06.16.08
Posted in Reviews at 10:39 pm by Administrator
Written by Bradley Thompson and David Weddle
Directed by Michael Rymer
This episode takes everything since the third season finale and brings it to a fever pitch, tossing out several assumptions about the direction of the story in the process. In other words, it is exactly what the doctor ordered for a season that has been uneven at best. The more serialized structure of the season has not always worked to the series’ favor, but the fruits of such labor are indeed sweet.
I’m not sure if the season arc always included an early discovery of Earth, though it’s certainly possible. There was a great deal of concern just before the writers’ strike that the series would not return for the second half of the final season, and that this episode would be the end of the show. That makes me wonder if the arc was designed to bring the series to the doorstep of Earth, just in case the series came to an abrupt end (though some indications are that the final episode would have been the conclusion to the cliffhanger). After all, even if so many other mysteries remained unsolved, at least the journey could have ended just before that final scene, right?
Perhaps not. Because as celebratory as those first moments in Earth orbit were, the promise of 12 more episodes (thanks to a slight expansion to allow the finale to have necessary scope, ala “Lost”) tells us that there’s plenty of story left. And the final scene itself is a grim reminder of the “grass is always greener” principle. It fits the Galactica mythos rather well, for the ragtag fleet to find Earth, only to discover a nuclear wasteland instead of a homecoming.
Of course, it’s not that simple. That nuclear wasteland was giving off a Colonial beacon signal, and that nuclear wasteland apparently saved Starbuck, gave her a shiny new Viper, and knew how to send the signal by interconnecting it to the Cylon activation signal for the Final Five. The weather nuclear remains of New York City (or possibly the Temple of Aurora?) are a great cliffhanger, but also seem a ruse. Had the alliance found Earth without help, the state of the planet might have been a crushing blow, but there’s too much evidence that there’s much more to it.
The process of getting to that moment of revelation was some of the best material of the season. The tension hit a fever pitch, and the writers managed to convey the sense of chaos throughout the standoff. Ironically, despite setting himself apart from Roslin on several occasions, Lee seemed to resort to her brand of tactics when dealing with D’Anna’s gambit. It wasn’t necessarily wrong, but it was a calculated attempt to demonstrate his strength. At the same time, I’m not convinced that Roslin would have avoided the agreement with the Cylon Rebels that came after Kara’s moment of realization. And something tells me that alliance will be necessary, because the rest of the Cylons are still out there.
As everything seemed to smack heavily and messily into the fan over the course of the episode, the authentic character moments made it all work. Roslin seems committed to the path of truth, wherever it might lead, even when it means giving Baltar the chance to speak on their collective behalf. Adama’s reaction to Tigh’s confession was very well done. A number of character reactions to the unveiling of the four new Cylons were postponed by the jump to Earth, but they will most certainly be coming.
There are some serious issues to be resolved in the second half of the season. First and foremost, there is the revelation of the final Cylon, which should be interesting, to say the least. D’Anna specifically said that the final Cylon was not with the fleet at the top of the episode, and at that point, a number of very important characters (notably Adama, Roslin, and Baltar) were all on the basestar. It plays into the notion (at this point, very well supported) that Baltar is the final Cylon. But I still think it would be too obvious to take that direction. Wouldn’t it be a huge moment to discover that Leoben was right all the way back in the first season, and Adama really has been a Cylon? It would play into the theory that both Humans and Cylons were meant to come to this mutual moment of transition.
The arrival on Earth will eventually tie into Kara’s visions and her resurrection, just as this mysterious signal from the ruins of Earth is connected to everything that has happened since the beginning of the series. I’m left with the notion that the signal is not, in fact, a Colonial signal per se, just as the activation of the Final Five was not typical. The signal may tailor itself to certain individuals in a certain way, with the signal intensifying at the various markers along the path. For some, it may be visions. To others, it may be music. To Kara’s special viper, it may be a Colonial beacon. And it could be something automatic, something meant to draw the rest of Humanity and its children to the memory of Earth. (In fact, it’s possible that the idea is for both Humans and Cylons to see the ruins of Earth and choose a different path, ala “Babylon 5”.)
