David Weddle" valign="top"
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| "Revelations" An episode of the Re-imagined Series | |||
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| Episode No. | Season 4, Episode 10 | ||
| Writer(s) | Bradley Thompson | ||
| Story by | |||
| Director | Michael Rymer | ||
| Assistant Director | |||
| Special guest(s) | |||
| Production No. | 412 | ||
| Nielsen Rating | |||
| US airdate |  13 June 2008
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| CAN airdate |  13 June 2008
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| UK airdate |  17 June 2008
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| DVD release | |||
| Population | 39,665 survivors ( 8)
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| Additional Info | Mid-Season Cliffhanger | ||
| Episode Chronology | |||
| Previous | Next | ||
| The Hub | Revelations | Sometimes a Great Notion | |
| Related Information | |||
| Official Summary | |||
| R&D Skit – View | |||
| IMDb entry | |||
| Listing of props for this episode | |||
| Related Media | |||
| @ BW Media | |||
| Promotional Materials | |||
| Online Purchasing | |||
| Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition | |||
| iTunes: [{{{itunes}}} USA] | |||
Overview[edit]
- Lead by Number Three, the band of rebel Cylons hold President Roslin and Galactica's pilots hostage while attempting to lure the "Watchtower Four" out of hiding. Meanwhile, Kara Thrace's Viper may hold a previously undiscovered clue to finding Earth.
Summary[edit]
[edit]
- Lee Adama is in William Adama's quarters, looking up an illustration of the Temple of Aurora on Earth, as described by Pythia. Kara Thrace walks in an greets him, and they briefly discuss the temple, and the absence of William Adama and Laura Roslin. Adama comments on how both he and Tigh are intimidated by Adama's chair. Thrace talks about how Leoben stated that, for children to reach their full potential, their parents have to die.
- In the basestar control room, Roslin, William Adama, D'Anna Biers and Leoben discuss the plans to return the Final Five. Biers mentions that there are only four in the Fleet and refuses to provide answers when Roslin questions her about the fifth's location. When Adama asks for their names, she expresses skepticism, suggesting that the Colonials may kill them. Roslin points out that the Colonials need them because they know the way to Earth, while Leoben recommends co-operation and D'Anna refutes him, citing the failure of co-operation on New Caprica.
- Biers announces that she will hold the Colonials on the ship hostage until the Final Four are safely aboard the basestar. When a standoff between the Colonials and the Centurions ensues, Roslin tells Adama to stand down and he repeats the order to the other pilots. Three tells Adama to accompany her to Galactica on a Raptor. He initially refuses, but Roslin tells him to go. She embraces him and whispers in his ear that if the Cylons get the four, they get Earth, and he can't allow that to happen, even if he has to destroy the basestar with them aboard.
- In CIC, Felix Gaeta - having returned to duty despite still having problems with his amputated leg - accidentally knocks over a bottle of pills. Dualla helps him by picking up the pill bottle. Colonel Tigh asks Gaeta if he wishes to be relieved, but he declines and takes a drink to numb the pain.
- Gaeta then announces the arrival of the rebel baseship and that a Raptor launched from it. On the hangar deck, Adama and Three step out of the Raptor. Galen Tyrol and Samuel Anders look on from the catwalk, wondering whether Three can or will identify them. While William Adama greets his son, Three steps off the Raptor and looks at each of the Final Four.
- William Adama and Biers explain the situation. Biers claims that she is already in contact with the four, that they would come to her willingly and that all the Fleet needs to do is not interfere with shuttle traffic. The Adamas agree to her terms. As Three is about to leave, Tory Foster steps forward, asking to bring Roslin her medication and see if she is alright. Knowing that she wants to defect, Tigh tries to prevent her from going by saying that they shouldn't give the Cylons more hostages, but he is overruled by the Adamas.
- In the Adama's quarters, William and Lee Adama, Tigh and Thrace discuss a plan to rescue the hostages. Commander Adama mentions Roslin's recommendation, but tells his son that it his his call. President Adama agrees.
Act 1[edit]
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- The Adamas, Athena, Starbuck and Tigh discuss plans for the rescue, Dualla is also present. Tigh expresses skepticism, saying there have to be other options, and Starbuck sarcastically comments that the four could give themselves up.
- On the basestar, Tory is led to the Basestar control room. D'Anna announces that one of the Final Five has arrived. Leoben expresses doubt, D'Anna attests that she saw her in her vision, and Tory smiles.
