Battlestar Wiki - User contributions [en]

Guess What's Coming to Dinner?

2008-05-18T02:56:30Z

Fthg42: question rearrangement

{{Episode Data
| image=4x07-GuessWhatsComingForDinner-Promo1.jpg
| title= Guess What's Coming to Dinner
| season= 4
| episode= 7
| forumthread= 1092
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Angeli]]
| story=
| director=[[Wayne Rose]]
| production=409
| rating=
| US airdate=16 May 2008
| CAN airdate=16 May 2008
| UK airdate=20 May 2008
| dvd=
| oldpopulation=39675
| population=39673
| prev= [[Faith]]
| next= [[Sine Qua Non]]
| promo= Y
| hulu= Y
}}

== Overview ==
:''Returning with the help of the ''[[Demetrius]]'', the [[Cylon Civil War|rebel Cylon faction]] requests an alliance with the Colonials in order to plan a joint-attack mission against the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]’ vital [[Resurrection Hub]]. Meanwhile on ''[[Colonial One]]'', [[Lee Adama]] and the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] express their mistrust of President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] and her secrecy regarding the new Cylon alliance. Aboard ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] struggles with the prospect of un-boxing the [[Number Three|Threes]] in order to reveal the identities of the [[Final Five]], and [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] copes with the amputation of his leg.''

== Summary ==

===Teaser===
* President [[Laura Roslin]] and [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum delegate]] [[Lee Adama]] listen to a taped broadcast from [[Cult of Baltar|cult]] leader [[Gaius Baltar]], claming Roslin is sharing of her [[chamalla|hallucinogenic visions]] with [[Sharon Agathon]] (currently on the secret and overdue ''[[Demetrius]]'' mission) and a [[Caprica-Six|captured Cylon]] in a [[brig]] on ''[[Galactica]]''. Adama brought the recording at the behest of the Quorum, who demand an explanation, as the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] has heard the broadcast as well.
*When Adama presses Roslin for an answer, she asks him first how he thinks the Fleet would react to such information. Undaunted, he asks again. Roslin confirms Baltar's statement.
*On the [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]] [[Kara Thrace]] and the ''Demetrius'' crew lead a rebel group of [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] back to the Fleet rendezvous as Sharon Agathon make last minute [[jump]] preparations.
*Thrace warns [[Natalie]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] that the Cylons of their ship are on a path of no-return when they reach the Fleet, and that there aren't any guarantees when they approach the Fleet. She assumes Natalie will be the spokesperson in trying to avoid any hostilities.
*[[Karl Agathon]] looks at the unconscious and injured [[Felix Gaeta]] before his preps the final calculations for the jump.
*When Natalie brings up [[Hera Agathon]] in conversation as being beautiful, Agathon is shocked to find out that Natalie and other Cylons know the child's name.
*''Demetrius'' misses the Fleet in its jump and must take a few moments before it can jump again, but the baseship ''does'' reach the Fleet, leaping right into its heart, where some of the Colonial ships have to scramble out of harm's way. Predictably, Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] bring ''Galactica'' up to [[action stations]], scrambling the alert Vipers.
* Agathon tries to contact ''Galactica'' but the jump damaged their [[wireless]], leaving them without communication, and possibly vulnerable to attack.
* Saul Tigh carefully watches [[DRADIS]] as eight Vipers approach the baseship. Tigh orders a weapons hold, stunning Admiral Adama but stopping any attack. Seconds later, ''Demetrius'' appears and verifies with ''Galactica'' that the baseship is disarmed and under Colonial command.

===Act 1===
* Several [[Raptor]]s filled with [[Marine]]s launch from ''Galactica'' and enter the baseship. Colonel Tigh is part of the team. Thrace tells him, "They're with me." "Which one of them shot Gaeta?" he asks.
*Gaeta is rushed to [[sickbay]] in grave condition as Dr. [[Cottle]] yells out orders to his staff to bring a cut-down tray, suggesting an immediate amputation of Gaeta's leg.
*In the [[wardroom]], Natalie explains that the [[Number Two]], [[Number Eight]] and [[Number Six]] models believe that seeking out the [[Final Five]] is important, while the [[Number One]], [[Number Four]] and [[Number Five]] models violently disagreed.
* When Adama asks Natalie of the seventh model, she explains that the [[Number Three]]s were [[boxing|boxed]], and explains the process and why the D'Annas were boxed: they [[Rapture|saw]] the then-forbidden faces of the Five. She tells that unboxing the Threes could give them information that could lead them all to Earth, since the Final Five are believed to have come from there. Kara Thrace, in uniform and standing with Sharon Agathon, confirms Natalie's comment.
* Natalie notes that the baseship can heal itself of its damage, but most of their [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raiders]] were destroyed [[The Ties That Bind|in the ambush]] by the dissenting models.
* Roslin pointedly asks why the Fleet should trust these Cylons. Natalie tells that the boxing facility resides within the [[Resurrection Hub]], a facility that controls all [[Resurrection Ship]]s in existence. Natalie gives Roslin a reason to trust her and her renegade Cylons: Vengeance. The Cylon tells her that destroying the elusive Hub will destroy ''all'' Cylons ability to [[download]], making them all effectively mortal. When asked why they would do such a thing, Natalie simply says that she and her comrades are rebels and cannot go back in any case.
*Adama presses for the coordinates of the Hub, but Natalie says she will only take them to the Hub, not give the coordinates. As Adama orders the marines to escort her away, Natalie changes her mind, promising to give the coordinates if Adama gives his word that D'Anna will be unboxed and the Cylons will be allowed to leave with the Five once the Threes identify them. Adama grudgingly gives his word.
*Leaving the meeting, Adama asks Tigh how he knew to order a weapons hold at the moment of their attack on Natalie's baseship. Tigh hesitates but says he didn't know why. "What can I say, we got lucky." Adama orders a Raptor to the coordinates of the Hub to investigate.
*[[Racetrack]] and [[Skulls]] arrive in an asteroid-filled area, and find the massive Hub, which appears to be twice the relative size of a guarding baseship. "It's beautiful," Skulls comments. They take pictures and return quickly to the Fleet.
*In sickbay, a gory scene begins as Cottle preps to remove Gaeta's leg. Gaeta wakes and strongly urges to be numbed and not anesthetized, not wanting to wake up to find his leg gone. Cottle accepts. Moments later, a saw's blade is heard tearing through Gaeta's leg as his face registers shock. [[Samuel Anders]], who shot Gaeta to stop him from jumping ''Demetrius'' hours before, looks on with regret from a distance.

===Act 2===
*The civilian Fleet returns to join ''Galactica''. Adama, Tigh, Roslin and Karl Agathon discuss an attack strategy. With no Raiders and too few resources for ''Galactica'' to fight alone, Agathon suggests to use the baseship as a "trojan horse", entering the Hub's vicinity with half of ''Galactica's'' Vipers to blow the FTL drive on the Hub. Roslin ponders the idea that the Cylons will become mortal enemies.
*Tigh suggests destroying the Hub outright without resurrecting the Threes, reneging on Adama's word. Adama believes the Five could lead the Fleet to Earth but Roslin thinks the Five will be uncooperative after the Hub's destruction. Adama believes that the Five are like the rebel Cylons, but Roslin disagrees. Tigh is [[Final Five|visibly agitated about the discussion]], and again suggests destruction, putting trust in Roslin's way to Earth.
*Roslin suggests a compromise plan: Unbox the D'Annas, destroy the Hub, but hold on to the Five until they all get to Earth, then turn them over to the rebels, believing the rebels will be compelled to wait a bit longer.
*[[Deckhand]]s and [[List of Pilots|pilots]] prepare their fighters ''inside'' the baseship hangar with Cylons and humans working together.
*[[Tom Zarek]] reads a statement to the Quorum: "In 36 hours the Colonies will unite forces with insurgent rebel Cylons and their leaders in an unprecedented joint military operation". Zarek asks Lee Adama why the Quorum weren't consulted, but Adama doesn't know, no longer being in the military chain of command.
*Tigh, [[Tory Foster]], Samuel Anders and [[Galen Tyrol]] talk about the unboxing of the Threes. Tyrol considers that they at least discover the last member of the Five, but Tigh darkly explains that that will only "crowd the [[airlock]] a little more." Tigh doesn't at all believe that the Colonials will see the Five in a good light.
*Anders does not respond to the others. He is distraught over the loss of Gaeta's leg, talking of how Gaeta sings all the time to cope with his pain.
*Foster meets with Roslin in an office refurbished for her to conduct presidential business while on ''Galactica'' while recovering from another [[diloxin]] treatment and keeping close to sickbay. Roslin first pleasantly comments about Foster's positive change in mood any time she is aboard ''Galactica''. Roslin asks Foster to find out who was sharing the rumors of the president's shared visions to Baltar, then sticks the dagger in, telling Foster she is very aware that she is sleeping with Gaius Baltar.
*Before Foster can say a word, Roslin tells her that there are enough reports of her visitations to "make her a charter member of his [[Cult of Baltar|nymph squad]]." Foster confesses to believing in Baltar's spiritual message, but Roslin is feeling quite betrayed and turns her back on her to do other work, ordering her away.
*On the baseship, Natalie believes that the Colonials won't give the Five to them as promised. She suggests a backup plan of her own: Take hostages after the attack to ensure they get what they want.
*In sickbay, Gaeta continues to sing a [[Gaeta's Lament|sad love ballad]] as Lee Adama visits Roslin there. He tells her that the Quorum is considering a vote of no-confidence against her. Roslin refuses to cater to the representative's desire to feel involved. Adama describes that the representatives' faces appeared empty, resigned to just consider the no-confidence vote just to cope with the uncertainty. He suggests that Roslin compromise and tell them what she can about the attack to allay the Quorum's fears.

===Act 3===

* In bed but not engaged in sex, Baltar complains. Foster admits being tired of lying to Roslin, of how the rumors have affected the president and Foster's relationship with her, about the rumors of Roslin's collusion with the Cylons.
* Baltar explains the source of the rumors: [[Caprica Six]], who told Baltar (through [[Romo Lampkin|his attorney]]) of the news during [[Crossroads, Part II|his trial]]. Baltar believes that Roslin is keeping everyone in the dark, believing that Roslin's concealing of information is worse than revealing it.
*Roslin meets with the Quorum with Admiral Adama. Roslin brings in Natalie to help emphasize how she trusts the mission's success. Natalie speaks: She tells of her own civil war and how things had began to change. Without a Resurrection Ship, time became a commodity, a realization that mortality is crucial to making humans whole. As the Cylon continues to speak, Thrace has flashbacks of what the [[Hybrid]] told her of her [[The Destiny|destiny]] and the belief that she is the "harbinger of death".
*As Gaeta keeps singing in sickbay, Baltar observes quietly in the background.
*Roslin experiences another vision of the [[Opera House]], searching for Hera Agathon. Caprica Six and Sharon Agathon also share the same vision. When Agathon wakes up, little Hera is there at her bedside and says a darkly prophetic "Bye-bye," suggesting the child knows she will be taken in some way.

===Act 4===

*A wide shot of the Fleet shows the baseship has nearly healed itself of its damage. On ''Galactica'', Kara Thrace sees Roslin in sickbay, who compliments Thrace on her plan to unite the rebels and the Fleet.
*When Thrace asks if Roslin is having visions, the president is quiet. Thrace repeats what the rebel baseship's [[Hybrid]] told her some time before: "This shall it come to pass: the dying leader shall know the truth of the Opera House."
*Shocked at Thrace's knowledge of the dream's specific content, Roslin asks how the Hybrid would know about her dreams, but Thrace does not know. Roslin pleads with Thrace to help her determine the meaning of the dreams. Thrace accepts without hesitation and Roslin asks her to find Karl Agathon.
*Aboard the baseship, the Cylons are becoming agitated, unsure about the attack. Natalie tells of the feelings she had from the Quorum, their distrust. Natalie believes that the united Five may judge the Cylons for their duplicity with the Colonials, fearing that the Five will refuse to come with them.
*When Natalie suggests to completely abandon the project, to tell the Cylon Centurions to stand down, an Eight in attendance warns that the Colonials will never trust them again. Leoben warns her that the action may be at a point of no return. He tells Natalie to meet with Adama and stall for time while he deals with the Centurions.
*Roslin meets privately with Baltar, confirming the visions. When he asks why he was told now, she replies that he is part of the vision itself.
*In Sharon Agathon's quarters, Hera is drawing. Sharon picks up the drawings to see that Hera has drawn numerous number 6s and blonde women on pages and pages. The final drawing shown is of Hera smiling and standing by one of the blond women. Distressed, Agathon turns to find Hera gone from her quarters and goes out to chase her.
*On the baseship, Roslin, Karl Agathon, Baltar, a Leoben and an Eight head under guard into the baseship and the Hybrid, as Cylon Centurions walk by an uneasy group of pilots.
*Natalie arrives on a Raptor on ''Galactica'', obviously uneasy.
*Sharon Agathon chases Hera through the battlestar, but the child is elusive. When she stops to tell Tyrol, working within a corridor, he gives her a unsympathetic stare, but eventually follows her.
*Hera finds herself at a stop in front of Natalie, being escorted by Tigh and a squad of Marines. But Agathon is there immediately and draws her sidearm, warning Natalie away. Tigh keeps the Marines at bay, standing them down.
*At the deactivated Hybrid's pool, Roslin orders the Hybrid reactivated. When Baltar says, "Let God's will be done," Roslin tells him to "Shut up. It's time to get some answers."
*Agathon asks Tyrol to take Hera away, which he does. However, Agathon's visions of the Opera House and a Six's kidnapping of Hera are too strong in her mind. "You are never going to take my child," she says as she shoots Natalie.
*At the moment that the Hybrid awakes, she cries out "Jump!" The baseship disappears from the Fleet with the president and her entourage all aboard.
*Gaeta continues to sing in his bed.

