Precipice

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"Precipice" An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No.	Season 3, Episode 2
Writer(s)	Ronald D. Moore
Story by
Director	Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)	Lucy Lawless as Number Three
Production No.	302
Nielsen Rating	1.8
US airdate	2006-10-06
CAN airdate	2006-10-07
UK airdate	2007-01-09
DVD release
Population	survivors
Additional Info
Episode Chronology
Previous		Next
Occupation	Precipice	Exodus, Part I
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D Skit – View
Podcast Transcript – View
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
			@ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: USA

Overview

After the suicide bombing, the Cylons institute stricter controls on the human population on New Caprica. Aboard Galactica, plans for the rescue from New Caprica move forward now that communication with the resistance has been established.

Summary

Teaser

• Gaius Baltar visits Laura Roslin, who has been detained by the Cylons. In order to appear friendly, he hands her back her glasses, but then expresses his outrage and disbelief at the suicide bombings carried out by the resistance. He demands that he and Roslin publicly condemn these actions. Although Roslin initially expresses understanding for the resistance, when Baltar presses her to condone their attacks, she remains silent. Baltar tries to make her understand that order and policing is necessary and denies Roslin's allegations of random searches, arrests and torture. When he leaves, he again emphasizes that the situation has deteriorated to a dangerous level and orders the guard to release Roslin.
• At night the New Caprica Police prepares for an operation. Cavil arrives and asks Captain James Lyman is he understands is orders and assures him that the Centurions will support them if necessary.
• In the resistance's underground hideout, Galen Tyrol questions Saul Tigh about another planned suicide bombing, disagreeing with attacking innocent civilians in market and unsure which side they're fighting on. At his computer, he established contact with another Raptor sent by Galactica and delivers a status report.
• The New Caprica police dons night vision goggles and arrests the people being named on the execution list signed by Baltar, including Cally Tyrol. Galen Tyrol later finds his son alone in the tent.

Act 1

• On Galactica Admiral Adama, Lee Adama, Karl Agathon, Louanne Katraine, Anastasia Dualla and other offers discuss their rescue plan. Agathon notes that the resistance is lacking in strength. When Katraine mentions that they need to determine which pilots will fly the ships off the planet, the admiral points out that the Cylons have removed the ships' launch keys and the resistance needs to retrieve them first. Katraine suggests to supply the resistance with weapons, but Lee Adama thinks that would just tip off the Cylons to an impending rescue effort and that Galactica has been in contact with the resistance.
• On New Caprica, Galen Tyrol talks to Felix Gaeta. Both are unaware of their roles as resistance leader and informant respectively. Tyrol asks Gaeta if he can find out what happened to Cally, but he is unsure if he can do anything. Tyrol can't understand how Gaeta can work for the Cylons and Gaeta tells him that he will try to help him.
• In a street, Jammer is picking through some belongings scattered around by his raid, thinking about what he has done. Tyrol notices his troubled state and asks if he is OK. Jammer replies that everything is fine and mentions that he heard about Cally, saying that he is sorry. Jammer, discreetly talking about himself, says that some of the policemen probably thought they'd do something good, but are in over their heads now. Tyrol tells him that the police force - and Gaeta - are collaborators and that one day they will be strung up, while people like him and Jammer will cheer on.
• The Leoben copy that has imprisoned Kara Thrace introduces her to Kacey, supposedly another Cylon-human hybrid fertilized using Thrace's egg from her stolen ovary. Thrace immediately treats Kacey as an "it."

Act 2 and beyond

• Jammer asks Boomer to release Cally Tyrol from prison. Boomer claims bureaucracy prevents her, but later visits Tyrol. Their history only makes matters worse.
• Admiral Adama swears in Sharon Agathon as a Colonial officer and sends her to New Caprica as the resistance liaison. Commander Lee Adama objects to the plan, and is generally ignored by the planning team.
• Later, Commander Adama tries to convince his father that risking what's left of mankind to save those on New Caprica wasn't a call the admiral could make. Admiral Adama tells his son that he can stay with the Fleet with Pegasus on guard, but that he and Galactica must try to rescue the New Capricans.
• Saul Tigh, Chief Tyrol, and Samuel Anders decide to meet Agathon at Breeders Canyon.
• Ellen Tigh, threatened with more harm to her husband, tips off the Cylons to the rendezvous.
• Another damaging suicide bombing moves the Cylons to more drastic actions.
• The Cylons force Baltar to sign an execution order, at gunpoint, for 200 civilians, including Cally Tyrol, Roslin and Tom Zarek. Caprica-Six is shot by a Five while protesting against the order. The detainees are transported outside the city.
• Kara Thrace continues to ignore Kacey in the apartment. When Thrace leaves to another room, she returns to find the child motionless in a pool of blood.
• As Kacey awakens in a hospital, Thrace is overjoyed, and takes Conoy's hand.
• After the truck of detainees stops and releases the prisoners to "stretch their legs," a masked Jammer cuts Cally Tyrol's bonds and tells her to run. As as she gets away, Cylon Centurions appear to execute the detainees.
• Zarek pulls Roslin away from the front of the crowd.
• As Cally Tyrol runs through the forest, the sound of automatic gunfire rings out.
• After Sharon Agathon and Anders' teams meet and formulate their plans, they are soon ambushed by Centurions.

