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The Son Also Rises: Difference between revisions

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{{spoiler}}
{{Episode Data
{{Episode Data
| title= The Son Also Rises
| title= The Son Also Rises
Line 10: Line 8:
| story=  
| story=  
| director= [[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| director= [[Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| production=
| production= 317
| rating=
| rating=1.2
| US airdate= 2007-??-??
| US airdate= 2007-03-11
| CAN airdate=2007-03-11
| UK airdate=
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| dvd=
| population= ?
| podcast = y
| population= 41399
| oldpopulation= 41400
| prev= [[Maelstrom]]
| prev= [[Maelstrom]]
| next= [[Crossroads, Part I]]
| next= [[Crossroads, Part I]]
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}}


== Overview ==
:''Coming soon <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/battlestar-galactica-2003/the-son-also-rises/episode/832191/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;17|title=The Son Also Rises }}</ref>''


== Summary ==  
:''With [[Gaius Baltar]]'s trial merely two weeks away, [[Lee Adama]] is tasked with protecting [[Romo Lampkin]], Baltar's second lawyer, and finds himself going up against [[William Adama|his own father]], who himself is appointed as one of the five judges in Baltar's trial.''
 
== Summary ==
 
=== Teaser ===
 
[[Image:Adama's b-day card.jpg|thumb|right|Adama happens upon an old, self-made birthday card from [[Kara Thrace]], while reviewing her jacket.]]
* [[William Adama]] reviews [[Kara Thrace]]'s service record file, which includes various disciplinary notices, commendations, and citations.
* Meanwhile, on ''[[Colonial One]]'', [[Laura Roslin]] presides over a drawing of ship captains who will comprise the five judges of [[Gaius Baltar]]'s tribunal. [[Tory Foster]] picks up a folded card from the bowl, handing it to Roslin. It reads: Captain [[Elias Meeker]], ''[[Gideon]]''.
* Adama looks through more of Thrace's records, including a commendation for bravery regarding her actions in recovering the civilians from [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol#Caprica|Caprica]].
* Foster draws one last name from the bowl. When Roslin opens it, she initially begins to read the card aloud, but stops herself as she reads the name, clearly shocked.
* As Adama continues to slowly run through the jacket, he happens across a self-made birthday card from Thrace to him. The cover reads: "You were always like a father to me . . ." Upon opening the card, he sees a picture of Thrace, who is wearing his glasses and has doodled a [[Adamastache|mustache]] onto the photo. Above the picture are the words "See the resemblance?" and below, "Happy birthday, <u>young</u> <u>man</u>".  It is signed it with "much love, Kara". This elicits a laugh from Adama, who begins to tear up and sniffle.
* On the flight deck, a grieving and inebriated [[Samuel Anders]] stands on top of a [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]], tossing a coin, calling "heads" correctly for the fourth time in a row. Watching him are [[Anthony Figurski]], [[Hamish McCall]] and [[Margaret Edmondson]].
* In the [[memorial hallway]], [[Lee Adama]] stands in front of the section containing [[Louanne Katraine|Kat's]] picture. He thumbs with a photo of Thrace, keeping it close to his belly, then pocketing it as he hears the sound of Racetrack's footsteps. Edmondson then gets his attention by calling Adama by his rank.
* Still standing above the cockpit of the Viper, Anders holds out the cubit, saying that his "girl is too lucky to check out". Adama and Edmondson approach; Adama joins Anders on top of the Viper and attempts to talk him down. Emotionally distraught, he initially sits down, then jumps up, saying he has somewhere to go, but he doesn't complete his words as he slips and falls from the Viper. Adama climbs down from the Viper as some of the spectators begin to cluster near the fallen Anders, who says "I think I fell".
* As Adama checks Anders over for injuries, Anders asks him, "She's still alive, right?" Adama replies in the negative, and Anders tearfully claims that he knows.
* In [[CIC]], Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] tells Adama he's been selected as one of the five ship captains that form Baltar's tribunal.
* On the hangar deck, Racetrack complains about having to fly [[Alan Hughes|Baltar's lawyer]] back and forth from the ''[[Zephyr]]''.  Her chief grievances are that he whispers into her ear and takes his shoes off on board.
* Skulls wonders why Baltar is even given a trial while he's obviously guilty, to which Cally replies that it's justice.
* An explosive charge detonates aboard the [[Raptor]]. Racetrack walks out unharmed, but Baltar's lawyer is dead.
 
===Act 1===
*A press conference takes place on ''[[Colonial One]]'' with reporters firing questions at President Roslin about the trial, a replacement defense attorney, and other matters. Roslin firmly maintains that no terrorist acts will affect the trial.
*In the [[Pilot ready rooms|pilot ready room]], the mood is also somber. Major Adama is distracted and making mistakes as he plans a reconnaissance operation.  At one point, Adama mistakenly calls Racetrack Starbuck after the [[Raptor]] pilot makes a joke to {{callsign|Athena}} about checking under her seat.  An awkward silence descends upon the room. Adama apologizes, then quickly dismisses the group.
*Roslin interviews Baltar's new attorney, [[Romo Lampkin]] with Admiral Adama present. Lampkin abruptly introduces the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet leaders]] to his [[Lance|cat]], who is in a foul mood.
*Adama asks his son to head up the security detail for the new attorney. When the younger Adama objects to being grounded as [[CAG]] and indicating that he's "okay," the admiral tells him that he knows that his son isn't okay because the admiral himself is also still in grief over Thrace's death.
*Lampkin is given his quarters and asks to see Baltar. Lampkin wants to choose a room that is unlikely to be wired for surveillance. He tells Major Adama that he was a student of his grandfather, [[Joseph Adama]].
*The scene shifts to see someone's gloved hands preparing explosive charges.
 
===Act 2===
*Baltar, in a bulletproof vest, is escorted by [[Marine]]s to his attorney in Major Adama's quarters. The major is present, but Lampkin assures Baltar that he has signed a confidentiality agreement.
*Baltar is agitated as he writes more quick notes for his [[My Triumphs, My Mistakes|manifesto]]. He knows that the tribunal will use [[Caprica-Six]] against him.
*When Lampkin asks to be taken to ''Colonial One'', Adama objects. When he insults Adama, the major reacts violently, his stress over the events of the last two weeks coming forth briefly.
*Adama manages to convince Captain [[Aaron Kelly]] to fly the Raptor with [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] and Lampkin aboard, despite the admiral's grounding order for the major.
*As the Raptor's door is almost closed, Lampkin's cat escapes through the hatchway, and the door is reopened while other [[deckhand|deckhands]] scramble to chase the cat.
*As Chief Tyrol crawls under the Raptor to reach the cat, he discovers the bomb, and everyone madly scrambles away.
*Later, Admiral Adama is infuriated at his son for disobeying orders, noting how everyone is out of sorts since Thrace's death two weeks prior. The admiral orders his son to do his job, properly, for he will be on the other side of the courtroom as a tribunal member.
 
===Act 3===
*The bomb is dissected and analyzed. Deck crew and officers discuss the problem: one of them is a conspirator. [[Cally Tyrol]] states her opinion, and accuses the Cylons, and more indirectly Sharon Agathon, of the bombings and of inciting the riots within the Fleet.
*Major Adama warns Lampkin to watch himself, but Lampkin is philosophical, realizing that someone will eventually get to him, no matter what.
*On ''Colonial One'', Roslin grants Lampkin permission to interview [[Caprica-Six]] in the usual interrogation room. [[Tory Foster]] apologizes to Apollo for the difficulty and delay in getting the files Lampkin requested shipped to him.
*As Lampkin interviews Six, she notes her love for Baltar. Lampkin relates his experiences in love, which moves Six. She asks him whether or not Baltar has asked about her, and Lampkin removes his glasses and shows her Baltar's pen, telling her that his sacrifice of his one limited freedom is an expression of his love.
*Lampkin also informs her that unlike Baltar, she won't get a trial.
*Later, [[Anthony Figurski]] delivers the papers Lampkin requested from ''[[Colonial One]]'', noting that Captain Kelly had inspected them. The [[Marine]] escort is suspicious, and both they and Lampkin inspect the paper box to their satisfaction.
*As Lampkin enters his key code for opening his quarter's hatch, Marine [[Henry Cheadle]] notices a screw on the floor, and realizes that the key lock had been tampered with. He tackles Lampkin, pushing him to safety just as the hatchway explodes, taking the full force of the explosion.
 
