Litmus

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"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

• Doral arrives aboard the Galactica and sets off a bomb – almost killing Adama and Tigh
• As a result, an investigation into how Doral got aboard and accessed Galactica’s own munitions store
• At the same time, Roslin goes public with the information concerning humano-Cylons
• The investigation quickly focuses on Tyrol, who is accused of being a Cylon collaborator
• Even when a young Deckhand admits the Cylon probably got to the munitions store through his own negligence, it fails to stop the investigation – which suddenly turns on Adama
• Realising things are out of hand, Adama calls a halt to things, leaving Tyrol both facing the consequences of his relationship with Valerii

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, whom he rescues

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

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

Teaser

The 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.

The camera follows 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 the episode cuts to the opening titles.

Acts

Adama is in sickbay. Doctor Cottle reveals 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, responding in the affirmative. “It was him, wasn’t it?” Tigh continues. Adama’s voice is hard, “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 growls.

In Adama’s cabin, Sergeant Hadrian, the Master-at-Arms can’t believe what she is hearing, “A Cylon? Eyewitness accounts all say the bomber was a man.” Tigh then reveals the truth about the humano-Cylons. “Yeah,” Adama adds, “They appear human. Flesh and blood – the whole thing.” He goes on to explain 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.” Adama stares at her for a moment, “Independent tribunal,” he states, “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 and Tigh’s look sharpens 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 Specialist Socinus and another crewman 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.

Elsewhere, on CYLON-OCCUPIED CAPRICA, it is the 17th day planet-side for Karl C. Agathon (call sign Helo). 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,” Six states. “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. “He’s attractive,” Valerii allows. “I hope you’re more convincing than that with him,” Six warns, 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.”

On the Galactica, Adama is conversing with Roslin over the telephone link. “There’s going to be a huge reaction,” she states. 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 is not so sure: 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 is adamant: he’s setting up a tribunal, and Roslin reminds him that the tribunal will have to go 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 the Specialist working on the still with Cally and Socinus. He claims he was with Cally – playing Pyramid in the mess hall, and that Chief Tyrol was there as well, dropping in to watch the game.

Socinus is then questioned, and he claims to have been on watch. “Did you see the Chief?” Hadrian asks. He replies that he didn’t. “He wasn’t on the hanger deck?” Hadrian presses. At first she receives a negative, then Socinus, sensing he may not be doing Tyrol any favours, corrects himself. “Oh yeah, he did come in. He worked on one of the Vipers that the Captain raised.”

Finally, Hadrian questions 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, the camera cuts to 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.” On Colonial One, Roslin reveals the truth, stunning the press corps, and the camera cuts back to the hanger deck to show equally-shocked reactions 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. The camera again cuts back to the hanger bay, where the Specialist questioned by Hadrian reacts in disbelief, “They’ve known about this the whole time, and they’ve just decided to tell us about it now?” As As he, Cally and Socinus react to the news, Hadrian returns – with a security detail in tow. She stops before Boomer, and requests she accompany them. “What? Why?” Boomer asks, as Tyrol steps up, wanting to know 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 this, 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 the 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, speaking directly to the member of the tribunal, “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 asks Tyrol about 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. She then 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 hesitates, then invokes the 23rd Article of Colonisation. Hadrian warns him that using the 23rd article will be taken as a sign of his guilt and repeats her question. Tyrol replies by folding his arms and saying nothing.

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 a meal in the mess, and so had no idea where the Chief was. He further admits that he used the hatch comb to causeway C to get to the mess deck and that he left it open.

Hadrian asks if he realises that by leaving the hatchway open he allowed a Cylon to reach the small arms locker. When Socinus confirms this, she then presses him as to whether Chief Tyrol instructed him to leave the hatch open, “As part of a conspiracy to allow the Cylon to gain assess to the small arms locker?” Socinus is adamant 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 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. He 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?”

Starbuck 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?” she 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?” Starbuck comments, with a verbal twist of the knife. 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 as a savage beating ensues.

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.” On Colonial One, Roslin hides him gently, “You sound like a lawyer?” Adama’s reply is matter-of-fact, “My father was a lawyer. Civil liberties.” 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 he has been called before the tribunal.

Back on Caprica, Helo is searching for 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, Hadrian 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 suggets 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.

