legitimate" Eight on New Caprica would need to wear one.
* What will happen if Sharon Agathon discovers that [[Hera]]'s death was faked? Will she renege on her oath to Adama -- and how will this affect her sympathies to Adama, who would clearly be "in the know" regarding this hoax?
* Why didn't Duck tell Tyrol that Jammer had joined the New Caprica Police?
**He may not have known until the graduation ceremony, since the members of the police force are secretive about their identities.
*Did Kacey fall down the stairs or was she pushed?
*Given that Zarek wanted nothing to do with Baltar's puppet administration, who replaced him as Vice President?
**Given the potential for further dissidence and/or rebellion beneath him, did Baltar do away with the office of the Vice Presidency altogether?
*Given Zarek's imprisonment for four months, what of Zarek's various supporters? Do they still exist on New Caprica or on ''[[Astral Queen]]''? If so, what of them?
*Is [[Kacey]] all that [[Leoben Conoy]] claims her to be?

== Analysis ==
*We learn a little bit more about the nature of the various humanoid Cylons here. Apparently a single copy is usually qualified to speak for its entire model. Interestingly, [[Caprica-Six]] was unable to dissuade her "sisters" from voting to execute the dissidents.
*As one of the Cavils notes, adherence to the Cylon creed has become increasingly perfunctory. The Cylons sought the President's signature as a mere formality.
*If [[Leoben Conoy]]'s story is true, [[Kacey]] can't be older than 16 months. As of this episode, it has been about 27 months since the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|fall of the Colonies]]. Kara Thrace's incarceration at the [[Farms|Farm]] on Caprica took place about two months after the fall of the Colonies.
*Even if Ellen Tigh's actions are as reprehensible as ever, her motivations this time around are rather more laudable. These two episodes seem to indicate that she truly does care for her husband.
*Cavil informs Ellen Tigh that they released Saul Tigh so that he may continue leading the resistance, thereby ensuring attacks against the Cylons, such as the two bombings that followed his release. These bombings and their results reinforce Cavil's argument that instilling fear and exerting total control over the population is the only viable solution.
*The Cylons' condemnation to suicide bombings is strikingly hypocritical, in light of the fact that a [[Number Five]] used the same tactic after boarding ''Galactica'' in "[[Litmus]]."

== Notes ==
*"[[Occupation]]/Precipice" was awarded the [[Awards and Honors|IGN.com Editor's choice award]], following a review in which it recieved a rating of 10/10.
*"Occupation" and "Precipice" were edited as one 2-hr episode with only one introduction. However, in the podcast, [[Ronald D. Moore]] indicates the "beginning" of "Precipice" as the scene with Baltar and Roslin in the detention cell.
*In the podcast, [[Ronald D. Moore]] states that references to "The Twist" and "The Swirl" are a homage to ''[[Wikipedia:Seinfeld |Seinfeld]]''. The episode in question is "[[Wikipedia:The Fusilli Jerry |The Fusilli Jerry]]."
*Felix Gaeta's given name, first revealed in "[[Final Cut]]," is spoken out loud for the first time.
*Caprica-Valerii has married Karl Agathon and taken his last name. She continues to be confined to her cell, but it has been decorated and furnished. Ironically enough, she still calls him "Helo."
*Sharon Agathon and William Adama have continued to develop the rapport which they established in "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]." In this episode, he comissions her as a lieutenant and releases her from her cell.
*[[Number Three]]'s claim that Caprica-Six's assault on her was the first case of Cylon-on-Cylon violence in their history is not really true. Sharon Agathon shot and "killed" another Eight outside the Delphi spaceport on Caprica ([[Colonial Day]]). The Cylons may not look on this in the same light because it was within one model. Alternatively, Number Eight may have been unable to identify her shooter. This is plausible because that copy was looking at Helo when she was shot, and afterwards could only stare up into the sky for a few seconds before dying and presumably downloading.
**Actually, Sharon Agathon also shot a Six previous to that in ([[33]]) but we may presume that the Six consented as part of the Cylons' plan for Helo.
*Ironically, a Five shoots Caprica-Six in the head shortly after Three's statement. Cavil indicates, however, that she won't be "boxed," as Caprica feared in "[[Downloaded]]."
*The apparent shooting of the captives and Cally Tyrol's escape at the end of the episode are an homage to ''[[Wikipedia:The Great Escape|The Great Escape]]''.
*Baltar's Internal-Six appears only after Caprica-Six is killed.
*This episode has the second highest number of guest stars. Only the [[Miniseries]] had more credited stars.
* [[Apollo]] stated that there were about 2000 people that were in the fleet that escaped New Caprica, that would mean that around approximatly 8500 were killed in the destruction of [[Cloud 9]] as well as the the 3 other ship in [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''Discussing suicide bombings:''
:'''Galen Tyrol''': This is crazy. You know, we'll need to figure out whose side we're on?
:'''Saul Tigh''': Which side are we on? We're on the side of the demons, Chief. We are evil men in the gardens of paradise, sent by the forces of death to spread devastation and destruction where ever we go. I'm surprised you didn't know that.

*''After being arrested, held without charge and carted to a remote location:''
:'''Tom Zarek''': Laura.. That election last year. You tried to steal it, didn't you?
:'''Laura Roslin''': Yes, Tom. I did.
:'''Tom Zarek''': (laughs) Ah... I wish you'd gone through with it.
:'''Laura Roslin''': So do I.

*''Talking in a cell:''
:'''Cally''': "...frak you Sharon, you stupid frakked-up toaster. How many times do I have to shoot you anyway?"

*''After being slapped by Roslin for accussing her of working for the Cylons:''
:'''Saul Tigh''': You see, little things like that they don't matter anymore. Fact, not too frakking much really matter anymore. I got one job here lady, and one job only. To disrupt the Cylons, make them worry about the ant hill they stirred up down here so they're distracted and out of position when the old man show up in orbit. The bombings, they got the Cylons' attention, they really got their attention. And I am not giving that up.
:'''Laura Roslin''': We are talking about people blowing themselves up.
:'''Tigh''': You know, sometimes I think that you've got ice water in those veins. And other times, I just think that you're just a naive little school teacher. I've sent men on suicide missions in two wars now, and let me tell you something. It don't make a godsdamn bit of difference whether they're riding in a Viper or walking out onto a parade ground. In the end they're just as dead. (pauses) So, take your piety, and your moralizing, and your high-minded principles, and stick 'em somewhere safe until you're off the rock and sitting in your nice, cushy chair on Colonial One again. (stands) I've got a war to fight (leaves).

*''As the Cylons try to force Balter to sign the execution order, following Number Five's shooting of Capirca-Six in the head:''
:'''Baltar''': "Oh, God."
:'''Cavil''': "She'll be back..."
:'''Cavil''': "... but if he pulls that trigger now, you won't."

== Official Statements ==

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Lucy Lawless]] as [[Number Three]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Rick Worthy]] as [[Simon]]
*[[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil]]
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lt. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Leah Cairns]] as Lt. [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Christian Tessier]] as [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol|Cally Tyrol]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Dominic Zamprogna]] as [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]]
*[[Brad Dryborough]] as Lt. [[Hoshi]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]

== References ==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]

[[de:Precipice]]

Home, Part II

2006-09-11T10:34:11Z

Dctcool: /* Questions */

{{Episode Data
| image = Tomb_of_athena_lobby.jpg
| title=Home, Part II
| series=
| season=2
| episode=7
| guests=
| writer=[[Ronald D. Moore]] <br/> [[David Eick]]
| story=
| director=[[Jeff Woolnough]]
| production=207
| rating= 2.1
| US airdate=2005-08-26
| UK airdate=2006-02-21
| dvd= {{Season 2.0 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population=47,855
| prev=[[Home, Part I]]
| next=[[Final Cut]]
}}

== Overview ==

:''Adama leads a mission to Kobol to find President Roslin and her team of tomb-hunters, reconcile with his son, and reunite the divided fleet.''

