Litmus

"Litmus" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)

Overview

When Aaron Doral turns up on the Galactica and detonates a device made from the ship's own munitions, Adama orders a full investigation - and Tyrol's relationship with Boomer becomes the focus of the investigation

Summary

It is 24 hours since the events of "You Can't Go Home Again"
Aarron Doral arrives aboard the Galactica. After being spotted by Adama and Tigh, he sets off a bomb strapped to his chest - almost killing Adama and his XO
When it is learnt that Doral used explosives from a store on the Galactica to make his bomb - killing a guard in the process, Adama wants an investigation
As a part of his discussion with the Master-at-Arms, Adama reveals the truth about the humano-Cylons
The Master-at-Arms suggests going public with the information
While Roslin is initially against a board of inquiry, she nevertheless relents after warning Adama these things have a habit on turning on those who set them up, and becoming a witch-hunt
Sergeant Hadrian's investigations commence, quickly focusing on a hatchway that provides access to the small-arms locker where the equipment for the bomb was stolen from, and which is under the responsibility of Chief Tyrol
At the same time, Roslin goes public with information on Doral and Conoy - the two humano-Cylons the fleet has so far encountered
Hadrain's investigations reveal discrepancies around Tyrol's whereabouts at the time of the explosion. She brings him and Boomer before the Board of Enquiry - and he ends up taking the 23rd Article of the Colonies
Ready to denounce Tyrol as a collaborator, Hadrain brings Crewman Specialist Socinus before the Board
Socinus admits to lying to her earlier, and to leaving his post to grab a smoke and food - and as such, was probably responsible for leaving the hatchway open
As the Boiard continues, Baltar visits Starbuck in sickbay as she nurses her broken leg (You Can't Go Home Again) - he's seeking to chat her up, she unsettles him by hinting that he may have in fact been Doral's intended target
With Socinus implicated in the failure to secure the hatchway, Adama and Roslin believe the case is closed - Hadrian has other ideas, and calls Adama before her Board
In questioning Adama about the Tyrol / Boomer relationship, Hadrian has clearly lost her objectivity, and Adama calls a halt to proceedings. Hadrian tries to prevent him - as does a member of the Board, but he points out they they are no longer engaged in discovering the truth, they are engaged on a witch-hunt. The Board is disbanded, Hadrian restricted to her quarters
Roslin gives a final announcement about the situation, specifying that as a result of his deriliction of duty, Specialist Socinus allowed the Cylon agent to gain access to the munitions locker on the Galactica and make his bomb. The crewman has therefore been releaved of duty and placed in the brig
Hearing this, Tyrol goes to Adama to try and secure Socinus' release, believing the young Specialist is acting out of misguided loyalty to him
Adama confronts Tyrol in turn, pointing out that he's been so busy with Boomer, he has no idea whether Socinus was or wasn't at his post, suggesting that the only reason Tyrol himself isn't in the brig is because he's the man who keeps the Galactica's Vipers operational
Later, a chastened Tyrol meets with Boomer and calls off their relationship. Remembering her comment about using the very same hatchway as used by the Cylon agent, he asks her if she left it open the last time they met in secret. Boomer refuses to give him an answer

On Caprica:

Helo sets out to find Valerii
As a result of his decision, Six gives Valerii a vicious beating
Helo later discovers a lone Cylon warrior dragging a bound and apparently unconscious Valerii
Resucing her from the Cylon, Helo unties her and finds she has been badly beaten, at her urging, he helps her to her feet and they flee

Review

THE CYLONS WERE CREATED BY MAN. THEY REBELLED. THEY EVOLVED. THEY LOOK AND FEEL HUMAN. SOME OF THEM ARE PROGRAMMED TO THINK THEY ARE HUMAN. THERE ARE MANY COPIES.

AND THEY HAVE A PLAN

Re-cap

Helo taking out a Cylon Warrior on Caprica while ordering Valerii to get out (You Can’t Go Home Again)
Helo looking for Valerii in a dusk-darkened street (You Can’t Go Home Again)
A security team on Galactica arresting Aaron Doral (Mini-Series)
Doral in the brig on Galactica, pleading for his release (Mini-Series)
Doral screaming he’s not a Cylon as he is left locked in the Ragnar Anchorage station (Mini-Series)

Teaser

Opens with stock footage of Galactica surrounded by her wards as the intercom chimes, followed by an announcement that a civilian ship has docked. We cut to the interior of the ship as the announcement continues, “Civilians currently boarding Galactica please proceed to security checkpoint,” and we see a crewmember conclude the intercom call from a corridor station as the Master-at-Arms walks by.

We follow her down a corridor as she shows a pass to a guard, and the camera veers off to show another guard checking papers as civilians come down a gangway from the newly-arrived ship. The camera pans to track the feet of one of the arrivals as he descends the steps, then we see him from the rear as he shows an official-looking badge and ID to the guard. We follow him down the corridor, always looking at his back or over his shoulder as he makes his way into the ship, the camera finally panning to his feet...