- In another room, Roslin bandages Baltar and he thanks her for not killing him, but Roslin confesses she told Adama to destroy the basestar if they get the four.
- Foster walks in with a Six, greeting them and bringing Roslin her medication. Roslin thanks her, and asks how she was able to do so, and Tory says that she came with D'Anna to be with her people.
- Baltar attests that he knew, at least subconsciously, that she was one of the Final Five.
- When asked if she had any idea, Roslin says no, and Tory tells her it might be worth pondering other things she's been wrong about, then starts to walk out.
- Roslin tells Tory to stop, and asks her to convince D'Anna to release the hostages. Tory coldly replies that she's done taking orders from her.
- A body flies out of the baseship. In CIC, Lee receives a transmission form D'Anna, who announces that there has been a change of plans, that she has executed the first hostage, and that she will continue to execute hostages every quarter hour until they have the four. Lee tries to reason with D'Anna, attesting that she's not giving them a chance and they are co-operating, but Dualla states that D'Anna has terminated the transmission. Lee okays the rescue mission.
- In the hangar, as the pilots and deck crew prepare for the mission, Tyrol begins hearing The Music, heavily distorted by screeching and static.
- In a pilot ready room, as Starbuck and Athena brief the pilots, Anders likewise hears the music.
- Tigh in CIC and Foster on the rebel Basestar likewise hear the distorted music. Foster falls into Leoben's arms, he asks her what's wrong, and she says she's "hearing it again".
- Anders, Tigh and Tyrol are drawn to Starbuck's Viper, Tyrol suggests that something about the Viper has changed, and Anders suggests they get Starbuck. Tigh agrees, then walks out.
- Tigh walks into William Adama's office, telling him to scrub the mission. Adama asks if Tigh has another option. Tigh confesses that he has known he is a Cylon since the Ionian Nebula, and he should have told Adama but he didn't have the guts.
- Adama expresses doubt, suggesting that he could've been brainwashed on New Caprica and says they should see Cottle. Tigh says he should have airlocked himself when he found out, and suggests that D'Anna will back down if he is used as a hostage.
Act 2[edit]
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- As Marines take Tigh to the airlock, William Adama rampages through his office and drinks heavily.
- As Adama cries, Lee attempts to comfort him. Bill says he can't kill Tigh, and Lee promises to handle things.
- In the airlock, Lee interrogates Tigh, demanding to know who the other Cylons are.
- Dualla announces that D'Anna is on the line. Lee threatens to kill Tigh if she harms one of the hostages, and says that she has ten minutes before he kills him.
- Lee tells Tigh to give him the identities of the rest of the Final Four in order to save the fleet.
- Around Starbuck's Viper, Kara expresses doubt about Anders and Tyrol's suspicion regarding the viper. Marines arrest Anders and Tyrol, when questioned by Starbuck, Sergeant Harder says that they're Cylons like the XO. Kara questions Anders, Tyrol tells him to tell her, and Anders tells her it's true. As he is dragged away, Anders insists that something is different about the Viper.
- On the basestar, an Eight and two Centurions force the captured pilots down a hallway, Hot Dog tells the pilots to fall back, and the Eight threatens to shoot them if they don't keep moving.
- In the airlock, Anders concludes that Tigh told Lee that they were Cylons. Lee orders Dualla to get the baseship on the line.
- Starbuck gets into her Viper.
- On the baseship, Roslin and Baltar hear the hostages and Centurions. A Two walks in and Roslin asks what's going on. The Two says that D'Anna is about to start executing more hostages, Roslin requests that she be taken to D'Anna. Baltar insists that D'Anna won't listen to her, and that he be taken instead because he was with her when she had the vision in the Temple of the Five. Roslin agrees.
- Lee tells D'Anna that he has Anders and Tyrol in the airlock, and demands that D'Anna stand down.
- Starbuck begins activating her Viper's systems.
- Foster tells D'Anna that she knows Lee, and he will back down if pressured. D'Anna gives an order to target nuclear weapons on the civilian fleet. Baltar walks in and begins begins talking to D'Anna.
- Starbuck continues to activate her Viper, and detects a signal.
- Baltar argues that coercion won't work because he's too similar to his father, while Foster argues that he's bluffing.
- Dualla tells Lee that the baseship's nukes have gone hot, Lee and Dualla conclude that the fleet couldn't spool up their jump drives quickly enough to escape before the Cylons fire. Lee orders that everyone except Tigh be removed from the tube.
