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Blackbird

2006-02-25T01:18:04Z

Md11946: /* ''Laura'' and Her Flight History */

[[Image:Blackbird FotP.JPG|thumb|left|"Blackbird Commissioning" ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]) (c) Universal]]
The '''Blackbird''' is a prototype [[Colonial]] stealth fighter craft constructed by Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]], his deck crews, and other members of ''[[Galactica]]''. This craft was meant to supplement the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]], given the issues in maintaining the remaining craft aboard the [[battlestar]]. Chief Tyrol had originally intended just to build a standard Viper but ended up building a ship that was of more value to ''Galactica'' than another Viper.

== Design and Technology ==

The Blackbird is designed to use the Viper [[Launch tubes|launch tube]]s, and therefore shares the same general shape. It is built more for speed than for maneuverability. If it is armed, it likely fires the same ammunition as typical Vipers, though this has not yet been demonstrated.

It does not use metal for its skin since this metal was reserved for Viper repairs. Instead, on [[Karl Agathon]]'s suggestion, the Blackbird uses a carbon composite material, which makes it largely invisible to [[DRADIS]] scanning.

Along with the usual [[RCS]] mechanisms for directional control, the Blackbird is powered by obsolete [[DDG-62]] engines (designed by [[Peter Laird]], a civilian aeronautical engineer) that came from the flight deck of a Colonial fleet ship named ''[[Baah Pakal]]''. One must speculate that since a typical Viper's engines are vulnerable to heat-seeking missiles ([[Mini-Series]]), these must be as well. This would compromise its stealth features during powered flight. (This is less of a disadvantage in space than in atmospheric flight; a spacecraft's inertia is not affected by gravity, friction, and other factors an atmospheric-bound craft would be, and thus can fly indefinitely without firing its engines.)

[[image:Flight_of_the_Phoenix-Laura.jpg|thumb|A close-up of the cursive on the side of the Blackbird. (C. Universal Studios)]]

The Blackbird is [[FTL|Jump]]-capable, but is not equipped with a Colonial transponder, either for stealth purposes or due to supply shortages.

== ''Laura'' and Her Flight History ==

The first prototype is dubbed ''"Laura"'' in honor of President [[Laura Roslin]]. [[Kara Thrace]] pilots the maiden test flight, wherein she handily eludes her escort, [[Lee Adama]].

The following individuals aid CPO [[Galen Tyrol]] in ''Laura's'' construction:

* [[Anastasia Dualla]] improves communication systems.
* [[Anthony Figurski]]
* [[Cally]]
* [[Jammer]]
* [[Seelix]]
* [[Karl Agathon]] suggests the use of carbon composite materials for the Blackbird's skin.
* [[Saul Tigh]] offers the [[DDG-62]] engines.
* [[Kara Thrace]]

Colonel Tigh originally denounces the project as frivolous, but later provides assistance in procuring the DDG-62 engines. Others among Tyrol's own deck crew also at first consider the project a waste of time, as noted through their initial reactions to Tyrol's proposal. However, Commander [[William Adama]] believes that the endeavor offers hope and purpose, and therefore permits it to continue despite the crisis with the [[Cylon]] [[logic bomb]] that has infected the ''Galactica'''s systems ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

''Laura'' quickly proves her worth when Kara Thrace, by tacit request of Lee Adama, absconds with the Blackbird, claiming she is running a test flight for Admiral Cain. In reality, Starbuck has undertaken a reconnaissance mission to investigate a mysterious Cylon ship being escorted by two [[Basestar (RDM)|Basestars]] and many other support ships and fighters. ''Pegasus'' [[CAG]] [[Cole Taylor]] knows of the Blackbird but dismissed Thrace from the project and chose to use Raptors for his mission.

[[Image:Blackbird destroyed.png|thumb|left|The destruction of the ''Laura'' during the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]].]]

Starbuck is able to approach the Cylon fleet and the unknown ship completely undetected by the Cylons. She takes picture after picture while flying into and through the superstructure of the vessel, Jumping away just as the 'Bird clears the vessel's bow. The lack of a Colonial transponder causes the Battlestars ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' and ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' to turn their Vipers on Thrace as she approaches the Fleet, both Battlestars' DRADIS systems marking her as a [[Raider]] by mistake. The Blackbird is in visual range of the Fleet long before DRADIS detects her approach.

Moments later, Admiral Cain receives detailed pictures of the unknown vessel, and [[Gaius Baltar]] eventually details the name and purpose of the [[Resurrection Ship]] ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]).

''Laura'' is later piloted by then-Lieutenant [[Lee Adama]] in the battle to disable the Resurrection Ship's FTL drive, preventing her escape so that Vipers can destroy it. While Adama is successful, a collision with a disabled [[Raptor]] seriously damages the Blackbird, requiring him to eject. While Adama is later rescued, it is likely that the ''Laura'' is destroyed ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]).