== Notes ==
*The episode title is probably a reference to the 1967 film ''[[w:Guess Who's Coming to Dinner|Guess Who's Coming to Dinner]]'', which dealt with race relations between Caucasian and African Americans in America.
*The [[survivor count]] at the beginning credits (39,673) accounts for the deaths of [[Emily Kowalski]] and [[Jean Barolay]] in the previous episode, "[[Faith]]".
*[[Felix Gaeta]]'s loss of his leg is reminiscent of a similar event in ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. In an episode of that show's seventh and final season, [[MemoryAlpha:Nog|Nog]] loses his leg and, in a later episode, mentally recovers from it by surrounding himself with a holodeck program of [[MemoryAlpha:Vic Fontaine|Vic Fontaine]], a [[w:Frank Sinatra|Frank Sinatra]]-type casino singer.
*Although it is a common Hollywood convention, a gunshot does not cause a person to fly backwards a large distance as shown with [[Natalie]]. The effect is achieved by pulling back the actors with a cable.
*The song Gaeta sings throughout the episode is called "[[Gaeta's Lament]]". The lyrics were written by the episode's writer [[Michael Angeli]] and the music is by the series's composer [[Bear McCreary]]. Actor [[Alessandro Juliani]], who studied opera and performed the song live on set, also greatly influenced it. McCreary discusses the song in his [http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=349 blog].

== Analysis ==
* [[Samuel Anders]] is distraught over his actions on the ''Demetrius'', notably those concerning Gaeta and having shot him in the leg that is later amputated.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] is also drawn to see Gaeta, but the two do not interact; he is out of Gaeta's view and listening to him singing, suggesting that Baltar may have forgiven Gaeta for perjuring himself at Baltar's trial and for the earlier murder attempt.
* The Hybrid's prophecy that Kara Thrace is the "harbinger of death" takes on a new significance during Natalie's speech to the Quorum. Thrace herself begins to realize it may have a positive connotation, referring to the potential loss of immortality among the Cylon.

== Questions ==
* Do William Adama or Saul Tigh know of the complete story surrounding the mutiny on the ''Demetrius''?
* Where does the rebel baseship jump to?
* Does the [[Hybrid]] jump the baseship as an automatic reaction upon reactivation, or with intent?
* How will the Quorum and [[Tom Zarek]] react to the loss of Laura Roslin? What about Admiral Adama?
* Does Natalie survive her gun-shot wounds?
** If Natalie lives, how will the experience of being near death affect her?
* How will the rebel Cylons react when they discover [[Natalie]] has been shot?
* While Thrace quotes the Hybrid as having said, "The dying leader..." the actual line was, "'''A''' dying leader..." Is this significant?
* Will Sharon Agathon's shooting of Natalie further strain her relationship with the Cylons?
* What will Adama do about Agathon?
* What is the meaning of Hera's drawings?
* What will Adama and Tigh think happened to the baseship? Will they assume that the rebels intentionally abducted Roslin and the other humans aboard?
* How will the now-sentient [[Centurion]]s on the rebel baseship react to the large number of humans on board?
* What will the re-activated Hybrid tell Laura Roslin, if anything at all?
* What will [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] do after he recovers from his amputation?

== Official Statements ==





== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''[[Natalie]] negotiating with the Colonials:''
:'''Natalie:''' You asked for a reason to help us? Vengeance. You destroy the [[Resurrection Hub|hub]], the Cylons lose their ability to download. All of us.
:'''Laura Roslin:''' Why would you want to lose your ability to resurrect?
:'''Natalie:''' We're rebels. We can't go back.

*''[[Lee Adama]] talks to [[Laura Roslin]] about the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]:''
:'''Lee Adama:''' I was with them. On the emergency jump. And I saw something in the faces of the delegates. Wasn't the anxiety of the waiting. We're beyond that. I was anxious; it was my first time. But they, they...they were empty. The Quorum had given up. And then is struck me, that after going through the same routine so many times, it was the only way they could cope with the uncertainty to presume the worst.
:'''Laura Roslin:''' You felt their suffering. Now trying holding their lives in balance every day.
:'''Lee Adama:''' Talk to them. You don't have to tell them everything. I know how it works. Just talk to the Quorum. Let them put a face to this joint mission. Let them hear from the Cylon leader. Anything. Anything to put their fears to rest.

*''Natalie speaks to the Quorum:''
:"In our [[Cylon Civil War|civil war]], we've seen death. We watched our people die. Gone forever. As terrible as it was, beyond the reach of the Resurrection Ships, something began to change. We could feel a sense of time. As if each moment held its own significance. We began to realize that for our existence to hold any value it must end. To live meaningful lives we must die, and not return. The one human flaw, that you spend your lifetimes distressing over - mortality - is the one thing...well, it's the one thing that makes you whole."

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Number Two]] / [[Leoben Conoy (New Caprica copy)|Leoben Conoy]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hotdog" Costanza]]
* [[Tiffany Lyndall-Knight]] as [[Hybrid]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Marilyn Norry]] as [[Reza Chronides]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Picon Delegate|Picon Delegate]]
* [[Donna Soares]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Gemenon Delegate|Gemenon Delegate]]
* [[Iris Paluly]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Speaking Delegate #2|Speaking Delegate #2]]
* [[Leo Li Chiang]] as the [[tattooed pilot]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] discusses the episode's score and specifically the song Gaeta sings: [http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=349]

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Michael Angeli]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Wayne Rose]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Guess What's Coming to Dinner?

2008-05-17T22:07:47Z

Fthg42: I think "Oprah House" is hilarious but I don't think that's what the Hybrid meant.

{{Episode Data
| image=4x07-GuessWhatsComingForDinner-Promo1.jpg
| title= Guess What's Coming to Dinner
| season= 4
| episode= 7
| forumthread= 1092
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Angeli]]
| story=
| director=[[Wayne Rose]]
| production=409
| rating=
| US airdate=16 May 2008
| CAN airdate=16 May 2008
| UK airdate=20 May 2008
| dvd=
| oldpopulation=39675
| population=39673
| prev= [[Faith]]
| next= [[Sine Qua Non]]
| promo= Y
| hulu= Y
}}

== Overview ==
:''Returning with the help of the ''[[Demetrius]]'', the [[Cylon Civil War|rebel Cylon faction]] requests an alliance with the Colonials in order to plan a joint-attack mission against the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]’ vital [[Resurrection Hub]]. Meanwhile on ''[[Colonial One]]'', [[Lee Adama]] and the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] express their mistrust of President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] and her secrecy regarding the new Cylon alliance. Aboard ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] struggles with the prospect of un-boxing the [[Number Three|Threes]] in order to reveal the identities of the [[Final Five]], and [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] copes with the amputation of his leg.''

== Summary ==

===Teaser===
* President [[Laura Roslin]] and [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum delegate]] [[Lee Adama]] listen to a taped broadcast from [[Cult of Baltar|cult]] leader [[Gaius Baltar]], claming Roslin is sharing of her [[chamalla|hallucinogenic visions]] with [[Sharon Agathon]] (currently on the secret and overdue ''[[Demetrius]]'' mission) and a [[Caprica-Six|captured Cylon]] in a [[brig]] on ''[[Galactica]]''. Adama brought the recording at the behest of the Quorum, who demand an explanation, as the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] has heard the broadcast as well.
*When Adama presses Roslin for an answer, she asks him first how he think the Fleet would react to such information. Undaunted, he asks again. Roslin confirms Baltar's statement.
*On the [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]] [[Kara Thrace]] and the ''Demetrius'' crew lead a rebel group of [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] back to the Fleet rendezvous as Sharon Agathon make last minute [[jump]] preparations.
*Thrace warns [[Natalie]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] that the Cylons of their ship are on a path of no-return when they reach the Fleet, and that there aren't any guarantees when they approach the Fleet. She assumes Natalie will be the spokesperson in trying to avoid any hostilities.
*[[Karl Agathon]] looks at the unconscious and injured [[Felix Gaeta]] before his preps the final calculations for the jump.
*When Natalie brings up [[Hera Agathon]] in conversation as being beautiful, Agathon is shocked to find out that Natalie and other Cylons know the child's name.
*''Demetrius'' misses the Fleet in its jump and must take a few moments before it can jump again, but the baseship ''does'' reach the Fleet, leaping right into its heart, where some of the Colonial ships have to scramble out of harm's way. Predictably, Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] bring ''Galactica'' up to [[action stations]], scrambling the alert Vipers.
* Agathon tries to contact ''Galactica'' but the jump damaged their [[wireless]], leaving them without communication, and possibly vulnerable to attack.
* Saul Tigh carefully watches [[DRADIS]] as eight Vipers approach the baseship. Tigh orders a weapons hold, stunning Admiral Adama but stopping any attack. Seconds later, ''Demetrius'' appears and verifies with ''Galactica'' that the baseship is disarmed and under Colonial command.

===Act 1===
* Several [[Raptor]]s filled with [[Marine]]s launch from ''Galactica'' and enter the baseship. Colonel Tigh is part of the team. Thrace tells him, "They're with me." "Which one of them shot Gaeta?" he asks.
*Gaeta is rushed to [[sickbay]] in grave condition as Dr. [[Cottle]] yells out orders to his staff to bring a cut-down tray, suggesting an immediate amputation of Gaeta's leg.
*In the [[wardroom]], Natalie explains that the [[Number Two]], [[Number Eight]] and [[Number Six]] models believe that seeking out the [[Final Five]] is important, while the [[Number One]], [[Number Four]] and [[Number Five]] models violently disagreed.
* When Adama asks Natalie of the seventh model, she explains that the [[Number Three]]s were [[boxing|boxed]], and explains the process and why the D'Annas were boxed: they [[Rapture|saw]] the then-forbidden faces of the Five. She tells that unboxing the Threes could give them information that could lead them all to Earth, since the Final Five are believed to have come from there. Kara Thrace, in uniform and standing with Sharon Agathon, confirms Natalie's comment.
* Natalie notes that the baseship can heal itself of its damage, but most of their [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raiders]] were destroyed [[The Ties That Bind|in the ambush]] by the dissenting models.
* Roslin pointedly asks why the Fleet should trust these Cylons. Natalie tells that the boxing facility resides within the [[Resurrection Hub]], a facility that controls all [[Resurrection Ship]]s in existence. Natalie gives Roslin a reason to trust her and her renegade Cylons: Vengeance. The Cylon tells her that destroying the elusive Hub will destroy ''all'' Cylons ability to [[download]], making them all effectively mortal. When asked why they would do such a thing, Natalie simply says that she and her comrades are rebels and cannot go back in any case.
*Adama presses for the coordinates of the Hub, but Natalie says she will only take them to the Hub, not give the coordinates. As Adama orders the marines to escort her away, Natalie changes her mind, promising to give the coordinates if Adama gives his word that D'Anna will be unboxed and the Cylons will be allowed to leave with the Five once the Threes identify them. Adama grudgingly gives his word.
*Leaving the meeting, Adama asks Tigh how he knew to order a weapons hold at the moment of their attack on Natalie's baseship. Tigh hesitates but says he didn't know why. "What can I say, we got lucky." Adama orders a Raptor to the coordinates of the Hub to investigate.
*[[Racetrack]] and [[Skulls]] arrive in an asteroid-filled area, and find the massive Hub, which appears to be twice the relative size of a guarding baseship. "It's beautiful," Skulls comments. They take pictures and return quickly to the Fleet.
*In sickbay, a gory scene begins as Cottle preps to remove Gaeta's leg. Gaeta wakes and strongly urges to be numbed and not anesthetized, not wanting to wake up to find his leg gone. Cottle accepts. Moments later, a saw's blade is heard tearing through Gaeta's leg as his face registers shock. [[Samuel Anders]], who shot Gaeta to stop him from jumping ''Demetrius'' hours before, looks on with regret from a distance.

