Exodus, Part I

"Exodus, Part I" An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No.	Season 3, Episode 3
Writer(s)	Bradley Thompson David Weddle
Story by
Director	Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)	Lucy Lawless as Number Three
Production No.	303
Nielsen Rating
US airdate	2006-10-13
CAN airdate	{{{CAN airdate}}}
UK airdate
DVD release
Population	survivors
Additional Info
Episode Chronology
Previous		Next
Precipice	Exodus, Part I	Exodus, Part II
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D Skit – View
Continuity Errors Present – View
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Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
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Promotional Materials
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Overview

The Cylons have begun the brutal crackdown on New Caprica's Resistance movement. Tyrol receives disturbing news from a secret source within Baltar's administration while Colonial detainees face a Cylon firing squad on New Caprica. With time running out for the colonists, Admiral Adama will launch his rescue attempt with only the battlestar Galactica, while his son, Commander Lee Adama, and the battlestar Pegasus remain to protect what is left of the human fleet and continue the search for Earth if the rescue fails.

Summary

• The final moments of "Precipice" are reshown as the captured detainees are being taken off the trucks. Cally Tyrol is freed, as the Centurions march up the hill. Tyrol continues to run as gunfire is heard. As the screen goes to black, the words "One Hour Earlier" are displayed.
• Galen Tyrol is frantically talking with Saul Tigh about a list of detainees he received from his source, Cally Tyrol is among the listed. Tigh snaps him back to his senses, noting that they can locate the people now that they cracked the Cylons' coordinate system.
• Chief Tyrol immediately gets to work, succesfully calculating the location of the execution, and gathers a team to rescue Cally and the others.
• Tyrol's team, including Seelix, is able to catch up with the Cylons, and get in position as Cally Tyrol starts running. Tyrol rushes out and gets his wife out of the line of fire, as his team takes out the Centurions meant to execute the detainees. Others injured include some members of the NCP and the Cavil that accompanies the truck.
• Seelix leaves a wounded Cavil to death. After he downloads into a new body, the Cavil reports that he ended his own life, but is somewhat traumatized from the transfer process.
• At Breeders Canyon, similar to the scene at the Pergamus Flats, a flashback shows how marines move into position to defend the meeting there against a possible attack.

Colonial Marine with an RPG

• Sharon Agathon moves ahead to meet with Anders and the resistance. As Agathon and Anders discuss their plans, the Centurions attack, taking out some of the resistance fighters, but are soon destroyed by a marine RPG.
• After the attack, a map is recovered from one of the 'skinjobs'. Anders recognizes it as the hand-drawn map passed on to Ellen Tigh to destroy in the heating fire within their tent. Anders immediately suspects Tigh in tipping off the Cylons.
• While sleeping in her bed on Colonial One, Number Three dreams of a tent near some odd rock edifices. The next image is of her holding Hera. She wakes up suddenly.
• Also on Colonial One, Gaius Baltar and Caprica-Six lie together in bed, but Baltar is fighting with impotence. Six is understanding, but Baltar shrugs off her sympathy.
• Kara Thrace is showing further affection for Kacey and apologizes for her getting hurt. Leoben Conoy watches from the background.
• Distrubed by her dream, Three visits Selloi, a human oracle whose tent she saw in her dream, who tells her that Hera is still alive, but warns that holding the child will undo all that the Cylons have accomplished on the planet.
• On Galactica, a combined crew of Pegasus and Galactica crews ready for the rescue mission. Margaret Edmondson conducts a ceremony to bind the people together, given the odds of the mission.
• William and Lee Adama have a farewell of their own when Commander Adama leaves Galactica for Pegasus, with orders to wait 18 hours for Galactica's return. Otherwise, Pegasus must continue the search for Earth with the surviving members of the Fleet.
• Three inquires with Dr. Cottle, who is treating a Five wounded by a human attack, about Hera's alleged death. She points out that it didn't make much sense for him to simply cremate the first ever human/Cylon hybrid, something that no one had ever seen before, without studying it first. Cottle states that it was President Roslin's decision.
• Laura Roslin orders Anders to guard Maya and Hera at all costs. He tasks two of his best men to protect her and see to her safe escape.
• Gunnery Sergeant Mathias, the leader of Agathon's Marines, meets with Roslin, Tom Zarek and the resistance to discuss the rescue plan. She brings weapons for the upcoming fight and learns that the colonists conducted evacuation exercises under the guise of fire drills.
• A Cavil voices his despair at the continued bloodshed, Baltar agrees. Many of the Cylons disagree significantly as to what to do to reestablish control. A Number Five says that, if the worse comes to worst, that they can just nuke the city.
• Saul Tigh learns of his wife's betrayal and is visibly shocked by it.
• Sharon Agathon heads into the New Caprica Detention Center and gets the launch keys for the Colonial ship. Three enters the secured room, immediately recognizes her, stops Agathon and tells her that her daughter is alive. Unwilling to consider this matter for now, Agathon shoots the Three in the legs: "Adama wouldn't lie to me."
• Galactica is given word that the launch keys have been retrieved, and after a rousing speech by Admiral Adama, begins preparations for the jump to New Caprica.