==Notes==
* Since the Blackbird was designed for stealth, not manuverability, it was logical that an FTL drive was added for advanced reconnaissance. The unused FTL drive came perhaps from a [[Raptor 305|Raptor]] that was scrapped for parts in "[[Fragged]]."
* The Blackbird's ungainly handling characteristics are quite evident during Starbuck's first test flight, as she spends the first several seconds out of the launch tube attempting to gain control over the craft ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).
*[[Wikipedia:Reinforced carbon-carbon|Carbon composites]] are a family of materials used in lightweight or high-temperature-resistant construction, of which a type is used in the nose and leading edges of the wings of [[Wikipedia:NASA|NASA]]'s [[Wikipedia:Space Transportation System|Space Shuttle Orbiter]]. Carbon composites are somewhat fragile, so impacts (even one from a champagne bottle, which Laura Roslin jokingly attempted to do as she christened the ship) may cause the material to splinter or break. It was damage to this material that caused the destruction of Space Shuttle ''Columbia'' on [[Wikipedia:STS-107|STS-107]].
*Executive Producer [[David Eick]] stated in his video blog that the Blackbird is "not a Viper", so it is not classed as a modified Viper model ("Viper Mark VIII", etc), but is an entirely distinct craft.
*The fighter's nickname creates a curious comparison with her namesake, Laura Roslin. The ailing but influential President Roslin and her rapid, secretive actions in her quest for Earth's location (including diverting Lt. Thrace from her original mission to destroy the Kobol basestar) as well as her savvy political work in "[[Colonial Day]]", are humorously similar in perspective to the abilities of "Laura", a structually weak, but highly agile and initially underestimated stealth fighter. Like President Roslin (the only known surviving official of the pre-holocaust Colonial [[government]]), the Blackbird is a unique commodity.
*The Blackbird is most likely named after the [[Wikipedia:Lockheed SR-71|SR-71 Blackbird]], an actual highspeed reconnaissance aircraft.

[[Category: A to Z]] [[Category: Colonial Craft]] [[Category: RDM]]

Valley of Darkness

2006-02-25T01:01:56Z

Md11946: /* Questions */

{{Episode Data|
Image =[[Image:Valley_of_Darkness-Starbuck_Helo.jpg|300px]]
| Title=Valley of Darkness
| Series=[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined Series]]
| Season=[[Season 2 (2005-06)|2]]
| Episode=2
| Guests=
| Writer=[[Bradley Thompson]] & [[David Weddle]]
| Story=
| Director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| Production=2.02
| Rating= 2.0
| US Airdate=July 22 2005
| UK Airdate=
| DVD=Dec 20 2005 (US Season 2.0)
| Population=47,874
| Prev=[[Scattered]]
| Next=[[Fragged]]
}}
== Overview ==

: ''After rediscovering [[The Fleet (RDM)|The Fleet]], [[Cylon Centurion]]s board ''[[Galactica]]'' and wreak havoc, and [[Lee Adama]] and a rag-tag group of pilots and marines attempt to thwart the Cylon's methodical plans.''

== Summary ==

===On Galactica===

* After jumping successfully to the Fleet's location, the ''Galactica'''s power systems shut down.
* After landing on ''Galactica'', [[Lee Adama]], [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]], [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]], and [[Flyboy]] are walking through the corridors with flashlights. Flyboy stumbles into a Cylon Centurion -- the Cylon kills him and the rest attempt to flee.
* As Hot Dog and Kat flee up the stair way, Lee attempts to kill the Cylon. A small group of [[marines]] come from behind the Cylon, using an explosive round that is able to take it out. Unfortunately, it was their last one, they'll have to get more as it is the only round that works against this heavily-armored version of Centurion.
* Lee's group goes to the storage locker on deck 12. They find [[Jammer]] (a member of [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]'s repair crew) and, unfortunately, only six explosive rounds.
* [[Felix Gaeta]] states that the [[Cylon Virus]] has infected some of the ship's isolated computers when they were networked; he has teams cleaning them out.
* Tigh gets reports that some of the Cylons have been taken out by teams throught the ship. He suspects that the Cylons are heading towards two sections of the ship -- one of which is [[Aft Damage Control]] -- in order to vent the ship. (After the ship is vented and the crew terminated, Tigh states that the Cylons would turn ''Galactica's'' guns on the Fleet.)
* Lee gets into contact with [[CIC]] via a portable phone. Tigh orders him to go to the aft damage control section to stop the Cylons from overriding the safeguards that prevent the ship from being vented.
* Lee, Jammer, Kat, and two marines station themselves near the aft damage control console. As they ready the defense against the advancing Cylons, [[Laura Roslin]], [[Billy Keikeya]], [[Anastasia Dualla]] and Corporal [[Venner]] hide in a passageway to avoid being discovered. The Cylons run down a hallway towards aft damage control, but are distracted when Billy accidentally fires off a round while running away. This gives Lee enough time to destroy the Cylon attackers.
*Having successfully destroyed the Cylons, Doctor [[Cottle]] is requested to be brought to the ''Galactica''. In the sickbay, Roslin assures Lee Adama that [[William Adama|Commander Adama]] will be fine, and she is taken back to the brig. Tigh tells Lee that he is still shocked that he would side with the President instead of his own father, and that he is unfit to wear a [[Colonial]] uniform. Lee agrees, tells Tigh that he isn't fit to wear the uniform either, and that when Adama wakes up, he will decide what to do with both of them.

