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[[Image:bsg-1-11.jpg|thumb|"Colonial Day" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]
{{disline|This article refers to the [[List of All Episodes|episode]] "Colonial Day".  For the holiday itself, see [[Colonial Day (holiday)]].}}
{{Episode Data
| image =bsg-1-11.jpg
| title=Colonial Day
| series=
| season=1
| episode=11
| guests=[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
| writer=[[Carla Robinson]]
| story=
| goof= Y
| director=[[Jonas Pate]]
| production=111
| rating= 2.3
| US airdate=2005-03-18
| CAN airdate=2005-03-26
| UK airdate=2005-01-10
| dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 47898
| oldpopulation= 47898
| podcast=y
| prev=[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]
| next=[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]
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== Overview ==


: <i>Colonial Day is due, and [[Roslin]] is using it to institute an interim [[Quorum of Twelve]]; then [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]], duly selected as the representative of [[Sagittaron]], stands for the post of Vice President, a position Roslin is determined he will not hold </i>
 
: ''Colonial Day is due, and [[Laura Roslin]] is using the occasion to institute an interim [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]; then [[Tom Zarek]], duly selected as the representative of [[Sagittaron]], stands for the post of Vice President, a position Roslin is determined he will not hold.''


== Summary ==  
== Summary ==  
*[[Colonial Day]] - the anniversary of the signing of the [[Articles of Colonisation]] is due
*[[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] has chosen it to unveil a new [[Quorum of Twelve]]
*However, a crisis erupts when terrorist/criminal [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]] is selected to represent [[Sagittaron]] – and he accepts
*As the Quorum is convened, Zarek increases the crisis by insisting that the vacant post of Vice President is filled, in case anything should happen to Roslin – a move that is surprisingly seconded by [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]] – Tom Zarek is thereupon nominated as a vice presidential candidate
*Roslin responds by pushing [[Gray, Wallace|Wallace Gray]], her policy-maker into standing as an alternative candidate
*Manipulating the media, Zarek makes headway in his desire to secure the position as Vice President, with Roslin hampered by what may be the makings of an attempt on her life – possibly orchestrated by Zarek
*Surprisingly, it is Gaius Baltar who comes to her aid, giving an eloquent speech through the media that reminds the people of Roslin’s qualities – and Zarek’s background. As a result, Roslin has Gray relinquish his position as her nominee in favour of Baltar
*Baltar wins the nomination – through Roslin’s final intervention in an official capacity – but Zarek makes it clear matters are far from over: there is still the presidential elections due in 6 months.


=== On Caprica: ===
*[[Colonial Day (holiday)|Colonial Day]], the annual anniversary of the signing of the [[Articles of Colonization]], has arrived. President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] has formed a new [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]], the legislative branch of the Colonial [[Government]], and has decided to have her unveiling of the new Quorum coincide with the patriotic holiday.
*[[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and [[Valerii, Sharon|Valerii]] have reached [[Delphi]]  
*A tension erupts when terrorist/criminal [[Tom Zarek]] wins nomination as [[Sagittaron]] representitive on the Quorum.  Roslin feels she cannot remove him, as he won the election fairly (many on Sagittaron view him as a hero of their downtrodden Tribe).
*Helo considers the humano-Cylons to be human "replicants", created by the Cylons using human DNA.  
*At the first meeting of the Quorum, Zarek creates a crisis by insisting that the vacant post of Vice President be filled by a special vote of the Quorum, in case anything should happen to Roslin – a move that is surprisingly seconded by [[Gaius Baltar]] (when prodded by Number Six)– Tom Zarek is thereupon nominated as a vice presidential candidate.  He has been using his men on the Astral Queen to perform technical favors for several other ships, which has gained him support from many of them.  Additionally he plays on various dissatisfactions in the refugee fleet.
*Valerii uses this idea as a means of testing his possible feelings towards her, should she reveal her true identity
*Roslin responds by pushing [[Wallace Gray]], a presidential aide, into standing as an alternative candidate.
*Later, as they try to enter the Cylon base at Delphi, Helo sees another Valerii, and realises the truth – which sets him on the run from the base – and Valerii herself
*Manipulating the [[Colonial Gang|media]], Zarek makes headway in his desire to secure the position as Vice President, while a man named [[Valance]] plots in secret to carry out an assassinate plot against Roslin – possibly orchestrated by Zarek.
*Surprisingly, it is Gaius Baltar who comes to her aid:  flashing his pre-attack charisma, he gives an eloquent speech to the media that reminds the people of Roslin’s qualities and Zarek’s questionable background (trying to look supportive of Roslin and look more favorable). Roslin realizes that Baltar is quite popular in the Fleet (particularly following the unmasking of a [[Six Degrees of Separation|Cylon plot to discredit him]]) and has Gray relinquish his position as her nominee in favor of Baltar.
*Baltar wins the nomination through a close vote, as the Quorum is evenly split, but as president Roslin is allowed to cast the tie breaking vote which enables Baltar's victory – but Zarek makes it clear matters are far from over: there is still the presidential elections due in 6 months. Roslin introduces Baltar as the victor at the Colonial Day Celebration. 


== Review ==
=== On Caprica ===
*[[Karl Agathon]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii]] have reached the outskirts of [[Delphi]].
*Agathon ponders how he could have seen two women who look exactly the same helping the Cylons, after recently seeing a [[Number Six]] copy leading a squad of [[Centurion (RDM)|Centurions]].  Quickly putting two and two together, he considers the [[humanoid Cylon]]s to be some sort of human "replicants," created by the Cylons using human DNA.  Agathon realizes that this would explain the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|rapid fall]] of the [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol|Twelve Colonies]], as the humanoid Cylons must have infiltrated the Colonies to soften them up for an invasion.
*Caprica-Sharon uses this idea as a means of testing his possible feelings towards her, should she reveal her true identity.  She starts to say that maybe the humanoid Cylons are misled, or that their attack on the Colonies were wrong and they might doubt that it was the right thing to do (her own current thoughts), but Agathon dismisses this as he feels they're just more Cylons.
*Later, as they try to enter the Cylon base at Delphi, Agathon sees [[Number Eight|another Valerii copy]], and instantly realizes the truth, flashing through his adventures on Caprica and all of the coincidences surrounding his escape—at which point he immediately runs away from both Caprica-Sharon and the base.


