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Battlestar Wiki:Sandbox/He That Believeth in Me

2008-09-06T19:12:47Z

Mbeattie:

{{Episode Data
| image=4x01 - Promo 1.jpg
| title= He That Believeth In Me
| season= 4
| episode= 1
| forumthread= 729
| guests=
| extra= '''Season 4.0 Premiere'''
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| production=403
| rating= 1.6
| US airdate= 4 April 2008
| CAN airdate=4 April 2008
| UK airdate=15 April 2008
| dvd=
| population=39698
| oldpopulation=41399
| prev= [[Razor]]
| next= [[Six of One]]
| unbox=B00178W020
| frakr=He That Puteth In Me
}}

== Overview ==

: ''During a seemingly hopeless [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula|battle]], [[Kara Thrace]] appears in a pristine [[Viper Mark II|Viper]], claiming that she has been to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] and can lead the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] there -- but the terminal [[Laura Roslin]] believes otherwise. Meanwhile, four of the so-called [[Final Five]] are forced to tackle the repercussions of their newfound nature, while [[Gaius Baltar]] discovers he has a [[Cult of Baltar|commune of nubile female cultists]] who believe him to be an agent of the [[God (RDM)|"one true God"]]. ''

: '''''Note''': This is part one of a two-part episode. See the episode, "[[Six of One]]," for the conclusion.''

== Summary ==

=== Teaser ===

* [[Lee Adama]] and [[Kara Thrace]] are flying side-by-side, staring at each other across space. Lee is in a state of disbelief. Thrace rebukes his claim that her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] [[Maelstrom#Act 4|exploded]]. She says that she's found Earth, describes some of its attributes, as the [[CIC]] crew listens to the chatter.
* [[William Adama]], who is clearly emotional, demands that the ship be identified. [[Felix Gaeta]] does so, replying that the ship's recognition codes match, while [[Anastasia Dualla]] tries to get Lee on the comline. [[Karl Agathon]] notes that the woman's voice sounds like Thrace's. [[Laura Roslin]], recovered from her [[Crossroads, Part II|earlier headache]], notes that it is likely a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] trick. Adama orders that the verification be duplicated, however Gaeta notes that more than 200 Cylon [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]s are inbound. Adama orders that the Vipers and Raptor pickets engage the Cylons.
* Hearing the order, Thrace tells Lee not to lose her. "Not a chance," he replies, as both begin engaging the first wave of Raiders. Thrace kills a Raider, its blood covering her ship.
* [[Image:403 - Tigh scream, you scream, we all scream.jpg|thumb|[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a waking nightmare where he believes he shot [[William Adama]].]]Roslin reiterates her belief that Thrace's voice is a "Cylon trick". Gaeta reports that the Vipers have stopped the main Cylon thrust, but the reserves have broken through the line, and are headed to the Fleet. Adama tells [[Saul Tigh]] that he wants everything launched. Tigh hesitates, then experiences a vision where he pulls out a gun and shoots Adama in his right eye. However, he is awakened out of his waking-state "nightmare", as Adama continues to bark orders at him. He wants everyone who has "ever held a stick" up in the air. Unsure of what exactly happened, Tigh relays the order.
* [[Galen Tyrol]] is barking out orders on the [[hangar deck]]. Ensigns [[Diana Seelix]] and [[Samuel Anders]] arrive. En route to their ships, as Seelix goes off, Anders begins to vocally question whether or not he'll turn against "his own" after he launches. Tyrol tells him to "shut the [[frak]] up" and follow Tigh's lead: be the man he wants to be. During the pep-talk, [[Sharon Agathon]] approaches them, overhearing a snippet of the conversation. She asks who else would he be and then gives him advice to retain his cool out in the fray. She walks off to her Raptor; Anders is relieved that she didn't ferret him out, and hopes the other Cylons won't be able to either. Tyrol tells him to not give them the chance to find out, and tells Anders to get to his ship.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] and his [[Cult of Baltar|female admirers]], led by a woman named [[Jeanne]], escort Baltar through the ship, heading to a previously-abandoned compartment on the ship. En route, they pass by [[Charlie Connor]], who catches a glimpse of Baltar, even though Baltar is covered in a shawl.
* During the battle, a damaged Raider sprawls out of control and crashes into the ''[[Pyxis]]'', destroying the ship. Gaeta reports this and Roslin is shocked, saying that they've lost 600 souls, including Captain [[Tarney]]. Roslin then inquires as to how the Cylons were able to find them. Tigh and [[Tory Foster]] exchange glances [[Crossroads, Part II#Act 4|again]]. Gaeta reports that the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s have launched 50 plus missiles. Half are headed towards the Fleet, the other half are headed towards ''Galactica''. Adama believes that ''Galactica'' can take the beating, but the Fleet would be wiped out by such an attack; he orders that all the missiles headed towards the Fleet be shot down.
* Anders launches and, still fearing that he may have Cylon programming yet to be turned on, begins summarizing his life. Seelix replies that he's jamming up the wireless, since he has the transmit button pressed down. Anders release the button and chastises himself. Cylon warheads begin striking ''Galactica''. Two missiles headed toward the Fleet strike the ''[[Space Park]]'', damaging her. Seelix manages to destroy a warhead that would have struck ''[[Colonial One]]''. However, a Raider comes up from behind her and begins to pursue her. Anders comes up from behind the Raider, and attempts to take the Raider out, but his weapons have apparently seized. The Raider suddenly breaks off its attack on Seelix and confronts Anders. The Raider then performs some kind of scan on Anders using its red eye. Anders' iris in his right eye glows red and the Raider disengages. The Raiders flock back to the baseships, which spin their [[FTL]] drives, much to the confusion of the Colonials who know that the Cylons had them dead to rights.
* Adama orders that they take advantage of the opportunity they've been presented, ordering the fighters to cover their rear while the Fleet begins jump prep. Tigh asks why the Cylons withdrew, Foster replies that "maybe something's changed", referring to their newfound knowledge of being Cylons. Roslin asks what the "change" may be, but Tigh feigns ignorance.

=== Act 1 ===

* After the Fleet makes its first jump away from the Ionian Nebula, Baltar is being led to the women's enclave. [[Jeanne]] reassures him that he'll be safe as they approach a compartment previously dedicated to dry stowage. Connor and another male associate have followed the group to the compartment, but do not enter. In the compartment, Baltar enters a commune consisting mostly of young, nubile women and men, all primarily Caucasian. They look subserviently downward, unwilling to meet his gaze, until he comes across a shrine with glorified Christmas-lights. He merely looks around and mutters, "Right", in a state of semi-disbelief.
* Tyrol looks over Thrace's blood-covered, yet otherwise pristine Mark II Viper. As Thrace opens the cockpit, she tells Tyrol to develop her gun camera footage, claiming to have some great shots to show everyone. She asks for her post-flight checklist. Tyrol replies that she has none. Pilots who've landed start to approach Thrace and her Viper. Lee, who just landed, runs up and hugs her. From the walkway above the hangar bay, Tigh asks Adama if he believes in miracles. Adama replies in the negative. Anders follows Lee's suit, saying that he told everyone that she was too "frakking mean to kill". She notes Anders' apparel, learning that Anders has been trained as a Viper pilot, which she finds unbelievable. Thrace tells Adama that she found Earth. Adama replies with Marines, who are ordered to escort her to sickbay where [[Cottle]] will give her a complete examination. Thrace reveals that, from her point of view, she's been off the ship for six hours. Anders replies that it has been over two months since she died, which Lee confirms.
* [[Image:403 - God's presence.jpg|thumb|Baltar "feels" God's presence.]]In the commune, Jeanne tells Baltar that she's going to get her son, [[Derrick]], asking him not to go anywhere on the ship, since it isn't safe for him. Jeanne tells him that [[Tracey Anne]] will be with him to give him whatever he needs. Baltar claims that he's praying for Derrick, who is presently in ''Galactica's'' sickbay. When he asks about travel arrangements, Jeanne notes that security is too tight to smuggle him off ''Galactica''. Her fellow cultist, [[Paulla Schaffer]], adds that none of the other ships would have him. As they leave, [[Virtual Six]] in a red blouse appears to him. She asks why he is glum, given that he faced execution, yet was granted life. He replies that he's doomed to be stuck in a looney bin with a bunch of cultists. Virtual Six assures him that she hasn't brought him this far for nothing, then he begins to ask for a ray of hope for the future... Tracey Anne sees Baltar on his knees, appearing to pray. She finds the way he prays beautiful, not just some hollow ritual. She tells him that when she prays, she feels empty. Prompted by Six, Baltar claims that the Gods they worship are false and that there is only one true God, all the while she's copping a feel on him. As he explains how the gods were propagated by the "ruling elite" to suppress their knowledge of "the truth", she unbuttons his shirt. As he reveals that "there's only one God", Tracey Anne exposes her breasts to him. Assured that they are alone and the door is locked, she moves his hands to cup her breasts, where Tracey Anne asks him if he feels God's presence. "You know what," he replies glibly, "I think I do." Then they fornicate in the presence of the shrine.
* In Adama's quarters, Thrace is told that all her tests check out, and it appears she is human. She accuses them of thinking that she's a Cylon. Roslin, who is present with Tory Foster and Lee Adama, presses her for her story of how she found Earth. Thrace claims that she followed a [[Heavy Raider]] into the storm, taking some fire, then blacked out. When she came to, she was orbiting Earth, which she was able to identify from the descriptions in the [[Book of Pythia]]. Showing the pictures that were developed from her gun camera, she claims that the pictures are of Earth and her moon. Further, she claims to have been able to match the star configurations from what was seen in the [[Tomb of Athena]]. Thrace claims that she doesn't know how she was able to find them at the Ionian Nebula. Roslin continues to press her for information. She replies that she turned the ship to a reciprocal heading, and later blacked out. She adds that she remembers a giant gas planet with rings. She also claims to have seen a comet. Roslin moves to questioning the time discrepancy. Thrace remains adamant that she found Earth, took the pictures, and was able to return to the Fleet.
* In the hangar bay, Tyrol shows Adama (who is accompanied by Roslin, Foster, Lee, and Tigh) the Viper Thrace returned in. He notes that, after it was cleaned up, the Viper is pristine, as if it came off the "showroom floor". Tyrol confirms that while the tail numbers match the one she flew out on, the ship is not the same one he's been repairing for years. Further, the navigational computer has no entries in it. Roslin tells Adama to put Thrace in the brig. Lee objects, asking about Cottle's test. Tigh grumpily replies that Cottle's test doesn't mean a thing, and also that Baltar's [[Cylon detector]] is a crock that failed to identify [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. <ref>Despite Tigh mentioning the Cylon detector, dialogue only states that Doctor Cottle compared Thrace's DNA with the one on record in her files (the same procedure he used with [[Bulldog]] in "[[Hero]]"). Baltar's Cylon detector, however, uses a more complex molecular analysis to generate a result.</ref> Adama ruefully notes that they're back at square one. Any one of them can be a Cylon, and they wouldn't know it until they had a bullet in their heads, or led the Fleet into an ambush. Roslin notes that something stopped the Cylons from destroying the Fleet, and she believes that Thrace is somehow responsible for it. Further, Roslin believes that Thrace was returned to them to pull them off their course. Lee notes that they don't have a course, since they weren't able to stay at the nebula. He posits that Thrace may very well be the "signpost" they've been looking for, but Roslin will have none of it.

