Battlestar Galactica: Islanded In A Stream Of Stars

March 10th, 2009

Season 4, Episode 18

Synopsis

As the Galactica repairs continue, Ellen believes Hera has been taken to the Colony. Starbuck explains to Admiral Adama, Lee, and the Final Five that Hera gave her notes to the song that activated the Final Five, and advocates a rescue. Admiral Adama says he has had it with prophecies.

Athena has visions of her and Roslin chasing Hera through the opera house, only to have Baltar and a Six model take her away. Meanwhile, a hull breach on Galactica sucks some crew members out into space, while others hang on desperately.

Roslin, confined to the sick bay, shares visions with Athena. Lee addresses the Quorum (now made up of ship captains) who want to strip Galactica of its parts.

Baltar transmits a religious broadcast centering on angels that walk among humankind, and comforts Caprica Six on the loss of her child.

Aboard a raptor deep in space, Boomer realizes Hera can “project.” They visit the dream house.

Starbuck asks Baltar to run tests on the dog tags recovered from her corpse to answer who or what she is. She visits a Cylon lab built on Galactica, where Anders lies in a tank, hybrid-style. Starbuck pulls out a gun, threatening to shoot Anders. He starts babbling prophecies, reiterating Starbuck’s identity as the “harbinger of death.” Tigh orders the Cylons to take Anders offline when it’s realized he could jump Galactica – due to the Cylon organic resin being used for repairs.

Adama reads a book to Roslin and they smoke medicine together. She philosophies about the meaning of “home” and says her sense of home is being with him.

A tearful Helo begs Adama for a raptor so he can search for Hera himself.

Adama and Caprica six address a joint funeral for the deceased Cylon and human crew. Batlar interrupts, preaching that eternal life comes from embracing death, and some can cross over. His tests prove that Starbuck’s corpse was on Earth, yet she is still alive. Adama threatens to put Baltar in the brig, and Starbuck slaps Baltar. Lee watches from across the hold.

Starbuck puts a photograph of herself on the memorial wall and smiles.

Boomer’s raptor arrives at the “Colony” a new cylon environment – until now, unseen. Once inside, she takes Hera to Cavil. Boomer starts to cry, perhaps only now realizing what she has done.

Admiral Adama flings paint across a wall and bursts into tears, realizing he can’t save his beloved ship.

Starbuck tells Anders she’ll sit by his side until she gets answers, and puts him back online.

Admiral Adama tells Tigh that they will stop all repairs and abandon ship. The two men sit on a well-worn couch and drink a final toast to the old girl.

Thoughts

I feel the show is back on an upward swing. It’s quite fitting that the Galactica itself is on the verge of destruction, just as the show is about to end.

I also liked the Cylon tank with Anders in it, lit in red with Matrix-y symbols moving over the walls. Now that he – one of the final five with memories of their original existence – has control over the ship, all hell could easily break loose.

Pieces are also moving into place to fulfill Roslin’s opera house vision. Roslin is on the verge of death, Athena is gone, and Baltar is reconnecting with Capria Six. I fully expect them to lay hands on Hera before the show is over.

I did have a few annoyances. When Baltar started announcing his test results, I thought he’d explain Starbuck’s existence, but we got no definitive answers, only that the corpse back on Earth was in fact Starbuck’s (we knew that already). He should be thrown in the brig for leading us on. And where was Chief this episode? Maybe in the bar getting loaded, listening to Dylan records. Lastly, I thought Roslin and Adama sharing what seemed to be the Caprican equivalent of medicinal marijuana rather silly.

All in all, a solid episode, which is surely setting the stage for the show finale where we’d better get answers, space battles, and a (hopefully) bittersweet ending.

Next Episode: Daybreak (1)
Previous Episode: Someone To Watch Over Me

TV Shows: Battlestar Galactica

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