Notes

Story

• Felix Gaeta's given name, first revealed in "Final Cut", is spoken out loud for the first time.
• Caprica-Valerii has married Karl Agathon and taken his last name. She continues to be confined to her cell, but it has been decorated and furnished. Ironically enough, she still calls him "Helo."
• Sharon Agathon and William Adama have continued to develop the rapport which they established in "Resurrection Ship, Part II".
• Baltar's internal Six appears only after Caprica-Six is shot in the head.
• Lee Adama states that there are about 2000 civilians on the ships that escaped New Caprica, which would mean that after accounting for an unspecified number of military personnel (and an unspecified number of said personnel that were left on New Caprica), at least 5500 people were killed in the destruction of Cloud 9 as well as the other ships destroyed by the nuclear warhead in "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II".
• Another four humans are killed in the suicide bombing at the power substation this episode. It is unknown whether or not this figure includes the bomber. Additionally, 23 Cylons are critically wounded; 14 of them are euthanized. Almost half the city is left without power, with repair estimates standing at a minimum of two weeks.
• Tom Zarek's role in the Baltar administration is finally revealed: he was indeed Baltar's running mate, and was elected Vice President in "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II". (This was implied in the last three episodes of season two, but not stated explicitly). He refused to be party to the Cylon occupation and was detained shortly thereafter, until his execution was ordered in this episode.
• This is the first episode in which all of the "Significant Seven" Cylons appear together. However, Leoben does not appear with his fellow Cylons and only appears in scenes with Starbuck.
• Also, assuming the last unrevealed Cylon is a member of the already existing cast, this is possibly the fist episode in which all twelve humanoid Cylons appear together in one way or another.

Other

• "Occupation/Precipice" was awarded the IGN.com Editor's choice award, following a review in which it received a rating of 10/10.
• This episode was nominated for "Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series" in the 2007 Emmy Awards.
• "Occupation" and "Precipice" were edited as one 2-hr episode with only one introduction. However, in the podcast, Ronald D. Moore indicates the "beginning" of "Precipice" as the scene with Baltar and Roslin in the detention cell. On the Region 1 DVD set for Season 3, the episodes are presented as two distinct episodes.
• However, the episode is slightly cut for the DVD release (and possibly the syndication airings as well). Likely in order to make more room for a second intro, the conversation between Sharon and Karl Agathon after her taking her oath is shortened. Missing is one of Helo's lines: "O­ne of the first things they taught us at the academy was that symbols matter. Uniforms, flags, banners, even mascots. They're like pieces of your heart you can look at."
• This episode has the second highest number of guest stars. Only the Miniseries has more credited stars.
• In the podcast, Ronald D. Moore states that references to "The Twist" and "The Swirl" are a homage to Seinfeld. The episode in question is "The Fusilli Jerry."
• The apparent shooting of the captives at the end of the episode is a homage to The Great Escape and Battle of the Bulge; especially the latter as it features a survivor's escaping in a similar manner to Cally Tyrol's.