=== Act 2 ===

* Baltar and Tracey Anne, both unclothed, are awakened by the presence of Jeanne and the cultists. Jeanne brings Derrick, who is ill with viral encephalitis and cannot be treated with medicines, and asks Baltar to pray for his recovery. Baltar says that Derrick has to be strong, and they have to be strong for him. Jeanne says that she didn't want Derrick to die in the [[sickbay]]. Baltar reiterates his claim that he prays for Derrick. Jeanne claims to know this, but adds that she believes that the "one true God" doesn't want Derrick to live. A wide-eyed, nutty Baltar cannot answer this question.
* In Tigh's quarters, the "[[frakr:Fantastic Four|Final Four]]" are assembled. Tigh inquires about the "[[The Music|frakking music]]", and everyone replies that they no longer hear it. Tyrol posits that it may have stopped upon discovering their true natures, but they still don't know for certain what it was. Anders recites his experience with the Cylon Raider scanning him. Even after Anders recalls the tale, they don't know what to make of the Cylons' sudden retreat, or Ander's inability to fire on the Raider. Tigh remains adamant that [[Racetrack]] was right: Anders had made a "dumb nugget mistake" by leaving the weapon safeties on. They broach the topic of being programmed to sabotage the Fleet, like [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. Tigh vociferously contends that Boomer did not know who she was; they do, and they silently agree to kill themselves before they do anything against the humans.
* Roslin visits [[Caprica Six]] in the brig. Roslin discusses the shared dream they experienced in the [[Opera House]], where Caprica saw more than she did. Roslin asks Caprica to help her with information regarding the Cylons known as the Final Five, since she wants to know if Kara Thrace is one of them. Caprica replies that they are programmed not to think of the Five, but notes that they are close since she can feel them.
* [[Image:Thrace's headache.jpg|thumb|Thrace experiences a headache...]]In the CIC, Thrace is reviewing star charts with Gaeta, who is clearly aggravated. Agathon notices Gaeta's behavior and relieves him. Thrace notes that no one believes her, since everyone seems to think she's a Cylon. In a conversation that begins to get heated, Adama overhears Thrace's reasoning that finding the star systems on their charts won't work. Thrace tells them that she can find the way to Earth by feeling it. She says that the more jumps they do away from their starting point (the Ionian Nebula), the harder it is for her to tell the road to Earth, given that they are going the wrong way. Adama dismisses Agathon. Adama reveals that Roslin's adamant that they continue the course laid before them by the [[Eye of Jupiter]]. As they execute another FTL jump, Thrace experiences a headache and says they're going the wrong way, and fears she may lose the feeling completely. She asks for them to go back to the nebula and while Adama would like to believe her, he can't go to Roslin and ask her to dismiss the writings of Pythia and the information derived from the supernova. Adama reveals that he's just "left her ship", noting that it is pristine, and asks her to explain that fact. She cannot, but swears to the Gods that she ''is'' Kara Thrace and that he can trust her on her intuition. Adama painfully replies that he can't afford to trust her, and she leaves with her marine escort.

=== Act 3 ===

* [[Image:Yet another frakking Adama talk.jpg|thumb|The Adamas reconcile... a tad.]]Lee and William Adama are watching Lee's gun camera footage of Thrace's death near the mandala. The elder Adama asks whether he should believe his heart or his eyes. Lee replies that he shares the same state of mind. Adama says he wants to believe Thrace, but notes that Roslin's right, and that the Cylons may be counting on Adama's belief. He adds that they'll follow Roslin's lead for the time being. Lee asks if Roslin's still staying in his father's quarters. Adama replies in the positive, noting that this is temporary until they can find quarters where she can wait for the remaining [[diloxin]] treatments. Adama thanks Lee for suiting up during the fight. As an unspoken apology for an earlier heated discussion about Lee's integrity, Adama offers Lee his wings back. However, Lee notes that while he removed those for the wrong reasons, he's had feelers from the government, who have offered him a chance to do more than he ever could do in the cockpit. He feels that Baltar's trial was a "trigger", but he notes that he needs a change and move on. After an uncomfortable, solemn silence, Lee asks what would have happened had [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had been in the cockpit, and it was revealed that he were a Cylon, and always had been. He asks if they would still love him, but Adama does not answer the question.
* At the commune, Baltar watches over Derrick as Jeanne and the others sleep. He then makes a decision to leave, but before he does so, he returns and prays over Derrick. Baltar asks why God should choose to take an innocent life instead of his own, because he's failed so many people and brought so much grief on the human race, yet the boy has done nothing to sin against God. As he prays, the women wake up and stare at him. Jeanne also awakens and begins to cry softly, clearly touched by this display. After Baltar is done, he looks around and walks away.
* Later on, Baltar and Schaffer walk through ''Galactica'''s oddly empty corridors heading towards the officer's head. During the conversation, she says that they were all moved by Baltar's prayer. Baltar ruefully notes that it did no good, as Derrick's sickness has become worse. Schaffer tells Baltar that the prayer helped ensure that God looks after his immortal soul, which Baltar glibly snaps at. Baltar tells Schaffer that they shouldn't look at him for guidance, implying that they are young and easily misguided. Baltar inquires as to what they're doing in the head, in reply to which, she snaps out a straight razor which he uses to shave his beard. After he is fully shaven, Charlie Connor enters. He appears very cordial towards Baltar, addressing him as "Mister President", and despite Schaffer's urging, Baltar strikes up a conversation with Connor. Connor reveals that they met at [[Founders' Day]] on [[New Caprica]], where Baltar also met Kevin (his son) who told Baltar that he wanted to be president when he grew up. Baltar then asks after Kevin. Connor reveals that Kevin died at the hands of the [[New Caprica Police]] during the Cylon occupation. Schaffer heads towards the hatch, only to be restrained by an associate of Connor's (possibly [[Shaunt]]). As she's being restrained, Connor assaults Baltar and places the razor Baltar used to Baltar's throat. Connor orders Baltar to look at him; Baltar does so, wide-eyed.

=== Act 4 ===

[[Image:Connor attacks Baltar.jpg|thumb||right|[[Charlie Connor]] attacks [[Gaius Baltar]].]]
*Connor demands that Baltar scream. He wants to know if anyone would come after him. Meanwhile, Shaunt begins choking Schaffer to death. Baltar is brought to his knees. When Connor starts cutting into his throat, Virtual Six arises and asks if he was sincere in his prayer. He replies to Six that he is sincere, and begs that his life be taken. Connor is flummoxed at this. Schaffer manages to break free from Shaunt and breaks off a handle from a nearby floor washing bucket. She beats Shaunt with it, incapacitating him, then saves Baltar. She continues to beat Connor until Baltar stops her.
* En route to the commune, an exhilarated Schaffer says that she knew God wouldn't abandon Baltar and that she had felt his love course through her, giving her the power to smite his attackers. He ruefully retorts that there'd be less fighting next time, unless she wants to be brought up on murder charges.
* Baltar enters the enclave to discover that Derrick has fully recovered from his encephalitis. As the cultists look on at him, Six appears with a smirk on her face.
[[Image:Thrace and her gun.jpg|thumb||right|Thrace points a gun at Laura Roslin.]]
*In the [[memorial hallway]], Thrace notes to Anders that no one has removed her picture from the wall. Anders tells her to cut Adama and everyone some slack, since they are trying to figure out what happened to her. She tells Anders that she figured her experience of finding Earth was a dream. She begins theorizing about the logistics of her return aloud, speculating that the Cylons may have pulled her out of the soup and brainwashed her, or managed to clone her from parts that were extracted from her during her time in the Cylon baby [[farms]]. Anders disputes this, saying that if she were a Cylon, she's been one from the beginning. He professes his undying love for her, even if she may be a Cylon. She replies that he's more forgiving that she'd ever be, noting that if Anders were a Cylon, she'd kill him. After another jump, Thrace experiences another headache. She insists that the Fleet's going the wrong way. She claims that if she goes through one more jump, she'll lose the way. Anders offers her a bunk, but Thrace begins to believe that the only way to stop going the wrong way is to deal with Roslin. She incapacitates [[Brandy Harder|Harder]], while Anders knocks [[Nowart]]'s gun aside before he can fire it. Thrace incapacitates Nowart as well. Anders asks what the hell she's doing. She asks where Roslin is, but Anders refuses to answer, so she knocks him out. Thrace takes out the marines guarding Adama's quarters, using a stun grenade<ref>Also known as a "flash bang", see the [[w:Grenade#Stun grenades|Wikipedia article about it]]</ref>. Roslin, who is sleeping in Adama's bunk, awakens to find Thrace approaching her. As Roslin stands, Thrace aims a gun at her head.

== Notes ==

=== General ===

* This season shows the first major change in the teaser titles since the series began. Instead of the "Cylons have a Plan" claim, the new titles show: "Twelve Cylon models. Seven are known. Four live in secret. One will be revealed."
* The gun Saul Tigh uses in his "nightmare" against [[William Adama]] is the same weapon that [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] shot Adama with in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
* The [[FTL]] jump at the end of the episode is an abbreviated version of the [[w:Vertigo zoom|Vertigo zoom]] effect, which has not been seen since the [[Miniseries]].
* The title is a reference to John 11:25-26, which says:
*: Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection, and the life: '''he that believeth in me''', though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (King James Bible)
* In Baltar's conversation with [[Tracey Anne]], he reveals the name of one more of the [[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|Gods]], [[Poseidon]], a God in the Greek pantheon.

=== Characters ===

* While Anders played for a professional Caprican [[pyramid]] team, he was (allegedly) born on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] and enrolled in [[Noyce Elementary School]].
* Like everyone else, Tigh is unaware that the Cylon detector correctly identified Boomer as a Cylon, and that Baltar reprogrammed the detector to give only negative test results ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]").