...Before cutting to Tyrol walking down a deserted corridor, carrying bedding. He stops as he reaches Cally. “Is it all clear?” he asks. She nods, “I’ve got your back, Chief.” Smiling his thanks, Tyrol enters the room she is guarding, and she closes and secures the door as we see inside the room. Boomer is waiting for Tyrol, and as the camera pulls back, we see they are on a catwalk above the Galactica’s water tanks. They embrace. “Did anyone see you?” Tyrol asks. “No,” Boomer replies, “I went through the hatch combing on C causeway.” Tyrol congratulates her and they kiss.

Elsewhere in the ship, the “mystery man” is still following the other passengers from the civilian ship. As he comes to an intersection of two corridors, still following the other civilians, he slows and then breaks away, taking the other corridor and picking up his pace.

Back at their tryst, Tyrol confesses how he tries to picture Boomer’s face every day while working. “The curve of you lips, the way your hair falls…how you smell.” She props her head on one hand and smiles. “You see my face every day,” she states. “Yeah,” Tyrol agrees, “But not like this!”

Somewhere outside the water tanks, our mystery man climbs a set of steps, leaving what appears to be some form of manufacturing area of the Galactica. As he walks along another corridor, he is seen by Tigh, who follows him to the nearest intercom station, where he puts in a call for security. As he passes orders for a security detail to meet him, Adama arrives and spots the figure. He breaks into a run, trying to close the distance, “Doral!”

The shout brings the newcomer up short, and he turns – it is Aaron Doral. Seeing Adama, he starts walking back towards him as Tigh also arrives. A smile plays at Doral’s lips as he opens his jacket to reveal explosives from the Galactica strapped to his chest, a detonator in his hand. Seeing the latter, Adama lunges at him, But Tigh intervenes, grabbing Adama and shoving him behind a bulkhead as Doral thumbs the detonator.

The explosion rips through the ship, generating a fireball as Tigh and Adama hit the deck in a side corridor – and we cut to the opening titles.

Acts

After the titles, we’re in sickbay and learn that three were killed in the blast, and 13 were injured. “You get a good look at the bomber?” Tigh asks. Adama glares at him. “Yes.” “It was him, wasn’t it?” Tigh continues. Adama’s voice is even harder. “Yes.” We see their conversation is being overheard by Thrace – herself not released from sickbay, but helping with the triage. “I want to see the Master-at-Arms in my cabin in ten minutes,” Adama grates.

We cut to his cabin in time to hear the Master-at-Arms - Sergeant Hadrian state, “A Cylon? Eyewitness accounts all say the bomber was a man.” Tight then reveals the truth to her. “Yeah,” Adama adds. “They appear human. Flesh and blood – the whole thing.” The revelation shocks the Master as Adama explains the bomber was a copy of a man they know to have been a Cylon. He then tells her he wants her to open an investigation immediately to discover how a Cylon – or any civilian - could breach their security.

The Master-at-Arms points out that there have been a string of security breaches, listing the water tank explosion, the discovery of explosives aboard a Raptor, and now this… “Your point,” Adama demands, cutting through her observations. “I need a free hand,” she states, after summoning her courage. “The authority to follow evidence wherever it might lead – without command review.” “Independent tribunal,” Adama finishes for her, “You’ll get it.” He then dismisses her, but before she goes, she also strongly suggests that Adama considers full disclosure on the Cylon threat, “If there are other copies of this man aboard the fleet, we should find them, before they can strike again.” Adama agrees to take the recommendation under advisement.

“Open to the public,” Tigh rumbles after she has left. “There’s a can of worms.” Adama points out that keeping silent about things hasn’t helped, and that by going public, they might cause something to pop up. Tigh gives a grudging agreement, heading for the door. Adama stops him as he reaches it. “Hey,” he waits as a sullen Tigh turns to look at him in the doorway, “I owe you one.” Hearing the words, Tigh turns fully and comes to attention, saluting smartly, “Sir,” he says, voice laden with respect. “Colonel,” Adama acknowledges, returning the salute, Tigh’s look sharpening into a grim smile as he leaves. Adama takes his wall ‘phone and asks to be put through to the President.

Below decks, Cally is working with two other crewmen in a small storage area: they are fixing-up a still. As they pour the first cup, Cally asks, “So who’s first?” as Tyrol swings into view behind them “How about me?” he replies, causing them all to turn. They try to hide the still, but he demands the cup of hooch they’ve just poured. It is handed to him, and he takes a sniff before dumping the contents on the floor. He then berates all three as the “sorriest of the sorry and the dumbest of the dumb” before going on to state that if they bring him additional copper tubing and various other items later at night, he’ll show them how a still is properly put together. He then orders the three of them out of the room, before turning to leave himself.

And we find ourselves on CYLON-OCCUPIED CAPRICA, and day 17 of Karl C. Agathon’s sojourn there. He's sitting on the roof of a low building, watching a rat and unaware that he is being watched from higher up. “He’s very handsome,” we hear Six state. “You really think so?” Doral replies, before Valerii adds, “She says that about everyone.” We cut to the three of them standing on a rooftop, observing Helo. “You disagree?” Six challenges in response to Valerii’s comment. “He’s attractive,” Valerii allows. “I hope you’re more convincing than that with him,” Six states, as the camera pans down to Helo once more.