===Act 2===
*The civilian Fleet returns to join ''Galactica''. Adama, Tigh, Roslin and Karl Agathon discuss an attack strategy. With no Raiders and too few resources for ''Galactica'' to fight alone, Agathon suggests to use the baseship as a "trojan horse", entering the Hub's vicinity with half of ''Galactica's'' Vipers to blow the FTL drive on the Hub. Roslin ponders the idea that the Cylons will become mortal enemies.
*Tigh suggests destroying the Hub outright without resurrecting the Threes, reneging on Adama's word. Adama believes the Five could lead the Fleet to Earth but Roslin thinks the Five will be uncooperative after the Hub's destruction. Adama believes that the Five are like the rebel Cylons, but Roslin disagrees. Tigh is [[Final Five|visibly agitated about the discussion]], and again suggests destruction, putting trust in Roslin's way to Earth.
*Roslin suggests a compromise plan: Unbox the D'Annas, destroy the Hub, but hold on to the Five until they all get to Earth, then turn them over to the rebels, believing the rebels will be compelled to wait a bit longer.
*[[Deckhand]]s and [[List of Pilots|pilots]] prepare their fighters ''inside'' the baseship hangar with Cylons and humans working together.
*[[Tom Zarek]] reads a statement to the Quorum: "In 36 hours the Colonies will unite forces with insurgent rebel Cylons and their leaders in an unprecedented joint military operation". Zarek asks Lee Adama why the Quorum weren't consulted, but Adama doesn't know, no longer being in the military chain of command.
*Tigh, [[Tory Foster]], Samuel Anders and [[Galen Tyrol]] talk about the unboxing of the Threes. Tyrol considers that they at least discover the last member of the Five, but Tigh darkly explains that that will only "crowd the [[airlock]] a little more." Tigh doesn't at all believe that the Colonials will see the Five in a good light.
*Anders does not respond to the others. He is distraught over the loss of Gaeta's leg, talking of how Gaeta sings all the time to cope with his pain.
*Foster meets with Roslin in an office refurbished for her to conduct presidential business while on ''Galactica'' while recovering from another [[diloxin]] treatment and keeping close to sickbay. Roslin first pleasantly comments about Foster's positive change in mood any time she is aboard ''Galactica''. Roslin asks Foster to find out who was sharing the rumors of the president's shared visions to Baltar, then sticks the dagger in, telling Foster she is very aware that she is sleeping with Gaius Baltar.
*Before Foster can say a word, Roslin tells her that there are enough reports of her visitations to "make her a charter member of his [[Cult of Baltar|nymph squad]]." Foster confesses to believing in Baltar's spiritual message, but Roslin is feeling quite betrayed and turns her back on her to do other work, ordering her away.
*On the baseship, Natalie believes that the Colonials won't give the Five to them as promised. She suggests a backup plan of her own: Take hostages after the attack to ensure they get what they want.
*In sickbay, Gaeta continues to sing a [[Gaeta's Lament|sad love ballad]] as Lee Adama visits Roslin there. He tells her that the Quorum is considering a vote of no-confidence against her. Roslin refuses to cater to the representative's desire to feel involved. Adama describes that the representatives' faces appeared empty, resigned to just consider the no-confidence vote just to cope with the uncertainty. He suggests that Roslin compromise and tell them what she can about the attack to allay the Quorum's fears.

===Act 3===

* In bed but not engaged in sex, Baltar complains. Foster admits being tired of lying to Roslin, of how the rumors have affected the president and Foster's relationship with her, about the rumors of Roslin's collusion with the Cylons.
* Baltar explains the source of the rumors: [[Caprica Six]], who told Baltar (through [[Romo Lampkin|his attorney]]) of the news during [[Crossroads, Part II|his trial]]. Baltar believes that Roslin is keeping everyone in the dark, believing that Roslin's concealing of information is worse than revealing it.
*Roslin meets with the Quorum with Admiral Adama. Roslin brings in Natalie to help emphasize how she trusts the mission's success. Natalie speaks: She tells of her own civil war and how things had began to change. Without a Resurrection Ship, time became a commodity, a realization that mortality is crucial to making humans whole. As the Cylon continues to speak, Thrace has flashbacks of what the [[Hybrid]] told her of her [[The Destiny|destiny]] and the belief that she is the "harbinger of death".
*As Gaeta keeps singing in sickbay, Baltar observes quietly in the background.
*Roslin experiences another vision of the [[Opera House]], searching for Hera Agathon. Caprica Six and Sharon Agathon also share the same vision. When Agathon wakes up, little Hera is there at her bedside and says a darkly prophetic "Bye-bye," suggesting the child knows she will be taken in some way.

===Act 4===

*A wide shot of the Fleet shows the baseship has nearly healed itself of its damage. On ''Galactica'', Kara Thrace sees Roslin in sickbay, who compliments Thrace on her plan to unite the rebels and the Fleet.
*When Thrace asks if Roslin is having visions, the president is quiet. Thrace repeats what the rebel baseship's [[Hybrid]] told her some time before: "This shall it come to pass: the dying leader shall know the truth of the Opera House."
*Shocked at Thrace's knowledge of the dream's specific content, Roslin asks how the Hybrid would know about her dreams, but Thrace does not know. Roslin pleads with Thrace to help her determine the meaning of the dreams. Thrace accepts without hesitation and Roslin asks her to find Karl Agathon.
*Aboard the baseship, the Cylons are becoming agitated, unsure about the attack. Natalie tells of the feelings she had from the Quorum, their distrust. Natalie believes that the united Five may judge the Cylons for their duplicity with the Colonials, fearing that the Five will refuse to come with them.
*When Natalie suggests to completely abandon the project, to tell the Cylon Centurions to stand down, an Eight in attendance warns that the Colonials will never trust them again. Leoben warns her that the action may be at a point of no return. He tells Natalie to meet with Adama and stall for time while he deals with the Centurions.
*Roslin meets privately with Baltar, confirming the visions. When he asks why he was told now, she replies that he is part of the vision itself.
*In Sharon Agathon's quarters, Hera is drawing. Sharon picks up the drawings to see that Hera has drawn numerous number 6s and blonde women on pages and pages. Agathon turns to find Hera gone from her quarters and goes out to chase her.
*On the baseship, Roslin, Karl Agathon, Baltar, a Leoben and an Eight head under guard into the baseship and the Hybrid, as Cylon Centurions walk by an uneasy group of pilots.
*Natalie arrives on a Raptor on ''Galactica'', obviously uneasy.
*Sharon Agathon chases Hera through the battlestar, but the child is elusive. When she stops to tell Tyrol, working within a corridor, he gives her a unsympathetic stare, but eventually follows her.
*Hera finds herself at a stop in front of Natalie, being escorted by Tigh and a squad of Marines. But Agathon is there immediately and draws her sidearm, warning Natalie away. Tigh keeps the Marines at bay, standing them down.
*At the deactivated Hybrid's pool, Roslin orders the Hybrid reactivated. When Baltar says, "Let God's will be done," Roslin tells him to "Shut up. It's time to get some answers."
*Agathon asks Tyrol to take Hera away, which he does. However, Agathon's visions of the Opera House and a Six's kidnapping of Hera are too strong in her mind. "You are never going to take my child," she says as she shoots Natalie.
*At the moment that the Hybrid awakes, she cries out "Jump!" The baseship disappears from the Fleet with the president and her entourage all aboard.
*Gaeta continues to sing in his bed.

== Notes ==
*The episode title is probably a reference to the 1967 film ''[[w:Guess Who's Coming to Dinner|Guess Who's Coming to Dinner]]'', which dealt with race relations between Caucasian and African Americans in America.
*The [[survivor count]] at the beginning credits (39,673) accounts for the deaths of [[Emily Kowalski]] and [[Jean Barolay]] in the previous episode, "[[Faith]]".
*[[Felix Gaeta]]'s loss of his leg is reminiscent of a similar event in ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. In an episode of that show's seventh and final season, [[MemoryAlpha:Nog|Nog]] loses his leg and, in a later episode, mentally recovers from it by surrounding himself with a holodeck program of [[MemoryAlpha:Vic Fontaine|Vic Fontaine]], a [[w:Frank Sinatra|Frank Sinatra]]-type casino singer.
*Although it is a common Hollywood convention, a gunshot does not cause a person to fly backwards a large distance as shown with [[Natalie]]. The effect is achieved by pulling back the actors with a cable.
*The song Gaeta sings throughout the episodes is called "[[Gaeta's Lament]]". The lyrics were written by director [[Michael Angeli]] and the music is by the series's composer [[Bear McCreary]]. Actor [[Alessandro Juliani]], who studied opera and performed the song live on set, also greatly influenced it. McCreary discusses the song in his [http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=349 blog].

== Analysis ==
* [[Samuel Anders]] is distraught over his actions on the ''Demetrius'', notably those concerning Gaeta and having shot him in the leg that is later amputated.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] is also drawn to see Gaeta, but the two do not interact; he is out of Gaeta's view and listening to him singing, suggesting that Baltar may have forgiven Gaeta for perjuring himself at Baltar's trial and for the earlier murder attempt.
* The Hybrid's prophecy that Kara Thrace is the "harbinger of death" takes on a new significance during Natalie's speech to the Quorum. Thrace herself begins to realize it may have a positive connotation, referring to the potential loss of immortality among the Cylon.

== Questions ==
* Do William Adama or Saul Tigh know of the complete story surrounding the mutiny on the ''Demetrius''?
* Where does the rebel baseship jump to?
* Does the [[Hybrid]] jump the baseship as an automatic reaction upon reactivation, or with intent?
* How will the Quorum and [[Tom Zarek]] react to the loss of Laura Roslin? What about Admiral Adama?
* Does Natalie survive her gun-shot wounds?
* How will the rebel Cylons react when they discover [[Natalie]] has been shot?
* While Thrace quotes the Hybrid as having said, "The dying leader..." the actual line was, "'''A''' dying leader..." Is this significant?
* Will Sharon Agathon's shooting of Natalie further strain her relationship with the Cylons?
* What will Adama do about Agathon?
* What is the meaning of Hera's drawings?
* What will Adama and Tigh think happened to the baseship? Will they assume that the rebels intentionally abducted Roslin and the other humans aboard?
* How will the now-sentient [[Centurion]]s on the rebel baseship react to the large number of humans on board?
* What will the re-activated Hybrid tell Laura Roslin, if anything at all?
* What will [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] do after he recovers from his amputation?

== Official Statements ==





== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''[[Natalie]] negotiating with the Colonials:''
:'''Natalie:''' You asked for a reason to help us? Vengeance. You destroy the [[Resurrection Hub|hub]], the Cylons lose their ability to download. All of us.
:'''Laura Roslin:''' Why would you want to lose your ability to resurrect?
:'''Natalie:''' We're rebels. We can't go back.

*''[[Lee Adama]] talks to [[Laura Roslin]] about the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]:''
:'''Lee Adama:''' I was with them. On the emergency jump. And I saw something in the faces of the delegates. Wasn't the anxiety of the waiting. We're beyond that. I was anxious; it was my first time. But they, they...they were empty. The Quorum had given up. And then is struck me, that after going through the same routine so many times, it was the only way they could cope with the uncertainty to presume the worst.
:'''Laura Roslin:''' You felt their suffering. Now trying holding their lives in balance every day.
:'''Lee Adama:''' Talk to them. You don't have to tell them everything. I know how it works. Just talk to the Quorum. Let them put a face to this joint mission. Let them hear from the Cylon leader. Anything. Anything to put their fears to rest.

*''Natalie speaks to the Quorum:''
:"In our [[Cylon Civil War|civil war]], we've seen death. We watched our people die. Gone forever. As terrible as it was, beyond the reach of the Resurrection Ships, something began to change. We could feel a sense of time. As if each moment held its own significance. We began to realize that for our existence to hold any value it must end. To live meaningful lives we must die, and not return. The one human flaw, that you spend your lifetimes distressing over - mortality - is the one thing...well, it's the one thing that makes you whole."

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Number Two]] / [[Leoben Conoy (New Caprica copy)|Leoben Conoy]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hotdog" Costanza]]
* [[Tiffany Lyndall-Knight]] as [[Hybrid]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Marilyn Norry]] as [[Reza Chronides]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Picon Delegate|Picon Delegate]]
* [[Donna Soares]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Gemenon Delegate|Gemenon Delegate]]
* [[Iris Paluly]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Speaking Delegate #2|Speaking Delegate #2]]
* [[Leo Li Chiang]] as the [[tattooed pilot]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] discusses the episode's score and specifically the song Gaeta sings: [http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=349]

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

Hybrid utterances

2008-05-11T03:41:07Z

Fthg42: relistened to Faith: Hybrid says "a", not "the"

[[Hybrid]]s, the central computer of a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]], appear to constantly '''utter incoherent phrases and thoughts''', punctuated by what seem to be computer or system observations, results, or instructions of the basestar's operation.<ref>The behavior of speaking with little pause in an incoherent fashion is a condition known as [[w:Logorrhoea|logorrhoea]], and is generally considered a type of illness in humans. This differs from [[w:glossolalia|glossolalia]]: constant nonsensical speech, and [[w:xenoglossy|xenoglossy]]: speaking in a language not ordinarily known by the speaker. Glossolalia is also known as "speaking in tongues." While the Hybrid speaks the same common language as the humanoid Cylons and Colonials, the content of her speech contacts religious and prophetic messages related to the series storylines as classic glossolalia is claimed to exhibit.</ref> Despite their seemly nonsensical nature, they sometimes seem to relate wider world around them, perhaps with a prophetic nature. [[Number Two]]s believe that the Hybrid's words have religious significance.

