Six Degrees of Separation

"Six Degrees of Separation" An episode of the Re-imagined Series
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Overview

A copy of the Cylon agent Number Six, in the form of a woman who calls herself "Shelly Godfrey," physically arrives on Galactica and accuses Gaius Baltar of treachery.

Summary

• Gaius Baltar is mocking Six's belief in God, which quickly escalates into an explosion of anger on his part -- and Six vanishes from his head.
• Called to CIC, Baltar "finds" her there, and is confronted by Adama, who claims that "Miss Godfrey" has made some disturbing claims against Baltar.
• With a shock, Baltar comes to realise that "Miss Godfrey" is in fact a copy of Six, and that everyone can see her.
• "Miss Godfrey" then produces photographic evidence she claims will show Baltar planting a bomb in the Colonial Defense Mainframe on Caprica - a claim he strenuously denies.
• The image itself requires a full day of processing to reveal whether it does in fact show Baltar as "Godfrey" claims. Until that time, Adama suspends all work on Baltar's Cylon detector and places an embargo on Baltar leaving the ship -- something even Roslin is unwilling to override.
• But Roslin herself is far from well -- during her call with Baltar, she collapses, causing a fleet-wide scare when Billy orders the flight deck to make a fleet-wide broadcast requesting medical assistance. It transpires that Roslin has been overdoing her cancer medication - but the truth is hidden by a story that she has the 'flu.
• As Felix Gaeta works on enhancing the image, Baltar becomes more and more desperate for news - even following Gaeta into the head (lavatory) for news on his progress.
• Elsewhere, "Miss Godfrey" meets with Adama in private, and behaves in typical Six fashion - coming on to him.
• "Godfrey's" behavior prompts Adama to order a watch be kept on her movements on the ship.
• Elsewhere on Galactica, Tyrol and Cally are analysing the captured Cylon Raider, using Starbuck's notes, but not making much progress, despite comments to the contrary to Colonel Tigh, who isn't fooled.
• Tigh visits Starbuck in sickbay, and despite her efforts not to fall for his reverse psychology, he goads her into getting out of her cot and going to help Tyrol and his crew.
• Boomer arrives at the Raider, and after an awkward moment with Tyrol, suggests that they might make better progress if they treated the Raider more like an animal – a hunter – than a machine. Her behavior with the Raider, stroking it as she speaks, spooks Tyrol.
• During a meeting with Adama, at which he protests his innocence and tries to get Adama to make "Shelly Godfrey" to submit to a test with his Cylon detector, Baltar learns that Adama plans to have the detector dismantled if the photographic evidence points to Baltar's guilt.
• During his conversation with Adama, he continues to search the house in his mind, trying to find "his" Six.
• Driven to extreme measures as the time required to enhance the image draws to a close, Baltar sets off a fire alarm as a distraction, breaks into the lab where Gaeta has been working and tries to destroy the evidence as it does indeed reveal his face - only to be stopped by Adama and arrested.
• Down on the hangar deck, Kara Thrace joins Lee Adama, Tyrol and Cally in their investigations of the Raider - even to the extent of climbing inside the craft despite her leg injury (You Can't Go Home Again).
• In the brig, Baltar is visited by Roslin, whom he believes has come to oversee his release. Instead, she is uncharacteristically vindictive, stating she knew he was a traitor.
• As a result of Roslin's visit, Baltar finally sees his only way out is to do what Six has been urging him to do: give himself over to God's will. He gets down on his knees and starts praying.
• He repeats his prayer several times, and suddenly "Six" is beside him once more, telling him everything will be all right.
• Gaeta enters the brig and throws Baltar into a wild panic: he is convinced he is about to be summarily executed.
• Calming Baltar, Gaeta tells Baltar he is a free man - the photographs delivered by "Shelly Godfrey" have proven to be fakes.
• As Baltar is released, Adama learns that "Shelly Godfrey" has literally vanished, her watchers reporting she turned a corner in a corridor, and when they got to it, she had simply disappeared.
• On Colonial One, Roslin holds a press conference publicly exonerating Baltar.
• While acknowledging the act, Baltar meets with Six in his fantasy world, and she points out that he is now next to invincible: he's been through a trial by fire, and no-one would dare accuse him of acting against the Fleet again. She then starts stripping as she climbs the stairs to the bedroom.
• Following her, Baltar can't help asking her one question: was "Shelly Godfrey" ever really "here"? Her response is a coy smile.

On Caprica:

• Helo and Valerii are on the run from Cylon Centurions.
• As they camp out for the night, Helo confesses he couldn't bear to see anything happen to her.
• Hiding a smile of victory, Valerii silences Helo's words with a kiss, and as a thunderstorm threatens, they make love.

Summary from Sci-Fi.com

When Baltar and the Number Six who lives in his head have a falling out, she abandons him, only to surface a short while later aboard the Galactica. But now she's called Shelley Godfrey, everyone can see her, and she's telling them that she has evidence, passed on by the late Dr. Amarak, that will prove Baltar sold out the human race to the Cylons.

With Baltar in a panic and trying to save himself, Number Six focuses her charms on Commander Adama. But the Commander is wary of this stunning stranger and has her followed while her evidence is analyzed.

Kara struggles to recover from her injuries while Chief Tyrol and the crew try to reverse-engineer the Cylon raider she piloted home.