===On Caprica===
*[[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] discuss how the Cylons have a habit of fooling everyone.
*Starbuck leads them to her old house, where she reminisces about how she hated it and how she keeps fighting because it's the only thing she knows.
*They later leave driving Starbuck's old army truck.

===On Kobol===
*[[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] has a dream where [[William Adama|Adama]] drowns Baltar's daughter.
*When he wakes up, he is in [[Number Six]]'s arms, surrounded by human skulls and bones. Six tells Baltar that they were victims of human sacrifice, and that the [[Sacred_Scrolls|Scriptures]] were lies, fabricated to cover up how barbaric life on Kobol really was.
*When he returns to the others, Baltar is harangued by [[Crashdown]].
*[[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] is feeling responsible for [[Tarn]]'s death, but [[Cally]] snaps him out of it.
*The two return with the medkits, but it is too late to save [[Socinus]]' life. Telling him that he is going home, Tyrol reluctantly kills him with an overdose of [[morpha]].

== Questions ==
*The remains Baltar and Six find cannot be thousands of years old; they would not have survived in the open. Did the [[Thirteenth Colony]] leave Kobol recently? Do humans, at least until recently, still inhabit Kobol? Or were all the remains merely fabricated by Six?
*Why would later humans have felt it necessary to cover up the nature of civilization on Kobol? Is it related to the reason why Kobol was abandoned in the first place? How would the Cylons have found out? Or did Six just make it up?
*How did Tigh know where the Centurions were heading? Did the Cylons use this tactic in the first war?
** '''Note:''' It is stated in the [[series bible]] that during Tigh's enlistment in the first [[Cylon War]], his ship was boarded -- it is likely that he learned of these tactics during this conflict. (see: [[Saul Tigh]])
*Is Helo starting to fall for Starbuck?
*How did Starbuck end up with a military truck?
:*The Military truck is actually Starbucks, she owns it.
*While pointing out different parts of the ship where Centurions were destroyed, it's mentioned that Sgt. [[Hadrian]] was leading a group of Marines that managed to destroy several Cylons. However, at the end of "[[Litmus]]" Adama had her confined to quarters. Did Adama eventually release her before this episode? Did the Marines release her now because they needed every experienced Marine they could find?
*Why does Dee tell Billy they haven't met in person "in two weeks" when they were last seen dancing together on Colonial Day, two days ago at the most? (Kobol's Last Gleaming starts the night after Colonial Day, if Starbuck's wearing the same dress at the beginning)
**Presuming they take place concurrently, the captions for the scenes on Cylon-occupied Caprica indicate that Part I takes place three days after Colonial Day and Part II the day after that. Scattered and this episode almost certainly take place on the same day as Part II, however, so it has still been at most four days since they saw each other.

== Analysis ==

== Notes ==
*The fleet population cited in the opening credits is 47,874. This is one less than the previous episode—prior to the opening credits, a Cylon is seen killing a Galactica crew member.
*First episode without an appearance by [[Sharon Valerii]] (except in opening montage).
*Helo reveals to Starbuck that the Cylons recovered the bodies and brought them to cremation centers, hence the lack of bodies.
*Socinus, initially slated to die in early drafts of "[[Scattered]]", dies in this episode -- euthanised by Tyrol.
*Colonials used internal combustion engines (Starbuck's Humvee). Assuming that it was the Colonists that brought organic life along with them to the Homeworlds (terraforming) (as Kobol's wildlife (birds and trees and such) is identical to Caprica's, this is likely the case), it probably does not burn fossil fuels, though, since the Kobol's refugees arrived on the Colonies only thousands of years rather than the millions of years it takes for fossil fuels to form. However, Kobol's life forms could also simply have replaced or supplemented less evolved or less strong life forms on the colonial planets, as happened several times on Earth where non-ingenious life forms can wreck havoc on a local ecosystem; or the local life forms may have died out through a catastrophic event. Both scenarios leave enough time for original life forms to be turned into fossile fuels.
* [[Kate Vernon]] is listed as a guest star in the opening credits, even though her character, [[Ellen Tigh]], never makes an appearance in this episode.
* The music that we hear in Kara Thrace's apartment and again during the closing act of the episode is ''Metamorphosis One'', composed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Glass Philip Glass]. It is from Glass's 1989 album ''Solo Piano''.
*The fate of the Heavy Raider in the starboard bay is unknown. It's possible that, like Starbuck's captured Raider, they kept it for study. However, the crash may have damaged it beyond repair.
*The "R&D TV Animation" skit during the credits is a take-off on the plot of "Valley of Darkness", a group of Cylon Centurions walk by the office window and ventilate David Eick with bullets.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''On the surface of Kobol, Chief Tyrol and Cally are on their way to rendezvous with the rest of the Raptor crash survivors:''
:Cally: (exhausted from walking) What do you say we take five?
:(Chief Tyrol is still in a state of shock [having lost Tarn to a surprise attack by the Cylons in the last episode] and leans against a tree)
:Cally: How much further, do you think?
:(Chief Tyrol ignores her)
:Cally: Tarn getting shot...it wasn't your fault, right Chief?
:(Chief Tyrol is silent)
:Cally: Talk to me, you motherfracker!
:(Chief Tyrol turns around and looks at her strangely)
:Chief Tyrol: (laughing) Motherfracker?
:Cally: Socinus better appreciate this.
:Chief Tyrol: He's probably lying in the sun, staring up at the birds like some Gods' damned emperor. He's an idiot.
:Cally: I hope he's okay...