There’s also two other small matters. Roslin wasn’t supposed to live long enough to get the fleet to Earth, and there’s no other leader who died along the way who would fit the profile. So is it possible that the Earth that was found is not, in fact, Earth? From the visible land masses, it’s hard to say for sure. But after tossing that prophecy out so many times, the writers will need to close that loop. There’s also the continuing threat from the rest of the Cylon fleet. It’s hard to imagine that those models would just choose to live and let live.
The bottom line is that there’s plenty of story still left to be told; the only question is when the Sci-Fi Channel will allow it to air. Current estimates give the beginning of the final 12 episodes around the first quarter of 2009, which probably means March 2009, given how the network parses words. In effect, it’s the same wait that “Lost” fans are currently enduring, and far less annoying than the long hiatus of shows like “24”. We can blame the writers’ strike, but this is all about the network and their need to string out their one non-reality critical hit as long as possible.
In the meantime, there will be “Caprica” and perhaps another “Battlestar Galactica” TV-movie, similar to “Razor” last November. It will be a long wait, but at this point, I’m happy just to know that the series will come to a definitive and creator-driven end. Much like “Lost”, the establishment of an endgame scenario long before the writing of the finale is just what the doctor ordered.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 4/4
Final Rating: 10/10
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06.09.08
Posted in Reviews at 10:13 pm by Administrator
Written by Jane Espenson
Directed by Paul Edwards
All things considered, the previous episode was poorly received by the majority of the fans, with many elements considered over the top or simply out of character. This episode is equally challenging, but the forward momentum of events and the improvement in characterization should help overcome the oddities of the format.
Covering roughly the same period of time as the previous episode, the focus of the story is on the Human-Cylon Rebel alliance and Roslin’s personal journey. The alliance was never going to be an easy sell, and the sudden jump away from the fleet and Natalie’s reported death make things a lot worse. Roslin, still operating in “survival at any cost” mode, wants to take down the resurrection hub, grab D’Anna, and grill her for information before letting the Cylon Rebels see her. What that might cost anyone else is simply not her problem.
Except, of course, that every time the basestar jumps, Roslin finds herself having visions of her own death, with a bit of scathing commentary from Elosha, the priestess who previously helped Roslin with matter of faith and who was killed in “Home: Part I”. Elosha chastises Roslin for losing sight of her own humanity, in turn threatening the survival of the species. The implication is that her decisions could risk everyone around her because she has lost the ability to care about anyone else. This, in effect, makes it impossible to see what is best for those in her charge.
It may seem a reach, but this ties back into one of the ongoing themes of the series, introduced right back in the miniseries. One important question has always been: is Humanity worthy of survival? Have they sown the instrument of their own destruction because they deserve to be destroyed? The argument for Roslin is that her methods and choices undermine any argument for Humanity’s continuance.
From a certain point of view, this has already been demonstrated. Destroying the hub and leveling the playing field wouldn’t have been possible without Adama’s decision to trust Kara, something Roslin vehemently opposed. Roslin has often been stubborn, and to some extent, Adama’s conversion to her side over the course of the series has given her a sense of superior entitlement. One can only imagine what her reaction will be to Lee’s position when she returns. (A turn of events that, at this point, seems to have been incredibly preemptive. since the appointment was decided in two days!)
Elosha’s message was a simple one: Roslin needs to find a psychological and emotional lifeline to keep her humanity intact. Her understanding and resolve is put to the test when Baltar, in a dubious plot twist, reveals his guilt over his role in the destruction of the colonies. Roslin’s first reaction is to let Baltar bleed out and die for his monumental crime against humanity. Elosha guides her differently: with the survival of Humanity at stake, every life is worthy to be saved.
