Daybreak, Part I

"Daybreak, Part I"; An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No.	Season 4, Episode 19
Writer(s)	Ronald D. Moore
Story by
Director	Michael Rymer
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No.	421
Nielsen Rating
US airdate	March 13, 2009
CAN airdate	Early 2009
UK airdate	Early 2009
DVD release
Population	39,516 survivors ( 5)
Additional Info
	Full Credits
Episode Chronology
Related Information
	Official Summary
	R&D Skit – View
	[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}\|IMDb entry]]
	Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
	@ BW Media
	Promotional Materials
	Online Purchasing
	Amazon: Standard Definition \| High Definition
	iTunes: [{{{itunes}}} USA]

Overview

Galactica begins to be stripped of parts, and Adama calls for volunteers for a final mission.^[2]

Summary

Teaser

Act 1

Act 2

Act 3

Act 4

Notes

This episode is the first part of a three hour series finale^[3].
The episode does not have an opening teaser beyond the "Previously..." segment and a brief depiction of Galactica deckhands and several Baseship Number Eight pilots guiding passengers to ships and other Galactica bound ships from the Baseship. Nor does the opening credits include clips from the episode, the first time this has happened since the start of Season 3.
We finally learn Cottle's first name: Sherman. Adama calls him by it when telling him he's too valuable for the fleet to lose.
It is revealed that Laura Roslin had two sisters (one pregnant), and that they and her father were killed in an automobile accident at some point before she was appointed as Secretary of Education under the Adar Administration.
Baltar's father appears for the first time, and it's confirmed that Baltar's accent is an affected one as he had previously admitted to doing so in Dirty Hands.
Baltar forgot then name of Caprica-Six despite having a relationship with her.
Cultural oddity: keep an eye on the rear window of Baltar's limo for a recognizable Vancouver, B.C. street sign.
After several episodes leaving the facts open to speculation, it is confirmed that the Galactica pilots that took part in the mutiny, such as Racetrack, were incarcerated and not executed. Ronald D. Moore had previously said that Racetrack, Skulls and other mutiny participants were confined on the prison ship Astral Queen in his podcast for Deadlock. Also confirmed Galen Tyrol was imprisoned for his role in unwittingly helping Boomer to escape with Hera (a scene indicating this was filmed for "Islanded in a Stream of Stars" but cut from the televised version).
For the first time in many episodes, the six surviving members of the Significant Seven appear in the same episode (albeit Leoben appears only in the opening recap).
In the flashback to Starbuck's apartment, the painting of the Eye of Jupiter can be seen behind her when she opens the door.
As Hybrid Anders is reciting his seemingly random phrases to a listening Admiral Adama and Captain Thrace he says "Slip the surly bonds of Earth and touch the face of perfection" This is a variation of a real life quote made by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. in his 1941 poem High Flight: "Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings..." [1]