=== Fleet ===
* The [[survivor count|population]] of the Fleet, which hasn't been revealed since "[[The Son Also Rises]]" (but is assumed to be around 41,398) is 39,698. 600 of those were people who died aboard the ''Pyxis'', the other 1,101 likely died on other ships during the attack. The survivor count also takes into account the return of Kara Thrace.
* The number of people killed, 1701, is a nod to the registry number of the ''[[MemoryAlpha:Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' from the ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek|Star Trek]]'' series. The number is seen again in "[[The Ties That Bind]]" on a [[weapons locker]] where the "[[Final Five|Fantastic Four]]" meet.
* As revealed in this episode's [[Podcast:He That Believeth In Me|podcast]], the ''[[Space Park]]'' is not destroyed during the battle per [[Ron D. Moore]]'s request.

=== Production ===

*The title was first reported as "He That Believ<u>a</u>th In Me". Writer [[User:Ngarenn|Bradley Thompson]] [[BW:OC#Season 4 First Episode Title|confirmed]] that this was an unintentional misspelling.
* "He That Believeth In Me" and "[[Six of One]]" aired back-to-back as a two hour TV event in UK.
* As with Season 3's season opener, the length of this episode's teaser clocks near the 10 minute mark.
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] has been re-added to the opening credit roll, since her "stunt" removal in the episodes "[[The Son Also Rises]]" and the "[[Crossroads]]" two-parter. (Although she was credited in the end-credits for "[[Crossroads, Part II]]".)

=== Gaffes ===

* The stills from Thrace's gun camera footage incorrectly show ''Galactica'' as belonging to Battlestar Group 62. Given that ''Pegasus'' was in BSG 62, the production staff likely modified and re-used a graphic template from an earlier episode, but the incorrect number slipped past them.
* When Thrace's Viper appears at the end of "[[Crossroads, Part II]]", the pilot-callsign stencils below the cockpit are missing, but they are shown at the beginning of this episode and all subsequent shots.
* Moreover, in promotional photos for this episode, the tail number of Thrace's Viper is [[Viper 4267|4267 NC]], the same Viper that [[Chuckles]] used and died in during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]". This number was digitally removed in the aired version to match the Viper that was destroyed in "Maelstrom": [[Viper 8757]].

== Analysis ==

=== Gaius Baltar and his cult ===

* Baltar's cult is a cult-of-personality, where Gaius Baltar is seen by some humans as a messianic, mortal savior, in a parallel to the Cylon [[Hybrid]]'s designation of Baltar as "the chosen one." Further, no reason for this apparently sudden rise of the "Baltar cult" has yet been provided.
* While Baltar's appearance during Season 3 increasingly resembled that the classic image of Jesus Christ as bearded and long-haired, his messianic cult has him shave and cut his hair to shed this image. However, Baltar's new willingness to sacrifice himself for others has made him more of a Christ figure in action, even as he becomes less of one in appearance.
* Baltar's cult seems to have amassed a following comprising mostly of women who are Caucasian, well-fit, reasonably well-proportioned, and within the ages of 20 to 40. Further, the cult seems to be disturbingly similar to the "Manson Family" in this regard, although Baltar is more-or-less placed in the position as cult's spiritual leader.
* The cult is also hedonistic, verging on counter-cultural (the class-warfare against the Fleet's so-called "aristocracy"), cooperative, and religious. Apparently, the room is shared by all, and sexual intercourse with one another is implied as being common, as the cultists do not appear surprised that Baltar and [[Tracey Anne]] have engaged in intercourse.

===Baltar's Virtual Six===

* Baltar's [[Virtual Six]] seems to have reached an understanding about his sexual liaisons with other women. Where she once seemed jealous and hurt (as in "[[Colonial Day]]", despite professing that he could have sex with whoever he wanted because his heart belonged to her), she now seems much more at ease and even encouraging of his sexual liaison with Tracey Anne.
* Her wardrobe, however, has also undergone a change: where she formerly appeared almost exclusively in either a revealing red dress or in a swimsuit (during Baltar's visions of the two of them at his now-destroyed home on Caprica), in this episode she appears exclusively in a professional-looking suit of the same bright-red color as her old dress. Could this signify a change in how she perceives her relationship with Baltar? Although she has obviously harbored romantic feelings for him in the past, it is possible that she now perceives her role in a more professional and detached manner, and is choosing to put aside her own feelings in favor of guiding him down the path that God has laid out for him.

=== Ionian Nebula ===

* The Fleet-wide power-loss, and subsequent power recovery, remains unexplained.
* It is heavily implied that the Cylons now know that the Final Five are in the Fleet, given their rapid withdrawal during the battle.
* Further, it remains unexplained how the Cylons were able to track the Fleet to the nebula. They were either able to determine the Fleet's projected course, despite the efforts to use the ''Daru Mozu'' as a decoy, or found another way to track the Fleet.
* The battle within the nebula demonstrates that ''Galactica'' remains combat ready and able to engage Cylon basestars with all her weapons despite the damage suffered during the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. A visual effects shot of the warship following the battle shows one dorsal primary [[Battery|gun battery]] has been lost, likely during the impact that forces the crew in CIC to brace themselves. The port side water tank may also be destroyed, as there seem to be a large hole in the port side of the hull and the adjacent "ribs" are bent or destroyed.
*Despite Racetrack's claim in "[[Torn]]" that ''Galactica'' has more trained pilots than ships as result of the combination of the crews of both battlestars, this episode shows Admiral Adama pressing nuggets into action in order to have as many Vipers flying as possible. This suggests either Racetrack was exaggerating or speaking only about Raptor pilots; or that ''Galactica's'' Viper compliment is now very large after also taking in ''Pegasus'''s existing and newly-constructed Vipers.
* The battle marks the first overt Cylon attack on the civilian fleet since before the settling of New Caprica, where the Cylons indicated they no longer wished to wipe out the Colonials.

=== Kara Thrace ===

* As to be expected, Kara Thrace's return is clouded in suspicion. Given the effects of time dilation she had experienced (six hours from her perspective, more than two months from the Fleet's), she may have experienced a form [[w:gravitational time dilation|gravitational time dilation]], given her proximity to the mandala phenomenon in "[[Maelstrom]]" and the hard deck.
* The "missing time" phenomenon and the lack of navigation data in the Viper's computer are similar to the [[w:Abduction phenomenon|abduction experiences]] that have been reported. Coincidentally, these experiences allege paralysis and "blinding light." Kara Thrace experienced the blinding light phenomenon in "Maelstrom" before her death, and her lack of control in pulling up her Viper from the hard deck does suggest a form of paralysis, or even distraction, whereby her mind was occupied and thus ignored the warnings from Lee Adama, et al.
* Her apparently strange trip through time and space may suggest a possible wormhole or spacial anomaly. If so, the inability of Adama, Roslin, and others to seriously consider this possibility again highlights the [[naturalistic science fiction]] aspect of the series (though the absence of Dr. Baltar's scientific expertise may also be a factor). Wormholes would be a phenomenon known to the Colonials, as Adama mentions them in "[[Sacrifice]]".
* Thrace has feelings of [[w:theophany|theophany]] before her death in "Maelstrom". Further, these feelings have somehow influenced her and manifested extra-sensory abilities that leads her to a [[w:Jeanne d'Arc|Jeanne d'Arc]]-ian crusade, believing that she can lead the Fleet to Earth.
* Thrace's headaches are likely similar in nature to [[Laura Roslin]]'s headache in "[[Crossroads, Part II]]" after arriving at the [[Ionian Nebula]]. After a jump is executed, Thrace experiences these headaches as well, however the headaches lead her to believe that they are further and further down the wrong path and away from Earth.

=== Thrace's claims ===

[[Image:Kara Thrace Reconnaissance Photos.png|250px|thumb|right|Gun camera footage of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]]]

* When speaking of her claim about [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], Thrace mentions the moon being "yellow", matching the description of Pythia. Earth's moon, when viewed from space, is a dull, pale yellowish brown. Her photo, taken from above the atmosphere, shows a slightly yellowish moon over a grayish planet with white flecks. However, the photographs are very desaturated - to the point of being black and white - and very likely don't represent the true colors.
* While initially believed that Thrace's "giant gas planet with rings" was any of the four [[w:Gas giant|Jovian]] planets ([[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]] or [[w:Saturn|Saturn]], notably), this is [[Faith|later disproved]].

=== The Final Five ===

* Given their animal-like nature, the biological Cylon Raiders are able to identify members of the Final Five, as [[Samuel Anders]] experiences during the Battle of the Ionian Nebula.
* Sharon Agathon and Caprica Six are incapable of identifying the Final Five models, even after they've been "activated," to use the term loosely.
* The episode does not delve too deeply into [[Tory Foster]] or [[Galen Tyrol]]'s reactions to their newfound natures, however this will doubtless be the case in future episodes. The episode centers around [[Saul Tigh]], who has become the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four," and [[Samuel Anders]].
* Saul Tigh begins to have nightmares in his waking state. He envisions pulling out a gun and killing Adama, harkening back to [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]'s assassination attempt in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". In his nightmare, he shoots Adama in the right eye, the same eye Tigh lost during his torture on [[New Caprica]].

==== Samuel Anders ====

[[Image:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|Anders's eye responding to a Raider's IFF.]]

* During the battle, Anders maneuvers behind a Cylon Raider on Seelix's six, but fails to fire his guns. The Cylon Raider seems to sense something different about the chasing Viper and turns around to face it. The Raider's forward lid lowers to reveal its scanning red eye, reminiscent of when Raiders accessed the backdoor in Baltar's [[Command Navigation Program]] in the [[Miniseries]]. Its eye locks straight ahead at Anders, and after a moment Ander's right iris faintly flashes red in response to the Raider's [[IFF]] transponder. The Raider then raises its lid and breaks off, broadcasting its discovery to the rest of the attacking Cylon fleet, which disengages and retreats.
* There is no indication that Anders's inability to fire on the Cylon Raider is because of any technical problem with the Viper. His safeties remain engaged during the battle, which is figured to be one of two things in the episode: what [[Margaret Edmondson]] and Tigh chalk up as a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake," or what Anders suspects is subconscious Cylon programming.

