Escape Velocity

Below is the latest episode of battlestar galactica. Interesting twists and turns lie ahead...

Battlestar Galactica
Season Four
Episode: Escape Velocity



Spoiler Alert!
-DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT IF YOU DON'T WANT THE PLOT TO BE RUINED FOR YOU



A couple of interesting things I noticed about this episode.

1. The Admiral took the backseat in this episode. He observed most of the developments, asked questions, and then witnessed change in all situations he was involved in. Even in the case of the demotion of Tryol, he made no decisions because Tryol forced him to do the obvious. All of the lesser characters moved the plot forward; i.e. The Sons of Aries, Tory, Tryol, Helen(cylon?), baltar's head six, and others. Perhaps his role for this episode was to observe and form conclusions concerning the crew and fellow officers which will be important to decisions made later, perhaps.

2. Baltar's head six lied to him. Remember when she said that if he walked forward he would be unharmed, well that was clearly untrue. Also, when she was refering to Baltar becomeing god-like himself for taking on the old gods she appeared to be trying to appeal to Baltar's power lusting side. Her forcing of Baltar to move forward and her lies, her lie, and her line concerning the possible godlike nature of Gaius casts doubt on the idea that she may be an emmisary from god. If we remember how in a past episode, where Baltar was on the basestar with six, how six explained that cylons can choose to see whatever they want and that six always preached monotheism to Baltar then I can say that my best explanations for the head cylons is that they are either cylon visions (suggesting that Baltar is a cylon) or that they are flawed emissaries from a supernatural power(s).

If the first is true then this monotheistic religon is a product of cylon thought and could be a way of causing conflict within the fleet, as is occuring in the cylon fleet. If the second is true then there god has sent flawed emissaries to interact with individuals in order to bring it's plans to fruition. (maybe there the bsg monotheistic version of demons?)

3. Cali did not commit suicide. We all know this, Tory knows this, heck even the kid saw it... but the chief doesnt. I wonder if this is setting up tension for another subplot: "what would the chief do if he found out tory murdered her?" Either try to exact revenge, or thank her. After all he is still in love with Boomer who is now in some creepy relationship with a model type one. I can only imagine that he would find out if Tory told him or Cali is the fifth final cylon, but since cylons cant make babies and they have a son Cali isnt the fifth cylon. Therefore, unless there was evidence left behind or Tory tells him what she did; it looks like this was just a way to kill off the wife to allow the chief more independence as a character. Besides, I don't think this show has room for anymore unanswered subplots.

4. I still think the most likely person to be the final fifth cylon is helen. She is still important to the plot since Saul saw her in the place of the six in the brig and she keeps being brought up. The reaccurances are offly persuasive.

My favorite part of the whole show is the exchange between Adama and Tyrol in the bar. The expression of raw emotions coupled with the unexpectedness of said emotions creates an attention grabbing moment that the audience can relate to on some level. The characters are flawed humans/cylons who deviate from the typical reactions to death that are all to often portrayed in film. This scene is refreshing and realistic on some levels(if you forget about the cylon part for a moment).


Adama:hey chief
we all miss her chief
I understand if you need some time off
or even if you need more shifts to keep yourself busy
no one knows how they're going to react to a lose like this or what they are going to need

Tyrol: I don't need special treatment

Adama: I guess she just couldn't take it, (pause) huh?
being married to a cylon
being the mother to a half-breed abomination

(chief looks over and realizes he imagined what was just said)

(Adama recieves a drink) thank you

she was a good woman (raises his glass to Tyrol and takes a sip then winces)

Tryol: If you really believed that you wouldn't have threatened her to stick her up against a bulkhead and shoot her.(pauses looking over)It's o.k. though, thought of doing it many times myself. Believe me.

Adama: Cheif its...

Tyrol: (interrupting)How many of us ended up with the people we really wanted to be with? who got stuck with the best of limited options. And why?(turns to Adama) because the ones we really wanted that really loved are dead, dying, turned out to be cylons and if Boomer (pauses and wispers) if i had known

Adama: listen listen lets go

Tyrol: (angrily) No No... No. I didn't know.

Adama: lets go home

Tryol: (shouts) I didn't know. So, I buried my head in the sand and I took it and I settled. I settled for that shriek. (forcefully) Those dull vacant eyes the boiled jabbed stench of her. (yelling) And why?? Because this is my life! This is the life I picked!! (everyone turn and fall silent) And its fine but you know what!? Its not!! I didn't pick this life!! (slams bar top) This is not my fraking life!!

Adama: (head cocked to the side and quietly says) What the hell's gotten into you? Don't do this. Don't do this to her memory.

Tyrol: (conversation level voice) You know what? I'm sorry if I'm not going to do this the way you want me to or the way you might. But I will not make an angel out of someone who wasn't an angel. (pauses staring into Adama's eyes) But, I can see you have. And, now you've come down here to be in my club, but your not in my club. You don't know what fraking club I'm in cause you never asked the right questions. (man in the back shakes his head)

Adama: Chief lets get out of here.

Tryol: No, why don't you go? Take care of your precious ship.

Adama: (interrupts) Stop it! Stop all of this. Cause if you don't I'm going to have to act on it so shut up.

Tyrol: (Yelling loudly) GREAT! Do it! Please! For the love of gods! Please demote me! Get me off your fraking ship! (everyone is watching)

Adama: Specialist Tryol, I want you off my hanger deck before you endanger another pilot. You're to report to petty officer Basin tommorow at oh-six-hundred for reassignmnet, do you understand? (Adama walks away and Tryol sits down to continue drinking as everyone slowly looks away)


Heavy stuff...