[[Gaius Baltar]] and other [[humanoid Cylon]]s are present when one Hybrid is speaking:

* Two protons expelled at each coupling site creates the mode of force, the embryo becomes a fish that we don't enter until a plate, we're here to experience evolve the little toe, atrophy, don't ask me how I'll be dead in a thousand light years, thank you, thank you. Genesis turns to its source, reduction occurs stepwise though the essence is all one. End of line. FTL system check, diagnostic functions within parameters repeats the harlequin the agony exquisite, the colors run the path of ashes, neuronal network run fifty-two percent of heat exchanger cross-collateralized with hyper-dimensional matrix, upper senses, repair ordered relay to zero zero zero zero. ([[Torn]])
* Mists of dreams drip along the nascent echo and love no more. End of line.
* The five lights of the apocalypse rising struggling towards the light, the sins revealed only to those who enter the temple only to the chosen one. (Staring at Baltar:) The chosen one. The chosen one. The chosen one. The chosen one.
* One degree angle nominal. Seascape portrait of the woman child cavern of the soul. Under pressure-heat ratio ides of evolutions have buried their fears.
* Gestalt therapy and escape clauses.
* Throughout history the nexus between man and machine has spun some of the most dramatic, compelling and entertaining fiction.<ref>This "[[w:Fourth wall|fourth wall]]" dialogue references the drama of man/machine conflicts in science fiction as seen in the ''Battlestar'' series' themselves as well as movies and novels such ''[[w:The Terminator|The Terminator]]'', ''[[w:I, Robot|I, Robot]]'' and ''[[w:The Matrix|The Matrix]]''.</ref>
* (Grasping Baltar) Intelligence. A mind that burns like a fire.
* Find the hand that lies in the shadow of the light. In the eye of the husband of the eye of the cow. ([[The Passage]]) <ref>These two lines are quoted in the music for "[[Rapture]]" as [[Music of Battlestar Galactica (RDM)#Temple of Five theme|theme for the Temple of Five]] and sung in Latin.</ref>

At least one Hybrid has spoken utterances that suggest a knowledge of the 'activation' of the [[Final Five]]:
* The excited state decays by vibrational relaxation into the first excited singlet state. Yes, yes and merrily we go. Reduce atmospheric nitrogen by 0.03%. It is not much consolation that society will pick up the bits, leaving us at eight modern where punishment, rather than interdiction, is paramount. Please, cut the fuse. They will not harm their own. End of line. Limiting diffusions to two dimensions increases the number of evolutionary jumps within the species. Rise and measure the temple of the five. Transformation is the goal. They will not harm their own. [[Data-font]] synchronization complete. ([[Six of One]])

===Dying Hybrid===
[[Kara Thrace]] travels to the rebel basestar to hear the Hybrid, whom [[Leoben]] believes will guide her on her quest for earth. She finds little sense in its ramblings:
*The obstinate toy soldier becomes pliant
*The city devours the land, the people devour the city...
*Intruders swarm like flame, like the whirlwind; Hopes soaring and to slaughter all the best against our hulls/house
*All these things at once and many more, not because it wishes harm, because it likes violent vibrations to change constantly.
*You are a spark of God's Fire.
*The children of the one reborn shall find their own country.
Just as the hybrid is being fatally disconnected from its basestar she delivers one final, and unusually coherent, message to Thrace:
*Thus will it come to pass. A dying leader will know the truth of the Opera House. The missing [[Number Three|Three]] will give you the [[Final Five|Five]] who come from the home of the [[Earth (RDM)|Thirteenth]]. You are the harbinger of death, Kara Thrace. You will lead them all to their end. End of Line. ([[Faith]])

== First Hybrid ==

The [[first Hybrid]] also says several prophetic phrases, although this Hybrid's behavior displays far more coherence, grammatically. The First Hybrid also shows self-awareness, speaking in complete sentences when addressing [[Kendra Shaw]] ([[Razor]]).

*At last, they’ve come for me. I feel their lives, their destinies spilling out before me. The denial of the one true path, played out on a world not their own, will end soon enough. Soon there will be [[Final Five|four, glorious in awakening]], struggling with the knowledge of their true selves. The pain of revelation bringing new clarity and in the midst of confusion, he will find her. Enemies brought together by impossible longing. Enemies now joined as one. The way forward at once unthinkable, yet inevitable. And the fifth, still in shadow, will claw toward the light, hungering for redemption that will only come in the howl of terrible suffering. I can see them all. [[Number Three|The seven, now six]], self-described machines who believe themselves without sin. But in time, it is sin that will consume them. They will know enmity, bitterness, the wrenching agony of one splintering into many. And then, they will join the promised land, gathered on the wings of an angel. Not an end, but a beginning.
*[[Kara Thrace]] will lead the human race to its end. She is the herald of the apocalypse, the harbinger of death. They must not follow her.
*As my own existence comes to a close, only to begin anew, in ways uncertain.
*All this has happened before, and it will happen again...again...again...again...again...again...again...

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:Figures of Speech]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Escape Velocity

2008-05-06T15:36:40Z

Fthg42: beginning of Act 2 re: book ending

{{Episode Data
| image=4x04 - Escape Velocity - Promo 1.jpg
| title= Escape Velocity
| season= 4
| episode= 4
| forumthread= 954
| guests=
| writer=[[Jane Espenson]]
| story=
| director=[[Edward James Olmos]]
| production=406
| rating=
| US airdate=25 April 2008
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=39675
| oldpopulation=39676
| prev= [[The Ties That Bind]]
| next= [[The Road Less Traveled]]
| hulu=y
| unbox=B0018ENBMQ
}}

== Overview ==
: ''Religious freedom is debated and defended as the messianic [[Gaius Baltar]] promotes his belief in one true God. Meanwhile, [[Galen Tyrol]] tries to cope with the death of his [[Callandra Tyrol|wife]] and fails.''

== Summary ==


=== Teaser ===

* In a makeshift [[temple]] aboard ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', [[Galen Tyrol]] performs a ritual commemoration ceremony in the memory of his wife, [[Callandra Tyrol|Callandra Henderson Tyrol]]. In attendance are [[Laura Roslin]], Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]], Delegate [[Lee Adama]], [[Tory Foster]], Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] and [[Anthony Figurski]].
* After the priest ends the service, Roslin (wearing a wig) tells Adama that she likes the ceremony, insinuating that she wants Adama to perform the same service for her when she dies.
* Tyrol is given condolences by people as they leave the temple. Foster asks Roslin why they have to do "these things at dawn", to which Roslin replies that they have to.
* After Roslin gives her condolences, Tyrol grabs a hold of both Foster and Tigh, who hastily offer their condolences. As they walk out, they complain that Tyrol almost attracted attention to themselves.
* Delegate Adama offers his condolences as Tyrol stares off after Foster and Tigh; Adama leaves without a response from Tyrol.
* Tigh enters the surveillance room adjoining [[Caprica-Six]]'s brig. The Marines inform him that she continues her same routine. When broaching the topic of how Six doesn't go nuts, the [[Unnamed Galactica and Pegasus crew (RDM)#Blonde female Marine|female Marine]] replies that she probably turns off her brain, prompting interest from Tigh.
* Tigh enters the brig, informing Six that her request to see [[Hera Agathon]] has been denied. Six notes that Tigh already told her this, and asks what else he wants from her. During the discussion, Tigh sees [[Ellen Tigh]] in place of Six. Tigh, unsure of what to make of it, tells Six to stay back from him. Six notes that he visits her every day, but doesn't ask questions any more. Tigh leaves, with her saying that she'll see him tomorrow.
* In his quarters, Tyrol sits while [[Nicholas Tyrol]] cries. Foster and Tigh gruffly admonish Tyrol for his behavior at the service.
* Tigh inquires after the baby. Tyrol notes that Nicholas probably needs to be changed; Tigh goes about doing so.
* Foster asks Tyrol if he believes Cally killed herself because of him. Tyrol brings up the alleged affair between them, to which Foster replies that they didn't have one. Tyrol voices his concerns over which of his memories were real, and whether or not there was ever an action in his life that wasn't programmed. Foster espouses what, according to Tigh, is "[[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s crap" when she tells Tyrol that they, as [[humanoid Cylons|Cylons]], don't need guilt since they are perfect. Tigh, on the other hand, believes that Tyrol is feeling what men feel after the death of a loved one. Tigh continues by telling Tyrol that he'll see Cally every day, while referencing his own experience of [[Torn|hearing]] and [[Virtual Ellen|seeing]] his dead wife. Tigh finishes by saying that Tyrol feels what he needs to feel, but not at the expense of being outed as Cylons, while Foster says to think about what they are and embrace their Cylon attributes.

=== Act 1 ===

* [[Tory Foster]] visits [[Gaius Baltar]] in the commune. There, she wakes Baltar by pulling out a hair on his head. Baltar replies "Gods", which Foster questions. She continues by plucking another hair off of Baltar's head, asking about how he was feeling. He replies that it was an intense feeling. She then massages his crotch, then while doing so, plucks out another hair on his head. She asks if the signals of pain and pleasure get crossed, which Baltar replies in the affirmative. As Baltar tries to leave, Foster forces Baltar down on the bed. After noting her strength, she begins to engage in foreplay, running her tongue across his cheek.
* As she babbles on about her beliefs about "pain turning into pleasure" and the like (much to Baltar's testicular displeasure), members of the [[Sons of Ares]] begin their march towards the commune. Their attack on the commune begins by throwing a smoke grenade, which allows them to enter the commune and attack Baltar's cultists with near impunity, painting graffiti and wreaking havoc. They quickly try to find Baltar, but they know they have two minutes to do so before they can expect some kind of military response. At the one minute mark, an announcement over the PA announces a security alert on deck eight, section fourteen.
* During these two minutes, Baltar hides himself behind a support beam near the ceiling. After the attack, Foster looks up at him as the Sons of Ares people clear out of the commune, vowing to find Baltar.
* In the [[hangar bay]], [[Galen Tyrol]] is repairing the [[ECO]] console on [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]'s [[Raptor]]. Deckhand [[Anthony Figurski]] asks if Tyrol is almost done, Tyrol replies that he just has one more relay, which his hands have a problem in reaching. During this, he has flashbacks of Cally, including one where Cally helps him out during the construction of the [[Blackbird]].
* Tyrol's flashback of his [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|beating of Cally after his suicidal nightmare]] is interrupted by Edmondson, who asks if he's done with his repairs. Pocketing a fuse, he morosely replies that he's done.
* Edmondson and [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]] launch to the departing waves of crew members on the deck. They join up with a [[CAP|combat air patrol]] led by [[Redwing|Paolo "Redwing" McKay]], who teases them for driving "a school bus". Edmondson counters by comparing the Vipers to bicycles, to which Redwing replies that the Vipers are race cars.
* When Edmondson throttles up, she loses control of the Raptor's port lower rear [[RCS]] thruster. She requests an emergency landing and struggles to bring the Raptor back to the port landing pod deck, but they crash-land, with flaming wreckage colliding with a [[landram]].
* Meanwhile, Baltar is chastising "[[Mr. Officious]]" for his lack of speed in finding out who their attackers are. [[Virtual Six]] prompts him to look at the painted graffiti in the wall, which is written in old text. He reads it, discovering that his attackers were from the Sons of Ares. He asks about their motivations, to which Six replies that "[[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|old Gods]] die hard even among your people". He sees Six next to a woman, whose name he believes starts with an "M", until she corrects him: her name is [[Lilly]]. Baltar discovers a religious artifact belonging to [[Asclepius]] in her hand, which she prays to. She claims that she believes that Baltar will heal their people, but still has belief in Asclepius. Six then adds that the "Gods are fighting back".
* In the hangar bay, Tyrol and Figurski are looking over the remains of the Raptor, whose relays are still hot. When checking under the ECO console, Tyrol discovers the burnt-out fuse he neglected to replace, discovering the replacement in his shirt's pocket. He admits that the crash was his fault.
* McCall angrily confronts Tyrol, but is interdicted by Edmondson, who attempts to defuse the situation. McCall concedes that it's all right, and that no one got hurt. Tyrol presses on however, saying that he doesn't need to be "patted on the head" and that its all right if people told him that he [[frak|frakked up]]. He becomes more vocal when Edmondson mentions that "he's only human", but she walks away and no one else comments. He calls them all "cowards".
* Figurski offers to finish looking over the Raptor. In reply, Tyrol tells Figurski to get out of the ship.
* As Baltar looks at the pendant for Asclepius, Virtual Six tells him that people have room for only one great belief, either him or the Gods. Despite Baltar's misgivings about one man standing up to the old Gods, Six convinces him that such a man who does would surely be magnificent. Inspired by this, Baltar tells his members that they have been targeted because of what they believe in, and urges them to take a stand against Gods that have no relevance in their world.
* Baltar then leaves, with [[Jeanne]] and the others following.
* Baltar enters the temple, where the priest is performing a service. He interrupts the ceremony despite the priest's attempts to stop him. Baltar begins asking the parishioners who they serve, blaspheming [[Zeus]] by calling him a "serial rapist" and pointing out the absurdity of giving birth through one's forehead. The priest confronts him, but Baltar calls her an "ignorant witch" and continues discussing the so-called Gods, including how Asclepius heals with the blood of a [[Gorgon]], in addition to the other "invented rubbish" as he vandalizes the temple.
* As his other cultists follow his example, Marines storm the temple and forcibly extricate Baltar as the polytheists in the temple try to attack him, yelling out demands to "burn him".

