“The Woman King”

“The Woman King” could have been a filler episode that was still well worth watching. Unfortunately due to some flaws in character and storyline it becomes less than thrilling. The concept behind the storyline was indeed something worth exploring and therein lies the problem. It’s only explored on the vaguest of levels. Nothing changes at the end, and missed opportunities abound throughout.

“The Woman King” is a Helo-centric episode which isn’t a bad thing. He has long been a character that has been demanding further exploration. We begin with Dogsville getting in 300 more civilians and Helo is in charge of assimilating everyone to the best of his ability. When bringing them in, along with Duella and a civilian, Doctor Roberts, they notice that a lot of them seem to be sick. One of them, a boy named Willie King collapses and is caught by his mother, the Woman King. They had to think a ton for this title, huh?

Roberts and Cottle identify the illness as Mellorak, which is spread through sexual intercourse, touching sweat, bodily fluids, etc. There is a cure, but there is also a problem. The Saggitarons are a ritualistic people who believe doctors and medicine are abominations. They mostly refuse treatment. Because of this, they are considered annoying, barbaric, almost savages. It’s a great way to introduce racism to BSG.

However as mentioned earlier, it doesn’t explore this racism beyond the initial vagueness. All we get is a few of our heroes slagging off Sagittarons, including Duella who is a Saggitaron herself.

The issue becomes bigger though when Willie King’s mother comes to Helo and accuses Dr. Roberts of killing her son. She notes that she was weak and gave in to the advice of Dr. Roberts. Although her son has been sick only for about twelve hours, well within the forty-eight hour limit, he died.

Helo becomes suspicious enough to ask Dr. Roberts about it, but he deflects saying only that they waited too long and goes on to tell Helo what a good job he’s doing. it’s obvious flattery and Helo ain’t buying it.

After a riot occurs after the death of more Sagittarons, Helo questions Roberts again. Roberts admits to administering the drug without patient consent because he was obviously in pain. Doctor Roberts answers are the worst sort of flimsy that doesn’t even add up.

And yet when Helo brings his suspicions before Adama, Tigh and Cottle they don’t even consider the possibility that Helo is right. What? What kind of leader doesn’t even consider when an officer tells him that he suspects that a Doctor is killing civilians? I understand that Tigh and Cottle vouched for Roberts, but when there is such an easy solution — autopsy the body — right in front of them. Doesn’t it just make it easier all the way around? Nope.

To add insult to injury, they all decide to take Helo down a notch, until he’s dismissed and then Tigh takes it the next step and further insults Helo, causing Helo to knock him down.

Later on, Athena informs Helo that Hera is sick with the illness and that Roberts is going to treat her. Althoguh he hates the idea of it, he allows it thinking he has no other choice. Cottle? Maybe.

As Helo can’t sleep he wanders down to sickbay where after a little research he learns that Sagittarons had a 90% mortality rate in Roberts care down on New Caprica while other races had about a twelve. He again tries to show this to Cottle who is annoyed and orders him to leave. Helo then tries to get him to do the autopsy, and Cottle claims he did and that it was normal.

Helo and Athena share a sequence where Helo questions who he truly is. There is the start of a great sequence when Helo accuses Athena of being happy because with the Sagittarons around, she suddenly doesn’t look so bad. This would have been a truly great sequence to explore futher. Coulda Shoulda

Duella starts coming down with symptoms and she goes to see Roberts as she dislikes Cottle. The King woman, realizes this and gets herself past the guards so she can knock on Helo’s door. Helo comes running and causes a riot as he tries to physically take Duella to see Cottle. All hell breaks loose until Tigh and Cottle show up. Cottle did the autopsy later and proved Helo to be correct. Roberts is placed under arrest.

There are a few halfhearted attempts by Tigh and Adama to apologize to Helo, but he takes it all in stride. Even worse he salutes Adama at the end. Despite how much crap he’s been through, he’s still a company man through and through. It borders on pathetic
to be honest.

And where are we at the end of the episode is exactly where we started. Ho hum. Another pointless episode.

C-

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