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The Road Less Traveled

2008-05-15T16:07:08Z

Millionsknives:

{{Episode Data
| image=4x05 - The Road Less Travelled - Promo 1.jpg
| title= The Road Less Traveled
| season= 4
| episode= 5
| guests=
| forumthread= 1008
| writer=[[Mark Verheiden]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| production=407
| rating=
| US airdate=2 May 2008
| CAN airdate=2 May 2008
| UK airdate=6 May 2008
| dvd=
| population=39676
| oldpopulation=39675
| prev= [[Escape Velocity]]
| next= [[Faith]]
| hulu=Y
}}

== Overview ==

: ''The prospect of a truce between the [[The Fleet (RDM)|remnants of humanity]] and the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]s encourages [[Kara Thrace]] to trust an old enemy.''

== Summary ==

=== On ''Galactica'' ===

* [[Gaius Baltar]] listens to the laments of [[Phoebe]], who lost her two children on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]], as well as her husband, during the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]]. She is angered by the fact that all this happened and that the [[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|Gods]] did nothing to spite the people who were responsible for the attack, such as the politicians, programmers, and corporations. Baltar, surrounded by his [[Cult of Baltar|followers]], makes a speech (which is recorded and broadcast over the [[wireless]]) about how the Gods failed to come to their aid not because they didn't want to, but because the Lords of Kobol don't exist.

* [[Galen Tyrol]] is listening to Baltar's broadcast while exercising with a jumping rope, but turns it off eventually. [[Nicholas Tyrol|Nicholas]] begins crying, so Tyrol turns it on again, which apparently soothes the child.

* Later, Tyrol silently stands in the [[launch tube (RDM)|launch tube]] where his wife died and is joined by [[Tory Foster]]. Foster tell him that it might never make sense, no matter how long he obsesses over it. Tyrol can't believe that she would commit suicide, despite taking anti-depressants and that she would leave her son behind. Foster tells him to let it go and brings up the possibility that she might have known that he is a Cylon.

* After having sex with Foster, Baltar wonders if she is telling [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] about what he does. She affirms, but says that the politicians have bigger things to worry about than him, and that only inconsequential people from the fringe of society are drawn to him.

* Later, Tyrol hears another of Baltar's sermons and heads down to the commune. There he listens, but is pulled aside by Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], who scowls and scoffs Tyrol for not getting over Cally's death quickly. Tyrol is told that he needs to get over Cally's death before they are outed as [[Final Five|Cylons]]. Tyrol retorts that Tigh isn't dealing well with their situation either and that he knows that Tigh has been spending time with [[Caprica-Six]].

* After Tigh leaves, Baltar calls out Tyrol, saying that he's sorry for his loss. Tyrol becomes furious, saying that Baltar is a scumbag and that, for some reason, Cally liked him and his [[My Triumphs, My Mistakes|manifesto]] and his dead. Baltar doesn't raise to the bait and asks Tyrol to shake his hand. However, Tyrol grabs him by the throat. Baltar's followers pull him away and Tyrol leaves after shouting "you didn't know her!"

* Back in his quarters, he becomes furious, takes a pistol from a shelf and briefly contemplates killing himself. Later, as Tyrol lies awake in bed, still with his service weapon in hand, Baltar visits him and apologizes for the things he said about Cally. He also tells Tyrol that he committed many crimes and accepted his religious role as his only remaining chance of redemption. Tyrol listens silently, then still without speaking extends his hand to Baltar, who takes it.

