The fourth and final season of Battlestar Galactica got underway on 4 April, 2008, over one year after the season three finale aired in March of 2007. Sure, there was Razor in November of 2007, but that’s a long time to wait when you’re wondering about Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff)!
And not only Starbuck, but the reveal of Tigh (Michael Hogan), Anders (Michael Trucco), Tory (Rekha Sharma) and Tyrol (Aaron Douglas) being triggered and revealed as four of the Final Five Cylons!
Written by David Weddle and Bradley Thompson, the season premiere throws us right back into it. It does, however, change the introduction about the Cylons having a plan, now it talks about the twelve Cylon models, and how one last one will be revealed.
Tigh has a horrifying vision about Adama (Edward James Olmos) mid-battle, and it’s horrifying as things escalate and he struggles with his new identity. Anders has the same problem as he climbs into his ship.
Starbuck has returned in the middle of an all-out battle with the Cylons and claims she’s been to Earth (and only gone for about six hours) and knows the way. Roslin (Mary McDonnell) doesn’t quite know what to think and is unsure whether to believe her or not. Especially since shortly after Starbuck’s return, the Cylon fleet disengages and leaps away.
Was it because of Starbuck or the Cylons recognizing that more models have been activated among the fleet?
Oh, and how is Baltar (James Callis) doing in his new life? He’s had a cult (predominantly female) spring up around him that believes he is a key to the one true god. Like the Cylons’ one true god? He is also getting lots of sex. But maybe, he’s starting to believe Six (Tricia Helfer) about the one true god.
Not everyone is happy he’s alive and walking free, but is he accepting of his fate now? With Six’s guidance, he seems to be becoming a true believer.
Lee (Jamie Bamber), despite flying in the battle, isn’t returning to the service. He’s in talks for a government job, somewhere he thinks he can do some good.
As the fleet continues to jump away, Starbuck feels the connection to the pathway to Earth leaving her mind. She knows how to get there, but no one is listening to her. Not even Adama. And she starts to wonder who the frak she is. To get the fleet back on track, she’ll have to confront Roslin, which leads to a To Be Continued!
There are big changes coming. The series continues to be one of the smartest shows on television, engaging, captivating and bringing us back for more! Just a helluva season opener. So well done across the board. This is exemplary television.
As an aside, the battle that opens the episode is huge, and you can see a number of familiar-looking vessels as featured in he original series (I always thought the Colonial Movers one was a delight).
Six of One was written by Michael Angeli and first aired on 11 April, 2008.
Roslin and Starbuck continue their standoff, and they aren’t the only ones experience conflict this episode. She may know where Earth is, and each leap takes her further and further from it, and it is starting to really wear on her, as she fights to convince everyone to listen to her before it’s too late.
On a Cylon basestar there is a violent conflict breaking out between certain models caused by the break off of the attack on the Colonial fleet. The detection of members of the Final Five among the fleet caused the Cylon forces to disengage, but not all of them think it was the right move.
It hurts seeing everyone turn against Starbuck, we know she’s right, and it’s toture to see this happening to her. Galactica’s version of Cassandra.
Cavil (Dean Stockwell) argues that talking of the Final Five is forbidden, Six, Leoben (Callum Keith Rennie) and the Boomers (Grace Park) argue that this is something new, a guide to their place in the universe. When a vote is taken, one lone Boomer stands against the rest of her model, something that has never been done.
It looks like while the fleet tries to find Earth while ignoring Starbuck, the Cylons are going through an existential crisis that will shake everything up for their society.
Lee leaves the Galactica to join the Quorum of the Twelve, and gets a proper send off by his friends, crew and father.
Tory makes overtures to Baltar who is not only projecting a Six, but also another him. Is she becoming a new disciple?
The episode ends with Adama freeing Starbuck and assigning her a ship, the Demetrius, with Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) as her XO. They are to find a way to Earth, and then come back for the fleet. Seeing her and Adama reunite is a well-earned moment.
Everyone is beginning to question who they are, their purpose, and what it all means. It’s a heavy episode, and so well done. The writing remains top-notch, and the cast is unparalleled. I love how all of this is playing out.