“If he wants to find me, he’ll head north towards Cylon forces he’s already seen,” Valerii continues. “If he wants to go alone, he’ll go south, hoping to find another way off the planet. Either way, he won’t make his move until nightfall.” There is a pause because Doral states categorically, “If he flees, he dies.”

We return to the Galactica as we hear Roslin state over the telephone link, “There’s going to be a huge reaction.” Adama points out that if there are any other Cylons in the fleet, they need to be found, and enlisting the help of the public may make that task a lot easier. Roslin points out that people are going to run a wide range of emotions in response to the news: shock, anger, paranoia, terror. “There’s a price to be paid when asking for the public’s help. They’re going to demand at the very least that someone be held accountable.” Adama confirms they are setting up a tribunal – but Roslin points out that the tribunal will have to come back to the public with a name, “Someone who screwed up.” Adama counters that they don’t know if that is the case. Roslin points out that a Cylon agent penetrated the Galactica’s security killing three people. “At least one of your men or women screwed up.” She goes on to give him her view – and some advice: “Independent tribunal, openness, transparency – it all sounds great. But after 20 years in political office, I’m telling you these things have a way of inflicting damage on the people you least expect. I do not want a witch-hunt on our hands.”

Down in the hanger bay area, the Master-at-Arms is questioning Cally, asking her for her whereabouts at the time of the explosion. Cally replies she was in her bunk, reading. “Did you see the Chief?” the Master asks innocently. Cally replies that he was on the hanger deck, going over some paperwork. “How do you know that if you were in your rack?” the Master challenges. Cally claims she saw him right before she turned in.

The next for questioning is one of Cally’s co-conspirators with the still. He claims he was with Cally – playing Pyramid in the mess hall. He also claims that Chief Tyrol was there as well, dropping in to watch the game.

The third person questioned is the third member of the hooch-making team – Specialist Socinus. “I was on watch,” he states. “Did you see the Chief?” the Master asks. He replies that he didn’t. “He wasn’t on the hanger deck?” Hadrian presses. At first she receives a negative, then the crewman, sensing something, corrects himself. “Oh yeah, he did come in. He worked on one of the Vipers that the Captain raised.”

Finally, we see the Master with a defensive Tyrol. “Asleep in my rack,” he tells her. “You sure about that?” she asks. “Positive,” he confirms. She gives him a look laden with disbelief, prompting him to add, “I was asleep. Sergeant.”

At a press conference on Colonial One, Roslin announces that an independent tribunal has been appointed to investigate the attack aboard the Galactica. As she speaks, we pan through the Galactica, where her address is being broadcast on radios everywhere, including Adama’s cabin as Roslin reveals the truth about the humanoid Cylons. As she leads up to her announcement, Tigh, seated across the desk from Adama, observes, “The cat’s out of the bag now.” As she makes her announcement, stunning the press corps, we cut to equally-stunned reactions from the hanger deck as Tyrol turns to look across the bay to where Boomer is standing alongside her Raptor.

With Billy’s help, Roslin then goes on to reveal pictures of both Doral and Conoy, stating they now know there are duplicates of each Cylon model. She urges that anyone who may have seen either Conoy or Doral anywhere in the fleet should immediately contact the Galactica and her office. As she takes questions from the press, we return to the hanger bay, where one of Cally’s two cohorts reacts in disbelief, “They’ve known about this the whole time, and they’ve just decided to tell us about it now?” As they debate the announcement, Hadrian returns – with a security detail in tow. She stops before Boomer, and requests she accompany them. “What? Why?” Boomer enquires, as Tyrol steps up, asking what is going on. “Chief, I need you to come along as well,” Hadrian replies.

Cally and her colleagues step forward, “You’re arresting the Chief?” one of them asks. “No-one is arresting the Chief,” Hadrian counters as Crashdown barges through to stand alongside Boomer. “What’s the meaning of all this?” he demands. Hadrian replies by ordering him to step back. “The lieutenant asked you a question, sergeant,” Tyrol snaps. She explains that a tribunal has been convened to investigate the bombing, and that Tyrol and Valerii are required to answer questions in the wardroom. Crashdown exchanges a look with Tyrol and Boomer. “Very well,” he acknowledges, “Proceed,” and he steps aside, allowing Hadrian to lead Boomer and Tyrol away.

In the wardroom, Boomer sits before a civilian panel as Hadrian asks her for her whereabouts at the time of the explosion. Boomer claims she was in her cot, asleep. She’s asked if anyone saw her. She replies she has no idea – she was asleep. Hadrian then asks her if she and Tyrol are involved in “a romantic and physical relationship in violation of the Colonial Code of Military Conduct?” Boomer denies that they are, stating the XO ordered them to put a stop to it, “So we did.” Hadrian then asks if Boomer can testify as to the whereabouts of CPO Tyrol at the time of the bombing. Boomer, half-reluctantly, states she has no idea.