Meanwhile, dual Sharons face their own challenges — on Caprica, she and Helo are on the run from Cylon centurions; on the Galactica, she's terrified of being exposed as a Cylon herself. -- This section ©2005, SCI FI. All rights reserved.

Questions

• Is Baltar's Six in communication with her "sisters" in the Fleet? (Probable Answer)
• Where did "Shelly Godfrey" go after her "disappearance"?
• If she is still on Galactica, is Boomer unwittingly helping her?
• Will Baltar forgive Roslin for her condemnation of him?
• Even if he completes his Cylon detector, will any results it gives be trustworthy? (Answer)
• What is the range of actions in Baltar's fantasy world that are translated over into the real world?

Analysis

• "Shelly Godfrey" herself is the clearest indication yet that Baltar's Six is not only an implant in Baltar's head - but that "she" is in direct contact with other Cylons scattered within the fleet, and they are working in concert with one another in order to fully subvert Baltar to their will. The idea that "Shelly Godfrey" is a Cylon agent working to prevent Baltar from finalising his Cylon detector would make her arrival on the Galactica at the precise moment Six vanishes from Baltar’s head push coincidence to the limits of credibility.

What is interesting in these two story elements is they way they mesh together while effectively moving in opposite directions: as Valerii on Caprica moves towards fulfillment of her mission with Helo, possibly achieving more than her original creation / formation could have aspired to – a human / Cylon relationship born of love and respect, rather than of lust and ego, as was the case with Baltar / Six; Boomer on Galactica is beginning to spiral out of control: she has had at least one “black out” that she knows of, in which Galactica’s water supply was crippled; she’s almost blown herself up; she’s been accused of collusion with the Cylons; she’s broken up with her lover, come close to a near-orgasmic experience with a Cylon device – and now someone is accusing her directly of being a Cylon. Contrast the way in which Valerii’s coupling with Helo on Caprica played out against Boomer’s desperation in her bunk room – a very powerful counterpoint.

One other character is worthy of mention in this episode – Alessandro Juliani (Lieutenant Gaeta). So far he’s had little chance to shine, but in this episode, shine he does, providing exactly the right amount of emotional support for Baltar – while also providing us with one of the most subtle moments of humour witnessed in television. The scene in the lavatory must be watched to be appreciated – especially Gaeta’s feet, which speak more clearly than any of the whispered conversation shared with Baltar, and the results are a joy to watch – as is the continued conversation with the camera peeking into each of the cubicles.

Overall, a cleverly-constructed episode that is as entertaining as it is intriguing, thanks to the aforementioned lavatory scene between Baltar and Gaeta, which loses none of its power with repeated watching.

Notes

• A week has passed since “Litmus”.
• Boomer is accidentally revealing more and more of her Cylon nature.
• Helo has passed another test on Caprica; he’s now sexually active with Valerii.
• Gaeta admires Baltar and may be his one true friend on Galactica.
• Baltar appears very close to completing his Cylon detector.
• Cylon Raiders may well be purpose-bred, semi-intelligent bio-machines.
• The Colonials use QWERTY keyboards.
• The "R&D TV Animation" skit during the credits consists of Ron Moore using a magic wand to zap away David Eick's bones. Eick promptly melts away.

Noteworthy Dialogue

Baltar to Adama, confronting the accusation that he may be a traitor

Baltar: And I don’t like being accused of participating in the genocide of the human race based solely on the word of a woman whom I have already indicated to you may well be a Cylon agent...I did not conspire with the Cylons. I’m an innocent man who is being convicted in the court of public opinion without trial.

Kara's Recovery in the Sick Bay

Kara Thrace is about to start walking after recovering from her knee injury, sustained in "You Can't Go Home Again". Doctor Cottle and Lee Adama are present.

Lee: C'mon Starbuck, you can do it.
(Kara gets out of bed, using it as a support.)
Lee (mockingly): Ah, that smarts. (walks over to Kara on crutches) That smarts. But I. Don't. Care.
Kara: You don't care?
Lee: I don't care. Because your pain is my entertainment. (hands crutches over to Kara) Your Crutches of Death, sir. Use them wisely.
Kara: Shut up.
Doctor Cottle: It's going to hurt like hell, but it's supposed to.
Kara: (wryly) Thanks doc.
(Kara starts out, slowly)
Lee: No pain, no gain. No cliche left unturned as, as Kara Thrace returns to the world of the walking. Can she do it or will she fall on her ass?
Kara: I swear to the Gods that I'm going to beat the crap out of both of you as soon as I get better... (pauses, retreats) No, I can't.
Lee: Yes you can. You did it.
Kara: No I can't. I can't. I can't.
Cottle: You're not going to get better lying on your back.
Kara: (getting on the bed) Oh, frak off.
Lee: We'll just take a break for five minutes.
Kara: I don't want to do it again. I want a pill. Now. Please.
Cottle: Sorry, but we're weaning you off the magic pills starting today. Besides, I need them for myself. (ambles off)

Guest stars

• Michael Hogan as Colonel Saul Tigh
• Tahmoh Penikett as Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon
• Aaron Douglas as Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol
• Donnelly Rhodes as Dr. Cottle
• Nicki Clyne as Specialist Cally
• Christina Schild as Playa Palacios
• Biski Gugushe as Sekou Hamilton

External Links

"Six Degrees of Separation" at scifi.com