Battlestar Galactica - Torn

While the Cylons remind Baltar that his status remains up in the air unless he assists them (he learns they have a desired destination: Earth!), Starbuck and Tigh continue to erode psychologically due to their experiences on New Caprica, causing a corrosive morale decline among the crew on the flight deck. Helo informs Admiral Adama of this and he addresses both of them, particularly due to how they “sow a seed of discontent, malcontents serving as a disease on board the ship” by criticizing those who were on the Galactica instead of New Caprica. Once again, Starbuck and Katraine are adversarial as the former suffered captivity thanks to Leoben while the latter was part of the rescue operation that ultimately got them off New Caprica. Tigh just gobbles booze and hears Ellen’s voice, simply unable to relinquish the trauma that follows him day after day…what the Cavills did to him while holding him in a cell forever changed him. Helo now functions in Tigh’s role, while Apollo has returned to his six-pack ab form, once again at odds with Starbuck over her recklessness during Viper space fighting drills. Starbuck’s “loss” of who she thought was her daughter, Kacey, also remains a sore spot, especially when her mom brings the girl to see her. The subplot involves Baltar trying to keep the Cylons from executing him, responsible for studying astronomical charts and tying the old scrolls together to plot a probable course for Earth. When he gives the Cylons coordinates, a Baseship of theirs doesn’t return contact, leading them to investigate the quadrant where they were last seen. Baltar, through the advice of “Head” Six, volunteers to go over the Baseship to see why the Cylons haven’t returned communication. He finds diseased and dying Cylons, unable to resurrect into another clone host because of no available Resurrection Ship. It seems the infected Baseship picked up a human-made device floating in space that spreads a virus, similar to a beacon in shape. Baltar doesn’t tell the Cylons of its existence once he returns, with “Caprica” Six researching his helmet cam footage, maximizing visual evidence that shows the device. Baltar continues to question “Head” Six’s existence to him, whether or not she’s a manifestation of his subconscious or perhaps he’s a Cylon…an Angel of God is not the answer he considers logical. Meanwhile, Roslin, Gaeta, and Admiral Adama try to determine if Baltar’s maps and notes on the course for Earth are accurate and trustworthy…a “lion’s head with blinking eye” (distinctive pulsar of some kind) would appear to be the signpost that tells them they are heading in the right direction. When “Athena” (Sharon’s new pilot callsign) and Racetrack are out investigating the course, Sharon receives the virus, speaking similarly to a hybrid (Cylon that controls the BaseStars, not much different than operational controls; for instance, the hybrid receives orders from D’Anna and obeys, such as space humping on command) onboard the baseship, speaking in a code that is almost like another language.

The opening shot of Helfer, her bikini body bathed (well, drenched is more like it) in sunlight and troubled Baltar questioning who she (and he) is quite stunning, alluring especially in comparison to the room on the Baseship he cannot escape from thanks to the Cylons, his captors. The series found ways to feature Helfer scantily clad…she is incredibly sexy so it’s to argue. But because Head Six could be a product of Baltar’s mind, perhaps reminding him of the sultry lover he had on Caprica he doesn’t ever want to forget, Helfer featured sexy as possible has some validity. But Baltar, the only human on a Cylon ship, is in quite a predicament. Caprica Six informs Baltar that Cylons can actually “project”, create entire environments (like a forest in her case) in replacement of wherever they are (an aesthetic of idyllic beaches or mountains in replacement of the cold steel of baseship corridors is quite a luxury). Baltar is reminded of his own visions with Head Six, further questioning whether or not he’s a Cylon…what if he is actually projecting? Baltar questioning Caprica Six about five Cylons not yet seen among the usual models onboard the basestar receives elusive non-answer.

Adama confronting Starbuck, disappointed and disgusted with her behavior, admitting she is no longer considered like a daughter to him, certainly serves as a wakeup call, especially when he drops her out of her chair and tells her to get off his ship! Adama just tells Tigh to go to his quarters and get out of his funk. These two are a shell of their former selves and Edward James Olmos’ facial expressions of disapproval and great anger really exemplify exactly how far Starbuck and Tigh have fallen out of Adama’s favor. Olmos is one hell of an actor, too. He doesn’t have to exaggerate in his performance…with a stare or just a look, you can get a whole complete picture of what Adama is thinking and wishes to convey. But even as Starbuck cuts her hair and sets aside her disgruntled mental state and dark emotional place to go to see Kasey, and Saul remains in his quarters to gulp whatever liquor is available in his cabinets, there is the chance to redeem themselves. At their very bottom is the chance to rise.

3/5