* ''Regarding [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|"Sharon, the Cylon"]]:''
:'''Starbuck:''' (to Helo, sarcastically) "Your girlfriend’s from a lovely family, good people."

* ''In her apartment on Caprica, Starbuck and Helo have stopped to take a rest:''
:Kara Thrace: (sitting on her couch) You know, I never really liked this place anyway. The air conditioning doesn't work in the summer, the heater doesn't work in the winter, the rent's a crime...(lights a cigarette)...after they attacked, I never pined over any of my old crap. Never missed it. Stupid VO's in the parking lot, broken toilet in the bathroom...you know, everyone I know is fighting to get back what they had. I'm fighting because I don't know how to do anything else.

* '''Lee Adama''': "Let’s go [[toaster]] shopping."

* ''Chief Tyrol and Cally have rejoined the others on Kobol, and they find out that Socinus isn't going to survive much longer:''
:Chief Tyrol: How's he doing?
:Selix: He's not going to make it.
:Chief Tyrol: What? What do you mean? What are you talking about? We got the medkit! Give him a shot! Give him another shot!
:Selix: It's too late.
:Chief Tyrol: What do you mean, it's too late? I got you the medkit! What else do you want? (looking stunned) So we...got the medicine you asked for...Tarn...and for what? For this? Come on! You have to do something. You have to do something!
:Selix: We can't change that he's going to die, Chief. It's going to be slow and painful, and we can spare him that if we give him the morpha from my kit and the one that you brought back.
:Chief Tyrol: What? No. (looks at Crashdown) LT..LT, come on!
:Crashdown: He's your man, Chief.
:Chief Tyrol: Give it to me. (takes morpha from Selix and leans down beside Socinus) Hey buddy. It's the Chief. How you doing?
:Socinus: (wheezing) What's going on?
:Chief Tyrol: Oh, you know...listening to the birds. I got you a little something for the pain. (injects morpha into Socinus) Good news, buddy. The recovery party's here. Raptors just landed. We're going to put you on one and take you back to Galactica, okay?
:Socinus: We're going home?
:Chief Tyrol: Yeah...(tears welling in his eyes)...we're going home.
:(Socinus passes away)

* ''In the Galactica's sickbay:''
:Colonel Tigh: I can't believe you sided with that woman against the old man. I wouldn't do that if you put a gun to my head...and you did! As far as I'm concerned, you're not fit to wear a uniform.
:Lee Adama: Huh. You're right about that part. I am not fit to wear the uniform...and maybe I never was. Then again, neither are you. But this isn't my ship, and it sure as hell isn't yours. (motions at Commander Adama) It's his, and when he wakes up, he'll decide what to do with the both of us. (Lee leaves to go back to the brig)
:Colonel Tigh: Thank the Gods I didn't have kids.

* ''In aft damage control, preparing to fight the Cylons:''
:'''Lee Adama''': Sometimes you got to roll a hard six.
:'''[[Jammer]]''': What does that mean, sir?
:'''Lee Adama''': Uh, I don't know. It's something my [[William Adama|dad]] says.

== Official Statements ==




* "We've almost completed shooting the opening of Season Two, with [[Michael Rymer]] back at the helm filming a two-parter written by [[David Weddle]] & [[Bradley Thompson]] called '[[Scattered]]' and '[[Valley of Darkness]].' Things have been going well so far, with a good mood on the set and a feeling of satisfaction and pride running through the whole team at their accomplishments in year one and anticipation for year two." -- {{from_RDM_blog}}

* ''"[[Lee Adama|Apollo]]'s betrayal of [[William Adama|Adama]]'s decision to arrest the [[Laura Roslin|president]] is detracting from the believability of the show for me. I'm listining to your [[podcast]] of [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|ep. 113]] as I write this and you just said Lee is "a more capable, more competent, leader . . .". He's also struck me as a fairly honorable character. If he had doubts about this mission I think he would have at least voiced them and then not gone along with the strike team so he would not have been put in the position he was. I hope you won't use Adama's near death experience at the end of season one/start of season two to "write off" these betrayals, esp. Apollo's. His was much more unforgivable considering his relationship with Adama, his leadership role in the fleet, and the battle between the president and Adama. I find it hard to see Lee continuing as [[CAG]] after this. "''