Next on the stand is Tyrol himself. Prior to being questioned, he is warned that the evidence he may give could be used to adjudicate his guilt or innocence in the matter under investigation – the matter being in two parts: how a Cylon agent managed to penetrate Galactica’s security, and whether the Cylon agent was aided by someone aboard the ship.

On the hanger deck, Cally breaks off from her work, “They’re going after the Chief!” One of her fellow hooch makers shakes his head. “They’re going after the Cylons.” Socinus demands to know what that is supposed to mean, and an argument ensues, with Cally pointing out that their reaction is exactly what the Cylons want: people failing to trust one another. Her argument falls on deaf ears.

In the tribunal, the questioning has turned to the mid-watch period before the bombing – a period when Tyrol was on duty. He is specifically asked about the “hatch combing for causeway C”. The question immediately causes him to flashback to his tryst with Boomer, where she stated she used that exact route to get to the water tanks. When he is pressed on the matter, he confirms all hatches, including the hatch combing for Causeway C, were closed when he was on duty. He also challenges the Sergeant on where her questioning is going. She then informs him that she found the hatch combing open – and points out that Causeway C is not any causeway on the ship – it actually leads to a small arms locker, where a marine guard was found dead and the locker opened using the correct code – a code Tyrol has in his possession.

Tyrol admits he does possess the code, “As do dozens of others, including the guard; it’s possible the Cylon forced the guard to open the locker before he killed him. I would also like to take this opportunity,” he presses, “to point out that that was an internal security matter, and that internal security falls under the purview of the Master-at-Arms – and the Master-at-Arms is – Sergeant Hadrian.” Following this statement, Hadrian simply asks, “Did Lieutenant Valerii leave the hatch combing open last night?” Tyrol replies that he has no idea who left it open.

Turning back to her table, Hadrian challenges Tyrol on his whereabouts at the time of the explosion: was he doing paperwork? Was he watching a pick-up game of Pyramid? Was he working on a Viper? He replies in the negative to all three questions. The Master challenges him outright: “Then why do I have three different statements from three of your deck hands stating variously that they all saw you – that you were anywhere but in your rack?” She asks him again for his whereabouts at the time of the bombing, “Were you in fact meeting with the Cylon agent?”

Tyrol then invokes the 23rd Article of the Colonies.

Specialist Socinus is the next on the stand. When he is confronted with Tyrol’s own testimony that he was in his bunk, the crewman admits he left his post for a smoke and to get some chow, and so had no idea where the Chief was. He further admits that he used the hatch comb to causeway Con C deck to get to the mess deck and that he left it open. Hadrian demands to know if Tyrol instructed him to leave it open, “as part of a conspiracy to allow the Cylon to gain assess to the small arms locker?” – Something of a leading question, in the circumstances. Socinus replies that the Chief is innocent, and didn’t do anything. Hadrian rephrases the question, spitting out the words, “Specialist! Did you leave the hatch open deliberately?” to which Socinus admits he did – but again, it was his action, and the Chief had nothing to do with it.

On CYLON-OCCUPIED CAPRICA, night has fallen, and Helo sets out again – heading away from the direction Valerii is most likely to be in. “South,” Doral states, “You over-estimated his willingness to risk himself for you.” He looks at Valerii, as Six adds, her voice laced with venom, “He just doesn’t love you.” Valerii herself appears crestfallen, as she watches Helo walk away – only to pause. “Wait!” she states hopefully, as Helo turns and stares in the opposite direction. H hesitates a moment longer, then draws his handgun and sets out northwards. “North,” Doral comments, “towards his love.” Six arches an eyebrow at Valerii, “It seems you made an impression after all.” Looking down at Helo, Valerii acknowledges the comment, a small smile on her face. “He’s a good man. He always does the right thing.” Turning to look at her, an emotionless Doral asks, “Are you prepared for the next step?”

“Yes.” Valerii replies, also without emotion.

Back aboard the Galactica, Baltar visits Starbuck, offering her a cigar, “A recovery gift. How are you?” She replies that she’s good – the food is good, and she indicates the bed next to hers, where a crewman is well out of things, “And the company is even better.” The joke falls flat. “Yes well,” Baltar says, drawing the curtains around her bed. “I happened to be absolutely nowhere near sickbay, so I thought I’d…see how you’re doing?” Thrace isn’t in the mood for flirting – or for Baltar’s company it seems. “So Doctor. Your super-secret project is on C-deck, right?” Baltar takes this as a rebuff. “I’m not at liberty to divulge what I am doing on C-deck – but you’re more than welcome to,” his tone softens, “drop by once you are ambulatory.” Thrace points out the bomber was on C-deck, and Baltar agrees – he heard the explosion. “Do you think that was where he was headed?” starbuck asks.