=== Comparisons to the Original Series ===

* The episode shares many of the same concepts in common from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], particularly the mythology laid down in the Original Series's two-parter "[[War of the Gods]]". In that episode, it is revealed that there are greater forces at work in the universe: Count [[Iblis]], who is insinuated to have started the [[Thousand Yahren War]] that resulted in the [[Battle of Cimtar|Colonies' destruction]], and the "forces of good," the [[Beings of Light]] who [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] describes as being "guardians of the universe."
** Essentially, in "[[War of the Gods, Part II]]", [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] is killed by a bolt that Iblis meant for [[Sheba]]. After the encounter, Iblis is captured by the Beings of Light, as are Starbuck and Sheba, who leave the [[red planet]] with Apollo's cadaver in their [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|shuttle]]. Much like [[Kara Thrace]], Apollo comes back from the dead. While Thrace's resurrection has not yet been explained—this being one of the mysteries that drives the current season—Apollo is restored by the Beings of Light.
** Further, like Thrace, the three Warriors of the Original Series experience lost time, memory loss, and feelings of theophany. Additionally, they are given the coordinates to [[Earth (TOS)|Earth]], which are buried in their subconscious only to be awakened by a suggestion Adama makes to the three Warriors. On the other hand, Kara Thrace is given (allegedly) a feeling of extra-sensory perception, being able to "feel" her way to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].
* It should also be noted that the Beings of Light in the Original Series are capable of moving ships to different locations. In "[[Experiment in Terra]]", this is done to Apollo's ship as they move him well ahead of a patrol from ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]''. Blackouts and memory loss (such as those apparently exhibited by Thrace) also demonstrated in the Original Series's abduction and subsequent encounters with the Beings of Light.
* A potential abduction of Starbuck could relate to the Ship of Lights from the Original Series. These advanced humans evolved to state where they appear to be gods to the Colonials. Likewise, Count Iblis is their satanic counterpart who tries to seduce the Colonial fleet into submission, however, he can't triumph over these benevolent beings of "light," much the same way Lucifer cannot triumph over God in Christian traditions. To extrapolate the analogy further, the Final Five may be members of a benevolent, evolved line of humans who are watching over the Fleet, whereas the Significant Seven represent Count Iblis and the Devil.

== Questions ==

* Did [[Samuel Anders]] make a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" as Tigh contends, or was it some form of programing that asserted itself?
* Does [[Charlie Connor]] survive the massive beating he experiences at the hands of [[Paulla Schaffer]]?
* Is Kara Thrace the final Cylon? ([[Revelations|Possible answer]])
* Where did Thrace get her pristine Viper?
* Are Thrace's claims about being to Earth true? ([[Revelations|Answer]])
* Why is the Viper's camera footage viable, yet nothing is found in the navigational records?
* Why have the Significant Seven Cylons been programmed to not think of the Final Five?
* Can the Significant Seven identify the Final Five once they are able to bypass this imperative? ([[Revelations|Possible answer]])
* Could the gun camera footage from Anders's Viper be used to expose him?
* Was Tigh or Tyrol ever tested by Baltar's Cylon detector before the apparent failure of Boomer's test made the Colonials decide it was useless?
* Would the test identify a Final Five Cylon? Would there be a difference before and after "activation"?
* How did the Cylon fleet locate the Colonial fleet in the Ionian Nebula?

== Official Statements ==

* ''Information from [[Ron Moore]]'s [[Podcast:He That Believeth In Me|podcast]]:''
** A scene was cut where either Anders himself or another crew member cuts off the cast of his leg, thus partially explaining the absence of the leg injury he sustained at the end of Season 3.
** Moore insisted that the ''[[Space Park]]'' (which he just calls "the ring ship") not be destroyed, but only damaged, because he likes it very much.
** The rooms used by Baltar's cult are referred to as "Baltar's lair" by the writers.
** Moore says that Thrace's pristine Viper will play an important role later in the season.
** The writers are aware of Baltar's visual similarity to Jesus. While Moore admits that it helps to drive some things home, he points out that Baltar is not Jesus.

* ''[[Aaron Douglas]] (via [[w:Anthrax|Anthrax]]'s [[w:Scott Ian|Scott Ian]]) explains an ad-lib that was dropped from one of Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]'s scenes:''
:"I had the best adlib ever in the scene where Chief walks onto the hangar deck yelling for the [[nugget]]s. It didn't make it into the show. What did make it was something like “lets go nuggets! your momma's aren't going to save ya today” it is all adlib'd but one take I said, & this is pure gold, “drop your dicks and grab your sticks!” 5 seconds later [[Harvey Frand|Harvey [Frand]]] (producer) says from video village, “you can't say dicks on TV”. We had to do it again. Ha." <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://blogs.scifi.com/battlestar/scottian/2008/04/drop-your-dicks-and-grab-your.html|title=SCIFI.com - Scott Ian's Blog: Drop your dicks and grab your sticks!!|date=7 April 2008|accessdate=7 April 2008|last=Ian|first=Scott|format=|language=}}</ref>

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a disturbing daydream:''
: '''[[William Adama]]:''' Saul. Saul! What the hell is wrong with you?
: '''Saul Tigh:''' Nothing, Bill. (Tigh pulls out a gun and aims it at Adama.) I've never felt better in my entire life. (Tigh shoots Adama through his right eye.)

* ''[[Galen Tyrol]] barks out orders:''
: '''Galen Tyrol:''' Get that [[Showboat]] bird in the tube. Where the [[frak]] are these [[nugget]]s? '''C'mon! Momma's not gonna save ya today! Let's go!''' You want to fly or not?

* ''[[Virtual Six]] talks to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]:''
: '''Virtual Six:''' Yesterday you were facing execution. Today, you're free. Why the long face?
: '''Baltar:''' Oh, gee, I don't know. From President of the Colonies to this... King of fools. Probably best to be hated by everyone than loved by this lot, doomed to live out the rest of my life in this looney bin. I don't know, that might have something to do with my rather savage mood swings.
: '''Virtual Six:''' Relax Gaius. Do you think I've brought you this far to let it end here?
: '''Baltar:''' I need encouragement. A ray of hope about the future. An inkling.
: '''Virtual Six:''' You've got me. I'm here for you.

* ''Lee Adama asks his father an uncomfortable set of questions:''
: '''Lee Adama:''' Dad, what if [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had come back to us in that Viper? If my brother had climbed out of that cockpit, would it matter if he were a Cylon? If he always had been? When all said and done, would that really change how we feel about him?

* ''Baltar's prayer for [[Derrick]]:''
: '''Gaius Baltar:''' Please God, I'm asking you this one last time, don't let this child die. Has he sinned against you? He can't have sinned against you. He's not even had a life yet. How can you take him and let me live... after all I've done? Really, if you want someone to suffer, take me. We both know I deserve it. I'm selfish and weak. I have failed so many people. I have killed. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I'm just asking that you spare the life of this innocent child. Don't take him. Take me. Take me, take me, please.

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon| Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as Lieutenant [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Colin Corrigan]] as [[Nowart]]
* [[Lukas Pummell]] as [[Derrick]]
* [[Ryan Robbins]] as [[Charlie Connor]]
* [[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edomondson]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Shaun Omaid]] as [[Shaunt]]
* [[Leela Savasta]] as [[Tracey Anne]]
* [[Lara Gilchrist]] as [[Paulla Schaffer]]
* [[Heather Doerksen]] as Sergeant [[Brandy Harder]] (credited as "Marine #2")

== External Link ==

*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] discusses the episode's score: http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=241#more-241

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

{{wikifrakr|He That Puteth In Me}}

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

[[de:He That Believeth In Me]]
[[zh:信我者他]]

Crossroads, Part II

2008-09-06T19:11:22Z

Mbeattie:

{{Episode Data
| title= Crossroads, Part II
| image= 3x20-CrossroadsPartII-BaltarSixHera.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 20
| guests=
| writer= [[Mark Verheiden]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Rymer]]
| production= 319
| rating=1.2
| US airdate= 2007-03-25
| CAN airdate=2007-03-25
| UK airdate= {{Crossroads, Part II PAL broadcast date}}
| dvd=
| podcast=y
| extra= '''Season Finale - 50 Minute Episode'''
| prev= [[Crossroads, Part I]]
| next= [[Razor Flashbacks|Battlestar Galactica: Razor Flashbacks]]
| unbox= B000V1ZQH0
}}

== Overview ==
:''As Gaeta testifies against Baltar about the execution list that the accused signed on New Caprica, Roslin finds a disturbing link between her dreams and the [[Opera House]] on Kobol. Lee Adama turns around the trial with an unusual move, and several people make a disturbing discovery about themselves.''

== Summary ==

===Teaser===
*[[Admiral Adama]] shaves, cutting himself when the lights flicker.
*[[Laura Roslin]] calls, seeking a bit of humorous motivation to get out of bed and face the [[Crossroads, Part I|trial]] again, which she does not relish.
*After one feeble attempt, Adama manages "get your fat, lazy ass out of that rack, Roslin!" which makes Roslin laugh and give a heartfelt thank you. Adama tells her, "Don't let 'em see you sweat, Laura."
*[[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]] are sexually engaged when she hears a [[The Music|strange music]]. When she notes it to Anders, he's surprised at the revelation, having heard it before himself.
*[[Diana Seelix]] knocks on the [[duty locker]] door and Anders opens it. An uncomfortable silence between Seelix, Anders and Foster begins.
*[[Galen Tyrol]] is half-asleep, humming the music. He leaves his bed and quarters and goes to a section of ventilation to hear the music elsewhere on ''[[Galactica]]''.
*[[Lee Adama]] recommends pursuing a mistrial for [[Gaius Baltar]], using his grandfather's written advice, believing that their successes are actually worsening the issue. Baltar is incensed at the suggestion, believing that Adama wants to leave the case.
*[[Romo Lampkin]], Baltar's attorney, is inclined to agree with Adama, but young Adama's comment about his father's words about the "treacherous" Baltar leaves him to ponder.
*Baltar doesn't want to repeat the terror he's experienced in the time before the trial.
*[[Racetrack]] is training Seelix, Anders, and other [[Raptor]] [[nugget]]s, when Anders overhears Chief Tyrol humming. Together, they realize that the melody feels like something out of childhood, and they hear only a part of the melody.
*Before they can analyze further, Racetrack yells for Anders to return to the group.

===Act 1===
*Roslin takes [[diloxin]] treatment in [[sickbay]]. As she lies down and dreams, she experiences the same dream as [[Sharon Agathon]], also in sickbay with [[Hera Agathon|her daughter]], and both scream simultaneously. The two ask to talk privately.
*Later, Roslin and Sharon Agathon meet with [[Caprica-Six]], who has also experienced the dreams. When asked why Six is trying to reach Hera, she says that she felt she had to protect her "with (my) life."
*[[Saul Tigh]] tells Admiral Adama about the music. The admiral tells Tigh that he will look into it later as he leaves for court.
*The trial resumes. Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]] is on the stand. The [[Precipice|execution order]] from [[New Caprica]] is admitted as evidence by [[Cassidy]], the prosecutor.
*Gaeta lies, as viewers are shown the actual events where Baltar is forced to sign at gunpoint, where Gaeta says that Baltar did not resist.
*Lampkin chooses not to cross-examine, to Baltar's great horror. The prosecution rests.

