Day: January 21, 2005

With a source of water located in the ice caps of a nearby moon, replenishing Galactica’s water supply will be a more daunting task than expected, requiring a crew of at least a thousand workers. Commander Adama proposes using men from the Colonial fleet’s prison ship as a labor force, but President Roslin balks at the thought of anything that could be construed as using slave labor. She sends Apollo to the prison ship Astral Queen to offer points toward amnesty for any prisoners willing to help, but only one man speaks out – Tom Zarek, a political prisoner with a controversial past. Some, such as Galactica bridge officer Dualla, consider him a terrorist, while others follow Zarek’s insistence that he is a prisoner of conscience. What everyone can agree on is that Zarek is a charismatic leader, and he already has control of the Astral Queen. A quick rebellion turns the visiting Galactica officers and what few prison wardens haven’t been swayed by Zarek into hostages. Zarek, insisting that President Roslin was not democratically elected and therefore has no constitutional claim to the office of President, demands that elections be held immediately. Roslin refuses to negotiate with Zarek, and Adama assigns a team of snipers led by Starbuck to retake the Astral Queen. But Apollo may be able to reach another solution, something that gives everyone – even Zarek – what they want to resolve the crisis.

written by Toni Graphia
directed by Allan Kroeker
music by Richard Gibbs

Guest Cast: Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek), Michael Hogan (Colonel Tigh), Aaron Douglas (CPO Tyrol), Tahmoh Penikett (Helo), Kandyse McClure (Dualla), Paul Campbell (Billy Keikeya), Alessandro Juliani (Lt. Gaeta), Connor Widdows (Boxey), Alonso Oyarzun (Socinus), Nicki Clyne (Cally), Pat Adrien Dorval (Wilkiens), Ron Selmour (Seaborne), Matthew Bennett (Aaron Doral), Brent Stait (Mason), Graham Young (Marine #1), Curtis Hicks (Marine #2), Colby Johansson (Flat Top)

Notes: Richard Hatch starred in the original Battlestar Galactica series as Apollo (and ironically shares most of his scenes in this episode with Jamie Bamber, the new Apollo). Brent Stait was one of the original cast members of Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda, and played the role of Rev Bem for the first two seasons until allergic reactions to his character’s elaborate make-up forced him to leave the series.

Original UK Airdate: November 1, 2004

LogBook entry by Earl Green

With Galactica’s nuclear weapons trained on the planet below, the Cylons agree to order their raiders not to land – all except for D’anna, who allows her opposite number to continue onward, risking the attack on the planet. D’anna believes that the Eye of Jupiter can lead her to the mystery of the missing five Cylon models, and Baltar goes with her. On the planet, Apollo keeps Anders from going to save Starbuck – but then orders Dualla to do it instead. Helo and Sharon decide to try their most desperate gambit yet to recover their child, but their plan – to kill Sharon on Galactica and have her resurrect into a new body on the Cylon ship – may put the Colonial fleet at even greater risk. Time is running out to decipher the runes at the 4,000 year old temple, but its true meaning may become clear on its own, with deadly effects for both humans and Cylons.

written by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson
directed by Michael Rymer
music by Bear McCreary

Guest Cast: Michael Hogan (Tigh), Aaron Douglas (CPO Tyrol), Tahmoh Penikett (Helo), Nicki Clyne (Cally), Alessandro Juliani (Lt. Gaeta), Kandyse McClure (Dualla), Lucy Lawless (D’anna Biers), Michael Trucco (Anders), Callum Keith Rennie (Leoben Conoy), Dean Stockwell (Brother Cavel), Brad Dryborough (Hoshi), Eileen Pedde (Sgt. Mathias), Alisen Down (Barclay), Diego Diablo Del Mar (Dillard), Aleks Paunovic (Marine Sgt. Fischer), Tygh Runyan (Pvt. Byers)

LogBook entry by Earl Green