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The Farm: Difference between revisions

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:''This page covers the episode "The Farm." For the Farms themselves, see [[Farms]].''
{{disline|This page covers the episode "The Farm". For the Farms themselves, see [[Farm]]s.}}
{{Episode Data
{{Episode Data
| image = Galacticafarm.jpg
| image = Galacticafarm.jpg
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| season=2
| season=2
| episode=5
| episode=5
| guests=
| guests=[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
| writer=[[Carla Robinson]]
| writer=[[Carla Robinson]]
| story=
| story=
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| rating= 2.0
| rating= 2.0
| US airdate=2005-08-12
| US airdate=2005-08-12
| CAN airdate=2006-02-11
| UK airdate=2006-02-07
| UK airdate=2006-02-07
| dvd= {{Season 2.0 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| dvd= {{Season 2.0 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population=47,857
| podcast = Y
| population= 47857
| oldpopulation= 47861
| prev=[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]
| prev=[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]
| next=[[Home, Part I]]
| next=[[Home, Part I]]
}}
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== Overview ==
 
:''[[Kara Thrace]] is shot and wakes up in a remote hospital facility on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]], and learns that her friendly doctor has his own plans for her future.''
:''[[Kara Thrace]] is shot and wakes up in a remote hospital facility on {{RDM|Caprica}}, and learns that her [[Simon|friendly doctor]] has his own plans for her future.''


== Summary ==
== Summary ==
Line 27: Line 34:
=== On Caprica ===
=== On Caprica ===


*[[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]], [[Karl Agathon|Helo]], and two members of the Resistance ([[Samuel Anders|Anders]] and [[Sue-Shaun]], who were introduced in the last episode) devise a plan to escape from [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] by commandeering a [[Cylon Heavy Raider]] from a nearby airstrip. They will fit as many people as possible onto the craft, and will dispatch a rescue mission for the remainder upon return to ''[[Galactica]]''.
*[[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]], [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]], and two members of the Resistance ([[Samuel Anders]] and [[Sue-Shaun]], who were introduced in the [[Resistance (episode)|last episode]]) devise a plan to escape from {{RDM|Caprica}} by commandeering a [[Heavy Raider]] from a nearby airstrip. They will fit as many people as possible onto the craft, and will dispatch a rescue mission for the remainder upon return to ''{{RDM|Galactica}}''.
*As the team is about to assault the airstrip, they are ambushed, and Thrace is hit by a bullet that grazes off her head and gets lodged in her abdomen. She loses consciousness.
*As the team is about to assault the airstrip, they are ambushed, and Thrace is hit by a bullet that grazes off her head and gets lodged in her abdomen. She loses consciousness.
*Thrace wakes up in a hospital. She is being attended to by a doctor named [[Simon]], who tells her that she was brought into the hospital by Anders, and that Anders died from a shrapnel wound. Thrace is devastated.
*Thrace wakes up in a hospital. She is being attended to by a doctor named [[Simon]], who tells her that she was brought into the hospital by Anders, and that Anders died from a shrapnel wound. Thrace is devastated.
Line 33: Line 40:
*Simon speculates that Thrace's reluctance to have children stems from her mother having abused her when she was young, as evidenced by a pattern of fractures in her fingers. This topic upsets her.
*Simon speculates that Thrace's reluctance to have children stems from her mother having abused her when she was young, as evidenced by a pattern of fractures in her fingers. This topic upsets her.
*Thrace wakes to discover a new scar on her abdomen. Simon tells her it's from an operation he did to stop some bleeding, but Thrace doesn't believe him, particularly after he calls her "Starbuck"--her pilot call sign, which she has never told him.
*Thrace wakes to discover a new scar on her abdomen. Simon tells her it's from an operation he did to stop some bleeding, but Thrace doesn't believe him, particularly after he calls her "Starbuck"--her pilot call sign, which she has never told him.
*Simon lied about Anders being dead: he, Helo and the other resistance fighters return to the scene of the ambush to try to figure out where Thrace and Sue-Shaun were taken. [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii]] appears and offers her help, saying she knows where they are and Helo decides to hear her out.
*Thrace fakes sleep after crimping her intravenous drip filled with sedative. When Simon leaves, she follows him into the hallway, where she overhears him having a conversation with a copy of [[Number Six]] about the "complete removal" of her ovaries scheduled for the next day.
*Thrace fakes sleep after crimping her intravenous drip filled with sedative. When Simon leaves, she follows him into the hallway, where she overhears him having a conversation with a copy of [[Number Six]] about the "complete removal" of her ovaries scheduled for the next day.
*A short time later, Thrace stabs Simon with a broken mirror shard and escapes the room. Lurching around the deserted hospital, she stumbles upon a room full of semi-conscious women wired horrifically to machines. Among them is [[Sue-Shaun]], who begs Thrace to destroy the "baby machines" and end their misery. She obliges with a prayer, a pair of medical tongs, and a primal scream.
*A short time later, Thrace stabs Simon with a broken mirror shard and escapes the room. Lurching around the deserted hospital, she stumbles upon a room full of semi-conscious women wired horrifically to machines. Among them is [[Sue-Shaun]], who begs Thrace to destroy the "baby machines" and end their misery. She obliges with a prayer, a pair of medical tongs, and a primal scream.
*Thrace staggers outside, braining a Six model with a fire extinguisher in the process, only to find a another Simon standing there to greet her. At that moment, [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and the rest of the resistance emerge from the woods. They pepper Simon with bullets, but soon get bogged down in a firefight with a squad of [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]]. A second rescue occurs in as many minutes: [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica-Valerii]] swoops down in a stolen Heavy Raider and blows the Centurions away.
*Thrace staggers outside, braining a Six model with a fire extinguisher in the process, only to find a another Simon standing there to greet her. At that moment, Agathon and the rest of the resistance emerge from the woods. They pepper Simon with bullets, but soon get bogged down in a firefight with a squad of [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]]. A second rescue occurs in as many minutes: Caprica-Valerii swoops down in a stolen Heavy Raider and blows the Centurions away.
*Thrace relates her experiences in the hospital to the others. Valerii explains that the [[Cylon agent|humanoid Cylons]] have a flaw which renders them unable to reproduce biologically. The Cylons have been holding human women in "farms" to try to implant them with human/Cylon embryos. This effort has failed, however, leading the Cylons to believe that conception requires "love." Based on this theory, Valerii was able to conceive with Helo because of their love for each other.
*Thrace relates her experiences in the hospital to the others. Valerii explains that the [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylons]] have a flaw which renders them unable to reproduce biologically. The Cylons have been holding human women in "farms" to try to implant them with human/Cylon embryos. This effort has failed, however, leading the Cylons to believe that conception requires "love." Based on this theory, Valerii was able to conceive with Agathon because of their love for each other.
*Helo, Sharon, and Starbuck leave Caprica on the Heavy Raider. Starbuck promises [[Samuel Anders|Anders]] to return someday to rescue the Resistance. In the meantime, Anders says he will try to destroy as many farms as he can.
*Agathon, Sharon, and Thrace leave Caprica on the Heavy Raider. Thrace promises Anders to return someday to rescue the Resistance. In the meantime, Anders says he will try to destroy as many farms as he can.


