Battlestar Galactica: Sine Qua Non

June 1st, 2008

Season 4, Episode 8

Synopsis

With Roslin and Baltar abducted by the Cylons, Zarek becomes interim president. Meanwhile, Natalie dies, having been shot by Sharon. Adama isn’t happy about either situation.

Worried that Adama will never recognize Zarek as president, Lee advises him to step aside, and Lee enlists Romo Lampkin (the smarmy lawyer) to help search for a candidate.

The Galactica finds a damaged raptor with the survivors dead. Inside, Adama finds the book he had given to Roslin. Adama jumps the Galactica away to the last jump coordinates of the raptor. At the new location, they see battle wreckage and multiple nuke detonations. Zarek and the Quorum annoyed that the Galactica jumped away without their knowledge or approval, leaving the fleet defenseless.

Doc Cottle informs Adama that Roslin won’t last long without her cancer treatments, and the Six prisoner (Caprica Six) – that Tigh has been interrogating – is pregnant. Adama confronts Tigh since must be the father. They come to blows and Tigh crushes Adama’s model ship.

Adama admits to Lee that he has lost objectivity and will relinquish command of the Galactica to Tigh. Meanwhile, Romo concludes Lee is the best candidate for president. He then pulls a gun on Lee, saying he has lost all faith in the human race, because someone killed his cat, Lance. Lee says everyone has had to deal with tragedy, and all they can do is choose to move forward. Romo makes Lee swear to make a difference once he takes office.

Lee is sworn in as President, Adama hands the Galactica to Tigh, and Sharon is released from the brig. As the rest of the fleet jumps away, Adama waits in a raptor, alone, for Roslin’s return.

Thoughts

Several game changing developments:

Tigh got Caprica Six pregnant: Tigh is a Cylon, but truly a special one, that can impregnate skin jobs. Since Chief had a child with Callie, obviously the final five have reproductive abilities with humans. Will all of the final five become involved in parenthood? Are we headed for pregnant Starbuck (Anders) and Baltar-daddy (Tory)?

Lee is president of the colonies: With his rebellious history and contrary opinions to Admiral Adama, this may soon become a situation everyone regrets.

Adama hands the Galactica command to Tigh and goes off on a search for Roslin: Adama’s emotional side finally wins out, and his act confirms feelings for Roslin. But he has put Galactica in the hands of a Cylon. Plus, last time Tigh commanded the Galactica, things turned bad pretty quickly.

So I think this is all leading up to some bad situations, and hence while the episode didn’t have many “wow” moments, pieces are being moved around on the chess board for what will hopefully be a great mid-season finale.

I expect the next episode (The Hub) will be told from the rebel / Baltar / Roslin point of view to show how the battle wreckage found in this episode came about.

Other highlights:

The confrontation between Adama and Tigh was intense, both making bad decisions because of women, and ultimately angry at themselves as much as each other.
Loved the return of Romo Lampkin and Lance the cat.
Wouldn’t it be great if Lee Adama were the last of the final five? Think about the “oh crap” feeling that reveal would evoke – both Tigh and Lee are Cylons in command of the fleet.

Next Episode: The Hub
Previous Episode: Guess What’s Coming To Dinner

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