- Baltar suggests that God may have brought D'Anna back for a different purpose, to end the conflict peacefully. D'Anna argues that the Colonials will never forgive the Cylons for what they did to the Twelve Colonies, and gives an order to proceed.
- As the launch tube door closes, Starbuck runs through the ship.
- Baltar argues to D'Anna that brute force did not work for the Cylons on New Caprica or the algae planet, and that it will not work now.
- Lee asks Dualla for the key and begins the process of activating the launch tube.
- An Eight announces that they have weapons lock on the Colonial ships.
- Tigh tells Lee to stop hesitating and flush the airlock.
- As Lee is about to push the button, Kara runs in, telling Lee to stop, saying that the Cylons just gave them Earth.
Act 3[edit]
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- Lee sits in Starbuck's Viper, recognizing a Colonial emergency locator signal, and states that no other wireless in the fleet is picking it up. Kara argues to a skeptical Lee that it must be a signal from Earth, insisting that some higher power is orchestrating events for a purpose and wants the Colonials to find Earth with the Cylons.
- Kara, Lee, the Final Four, D'Anna, marines and Centurions stand around Starbuck's Viper and an Eight sits inside.
- They discuss the signal. Lee says that he decided to share the information with the Cylons rather than jump away because it would only lead to another confrontation, and argues that peace is possible and says that he has granted the Final Four an amnesty.
- D'Anna agrees to release the hostages.
- Lee shows his father the location of Earth, asking for orders, Roslin walks in and says she wants to see him pick up the first fistful of earth, he walks away saying that he'll be back.
- Lee talks to Roslin about stepping down, and she praises him on resolving the crisis, and says the Fleet will need that kind of leadership in the years to come.
- Admiral Adama returns in uniform, saying they should find Earth, Lee states that he has been working on a recon mission with Kara, the Admiral says that everyone should go together, that they don't have anywhere else to go, and that the alliance will fall apart if they hesitate too long. In his view, they need to roll the hard six, again.
Act 4[edit]
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- In CIC Dualla announces that the Fleet is ready to jump. Admiral Adama tells Roslin that they wouldn't have made it without her and asks her to give the order. She does so. Dualla counts down and the Fleet jumps.
- The entire Fleet - now including the rebel Basestar - successfully jumps. Adama tells Gaeta to take his time with confirming their location.
- Gaeta announces that the constellations match.
- Indeed, the Fleet is in front of a blue planet, namely Earth.
- Adama makes a speech to the fleet, announcing that they have arrived at Earth. There is celebration throughout the fleet.
- A detachment of Vipers, Raptors, and Heavy Raiders fly into the atmosphere, escorting two Gemenon Traveler type ships to the surface.
- On Earth, Adama lifts up a handful of soil. Someone next to him reads the dirt with a Geiger counter. The soil is irradiated.
- Laura Roslin stands next to Adama, disappointed.
- Many others, including Karl & Sharon Agathon, Gaius Baltar, Lee Adama, the Final Four, and the Cylons are on the surface as well, walking and standing around what appears to be the ruins of an unknown city, apparently having been destroyed as a result of a nuclear holocaust. The question they are probably asking themselves is, "what happened to Earth?"
Notes[edit]
- This episode is the mid-season cliffhanger for the first ten episodes of Season 4. The conclusion to the cliffhanger, "Sometimes a Great Notion", will not air until 2009.
- The episode was given an advance screening in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 11th, in order to draw attention for the upcoming Emmy Award nominations. [1]
- As D'Anna Biers executes one prisoner during the course of the episode, the population of the Fleet when it arrives at Earth is 39,664, not counting the Significant Seven Cylons who have now joined them.
Analysis[edit]
- D'Anna Biers holding the Colonial personnel hostage isn't aimed so much as to President Adama and the government, as it is to the remaining three of the Final Four who choose to remain behind. When Foster moves to defect under the guise of giving Roslin her medicine, Colonel Tigh speaks up to prevent her from going. This earns Tigh and the other two who refuse to come forward Biers's enmity and she begins killing their crew mates until they join the Cylons
- How Earth came to the state which the Fleet found it in is uncertain. Given that the landing party tests the soil with a Geiger counter, and the ruins they come across appear to be from a nuclear blast, it is likely that some nuclear event occurred on Earth. Together with the clear remnants of a modern civilization, this means that the series is set in the future and not the past (barring that is is set in an alternate universe).