===On ''Galactica''===
===On ''[[Galactica (TRS)|Galactica]]'' and in the Fleet===


*Commander Adama returns to duty, and is greated by applause in [[CIC]]. He tells the crew that he loves them all.
*Commander Adama returns to duty, and is greated by applause in [[CIC]]. He tells the crew that he loves them all.
*To try to rally support to the president, Zarek wants [[Lee Adama]] to make a recording denouncing his father. Adama stops in the middle of it and says he can't go through with that. It's left to [[Laura Roslin]] to win over the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
*To try to rally support to the president, [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]] wants [[Lee Adama]] to make a recording denouncing his father. Adama stops in the middle of it and says he can't go through with it. It's left to [[Laura Roslin]] to win over the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
* Roslin plays the "religious card." She transfers to the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' from where she transmits a message imploring the Fleet to follow her and the path the [[Lords of Kobol]] have set out for her. An infuriated and staunchly secular Adama doesn't board the ''Astral Queen'' because he thinks only three or four ships would seriously listen to her "religious nonsense." Instead, 24 ships ("almost a third of the Fleet") leave with her.
* Roslin plays the "religious card." She transfers to ''[[Astral Queen]]'' from where she transmits a message imploring the Fleet to follow her and the path the [[Lords of Kobol]] have set out for her. An infuriated and staunchly secular Adama doesn't board ''Astral Queen'' because he thinks only three or four ships would seriously listen to her "religious nonsense." Instead, 24 ships ("almost a third of the Fleet") leave with her.
*Cally is thrown in the brig for killing [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]], now known as a Cylon agent and traitor. Chief Tyrol implores Commander Adama to release her, due to her trauma by events on Kobol. Adama gives her a light sentence of charging her with discharging a firearm without permission: Cally will spend only one month in the brig.
*[[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] is thrown in the brig for killing [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]], now known as a Humanoid Cylon and traitor. Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] implores Commander Adama to release her, due to her trauma by events on {{RDM|Kobol}}. Adama gives her a light sentence of charging her with discharging a firearm without permission: Cally will spend only one month in the brig.
*Adama asks Tyrol if he could love Boomer despite the fact that she was a machine. Tyrol isn't quite sure, but it becomes apparent that Adama is asking himself the question as much as he is Tyrol; Adama loved all of his pilots like his children.   
*Adama asks Tyrol if he could love Boomer despite the fact that she was a machine. Tyrol isn't quite sure, but it becomes apparent that Adama is asking himself the question as much as he is Tyrol; Adama loved all of his pilots like his children.   
*Adama visits Boomer's body in the morgue.  He asks "Why?" then breaks down crying over her body.
*Adama visits Boomer's body in the morgue.  He asks "Why?" then breaks down crying over her body.


== Questions ==  
== Notes ==
*Caprica-Valerii says that she knows that [[Leoben Conoy]] told Kara Thrace she was special during his interrogation aboard ''Galactica''. How could she have known this? How do the Cylon agents communicate to each other?
 
**Since it is confirmed that Cylon agents do transmit their consciousness or updated information from body to body upon death, this implies that '''all''' models share memories between each other, no matter where they are. Caprica-Valerii seems to know much of ''Galactica's'' state of affairs when asked. If such communication is the case, wouldn't the relative strength of such a signal from the body be a tip-off for Colonials to locate the remaining Cylon infiltrators?
=== General ===
**Valerii also says that she "hasn't accessed that data" when asked how many farms there are. Does this mean that Cylons transmit information only upon death?  She knew about Leoben #2's "visit" with Thrace ([[Flesh and Bone]]) but she doesn't know the thoughts of the other Cylons on the planet who have not died. Conversely the Cylons seem unaware of her rebellious thoughts.
 