=== Act 2 ===

* [[William Adama]] visits [[Laura Roslin]] in [[sickbay]] after her blood test. He's brought a different book to read named ''[[Searider Falcon]]'', a classic novel. Roslin comments that she hasn't read it in years, and Adama confesses that he's never finished the book, since he finds the book too good to finish, and is saving the ending. She suggests that she should also do that, but after an awkward realization shared between the two, she corrects herself.
* After Adama offers to take her bag, he notes that "[[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s back at home in the brig again". Roslin believes that Baltar's desecration of the temple was revenge for what happened to his commune that morning. Adama replies that he has people looking into the brutal attack on Baltar's cult, but no one is talking about the [[Sons of Ares]]. She replies that Baltar's knowingly provoking the hard-line religious groups from [[Dogsville]], and they agree that they can't have a religious fight in the [[the Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]]. Further, they both agree that Baltar is the crux of the problem, as he has an "uncanny way of stirring up all the crap". They discuss the various options, including locking him away for his own safety to removing him from ''Galactica''. However, Roslin has a better idea and goes to the brig so that Baltar can see her.
* Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] visits [[Caprica-Six]] in the brig. She notes that he didn't even make it to tomorrow. Tigh reveals that he does want something, and asks her how it feels to have the blood of billions of human beings on her hands. She replies that she cannot help but to feel it. Tigh orders the Marines to aim their weapons at her.
* On the hangar deck, Tyrol is welding as Figurski walks by and asks him if he woke up early or never went to sleep. Tyrol doesn't reply and Figurski walks off. After this, Tyrol simply walks off the job, throwing his welder's mask and gloves upon the floor.
* In the brig, Six tells Tigh that she is just as human as he is. During the conversation, he sees [[Ellen Tigh]] in Six's place, and asks her how she deals with the pain. She doesn't answer and Tigh tells the Marines to step outside. After the Marines do so, he tells her that she has nothing to offer him and that she is the same as the rest of the Cylons.
* Also in a brig, Baltar is awakened by Roslin. After Baltar makes a quip about her strip searching him, she tells him that his situation is being looked into "aggressively". She tells him that she is wearing a wig and dying from cancer, but she doesn't want his pity and is still doing her job. She assures him that she's aggressively looking into the men that attacked him. However, there is a caveat to this: she tells him that she wants a quiet little death, and insinuates that Baltar give up his crusade quietly, as she has neither the time nor the patience to indulge him.
* Roslin leaves, telling Baltar that he's being released and to stay safe.
* In [[Joe's Bar]], Adama joins Tyrol at the bar. Adama tells Tyrol that the deck crew misses him and tells him that if he needs time off, or if he wants to work more shifts, all he need to is ask. Tyrol replies that he doesn't need special treatment. In reply, Tyrol hallucinates Adama receiving a shot of alcohol and this reply: "I guess it was just more than she could take, huh? Being married to a Cylon who made her the mother to a half-breed abomination."
* The hallucination ends when Adama gets his drink and comments that Cally was a good woman. Tyrol replies that had Adama really thought that, he wouldn't have threatened to stick her up against a bulkhead and have her shot. Despite Adama's efforts to move their conversation somewhere else, Tyrol then goes into a tirade about how he was stuck with the best of limited options, describing Cally as a "shriek" with "dull, vacant eyes" and a "cabbage smell". He tells Adama that he is sick of his life, a life that he did not choose, and hating to find out that those they really loved were dead, dying, or were Cylons. He pines on his love of [[Sharon Valerii]], and notes that because he tried to stick his head in the sand, he married Cally. He tells her that she was no angel, but notes that Adama has already made her into one. He tells Adama that they are not in the same club, since he never asked the right questions.
* Adama gives him a last chance to recant, but Tyrol refuses, daring Adama to demote him and get him off the ship. Challenged, Adama does so, and orders Specialist Tyrol to report to a petty officer to get reassigned, since Tyrol is a danger to others.
* Adama leaves, while Tyrol slowly collapses into his stool at the bar.

=== Act 3 ===

* On ''[[Colonial One]]'' during a [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] meeting, [[Lee Adama]] argues with President Roslin over an emergency measure limiting the size of Baltar's groups so they don't provoke attacks from fundamentalist groups, steadfastly contending that "where ever Baltar is, violence happens", and assures Adama and other delgates that her goal is to keep the people safe from harm by preventing such violence. However, Lee's objections are supported by fellow Quorum members, such as [[Reza Chronides]], who are concerned that the emergency measure that Roslin "bulldozed through" may be used against other religious groups, such as the [[Mithraism|Mithraists]]. Roslin assures people that this won't happen, and the emergency measure was enacted because [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] is a special case, a claim that Lee rebukes by saying that they're making him a special case. During the conversation, [[Tory Foster]] remains silent, but is visibly concerned.
* Despite Lee's assertion that Baltar is not preaching violence and other amoral acts, and objections by the delegates, Roslin tells them to clear their heads and urges the people to remember the tragedy they experienced on [[New Caprica]]. Chronides pointedly asks if Roslin will open the resolution for a full discussion amongst the Quorum, which Roslin quickly and vehemently refuses to do.
* Lee responds by noting that the Quorum can override Roslin, and notes that he's willing to do so since he believes the resolution cannot stand.
* Incensed by this, Roslin replies with rhetoric: should they overturn her decision, the people would win, but at what cost? She implores them to remember what happened when Baltar held political power, and saying they should be terrified at the prospect of Baltar regaining such power again, even through Baltar's cult.
* In the brig, [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] watches [[Caprica-Six|Six]] as she sleeps. He believes he's seeing Ellen. When she awakens, Six asks if she should get familiar to waking up to Tigh's face. She notes the lack of a Marine escort. Tigh tells her that it is an informal chat between them, to which she astutely replies that they're also being watched. Tigh tells her that she hasn't answered his question. She replies that she wants the pain and learns from it. She mentions how she fell in love with Baltar, and understood that she wouldn't have him forever. She continues to discuss Baltar, which breaks Tigh out of his illusion of seeing Ellen. He angrily reacts to this, saying that he refuses to hear about "Gaius Frakking Baltar" and leaves the brig. He enters the adjoining surveillance room to dismiss the Marines and deactivate the surveillance equipment.
* Tigh reenters the brig, where he is prompted with an offer by Six to help him turn off the pain. She reveals that she learns from the pain, the guilt, and she claims that she's found clarity and wisdom from these things. Tigh sits on the cot with her, where he is told how the humanoid Cylon brain is patterned after the human brain, where she claims that the Cylons have learned things about the human mind that the humans themselves are unaware of.
* Six, who Tigh now sees as Ellen, removes his eye patch and offers to give him clarity.
* Baltar and his cultists proceed to the commune, but are stopped by a Marine who tells him of Roslin's emergency measure, [[Emergency Provision 17]], and that no group larger than twelve can be assembled at any time. Baltar insists that he lives in the commune, but the marine will have none of it, even when [[Paulla Schaffer]] offers to leave and allow Baltar to enter. When Baltar tries to make his way into the commune at the urging of his Virtual Six, he is beaten back by the Marine and begins to spit out blood from his mouth.

=== Act 4 ===

* In the brig, [[Saul Tigh]] tells [[Caprica-Six]] to get her hands off him. She punches him, throwing him from the cot. She then jumps on him and begins punishing him in the face, enjoying it in the process. After this, she asks him if he feels the pain, and the clarity that comes with it. When he does not reply, she continues to punch him.
* [[Virtual Six]] convinces [[Gaius Baltar]] to continue to defy the Marine, assuring him that the gains for doing so outweigh the initial costs. He does so, and is repeatedly beaten back to the ground in front of his followers every time he takes a move towards the commune. "Aided" by his virtual Six, Baltar gets up and continues this action, until Lee Adama arrives with a [[Unnamed Galactica and Pegasus crew (RDM)#Marine Lieutenant|Marine lieutenant]]. He informs them that the provision has been rescinded and right for full public assembly is restored.
* [[Tracey Anne]], [[Jeanne]] and [[Paulla Schaffer]] rush out to help Baltar into the commune. Before entering the commune, Baltar thanks Adama for helping him. Adama replies that he doesn't know why he does these things for Baltar. Baltar says that Adama does such things because "your God compels you".
* In [[sickbay]], [[Laura Roslin]] tells [[William Adama]] (who is holding ''[[Searider Falcon]]'' in his hand) that Lee has no idea of what he's doing, believing that there are "pragmatic realities" that Lee refuses to face. Adama agrees to this, saying that Lee's only doing what he thinks is right. Roslin does agree to that, but says that "sometimes the right thing is a luxury" and has its own set of dangerous consequences that Lee doesn't want to be true. She stops herself from continuing, since she realizes that shouldn't get upset during her [[diloxin]] treatment.
* Adama tells her that he's about to get into the part of the book he hasn't read yet and, when asked if he can continue, Adama starts reading. Roslin goes to sleep and Adama continues from the reading, despite having closed the book and apparently knowing the words by rote.
* In the brig, a beaten Tigh begs to Six to continue her assault. However, she changes tactics, saying that being beaten is not what he needs. She then kisses him.
* In the commune, Baltar makes his speech where he notes that while he isn't a perfect man, he believes that something in the universe loves him despite his flaws and faults. Urged on by Virtual Six, he calls this "spark", which dwells in the soul of every living being, "God" and moves the crowd when he says that each and every person is perfect, and that they can love others once they love themselves.
* During Baltar's speech, Lee Adama sees [[Tory Foster]] in attendance. Elsewhere on the ship, [[Galen Tyrol]] stares at [[Nicholas Tyrol|Nicholas]], who is playing in his crib.
* On the ''[[Demetrius]]'', [[Kara Thrace]] is sleeping at a table when [[Samuel Anders]] comes in, watching over her.
* Baltar finishes his speech by saying that God loves that which is perfect, and that people are perfect as they are. Foster is smiling, while the other cultists begin to weep and give him a standing ovation. Lee Adama moves to leave the commune while Virtual Six looks over at Foster.

== Notes ==
* [[w:Escape velocity|Escape velocity]] is the minimum initial velocity an unaccelerated object needs to escape a body's gravitational field.
* [[Cally Tyrol]]'s full first name is Callandra. The spelling is confirmed in [http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=246 Bear McCreary's blog post] for this episode. The episode also marks the first onscreen mention of her birth name, Henderson.
* The [[survivor count]] now accounts for Callandra Tyrol's death in "[[The Ties That Bind]]".
* A costuming error in the teaser shows [[Saul Tigh]] wearing the rank insignia of an [[Military Ranks (RDM)|admiral]]. This is noticeable in the scene where Tigh and [[Tory Foster]] confront [[Galen Tyrol]] in Tyrol's quarters after the memorial service.
* The [[diloxin]] treatment [[Laura Roslin]] receives has forced her to wear a wig, since her hair loss began more than 22 days ago in "[[Six of One]]".
* Another of the [[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|Lords of Kobol]] is revealed: [[Asclepius]]. Asclepius is known to the Colonials as the god of healing.
* Unlike "[[The Ties That Bind]]", [[Tom Zarek]] is not present at the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] meetings on ''[[Colonial One]]'' in this episode. The reason for his absence is unexplained.
* Tory Foster confirms that the [[Final Five]] are stronger than humans.
* [[Redwing]] previously appeared in "[[Exodus, Part II]]" as [[Hot Dog]]'s wingman.
* The Raptor accident was the third such incident for the pair of [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]] and [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]. The first occurrence being their FTL malfunction causing their mis-jump to the [[New Caprica]] system in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]", and another incident with the RCS thrusters occurs in "[[Dirty Hands]]".

== Analysis ==

=== General ===

*The [[Sons of Ares]] act with military precision, have access to gas grenades and knowledge about the ship's security procedures. From this it is likely that many of them are soldiers and not civilians. This may be expected from a group dedicated to the [[Ares|god of war]].
* When facing down the Marines, the way in which Baltar is standing up appears as though he is being lifted up, which puzzles the Marines and Baltar's followers. This marks the first time where virtual Six does something to Baltar that isn't clearly presented like Baltar is doing it to himself. While it is still possible that he moves like that all by himself, and his feet are never shown, it is implied that virtual Six can actually affect things physically. This, along with the [[virtual Baltar]] appearing to Baltar in "[[Six of One]]", and both virtual beings consistently knowing information that neither Baltar or Caprica-Six could actually know, hints that there may be something more to them than simply being illusions. What they are, of course, remains a matter of debate.
* The scene where Baltar violently confronts the Colonials during their prayer service seems based on the biblical narrative of [[Wikipedia:Jesus and the money changers|Jesus and the money changers]].

=== Characters ===
* [[Galen Tyrol]]'s insubordination that leads Admiral Adama to demote him may have been a deliberate act, conscious or unconscious, to maintain the safety of the ship. While not stated explicitly, Tyrol has been implied to have fears of working against the interest of the Fleet. This fear is almost certainly magnified when he forgets to swap out a burned out component for a new one on [[Margaret Edmondson|Racetrack]]'s Raptor, which subsequently crashes. While his memory lapse may have been innocently brought on by the continuing stress of discovering himself to be a Cylon, the resulting subterfuge, and his wife's death, the experience of [[Sharon Valerii]] with her memory lapses, unconscious acts of sabotage, and the attempted murder of then Commander Adama, are probably on his mind. This is indicated during the tirade against Cally, Adama, and his life in general in [[Joe's bar]]. A demotion in disgrace and transfer could ensure the safety of the ship, without raising any unwanted questions as an official resignation probably would.
* Neither Tyrol nor, apparently, Tigh have been told the full truth about [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]]'s death; Foster has not seen fit to tell Tigh, possibly as a result of the suicide pact made in "[[He That Believeth In Me]]". The official story surrounding her demise has not been disclosed to the audience, however all ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crew knows is that she did die. What has not been disclosed thus far is how Nicholas was found, despite the fact that Cally was seen by several crewmembers carrying the child before her death.
* Tyrol continues to have feelings for Sharon Valerii, as he admits to [[William Adama]] and everyone else present in Joe's Bar. Tyrol notes many of [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]]'s weaknesses, including her nagging, nosy nature (which lead to her death in "[[The Ties That Bind]]"), and grows annoyed at Adama's willingness to turn Cally into an angel, when he believes that she is unworthy of that. His feelings for Valerii were likely renewed upon realizing that he is a Cylon, which makes a possible association with Valerii much more acceptable to him.
* Foster continues to embrace her Cylon nature and Baltar's teachings. She tells Tigh and Tyrol to turn off the guilt, that they are perfect and different from humans. Tigh, however, can't turn off his feelings and spends much of the episode wondering if [[Caprica-Six]] can.
* A part of the book that Adama reads to Roslin, ''[[Searider Falcon]]'', has some deeper significance to both of them, just like ''[[Love and Bullets]]'' in the previous episode: "I wasn't afraid to die. I was afraid of the emptiness that I felt inside. I couldn't feel anything. And that's what scared me. You came into my thoughts. I felt them. It felt good." This is emphasized by the fact that he closes the book and recites the passage, almost as if the words are his. It is also possible that the passage has additional significance for Adama, since by his admission he normally stops reading after it.
* Roslin's wig is strikingly reminiscent of [[Helena Cain]]'s hairstyle in "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]" and "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I|Resurrection Ship, Parts I]] and [[Resurrection Ship, Part II|II]]". This is a visual counterpoint to her increasing ruthlessness as she confronts her impending death.