At once, the confidence drains from Baltar. Clearly, he hadn’t thought of this. We see Six’s hand trace over the material of the curtain as Baltar looks at Thrace, claiming he didn’t quite hear her. “The Cylon bomber,” she repeats. “Do you think he was trying to blow up your project?” Behind Baltar, the curtain moves, and we hear Six add, “And you along with it.”

Hanging on to his composure, Baltar looks at the curtain, then back at Starbuck. “Its, um, funny; I hadn’t thought of that,” he admits. “Kinda hits you where you live, huh?” Thrace asks. Baltar nods, still distracted by Six’s “presence” the other side of the curtain, “Yes it does, actually,” he tells Thrace to get well soon and leaves, Six following him.

Outside in the corridor, holding hands with Six, Baltar comments that the Cylons are trying to kill him. “Me, me, always me!” Six retorts, looking up as if seeking divine support. “They’re trying to destroy your work,” she corrects. “Killing you is an added bonus.” Baltar wants to know why – pointing out that he wouldn’t even be making the Cylon detector if it wasn’t for her.

“But I’m just in your head, Gaius,” she replies. “They don’t know about me or us or our life together.” Baltar looks her in the eye. “How romantic,” he replies, flatly. “Well, I’m just going to have to destroy that Cylon detector. I’ll just blame the sabotage on Cylon agents. That’s what I’ll tell Adama-” And he is up against a bulkhead, Six’s hand squeezing his windpipe. “No. You won’t,” she states in barely-suppressed anger. She starts throttling him as she continues, her voice more even, “You’re going to complete the project just like I told you.” “Really?” Baltar swallows. “Will I?” Her grip tightens again. “Or what?” he gasps. She pauses a beat, her expression hardening again as she shakes her head, voice dropping to a hiss. “Don’t make me angry, Gaius,” and her voice turn more plaintive, “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” She leans forward slowly, still holding him pinned by the throat, and kisses him.

On Caprica, the Cylons walk across the rooftop, Valerii in the lead. “Sharon,” Doral calls. As she turns, he backhands her across the face, knocking her down. As she gets up, Six hands him her jacket. “Is that enough?” Valerii asks. Six examines her. “No,” she states. “Sharon would not give up without a much harder fight.” A cruel smile breaks across her face and her fist goes back before she delivers a punch that sends Valerii staggering, clutching her nose. Six follows-up, a look of hatred on her face as she delivers a second punch that puts Valerii down. As she struggles to her knees, Doral watching impassively, there is nothing Valerii can do as Six delivers a kick to her face, knocking her onto her back. Pulling her to her knees as the camera circles slowly away, Six punches her again, then kicks her, and we fade-out on the beating.

On Galactica, Adama is talking to Roslin about the report from the tribunal, and she states she is sorry to read that one of his men has been charged with conspiracy and collusion. “Specialist Socinus,” Adama confirms. “But reading the transcripts, I have my doubts.” Roslin asks him about the “other man” – Tyrol, asking why he took the 23rd. Adama points out that that is Tyrol’s right, “The courts have never held that invoking the 23rd can be used as evidence of guilt.” “You sound like a lawyer,” Roslin chides gently over the comms link. “My father was a lawyer. Civil liberties,” Adama responds. Roslin moves the conversation on, stating Tyrol is hiding something. Adama won’t be drawn, stating Tyrol has served with him for over five years, “And if he really wanted to take this ship down, he could. This is over.” Even as he says the worlds, a security detail arrives, stating Adama has been called before the tribunal.

Back on Caprica, Helo is back seeking Valerii, when a flock of sleeping birds is disturbed. Drawing his handgun, he goes in search of the cause of the disturbance and enters a wrecked building where he witnesses Valerii being dragged along by a warrior, her head hooded, much the same way his had been after his capture. Following them, he loses them in the building, only to have the warrior come up behind him – but rather than shooting him, the Cylon throws him across the building, delivering him directly to the gun just knocked out of his hand, allowing Helo to shoot the warrior and “rescue” a badly-beaten and tearful Valerii, who hugs him, as he tries to make a joke, “Now we’re even.” Then he half-carries her from the building.

On Galactica, the Master challenges Adama about his knowledge of the humanoid Cylons. She asks him if his policy of silence was wise, especially his refusal to tell his own security people (i.e. her). “Not knowing who to trust, I decided to keep the information compartmentalised,” Adama replies evenly. Hadrian challenges him that had he made the information known to security, the bombing could have been prevented. Adama dismisses this as speculative, and refuses to be drawn into speculation. He does, however, confirm his belief that Cylon agents could be aboard ship even now.

The Master then shifts her questioning towards the Tyrol and Boomer relationship. When he states he doesn’t see the relevance of the question, Hadrian reminds him that her questions are not subject to command review – a prerequisite she requested prior to the tribunal commenced, and a comment that alerts Adama that perhaps Hadrian’s agenda isn’t just about the bombing. As a result, her next question – why he allowed the relationship – causes him to deliberately quip, “Because I’m a soft touch.” The comment clearly annoys the Master-at-Arms, who then asks if he is aware that Tyrol and Boomer have been “implicated” in a Cylon plot. “I’m aware of the allegations,” he replies. “Where are you going with this, Sergeant?”

