Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I

"Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I" An episode of the Re-imagined Series
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Overview

Battlestar Galactica discovers Kobol, and a chain of events are set in motion that threatens to change everything.

Summary

• Following the Colonial Day celebrations, Gaius Baltar finally beds Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, but as they make love, she cries out for Lee Adama, shattering Baltar's mood.
• Stricken by her apparent rejection of him in their coupling, Baltar in turn comes close to rejecting Six and find it impossible to concentrate on anything – including his duties as Vice President.
• Elsewhere on ship, Boomer attempts to take her own life, but breaks down in tears before she can shoot herself. She is called to the Ready Room for a pre-flight briefing.
• Roslin discovers that her cancer treatment is not going well. Her cancer has spread to her lymphatic system, giving her perhaps 6 months to live
• Baltar verbally fences with Lee Adama and is somewhat insulting to Thrace, tipping Lee off that the doctor has slept with Thrace. Later, still thinking about Thrace, Baltar cracks in front of Roslin.
• Following a recon mission, Boomer and Crashdown return to Galactica with evidence they have stumbled upon Kobol.
• Determined to have things out with Thrace, Lee confronts her in the Hangar Deck, and the two come to blows. Thrace realizes that her actions with Baltar have hurt Lee Adama.
• Reviewing the evidence returned by Boomer and Crashdown, Roslin has a vision which Elosha confirms to be the City of the Gods on Kobol.
• Roslin has two further visions – the Arrow of Apollo and the Tomb of Athena, and accepts the scriptures as fact.
• Boomer, still confused, attempts to take her own life – “encouraged” by Baltar in defiance of Six.
• When Adama reviews the evidence, he orders an extensive surface survey of the planet, seeing it as an opportunity for them to settle. Warned he should get off Galactica by Six, Baltar assigns himself to the survey.
• Roslin tries to convince Adama that Kobol will point the way to Earth, but they must use the captured Cylon Raider to return to Caprica and retrieve the Arrow of Apollo.
• Three Raptors depart Galactica for Kobol, but on arrival they find themselves in the midst of a Cylon force of Raiders – and a basestar.
• One Raptor is destroyed, and one - carrying Baltar – crash-lands on Kobol.
• Before a rescue mission can be launched, the basestar must be taken out – and Starbuck hatches a plan to do just this using the captured Raider.
• Hearing this, Roslin meets with Starbuck and convinces her into going to Caprica instead to retrieve the Arrow, by telling her that Adama does not actually know where Earth is.

Adama studies ancient documents on Kobol.
(c) Universal

On Caprica

• Helo, alone and on the run, encounters “his” Valerii. He shoots and wounds her. Unable to kill her outright, he takes her with him.
• When Valerii tries to explain things to him, Helo informs her that all she is to him is a way off the planet.

Summary from SciFi.com

While flying a supply patrol, Crashdown and Sharon Valerii discover a bountiful planet that can support human life. Indeed, it might be Kobol, the legendary "home of the gods." The discovery prompts Commander Adama to send a ground team to investigate; it also gives new life to President Roslin's belief that she is a tool of destiny and that this discovery, like her rapidly spreading cancer, is part of an ancient prophecy.

However, things are not well on the Galactica. Gaius Baltar, the new vice-president, has a one-night stand with Kara Thrace and finds himself at odds with both Lee Adama and a deeply jealous Number Six.

Meanwhile, both Cylon Sharons struggle with their dual natures. On Galactica, she contemplates suicide when she realizes her programming will lead her to betray her comrades; on Caprica, she tries to convince Helo that her love for him is stronger than her loyalty to the Cylons.

After a Raptor carrying Vice-President Baltar is shot down over Kobol, Commander Adama must find a way to destroy the Cylon basestar that guards the planet before he can send a rescue team. He orders Kara to fly a dangerous mission against the basestar, using the captured Cylon Raider — but Kara makes an unauthorized Jump home to Caprica instead, abandoning Adama and the stranded Raptor crew. --This section ©2005, SCI FI. All rights reserved.