Hadrian then shifts her questioning towards the Tyrol and Boomer relationship. When Adama states he doesn’t see the relevance, 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 raises smiles from members of the tribunal, which in turn annoys Hadrian. She 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 sight 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 the chair of the panel, who points out that as an independent board 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 it is he who 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)

Questions

• Was Baltar's lab really Doral's intended target? The is no clear evidence of this - only a comment passed by Starbuck & seized upon by Six
• If Baltar's lab wasn't the target, where was Doral heading? CIC?
• Why did Hadrian fixate on the Tyrol / Boomer relationship? This line of questioning was distinct from her attempts to expose Tyrol as a "Cylon conspirator"
• Will the "outing" of Doral and Conoy really make Cylon activities within the fleet that much more difficult? What of Six? Will it mean we'll see other models swing into action?
• Why is the concept of love so important to the Cylons?

Analysis

Another excellent, character-driven 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 pursued 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 the confirmation that “love” is one of the driving forces being the Cylon actions on Caprica.

Like “Act of Contrition” it is the rich layering and interweaving of individual storylines within this episode, 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 outstanding television drama.

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 ability 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. If nothing else, with any remaining Doral and Conoy models now having to go into hiding, will it lead to other models being revealed?

And what of the Cylons themselves? Do they really consider Baltar’s detector a threat? Indeed, was Baltar’s lab really Doral’s intended target. There is absolutely no proof of this within the episode – only Starbuck’s comment. True, it is something Six manipulated – possibly to confuse Baltar further and make him more susceptible to her demands – and it certainly allowed her to reinforce the (possible) lie that she is “unknown” to other Cylons in the fleet. BUT – these facts together do not make the statement that the Cylons were after Batlar’s laboratory a fact. Indeed, given her attitude towards Baltar in recent episodes, one cannot wonder if Starbuck raised the idea simply out of a perverse desire to make mischief, knowing it would rattle the good doctor.

Again, had the Cylons really wished to destroy Baltar’s work, they already had a far more efficient agent aboard the ship, one who could obtain the required explosives and deliver them directly to the lab, prime them to go off remotely and get out again without raising any suspicions: Sharon Valerii. Why resort to Doral? Is Baltar’s lab under that heavy a guard?

Certianly, Doral knows the layout of the ship well enough to reach the lab – but by the same mark, he knows the ship well enough to reach a number of potential targets, including CIC, so his exact goal is never a given.

Turning to Cylon activities on Caprica, once again it seems to be a need to understand – or perhaps experience true love is one of the goals behind their manipulation of Helo. Could it be that, for all their talk of God’s love, etc., “love” as an emotion / motivating force is something the Cylons have never really experienced, and that without it, they feel unable to fully connect with their God? True, they have had at least two affairs with humans – Six with Baltar, and Valerii with Tyrol – but again, both of these appear to be driven by physical desire rather than “true” love.

"Litmus" certainly reveals how "human" Cylons have become in other respects: 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 savageness of the beating purely due to Six's jealousy towards Valerii, or could it also be “payback” for what happened to her “sister” when Valerii “rescued” Helo?

Returning to the Galactica herself, one of the joys of this episode is seeing Aaron Douglas flex his acting muscle. 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, Tyrol 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 expressions 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 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 Valerii. 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.

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 as he can 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. Full marks too, for the way in which Baltar’s conversation with Six is shown as they progress down the corridor, swapping between the two of them walking hand-in-hand, to shots of Baltar on his own and holding a one-sided conversation with himself!

All told, a very well-presented episode.

Notes

• Some 24 hours have passed since the events of You Can’t Go Home Again
• 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 claims not to be in contact with other Cylons in the fleet, but it is far from clear as to whether she is speaking the truth
• 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
• Civilians 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.

Statistics

Guest Stars

• Jill Teed as Sergeant Hadrian
• Donnelly Rhodes as Doctor Cottle
• Dominic Zamprogna as ?
• Alonso Oyarzun as Socinus
• Nicki Clyne as Cally
• Bodie Olmos as Hot Dog
• Matthew Bennett as Doral
• Nimet Kanji as Candace Myson
• Christina Schild as Playa Kohn
• Biski Gugushe as Eick
• Raahul Singh as Kimmit
• Shaw Madson as Marine Corporal
• Morris Chapdelaine as reporter #2

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

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