“Escape Velocity”

“Escape Velocity” doesn’t move the larger story forward, but it is a step up from the last two episodes. It’s a personal story of three Cylons and their attempt to assimilate to their new knowledge.

The fourth, of course, is still on the Demetrius which is igiven only a cursory screentime…basically enough to say — We’re still out here!

But that’s more important to the larger story, which this episode is not about. I almost sounds as if I’m making this episode filler, and maybe it is…but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthy.

In a way it’s a unique re-take on “Downloaded” from the second season, with the only difference being that these Cylons are still implanted within the fleet and are orderless and directionless.

Tory has been the easiest to accept. In fact, building on last week’s killing of Cally, she has reveled in the fact that she’s a machine. She’s simply perfect — in her own eyes. She’s going to get along with the other Cylons quite well.

Tigh, on the other hand seems to want to be a Cylon, because he thinks there might be a way to turn off the pain of his murdering Ellen. He finds himself going in to see the Prisoner Six almost daily, yet now and again her face becomes Ellen’s.

The war within him is intriguing to watch, although it seems a little late for this kind of reaction. What is yet to be determined, is whether or not Personal Six has figured out the truth behind Tigh. She makes some implications, but they aren’t conclusive. When he asks if she can turn off the pain, she claims that she wants the pain, the pain is what makes her learn.

She then tries to teach him by wailing away on him. Tigh welcomes the pain as it overwhelms him. It is then that Six realizes that pain is not what Tigh needs, so she kisses him. It’s a confusing scene, but confusing doesn’t mean bad. There’s a lot of story to be told here.

The most interesting story is that of Tyrol. He buries Cally, but he is no longer the Chief we knew…and that’s the point. He’s lived his entire life in a very clear manner — but if he’s not the man he thought he was, why be the man he is?

He deteriorates both physically and mentally even as Tory tries to tell him how perfect he is. The most dramatic sequence occurs when Tyrol is at the bar and screams at the Admiral about pretty much everything that has gone on in the past few years — including the very fact that he never truly loved Cally like she loved him.

It’s an acknowledgment of everything that had gone wrong in his life and Adama won’t let it continue. He relieves him of his Chief duties and tells him to report to the Petty Officer in the morning.

The other main thrust of this episode involves Baltar. Baltar’s cult is assaulted by a religious fundamentalist group called the Sons of Ares.

Roslin uses this action to try and push forth yet another executive power in her usual manner. This time it involves limiting the amount of people that can gather in assembly. The Quorum of Twelve and especially Lee Adama objects to this, especially due to the precendent it sets with regards to offshoot religion.

To overturn the proclamation will mean a vote by the Quorum, and Roslin laces into them, saying they know Baltar is a special case. She lays out the line, that they know what Baltar was like with political power…what would happen if he got religious zealots following him.

Baltar tries to return to his home with the cultists, but due to the decree, guards won’t let them all in. At the behest of Six, Baltar stands up to them although the guards accost him when he tries to enter. In the most weird part of the sequence, Personal Six physically helps him stand and go towards the door again and it is not just a metaphor. Everyone can kind of see this ghost pick him up and push him towards the guards.

What does this mean? Personal Six can affect the physical world. Personal Six is also therefore very real, and not just in Baltar’s head. So is Baltar a Cylon afterall? No. I still don’t think so…maybe. I think the truth of the matter lies with how Baltar survived Caprica’s destruction in the first place. Somehow I believe the two personalities were fused with each other. I haven’t worked out all the details yet.

Lee shows up with the Quorum’s vote overturning the decree and Baltar’s cult is allowed again.
Baltar gives a service for lack of a better word where everyone is seemingly touched, as Baltar speaks to the one true god that the Cylons have always spouted about.

His message is that everyone is perfect, as they are. It resonates and is obviously leading to danger so it works well as a set up.

Overall, I enjoyed this epsiode as a bit of intrigue. There is not as much in the way of payoff but that in no way lessens its value.

B

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