Battlestar Wiki - User contributions [en]

Salt Line Ceremony

2011-05-12T18:04:38Z

ProtocolOH: /* Notes */ Typo

[[Image:Salt Line Ceremony.jpg|thumb|200px|''Pegasus'' on the left; ''Galactica'' on the right]]

The '''Salt Line Ceremony''' is a [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial military]] ceremony, typically taking place before the start of a major battle. A line of table salt is placed on the ground between two rows of personnel to be deployed in combat. A [[Sacred Scrolls|passage of scripture]] is read, and the two rows converge, spreading the salt line with their feet.

Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson]] conducts this ceremony on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'''s [[hangar deck]] prior to the [[Battle of New Caprica]].

The ceremony ends with an embrace by ''Galactica'' and ''[[Pegasus]]'' crew members, who realize the extreme danger of their mission, knowing that some of them may never return ([[Exodus, Part I]]).

== Notes ==

*It is a common superstition in many cultures that salt - in lines, circles or thrown over the shoulder - wards off evil spirits. On their website the [http://www.mortonsalt.com/saltfacts/salt_history.htm Morton Salt Company] gives an overview of salt's role in religious rituals of purification in real-world Earth history.
*Racetrack uses [[Aerilon]] Crystal table salt for the ceremony.

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Society]]
[[Category:Colonial Society (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Exodus, Part I

2011-05-12T17:53:30Z

ProtocolOH: /* Summary */ Added a link to Number Five

{{Episode Data
| title= Exodus, Part I
| image=Roslinanders-Exodus.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 3
| guests= [[Lucy Lawless]] as [[Number Three]]
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director= [[Félix Enríquez Alcalá]]
| production= 303A
| rating=1.6
| US airdate= 2006-10-13
| CAN airdate=2006-10-14
| UK airdate= 2007-01-16
| dvd=
| population=
| prev= [[Precipice]]
| next= [[Exodus, Part II]]
| goof=Y
| podcast=Y
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| amazon=Y
| amazon SD=B000V2674A
}}

== Overview ==

:''The [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] have begun the brutal crackdown on [[New Caprica]]'s [[New Caprica Resistance|resistance]] movement. [[Galen Tyrol]] receives disturbing news from [[Felix Gaeta|a secret source]] within [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s administration while Colonial detainees face a Cylon firing squad on New Caprica. With time running out for the colonists, Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] will launch his rescue attempt with only ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', while his son, Commander [[Lee Adama]], and ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' remain to protect what is left of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] and continue the search for [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] if the rescue fails.''

