BSG 4/25 recap- “Escape Velocity”
So here we go. Spoiler and all that below the fold.
- I wish I could summarize Ron Moore’s comments from the Podcast, but the podcasts aren’t up yet. Ron says scifi.com has them, though - except that scifi.com is having server problems. But the podcasts will be up as soon as those are resolved.
- Here is a great article on Salon.com that sums up everything about BSG so far. Great for newcomers, as well as a refresher for those who’ve forgotten it all during the long break between seasons.
- If you didn’t know already, Antrhax Guitarist Scott Ian has a semi-official blog on scifi.com. He even gets inside information from the show’s creators. For example, Aaron Douglas (the actor who plays Chief Tyrol) told Scott that ““It only gets worse my friend.
What we think Cally knew and didn’t know is explored over the next few eps with the Chief making little discoveries along the way. The final four Cylons are different from each other in the same way that humans are different from one another. We all have tendencies that manifest in various situations. The next couple of episodes contain a large arc for Tyrol. Callys death and some other things really come to a head.
Enjoy. They were a really tough shoot.”
Make of that what you will, based on tonight’s episode.
As for tonight’s episode:
- I think Tory is Satan, or at least a devil figure.
- “Well, that would imply we’re all perfect.” “Perfect just as we are.” That’s got to be an important exchange, especially since Baltar expresses that as his central truth at the end of the episode.
- Head Six is back, so she didn’t go away. My wife says she preferred Baltar talking to himself.
- “The old gods are fighting back.” Is that metaphorical or literal?
- Some people are arguing that Baltar is clearly becoming a Joseph Smith analogue. I think, based more on the idea that he’s preaching monotheism to a polytheistic society, Mohammed is a better fit. But that might be like saying New Caprica = Iraq. Baltar is likely a blend of several prophetic types.
- “We have 30,000 people left.” The population has gone way down. At this rate, only a dozen or so will be left alive by the end of the series.
- Perhaps Tyrol and Adama need to get in the boxing ring again.
- The subtext of Baltar’s speech and Adama’s book - somewhat heavy handed, IMHO.
- Tigh and Six are the new hot couple, apparently.
- From the next time preview, it looks like we’ll get more from Starbuck next week.
- Both Tigh and Tyrol had hallucinations this episode. No idea if that’s important or not.
Overall, This felt like a transition episode to me - it was a way for the creators to get several characters from point A to point B, so they can be in place for the final push to the end. Not the best episode this season, but better than several episodes from last season.
Thoughts?
I didn’t like last night’s episode. I thought Cally’s death would lead Tyrol to confess he’s a Cylon to Adama. After all we know how at least one Cylon is with the fleet.
The big question is whether Tigh’s ‘delusions’ are themselves evidence that Baltar is the final Cylon model. Ditto with Tyrol.
Comment by Clark — April 26, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
It would ruin Caprica Six’s “I learned to be human by falling in love with a human” thing. I hope it is not him. Wouldn’t make much sense to me. I think Baltar works better in a prophet role.
Did you see Baltar getting beat up? They showed him physically and literally getting lifted up by some unseen force. I think the writers are saying this is a real angel, not some delusion Baltar is having…
I agree it wasn’t the best overall episode. Kristen aptly said it: “I am getting sick of the constant close ups on bloody noses in that show”. I say amen to that.
Comment by Geoff J — April 26, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
It would ruin Caprica Six’s “I learned to be human by falling in love with a human†thing. I hope it is not him. Wouldn’t make much sense to me. I think Baltar works better in a prophet role.
Yes, but I thought Tyrol discovering he was Cyclon ruined his character arc. The whole thing about how he beat up Cally when he was afraid he was a Cylon and then how he came to peace with the idea he wasn’t - I thought that was a decent character arc. Now that he is a Cylon - whatever. I know some people found it wonderfully ironic, or whatever. It didn’t do much for me, anyway. I get the idea that they didn’t decide Tyrol was a Cylon until after that series of episodes.
Did you see Baltar getting beat up? They showed him physically and literally getting lifted up by some unseen force. I think the writers are saying this is a real angel, not some delusion Baltar is having…
I missed that, but my kids distracted me during that scene. If so, that’s a pretty cool reveal.
Comment by Ivan — April 26, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
I don’t think Baltar works as a Cylon. It’s interesting to see how the new four are all handling the Cylon reveal in different ways. Thanks for the wrap-up Ivan.
Comment by jjohnsen — April 26, 2008 @ 9:13 pm
Great ep. I think Baltar’s really becoming the messiah.
Comment by Supergenius — April 26, 2008 @ 11:42 pm
It was a bit cruel to allow us to compare Six with Mrs Tigh.
Comment by The Brit — April 27, 2008 @ 7:17 am
It is interesting to see the arc of tyrol. His history of a strong religious background, interpreting the signs in the temple, etc.
I like that the strongest leaders of the resistance on New Caprica are cylons. Puts a little twist on it.
Comment by ola senor — April 28, 2008 @ 11:51 am
That’s a good point. Makes one wonder who is programming all the Cylons. Clearly there is a plan behind the Cylons but we don’t know by whom or what. They put these sleepers on Earth.
I just hope the ending isn’t going to be totally ad hoc. i.e. did the Cylons plan to destroy Galactica or was it all a plan and they let Galactica go? Whatever happens better make sense given seasons 1 & 2.
Comment by Clark — April 28, 2008 @ 8:15 pm