Battlestar Galactica - Kobol's Last Gleaming 1

I must admit that I wasn't expecting to see Helo shoot "the other" Sharon Boomer, but considering what the cylons did to his race, it probably shouldn't be too shocking. And having such an intimate encounter, too, adds a particular layer of difficulty as Helo realizes his sexual involvement with a cylon. And on the BG, the Sharon counterpart cannot deal with the troubled psyche and disconcerting, nagging impulse to be violent towards someone she cares about, talking it over with Gaius before trying to kill herself. Tyrol visiting her doesn't help matters as he reminds her of her ensuing isolation, unable to have a decent relationship with a partner of her choosing.

Starbuck sleeping with Gaius but calling out Apollo's name during their sexual encounter certainly increases tensions and ruins the pleasure! Apollo realizing the two were involved and punches thrown between Starbuck and Gaius only makes matters worse. Starbuck tries to apologize but Apollo is quite bothered by knowledge of her and Gaius. This is a running theme on the show...there is something about those in officer positions of specific stature that appears to dispel sexual / romantic involvement. Does Starbuck or Tyrol or Sharon deserve to have a decent sex life or even the remotest bit of romance while serving on the BG? Why is this so frowned upon? If it allows for a little less misery while always worrying about dying at any time, why not have some sort of life that includes pleasure or love?


Locating "Kobol", an Earth-like planet, out of a jump, Sharon (who is just troubled and weary) and co-pilot Crashdown (Sam Witwer) get this info back to the fleet. It offers a planet that can serve the fleet as a source of refuge, water, food, etc. But locating ruins down there, through investigation Roslin tells the spiritual leader, Elosha (Lorena Gale), she believes this is Kobol. The scriptures/texts/prophesies from their history indicates Roslin (dying of terminal cancer) will lead the fleet to Earth, the "promised land". An "arrow of Apollo" is needed so that the prophesy (directions to Earth) can be fulfilled but a jump to Caprica where it is located would be needed, so Starbuck must decide between Roslin's request or Adama's command of her to use the cylon Raider as a weapon against a cylon base near Kobol (another jump by Crashdown, with Baltar onboard, finds the base and a host of Raiders on the offensive in an unexpected attack which causes them to crash on the planet). Starbuck "tests" Adama, asking him how far they are from Earth with him just lying to her due to his unbelief in such a "new home"...this is the deciding factor in her jump to Caprica instead.

Baltar's jealousy of Apollo, infatuation with Starbuck that results in awkward/angered confrontation, learning of a threat onboard Galactica which may have been a significant reason in his desire to trip to Kobol, estrangement with the Six in his mind, and inability to thwart the conversations with Six while trying to maintain eye contact with the likes of Roslin and Apollo (among others); Gaius is such a emphasized character on the show indeed, as he is heavily involved and of great focus. Even in a conversation with Sharon, as Six comments on her weaknesses as a cylon agent, Gaius ends up convincing her to try and commit suicide! In my favorite scene, Baltar, talking to both Roslin and Six, frustratingly balks about how he's used and wants time to himself...his brain is always picked and the demands for his attention seem to give him little time alone.

Other thoughts: it is *always* raining on Caprica, father / son bonding for the Adama men is pummeling each other in boxing gloves, and Adama isn't sorry about lying to Starbuck even as she voices her displeasure with his willingness to do so without regret.

4/5

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