== Summary ==
* [[Laura Roslin]]'s scouting team makes its way through rain and cold towards the [[Gates of Hera]] and the [[Tomb of Athena]]. With the death of [[Elosha]], Roslin now has to interpret what information they have of the [[Sacred Scrolls]] by herself or using the help of the second copy of [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]].
* Meanwhile, on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] and others on the command staff pore over their topography data of [[Kobol]] to determine Roslin's whereabouts. Adama plans a [[Raptor]] expedition to Kobol, travelling himself to "reach out" to Roslin there and work to mend fences.
* [[Meier]] and [[Tom Zarek]] continue to seek an opportunity to eliminate [[Lee Adama]] to gain a political advantage with Roslin and the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]]. Zarek warns Meier that any action against Captain Adama must not occur before the team finds the Tomb.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] begins to strongly deny the existence of his virtual [[Number Six]]. Six turns the tables by reappearing in a more casually dressed manner and claiming that Baltar is, indeed, crazy. Six claims that Baltar doesn't really have a "chip" in his head implanted by the Cylons, and that she is actually part of his own subconscious "[[frak]]king with (his) mind." She challenges him to visit [[sickbay]] for a brain scan to convince him of her "revelation."
* Adama brings along [[Galen Tyrol]] and [[Billy Keikeya]] aboard [[Racetrack]]'s Raptor to accompany him on his expedition. Adama feels Billy's presence will help his mission with Roslin. He relates that Roslin feels that Keikeya will become president himself one day.
* [[Helo]]'s Valerii is happy to be "back in the Fleet", although she herself was never physically there; she is sharing her memories of her dead [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|''Galactica'' counterpart]].
* [[Kara Thrace]] relates information on the [[Caprica Resistance]] to Roslin, but Roslin states that her current thoughts are focused only on the location of the Tomb, cutting off Thrace's [[Scar|first attempt]] to fulfill her promise to [[Samuel Anders]].
* Meier begins to solicit Sharon Valerii's help as a pawn to kill Lee Adama so as not to leave suspicion on himself or Zarek. He twists the story of the fate of her ''Galactica'' counterpart to upset her.
* A brain scan performed by Dr. [[Cottle]] confirms for the agitated Baltar that there are no ''mechanical'' devices or abnormalities in his head. Cottle writes off Baltar as another hypochondriac.
* Commander Adama's team finds Roslin's camp. The commander, his son and Thrace exchange warm hugs, and Commander Adama gives a sincere welcome to Roslin. Roslin is particularly happy to see Keikeya.
* The mood of the reunion sours when Commander Adama sees the second Valerii. Upset, he attacks her and throws her to the ground, but stops his assault when the pressures of his recovery form anxiety that causes him chest pain. Valerii says, "And you ask 'why?'" (mysteriously answering Adama's question, "Why?" said over her ''Galactica'' counterpart's dead body).
* Roslin and Commander Adama bury the hatchet in their first heart-to-heart conversation about themselves and the Fleet. When Roslin brings up the Caprican resistance and whether abandoning the Colonies was the best idea, Commander Adama cuts her off, stating that Roslin saved his life, and that of his son. If he did not take her advice, they would all be dead.
* With Commander Adama in the group, Tom Zarek tells Meier to abandon their plans on Lee Adama, but Meier secretly continues the plan, giving Sharon Valerii one of his [[Stallion|civilian sidearms]] to shoot Lee Adama while he and another Zarek team member work to shoot Commander Adama.
* Valerii relates her feelings to Helo on how the Fleet sees her and other Cylon agents: as machines, not people, with no rights. Realizing what Meier is trying to do (but not relaying the story to Helo), she tells Helo to trust her in what must be done next.
* The team finds the Tomb of Athena. Immediately, Valerii raises her gun towards Commander Adama as Meier raises his gun to Lee Adama's head. But Valerii is feinting: She shoots Meier instead while Lee Adama kills another Meier conspirator that raised his gun at him. Valerii states to Commander Adama that, unlike "[[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]]", she is aware of who and what she is, and that she makes own decisions on her destiny. She surrenders her gun to Commander Adama as her first of [[Flight of the Phoenix|many]] overtures of good faith.
* The [[Arrow of Apollo]] is not a key to the door of the Tomb; the expedition pushes the door open. Commander Adama leaves Zarek, Valerii, and Helo guarded by Tyrol outside while Roslin, the Adamas, Keikeya and Thrace enter the Tomb. Inside, they find [[Wikipedia:Sarchophagus|sarcophagi]], each bearing statues that represent the tribal symbols. One status, Sagittaron, is missing his arrow.
* When the Arrow is placed on the Sagittaron statue, a hologram of sorts activates around the team, placing them on a grassy field surrounded by stone pillars with glowing representations of the ancient tribal symbols that would later form the symbols of the Colonies. They soon deduce that they are standing on a representation of [[Earth]] in a planetarium of sorts that shows the Zodiac: the constellations form a representation what the Thirteenth Tribe would see from the vantage of Earth's sky.
* Lee Adama finds what they came for in the virtual sky above: The [[Wikipedia:Lagoon_Nebula|Lagoon Nebula]], a celestial point known to the Colonials as well, which now provides the Fleet both a destination and a direction to Earth, although Commmander Adama warns that the Nebula is very far away.
* Back on ''Galactica'', Adama completes his reunification of the Fleet and fence-mending by leading a rousing ovation for the reinstated President Roslin at an assembly in the starboard [[Hangar Deck|hangar deck]], complete with cheers from the crowd.
* Sharon Valerii is placed in the special brig designed for her counterpart. Helo visits her while Gaius Baltar watches with his virtual Number Six, who now returns in her usual form. She claims now that she is an "angel of [[God]]" with a mission to guide and protect Baltar "until the end of the human race."

== Questions ==
* How did Adama and the others return from the map of Earth?
**What exactly was the map of Earth? Were they in the same room in the Tomb of Athena, and a 3D hologram was projected around them? Could it have been "all in their heads?" If so, would it even be perceived by the Cylons if they tried to view it?
***In Ron D. Moore's blog on the official Scifi.com site, October 14, 2005 entry, Moore says that the map was "probably a holographic projection of some sort". As for what was preventing the Cylons finding the map now that the Tomb was open, Moore said that they planned to have Cylon Centurions attack again at the Tomb, destroying the hologram projector, however it was decided not to do this because it didn't flow well dramatically. (This abortive attack sequence mirrors a similar event in the search for Earth on a tomb on Kobol in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] episode, "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]].")
****Presumably, the Colonials took the Arrow with them, and without it, the map won't turn on.
**Did they retrieve the Arrow of Apollo? Is the map still active? If the Cylons find the map in working order and can use it, could they use the strength of their information networks to find Earth before the Colonials do?
*Just who or what is the copy of Number Six that Dr. Baltar sees all the time? Is she truly some form of supernatural force (like Count [[Iblis]] in the Original Series)? Repeated medical scans showed no foreign objects in Baltar's mind.
**For more on this issue, see the article, "[[Cylon-Related Hallucinations]]."
*How was the virtual Six capable of moving the chair in the Cylon holding cell? The chair was seen in both positions in "objective" shots (i.e. shots not from Baltar's POV that didn't include Six.)
***This may be a simple continuity error or it might suggest that Six can selectively appear as a physical manifestation, as hinted at by the appearance of [[Shelly Godfrey]].
***Baltar could have simply hallucinated that she moved it.
*Caprica-Valerii reminded Adama that he asked her ''Galactica'' counterpart's corpse "why" in [[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]. How did she know, without also knowing that Boomer had been killed? Or, was Boomer answering Adama's question of "why" from his attack: that humans have always abused Cylons as he had just done?
**Along that line, in the previous scene with [[Karl Agathon|Helo]], Caprica-Valerii mentions how she was able to remember portions of her life (such as getting her wings), and not others (such as the assassination of [[William Adama]]). Is the communication between copies delayed or possibly selective, even in death?
***Caprica-Valerii elaborates on this more in "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]", in which she is actually referring to Adama's question of "Why are we as a species worthy of survival?" asked in the [[Miniseries]]. The connation that she is referring to Adama's emotional question of "Why?" to Boomer's corpse in this same episode could just be the result of messy editing.
*How can Adama use the Messier number M8 to refer to the Lagoon Nebula? The Messier catalog was created in 1774, on Earth. Possible answers:
**Language and nomenclature in the show is allegorical: the Colonials speak English, Adama references the game of craps ("gotta roll a hard six"), many characters have Western, biblical, or mythological names.
**Parallel development between Earth and the Twelve Colonies extends past attire, vehicles, medicine and government documents to include highly specific astronomical nomenclature.
**The show is set in the distant future, and the inhabitants of Kobol are actually descendents of an Earth-based population, some of whom returned after a vaguely-alluded-to disaster.
***This is supported by otherwise difficult to explain terms such as the Battlestar ''[[Columbia]]'', which appears to be named for the 15th century Earth explorer [[Wikipedia:Christopher Columbus|Christopher Columbus]].
***The cultural influence is also supported by the setup of the map itself. Only someone who could have been on Earth originally could have properly plotted out the Zodiac constellations as seen from Earth. Unless, of course the map was created by the Lords of Kobol, whoever or whatever they were.
*What are Tom Zarek's true motivations? We see in "[[Home, Part I]]" that he had a desire to become the next "Fleet Commander", like [[William Adama]], and is willing to go along and eliminate anyone in his way, such as [[Lee Adama]]. Yet, during the foray on Kobol, he reverses his position and applauds [[Laura Roslin]] when she re-assumes the presidency.
*Caprica-Valerii's claim that the Cylons know more about Colonial religion than the Colonials raises interesting questions. The Cylons had direct access to the Arrow of Apollo and had at least a token presence on Kobol. If all of them knew where the Tomb of Athena was as Valerii claims, why didn't they use this knowledge to locate Earth themselves?
**As shown in the honey trap story arc with [[Helo]] in season 1, the Cylons are very intelligent, but intelligence does not beget wisdom in other human matters such as love. In this case, since the Cylons dismiss the Lords of Kobol although not necessarily the people and entities surrounding the religion, the Cylons may have viewed the Arrow as a reproduction, and not a genuine article.
* If the Arrow of Apollo belongs to the Sagittaron Statue why was the arrow on Caprica? since it's a Sagittarion national treasure shouldn't it be on Sagittaron?

== Analysis ==
*The map to Earth is believable and satisfying: no goofy special effects or flaming letters spelling out "Go This Way," just basic astronomy. It gives the Colonials both a "compass" and "landmarks" to follow.

*The compass is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagoon_Nebula Lagoon Nebula], an actual nebula visible from both Earth and the Colonies. Assuming the Colonials' astronomical instruments are advanced enough to permit them to see the nebula from a greater distance than we can, the Lagoon Nebula gives them a general direction to head toward. They also know that Earth is within realistic traveling distance, and they know that Earth will be in a sphere centered on the Lagoon Nebula. The twelve star groupings that appeared on the Colonies' original flags are actual constellations, the twelve signs of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac Zodiac] (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces). These constellations will serve as landmarks: at the right planet, or within perhaps a few light-years of the nebula, these constellations will begin appear as they do on the Colonials' flags, assuming that they compensate for the natural drift of stars relative to Earth over time, as constellations are not static.

*If each of the Twelve Tribes had an associated symbol that the Thirteenth Tribe identified in their constellations, did the Thirteenth Tribe have one of their own? There is a thirteenth constellation in the Zodiac, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiuchus Ophiuchus] the snake-bearer, which is not included in astrology.

:Ophiuchus may, however, be included in Greek mythology, as it is speculated that the snake-bearer represents Asclepius, the healer. The story of Asclepius is that he learned the secrets of life and death while watching one snake cure another snake he had wounded. Zeus struck Asclepius down out of fear that, under his care, the human race could become immortal.

*As the nebula and constellations in the map to Earth are recognizably ours, this would appear to indicate that the Tomb of Athena isn't a Cylon construct intended to lead the Colonials astray.

*Despite the new data, it could take the Colonials years of searching within the vicinity of the Lagoon Nebula to find Earth.

* This may be the first episode where Adama and the President call each other by their first names, and not formally: "Bill" and "Laura." By the end of this episode, it appears that Adama realizes that, while Roslin did step over the line with her redirection of Starbuck, that there was a logical need to get information on Earth in any way possible. After his near-death experience, Adama seemed more resigned that they should all meet their doom or glory together rather than separate. Roslin reinforced the fleet's hope and gave it direction and purpose. Adama's rousing formal applause generation for Roslin at the end of the episode shows that Adama has firmly buried the hatchet between himself and the President.

* Commander Adama's sense of humor is returning: first in his talk with Billy about Roslin's comments on his future of being president someday ("Don't let it go to your head: [[Richard Adar|Adar]] was a moron.") and in his glib comment on how well their luck was going so far, as their Raptor's descent subjected them to several G-forces and pressed both of them firmly, visibly and uncomfortably against the bulkheads.

