Colonial Day was first broadcast on 18 March, 2005. It was written by Carla Robinson.

With Colonial Day approaching, Roslin (Mary McDonnell) announces a formation of a new Quorum of the Twelve. Each of the colonies of man will have a representative on this ruling board. Things are thrown for a loop, however, when Tom Zarek (Richard Hatch) is chosen to represent Sagittaron.

One of the first things he does is point out that she doesn’t have a vice-president, a role that needs to be filled. Something a few members nominate him to hold.

Baltar (James Callis) is elected as the representative of Caprica, something he’s less than thrilled with until Six (Tricia Helfer) points out all the opportunities. And speaking of opportunities… could ge be lined up as the new vice president?

As celebrations grow around the events of the day, Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) are put in charge of security, as there are fears of an attack on Roslin. And they aren’t wrong, they come across Valance (Alex Zahara) who has been able to smuggle a weapon aboard the Cloud Nine. But when he turns up dead following Starbuck and Apollo’s interrogation… who organized it? Was Zarek behind it, in an attempt to bolster his position? Or was there someone else behind it?

And on Caprica, Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) and Boomer (Grace Park) make it to the city of Delphi, and hopefully have found a way off planet. But Helo has realized that Cylons can look human now, but is he ready for the final reveal about Boomer?

It’s a solid episode with great moments, while also delivering a commentary on society and politics, and how they can divide or unite people. Once again we see characters we’ve grown to life behaving in less than desirable ways not because they are actually villains, but because they are people.

The episode ends with Baltar installed as vice-president, and we and Apollo get to see Starbuck in something other than her uniform. And that gut-punch for Helo.

Kobol’s Last Gleaming: Part 1 was written by showrunner Ronald D. Moore from a story by David Eick and it launched the first part of the season finale on 25 March, 2005.

The Galactica finds the planet Kobol. This is the homeworld of the tribes of man. There were thirteen colonies in all, with the thirteenth being Earth. Is there a way to find the mythological planet that Adama (Edward James Olmos) has set them on the path for?

Roslin, whose cancer is growing worse, convinces Starbuck to take the captured Raider back to Caprica to retrieve a religious artifact, the Arrow of Apollo that may help reveal more about Kobol and the location of Earth, by opening the Tomb of Athena. She has delved into the prophecies and religious texts and is becoming increasingly convinced of her part in them.

And Six reveals to Baltar that being on the Galactica right now may not be safe. But the Raptors travelling to Kobol come under attack by Cylon Raiders, a couple of the Raptors are able to leap away, but it looks like the Raptor carrying Baltar, Tyrol (Aaron Douglas) and more are going in hard to Kobol’s surface.

Can the Galactica find a way to save and rescue her people?

And with the tension brewing between Apollo and Starbuck what kind of risks will she be willing to take?

Throw in some personal stuff like Starbuck sleeping with Baltar (no matter who she was thinking of while in the moment), that causes Apollo some grief, and the things happening with Boomer on the Galactica (poor Boomer) and the Boomer and Helo storyline on Caprica, and you’ve got lots of things set up for the finale and beyond.

Damn this series is so good. Let’s see how season one wraps up next time.

So say we all!