== Summary ==

*The final moments of "[[Precipice]]" are reshown as the captured detainees are being taken off the trucks. [[Cally Tyrol]] is freed, as the Centurions march up the hill. Tyrol continues to run as gunfire is heard.
*The scene switches back to one hour earlier.
*[[Galen Tyrol]] is frantically talking with [[Saul Tigh]] about a list of detainees he received from his [[Felix Gaeta|source]], Cally Tyrol is among the listed. Tigh snaps him back to his senses, noting that they can locate the people now that they cracked the Cylons' coordinate system.
*Chief Tyrol immediately gets to work, succesfully calculating the location of the execution, and gathers a team to rescue Cally and the others.
*Tyrol's team, including [[Seelix]], is able to catch up with the Cylons, and get in position as Cally Tyrol starts running. Tyrol rushes out and gets his wife out of the line of fire, as his team takes out the Centurions meant to execute the detainees. Others injured include some members of the [[NCP]] and the [[Cavil]] that accompanies the truck.
*Seelix leaves a wounded Cavil to death. After he downloads into a new body, the Cavil reports that he ended his own life, but is somewhat traumatized from the transfer process.
*At [[Breeders Canyon]], similar to the scene at the [[Pergamus Flats]], a flashback shows how [[Marines]] move into position to defend the meeting there against a possible attack.
[[Image:Colonial RPG.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Colonial Marine with an RPG]]
*[[Sharon Agathon]] moves ahead to meet with [[Samuel Anders|Anders]] and the resistance. As Agathon and Anders discuss their plans, the Centurions attack, taking out some of the resistance fighters, but are soon destroyed by a Marine RPG.
*After the attack, a map is recovered from one of the [[Humanoid Cylon|'skinjobs']]. Anders recognizes it as the hand-drawn map passed on to [[Ellen Tigh]] to destroy in the heating fire within their tent. Anders immediately suspects Tigh in tipping off the Cylons.
*While sleeping in her bed on ''[[Colonial One]]'', [[Number Three]] dreams of a tent near some odd rock edifices. The next image is of her holding [[Hera Agathon|Hera]]. She wakes up suddenly.
*Also on ''Colonial One'', [[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Caprica-Six]] lie together in bed, but Baltar is fighting with impotence. Six is understanding, but Baltar shrugs off her sympathy.
*[[Kara Thrace]] is showing further affection for [[Kacey Brynn]] and apologizes for her getting hurt. [[Leoben Conoy]] watches from the background.
*Disturbed by her dream, Three visits [[Selloi]], a human [[oracle]] whose tent she saw in her dream, who tells her that Hera is still alive, but warns that holding the child will undo all that the Cylons have accomplished on the planet.
*On ''[[Galactica]]'', a combined crew of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' and ''Galactica'' crews ready for the rescue mission. [[Margaret Edmondson]] conducts a [[Salt Line Ceremony|ceremony]] to bind the people together, given the odds of the mission.
*[[William Adama|William]] and [[Lee Adama]] have a farewell of their own when the younger Adama leaves ''Galactica'' for ''Pegasus'', with orders to wait 18 hours for ''Galactica'''s return. Otherwise, ''Pegasus'' must continue the search for Earth with the surviving members of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
*Three inquires with Dr. [[Cottle]], who is treating a [[Number Five|Five]] wounded by a human attack, about Hera's alleged death. She points out that it didn't make much sense for him to simply cremate the first ever human/Cylon hybrid, something that no one had ever seen before, without studying it first. Cottle states that it was President Roslin's decision.
*[[Laura Roslin]] orders Anders to guard [[Maya]] and Hera at all costs. He tasks two of his best men to protect her and see to her safe escape.
*Gunnery Sergeant [[Erin Mathias]], the leader of Agathon's Marines, meets with Roslin, [[Tom Zarek]] and the resistance to discuss the rescue plan. She brings weapons for the upcoming fight and learns that the colonists conducted evacuation exercises under the guise of fire drills.
*A Cavil voices his despair at the continued bloodshed and Baltar agrees. Many of the Cylons disagree significantly as to what to do to reestablish control. A [[Number Five]] says that, if the worse comes to worst, that they can just nuke the city.
*Saul Tigh learns of his wife's betrayal and is visibly shocked by it.
*Sharon Agathon heads into the [[New Caprica Detention Center]] and gets the [[launch key]]s for the Colonial ship. Three enters the secured room, immediately recognizes her, stops Agathon and tells her that her daughter is alive. Unwilling to consider this matter for now, Agathon shoots the Three in the legs: "Adama wouldn't lie to me."
*''Galactica'' is given word that the launch keys have been retrieved, and after a rousing speech by Admiral Adama, begins preparations for the [[Combat Jump|jump]] to New Caprica.

== Notes ==

* There is also a comic called ''[[Exodus!]]'', which covers the events of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]]' episode "[[Saga of a Star World]]" (Part 2).
* This is the first episode where viewers see an [[oracle]]. Oracles such as [[Pythia]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]'s mother are mentioned before but not seen.
* Tyrol inexplicably lost his beard before this episode. This was necessary because Aaron Douglas's scenes were shot weeks after the main part of the episode, when he had already shaved and it was felt that a fake beard would not be convincing.
*[[Chamalla]] is a bitter herb, and oracles sometimes use candy to sweeten it up.
*According to [[Ronald Moore]]'s podcast, in earlier drafts [[Jammer]] was going to die during the shootout at the execution site. However, he decided that the character would be used in later episodes of the season.
*A teaser aired prior to the season premiere contains another line to Adama's speech that was either cut from the final episode or recorded specifically for the teaser: "The dignity and integrity of the human race rides with us."
*The conversation between Sharon and the Number Three at the Detention Center is the first on-screen confirmation that Sharon is truly loyal to Adama (at least for now); there was a Season 2 scene, cut from an episode but included on the DVD, in which [[Gina Inviere]] refers to Sharon as a "loose cannon", but this is the first time a transmitted scene has indicated that Sharon's loyalty is not a ruse (as suggested by some characters).