* Helo is already experiencing repercussions regarding his relationship with Caprica-Boomer. First by Apollo, who voices his uneasiness about the pair to Starbuck and then later, indirectly, by Commander Adama himself who makes a point of leaving Helo outside the Tomb of Athena with Zarek, Boomer and Tyrol. Tyrol was given the order to guard them which indicates that the chief is the only one of the four left outside that Adama trusts.

== Notes ==
*Population is 47,855, a loss of three since Part I. Two of these were seen on-screen in the last episode (Elosha and a [[Laura Roslin faction]] [[Wikipedia: Redshirt (character)|Redshirt]]). The other may have happened offscreen in the same ambush.
** At episode's end, the count is now 47,853, with the death of [[Meier]] and one of [[Tom Zarek]]'s lackeys.
*The fleet has been reunited, and Commander Adama has restored Laura Roslin to the Presidency.
*The Fleet now has a general idea of the direction they need to take to find Earth.
*Helo still loves Caprica-Sharon, although he knows she's a Cylon.
*Caprica-Valerii's hybrid child is a [[Hera|girl]]. She claims to just "know" this.
*The child that Six claims she and Baltar will have ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]) is actually Caprica-Valerii's and Helo's biological daughter.
*Caprica-Valerii does not "remember" shooting Commander Adama, and she was unaware that Boomer is killed by [[Cally]] (she thought she was just in the [[brig]]). This Sharon copy thinks of herself as a "person" and not simply "a machine".
*Caprica-Valerii possesses the memories of Boomer's two years aboard ''Galactica''. She "remembers" how exhilarating it was to get her wings and how it felt to be a member of the "family" that is ''Galactica's'' crew. She considers Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] a dear friend of sorts, even though she admits she herself has never actually met him. Caprica-Valerii herself acknowledges that it's weird that she has deep-seated memories of things she fully knows she's never actually done.
*Caprica-Valerii apparently still believes that there is only "one true God" and that the Colonials "worship false idols".
*According to Starbuck's observations, the Cylons have a plan for Caprica; "they're cleaning up the bodies, moving in the heavy machinery to repair the infrastructure..."
**Ron D. Moore has stated in interviews that this is actually a major plot point (as later witnessed in "[[Downloaded]]"). Also, while the Cylon [[Farms]] (the hybrid experiments) are logically ''a'' plan for the Twelve Colonies, RDM said that it is not their ''only'' plan.
*Dr. Baltar has had a medical scan performed on his head, and it appears that there are no "foreign objects", like a metallic computer chip containing a copy of Number Six's mind, within it.
*Baltar has come to the realization that the copy of [[Number Six]] he sees cannot be just a hallucination, because she knows things his subconscious mind couldn't possibly know.
*This episode probably begins a few hours after "[[Home, Part I]]," although it could conceivably begin immediately after it.
*If the map displayed in the Tomb of Athena was from the perspective of an Earth-bound viewer, the Lagoon Nebula should have been in Sagittarius, not Scorpio.
**This could be accounted for by drift through time. The map was made millennia ago, by now the angle of view could have changed significantly.
*Since Lee and Cmdr. Adama both recognized the Lagoon Nebula, and the nebula appears the same as it does from Earth, the Colonies must be located on a line that passes through Sol and the Lagoon Nebula. This would place the Colonies - and Kobol - in the Cygnus Arm of the galaxy.
*Between Sharon's Heavy Raider that's been returned to the Fleet in this episode and the Heavy Raider from "[[Scattered]]" and "[[Valley of Darkness]]," the Fleet may have up to two captured Heavy Raiders by this point. However, the one that crashes into the starboard flight pod may have been too damaged to be salvageable.
*On Kobol, Zarek tells Meier that it's "harder" to get blood on your hands than to wash it off when referring to killing Apollo. Given the context, it's reasonable to assume that the correct line was that it is "easier" to get blood on your hands than wash it off, that Richard Hatch flubbed the line, and that the flub was not caught during filming.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
* ''On "Earth":''
*:<b>Cmdr. Adama:</b> I thought we were in the Tomb of Athena.
*:<b>Starbuck:</b> I think that was just the lobby.

== Official Statements ==

In the podcast for this program, Moore and Eick commented on their attempt to have a more colorful turn of phrase in the dialogue on the Raptor from Chief Tyrol and Adama. Tyrol's original line, in his frustration on reading a map was, "Topography's for pussies, anyway." Likewise, Adama's comment about President Adar to Bill was originally "...Adar was a prick." Both lines were changed at the behest of the studio's standards and practices unit.

* ''From [http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/article.php?Article=2363 Hollywood North Report's interview] with [[Edward James Olmos]]:''

: '''Robert Falconer''': One watches the series with the sense that [[William Adama]] is either an Atheist, or a man who is very private about his religious beliefs, which is interesting considering he’s part of a society whose cultural iconography seems innately tied to its [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies|religion]]. Has the discovery of the [[Tomb of Athena]] changed his mind about the existence of [[Earth]], or his religious beliefs, if any?

: '''Edward James Olmos''': To answer the first part of the question, I think the beliefs Adama held were spiritual, and that he believed in the spiritual nature of humankind, but he was never a religious person, per se. He studied religions, but it wasn’t his thing, which is part of why the whole idea of Earth merely seemed like mythology or folklore to him.

: As to events altering him as an individual…a lot has changed there. The biggest change Adama went through spiritually and emotionally was his own death. And when you come back from a death experience, where you’re “clinically dead” and your body stops functioning and then all of a sudden you’re brought back, at that moment you’re gone from this understanding and reality…not just lingering there, but gone.

: Now nobody really knows what happens during those moments, but that disembodiment, where you’re just looking at everything going on as though watching a movie, is a profoundly altering experience by all accounts. And I think that experience has changed Adama the most.

: The second life-altering experience for him was the discovery of the Tomb of Athena. One moment he’s standing in the tomb, the next he’s standing “outside” on open land for reasons not fully understood at this point.

: I think those have been the most startling moments for Adama – those and discovering first-hand the new strengths and powers of the Cylons. When [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon (Boomer)]] – who I loved like a member of my own family – is lying in the morgue and I ask her, “Why?”…then later I discover the [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|other copy of Sharon]] on the surface of [[Kobol]] while I’m trying to reunite the family and [[The Fleet (RDM)|the fleet]], and she whispers in my ear, “And you ask me ‘why?’”…I realize the full implications of what we’re dealing with and I say to [[Lee Adama|Lee]] later, “They’re much stronger than we are.”

: And so all these things cause everything to change for Adama.

* ''[[Paul Campbell]] discusses antics during filming of the episode in an interview with [http://mediablvd.com/magazine/index.php?option=com_magazine&func=show_article&id=84 MediaBlvd]:''

: '''MB/TSFW:''' We had some questions come in from people that read the message board, and one of them was from [[Aaron Douglas]]. (Editor’s note: The question was actually from an earlier interview with TheSciFiWorld.net). He said that we should ask you about the names that Paul and Aaron made up for the race horses that [[Mary McDonnell|Mary [McDonnell]]] took her husband to see.

: '''Paul:''' I was thinking about that the other day. We had this ridiculous…Did he give you any names?

: '''MB/TSFW:''' No, but he said you were all laughing so hard that you ruined take after take.

: '''Paul:''' Absolutely, and once you get Mary on a roll, once you get her giggling, she will not stop. So we had a field day. We were shooting Home Pt. 2, and Mary was talking about taking her husband to the horse races and just randomly picking names. And we were talking about if you were just randomly picking names having no knowledge of the horses, what names you might choose. It would be like Lighting Steed, and Farts Dust, and choosing between the two. Or Beaten by A Nose, and A Nose for silly horse names. Three legged old man, and Guaranteed to Win. But for some reason it just struck us as incredibly silly, and we must have gone on for two or three hours, and we had hundreds of names. I think Mary laugher (sic) her way thru about 50% of those takes. <ref>http://mediablvd.com/magazine/index.php?option=com_magazine&func=show_article&id=84</ref>

* ''[[Jamie Bamber]] discusses [[Lee Adama]]'s relationship with [[William Adama|his father]] after their reunion on Kobol:''

: Well, they barely see each other for the first half of the season. That serves to emphasis (sic) the pain invovled in the divergent paths the two men seem to be on. Lee stands over his father's comatose body on two occasions and each time feels a connection to his dad despite his apparent treacherous actions. His father's recovery he only experiences as a reported event while in exile [with [[Laura Roslin]]], and he seems doomed not to be able to put things right, and he is committed to denouncing his father's actions for the sake of democracy's cause. So when at the eventual meeting of the two men not a word is said about the past, it is so much more powerful. They now need each other on such a deep, family level that no past event can damage that. They have reached a point of acceptance of each other and each other's convictions, different as they may at times be. <ref>"Inside Battlestar Galactica", <u>Sci-Fi Magazine</u> February 2006: [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10017/0008d708.jpg 53]</ref>

== Guest stars ==
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[Leah Cairns]] as Lt. [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0001664|James Remar]] as [[Meier]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Cottle]]

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/207/ "Home, Part II"] at scifi.com

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)|Home, Part II]]
[[Category: A to Z|Home, Part II]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Eick]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Jeff Woolnough]]

Home, Part I

2006-09-11T01:38:58Z

Dctcool: /* Analysis */

{{Episode Data
| image = Home_pt1_debate.jpg
| title=Home, Part I
| series=
| season=2
| episode=6
| guests=
| writer=[[David Eick]]
| story=
| director=[[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| production=206
| rating= 2.1
| US airdate=2005-08-19
| UK airdate=2006-02-14
| dvd= {{Season 2.0 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population=47,858
| prev=[[The Farm]]
| next=[[Home, Part II]]
}}

== Overview ==

:''The refugee [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] splits into two factions: one led by [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] and [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]], the other by [[William Adama]]. However, [[Lee Adama|Apollo]] is less than enthusiastic to be working with Zarek.''