THE CYLONS WERE CREATED BY MAN. THEY REBELLED. THEY EVOLVED.  
== Notes ==
THEY LOOK AND FEEL HUMAN. SOME OF THEM ARE PROGRAMMED TO THINK THEY ARE HUMAN. THERE ARE MANY COPIES.
*10 days have passed since the events of "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]".
*The office of the President operates in conjunction with the Quorum of Twelve, a council of representatives of the Twelve Colonies.
*The Articles of Colonization were signed 52 years ago.
**Given the Twelve Colonies have been inhabited for millennia, the Articles therefore don't directly relate to the settlement of these worlds.
**However, given the timeframe (52 years) and its proximity to the first Cylon War, perhaps the original articles were the document that united the Twelve Colonies to fight the threat of the Cylons, and became the basis for their peaceful co-operation after the war.
*Issues surrounding the distribution of food and medical supplies are beginning to cause concern within the Fleet.
*Despite being "isolated" aboard ''[[Astral Queen]]'' {{TRS|Bastille Day}}, Zarek has managed to use his time to build up contacts within the Fleet and offer assistance to other vessels - so much so that the representative from Virgon is only too willing to throw his support behind Zarek.
*Apparently convicted felons lose their citizenship under Sagittarion penal law but have it automatically reinstated after they finish serving their sentences. This included the right to vote and to stand for election.
*This episode contains the detailed look at the Cylon [[Heavy Raider]], which is seen landing on Cylon-occupied {{RDM|Caprica}}.
*After Valance's assassination, the whiteboard on ''[[Colonial One]]'' shows 47,898 survivors in the Fleet, a net loss of 7 since "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]".
*This episode is the first to show (however briefly) a version of [[Number Eight]] other than Boomer and the Sharon with Helo, except possibly the [[Miniseries, Night 2|Miniseries]].
*Boomer only appears in this episode briefly, dancing with [[Felix Gaeta]] at the gala after Baltar's election.
*Dr. Baltar apparently didn't give consent or even know of his nomination to a seat in the Quorum of Twelve, thus making it a little unclear how exactly the elections took place without a preexisting list of candidates.
**It is possible that there was a list of official candidates, and Baltar won as a write-in candidate. Alternatively, the quorum members could have been chosen through a caucus system on each ship.
*[[James McManus]], host of [[The Colonial Gang]], doesn't seem to mind using [[frak|the F-word]] on the air.
*The controversy surrounding whether [[Laura Roslin]] would shake [[Tom Zarek]]'s hand intentionally mirrored that at the signing of the [[wikipedia:Oslo Accords|Oslo Accords]] in 1993 about whether [[wikipedia:Yitzhak Rabin|Yitzhak Rabin]] would shake hands with [[wikipedia:Yasser Arafat|Yasser Arafat]].
*Tom Zarek's statement to Laura Roslin, "I shaved very close this morning in preparation for getting smacked by you," is a direct quote from the 1970 movie ''[[IMDB:tt0066206|Patton]]''.


AND THEY HAVE A PLAN
== Analysis ==
*By this point in the late first season, the writers and actors seem to have gained an increasingly better grasp of the story they are trying to tell, and the dialogue, characterization, and plot developments are flowing much more smoothly than in the early learning-curve period of "[[Water]]" and "[[Bastille Day]]".
*It seems a small cheat that ''Cloud Nine'' has not been seen before, but this is explained as that she was heavily damaged and undergoing repairs until now.
*It is slightly odd that [[Wallace Gray]] is supposedly one of Roslin's top aides and has played a large role in the work of her administration, but has not been seen until now.  Of course, this is the mechanics of introducing new characters on a tv series at play.  However, Roslin ''is'' often followed around by many nameless aides with the implication that there are more working for her "off screen" than a given episode focuses on (in the podcasts, Ron Moore and David Eick have said that they feel they make Roslin seem more official onscreen). 
*It is ironic that Baltar himself makes no drive to put himself on the road to power; Roslin (and other major characters) make him vice president because they prefer him over Zarek (even though Roslin admits that she does not like Baltar or particularly trust him, and admits that it is a "choose the devil you know" situation).
*Caprica-Sharon is showing more symptoms of being pregnant, as well as guilt over the Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies. She now feels the attack was wrong and the Cylons are misguided/self-deluded.
*During Season 1, several critics and fans expressed that they thought it odd that Helo never suspected Caprica-Sharon of being a [[humanoid Cylon]] at all.  However, this is an unfair criticism: Helo was not present on ''Galactica'' when the existence of humanoid Cylon models was revealed, and very probably during their experiment the Cylons attempted to avoid exposing Helo to humanoid models (after his initial "capture" by a single Number Six).  Helo only sees a second Number Six copy in this episode because it is after he and Caprica-Sharon went on the run from the Cylons for real, after Caprica-Sharon's change of heart. —— Putting these accusations of Helo's unperceptiveness to rest, in this episode, soon after seeing a second Number Six (in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]") Helo ''on his own'' theorizes that the Cylons must have created human models or DNA replicants of some sort, who must have been infiltrating Colonial society as [[w:Trojan Horse|Trojan Horses]], explaining the rapid fall of the Twelve Colonies.  Later, when Helo sees another Sharon-model Cylon copy, after recovering from his shock the events of the past two months instantly fit together in his mind, he realizes he has been duped, and he (prudently) runs away.
*Reporter [[James McManus]] states that Colonial Day will coincide with the first meeting of the interim [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]], but Commander Adama also gives the day as "Colonial Day" at Baltar's victory gala, two days later. It is likely that the first meeting of the Quorum of Twelve is a multi-day event, during which Colonial Day would take place.


=== Re-cap ===
== Questions ==
*[[33]]: [[Valerii]] shooting [[Six]] as she comes to [[Helo]]'s "rescue"
*[[The Hand of God]]: Helo seeing Six leading a troop of [[Cylon]] [[warrior]]s towards the farm he and Valerii are hiding in, and Valerii telling him they have to run
*[[Bastille Day]]: Shots of [[Tom Zarek]] over which [[Billy Keikeya]] and [[Dualla]] are heard arguing about his status as a prisoner of conscience or a terrorist / butcher
*[[Bastille Day]]: Zarek saying he thought [[Lee Adama]] said he respected him, Lee replying that was before he resorted to violence & hostage-taking, over clips of the take-over of the ''[[Astral Queen]]'', cutting to  [[Roslin]] listening to Zarek's broadcast to the fleet calling for her resignation, cutting to a shot of Zarek as he demands elections, cutting to Lee Adama holding a gun to Zarek's head, telling him to let the hostages go in return for control of the ''Astral Queen''
 
 
=== Teaser ===
 
Fade-in on a massive starliner, complete with huge domed [[biome]] moving with the fleet. As the camera closes on the ship, the caption [[CLOUD NINE]] LUXURY LINER appears. The camera closes on the huge, brightly-lit biome dome as two [[Viper]]s fly by, and the silhouettes of trees are visible against the dome wall. Then the camera is inside the dome, panning down from the white/blue "sky" to trees and a garden over which a sign reading WELCOME QUORUM DELEGATES hangs, and within which a trio of media pundits sit.
 
The pundits are hosting a new live broadcast show - [[The Colonial Gang]] -  a show designed to bring the people all the news on the "movers and shakers" within the fleet. During the introduction to the show, it is revealed that the ''Cloud Nine'' was damaged during the [[Cylon Attack]] and has only just been repaired - and that President [[Roslin, Laura|Laura Roslin]] has chosen it for the first meeting of the interim [[Quorum of Twelve]], which has been set to coincide with [[Colonial Day]]. The three then discuss the upcoming meeting, and do what pundits do best - disagree with one another, with one of them claiming Roslin has rigged the Quorum with "yes men" selected by her advisor, [[Gray, Wallace|Wallace Gray]], while the remaining two pundits run a counter-argument praising both Roslin and Gray.
 
As the pundits get into their debate, the scene is intercut with a lone gunman checking and then packing an automatic pistol into a hidden compartment in an attaché case, and with Roslin aboard ''[[Colonial One]]'', listening to the broadcast with growing disgust, despite the spirited defence of her and Wallace by two of the pundits.
 
Hearing Wallace referred to as a "fatuous gasbag", Roslin turns off her radio in disgust - and Wallace himself  arrives in her office, requesting 5 minutes. They exchange small talk about the broadcast but before they can get down to business [[Keikeya, Billy|Billy Keikeya]] interrupts them, and turns on the radio again - in time for them to hear an announcement that the people of Sagittaron have selected [[Tom Zarek]] to be their representative on the Quorum of Twelve. As the pundits debate this announcement, Roslin berates herself for not seeing the move coming, and the camera cuts away briefly to the mysterious gunman resuming his preparations before cutting back to Roslin's office as Wallace notes, "He blew up a government building. Now he's going to sit on the Quorum."
 