== Analysis ==
* The [[Number Three]] that has been having dreams about Hera sees [[Sharon Agathon]] and is able to tell that she is the copy that had been left with Helo on Caprica. She may deduce this from the fact that Sharon is taking the launch keys, or she may be able to sense her identity somehow.
* Roslin's line about [[Hera Agathon|Hera]], "She may well be the shape of things to come", echoes similar lines by Six in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]" and by Adama in "[[Valley of Darkness]]". "The Shape of Things to Come" is also the title of the orchestral music piece at the end of "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
*Anders seems to know, or at least suspect, what is so special about Maya's child.
*[[Caprica-Six]] has been [[Cylon rebirthing tank|downloaded]] after her "death" in "[[Precipice]]". She was not "[[Boxing|boxed]]".
*The Cylons on New Caprica do not appear to have any sort of attachment to the humans they rule as evidenced by their willingness to nuke the colony if they can't make it work as desired. This conflicts with the decision that their earlier attempt at genocide was a mistake. This is additional evidence of fundamental contradictions and disconnects within the Cylon psyche to which they are blind. Based on their actions to date, "skinjob" behavior tends toward the sociopathic with the exception of the Valerii models, and Caprica-Six.
*Baltar has become a suicidal drunk - his appearance has become slovenly and he appears to have given up on basic grooming. He is also having trouble performing the act of sex with Caprica-Six.
*Admiral Adama's claim that his crew "will find immortality as only the Gods once knew" draws on [[wikipedia:Iliad#The story of the Iliad|the choice]] given to [[wikipedia:Achilles|Achilles]] by [[wikipedia:Thetis|his mother]] about joining the war in [[wikipedia:Troy|Troy]]: fight couragously and perish in battle, or be forgotten by history. Achilles chose to go to battle and is a legend. According to interviews, [[Bradley Thompson]] and [[David Weddle]] deliberately draw inspirations from ancient stories like [[wikipedia:Homer|Homer]]'s [[wikipedia:Iliad|Iliad]].
*There is a discontinuity between "[[Precipice]]" and this episode regarding the execution scene. First, Cally apparently changed direction between episodes for more dramatic effect. At the conclusion of "Precipice", Cally is shown jumping into a gully to the "left" of where the trucks are stopped, and is apparently shown running "down", toward the initial camera position. The camera shoots Cally from her right as she runs, showing a backdrop of trees and vines. In "Exodus, Part I", she is shown running to the "right", towards Tyrol and the other resistance fighters. The camera here is also from Cally's right, but this time she is running in front of a barren background. Secondly, the gunfire starts at a different time. At the conclusion of "Precipice", Cally is clearly shown running ''while'' the gunfire begins. In "Exodus, Part I", Tyrol throws her to the ground ''before'' it does.
*Saul Tigh seems to be a well-respected and capable leader of the resistance, and his people-skills seem to have improved drastically as evidenced by the way he handles the distraught Tyrol when news of his wife's fate is leaked to him from inside the New Caprica government. This stands in stark contrast of Tigh's leadership of the Fleet after Boomer's attempted assassination of Adama, where Tigh exhibits a profound lack of leadership ability, a fact that he himself acknowledges when Adama returns to active duty and relieves him of command. Perhaps the experience leading the Fleet was a hard lesson learned. This may have to do with the fact that Tigh chose to command the resistance, whereas command of the Fleet just fell to him.
* Apparently, Seelix has improved her shooting skills because she takes up a sniper position at the execution site, while in "[[Fragged]]" she stated that she hadn't fired a weapon since basic training.