Questions

• Why did the Thirteen Tribes leave Kobol?
  • In a deleted scene, Col. Tigh asks Elosha this same question, and she says that one God decided that he should be raised up above all others, and rebelled, and this triggered the cataclysm that drove humans off of Kobol.
    • Could this be a reference to the beginning of the Cylon's religion and their "one true God"?
  • In another deleted scene from season 2's "Fragged", Roslin says that the Sacred Scrolls don't say that humanity was exiled from Kobol, but rather "there was some sort of battle amongst the Gods, and when it was over we chose to leave".
• What happened to the gods who lived on Kobol “with man”?
• Did the gods remain on Kobol after humanity left?
• Given the similarities with the Greek Pantheon, did the gods decide to follow the 13th tribe to Earth, thus establishing the myths of the Olympian gods?
• Do the Cylons consider Kobol as their spiritual home as well (“The birthplace of us all” – Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone")?
• Did Boomer's Cylon personality interfere in her attempt at suicide, resulting in her wounding herself, or did her human personality lack the conviction of the act, resulting in the wound?
• Given that Cylon Transponders were aboard Galactica, why did the Cylons make such an attempt to destroy Galactica during their first attack - up to and including deploying nuclear weapons against her? Was the device inactive - if so, why was it in CIC in the first place (Miniseries)?
  • The transponder was probably there so the Cylon Raiders carrying nuclear missiles could target its location in the Mini-Series. Even if Galactica survived, the transponders would still allow the battlestar to be tracked.

Analysis

The finest episode of "Battlestar Galactica" to air so far; so finely tuned that it barely misses a beat. This is also the first episode where music is used to its most evocative effect, further lifting the story into the realm of outstanding drama.

From the outset the audience knows it is in for something special; the re-cap of previous episodes so tightly defined, it for once deals with a single strand of the story to date: the Cylons, only opening at the end to reveal the motivating thrust to this episode: the finding of Kobol.

This leads into one of the most beautifully-constructed teasers witnessed in television drama. Evocative, moving – and entirely minimalist in terms of dialogue -, it really is proof that frequently, less really is more. Why waste time with words, when actions and expressions speak so much louder, and music can imbue the underlying emotions.

"Battlestar Galactica" has not always fared well where music is concerned. The opening theme is one that is either liked or disliked, with little middle ground; incidental music in previous episodes has been sporadic in its ability to act – as music should – as the aural scenery that helps bring the drama to life. Sometimes it has worked, in others – notably the otherwise brilliant The Hand of God – it has been so out of keeping with the atmosphere of the show, it has detracted from the overall enjoyment of the episode.

Here, however, the music is perfect – and it is interesting to see that in immersing the audience into the subtleties of the teaser, the episode uses a “classical” approach through the use of an orchestral sound, rather than the more tribal beats common to Battlestar Galactica.

And the result is remarkable. Utilising the string section in the foreground – violins and cellos slowly building a theme to which is added further instruments as new revelations are made concerning the moods and responses of the various characters; providing an aural tapestry through which everything is linked; the bringing together and the falling apart of relationships; the expression of needs, and emotions.

The music perfectly underpins one of the main thrusts of the teaser: a demonstration of how alive the humans are; how driven by passion and instinct. It was in “Flesh and Bone” that Doral stated his envy of a human’s ability to experience such extremes. Now we’re cleverly shown everything the Cylon’s aspire to experience themselves: passions unbounded by the need for constraint, given form in both the boxing and in Starbuck’s fantasy view of her coupling with Baltar (“Lee”).

Turning to the boxing, it is evident more is going on here than a simple father-and-son sparring match. Aggression and frustration are being dealt with here – as witnessed by the clear satisfaction Lee gets from striking and hurting his father. When he lands his first big punch, he asks, “Are you OK?” not out of concern, but out of satisfaction; it could have so easily been followed by, “Because there’s plenty more where that came from.” Even so, his frustrations are released guardedly, whereas his father’s response is not. He allows himself to enjoy striking his son, giving his instincts the freedom of expression they need.