===Act 4===
*Lampkin survives the bomb attack, but is in [[sickbay]]. Major Adama speaks with him and has brought a bag containing Lampkin's possessions.
*Lampkin states that he is a [[w:kleptomaniac|kleptomaniac]], and master sleight-of-hand thief. Major Adama begins to remove the items with Lampkin commenting on the significance of each:  Roslin's glasses, a shoe from the prosecuting attorney, a button from the admiral's jacket. "I borrow things," he says. When the major asks what Lampkin took from him, he tells him that he found Thrace's picture, but didn't take it.
*Adama discovers a special object that could only come from an officer. He asks who Lampkin burgled to get this object, which is something only the bomber would have.
*Major Adama interviews Captain Kelly, who admits to being the bomber and warns that he will continue the attacks if left on duty.
*The admiral reinstates his son as [[CAG]], but the younger Adama wants to help Lampkin instead.  He does not cave in the face of his father's repeated objections. Eventually, the admiral, furious with the major, declares that he's through giving his son orders.  Back on CIC, he orders them to remove the major from the board and re-instate {{callsign|Helo}} as CAG.  He tells everyone there, "My son has more important things to do."
*Adama places Thrace's picture onto the memorial board as she requested, next to {{callsign|Kat}}. Anders, on crutches and with his left leg in a cast, comes in. Together the two begin to come to terms with losing the woman they both loved.
*Baltar finds an envelope with his pen, and a note from his attorney.
*The note contains a poetic line, telling Baltar that there is no more powerful ally than a son who decides to step away from his father's shadow.
 
===Bonus Scene===
 
*The scene begins with Athena and Cally Tyrol in the hangar deck while the rest of the deck gang is away.
*Athena begins to ask Cally why she accused her of being the bomber, upon which Cally denies ever making a direct accusation.
*Athena responds that she didn't accuse or even indirectly imply that Cally is the bomber, even though Cally was the last deck hand to inspect the Raptor.
*Athena allows Cally to take her gun and hold it to her chest, while Athena states why she knows Cally, despite her intense hatred for the Cylons, wouldn't shoot her. It is because she knows Athena loves her husband, her daughter, and ''Galactica''. Cally, according to Athena, would never dare take a child's mother away.
*After a few tense moments, Athena grabs the gun, points it next to Cally's head and states in unambiguous terms that if Cally is discovered to be the bomber, Athena will kill Cally herself.


== Questions ==  
== Notes ==
 
=== Continuity ===
 
*Starting with this episode, [[Katee Sackhoff]]'s name is no longer listed in the opening credits.
*The population count at the start of this episode is 41,399, accounting for [[Kara Thrace]]'s death in "[[Maelstrom]]". At least one birth must have occurred to set off [[Alan Hughes]]{{'}} death in the teaser. Assuming that Marine [[Henry Cheadle]] dies in the explosion that almost kills Lampkin, the population count would be 41,398, a number that does not take into account any births or other deaths that occurred off-screen.
*[[Karl Agathon]] is temporarily assigned as [[CAG]], despite not having any previously known experience as a [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilot. After Apollo, Helo is the highest-ranking established pilot left. Experienced Viper pilots passed over for the job include [[Marcia Case]], [[Ricky Richardson]], and [[Hotdog]], of whom the latter had at least as much experience as former CAG {{callsign|Kat}}. This is consistent with the traditions of the U.S. Navy, which does not require the CAG to be a fighter pilot, or indeed any kind of pilot - commissioned aircrew such as Electronic Countermeasures Officers are equally eligible.
*The model ship which [[William Adama|Adama]] destroyed in [[Maelstrom|the previous episode]] is still sitting on a shelf in his quarters, but visibly damaged.
*The one-armed deckhand - using a prosthetic - who first appeared in "[[Dirty Hands]]" can be seen in the far background in the scene with Hughes boarding the Raptor before he is killed.
*When Adama looks at Thrace's personnel file, one of the sheets is a field commendation for valor and bravery received for an operation called "Blue Mountain Retreat" and "action on Hill ER5." Since it mentions a rescue of civilians, this likely refers to the Caprica Rescue mission in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens]]".
* Lampkin's theory on how the person who cares the most is the one that wins is similar to dialogue from ''[[w:Life, the Universe and Everything|Life, the Universe and Everything]]'' by Douglas Adams. 
<blockquote>"The point is," he said, "that people like you and me, Slartibartfast, and Arthur&mdash;particularly and especially Arthur&mdash;are just dilettantes, eccentrics, layabouts if you like...We're not obsessed with anything, you see... And that's the deciding factor. We can't win against obsession. They care, we don't. They win."<br/>
"But unless we determine to take action," said the old man querulously, as if struggling against something deeply insouciant in his nature, "then we shall all be destroyed, we shall all die. Surely we care about that?"<br/>
"Not enough to want to get killed over it," said Ford.</blockquote>
 
=== Development ===
 
* This episode's title is a pun on the title of the 1926 [[w:Ernest Hemingway|Ernest Hemingway]] novel "[[w:The Sun Also Rises|The Sun Also Rises]]".
* [[Samuel Anders|Sam Anders]]' flipping a coin and continually coming up with heads is reminiscent of the early moments of Tom Stoppard's play "[[w:Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead|Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead]]," in which Rosencrantz has the same result on a coin flip over a dozen times.  This leads Guildenstern to comment "Consider - One: Probability is a factor which operates within natural forces. Two: Probability is not operating as a factor. Three: We are now held within un-, sub-, or supernatural forces." The moral is that two minor characters within a play (namely, ''Hamlet'') have no control over their fate, and are condemned to carry out their role in the story regardless of their desperate attempts to change events.
* According to [[Michael Angeli]], Lampkin's first name, Romo, is from the first two letters of [[Ronald D. Moore]]'s first and last names.<ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=The Son Also Rises Bonus|act=|id=|timestamp=~00:01:05|totalrunning=~00:47:39}}</ref> Romo Lampkin was also initially conceived as a "55 year old [[w:Alan Dershowitz|Alan Dershowitz]] character."<ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=The Son Also Rises Bonus|act=|id=|timestamp=~00:11:42|totalrunning=~00:47:39}}</ref>
* The door code to Romo Lampkin's temporary quarters on ''Galactica'' is 1234.
*[[Romo Lampkin]] exhibits symptoms of [[w:Kleptomania|kleptomania]]. Over the course of the episode he steals many objects Lampkin views as important to their owner from a psychological perspective, and thus provides him with knowledge of a person. Among the objects stolen:
** Gaius Baltar's worn fountain pen
** Laura Roslin's glasses
** Admiral Adama's uniform button, which Adama first searches for when Lampkin talks to [[Caprica-Six]]
** Ms. [[Cassidy]]'s sandal
** [[Aaron Kelly]]'s magnetic component, used in his bomb-making
*The assassination of Baltar's lawyer was inspired by attacks on [[w:Saddam Hussein|Saddam Hussein]]'s defense team ([[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion Season Three]]).
* Information from [[Sources:The Son Also Rises|the script]] reveals that the names of the ship captains taken out of the glass bowl by Foster to be revealed by Roslin are:
** Captain Simpson Markson, ''[[Argo Navis]]''
** Captain [[Jules Tarney]], ''[[Pyxis]]''
** Captain [[Doyle Franks]], ''[[Prometheus (ship)|Prometheus]]''
* The scene where Foster and Roslin reveal the last ship captain, in this case Admiral [[William Adama]], [[Sources:The Son Also Rises|was unscripted]].