Questions

• Roslin and Zarek seem to have reconciled their differences and become friends. Given Saul Tigh's feeling that Roslin will resume the Presidency once humanity has left New Caprica, and that Zarek used to be Baltar's vice president, will he assume the mantle of vice president under Laura Roslin?
  • Or, will Zarek claim the presidency by legal succession if Baltar is removed from office?
• A Cavil mentions that he has different sensations after each download. He suffers a slight headache after the first and, after the third, a sensation like a white hot poker inside his skull. Is there damage to the consciousness during each downloading and is there a point where after so many downloads the consciousness is destroyed or corrupted?
  • In the podcast for this episode, Ronald D. Moore reveals that the intent of Cavil's description was to show that there is a "cost" associated with downloading.
    • Although Cylon Raiders are not sentient to same degree as humanoid Cylons, Sharon Agathon describes a similar traumatizing after repeated deaths of the berserking Raider known as Scar.
• Number Three had commented in "Downloaded" on feeling refreshed like starting a new life when describing her download experience. Caprica-Six expressed adjustment issues, including her visions of Gaius Baltar.
• Are the Lords of Kobol real? Why are they sending accurate dreams to a Cylon? Why is a human oracle helping Three interpret the dreams?
  • The gods are "real," at least as historical entities that lived on Kobol, a fact that even the Cylons acknowledge. The Cylons (and a number of Colonials) dispute their actual divinity. The Colonials appear to have some foresight from the gods through their oracles. The connection of the Lords of Kobol to the Cylons is a curious (and unexplained) event in the case of the dreams of Number Three.
• Why does Doctor Cottle work to heal critically injured Cylons instead of just letting them die and be resurrected?
  • The Cylons might want to minimize the trauma of downloading into a new body, although comments from Number Three to Cottle dispute this.
  • Cottle is a physician, and has likely taken a vocational pledge to aid. Allowing a sentient being to die, regardless of their ideology, is breaching this oath through omission of action. He helped Sharon Agathon through her pregnancy for similar reasons.
    • At least in TV drama, doctors in wartime have an affinity for helping everyone. There are plenty of M*A*S*H episodes that illustrate this.
• Where is "Download City"?
  • It is possible that Seelix's use of the phrase "Download City" is merely a euphemism for the download process the humanoid Cylon models go through.
  • Download City may also be a reference to a downloading facility present on New Caprica.
    • The Cylons would likely keep such a facility hidden to all humans on the planet, no matter what their relationship is to the Cylon occupation. The destruction by suicide or planted bomb of a download facility on New Caprica would spell real death for all agents there if Basestars aren't actually used for this purpose (this isn't likely, else the Resurrection Ship would not have been protected by Basestars).
• Is there any possibility at all that Adama wasn't aware of Roslin's plans for Hera?
  • There are no direct indications that Adama is aware of Roslin's conspiracy regarding the baby. Given the positive changes in his relationship with Sharon Agathon, that seems to now be based on complete mutual trust, it is unlikely that he would keep such a profound secret from her, if he was aware of it.
  • Additionally, Adama was quite direct with Helo regarding the plans to abort the child. Whatever his relationship with Sharon, it seems unlikely that Adama would rob Helo of his paternal rights in this way, particularly after Helo brings up their respective fatherhood.
  • Dr. Cottle is a military officer and his actions would have to have been cleared through Adama. There may well be other reasons why Agathon wasn't told, including keeping the information from the Cylons in the event she was captured or downloaded.
    • In military parlance, the president's authority supersedes that of an admiral, and a military officer does not need to report back to his commanding officer orders that originated from the president.
      • However, Adama and Roslin agreed that all military matters rested with the Admiral, whereas Roslin was the civilian leader of the fleet. It stands to reason that Adama would have known.
        • That unofficial agreement was broken in "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I" and there is no indication that they have restored it.
  • The expression on Adama's face during his conversation with Sharon Agathon in "Occupation" suggests that he is aware of the conspiracy regarding Hera.
    • Said expression may also be a reference to his guilt over the whole situation with Sharon Agathon/Boomer/Number Eight in general, and not a specific reference to Hera.
• What other operations are the Cylons busy with elsewhere in the universe, that are straining their resources for their experiment on New Caprica (also referenced to by Ron Moore in his podcast)?
• Will some humans refuse to leave once the escape begins?
• Will the escapees block proven or suspected collaborators from boarding the escaping ships?
  • How many, if any, of the New Caprica Police are publicly known, and once the escape begins, what will be their ultimate fate?
• Adama's plan to use only Galactica and the ships remaining on the ground on New Caprica seems a bit unrealistic given the fact that there are over 39,000 colonists on the planet. How will they find room for all of the evacuees?
  • It is very reasonable to assume that the carrying capacity of the ships approximates the number of people on the planet, since it is very resource-intensive to move people around in the Battlestar Galactica universe. The attrition suffered by the Colonials only improves this probability.
  • Will the Colonials find time to also evacuate much of their critically-rationed supplies and equipment as well as themselves during the chaos of evacuation?
• Is Maya suspicious about Roslin's protectiveness of her and Isis?
  • As mentioned in "Downloaded", Isis is said to have been a child given up by a senior ranking officer for political reasons. Maya may have been told that Isis, should she be captured, would make for a very valuable kidnapping asset, given her (supposed) parentage.
• What exactly has Caprica-Six given up for Gaius?
  • To an extensive degree, Caprica is mistrusted by the other Cylons and while not thought to be a traitor per se, is probably considered a Quisling. This is what she may have meant.

