Baltar's Escape

"Baltar's Escape" An episode of the Re-imagined Series
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Overview

Joining forces with the imprisoned Borellians and the Eastern Alliance detainees, Baltar escapes from the prison barge, hijacks a shuttle, and kidnaps members of the ruling council.

Summary

• Commander Adama is dictating a log. He states that Sire Domra and the Quorum of Twelve are firmly against him. He notes that the Quorum wants to release the Eastern Alliance prisoners and have an unarmed peace envoy accompany the Alliance enforcers back to their base on Lunar 7. Adama is determined not to let the same mistakes that lead to the downfall of the Twelve Colonies occur again under this Quorum's leadership.
• Adama goes to the Prison Barge on a shuttle piloted by Apollo and Starbuck. On the Barge, he engages Commandant Leiter in a discussion. There, Leiter goes to discuss how the Nationalists wish to disrupt the "Natural Order" of things and how the Eastern Alliance has a manifest destiny to rule all life in the universe, for this is what the Alliance was created for.
• Leiter then gloats on how Galactica is but a single warship, and how the Eastern Alliance will dispatch it like the "wolf pack does the bear".
• Reese interrupts the interrogation of Leiter, informing Adama that the Council wants the interrogation terminated and that Adama is to report directly to the Council immediately.
• Starbuck and Apollo object to this, believing that Adama should not have to answer to the Council as The Fleet is under martial law. Adama holds steadfast in his oath as a Warrior to answer to the Council. He sternly states to the duo that he does not want to discuss the issue any further in front of the prisoner.
• Adama is summoned before the Quorum of Twelve under the leadership of Sire Domra. Domra begins the meeting of the Quorum with the declaration that Adama is to receive the highest honor of the Quorum -- the Star of Kobol -- and also declares that the state of emergency has ended.
• Adama humbly refuses, claiming that there are still unforeseen dangers facing the Fleet. Adama then bluntly states that the meeting was called not to offer him an award, but to retire him.
• Siress Tinia chimes in: martial law will be dissolved and the Fleet will be returned to civilian control. Adama is to retain his vote on the Quorum and the command of Galactica. In addition, Galactica will have an advisor from the Quorum. That advisor is none other than Tinia herself.
• Starbuck and Apollo vehemently disagree with the decision. Adama retorts that perhaps the council is correct in ending martial law, noting that both Warriors have forgotten their vows to serve and protect.
• Tinia quickly becomes a fixture in Core Command, meddling in every decision of Adama's. This particularly chafes on Colonel Tigh, who is barely able to maintain his composure.
• When Tinia orders Council Security forces to escort the Eastern Alliance prisoners to Galactica for a meeting with the Quorum, Tigh makes a crack about their effectiveness (or lack thereof). Tinia wants the Eastern Alliance prisoners to see the effect of the new civilian government, but the warriors fear the consequences of not being vigilant in this case.
• Baltar is pulling KP duty, reluctantly serving his inmates their food. When the Borellian Nomen come through the line, he tries to win them over, telling them he has saved them some Borellian dessert. They ignore him, and find a place to sit.
• Baltar refuses to take the hint, and takes a seat next to them for his meal. He introduces himself, and mentions the rumor that the Eastern Alliance prisoners are going to be transported to Galactica. From what he has been able to determine, the Eastern Alliance appears to be a major player in this part of the galaxy, and Baltar suggests they might make worthy allies, possibly in some sort of escape.
• Maga points out that Baltar doesn't have a very good track record, but Baltar shrugs it off, blaming incompetent followers.
• Baltar suggests taking the shuttle when it comes to pick up the Eastern Alliance prisoners, and using it to escape. They would make their way to Lunar Seven, where the Eastern Alliance would be grateful for the return of their prisoners and would offer them protection. Baltar fancies that he'll be treated like a prince, as will any who helps in the plan.
• The Nomen decide it is worth a try. Maga informs Baltar that when the time comes for them to escape, the Nomen will temporarily die. Apparently this is a survival technique known to the Borellian Nomen.
• Boomer and Sheba draw the assignment to pilot the shuttle to transport the prisoners. The Council Security ridicule the two warriors until Boomer uses some radical maneuvering to get them to strap in and shut up.
• In Core Command, Tinia and Tigh are in conflict. Tinia is insisting, much to Tigh's frustration, that there be no warriors present in the landing bay with the shuttle arrives. Tigh relents, and asks permission to leave as his shift has expired. Tinia makes sure to remind him not to go to the landing bay, and Tigh angrily asks if it is ok for him to go to the Officer's Club before heading out to that location. When Adama reminds Tinia that Colonel Tigh is an excellent warrior, but Tinia replies that what they need right now are excellent diplomats.
• Reese and the Blackshirts escort the prisoners back to their cells. Reese instructs Leiter and his men to remain outside.
• Maga clutches his chest, and collapses. The bewildered guards draw their weapons, and watch helplessly as Bora and Taba collapse as well. They check the pulse of the Nomen, and find none. They immediately attempt to summon a medtech to help the prisoners.
• When the guards turn their backs to summon help, the Nomen spring into action, knocking the guards out. The Nomen use keys to free Baltar and explain that captivity has slowed their (still impressive) reflexes, and that their newfound freedom will help restore their normal form.
• The Eastern Alliance enforcers arm themselves with laser rifles from the armory, as well as their signature black helmets. The Nomen regain their traditional garb, and arm themselves with laser bolas. Baltar simply equips himself with Reese's laser pistol.
• Baltar insists that the group take the shuttle to Galactica in order to recover the Eastern Alliance destroyer as well as Baltar's Cylon Raider.
• Eastern Alliance enforcers capture the communications station of the Prison Barge, forcing them to clear the shuttle for landing before destroying the communications equipment.

Questions

• Where is Sire Geller? (Sire Geller was the council leader in "Experiment in Terra".)
• Why were the weapons taken from the Borellian Nomen and the Eastern Alliance stored aboard the Prison Barge?

Notes

• Despite the fact that Maren Jensen, Tony Swartz, Noah Hathaway and Laurette Spang appear in the "also starring" credits, their characters are nowhere to be seen in the episode.

• Domra and the Quorum use the same trick that Sire Uri used in "Saga of a Star World": offer awards to people who are deserving of them and then declare a radical edict. In this case, the edict of the council is to dissolve martial law, assign Adama an aide and offer peace to war-mongering, dangerous fascists.

• The stunt that Boomer pulled in the shuttle could not have occurred in space. There is no such thing as "leveling out" in space and therefore such an occurrence smacks in the face of science, given that the shuttle is not affected by gravity. (If the shuttle was in an atmosphere of a planet, then the trick to get the Council Security officers to shut up would have worked.)

Guest Stars

John Dullaghan (Dr. Wilker)
Lance LeGault (Maga)
Anthony De Longis (Taba)
Robert Feero (Bora)
Ina Balin (Siress Tinia)
Lloyd Bochner (Leiter)
John Hoyt (Sire Domra)
Ron Kelly (Reese)
Paul LeClair (2nd Guard)
Paul Tinder (5th Guard)
Bruce Wright (Guard)
Mitchell Reta (Control Operator)