: You bring up valid points and we are planning to play out the consequences of Lee's decision as it impacts both him and his father over the course of the season. -- {{from_RDM_blog}}

== Guest stars ==
[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Aaron+Douglas Aaron Douglas] (CPO [[Galen Tyrol]]) [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] (SPL [[Cally]]) Jennifer Halley ([[Seelix]]) [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1489668/ Leah Cairns] ([[Margaret Edmonson|Racetrack]]) [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1382781/ Luciana Carro] ([[Louanne Katraine|Kat]]) [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0647453/ Bodie Olmos] ([[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]]) [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0648153/ Ty Olsson] ([[Aaron Kelly|Captain Aaron Kelly]]) [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0654640/ Alonso Oyarzun] ([[Socinus]]) [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0894690/ Kate Vernon] ([[Ellen Tigh]]) [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0952778/ Dominic Zamprogna] ([[Jammer]]) Garvin Cross (Collishaw) Brad Loree (Bonnington) Lori Stewart (Twinam)

== Statistics ==



* USA [[Wikipedia:Nielsen Ratings|Nielsen Ratings]]: 2.0 household rating

{{Episode List}}

[[Category:A to Z]] [[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]] [[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]

You Can't Go Home Again

2006-02-24T18:54:20Z

Md11946: /* Noteworthy Dialogue */

{{Episode Data|
Image =[[Image:Starbuck_cant_come_home.jpg|300px]]
| Title=You Can't Go Home Again
| Series=[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined Series]]
| Season=[[Season 1 (2004-05)|1]]
| Episode=5
| Guests=
| Writer=[[IMDB:nm1625189|Carla Robinson]]
| Story=
| Director=[[IMDB:nm0590790|Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| Production=1.05
| Rating= 2.5
| US Airdate=February 4 2005
| UK Airdate=November 15 2004
| DVD=March 28 2005 (UK) September 20 2005 (US)
| Population=
| Prev=[[Act of Contrition]]
| Next=[[Litmus]]
}}
== Overview ==

: Continuing from the events of "[[Act of Contrition]]", Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] and Captain [[Lee Adama]] risk the security of [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] as they try to locate a downed Starbuck... 

== Summary ==

* [[Kara Thrace]] is missing following a dogfight with [[Cylon Raider|Cylon Raiders]] ([[Act of Contrition]]). While he was forced out of the fight, [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] is convinced her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] was not destroyed.
* [[William Adama|Adama]] immediately orders a search started, and [[Lee Adama]] leads it in a Viper.
* On the surface of a small moon, Starbuck awakes to find herself being dragged by a strong wind catching her parachute. Before she can cut herself free of the parachute lines, which have tangled about her legs, she is dragged a considerable distance, smashing her knee in the process.
* When the initial space search fails to locate Starbuck’s Viper, [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] suggests she may be on the moon. Adama orders a low-level search of the moon’s surface. At the same time he accepts an offer from [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to have the ships of the Fleet continue the space search. Lt. Gaeta calculates that Starbuck has around 46 hours of air left in her oxygen tanks.
* [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] is worried that if they remain in the area too much longer, the Cylons might find them.
* Aware she is probably being searched for, Starbuck determines to try and make her way to high ground, where she stands a better chance of being seen. Along the way, she asks the [[Lords of Kobol]] for help, and comes across a downed [[Cylon Raider]] from the confrontation leading to her crash.
* As the search of the moon continues, the dust-laden atmosphere begins to have its effect on the ''[[Galactica|Galactica’s]]'' Vipers: 13 are grounded due to mechanical problems. The constantly flying is causing other problems: ''Galactica’s'' fuel reserves for her fighters is being used at an alarming rate.
* Tigh also points out that the Fleet is now spread right across the star system, leaving it vulnerable to attack should the Cylons show up.
* On the moon, Starbuck is determined to make the Raider space-worthy, and sets about accessing it – only to find it is bio-mechanical: inside the vehicle is a mass of organs, veins and tubes.
* As time passes, Adama and Lee further risks the Fleet by pulling in the [[Combat Air Patrol|CAP]] Vipers to assist with the search.
* When the timer in the [[CIC]] indicates Starbuck’s air has (presumably) expired, Adama continues the search, relieving Tigh of his duties when he challenges the order.
* With her air supply all but gone, Starbuck manages to find an oxygen supply hose in the Raider and seals the insides of the vehicle so she can breathe. She then sets out trying to work out how the Raider flies.
* As Lee and Adama continue to monitor the search of the moon, Roslin arrives on ''Galactica''. Determined to put a stop to things, she challenges both Adama and Lee concerning their single-mindedness and the way it is putting the survival of the fleet and mankind at risk.
* Realising they have perhaps gone too far, Adama calls off the search and orders the Fleet readied to [[FTL|Jump]].
* With the Fleet successfully away, ''Galactica'' is about to Jump herself when a Cylon Raider appears. Vipers are prepped for launch, however a malfunction with ''Galactica'''s launch tubes allows only Capt. Adama's Viper to launch.
* Making contact with the Raider, Lee discovers the truth – Starbuck is piloting the Raider; she used tape to write her name on the bottom of the Raider and flew formation with Lee's Viper. He escorts her back to ''Galactica'', where she lands and is taken to [[sickbay]].
* Visiting her in sickbay later, Adama congratulates her on her performance – an indirect way of letting her know she is forgiven for Zak.

