The episode opens with a voice over stating, "previously on Battlestar
Galactica..." - but rather than get a nominal run-down of last week's
episode, we this time kick-off with a series of shots from the mini,
interspersed with the background to the Cylons, which reads:
THE CYLONS WERE CREATED BY MAN - over the image of the two Cylon warriors
walking through the door of Ragnar station
THEY REBELLED - over a rising mushroom cloud on Caprica
THEY EVOLVED - over a shot of the Cylon humanoid constructs entering
Ragnar station
THEY LOOK - over an image of Six arriving at Baltar's pad
AND FEEL - to a shot of Six and Baltar making out
HUMAN. - Black background
SOME OF THEM ARE PROGRAMMED TO THINK THEY ARE HUMAN - again on a black
background
THERE ARE MANY COPIES - To a split-screen shot of Boomer in her flight
suit on Caprica and aboard Galactica in uniform
AND THEY HAVE A PLAN - on a final black background.
From this we jump into a quick re-cap on "33" - specifically the
destruction of the Olympic Carrier, followed by a brief clip of Boomer
leaving Helo on Caprica from the mini, and a final shot of Boomer
"rescuing" Helo on Caprica after his apparent capture in "33".
We fade into the teaser proper at this point, with water dripping on a
floor, adding to an already sizeable puddle. The camera pans slowly,
revealing wet, feminine hands, a soaked flight suit and - finally - the
dripping face of Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, sitting trance-like in the
locker room she frequently uses to meet with Chief Tyrol. Slowly, she
becomes aware of her surroundings, clearly confused. She stands, wringing
her hands - and notices a duffle bag on the floor. Opening it reveals a
towel and a Colonial uniform bearing the name tag "Sharon Valerii", a name
she barely recognizes.
She starts to strip out of her wet clothes and reaches for the uniform in
the bag - only to jump back as a block of plastique with an electronic
detonator is revealed. Fighting to contain her rising confusion and panic,
Boomer carefully lifts out the explosive and disarms it, removing the
inactive detonator.
Cut to the hanger deck as Boomer - now in uniform and her hair brushed -
leaves the locker, the duffle bag over her shoulder. She is intercepted by
Cally with a salute, with Boomer returns with a curt, "Good evening."
Confused, Cally informs her it is in fact morning - 05:45; news which does
little to put Boomer at ease.
Leaving the hanger deck, she makes her way through the Galactica to a
small arms store to which she has coded access. Here she checks a case of
detonators and finds half of them missing. Panic threatens to overtake
her, "Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Where are the rest of them?" she
mutters, trying to contain her fear.
Cut to five shots of detonators identical to the one she found in the bag
- but all of them active. The camera pulls back to reveal the Galactica,
shepherding her wards through space, and we go to the opening titles.
Following the opening titles, we find Tigh desperately trying to find the
sash for his dress uniform as the tannoy repeatedly informs us that
Colonial One is due aboard "in 30 minutes" and the honour detail should
"report". Finding the sash, he also finds a bottle of booze. Using his
fingers he works out he has five shots left in the bottle, and we cut to
Lee Adama, also dressing for the arrival of Colonial One, and suffering
flashbacks to the Olympic Carrier incident. As he meets with his father,
he admits he can't stop thinking about the incident. Adama responds that,
under the circumstances, the Olympic Carrier is "ancient history" and
should be left to the historians to judge. Lee counters by asking whether
or not they have a responsibility - an obligation as leaders to question
their decisions to ensure that all decisions are the right decision. Adama
informs him simply that they all did what had to be done, and that all
that is required of a man is to take responsibility for his actions -
right or wrong, and to accept and live with the consequences.
As Adama and his son talk, Colonial One arrives aboard Galactica, and
Roslin prepares to face the formal reception she knows Adama will have
arranged. "I won't have to go through this every time I have to step
aboard that ship?" she asks Billy. "It's protocol," he responds, and
Roslin confirms that, "the military do love their protocol," leaving Billy
with the opinion that, were she to ask, he's sure they'd be willing to
drop the formalities - but she insists Adama should be allowed to "sound
the trumpets." Acknowledging the need to use politics, Roslin changes the
subject of the conversation to that of her dress - and the fact that she
now has only three formal outfits to last the rest of her life. Billy
tries to reassure her that she looks "fine," prompting a girlish response
that he really doesn't know women - thus revealing their developing
friendship.
