Battlestar Galactica: Daybreak (2)

March 21st, 2009

Season 4, Episode 20

Synopsis

Flashbacks galore: Tigh and Adama get totally wasted in a strip club. Over drinks, Zak and Starbuck poke fun at Lee’s desire for something larger and bad relationship with his father. Roslin entertains a date, who turns out to be a former pupil. Adama, looking like hell, throws up on himself, and smiles as he looks up at the stars.

Present day: Head Six asks Baltar to trust in God’s plan. Meanwhile, Doc Cottle gives Roslin medicine to get her through the next few hours. Helo briefs raptor crews on the upcoming mission.

The plan: Galactica will jump next to the Cylon colony and attack at point blank range. Anders, still in a hybrid tank, will shut down the Cylon’s firepower by interfacing with the colony hybrids. Anders is moved to the CIC. In case they don’t return, Adama promotes Hoshi to Admiral, and Romo Lampkin becomes president – both will remain with the fleet.

At the last moment, Baltar chooses to remain on Galactica. Roslin is assigned to sick bay. Batlar – looking ridiculous in combat gear, runs into Caprica 6. Adama addresses the crew, saying this may be their last voyage.

The Galactica endures heavy fire as it jumps alongside the colony which is massive in size. Anders reaches a hybrid, shutting the cylon cannons down. Vipers and raptors are launched. Adama orders Galactica to ram into the colony.

Raiders swarm as joint human and centurion assault teams led by Lee and Starbuck enter the Cylon stronghold. Helo and Athena travel aboard a raptor with others to enter from another side. Meanwhile, Boomer attacks the Cylon doctor preparing to operate on Hera.

Caprica Six say she is proud of Baltar, and he kisses her. Head Six and Head Baltar agree that pieces are falling into place. Caprica Six and Baltar realize they can both see these “head character” entities.

Starbuck’s assault team finds Boomer carrying Hera. She hands the child over, saying she is making this choice. Athena shoots her. Flashback to Adama and Tigh chastising Boomer for her failures as a pilot.

The hospital is in chaos as Lee and Starbuck’s teams make their way back to Galactica. Adama shouts random orders as the CIC bursts into flames.

Roslin injects herself with medicine and sees the opera house vision. Helo is shot, and Hera runs away. Athena chases after her. In parallel, Roslin wanders down another hall, as does Cavil and a squad of toasters. Roslin runs into Hera and shields her from centurions, only to lose her immediately after. These events match up with Roslin’s opera house vision.

Hera finds her way to Baltar and Head Six. Both Athena and Roslin gasp as they see Baltar and Head Six pick Hera up and walk through a doorway.

Baltar and Head six walk into the “opera house” to find it is the CIC, covered with dead bodies and bloodletting. Up above stand the Final Five.

As Batlar returns Hera to Adama, Cavil breaks free and grabs Hera, holding her at gunpoint. Guns are drawn. Cavil says the girl is the key to the Cylon’s survival. Baltar preaches destiny and God guiding everyone to this place. Cavil asks if God is really on his side. Baltar says the cycle can only be broken by our choices.

Tigh offers Cavil the Final Five’s resurrection technology in exchange for Hera, and that the war ends here. Cavil agrees and orders all the Cylon forces to stand down.

Thoughts

I’d been jonesing for a good space battle and this episode delivered. The enormity of the colony was a surprise, and the blazing cannons, assault teams, and old-school cylons were excellent.

The opera house prophecy finally came true, with Roslin, Athena, Baltar, Hera, and Caprica Six all falling into place to escort Hera to the bridge. I loved the revelation that the CIC with the Final Five above was literally the opera house. The bridge has literally been the location for so much drama and power plays over the entire show.

Boomer betrays the side she’s currently on yet again, finally making a choice of her own, and demonstrating free will. Perhaps she always wanted to demonstrate an independent decision after being controlled by forces beyond her when she shot Adama.

Next Episode: Daybreak (3)
Previous Episode: Daybreak (1)

TV Shows: Battlestar Galactica

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