Battlestar Galactica - Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down

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Gaius Baltar has quite the daunting responsibility: investigating whether or not nearly 50,000 humans are cylon. Because Leoben whispered to Roslin that Commander Adama was a cylon, her concerns that he might be result in tensions and eventually heated exchanges. Adama leaves the BG, much to the worries of Roslin (told of his activities by Tigh when asked), but his purpose for doing so was to bring back Tigh's wife!

Ellen (Kate Vernon) has the reputation of a notorious cheat, even a catalyst in Tigh's drinking and generally sour personality. But Ellen's return has renewed his spirits, even as her presence (and behavior) calls for his heavy absorption of spirits, always giggling drunk or stirring up trouble. Ellen points at Adama (often referred to as "the old man") as desiring her just to get Tigh riled up and even plays footsy with a very startled Apollo who gets really uncomfortable quick during a dinner which included the Commander and Madame President (and her hubby right beside her!)! When it is revealed that Adama had Ellen's blood tested to see if she's a cylon, it further rises tempers. According to Baltar, Ellen is human, but Number Six, always around, provokes the idea (that Baltar doesn't discount in a very suspicious response to her playful proclamation that the testing could be suspect) that she is a cylon. With Baltar's allegiance a risk to the BG, cylon activity meant to be undermined could very well strengthen.

I really liked this one conversation between Tigh and Adama about his tactical strategy keeping the BG (and Colonial fleet) safe, where Ellen is a topic. Ellen's misbehavior in the past bothers Adama because he doesn't want her making Tigh's life miserable. But he has a duty not to keep her status (alive due to a mysterious rescue that raises red flags) from Tigh, even if the inevitable emotional toll could become a detriment to his personal and professional life. Ellen already trying to drive a wedge between Tigh and Adama clearly indicates she is a terror in the making on board the BG, but Adama's efforts to let Tigh know their friendship is important to him does help calm the tides. And the hand shake and show of respect is also helpful in maintaining their bond despite Ellen's antics.

The episode includes a cylon raider emerging from a jump, leading Vipers (led by Apollo) into chasing it (eventually damaging the raider's wings), before leaving the space multiple times, and Starbuck catching Baltar with his pants town as he was in the middle of imagining "being rewarded" by Number Six for "all his hard work". The show continues to make Helfer into a sexual dynamo, close camera shots of her delectable body (the dress sliding up her legs, the lens following the curvature of her back), while Baltar's dalliances with her while remaining a constant in his mind override his ability to be completely loyal to the fleet and Adama. Roslin's suspicions of Adama and Adama's frustrations towards her for believing he was a cylon further complicate matters. But Ellen's mischief and naughty actions leave those around her quite annoyed and perturbed...she certainly rattles the resolve and temperament of those in command! Billy and Dualla appear to be an item although their services are to Roslin and Adama respectively. And in Caprica City, the "other" Sharon and Helo happen to escape in tunnels, irking cylon elite who continue to monitor their "progress", doting on the passions of love that exist in humans.

With so much darkness and seriousness in the overall tone of the show, Ellen definitely brings some unique personality that shakes things up.