I’m not sure I believe that Roslin would convert so quickly, in a sudden panic to save Baltar’s life, but it does represent a small turning point. She still betrays the alliance with the Cylon Rebels, but she saves Baltar’s life. It’s a foregone conclusion that his survival, perhaps in tandem with his conversation with the Centurion, will be an important piece of the resolution puzzle.
And while the process wasn’t necessarily pretty, it’s the final step for Roslin and Adama’s relationship. Watching the final moments of the episode, I was reminded of the political and personal tension between Roslin and Adama in the first season. This episode harkens back to “Resurrection Ship: Part II” on several levels (the circumstances of the battle, the discussion on why Humanity should survive, etc.), and that was a huge turning point for the two of them. In that respect, this episode gives us a sense that the journey really is coming to an end.
I liked the return of D’Anna, who has defied any attempt to make her little more than a pawn in the game now that things have changed, and I like the idea that Humans and Cylons are now more similar than ever. It continues to point to the possibility of the two species merging for survival. Elosha’s presence seems to indicate that the connections to prophecy continue to be meaningful, and recent visions and prophecies have been in line with the concept of a combined future.
I must also give kudos to Bear McCreary for the score, especially during the impressive battle scenes, and similarly, the effects team. I recently made a belated switch to HD and this episode was visually stunning. It’s good to have an episode where the underlying drama rivals the presentation. With the season hitting a lengthy hiatus after the next episode, I can only hope that the momentum continues in the right direction.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
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06.02.08
Posted in Reviews at 11:55 pm by Administrator
Written by Michael Taylor
Directed by Rod Hardy
Now that the introductory phase is well and truly over, complication must inevitably settle in, tossing pieces around the board in a seemingly random fashion. One problem with a deeply serialized format, particularly when a roadmap to resolution has been set, is filling in the blanks in sufficient depth. Motivations need to be established, and they must be tenable.
This episode, on the surface, is a bit boring and pretentious, and there will be a number of fans declaring it “horrible” or “filler” as a result. Some of that is a reaction to the approach, not the content. The content itself is grounded convincingly in the continuity of the series, even in instances where it doesn’t seem to be the case.
Zarek has always been a dangerous figure, a political rival to Roslin with complex subversive motives. This makes him a fun character to have around, but in realistic terms, not someone that should necessarily be in the presidential role. It’s not surprising that Adama would stonewall Zarek and push him out of favor, denying the Quorum any cooperation while he stands in Roslin’s place. What is surprising is how well Zarek takes that opposition.
Perhaps Zarek saw where the wind was blowing, and recognized that he would have someone more pliant to his manipulations in Lee Adama. I noted in an earlier review that Zarek seemed to be grooming Lee for this role, and sure enough, now he’s President Adama. His entire personality fits into the prototypical and idealistic notion of what a president should be, after all, and the writers spend a great deal of time making that case.
Oddly, they use Romo Lampkin as the messenger to the audience, and for the most part, it works. Lampkin was an interesting mentor to Lee already, so why not continue in that fashion? He’s also a bit mad, so there’s always a question of where the demented brilliance ends and the madness begins. The bit with the cat doesn’t quite add up, but it does play well with Lampkin’s style of manipulation. Forcing Lee to recognize and justify his fitness as president under gunpoint doesn’t seem all that outlandish for him!
So generally speaking, while Lee continues to be a bland character (even when striking a supermodel pose in red civilian threads), his character progression fits what has come before. The same is true for Adama, though the writers seem to take his personal quest to retrieve Roslin over the line of rationality.
That Adama would risk everything, including the fleet, to find someone he loves is not in question. This is the same Adama who would not give up on Kara in “You Can’t Go Home Again”, and that Adama will do nearly anything. It’s incredibly dangerous to have a military commander with such attachments, but under the circumstances, other options simply don’t exist. Which is why, in the end, it’s so interesting to think of Adama setting forth on this personal quest. He continues to risk, but he’s decided not to risk everyone else in the process.
