04.29.08
Episode 4.4: “Escape Velocity”
Written by Jane Espenson
Directed by Edward James Olmos
Jane Espenson, the writer for this episode, was on the writing staff of the Joss Whedon cult favorite “Firefly”, a series that is held in high regard among the Galactica production crew. In one of the episodes (“War Stories”), a peculiar philosophy is mentioned. In short, the idea is: by torturing someone to his or her very limits, that person’s true self will emerge. That episode of “Firefly” immediately came to mind while watching the story unfold.
Because this is largely a transitional piece, the key to success was character exploration and, in turn, a philosophical theme. Almost everyone involved in this episode was tested by some kind of pain or strife. Tyrol, for example, was tested by the knowledge that his wife’s “suicide” was anything but (though he doesn’t seem sure), and the real man who emerges is not a pleasant sight. Tyrol’s growing numbness could leave him vulnerable to Tory’s manipulation.
Tory has done a fairly good job of turning herself into an agent of pain, using it to push Baltar’s buttons (rather effectively, I might add). Though it’s not explicitly stated, it wouldn’t be shocking to discover that she’s manipulating Tigh, Tyrol, and Roslin with equal deftness. As noted in the review for the previous episode, she is the one “new” Cylon who has embraced the benefits of her newly-revealed nature. There has always been an amoral aspect to Tory’s character, but the moment of revelation has seemingly stripped away some of her internal checks and balances.
Tigh, like Tyrol, is struggling with the knowledge of his true nature, and his conversation with Caprica Six is revealing. I’m not sure I was completely sold on her actions and reactions in this episode; the characterization felt “off”. Tigh’s guilt and self-loathing came through very clearly, but her dialogue choices were too “perfect” for the occasion. Even so, this provided an interesting parallel between her and Tory; they both act upon others to help them “know themselves”.
In addition to Tory’s possible influence, Roslin’s own recognition of her impending death has pushed her towards an even more fascist mindset. Roslin has always been an interesting character, because she has been willing to subvert the popular masses in the name of their survival. Her decision to stand up to Adama in the first season was all about saving Humanity, and as she says in this episode, as time runs out, she’s less and less concerned about the opinions of others.
So Roslin is more than happy to change the law to frustrate Gaius Baltar and paint Lee Adama as naïve for questioning it. Adama, having a rather flexible definition of morality himself (particularly when it comes to his “family”), doesn’t disagree. The episode itself suggests that Roslin might have been right to be concerned about Baltar, because the result of his trial is a renewed sense of confidence. Even Lee seemed concerned with the consequences of his decision.
Ironically, I’m still convinced that the survival of Humanity is through a blending with the Cylons. Baltar and his monotheistic cult could very likely be a part of that movement, along with Kara’s search for Earth, and that puts Roslin as more of an impediment to survival than a benefit. Yet in very many ways, they never would have gotten so far without her, and it’s quite possible that she’s the final Cylon, acting from unseen and unrealized influences.
The episode gave me enough to enjoy on a philosophical level that the minor character and style choices didn’t bother me as much as I initially thought. From a style perspective, I thought the arrangement of the episode, simply from the editing aspect, didn’t always work for me. Taken with some of the dialogue, it left me feeling a bit bothered in a very vague sense. The transitional nature of the story also didn’t help. But as a fan of shows like “Lost”, sometimes all I need is a good philosophical hook, and this episode had that in excess.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Final Rating: 7/10
Forgetful Bob said,
April 29, 2008 at 1:52 am
*rolls eyes*
Oh, boy.
Administrator said,
April 29, 2008 at 2:00 am
Care to elaborate?
Montereyan said,
April 29, 2008 at 2:55 am
I thought this was perhaps the strongest episode of the 4th season. Olmos did an excellent job directing, especially in the religious scenes, such as Callandra’s funeral service and Baltar’s confrontation with the Marines - but also with Tyrol’s outburst. Jane gave him some excellent lines, but they were delivered brilliantly, and Olmos did a good job using the camera to show a man who was at the end of his rope and letting loose, damn the consequences.
This episode didn’t advance the core mythology as much, but in its emotional punch, its examination of the characters, it felt as strong as anything we’d seen in Season 1 or early Season 2, which I think is high praise. The episode was transitional, as you note, but it did a good job holding together (in a way the last two were less successful at) - we had two clear “problems” with rising action and culminating in catharsis, both for Tyrol and Baltar. The writing, the acting, and the directing took a storyline that was not as compelling and turned it into an excellent episode.
The only squeaky stair in the episode was the Six-Tigh interaction. Perhaps it was overwritten, as you suggest, and even though I know the concept here - Tigh sees Ellen, not Six, and is drawn to the Cylon as a result - it didn’t quite come together for me. Perhaps a good follow-up next week or the week after would put it in a stronger context and perspective.
Seth102 said,
April 29, 2008 at 1:32 pm
The 5th cylon will turn out to be someone we least expect. Maybe even the doctor!
Montereyan said,
May 1, 2008 at 11:15 pm
When I first read your comment, Seth102, I thought you were suggesting the TARDIS was going to show up on Galactica. The more I think about it the more I like the idea!
Ivana said,
May 2, 2008 at 3:45 am
Tory “pushing Baltar’s buttons”? Where did you see that? Maybe if you mean, all the wrong buttons. He so obviously did not enjoy her little S&M session one bit. Although she probably thought he would, her speech (the Gospel according to Tory, as I like to call it) seemed to be what she ‘learned’ from him… “Signals get crossed… pain becomes pleasure… We should consecrate the sin.” Surely I can’t be the only one who sees the connection between this and what happened in Six Of One. It seems like sleeping with the man she hated and who had been the embodiment of evil to her, was so traumatic to her that she cried, but ended up being, perversely, a source of intense pleasure, like forbidden fruit or breaking up with all her earlier rules or embracing her new self. So now she’s come back to continue this weird relationship with tables turned, thinking he must enjoy a combination of pain and pleasure as well. Only he just seemed creeped out. “I liked you better when you cried”. LOL
I can’t see Tory manipulating Baltar, she wouldn’t know how. She’s no Six, I don’t think she’s as intelligent, for one thing. I’m not saying she’s stupid, but she has her own, very weird mindset, and I’m not sure that she can see the big picture and read people as Six could. And second, she doesn’t understand Baltar at all, she doesn’t really know what makes him tick. What Baltar is in her mind and what he really is like might be quite different. On the other hand, I can see Baltar manipulating her, up to a point, but he wouldn’t be able to control her, she’s a force of nature of her own, going in her own direction, and he’s clearly already scared by what she’s turned into. Who knows what she might do, inspired by his teaching, or her own interpretation of it. And I wonder what happens if he ends up disapproving something she does…she might see it as a rejection and a betrayal, and then he better watch out! In any case, the pairing of those two is fascinating because it is so disturbing, it’s like “just how wrong can two people be for each other?”
Seth102 said,
May 5, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Montereyan - I wasn’t implying Dr. Who, rather the Galatica’s MD. It would be too cheesey I think to end the series with another series crossover character., especially a goofy one like the Doctor.