== Analysis ==
== Analysis ==
* A noticeable pattern between the two Adamas is evident whenever both are going through a stressful or traumatic situation. Whereas the [[William Adama|elder Adama]] has the experience and the desire to focus on the job that he has to do, the [[Lee Adama|younger Adama]] consistently displays an inability to cope and process his emotions.  This difference between the two has often led to sharp divisions, causing another tear in their damaged relationship:
** In the [[Miniseries]], Bill Adama is trying to get on with his life after the loss of his son Zak, but Lee is still full of rage over the incident and quite unambiguously holds his father responsible for what happened.
** When the two Adamas do not agree on the same method of coping with the destruction of the ''Olympic Carrier'' in "[[33]]".  This eventually leads to Lee Adama becoming [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]'s military adviser and eventual co-conspirator during the hunt for the [[Arrow of Apollo]].
** During the planning for the [[Battle of New Caprica]], the two Adamas butt heads again over strategy and whether it is worth the risk of losing the last remnants of humanity that were with ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'' and ''{{RDM|Pegasus}}'' at the time.
* Lee Adama has consistently shown a tendency to prove that he is not like his father, even though both are described as stubborn by [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] and [[Carolanne Adama]]. This tendency is evident in the last argument between the two when Apollo accuses Adama of not wanting him to become like his grandfather.
* When Lee Adama mistakenly calls {{callsign|Racetrack}} "Starbuck," his mental state is reminiscent of "[[Black Market]]" when he constantly found himself recollecting events on Caprica before the genocide.
* William Adama's failure to listen to Carolanne Adama's pleas and advice to tell his son how proud he is of him comes back with a vengeance when Apollo repeatedly asks his father if he is giving him an order, the implication being that Apollo wants to know if his father is treating him as a son or as a soldier. Adama's refusal to ask Apollo to obey his orders as his son will probably lead to further dissension between the two.
* [[Romo Lampkin]], though he appears to be a lawyer with little, if any, courtroom experience, has demonstrated a deep understanding of the human psyche. He takes Roslin's glasses to prevent her from being taken seriously during the trial. His other feats such as raising doubt and bringing out [[Caprica-Six]]'s feelings for [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]], and his slow but sure persuasion of Lee Adama into helping with Baltar's case, give hints to a man who obviously has immense experience with the art of manipulation.
* Lee Adama honors [[Kara Thrace|Thrace]]'s request of having her photo posted next to {{callsign|Kat}}'s. His inability to let go of the photo may represent a possible marriage conflict with Dualla if he is unable to truly move on.
* [[Cally Tyrol]] correctly states that the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] wouldn't even need to fire one shot because they may find the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] had torn itself apart because of humanity's tendency towards self-destruction. However, it is also clear that she has not realized that she and the many workers are just as much a part of the problems when they essentially risked the existence of the Fleet with their work strikes, refusal to refine [[tylium (RDM)|tylium]], and disobedience toward military orders {{TRS|Dirty Hands}}.  The summary of all those acts cannot be attributed to Cylon intervention as Cally Tyrol is implying that [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] is responsible for the bombings.
* Two weeks have passed since the events of "[[Maelstrom]]". During this time, Adama apparently has been mulling over his memories of Starbuck, including a review of her military record. The audience sees, amongst the items in the folder, a hand-made birthday card which Thrace gave Adama for his birthday once. It jokingly shows Thrace with a color pen mustache and glasses, and asks if Adama can see the resemblance. This moment reinforces the theme that Starbuck was very much a daughter to Adama, even though he stated otherwise in "[[Torn]]". It is very clear that he still sees Thrace as a daughter to him.
* After the events of "[[The Woman King]]," Helo has been reinstated amongst the pilots of ''Galactica'', as the original purpose of assigning him to [[Dogsville]] was in response to his objections and sabotage of the Cylon biological weapon. Starting with "[[Dirty Hands]]," Helo is present at briefings in the ready room, and appears to be a squadron leader. Thus, once Apollo's flight status is revoked it is only natural for Adama to promote Helo to the CAG position because of seniority and trust.
* It is unclear whether Helo has experience with a Viper, but numerous Viper pilots have been flying Raptors so far.  Whether this goes both ways it yet to be seen, but with Helo's position as head of a squadron and now CAG, it appears that he has at least enough operational and tactical knowledge to do the necessary organizational and administrative duties. His previous experience as ''Galactica''{{'|s}} [[XO]] may also have been a factor in his appointment.
* Though Kelly tells Apollo that he would never have detonated the bomb with him inside, the fact that the bomb had been planted and that Kelly couldn't anticipate Apollo's impromptu decision to join Lampkin makes it clear that Kelly's original intention was to kill Lampkin ''and'' Athena.  Whether this is an indirect statement on Kelly's view on Athena's Cylon heritage or his desire to raise the stakes by not only killing Baltar's lawyer, but sacrifice a member of the crew, is unclear.
* This is the first episode since the end of Season 2 that any member of the "[[The Colonial Gang]]," specifically [[Playa Palacios]] appear in the series. This episode and the nature of the remaining episodes may indicate a return to the President-news press relationship that the audience has seen in the past.
== Questions ==
* Is Lampkin's statement to Roslin and Adama that he is seeking the fame (or infamy) of being Baltar's lawyer true, or is there an ulterior motive?
* Will Captain Kelly be punished and if yes, how?
* Besides the attacks caused by Kelly, have there been any other incidents of violence on the scale that Zarek warned Roslin about?
* Will the death of Thrace bring Lee Adama and Sam Anders closer as friends in the future?
* Would the bomb on the Raptor have gone off if Tyrol hadn't discovered it? Is Kelly telling the truth that he would not have triggered it with Lee Adama inside?
* Is Cally's hatred of the Cylons truly towards all Cylons or is she afraid of Athena because of her connection to Tyrol's former lover, Boomer?
* Why does Lampkin wear sunglasses in most of his encounters with people?
* What caused the rift between William Adama and his own father?
* Given Karl Agathon's temporary promotion to CAG, does he have previous flight experience as a Viper pilot?
* Given the reappearance of [[Playa Palacios]] in this episode, what of her other fellow "[[The Colonial Gang|Colonial Gang]]" correspondents, [[James McManus]] and [[Sekou Hamilton]], or the program itself? ([[The Ties That Bind|Answer #1 (Hamilton)]], [[Sine Qua Non|Answer #2 (McManus)]]
== Official Statements ==
=== Cast Comments ===
* ''[[Mark Sheppard]] discusses how he approached portrayal of [[Romo Lampkin]]:''
: '''Mark Sheppard:''' Ron had said that he gave [[Michael Angeli]] ''carte blanche'' to make this character as odd and as wide as he wanted to make it. Michael Angeli is a very, very, very clever writer. It’s wonderful dialog, it’s a wonderfully convoluted, complicated character. You know the glasses idea was his idea, he wears dark glasses a lot, Michael Angeli, and the glasses were very important to him. And he put the cat in and all these strange elements and the kleptomania. and there are all these other questions, is he a Cylon? a manipulator? is he this, is he that. All of these things are kind of irrelevant. I played him as the last sane man in the universe. If you think of the episode "The Son Also Rises," my first episode, it’s the episode after "[[Maelstrom]]". Maelstrom is a disaster, an absolute disaster! The end of "Maelstrom" leaves you with this huge hole, this gap and I walk in to a group of people in mourning. They are in mourning for [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]]. I think I’m the only person paying attention. I think none of them are paying attention because of the events of [[New Caprica]] and everything that has happened since New Caprica. I mean basically they just want to tear [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] to pieces, they kind of admit that they will move the trial forward because people need it, they need the trial, they need something.<ref name="tsw">{{cite_web|url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/mark_sheppard_01.htm|title=The Sci-Fi World: Mark Sheppard interview|date=1 May 2007|accessdate=24 May 2007|last=Nuytens|first=Gilles|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''Mark Sheppard discusses a deleted scene involving [[Jerry]], the [[Lance|cat]]:''
: '''Mark Sheppard:''' There is this lovely scene that they cut out. At the end of the scene when [[Lee Adama|Lee]] says if anything moves don’t touch it, if anything is in the wrong place, it’s when he is worried about me finding a bomb. And my line is if they want to kill me they’ll find a way, now how do I get to see the [[Caprica-Six|Cylon woman]]. And I looked down and Jerry the cat is sitting there and what is funny is I looked at him and there is a line [where I say], "Please go boom." And what happened is the cat looked up at me when I spoke to him, then as I looked away, he looked away. It was very funny. (laughs) Cats do what they wanna do.<ref name="tsw"/>
* ''Sheppard discusses his reaction to [[Ron D. Moore]]'s offer of being Lampkin in three episodes:''
: '''Sheppard:''' It’s very, very weird. It was a very, very, very weird day. But it was kind of brilliant. I think he took great delight, and as I take great delight, in the fact that most of the time I tend to play what are termed "villains" – I don’t think of people as villains, but people with massively different agendas than the heroes usually in our pictures, especially in sci-fi. And this, I think, is very, very different. I think Romo is very, very different. I mean…somebody asked me, "Do you think he’s a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]?" First thing Eddie [[Edward James Olmos|[Edward James Olmos]]] said was, "The first thing I’d be thinking was: he’s a cylon." I’m like, but does it really matter? Does it matter whether he’s a cylon? It actually doesn’t. I mean, his principles are extraordinary. His logic is I think extraordinary.