Of course, that’s from his point of view; in reality, he’s just placed a Cylon in control of the entire fleet (and one with an admitted history of bad command decisions). Things seem on the verge of going horribly, horribly wrong without Roslin and Adama at the helm, and yet that may be deceptive. Lee is far more likely to listen when it comes to the idea of accord with the Cylons, and this new responsibility might finally push Tigh out of his post-revelatory funk.
That said, did Adama need to resign to make this story work? I’m not sure that it was necessary, because he could have placed Tigh in charge without the additional drama. Much like the over-the-top farewell for Lee earlier in the season, it seems like the writers elected to skip the subdued approach and went for the overkill. It was particularly odd with respect to their previous argument (and fistfight) regarding Caprica Six.
Tigh’s relationship with Caprica Six continues to be an odd plot point. I’m not sure that I’m sold on the idea just yet, but it’s clear that this situation is meant to distinguish the known Cylons from the Final Five in a fundamental way. This must be true, because the known Cylons were unable to reproduce; that was one key component of why they had to keep some of Humanity alive. Without that factor, the Cylons could feel justified in wiping out the rest of the Colonials.
On the other hand, if my theory regarding the origins of the Final Five are correct, then Tigh’s ability to impregnate Caprica Six makes sense. According to the theory, the Final Five are more software than hardware, a kind of genetic meme seeded within Humanity in each new turn of the wheel. If so, then Tigh has the right biology, since he is effective what is meant to be created. (This also means that the Final Five could, potentially, have origins older than the previous cycle.)
The main issue with this episode is not necessarily what happens, but how far the writers went to justify those choices. I personally think they oversold some of the plot turns, making them feel forced and unnatural, where a more subtle approach would have been in keeping with what has been seen. With this being the final season, and with expectations so high, maybe it’s a product of a desire to make every moment count.
Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Final Rating: 6/10
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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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04.29.08
Posted in Reviews at 12:14 am by Administrator
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
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04.21.08
Posted in Reviews at 10:18 pm by Administrator
Written by Michael Taylor
Directed by Michael Nankin
When a series is working towards a pre-determined end date, the production staff has a tendency to look towards less conventional storytelling. After all, the opportunities for creative expression are fewer and fewer with each passing week. Doing something unusual is pretty much a “now or never” proposition.
This is mostly applicable to the scenes related to Cally and her state of mind. The camera work is designed to communicate her psychological state, particularly the mixture of antidepressants and sleep depravation. Because this dominates the episode, given her eventual death, the effectiveness of the unusual technique is tied directly to the success of the episode. For my part, I thought it was a bit forced.
Similarly, I had some issue with Cally’s mindset that it might be all right for Tyrol to hit her, because then at least she’d know that he felt something towards her. Even if it has already been established as something she might believe (after the events of “Crossroads”, in particular), it’s not something that necessarily needed to be reinforced. Tyrol’s savage beating of Cally, followed by their relationship and marriage, was always a sore spot for me.
It’s troubling, then, to see similar logic now applied to the Sam/Kara relationship. Granted, Kara is in a deeply disturbing psychological state, but it’s the effect of her status as visionary and prophet. Pushing Anders to his limits, hoping he’ll lose control and take her along for the ride, just doesn’t feel right. Then again, everything about Kara since her return has been confusing and contradictory.
Speaking of Kara’s current role, now that Kara’s visions are emerging, other astronomical evidence is beginning to suggest that Earth is not far away at all. The gas giant in Kara’s memory looked suspiciously like Jupiter (tying into the “Eye of Jupiter” reference rather nicely), and in two instances, the constellation of Orion was plainly visible in its familiar configuration, which is only visible from Earth’s general location!