== Questions ==
*Roslin and Zarek seem to have reconciled their differences and become friends. Given Saul Tigh's feeling that Roslin will resume the presidency once humanity has left [[New Caprica]], and that Zarek used to be Baltar's vice president, will he assume the mantle of vice president under Laura Roslin, Or, will Zarek claim the presidency by legal succession if Baltar is removed from office? ([[Collaborators|Answer]])
*Given Cavil's comments, is there damage to the consciousness during each downloading and is there a point where after so many downloads the consciousness is destroyed or corrupted?
*Are the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|Lords of Kobol]] more than historical figures? Why are they sending accurate dreams to a Cylon? Why is a human oracle helping Three interpret the dreams?
*Why does Doctor Cottle work to heal critically injured Cylons instead of just letting them die and be resurrected?
*Is there any possibility at all that Adama wasn't aware of Roslin's plans for Hera? ([[The Eye of Jupiter|Answer]])
*What other operations are the Cylons busy with elsewhere in the universe, that are straining their resources for their experiment on New Caprica (also referenced to by Ron Moore in his podcast)?
*Will some humans refuse to leave once the escape begins?
*Will the escapees block proven or suspected collaborators from boarding the escaping ships?
*How many, if any, of the New Caprica Police are publicly known, and once the escape begins, what will be their ultimate fate? ([[Collaborators|Answer]])
*Adama's plan to use only ''Galactica'' and the ships remaining on the ground on New Caprica seems a bit unrealistic given the fact that there are over 39,000 colonists on the planet. How will they find room for all of the evacuees?
*Will the Colonials find time to also evacuate much of their critically-rationed supplies and equipment as well as themselves during the chaos of evacuation?
*What exactly has Caprica-Six given up for Baltar?
*Is Maya suspicious about Roslin's protectiveness of her and Isis?
*After Helo departs Admiral Adama's room after indicating that Sharon has the launch keys, Adama punches his desk. Is this a sign of frustration, or elation over finally being able to start the rescue operation after months of preparations and failure?
* If [[humanoid Cylons]] can share memories and experiences as implied in many previous episodes, why would Sharon believe that merely shooting Three in the knees would be sufficient to stop her warning the others?

== Official Statements ==
*''[[Bradley Thompson]] talks about how it was originally one episode:''

:When we wrote ''Exodus'' it was originally meant to be a single episode, but as time went on, [[David Weddle|David]] and I realized it wasn't going to fit into one show. Then we went up to the set in [[w:Vancouver|Vancouver]] and that's when [[Michael Rymer]] [director/producer], who had read the script, suggested, 'This really needs to be two episodes,' so it wasn't a big surprise to us when it was decided to do just that."<ref name>"Writes of Passage" <u>Cult Times</u> #144. August 26, 2007: 20.</ref>

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''As Chief Tyrol is about to leave Tigh's tent'':''
:'''Colonel Tigh''': Chief! Pull it together. You won't do her any good if you get caught too. Besides, the last thing your son wants is me and Ellen for parents.

*''Before Lee Adama departs ''Galactica'':''
:'''Admiral William Adama''': I'll see you at the rendezvous point.
:'''Commander Lee Adama''': Eighteen hours. Try not to be late.
:'''William Adama''': I'm getting old; I'm a little slow, but I'll be there.
:'''Lee Adama''': Gods, I wish I could talk you out of this...
:'''William Adama''': You can't. You tried.
:'''Lee Adama''': You know, Dad, um...
:'''William Adama''': Don't. Don't make me cry on my own hangar deck.
:'''Lee Adama''': Permission to leave your ship, Admiral.
:'''William Adama''': Permission Granted, Commander.
:'''William Adama''': Attention! Commander of Pegasus, Departing!
*'''"Admiral Adama and nearby Deck Gang salutes Commander Lee Adama"':''
:'''Commander Lee Adama''': Returns the salute and departs Galactica for Pegasus.

*''During the [[Salt Line Ceremony]] on the hangar deck:''
:'''Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson''': Their enemies will divide them, their colonies broken in the fiery chasm of space. The shining days renounced by a multitude of dark sacrifices. Yet still they will remain. Always together.

*''As Galactica prepares to return to New Caprica:''
:'''Admiral Adama''': This is the Admiral. You've heard the news. You know the mission. You should also know that there is only one way that this mission ends, and that's with the successful rescue of our people off of [[New Caprica]]. Look around you. Take a good look at the men and women that stand next to you. Remember their faces, for one day you will tell your children and your grandchildren that you served with such men and women as the universe has never seen. And together you accomplished a feat that will be told and retold down through the ages, and find immortality as only the Gods once knew. I'm proud to serve with you. Good hunting.

*''As Number Three approaches Selloi:''
:'''Selloi''': [[Zeus]] sees all; sees you, Number Three, sees your pain, your destiny. All the gods weep for you.
:'''Number Three''': There is no Zeus, [[Cylon Religion|no other god but God]].
:'''Selloi''': Oh, you don't believe that anymore. You don't know what you believe and that is why you're here.