===On Caprica===
* [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Valerii]] are still hiding in the “fallout shelter”, but Helo determines they must move on.
* [[Cylon Centurion]]s arrive, apparently conducting a search. A fight ensues.
* Helo is knocked unconscious, and when he comes-to, Valerii is gone.

== Summary from scifi.com ==
When Lt. Kara Thrace goes missing in action after encountering a Cylon patrol while on a training mission, Commander Adama feels responsible — especially in light of her recent admission that she blames herself for his son Zak's death.

Both Adama and Lee devote the full resources of the fleet to search for their missing fighter ace, causing some to wonder if it's worth risking the lives of 45,000 people to save one downed pilot. When President Roslin questions their motives and points out that Kara's oxygen was exhausted hours ago, they reluctantly call off the search.

But they haven't counted on Kara's resourcefulness and courage. Stranded on a red moon, her knee a twisted wreck, she struggles to relaunch a damaged Cylon fighter and return to Galactica.
--This section --©2005, [http://www.scifi.com SCI FI]. All rights reserved.

== Questions ==

*With almost 50% of fuel reserves gone, can ''Galactica'' obtain additional supplies to keep her Vipers flying? ([[The Hand of God|Answer]])
*What use will be made of the captured Raider? ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|Answer]])
*How many more Cylon spacecraft include biological elements in their design? ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|Answer]])
*Will Helo now go in search of the “missing” Valerii? ([[Litmus|Answer]])
*Will he question why the Cylon Centurion left him unconscious in the restaurant, rather than taking him prisoner? (Helo learns the truth by "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]")

== Analysis ==

Following-on from "[[Act of Contrition]]", this is again very much a character-driven episode in which the action is secondary to the developing and changing dynamics between the principal players. As with “Act”, it is also one where [[Edward James Olmos]] is able again to demonstrate his range and power as an actor: never has so much fury been portrayed on-screen with a single wide-eyed look as when Adama confronts Tigh. Of equal measure is the way in which Adama’s public loss of control in CIC is handled. Here is a man who is perhaps the closest thing to a deity his crew are ever likely to meet. Throughout the mini and the series, his demeanour has always been one of calm, understated authority. Never has he so much as raised his voice in public to achieve his needs. Where Tigh is bellicose and strutting, Adama is the calm eye at the centre of whatever raging storm of crisis might otherwise engulf CIC.

Until mid-way through this episode, where Adama’s signals a subtle shift in dynamics: his personal involvement is now clearly affecting his ability to command; his decision making is becoming increasingly subjective. In contrast, the bellicose martinet in Tigh shifts as well, becoming the more objective, reasoned voice of command. For the first time the officer buried within is revealed, and Tigh grows accordingly in stature.

But the show is not all Olmos’. [[Mary McDonnell]] also gets a chance to stretch her character away from the “ex-school teacher” and slightly insecure politico we’ve seen to date. In [[You Can’t Go Home Again]], Roslin fairly blossoms into leadership, demonstrating she can be shown – but not necessarily lead. Her confrontation with Adama and his son is a marvel to watch. Until now, she has played a finely balanced game with them both, realising that she needs each of them to support her position, while also being aware of the gulf lying between the two of them.

But here, confronted with a Lee Adama fresh from his new-found convictions first seen in "[[Bastille Day]]" and closely allied to his father – both of them operating out of personal loyalty, she demonstrates that while she may need them both, she doesn’t rely on them. Her developing relationships with them both may suffer strain and breakage as a result but she’s not going to walk on eggshells. The needs of the many DO outweigh the needs of the one, and it is time Adama and Lee realised that.

Indeed, it is in this that Starbuck’s dilemma on the moon is very much a secondary consideration to the story and the audience. What holds here is the way the dynamics between the characters ebb and flow. Adama and Tigh draw apart, Roslin and Lee draw apart, but Adama and Lee - perhaps for the first time in Lee’s adult life – draw together, forcing Tigh and Roslin into an uneasy alliance. How will this affect their future relationships? Will Roslin be able to confide in Lee Adama? Will Lee and his father finally come to an understanding and allow each other into their respective worlds as father and son? Will Tigh be able to reconcile his friendship and respect for Adama with his abrupt – and wholly unwarranted – dismissal from CIC?

