“Valley of Darkness”

Each of the three main stories from “Valley of Darkness” is really almost a mini-movie of its own, from completely different genres. Helo and Starbuck on Caprica is a Kubrickesque look at two friends being introspective and reminiscent of life, complete with a classical piano score, which comes into play a few times in the episode. It’s a great mood enhancer at the right times. It helps give off a very intriguing vibe, and in this scene is a great well of emotion to be handled by both actors…especially an understated Sackhoff. It’s so rare to see her be so low key, that it works especially well.

Baltar and Personal Six seem to be taken directly from the show Lost on the deserted island, having strange surreal visions about Commander Adama drowning their as yet unborn child.

Also on Kobol, Chief and Cally make it back with the med kit, but it is too late. Chief doesn’t accept it at first, thinking that Tarn had sacrificed his life for nothing, but in the end, they are able to ease the life of the Chief’s man as he passes to oblivion.

The main thrust of the story, is a definite homage to Aliens. The Cylons who boarded last episode are stalking through a Galactica whose power is down due to after effects of the Cylon virus from last episode. The darkened corridors, the shining, shaky lights, the absolute terror. It’s as good as any Aliens flick.

We learn quickly that their plan is to decompress the ship, sending everyone through the airlock, and then turning the Galactica guns on the rest of the fleet. Crew members throughout the ship have to pick up a weapon and defend the ship and in a sequence that I can only guess was plot devicitis to have Laura Roslin have some interactions with the crew, and not in her brig the whole episode, the guard lets her out.

And how does she get out?

She asks.

Um ok. I understand that the ship is compromised, but I don’t think a military man lets loose the biggest prisoner he’s guarded.
The episode does also miss the mark by forcing some sequences. Most notable the ending sequence between Tigh and Adama seems so pointless and almost contradictory after they had made some headway last episode. It seems this sequence was written as they look down on Adama just so that we check in on the sick, infirmed commander.

Overall it’s a good retro-type episode, even if it doesn’t solidly hit the mark.

B-

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