After a stint of Starbuck and Apollo focused episodes (with plenty of sweet original series’ references), we return to some great character moments with our next 3 episodes. Reminder: if you’re on the Tigh Maneuver, these are the three episodes you should be watching this week!!
Litmus
Remember last week when I said Battlestar would start pulling details from previous episodes in a slow build? This episode encapsulates that technique well. We get a great resolution of sorts with Chief and Boomer’s relationship as it’s thoroughly tested by the investigation on Galactica’s recent security mishaps. It’s a fine example of how Ronald D. Moore and David Eick could straddle the desires of network executives and the structural needs of the show.
Doral’s suicide attempt inevitably draws comparisons to terrorist bombings that US military and coalition troops experienced in Iraq/Afghanistan. Our fictional fleet is forced to deal with not knowing who to trust in the way that troops had to make quick, snap decisions about who may potentially hurt them (in the populace they were and are still interacting with). This episode doesn’t provide a complete rebuke of the “War on Terror” fear-mongering that was prevalent in the Bush administration days, but it starts to plant the paranoia bug in a similar way to Joseph McCarthy’s communist hearings in the 1950s. This won’t be the last time we tackle the conversation on oppressor / oppressed (e.g. just give it one episode)
For those wondering, my episode recap will dive into a bit more of the military procedure that was used here (independent tribunals/investigations) and any additionally relevant military traditions.
Also, I love Helo a lot, but this episode is unfortunately one of the dumber moments in his arc with Sharon. It’s great he’s falling in love with her (and this develops into one of the better relationships in the show), but some of the decisions here have never added up for me (and only get more exasperating in the next episode).
Easter egg: we get our second Firefly nod in the series in this episode, see if you can spot “the hero they call Jayne”. (I’ll give the correct answer in the episode recap)
Six Degrees of Separation
This episode makes it hard for long-time viewers of BSG to stay quiet because we already know how or have our own ideas about Baltar’s Cylon counterpart. However, we can’t say much or we’ll spill the intricate beans that Moore and Eick crafted over 4 seasons. I will say this much: Don’t try to make definitive statements about her existence or lack there of after this one, you’ll only confuse yourself more. It’s a great episode to come back and watch after you’ve made it to the end. We also get to see a sillier side to the Galactica crew and the overall writing here, without getting ridiculous (which is a great test of the waters before “Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down” next week)
Here’s a question you should be asking yourself and doesn’t spoil anything: Who is the God that Baltar’s cylon counterpart talking about? Is it one of Kobol gods? The Cylon god? Something else we haven’t encountered or heard reference to yet? And how much do you believe in or give stock to this deity? Even as a atheist, I still find these story lines intriguing because I can still practice my skepticism and dissect how these characters find evidence of a higher being and would that stand up to my standards?
Also more aforementioned Helo dumbness; for the life of me, can none of the men in this series see the Cylon glowing red backs when their having…umm…relations…
Flesh and Bone
Ooof, and we’re back to terrorism!! Joking aside, if you wanted a stunningly accurate rebuke of investigation techniques, this is the episode for you. Sidelined from her injuries in “You Can’t Go Home Again”, Kara has to take on the role of interrogator against an opponent that knows her pretty well, Leoben.
Mixed feelings: I have never been completely comfortable with Kara and Leoben’s relationship. While it’s intriguing in this episode and the final season, there’s some weirdness to their dynamic in seasons 3 that has always been unsettling to me. I’ve always thought that was partially the point: Leoben is creepy, his ability to get under your skin, read your next move should be unsettling, but it goes to some terrible places later. I’ll tackle that more, but just wanted to get my impressions out there now.
Future predictions: If you want to make some accurate guesses for where the series is headed, it’s important you don’t dismiss the religious symbology that continues in this episode. Lots of fans overlooked these moments and it’s purposely building to a point, I promise.
Extra Resource:
I know you love reading what I have to say on the show (I mean why else are you here, the free cylon-shaped cookies?) but there’s a fantastic podcast hosted by none other than Caprica Six herself, Tricia Helfer, and veteran podcaster and SyFy writer, Marc Bernadin on the SyFy website that you can listen to in addition to all the great articles that we’re producing on Nerd Union. Go check it out whenever you want here!