And what of Tigh and Lee Adama? But – most importantly of all, how will the CIC crew regard Adama in the future? Can there be no repercussions after all that we’ve seen? Perhaps. Forgiveness was very much in evidence throughout the last act of the episode: Adama to Thrace, Roslin to Adama, Adama and Tigh. But – the episode title pretty much says it all: you can’t go home again, and a lot has been said in this episode - as in “Act” - that simply can’t be ignored. RDM has avoided the “reset” button so far; it’s going to be interesting to see if he can continue to avoid it in the future, and allow the shift in dynamics between the characters to play itself out over time.

On Caprica, the Cylons have apparently stepped up their manipulations of Helo a notch: and they appear determine to test / increase his feelings for Valerii. “Love”, and possibly “procreation” seems to be at the heart of their manipulations. The evidence for this comes from the last few episodes:

*[[33]]: Helo scans the airwaves, failing to find any other signals. Valerii makes a comment about them being the only two people left on the planet, and the way she says it makes it hard to keep the words “Adam and Eve” from popping into one’s head – especially with all the other religious motifs that have surrounded our insight into Cylon aims (even if they are from “Six’s” perspective)
*[[Act of Contrition]]: As a result of the (clearly-planted) "radio broadcast", they come across a fully-equipped radiation shelter, which does not appear to have been used, and which is more than cozily set-up for a long duration stay for two people.
*This episode: When Helo suggests they pack up and leave the shelter, Valerii’s look is, for a moment, distinctly odd, and she challenges him with, “Unless you can think of a reason to stay here”, which comes close to being sultry in its undertone. Helo takes this to mean remaining in the fallout shelter, which he refers to as “home”. But they are in many ways already “home”: on Caprica, and Valerii’s comment seems tilted in this regard – seeking if he has identified a reason to stay on Caprica (i.e. her). Disappointment is almost evident when he states they should move on
*This episode: No sooner is the decision made to move on than Cylon warriors turn up. In the ensuing firefight the surviving warrior makes no attempt to either kill or capture Helo, Instead settling on simply shooting up the place and ending the usefulness of a range of kitchen appliances and tools.
*This episode: When Helo comes-to, Valerii is gone, and he’s no longer thinking about leaving the planet – he’s only concerned with what has happened to Valerii.

That the attraction is there is obvious: witness his shy embarrassment following Valerii’s "spontaneous" hug when they first hear the radio broadcast (“33”). It is fair to say that Valerii’s disappearance is the first attempt to ratch-up Helo’s feelings for her.

However, there is no potential weakness in this element of the story: During the fight in the restaurant, the Cylon warrior clearly made only a token attempt at killing Helo – although it was a pretty good effort in shooting up the kitchen as a whole. That he was not killed or at least taken prisoner again, should, by rights, alert Helo to the fact that something here isn’t quite right where the Cylons are concerned: why shoot-up the place and then not even bother to check whether he is dead or alive?

Turning to Baltar’s Six: this episode seems to suggest a subtle delineation between her and the Cylons. Previously, she has referred to them as “we” – implying she is still a part of them. Here she refers to the Cylons very much in the third person: “they”. Is this indicative of a possible shift in her loyalties, or just a simple turn of phrase, signifying nothing?

As to the Cylons themselves, “You Can’t” holds perhaps the most surprising revelation of all: that Raiders are bio-mechanical constructs. Until now, everything has apparently pointed to all but the humano-Cylons being mechanical constructs. "You Can't" turns this upside down, and raises a number of questions:

*Are all Cylons bio-mechanical? Probably not, as Helo puts a shot straight through the head of a Cylon Centurion. Were there any organic matter to be contained therein, one would expect blood and/or gore to exit the wound. This does not appear to be the case.
*Did the Cylons have developed bio-mechanical capabilities themselves, and used them first in a basic form with the Raiders, before going on to develop the humanoid constructs?
*Could it mean that the very first Cylons developed by the Colonials were actually bio-mechanical in nature, rather than pure androids? (''This speculation conflicts with Ron Moore's comments on the origin of Humano-Cylons in a webcast interview on TheFandom.com in October, 2005, as well as dialogue from the Mini-Series, which invariably speak of Cylons are purely mechanical.'')

If the latter proves to be the case, it would certainly put a new angle on the conversation between Six and Doral on Caprica ([[Bastille Day]]) when they both refer to the Cylons as humanity’s children – as indeed the Six on Caprica did when talking to Baltar in the Mini-Series. It might also give a deeper reason for the initial Cylon revolt.

Of the entire episode, the Starbuck / Raider element is the most niggling. Both deeply fascinating for revealing more about Cylons, it is also causes a few winces given the ease with which she patched the ship and got it flying again – and with enough skill to survive a dogfight with Lee Adama.

In this respect, “You Can’t” was as contrived as "[[Act of Contrition]]" – but with the difference that the contrivances were somewhat more subtle and the story – for the most part – flowed a lot better than with "[[Act of Contrition]]".