== Summary ==

=== On ''Galactica'' ===
* With [[Lee Adama]] [[Wikipedia:AWOL|AWOL]], [[William Adama|Adama]] and [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are going over possible new [[CAG]]s. As Tigh reluctantly points out, none of them match the skills of Adama's son.
* Unbeknownst to Tigh, Adama has already made his choice: Lieutenant [[George Birch]], now promoted to Captain. Adama had only called in Tigh, hoping that he and his XO were "on the same page". During the whole discussion, he is crushing walnuts in his hands. During his speech to Birch, he states that everyone on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' is family, including his sons.
* Meanwhile, Adama has another problem; the [[Fleet News Service|press]]. He attempts to communicate to them about the segmentation in the Fleet. The attempt backfires, with questions from the press remaining unanswered.
* In the compartment over, [[Gaius Baltar]] is looking into the corridor from the hatch's threshold. Now having the knowledge that there are eight [[Cylon agent]]s onboard, he is becoming increasing paranoid. Six attempts to soothe him, claiming that he does not share the other human's fate. She also goes on to say that humans are masters of self-destruction.
* As the new CAG, Birch is enthusiastic and attempts to grow into his new role. One of his new duties is to lead combat exercises. In an asteroid field, [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] are practicing attack runs on an asteroid.
** Hot Dog fires a missile at the primary target, only to wing it (and earn a scolding from Birch, who states that he knows Hot Dog can do better).
** A communications glitch during the target exercise causes both Hot Dog and Kat to think they are each cleared for their attack runs. Birch fails to resolve the confusion, and a tragedy almost occurs: Hot Dog releases another missile while Kat begins strafing the primary asteroid target. The missile causes the asteroid to splinter, the debris from it almost killing Kat. While her Viper is winged, Kat manages to make it out alive using some remarkable piloting skill.
* Another incident occurs, when two vessels (a fuel tanker and a civilian ship) are attempting a straight-forward refuel op. Birch has been supervising the op, which has been running for four hours. Tigh firmly notes that while Birch is Adama's man, he is green and inexperienced.
** Adama orders the op be aborted, but not in time to prevent the ships from colliding. Fortunately, the resultant damage is non-critical.
* Adama confides to [[Anastasia Dualla|Dee]] in his cabin about the shooting, his son and Roslin. Dee speaks her mind, saying that everyone is separated; parents and children, friends. After the emotional discussion, Adama attempts to dismiss her. She refuses, saying that it is time to heal the wounds.
* As Adama walks through ''Galactica's'' empty corridors, he reflects. After, he returns to [[CIC]], where he orders for fresh intelligence data on [[Kobol]] be brought to his office. "It's time to put the Fleet back together," he states, matter-of-factly.

=== On the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' ===

* Members of the [[Quorum of Twelve]], [[Laura Roslin]], and [[Lee Adama]] argue over what their next move should be. Roslin attempts to persuade everyone to await [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]'s return with the [[Arrow of Apollo]]. Roslin is steadfast in her belief that the Arrow will open the [[Tomb of Athena]], which holds the way to [[Earth]].
* An unidentified ship approaches [[Laura Roslin faction|Roslin's fleet]]. Zarek and Meier prepare to have a nearby ship with missile batteries, the ''[[Adriatic]]'', attack the unidentified ship. President Roslin argues that they should wait; Meier argues that the unidentified vessel should be destroyed before leaving the weapons range of the nearby ship.
* Just in time, Starbuck's voice is heard over the wireless hailing them from the unidentified ship. Starbuck's appropriated [[Heavy Raider|troop carrier]] is permitted to dock.
* Apollo reunites with Starbuck, impulsively kissing her, to her surprise. Apollo is shocked to discover that Starbuck and Helo have brought [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|a second copy of Sharon Valerii]] back with them. He goes berserk, grabbing Valerii and shoving his pistol in her face. [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] approaches from behind, placing a gun against Apollo's head.
* Roslin defuses the situation, with both men putting down their weapons. She then turns about and orders Valerii placed out of the airlock. Valerii is dragged off, but claims to know how to find the Tomb of Athena. Roslin spares her life, if only temporarily.
* Apollo spends some time talking to Starbuck, trying to convince her to open up to him and assuring her he will be there for her. During this discussion he lets it slip that he loves her. Although he later insists he didn't say it, Starbuck teases him, playfully saying that there are "no takebacks" to what he said.
* Zarek and Meier privately discuss Zarek's chance to command the new fleet to freedom. Meier realizes they need Roslin, but feel that Captain Adama is a problem to their power base. Meier twists a point of scripture said earlier by [[Elosha]] to their benefit: according to the scriptures, any return on Kobol will be purchased in blood. Meier insinuates that Lee Adama should be the one to pay the so-called price.

=== On [[Kobol]] ===

* A contingent, including Meier, Zarek, Valerii, Agathon, Thrace, Elosha, Roslin and Lee Adama, land on Kobol. Elosha (reading from the scriptures) and Valerii (reciting scripture from memory) state that the path to the Tomb of Athena is along a stone ridge.
[[Image:Home_pt1_mourning.jpg|thumb|300px|Roslin, et al. mourn the loss of Elosha on Kobol. (C. SciFi Channel)]]
* While following the ridge, Elosha comments that it should be littered with gravestones. She finds one and examines it closely. Valerii senses danger, but it is already too late. Elosha steps on a trigger which releases two "[[Wikipedia:Bouncing_betty|Bouncing Betty]]"-type antipersonnel mines; the shrapnel from the exploding mines strikes her and alerts nearby [[Cylon Centurion]]s to their presence. Entrenched in a high position, the trio of Centurions attempts to wipe out the party. Helo takes out one, Thrace and Lee Adama take out another, and Valerii runs off, only to use a grenade launcher to take out the remaining Centurion. Valerii's angle of attack appears to point at Lee Adama, who chases her down as she retrieved the weapon. She drops the weapon at Adama's feet after the Centurion is destroyed, offering no resistance.
* Elosha is found dead and Roslin tearfully retrieves the blood-covered book of scriptures from her.

== Questions ==
* As Lieutenant Valerii demonstrates, the Cylons have excellent knowledge of the Colonials' scriptures, sufficient to anticipate mining the path alongside the gravestones, for example. What other nasty surprises are in store for the party on Kobol? Will the Tomb of Athena which they expect to find even be the "real" tomb? ([[Home, Part II|Answer]])
* Agathon is seemingly aghast at the treatment of this second Sharon Valerii upon boarding the ''Astral Queen''. What did [[Karl Agathon]] expect when a glorified poster child for humanity's genocidists falls into the hands of the survivors? Did he hope to hide that she was a Cylon -- or hope that they would be merciful?
* Will Agathon be put up for charges for his attempted assault of Lee Adama? (Answer: No, but his protective instincts will get him into trouble [[Pegasus (episode)|later]].)
* What "fate" is Baltar's internal Six referring to? How will Baltar be "spared"?
* Given the press' reactionary ferocity regarding the martial law edict, has the press hounded Baltar regarding martial law and his now-powerless position as Vice President of the Colonies? If not, why?
* Will Thrace eventually heal from her emotional trauma experienced in the Cylon breeding farm? How will she deal with it, particularly as a previous victim of child abuse? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|Answer: She is adamant '''not''' to become a victim again.]])
* How will Thrace and Lee Adama pursue their relationship, now that Adama has admitted his feelings for her? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|Answer]])
* What is the exact nature of Dee and William Adama's relationship? It seems more personal on an emotional level for both of them; leaving this question to be asked: What has Dee done to deserve this level of Adama's trust?
* When will a rescue mission be mounted for the Caprican survivors? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|Answer]])
* How will Zarek and Meier deal with dispatching Lee Adama? ([[Home, Part II|Answer]])
* With Elosha dead, will there be another spiritual advisor filling that vacuum? ([[Cavil|Answer: Sort of.]])
** Since she dies on Kobol, is it true that her soul is bound for oblivion as the virtual Six insinuates will happen to humans who die on Kobol in "[[Fragged]]?"
*Why does Tigh suggest [[Perry]] as a choice for new CAG? He was killed in the Battle for the Tylium Asteroid in "[[The Hand of God]]," and was a [[nugget]] besides. Is there another pilot of the same name?

== Analysis ==
*The [[Arrow of Apollo]] looks rather ornate for a functional arrow. It may instead have once served as a symbol of religious or temporal authority, not unlike the [[Wikipedia:Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom|Britsh Crown Jewels]]. (Its function, [[Home, Part II|as it turns out]] is not a key to the tomb, ''per se''.)
*The 9,500 Gemenons in the Roslin faction alone represent 20% of the fleet population. If the populations of the 12 colonies were represented equally throughout the fleet, they should each represent approximately 8.3% of the total population. As a result of this figure, we must make two assumptions:
**Through accident or design, the Gemenon population of the fleet is substantially larger than the other colonies.
**All, or nearly all of the Gemenon population has allied with the Roslin faction. This makes sense, given what Cpl. [[Venner]] has said about Gemenon fundamentalism, and Roslin's use of the "religion card".
*Of the remaining 8,500 souls belonging to the Roslin faction, 6,250 are from Caprica. If we assume that the non-Gemenon population of the Roslin faction represents an even cross-section of the fleet's population, Caprica represents 74% of the remaining 11 colonies.
**Assuming all the Gemenon population left with the Roslin faction, and the Caprican portion of the Roslin faction is a representative sample, the fleet's demographics break down as follows:
***60% from Caprica
***19.9% from Gemenon
***20.1% from elsewhere
***This is not completely implausible, since both ''[[Galactica]]'' and ''[[Colonial One]]'' were likely serving the needs of the closest colony, Caprica, when the [[Cylon Attack]] occurred. Also the Commander of the [[Botanical Cruiser]] destroyed in the [[Miniseries]] mentioned that most of his passengers were from [[Picon]] and Gemenon. As the ship was enroute to Caprica this suggests that the point where the convoy has massed was near a route close to both Caprica and Gemenon, explaining the large size of the Gemenon population. On the other hand, it would make the [[Quorum of Twelve]] a rather poor representational system.
***Alternatively, there may be some factor which earned the allegiance of the a greater-than-average portion of the Caprica population. Roslin is presumably a native of Caprica herself.
*A frequent question about "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]" was why didn't Baltar ask Boomer the ''names'' of the 8 Cylons left in the fleet, and it was suspected of being a plot hole. In this episode, Baltar is shown regretting not asking her the identity of the other 8 Cylons. Perhaps he only had enough time to ask her one question and still save Chief Tyrol's life, and he was planning on asking her more if "that idiot hadn't killed her."
*Birch is flying a [[Viper Mark VII]] in this episode, which was Apollo's preference prior to the damage he sustained during an atmospheric [[SAR]] in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]." He, and his entire squadron, used [[Viper Mark II]]s in the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] (21 days later), although at least six Mark VIIs were deployed in "[[Scattered]]" (36 days later). Perhaps it just took the better part of three weeks to rehabilitate the Mark VIIs.
*Another hard to explain name appears in this episode. The name of the ship ''[[Adriatic]]'', obviously derived from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adriatic_Sea Adriatic Sea], is an arm of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Sea Mediterranean Sea] that separates Italy from the Balkan peninsula on [[Earth]].
* Goof: [[Helo]] said "What the Fuck" instead of "What the [[Frak]]" when Roslin ordered Caprica-Sharon to be thrown out of the Airlock.

