Battlestar Galactica: Downloaded

April 29th, 2008

Season 2, Episode 18

Synopsis

This episode is told from the point of view of two Cylons back on Caprica, the Six model that fell in love with Baltar and died in initial nuclear attack (Caprica Six) and Boomer who died at the hands of Callie on the Galactica. We see what it’s like for a Cylon to be resurrected, their consciousness “downloaded” into a new body soaking a vat, observed by other Cylons.

On Caprica, Caprica Six has visions of “Head Baltar.” Number Three tells her that Boomer is having trouble re-integrating after her resurrection and needs their help.

Caprica Six finds Boomer dressed like a Galactica crew member and living in her old apartment. She says she really loved the Galactica crew and hates her Cylon nature. Head Baltar tells Caprica Six to say she can relate. Six says she met a man (Baltar) while undercover and fell in love. Boomer tells Caprica Six that Baltar has become the colonial vice president.

Meanwhile, Anders and the resistance set up a bomb in a parking garage beneath a Cylon cafe.

In the cafe, Caprica Six wonders why Number Three didn’t tell her Baltar was still alive. They decide that Boomer should move out of her apartment. They get up to leave just as the bomb explodes. Three and Boomer lift rubble off of Caprica Six, who is badly wounded.

Amongst the debris, they find Anders. Three wants to kill him. Boomer sees Starbuck’s dog tags on Anders. Three tells her that Starbuck was on Caprica a few weeks ago.

Boomer and Six decide to kill Three and set Anders free. Six crushes Three’s head with a rock and tell Anders to run, just as other Cylons dig through the rubble to free them. Anders is disturbed, and grabs Starbuck’s dog tags as he runs away.

On Galactica, Athena and Helo’s baby is born. Roslin and Adama decide to take the hybrid baby and hide it among the fleet. Doc Cottle tells Athena and Helo that the baby has died. Sharon believes her baby was murdered and tries to choke Doc Cottle. Meanwhile, the baby is secretly given to a young mother whom Roslin tells this adoption must remain completely anonymous.

Thoughts

This was a very neat flip-around to tell a story from the Cylon point of view, and particular, amusing details like Caprica 6 guided by an imagined version of Baltar. The Cylons can be “damaged” from their contact with humans, becoming conflicted about what it means to be a Cylon. The confusion seen in this episode eventually leads to the Cylon civil war that is fast developing in season four.

Next Episode: Lay Down Your Burdens (1)
Previous Episode: The Captain’s Hand