Analysis

• The Number Three that has been having dreams about Hera saw Sharon Agathon and was able to tell that she was the copy that had been left with Helo on Caprica. She may have deduced this from the fact that Sharon was taking the launch keys, or she may have been able to sense her identity somehow.
• Roslin's line about Hera, "She may well be the shape of things to come", echoes similar lines by Six in "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II" and by Adama in "Valley of Darkness". "The Shape of Things to Come" is also the title of the orchestral music piece at the end of "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II".
• Anders seems to know, or at least suspect, what is so special about Maya's child.
• Caprica-Six has been redownloaded after her "death" in Precipice. She was not "boxed".
• The Cylons on New Caprica appear to not have any sort of attachment to the humans they rule as evidenced by their willingness to just nuke the colony if they can't make it work as desired. This conflicts with the decision that their earlier attempt at genocide was a mistake. This is additional evidence of fundamental contradictions and disconnects within the Cylon psyche that they are blind to. Based on their actions to date, skinjob behavior tends toward the sociopathic with the exception of Boomer, Sharon, and Caprica-Six.
• Baltar has become a suicidal drunk - his appearance has become slovenly and he appears to have given up on basic grooming. He is also having trouble performing the act of sex with Caprica-Six.
• The speech Admiral Adama gave to his crew is reminiscent of the choice given to Achilles by his mother before he left for Troy to do war. The option Achilles chose was to go to battle, and in doing so perform feats that allowed his name to live on through history. Adama states that his crew will receive similar immortality for their deeds, showing a common thread between the Colonies and the bronze age Hellenic culture their civilization is based upon.

Spoiler follows, highlight to read.
Bradley Thompson and David Weddle said that they have hardcover copies of ancient stories, like Homer's Iliad, and deliberately draw inspirations from them.

Notes

• There is also a comic called Exodus!, which covers the events of the Original Series' episode, "Saga of a Star World" (Part 2).
• This is the first episode where viewers have seen an oracle. Oracles such as Pythia and Galen Tyrol's mother have been mentioned but not seen.
• Tyrol inexplicably lost his beard before this episode. This was necessary because Aaron Douglas's scenes were shot weeks after the main part of the episode, when he had already shaved and it was felt that a fake beard would not be convincing.
• Chamalla is a bitter herb, and oracles sometimes use candy to sweeten it up.
• According to Ronald Moore's podcast, in earlier drafts Jammer was going to die during the shootout at the execution site. However, he decided that the character would be used in later episodes of the season.

Noteworthy Dialogue

• As Chief Tyrol is about to leave Tigh's tent:

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

• Before Lee Adama departs Galactica:

Admiral William Adama: I'll see you at the rendezvous point.

Commander Lee Adama: Eighteen hours. Try not to be late.

William Adama: I'm getting old; I'm a little slow, but I'll be there.

Lee Adama: Gods, I wish I could talk you out of this...

William Adama: You can't. You tried.

Lee Adama: You know, Dad, um...

William Adama: Don't. Don't make me cry on my own hangar deck.

• During the Salt Line Ceremony on the hangar deck:

Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson: Their enemies will divide them, their colonies broken in the fiery chasm of space. The shining days renounced by a multitude of dark sacrifices. Yet still they will remain. Always together.

• As Galactica prepares to return to New Caprica:

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

Guest Stars

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