At that moment the telephone buzzes - [[Adama, William|Adama]] is on the line from the ''[[Galactica]]''. He is direct in his view: they cannot allow a terrorist to sit in government. Roslin replies that her hands are tied: Sagittaron law states that once a convict has served time, they regain their citizenship. Adama offers to place a ban on Zarek's ability to travel within the fleet - thus making it impossible for him to reach the ''Cloud Nine'', but again Roslin refuses. While Adama has a valid point - Zarek represents a danger to the fleet - she can ill-afford to have the crew of the ''Galactica'' acting as her personal "goon squad". As the conversation ends, the radio cuts to a live transmission from Zarek himself, in which he claims to be humbled by the honour bestowed on him, accepts the position, and promises to be, "A voice for those who have gone too long unheard by a government that serves only the privileged and the powerful, but turns a blind eye to the weak and the poor..." as he continues, the gunman completes his preparations, closes the attaché case and walks away with it, with the opening titles replacing him.
 
=== Acts ===
 
Following the opening titles, Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] is working in his lab, running tests on the blood samples supplied to him for "[[Cylon]] scanning". "[[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]] enters the lab to inform him when their shuttle will be departing for ''[[Cloud Nine]]''. Baltar is mystified by this news, and [[Number Six|Six]] is somewhat put out as she hisses, "A surprise getaway? Just the two of you?"  Starbuck breaks the news to Baltar: he's been selected as the representative for Caprica on the Quorum - she'll be handling his security. After she has gone, Baltar is less than ecstatic, "Politics is the only thing more boring than blood samples. All those interminable speeches, all that really pomp-". He is interrupted by Six, "...Parties full of young women...drawn to men of power." This gives Baltar pause for thought. "Well when the people call, you must serve," he decides, glancing warily at her.
Later, on the ''Cloud Nine'', [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] and Starbuck catch some sun - Lee enjoying the sensation, Thrace bemoaning the fact the horizon has been terribly well done - the frame of the biome is visible through it. She points out that security is going to be a pain, with "thousands" of places for a sniper to hide, and Lee confirming they have around 500 people to protect, with each colony sending a delegation of leading citizens. They briefly discuss the machinations of politics - Starbuck pointing out that the move really is the first play in Roslin's game to be re-elected, and the conversation degenerates into water play as she takes a garden hose and starts spraying Lee with it.
 
Later still, as the delegates begin to arrive, the attaché case walks by on the end of a suited arm. It passes through a security screen without being detected. Below the screening station, outside the biome's ballroom, delegates are being received - with [[Tigh, Saul|Colonel Tigh]] and his wife [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen]] on hand to represent the ''[[Galactica]]''. Elsewhere, the man with the attaché case meets with another and they shake hands without a word. Behind them Zarek arrives. As he passes a spectator, he is called a murderer, a claim that leads to a shoving match between the spectator and the man met by Mr. Attache Case. The confrontation is broken-up by Lee Adama.
 
Meanwhile Zarek arrives at the welcoming committee, and Tigh refuses to shake his hand. Ellen, however, is not so backward in coming forward. Not only does she shake Zarek’s hand, she makes sure the media take pictures. Afterwards, when challenged by her husband as to why she did this, she claims that Roslin is the past and Zarek is the future.
 
Down the line, Zarek arrives before Roslin and asks if she'll shake his hand. She not only does this, she also kisses him on the cheeks, momentarily surprising him as it is captured on camera. Congratulating her on her "play", Zarek asks her to remember that he is not her enemy.
 
Once inside the ballroom, the Quorum gets down to business, with Roslin running through the heavy agenda. Most of the delegates are listening - Baltar is bored; that is until Six taps him on the shoulder and points out he is missing an "intriguing opportunity". She points out that [[Palacios, Playa|Playa Palacios]], one of the media pundits from the top of the episode, isn't wearing any underwear. This gets Baltar's attention as Six further points out that Playa has been eyeing him all afternoon. As Baltar stares at the reporter, she shifts in her seat suggestively - her move hinting that she is indeed without underwear. "She's only human," Baltar states, his ego coming to the fore. He then glances askance at Six, "You're not jealous?" she looks him in the eye, "Love isn't about sex, Gaius." The comment sets him nodding, "There's an enlightened point of view," he agrees. "I've been thinking," she continues, "As far as I'm concerned, you can have any woman you want, but always remember: I have your heart," and she reaches for Baltar's chest, causing him to look down before he replies, "Yes, of course you do," as he looks back at her. Her look hardens, and she appears to dig her fingers into Baltar's chest (although this is off-camera), as she concludes, "And I can always rip it out of your chest if I want to," a comment which has him trying to suppress a cough and reaching to his left breast with his right hand as a look of discomfort crosses his face.
 
On the floor, Roslin concludes her run-through of the agenda and the reasons why it has been set. She then asks for a moment for the agenda to be accepted - but Zarek raises an objection. While he acknowledges that all the points on the agenda are valid, one important one is missing: the appointment of a Vice President. He adds that if anything happens to Roslin, she has no successor. The attaché case move through the back of the auditorium, as Zarek suggests that a lack of successor leaves the way "wide open for a military dictatorship". He therefore moves that the first item on the agenda should be nominations for Vice President. As the motion is made, Six tells Baltar to second it. When he fails to respond, she barks at him to second the motion, and appears to hold up his left arm, prompting him to call "Second!" - shocking the chamber, Roslin included.
 
With the motion made and seconded, Roslin has no choice but to put it to the vote - which passes, and is immediately followed by Virgon nominating Tom Zarek; a nomination that is immediately seconded by Geminon. Clearly stunned by the turn of events, Roslin confirms Zarek's nomination - Zarek himself doing a good turn at looking humbly surprised - and then stating the chair will remain open a further 72 hours for further nominations for VP.
 
After the session, back on ''[[Colonial One]]'' Roslin is determined Zarek will not be her VP. A discussion then ensues between her, Wallace Gray, Lee Adama and Billy Keikeya concerning Zarek's nomination and Roslin determines she needs a candidate of her own: she selects Wallace, who reluctantly accepts.
 
Meanwhile, on Cloud Nine, Zarek grandstands before the media. While making valid points about the condition of society in the fleet - where there is effectively no economy, no market, no commerce, no industry and where money is useless, yet people are being held "hostage" by the idea of the way society used to operate - he is clearly making a more public bid for power, offering up some of the basic tenets of socialism bordering on communism in the process. 
 
Listening to the broadcast in a bar on the liner, Lee Adama isn't impressed, and orders the radio turned off. The man he confronted earlier wants the radio on. An argument quickly develops, the man seeking the support of the people at the bar - one of whom is Mr. Attaché Case. The argument escalates to a fight that quickly draws in other members of the bar – including Starbuck, who tries to come to Lee’s aid. In the midst of it all, the attache case is sent flying, scattering its contents and revealing the gun. Starbuck spots it as the owner of the case gathers everything and makes a run for it. As Lee subdues his assailant with the aid of the beer bottle first used on him, Starbuck catches the gunman and brings him down with her walking stick, the case and gun again going flying. She and the gunman both scrabble for it - and she gets to it first, cocking it and aiming at him.
 
Away on CYLON-OCCUPIED [[CAPRICA]], [[Agathon, Karl C.|Karl C. Agathon]], call sign Helo, has arrived in the vicinity of [[Delphi]], together with [[Valerii]]. It is raining again, and Delphi indeed appears now to be a major Cylon centre of operations. Deciding to wait until dark before making any attempt to enter the base and steal a ship, they turn their attention to a meal - Valerii apparently ravenous, having got over her "sickness". However, Helo remains oblivious to the likely cause of both her sickness and her hunger, and brings up the subject of the "woman" (Six) they saw back at the farm [[The Hand of God]] and her similarity to the woman Valerii shot when rescuing him. He posits a theory that the Cylons have stolen human DNA, and used it to create clones - replicants - under Cylon control and seeded them throughout the 12 colonies. He determines that this is how the Cylons defeated humanity: by having the replicants infiltrate the colonies and lay the groundwork for the surprise attack to succeed.
 