== Notes ==
: It’s just because he's very deliberate in the way that he executes what he does. As a character – the character is written very deliberately, in a manner that he has a very different set of moral values than the people around him. Which I think is an absolutely amazing thing to play. Plus being a kleptomaniac, you know – if you have a bizarre trait it doesn't hurt along the way. Michael Angeli's [writer] kind of brilliant when it comes to that kind of writing.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/battlestar-galactica/exclusive-interview-mark-shepp-7849.aspx|title=Buddytv.com Exclusive Interview: Mark Sheppard, from 'Battlestar Galactica'|date=3 July 2007|accessdate=13 August 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>
*The title "The Son Also Rises" was first reported by [http://www.gateworld.net/galactica/index.shtml GateWorld.net] in an [http://www.gateworld.net/galactica/s3/317.shtml article] that contains unconfirmed storyline speculation.
 
*As always, episode titles can and do change up until the time they are finally aired.
=== Podcast ===
*If confirmed, this episode's title would be a pun on the title of the 1926 Hemingway novel [[w:The Sun Also Rises|The Sun Also Rises]].
 
Information from [[Podcast:The Son Also Rises|the podcast]]:
* Ron Moore admits that it's a stretch to have both Adamas involved intimately in the trial and even on opposite sides. But the writers decided to go for increased drama, since the trial would otherwise only be carried by guest stars with the show's main characters sidelined. Moore also believes that Admiral Adama is capable of making fair and rational decisions.
* Romo Lampkin's cat was supposed to run out of the Raptor, but when shooting the cat only strolled. Since it's difficult to direct cats, the film was sped up instead.
* That Lampkin always wears sunglasses was a decision made by the writer that was ultimately supported, despite concern on the part of the actor and the director.


== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
== Noteworthy Dialogue ==


== Official Statements ==
* ''Colonel Saul Tigh tells Admiral William Adama the good news:''
*Ron D Moore, in his November 29, 2006 blog, stated that Mark Sheppard would play a major role in the last three episodes of the season.
: '''[[Saul Tigh]]:''' Your Honor. (Adama looks at Tigh, confused) You haven't heard? Where have you been? They've just announced it. You won the lottery. You own exactly 1/5th of [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s ''skinny ass''.
 
* ''[[Romo Lampkin]] replies to [[William Adama]]'s question regarding his qualifications for defending [[Gaius Baltar]]:''
: '''Lampkin:''' I was born for this. That, and the fact I have a pulse.
 
* ''Admiral Adama rips [[Lee Adama]] another one:''
: '''William Adama:''' What the hell were you doing out there? I gave you an order. To do a job.
: '''Lee Adama:''' Excuse me, I was ''doing my job''.
: '''Bill:''' Yeah, being led around by the nose! This bastard yanks your chain and you jump.
: '''Lee:''' He wanted files from ''[[Colonial One]]''–
: '''Bill:''' It was the middle of the night.
: '''Lee:''' Well, you assigned me to security.
: '''Bill:''' Yeah. And there was a bomb on [[Raptor|that ship]]. And you ''missed it''. Security? I gave you ''explicit orders''.
: '''Lee:''' [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] was piloting.
: '''Bill:''' You coulda died. Plain and simple. ''You're a soldier. Live like one. Start acting like one!''
: '''Lee:''' [[Kara Thrace|She]]'s [[Maelstrom|been gone]] two weeks. I didn't realize the clock was running.
: '''Bill:''' ''(softly)'' Stop.
: '''Lee:''' No, I'm sorry. Maybe because we're just built differently.
: '''Bill:''' You stop. Don't you dare quantify my loss.
: '''Lee:''' You have no idea. ''You have no frakking idea.''
: '''Bill:''' What, you think yours is deeper?
: '''Lee:''' Well–
: '''Bill:''' Yours is greater? ''(Lee doesn't respond)'' In two weeks, there's going to be a trial. And I'm going to do what I was chosen to do, and so are you! You build a [[frak]]king nest around this man and you ''protect his ass''!
 
* ''Lampkin (ostensibly) confides in Caprica about his tortured romantic past:''
: '''Lampkin:''' I loved a woman. Beautiful, beautiful woman. But so serious. This frowning face, trapped in the middle of a daisy. She had a way of walking, processional. As if she were o­n her way to her own execution. We had ten years. Then it fell apart under its own weight.
: '''Caprica:''' Is that what you wanted?
: '''Lampkin:''' I thought if I could get over her, I could get over anything. I could endure. Conquer. Be a man, stand up to any and all kind of punishment. I clung to an empty, spinning bed for months. And that... that is when I finally realized how much I loved her. If I needed ''all that strength,'' ''...what, was the '''point'''?'' I needed to be with her.
 
* ''[[Cally Tyrol]] apparently learns from her [[Dirty Hands|mistakes]], and misses the point:''
: '''Tyrol:''' I believe that the Cylons want us to destroy ourselves and this is how they're doing it. By planting bombs, making us suspicious of each other. You know what's funny? By the time the Cylons catch up with us, they won't even have to attack. They'll just clean up the mess we made. I think they're here.
: '''{{callsign|Athena}}:''' I think you're wrong.
 
* ''Apollo and Lampkin discuss Joseph Adama:''
: '''Lampkin:''' Everybody has demons. Them, Baltar, you, me. Even the machines. The law is just a way of exorcising them. That's what your father's father told me. You want to know why I hated him? Because he was right.
: '''Apollo:''' So you hated him because he was right, and I hated the law because it was wrong. Because of what— of what it put him through. I mean, he defended the worst of the worst. I remember reading about him. The outrage, helping murderers go free. What I don't understand is why he put himself through all that abuse—
: '''Lampkin:''' You think he gave a flying frak? Joe Adama cared about o­ne thing: understanding why people do what they do. Why we cheat our friends, why we reward our enemies. Why we go to war, sacrificing our lives for lost causes. Why we build machines in the hope of correcting our flaws and our shortcomings. Why we forgive, defying logic and the laws of nature with o­ne stupid little act of compassion. We're flawed, all of us. I wanted to know why, so I did what he did: I spent my life with the fallen, the corrupt, the damaged. Look at you: you were so ready to get o­n that Raptor with me, be the bad boy, the prodigal son!
: '''Apollo:''' No, I was just doing my job, protecting you!
: '''Lampkin:''' What are you doing in my business? Suddenly I'm handcuffed to a serial contrarian?!
: '''Apollo:''' No, I am not— oh, OK.
: '''Lampkin:''' My bed is made. I suggest you toil o­n your own. Now, if this cross-examination is over, I'd like to take a crap.
 
