The tension between Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) and Kat (Luciana Carro) hits its peak when the pair clash over who is going to be the one to finally take down a particularly devious Cylon Raider christened Scar.

Written by David Weddle and Bradley Thompson, Scar debuted on 3 February, 2006.

Scar and other raiders are responsible for harassing and attacking a Colonial mining expedition (working on recovering raw materials that have allowed Pegasus to turn out the first of the new vipers, replenishing some of their material losses) and costing lives. Will all the tensions between Kat and Starbuck, and Starbuck and Apollo (Jamie Bamber) all come to a head in the crucible that is Scar?

The episode deals with loss, the casualties of Scar’s attacks, and the replacement Viper pilots coming in to replace dead friends. Starbuck is losing herself in grief and alcohol because she still hasn’t been able to get back to Caprica to rescue the survivors, including Anders (Michael Trucco).

She’s a bit of a mess, and Kat is shooting for the Top Gun position in the fleet. She also has to reconcile the fact that she may not be the best of the best anymore because of her emotions around Anders.

This is yet another fantastic episode; I love the gun-cam footage from the Vipers, and I love Scar’s first appearance; there’s something shark-like about the way he/it moves. It’s really well done.

We also learn that Raiders, just like the human/cylon models, download and are reborn. And that makes them even more dangerous.

The episode has a powerful ending, as we realize the cost and loss of war. Sackhoff is nothing short of amazing.

Sacrifice was penned by Anne Cofell Saunders and it first aired on 10 February, 2006.

We not only delve into the Dualla (Kandyse McClure) triangle with Apollo and Billy (Paul Campbell), but have to deal with a hostage situation when the terrorist group attacks again and takes hostages, demanding that Boomer (Grace Park) be turned over to them.

The hostages, gathering at a bar on Cloud 9, are being held by Sesha (Dana Delaney), and she is ready to carry out her threats.

Among the hostages: Dualla, Apollo, Ellen Tigh (Kate Vernon), and Billy. And with all the things going on between Dualla, Billy and Apollo, who do you think won’t be walking out of the bar at the end of the episode?

When Starbuck goes in to assess it, gunfire ensues, and Apollo is hit. Things go badly all around, and time is running out. Will Adama hand over Boomer? He takes a calculated risk, but is it worth it?

A solid episode, and as the characters continue to move forward, we can put the stumble that was Black Market behind us.

Just fabulous stuff. And I love the interactions between Dualla and Apollo, I’m just sorry that Billy got in the way of that, but that’s how life works sometimes.

And now, much like Starbuck, Apollo may have someone to live for.