An impromptu celebration ensues on the hangar deck when one of the pilots makes his 1,000th successful landing. During the celebration, though, a loose strap on a munitions rack leads to the tragic loss of several of Galactica’s most experienced pilots. After the dead are buried, Adama instructs Starbuck to begin training new pilots immediately. The usually uninhibited Starbuck doesn’t seem to be looking forward to the challenge, however – the very thin field of candidates has absolutely no combat flight experience, if they have any flight experience at all; when she asks if someone else could handle the training, Starbuck learns that the only other qualified flight instructors in the remaining Colonial fleet don’t have combat experience either. Adama makes it clear that despite the death of his son Zak – who died in an accident in a Viper fighter after Starbuck passed him for basic flight training – he trusts Starbuck to shape Galactica’s next group of fighter pilots. But Apollo forces a revelation to the surface that may cost Starbuck the trust she has earned from Adama.
written by Bradley Thompson and David Weddle
directed by Rod Hardy
music by Bear McCrearyGuest Cast: Michael Hogan (Colonel Tigh), Aaron Douglas (CPO Tyrol), Tahmoh Penikett (Helo), Kandyse McClure (Dualla), Paul Campbell (Billy Keikeya), Alessandro Juliani (Lt. Gaeta), Sam Witwer (Lt. Crashdown), Lorena Gale (Priest Elosha), Donnelly Rhodes (Dr. Cottle), Jill Teed (Sgt. Hadrian), Tobias Mehler (Zak Adama), Colby Johannson (Flat Top), Beill Meiler (Caprica Cleric), Bodie Olmos (Costanza / Hot Dog), Luciana Carro (Katraine / Kat), Terry Chen (Perry / Chuckles)
Notes: Actor Bodie Olmos is the son of series star Edward James Olmos. The writing team of Bradley Thompson and David Weddle worked with executive producer Ronald D. Moore on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Original UK Airdate: November 8, 2004
LogBook entry by Earl Green