Analysis

• Apparently a single humanoid Cylon copy can speak for his or her particular model. The phrase "We agree" is said by several models. A Six adds "most of us do, anyway", indicating that disagreement in the ranks of one model is unusual. Interestingly, Caprica-Six fails to dissuade her "sisters" from voting to execute the dissidents.
  • This consensus within the copies is done invisibly. Similar communication between Cylons of a single model has been witnessed in several prior episodes:
    • In "The Farm", the copy of Simon which Kara Thrace encounters outside the facility shares the memories of the one she has recently killed, although insufficient time has passed for a resurrection of the type witnessed in "Downloaded".
    • In "Home, Part II", Caprica-Valerii reveals to Galen Tyrol that she has some of the Boomer copy's memories.
    • At the start of "Occupation", the Cavil model interrogating with Saul Tigh knows of his wife's work to free him.
  • This contact is apparently strictly voluntary. According to Caprica-Sharon in "Home, Part I", "I'm not wired in. It doesn't work like that," and her presence on New Caprica is not considered a security hazard.
• As one of the Cavils notes, adherence to the Cylon creed has become increasingly perfunctory. The Cylons seek the president's signature as a mere formality.
• Number Three's claim that Caprica-Six's assault on her was the first case of Cylon-on-Cylon violence in their history is false. While Boomer's actions as a sleeper agent can't be considered to apply here, Caprica-Valerii shoots another Eight in "Colonial Day". However, strictly from Three's point of view, her statement may be true, since she either may not know about these events or who exactly shot that Eight.
• Ironically, a Five shoots Caprica-Six in the head shortly after Three's statement. Cavil indicates, however, that she won't be "boxed," as Caprica feared in "Downloaded".
• The same Number Three that is killed in "Downloaded" by Caprica-Six is present on Colonial One, referencing the incident; it is this same Three who questions Six regarding her love of Baltar.
• If Leoben Conoy's story is true, Kacey can't be older than 16 months .
• As Ellen Tigh's actions seem as reprehensible as ever, her motivations this time around are rather more laudable. These two episodes show that she truly does care for her husband.
• Cavil informs Ellen Tigh that they released Saul Tigh so that he may continue leading the resistance, thereby ensuring attacks against the Cylons, such as the two bombings that followed his release. These bombings and their results reinforce Cavil's argument that instilling fear and exerting total control over the population is the only viable solution.
  • It also might be possible that the release of Tigh might play into the faction of Cylons who continue to hold a strong prejudice towards humans. Caprica-Six and Boomer are clearly shown to be a diminishing voice amongst the Cylon leadership as evidenced when Number Five shot Caprica-Six in the head. This faction of Cylons may very well be attempting to destroy the experiment that Caprica-Six and Boomer convinced the Cylon population to undergo.
• The Cylons' condemnation to suicide bombings is strikingly hypocritical, in light of the fact that a Number Five used the same tactic after boarding Galactica in "Litmus".

Questions

• Given that she was ordered to face execution by the Colonial Government, where would Cally Tyrol be able to run to? (Answer)
• Why did the Cylons abandon their plan for a public execution?
• If viewers are to assume that the gunfire at the end of the episode is not from the Centurions, then who is firing? (Answer)
• Is Gaeta showing rather unusual behavior? If so, how much will his role as "inside man" be affected?
• What is the role of the five unseen Cylon models in the occupation? Are they present and simply remaining off-camera for the benefit of the audience? Have they attempted to hide themselves from the Colonials? (Answer)
• Why do none of the Leoben Conoy copies attend the meeting on Colonial One regarding the execution order?
• Cally Tyrol and Sharon Agathon both took their husbands' names upon marriage, as did Ellen Tigh, Caroline Adama and Sesha Abinell. Are Anastasia Dualla and Kara Thrace now Anastasia Adama, and Kara Anders, respectively? (Answer regarding Kara Thrace)
• What is the relationship between Caprica-Six's shooting and the reappearance of Baltar's Internal Six?
• On the topic of internal manifestations, what happened to Caprica-Six's internal Baltar? Will he ever show himself again? Has he disappeared much like his counterpart in Baltar, now that the real-world Baltar is in Caprica-Six's midst? (Answer)
• Now that the Sharon Agathon has landed on the surface of New Caprica, how can she be distinguished from other Number Eights there? (Answer)
• How will humans identify Sharon Agathon should she ever leave their sight? How, for example, can she safely return to Galactica? (Answer)
• How does Jammer identify the particular Eight he talks to as "Boomer?"
• If the Centurions are incapable of distinguishing between individual copies of a model, why would they fire on Sharon Agathon, who should be just another Eight to them? (Answer)
• Why didn't Duck tell Tyrol that Jammer had joined the New Caprica Police?
• Did Kacey fall down the stairs or was she pushed?
• As Zarek wanted nothing to do with Baltar's puppet administration, who replaced him as Vice President? (Answer)
• Given Zarek's imprisonment for four months, what has become of Zarek's various supporters? Do they still exist on New Caprica or in the Fleet? If so, what of them?
• What has become of the Demand Peace movement?
• Is Kacey all that Leoben Conoy claims her to be? (Answer)
• Since Felix Gaeta is one of the top people in the Baltar administration (indeed, Baltar's staff seems to consist primarily of Felix Gaeta) and was once a Colonial officer, why doesn't Tyrol consider the possibility that Gaeta may be his inside source?