Once aboard the Galactica, Roslin addresses the crew in C&C, informing
them that the entire fleet is effectively in their debt, and that she is
proud to serve as their president. A vessel - the Virgon Express is
reported as coming alongside.
As the Virgon arrives, Boomer takes Tyrol to his equipment bay, both of
them talking tech, but fooling no-one; their relationship is pretty much a
public secret among Tyrol's crew.
Adama explains to Roslin that, as the Galactica's water recycling
facilities are 100% effective, she is able to trade recycled water with
other vessels and take on their used water for recycling and reuse.
In the equipment locker, Tyrol is trying to reassure Boomer, "Whatever it
is...whatever it is, we'll take care of it, right?" he states, holding her
hands. He asks her to tell him what's wrong. Boomer blurts out her
problem: six detonators are missing from the small arms store on deck 15 -
news that completely knocks all of the assurance out of Tyrol.
In C&C Tigh reports that they are ready to extend the water booms for
Virgon Express. Leaving Roslin, Adama joins Tigh, admitting that he feels
like tour guide. Tigh responds that as an ex-teacher, Roslin is probably
finding the whole thing educational, giving Adama pause for thought.
Across C&C, ostensibly observing the docking / tanking operation with the
Virgon Express, Roslin confides in Lee Adama that she thinks Adama
probably considers her as a complete idiot. Lee disagrees.
In the equipment bay, Tyrol insists Boomer inform the Master-at-Arms, but
she refuses, admitting that she is convinced that if she does, everyone
will think she took the detonators - again stunning Tyrol into
speechlessness.
Back in C&C, Billy attempts to strike up a conversation with Duella, but
his attempt misfires, leaving him admitting to himself that he really
doesn't understand women. Across the room, Lee explains his father's
actions to Roslin in terms of Adama making a gesture - trying to help
Roslin "feel like the President" by according all the pomp and protocol he
usually tries to avoid. The revelation clearly causes Roslin to start
revaluating her opinion of Adama.
Tanking operations with the Virgon Express commence, and we cut back to
Tyrol trying to help Boomer and come up with a rational explanation for
what has happened - deciding someone is trying to set her up; that she
must have been drugged or manipulated. It doesn't reassure Boomer, who is
convinced that if they report anything, people are going to be convinced
she is a Cylon agent (this in itself a possible echo of comments passed in
"33", when Apollo made it clear Boomer's apparent ability to be unaffected
by lack of sleep had been noticed, together with Starbuck's gentle
taunting that Boomer is "a Cylon"). This out burst almost causes a further
disagreement between them; one that is prevented by explosions echoing
through the ship.
As decompression alarms sound, the crew in C&C react, and we cut to an
exterior shot of Galactica as she starts to vent liquid. In C&C, the worst
is confirmed: Galactica is losing her water reserves from all her portside
tanks - now ruptured by the explosions.
Damage Control parties are scrambled, lead by Tyrol, supported by Boomer
aboard her Raptor, providing additional light for the team from outside
the smashed tanks. Elsewhere, the command crew, together with Roslin and
Baltar meet. Gaeta reports that the situation is bad: 60% of Galactica's
water reserves have been lost. Adama orders emergency rationing on ship -
but the problem is the 1/3 of the fleet - 16,000 people - reliant on
Galactica to recycle their water. Roslin asks Gaeta what he thinks caused
the destruction of the water tank. Gaeta hesitates, and then suggests that
the tank walls were weakened by the nuke which struck Galactica during the
original Cylon attack, and the walls of the tank collapsed. Roslin does
not seem convinced. Adama cuts off further questioning of Gaeta by
informing everyone that he has ordered a survey of nearby star systems for
signs of potential water sources.