So the fleet should actually be very close to the end goal now. In fact, based on the map acquired in “Home”, they should be able to figure out the right coordinates. They know where the nebula in the Sagittarius Cluster is located on the “Home” map, and the star field probably included the constellation of Orion. All they should have to do now is find the Gemini part of the “Home” map and plot a course. It should be fairly easy.
Of course, at the same time, ever since finding the Ionian Nebula, Roslin has been resisting a number of actions that could complete the exodus to Earth. Not only that, but as seen in the surprisingly entertaining Quorum scenes in this episode, Roslin has been slowly but surely consolidating power and authority. Zarek is concerned, despite feeling that Roslin has her heart in the right place.
Lee might be advised to question both motives: Zarek could be supportive to Roslin in the hopes of taking her place when she dies. It certainly would make sense for Zarek to take Lee under his wing and secure a political ally. Roslin’s motives, however, are more elusive. If the fleet is really as close to Earth as it seems, could she be subconsciously trying to point them in the wrong direction? I’m waiting for the one solid moment that will point to Roslin acting out of character.
That moment came for Tory in this episode, and it has ruffled some feathers. The writers clearly had something in mind for each of the four new Cylons, in terms of how they would react. Tigh is still pushing for everyone to act normally, and Tyrol is trying to maintain a sense of balance (and clearly losing the battle). Anders is dealing more with his identity with his relationship to Kara to change in any other way.
That leaves Tory, the one with the least complicated background, to be the recently-emergent Cylon with a calculated edge. In this episode, she seems to revel in the opportunity to be more than the simple aide to Roslin that she’s been. She sees Cally as a problem, recognizes Nicky as something important, and she acts accordingly to resolve the issue. I wouldn’t call it evil, but she’s certainly no longer thinking and acting out of purely human concerns.
If all characters are created equal, then it’s not really a problem for Tory to take this direction. After all, she is the only one of the four newly-revealed Cylons without a massive history. But on top of Cally’s death, this is another female character (and one of color, for that matter) to take a negative turn. And that’s in addition to Kara’s mental breakdown and Roslin’s health issues. And of course, there’s also the Cylon situation. In the latest round of the now heated Cylon Civil War, the male Cylons effectively wiped out a huge chunk of the female Cylons. The writers might consider striking a balance before much longer.
The Cylon Civil War serves to keep the Cylon fleet away from the Colonial fleet for a time, but it also weakens the Cylons enough that their numbers might be too low to annihilate the Colonials. That, in conjunction with the intervention of the Final Five, could bring about the circumstances of the series’ conclusion. Boomer is clearly an important part of the equation, and I suspect that the severity of the current conflict may be her doing.
Ultimately, despite the high profile death at the end of the episode, this episode felt like it was missing something. Maybe it was my dissatisfaction with the style choice with Cally’s perspective, or my distaste for some of the psychology at play. Generally speaking, I like where the story is heading, but this was not how I would have preferred to get there.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 0/4
Final Rating: 6/10
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04.14.08
Posted in Reviews at 11:42 pm by Administrator
Written by Michael Angeli
Directed by Anthony Hemingway
At the end of the second season, I was personally disappointed in the episode “Downloaded”, because it represented a moment of transition for the Cylons without the necessary context. Caprica Six and Boomer decided to change the Cylon philosophy towards Humanity, and this was depicted as a deviation from The Plan. Unfortunately, The Plan was shrouded in mystery, so it was hard to recognize the extent and depth of what was coming.
This episode has a similar shift, but the writers took the time in previous episodes to set the stage for the schism. Everything since New Caprica has been prologue to the revelation of the “Final Five” and the effect on the Cylon as a whole. The boxing of the Threes permits stalemate. The current Six revolution (led by “Natalie”) is most interesting because it facilitates the transformation of Cylon culture.