== Notes ==
*This episode apparently begins immediately after the events of "[[The Farm]]."
*Population count is 47,858, a gain of one since "[[The Farm]]," probably to account for the return of Helo. This means that Starbuck was never written off as "presumed dead", and if Sharon Valerii was ever included in the count before her outing as a Cylon, her copy isn't being added back after her defection.
**With the death of Elosha and an unnamed escort on Kobol, the count at the episode end is now 47,856.
*The 24 ships which joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]], while comprising somewhat less than a third of the fleet ([[The Farm]]), carried 18,000 survivors - over a third of the fleet's population.
**Of these, 9,500 (more than half) were from Gemenon, and 6,250 were from Caprica.
*Of the 24 ships, Saul Tigh gives a breakdown as follows:
**12 transports
**7 freighters
**3 construction platforms
**1 private cruiser
**1 mining ship - the ''[[Monarch]]''.
*One of the Roslin faction vessels, the ''[[Adriatic]],'' is equipped with ship-to-ship missiles.
*The ''[[Striker]]'' is a ship that remains with ''[[Galactica]]'', damaged in a collision with an unnamed tanker.
*[[Mueller (pilot)|Mueller]], one of ''Galactica's'' Viper pilots, completed a tour as a squadron XO, but Commander Adama views him as a malcontent.
*Lee Adama had blonde hair as a child, like his [[Caroline Adama|mother]].
*Baltar does not know the identities of the Cylons hidden in the fleet, and regrets not asking Boomer before Cally shot her.
*Roslin misidentifies Helo as a Raptor pilot. In the miniseries, he was Boomer's [[ECO]].
*According to Caprica-Valerii, she is not in constant, involuntary contact with whatever network the Cylons have access to. She claims: "I'm not wired in. It doesn't work like that." This, and data from past episodes, suggest that the humanoid Cylons share a collective knowledgebase that they can occasionally tap into, but as confirmed in "[[Downloaded]]," do not share a collective ''consciousness'' (like the Borg of "Star Trek" fame).
*This is the first of a two-part episode. This episode is officially titled "Home, Part I."
*Apollo and Starbuck finally kiss in this episode, albeit briefly. (A [[Scar|future tryst]] becomes more involved.)
*Commander Adama crushing walnuts in his hand is reminiscent of the nervous habit of Captain Queeg in the classic film [http://www.filmsite.org/cain.html ''The '''Caine''' Mutiny'']. Captain Queeg would roll a pair of ball bearings in one hand during times of stress. Commander Adama's comments about loyalty and a ship being "like a family" also echo Captain Queeg.
*The Cylons continue to operate troops on the surface of Kobol, but without orbital support from a basestar, or sufficient numbers to be more than a nuisance to the Colonials.
*Roslin's fleet may have held onto the Heavy Raider that Starbuck, Helo, and Sharon returned in. If they did that makes for possibly the third captured Cylon spacecraft, after Starbuck's captured Raider in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]" and the Heavy Raider that crashed into ''Galactica's'' starboard pod in "[[Scattered]]." (This is confirmed in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]:" the FTL drive in this ship is adapted for use in a [[Raptor]] for the [[SAR]] to retrieve the [[Caprica Resistance]].)
*This is the first of two (thus far) episodes without an appearance by Chief [[Galen Tyrol]], the second being "[[Black Market]]."

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
:<b>Baltar:</b> There was an off-road bridge, over the [[Euclid River|Euclid river]]. I used to go there, when I was a boy. Watch the fish try and swim upstream. They were mesmerizing. I envied them, unaware as they were of the wider complexities, challenges of life.
:<b>Six:</b> You're beginning to see human beings as we see them.
:<b>Baltar:</b> What I am beginning to see are Cylon faces, everywhere I look. Sharon told me there were eight Cylons left in the fleet. Why didn't I ask her who they were? If that idiot hadn't shot her- and why is that when things go wrong, they go wrong so well?
:<b>Six:</b> Gaius. You get yourself far, far too worked up about these things. They do have it easy, don't they?
:<b>Baltar:</b> They? Why are you talking to me like I'm not one of them?
:<b>Six:</b> In some ways you never were. You have a path. You will be spared their fate. For once, Gaius, you can stop manipulating the world and let destiny take its course. If there's one thing we know about human beings with certainty, they are masters of self destruction.

:'''Lee Adama (to Starbuck):''' You've missed a few catastrophes while you were away.

== Official Statements ==

* ''[[Katee Sackhoff]] on Starbuck's inability to forge long-term relationships:''

: Starbuck is comfortable with pain. Everything good has been taken away from her. She blames herself. So whenever something good happens, she doesn't believe it will last, so she sabotages it. She's very vulnerable toward love. She wants it so badly, but believes she isn't worthy of it. "How could anyone love me? Me? [[Kara Thrace]]? The complete [[frak]]-up." You can't truly love someone until you love yourself. <ref>"Inside Battlestar Galactica", <u>Sci-Fi Magazine</u> February 2006: [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10017/0008a1hf.jpg 50]</ref>

== Guest stars ==
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[imdb:nm0001664|James Remar]] as [[Meier]]
*[[Lorena Gale]] as [[Elosha]]
*[[imdb:nm0406896|Particia Idlette]] as [[Sarah Porter]]
*[[imdb:nm0829121|Malcolm Stewart]] as [[Marshall Bagott]]
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lt. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kate" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lt. [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[imdb:nm1534707|Ben Ayres]] as Lt. [[George Birch|George "Catman" Birch]]
*[[imdb:nm0789295|Linnea Sharples]] as Lt. [[Emmitt Jones|Emmitt "Sweetness" Jones]]
*[[imdb:nm1775193|Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
*[[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
*[[imdb:nm1152963|Raahul Singh]] as Kimmit

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/206/ "Home, Part I"] at scifi.com

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Eick]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]

Home, Part I

2006-09-11T01:38:02Z

Dctcool: /* Analysis */

{{Episode Data
| image = Home_pt1_debate.jpg
| title=Home, Part I
| series=
| season=2
| episode=6
| guests=
| writer=[[David Eick]]
| story=
| director=[[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| production=206
| rating= 2.1
| US airdate=2005-08-19
| UK airdate=2006-02-14
| dvd= {{Season 2.0 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population=47,858
| prev=[[The Farm]]
| next=[[Home, Part II]]
}}

== Overview ==

:''The refugee [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] splits into two factions: one led by [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] and [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]], the other by [[William Adama]]. However, [[Lee Adama|Apollo]] is less than enthusiastic to be working with Zarek.''

== Summary ==

=== On ''Galactica'' ===
* With [[Lee Adama]] [[Wikipedia:AWOL|AWOL]], [[William Adama|Adama]] and [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are going over possible new [[CAG]]s. As Tigh reluctantly points out, none of them match the skills of Adama's son.
* Unbeknownst to Tigh, Adama has already made his choice: Lieutenant [[George Birch]], now promoted to Captain. Adama had only called in Tigh, hoping that he and his XO were "on the same page". During the whole discussion, he is crushing walnuts in his hands. During his speech to Birch, he states that everyone on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' is family, including his sons.
* Meanwhile, Adama has another problem; the [[Fleet News Service|press]]. He attempts to communicate to them about the segmentation in the Fleet. The attempt backfires, with questions from the press remaining unanswered.
* In the compartment over, [[Gaius Baltar]] is looking into the corridor from the hatch's threshold. Now having the knowledge that there are eight [[Cylon agent]]s onboard, he is becoming increasing paranoid. Six attempts to soothe him, claiming that he does not share the other human's fate. She also goes on to say that humans are masters of self-destruction.
* As the new CAG, Birch is enthusiastic and attempts to grow into his new role. One of his new duties is to lead combat exercises. In an asteroid field, [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] are practicing attack runs on an asteroid.
** Hot Dog fires a missile at the primary target, only to wing it (and earn a scolding from Birch, who states that he knows Hot Dog can do better).
** A communications glitch during the target exercise causes both Hot Dog and Kat to think they are each cleared for their attack runs. Birch fails to resolve the confusion, and a tragedy almost occurs: Hot Dog releases another missile while Kat begins strafing the primary asteroid target. The missile causes the asteroid to splinter, the debris from it almost killing Kat. While her Viper is winged, Kat manages to make it out alive using some remarkable piloting skill.
* Another incident occurs, when two vessels (a fuel tanker and a civilian ship) are attempting a straight-forward refuel op. Birch has been supervising the op, which has been running for four hours. Tigh firmly notes that while Birch is Adama's man, he is green and inexperienced.
** Adama orders the op be aborted, but not in time to prevent the ships from colliding. Fortunately, the resultant damage is non-critical.
* Adama confides to [[Anastasia Dualla|Dee]] in his cabin about the shooting, his son and Roslin. Dee speaks her mind, saying that everyone is separated; parents and children, friends. After the emotional discussion, Adama attempts to dismiss her. She refuses, saying that it is time to heal the wounds.
* As Adama walks through ''Galactica's'' empty corridors, he reflects. After, he returns to [[CIC]], where he orders for fresh intelligence data on [[Kobol]] be brought to his office. "It's time to put the Fleet back together," he states, matter-of-factly.

