05.19.08
Posted in Reviews at 11:54 pm by Administrator
Written by Michael Angeli
Directed by Wayne Rose
By the end of the first act, I understood the transitional nature of this episode, and I concluded that it would be better to sit back and enjoy the ride. After all, the introductory phase of the season arc had taken some time to build momentum, which finally came to fruition with “Faith”, so it only makes sense that the complication phase of the arc would involve a bit of pawn-taking. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened.
That’s not to say that the episode was without action; it’s just that it was more about careful consideration of specific plot points. It’s very much like a chess game between the Humans and the Cylon Rebels, played out on several levels. And like a chess game, the true intrigue and fascination is not in the checkmate, but in the quiet and delicate movements long before the endgame. Because this season is more serialized than ever before, the nuances require careful attention.
In the larger scheme of things, the proposed alliance between the Humans and Cylon rebels had to be contentious, and it’s great to see all the complications emerge. It’s now perfectly clear why the writers had to build up the tension between the Quorum and Roslin. Without that background, the depth of disagreement between them would have felt abrupt. Natalie’s speech in front of the Quorum was one of the best elements of the episode.
The Cylon civil war, and the deep philosophical differences at its core, was also necessary to explore in previous episodes, because now there’s no question that finding the Final Five is more important to the rebels than the promise of eternal resurrection. This, of course, ties into the many prophecies regarding Kara Thrace. Her role as the “harbinger of death” could very well mean her role in bringing true death to the Cylons. In turn, this makes them more human, and sets the stage for their eventual mergence (in my speculation) with the Colonial survivors.
The topic of Roslin’s visions is also front and center, initially in terms of Baltar’s sermons and then in a far more active role. It always seemed incredibly important that Roslin was sharing the visions with Athena and Caprica Six, but oddly enough, it never occurred to me that Hera would also be actively sharing them. Hera’s dash through Galactica, leading to Natalie’s horribly-timed death, was one of the more disconcerting elements. (The callback to Baltar’s vision from “Kobol’s Last Gleaming” is also a great continuity nod.)
Taken in context with Roslin’s vision and Gaeta’s endless singing, it could be interpreted that Galactica itself is the “Opera House”. After all, if the Final Five are supposed to be in the Opera House, and the Cylon rebels know they’re in the fleet, it all adds up to that possible conclusion. And that makes sense, because if there’s any stage where the final endgame should play out, it’s on the Galactica.
The sudden jump of the rebel basestar, with so many main characters now trapped upon it, should make for some interesting drama. The mission to the resurrection hub may still be viable, if the hybrid leaps to the previously programmed position, but the operation is no longer as relatively clean as it was. In particular, it puts Kara, Roslin, and Baltar all in a unique position to see their destinies unfold.
Kudos must be given to the writers for letting all of the character movements play out with subtlety. Some of the character interactions are more powerful than the snippets of action for a reason. This is an episode that delves into the complex emotions of a sudden and unexpected chance to level the playing field. It might have been a bit better to see some reactions from the command staff regarding the mutiny or the crew of the Demetrius regarding Cally’s death, but there’s really no time for it. The attention is better spent on the varying reactions of the newly revealed Cylons to the new status quo.
Kudos must also go to Mary McDonnell for her performance all season. I don’t know if the actress is intentionally starving herself a bit to sell Roslin’s illness, or if it’s a masterful makeup job, but the effects of the cancer are pronounced. There’s a visceral feeling, just from one look at Roslin, that the end is near, and it helps to sell the notion that her methods are truly driven by that relentless specter.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
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05.12.08
Posted in Reviews at 11:01 pm by Administrator
Written by Seamus Kevin Fahey
Directed by Michael Nankin
As anticipated, this episode effectively ends the “introductory” phase of the season arc, bringing Kara’s initial search for the path back to Earth to a close. It also takes the Cylon civil war into an unexpected direction, and Roslin receives an interesting challenge to her perspective from another dying cancer patient. Whether in active practice or quiet discussion, faith is at the center of the story.