== Notes ==
*[[Cylon Raider|Cylon Raiders]] are bio-mechanical in nature, and their biomass uses a breathable, oxygen-rich mix suitable for humans.
*[[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] are atmospheric-capable - indeed, it appears they may have been regularly used in the atmospheres of Colonial worlds, given they are equipped with a parachute
*Vipers can be refuelled in space (and presumably in relatively calm atmospheres).
* Starbuck's damaged [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] disintegrates around her upon re-entry, compelling her to eject. The [[Cylon Raider]] that she disables and forces down on the moon is, when she finds it, notably spaceworthy.
*Colonial [[flight suit]]s are capable of full life support, both planet-side (Starbuck) and in space ([[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]]). In the case of Vipers, the back section of the pilot’s seat appears in effect to be a life-support backpack that detaches from the rest of the seat following ejection.
*[[Raptor]] cabins can apparently be depressurized and repressurized (Hot Dog’s rescue), adding to their versatility.
*Non-oxygen atmospheres play havoc with Viper and Raptor engine systems, suggesting they are designed to operate in an O2-rich atmosphere.
*[[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] has the same image that the pilots touch when leaving the Ready Room.
*Colonials play billard pool.
* A scene where [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] shaking off [[Lee Adama|Apollo]] in the [[Cylon Raider]] is remarkably similar to how [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] and [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] of the Original Series were waggling to not get shot down in a Cylon Raider in the episode [[The Hand of God (TOS)|The Hand of God]].
*Baltar is requisitioning something that requires the President’s authorization – the use of one of the ''[[Galactica|Galactica’s]]'' nuclear warheads for his research.
*[[William Adama]] is not above letting personal feelings rise above professional requirements.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

''Kara to the crashed Cylon Raider:''

Kara: Are you... alive?

''Kara upon entering the crashed Cylon Raider:''

Kara: You bite me, I'll bite you back

== Official Statements ==



== Guest stars ==
[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Hogan Michael Hogan] (COL [[Saul Tigh]]) [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Tahmoh+Penikett Tahmoh Penikett] ([[Karl Agathon|Helo]]) [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Aaron+Dougl(Aaron Douglas] (CPO [[Galen Tyrol]]) [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alonso+Oyarzun Alonso Oyarzun] (SPC [[Socinus]]) [[Bodie Olmos]] ([[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]]) [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Donnelly+Rhodes Donnelly Rhodes] (Dr. [[Cottle]])

== Statistics ==


== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season01/105/ "You Can't Go Home Again"] at scifi.com

{{Episode List}}

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

Battlestar Wiki:Welcome, newcomers

2006-02-24T17:03:50Z

Md11946: /* Policies */

'''Battlestar Wiki''' is an [[Wikipedia:encyclopedia|encyclopedia]], [[Wikipedia:dictionary|dictionary]] episode guide and written ''[[Wikipedia:Collaborative writing|collaboratively]]'' by its readers. The site is a [[Wikipedia:Wiki|Wiki]], meaning that anyone, including ''you'', can edit almost any article right now by clicking on the '''[[#Editing|edit this page]]''' link that appears at the top of the page.

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Wikipedia contains a huge amount of information on all sorts of subjects ranging from [[:Category:Episode Guide|Episode Guide]]s, [[:Category:Colonial|Colonial]]s, [[:Category:Cylons|Cylons]], [[:Category:Figures of Speech|Figures of Speech]] and to everything and anything in between. Try browsing the [[Special:Categories|various categories]].

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[[Category: GFDL Licensed Works]] [[Category:Wikipedia]]

Scar (Raider)

2006-02-24T16:33:06Z

Md11946: /* Notes */

[[Image:Scar.jpg|thumb|250px|Scar.]]

'''Scar''' is the nickname for a [[Raider]] fighter ace. The nickname is derived from battle damage on the Raider's fuselage that resembles a scar. The nickname blends logically since Raiders have been discovered as a biomechanical creation of the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] which is bred for space battle.

Scar is responsible for many ruthless, successful attacks against [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]]. It was known for its taste for [[nugget|nuggets]], and favores seperating them from their wingmates for an easy kill. The need to eliminate Scar's threat increases a pilot rivalry between Captain [[Kara Thrace]] and Lieutenant [[Louanne Katraine]].

Scar is later destroyed on the 29th day of mining operations. Starbuck engages him, but breaks off a suicide run against him in favor of luring him into the sights of her wingman, Kat. Kat scores a crippling blow on Scar, causing Scar to careen into an asteroid, killing it in an explosion of shrapnel and gore.

It is postulated by [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon]] that the cause of Scar's unusual aggressiveness was caused by pent-up rage after repeated [[Resurrection Ship|resurrections]]. It is unlikely that Scar will be resurrected again, due to the loss of the Resurrection Ship. ([[Scar]]).

== Notes ==

This storyline of destroying an enemy fighter ace may be derived from the Royal Air Force's hunt for [[Wikipedia:Manfred von Richthofen|Manfred von Richthofen]] (a.k.a. the "Red Baron") during [[Wikipedia:World War I|WWI]].

It is also possible that Scar may be an reincarnation of the Raider that Starbuck destroyed in episode 1.05 "You Can't Go Home Again," as hinted at by Sharon.

[[Category: A to Z]] [[Category: Cylons]] [[Category: RDM]]