=== On the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' ===

* Members of the [[Quorum of Twelve]], [[Laura Roslin]], and [[Lee Adama]] argue over what their next move should be. Roslin attempts to persuade everyone to await [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]'s return with the [[Arrow of Apollo]]. Roslin is steadfast in her belief that the Arrow will open the [[Tomb of Athena]], which holds the way to [[Earth]].
* An unidentified ship approaches [[Laura Roslin faction|Roslin's fleet]]. Zarek and Meier prepare to have a nearby ship with missile batteries, the ''[[Adriatic]]'', attack the unidentified ship. President Roslin argues that they should wait; Meier argues that the unidentified vessel should be destroyed before leaving the weapons range of the nearby ship.
* Just in time, Starbuck's voice is heard over the wireless hailing them from the unidentified ship. Starbuck's appropriated [[Heavy Raider|troop carrier]] is permitted to dock.
* Apollo reunites with Starbuck, impulsively kissing her, to her surprise. Apollo is shocked to discover that Starbuck and Helo have brought [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|a second copy of Sharon Valerii]] back with them. He goes berserk, grabbing Valerii and shoving his pistol in her face. [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] approaches from behind, placing a gun against Apollo's head.
* Roslin defuses the situation, with both men putting down their weapons. She then turns about and orders Valerii placed out of the airlock. Valerii is dragged off, but claims to know how to find the Tomb of Athena. Roslin spares her life, if only temporarily.
* Apollo spends some time talking to Starbuck, trying to convince her to open up to him and assuring her he will be there for her. During this discussion he lets it slip that he loves her. Although he later insists he didn't say it, Starbuck teases him, playfully saying that there are "no takebacks" to what he said.
* Zarek and Meier privately discuss Zarek's chance to command the new fleet to freedom. Meier realizes they need Roslin, but feel that Captain Adama is a problem to their power base. Meier twists a point of scripture said earlier by [[Elosha]] to their benefit: according to the scriptures, any return on Kobol will be purchased in blood. Meier insinuates that Lee Adama should be the one to pay the so-called price.

=== On [[Kobol]] ===

* A contingent, including Meier, Zarek, Valerii, Agathon, Thrace, Elosha, Roslin and Lee Adama, land on Kobol. Elosha (reading from the scriptures) and Valerii (reciting scripture from memory) state that the path to the Tomb of Athena is along a stone ridge.
[[Image:Home_pt1_mourning.jpg|thumb|300px|Roslin, et al. mourn the loss of Elosha on Kobol. (C. SciFi Channel)]]
* While following the ridge, Elosha comments that it should be littered with gravestones. She finds one and examines it closely. Valerii senses danger, but it is already too late. Elosha steps on a trigger which releases two "[[Wikipedia:Bouncing_betty|Bouncing Betty]]"-type antipersonnel mines; the shrapnel from the exploding mines strikes her and alerts nearby [[Cylon Centurion]]s to their presence. Entrenched in a high position, the trio of Centurions attempts to wipe out the party. Helo takes out one, Thrace and Lee Adama take out another, and Valerii runs off, only to use a grenade launcher to take out the remaining Centurion. Valerii's angle of attack appears to point at Lee Adama, who chases her down as she retrieved the weapon. She drops the weapon at Adama's feet after the Centurion is destroyed, offering no resistance.
* Elosha is found dead and Roslin tearfully retrieves the blood-covered book of scriptures from her.

== Questions ==
* As Lieutenant Valerii demonstrates, the Cylons have excellent knowledge of the Colonials' scriptures, sufficient to anticipate mining the path alongside the gravestones, for example. What other nasty surprises are in store for the party on Kobol? Will the Tomb of Athena which they expect to find even be the "real" tomb? ([[Home, Part II|Answer]])
* Agathon is seemingly aghast at the treatment of this second Sharon Valerii upon boarding the ''Astral Queen''. What did [[Karl Agathon]] expect when a glorified poster child for humanity's genocidists falls into the hands of the survivors? Did he hope to hide that she was a Cylon -- or hope that they would be merciful?
* Will Agathon be put up for charges for his attempted assault of Lee Adama? (Answer: No, but his protective instincts will get him into trouble [[Pegasus (episode)|later]].)
* What "fate" is Baltar's internal Six referring to? How will Baltar be "spared"?
* Given the press' reactionary ferocity regarding the martial law edict, has the press hounded Baltar regarding martial law and his now-powerless position as Vice President of the Colonies? If not, why?
* Will Thrace eventually heal from her emotional trauma experienced in the Cylon breeding farm? How will she deal with it, particularly as a previous victim of child abuse? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|Answer: She is adamant '''not''' to become a victim again.]])
* How will Thrace and Lee Adama pursue their relationship, now that Adama has admitted his feelings for her? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|Answer]])
* What is the exact nature of Dee and William Adama's relationship? It seems more personal on an emotional level for both of them; leaving this question to be asked: What has Dee done to deserve this level of Adama's trust?
* When will a rescue mission be mounted for the Caprican survivors? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|Answer]])
* How will Zarek and Meier deal with dispatching Lee Adama? ([[Home, Part II|Answer]])
* With Elosha dead, will there be another spiritual advisor filling that vacuum? ([[Cavil|Answer: Sort of.]])
** Since she dies on Kobol, is it true that her soul is bound for oblivion as the virtual Six insinuates will happen to humans who die on Kobol in "[[Fragged]]?"
*Why does Tigh suggest [[Perry]] as a choice for new CAG? He was killed in the Battle for the Tylium Asteroid in "[[The Hand of God]]," and was a [[nugget]] besides. Is there another pilot of the same name?

== Analysis ==
*The [[Arrow of Apollo]] looks rather ornate for a functional arrow. It may instead have once served as a symbol of religious or temporal authority, not unlike the [[Wikipedia:Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom|Britsh Crown Jewels]]. (Its function, [[Home, Part II|as it turns out]] is not a key to the tomb, ''per se''.)
*The 9,500 Gemenons in the Roslin faction alone represent 20% of the fleet population. If the populations of the 12 colonies were represented equally throughout the fleet, they should each represent approximately 8.3% of the total population. As a result of this figure, we must make two assumptions:
**Through accident or design, the Gemenon population of the fleet is substantially larger than the other colonies.
**All, or nearly all of the Gemenon population has allied with the Roslin faction. This makes sense, given what Cpl. [[Venner]] has said about Gemenon fundamentalism, and Roslin's use of the "religion card".
*Of the remaining 8,500 souls belonging to the Roslin faction, 6,250 are from Caprica. If we assume that the non-Gemenon population of the Roslin faction represents an even cross-section of the fleet's population, Caprica represents 74% of the remaining 11 colonies.
**Assuming all the Gemenon population left with the Roslin faction, and the Caprican portion of the Roslin faction is a representative sample, the fleet's demographics break down as follows:
***60% from Caprica
***19.9% from Gemenon
***20.1% from elsewhere
***This is not completely implausible, since both ''[[Galactica]]'' and ''[[Colonial One]]'' were likely serving the needs of the closest colony, Caprica, when the [[Cylon Attack]] occurred. Also the Commander of the [[Botanical Cruiser]] destroyed in the [[Miniseries]] mentioned that most of his passengers were from [[Picon]] and Gemenon. As the ship was enroute to Caprica this suggests that the point where the convoy has massed was near a route close to both Caprica and Gemenon, explaining the large size of the Gemenon population. On the other hand, it would make the [[Quorum of Twelve]] a rather poor representational system.
***Alternatively, there may be some factor which earned the allegiance of the a greater-than-average portion of the Caprica population. Roslin is presumably a native of Caprica herself.
*A frequent question about "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]" was why didn't Baltar ask Boomer the ''names'' of the 8 Cylons left in the fleet, and it was suspected of being a plot hole. In this episode, Baltar is shown regretting not asking her the identity of the other 8 Cylons. Perhaps he only had enough time to ask her one question and still save Chief Tyrol's life, and he was planning on asking her more if "that idiot hadn't killed her."
*Birch is flying a [[Viper Mark VII]] in this episode, which was Apollo's preference prior to the damage he sustained during an atmospheric [[SAR]] in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]." He, and his entire squadron, used [[Viper Mark II]]s in the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] (21 days later), although at least six Mark VIIs were deployed in "[[Scattered]]" (36 days later). Perhaps it just took the better part of three weeks to rehabilitate the Mark VIIs.
*Another hard to explain name appears in this episode. The name of the ship ''[[Adriatic]]'', obviously derived from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adriatic_Sea Adriatic Sea], is an arm of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Sea Mediterranean Sea] that separates Italy from the Balkan peninsula on [[Earth]].
* Goof: [[Helo]] said "What the Fuck" instead of "What the [[Frak]]" when Roslin ordered Caprica-Sharon to be thrown out of the Airlock

== Notes ==
*This episode apparently begins immediately after the events of "[[The Farm]]."
*Population count is 47,858, a gain of one since "[[The Farm]]," probably to account for the return of Helo. This means that Starbuck was never written off as "presumed dead", and if Sharon Valerii was ever included in the count before her outing as a Cylon, her copy isn't being added back after her defection.
**With the death of Elosha and an unnamed escort on Kobol, the count at the episode end is now 47,856.
*The 24 ships which joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]], while comprising somewhat less than a third of the fleet ([[The Farm]]), carried 18,000 survivors - over a third of the fleet's population.
**Of these, 9,500 (more than half) were from Gemenon, and 6,250 were from Caprica.
*Of the 24 ships, Saul Tigh gives a breakdown as follows:
**12 transports
**7 freighters
**3 construction platforms
**1 private cruiser
**1 mining ship - the ''[[Monarch]]''.
*One of the Roslin faction vessels, the ''[[Adriatic]],'' is equipped with ship-to-ship missiles.
*The ''[[Striker]]'' is a ship that remains with ''[[Galactica]]'', damaged in a collision with an unnamed tanker.
*[[Mueller (pilot)|Mueller]], one of ''Galactica's'' Viper pilots, completed a tour as a squadron XO, but Commander Adama views him as a malcontent.
*Lee Adama had blonde hair as a child, like his [[Caroline Adama|mother]].
*Baltar does not know the identities of the Cylons hidden in the fleet, and regrets not asking Boomer before Cally shot her.
*Roslin misidentifies Helo as a Raptor pilot. In the miniseries, he was Boomer's [[ECO]].
*According to Caprica-Valerii, she is not in constant, involuntary contact with whatever network the Cylons have access to. She claims: "I'm not wired in. It doesn't work like that." This, and data from past episodes, suggest that the humanoid Cylons share a collective knowledgebase that they can occasionally tap into, but as confirmed in "[[Downloaded]]," do not share a collective ''consciousness'' (like the Borg of "Star Trek" fame).
*This is the first of a two-part episode. This episode is officially titled "Home, Part I."
*Apollo and Starbuck finally kiss in this episode, albeit briefly. (A [[Scar|future tryst]] becomes more involved.)
*Commander Adama crushing walnuts in his hand is reminiscent of the nervous habit of Captain Queeg in the classic film [http://www.filmsite.org/cain.html ''The '''Caine''' Mutiny'']. Captain Queeg would roll a pair of ball bearings in one hand during times of stress. Commander Adama's comments about loyalty and a ship being "like a family" also echo Captain Queeg.
*The Cylons continue to operate troops on the surface of Kobol, but without orbital support from a basestar, or sufficient numbers to be more than a nuisance to the Colonials.
*Roslin's fleet may have held onto the Heavy Raider that Starbuck, Helo, and Sharon returned in. If they did that makes for possibly the third captured Cylon spacecraft, after Starbuck's captured Raider in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]" and the Heavy Raider that crashed into ''Galactica's'' starboard pod in "[[Scattered]]." (This is confirmed in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]:" the FTL drive in this ship is adapted for use in a [[Raptor]] for the [[SAR]] to retrieve the [[Caprica Resistance]].)
*This is the first of two (thus far) episodes without an appearance by Chief [[Galen Tyrol]], the second being "[[Black Market]]."

