Season 2, Episode 14

Battlestar Galactica: Black Market

Amazon Link

Synopsis

Lee is sleeping with Shevon, who has a young daughter, Paya. Roslin, Baltar, and Admiral Adama meet with Commander Fisk regarding a troubling black market for material items, with criminals taking excessive profits. Roslin in particular wants the market shut down.

Lee is still distraught by his recent near-death experience and a past lover on Caprica, even wondering if he deserved to survive the cataclysmic attack.

On Pegasus, Fisk is murdered by some criminals. Adama sends Lee to investigate. He searches Fisk’s quarters, uncovering a stash of expensive black market goods, including a bracelet saying “ET” (Ellen Tigh) and Baltar’s brand of cigar. Baltar says he gave Fisk the cigars as a negotiation gesture, while admits he traded Ellen’s bracelet for a few “necessities” - most likely alcohol.

Lee tells Adama and Tigh of Fisk’s involvement in the black market and he may have been bumped off for being greedy.

Dualla confronts Lee in the gym, asking if their earlier flirtation meant anything. Lee dodges the question.

While visiting Shevon, Lee is attacked by two thugs. A well-dressed man tells Lee to stop the investigation. When Lee comes to, Fisk’s kiler lies dead just outside Shevon’s room.

Roslin thanks Baltar for saving her life, but then asks him to resign the vice presidency. He declines.

Zarek comes by Shevon’s room and tells Lee that the black market is a necessary evil. He offers the name and location of the well-dressed man - Phelan, on the Prometheus. Zarek says the dead man offers a way out for Lee, as Fisk’s murderer.

Lee visits the Prometheus and finds trading of various contraband goods, including Paya and other children locked in a storeroom. Lee finds various men and escorts in a dimly lit bar. Phelan is there, along with several henchmen and Shevon, who is working as an escort for extra money. Phelan says the trade of these illicit goods is necessary. Lee says she wants Shevon and the girl freed, and the operation shut down. Phelan declines.

Lee grabs a guard’s gun and shoots Phelan. He then tells the henchmen that the black market will continue, but they must to draw the line at trading children. Emotionally distraught, Shevon breaks off her relationship with Lee.

Lee tells Roslin and Adama that Fisk’s killer was found and he will keep an eye on the black market trading. Roslin is unhappy that the market still exists. Lee says it cannot be eliminated and is a necessary evil - echoing Zarek and Phelan’s words.

Later in his quarters, Adama tells Lee that since his near death he’s been distant. He asks Lee about the lady he left behind on Caprica.

Thoughts

This is basically a murder-mystery, more appropriate for a crime show. While an amusing genre-crossing concept, I feel it doesn’t quite work, as Lee is put into the role of detective. It’s also a self-contained episode, and I tend to not like these in the context of the show.

There are also some odd continuity issues. We learn Lee has a lover named Shevon and a former love on Caprica. Neither have been mentioned in any previous episode. Shevon also eliminates herself as a love interest, adding to that self-contained episode feel.

I did like the economic implications of a civilian fleet with limited supplies. It’s logical that a black market would form, and also with the more seedy sides of human desire intertwined. It’s also to the show’s credit that they recognize the “necessary evil” of keeping this unsavory system alive, if only to keep the fleet from falling apart. People want what they want if only to stave off the feeling they have lost so much. That’s a great theme to explore; I just wish it were done in a different manner.

Next Episode: Scar
Previous Episode: Epiphanies

Read More Battlestar Galactica Articles at Webomatica: TV Shows!

Categories: Battlestar Galactica, Television :: Tags: :: Trackback URL
Front Page
Previous Post: Battlestar Galactica: Epiphanies
Next Post: 3G iPhone Rumors Heat Up
Related Posts: Battlestar Galactica: Scar :: Battlestar Galactica Site Hacked :: Battlestar Galactica: DVD Movie Plans :: Battlestar Galactica: Yep, Season 4 Is The Last ::