She demands he answer her questions, going on to claim that in allowing the relationship to go on, Adama himself may be responsible for creating the circumstances by which the safety of the ship had been compromised.

“We’re done here,” Adama states by way of reply, standing. Hadrian challenges him that she has not finished questioning him. “You’ve lost your way, Sergeant,” he replies. “You’ve lost site of the purpose of the law: to protect its citizens, not persecute them. Whatever we are, whatever’s left of us – we’re better than that,” he turns his head slightly to address the civilian panel. “Now these proceedings are closed. You’ll be transported back to your ships and we appreciate you help.” He turns to leave, but is called back by a member of the panel, who points out that the panel is an independent board, and he has no power to close their inquiry. Adama walks back to the panel. “This is a witch-hunt,” he corrects. “I will not have it aboard my ship.” He turns and walks back to the door to the wardroom.

Hadrian, however, is not willing to give up, “Corporal of the guard, restrain the Commander and return him to the witness chair.” The three guards move to block Adama’s passage. He looks up at the guard standing directly in front of him. “Your orders,” he states quietly, “Are to escort Sergeant Hadrian back to her quarters and keep her in confinement until further notice.” The Corporal looks from Adama to Hadrian and back to Adama, who tells him, “Make your choice, son.” The guard hesitates a moment, then steps aside, ordering the Master to come with him as Adama leaves the wardroom.

Later, Roslin gives a press conference aboard Colonial One in which she announces the investigation is over, and that Socinus is responsible for leaving the hatch comb open. As a result of his admission of dereliction of duty in a time of war, he has been stripped of his rank and placed in the brig. Hearing this, Tyrol goes to Adama to plead Socinus’ case, “I believe his confession was a lie and that he’s covering for me….I think that he’s doing this out of a sense of misplaced loyalty to me.”

Working on a beautiful model of a man’o’war, Adama grumbles, “Somewhere in this there’s truth. Care to take me to it?” Tyrol comes clean and admits he was with Boomer at the time of the bombing and that his deck crew all knew it and were covering for him, and that Socinus probably thinks he’s helping Tyrol by taking the fall.

“You don’t really know whether he was on duty or not, do you?” Adama quietly challenges. Tyrol replies that Socinus is innocent, and he should be in the brig. “That much is true,” Adama agrees. “You should be in the brig.” Tyrol goes on that the whole thing isn’t right, that Adama can’t leave an innocent kid in the brig. “I can’t?” Adama repeats, finally looking up at Tyrol, cutting him off. Standing, Adama faces the Chief, his voice low and angry. “What I can’t do is I can’t let someone who wears this uniform get up on the witness stand and lie under oath. And that’s what your man did. He either lied the first time or he lied the second time. And it doesn’t matter. He’s guilty, and he’ll pay the price. You? You’ll pay a different price. You’ll have to walk out on that hanger every day knowing that one of your men is in the brig because you couldn’t keep your flies zipped. You are the most experienced non-commissioned officer we have left. You keep my planes flying. I need my planes to fly.” He turns his back on Tyrol, who fights for words. Before he can say anything, Adama finishes the conversation. “Dismissed.”

Tyrol stands for a moment, unable to look at Adama. “Sir,” he whispers, turning and leaving.

Tag

On the catwalk above the water tanks, Boomer waits anxiously. Tyrol arrives, and she greets him with a hungry smile and a kiss, neither of which he returns. “Sharon, don’t. No. No, no…” He forces them apart. When she tries to hold his hand, he stops her, “Sharon, we’re done! It’s over.”

She challenges him. “I love you. I really do,” he replies, “I’m sorry.” She stops him as he makes to leave, demanding more of an explanation. He tells her that one of his men is in the brig as a result of trying to protect their relationship and that there can be no more “us.”

“I can’t believe you’d just turn you back on us.” She calls after him as he tries to leave. Tyrol turns, his anger finally breaking. “I put everything on the line for you. Everything. I cover for you. I protect you. I risk my career, my freedom, my entire integrity – for what?! So some innocent kid – one of my kids – can take the fall for me?!” His voice rises in the outburst, almost reducing Boomer to tears, as he concludes quietly, “We…are…not...worth…that.” As he finishes, Boomer’s face changes. The tears fade from her eyes, her look becomes hard. “OK,” she states, “Right. Guess I’ll see you around.” She walks past him, making for the door – but he stops her.

“One more thing. Did you leave the hatch combing open last night?” She returns to him, asking him if he’s accusing her of helping the Cylon. He states he’s not saying anything, he’s asking a question and he deserves an answer. “You have to only answer you’re ever going to get,” she replies, voice level, and leaves.

--Colonial Archivist 20:41, 6 Jan 2005 (EST)

Analysis

Once again, an immensely powerful character story, which survives a potentially damaging television cliché: the over-zealous prosecuting investigator / officer / lawyer who’s motives either go further than the need to get to the truth, or becomes so bound up with the letter of the law, he or she loses sight of the spirit of the law? As Hadrian persued her investigation, it seemed "Litmus" was heading in the same direction.

