Written by Mark Verheiden, A Day in the Life first aired on 18 February, 2007.

Tyrol (Aaron Douglas) and Cally (Nicki Clyne) are in serious trouble when they are trapped in an airlock. Adama (Edward James Olmos) finds himself reminiscing about his ex-wife, Carolanne (Lucinda Jenney) as their wedding anniversary arrives.

Consequently, we get looks at two different marriages, and how those involved in them deal with communication, love, arguments, trauma, and, of course, the struggle to survive as they work to elude the Cylon tyranny.

It’s enjoyable to see Adama’s inner life, but it also throws a little bit of suspicion on the character. He seems to be projecting and interacting with Carolanne the same way Baltar (James Callis) does with Six (Tricia Helfer).

Will the crew be able to figure out a way to get Tyrol and Cally out of the airlock, and reunite them with their infant son?

There hasn’t been a Cylon sighting in over forty days, and pilots are getting a little lax. It also gives Adama an opportunity to confide in Apollo (Jamie Bamber) how much he admires him as he’s come into his own, but will he?

And will he pass on Roslin’s (Mary McDonnell) desire for him to join the legal team working towards Baltar’s trial?

This is damned good stuff, character drama set against a sci-fi backdrop. And I love seeing Adama being curt with everyone. Olmos is always amazing, and the show looks fantastic. I also really love the father-son stuff with Adama and Apollo. When Olmos and Bamber are in scenes together, there is some fantastic stuff to mine- layers.

Dirty Hands was penned by Jane Espenson and Anne Cofell Saunders. It debuted on 25 February, 2007.

While Cally is still recovering, Tyrol finds himself placed in charge of a fuel-refining production plant ship after its captain tries to hold the fleet hostage by delivering unsafe fuel. He needs to get the plant up and running and delivering fuel; will he be able to handle it?

The tylium refinement crew want better living standards; they are working constantly, and that includes children. They just don’t want to go on like this anymore. Tyrol makes an argument for them. They’ve been doing this work since the attack on the colonies. He was a union leader on New Caprica, but will he be able to make headway with Adama and Roslin?

Will his son be a deck worker because he’s a deck worker, or is there a possibility for change and growth within the fleet? And how far will he go to make sure the people working to keep the fleet flying get fair treatment and a safe work environment?

Training new workers, unions, safety guidelines- Tyrol and Roslin will have to hammer out details. But it’s a change for the fleet, and it will maintain its humanity because of it.

And things are beginning to move forward with Baltar’s trial. Speaking of Baltar, he’s written a book that is making the rounds of the fleet. He’s written something that is divisive and meant to stir the pot, with jabs at class structure and the organization of the fleet. And he’s finding an audience.

It’s not an action-packed episode, but it feels like an important one because it shows how the fleet has to adapt if people are going to thrive and survive.

Great stuff, and Jane Espenson writing another episode!