===Act 2===
*After a recess, the defense begins its case.
*Lampkin motions for a mistrial, as Baltar objects, due to prejudicial comments by Admiral Adama four days before. He asks for Mr. Lee Adama to take the stand.
*The prosecuting attorney strongly objects, but after Lampkin warns of much case law (he can think of seven examples off the top of his head) that permits such a procedure, the tribunal allows Mr. Adama to testify.
*Mr. Adama refuses to confirm his father's comments. As Lampkin tries to intimidate Mr. Adama, he restates, asking him if Baltar deserves a fair trial.
*Mr. Adama states that he does. When asked why, he states his belief that Baltar is not guilty. The prosecutor tries to get Mr. Adama off the stand at this point, but Admiral Adama asks for the questioning to continue.
*Pressed for more clarification, Mr. Adama states that Baltar did not commit treason. He asks the tribunal what anyone else would do in that situation. He notes that all other conspirators and resistance fighters were pardoned, as were many, many other mistakes of the past, from [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|Roslin]], to [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|Admiral Adama]], and himself in the destruction of the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' and running from [[New Caprica]], recommending never to return with [[Pegasus (RDM)|his battlestar]].
*Mr. Adama believes that new laws are needed because they are less of a civilization now and more of a gang. He states that, unlike everyone else, Baltar is being prosecuted because of his arrogance and other considerable character flaws and is not being accorded the same forgiveness as others.
*Adama believes that the trial is built on emotions and shame from the events of New Caprica, and the shame of those that ran away. Mr. Adama looks to his father as he speaks.
*He believes that Baltar is a scapegoat for all the guilt of the people.
*The prosecuting attorney does not cross-examine, and the defense rests.
*The tribunal steps out to deliberate as Roslin steps down to congratulate Cassidy for her work.

===Act 3===
*Baltar is acquitted, 3 votes to 2 against. Yelling turns into a riot in the gallery as [[Colonial Marine Corps|Marines]] try to get Baltar to safety while the [[Fleet News Service|press]] tries to interview many players.
*Baltar is happily discussing the victory but makes a mistake in insulting Admiral Adama. Lee Adama warns him, "Don't push it, doctor."
*When Baltar asks Lampkin to aid him in a book tour and other profitable matters, Lampkin tells him that his association with Baltar is over.
*Baltar suddenly realizes that, despite his apparent freedom, he is a man without a country, without work, friends, or even quarters.
*Lampkin and Mr. Adama say their goodbyes. Lee Adama, on seeing Lampkin walking away without his cane, realizes that he had used the cane as yet another psychological tactic.
*Gaius Baltar tries to be inconspicuous as he moves files elsewhere, but all eyes are on him.
*Roslin and Admiral Adama speak in [[CIC]]. She is incensed at the verdict. Adama reminds Roslin that "not guilty" does not mean "innocent."
*Roslin, who had assumed that Adama cast a guilty vote, realizes [to her shock and anger], that the admiral voted not guilty. She questions him on that, and he confirms that indeed voted to acquit Baltar because the prosecution failed to make its case.
*Adama tells Roslin that no one is asking anyone to forgive or forget, but they must look to the future.
*Adama orders the last jump to the [[Ionian nebula]]. The jump is successful, and Adama orders a [[DRADIS]] scan when Roslin becomes immediately dazed and stunned.
*As Admiral Adama looks to Roslin to check on her health, main power on every ship of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] fails, leaving each one, including ''Galactica'', drifting dangerously close to each other.

===Act 4===
*Pilots scramble with [[flashlight]]s to their stations while CIC tries to get to auxiliary power, but battery power is the best they can muster.
*The scene shifts to a dream in the [[Opera House]] again, with Gaius Baltar holding Hera and Caprica-Six next to him. Above them, the glowing images of the [[Final Five]] appear. Caprica-Six awakens from the dream.
*Baltar tries to take advantage of the darkness and chaos when [[Baltar's Angels|three women]] confront him. Frightened, Baltar is told by the women that they will take him to safety.
*The mysterious music gets louder, and Tigh, Galen Tyrol, Tory Foster and Anders begin quoting lyrics from an [[The Music|increasingly coherent melody]].
*As viewers watch, the music becomes louder and more dynamic. Each of the four are drawn to the gym on ''Galactica'', where they discover each other. Each are stunned and shocked.
*Tyrol believes the impossible; that all of them are [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. Each of them begin to hum the music, together, coherently, in full. Tigh angrily stops them and closes the hatches while they talk.
*Tigh states his time in service, and his history, trying to believe that none of it was in vain. Anders objects as well.
*As power is restored, DRADIS picks up a large Cylon fleet coming their way. [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] manage to scramble. [[Helo]], as acting XO, notes the mass power outage will mean that it will take at least 20 minutes for the [[FTL]] jump drives on the civilian ships to be ready. The admiral doesn't believe they have the time.
*In the closed room, Tigh states that, despite what they believe about themselves, that he is going to do his job as a Colonial officer, and heads to CIC. Tory follows Tigh to CIC, while Tyrol and Anders head to the hangar deck.
*The [[hangar deck]] is abuzz with activity as Chief Tyrol arrives, shouting out orders to get a Viper into the launch tube.
*Lee Adama returns to his quarters and grabs his flight suit deciding that he needs to be in the cockpit, protecting the Fleet.
*Admiral Adama orders the preparation of the battlestar's nuclear weapons. Tigh reports on station, keeping his face stony, as does Tory Foster, offering any help to President Roslin.
*The Vipers launch. [[Helo]] is confused about the pilot of Viper 3, which turns out to be Apollo.
*Apollo picks up a target on his [[Viper Mark VII|Viper's]] DRADIS, and tracks it down. As he looks around, an image of a [[Viper Mark II]] keeps appearing and disappearing in the clouds and on DRADIS. The image buzzes overhead and alarms the pilot momentarily.
*Pulling alongside in her undamaged Viper, [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] greets Apollo. She tells him not to "freak out," that it really is her.
[[Image:Earth (RDM).jpg|250px|thumb|right|Earth, in the closing seconds.]]
*The [[Maelstrom|believed-dead]] pilot tells Apollo that she has been to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], and that she can guide the Fleet there.
*The music's mood and intensity changes from a [[w:sitar|sitar]] blend into an extremely loud rock-fusion version.
*As the music continues to play, the episode concludes as the shot pulls swiftly and violently away from Apollo and Starbuck's Viper, past the Colonial fleet, the Cylon fleet and several planets to show an arm of the galaxy.
*The shot suddenly zooms forward and into roughly the same spot in the galaxy to the familiar blue-green planet of Earth, showing what is known to viewers as the North American continent.

== Notes ==
* Four of the "[[Final Five]]" are revealed to be [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]], [[Saul Tigh]], and [[Tory Foster]].
* Lee Adama points out a string of incidents throughout the series that would have resulted in serious consequences under normal circumstances, but where the persons involved weren't punished: his destruction of the ''Olympic Carrier'' ([[33]]), William Adama's coup against Roslin, Lee putting a weapon to Colonel Tigh's head and supporting a mutiny ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]), Helo and Chief Tyrol killing Lt. [[Thorne]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), Tigh's use of suicide bombers on New Caprica ([[Occupation]]), and people supporting the Cylons on New Caprica ([[Collaborators]]).
* Bob Dylan stated his song "[[w:All Along The Watchtower|All Along the Watchtower]]" is better understood when viewed in reverse order. This song has been covered by numerous artists with Jimi Hendrix recording the definitive version. The song's [http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/watchtower.html lyrics] can be interpreted as holding many parallels to the situation that Tigh, Anders, Tyrol, and Foster find themselves in.
* The [[Viper Mark II|Viper Mk. II]] piloted by [[Kara Thrace]] does not have a nameplate and appears to be brand new, unlike ''Galactica's'' battle-worn Mk. IIs.
* The final scene of the episode depicts Earth, notably the North American continent, definitively indicating Earth's existence.
* Originally, Baltar's defense was planned to hinge completely on an incident with the [[Sagittaron]]s during the occupation of New Caprica. Many Sagittarons secluded themselves in their own settlement that was raided by the other humans who killed all Sagittarons there. Baltar was accused of ordering or allowing it, but then it turned out that he tried to prevent it. To this end, the Sagittarons were to be developed over several episodes, but this idea was scrapped because it didn't work out; with episodes like "[[Dirty Hands]]" rewritten and scenes in other episodes cut. Remnants of this plot can still be seen in "[[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]" and "[[The Woman King]]" ([[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion Season Three]]).