***Has the rebellious Sharon Valerii severed her connection with the other Cylons?  After she switched sides in "[[Flesh and Bone]]," the other Cylons seem unaware of her current thoughts and actions. Perhaps she only knows of events on ''Galactica'' before this point?
*This episode's opening credits marks the return of the "blipvert" effect used in the first season episodes, which Ron D. Moore borrowed from ''[[w:Space: 1999|Space: 1999]]''.  
**Leoben Conoy #2 appeared to acknowledge in "[[Flesh and Bone]]" that he was too far from Cylon forces for his personality to be recovered. Was he able to covertly transmit his memories to one of the basestars encountered in [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]" or "[[Scattered]]" by way of another agent? ([[Resurrection Ship|Likely answer]])
*As of the opening credits, the Fleet population is now 47,857, a net loss of 4 since "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]". This reflects the deaths of four civilians on board ''[[Gideon]]'' in that episode, but apparently not that of Valerii, which may be the result of her being removed from the count after the [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|assassination attempt]] on [[William Adama]].
*Will we see Simon again? ([[Downloaded|Answer]]) Is he one of the eight Cylon agents hiding in the Fleet?
*According to [[Felix Gaeta]], this episode takes place "a week" after [[Lee Adama]] docked at ''[[Cloud 9]]'' in the last episode, although apparently William Adama hasn't been well enough to resume command until very recently. Furthermore, according to a [[List of Deleted Scenes - Season 2 (RDM)#The Farm|deleted scene]], this episode takes place a week after "[[Fragged]]".
*How did Simon know Anders' name?
*24 ships, almost a third of the Fleet, have left with Roslin for Kobol.
**RDM's blog states that one of the member's of Anders' resistance was probably a Cylon (not necessarily any of the resistance members we saw on screen) who tipped them off to Anders, though this didn't make the final cut of the episode.
**This would mean the total Fleet consists of over 72 ships. In the [[Miniseries]], there are only about 40 FTL-capable ships able to rendezvous with ''Galactica'' at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. This [[Retroactive continuity|retcon]] is similar to the 500-1500 prisoner error from the Miniseries to "[[Bastille Day]]".
***Could this have been a copy of [[Cavil]], specifically, the copy that prays with the resistance before they leave Caprica in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]?"
*This episode introduces the fifth confirmed [[humanoid Cylon]], [[Simon]], whose numerical designation won't be revealed until "[[Six of One]]".
*Why does the Caprica resistance seem more concerned about Thrace's disappearance than Sue-Shaun's? Did Thrace's love interest generate the greater concern?
*The concept of women connected to machines for the purposes of controlled reproduction is a venerable one in science fiction; the [[w:Dune universe|Dune universe]] showcases a classic example where a specific political and religious faction (the [[w:Bene Tleilax|Bene Tleilax]]) uses the technology to produce clones.
*Could Commander Adama's evident grief upon viewing the corpse of Boomer in the ship's morgue mean that they were personally involved at some point? Or, perhaps, did the level of humanity that Boomer showed cause Adama to mourn her loss as he would a daughter or daughter-figure such as Kara Thrace? In any case, given her role in Adama's assassination attempt, this is strange and strong behavior.
*Thrace has the last line in this episode: "Let's go [[Home, Part I|home]]!"
*Would any viable embryos harvested by the Cylons be accelerated into mature adults or placed ''in vitro'' into a host? Would the host be Cylon or human?
*The scene of Thrace's rescue where the second Number Four appears was overdubbed in "[[The Plan]]" and a line by [[Samuel Anders|Anders]] is inserted ordering [[Barolay]] to return to base and kill "[[Simon|the doc]]".  "The Plan" reveals that the Buccaneers' team doctor is a Number Four model Cylon.
**Caprica-Valerii seemed to imply that no viable hybrid embryos had ever been produced by the Farms, at least up until this point. Then again, she said that they "weren't very successful," a somewhat vague answer suggesting inpregnation or growth but no viable fetuses.
 
=== Characters ===
*Boomer's body is now in the morgue. The "Y" shape scar suggests that she has undergone an autopsy.
*According to Simon's information, derived from either a Cylon dossier or from medical exams, Thrace was the victim of frequent physical abuse as a child; she's suffered many bone fractures in childhood, and all of her fingers have been broken. This is consistent with the comments made by [[Leoben Conoy]] to Thrace during their interrogation scenes in "[[Flesh and Bone]]". The reasons and events for such abuse are later revealed in the episode "[[Maelstrom]]" as the result of abusive rearing by Thrace's mother, [[Socrata Thrace]].
*[[Karl Agathon]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii]]'s [[Hera Agathon|child]] is the first Human/Cylon hybrid conceived in love, and as a result is the first successful hybrid; no other embryo survived nearly as long, since the embryo is approximately five weeks old {{TRS|Six Degrees of Separation}}.
*[[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] served aboard ''Galactica'' for two years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], which implies that the Cylons' infiltration began around or before that time. This matches the length of time of [[Caprica-Six]]'s affair with [[Gaius Baltar]] while on {{RDM|Caprica}}.
 
=== Behind the scenes ===
* [[David Eick]]'s [[Video Blog]], "[[Episode 5 - Day 2]]," covers the shooting of this episode, including various production issues.
* After the end of the third act, as Simon enters Thrace's room (right before she stabs him), her room number is "254". Interestingly, Thrace's stabbing Simon takes place in the second season (2), of episode five (5) and this is the start of the fourth act (4).
* The hospital room is on a "swing set," an extra set that's kept open so that it can be used for special, one-time interior sets.


