Dirty Hands

"Dirty Hands" An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No.	Season 3, Episode 16
Writer(s)	Anne Cofell Saunders Jane Espenson
Story by
Director	Wayne Rose
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No.	316
Nielsen Rating
US airdate	2007-02-25
CAN airdate	{{{CAN airdate}}}
UK airdate
DVD release
Population	41,400 survivors
Additional Info
Episode Chronology
Previous		Next
A Day in the Life	Dirty Hands	Maelstrom
Related Information
Official Summary
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Listing of props for this episode
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			@ BW Media
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Summary

Questions

• Will Baltar's book help his image among the working class of the Fleet in his upcoming trial?
• Is it possible that Tom Zarek somehow assisted Baltar in the writing and distribution of his book?
• Has the Fleet's tylium reserve been re-stocked at all since "The Hand of God"?
• Has the respect and admiration for Admiral Adama been decreasing ever since his speech in "Unfinished Business"?
• Has these class differentiations amongst the colonies been problematic before the destruction of the 12 Colonies?
• Is there a difference between the tylium that was seen being pumped into Racetrack's raptor and the refined tylium that was shown being stockpiled within the refinery ship?
• Besides occupations that are related to the "working class" and other professions such as news reporters, what other occupations exist within the fleet besides those positions found on Colonial One and Galatica?
• Have the Colonials truly lost the Cylons or are the Cylons continuing on different plans?
• Besides the CAP that was allowed to proceed, what are the other operations, such as the one Starbuck was planning on doing focused on?
• Is Starbuck the sole viper "nugget" trainer for the fleet? Who else would be qualified to perform this role?
• Did Tyrol or Starbuck pull any strings that allowed Seelix to become a viper "nugget"?
• Is Cally holding onto any grudges towards Admiral Adama?
• Did the tylium that was pumped into Racetrack's raptor truly had major impurities that were not filtered out at the refining ship or did one of the knuckle draggers, the one who had a copy of Baltar's book, intentionally introduced the impurities into the fuel line?
• Considering how Roslin was arresting anyone who had this book in possession, why did one of the knuckle draggers leave Baltar's book out in the open public on top of tools for Tyrol to find?

Analysis

• Not having any real options for defending his actions during the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, Baltar has opted to use class warfare as a distraction from the real issues and to drum up support as a victim of "the aristocracy". His booklet appears to inspired by classic Marxist/Lenninist rhetoric. Historically, such approaches to political change and power are most effective when conditions are unacceptable and dangerous for large numbers of workers.
• Adama's explanation and pending orders to execute Cally and the rest of the knuckle draggers to force Tyrol to call off the strike is reminiscent of the style of leadership found with Admiral Cain. However, once Tyrol relented and called off the strike, Adama immediately displayed his familiar style of leadership by informing Tyrol of his meeting with Roslin.
• This was the first time that an emergency cockpit ejection from a raptor was shown during the series.
• Ever since her murder of Boomer and following detention and eventual release, Cally has displayed an attitude of disrespect towards the Fleet leadership, especially to Adama recently. Her recent demeanor and naive assumption that Adama would not do anything more than arrest the strikers may highlight a growing problem amongst the military workers that are beginning to descent from the leadership.
• This episode, as well as "The Woman King" display an ongoing theme since season 2 that focuses on how human beings are self-destructive by nature without any Cylon intervention. As was stated in "A Day In The Life", the fleet hadn't encountered any Cylon forces for approximately 2 months. This state of complacency has allowed the typical in-fighting amongst the colonials to resume, especially with the depreciating state of quality of life amongst the ships in the fleet.

Notes

• A number of main characters were not present at all during this episode: Lee Adama, Sharon Agathon, Karl Agathon, Saul Tigh, Felix Gaeta, and Anastasia Dualla.

• According to Bradley Thompson, this episode was originally a different story titled "Our Enemies, Ourselves". When developing "The Woman King", it was felt that both episodes dealt with the same themes. As a result, "Dirty Hands" was created instead.

• The 79th Academy Awards were shown during the episode. The ratings should be taken lightly.

Official Statements

Jane Espenson, in an interview with tvsquad.com, made the following remark: "The episode, co-written with Anne Cofell Saunders, is called 'Dirty Hands,' and as you might guess, it's a look at the people who do the dirty work in the fleet. Knuckle-dragging fun!"

Guest Stars

• David Patrick Green as Xeno Fenner