== Analysis ==

* With the revelation that [[Galen Tyrol]] is a [[Humanoid Cylon|Cylon]], the second known Human-Cylon hybrid known to exist is in the form of [[Nicholas Tyrol]]. His birth reinforces the Cylon belief that love is a necessary component to successful procreation. This would make one male and one female hybrid born to date. There may be significant biological differences between the two hybrids; one was carried to term by a human while the other was carried to term by a Cylon. This assumes Galen really is the father; there is strong evidence but no definitive proof of that.
* The reason for Tyrol's discovery of the [[Temple of Five]] on the [[algae planet]] is better explained here, however it is clearly apparent that his conscious mind is unable to rationalize the reason he discovers it.
* It is also reaffirmed that none of the original seven are aware of the Final Five. As demonstrated by [[Sharon Valerii]]'s lack of knowledge about Galen Tyrol's true nature during her relationship with him in [[Season 1 (2004-05)|Season 1]] and the torture of Saul Tigh on New Caprica by the Cylons.
* Intrepid viewers are quick to note that Tigh and Tyrol demonstrate no ill effects to the radiation from [[Ragnar]] in the [[Miniseries]]. However, [[Sharon Valerii]] was also exposed to Ragnar's radiation, and suffered no ill effects. It should also be noted that ''Galactica'' herself has radiation shielding, which is designed to protect her crew from hard nuclear-class radiation, as demonstrated in the Miniseries after the nuclear warhead's impact. As [[Ragnar Anchorage]] likely did not have this type of shielding, due to its nature as an ammunition reserve for the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]], it is extremely likely that ''Galactica'' was able to diminish the effects of the radiation, thus either delaying symptoms or the radiation received is too minuscule to invoke sickness.
* Saul Tigh has been known to physically exist for roughly 30 years as of this episode. While Tigh claims to have fought in the first Cylon War, aside from likely military documentation about his service in the war, there are no supporting non-Cylon witnesses to support his claim. This predates the two-year marker previously indicated by two known infiltrators, [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii]].
* A bit of potential, if not ironic, foreshadowing is seen regarding Tyrol being a Cylon in [[Season 2 (2005-06)|Season 2]]'s "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]". In that episode, upon returning to ''Galactica'' from [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], Galen Tyrol is suspected to be a Cylon agent by none other than Colonel Tigh.
* As described by Tyrol when the four meet, the music and the Fleet's arrival to the nebula set off a switch within the minds of the four Cylons. However, unlike Boomer, their Cylon natures do not come with a different set of memories or personality.
* The four new Cylons all hold very important or potentially important roles within the Fleet. Tigh is the right hand man for Adama. Foster is the right hand woman for Roslin. Tyrol is the chief in charge of all military maintenance and repairs on the Vipers and Raptors, and is also head of the Colonial labor union. Anders is a new pilot amongst the soldiers of the Fleet and previously a key figure in the resistance movements on both Caprica and New Caprica.
* According to Lampkin, [[Joseph Adama]] was a brilliant defense attorney, but not an honest man. This may allude to one of the reasons why Lampkin despised Joseph Adama, but explains Lampkin's tactics as he also respected Joseph as a mentor.
* Lee Adama finally realizes the full extent of how he was manipulated once he sees Lampkin walk off on his own with no cane. Lampkin's ruse was successful in putting a wedge between the Adamas to allow Baltar to be pronounced not guilty.
* Another tendency for the younger Adama is that when faced with the option of completely severing and opposing his father, he will relent and attempt to return to his father's good graces. This has been seen when Lee Adama was given the chance to denounce his father to the Fleet during the military coup, but eventually told Zarek that he couldn't.
* Ironically, it was Roslin who originally wanted Lee Adama to lead a panel to determine who is fit to be on the tribunal. Her reasons being that she believed Lee Adama has a sense of right and wrong that others don't have at that time. Her belief about Lee comes back to haunt her as he rightly points out that her broad forgiveness policy for all within the Fleet after the second Exodus should be applied to Baltar as well. Her fear and knowledge of Baltar's involvement with the genocide of the Colonies has clouded her judgment to extend her original act of grace to Baltar.
* Lampkin apparently was telling the truth that all he had wanted was to have the glory of being the attorney for the most hated man of the Fleet. Once his job is accomplished, he cleans his hands of Baltar, and makes it clear that besides the trial, he does not want to be associated with Baltar.
* Starbuck's last words in the episode allude back to "[[Maelstrom]]" as she is taking on the role of the [[Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn|Aurora]] idol that she gave to Adama before her "death." She claims that, like the idol placed on the model ship, she will be leading the way to Earth.
* Baltar's determined investigation into whether he was one of the Final Five was rooted in a desperation of figuring out who he was. For Baltar, if he were a Cylon, then he never was a traitor to his people and his self-identity would be cemented forever. However, for the four newly discovered Cylons, the revelation of their underlying natures leave them confused and their self-identity fundamentally shaken. While Baltar would have embraced this revelation with joy, the four new Cylons tremble with horror.
* The loss of Tigh's eye on [[New Caprica]] now has a kind of dark humor to it, as the [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]] on both the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original]] and [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined]] Series are characterized by having only a single eye.
* Tigh states that if he dies today, he will be remembered as a human officer of the Fleet and a patriot. But if death for the Final Five is similar to that of the other humanoid Cylon models, if he dies he will be downloaded into a new body, surrounded by Cylons intending to manipulate him to their side or box his consciousness, and should he ever come in contact with those who knew him as a human they would instantly regard him as a Cylon and therefore an enemy.
* If the Final Five are capable of resurrecting and if Kara Thrace is the last of them, this could provide an explanation for how she comes to the Ionian nebula. Her Viper could have been provided in the same way as the Raptor Baltar uses to get to the disabled basestar in "[[Torn]]".
*Earth is shown in its current shape, long after the tectonic drift that split the [[w:Pangaea|Pangaea]] super-continent millions of years earlier in the planet's history. Also, due to the orbital altitude of the vantage point and that all visible landmasses are in sunlight, no trace of a highly advanced technological civilization can be detected by visual means even if it existed.

== Questions ==

=== Answered Questions ===

==== General ====

* Are viewers supposed to interpret the music as the actual Dylan song, and therefore a connection to Earth? ([[#Official Statements|Answer]])
* What is the importance of the [[Opera House]]? ([[Guess What's Coming to Dinner?|Partial answer]])
* How far is the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] away from the solar system? ([[The Ties That Bind#Analysis|Possible answer]])
* Are the pursuing Cylons affected by the phenomenon which caused the simultaneous loss and subsequent simultaneous restoration of power throughout the fleet after jumping to the Ionian nebula? ([[He That Believeth In Me|Answer]])
* Does Lee Adama truly see Thrace in a Viper or has she become an apparition, similar in nature to Baltar's internal Six? ([[He That Believeth In Me|Answer]])
* What is the current state of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]? ([[Revelations|Partial Answer]])
* Is there any significance to Roslin's disorientation after the jump? ([[The Hub|Possible Answer]])

==== Characters ====

* Who are the women who spirit [[Gaius Baltar]] to safety and what are their plans? ([[Cult of Baltar|Answer]])
* As [[William Adama]] is the deciding vote for Baltar's 'not guilty' verdict, how will this act (and [[Lee Adama]]'s testimony) affect their relationship with each other? ([[He That Believeth In Me|Answer]], [[Sine Qua Non|Answer #2]])
* What does [[Kara Thrace]] know that makes her assure [[Lee Adama]] "It's gonna be OK" when a Cylon fleet is closing fast? ([[The Destiny|Answer]])
* Will Roslin's physical appearance change drastically because of her cancer treatments? ([[Six of One|Answer #1]], [[Escape Velocity|#2]], [[Faith|#3]])
* How will Thrace's "resurrection" from the dead be viewed by the Colonials? ([[He That Believeth In Me|Answer]])

==== Cylons & The Final Five ====

* Did the Cylons develop humanoid models before the first [[Cylon War]]? ([[#Official Statements|Answer #1]], [[Razor|#2]])
* Assuming they choose to reveal their true natures, how will those close to the four revealed Cylons react when they learn the truth about their friends and loved ones? ([[The Ties That Bind|Answer #1]], [[Revelations|#2]]) Can they reveal their natures? ([[He That Believeth In Me|Possible Answer]], [[Revelations|Answer]])
* With the revelation that they are Cylons, will their allegiances to the Colonials change or will they continue to identify themselves as humans? ([[He That Believeth In Me|Answer #1]], [[Revelations|#2]])
* Will Colonel Tigh's hatred of the Cylons persist in light of his discovery of his Cylon nature? ([[Escape Velocity|Possible answer #1]], [[Sine Qua Non|#2]])
* Will Cally's hatred of the Cylons persist if she discovers that her husband is a Cylon and that [[Nicholas Tyrol|her son]] is a human-Cylon hybrid? ([[The Ties That Bind|Answer]])
* Are any of their histories, such as Tigh's 40 years of service and Tyrol's memories of his parents, true? ([[#Official Statements|Answer]])
* Why did Tyrol and Tigh show no ill effects during their time in the Ragnar Anchorage? ([[#Analysis|Possible reason]])
* If any of the Final Five were to die, would they be resurrected in a Cylon Resurrection Ship? ([[The Hub|Possible answer]], see Unanswered Questions section for more questions on this tangent.)
* Will the six other active Cylon models discover the identities of the Final Five? ([[Revelations|Answer]])
* Do the Final Five also have the general inability to conceive children? ([[Sine Qua Non|Answer]])

=== Unanswered Questions ===

==== General ====

* What is the source of the music?
* Why does the Fleet jump into the nebula when it is obvious that the Cylons were following them, had probably inferred their trajectory, and could well set up a trap?
* How were Kara Thrace and her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]], unharmed and without any explicable means, able to survive the events of "[[Maelstrom]]" and transport from the "interior" of a gas planet to Earth and then to the Ionian nebula within a relatively short span of time?
* How much does Thrace remember about [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]?
* What phenomenon causes the simultaneous power loss and equally simultaneous power restoration throughout the Fleet after jumping to the [[Ionian nebula]]?

==== Characters ====

* How are [[Laura Roslin]], Hera, [[Sharon Agathon]], and [[Caprica Six]] spiritually connected, and what is the nature of said connection?
* Was Baltar also experiencing the visions of the [[Opera House]], or was that Caprica Six's internal Baltar?
* What convinces Laura Roslin to take the [[diloxin]] treatments she refused earlier?

==== Cylons & The Final Five ====

* Is [[Saul Tigh]] the oldest [[humanoid Cylon]] model?
* Why does [[Caprica Six]] feel the need to protect [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] with her life?
* Did the Six (in "[[Torn]]") say that the [[Final Five]] are "complicated" because they aren't just "deeper" cover agents but rebels or otherwise outcasts from Cylon society? Or are she and the known 7 the outcasts?
* Do the Final Five have the same physiology as the other seven, such as their innate immunology, the ability to interface with computer equipment via [[Cylon data port|optical link]] or [[data-font]]?
* Given the small number of survivors from the Colonies, were the members of the Final Five preprogrammed in order to facilitate their escape with the Fleet?
* Did other copies of the newly-revealed Cylons exist in the Colonies? Do other copies exist anywhere else in the universe, or are the ones aboard ''Galactica'' the only versions?
* Why does Tigh ask "What about Ellen?" in the midst of stating his memories of two Cylon Wars and two decades of service?
* Which of the final five Cylons did [[Number Three]] ask for forgiveness from in the [[Temple of Five]]?
* Do the Final Five have the same ability to resurrect as the Significant Seven? If so, how? If not, why?

== Official Statements ==

===Notes from the podcast===

*Anders was originally supposed to take over Thrace's bunkbed, locker, and possessions. This was to highlight the strong pull that Anders feels towards her, even after her death. This was also meant to indirectly cause the audience to wonder what the connection between Thrace and Anders is, now that it is revealed that he is a Cylon.
*After Jamie Bamber (Apollo) delivered his character's courtroom speech for the first take, the entire cast (who were sitting in the stands) and crew gave him a standing ovation.
*Gaeta's perjury was originally discovered in the initial drafts of the show, though it was never filmed. Lampkin was able to find evidence that at the time Baltar signed the death warrant, Gaeta was away doing a dead drop for the Resistance.
*When the power in the Fleet goes down, Baltar was originally filmed being chased down by people from the courtroom who intended to murder him with knives. Due to time constraints, the chase part was cut out and only the encounter of his women followers who save him remains in the final version.
*There was another version of how Apollo encounters Starbuck in the final scene. When Apollo enters his quarters to grab his flight suit, as he turns around he was supposed to see Starbuck standing in front of him as she says "Hi, Lee." Moore changed his mind because he felt that it would imply that it was a supernatural event. The scene is included as [[List of Deleted Scenes - Season 3 (RDM)|deleted scene]] on the Region 1 DVDs.
*During the final weeks of production for this episode, fake pages and false information was purposely leaked out to maintain the secrecy of the final scenes of the Final Four and Starbuck's reappearance. This practice will probably continue as the series draws closer to its conclusion.
*The Final Five Cylons, as stated by Moore, are essentially different from the Significant Seven Cylons. Thus, all the rules and observations made about the Significant Seven cannot necessarily be applied to the Final Five.
*When the cast and crew discovered that Starbuck was to be killed in "Maelstrom", the atmosphere on the set reached a state of near mutiny. Eventually Moore and Eick had to reveal the secret of Starbuck's return to the cast and key crew members to calm people down.
*The TV network was willing to pay the royalties of the Hendrix version of "All Along the Watchtower", but Ron Moore wanted the song to be a cover to prove that there was a connection between the BSG universe and Earth's.
*Lines from "All Along the Watchtower" were purposely sprinkled throughout the dialog before the final revelation of the Final Four.