Back in the wrecked tanks, Cally comes across a piece of debris that
appears to have been burnt in an explosion. She hands it to Tyrol.
Realizing what he is holding, he recognizes that the explosions were due
to charges being placed in the tanks.
In the command briefing, Tigh confirms that there are five planetary
systems within the Galactica's jump radius which may have water-bearing
planets. Adama orders an immediate recon of all five systems using
Galactica's Raptors. Baltar then reports the findings of a supply study
he's undertaken, which essentially shows the fleet now to be critically
short of water.
While this is going on, back on Caprica, "Valerii" and Helo have returned
to "Valerii's" Raptor (or quite possibly a reasonable facsimile thereof -
only to find the Cylons have "found" it first. Helo is at a loss on what
to do, but Valerii is determined to get the Raptor and "get back to the
ship".
Aboard the Galactica, Tyrol gives a DC report to Adama and the command
crew, confirming the fact that the portside tanks were sabotage and that a
detonator is still missing. At the end of the report, Adama dismisses
everyone except his most senior command crew from the briefing. It is
apparent that a Cylon agent is on the Galactica. Roslin asks how many
people actually know that the Cylons can replicate humans - rather than
hearing the rumours. The number is surprisingly small. She and Adama agree
it must stay that way, and she asks Baltar about his screening operation
to check Galactica's entire crew for possible infiltrators.
Caught in a fantasy about "lying" to women, as "Six" sits in his
"Jacuzzi", Baltar is reluctantly drawn back to the real world by Adama
pressing the question - what is happening with the screening of
Galactica's crew? Baltar starts stalling - almost gibbering as he
struggles to give reasons why the screening is posing "significant
problems". Adama cuts through the excuses by saying that what Baltar is
really saying is that he needs help in order to make large-scale
screenings possible. Baltar immediately agrees, and then realizes his
error, put by "Six" in terms of "someone snooping around, watching your
every move..?" Before Baltar can adequately voice his objections, Adama
informs him he is assigning Lt. Gaeta to the work.
Baltar tries to get around this by expressing the need for secrecy - but
Roslin cuts him off, confirming the need for secrecy is paramount, and
that as such, the security of the ship - their very survival, perhaps -
hinges on Baltar. This prompts "Six" to tease him further, "Humanity's
very survival rests in your hands. Now if only you had....an actual Cylon
detector..."
On the hanger deck, Apollo gives Boomer a final briefing on her mission to
seek out water on the nearby planets. As he leaves, Tyrol speaks to her
and informs her one-one is suspicious of her. In turn, she is defensive:
absolutely convinced she had nothing to do with the sabotage, and tried to
get Tyrol to agree. Aware that they are being watched, they end the
intense conversation with a salute.
Back in Adam's quarters, he and Roslin continue to explore their new-found
respect for each other through a brief discussion on modern literature.
As this conversation unfolds, Baltar seeks to escape Gaeta's "assistance"
by insisting he joins one of Starbuck's card games - a somewhat odd thing
to do considering the fact Adama has ordered him to get to work on
uncovering possible Cylon insurgents. Despite this, Gaeta doesn't object
and both Baltar and Starbuck engage in the game, and a little electricity
builds between them.
In Adama's quarters, Roslin reveals that water rationing is now leading to
rioting aboard a cruise ship, and she requests Adama provide military
personnel to provide policing efforts. Adama resists, stating there is a
reason for separating the military and the police, "One fights the enemy
of the state, the other serves and protects the people. When the military
becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people."
Roslin acknowledges the complexity of the issues and assures Adama she
will not let that happen. In return, he agrees to send troops to the ship
where the rioting has broken out.
Engaged on their survey of nearby star systems, Boomer and Crashdown
commence a run across what appears to be a moon of a large gas giant. As
Crashdown suggests they name the worldlet after someone he once knew,
Boomer is distracted, her eyes falling to the package of explosive,
complete with armed detonator fixed to the side of her flight seat...