However, While Sergeant Hadrian does turn out to be a somewhat clichéd prosecutor, it’s not down to melodramatics or poor writing. Rather, it is very evident that Messrs Moore and Eick opted to tread this path quite deliberately into order to avoid playing all of their cards at once – as the context of the investigation into Boomer and Tyrol could so easily have done – and instead use the inquiry as window dressing, allowing the deeper truths to be revealed elsewhere and with greater effect - such as in Starbuck down in sickbay being the only one to hit on what might be the actual intention of the attack.

Like (Act of Contrition), it is the rich layering and interweaving of individual storylines within this segment, coupled with the developing complexities of the dynamics between the various players that lifts it from the realm of the potentially hum-drum to create some of the finest drama seen on television.

Nowhere else is the interweaving better demonstrated than in the way the two major thrusts of the story – the investigation on Galactica, and Helo’s situation on Caprica – are brought together as a seamless whole: a clever period of testing on so many levels. Hence the title of the episode: "Litmus", as in litmus tests:

Tyrol's loyalty to Boomer as they come before Hadrian's tribunal
Helo's loyalty (possible love) of Valerii (will he go north or south) on Caprica
The loyalties of Tyrol's crew - just how far are they prepared to go to cover for him (all the way to the brig, in Socinus' case)
Tyrol's abaility to face up to his responsibilities as a senior NCO

In the fleet – to use Tigh’s words – the cat is most certainly out of the bag. The people now know Cylons can perfectly imitate humans – but will this help or hinder the Colonials in their struggle to survive? Will it really make moving among the humans that much harder for the Cylons? The manipulation of paranoia is a powerful tool, and while the admission by Roslin may help increase levels of caution and alertness throughout the fleet, it leaves open the door for further, more subtle manipulations on the part of the Cylons.

And what of the Cylons themselves? Clearly, those that remain in among the people of the fleet consider Baltar’s detector a threat – but what about their compatriots on Caprica? That Helo is being put to the test is clear - but from Doral's comments, it is also clear that the test will also be a trial for Valerii. Taken together with earlier comments and actions on the part of the Cylons on Caprica, it is now almost certain they are hoping Valerii and Helo will mate.

"Litmus" also reveals how "huamn" Cylons have become. Six is clearly jealous of Valerii's role in the scheme of things - and she clearly takes great delight in administering Valerii's beating. But, was the vindictiveness of the beating purely due to Six's jealousy of another of her kind playing the role of the honey trap – or could her savagery be a form of “payback” for what happened to her “sister” when Valerii first “rescued” Helo? Either way, the scene again demonstrates the humanoid Cylons are not responding to some form of script or programming per se.

Returning to the Galactica herself, one of the joys of this episode is seeing Aaron Douglas flex his acting muscle. While all the characters – and the actors behind them – are uniformly strong in this episode (even the clichéd Sergeant Hadrian), it is Douglas who gets most of the centre spotlight – and Tyrol gets a good deal of very natural support from other characters (Cally, Socinus and their booze-making buddy) to round him out in the eyes of the viewer.

Throughout the episode, Douglas plays his character with the right mix of strength, stubbornness, confusion, concern, respect, parental care and deep affection. In many ways he demonstrates that, after Adama, he is perhaps the most respected member of the Galactica’s crew. While the scene with the bootleg still was clearly contrived to further establish Tyrol’s standing in the eyes of his crew, it is played so well it works. Indeed, coupled with his reaction after the fire in the hanger pod during the mini, the “still scene” very much reinforces what we already know about Tyrol, so much so that the flag (“this guy is cool, his people will back him when he’s in trouble”) is only quietly waved in the background.

During his interrogation, Douglas is even more subtle in his approach. Taking a leaf from Olmos’ book, he lets his facial expression do his talking for him, conveying the depth of Tyrol’s concern, resentment, suspicion (of both Hadrian and Valerii as Hadrian’s questions raise issues in his mind), anger and confusion.

But where Douglas shines the most is in his epilogue scene with Edward James Olmos. Here we have a further reverberation of another of BSG’s motifs: you reap what you sow. Tyrol goes to Adama to plead the case for Socinus, convinced he can persuade Adama – a man with whom he has a long-standing bond – to release the young Specialist. Instead, he’s confronted with the brutal truth: while he may be liked and respected by his crew, Tyrol’s own example of constantly slipping off to rendezvous with Boomer has undermined discipline on his decks: his actions have encouraged those under his command to do very much as he does: slip away when the urge calls. So what if Socinus wasn’t off getting laid by a senior officer? His dereliction of duty resulted – as far as Adama is concerned - in the deaths of four men.

And this is where we see the other edge of the sword: Tyrol knows full well that Boomer used the same accessway as Socinus; she may have been just as responsible for leaving the hatch comb open as the Specialist. But to admit as much to Adama would do as much harm as good: it may secure Socinus’ release - but it would bring the full weight of Adama’s suspicion down on Boomer. And without further proof, it is evident this is not something Tyrol is willing to risk – for now. But the wheels are turning: as evidenced in his final question to Boomer.