=== Other information ===

* ''[[Jamie Bamber]] discusses the finale:''
: It is a different finale in the sense that the previous ones have been about fragmenting the characters and spreading them all over different parts of space, and this one, everyone is really on board ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. Every major character is on ''Galactica'', and the stuff going on down on ''Galactica'' is where the drama is.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting=%7BAC4FC1D4-115F-457C-8E4A-01A539D77D39%7D|title=''Galactica'''s Jamie Bamber Visits a Heavenly ''Ghost''|date=2007-02-23|accessdate=2007-02-23|last=Cohn|first=Angel|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''[[Edward James Olmos]] discusses the finale:''
: Yeah, it's pretty intense. You start to realize that you really don't know very much about everybody. I'm very happy, though, about the way that Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] handles his realization [that he's [[Final Five|a Cylon]]]. I think he would rather kill himself than do anything against a human. He doesn't realize that he has no choice. Once you're a Cylon, you're a Cylon, period. [Laughs] Except that [[Sharon Agathon|Boomer's character]] has been able to cross over.<ref name="ew ejo">{{cite_web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20036782_20037403_20015932_2,00.html|title=Four-ward, Cylons: EDWARD JAMES OLMOS|date=|accessdate=31 May 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''Olmos discusses [[Kara Thrace]]'s reappearance:''
: Well, for me, for [[William Adama|[Bill] Adama]], [[Kara Thrace|she]]'s [[Maelstrom|gone]]. For Adama, it's over. For us looking at the [show] and how it's unfolding, there's still a possibility [Starbuck is alive], but for Adama there's no possibility. I haven't seen her; they don't even explain what [[Lee Adama|[Apollo]]] is seeing. Just like [[Virtual Six|Number Six]] materializes to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]], we don't know what that is. What is she? Is she [Apollo's] Number Six? Is she only going to be seen by him?<ref name="ew ejo"/>
* ''[[Rekha Sharma]] discusses how she found out about her character, [[Tory Foster]], being a [[Final Five|Cylon]]:''
:Actually, I first found out because of [[Edward James Olmos|Eddie [James Olmos]]]. He kept asking me if I had read the new scripts and he kept smiling and laughing and telling me to "get ready" - It drove me nuts, so I went ahead and read some early outlines - they didn't spell it out, but it sure seemed like I was going to be a Cylon. I got so excited, and then I had to calm myself down, because you know they can change anything at any moment. It wasn't until we were actually shooting the season finale that I got the official word from [[Michael Rymer]].<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/rekha_sharma_01.htm|title=Rekha Sharma interview by The Scifi World|date=May 16, 2007|accessdate=26 May 2007|last=Nuytens|first=Gilles|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''[[Michael Rymer]] discusses the [[Final Five]]:''
: There are always a number of things that I rail against, usually to little effect. One was making [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] a [[humanoid Cylon|[C]ylon]] - as brilliant as it is, we now have a Cylon who is either a clone, or we have a Cylon who has aged like a normal person. I have no idea how [[Ronald Moore|Ron [Moore]]] deals with that - I'm sure I'll be blown away as usual. The others make sense to me because they don't have history on Caprica. [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]'s already [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|had fantasies]] of being a Cylon. He's also imagined killing himself which echoes [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon]]'s [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|attempted suicide]] in [[Season 1 (2004-05)|Season 1]]. <ref name="rymer">{{cite_web|url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/michael_rymer_01.htm|title=Michael Rymer interview at The Scifi World|date=5 May 2007|accessdate=29 May 2007|last=Nuytens|first=Gilles|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''Rymer discusses the scene where the four of the Final Five come together:''
: Shooting the Cylon material was great fun. The audience guesses pretty quickly what's going on, but we played it very simply - what would you do if you kept hearing [[The Music|this song]] no one else could hear? For me its not the reveal to the audience, its when the characters reveal it to themselves in the gym - I love that scene. [[David Weddle|David [Weddle]]] and [[Bradley Thompson|Bradley [Thompson]]]<ref>This may be an error on Rymer's part, as [[Mark Verheiden]] is credited for writing the episode, although they may have had some input on this scene.</ref> didn't short-change anything, particularly in that scene - so often, the time constraints make it hard to pull off "big ideas". I think this time we got it right.<ref name="rymer"/>
* ''Rymer discusses his like for the two parter:''
: I think my favorite show(s) were the last two: Crossroads, Part 1 and 2. I really enjoyed the writing: the courtroom scenes, the four cylons, the shared visions: I thought it was everything we do well, none of the fat. For me, its about performance, so I have more fun working with actors letting them try stuff and play - I've had a good day when something exciting happened - something beyond my expectations. That's when I get to be an audience member, and be surprised by something brilliant and talented one of the actors has found. The least fun is the action stuff because it takes a lot of time and you have to be careful - and its hard for us because we don't really have the resources to make these things everything they could be.<ref name="rymer"/>
* ''[[Ronald D. Moore]] discusses cast member's initial reactions to the Final Five revelations:''
: [[Michael Hogan|Michael [Hogan]]] went [nonchalantly] ''Wow. Okay. Very shocking. Shocking stuff.'' [Chuckles] He talked about it a little bit, wanted to understand it, but he liked it from the get-go and was very, very supportive of it. They all were pretty intrigued by it. I think [[Aaron Douglas|Aaron [Douglas]], who plays Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]] was the most hesitant. ''Are you sure? I want to make sure we're not losing something.'' I had to talk with Aaron a little bit longer than the others.
: [...]
: His chief objection — no pun intended — was that he's the common man in a lot of ways, the blue-collar guy, the salt-of-the-Earth character. And he was concerned that we would turn him into a master villain or something. I said, ''No, no, no, you are still going to be Tyrol.'' He doesn't even know why he's a Cylon, or what it means. It's a process of discovery for him, and trying to figure out what it means for him as a character. As it is for all four of them.<ref name="ew rdm">{{cite_web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20036782_20037403_20015932_2,00.html|title=Four-ward, Cylons: RONALD D MOORE|date=|accessdate=31 May 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''Moore discusses using "All Along the Watchtower" in the episode:''
: I had always had this idea of using [[The Music|that particular song]] in the show as a marker that there were other things going on here. There was this idea developed early in the series, that one of the [[Sacred Scrolls|Colonial scriptures]] says, ''All of this has happened before and all of it will happen again,'' that certain elements and situations and even people repeat in a cycle of destruction and rebirth and exodus and chase, etc. One of the ideas I wanted to play was, okay, if you found a song that we, the audience, recognize, you realize that you have a connection to this world too, and suddenly other pieces start to fit. Well, why ''do'' they wear suits and ties? Why do they look so much like us? What is the connection between them and us? It would put in stark relief the idea that there is a connection between the people on ''Gala[c]tica'' and our experience on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].<ref name="ew rdm"/>
* ''Moore discusses his thoughts on the fan reaction to the revelation of the Final Five:''
: I think it was probably what we anticipated. I sort of took as a guidepost the way people reacted to [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|the season two finale]]. When we made the jump ahead, the year ahead jump and then put them all down on [[New Caprica|the planet]], people were ecstatic and people were outraged. There wasn't a lot of middle ground. I kind of felt like, "Well, that's what they're going to do when we reveal the Cylons." And that's pretty much what happened.<ref name="crave">{{cite_web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648062/battlestar_galactica_ronald_moore_talks_about_earth.html|title=Battlestar Galactica: Ronald Moore talks about Earth|date=13 June 2007|accessdate=15 June 2007|last=Topel|first=Fred|format=|language=}}</ref>
* Bear McCreary discusses the use of the [[w:Bob Dylan|Bob Dylan]] song:
: ''I learned that the idea was not that Bob Dylan necessarily exists in the characters' universe, but that an artist on one of the colonies may have recorded a song with the exact same melody and lyrics. Perhaps this unknown performer and Dylan pulled inspiration from a common, ethereal source.''<ref>Bear McCreary's blog, {{cite_web|url=http://www.bearmccreary.com/html/blog/blogmain.htm|title="Crossroads, Pt. II"|date=2007-03-25|accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>

* ''[[Mark Sheppard]] discusses [[Gaius Baltar]]'s trial and the question of "being [[Lee Adama|Apollo]]'s conscience":''
: '''Mark Sheppard:''' Nah, I’m not Apollo’s conscience. I don’t think I have anything to do with Apollo’s conscience. No… but I like the fact that people have different opinions about where [[Romo Lampkin|Romo [Lampkin]]] is, and I think it’s kind of a brilliant thing about him is that – all you gotta remember is that his rules are different than anybody else’s. And I think the easiest way to remember it is – it’s the result that counts. It’s not the methodology by which one achieves the result. And if you look at Lee and Admiral [[William Adama|[William] Adama]] and the President [[Laura Roslin|[Laura Roslin]]] – it’s all about the methodology. It’s agonizing about whether they’re doing the right thing while they’re doing it. And with Romo it’s like – fuck it, just do it. What you need to do is achieve justice.

: I mean, that’s the point. Is justice achieved at the end of “Crossroads, Part 2”? I think so. I think that’s the point. I think there should be no other outcome to the trial. And I think that is Romo’s job – by any means necessary.

: You know, I think [[Jamie Bamber|Jamie [Bamber]]] put it best in that lovely piece of writing and a lovely piece of acting with that section – I don’t know where the writing ends and the acting begins in that speech he has, but there’s a lovely piece where he says basically we’re a gang. Jamie was always talking about -- these are rules for 51 billion people. This is a system for 51 billion people. This isn’t the system for the 40,000 people that are left. It’s not. It’s a completely different thing. You can’t run this type of system with a very quickly disintegrating human race. It needs to be looked at in a different way. The pomp and circumstance are there, and they’re all very caught up in the methodology.

