Representatives from all twelve human colonies gather aboard the Cloud Nine to attempt to piece together a new, workable government for the surviving human race. Baltar winds up representing Caprica, and finds himself relieved to get out of the lab aboard Galactica. But Tom Zarek is also in attendance, and he has an agenda of his own, couched in a reasonable proposal to establish a clear line of succession by appointing a Vice President to take over should anything happen to President Roslin. Roslin’s aides, and Apollo, fear that the President’s days could be numbered even more than they already are if Zarek wins the vice presidency. Roslin appoints her own candidate, and a vote is to be held among the twelve colonies’ representatives. But Apollo and Starbuck find that Zarek, despite an attempt to create a new respectable image for himself, isn’t above using dirty – or deadly – tricks to secure his position of power. Determined to choose a successor she can trust, the President decides to engage in some political manipulation of her own, withdrawing her original choice and nominating Baltar for the job.
written by Carla Robinson
directed by Jonas Pate
music by Bear McCrearyGuest Cast: Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek), Kate Vernon (Ellen Tigh), Robert Wisden (Wallace Gray), David Kaye (McManus), Alex Zahara (Valance), Michael Hogan (Colonel Tigh), Aaron Douglas (CPO Tyrol), Tahmoh Penikett (Helo), Kandyse McClure (Dualla), Paul Campbell (Billy Keikeya), Alessandro Juliani (Lt. Gaeta), Nicki Clyne (Cally), Cailin Stadnyk (Ensign Davis), Christina Schild (Playa Kohn), Biski Gugushe (Hamilton), James Ashcroft (Spectator #1), Patricia Idlette (Sarah Porter), Mario Battista (Gardner)
Notes: This episode’s cast was heavy with veterans of another SF series shot in Vancouver, Jeremiah; Robert Wisden played Jeremiah’s father (as well as frequently recurring as Lt. Col. Samuels on Stargate SG-1, also shot in Vancouver), while Alex Zahara played Jeremiah’s adopted brother and series regular Kandyse McClure was the ill-fated love interest of Kurdy (Malcolm Jamal-Warner). The design of the domed Cloud Nine vessel was another throwback to a model from the original series, a model which itself had previously served – in a slightly different form – as the main setting of the 70s cult SF film Silent Running.
Original UK Airdate: January 10, 2005
LogBook entry by Earl Green