Taking this as a starting point, Valerii uses it to probe Helo's potential reaction should she reveal her true nature to him, by suggesting that if they are "clones", the "huamns" may be capable of complex emotions - perhaps even love - and as such are simply misguided. Helo will not buy it: clones or not, they have the blood of humanity on their hands, and so should be treated the same as the Cylons. His comment crushes some of the hope out of Valerii.
 
On the ''Cloud Nine'', Starbuck and Lee interrogate Attache Case Man, who now has a name - Valance. He tries to deny everything: the fact that he has a copy of Roslin's itinerary, that he was carrying a ceramic "stealth gun" in a shielded case to avoid it showing on the scanners, etc. Despite leaning on him to the point of threatening his execution, they fail to tie him to Zarek. Lee appeals to Roslin to kick the Saggittaron delegation out of the Quorum on the grounds Zarek may have another assassin waiting, but she refuses, telling him to lean of Valance and eavesdrop on Zarek to get the evidence they need.
 
In the Quorum itself, Wallace Gray is presenting his mission statement for the future of the fleet. The mission statement may well address the important issues - but the presentation is living up to Wallace's name: grey. As it proceeds, Lee drops by Zarek's seat, whispering that they have Valance, and Zarek is next, a comment that causes Zarek a small amount of unease.
 
After the session, Zarek engineers an encounter with Ellen Tigh. They dance around the subjects of power and people having an agenda, and the future. The little dance leads Zarek to ask outright about the location of Valance. In a cut-away, Lee and Starbuck subsequently find Valance dead - an apparent suicide.
 
As they seek out Roslin with the news, Baltar is interviewed by the media. The matter of Valance's death is discussed aboard ''Colonial One'' - with Tigh in attendance. It is pointed out that only the people in Roslin's office - the president, Billy, Lee, Starbuck and Tigh - knew of Valance's whereabouts; but Roslin is increasingly distracted by Baltar's interview - which quickly becomes a speech, every inch as eloquent as Zarek's, but which points out Roslin's inherent strengths and Zarek's own weaknesses.
 
As Tigh runs through the list of things they no longer have as a result of Valance's death: no assassin, no link to Zarek, etc., Roslin becomes increasingly enamoured of Baltar's speech. Lee repeats his concern that an attempt will still be made on Roslin's life. She is adamant that Zarek won't do anything until he win the VP nomination - and she's not going to let him win, even if she has to do a couple of unpleasant things. She then orders a shuttle to take her to ''Cloud Nine''.
 
Once there, she meets with Gray, and has him stand down as a nominee for Vice President - something he does none too graciously. She then visits Baltar, who is in the public toilets. Here she congratulates Baltar on his earlier speech, and ascertains that he is not about to support Zarek. She then informs him that Gray has dropped out of the running, and that she'd like him to take Gray's place. Baltar accepts. After Roslin has left the toilets, Playa Palacios steps out of the cubicle Baltar had been occupying when Roslin arrived. "Wow! Now what?" she asks. Directing her back into the cubicle, Baltar replies, "Now I give you an exclusive!"
 
On ''Galactica'', Lee and Starbuck discuss the Roslin / Zarek situation in their locker room, which finishes with Starbuck donning a dirty uniform tunic (the result of the fight on ''Cloud Nine''). The conversation ends with jokes about hygiene and Lee asking Starbuck to let him know when it is one of those times she "cleans up good".
 
Later - perhaps the following day - on 'Cloud Nine', Roslin draws the results of the Quorum's votes for the vice president. The vote is split 6 votes for Zarek, and 6 for Baltar - leaving Roslin with the deciding vote - and this much is announced by Playa Palacios. The action jumps to a point later in time, with Laura Roslin announcing the new Vice President at the Colonial Day celebrations: it is Gaius Baltar.
 
As he is received by the crowd and mobbed by women, Baltar finds himself facing Six. "The perks of power, Mister Vice President," she informs him, draping her arms around his neck. "We're going to do great things together." Baltar, a little dazed and confused, replies that it is hard to fathom, "I didn't aspire to power," he states. "Of course you didn't, Gaius." Six agrees, "But someone had to step up." He nods, "Yeah, well after what Laura told me..." The causes Six to freeze. "Laura?" she replies flatly. "Yeah we're...we're like on first name basis now." A number of genuine female arms reach out for him, and he backs away, apparently talking to empty air. "Now, uh, people, ah, people need me. Excuse us..." and he wraps his arms around two women.
 
Across the room at the bar, a blonde is drinking on her own. As Lee approaches, she turns, and he is stunned to see Starbuck in an evening gown. "So, ah...that bum knee of yours is looking pretty good," he states, eyes not exactly on her knees. "And, ah the other one's not looking too bad either," He then asks her if she wants to dance. "Me in a dress is a once in a lifetime opportunity," she replies, as they head to the dance floor.
 
As they go, Zarek meets with Roslin and congratulates her - but warns her there is still the election in 6 months time. He also leans forward and whispers he did not kill Valance, but he wonders who did - a comment that confuses her.
 
As the party progresses, Adama arrives. He and Roslin exchange small talk around her selection of Baltar. "Better the devil you know," she states, and they discuss the nature of politics and war, before he takes her out to the dance floor as well.
 
Out among the dancers, Ellen Tigh reveals to her husband that she has secured a day in a luxury suite aboard the ''[[Rising Star]]''. When he asks how she did this, she is evasive, stating only that she "has her ways" and that all he needs to do is work out how he can get Adama to give him a day off and - while he's on the ''Rising Star'', think about talking to a few people about his future. She refuses to be drawn on further, but as they continue to dance, she exchanges a look with Tom Zarek, seated at the bar.
 
=== Tag === 
 
It is night on Caprica. Helo and Valerii are at the perimeter of the Cylon base. "If anything should happen," she states, but Helo stops her, telling her they are going to make it. Valerii kisses him hard as a patrol ship comes in to land. Using the distraction it creates as cover, they make it into the base. Once inside they make their way along a ledge on the upper floor of a building - but Six steps out of a door below accompanied by one of her "sisters". They converse for a short while, then Six steps back indoors and her "sister" walks off. Helo is about to resume his way along the side of the building when <i>another</i> Valerii, dressed in civilian clothes, walks around the corner taken by the 2nd Six and sees Helo. Shocked at seeing her, he fails to react as she draws a gun - but it is "his" Valerii who fires first, killing her twin...
 
...And suddenly all the pieces fall into place, and Helo returns along the ledge of the building, passing Valerii, before taking off at a run, images of his "rescue" of Valerii never seeming to tire during their flight, his comments to her in the farm about them being the only humans....all of it comes back to him as he runs, Valerii calling after him and pursuing him for a few steps before stopping.
 
Fade-out.
 
 
 
 
--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 20:41, 6 Jan 2005 (EST)


=== Answered Questions ===


== Questions ==
{{answered questions|season=1|series=RDM|episode=Colonial Day}}


*Just how much freedom of movement within the fleet have Zarek’s people gained since the events of [[Water]]?
*Just how much freedom of movement within the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] have [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]]’s people gained since the events of "[[Bastille Day]]?"
*Will Zarek be able to use this apparent freedom to rally support for the forthcoming elections?
*Will Zarek be able to use this apparent freedom to rally support for the forthcoming elections?
*Was Zarek really behind the suspected attempt on Roslin’s life?
*How does the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] relate to the Office of the President? Does it function in a similar manner to the United States Congress?
**If she had been assassinated before he secured the position of Vice President, he would have a prime suspect. Similarly, had she been assassinated after secured the vice presidency, he would still have been a prime suspect
**As the Vice President, he would have every opportunity to build a track record as an effective politician, and thus stand as a highly competent alternative to Roslin in the elections
*How does the Quorum of Twelve relate to the Office of the President? Does it function in a similar manner to the US Congress?