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Tyrol]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]] (credit only)
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Amanda Plummer]] as [[Oracle]] [[Selloi Dodona|Selloi]]
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil]]
*[[Erica Cerra]] as [[Maya]]
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lt. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Brad Dryborough]] as Lt. [[Louis Hoshi]]
*[[Leah Cairns]] as Lt. [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
*[[Madeline Parker]] as [[Kacey Brynn]]
*[[Dominic Zamprogna]] as [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]]
*[[Eileen Pedde]] as [[Erin Mathias]]
*[[Jennifer Halley]] as [[Diana Seelix]]
*[[Ty Olsson]] as Captain [[Aaron Kelly]]
*[[Ryan Robbins]] as [[Charlie Connor]]

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

{{episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Exodus, Teil I]]
[[zh:出逃（上）]]

Act of Contrition

2010-08-19T04:34:53Z

ProtocolOH: /* Notes */ More specific link to 1967 Forrestal fire incident

{{Episode Data
| image =bsg-1-04.jpg
| title=Act of Contrition
| series=
| season=1
| episode=4
| guests=
| writer=[[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director=[[Rod Hardy]]
| production=104
| rating= 2.5
| US airdate=2005-01-28
| CAN airdate=2005-02-05
| UK airdate=2004-11-08
| dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 47958
| oldpopulation= 47958
| prev=[[Bastille Day]]
| next=[[You Can't Go Home Again]]
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== Overview ==

:''When several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots are killed in a freak accident, [[William Adama|Adama]] turns to [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] for help - but her involvement in the aftermath of the accident and in training new pilots causes the truth surrounding [[Zak Adama]]'s death to finally surface.''

== Summary ==

=== On ''Galactica'' ===
* It is [[Dwight Saunders|Dwight “Flat Top” Saunders']] 1,000th deck landing, which brings ''Galactica''’s pilots down to the [[hangar deck]] to celebrate.
* As the celebrations continue, a [[communication drone]] stowed on the hangar deck breaks loose from its restraints, falling to the deck and igniting its motor. The drone flies across the hangar, smashing into the celebrating pilots where it explodes, killing Flat Top and twelve others and putting seven more in [[sickbay]].
* As the surviving pilots prepare for the [[services for the dead]], [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] has flashbacks to her first meeting with [[William Adama]], following the death of his son, [[Zak Adama|Zak]].
* During the memorial service itself, she, [[Lee Adama]] and Bill Adama all have flashbacks – to Zak Adama’s funeral and (in Thrace's case) to her telling Zak he has qualified as a [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilot.
* Following the service, Commander Adama asks Thrace to oversee the training of any new pilots they can find in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
* Thrace is initially hesitant, and the Commander guesses the cause is Zak's accident. He reassures her that his son’s death was not her fault – which causes Thrace to remember her admission to Lee Adama: that she passed Zak Adama through his basic training when he had in fact failed ([[Miniseries]]).
* She reluctantly accepts the duty, but memories of Zak Adama continue to haunt her as she plays cards with [[Gaius Baltar]], oblivious to a conversation that takes place between [[Crashdown]] and [[Felix Gaeta]] concerning Baltar’s [[Cylon detector]] – a conversation that leaves [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] very uncomfortable.
* Elsewhere on ''Galactica'', President [[Laura Roslin]] is examined by the ship’s medical officer, Doctor [[Cottle]]. His diagnosis is not good: her cancer is inoperable. Roslin decides that she wants to try alternative therapy using [[Chamalla]] extract – something with entirely unproven effectiveness.
* Later, Thrace meets her first batch of recruits. They are all pilots – but none have ever flown a [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]. With [[Computers#Colonial Fleet Computers|no simulators]] aboard ''Galactica'', the newbies – [[nugget]]s – are thrown straight into the cockpit of the real thing.
* Their performance during their first training flight is hardly stellar, and Thrace is uncompromisingly hard on the first batch of recruits, washing them all out.
* Captain Adama confronts her on her decision, and realizes it is caused more by guilt about Zak Adama than on the ability of the trainees. When she refuses to reinstate the trainees, he takes the matter up with Commander Adama.
* Commander Adama initially supports Thrace's decision, but a misunderstanding between him and Lee Adama causes him to meet with Thrace to discuss Zak’s death.
* When Starbuck tries to dodge the issue, Adama pins her down, and she admits the truth: Zak botched his final training flights, but she passed him because she was in love with him and they were engaged – but Zak really wasn’t the right material for flying Vipers.
* Angered and hurt, Adama orders her to reinstate the trainees and to get out of his cabin.
* Starbuck leads a handful of the trainees on a training flight, about to begin a [[Thorch weave]] maneuver lesson when [[DRADIS]] detects a group of [[Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raiders]]. Starbuck orders her nuggets to return to ''Galactica'' and enters the combat zone, initially unaware that Hotdog chose to stay as her wingman.
* In the ensuing dogfight, Starbuck takes care of the Raiders (with [[Brendan Costanza|Hot Dog's]] aid), but her Viper is damaged after dispatching (but not destroying) the last Raider, losing first her transponder and then complete flight control.
*Hotdog's Viper is severely damaged, but he survives and awaits a [[SAR]] pickup.
*Her Viper goes into a flat spin as her Viper and the last dead Raider fall into the gravity well of a [[Red Moon|nearby moon]]. The moon's atmosphere tears the uncontrollable Viper apart, forcing her to eject.