=== Religion ===
* Delegate [[Reza Chronides]] mentions [[Mithraism]], thus further establishing the existence of other religions in the Twelve Colonies. The [[Sons of Ares]] are another religious group, described as [[w:fundamentalism|fundamentalist]].
*This is particularly notable in the context of Baltar's cult, because [[w:Mithraism|Mithraism]] had many things in common with [[w:Christianity|Christianity]]. Yet Christians were prosecuted far more by the ([[w:polytheism|polytheistic]]) Romans, while Mithraism spread throughout the empire and particularly the army, before Christianity became the official religion and [[w:Paganism|paganism]] illegal. This furthers the connection of the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)#The Lords of Kobol|Lords of Kobol]] to the Roman/Greek gods and of Baltar to [[w:Jesus Christ|Christ]].
*In Baltar's theology people are perfect and God loves things that are perfect. Perfect things have no faults, therefore God loves one including one's faults. Hence, there is nothing wrong with one despite the questionable things done in life. In Christian tradition, in that while God/Jesus loves sinners but hates sin, one must still accept Jesus as savior, as he died to redeem one from sin and restore one to God's grace. In other words, irregardless of faults or sins past, present or future one would never be rejected by God, because of Jesus's sacrifice. This is like Baltar's theology in which God would never reject a person under any circumstance because he or she is perfect regardless of their faults or sins. Under this world view God would regard [[Tory Foster]] as perfect and guiltless despite her murder of [[Cally Tyrol]], which she has convinced herself that she is.
*Furthermore, according to conventional Christian theology, one need only accept Jesus as savior and confess once. The confession must be heartfelt and true for Christ's salvation and redemption to be in effect in God's eyes. To use the example of Tory Foster once more, it is likely that Foster is truly embracing Baltar's teachings and perhaps her Cylon nature in that she truly believes they are perfect as is and forgiven as they are. This differs from what is required under conventional Christianity in that Christ has paid for the sinner's salvation.
*Baltar's speech about loving one's self, and using that understanding to love and understand others seems thematically aligned with Virtual Six's initial remark in the Miniseries that "God is love." Ironically, Baltar's sinful past now seems to enhance his credibility and provide evidence that someone as sinful as him has been given fortune by God. In Christianity, to be redeemed from sin does not mean that one will stop sinning, but to live in constant reminder of God's love and favor because of Christ's sacrifice. Furthermore with that understanding that one is loved, one's behavior will change gradually and in certain circumstances miracles occur. Likewise, Baltar has repeatedly repented to God and had seemingly divine providence intervene in his favor several times. Since Baltar is now using his own sinful life as an example, it seems that this dynamic of Christianity is consistent here as well.

== Questions ==

* Will Lee Adama grow more sympathetic towards Baltar's group?
* Will Roslin learn that Foster is associating with Baltar?
* Will Tyrol seriously consider Foster's words?
* Will Foster clash with Tigh and Tyrol, as their different attitudes towards their Cylon nature develop?
* Are Tyrol and Tigh's hallucinations merely the result of grief and guilt, or are they using [[projection]]?
* Do Tigh and Six have sex?
* Are Tyrol's statements about Cally's negative attributes heartfelt, or merely a result of rage and anger?
* What of [[Nicholas Tyrol]]? Will his father take care of the child?
* Now that it is clear that Foster lied to Tyrol about the death of Cally, how will Tyrol react should he discover the truth?
* What will Tyrol's new duties be after his demotion to specialist?
* Further, what is his status within the [[Colonial Workers Alliance]]? Has he abandoned this union's leadership position or been forced out?
* Will Baltar's religion end up helping the people of the Fleet, or will it lead them into a dangerous state which compromises them, as Laura Roslin appears to fear?
* What influence will the new religion have on Roslin's beliefs and actions? Will she convert, will she be proven right, or will she be on the wrong side?
* Does Baltar's facial expression of seeming shock when he sees Virtual Six standing next to her and smiling, mean that he realizes that Tory Foster is a Cylon? Does he connect that with Foster's display of strength to him during their sex play?

== Official Statements ==
* ''[[Mark Verheiden]] discusses [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] being "lifted" by [[Virtual Six]]:''
: "I would argue that Baltar’s gyrations were still him contorting himself, as if Number Six were hoisting him from the floor. I am reminded of Church services where people, in the throes of religious fervor, can evidence remarkable physical contortions, 'speaking in tongues,' etc."<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/04/28/battlestar-galactica-interview-mark-verheiden-on-tyrols-guilt-and-baltar-the-traitor/|title=Battlestar Galactica Interview: Mark Verheiden on Tyrol's Guilt and Baltar the Traitor|date=28 April 2008|accessdate=1 May 2008|last=Ullrich|first=Chris|format=|language=}}</ref>

* ''Verheiden talks about [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]'s animosity towards Baltar:''
: "This starts to get a little complicated, I think, which of course means you’re watching ''Battlestar Galactica''! But Laura’s emotions about New Caprica have to be a swirl of righteous resentments and animosity.

: "Remember that she [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|was removed]] as President by the will of the people (in a squeaker of an election), replaced by a guy she knew would be a poor leader. That proved to be true even before the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] arrived and the [[Cylon Occupation Authority|occupation]] began.

: "So she would have watched the political machine on [[New Caprica]] flounder under Baltar’s rule, then see the Government’s total capitulation when the Cylons arrived and he immediately surrendered.

: "While Baltar more or less cooperated with the Cylons (regardless of whether his reasons were pragmatic and practical, as pointed out in his trial), humans were rounded up, imprisoned, eyeballs were gouged out, people were tortured, the nightmare went on and on.

: "After all that, Baltar [[Crossroads, Part II|managed to evade]] Laura’s idea of justice AND he falls into a [[Cult of Baltar|sect]] of acolytes who look to him for spiritual guidance.

: "Is it any wonder that the guy gets under her skin? And that she fears for the [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]] should he find another power base?"

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[William Adama]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]'s argument at Joe's Bar:''
: '''William Adama:''' [[Cally Tyrol|She]] was a good woman.
: '''Galen Tyrol:''' If you ''really'' believe that, you wouldn't have [[Dirty Hands|threatened]] to stick her up against a bulkhead and shoot her. It's OK though, thought about doing it a few times myself. Believe me.
: '''Adama:''' Chief...
: '''Tyrol:''' How many of us ended up with the people we wanted to be with? Got stuck with the best of limited options. And why? Because the ones we really want, that we've really loved, are dead, dying, turned out to be [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] and they didn't know it. And if [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] had...
: '''Adama:''' Let's go. Let's go.
: '''Tyrol:''' No. ''No.'' I didn't know—
: '''Adama:''' Let's go home.
: '''Tyrol:''' ''I didn't know.'' So I buried my head in the sand, and I took it, and I settled. I settled for that shriek. Those dull, vacant eyes. Boiled cabbage stench of her. And why? Because this is my life. This is the life I picked! And that's fine. But you know what, it's not! I didn't pick this life! This isn't my ''[[frak]]kin''<nowiki>'</nowiki> life!
: '''Adama:''' What the hell's gotten in to you? Don't do this. Don't do this to her memory.
: '''Tyrol:''' You know what? I'm sorry if I'm not doing this the way you want me to, the way you might, but I'm not making an angel out of someone who wasn't an angel. But I can see you have. And now you've come down here to be in my club. But you're not in my club. You don't know what frakkin' club I'm in because you never ask the right questions.
: '''Adama:''' Chief, let's get out of here.
: '''Tyrol:''' No. Why don't ''you'' go, take care of your ''precious ship''.
: '''Adama:''' Stop it! Stop all of this! Because if you don't, I'll have to act on it. Now shut up!
: '''Tyrol:''' ''Great!'' Do it! Please! For the love of Gods, please demote me! ''Get me off your frakking ship!''
: '''Adama:''' Specialist Tyrol, I want you off my hangar deck before you endanger another pilot. You're to report to Petty Officer [[Basim]] at 0600 for reassignment. Do you understand?

* ''[[Caprica-Six]] tells [[Saul Tigh]] about her feelings:''
:"I want the pain. It's how I learn. I was instrumental in the destruction of humanity, but at the same time I learned, because...because I fell in love...with a human man, and he was mortal and fallible. And he had this incredible pride in himself. He thought he knew everything there was to know. And I loved him, with my whole heart. And then one day, I realized I wouldn't have him forever. I understood what I'd done. How I betrayed him and humanity. And that pain taught me to understand death. [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] could die. And I loved him. Baltar's heart was ephemeral. Baltar's body was fragile in my hands."

* ''[[Laura Roslin]] about [[Lee Adama]] and his understanding of politics:''
:'''Roslin:''' Lee has no idea. He really has no idea. [...] There are pragmatic realities he refuses to face.
:'''William Adama:''' Well, that's a problem of course. He'd say what he thinks is right.
:'''Roslin:''' Well yeah. He is Lee. Thing is, it probably is the right thing, but...sometimes the right thing is a luxury. And it can have profoundly dangerous consequences. And it's almost as if he doesn't want that to be true.

* ''[[Gaius Baltar]] speaks to his [[Cult of Baltar|followers]]:''
:"I am not a priest. I've never even been a particularly good man. I am in fact a profoundly selfish man. But that doesn't matter, you see. Something in the universe loves me. (smiles) Something in the universe loves the entity that is me. I would choose to call this something "God", a singular spark that dwells in the soul of every living being. If you look inside yourself you will find that spark too. You will. But you have to look deep. Love your faults. Embrace them. If God embraces them, then how can they be faults? Love yourself. You have to love yourself. If we don't love ourselves, how can we love others? And when we know what we are, then we can find the truth out about others, seek what they are; the truth about them. And you know what the truth is? The truth about them? About you? About me? Do you? The truth is, we're all perfect. Just as we are. God only loves that which is perfect and he loves you. He loves you because you are perfect. You are perfect. Just as you are."

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Kate Vernon]] as "[[Virtual beings#Saul Tigh's Virtual Ellen|Virtual Ellen]]"
* [[Don Thompson]] as [[Anthony Figurski]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
* [[Colin Lawrence]] as Lieutenant [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]]
* [[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]]
* [[Donna Soares]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Gemenon Delegate|Speaking Delegate #1]] (Gemenon Delegate)
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Picon Delegate|Picon Delegate]]
* [[Iris Paluly]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Speaking Delegate #2|Speaking Delegate #2]]
* [[Marilyn Norry]] as [[Reza Chronides]]
* [[Lara Gilchrist]] as [[Paulla Schaffer]]
* [[Leela Savasta]] as [[Tracey Anne]]
* [[Finn R. Devitt]] as [[Nicholas Tyrol]] (credited as "Baby Nicky")
* [[Heather Doerksen]] as [[Unnamed Galactica and Pegasus crew (RDM)#Blonde female Marine|Surveillance Marine]]
* [[Laara Sadiq]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Priestess|Priestess]]
* [[Karen Austin]] as [[Lilly]]
* [[Steve Lawlor]] as [[Unnamed Galactica and Pegasus crew (RDM)#Marine guard|Marine at Baltar's]]
* [[Hector Johnson]] as [[Unnamed Galactica and Pegasus crew (RDM)#Marine Lieutenant|Marine Lieutenant]]
* [[Lee Jefferies]] as [[Redwing|"Redwing" McKay]]
* [[Rob Hayter]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Sons of Ares leader|Sons of Ares leader]] (uncredited)
* Unknown as [[Unnamed Galactica and Pegasus crew (RDM)#"Mr. Officious"|"Mr. Officious"]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] on the episode's score: http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=246

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Jane Espenson]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Edward James Olmos]]

[[de:Escape Velocity]]
[[ms:Escape Velocity]]

Humanoid Cylon

2008-04-11T17:55:38Z

Fthg42: numerical designations - all sig seven are known

:''For information on the robotic Cylons of the [[Original Series]], see [[Cylons (TOS)]]. For information on a human-appearing Cylon from ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', see [[Andromus]].''

:''This article is capitalized for technical reasons. The correct term is "humanoid Cylon" and is not a proper noun.''

[[Image:CyAg.jpg|thumb|300px|Cylon copies of (from left) [[Number Six]] (two copies), [[Leoben Conoy]], and [[Number Five]] (two copies), at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]]]
'''Humanoid Cylons'''<ref>Viewers initially lacked an authentic term to call the humanoid Cylons during Season 1. Here on the ''Battlestar Wiki'', the [[BW:TERM|descriptive term]] "Humano-Cylon" was used for a time. Dialogue in several episodes throughout Season 2 has canonically established "Cylon agent" to refer specifically to Cylon infiltrators, but since [[Sharon Agathon]] works for the Colonials, ''Battlestar Wiki'''s preference is to use "humanoid Cylon" (which [[Tricia Helfer]] often uses in interviews, but apparently more for convenience than an official name). Some of the resistance fighters on Caprica refer to the humanoid Cylons as "skin jobs," an homage to ''[[Wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]''. William Adama refers to them as "humanoid models" in "[[Precipice]]".</ref> are the quintessential [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon form]] in the [[Re-imagined Series]]. These Cylons biologically mimic human form so completely that they are nearly undetectable to current Colonial technologies.

