Season 4, Episode 5

Synopsis

Baltar continues to gain power and influence over a group of cult followers, while preaching a belief in one god. Chief - now sporting a shaved head - listens to Baltar’s sermon with distrust. Meanwhile, on the Demetrius, Starbuck finds Leoben aboard a damaged heavy raider and brings him aboard. The crew is not happy about this development and doubt grows about Starbuck’s leadership ability.

Thoughts

This episode felt odd to me, and I’m already losing some interest in this season. I did really enjoy Chief’s bald head - looking like Private Pyle from Full Metal Jacket, turning batty and contemplating suicide. I loved the one scene where Baltar asks him to take his hand and instead, Chief goes for the throat.

Not so good: When four of the final five Cylons were revealed at the end of season three, I was hoping we’d get some covert activities aboard the Galactica as their Cylon nature took over - like Chief sabotaging planes or Tory and Tigh advising their respective leaders to make mistakes. All we’ve seen so far is Tory killing Chief’s wife and a lot of clandestine meetings where they look freaked out and confused. It’s time for some purpose.

Also not good: Leoben shacking up with Starbuck. Just finding Leoben and inviting him aboard the Demetrius was too convenient. Plot-wise, I don’t like where this is headed - the rebel Cylon faction may ally with the humans and work together on the quest for earth. This is a big change from what I liked about the previous - the total mystery of the Cylons as an insurmountable and uncaring enemy.

At least the rest of the crew is as pissed about this development as I was and decide to mutiny. Perhaps that’s what BSG is about - even when the plot developments are ridiculous, the character’s reactions are believable and realistic.

I suppose some of my hemming and hawing is because I’m ready for some answers and conclusions. I don’t know if they really need another fifteen episodes to do this. Perhaps only ten would have been enough. Or at least, ten really tight episodes without any “filler” ones which have plagued the season since its inception. Unfortunately, I think we’re in the midst of this “filler” once again.

Next Episode: Faith
Previous Episode: Escape Velocity

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