===On [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]]===
* [[Karl Agathon]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon Valerii]] are tracking the source of the signal they previously picked up out in the woods ([[TRS]]: "[[Water]]").
* The signal leads them to a restaurant in the city, which has a radiation shelter under it, stocked with everything they need to survive — water, food, blankets — even [[anti-radiation medication]].
* Their arrival at the restaurant is observed by a copy of [[Number Six|Six]].

== Notes ==

*It is 48 hours since the prisoner uprising on ''Astral Queen''.
*Water replenishment ops are still underway.
*''Galactica'' has a remaining contingent of 40 Vipers on top of at least 5 Raptors (revealed in "[[Water]]"), but now only has 21 combat-ready pilots and a further 8 newbie "[[nugget]]s".
*Cylon Raiders have guns of an apparently similar nature to those mounted on Vipers.
*Zak Adama and Kara Thrace were engaged, and that led to her passing him for flight duty.
*Adama's relationship with Thrace is not as long-standing as the Miniseries appears to suggest: they have only served together for two years.
*Word is leaking out about Baltar's Cylon detector.
*Karl "Helo" Agathon and "Caprica" Valerii still appear to be the only "people" left alive on Caprica. Neither seem in any hurry to get off the planet. (More humans are discovered in the second season episode, "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]")."
*Small inconsistency in set dressing: The books on the shelf that covers the fallout shelter's entrance are rectangular.
*Also of note in the bookshelf scene is that the books are all from modern-day Earth; several titles and covers can be read as the bookshelf falls over, including "The Final Diagnosis" by Arthur Hailey.
*The Colonial military use what appear to be [[w:High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle|HumVees]] and [[w:Deuce and a half|Deuce-and-a-half]] trucks.
*While the Viper is burning on entry into the atmosphere, the Viper's [[w:Altimeter|altimeter]] is going in reverse, indicating altitude ''gain''.
*[[Ron D. Moore]] states on the DVD commentary that the munition activation that kills several pilots was inspired by a similar event on the [[wikipedia:1967 USS Forrestal fire|USS ''Forrestal'']] in 1967.
*Also according to the DVD commentary, the ejection sequence at the beginning of each chapter is an homage to ''[[w:The Right Stuff|The Right Stuff]]''.

== Analysis ==
*This episode emphasizes many of the [[Naturalistic science fiction|goals set at the series' creation]] to make a sci-fi series that is grounded in realism. The logistical limitations on the Fleet are readily apparent: this episode highlights how difficult it is for ''Galactica'' to train new combat-ready pilots, as there are no reserve pilots and civilians with little or no prior flying experience are all that they have to work with.
*Further, this episode shows that sometimes accidents simply happen on a battlestar: this is not a perfect, pristine in-story universe but a worn, run-down real world. The accident on the flight deck occurred not through sabotage or some sort of [[technobabble]] space anomaly, but simply because an old piece of equipment wore out.
*The realism highlighted by this episode is again apparent in the climactic scene between Starbuck and Commander Adama, in which she reveals that she was responsible for his son's death. The dramatic situation it focused on is not centered around some sci-fi concept, but the interactions between people which could have occurred on present-day Earth. If the script for this episode were ported onto another series set on a modern-day Navy aircraft carrier, there would be few if any changes to it. It is a drama script, which happens to be set in space, which was one of the goals of the series.