It suggests, very strongly, that the Raiders and Centurions were operating under complete programming restraint to follow the will of the seven known humaniform models. After all, previously, those seven models were essentially in lockstep. Now, the emergence of the Final Five could have triggered the Raiders towards free will, and now the Centurions have been given the same. They want to understand their origins as well.
This again plays into the idea of a possible ancient origin to the Cylon within certain Human genetic bloodlines, supporting the “cyclic mergence” theory. It’s known that the humaniform Cylons can breed, so odds are good that the children can breed. The Cylons of the First Cylon War were all robotic. Why, then, would they designate twelve models above and apart from the robotic and cyborg types? Why would seven of them be aware of each other, but the other five not be? Is it possible that the Cylons only created seven models, but were programmed to know that five others existed somewhere else?
That said, Cavil’s decision to break the deadlock with Boomer shouldn’t have led so directly to the decision by Natalie to start a revolution. She never presented a firm challenge to Boomer’s right to a vote. After all, if Cavil began with the precedence of it, Natalie could have easily demanded that all versions of every model should be given an equal voice. Or she could have demanded that Boomer’s right to vote independently be justified or debated. Whatever the case, it seemed more like a plot convenience than a logical progression.
Back on Galactica, the story is less active. Lee officially departs to his new job as a member of the Quorum of Twelve. This positions him rather well to be Roslin’s potential successor, since her health continues to decline. Given his early association with her, this would be fitting. In contrast to the obvious conclusion that Kara Thrace is a Cylon, this change in Lee’s status makes him the perfect candidate. If nothing else, it would certainly make his comment about Zak in the premiere a case of clever foreshadowing. It would also put him in the perfect position to facilitate a Human/Cylon accord.
All that said, his departure felt interminable. No less than three scenes covered the necessary emotional requirements. Everything was taken care of in the final scene, rendering the scenes in the rec room and the ready room a bit moot. It felt like the writers needed something to fill the time, and they pushed for sentimentality. (The time might have been better spent on Racetrack and her game of Strip Triad; Leah Cairns in civvies would be more than worth it!)
Despite the rift that it threatens to create between Adama and Roslin, there was little question that Adama would ultimately throw his support behind Kara’s claims regarding Earth. Not full support, of course, because that would be incredibly foolish, but enough to get the job done. I suspect that this will eventually put her in contact with Cylons of similar vision, though that is obviously nothing but speculation.
The final item of significance is Baltar’s new relationship with Tory. It begins as subterfuge, but I suspect it will turn into a significant plot point. The writers again went with over-convenience by giving Baltar just the right metaphor to use with Tory, but the presence of Head!Baltar made up for some of the disappointment. Is that Head!Six messing with Baltar’s mind, or has his own subconscious manifested in a new and disturbing form?
The end result is an episode that is a bit slower than the premiere, and given that it was essentially the resolution of a cliffhanger, it felt like something was missing. The potential for a true Cylon civil war has potential, but the events on Galactica could have been equally explosive. Instead, they were more of an emotional counterpoint, and that may not have been enough.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Final Rating: 7/10
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04.08.08
Posted in Reviews at 12:38 am by Administrator
Written by Bradley Thompson and David Weddle
Directed by Michael Rymer
It’s been nearly a year since the end of the third season, and after such a long wait, it shouldn’t be surprising that the audience would have high expectations. In fact, those expectations were nothing but heightened after the taste provided by “Razor” in November. It’s practically a given that this episode failed to meet those lofty desires, but that may prove to be a good thing.
For some, the third season finale was all about throwing everything and anything against the wall, seeing the patterns that formed when it congealed, and using that as the roadmap to the series’ conclusion. On the other hand, it also felt like a finale that was meant to shock the system, reinvigorating it towards the goal of a more frantic finish.
Three major items dominate this episode, all of them focusing on matters of faith. The Baltar situation is the most straightforward. Baltar finds himself among a small group of monotheists who consider him to be a prophet, even a savior. The fact that they are mostly young, attractive women does not escape his notice, and does take advantage of his new opportunities. Yet very quickly, his perspective turns more serious.