At the card game, a cocky Baltar commiserates with the losing players,
leaving just three people in the game - himself, Starbuck and an unnamed
crewman. When he raises the stakes, Baltar finds himself challenged by
Starbuck while the third player folds. A short byplay ensues between
them, concerning humiliation, embarrassment and Starbuck's "rough play"
before Baltar forces a call on the cards held - revealing that, despite
his banter and denial, he has the better hand - stunning Starbuck as she
realises she has been played. By way of a piece offering, Baltar offers
her one of his last cigarillos, and for a moment, a strong chemistry is
evident between them.
In C&C Duella confirms that 4 out of the five Raptors currently patrolling
the local star systems have all reported negative results in the hunt for
water, leaving just Boomer and Crashdown. Tigh asks what will happen if
Boomer and Crashdown fail to find water, and Adama states they'll just to
another sector and start again.
Out in space, Boomer and Crashdown are still surveying moons. Crashdown's
scope reads negative; "Five moon-sized zeros," he comments. Up front,
Boomer confirms she has nothing on her scope - despite the fact her
screens are displaying "H2O Positive - Multiple Contacts" as a result of
the current scans. Even as she looks at the scopes, it is evident she
can't actually see what they are reporting, and she is confused - almost
as if she "sees" a negative report being displayed, but somehow knows it
is wrong. Challenging her to say what's on her mind, she replies, "I don't
know. I just get this...feeling..." She decides to run the last sweep
again. As they do so, Crashdown confirms a negative return and asks Boomer
if she is seeing the same - but she can't answer as she stares at her
screens, which still display the "H2O Positive" message. She finally
admits, "I'm having trouble saying it," causing Crashdown to look at her
in concern as she continues to stare at her screens. As she does so, her
hand drops to the explosive package at her side, fingers edging towards
the detonator. "I think...I see..." she struggles to say what she wants to
say and her fingers start tapping the detonator. Finally, she achieves a
breakthrough, announcing she has a positive contact, and her hand moves
away from the detonator as Crashdown moves to her and confirms her
findings. He's so delighted, he totally misses her near-collapse in
response to her internal battle.
The find is reported to Galactica, causing a celebratory round of cheering
and on the Raptor, Boomer deactivates the detonator, her eyes wide in
fear.
Meanwhile, back on Caprica, at night, Valerii administers a further
anti-radiation dose for herself while a (much better-looking) Helo
prepares a meal. Helo wants to know why she came back, and she admits she
just "couldn't leave him behind." Their conversation is interrupted by a
sudden burst of an encrypted signal on their hand-held radio: it seems
someone else is alive and transmitting encrypted messages on Caprica.
There is a moment of unrestrained join between them, which ends in a near
kiss - and immediate embarrassment on both sides. Helo breaks the silence
by stating all they have to do now is find whoever was transmitting.
Back on Galactica, the whole flight crew is on hand to congratulate Boomer
and Crashdown as they return. Amidst the celebrations, Boomer asks Tyrol
to take a look at her flight seat. He goes to assign Cally, but Boomer
insists he do it himself. Confused, Tyrol returns to the Raptor and
examines the seat - revealing the primed explosive, the detonator now
switched off.
Some time later, Lee meets with Roslin aboard Colonial One, where she
informs him she is aware that he is suffering over the firing on the
Olympic Carrier. She admits she is having problems in her giving the
order. Lee tries his father's line that a man must accept responsibility
for his actions. Then Roslin reveals a decision about Adar and a problem
on one of the colonies. A bridge built between them, she then requests
that Lee takes the post as her military advisor - not to advisor her on
military decisions, but to help her understand how the military mind
works. And, "He can still keep his job at the C.A.G."
"It's pronounced 'CAG'," Lee informs her. Roslin nods and agrees that that
is precisely the reason she need help in understanding the military - and
that Lee's first task should be to inform his father of his new role.
As the episode closes, so we return to the equipment locker and Tyrol and
Boomer in a heated snog. Breaking their clinch on one another, Tyrol
informs her that the explosive has been taken care of - he's given it to
the Master-at-Arms. He overcomes Boomer's shock by telling her he informed
the Master that he found the explosive during routine maintenance.