== Analysis ==
=== Unanswered Questions ===


This is the most poorly-conceived and executed episode in BSG's first season. While it does make valid points about the nature and structure of Colonial society within the fleet (or at least [[Tom]] Zarek makes them <i>very</i> briefly), outside of the [[Helo]]/[[Valerii]] situation on [[Caprica]], the storyline here is ultimately transparent and weak.
* Was Zarek really behind the suspected attempt on [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]’s life?
* Who killed [[Valance]]?


Specifically:
== Official Statements ==
 
*There has been no real sight nor sound of the Cloud Nine (admittedly a wonderfully-ironic name) in the fleet until now - and this is being passed off as being because she has been "under repair".
*"[[Wallace Gray]]" is allegedly the power behind Roslin's throne, setting her agenda and policies, overseeing the distribution of food and medical supplies - essentially performing the role of her Chief of Staff / right-hand-man yet never once has he been previously mentioned or seen! Wallace Gray is so clearly a plot tool - and a badly-handled one at that: first he doesn't want the VP nomination, but accepts because Roslin needs him; then when asked to step down, he comes off in an embittered huff (presumably never to be seen again)
*Zarek's challenge for the position of Veep is an obvious construction to lay the path for Gaius Baltar to become the Vice President
**It is surprising that, after her somewhat vicious words to him in [[Six Degrees of Separation]], [[Roslin]] can face off with [[Baltar]] without so much as an apology for past actions - it has already been established ([[Secrets and Lies]]) that since that event she has barely spoken to him - and it hardly seems likely she'd use their time together in the ''Galactica's'' [[Situation Room]] to make her apologies / overtures of friendship ([[The Hand of God]])
**It is equally surprising that Baltar's ego doesn't offer greater resistance to her request. True, she is to a degree pandering to his desire to be back in the limelight - but given his nature, such an open "forgive and forget" doesn't entirely sit with his nature
*Baltar's ascendancy to the position of Vice President is badly telegraphed - given the synopsis, it is apparent as soon as [[Starbuck]] informs Baltar he has been selected as Caprica's representative in the Quorum
*The intrigue around Valance and his gun, etc., is heavy-handed and comes across either as illogical or as padding for a storyline otherwise short on action
*Security is meant to be heavy aboard the ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' - yet there is ''no'' intervention from any security personnel in what amounts to a brawl in the bar
*Why, when [[Lee Adama]] has expressed concern over just about every aspect of security on the ''Cloud Nine'', is Valance held on the ship in an obviously insecure area (air vent access) - rather than being shipped back to the ''Galactica'', with her brig, for proper interrogation?
 
Indeed, it is the Valance sub-plot which is most poorly explained / illogical. Assuming Valance [[was]] working for Zarek, and was on the ''Cloud Nine'' to kill Roslin - then his presence undermines Zarek as a clever manipulator. Positioning himself for the roll of Vice President, getting the vote and then having Roslin killed  - all at the same event - would inevitably point the finger at Zarek and place him at the centre of a major investigation, under the control of [[William Adama]], which is unlikely to relent until his complicity has been proven. In short, he would be paralysing his ability to act <i>as</i> the President.
 
As Lee Adama himself states to Starbuck - once Zarek has secured the position of Vice President, he can have Roslin taken care of at any time. Indeed, given the resources now clearly at his disposal (witness the Virgon representative's comment about Zarek's people coming to his aid ahead of Roslin's), there is no reason not to suppose Zarek could arrange for Roslin to meet with an "accident" - perhaps a failure with her shuttle as she moves around the fleet - which would make his complicity very much hard to prove.
 
That said, there is still some excellent acting in the episode - especially where Baltar is concerned. His interview with the press and particularly his "exclusive" to Playa Palacios in the toilets and both particularly noteworthy examples of [[James Callis|James Callis’]] marvellous handling of the character but this still doesn't compensate for the rest of the time spent on ''Cloud Nine''.
 
But other than this, the major story arc is a missed opportunity. Presented with a chance to explore the state of Colonial society within the fleet, and address key issues, the producers frittered the opportunity away with shallow intrigue and hollow political manoeuvring. The West Wing this was most certainly not.
 
The only time the episode truly comes alive is during the all-too-brief scenes on Caprica. These scenes beautifully-encapsulates all we need to know and feel:


*Valerii's attempt to probe Helo about his feelings, using his "replicant" theory
{{from_RDM_blog}}
*Valerii is showing more symptoms of being pregnant
*They reach Delphi and the chance of a ship off the planet
*Helo is suddenly - and quite unexpectedly - confronted with Valerii's true nature.


This is excellent stuff, but amounts to less than 10 minutes of screen time, and it unfortunately, isn't enough to lift this episode.
* ''"I'm part of the nitpick brigade, but since the Colonies are obviously modeled after the US system of government, right down to the line of succession, are legislative and judicial branches? If so what are they called and will we see any manifestation of either branch take shape as series progresses?"''


Still, every show tends to misfire once or twice through the course of a season - some managing to do so a lot more frequently. We're fortunate that this is the first - and hopefully only - hiccup in what has otherwise been a highly-successful first season.
:In Episode 11, "Colonial Day" we'll see the reinstatement of the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]], a political body established in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original series]], which seems to be a cross between a US style Senate and the UN Security Council, where each Colony has a single vote. Presumably there was also a larger representative legislative body and some kind of separate judiciary. There is also a religious body, (unnamed thus far) that acts in some advisory capacity to the government, along the lines of the British House of Lords. Although we haven't dealt with it yet, [[Elosha]] was probably a member of this body.
 
== Notes ==
*10 days have passed since the events of [[The Hand of God]]
*The office of the President operates in conjunction with the Quorum of Twelve, a council of representatives of the 12 colonies
*The Articles of Colonisation were signed 52 years ago
**Given the 12 colonies have been inhabited for centuries, the Articles therefore don't directly relate to the settlement of thses worlds
**However, given the timeframe (52 years) and its proximity to the first Cylon War, perhaps the original articles were the document that united the 12 colonies to fight the treat of the Cylons, and became the bases for their peaceful co-operation after the war 
*Issues surrounding the distribution of food and medical supplies are beginning to cause concern within the fleet
*Despite being "isolated" aboard the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' ([[Bastille Day]]), Zarek has managed to use his time to build up contacts within the fleet and offer assistance to other vessels - so much so that the representative from Virgon is only too willing to throw his support behind Zarek


== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
== Noteworthy Dialogue ==


<i>Helo and Valerii have arrived in the vicinty of the Cylon base at Delphi, and the talk turns to the two women "helping" the Cylons</i>
* ''Tom Zarek is walking through ''Cloud 9''{{'|s}} simulated environment while talking to reporters:''
 
: '''Tom Zarek:''' We are facing a situation so unique, so specific, that we not only need new leadership, but a whole new way of thinking.
<b>Helo:</b> (Standing as Valerii crouches with her back to him, getting some food) I'm trying to make sense out of two women would sell [out] to the Cylons. <b>Valerii:</b> (keeping her back to him) And? <b>Helo:</b> I can't fathom why anybody would want to help the toasters...and they just happen to be twins? It's too weird. <b>Valerii:</b> You got a better explanation? <b>Helo:</b> Do you think the Cylons could be messing with human DNA? (Valerii reacts, mouth opening as she looks away). Cloning people or something? <b>Valerii:</b> (gathering herself and looking over her shoulder at Helo) Could be. <b>Helo:</b> (nodding and crouching) That would explain how they took us by surprise. They had these...replicated humans infiltrating the colonies, laying the groundwork for the surprise attack. <b>Valerii:</b> (pausing, as if considering this) You know, if they were human clones, that measn they're capable of...complex emotions - maybe even love. Maybe they were misguided in the way they were indoctrinated... <b>Helo:</b> (interrupting) Wait a minute! They're not human! No human could do the things they've done - killed billions of innocent people (Valerii looks away, hurt) <b>Helo</b>. They've got to be frakking Cylons, just like the rest of them...
: '''Reporter:''' Like blowing up a building or two?
 