Noteworthy Dialogue

• William Adama sees off the newly commissioned Sharon Agathon:

Agathon: How do you know? How do you really know that you can trust me?

Adama: I don't. That's what trust is. Good hunting, Lieutenant.

• Discussing suicide bombings:

Galen Tyrol: This is crazy. You know, we need to figure out whose side we're on.

Saul Tigh: Which side are we on? We're on the side of the demons, Chief. We are evil men in the gardens of paradise, sent by the forces of death to spread devastation and destruction wherever we go. I'm surprised you didn't know that.

• After having watched surveillance footage of the suicide bombing at the power plant:

Number Five: Twenty-three Cylons critically wounded. Fourteen had to be euthanised.

Boomer: They had casualties too. Four human dead.

Cavil: Who gives a frak about that part?

• After being arrested, held without charge and carted to a remote location:

Tom Zarek: Laura.. That election last year. You tried to steal it, didn't you?

Laura Roslin: Yes, Tom. I did.

Tom Zarek: (laughs) Ah... I wish you'd gone through with it.

Laura Roslin: Me too.

• Cally Tyrol in her cell to Sharon Valerii who visits her:

"...frak you Sharon, you stupid frakked-up toaster. How many times do I have to shoot you anyway?"

• Colonel Tigh after being slapped by Roslin for accusing her of working for the Cylons:

Tigh: You see, little things like that, they don't matter anymore. Fact, not too frakking much really matters anymore. I got one job here, lady, and one job only. To disrupt the Cylons, make them worry about the anthill they stirred up down here so they're distracted and out of position when the old man shows up in orbit. The bombings, they got the Cylons' attention, they really got their attention. And I am not giving that up.

Laura Roslin: We are talking about people blowing themselves up.

Tigh: You know, sometimes I think that you've got ice water in those veins. And other times, I think you're just a naive little school teacher. I've sent men on suicide missions in two wars now, and let me tell you something. It don't make a godsdamn bit of difference whether they're riding in a Viper or walking out onto a parade ground. In the end, they're just as dead. (pauses) So, take your piety, and your moralizing, and your high-minded principles, and stick 'em some place safe until you're off this rock and you're sitting in your nice, cushy chair on Colonial One again. (stands) I've got a war to fight (leaves).

• As the Cylons try to force Baltar to sign the execution order, following Number Five's shooting of Caprica-Six in the head:

Gaius Baltar: Oh, God.

Cavil: She'll be back... but if he pulls that trigger now, you won't.

Guest Stars

• Michael Hogan as Saul Tigh
• Aaron Douglas as Galen Tyrol
• Tahmoh Penikett as Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon
• Nicki Clyne as Cally Tyrol
• Alessandro Juliani as Felix Gaeta
• Kandyse McClure as Anastasia Dualla
• Michael Trucco as Samuel Anders
• Richard Hatch as Tom Zarek
• Rick Worthy as Simon
• Callum Keith Rennie as Leoben Conoy
• Kate Vernon as Ellen Tigh
• Donnelly Rhodes as Dr. Cottle
• Matthew Bennett as Number Five
• Rekha Sharma as Tory Foster
• Dean Stockwell as Cavil
• Erica Cerra as Maya
• Luciana Carro as Lt. Louanne "Kat" Katraine
• Christian Tessier as Tucker "Duck" Clellan
• Brad Dryborough as Lt. Hoshi
• Leah Cairns as Lt. Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson
• Madeline Parker as Kacey
• Dominic Zamprogna as James "Jammer" Lyman
• Mylène Dinh-Robic as Officer #1
• Ryan McDonell as Eammon "Gonzo" Pike (credited as Pilot #3)
• Byron Lawson as Pilot #4
• Colin Lawrence as Hamish "Skulls" McCall
• Larissa Stadnichuk as Suicide bomber

Re-imagined Series definition: pseudo-civilian law enforcement agency overseen by the Cylon Occupation Authority on New Caprica, see: New Caprica Police (TRS: "Occupation")

Re-imagined Series definition: all-purpose vulgarism; Colonial version of "fuck" (see: frak)

Re-imagined Series definition: all-purpose vulgarism; Colonial version of "fuck" (see: frak)

Re-imagined Series definition: all-purpose vulgarism; Colonial version of "fuck" (see: frak)