=== On the ''Demetrius'' ===

* On day 58 of their mission, [[Kara Thrace]] unexpectedly decides to join the [[Combat Air Patrol]], although this usually is beyond her duty as captain. With [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Costanza]] as her wingman, Thrace (in [[Diana Seelix|Seelix]]'s Viper) encounters a heavily damaged [[Heavy Raider]] that just appeared on their [[DRADIS]]. Both are unsure of what course of action to take, until [[Leoben Conoy (New Caprica copy)|Leoben Conoy]] hails them over the [[wireless]], offering them a truce between Cylons and humans and a chance for Thrace to fulfill her "journey".
* After allowing the Heavy Raider to dock, Conoy tells Thrace that the ones he left behind on the [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]] need her help, but also that the [[Hybrid]] can help them. Although the crew doesn't find any explosives or tracking devices in the Raider, they are suspicious of Conoy.
* However, Thrace has Conoy escorted to her quarters, where he aims to help her until [[Samuel Anders]] sees how physically close they are and assaults Conoy. He fights with him until the Marines drag Conoy away to lock him up in a closet.
*Anders visits Conoy there to ask him what he wants from Thrace. He tells that Anders that he wants to understand her [[The Destiny|destiny]], which Anders doesn't consider good enough. Conoy replies that it is good enough for Thrace and that Anders might have his own destiny, beyond his relatively inconsequential life as a [[Pyramid (RDM)|Pyramid]] player. Conoy's words disturb Anders, who fears Conoy may know of his Cylon nature. Conoy also repeats his offer of a truce and that they can find Earth, the "promised land", together.
* On the bridge, [[Sharon Agathon]] and others express their concern that Thrace cannot be trusted, and that they have to meet up with the Fleet to refuel. Moreover, Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] made it clear that if the ship didn't return by then, they would be considered lost.
* [[Karl Agathon]] defends Starbuck's authority, but out of concern orders a more thorough for tracking devices and other potential issues. Gunnery Sergeant [[Erin Mathias|Mathias]] dons a spacesuit and conducts an inspection of the hull, but is blown away and killed after the reactor on the ship goes critical.
* After her death, Thrace makes a speech to the ship's crew in the mess hall, saying that sometimes people die senseless deaths, but that she is responsible for Mathias's death and has to live with it. She it trying to concede that she may have been a difficult captain, but can't find the words. [[Felix Gaeta]] tries to come to her aid, by telling her that the rendezvous coordinates with the Fleet have been laid in, but Thrace against insists to meet with Conoy's basestar.
* At this, [[Eammon Pike]] becomes openly hostile and riles everyone up against Thrace's order, believing that her course of action will get them killed too. Captain Agathon offers him a chance to walk away, but when Pike continues, he pistol whips him into unconsciousness.
* Later, on the bridge, she orders the crew to spin up the [[FTL]] drives and prepare to jump to the [[Cylon Civil War|Cylon rebels]]' basestar. Captain Agathon refuses, which leads her to promote Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]] to be her new XO, who refuses to carry out the order as well. Agathon then officially relieves Thrace of command, citing the [[Colonial Military Code]].

== Notes ==
*The title is derived from the poem "The Road Not Taken" by [[w:Robert Frost|Robert Frost]]
::''Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—''
::''I took the one less traveled by,''
::''And that has made all the difference.''
:The common interpretation is that one may be rewarded greatly by choosing a more difficult path than the one used by the crowd. The phrase may also have had a religious meaning for Frost, alluding to [http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat007.htm Matthew 7,12-14], which mentions a broad gate leading to destruction and a narrow gate leading to salvation. <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://local.google.com/answers/threadview?id=426710|title=Google Answers: Origin of "road less travelled"}}</ref>
* The survivor count increases by one, meaning that at least one child has been born in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
* It has been 58 days since the end of "[[Six of One]]", when Kara Thrace is given the command of the ''[[Demetrius]]''.
* Gunnery Sergeant [[Erin Mathias|Mathias]]'s first name, Erin, is spoken for the first time on screen.
* Neither [[William Adama]] nor [[Laura Roslin]] appear in this episode. In both cases, this is [[Central character absences (RDM)|unprecedented]].
* Just before the damaged Heavy Raider comes into view, the constellation of Orion is clearly visible, just as it was during the Cavil-Boomer faction's ambush of the Natalie-Conoy faction.

== Analysis ==
* Instead of using his demotion as a wakeup call, Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] has slipped further into despair and even contemplates to kill himself. That he has completely shaven his head might also be an indicator of his state of mind.
* Earlier resenting Baltar's presumption of believing what Tyrol's dead wife Cally would want, Tyrol strangles Baltar after ignoring his hand to shake. After Tyrol's suicide effort Baltar visits him in his quarters to apologize and Tyrol accepts Baltar's handshake. In light of Tyrol's resentment, and even hatred, towards Baltar displayed in other episodes, it seems more likely that Tyrol forgives Baltar for offending him in this one instance, but not for all his sins as Baltar may intend.
* Tyrol contemplating to kill himself is visually and thematically similar to [[Sharon Valerii]]'s suicide thoughts in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]". Both either suspect or know that they are a Cylon and fear to hurt those around them. However, Valerii was more serious and calm about killing herself and made a real attempt to do so, while Tyrol acts in a fit of rage and eventually calms down.
* In spite of Foster clinging to the idea that she is perfect and thus cannot be held accountable for her actions, her unwillingness and blatant lying to Tyrol about Cally's death betrays her fear of what would happen if Tyrol were to learn that she was responsible for her murder.
* Conoy's comments to Anders indicate that a true Cylon civil war has commenced, and not an isolated incident between the Cavil-Boomer faction vs. the Natalie-Conoy faction.
* The Cylon Civil War appears to be fulfillment of the [[First Hybrid]]'s prophecy from "[[Razor]]". "''[[Significant Seven|They]] will know enmity, bitterness, the wrenching agony of the one splintering into the many...''" Furthermore, it appears that the alliance offered by Conoy to the Colonials could possibly be the meaning of "''...they will join the promised land, gathered on the wings of an angel. Not an end, but a beginning''", as Conoy tells Thrace that he now sees an angel when he looks at her.
* This episode states it clearly that Thrace does remember what happened when she descended into the maelstrom that supposedly killed her. She apparently remembers chasing the Heavy Raider, the vision of her mother, and the message that she has a destiny to fulfill.
* In an interesting moment of symmetry, Conoy, after being beaten up and thrown down by Anders, recites the first article of faith. This is a call back to "[[Flesh and Bone]]", when after one of the interrogation sessions he experienced at the hands of Thrace, he recites the first article of faith.
* Although [[Karl Agathon]] initially defends Thrace against her crew's discontent and tries to quell any insubordination, he eventually leads the mutiny against her. The difference is that [[Eammon Pike]], and to a lesser extent [[Sharon Agathon]], complain about Thrace behind her back and in an informal way, thus potentially impeding everyone in their work. When push comes to shove, Agathon shares their opinion, but uses official means by citing Colonial military regulations. As executive officer he is also in a better and more credible position to do so than the rest of the crew.