: '''Tom Zarek:''' If things weren’t so serious, I’d say that was funny. Look, there’s no economy, there’s no market, no industry, no capital. Money’s worthless. And yet we’re all held hostage by the idea of the way things used to be.
== Official Statements ==
 
<!-- Use bullets or standard paragraph form.  Please use links to sources!!! -->
<!-- If you wish to create the source within the Battlestar Wiki, then do so! -->
 
== Statistics ==
 
<!-- All the odds and ends items go here. -->


=== Guest Stars ===
:Look where we are (on Cloud 9, which resembles a natural environment). This man (points to gardener) wakes up every morning, tugs on his boots, and goes to work in this garden. Why? Because it’s his ''job''?!  What job? He labors, but he gets no benefits. And he’s not the only one. Many of us are still going through the motions of our old lives. The lawyers still act like lawyers, but they have no clients. Businessmen still act like businessmen, but have no business!  President Roslin and her policies are all about holding on to a fantasy!
<!-- Please use this format when listing actor/characters. -->
<!-- Also don't forget to link characters through the Wiki by using the brackets: [[ ]] -->
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Richard+Hatch Richard Hatch] as [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Kate+Vernon Kate Vernon] as [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen Tigh]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Robert+Wisden Robert Wisden] as [[Gray, Wallace|Wallace Gray]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alex+Zahara Alex Zahara] as [[Valance]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Malcolm+Stewart Malcolm Stewart] as [[Bagott, Marshall|Marshall Bagott]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+David+Kaye David Kaye] as [[Macmanus,James|James Macmanus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Cylne Nicki Cylne] as [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Cailin+Stadnyk Cailin Stadnyk] as [[Ensign Davis]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Christina+Schild Christina Schild] as [[Palacios, Playa|Playa Palacios]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Biski+Gugushe Biski Gugushe] as [[Hamilton, Sekou|Sekou Hamilton]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+James+Ashcroft James Ashcroft] as Spectator #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Patricia+Idlette Particia Idlette] as [[Parker, Sarah|Sarah Parker]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Mario+Battista Mario Battista] as Gardner


<!-- Please link people to the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB). -->
: We want to survive; we need to completely restructure our lives.  We need to think about the community of citizens. The group, not the individual.  We need to completely free ourselves of the past and operate as a collective.
<!-- Example of Link [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Edward+James+Olomos Edward James Olmos] -->


=== Writing & Direction ===
* ''Karl Agathon and Valerii have arrived in the vicinity of the Cylon base at Delphi, and the talk turns to the two women "helping" the Cylons:''
:'''Agathon:''' (Standing as Valerii crouches with her back to him, getting some food) I'm trying to make sense out of two women we saw with the Cylons.
:'''Sharon Valerii:''' (keeping her back to him) And?
:'''Agathon:''' I can't fathom why anybody would want to help the toasters...and they just happen to be twins? It's too weird.
:'''Sharon Valerii:''' You got a better explanation?
:'''Agathon:''' Do you think the Cylons could be messing with human DNA? (Valerii reacts, mouth opening as she looks away). Cloning people or something?
:'''Sharon Valerii:''' (gathering herself and looking over her shoulder at Helo) Could be.
:'''Agathon:''' (nodding and crouching) That would explain how they took us by surprise. They had these...replicated humans infiltrating the colonies, laying the groundwork for the surprise attack.
:'''Sharon Valerii:''' (pausing, as if considering this) You know, if they were human clones, that means they're capable of...complex emotions - maybe even love. Maybe they were misguided in the way they were indoctrinated...
:'''Agathon:''' (interrupting) Whatever they are, they're not human! No human could do the things they've done - killed billions of innocent people (Valerii looks away, hurt)
:'''Agathon:''' They've got to be frakking Cylons, just like the rest of them...


*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Carla+Robinson Carla Robinson]
* ''Gaius Baltar is interviewed by [[The Colonial Gang]]:''
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jonas+Pate Jonas Pate]
:'''[[James McManus]]:''' We're here with Dr. Gaius Baltar, representative of Caprica. Dr. Baltar, I have one question: is President Roslin's political career terminal, or is there hope of resuscitating it?
:'''Gaius Baltar:''' Laura Roslin's political career is very much alive, and to underestimate her would be a very serious mistake.
:'''Number Six:''' You miss the limelight, don't you Gaius?
:'''Gaius Baltar:''' Yes, I have.
:'''James McManus:''' You have what, Dr. Baltar?
:'''Gaius Baltar:''' Nothing. You were saying?
:'''James McManus:''' Yes. So you seriously believe that this schoolteacher is able to handle the job of presidency?
:'''Gaius Baltar:''' Well I'm glad to hear it, because I think all of us have had teachers who have made a profound impact on our lives. History is full of examples of leaders who have come from the most humble beginnings, and have risen to meet the challenge posed by cataclysmic events. It's very easy to be sitting there in your armchairs ... criticize Laura Roslin for the tough decisions that she has to make every day - especially if you're someone like Tom Zarek, who's never shouldered any real responsibility in your life. To be fair to Tom, how could he? He's been in prison for the last twenty years. Now that he's had a drastic personality makeover, he's posing like he's the savior to all your ills! I think you all have a short memory, really. ... What I have to say is, we must survive, and we will survive. And we will do so through the values that have made our colonies great: courage, truth, justice, liberty, with a firm and deep resolve to make tomorrow better, not just for ourselves, but for our children.


<!-- Please link people to the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB). -->
* ''Baltar and Six discuss jealousy and women, prompted by [[Playa Palacios]]{{'}} behavior:''
<!-- Example of Link [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Edward+James+Olmos Edward James Olomos] -->
: '''Gaius Baltar''': She's only human. (notes Six's reaction) You're not jealous?
: '''Number Six''': Love isn't about sex, Gaius.
: '''Gaius Baltar''': Now there's an enlightened point of view.
: '''Number Six''': I've been thinking... and as far as I'm concerned, you can have any woman you want. But always remember, I have your heart.
: '''Gaius Baltar''': Yes, of course you do.  
: '''Number Six''': (deadly serious) I can always rip it out of your chest if I need to.  
: '''Gaius Baltar''': (coughs, as if in reaction to a pain in his chest)


=== Production Notes ===
== Guest stars ==
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*Production Number: 1.11
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
*Airdate Order: 11 (of 13)
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as Petty Officer [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
*[[Robert Wisden]] as [[Wallace Gray]]
*[[David Kaye]] as [[James McManus]]
*[[Alex Zahara]] as [[Valance]]
*[[Patrick Gallagher]] as [[Leon Grimes]]
*[[Malcolm Stewart]] as [[Marshall Bagott]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally Tyrol|Cally Henderson]]
*[[Cailin Stadnyk]] as Ensign [[Davis]]
*[[Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
*[[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
*[[James Ashcroft]] as Spectator #1
*[[Patricia Idlette]] as [[Sarah Porter]]
*[[Mario Battista]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Gardener|Gardener]]
*Uncredited as [[Robin Wenutu]]
*Uncredited as [[Safiya Sanne]]
*Uncredited as [[Eladio Puasha]]
*Uncredited as [[Perah Enyeto]]
*Uncredited as [[Alisander Asiel]]
*Uncredited as [[Miksa Burian]]
*Uncredited as [[Elrad Hunt]]
*Uncredited as [[Oswyn Eriku]]