== Analysis ==
== Analysis ==
*What exactly did the Cylons do to Thrace's ovaries?  Simon tells Six: "...pending lab test results on sample for ovaries, complete removal will proceed tomorrow".  Starbuck escapes right after this, which means that the opportunity to "completely remove" her ovaries did not occur. This suggests at the very least that Starbuck can still have children.  However, female humans only have '''two''' ovaries:  how can you have a "sample" one? The sample could just mean that Simon took several eggs from one of Starbuck's ovaries to see if they were viable for conceiving children.  
*The scenes in the meat locker with Roslin, Zarek and co. were not shot in a real freezer according to the episode's [[Podcast:The Farm|podcast]]. This is also noticeable as a viewer. For example the characters' breath isn't visible. Ron Moore notes that the setting isn't entirely convincing.
*It would seem that the Cylons at least obtained several sample egg cells from Starbuck.  Will this lead to developments later on?   
*What exactly did the Cylons do to Thrace's ovaries?  ([[Precipice|Possible answer]]) Simon tells Six: "...pending lab test results on sample for ovaries, complete removal will proceed tomorrow".  Thrace escapes right after this, which means that the opportunity to "completely remove" her ovaries did not occur. This suggests at the very least that Thrace can still have children.  However, female humans only have '''two''' ovaries:  how can you have a "sample" one? The sample could just mean that Simon took several eggs from one of Thrace's ovaries to see if they were viable for conceiving children.  
*It would seem that the Cylons at least obtained several sample egg cells from Thrace.  Will this lead to developments later on?   
*In Ron D. Moore's blog entry for October 14, 2005, after finishing the last scripts for season two he jokingly says he has "the reward of time spent thinking about something besides Kara's missing ovaries ("Now, where did I leave those ovaries? They were right here a minute ago...") ".  What is meant by this?
*In Ron D. Moore's blog entry for October 14, 2005, after finishing the last scripts for season two he jokingly says he has "the reward of time spent thinking about something besides Kara's missing ovaries ("Now, where did I leave those ovaries? They were right here a minute ago...") ".  What is meant by this?
*Love serves as a theme in this episode. First, we find out how important love is for the Cylons: it is considered essential for Cylon procreation. In the first episode, Number Six asked Dr. Baltar several times if he loved her. Number Six also said that "God is love". That was after she tried to conceive from him. Love is also the reason Sharon aids Agathon and the reason Agathon accepts her help. Also we hear that Thrace was abused as a child. In the last episode she said that everyone seems to fight to get their old life back and she fights because it's all she knows how to do. In this episode she seems to develop affections to Anders. Will Thrace find 'reason' in love? Commander Adama tells his subordinates that he loves them. He asks Chief Tyrol if one could love a machine. Ultimately, Commander Adama weeps over Galactica-Sharon's body because he loved her.
*Number Six mentioned that "procreation is one of God's commandments" in the first episode, "[[33]]". This could mean that the Cylons are trying to procreate out of a feeling that they are sinning by not being able to have children on their own.
*Caprica-Valerii is aware of [[Leoben Conoy]] #2's interrogation by Thrace in "[[Flesh and Bone]]," even of specific things he said during it, suggesting that humanoid Cylons sometimes have a collective knowledgebase (''not'' a collective consciousness; see "[[Downloaded]]" for this confirmation) to occasionally draw from. This is supported by Boomer telling [[Gaius Baltar]] the number of humanoid Cylons remaining in the Fleet in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]," as only such a knowledgebase would allow Boomer to know of this data.
*As depicted in the [[Caprica_(series)|''Caprica'']] episode "[[The Imperfections of Memory]]," the hospital appropriated by the Cylons for a farm was once the [[Delphi Convalescent Institute]], a facility specializing in treating mental illness.


== Notes ==
== Questions ==  
*This episode's opening credits marks the return of the "blipvert" effect used in the first season episodes, which Ron D. Moore uses as an homage to "Space: 1999."
*Caprica-Valerii says that she knows that [[Leoben Conoy]] told Kara Thrace she was special during his interrogation aboard ''Galactica''. How could she know this? How do the humanoid Cylons communicate to each other? (See [[#Analysis|Analysis]])
*As of the opening credits, the fleet population is now 47,857, a net loss of 4 since "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]". This reflects the deaths of four civilians on board the [[Gideon]] in that episode, but apparently not that of Boomer. Was she removed from the count immediately after her assassination attempt?
*Will Simon be seen again? ([[Downloaded|Answer]]) Is he one of the eight humanoid Cylons hiding in the Fleet? ([[The Plan|Answer]])
*According to [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]], this episode takes place "a week" after Apollo docked at ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' in the last episode, although apparently Adama hasn't been well enough to resume command until very recently.
*How does Simon know Anders's name? ([[The Plan|Answer]])
*24 ships, almost a third of the Fleet, have left with Roslin for Kobol.
*What does Kara whisper to Sue-Shaun before she "pulls the plug" on the Farm machinery?
**This would mean the total Fleet consisted of over 72 ships. In the [[Miniseries]], there are only about 40 FTL-capable ships able to rendezvous with ''Galactica'' at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. This continuity error is similar to the 500-1500 prisoner error. [[Bastille Day]] and [[Miniseries]]
*Why does the Caprica resistance seem more concerned about Thrace's disappearance than Sue-Shaun's? Does Thrace's love interest generate the greater concern?
*Boomer's body is now in the morgue.
*Would any viable embryos harvested by the Cylons be accelerated into mature adults or placed ''in vitro'' into a host? Would the host be Cylon or human?
*Number Six mentioned that "procreation is one of God's commandments" in the first episode, "[[33]]." This could mean that the Cylons are trying to procreate out of a feeling that they are sinning by not being able to have children on their own.
*Helo and Caprica-Valerii's child is the first Human/Cylon hybrid conceived in love, and as a result appears to be the first and only successful hybrid; it seems that no other embryo survived nearly as long as it already has (it is now about five weeks old, since its conception in "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]").
*Boomer served aboard ''Galactica'' for two years, which means the Cylons had begun infiltrating Colonial society from at least that long ago. This matches the length of time of Six's affair with Baltar while on Caprica, suggesting that Cylon agent infiltration occurred around two years prior to the events of the miniseries.
*According to Simon's study (either from a Cylon dossier on Thrace or from medical exams) Starbuck was the victim of frequent physical abuse as a child; she's suffered many bone fractures in childhood, and all of her fingers have been broken at some point. This is consistant with the comments made by Leoben Conoy to Starbuck during their interrogation scenes. [[Flesh and Bone]]
*Caprica-Valerii is aware of [[Leoben Conoy]] #2's interrogation by Starbuck in "[[Flesh and Bone]]," even of specific things he said during it, suggesting that Cylon agents sometimes have a collective knowledgebase (''not'' a collective consciousness; see "[[Downloaded]]" for this confirmation) to occasionally draw from. This is supported by Boomer's information to [[Gaius Baltar]] of the number of Cylon agents remaining in the Fleet in "[[Resistance]]," as only such a knowledgebase would allow Boomer to know of this data. 
*This episode introduces the fifth confirmed [[Cylon agent]], [[Simon]].
*According to a deleted scene, this episode takes place a week after "[[Fragged]]."
*After the final commercial break, as Simon enters Starbuck's room (right before she stabs him) you can see that her room is number "254".  Not so coincidentally, this scene takes place in Season 2, episode #5, and this is the start of Act #4.
*Starbuck has the last line in this episode: "Let's go [[Home,_Part_I|home]]!"