== Questions ==

* Does Conoy sense that Anders is a fellow Cylon?
* How will the situation on the ''Demetrius'' be resolved? ([[Faith|Answer]])
* Will Galen Tyrol begin to associate with Baltar?
* If yes, will Baltar have a positive influence on Tyrol and help him to overcome his grief or uncertainty about being a Cylon?
* What have Tigh and Caprica-Six been doing recently?
* Why does Baltar's broadcast appear to soothe Nicholas Tyrol?
* How large has Baltar's movement grown?
* Did Conoy intend for his Raider to explode or is it really an accident?
* Why does Baltar focus on making amends with Tyrol? Is it because of Foster's words, a genuine desire to reach out to Tyrol, or both?

== Official Statements ==





== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''[[Gaius Baltar]] to [[Galen Tyrol]] about his conversion to a believer:''
:"I know it's hard to...make sense of things sometimes. In my own life, I...in my own life I've joined the fleet as a scientist, as a skeptic, as a...supposedly a man of reason. Only to have fate turn that all on its head. But I understand now that there is a purpose to it. We change. We evolve. Maybe we even learn something along the way. (pauses) I have committed...unconscionable crimes. And I have been offered one last chance at redemption, because I chose to accept my fate and not fight it anymore."

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Aaron Douglas]] as Specialist [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hotdog" Costanza]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Number Two]]
* [[Eileen Pedde]] as Gunnery Sergeant [[Erin Mathias]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]]
* [[Lara Gilchrist]] as [[Paulla Schaffer]]
* [[Leela Savasta]] as [[Tracey Anne]]
* [[Finn R. Devitt]] as [[Nicholas Tyrol]] (credited as "Baby Nicky")
* [[Ryan McDonell]] as Lieutenant [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]]
* [[Alisen Down]] as [[Jean Barolay]]
* [[Lori Triolo]] as [[Phoebe]]
* [[Leo Li Chiang]] as the [[Tattooed pilot]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] on the episode's score: http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=306

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

Talk:The Road Less Traveled/Archive 1

2008-05-07T19:28:30Z

Millionsknives: /* Analysis */ new section

{{newsection link}}

==Spelling of Travel(l)ed==
Both NBC Universal Media Village and NBC Universal Photobank call the episode "Traveled", not "Travelled". And it's an American show, after all. -- [[User:Pedda|Pedda]] 20:28, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
:While American English has a clear tendency to not double such consonants, it isn't an unknown variation of the word. Both are used. -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 20:40, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
::Now SciFi.com says "Traveled", too. -- [[User:Pedda|Pedda]] 00:44, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

== Summary ==

Anyone working on it? -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 15:26, 3 May 2008 (UTC)
:Nope. I'm kinda busy with programming atm. -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 15:30, 3 May 2008 (UTC)
:: I guess if I get around to it, I'll whip something up. Other than that, feel free to enter the fray, guys! -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 15:36, 3 May 2008 (UTC)
This is kind of sparse. Also, the main page for the English wiki needs to be updated. It says this episode is the next new one to air when that is not true. --[[User:Jonathan|Jonathan]] 00:42, 5 May 2008 (UTC)
: I may start working on it today, of course... other people are more than welcome to join in. :) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 14:51, 5 May 2008 (UTC)
: OK, I roughed it in... I must be feeling very sarcastic today. Feel free to edit it ruthlessly. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 15:35, 5 May 2008 (UTC)
::I've intentionally avoided jumping into the past summaries as I have in the past to let someone else enjoy making them. But I'll dive in with a formalized one later tonight. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 16:19, 5 May 2008 (UTC)
:::I've cleaned up the POV stuff, which - while certainly funny to a certain extent - is really out of place. But it can still be improved and some things need to be worded better. But it's better than nothing :) -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 16:55, 5 May 2008 (UTC)
Hulu has the episode on line ([http://www.hulu.com/watch/18917/battlestar-galactica-the-road-less-traveled]). I'm a max noob; how does it get linked to here?[[User: hufnmouth|hufnmouth]]