* ''Lee Adama discovers Lampkin's kleptomania:''
: '''Lampkin:''' My demons. I borrow things. My parents disappeared when I was nine years old. They were kidnapped. Murdered for the money they had o­n them, which wasn't enough. I went to live with an uncle, stole from him until I could run away.
: '''Adama:''' So what did you take from me?
: '''Lampkin:''' I was thinking the photograph that you carry. The girl. The pilot. The one you carry [in your pocket]. But you've had enough stolen from you already.
 
* ''Lee Adama confronts Kelly about the bomb:''
: '''Kelly:''' I would have never let Athena airborne with you on the Raptor. I would have stopped it. You know that.
: '''Adama:''' Yeah, I know that.
: '''Kelly:''' You'd better lock me up. And I don't want any trial. I won't stop. I will keep trying. I'll keep at it, I will. I did my job, sir. And I have done my job for two years. Every day I've sent people out to fight. I cleared them all to die. So many people. I just got tired of living with that. You ask that man, if you had to choose between giving up his life for a Cylon or human, what do you think he'd say? I had to do something.


*According to the podcast The Battlestar Roundtable, [[Mark Sheppard]] will play [[Romo Lampkin]], a very unusual man who talks too much and is a lawyer involved in a very important case in the Colonial Fleet. His story arc will carry through the last 3 episodes of the season.
* ''Baltar reads a note from Lampkin, after retrieving his pen from the envelope:''
: '''Lampkin:''' There's no greater ally, no force more powerful, no enemy more resolved than a son who chooses to step from his father's shadow. Romo Lampkin.


== Guest Stars ==
== Guest Stars ==
*[[Mark Sheppard]] as [[Romo Lampkin]]
* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol]]
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally Tyrol]]
*[[Colin Lawrence]] as [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Capt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Tyler McClendon]] as [[Alan Hughes]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Leah Cairns]] as Lt. [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racketrack" Edmondson]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as Lt. [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Sebastian Spence]] as Lt. [[Noel Allison|Noel "Narcho" Allison]]
* [[Mark Sheppard]] as [[Romo Lampkin]]
* [[Colin Lawrence]] as [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lt. [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
* [[Ty Olsson]] as Cpt. [[Aaron Kelly]]
* [[Bodie Olmos]] as Lt. [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hotdog" Costanza]]
* [[Don Thompson]] as [[Anthony Figurski]]
* [[Tyler McClendon]] as [[Alan Hughes]]
* [[Stephen Holmes]] as Reporter #1
* [[Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
* [[Alison Matthews]] as [[Karen Fallbrook|Fallbrook]]
* [[Chris Boyd]] as Marine [[Henry Cheadle|Cheadle]]
* [[Colin Corrigan]] as Marine [[Allan Nowart|Nowart]]
* [[Jerry]] as [[Lance]] (uncredited)<ref name="tsw"/>


== References ==
== References ==
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{{Episode list (RDM season 3)}}


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Latest revision as of 17:45, 24 February 2024

The Son Also Rises
"The Son Also Rises"
An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No. Season 3, Episode 18
Writer(s) Michael Angeli
Story by
Director Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No. 317
Nielsen Rating 1.2
US airdate USA 2007-03-11
CAN airdate CAN 2007-03-11
UK airdate UK
DVD release
Population 41,399 survivors (Population decline. 1)
Additional Info
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
Maelstrom The Son Also Rises Crossroads, Part I
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D SkitView
Podcast TranscriptView
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
@ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: USA | Canada | UK



With Gaius Baltar's trial merely two weeks away, Lee Adama is tasked with protecting Romo Lampkin, Baltar's second lawyer, and finds himself going up against his own father, who himself is appointed as one of the five judges in Baltar's trial.

Summary

Teaser

Adama happens upon an old, self-made birthday card from Kara Thrace, while reviewing her jacket.
  • William Adama reviews Kara Thrace's service record file, which includes various disciplinary notices, commendations, and citations.
  • Meanwhile, on Colonial One, Laura Roslin presides over a drawing of ship captains who will comprise the five judges of Gaius Baltar's tribunal. Tory Foster picks up a folded card from the bowl, handing it to Roslin. It reads: Captain Elias Meeker, Gideon.
  • Adama looks through more of Thrace's records, including a commendation for bravery regarding her actions in recovering the civilians from Caprica.
  • Foster draws one last name from the bowl. When Roslin opens it, she initially begins to read the card aloud, but stops herself as she reads the name, clearly shocked.
  • As Adama continues to slowly run through the jacket, he happens across a self-made birthday card from Thrace to him. The cover reads: "You were always like a father to me . . ." Upon opening the card, he sees a picture of Thrace, who is wearing his glasses and has doodled a mustache onto the photo. Above the picture are the words "See the resemblance?" and below, "Happy birthday, young man". It is signed it with "much love, Kara". This elicits a laugh from Adama, who begins to tear up and sniffle.
  • On the flight deck, a grieving and inebriated Samuel Anders stands on top of a Viper, tossing a coin, calling "heads" correctly for the fourth time in a row. Watching him are Anthony Figurski, Hamish McCall and Margaret Edmondson.
  • In the memorial hallway, Lee Adama stands in front of the section containing Kat's picture. He thumbs with a photo of Thrace, keeping it close to his belly, then pocketing it as he hears the sound of Racetrack's footsteps. Edmondson then gets his attention by calling Adama by his rank.
  • Still standing above the cockpit of the Viper, Anders holds out the cubit, saying that his "girl is too lucky to check out". Adama and Edmondson approach; Adama joins Anders on top of the Viper and attempts to talk him down. Emotionally distraught, he initially sits down, then jumps up, saying he has somewhere to go, but he doesn't complete his words as he slips and falls from the Viper. Adama climbs down from the Viper as some of the spectators begin to cluster near the fallen Anders, who says "I think I fell".
  • As Adama checks Anders over for injuries, Anders asks him, "She's still alive, right?" Adama replies in the negative, and Anders tearfully claims that he knows.
  • In CIC, Colonel Saul Tigh tells Adama he's been selected as one of the five ship captains that form Baltar's tribunal.
  • On the hangar deck, Racetrack complains about having to fly Baltar's lawyer back and forth from the Zephyr. Her chief grievances are that he whispers into her ear and takes his shoes off on board.
  • Skulls wonders why Baltar is even given a trial while he's obviously guilty, to which Cally replies that it's justice.
  • An explosive charge detonates aboard the Raptor. Racetrack walks out unharmed, but Baltar's lawyer is dead.

Act 1

  • A press conference takes place on Colonial One with reporters firing questions at President Roslin about the trial, a replacement defense attorney, and other matters. Roslin firmly maintains that no terrorist acts will affect the trial.
  • In the pilot ready room, the mood is also somber. Major Adama is distracted and making mistakes as he plans a reconnaissance operation. At one point, Adama mistakenly calls Racetrack Starbuck after the Raptor pilot makes a joke to Sharon "Athena" Agathon about checking under her seat. An awkward silence descends upon the room. Adama apologizes, then quickly dismisses the group.
  • Roslin interviews Baltar's new attorney, Romo Lampkin with Admiral Adama present. Lampkin abruptly introduces the Fleet leaders to his cat, who is in a foul mood.
  • Adama asks his son to head up the security detail for the new attorney. When the younger Adama objects to being grounded as CAG and indicating that he's "okay," the admiral tells him that he knows that his son isn't okay because the admiral himself is also still in grief over Thrace's death.
  • Lampkin is given his quarters and asks to see Baltar. Lampkin wants to choose a room that is unlikely to be wired for surveillance. He tells Major Adama that he was a student of his grandfather, Joseph Adama.
  • The scene shifts to see someone's gloved hands preparing explosive charges.