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


*''Cylons discussing the surgical testing they are performing on Starbuck'':
*''Cylons discussing the surgical testing they are performing on Thrace'':
:'''Simon:''' ...pending lab test results on ovaries, complete removal will proceed tomorrow.  They've lab tested positive and subject will be removed to processing facility for final disposition.
:'''Simon:''' ...pending lab test results on ovaries, complete removal will proceed tomorrow.  They've lab tested positive and subject will be removed to processing facility for final disposition.
:'''Number Six:''' Is that regret I hear in your voice, Simon?
:'''Number Six:''' Is that regret I hear in your voice, Simon?
Line 93: Line 107:


*''Explanation of the Human/Cylon hybrid project:''
*''Explanation of the Human/Cylon hybrid project:''
:'''Valerii:''' They were conducting research, into Human/Cylon breeding programs.
:'''Caprica-Valerii:''' They were conducting research, into Human/Cylon breeding programs.
:'''Starbuck:''' Human/Cylon?
:'''Kara Thrace:''' Human/Cylon?
:'''Helo:''' 'Call them "Farms"...your gunshot wound looks fine...
:'''Karl Agathon:''' 'Call them "Farms"...your gunshot wound looks fine...
:'''Starbuck:''' So "Farms", that's great...what were they going to do, 'knock me up with some Cylon kid?
:'''Thrace:''' So "Farms," that's great...what were they going to do, 'knock me up with some Cylon kid?
:'''Valerii:''' They were going to try to.  We haven't been very successful so far.     
:'''Valerii:''' They were going to try to.  We haven't been very successful so far.     
:'''Anders:''' Supposedly they can't reproduce...you know, ''biologically'', so they've been trying every which-way to produce offspring.
:'''Anders:''' Supposedly they can't reproduce...you know, ''biologically'', so they've been trying every which-way to produce offspring.
:'''Starbuck:''' Why?
:'''Thrace:''' Why?
:'''Valerii:''' Procreation.  It's one of God's commandments; "be fruitful".  We can't fulfill it, we've tried.  So we decided--
:'''Valerii:''' Procreation.  It's one of God's commandments; "be fruitful".  We can't fulfill it, we've tried.  So we decided--
:'''Starbuck:''' To rape human women?!
:'''Thrace:''' To rape human women?!
:'''Valerii:''' You know, if you agreed to bear children it would be voluntary, maybe even set you up with someone you like.
:'''Valerii:''' You know, if you agreed to bear children it would be voluntary, maybe even set you up with someone you like.
:'''Starbuck:''' And you two kids? (looking at Helo and Caprica-Sharon)
:'''Thrace:''' Like you two kids? (looking at Agathon and Caprica-Valerii)
:'''Valerii:''' We're different.
:'''Valerii:''' We're different.
:'''Starbuck:''' What the frak is that supposed to mean?
:'''Thrace:''' What the frak is that supposed to mean?
:'''Helo:''' They have this theory; maybe the one thing they were missing was '''love'''.  So Sharon and I...were set up...
:'''Agathon:''' They have this theory; maybe the one thing they were missing was '''love'''.  So Sharon and I...were set up...
:'''Starbuck:''' To fall in love?!  They didn't ask [[Sue-Shaun]] if she wanted to fall in love, alright! They put a tube in her, and they hooked her up to a machine!
:'''Thrace:''' To fall in love?!  They didn't ask [[Sue-Shaun]] if she wanted to fall in love, alright! They put a tube in her, and they hooked her up to a machine!
:'''Valerii:''' They know who you are, Kara.  You're special.  Leoben told you that.  You have a destiny.   
:'''Valerii:''' They know who you are, Kara.  You're special.  Leoben told you that.  You have a destiny.   
:'''Helo:''' (pointing out the other scar on Starbuck's lower abdomen) Starbuck what's the second scar?
:'''Agathon:''' (pointing out the other scar on Thrace's lower abdomen) Starbuck, what's the second scar?
:'''Starbuck:''' I don't know.  I don't think I want to know now.  You know?
:'''Thrace:''' I don't know.  I don't think I want to know now.  You know?
:'''Valerii:''' No.
:'''Valerii:''' No.
:'''Anders:''' Alright, how many women do they have in these "Farms"?
:'''Anders:''' Alright, how many women do they have in these "Farms"?
Line 131: Line 145:
:'''Adama:''' There are many copies. You'll see her again.
:'''Adama:''' There are many copies. You'll see her again.