== Analysis ==

'Despite his tirade directed towards Adama in "Escape Velocity", Tyrol's love for Cally is what calms him down once he looks upon a photo of him and Cally. In spite of her shortcomings, his memories and feelings of Cally are what help ground Tyrol's mindset again.' - I'd have taken it as he sees his son and realises he'd grow up without a mother or farther if chief committed suicide. Throughout the rest of the episode he debates his feelings for cally.

Even so, do things like this really need to be in analysis? Its such a minor point. --[[User:Millionsknives|Millionsknives]] 19:28, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

Number Four

2008-05-07T19:20:05Z

Millionsknives:

{{Character Data
|photo= Cysim.jpg
|age=
|colony=
|birthname=
|callsign=
|seen= The Farm
|death=
|parents=
|siblings=
|children=
|marital status=
|role= Cylon doctor / scientist
|rank=
|actor= [[Rick Worthy]]
|cylon= y
|name= Simon
}}
"'''Number Four'''"<ref>This number is revealed in the episode "[[Six of One]]".</ref>, also referred to by his human name '''Simon''', is a [[humanoid Cylon]] that speaks calmly and purposefully, and tends to use logic as a means for his operation or resolving issues ([[Torn]]), and is not as religious as his counterparts<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/rick_worthy_01.htm|title=The Scifi World: Rick Worthy interview|date=27 November 2006|accessdate=19 February 2007|last=Craddock|first=Linda|format=|language=}}</ref>. This model appears to be the medical specialist of the Cylons ("[[The Farm]]", "[[Six of One]]"). He is also the only model out of the seven that was not a known infiltrator in the [[the Fleet (RDM)| Fleet]].

== Known Copies ==

This model is first seen in a doctor role, calling himself "Simon", who cares for [[Kara Thrace]] after she is shot in a Cylon ambush ([[The Farm]]).

Simon tries to casually persuade Thrace into bearing children but is unsuccessful. When his diplomatic efforts fail, he surgically explores her ovaries without Thrace's permission, either partially removing an ovary or its eggs. On orders from a copy of [[Number Six]], Four arranges a time to surgically remove Thrace's ovaries. Before Simon can sedate her again and remove her ovaries, Thrace's suspicion that he is a Cylon is confirmed. In conversation he uses her call sign, which she never mentioned in his presence. Thrace kills him and escapes from the [[farm]].

Another copy of Four is seen just as Thrace exits the building, a more well-kept copy in a dark business suit who greets Thrace just as she reaches the outside of the compound. Before he can speak further, members of the Resistance immediately kill him as they storm the Farm to liberate Thrace.

[[Image:SimonNC.jpg|thumb|left|Number Four on New Caprica]]
At least one other copy is seen on Cylon-occupied Caprica ([[Downloaded]]).

A Four is present in President [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s office during the [[Battle of New Caprica]] ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

One Four, assigned as part of one [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]'s command crew that witnesses a sister basestar's plight, determines that a decision to rescue the infected basestar cannot be reached scientifically ([[Torn]]).

A Four captured on the infected basestar near the [[Lion's Head Nebula]] is interrogated on ''[[Galactica]]''. He reveals information about the ship and the Cylons' motives for abandoning it, in exchange for a cure promised by the humans. However, there is no cure, only a treatment. This Four is permanently killed when [[Karl Agathon]] sabotages the environmental control system, killing the Cylon prisoners to stop them from being used as biological weapons ([[A Measure of Salvation]]).

A Four is shown performing a lobotomy on a [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]], which this model votes for. At least two of these models are slain by Centurions, along with two [[Number Five|Fives]] and a [[number One|One]] ([[Six of One]]).

<br clear="all"/>

==Notes==
*Actor Rick Worthy doesn't actually appear in "Downloaded" and is uncredited: briefly during the cafe scene, we see another bald black man ''from behind'', and we see him walking by in some of the outdoor scenes in the background. It is clearly implied to be Simon, however he is not credited and RDM stated in [[Podcast:Downloaded#Act 1|the podcast]] that it was just an extra standing in for him.
*Simon was the first new humanoid Cylon model revealed after the [[Miniseries]], and then brought the total number of known models to five.

== References==

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

{{Characters}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters (RDM)]]
[[Category:Recurring Guest Characters (RDM)]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Simon]]
[[fr:Simon]]