Another fascinating element of the teaser is the manner in which Boomer’s situation is offset with Valerii on Caprica. As Boomer takes her handgun and prepares to shoot herself, Valerii finds Helo, and tells him to shoot her. Both of them have reached the same point in their existence, both of them because of their entirely human responses – in Boomer’s case fear and in Valerii’s the anguish of lost love. Fear and love – perhaps the strongest of emotions we can experience; and both have driven these instances of Valerii to despair. In doing so, these emotions reveal both the “flaw” within the Valerii model that makes it “weak” in Six’s eyes while also demonstrating the Cylon experiment has succeeded – perhaps in a way the Cylons could not have conceived.

The rest of the episode is no less rich. Roslin’s acceptance of her role and the reality of the scriptures, though sudden, is entirely in keeping with all that has been shown in recent episodes. The issues arising from this are both immediate and long-term. She has already subverted the strike against the Cylon basestar – putting the entire fleet at risk, as well as the lives of some 8-10 members of the Galactica’s crew stranded on Kobol. Whether Adama be willing to let this go if/when Starbuck returns with the Arrow of Apollo remains to be seen. However, as Billy points out, if she continues to act upon what he sees (and no doubt others will believe) as “drug-induced hallucinations”, then the stability of the entire government within the fleet will be put at risk – possibly well before the scheduled elections.

In a similar way, the flare-up of jealousy and anger between Lee and Kara is entirely in keeping with recent events: their potential attraction has been seen in brief flashes throughout, while their frustrations with one another have been witnessed through the likes of “Act of Contrition” and most recently, “The Hand of God”. Beyond that, they have a history together that bonds them from their time at flight school, where Zak Adama initially brought them together as friends through to Lee’s arrival aboard the Galactica. Thus, Lee’s very evident attraction to her during the Colonial Day party, is fully in keeping with what we have seen: but she ends up bedding Baltar.

While this latter point is somewhat surprising given the degree of open contempt she has shown him of late (“Bastille Day”, “Litmus”, “Secrets and Lies”), given the availability of drinks aboard the “Cloud Nine” their coupling could be put down to the effects of alcohol. Certainly, Baltar has never hidden his lust for Starbuck, and it is hard to see him missing the opportunity to take advantage of his new-found position as Vice President and the fact that Six has given her permission to sleep with whoever he likes.

Why did she do it? Probably because, despite his attraction to her, and her to him (hence her orgasm-induced cry) Kara sees Lee as unobtainable – possibly because of that same history they share. So in her inebriation, she opts for the closest available target – Baltar. Whatever the reason, her actions are more than enough to both become the perfect catalyst for Baltar’s conflicts with Six and his apparent desire to confound her (as evidenced through his conversation with Boomer), and to act as a catalyst to bring Lee’s jealousy to the surface.

Baltar’s time with Boomer is interesting. Taking heed of Six’s warning concerning the danger the Galactica while face and acting in defiance of her mocking comments in the bunkroom itself, he acts in defiance of her, gently bringing Boomer to the point where she can carry out the attempt on her own life. Through it all, Six is obviously confused by his actions. That Boomer’s Cylon persona more than likely stopped her killing herself, the fact that Baltar was willing to act as he does has a major impact on Six – hence her more gentle reminder to him when the survey of Kobol is being planned.

The episode also can’t be faulted for the standard of performance turned in. Across the board all of the ensemble cast put in sterling performances that serve to ratchet-up “Kobol’s Last Gleaming Part 1” so it stands head and shoulders above what has already been a remarkable first season run. Thus, to single any individual member of the cast out at the expense of the others would be somewhat unfair; everyone appearing on-screen – be it for 40 minutes or 4 – makes their character utterly engrossing to watch.