Act 2

  • Baltar, in a bulletproof vest, is escorted by Marines to his attorney in Major Adama's quarters. The major is present, but Lampkin assures Baltar that he has signed a confidentiality agreement.
  • Baltar is agitated as he writes more quick notes for his manifesto. He knows that the tribunal will use Caprica-Six against him.
  • When Lampkin asks to be taken to Colonial One, Adama objects. When he insults Adama, the major reacts violently, his stress over the events of the last two weeks coming forth briefly.
  • Adama manages to convince Captain Aaron Kelly to fly the Raptor with Athena and Lampkin aboard, despite the admiral's grounding order for the major.
  • As the Raptor's door is almost closed, Lampkin's cat escapes through the hatchway, and the door is reopened while other deckhands scramble to chase the cat.
  • As Chief Tyrol crawls under the Raptor to reach the cat, he discovers the bomb, and everyone madly scrambles away.
  • Later, Admiral Adama is infuriated at his son for disobeying orders, noting how everyone is out of sorts since Thrace's death two weeks prior. The admiral orders his son to do his job, properly, for he will be on the other side of the courtroom as a tribunal member.

Act 3

  • The bomb is dissected and analyzed. Deck crew and officers discuss the problem: one of them is a conspirator. Cally Tyrol states her opinion, and accuses the Cylons, and more indirectly Sharon Agathon, of the bombings and of inciting the riots within the Fleet.
  • Major Adama warns Lampkin to watch himself, but Lampkin is philosophical, realizing that someone will eventually get to him, no matter what.
  • On Colonial One, Roslin grants Lampkin permission to interview Caprica-Six in the usual interrogation room. Tory Foster apologizes to Apollo for the difficulty and delay in getting the files Lampkin requested shipped to him.
  • As Lampkin interviews Six, she notes her love for Baltar. Lampkin relates his experiences in love, which moves Six. She asks him whether or not Baltar has asked about her, and Lampkin removes his glasses and shows her Baltar's pen, telling her that his sacrifice of his one limited freedom is an expression of his love.
  • Lampkin also informs her that unlike Baltar, she won't get a trial.
  • Later, Anthony Figurski delivers the papers Lampkin requested from Colonial One, noting that Captain Kelly had inspected them. The Marine escort is suspicious, and both they and Lampkin inspect the paper box to their satisfaction.
  • As Lampkin enters his key code for opening his quarter's hatch, Marine Henry Cheadle notices a screw on the floor, and realizes that the key lock had been tampered with. He tackles Lampkin, pushing him to safety just as the hatchway explodes, taking the full force of the explosion.

Act 4

  • Lampkin survives the bomb attack, but is in sickbay. Major Adama speaks with him and has brought a bag containing Lampkin's possessions.
  • Lampkin states that he is a kleptomaniac, and master sleight-of-hand thief. Major Adama begins to remove the items with Lampkin commenting on the significance of each: Roslin's glasses, a shoe from the prosecuting attorney, a button from the admiral's jacket. "I borrow things," he says. When the major asks what Lampkin took from him, he tells him that he found Thrace's picture, but didn't take it.
  • Adama discovers a special object that could only come from an officer. He asks who Lampkin burgled to get this object, which is something only the bomber would have.
  • Major Adama interviews Captain Kelly, who admits to being the bomber and warns that he will continue the attacks if left on duty.
  • The admiral reinstates his son as CAG, but the younger Adama wants to help Lampkin instead. He does not cave in the face of his father's repeated objections. Eventually, the admiral, furious with the major, declares that he's through giving his son orders. Back on CIC, he orders them to remove the major from the board and re-instate Karl "Helo" Agathon as CAG. He tells everyone there, "My son has more important things to do."
  • Adama places Thrace's picture onto the memorial board as she requested, next to Louanne "Kat" Katraine. Anders, on crutches and with his left leg in a cast, comes in. Together the two begin to come to terms with losing the woman they both loved.
  • Baltar finds an envelope with his pen, and a note from his attorney.
  • The note contains a poetic line, telling Baltar that there is no more powerful ally than a son who decides to step away from his father's shadow.

Bonus Scene

  • The scene begins with Athena and Cally Tyrol in the hangar deck while the rest of the deck gang is away.
  • Athena begins to ask Cally why she accused her of being the bomber, upon which Cally denies ever making a direct accusation.
  • Athena responds that she didn't accuse or even indirectly imply that Cally is the bomber, even though Cally was the last deck hand to inspect the Raptor.
  • Athena allows Cally to take her gun and hold it to her chest, while Athena states why she knows Cally, despite her intense hatred for the Cylons, wouldn't shoot her. It is because she knows Athena loves her husband, her daughter, and Galactica. Cally, according to Athena, would never dare take a child's mother away.
  • After a few tense moments, Athena grabs the gun, points it next to Cally's head and states in unambiguous terms that if Cally is discovered to be the bomber, Athena will kill Cally herself.

Notes

Continuity

  • Starting with this episode, Katee Sackhoff's name is no longer listed in the opening credits.
  • The population count at the start of this episode is 41,399, accounting for Kara Thrace's death in "Maelstrom". At least one birth must have occurred to set off Alan Hughes' death in the teaser. Assuming that Marine Henry Cheadle dies in the explosion that almost kills Lampkin, the population count would be 41,398, a number that does not take into account any births or other deaths that occurred off-screen.
  • Karl Agathon is temporarily assigned as CAG, despite not having any previously known experience as a Viper pilot. After Apollo, Helo is the highest-ranking established pilot left. Experienced Viper pilots passed over for the job include Marcia Case, Ricky Richardson, and Hotdog, of whom the latter had at least as much experience as former CAG Louanne "Kat" Katraine. This is consistent with the traditions of the U.S. Navy, which does not require the CAG to be a fighter pilot, or indeed any kind of pilot - commissioned aircrew such as Electronic Countermeasures Officers are equally eligible.
  • The model ship which Adama destroyed in the previous episode is still sitting on a shelf in his quarters, but visibly damaged.
  • The one-armed deckhand - using a prosthetic - who first appeared in "Dirty Hands" can be seen in the far background in the scene with Hughes boarding the Raptor before he is killed.
  • When Adama looks at Thrace's personnel file, one of the sheets is a field commendation for valor and bravery received for an operation called "Blue Mountain Retreat" and "action on Hill ER5." Since it mentions a rescue of civilians, this likely refers to the Caprica Rescue mission in "Lay Down Your Burdens".
  • Lampkin's theory on how the person who cares the most is the one that wins is similar to dialogue from Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams.

"The point is," he said, "that people like you and me, Slartibartfast, and Arthur—particularly and especially Arthur—are just dilettantes, eccentrics, layabouts if you like...We're not obsessed with anything, you see... And that's the deciding factor. We can't win against obsession. They care, we don't. They win."

"But unless we determine to take action," said the old man querulously, as if struggling against something deeply insouciant in his nature, "then we shall all be destroyed, we shall all die. Surely we care about that?"

"Not enough to want to get killed over it," said Ford.