=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===
{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}


*UK Airdate: 10 January 2005 (Sky One)
[[Category:Episodes written by Carla Robinson]]
*US Airdate: (Sci-Fi Channel)
[[Category:Episodes directed by Jonas Pate]]
*DVD Release: N/A
[[Category:RDM]]


{{Category: Episode Guide}}
[[de:Der Zwölferrat]]
{{Category: A to Z}}
[[fr:Épisode:La Fête coloniale]]

Latest revision as of 16:51, 17 February 2024

Battlestar Wiki Story Arc Logo
This article refers to the episode "Colonial Day". For the holiday itself, see Colonial Day (holiday).
 Battlestar Wiki Story Arc Logo


Colonial Day
"Colonial Day"
An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No. Season 1, Episode 11
Writer(s) Carla Robinson
Story by
Director Jonas Pate
Assistant Director
Special guest(s) Richard Hatch as Tom Zarek
Production No. 111
Nielsen Rating 2.3
US airdate USA 2005-03-18
CAN airdate CAN 2005-03-26
UK airdate UK 2005-01-10
DVD release 20 September 2005 US
28 March 2005 UK
Population 47,898 survivors (No population change.)
Additional Info
Full Credits
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
The Hand of God Colonial Day Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D Skit – View
Podcast Transcript – View
Continuity Errors Present – View
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
Photo Gallery @ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: USA | Canada | UK



Colonial Day is due, and Laura Roslin is using the occasion to institute an interim Quorum of Twelve; then Tom Zarek, duly selected as the representative of Sagittaron, stands for the post of Vice President, a position Roslin is determined he will not hold.

Summary

  • Colonial Day, the annual anniversary of the signing of the Articles of Colonization, has arrived. President Roslin has formed a new Quorum of Twelve, the legislative branch of the Colonial Government, and has decided to have her unveiling of the new Quorum coincide with the patriotic holiday.
  • A tension erupts when terrorist/criminal Tom Zarek wins nomination as Sagittaron representitive on the Quorum. Roslin feels she cannot remove him, as he won the election fairly (many on Sagittaron view him as a hero of their downtrodden Tribe).
  • At the first meeting of the Quorum, Zarek creates a crisis by insisting that the vacant post of Vice President be filled by a special vote of the Quorum, in case anything should happen to Roslin – a move that is surprisingly seconded by Gaius Baltar (when prodded by Number Six)– Tom Zarek is thereupon nominated as a vice presidential candidate. He has been using his men on the Astral Queen to perform technical favors for several other ships, which has gained him support from many of them. Additionally he plays on various dissatisfactions in the refugee fleet.
  • Roslin responds by pushing Wallace Gray, a presidential aide, into standing as an alternative candidate.
  • Manipulating the media, Zarek makes headway in his desire to secure the position as Vice President, while a man named Valance plots in secret to carry out an assassinate plot against Roslin – possibly orchestrated by Zarek.
  • Surprisingly, it is Gaius Baltar who comes to her aid: flashing his pre-attack charisma, he gives an eloquent speech to the media that reminds the people of Roslin’s qualities and Zarek’s questionable background (trying to look supportive of Roslin and look more favorable). Roslin realizes that Baltar is quite popular in the Fleet (particularly following the unmasking of a Cylon plot to discredit him) and has Gray relinquish his position as her nominee in favor of Baltar.
  • Baltar wins the nomination through a close vote, as the Quorum is evenly split, but as president Roslin is allowed to cast the tie breaking vote which enables Baltar's victory – but Zarek makes it clear matters are far from over: there is still the presidential elections due in 6 months. Roslin introduces Baltar as the victor at the Colonial Day Celebration.

On Caprica

  • Karl Agathon and Caprica-Valerii have reached the outskirts of Delphi.
  • Agathon ponders how he could have seen two women who look exactly the same helping the Cylons, after recently seeing a Number Six copy leading a squad of Centurions. Quickly putting two and two together, he considers the humanoid Cylons to be some sort of human "replicants," created by the Cylons using human DNA. Agathon realizes that this would explain the rapid fall of the Twelve Colonies, as the humanoid Cylons must have infiltrated the Colonies to soften them up for an invasion.
  • Caprica-Sharon uses this idea as a means of testing his possible feelings towards her, should she reveal her true identity. She starts to say that maybe the humanoid Cylons are misled, or that their attack on the Colonies were wrong and they might doubt that it was the right thing to do (her own current thoughts), but Agathon dismisses this as he feels they're just more Cylons.
  • Later, as they try to enter the Cylon base at Delphi, Agathon sees another Valerii copy, and instantly realizes the truth, flashing through his adventures on Caprica and all of the coincidences surrounding his escape—at which point he immediately runs away from both Caprica-Sharon and the base.

Notes

  • 10 days have passed since the events of "The Hand of God".
  • The office of the President operates in conjunction with the Quorum of Twelve, a council of representatives of the Twelve Colonies.
  • The Articles of Colonization were signed 52 years ago.
    • Given the Twelve Colonies have been inhabited for millennia, the Articles therefore don't directly relate to the settlement of these worlds.
    • However, given the timeframe (52 years) and its proximity to the first Cylon War, perhaps the original articles were the document that united the Twelve Colonies to fight the threat of the Cylons, and became the basis for their peaceful co-operation after the war.
  • Issues surrounding the distribution of food and medical supplies are beginning to cause concern within the Fleet.
  • Despite being "isolated" aboard Astral Queen (TRS: "Bastille Day"), Zarek has managed to use his time to build up contacts within the Fleet and offer assistance to other vessels - so much so that the representative from Virgon is only too willing to throw his support behind Zarek.
  • Apparently convicted felons lose their citizenship under Sagittarion penal law but have it automatically reinstated after they finish serving their sentences. This included the right to vote and to stand for election.
  • This episode contains the detailed look at the Cylon Heavy Raider, which is seen landing on Cylon-occupied Caprica.
  • After Valance's assassination, the whiteboard on Colonial One shows 47,898 survivors in the Fleet, a net loss of 7 since "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down".
  • This episode is the first to show (however briefly) a version of Number Eight other than Boomer and the Sharon with Helo, except possibly the Miniseries.
  • Boomer only appears in this episode briefly, dancing with Felix Gaeta at the gala after Baltar's election.
  • Dr. Baltar apparently didn't give consent or even know of his nomination to a seat in the Quorum of Twelve, thus making it a little unclear how exactly the elections took place without a preexisting list of candidates.
    • It is possible that there was a list of official candidates, and Baltar won as a write-in candidate. Alternatively, the quorum members could have been chosen through a caucus system on each ship.
  • James McManus, host of The Colonial Gang, doesn't seem to mind using the F-word on the air.
  • The controversy surrounding whether Laura Roslin would shake Tom Zarek's hand intentionally mirrored that at the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993 about whether Yitzhak Rabin would shake hands with Yasser Arafat.
  • Tom Zarek's statement to Laura Roslin, "I shaved very close this morning in preparation for getting smacked by you," is a direct quote from the 1970 movie Patton.

