Battlestar Galactica 2.11: Return of the GOOD

One of the best shows on television returns and it turns out to be on the SciFi Channel!

Breaking from the status quo and covering a show on cable television is a hard step but one that we felt we had to do. I mean, one of the best shows on television had to be covered! If you’ve not been watching this series, do yourself a favor and indulge. You will not be disappointed. Now onto the episode…

This episode picks up from the launch of Vipers from both the Galactica and the Pegasus. With both commanders of the ships steadfastly standing by their cause, it appeared doomed that both ships would go down in a blaze of glory. Not so! Starbuck returns in the stealth ship and, with the aid of Apollo, manages to distract both CIC’s enough to scramble their fighters for Cylon raider attack. Good timing! However, Cain and Adama agree to meet on Colonial One to agree to terms of the prisoners in Cain’s custody. This is the part of the show which really shines.

While in other shows we have a really glossed over look at the political back room deals between those in power, BSG really shows it off. We see the struggle between the military and diplomatic powers and how it really is a battle to come out ahead. In this case, it appears that diplomacy won’t work and President Roslin concedes that the only way the Fleet is to survive is for Adama to assassinate Cain before she does the same to him. A shocking turn of events indeed! The seed this plants foreshadows the rest of the episode and culminates in the planning for the attack on the Cylon resurrection ship.

An interesting situation develops. The XO on the Pegasus is asked to shoot Adama when the mission is completed, and the same is asked of Starbuck of Cain. What we have here is the moral dilemma. Does one obey orders and become an assassin or does one betray their leader? We know one will betray their leader, but the question is who and how? Starbuck is one to obey Adama, but to turn a killer? Doubtful. The XO? He has more of a history of doing such horrendous acts (the murder of families for Cain) but the way the show is panning out, it appears the XO betrays Cain. With his confessional to Tigh about his acts and whatnot, it looks like he isn’t going to kill Adama.

The show is cliffhanger, and we’ll only find out this Friday! The show is gripping and suspenseful and only gets better with each passing episode. Can’t wait for the next episode!