*''Simon, talking about Starbuck's reluctance to have children but also perhaps talking about the Cylons view of themselves (and maybe the "human" cylons).
*''Simon, talking about Thrace's reluctance to have children but also perhaps talking about the Cylons' view of themselves (and maybe the "human" Cylons).''
:'''Simon:''' Children of abusive parents often fear passing along that abuse to their own children.
:'''Simon:''' Children of abusive parents often fear passing along that abuse to their own children.


== Guest stars ==
== Guest stars ==
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally Tyrol|Cally Henderson]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as Petty Officer [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Rick Worthy]] as [[Simon]]
*[[Lorena Gale]] as [[Elosha]]
*[[Tamara Lashley]] as [[Sue-Shaun]]
*[[Tamara Lashley]] as [[Sue-Shaun]]
*[[Rick Worthy]] as [[Simon]]


== External Links ==
{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/205/ "The Farm"] at scifi.com


{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Farm, The}}


[[Category:A to Z|Farm, The]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)|Farm, The]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (TRS)]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Carla Robinson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Carla Robinson]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Rod Hardy]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Rod Hardy]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:TRS]]


[[de:Die Farm]]


[[es:La Granja]]
[[fr:La Ferme]]

Latest revision as of 17:40, 24 February 2024


The Farm
"The Farm"
An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No. Season 2, Episode 5
Writer(s) Carla Robinson
Story by
Director Rod Hardy
Assistant Director
Special guest(s) Richard Hatch as Tom Zarek
Production No. 205
Nielsen Rating 2.0
US airdate USA 2005-08-12
CAN airdate CAN 2006-02-11
UK airdate UK 2006-02-07
DVD release 20 December 2005 US
28 August 2006 UK
Population 47,857 survivors (Population decline. 4)
Additional Info
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
Resistance The Farm Home, Part I
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D SkitView
Podcast TranscriptView
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
Photo Gallery @ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: USA | Canada | UK



Kara Thrace is shot and wakes up in a remote hospital facility on Caprica, and learns that her friendly doctor has his own plans for her future.

Summary

On Caprica

  • Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, Karl "Helo" Agathon, and two members of the Resistance (Samuel Anders and Sue-Shaun, who were introduced in the last episode) devise a plan to escape from Caprica by commandeering a Heavy Raider from a nearby airstrip. They will fit as many people as possible onto the craft, and will dispatch a rescue mission for the remainder upon return to Galactica.
  • As the team is about to assault the airstrip, they are ambushed, and Thrace is hit by a bullet that grazes off her head and gets lodged in her abdomen. She loses consciousness.
  • Thrace wakes up in a hospital. She is being attended to by a doctor named Simon, who tells her that she was brought into the hospital by Anders, and that Anders died from a shrapnel wound. Thrace is devastated.
  • Thrace spends the next few days conversing with Simon, who muses that women capable of bearing children are a rare "commodity" now that the Cylons have nuked the Colonies, and suggests that Thrace should consider giving birth to a child.
  • Simon speculates that Thrace's reluctance to have children stems from her mother having abused her when she was young, as evidenced by a pattern of fractures in her fingers. This topic upsets her.
  • Thrace wakes to discover a new scar on her abdomen. Simon tells her it's from an operation he did to stop some bleeding, but Thrace doesn't believe him, particularly after he calls her "Starbuck"--her pilot call sign, which she has never told him.
  • Simon lied about Anders being dead: he, Helo and the other resistance fighters return to the scene of the ambush to try to figure out where Thrace and Sue-Shaun were taken. Caprica-Valerii appears and offers her help, saying she knows where they are and Helo decides to hear her out.
  • Thrace fakes sleep after crimping her intravenous drip filled with sedative. When Simon leaves, she follows him into the hallway, where she overhears him having a conversation with a copy of Number Six about the "complete removal" of her ovaries scheduled for the next day.
  • A short time later, Thrace stabs Simon with a broken mirror shard and escapes the room. Lurching around the deserted hospital, she stumbles upon a room full of semi-conscious women wired horrifically to machines. Among them is Sue-Shaun, who begs Thrace to destroy the "baby machines" and end their misery. She obliges with a prayer, a pair of medical tongs, and a primal scream.
  • Thrace staggers outside, braining a Six model with a fire extinguisher in the process, only to find a another Simon standing there to greet her. At that moment, Agathon and the rest of the resistance emerge from the woods. They pepper Simon with bullets, but soon get bogged down in a firefight with a squad of Centurions. A second rescue occurs in as many minutes: Caprica-Valerii swoops down in a stolen Heavy Raider and blows the Centurions away.
  • Thrace relates her experiences in the hospital to the others. Valerii explains that the humanoid Cylons have a flaw which renders them unable to reproduce biologically. The Cylons have been holding human women in "farms" to try to implant them with human/Cylon embryos. This effort has failed, however, leading the Cylons to believe that conception requires "love." Based on this theory, Valerii was able to conceive with Agathon because of their love for each other.
  • Agathon, Sharon, and Thrace leave Caprica on the Heavy Raider. Thrace promises Anders to return someday to rescue the Resistance. In the meantime, Anders says he will try to destroy as many farms as he can.