== Questions ==

=== Answered Questions ===

{{answered questions|season=1|series=RDM|episode=Act of Contrition}}

* Why does Major [[Sherman Cottle]] smoke, knowing full well the medical implications of cigarette smoking?

=== Unanswered Questions ===

: ''None yet.''

== Official Statements ==

* ''[[Ron D. Moore]] discusses [[Cottle]]'s smoking:''
*: '''Moore:''' Because smoking is cool. Don't let anyone tell you different, kid. [...] Seriously, we're showing people doing what people really do and not all of their choices are smart ones. We smoke, we drink, we have sex with the wrong partners -- we make lots of bad choices and some of them we do knowingly and in full cognizance of the risks and consequences. Dr. Cottle obviously knows the risks associated with smoking and he elects to do it anyway — that's his choice.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/02/|title=Ron D. Moore blog entry|date=19 February 2005|accessdate=18 February 2007|last=Moore|first=Ron D.|format=|language=}}</ref>

* ''[[Bodie Olmos]] talks about his most challenging day on-set:''
*: '''Olmos:''' Interesting[ly] enough, probably the first episode I was in, "Act of Contrition". I was so excited, nervous and amazed that I was on the show. That for me was a rough day, let me tell you! I could hardly sit still and the day seemed so long. I just wanted to be good, and make sure I knew what this character was all about, which is very difficult. I think it evolves. One minute you may think he is like this but then you see that he actually believes something else. So I was definitely glad to make it through that one.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/bodie_olmos_01.htm|title=The SciFi World: Bodie Olmos interview|date=20 January 2007|accessdate=18 February 2007|last=Craddock|first=Lisa|format=|language=}}</ref>

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''In Adama's Cabin, with Thrace and Adama, discussing comments made earlier by Lee Adama:''
:'''Adama''': He said something else. That you might have been feeling guilty about something you did for Zak. What did you do for him?
:'''Thrace''': I don't know. You'd have to ask Lee.
:'''Adama''': I'm asking you.
:'''Thrace''': Well I don't kn- I, ah...I don't really know what he was talking about, so...
:'''Adama''': Don't fence with me, Kara. I love you like a daughter. I don't deserve that.
:'''Thrace''': Ummm...Zak...failed...basic flight. He wasn't a bad pilot, he just had no feel for flying...and, um, when it came to his final check ride he...busted...three of the test manoeuvres, and I should have flunked him, but I didn't. The bottom line is your...son...didn't have the chops to fly a Viper...and I killed him.
:'''Adama''': (following a flashback) You did it because you were engaged.
:'''Thrace''': (breaking down) Because I made a mistake...because I was just...I was so in love with him...and I let that get in the way of doing my job...and um, and he um, he just wanted it so much, and I...I didn't want to be the one who crushed him...
:'''Adama''': Reinstate the trainees to flight status.
:'''Thrace''': I will...but I just want you to understand...that I...
:'''Adama''': Do your job.
:'''Thrace''': Yes sir...
:'''Adama''': And walk out of this cabin...while you still can...

== Guest stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as Petty Officer [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Samuel Witwer]] as [[Alex Quartararo|Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo]]
*[[Lorena Gale]] as [[Elosha]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Sherman Cottle]]
*[[Jill Teed]] as Sergeant [[Hadrian]]
*[[Tobias Mehler]] as [[Zak Adama]]
*[[Colby Johannson]] as Lt. [[Dwight Saunders|Dwight "Flat Top" Saunders]]
*[[Bill Meilen]] as Caprica Cleric
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Costanza]]
*[[Lucianna Carro]] as [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Terry Chen]] as [[Donald Perry|Donald "Chuckles" Perry]]

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

==External Links ==
{{ext-wikipedia-name|article = Contrition|name = Contrition }}

{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Rod Hardy]]

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[[fr:Confession]]
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