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
:<b>Baltar:</b> There was an off-road bridge, over the [[Euclid River|Euclid river]]. I used to go there, when I was a boy. Watch the fish try and swim upstream. They were mesmerizing. I envied them, unaware as they were of the wider complexities, challenges of life.
:<b>Six:</b> You're beginning to see human beings as we see them.
:<b>Baltar:</b> What I am beginning to see are Cylon faces, everywhere I look. Sharon told me there were eight Cylons left in the fleet. Why didn't I ask her who they were? If that idiot hadn't shot her- and why is that when things go wrong, they go wrong so well?
:<b>Six:</b> Gaius. You get yourself far, far too worked up about these things. They do have it easy, don't they?
:<b>Baltar:</b> They? Why are you talking to me like I'm not one of them?
:<b>Six:</b> In some ways you never were. You have a path. You will be spared their fate. For once, Gaius, you can stop manipulating the world and let destiny take its course. If there's one thing we know about human beings with certainty, they are masters of self destruction.

:'''Lee Adama (to Starbuck):''' You've missed a few catastrophes while you were away.

== Official Statements ==

* ''[[Katee Sackhoff]] on Starbuck's inability to forge long-term relationships:''

: Starbuck is comfortable with pain. Everything good has been taken away from her. She blames herself. So whenever something good happens, she doesn't believe it will last, so she sabotages it. She's very vulnerable toward love. She wants it so badly, but believes she isn't worthy of it. "How could anyone love me? Me? [[Kara Thrace]]? The complete [[frak]]-up." You can't truly love someone until you love yourself. <ref>"Inside Battlestar Galactica", <u>Sci-Fi Magazine</u> February 2006: [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10017/0008a1hf.jpg 50]</ref>

== Guest stars ==
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[imdb:nm0001664|James Remar]] as [[Meier]]
*[[Lorena Gale]] as [[Elosha]]
*[[imdb:nm0406896|Particia Idlette]] as [[Sarah Porter]]
*[[imdb:nm0829121|Malcolm Stewart]] as [[Marshall Bagott]]
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lt. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kate" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lt. [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[imdb:nm1534707|Ben Ayres]] as Lt. [[George Birch|George "Catman" Birch]]
*[[imdb:nm0789295|Linnea Sharples]] as Lt. [[Emmitt Jones|Emmitt "Sweetness" Jones]]
*[[imdb:nm1775193|Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
*[[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
*[[imdb:nm1152963|Raahul Singh]] as Kimmit

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/206/ "Home, Part I"] at scifi.com

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Eick]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]

Home, Part I

2006-09-11T01:37:25Z

Dctcool: Goof

{{Episode Data
| image = Home_pt1_debate.jpg
| title=Home, Part I
| series=
| season=2
| episode=6
| guests=
| writer=[[David Eick]]
| story=
| director=[[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| production=206
| rating= 2.1
| US airdate=2005-08-19
| UK airdate=2006-02-14
| dvd= {{Season 2.0 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population=47,858
| prev=[[The Farm]]
| next=[[Home, Part II]]
}}

== Overview ==

:''The refugee [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] splits into two factions: one led by [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] and [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]], the other by [[William Adama]]. However, [[Lee Adama|Apollo]] is less than enthusiastic to be working with Zarek.''

== Summary ==

=== On ''Galactica'' ===
* With [[Lee Adama]] [[Wikipedia:AWOL|AWOL]], [[William Adama|Adama]] and [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are going over possible new [[CAG]]s. As Tigh reluctantly points out, none of them match the skills of Adama's son.
* Unbeknownst to Tigh, Adama has already made his choice: Lieutenant [[George Birch]], now promoted to Captain. Adama had only called in Tigh, hoping that he and his XO were "on the same page". During the whole discussion, he is crushing walnuts in his hands. During his speech to Birch, he states that everyone on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' is family, including his sons.
* Meanwhile, Adama has another problem; the [[Fleet News Service|press]]. He attempts to communicate to them about the segmentation in the Fleet. The attempt backfires, with questions from the press remaining unanswered.
* In the compartment over, [[Gaius Baltar]] is looking into the corridor from the hatch's threshold. Now having the knowledge that there are eight [[Cylon agent]]s onboard, he is becoming increasing paranoid. Six attempts to soothe him, claiming that he does not share the other human's fate. She also goes on to say that humans are masters of self-destruction.
* As the new CAG, Birch is enthusiastic and attempts to grow into his new role. One of his new duties is to lead combat exercises. In an asteroid field, [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] are practicing attack runs on an asteroid.
** Hot Dog fires a missile at the primary target, only to wing it (and earn a scolding from Birch, who states that he knows Hot Dog can do better).
** A communications glitch during the target exercise causes both Hot Dog and Kat to think they are each cleared for their attack runs. Birch fails to resolve the confusion, and a tragedy almost occurs: Hot Dog releases another missile while Kat begins strafing the primary asteroid target. The missile causes the asteroid to splinter, the debris from it almost killing Kat. While her Viper is winged, Kat manages to make it out alive using some remarkable piloting skill.
* Another incident occurs, when two vessels (a fuel tanker and a civilian ship) are attempting a straight-forward refuel op. Birch has been supervising the op, which has been running for four hours. Tigh firmly notes that while Birch is Adama's man, he is green and inexperienced.
** Adama orders the op be aborted, but not in time to prevent the ships from colliding. Fortunately, the resultant damage is non-critical.
* Adama confides to [[Anastasia Dualla|Dee]] in his cabin about the shooting, his son and Roslin. Dee speaks her mind, saying that everyone is separated; parents and children, friends. After the emotional discussion, Adama attempts to dismiss her. She refuses, saying that it is time to heal the wounds.
* As Adama walks through ''Galactica's'' empty corridors, he reflects. After, he returns to [[CIC]], where he orders for fresh intelligence data on [[Kobol]] be brought to his office. "It's time to put the Fleet back together," he states, matter-of-factly.

=== On the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' ===

* Members of the [[Quorum of Twelve]], [[Laura Roslin]], and [[Lee Adama]] argue over what their next move should be. Roslin attempts to persuade everyone to await [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]'s return with the [[Arrow of Apollo]]. Roslin is steadfast in her belief that the Arrow will open the [[Tomb of Athena]], which holds the way to [[Earth]].
* An unidentified ship approaches [[Laura Roslin faction|Roslin's fleet]]. Zarek and Meier prepare to have a nearby ship with missile batteries, the ''[[Adriatic]]'', attack the unidentified ship. President Roslin argues that they should wait; Meier argues that the unidentified vessel should be destroyed before leaving the weapons range of the nearby ship.
* Just in time, Starbuck's voice is heard over the wireless hailing them from the unidentified ship. Starbuck's appropriated [[Heavy Raider|troop carrier]] is permitted to dock.
* Apollo reunites with Starbuck, impulsively kissing her, to her surprise. Apollo is shocked to discover that Starbuck and Helo have brought [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|a second copy of Sharon Valerii]] back with them. He goes berserk, grabbing Valerii and shoving his pistol in her face. [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] approaches from behind, placing a gun against Apollo's head.
* Roslin defuses the situation, with both men putting down their weapons. She then turns about and orders Valerii placed out of the airlock. Valerii is dragged off, but claims to know how to find the Tomb of Athena. Roslin spares her life, if only temporarily.
* Apollo spends some time talking to Starbuck, trying to convince her to open up to him and assuring her he will be there for her. During this discussion he lets it slip that he loves her. Although he later insists he didn't say it, Starbuck teases him, playfully saying that there are "no takebacks" to what he said.
* Zarek and Meier privately discuss Zarek's chance to command the new fleet to freedom. Meier realizes they need Roslin, but feel that Captain Adama is a problem to their power base. Meier twists a point of scripture said earlier by [[Elosha]] to their benefit: according to the scriptures, any return on Kobol will be purchased in blood. Meier insinuates that Lee Adama should be the one to pay the so-called price.

=== On [[Kobol]] ===

* A contingent, including Meier, Zarek, Valerii, Agathon, Thrace, Elosha, Roslin and Lee Adama, land on Kobol. Elosha (reading from the scriptures) and Valerii (reciting scripture from memory) state that the path to the Tomb of Athena is along a stone ridge.
[[Image:Home_pt1_mourning.jpg|thumb|300px|Roslin, et al. mourn the loss of Elosha on Kobol. (C. SciFi Channel)]]
* While following the ridge, Elosha comments that it should be littered with gravestones. She finds one and examines it closely. Valerii senses danger, but it is already too late. Elosha steps on a trigger which releases two "[[Wikipedia:Bouncing_betty|Bouncing Betty]]"-type antipersonnel mines; the shrapnel from the exploding mines strikes her and alerts nearby [[Cylon Centurion]]s to their presence. Entrenched in a high position, the trio of Centurions attempts to wipe out the party. Helo takes out one, Thrace and Lee Adama take out another, and Valerii runs off, only to use a grenade launcher to take out the remaining Centurion. Valerii's angle of attack appears to point at Lee Adama, who chases her down as she retrieved the weapon. She drops the weapon at Adama's feet after the Centurion is destroyed, offering no resistance.
* Elosha is found dead and Roslin tearfully retrieves the blood-covered book of scriptures from her.