Humanoid Cylons have the capacity to emulate many human physical acts, including sex. They also display convincingly human personalities (affection, jealousy, sadness, anger, sense of humor, religious faith, etc.) This behavior continues even when interacting with other Cylons outside of Colonial scrutiny, clearly establishing that their personalities are genuine.

The humanoid Cylons are responsible for masterminding the complete destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] through their use of sabotage and infiltration.

==Origins==

Following the end of the [[Cylon War]] ([[Miniseries]]), nothing was heard of the Cylons in 40 years.

[[Image:Season 3 Female Cylons.jpg|thumb|150px|Numbers [[Number Six|Six]], [[Number Three|Three]], and [[Number Eight|Eight]]]]
During their forty years of isolation, the Cylons developed or evolved into a ''humanoid form''<ref>The idea of Cylons in humanoid form in ''Battlestar Galactica'' is not new. This concept appeared over 25 years earlier in the episode "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I|The Night the Cylons Landed]]" in the short-lived spinoff of the Original Series, ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Unlike the humanoid Cylons, however, [[Andromus]] was an [[Wikipedia:Android|android]], akin to the character of [[MemoryAlpha:Data|Data]] from ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.</ref>.

The creation of the humanoid Cylon is left to speculation based on series events. While the opening credits claim that the Cylons "evolved", the concept of biological evolution (in the [[Wikipedia:Darwinism|Darwinian fashion]]) is impossible with mechanical beings. The "evolution" is obviously a planned architectural change from the mechanical to the biomechanical for the inherent Cylon design.

The first step in their evolution from pure machines to organic beings was known as the "[[First Hybrid|Hybrid]]." Other [[hybrid]]s were later created to control [[Basestar (RDM)|baseships]] ([[Razor]]). Exactly how the original Cylon, the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]], a sentient robot "evolved" to the humanoid form is uncertain.<ref>Information noted from the start of [[Miniseries]] (the existence of the [[Armistice Station]]) indicates that the original Cylons were not only sentient, but capable of intense emotion. [[William Adama]] confirms that the new robotic successor to the Model 0005 were built by the humanoid Cylons without sentience to avoid the possibility of the new [[Cylon Centurion]] from creating an overthrow attempt at their humanoid masters.</ref> Saul Tigh, a humanoid Cylon, has an apparent age that would place his birth (if he was born) well before the first Cylon War, and possibly even before the creation of the original mechanical Cylon. His military record documents his existence during the war. [[Number Three]]'s conversation with [[Cavil]] immediately before she was [[boxing|boxed]] indicates that the humanoid Cylons do not know who programmed them or why.<ref>The final scene of "[[Rapture]]".</ref>

Series information shows that the humanoid Cylons existed in secret for at least two years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Colonies' destruction]]. This information does not provide concrete evidence as to when the first models were created or how long they have been among the human population. [[Final Five|Some of them]] were among the human population for at least several decades prior to the war.

==Physiology and Psychology==
Humanoid Cylons are visually indistinguishable from humans, down to the cellular level, but not completely at a molecular level. Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] is able to create a [[Cylon detector|detector]] that can distinguish Cylon from human, but rarely used the device to a positive end ([[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]).

Each humanoid Cylon has the same face, stature, hair, eye and skin color, gender, apparent age, and other biometrics as all the others of his or her model. This point technically makes each copy a twin of itself, but there are some models that choose to make cosmetic differences. Examples include [[D'Anna Biers]], [[Gina Inviere]], and a Number Six model with black hair ([[Torn]]). In addition, each copy appears to start with the same basic personality, but each personality grows more distinct due to their individual experiences.

Humanoid Cylons can be programmed as 'sleeper agents', who appear to have a low-level Cylon personality that can conduct operations while placing the human sleeper personality "on-hold." [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]] was one such agent ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). Most agent copies, particularly [[Number Five|Numbers Five]] [[Number Six|and Six]], assume a human persona but are fully aware of their true nature and behave more or less as a human "spy."

[[Image:Gina catatonic.jpg|thumb|left|The emotionally scarred Number Six copy known as "Gina Inviere".]]
They are susceptible to the same emotional traumas and joys that their human counterparts are, further proving that personalities are a realistic part of their psyche. A case in point is a copy of Number Six, known as [[Gina Inviere]], who is physically and sexually assaulted repeatedly by the crew of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''. These repeated assaults lead to Inviere's near-catatonic state at the time ''Pegasus'' discovers the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).

Humanoid Cylons can dream, a process that appears to be natural to them<ref>A Number Three speaks casually to Doctor [[Cottle]] about her [[Dodona Selloi|prophetic dreams]] of the child [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] in "[[Exodus, Part I]]".</ref>.

Some or all Cylon female models may have the capacity to bear children seeded by human males ("[[33]]", "[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]"). The Cylons tested numerous methods of sexual reproduction, yet these failed due to a known flaw in their design. Humanoid Cylons cannot reproduce with each other biologically, so in an attempt to subvert this deficiency, they try to interbreed with humans, creating hybrid offspring. "[[Farms]]" were set up across all the occupied Colonies where survivors, specifically, young fertile women of child-bearing age, were rounded up, placed under heavy sedation and turned into "baby machines" through artificial insemination<ref>Ron Moore said there are presumably also farms for male humans, plus ''in vitro'' experiment labs, etc.</ref>. However, this methods have been unsuccessful thus far. Another drastically different approach is taken by attempting to conceive a child through a bond of love. To most of the characters it seems that [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]]'s love-child, [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] is the lone success story of the relatively short history of Cylon sexual reproduction ([[The Farm]]), with the hybrid nature of [[Galen Tyrol]]'s child [[Nicholas Tyrol]] unknown to anyone but the four recently revealed members of the Final Five.

The bodies of humanoid Cylons sometimes appear to have tremendous stamina and strength, and appear to be designed to destroy or resist commonly dangerous human diseases<ref>The blood from [[Hera Agathon|Hera]]'s fetus destroys the cancer within [[Laura Roslin]]'s body in "[[Epiphanies]]".</ref>, although they are not immune from all contagions<ref>An infection ravages the Cylons in the episode, "[[Torn]]".</ref>. In keeping with their desire to be a better human, however, the Cylons did not or could not further improve on other characteristic design flaws of the human body.<ref>Dr. Cottle complains of birth complications with Caprica-Valerii in the episode, "[[Downloaded]]".</ref> Humanoid Cylons are heavily fortified to resist damage from intense radiation fields that would kill a human after short exposure ([[The Passage]]), but they are still susceptible to damage from [[Ragnar|certain types of radiation]] or trauma ([[Miniseries]]). Despite their resistance to certain forms of energy, humanoid Cylons, unlike the [[Cylon Centurion]], cannot be made "bulletproof" ("[[Precipice]]", "[[Hero]]").

The majority of the Cylons follow a [[Cylon Religion|monotheistic religion]] (with the possible exception of the [[Cavil|Cavil model]], which appears to be an atheist).

==Cybernetic Behavior==
[[Image:Valerii_optic_input.jpg|right|120px|thumb|[[Sharon Agathon|Valerii]] interfaces with ''Galactica's'' [[Computers|computer systems]].]]
Upon the death of its body, a humanoid Cylon's consciousness is automatically transferred into another copy of itself. This "[[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]]" is limited by signal integrity and proximity to the Cylon homeworld or a [[Resurrection Ship]] ([[Miniseries]], "[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]").

It appears that all humanoid Cylons share a ''collective knowledge base'' of data from other active or deactivated humanoid Cylons, regardless of their model.<ref>A collective knowledge base works more like an internet chat forum, or even a wiki, which differs from the concept of the collective consciousness as seen in SciFi species such as the Borg in ''Star Trek.'' Writers of the show have indicated this type of "hive mind" is ''not'' employed. Many Cylons are seen describing or detailing events that one of the models experienced but did not participate, such as [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii's]] description of meeting Kara Thrace for the first time--a memory physically experienced not by that Number Eight copy, but [[Sharon Valerii|"Boomer" Valerii]], in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". When under duress, "Boomer" Valerii is able to tell [[Gaius Baltar]] the number of remaining humanoid Cylons in the Fleet. This information would be impossible to know without a collective knowledge base to all humanoid Cylons ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])</ref>

Their psychology is based on what they simply refer to as "[[projection]]". Essentially an enhanced form of a self-induced and controlled hallucination, projection is how they choose to see the world around them, in any form they wish, whenever they wish. For example, if a Cylon were standing in a hallway, they could choose to see it as a forest filled with birds, trees, and sunlight. This mode of visualization is pleasing to humanoid Cylons ([[Torn]])<ref>[[Gaius Baltar]]'s dreamlike interactions with his [[Virtual beings|virtual Number Six]] is strikingly similar to Cylon projection. See the article, [[Baltar as Cylon speculation]] for more on this issue.</ref>.

Although they cannot do so remotely or wirelessly, humanoid Cylons can interface with a [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer system]] or computer network by photo-electrical means. They can perform this through subdermal physical contact if required ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]) or, preferably, through a [[Cylon data port]]<ref>[[Sharon Agathon]] steals back the Fleet's [[launch key]]s by infiltrating a Cylon base by using a Cylon data port. Humanoid Cylons are seen operating a basestar in the episode "[[Torn]]" by touching an optical pad that illuminates these arm interfaces.</ref>. This might be possible through the use of bio-luminescent and photosensitive cells in their hands.

[[Image:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|left|Anders's "red eye" moment.]]
The presence of a water-like fluid as an integral part of the basestar, the ability to interface photo-electronically through subdermal and dermal contact, and the fact that humanoid Cylon are anatomically indistinguishable from human beings, implies that the techniques used in their creation are advanced enough to incorporate cybernetic functions into their design without the use of specific internal structures other than human-like organs.

After being "stared at" by a [[Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raider]], [[Samuel Anders]]'s right eye briefly flashes red, the Raider responds to this apparent [[IFF]] procedure by flying away, and a Cylon fleet attacking the Colonials retreats ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).

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== Known Cylon Models ==
[[Image:Cylonagentdossier.jpg|right|200px]]
There are twelve models of humanoid Cylons ([[Miniseries]]), representing twelve personality archetypes that the Cylons have witnessed in humanity. These can be divided into two separate groups, the "Significant Seven"<ref name="sign7">{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Frak Party Q and A|act=|id=Sig7|timestamp=19:14|totalrunning=78:27}}</ref> and the "Final Five".
According to show producers, the two groups are "fundamentally different." Material above only applies to the Significant Seven. The religion, origin, physiology and cybernetic properties of the Final Five remain largely unrevealed.

The twelve models have numerical designations, however only those of the Significant Seven have been revealed so far. With the exceptions of Three and Six, most models are referred to by their "human names", even by other Cylons. There appears to be no significance to any of the specific numbers assigned to the different Cylons.<ref>On [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/ Ronald D. Moore's blog on Scifi.com], he stated that "Number Six was specifically a homage to 'The Prisoner,' but the rest [of the humanoid Cylons] were assigned their numbers randomly."</ref>

===Significant Seven===

Seven models revealed to the viewers as Cylons have also been revealed to the central Colonial characters within the first two seasons. There are many copies of each model, although the specific number of copies per model has not been specified.

==== [[Number One]] ====

[[Image:Cyca2.jpg|thumb|left|Cavil]]
One of the Cavil models (Number One) poses as a Colonial [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Brothers|brother,]] a lay clergyman in the Fleet.

Cavil models do not appear to subscribe to overall theology of the Cylons, but adhere to group consensus, and often are persuasive leaders. Cavils have displayed a condescending attitude toward the beliefs of the other six known Cylons at times.

In several instances, the Cavils advocate dark, draconian solutions to the insurgency on [[New Caprica]] that reveal a militant zeal equaling that of Numbers Three and Five.
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==== [[Number Two]] ====

[[Image:CyLeo.jpg|thumb|right|Leoben Conoy]]
Leoben Conoy (Number Two) is the fourth model seen by viewers (although viewers would not know until the end of the [[Miniseries]] that they had already seen the third introduced humanoid Cylon, Sharon Valerii). The Conoy model has shown to be mystically oriented--making references to the oneness of the universe, the illusion of time, etc.--and claims to be prescient on some level, albeit with a known propensity for intermixing truth with falsehoods. He is first discovered on [[Ragnar Station]], claiming to be a scavenger and arms dealer ([[Miniseries]]).

The Conoy models also appear obsessed with matters of mating, bonding, and reproduction, as demonstrated by a particular model's fascination and obsession with [[Kara Thrace]] ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Occupation]]", "[[Precipice]]" and "[[Exodus, Part II]]").

Conoy can be likened to the serpent of the [[w:Genesis|Genesis]] tale in the Earth [[w:Bible|Christian Bible]], taunting people with knowledge, then watching as the negative consequences come into devastating fruition. Leoben copies have likely been encountered by the [[Caprica Resistance]], as [[Samuel Anders]] recites in jest some comments made by another Leoben copy captured in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Farm]]").
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==== [[Number Three]] ====

[[Image:Biers Downloaded.JPG|thumb|left|Number Three]]
First seen posing as a reporter from the [[Fleet News Service]], this model is revealed to be a Cylon at the end of "[[Final Cut]]" when a second copy is shown living on Caprica. Threes seem to be the most calculating and duplicitous models shown to-date, even manipulating and deceiving other models if they feel warranted. The copy that tried to [[Boxed|box]] Sharon Valerii exhibited these characteristics strongly in the episode, "[[Downloaded]]".