Comments and Observations
Overall, another powerful episode, the major features of which are the
growing character relationships between the major characters. Adama and
Roslin clearly begin to find a balance; Baltar and Starbuck appear to have
something of an attraction for one another. What is very refreshing is
that no "reset" button is pressed: three days on from the Olympic Carrier
incident, yet the affect-effects are still being felt - Lee is suffering
flashbacks and Roslin is ill-at-ease with her first major decision as
president.
Again, "Six's" role is interesting: confusing Baltar at critical moments
and challenging his capabilities; did his "Cylon detector" work, or was he
merely reacting to her prompting, providing the means to get Doral off the
ship to report to his "siblings"?
We also learn a little more about Galactica's capabilities: the fact that
her water recycling systems are around 100% efficient - so much so that
she can operate for years without needing to take on fresh water supplied,
and she's more than able to recycle water on behalf of a third of the
other vessels in the fleet - thus supplying an additional 16,000 people
with fresh water. Pretty impressive stuff.
Another interesting facet is that, despite needing a minimum of 590 tonnes
of foodstuffs a week to support the 45,000+ civilian population, no-one in
the briefing room seemed remotely taken aback by Baltar's figures - other
than further expressions of concern relating to the water situation. This
suggests that the Colonials having managed to gather up some pretty
impression stocks of food: 82 tonnes of grain a week is a lot in anyone's
language; as is 85 tonnes of meat. Could this indicate the Galactica has
some other forms of highly-efficient recycling that could help supply the
people with food - if not it is original form then as recycles proteins,
carbohydrates, etc. If not, just what is the status of foodstuffs aboard
the various craft in the fleet?
But the focus is clearly and obviously that of Boomer, with the finger
pointing even more squarely at her being a Cylon agent, but one that is
working directly against her "human personality".
Within the story, she is evidently unaware of her actions in sabotaging
the Galactica, and wants to believe Tyrol's view that she is being set-up.
But her actions on the Raptor suggest something deeper. If her "human
half" had not won out and announced the water, would her "Cylon half"
triggered the explosives and thus kept the discovery from Galactica - they
had already made some 19 negative passes over the planet?
And what of "Valerii" on Caprica. No attempt to pump Helo for information.
No attempts to get him to reveal anything at all - just an apparent
determination to get to "their" Raptor and get back to Galactica - an a
moment of intimacy that suggests that perhaps she, too, is operating more
in a "human mode" than that of a Cylon agent. Indeed, watching the scene
where they receive the transmission on Caprica, one cannot help but recall
"Six's" admission to Baltar in "33" that she wants his babies...could
procreation be a part of the humanoid Cylon "plan"...? Indeed, watching
her and listening to her, it is almost as if she, too, believes she is the
"genuine" Sharon Valerii, Colonial Raptor pilot.
And despite the apparent danger of capture by Cylons, it is interesting to
note that Helo is confident enough to get a fire going in the middle of
the woods at night - where it could well be seen by Cylon patrols. Could
it be that Valerii encouraged him to do so, her Cylon programming enabling
her to somehow know they would not be captured?
Overall, another outstanding episode - lead by a very strong "A" storyline
involving Boomer and the water sabotage, but with more than enough scope
to allow us more insight into the characters and their developing
relationships without bogging down the action. Not even Tigh's tightrope
walk with alcoholism is forgotten - will we see the booze left in the
bottle in his quarters drop below the "five fingers" he measures?
Any weaknesses in the episode? Yes, the aforementioned fire in the midst
of hostile territory - and apparently not far from where Cylon warriors
had been crawling all over a Raptor. Some of the dialogue in C&C came
across a little clunky in places - but again, these are overall minor
nit-picks for the present. Certainly, the opening theme worked better with
the selected titles this time around than they did with "33".
And it is nice to see Galactica still continues to carry the scars for her
first run-in with the Cylons back in the mini - the forward end of her
portside flight pod is still something of a mess.
Rating for this episode: Again a solid 4 out of 5.