Development

  • This episode's title is a pun on the title of the 1926 Ernest Hemingway novel "The Sun Also Rises".
  • Sam Anders' flipping a coin and continually coming up with heads is reminiscent of the early moments of Tom Stoppard's play "Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead," in which Rosencrantz has the same result on a coin flip over a dozen times. This leads Guildenstern to comment "Consider - One: Probability is a factor which operates within natural forces. Two: Probability is not operating as a factor. Three: We are now held within un-, sub-, or supernatural forces." The moral is that two minor characters within a play (namely, Hamlet) have no control over their fate, and are condemned to carry out their role in the story regardless of their desperate attempts to change events.
  • According to Michael Angeli, Lampkin's first name, Romo, is from the first two letters of Ronald D. Moore's first and last names.[1] Romo Lampkin was also initially conceived as a "55 year old Alan Dershowitz character."[2]
  • The door code to Romo Lampkin's temporary quarters on Galactica is 1234.
  • Romo Lampkin exhibits symptoms of kleptomania. Over the course of the episode he steals many objects Lampkin views as important to their owner from a psychological perspective, and thus provides him with knowledge of a person. Among the objects stolen:
    • Gaius Baltar's worn fountain pen
    • Laura Roslin's glasses
    • Admiral Adama's uniform button, which Adama first searches for when Lampkin talks to Caprica-Six
    • Ms. Cassidy's sandal
    • Aaron Kelly's magnetic component, used in his bomb-making
  • The assassination of Baltar's lawyer was inspired by attacks on Saddam Hussein's defense team (Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion Season Three).
  • Information from the script reveals that the names of the ship captains taken out of the glass bowl by Foster to be revealed by Roslin are:
  • The scene where Foster and Roslin reveal the last ship captain, in this case Admiral William Adama, was unscripted.

Analysis

  • A noticeable pattern between the two Adamas is evident whenever both are going through a stressful or traumatic situation. Whereas the elder Adama has the experience and the desire to focus on the job that he has to do, the younger Adama consistently displays an inability to cope and process his emotions. This difference between the two has often led to sharp divisions, causing another tear in their damaged relationship:
    • In the Miniseries, Bill Adama is trying to get on with his life after the loss of his son Zak, but Lee is still full of rage over the incident and quite unambiguously holds his father responsible for what happened.
    • When the two Adamas do not agree on the same method of coping with the destruction of the Olympic Carrier in "33". This eventually leads to Lee Adama becoming Roslin's military adviser and eventual co-conspirator during the hunt for the Arrow of Apollo.
    • During the planning for the Battle of New Caprica, the two Adamas butt heads again over strategy and whether it is worth the risk of losing the last remnants of humanity that were with Galactica and Pegasus at the time.
  • Lee Adama has consistently shown a tendency to prove that he is not like his father, even though both are described as stubborn by Dualla and Carolanne Adama. This tendency is evident in the last argument between the two when Apollo accuses Adama of not wanting him to become like his grandfather.
  • William Adama's failure to listen to Carolanne Adama's pleas and advice to tell his son how proud he is of him comes back with a vengeance when Apollo repeatedly asks his father if he is giving him an order, the implication being that Apollo wants to know if his father is treating him as a son or as a soldier. Adama's refusal to ask Apollo to obey his orders as his son will probably lead to further dissension between the two.
  • Romo Lampkin, though he appears to be a lawyer with little, if any, courtroom experience, has demonstrated a deep understanding of the human psyche. He takes Roslin's glasses to prevent her from being taken seriously during the trial. His other feats such as raising doubt and bringing out Caprica-Six's feelings for Baltar, and his slow but sure persuasion of Lee Adama into helping with Baltar's case, give hints to a man who obviously has immense experience with the art of manipulation.
  • Lee Adama honors Thrace's request of having her photo posted next to Louanne "Kat" Katraine's. His inability to let go of the photo may represent a possible marriage conflict with Dualla if he is unable to truly move on.
  • Cally Tyrol correctly states that the Cylons wouldn't even need to fire one shot because they may find the Fleet had torn itself apart because of humanity's tendency towards self-destruction. However, it is also clear that she has not realized that she and the many workers are just as much a part of the problems when they essentially risked the existence of the Fleet with their work strikes, refusal to refine tylium, and disobedience toward military orders (TRS: "Dirty Hands"). The summary of all those acts cannot be attributed to Cylon intervention as Cally Tyrol is implying that Athena is responsible for the bombings.
  • Two weeks have passed since the events of "Maelstrom". During this time, Adama apparently has been mulling over his memories of Starbuck, including a review of her military record. The audience sees, amongst the items in the folder, a hand-made birthday card which Thrace gave Adama for his birthday once. It jokingly shows Thrace with a color pen mustache and glasses, and asks if Adama can see the resemblance. This moment reinforces the theme that Starbuck was very much a daughter to Adama, even though he stated otherwise in "Torn". It is very clear that he still sees Thrace as a daughter to him.
  • After the events of "The Woman King," Helo has been reinstated amongst the pilots of Galactica, as the original purpose of assigning him to Dogsville was in response to his objections and sabotage of the Cylon biological weapon. Starting with "Dirty Hands," Helo is present at briefings in the ready room, and appears to be a squadron leader. Thus, once Apollo's flight status is revoked it is only natural for Adama to promote Helo to the CAG position because of seniority and trust.
  • It is unclear whether Helo has experience with a Viper, but numerous Viper pilots have been flying Raptors so far. Whether this goes both ways it yet to be seen, but with Helo's position as head of a squadron and now CAG, it appears that he has at least enough operational and tactical knowledge to do the necessary organizational and administrative duties. His previous experience as Galactica's XO may also have been a factor in his appointment.
  • Though Kelly tells Apollo that he would never have detonated the bomb with him inside, the fact that the bomb had been planted and that Kelly couldn't anticipate Apollo's impromptu decision to join Lampkin makes it clear that Kelly's original intention was to kill Lampkin and Athena. Whether this is an indirect statement on Kelly's view on Athena's Cylon heritage or his desire to raise the stakes by not only killing Baltar's lawyer, but sacrifice a member of the crew, is unclear.
  • This is the first episode since the end of Season 2 that any member of the "The Colonial Gang," specifically Playa Palacios appear in the series. This episode and the nature of the remaining episodes may indicate a return to the President-news press relationship that the audience has seen in the past.

Questions

  • Is Lampkin's statement to Roslin and Adama that he is seeking the fame (or infamy) of being Baltar's lawyer true, or is there an ulterior motive?
  • Will Captain Kelly be punished and if yes, how?
  • Besides the attacks caused by Kelly, have there been any other incidents of violence on the scale that Zarek warned Roslin about?
  • Will the death of Thrace bring Lee Adama and Sam Anders closer as friends in the future?
  • Would the bomb on the Raptor have gone off if Tyrol hadn't discovered it? Is Kelly telling the truth that he would not have triggered it with Lee Adama inside?
  • Is Cally's hatred of the Cylons truly towards all Cylons or is she afraid of Athena because of her connection to Tyrol's former lover, Boomer?
  • Why does Lampkin wear sunglasses in most of his encounters with people?
  • What caused the rift between William Adama and his own father?
  • Given Karl Agathon's temporary promotion to CAG, does he have previous flight experience as a Viper pilot?
  • Given the reappearance of Playa Palacios in this episode, what of her other fellow "Colonial Gang" correspondents, James McManus and Sekou Hamilton, or the program itself? (Answer #1 (Hamilton), Answer #2 (McManus)