Baltar is brought a young child with a deadly illness, in the hopes that his prayers might save him. This leads him to a rare moment of honest self-reflection. He admits his own failing, his own weaknesses, and offers himself in place of the boy. It’s not something that Baltar would have done in the beginning of the series. Shortly thereafter, during an attempt on his life, he is ready and willing to die in payment for his sins. Part of that is self-pity and guilt, but it does make one wonder if Baltar might become someone worthy of the adoration his harem provides. (Though I could easily see his most violent protector becoming a problem before much longer.)
Second, we have the situation with the four newly revealed Cylons. All of them are in a position of trust within the fleet, and in the face of Kara’s return, none of them are suspected. Ironically, Anders effectively saves the fleet when a Raider seems to scan and recognize him. (This brings up an interesting point; are the more “primitive” Raiders more aware of the hidden Five than the humaniform models?). Tigh and Tyrol both reaffirm their own humanity on a constant basis, even as they all fear taking action against their apparent WILL.
What makes this interesting is the callback to the first season, when Boomer was caught between suspicions about her true nature, her programming, and her humanity. Not only does the audience know that she failed to overcome that programming, but we’ve seen Athena successfully chart her own course (at least, it appears to be so). Now we have the same situation but amplified by a factor of four, and with a more profound effect on the Cylons themselves.
The third and final aspect is directly related to Kara Thrace and her return from apparent death. Clearly she wants Adama to believe in her, but pragmatism is getting in the way. Also, the circumstances of her return are questionable at best, and given justified fleet paranoia, grounds for exactly the treatment she’s given. In her nearly-religious assurance, she’s completely dismissing everyone else’s perspective.
Which is not to say that she’s wrong, because it’s far more interesting if she’s absolutely right. Kara’s bloodhound psychic alarms are remarkably similar to Roslin’s reaction upon the fleet’s arrival in the Ionian Nebula. Roslin’s reaction was preceded by visions shared with Caprica Six. One could speculate that the “activation” of the four of the Final Five at the exact same time was a meaningful correlation.
In my comments for “Razor”, I noted that the prophesies regarding Kara Thrace and her role in the destruction of Humanity may have been easily misinterpreted. What if Kara is meant to bring about the end of both the Human and Cylon races as they are, by bringing them together based on a common legacy? After all, in “Eye of Jupiter” and “Rapture”, the Temple of Five was built by Humans over 4000 years earlier.
One theory I’ve had for some time is that every “cycle” of the story begins with Human and Cylon separate and at war, and ends with the two races merging into one species. They recover to the point of sending out colonists. The colonists struggle to find their own identity while the “originals” continue to evolve. The colonists are seeded with the genetic material necessary to survive the next cycle, while the “originals” help both of their “children” to find their way.
So by this theory, the Final Five are not constructed Cylons in the sense of the seven humaniform models, but rather, genetic Cylons: Humans embedded with ancient Cylon DNA. Tigh, Tyrol, Anders, and Tori would not have false memories of their lives because they truly lived them. They are Human, but a part of them is also Cylon.
Also by this theory, Kara would have been saved by the previous cycle’s “humans”, those now on Earth, so she could lead the fleet home. They would have been able to give her a new Viper and the sense of where to lead the fleet. It’s possible that Roslin is equally “attuned” because of her use of the kamalla drug. On the other side of the equation, the Cylons may also be following such instructions through the guidance of the “hybrids” and Cylons like D’Anna and Caprica Six.
Of course, all of that speculation may be wrong, and that is the allure of the final season. This is the season where the answers should finally be forthcoming (albeit in chunks, thanks to the writers’ strike and Sci-Fi Channel scheduling), and there will certainly be unexpected twists and turns. However, I do feel that the foundation has been laid in the previous seasons, and it all comes down to a matter of context. This episode is just the first step in that process.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
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