Previous episodes had the more “human” side of the Cylon civil war decimated without the presence of a resurrection ship, so as the weakened army, it makes sense that they would find a potential alliance with the Humans a viable option. It’s also worth noting that the models in question have been represented by individuals with a particular brand of “love” (even if Boomer is playing for the other side now).
From the pragmatic perspective, they need help to survive, and if the hardliners among the Cylon are taking control, the Humans could also use all the help they can get. From a metaphysical perspective, both sides are searching for the “Final Five”, so there’s a common cause. The lethal scene between a Six and Barolay is more than enough to remind the audience that it’s still a tense and potentially disastrous arrangement. The wounds of New Caprica are evident on both sides.
Of course, that is in and of itself intriguing. How many of the Humans have had the opportunity to realize that the Cylons are not all mindless copies? They may come from the same template, but their personalities derive from a mixture of shared and individual experience. Exposure to Humans has unlocked, at least for some models, Humans traits. It’s been acknowledged in individual cases (as demonstrated by the trust given to Athena), but how will the Human masses, who were still isolated from most Cylons on New Caprica, deal with constant exposure? (Certainly Tigh, Tyrol, Tori, and Anders will have some interesting reactions.)
The hybrid’s jabbering to Kara ties in nicely with the final moments of “Razor”, and seems to give a direction for the new alliance to follow. In fact, much of what is happening in this episode fits the prophetic words of the very first hybrid: “The denial of the one true path, played out on a world not their own, will end soon enough. Soon there will be four, glorious in awakening, struggling with the knowledge of their true selves. The pain of revelation bringing new clarity and in the midst of confusion, he will find her. Enemies brought together by impossible longing. Enemies now joined as one. The way forward at once unthinkable, yet inevitable. And the fifth, still in shadow, will claw toward the light, hungering for redemption that will only come in the howl of terrible suffering. I can see them all. The seven, now six, self-described machines who believe themselves without sin. But in time, it is sin that will consume them. They will know enmity, bitterness, the wrenching agony of one splintering into many. And then, they will join the promised land, gathered on the wings of an angel. Not an end, but a beginning.”
The sleight of hand regarding the ringed planet and the comet was clever, lending far more question to the nature of Kara’s memories than I had suspected. I still don’t think Kara is the final Cylon, but she may be something apart from that entire discussion. After all, the Temple of Five on the algae planet (“Eye of Jupiter” and “Rapture”) was dedicated to the five priests (analogues to the Final Five, or so it seems) who worshipped “The One Who Cannot Be Named”. The natural assumption is that this “One” is the Cylon God, but what if it’s something very different? Is it possible that, like the thirteen Human colonies with one quite apart from the other twelve, there is a being above and apart from the twelve Cylons?
If the Final Five “come from the home of the thirteenth”, then the theory that the Final Five are genetic descendants of the previous cycle’s merging of Human and Cylon is further supported. If that process is possible, then Kara’s genetic legacy might be connected similarly to this “One”. The mandala, carried over the ages, could be a meme carried down through the genetic memory, bringing “death” in the sense of “change/renewal”.
The first hybrid’s words seem to be following a chronological path. The “world not their own” could easily be the New Caprica situation, as “denial of the one true path” could have been the decision not to pursue Earth. The four, of course, are the four newly revealed Cylons. Kara certainly appeared to be in the “midst of confusion”, after which Leoben found her. At this point, the enemies have indeed been “brought together by impossible longing”. It would seem that the path forward is soon to be defined, and it will not be pleasant.
As seemingly obvious as it seems, the one clawing “toward the light, hungering for redemption that will only come in the howl of terrible suffering” could certainly apply to Baltar. It could technically be Roslin, though she has always been in the role of the “dying leader”. Of course, since these are obvious connections, it’s likely that the revelation will involve someone else.