Official Statements

Cast Comments

Mark Sheppard: Ron had said that he gave Michael Angeli carte blanche to make this character as odd and as wide as he wanted to make it. Michael Angeli is a very, very, very clever writer. It’s wonderful dialog, it’s a wonderfully convoluted, complicated character. You know the glasses idea was his idea, he wears dark glasses a lot, Michael Angeli, and the glasses were very important to him. And he put the cat in and all these strange elements and the kleptomania. and there are all these other questions, is he a Cylon? a manipulator? is he this, is he that. All of these things are kind of irrelevant. I played him as the last sane man in the universe. If you think of the episode "The Son Also Rises," my first episode, it’s the episode after "Maelstrom". Maelstrom is a disaster, an absolute disaster! The end of "Maelstrom" leaves you with this huge hole, this gap and I walk in to a group of people in mourning. They are in mourning for Starbuck. I think I’m the only person paying attention. I think none of them are paying attention because of the events of New Caprica and everything that has happened since New Caprica. I mean basically they just want to tear Baltar to pieces, they kind of admit that they will move the trial forward because people need it, they need the trial, they need something.[3]
  • Mark Sheppard discusses a deleted scene involving Jerry, the cat:
Mark Sheppard: There is this lovely scene that they cut out. At the end of the scene when Lee says if anything moves don’t touch it, if anything is in the wrong place, it’s when he is worried about me finding a bomb. And my line is if they want to kill me they’ll find a way, now how do I get to see the Cylon woman. And I looked down and Jerry the cat is sitting there and what is funny is I looked at him and there is a line [where I say], "Please go boom." And what happened is the cat looked up at me when I spoke to him, then as I looked away, he looked away. It was very funny. (laughs) Cats do what they wanna do.[3]
  • Sheppard discusses his reaction to Ron D. Moore's offer of being Lampkin in three episodes:
Sheppard: It’s very, very weird. It was a very, very, very weird day. But it was kind of brilliant. I think he took great delight, and as I take great delight, in the fact that most of the time I tend to play what are termed "villains" – I don’t think of people as villains, but people with massively different agendas than the heroes usually in our pictures, especially in sci-fi. And this, I think, is very, very different. I think Romo is very, very different. I mean…somebody asked me, "Do you think he’s a Cylon?" First thing Eddie [Edward James Olmos] said was, "The first thing I’d be thinking was: he’s a cylon." I’m like, but does it really matter? Does it matter whether he’s a cylon? It actually doesn’t. I mean, his principles are extraordinary. His logic is I think extraordinary.
It’s just because he's very deliberate in the way that he executes what he does. As a character – the character is written very deliberately, in a manner that he has a very different set of moral values than the people around him. Which I think is an absolutely amazing thing to play. Plus being a kleptomaniac, you know – if you have a bizarre trait it doesn't hurt along the way. Michael Angeli's [writer] kind of brilliant when it comes to that kind of writing.[4]

Podcast

Information from the podcast:

  • Ron Moore admits that it's a stretch to have both Adamas involved intimately in the trial and even on opposite sides. But the writers decided to go for increased drama, since the trial would otherwise only be carried by guest stars with the show's main characters sidelined. Moore also believes that Admiral Adama is capable of making fair and rational decisions.
  • Romo Lampkin's cat was supposed to run out of the Raptor, but when shooting the cat only strolled. Since it's difficult to direct cats, the film was sped up instead.
  • That Lampkin always wears sunglasses was a decision made by the writer that was ultimately supported, despite concern on the part of the actor and the director.

Noteworthy Dialogue

  • Colonel Saul Tigh tells Admiral William Adama the good news:
Saul Tigh: Your Honor. (Adama looks at Tigh, confused) You haven't heard? Where have you been? They've just announced it. You won the lottery. You own exactly 1/5th of Baltar's skinny ass.
Lampkin: I was born for this. That, and the fact I have a pulse.
William Adama: What the hell were you doing out there? I gave you an order. To do a job.
Lee Adama: Excuse me, I was doing my job.
Bill: Yeah, being led around by the nose! This bastard yanks your chain and you jump.
Lee: He wanted files from Colonial One
Bill: It was the middle of the night.
Lee: Well, you assigned me to security.
Bill: Yeah. And there was a bomb on that ship. And you missed it. Security? I gave you explicit orders.
Lee: Athena was piloting.
Bill: You coulda died. Plain and simple. You're a soldier. Live like one. Start acting like one!
Lee: She's been gone two weeks. I didn't realize the clock was running.
Bill: (softly) Stop.
Lee: No, I'm sorry. Maybe because we're just built differently.
Bill: You stop. Don't you dare quantify my loss.
Lee: You have no idea. You have no frakking idea.
Bill: What, you think yours is deeper?
Lee: Well–
Bill: Yours is greater? (Lee doesn't respond) In two weeks, there's going to be a trial. And I'm going to do what I was chosen to do, and so are you! You build a frakking nest around this man and you protect his ass!
  • Lampkin (ostensibly) confides in Caprica about his tortured romantic past:
Lampkin: I loved a woman. Beautiful, beautiful woman. But so serious. This frowning face, trapped in the middle of a daisy. She had a way of walking, processional. As if she were o­n her way to her own execution. We had ten years. Then it fell apart under its own weight.
Caprica: Is that what you wanted?
Lampkin: I thought if I could get over her, I could get over anything. I could endure. Conquer. Be a man, stand up to any and all kind of punishment. I clung to an empty, spinning bed for months. And that... that is when I finally realized how much I loved her. If I needed all that strength, ...what, was the point? I needed to be with her.
Tyrol: I believe that the Cylons want us to destroy ourselves and this is how they're doing it. By planting bombs, making us suspicious of each other. You know what's funny? By the time the Cylons catch up with us, they won't even have to attack. They'll just clean up the mess we made. I think they're here.
Sharon "Athena" Agathon: I think you're wrong.
  • Apollo and Lampkin discuss Joseph Adama:
Lampkin: Everybody has demons. Them, Baltar, you, me. Even the machines. The law is just a way of exorcising them. That's what your father's father told me. You want to know why I hated him? Because he was right.
Apollo: So you hated him because he was right, and I hated the law because it was wrong. Because of what— of what it put him through. I mean, he defended the worst of the worst. I remember reading about him. The outrage, helping murderers go free. What I don't understand is why he put himself through all that abuse—
Lampkin: You think he gave a flying frak? Joe Adama cared about o­ne thing: understanding why people do what they do. Why we cheat our friends, why we reward our enemies. Why we go to war, sacrificing our lives for lost causes. Why we build machines in the hope of correcting our flaws and our shortcomings. Why we forgive, defying logic and the laws of nature with o­ne stupid little act of compassion. We're flawed, all of us. I wanted to know why, so I did what he did: I spent my life with the fallen, the corrupt, the damaged. Look at you: you were so ready to get o­n that Raptor with me, be the bad boy, the prodigal son!
Apollo: No, I was just doing my job, protecting you!
Lampkin: What are you doing in my business? Suddenly I'm handcuffed to a serial contrarian?!
Apollo: No, I am not— oh, OK.
Lampkin: My bed is made. I suggest you toil o­n your own. Now, if this cross-examination is over, I'd like to take a crap.
  • Lee Adama discovers Lampkin's kleptomania:
Lampkin: My demons. I borrow things. My parents disappeared when I was nine years old. They were kidnapped. Murdered for the money they had o­n them, which wasn't enough. I went to live with an uncle, stole from him until I could run away.
Adama: So what did you take from me?
Lampkin: I was thinking the photograph that you carry. The girl. The pilot. The one you carry [in your pocket]. But you've had enough stolen from you already.
  • Lee Adama confronts Kelly about the bomb:
Kelly: I would have never let Athena airborne with you on the Raptor. I would have stopped it. You know that.
Adama: Yeah, I know that.
Kelly: You'd better lock me up. And I don't want any trial. I won't stop. I will keep trying. I'll keep at it, I will. I did my job, sir. And I have done my job for two years. Every day I've sent people out to fight. I cleared them all to die. So many people. I just got tired of living with that. You ask that man, if you had to choose between giving up his life for a Cylon or human, what do you think he'd say? I had to do something.
  • Baltar reads a note from Lampkin, after retrieving his pen from the envelope:
Lampkin: There's no greater ally, no force more powerful, no enemy more resolved than a son who chooses to step from his father's shadow. Romo Lampkin.

Guest Stars

References

  1. Podcast: The Son Also Rises Bonus Seek to: ~00:01:05. Total running time: ~00:47:39.
  2. Podcast: The Son Also Rises Bonus Seek to: ~00:11:42. Total running time: ~00:47:39.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Nuytens, Gilles (1 May 2007). The Sci-Fi World: Mark Sheppard interview (backup available on Archive.org) (in ). Retrieved on 24 May 2007.
  4. Buddytv.com Exclusive Interview: Mark Sheppard, from 'Battlestar Galactica' (backup available on Archive.org) (in ). (3 July 2007). Retrieved on 13 August 2007.