This model's status as a Cylon is unknown to the Colonials until either shortly after the rescue of the surviving members of the [[Caprica Resistance]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]), or after the Cylon occupation of [[New Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]].)

After the Threes defy other Cylon models in their attempt to discern the identity of the [[Final Five|five missing Cylon humanoids]], the other Cylons conclude that the Three model has an inherent flaw that threatens their overall reliability. After the failure on the [[algae planet]] to gather information on the path to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], the Cylons have all Number Three models [[boxing|boxed]] indefinitely.

A copy of this model has appeared under the alias "[[D'Anna Biers]]".
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==== [[Number Four]] ====

[[Image:Simon Farm2.JPG|thumb|right|Simon]]
The Simon model (Number Four) is first encountered by [[Kara Thrace]] on Cylon-occupied [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]]. Posing as a doctor, this Simon is actually involved with the Cylon hybridization program. Simon resembles a tall, somewhat thin middle-aged black man who speaks in a comforting strong voice ([[The Farm]]) Unlike other models, Simon does not seem to have many military aspects to his physical or mental configuration, and is easily overcome by a wounded Thrace. Simon may be a model based primarily on human intellectualism and logic<ref>A Simon expresses the moral dilemmas of rescuing a crippled basestar as having no scientific answer in "[[Torn]]".</ref>. It is unknown if a Simon model infiltrated the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] prior to the occupation of [[New Caprica]]. In any case, the model is now known to the general populace, many humans likely saw a Simon model during the occupation.
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==== [[Number Five]] ====

[[Image:Doral.jpg|thumb|left|Number Five]]
This model attempts to sow the seeds of discontent or confusion, particularly during crucial life-threatening situations, and endeavors to undermine authority that threatens his objectives ([[Miniseries]]). Number Five models are more covert, assuming an ordinary "everyman" appearance that's blended in what may seem to be insignificant behind-the-scenes issues (such as converting ''Galactica'' into a museum). Of all the models thus far, the Number Five models are the most militant, fanatic and consistent in message and objectives to the Cylon objectives, whether he is dispassionately discussing the fate of humanity with his comrades or attempting to kill or maim Colonials in a suicide bomb attack ([[Litmus]]).

Viewers first meet a Number Five during a tour of ''Galactica'' with other Colonial citizens (possibly the press) at the start of the Miniseries, but are not sure of the Cylon's true identity until the Miniseries' conclusion.

Copies of this model have appeared under the alias "[[Aaron Doral]]".
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==== [[Number Six]] ====

[[Image:Whiterainsix 33.JPG|thumb|right|Number Six]]
This is the first humanoid Cylon model shown to viewers at the start of the [[Miniseries]].

Stunningly beautiful, promiscuous and sensual, this model utilizes the human need and desire for sexual relations to her advantage. She tends to be very religious and monotheistic. Number 6 desires to know what it is to be alive. There is something inherently enigmatic about her, more so than with the other models. Sixes have been described as "usually so hardcore", referring to their tendencies towards violence.

Copies of this model have appeared under the aliases "[[Shelly Godfrey]]", "[[Gina Inviere]]", and "[[Caprica-Six|Caprica]]" (in honor of her work on Caprica towards the destruction of the Colonies). A [[Virtual Six]], whom only [[Gaius Baltar]] can see is a mainstay of the cast, and is clearly the dominant party in their "relationship".

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==== [[Number Eight]] ====

[[Image:Eight.jpg|thumb|left|Number Eight]]
Number Eight is generally a saboteur designed to infiltrate Colonial military units and is likely programmed to use any Colonial munitions to cause havoc ([[Water]]). The Number Eight model is the closest witnessed humanoid Cylon model to show its abilities as a soldier. This model has shown naiveté in many matters. She is apparently not as religious as other Cylon models, but has demonstrated that she can love, and is capable of being impregnated by a human ("[[Six Degrees of Separation]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]").

She may be "defective", as the Cylon programming within the sleeper agent known as "Boomer" on ''Galactica'' conflicts multiple times with its human personality ([[Water]]). Also, the fully aware Sharon Valerii found by [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] on Caprica switches alliances from Cylon to Colonial after falling in love with Helo and aids the Colonials [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|for a time]] (several episodes, most notably "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]"). Number Eight is the third humanoid Cylon introduced during the [[Miniseries]]. However, viewers do not discover her true identity until the very end of the Miniseries when a second copy of Sharon Valerii appears at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] while retrieving an abandoned copy of Number Five.

A copy of this model has appeared under the name "[[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]." One copy, [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]], has defected from the Cylon and has joined the Colonial Fleet, generally replacing her "Boomer" counterpart as a [[Raptor]] pilot.
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===Final Five===

{{Mainarticle|Final Five}}

The identities of the remaining five Cylon models remained a mystery long after the revelation of the identities of the "Significant Seven".

In "[[Torn]]", [[Caprica-Six]] mentions to [[Gaius Baltar]] that the Cylons do not talk about the missing five humanoid Cylons. In the same episode, Baltar confirms that, during his time with the Cylons on occupied New Caprica and on a basestar, he only saw the first seven models. It is later revealed that the Significant seven themselves do not know (or have repressed) the identities of these final five models.

In "[[Crossroads, Part II]]" four major characters discover they are Cylons: [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Saul Tigh]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]]. They were previously unaware of their nature, and this information is limited only to themselves. While shocked by their discovery, they all remain loyal to humanity.<ref>Ron Moore noted in his podcasts and interviews that these characters are "fundamentally different" Cylons, where much of what was defined as a humanoid Cylon may not apply to these models.</ref>

<gallery>
Image:Tyrol Cylon.jpg|[[Galen Tyrol]]
Image:Anders_Cylon.jpg|[[Samuel Anders]]
Image:Tighlon.jpg|[[Saul Tigh]]
Image:Tory Cylon.JPG|[[Tory Foster]]
</gallery>

==== The Final Cylon model ====
{{seealso|Humanoid Cylon speculation}}
There remains one final Cylon model to be revealed. During a Q&A session on the official Sci Fi Channel ''Battlestar Galactica'' forum, Ron Moore notes that he has already decided who the last Cylon is, and has already left clues as to who it is<ref>[http://forums.scifi.com/index.php?showtopic=2270103&st=0&p=3041263&#entry3041263 20 Answers - SCI FI FORUMS] Retrieved 03-27-2007</ref>.

==Human/Cylon Hybrids==

Conceived by the Eight believed to be [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon Valerii]] and [[Karl Agathon|Helo]], the infant [[Hera Agathon]] is the first known human/Cylon hybrid<ref>These beings should not be confused with the living computer of a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]], also called a [[Hybrid]].</ref>.

[[Gaius Baltar]]'s internal [[Number Six]] regularly insists that Hera is actually the child of herself and Baltar, though there is no physical reason yet presented to justify that claim.

For some time Hera was hidden away from both humans and Cylons, and believed to be dead by her parents. President [[Laura Roslin]] had the baby hidden with [[Maya]] as her adoptive parent. Despite Roslin's attempts to protect the child on [[New Caprica]], Hera is later found by the Cylons ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

After Hera's mother discovers that her daughter is alive, she uses her ability to [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] to transport to the Cylon ships, and manages to convince [[Caprica-Six]] to return the child to ''Galactica'' for medical treatment for a possible intestinal blockage, which the Cylon doctors, lacking pediatric knowledge, were unable to comprehend ([[Rapture]]).

A child, [[Kacey]], is presented by a Conoy model to [[Kara Thrace]] as an hybrid offspring purportedly created with their genetic material in the episode "[[Occupation]]". The Cylons' ruse is revealed when Kacey's human mother later claims the child ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

[[Nicholas Tyrol]] is also a Cylon/human hybrid ([[Crossroads, Part II]], <ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Frak Party Q and A|act=|id=hybridnick|timestamp=22:41|totalrunning=78:27}}</ref>).

== Speculated Infiltrators ==

:''See the [[Humanoid Cylon speculation]] article for analysis on characters and their likelihood of being a humanoid Cylon, based on episode information.''

== Notes ==
*[[Ronald D. Moore|Ron D. Moore]] stated in an interview with ''[http://www.thefandom.com/Article50.phtml TheFandom.com]'', "There is no original human Sharon. The idea is not that there was likely an original human model that they were copied from. The idea was that these models of Cylon were sort of developed out of their own study of us. The Cylons on some level looked at humanity and said 'You know what? There's really only 12 of you.' If these are the 12, and sort of if you look at them they each represent different archetypes of what humanity is." This established as canon that:
** There are precisely twelve ''human'' Cylon models. The other varieties of Cylon spacecraft or fighters are not factored into this count of 12 models.
** '''None''' of the humanoid Cylons were ''ever'' an actual human.
** The twelve models are based on archetypes determined by the Cylons that form what they perceive were the specific kinds of human behavior and/or personality, distilled into twelve varieties.
* A [[Cylon Centurion]] cannot distinguish the differing versions of one model from another ([[Precipice]]). For example, if faced with two differing Number Eight models, [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]], it would not be able to discriminate between them without external aid.
* While Centurions may not be able to tell the difference between different versions of the same model, other humanoid Cylons do not have this problem ("[[Downloaded]]", "[[Exodus, Part I]]", "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]").
* According to [[Cavil]] in "[[Exodus, Part I]]", the pain associated with each successive [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] is worse than the one before. The first download feels like little more than a headache, but the third feels like someone has rushed a white hot poker through the head. However, this might be a subjective feeling that varies with model and circumstances. [[Sharon Agathon]]'s report in "[[Scar]]" supports Cavil, but a [[Number Three]] considers her last download to be rejuvenating ([[Downloaded]]).
*Some characters refer to humanoid Cylons as "skinjobs". This is a reference to the film ''[[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]'' in which [[Edward James Olmos]] has a supporting role. In the movie "skinjob" is used as an insult to [[w:Replicant|replicants]], which are bio-mechanical robots made to look human.

== See also ==

* [[Cylon Culture]]
* [[Cylon Religion]]

==References==
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[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:Descriptive terms]]
[[Category:RDM]]

{{featured article candidate previous}}

[[de:Humanoider Zylon]]

Caprica Transfer Station

2007-12-11T01:08:24Z

Fthg42: Marta Shaw

[[Image:Caprica Transfer Station.jpg|thumb|A tent at the transfer station.]]

The '''Caprica Transfer Station''' is a transfer point for the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] on [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]].

Captain [[Lee Adama]] awaits for his [[Viper Mark VII|Viper]], which he will fly to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' in order to participate in the ship's decommissioning ceremony. While drinking coffee here, Adama has a conversation with the chef, [[Frank Bruno]], where he reveals that he has just been accepted to test pilot school but is seriously considering resigning from the Fleet ("[[Razor]]", [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Razor|deleted scene]]).

Lieutenant [[Kendra Shaw]] also awaits for her [[Raptor 179|Raptor]] here, talking with Bruno after Adama leaves. After Bruno deduces that Shaw is the daughter of Quorum delegate [[Marta Shaw]], she reveals that she is on her way to ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' to be Admiral [[Helena Cain]]'s aide ([[Razor]]).

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Colonial Military]]
[[Category: Colonial Military (RDM)]]
[[Category: Places]]
[[Category: Places (RDM)]]
[[Category: Places on Caprica]]
[[Category: RDM]]

Red Line

2007-11-27T03:12:04Z

Fthg42: margin of error is smaller for more advanced Cylon technology

:''For information on the Freespace 2 conversion mod, see [[Beyond the Red Line]]''

The '''Red Line''' is an imaginary sphere enclosing a vessel which denotes the maximum safe limit for an [[FTL]] jump.<ref>[[Sources:Red Line|A statement by Bradley Thompson]]</ref> It is described in an early [http://web.archive.org/web/20060517022749/http://www.curemode.com/battlestar/bgarticle26.htm draft] of the script for the [[Miniseries]] as follows:

:"There are computational errors in every jump. The further out you jump, the greater the error. Jump past the Red Line and it may be almost impossible to find your way back."

Jump limits are most likely the result of a combination of factors including:

* The computational power available for jump calculations.
* Local gravitational forces (such as nearby planets, stars etc.) which must be compensated for at either end of the jump
* The accuracy and detail of data concerning the emergence zone at the far end of the jump

It is possible to exceed this limit, but there is no guarantee as to the accuracy of jump plots beyond that point. A ship could easily materialize within a stellar body or end up far off course.

When attempting to escape the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] after their devastating [[Cylon Attack|attack]] on the Twelve Colonies, and with the future of 50,000 survivors on his hands, [[William Adama|Commander Adama]] orders a jump "beyond the Red Line" to the [[Prolmar Sector]]. Given the nature of Colonial technology and vessels, it is probable this particular limit reflectes the overall capabilities of the Fleet as a whole, and not just ''Galactica'' itself.

Cylon FTL jump technology is more advanced than Colonial technology. As such, the Red Line for jumping with a Cylon ship (from the small [[Raider]] to the gargantuan [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]) has a much smaller margin for error, enabling the Cylons to accurately plot jumps for much longer distances. While the actual distance between [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] and [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] is not specified, [[Kara Thrace]] is able to take a captured Raider from the vicinity of Kobol to Caprica in a single jump ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).
The range advantage of the Cylon FTL systems however, does not lie within the drive units themselves, but the navigational computers used to calculate the jump plots. When installed aboard a Colonial [[Raptor]], the computer from a captured [[Heavy Raider]] enables the vessel to increase its jump distance by a factor greater than ten ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).

==References==
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[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Terminology]]