On Galactica and in the Fleet

  • Commander Adama returns to duty, and is greated by applause in CIC. He tells the crew that he loves them all.
  • To try to rally support to the president, Zarek wants Lee Adama to make a recording denouncing his father. Adama stops in the middle of it and says he can't go through with it. It's left to Laura Roslin to win over the Fleet.
  • Roslin plays the "religious card." She transfers to Astral Queen from where she transmits a message imploring the Fleet to follow her and the path the Lords of Kobol have set out for her. An infuriated and staunchly secular Adama doesn't board Astral Queen because he thinks only three or four ships would seriously listen to her "religious nonsense." Instead, 24 ships ("almost a third of the Fleet") leave with her.
  • Cally is thrown in the brig for killing Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, now known as a Humanoid Cylon and traitor. Chief Tyrol implores Commander Adama to release her, due to her trauma by events on Kobol. Adama gives her a light sentence of charging her with discharging a firearm without permission: Cally will spend only one month in the brig.
  • Adama asks Tyrol if he could love Boomer despite the fact that she was a machine. Tyrol isn't quite sure, but it becomes apparent that Adama is asking himself the question as much as he is Tyrol; Adama loved all of his pilots like his children.
  • Adama visits Boomer's body in the morgue. He asks "Why?" then breaks down crying over her body.

Notes

General

  • This episode's opening credits marks the return of the "blipvert" effect used in the first season episodes, which Ron D. Moore borrowed from Space: 1999.
  • As of the opening credits, the Fleet population is now 47,857, a net loss of 4 since "Resistance". This reflects the deaths of four civilians on board Gideon in that episode, but apparently not that of Valerii, which may be the result of her being removed from the count after the assassination attempt on William Adama.
  • According to Felix Gaeta, this episode takes place "a week" after Lee Adama docked at Cloud 9 in the last episode, although apparently William Adama hasn't been well enough to resume command until very recently. Furthermore, according to a deleted scene, this episode takes place a week after "Fragged".
  • 24 ships, almost a third of the Fleet, have left with Roslin for Kobol.
    • This would mean the total Fleet consists of over 72 ships. In the Miniseries, there are only about 40 FTL-capable ships able to rendezvous with Galactica at Ragnar Anchorage. This retcon is similar to the 500-1500 prisoner error from the Miniseries to "Bastille Day".
  • This episode introduces the fifth confirmed humanoid Cylon, Simon, whose numerical designation won't be revealed until "Six of One".
  • The concept of women connected to machines for the purposes of controlled reproduction is a venerable one in science fiction; the Dune universe showcases a classic example where a specific political and religious faction (the Bene Tleilax) uses the technology to produce clones.
  • Thrace has the last line in this episode: "Let's go home!"
  • The scene of Thrace's rescue where the second Number Four appears was overdubbed in "The Plan" and a line by Anders is inserted ordering Barolay to return to base and kill "the doc". "The Plan" reveals that the Buccaneers' team doctor is a Number Four model Cylon.

Characters

  • Boomer's body is now in the morgue. The "Y" shape scar suggests that she has undergone an autopsy.
  • According to Simon's information, derived from either a Cylon dossier or from medical exams, Thrace was the victim of frequent physical abuse as a child; she's suffered many bone fractures in childhood, and all of her fingers have been broken. This is consistent with the comments made by Leoben Conoy to Thrace during their interrogation scenes in "Flesh and Bone". The reasons and events for such abuse are later revealed in the episode "Maelstrom" as the result of abusive rearing by Thrace's mother, Socrata Thrace.
  • Karl Agathon and Caprica-Valerii's child is the first Human/Cylon hybrid conceived in love, and as a result is the first successful hybrid; no other embryo survived nearly as long, since the embryo is approximately five weeks old (TRS: "Six Degrees of Separation").
  • Sharon "Boomer" Valerii served aboard Galactica for two years prior to the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, which implies that the Cylons' infiltration began around or before that time. This matches the length of time of Caprica-Six's affair with Gaius Baltar while on Caprica.

Behind the scenes

  • David Eick's Video Blog, "Episode 5 - Day 2," covers the shooting of this episode, including various production issues.
  • After the end of the third act, as Simon enters Thrace's room (right before she stabs him), her room number is "254". Interestingly, Thrace's stabbing Simon takes place in the second season (2), of episode five (5) and this is the start of the fourth act (4).
  • The hospital room is on a "swing set," an extra set that's kept open so that it can be used for special, one-time interior sets.

