Where do we go after that incredible ending last episode with the Galactica and Pegasus launching fighters at one another? Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) and Tyrol (Aaron Douglas) are being prepared for summary execution because of the efforts they made to save Boomer (Grace Park), and Adama (Edward James Olmos) is not going to let that happen.

The tension as the two ships and squadrons face off against each other is palpable. It’s so well-executed.

Is there something that can temporarily assuage the conflict? Thank god Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) took the Laura, the stealth ship, to investigate and get film and data on the strange ship in the middle of the nearby Cylon fleet.

Resurrection Ship: Part 1 first aired on 6 January, 2006, almost three months after the previous episode. I remember that long wait. Anne Cofell Saunders penned the story while Michael Rymer wrote the teleplay and directed.

It’s no surprise, with the title of the episode, to learn that the ship carries copies of the human model Cylons, into which their consciousness can be downloaded.

Cain (Michelle Forbes), Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and Adama have a talk. Or rather, Roslin works to bring them both back into line. But afterwards, Roslin tells Adama he only has one real option. And speaking of Roslin, her health seems to be declining.

Cain promotes Starbuck to Pegasus CAG, and also begins to win her over with the idea of taking the fight to the Cylons and retaking the Colonies.

Baltar (James Callis) is still working with the Pegasus Six (Tricia Helfer), and when she learns how close the Cylon fleet is, she asks Baltar to kill her – she’ll simply be downloaded to a new body on the ship.

Adama and Tigh (Michael Hogan) investigate the Pegasus’ past following the attack on the Colonies. And it is dark and brutal, which will help justify the actions Roslin has told Adama she has to undertake.

As the fleet prepares for the op, we race to a To Be Continued. Issues are ordered – Cain orders special troops, Razors, and Fisk (Graham Beckel) to be stationed on Galactica to take out Adama, and Adama orders Starbuck to take out Cain.

The series has really hit its stride; it’s simply fantastic, and is absolutely must-watch television with stellar scripts, performances and production.

Resurrection Ship: Part 2 was written and directed by Michael Rymer, and it first aired on 13 January, 2006.

We know where we ended in the last episode, and what orders have been given. But this episode opens with Apollo (Jamie Bamber), who has been demoted to lieutenant, floating alone in space.

We then move back forty-eight hours and Starbuck reveals what she’s been asked to do to Cain. And Helo and Tyrol seem to be in a pretty dire place as they are grabbed by some of the Pegasus crew and beaten.

Fisk intercedes, but how much can he be trusted? And is he tired of Cain’s brutal commands?

Apollo goes to see his father in an attempt to understand the moral choice that has been decided regarding Cain.

When the attack gets underway, it is epic. Apollo uses the blackbird to disable the Resurrection ship’s FTL, but then it gets blown out from under him. And he makes a conscious decision to let go while he’s adrift. But happily, he gets picked up by a Raptor.

And Baltar continues his dialogue with the Pegasus Six, who may be the key to at least one problem before the end of the episode. She really, truly wants to die, and with the Resurrection ship gone, she can.

Adama and Cain both belay their orders to kill the other, but when Pegasus Six gets free, Baltar promises to keep her safe, but she goes after Cain herself.

It’s a nice wrap-up to the Cain story, and now will the fleet have two battlestars? And Adama gets a promotion!

Characters and stories still prove to be the series strongest aspects, and they are brought to life each episode with style, skill and a cast and crew who obviously love their work.