- Assuming that a nuclear event was responsible for the current condition of Earth, it appears that it happened a considerable number of years, if not decades or hundreds of years, ago. Less than a week after the Cylon bombardment, the planet Caprica had turned yellowish-brown from dust blasted into the atmosphere, creating a nuclear winter (33). Nine months later, someone on Caprica would have still seen yellow skies (Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II). Although the soil of Earth at the landing site is radioactive, the skies are a natural foggy/cloudy gray, and the view from orbit is of a blue-white world.
- The area the landing party arrives at appears to be the Brooklyn side of New York City. The landing party is next to a broad river and across that river to the left is a wide bay. The other shore appears to be the edge of Lower Manhattan with a destroyed skyline of buildings. The camera pans to the right over what is ostensibly the East River until the last two seconds of the episode where at the far right edge of the screen stands a wrecked structure with a heavily abbreviated roadway. It appears to be the East Tower (Brooklyn side) of the Brooklyn Bridge. However, it should be noted that the information on this is incomplete. For instance, many speculations as to the gas giant that Kara Thrace sees in her journey from Earth (as first explained in "He That Believeth In Me") claimed that the giant was Jupiter, when this was later disproved.
- That the Fleet can plot a jump directly into Earth's orbit with just a bearing is likely dramatic license. With no clear idea about the origin and full nature of the signal, they shouldn't be able to determine the exact distance to its source.
Questions[edit]
- Is Number Three honest in her claim that there are only four of the Final Five in the Fleet? If so, where is the fifth and last Cylon? If she's lying, is it because she still harbors distrust for her compatriots and the humans?
- What of the other Ones, Fours, and Fives?
- What happened to Earth?
- Will the other Cylons find the Fleet and the rebels, as well as Earth? If so, will they finish what they started?
- Where is the Thirteenth Tribe?
Official Statements[edit]
Noteworthy Dialogue[edit]
- William Adama has a nervous breakdown after the discovering that his decade-long friend Saul Tigh is a Cylon. His son finds him and drags his father's sobbing form to a bulkhead where he cradles his father from behind.
- William Adama: [Crying, Sobbing, despair...]
- Lee Adama: [voice quavering]: Dad listen...No one suspected, no one! Not with his record. Not what he did on New Caprica. His eye... What happened to his wife... Come on, let's get up.
- William: What have I done? [breathlessly] All of the people I've sent to die? For what? For what!?!
- Lee: [quietly] For Earth...
- William: [angrily]: There is no Earth. [Sobs] It is a frakkin' joke! There is no Earth! [Sobs]
- Lee: Okay dad, listen to me...[firmer and takes his father face between his hands] Listen to me!! Pull it together!!
- William: I can't...
- Lee [frustrated]: Yes you can! Come on!
- William: I can't....
- Lee: [frustrated] Yes you ca...
- William: I can't.... I can't kill him... I can't kill the bastard! I can't....
- Lee: Okay, okay dad [he cradles his father's face]
- William: I can't....
- Lee: It's....It's gonna be okay....It's gonna be okay... I'll... I'll take care of it.. I'll take care of it [kisses his father's forehead].
Guest Stars[edit]
- Michael Hogan as Saul Tigh
- Rekha Sharma as Tory Foster
- Aaron Douglas as Galen Tyrol
- Michael Trucco as Samuel Anders
- Lucy Lawless as Number Three
- Callum Keith Rennie as Number Two / Leoben Conoy
- Tahmoh Penikett as Captain Karl "Helo" Agathon
- Kandyse McClure as Lieutenant Anastasia Dualla
- Alessandro Juliani as Lieutenant Felix Gaeta
- Bodie Olmos as Lieutenant Brendan "Hot Dog" Costanza
- Keegan Connor Tracy as Jeanne
- Lara Gilchrist as Paulla Schaffer
- Finn R. Devitt as Nicholas Tyrol (credited as "Baby Nicky")
- Don Thompson as Anthony Figurski
- Brad Dryborough as Lieutenant Hoshi
- Alexandra Thomas as Hera
- Heather Doerksen as Sergeant Brandy Harder
- Leo Li Chiang as Tattooed pilot (uncredited)
- Vincent Gale as Peter Laird
- Don Thompson as Specialist Anthony Figurski
- Sonja Bennett as Specialist Marcie Brasko
- Barry Nerling as Adama's Corporal
External Links[edit]
- Composer Bear McCreary on the episode's score: [1]
References[edit]
- ↑ 'Battlestar Galactica' Hosting Free Screening In L.A. (backup available on Archive.org) (in English).