Analysis

  • The scenes in the meat locker with Roslin, Zarek and co. were not shot in a real freezer according to the episode's podcast. This is also noticeable as a viewer. For example the characters' breath isn't visible. Ron Moore notes that the setting isn't entirely convincing.
  • What exactly did the Cylons do to Thrace's ovaries? (Possible answer) Simon tells Six: "...pending lab test results on sample for ovaries, complete removal will proceed tomorrow". Thrace escapes right after this, which means that the opportunity to "completely remove" her ovaries did not occur. This suggests at the very least that Thrace can still have children. However, female humans only have two ovaries: how can you have a "sample" one? The sample could just mean that Simon took several eggs from one of Thrace's ovaries to see if they were viable for conceiving children.
  • It would seem that the Cylons at least obtained several sample egg cells from Thrace. Will this lead to developments later on?
  • In Ron D. Moore's blog entry for October 14, 2005, after finishing the last scripts for season two he jokingly says he has "the reward of time spent thinking about something besides Kara's missing ovaries ("Now, where did I leave those ovaries? They were right here a minute ago...") ". What is meant by this?
  • Love serves as a theme in this episode. First, we find out how important love is for the Cylons: it is considered essential for Cylon procreation. In the first episode, Number Six asked Dr. Baltar several times if he loved her. Number Six also said that "God is love". That was after she tried to conceive from him. Love is also the reason Sharon aids Agathon and the reason Agathon accepts her help. Also we hear that Thrace was abused as a child. In the last episode she said that everyone seems to fight to get their old life back and she fights because it's all she knows how to do. In this episode she seems to develop affections to Anders. Will Thrace find 'reason' in love? Commander Adama tells his subordinates that he loves them. He asks Chief Tyrol if one could love a machine. Ultimately, Commander Adama weeps over Galactica-Sharon's body because he loved her.
  • Number Six mentioned that "procreation is one of God's commandments" in the first episode, "33". This could mean that the Cylons are trying to procreate out of a feeling that they are sinning by not being able to have children on their own.
  • Caprica-Valerii is aware of Leoben Conoy #2's interrogation by Thrace in "Flesh and Bone," even of specific things he said during it, suggesting that humanoid Cylons sometimes have a collective knowledgebase (not a collective consciousness; see "Downloaded" for this confirmation) to occasionally draw from. This is supported by Boomer telling Gaius Baltar the number of humanoid Cylons remaining in the Fleet in "Resistance," as only such a knowledgebase would allow Boomer to know of this data.
  • As depicted in the Caprica episode "The Imperfections of Memory," the hospital appropriated by the Cylons for a farm was once the Delphi Convalescent Institute, a facility specializing in treating mental illness.

Questions

  • Caprica-Valerii says that she knows that Leoben Conoy told Kara Thrace she was special during his interrogation aboard Galactica. How could she know this? How do the humanoid Cylons communicate to each other? (See Analysis)
  • Will Simon be seen again? (Answer) Is he one of the eight humanoid Cylons hiding in the Fleet? (Answer)
  • How does Simon know Anders's name? (Answer)
  • What does Kara whisper to Sue-Shaun before she "pulls the plug" on the Farm machinery?
  • Why does the Caprica resistance seem more concerned about Thrace's disappearance than Sue-Shaun's? Does Thrace's love interest generate the greater concern?
  • Would any viable embryos harvested by the Cylons be accelerated into mature adults or placed in vitro into a host? Would the host be Cylon or human?

Noteworthy Dialogue

  • Cylons discussing the surgical testing they are performing on Thrace:
Simon: ...pending lab test results on ovaries, complete removal will proceed tomorrow. They've lab tested positive and subject will be removed to processing facility for final disposition.
Number Six: Is that regret I hear in your voice, Simon?
Simon: If it is, it certainly is none of your concern.
  • Explanation of the Human/Cylon hybrid project:
Caprica-Valerii: They were conducting research, into Human/Cylon breeding programs.
Kara Thrace: Human/Cylon?
Karl Agathon: 'Call them "Farms"...your gunshot wound looks fine...
Thrace: So "Farms," that's great...what were they going to do, 'knock me up with some Cylon kid?
Valerii: They were going to try to. We haven't been very successful so far.
Anders: Supposedly they can't reproduce...you know, biologically, so they've been trying every which-way to produce offspring.
Thrace: Why?
Valerii: Procreation. It's one of God's commandments; "be fruitful". We can't fulfill it, we've tried. So we decided--
Thrace: To rape human women?!
Valerii: You know, if you agreed to bear children it would be voluntary, maybe even set you up with someone you like.
Thrace: Like you two kids? (looking at Agathon and Caprica-Valerii)
Valerii: We're different.
Thrace: What the frak is that supposed to mean?
Agathon: They have this theory; maybe the one thing they were missing was love. So Sharon and I...were set up...
Thrace: To fall in love?! They didn't ask Sue-Shaun if she wanted to fall in love, alright! They put a tube in her, and they hooked her up to a machine!
Valerii: They know who you are, Kara. You're special. Leoben told you that. You have a destiny.
Agathon: (pointing out the other scar on Thrace's lower abdomen) Starbuck, what's the second scar?
Thrace: I don't know. I don't think I want to know now. You know?
Valerii: No.
Anders: Alright, how many women do they have in these "Farms"?
Valerii: Hundreds, maybe thousands. I don't know, I haven't accessed that data.
  • Adama wonders aloud about the nature of Cylons and humans
Tyrol: I don't believe she [Cally] was in her right mind when she shot Boomer--
Adama: Did you love her, Chief?
Tyrol: 'Scuse me?
Adama: Boomer. Did you love her?
Tyrol: Thought I did.
Adama: Well, when you think you love somebody, you love them. That's what love is. Thoughts... She was a Cylon. A machine! Is that what Boomer was, a machine? A thing?
Tyrol: That's what she turned out to be.
Adama: She was more than that to us. She was more than that to me. She was a vital, living person aboard my ship for almost two years! She couldn't have been just a machine. Could you love a machine?
Tyrol: No, sir. Guess I couldn't have.
Adama: Cally discharged a firearm without permission, endangering life of her fellow shipmate. 30 days in the brig. Dismissed.
Tyrol: Thank you, sir.
Adama: You'll see her again, Chief.
Tyrol: Excuse me?
Adama: There are many copies. You'll see her again.
  • Simon, talking about Thrace's reluctance to have children but also perhaps talking about the Cylons' view of themselves (and maybe the "human" Cylons).
Simon: Children of abusive parents often fear passing along that abuse to their own children.

Guest stars