Roslin’s own journey through mortality seems to confirm her role as the “dying leader” (who, apparently, will soon learn the truth about the “opera house”). Considering how long the series has drawn the distinction between the Humans’ “Lords of Kobol” and the Cylon “God”, it’s about time they had a deeper discussion on the subject. The interesting thing here is the underlying imagery that Baltar continues to utilize, which seems to connect to the collective unconscious of both Human and Cylon. More evidence, perhaps, that he is the final Cylon after all.
In terms of Roslin herself, the discussions with Emily have actually led her to wonder if Baltar is not as nutty as he seems. Given her absolute disgust with Baltar and distrust in every word that comes out of his mouth, it’s realistic for something like this, a confrontation with her apparently inevitable fate, to consider his words outside of that context. It would be a stunning turn of events if Roslin were to admit, on any level, that Baltar is right. Then again, with a basestar full of Cylons coming to visit, she’ll likely have other things on her mind.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 3/4
Final Rating: 9/10
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05.05.08
Posted in Reviews at 10:45 pm by Administrator
Written by Mark Verheiden
Directed by Michael Rymer
It’s always difficult to review the first part of any multi-part story, because what may seem like a weakness or a plot hole could easily be resolved by the end of the tale. There’s precious little resolution to be found. Most of this episode is devoted to setting up the next turn in the season arc, now that the introductory elements have been put in place.
The title of the episode refers to the famous poem by Robert Frost, in which the road less traveled is the more difficult path, yet ultimately the more rewarding. It’s been a favorite literary metaphor in the arts (almost to the point of cliché), but there’s a reason it works so well. We all want to believe that making the hard effort will grant us the greatest reward. It happens so little in life that it’s cathartic to see it happen on the stage or screen.
In this case, the metaphor applies to three individuals, all at a crossroads: Kara Thrace, Galen Tyrol, and Gaius Baltar. The most obvious example is Kara and her search for Earth. Her “road less traveled” is through the disbelief and disloyalty of her crew; she must find a way to follow her instincts despite the roadblocks thrown in her path. It doesn’t help that the journey may require trusting the one Cylon that has been her personal nemesis: Leoben.
Leoben has always been touched by a certain mystical insight, and his avatar was used in “Maelstrom” to lead Kara into the abyss. In fact, that must be one reason why she’s willing to listen to what he says about her visions and destiny. She’s the only one with that knowledge, however, so her decisions seem completely unhinged. To some extent, they are, but her intersection with reality has been tenuous since her return anyway. Whatever the case, she has internal justification for trusting her instincts.
The interaction between Anders and Leoben is interesting in that Leoben doesn’t seem to recognize that Anders is actually one of the Final Five. Not counting D’Anna (since her model is still boxed), I would have expected Leoben to have some insight. On the other hand, Leoben’s model has been on Natalie’s side of the Cylon Civil War, so maybe he knows more than he’s letting on. It’s one of those apparent inconsistencies that will need to get cleared up before much longer.
Back on Galactica, Tyrol is not reacting well to his sudden free time. He’s still trying to get his bearings after recognizing his true nature, and Tigh and Tory have done little to help him find a purpose. He spends most of this episode resisting the urge to give Baltar’s message consideration, but it seems like a lost cause. It would be quite ironic if the newly revealed Cylons all wound up listening and following, overtly or covertly, Baltar’s message about God.
Baltar continues to follow his own difficult path as he begins to believe in the possibility of his own redemption. There are a couple of ways to interpret Baltar’s current arc, both of which would be equally valid based on the character to date. On one hand, Baltar could be living in the most complete example of self-delusion ever encountered. On the other hand, he could have started the journey as an opportunist and found something true and powerful within the message somewhere along the way.
The connective tissue in all cases is the impact that each individual could have on the Colonist society. Baltar’s cult is slowly but surely growing, and as conditions within the fleet continue to degrade, it could begin to catch on with more and more influential members of the government. If Tyrol, a public figure with a very public breakdown, joins the cause in a substantial way, that could be the beginning of the process. Should Kara’s “road less traveled” somehow produce something that ties into Baltar’s new philosophy, it could go ever further. I look forward to seeing if the conclusion of this particular story confirms this suspicion.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
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