: And that’s the point. That’s why Romo wins. They’re all caught up in the romanticism of the trial. And it’s quite right. They want to throw [Baltar] out of the airlock so they can move on. That’s the point. And he didn’t do it. He didn’t do what they accused him of doing. He did do an awful lot of things, I mean, we know as viewers of the show – forget about what Romo knows. That’s a separate issue as well. But as viewers of the show, we know that he did something that we would all be guilty if we did it. …isn’t it?<ref name="mark-buddytv">{{cite_web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/battlestar-galactica/exclusive-interview-mark-shepp-7849.aspx|title=Buddytv.com Exclusive Interview: Mark Sheppard, from 'Battlestar Galactica'|date=3 July 2007|accessdate=13 August 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

* ''Jamie Bamber on his monologue in the courtroom:''
: [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] always has these great one-liners, so when I got six pages and six minutes of monologue on the courtroom stand I thought, well that's my version of a one-liner. It was definitely that tricky, tricky sort of scene of trying to work out what Lee's doing in that courtroom, and why he's there and why he's defending this man and it's sort of...

:My character is more interesting when you put him in corners that he doesn't expect to find himself in...and to see how he justifies it and how he maintains his path through that...that was a real challenge. We had to work on just the content of what that was about. I love that. I love working with Michael [Rymer], that was fantastic.<ref name="acedmag">{{cite_web|url=http://acedmagazine.com/content/view/677/1/|title=ACED Magazine: Battlestar Galactica: Cast Interviews|date=24 November 2007|accessdate=25 November 2007|last=Bensoussan|first=Jenna|format=|language=}}</ref>

*Ron Moore has confirmed in [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07085/770732-352.stm this] interview that Tyrol, Tigh, Tory, and Anders are indeed Cylons and members of the Final Five. When asked whether Starbuck was real or a hallucination, he did not provide a conclusive answer. Also in that interview he states that Tigh "fought in two wars."
*In [http://forums.scifi.com/index.php?showtopic=2270103&st=0 20 Answers] Ron Moore states that the issues regarding Tigh's service in the first Cylon War has a complex rationale already built out from "a lot of time and effort," strongly implying that it is not simply a false memory.
*In an interview with [http://www.vh1.com/movies/news/articles/1556508/20070405/story.jhtml VH1], Ron Moore confirmed Starbuck isn't a hallucination like Head Six or Head Baltar.
* In an interview with [http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=4d1c0568-6fee-467a-8d81-1d360d808ac3 E! online] on March 26th, Ron Moore confirmed that Katee Sackhoff will be back for Season Four.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
* {{audio|320 lazy ass out of that rack.mp3|''Laura Roslin and William Adama talk on the phone, while Adama is shaving:''}}
: '''Laura Roslin:''' Yell at me. I don't want to get out of bed.
: '''William Adama:''' Well, you called the wrong number, I was just thinking of going back to bed.
: '''Roslin:''' You feelin' OK?
: '''Adama:''' ... says the cancer patient. (Roslin chuckles) Yeah, I'm fine. I just cut myself. How're you doing?
: '''Roslin:''' I don't want to face them. I don't want to face any of them. I just want to stay in bed all day and sleep.
: '''Adama:''' (about the cut) I think I stopped the bleeding. If you still need to be yelled at, I think I can give you some volume.
: '''Roslin:''' Good. All right, give it your best shot.
: '''Adama:''' Get out of that bed!
: '''Roslin:''' That's not your best shot.
: '''Adama:''' '''''Get your fat, lazy ass out of that rack, Roslin.'''''
: '''Roslin:''' (giggly) Yes sir. OK sir. Anything you say sir. (beat) Thank you.
: '''Adama:''' Don't let them see you sweat, Laura.

* {{audio|320 butterfingers.mp3|''Lt. Felix Gaeta has just committed perjury on whether Baltar was forced to sign the order of execution or not. Prosecutor Cassidy puts the document Baltar signed in evidence and on the defense table in front of Baltar:''}}
: '''Gaius Baltar:''' Get that out of my face before I....! (He grabs the document on the table and crumples it slightly and flings it away.)
: '''Lee Adama:''' Gaius, Gaius, we'll get him in the cross.
: '''Judge Franks''': Counselor, will you control your client!
: '''Baltar (to the judge):''' Look, it's no secret....
: '''Romo Lampkin:''' Quiet!
: '''Baltar:''' ...the whole Fleet knows that this man tried to stab me through the neck... (to Gaeta) ...And you missed! Butterfingers!

*''Prior to the clarification of what [[The Music|the song]] is, two of the four Cylons ([[Saul Tigh]] and [[Samuel Anders]]) each speak a line of the lyrics in conversational context:''
:*''While Anders is supposed to be learning about Raptor flight systems during a pilot training session, he catches Chief Tyrol humming the tune and asks him about it.''
::'''Anders''': That song you're hummin'. What is that?
::'''Tyrol''': Oh, uh. Ah you know I don't even know, it's just something I can't get outta my head. '''Some way outta here'''.
:* {{audio|320 no reason to get excited.mp3|''When Racetrack, who is the training officer, sees Anders off talking to the Chief:''}}
:: '''Racetrack''': Yo, Anders! Do you need a frakking invitation? Move it!
:: '''Anders''': Alright. '''No reason to get excited.'''
:* {{audio|320 too much confusion.mp3|''Tigh and William Adama discuss the music Tigh hears:''}}
:: '''Saul Tigh''': You'll look into it? You'll look into it? I am here telling you there is Cylon sabotage aboard our ship.
:: '''William Adama''': Sabotage? With music?
:: '''Saul Tigh''': I know, I know. I can't quite understand it myself. '''There's too much confusion'''.

*{{audio|320 lee on justice.mp3|''Lee Adama taking the witness stand:''}}
:'''[[Lee Adama]]''': Did the defendant make mistakes? Sure. He did. Serious mistakes. But did he actually commit any crimes? Did he commit treason? No. I mean, it was an impossible situation. When the Cylons arrived, what could he possibly do? What could anyone have done? (looking at the audience) Ask yourself, what would you have done? (looking at the judges) What would you have done? If he had refused to surrender, the Cylons would have probably nuked the planet right then and there. So did he appear to cooperate with the Cylons? Sure. So did hundreds of others. What's the difference between him and them? The President issued a blanket pardon. They were all forgiven, no questions asked. Colonel Tigh. Colonel Tigh [[Occupation|used suicide bombers]], killed dozens of people. Forgiven. Lieutenant Agathon and Chief Tyrol. They [[Pegasus (episode)|murdered]] an officer on the ''Pegasus''. Forgiven. The Admiral. The Admiral [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|instigated a military coup d'état]] against the President. Forgiven. And me? Well, where do I begin? I [[33|shot down]] a civilian passenger ship, the ''Olympic Carrier''. Over a thousand people on board. Forgiven. I [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|raised my weapon]] to a superior officer, [[Resistance (episode)|committed an act of mutiny]]. Forgiven. And then on the very day when Baltar surrendered to those Cylons, I as commander of ''Pegasus'' [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|jumped away]]. I left everybody on that planet, alone, undefended, for months. I even tried to persuade the Admiral never to return, to abandon you all there for good. If I'd had my way nobody would have made it off that planet. I'm the coward. I'm the traitor. I'm forgiven. I'd say we are very forgiving of mistakes. We make our own laws now; our own justice. And we've been pretty creative in finding ways to let people off the hook for everything from theft to murder. And we've had to be, because...because we're not a civilization anymore. We are a gang, and we are on the run, and we have to fight to survive. We have to break rules. We have to bend laws. We have to improvise. But not this time, no. Not this time. Not for Gaius Baltar. (looking at Baltar) No, you...you have to die, because, well, because we don't like you very much. Because you're arrogant. Because you're weak. Because you're a coward, and we, the mob, want to throw you out of the airlock, because you didn't stand up to the Cylons and get yourself killed in the process. That's justice now. You should have been killed back on New Caprica, but since you had the temerity to live, we're going to execute you now. That's justice. [...] This case...this case is built on emotion, on anger, bitterness, vengeance. But most of all, it is built on shame. (looking at his father) It's about the shame of what we did to ourselves back on that planet. It's about the guilt of those of us who ran away. Who ran away. And we're trying to dump all that guilt and all that shame on one man and then flush him out the airlock, and hope that just gets rid of it all. So that we could live with ourselves. But that won't work. That won't work. That's not justice; not to me. Not to me.

*''[[Doyle Franks|Captain Doyle Franks]]' pretext of the reading of [[Gaius Baltar]]'s verdict''
: '''Doyle Franks''': Like everything human, justice is imperfect. It's flawed. But it's those very imperfections that separates us from the machines, and maybe even makes us a species worth saving.

* {{audio|320 that's the man I'll be.mp3|''Saul Tigh, Tory Foster, Samuel Anders and Galen Tyrol decide what to do now they know they're Cylons:''}}
: '''Felix Gaeta''': (over the intercom) Inbound Cylon fleet. I repeat. Action stations, action stations. Set condition one throughout the ship. This is not a drill.
: '''Tory Foster''': My Gods, what are we going do?
: '''Saul Tigh''': The ship is under attack, we do our jobs. Report to your stations.
: '''Galen Tyrol''': Report to stations?
: '''Saul Tigh''': My name is Saul Tigh, I am an officer in the Colonial Fleet. Whatever else I am, whatever else it means, that's the man I want to be. And if I die today, that's the man I'll be.

* {{audio|320 kara's been to earth.mp3|''Starbuck pulls alongside Apollo in her undamaged Viper:''}}
: '''Kara Thrace''': Hi, Lee.
: '''Lee Adama''': (his eyes widen in disbelief) Kara?
: '''Thrace''': Don't freak out, it really is me (laughs). It's going to be okay. I've been to Earth. I know where it is. And I'm going to take us there.

== Guest Stars ==

*[[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Tyrol]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Mark Sheppard]] as [[Romo Lampkin]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as [[Dr. Cottle]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[Chelah Horsdal]] as [[Cassidy]]
*[[Katee Sackhoff]] as [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]]
*[[Leah Cairns]] as [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
*[[Jen Halley]] as [[Diana Seelix]]
*[[Brad Dryborough]] as [[Hoshi]]
*[[Alison Matthews]] as [[Karen Fallbrook|Fallbrook]]
*[[Susan Hogan]] as [[Doyle Franks]]
*[[Stephen Holmes]] as [[Trial Reporter|Reporter #2]]
*[[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]] (credited as "Young Woman")
*[[William Samples]] as Captain [[Tarney]] (credited as Judge #2)
*[[Lily Duong-Walton]] as [[Hera Agathon]] (uncredited)

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category:A to Z|Crossroads, Part II]]
[[Category:Episode Guide|Crossroads, Part II]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)|Crossroads, Part II]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Mark Verheiden]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]
[[Category:RDM]]
{{featured article candidate previous}}

[[de:Am Scheideweg, Teil II]]
[[zh:紧要关头（下）]]