== Questions ==
* As Lieutenant Valerii demonstrates, the Cylons have excellent knowledge of the Colonials' scriptures, sufficient to anticipate mining the path alongside the gravestones, for example. What other nasty surprises are in store for the party on Kobol? Will the Tomb of Athena which they expect to find even be the "real" tomb? ([[Home, Part II|Answer]])
* Agathon is seemingly aghast at the treatment of this second Sharon Valerii upon boarding the ''Astral Queen''. What did [[Karl Agathon]] expect when a glorified poster child for humanity's genocidists falls into the hands of the survivors? Did he hope to hide that she was a Cylon -- or hope that they would be merciful?
* Will Agathon be put up for charges for his attempted assault of Lee Adama? (Answer: No, but his protective instincts will get him into trouble [[Pegasus (episode)|later]].)
* What "fate" is Baltar's internal Six referring to? How will Baltar be "spared"?
* Given the press' reactionary ferocity regarding the martial law edict, has the press hounded Baltar regarding martial law and his now-powerless position as Vice President of the Colonies? If not, why?
* Will Thrace eventually heal from her emotional trauma experienced in the Cylon breeding farm? How will she deal with it, particularly as a previous victim of child abuse? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|Answer: She is adamant '''not''' to become a victim again.]])
* How will Thrace and Lee Adama pursue their relationship, now that Adama has admitted his feelings for her? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|Answer]])
* What is the exact nature of Dee and William Adama's relationship? It seems more personal on an emotional level for both of them; leaving this question to be asked: What has Dee done to deserve this level of Adama's trust?
* When will a rescue mission be mounted for the Caprican survivors? ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|Answer]])
* How will Zarek and Meier deal with dispatching Lee Adama? ([[Home, Part II|Answer]])
* With Elosha dead, will there be another spiritual advisor filling that vacuum? ([[Cavil|Answer: Sort of.]])
** Since she dies on Kobol, is it true that her soul is bound for oblivion as the virtual Six insinuates will happen to humans who die on Kobol in "[[Fragged]]?"
*Why does Tigh suggest [[Perry]] as a choice for new CAG? He was killed in the Battle for the Tylium Asteroid in "[[The Hand of God]]," and was a [[nugget]] besides. Is there another pilot of the same name?

== Analysis ==
*The [[Arrow of Apollo]] looks rather ornate for a functional arrow. It may instead have once served as a symbol of religious or temporal authority, not unlike the [[Wikipedia:Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom|Britsh Crown Jewels]]. (Its function, [[Home, Part II|as it turns out]] is not a key to the tomb, ''per se''.)
*The 9,500 Gemenons in the Roslin faction alone represent 20% of the fleet population. If the populations of the 12 colonies were represented equally throughout the fleet, they should each represent approximately 8.3% of the total population. As a result of this figure, we must make two assumptions:
**Through accident or design, the Gemenon population of the fleet is substantially larger than the other colonies.
**All, or nearly all of the Gemenon population has allied with the Roslin faction. This makes sense, given what Cpl. [[Venner]] has said about Gemenon fundamentalism, and Roslin's use of the "religion card".
*Of the remaining 8,500 souls belonging to the Roslin faction, 6,250 are from Caprica. If we assume that the non-Gemenon population of the Roslin faction represents an even cross-section of the fleet's population, Caprica represents 74% of the remaining 11 colonies.
**Assuming all the Gemenon population left with the Roslin faction, and the Caprican portion of the Roslin faction is a representative sample, the fleet's demographics break down as follows:
***60% from Caprica
***19.9% from Gemenon
***20.1% from elsewhere
***This is not completely implausible, since both ''[[Galactica]]'' and ''[[Colonial One]]'' were likely serving the needs of the closest colony, Caprica, when the [[Cylon Attack]] occurred. Also the Commander of the [[Botanical Cruiser]] destroyed in the [[Miniseries]] mentioned that most of his passengers were from [[Picon]] and Gemenon. As the ship was enroute to Caprica this suggests that the point where the convoy has massed was near a route close to both Caprica and Gemenon, explaining the large size of the Gemenon population. On the other hand, it would make the [[Quorum of Twelve]] a rather poor representational system.
***Alternatively, there may be some factor which earned the allegiance of the a greater-than-average portion of the Caprica population. Roslin is presumably a native of Caprica herself.
*A frequent question about "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]" was why didn't Baltar ask Boomer the ''names'' of the 8 Cylons left in the fleet, and it was suspected of being a plot hole. In this episode, Baltar is shown regretting not asking her the identity of the other 8 Cylons. Perhaps he only had enough time to ask her one question and still save Chief Tyrol's life, and he was planning on asking her more if "that idiot hadn't killed her."
*Birch is flying a [[Viper Mark VII]] in this episode, which was Apollo's preference prior to the damage he sustained during an atmospheric [[SAR]] in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]." He, and his entire squadron, used [[Viper Mark II]]s in the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] (21 days later), although at least six Mark VIIs were deployed in "[[Scattered]]" (36 days later). Perhaps it just took the better part of three weeks to rehabilitate the Mark VIIs.
*Another hard to explain name appears in this episode. The name of the ship ''[[Adriatic]]'', obviously derived from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adriatic_Sea Adriatic Sea], is an arm of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Sea Mediterranean Sea] that separates Italy from the Balkan peninsula on [[Earth]].
* Goof: [[Helo]] said "What the Fuck" instead of "What the [[Frak]]" when Roslin ordered Caprica-Sharon

== Notes ==
*This episode apparently begins immediately after the events of "[[The Farm]]."
*Population count is 47,858, a gain of one since "[[The Farm]]," probably to account for the return of Helo. This means that Starbuck was never written off as "presumed dead", and if Sharon Valerii was ever included in the count before her outing as a Cylon, her copy isn't being added back after her defection.
**With the death of Elosha and an unnamed escort on Kobol, the count at the episode end is now 47,856.
*The 24 ships which joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]], while comprising somewhat less than a third of the fleet ([[The Farm]]), carried 18,000 survivors - over a third of the fleet's population.
**Of these, 9,500 (more than half) were from Gemenon, and 6,250 were from Caprica.
*Of the 24 ships, Saul Tigh gives a breakdown as follows:
**12 transports
**7 freighters
**3 construction platforms
**1 private cruiser
**1 mining ship - the ''[[Monarch]]''.
*One of the Roslin faction vessels, the ''[[Adriatic]],'' is equipped with ship-to-ship missiles.
*The ''[[Striker]]'' is a ship that remains with ''[[Galactica]]'', damaged in a collision with an unnamed tanker.
*[[Mueller (pilot)|Mueller]], one of ''Galactica's'' Viper pilots, completed a tour as a squadron XO, but Commander Adama views him as a malcontent.
*Lee Adama had blonde hair as a child, like his [[Caroline Adama|mother]].
*Baltar does not know the identities of the Cylons hidden in the fleet, and regrets not asking Boomer before Cally shot her.
*Roslin misidentifies Helo as a Raptor pilot. In the miniseries, he was Boomer's [[ECO]].
*According to Caprica-Valerii, she is not in constant, involuntary contact with whatever network the Cylons have access to. She claims: "I'm not wired in. It doesn't work like that." This, and data from past episodes, suggest that the humanoid Cylons share a collective knowledgebase that they can occasionally tap into, but as confirmed in "[[Downloaded]]," do not share a collective ''consciousness'' (like the Borg of "Star Trek" fame).
*This is the first of a two-part episode. This episode is officially titled "Home, Part I."
*Apollo and Starbuck finally kiss in this episode, albeit briefly. (A [[Scar|future tryst]] becomes more involved.)
*Commander Adama crushing walnuts in his hand is reminiscent of the nervous habit of Captain Queeg in the classic film [http://www.filmsite.org/cain.html ''The '''Caine''' Mutiny'']. Captain Queeg would roll a pair of ball bearings in one hand during times of stress. Commander Adama's comments about loyalty and a ship being "like a family" also echo Captain Queeg.
*The Cylons continue to operate troops on the surface of Kobol, but without orbital support from a basestar, or sufficient numbers to be more than a nuisance to the Colonials.
*Roslin's fleet may have held onto the Heavy Raider that Starbuck, Helo, and Sharon returned in. If they did that makes for possibly the third captured Cylon spacecraft, after Starbuck's captured Raider in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]" and the Heavy Raider that crashed into ''Galactica's'' starboard pod in "[[Scattered]]." (This is confirmed in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]:" the FTL drive in this ship is adapted for use in a [[Raptor]] for the [[SAR]] to retrieve the [[Caprica Resistance]].)
*This is the first of two (thus far) episodes without an appearance by Chief [[Galen Tyrol]], the second being "[[Black Market]]."

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
:<b>Baltar:</b> There was an off-road bridge, over the [[Euclid River|Euclid river]]. I used to go there, when I was a boy. Watch the fish try and swim upstream. They were mesmerizing. I envied them, unaware as they were of the wider complexities, challenges of life.
:<b>Six:</b> You're beginning to see human beings as we see them.
:<b>Baltar:</b> What I am beginning to see are Cylon faces, everywhere I look. Sharon told me there were eight Cylons left in the fleet. Why didn't I ask her who they were? If that idiot hadn't shot her- and why is that when things go wrong, they go wrong so well?
:<b>Six:</b> Gaius. You get yourself far, far too worked up about these things. They do have it easy, don't they?
:<b>Baltar:</b> They? Why are you talking to me like I'm not one of them?
:<b>Six:</b> In some ways you never were. You have a path. You will be spared their fate. For once, Gaius, you can stop manipulating the world and let destiny take its course. If there's one thing we know about human beings with certainty, they are masters of self destruction.

:'''Lee Adama (to Starbuck):''' You've missed a few catastrophes while you were away.

== Official Statements ==

* ''[[Katee Sackhoff]] on Starbuck's inability to forge long-term relationships:''

: Starbuck is comfortable with pain. Everything good has been taken away from her. She blames herself. So whenever something good happens, she doesn't believe it will last, so she sabotages it. She's very vulnerable toward love. She wants it so badly, but believes she isn't worthy of it. "How could anyone love me? Me? [[Kara Thrace]]? The complete [[frak]]-up." You can't truly love someone until you love yourself. <ref>"Inside Battlestar Galactica", <u>Sci-Fi Magazine</u> February 2006: [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10017/0008a1hf.jpg 50]</ref>

== Guest stars ==
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[imdb:nm0001664|James Remar]] as [[Meier]]
*[[Lorena Gale]] as [[Elosha]]
*[[imdb:nm0406896|Particia Idlette]] as [[Sarah Porter]]
*[[imdb:nm0829121|Malcolm Stewart]] as [[Marshall Bagott]]
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lt. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kate" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lt. [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[imdb:nm1534707|Ben Ayres]] as Lt. [[George Birch|George "Catman" Birch]]
*[[imdb:nm0789295|Linnea Sharples]] as Lt. [[Emmitt Jones|Emmitt "Sweetness" Jones]]
*[[imdb:nm1775193|Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
*[[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
*[[imdb:nm1152963|Raahul Singh]] as Kimmit

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/206/ "Home, Part I"] at scifi.com

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Eick]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]