Season 1, Episode 11

Battlestar Galactica: Colonial Day

Synopsis

Colonial Day is the anniversary of the signing of the Articles of Colonization. Roslin has formed a new Quorom of Twelve, a legislative branch - of which the former criminal Tom Zarek is part of. Meanwhile, an unnamed assassin prepares a gun.

Starbuck and Lee relax in a garden on the ship Cloud 9. It has an imitation garden and sunshine, assigned to protect politicians. Someone walks through the garden carrying a black suitcase. People gather in the Cloud Nine ballroom. A passer by yells “murderer” at Zarek, a reference to his terrorist past.

Six tells Baltar, bored by the speeches, that a female reporter has been eying him. On the floor, Zarek says a vice president should be elected. Six orders Baltar to second this idea. Roslin is shocked as a Virgon representative nominates Zarek as a candidate.

Back at Colonial One, Roslin is very displeased, and offers up her assistant Wallace Gray as a candidate.

Reporters interview Zarek, who says the fleet needs capitalism and change. At a bar, Lee gets into a fight with some Zarek supporters. Starbuck rushes to his aid. In the tussle, the assassin’s suitcase is knocked over, and a gun falls out. Starbuck and Lee interrogate the assassin (Valance) on his ties to Zarek.

Ellen shares a drink with Zarek, trying to find a place for Tigh in a Zarek-led future. Meanwhile, Valance is found dead. Roslin believes Zarek somehow had him killed.

Meawhile, Baltar comes off surprisingly well in an interview. Roslin asks Wallace to step away from the candidacy and asks Baltar to take his place. The Quorom of Twelve votes, and Baltar is elected vice president.

At the celebration, Lee is surprised to see Starbuck in a dress. Zarek tells Roslin that he’ll win during the inevitable presidential election. He says he didn’t kill Valence, leaving Roslin to wonder who did. Ellen dances with Tigh, saying she wants him to meet some people concerning his future.

Back on Caprica, Helo and Sharon watch a city with Cylon ships lifting off. They contemplate the futility of infiltrating the city. Helo wonders why he saw two Number 6s, and wonders if Cylons are cloning people now look like humans. He concludes that 6 is a Cylon.

Later, from a precipice, Sharon and Helo see two number 6s with a Sharon model. Stunned, Helo realizes that Sharon, whom he has fallen in love with, is actually a Cylon. He runs away with Sharon close behind.

Thoughts

In this episode, the tone shifts to politics. Roslin leans toward cheating in order to maintain power. Baltar slowly moves up the ranks, partly at the hands of Six as part of a Cylon plan. Meanwhile, on Caprica Helo finally learns that Sharon is a Cylon.

Overall, the episode feels rather incomplete, rather like chess pieces moving into position for the season’s last two episodes.

Next Episode: Kobol’s Last Gleaming (1)
Previous Episode: The Hand Of God

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