The final elements that round-out this episode are the writing and direction. With this story, Eick and Moore demonstrate they have a clear vision for where the series will hopefully go (allowing for future renewals), the territories it may cover and the ways in which the various threads can be intertwined and then neatly separated again to build a complex picture of humanity and circumstance. Furthermore, in ramping-up the Roslin arc, they are simultaneously bringing some of the threads that have formed the fabric of this first season to an end, while opening new potential avenues for exploration in future seasons.

Having veteran BSG director Rymer (Mini-Series, “33”) helm this episode is also a smart move. In both the mini and “33”, Rymer firmly established the look and feel of the finished Galactica product, and here he demonstrates his finesse with the docu-drama style the production has striven for; using the technique to draw the audience into the drama almost as if they are themselves participants.

Notes

• It is 3 days since the events of Colonial Day.
• There are now 47,897 survivors in the fleet, a net loss of 1 since "Colonial Day".
• The Fleet is beginning to run short of supplies.
• Humans departed Kobol some 2,000 years prior to the setting of the series .
• Kobol is a place where the “gods and man lived together in paradise”.
• Some of the "gods" appear to be buried on Kobol (The Tomb of Athena).
• Socinus has been released from the brig and returned to duty.
• The "R&D TV Animation" skit during the credits consists of David Eick transforming Ron Moore into Martha Stewart by shooting lightning from his fingers.

Blooper Moments

When Sharon shoots herself, she is holding an automatic pistol, but the sound was that of the larger sidearms carried by pilots when flying off-ship missions (only slightly suppressed), rather than the report of a "normal" pistol being fired.

Nods

The Cylon Transponder is an indirect nod to the original series, in which Apollo and Starbuck use an IFF-type device to identify their Raider to Colonial forces when they launch an attack on a Cylon Basestar (The Hand of God (TOS)).

Noteworthy Dialogue

• In the bunk room, when Gaius Baltar interrupts Sharon Valeri’s second attempt at suicide:

Sharon Valeri: (as she pretends to be cleaning her hand gun) What’s going on?

Gaius Baltar: (cautiously) Well, I was going to ask you the same question. Actually, I was looking for Lieutenant Thrace but...sometimes it’s good to...talk these things over.

Number Six: (feigning pity) Deep down she knows she’s a Cylon, but her conscious mind just won’t accept it.

Sharon Valeri: Sometimes I have these...dark thoughts.

Gaius Baltar: What kind of dark thoughts?

Number Six: Her model is weak, always has been. But in the end she’ll carry out her mission.

Sharon Valeri: I don’t know, but I’m afraid I’m going to hurt someone. I feel like I ought to be stopped.

Number Six: (moving to the other side of Boomer) She can’t be stopped. She’s a Cylon. You can’t help her, Gaius...but you could probably sleep with her. (Baltar reacts with a look of disgust at Six.) That’s what you want, right?

Gaius Baltar: (to Boomer) I’m not sure why...sometimes...we must embrace that which opens up for us.

Sharon Valeri: Embrace?

Gaius Baltar: Life can be a curse as well as a blessing. (his voice becomes more intense) You will believe me when I tell you: there are far worse things than death in this world...

Sharon Valeri: So you’re saying…?

Gaius Baltar: No. No, no, no. What I say...is meaningless. Listen to your heart. Embrace that which you know to be the right decision.

(They look at each other as Six regards Baltar with a look of complete incomprehension, then Baltar stands and kisses Boomer on the forehead before walking out of the bunkroom. Seconds later there is the sound of a single gunshot from inside.)

• In Galactica's landing bay:

Lee Adama: Going hunting?

Kara Thrace: (loading ammunition into the Cylon Raider) I'm manning the gunnery for the Jump test tomorrow. See if our boy here can shoot anything with our ammo.

Lee Adama: So it's a boy now.

Kara Thrace: I changed my mind.

Lee Adama: You ever wonder why everyone else calls it a "she", but to you, it's a "he"?

Kara Thrace: That's fascinating, Lee. You should write a paper.