Analysis

Cavil plans to use Hera to find out how she was created in order to continue the Cylon species, presumably through normal reproduction.
- It also proves both Starbuck's and Athena's worst fears that Cavil intends to dissect Hera to discover the secret of procreation.
Roslin likely feels quite protective of Hera as despite being barely able to walk, she volunteers for the rescue mission (although her love for Adama likely also played a part in her decision).
Cottle may be either the best doctor in the fleet or one of the only ones as Adama says he's too valuable for the fleet to lose on the rescue mission.
Baltar seems conflicted when volunteers are called. This inner conflict stems from his earlier conversation with Lee Adama where he confessed that he had never done anything for purely selfless motivations with no gain for himself. He does not, however, cross the line and join the volunteers.
- If Baltar does join, then it would seem likely that all the elements are in place to fulfil the Opera House vision: Athena, Roslin, Caprica Six and Baltar will all be in pursuit of Hera.
Much of the crew is loyal enough to Adama that they're willing to go on a likely one way mission to rescue someone just because he asked.
In the brig Tyrol tells Helo-who is surprisingly civil even sympathetic toward Tyrol given his hand in the abduction-that they are all the same referring to the Eights. He says it as a word of advice and warning. That he made them the same and therefore can only expect betrayal from Athena as what happened to Tyrol at the hands of Boomer. However, given the fact that he has no first hand knowledge of making the Eights and the other Cylons and the psychic pain Galen suffered at the betrayal, his opinion most likely comes from deep, deep, abiding pain and not a intellectual analysis in his disregard of the individuality of Athena and the other Eights and particularly Athena's track record of loyalty. This also maybe a case of misery loves company and Tyrol wants to see Helo and Athena split up to allay his own feelings of being duped, by saying they are all a like and putting doubt in Helo's mind. Also, by claiming that Athena and the other Eights are just machines this could mitigate the guilt for his role in the abduction and possible death of Hera. If Athena is just a machine, then she cannot be hurt emotionally. She has no emotions, just a programmed facsimile. Tyrol wouldn't have to feel responsible for such pain he caused her since, as a machine, she can't really feel it sparing himself a lot of pain.
The finale appears to be taking a character-driven approach, devoting significant screen time to pivotal flashbacks for the central characters that relate to their current circumstances.
- We see the first time Starbuck and Apollo' met, with hints alluding to their future romantic relationship.
- Roslin deals with the sudden death of her sisters and father by wading into a fountain. The gushing water cuts to a shot of her IV drip as she lies dying on Galactica.
- Baltar and Caprica six begin their relationship with an act of compassion on Six's part towards Baltar's father. Baltar's selfishness, a theme raised repeatedly in the episode, is contrasted with Caprica Six's seemingly genuine concern for Julius.
One of the shots in the opening sequence is of a sun rising over a blue planet: daybreak. It could also be a symbolization of renewed hope after the long four years of gloom and darkness.
Hera is drawing "dots", as Cavil calls them, in the Cylon Homeworld. These are much more numerous than the simple line that she gave Starbuck, its at least a full page long. It seems to be an entire musical score. However not knowing that they are music notes Cavil can't see this.
As Boomer stated in Islanded in a Stream of Stars, her stolen Raptor had not yet had its FTL upgraded with Cylon technology. This explains why it took her 12 jumps to reach the Colony, while Racetrack arrived after what appeared to be a single jump.
Someone left a picture of Athena about to kiss Hera on the head on the now abandoned memorial wall. Most likely it was Athena herself because Athena fears the worse and has given up on Hera's survival while Helo hasn't.

Questions

Flashbacks

To what is Adama's flashback conversation referring?
Who was the the drunk driver that killer Roslin's sisters and father? Is he alive in the fleet today?
Who is Sean Allison and why does his name sound familiar to Roslin?

Mission to save Hera

How is Sam Anders able to provide the new location of the Colony?
- Given that it wasn't actually shown was it really Anders that gave the location?
Did any of the other former mutineers, besides Racetrack and Skulls, volunteer to participate in the mission?
As the episode began, Galactica was already being cannibalized for parts; does this mean it will be lacking vital components during the upcoming mission, or has Adama stopped the salvaging?

Cavil's Plan

Has Cavil given up on the idea of salvaging Resurrection Technology?

Miscellaneous

Which the Admiral, XO, President and Vice-President going after Hera who take military and political charge of the Fleet?
Does the Admiral's offer to any over the age of 15 mean that 15 is considered legal age under colonial law?
- Could this also mean a now "adult" Boxey will take part in the mission?
With Hotdog being one of the volunteers, and especially being aware that he may not return alive, who will take care of Nicholas?
With President Roslin and Lee Adama going on the mission, who will lead the Fleet?

Official Statements

Noteworthy Dialogue

"No one should be feel obligated to join this mission in any way. This is a decision I have made for myself. If it turns out that there are not enough personnel to crew Galactica, I will lead a Raptor assault with anyone who is willing to join me. Let there be no illusions, this is likely to be a one-way trip! So don't volunteer out or sentiment or emotion. There is a line running down this deck. Volunteers, move to the starboard side; Everyone else, to the port. Make your choice!"

--Admiral Adama's speech to the assembled crew.

References

[1] ttp://tv.ign.com/articles/920/920164p1.html

[2] ttp://video.scifi.com/player/?id=1054906

[3] ttp://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/06/battlestars-fin.html

[1]

[2]

[3]

"Daybreak, Part I" An episode of the Re-imagined Series

Episode No.	Season 4, Episode 19
Writer(s)	Ronald D. Moore
Story by
Director	Michael Rymer
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No.	421
Nielsen Rating
US airdate	March 13, 2009 ^[1]
CAN airdate	Early 2009
UK airdate	Early 2009
DVD release
Population	39,516 survivors ( 5)
Additional Info
Full Credits
Episode Chronology
Previous		Next
Islanded In a Stream of Stars	Daybreak, Part I	Daybreak, Part II
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D Skit – View
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}\|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
			@ BW Media
Promotional Materials

Online Purchasing
Amazon: *Standard Definition* \| *High Definition*
iTunes: [{{{itunes}}} USA]