Analysis

  • By this point in the late first season, the writers and actors seem to have gained an increasingly better grasp of the story they are trying to tell, and the dialogue, characterization, and plot developments are flowing much more smoothly than in the early learning-curve period of "Water" and "Bastille Day".
  • It seems a small cheat that Cloud Nine has not been seen before, but this is explained as that she was heavily damaged and undergoing repairs until now.
  • It is slightly odd that Wallace Gray is supposedly one of Roslin's top aides and has played a large role in the work of her administration, but has not been seen until now. Of course, this is the mechanics of introducing new characters on a tv series at play. However, Roslin is often followed around by many nameless aides with the implication that there are more working for her "off screen" than a given episode focuses on (in the podcasts, Ron Moore and David Eick have said that they feel they make Roslin seem more official onscreen).
  • It is ironic that Baltar himself makes no drive to put himself on the road to power; Roslin (and other major characters) make him vice president because they prefer him over Zarek (even though Roslin admits that she does not like Baltar or particularly trust him, and admits that it is a "choose the devil you know" situation).
  • Caprica-Sharon is showing more symptoms of being pregnant, as well as guilt over the Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies. She now feels the attack was wrong and the Cylons are misguided/self-deluded.
  • During Season 1, several critics and fans expressed that they thought it odd that Helo never suspected Caprica-Sharon of being a humanoid Cylon at all. However, this is an unfair criticism: Helo was not present on Galactica when the existence of humanoid Cylon models was revealed, and very probably during their experiment the Cylons attempted to avoid exposing Helo to humanoid models (after his initial "capture" by a single Number Six). Helo only sees a second Number Six copy in this episode because it is after he and Caprica-Sharon went on the run from the Cylons for real, after Caprica-Sharon's change of heart. —— Putting these accusations of Helo's unperceptiveness to rest, in this episode, soon after seeing a second Number Six (in "The Hand of God") Helo on his own theorizes that the Cylons must have created human models or DNA replicants of some sort, who must have been infiltrating Colonial society as Trojan Horses, explaining the rapid fall of the Twelve Colonies. Later, when Helo sees another Sharon-model Cylon copy, after recovering from his shock the events of the past two months instantly fit together in his mind, he realizes he has been duped, and he (prudently) runs away.
  • Reporter James McManus states that Colonial Day will coincide with the first meeting of the interim Quorum of Twelve, but Commander Adama also gives the day as "Colonial Day" at Baltar's victory gala, two days later. It is likely that the first meeting of the Quorum of Twelve is a multi-day event, during which Colonial Day would take place.

Questions

Answered Questions

For answers to the questions in this section, click here.
  • Just how much freedom of movement within the Fleet have Zarek’s people gained since the events of "Bastille Day?"
  • Will Zarek be able to use this apparent freedom to rally support for the forthcoming elections?
  • How does the Quorum of Twelve relate to the Office of the President? Does it function in a similar manner to the United States Congress?

Unanswered Questions

  • Was Zarek really behind the suspected attempt on Roslin’s life?
  • Who killed Valance?

Official Statements

From RDM's Sci-Fi Channel Blog

  • "I'm part of the nitpick brigade, but since the Colonies are obviously modeled after the US system of government, right down to the line of succession, are legislative and judicial branches? If so what are they called and will we see any manifestation of either branch take shape as series progresses?"
In Episode 11, "Colonial Day" we'll see the reinstatement of the Quorum of Twelve, a political body established in the original series, which seems to be a cross between a US style Senate and the UN Security Council, where each Colony has a single vote. Presumably there was also a larger representative legislative body and some kind of separate judiciary. There is also a religious body, (unnamed thus far) that acts in some advisory capacity to the government, along the lines of the British House of Lords. Although we haven't dealt with it yet, Elosha was probably a member of this body.

Noteworthy Dialogue

  • Tom Zarek is walking through Cloud 9's simulated environment while talking to reporters:
Tom Zarek: We are facing a situation so unique, so specific, that we not only need new leadership, but a whole new way of thinking.
Reporter: Like blowing up a building or two?
Tom Zarek: If things weren’t so serious, I’d say that was funny. Look, there’s no economy, there’s no market, no industry, no capital. Money’s worthless. And yet we’re all held hostage by the idea of the way things used to be.
Look where we are (on Cloud 9, which resembles a natural environment). This man (points to gardener) wakes up every morning, tugs on his boots, and goes to work in this garden. Why? Because it’s his job?! What job? He labors, but he gets no benefits. And he’s not the only one. Many of us are still going through the motions of our old lives. The lawyers still act like lawyers, but they have no clients. Businessmen still act like businessmen, but have no business! President Roslin and her policies are all about holding on to a fantasy!
We want to survive; we need to completely restructure our lives. We need to think about the community of citizens. The group, not the individual. We need to completely free ourselves of the past and operate as a collective.
  • Karl Agathon and Valerii have arrived in the vicinity of the Cylon base at Delphi, and the talk turns to the two women "helping" the Cylons:
Agathon: (Standing as Valerii crouches with her back to him, getting some food) I'm trying to make sense out of two women we saw with the Cylons.
Sharon Valerii: (keeping her back to him) And?
Agathon: I can't fathom why anybody would want to help the toasters...and they just happen to be twins? It's too weird.
Sharon Valerii: You got a better explanation?
Agathon: Do you think the Cylons could be messing with human DNA? (Valerii reacts, mouth opening as she looks away). Cloning people or something?
Sharon Valerii: (gathering herself and looking over her shoulder at Helo) Could be.
Agathon: (nodding and crouching) That would explain how they took us by surprise. They had these...replicated humans infiltrating the colonies, laying the groundwork for the surprise attack.
Sharon Valerii: (pausing, as if considering this) You know, if they were human clones, that means they're capable of...complex emotions - maybe even love. Maybe they were misguided in the way they were indoctrinated...
Agathon: (interrupting) Whatever they are, they're not human! No human could do the things they've done - killed billions of innocent people (Valerii looks away, hurt)
Agathon: They've got to be frakking Cylons, just like the rest of them...
James McManus: We're here with Dr. Gaius Baltar, representative of Caprica. Dr. Baltar, I have one question: is President Roslin's political career terminal, or is there hope of resuscitating it?
Gaius Baltar: Laura Roslin's political career is very much alive, and to underestimate her would be a very serious mistake.
Number Six: You miss the limelight, don't you Gaius?
Gaius Baltar: Yes, I have.
James McManus: You have what, Dr. Baltar?
Gaius Baltar: Nothing. You were saying?
James McManus: Yes. So you seriously believe that this schoolteacher is able to handle the job of presidency?
Gaius Baltar: Well I'm glad to hear it, because I think all of us have had teachers who have made a profound impact on our lives. History is full of examples of leaders who have come from the most humble beginnings, and have risen to meet the challenge posed by cataclysmic events. It's very easy to be sitting there in your armchairs ... criticize Laura Roslin for the tough decisions that she has to make every day - especially if you're someone like Tom Zarek, who's never shouldered any real responsibility in your life. To be fair to Tom, how could he? He's been in prison for the last twenty years. Now that he's had a drastic personality makeover, he's posing like he's the savior to all your ills! I think you all have a short memory, really. ... What I have to say is, we must survive, and we will survive. And we will do so through the values that have made our colonies great: courage, truth, justice, liberty, with a firm and deep resolve to make tomorrow better, not just for ourselves, but for our children.
  • Baltar and Six discuss jealousy and women, prompted by Playa Palacios' behavior:
Gaius Baltar: She's only human. (notes Six's reaction) You're not jealous?
Number Six: Love isn't about sex, Gaius.
Gaius Baltar: Now there's an enlightened point of view.
Number Six: I've been thinking... and as far as I'm concerned, you can have any woman you want. But always remember, I have your heart.
Gaius Baltar: Yes, of course you do.
Number Six: (deadly serious) I can always rip it out of your chest if I need to.
Gaius Baltar: (coughs, as if in reaction to a pain in his chest)

Guest stars

Re-imagined Series Episode List — Miniseries and Season 1


Battlestar Galactica (Re-Imagined) Miniseries (2003): Miniseries, Night 1 | Miniseries, Night 2

Battlestar Galactica (Re-Imagined) Season 1 (2004-2005) Episode List

33 | Water | Bastille Day | Act of Contrition | You Can't Go Home Again | Litmus | Six Degrees of Separation | Flesh and Bone | Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down | The Hand of God | Colonial Day | Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I | Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II | Next Season Episode >

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