Lee Adama: Well, that's not really my style. I'm not as smart as...say, Doctor Baltar. How is the Vice President, by the way?

Kara Thrace: I don't know. Haven't seen him.

Lee Adama: (thinks for a second) So...he's a love-them and leave-them kind of guy, I guess.

Kara Thrace: I guess.

Lee Adama: Ships just pass in the night...

Kara Thrace: Yep.

Lee Adama: Didn't mean a thing.

Kara Thrace: No.

Lee Adama: You were just bored, looking for something to do. So frakking the Vice President of the Colonies seemed like a great waste of time!

Kara Thrace: Do you want something from me?

Lee Adama: Not a thing-

Kara Thrace: -because I don't owe you anything.

Lee Adama: No, you don't owe me anything. because I'm just a CAG, and you're just a pilot. A pilot who can't keep her pants on! Oh, it's just like old times, Kara. Like when you got drunk and you couldn't keep your hands off the Major-

(Kara turns around and swings a punch at Lee, but Lee returns the favor by punching Kara in the eye)

Lee Adama: Why'd you do it, Kara? Just tell me why.

Kara Thrace: Because I'm a screwup, Lee. Try to keep that in mind.

• As Kara Thrace pilots the Cylon Raider in a weapons test, she contacts Commander Adama:

Commander Adama: (to Kara) Go ahead.

Kara Thrace: I believed you. Believed in Earth.

Commander Adama: What are you doing, Starbuck?

Kara Thrace: Bringing home the cat, sir.

Commander Adama: We can talk about this.

Kara Thrace: No, I don't think so.

Commander Adama: I want you to remember one thing. I do not regret anything that I did. Be sure that whatever you're going to do, you don't regret it later. Do you understand me?

Kara Thrace: I guess we'll find out. (Starbuck uses the FTL computer to Jump to Caprica)

Lee Adama: Galactica, Apollo. Starbuck has jumped away. Repeat, Starbuck has jumped away.

Colonel Tigh: She wasn't scheduled for a Jump test! Where the hell did she go?

Commander Adama: Home.

Official Statements

Regarding Lack of Definitive Information Regarding Kobol

From RDM's Sci-Fi Channel Blog

"In the last two episodes it is noted by the priestess that the thirteen tribes left Kobol about "2000 years ago" and the initial estimate of the age of the ruins is the same, but nothing is concrete of course. This is where I have a problem: They were obviously a star faring civilization to leave Kobol to being with. To do so requires information technology. Why is their history of that time so sketchy and lacking of concrete records? Yes it was 2000 years in the past but come on, it's not like they only had papyrus to write on. "

I've been presupposing some kind of cataclysm or crisis that occurred soon after mankind settled on the 12 worlds which either wiped out the knowledge base or had it deliberately destroyed for some reason. This doesn't seem that implausible when one considers that a tremendous amount of knowledge from the Greco-Roman tradition was lost after the fall of the Roman Empire and plunged the western world into the so called Dark Ages. Clearly, the Colonials did not fall all the way back to papyrus, and they do in fact, know that they are descendants of refugees from Kobol, hence the term "Colonies." They must have possessed star-faring technology at the time of the exodus, but I don't know how far we'll go into this specific backstory in the series, however.

Other Statements

• Jamie Bamber talks about his response to the argument held between Kara Thrace and Lee Adama in this episode:

It's sort of an explosion of jealousy that is a complete surprise to him because I don't think he's ... he's not fully aware of what he feels. There's something quite like a gut reaction that really was exciting to play. It was a surprise to me. [1]

Guest stars

• Michael Hogan as Colonel Saul Tigh
• Tahmoh Penikett as Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon
• Aaron Douglas as Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol
• Nicki Clyne as Specialist Cally
• Lorena Gale as Elosha
• Donnelly Rhodes as Dr. Cottle
• Alonso Oyarzun as Specialist Socinus
• Bodie Olmos as Lt. Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza
• Stephen Spender as Pilot
• James Bell as ECO

External Links

"Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I" at scifi.com