Through Adama’s firm words, the depths of Tyrol’s own involvement in, and responsibility for, events aboard Galactica become clear to the Chief, and Aaron Douglas conveys this again through a masterful use of non-verbal communication that equals the pain and betrayal behind Adama’s glasses. Bravo!

Edward James Olmos also reinforces his stature as the central figure in this series. In closing down Hadrian’s inquisition, Adama again demonstrates his strength of character, that he can command words as effectively the men and women under his authority. It is his physical presence, coupled with the quiet voice of authority that brings the investigation to a close without the need for any overt show of command or position on his part.

The other player that deserves extra special mention in this episode is again James Callis. One cannot help but further admire him in his portrayal of Gaius Baltar – and full marks to the director of this segment for some beautiful use of the camera. Baltar may only be on-screen for around 5 minutes – but what a five minutes! Starting with his obvious attempt at flirting with Starbuck, Callis’ performance as Baltar is stunning. From sexual cockiness through to concern, worry and then panic at the thought the Cylons were after him, Baltar runs his own gamut of emotions – and draws the audience along with him. But what really marks out Baltar’s appearance on-screen is the marvellous use of the camera as Baltar converses with Six. As they move down a corridor on Galactica, we see them walking hand-in-hand, Six chiding and teasing him. As the camera tracks them, they momentarily pass from view as the camera pans. In a flawless cut, Six and Baltar, hand-in-hand pass for view, their conversation continuing unbroken – but only Callis comes back into frame, walking down the corridor, holding his hand out, as if Baltar is still holding Six’s hand – with Callis continuing a now one-sided conversation – to the confusion of those he passes in the corridor.

Equally effective is the manner in which Six’s assault on Baltar is shown: we see her pin him to the wall, warning him, Banner-eque, “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry…”; we see them kiss – and then we get a shot of Baltar, backed up against a bulkhead, almost as if he’s trying to vanish into the metal, head cocked over at an angle – being watched by a security guard.

This brings us almost full circle, back to the propulsive force behind this episode: the bombing of the Galactica. If indeed Doral’s real target was Baltar, then the question must be asked as to how the Cylons knew he was working on a detector? While scuttlebutt about Baltar’s work seems to be bubbling through the Galactica, it’s hard to accept that the same scuttlebutt has spread throughout the fleet. That would tend to leave only one of two possibilities:

There is either another, yet to be revealed Cylon agent on the Galactica; or
Boomer – already revealed to be aware of Baltar’s work in Act of contrition – is in communication with other Cylons in the fleet, and alerted them to the “threat”, possibly without realising it

Notes

Some 24 hours have passed since the events of “You Can’t…”
We now know there was at least one additional Doral in the fleet
Underground activities are beginning to take place on Galactica – as shown by the creation of the still
Baltar’s “Six” comes clean and reveals she is not in contact with the Cylons. Doesn’t mean that she is not a chip in his head – just that she’s not communication with them – and may not wish to contact them were she, in actual fact, turn out to be a chip
Adama’s father was a civil liberties lawyer on Caprica
Adama has a hobby: constructing large models of sailing vessels
Baltar is now actively working on his Cylon detector. Does this mean he now has the nuke “Six” had him request? Given he was obtaining Roslin’s authorisation in “You Can’t…”, one would tend to say “yes”
The Cylons definitely have no plans to let Helo leave Caprica – yet
Civilians appear to routinely pass through the Galactica

Noteworthy Dialogue

Adama, to Sergeant Hadrian and her Board of Inquiry:

Adama You’ve lost your way, Sergeant. You’ve lost site of the purpose of the law: to protect its citizens, not persecute them. Whatever we are, whatever’s left of us – we’re better than that. Now these proceedings are closed. You’ll be transported back to your ships and we appreciate you help. Board Chair This is an independent Board. you have no power to close our enquiries. AdamaThis is a witch-hunt. I will not have it aboard my ship.

Adama to Tyrol, after Socinus has been incarcerated:

AdamaWhat I can’t do is I can’t let someone who wears this uniform get up on the witness stand and lie under oath. And that’s what your man did. He either lied the first time or he lied the second time. And it doesn’t matter. He’s guilty, and he’ll pay the price. You? You’ll pay a different price. You’ll have to walk out on that hanger every day knowing that one of your men is in the brig because you couldn’t keep your flies zipped. You are the most experienced non-commissioned officer we have left. You keep my planes flying. I need my planes to fly.

Official Statements

Statistics

Guest Stars

Writing & Direction

Written by Jeff Vlaming
Directed by Rod Hardy

Production Notes

Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
Production Number: 1.06
Airdate Order: 6 (of 13)

First Run Air Dates & Releases

UK Airdate: 22 November 2004 (Sky One)
US Airdate: (Sci-Fi Channel)
DVD Release: N/A