Review: Battlestar Galactica 4.17

by Paul Talon on Feb.28, 2009, under BSG, Reviews by Paul Talon, Television

“Someone To Watch Over Me”
Review: Battlestar Galactica 4.17 640px someonewatchingoverme

One word sums up this episode…and the series that is rushing towards a climax.

Frustrated.

I want the show to pick up and end with a bang that the series deserves. But now it seems to just be running out the clock. I’m wondering if the announcment of the post finale tv movie has anything to do with it. If they have to save some revelations for it.

I hope that’s the reason, otherwise there really is no excuse. Sure there are a few moments that advance the storyline, but most of the episode is cheap melodrama.

There are two and a half storylines that permeate the tale and yet last week’s episode barely resonates, save for a few shots of Tigh sulking and depressed.

The half storyline is the continued degradation of the Galactica. The resin has bought it some time but not much according to Tyrol who is back full on as Galactica chief despite wanting to leave with the Rebel Cylons.

Speaking of the Rebel Cylons who wanted to leave…all of a sudden that is a moot point it seems as they gain representation within the new quorum being organized.

Ok with that out of the way we’ll tackle the other two storylines of the tale. The first involves the reuniting of Chief and Boomer. This had so much potential. Given how they were split, the feelings the Chief had at the time, and the new revelations. And we get a little bit but instead of real human drama, we get a cheap cop out. When it seems that the Rebel Cylons want to try Boomer for treason and execute her, the Chief doesn’t like that and replaces the Boomer in the brig with another Eight. Once free, Boomer assaults Athena, sleeps with Helo, and kidnaps Hera, escaping aboard a Raptor while damaging the weakened Galactica further.

So it is assumed that was Cavil’s plan all along. But what a weak premise. First of all that really means that Cavil knows where the fleet is, so with only the flimsy afraid of death excuse, there is no reason the fleet isn’t being harrassed daily. Second, was there even a plan for Boomer or did everything just go her way?

It was interesting enough, but it just seemed…sloppy for lack of a better word.

The second storyline involved Starbuck and her search for herself. She starts interacting with a man playing the newlyfound piano at Joe’s and flash’s back to her father. She talks things out with the man a bit, but again doesn’t get very far.

She visits Helo and Hera who gives her an innocuous drawing. Helo meanwhile gives her her things back. He tells her that after she was thought dead, they auctioned off her stuff, but he was able to buy, beg, and steal most of it back. She is thankful but only takes the music her father’s music recordings.

It isn’t til the end where she works out the piano piece she is playing is the Cylon song (All Along the Watchtower) after she realizes that the drawing Hera gave her are notes.

That was a moment that worked, if only because it reminds of the end of season three which was done very well.

With three episodes left, I wish they’d pick up the pace otherwise we’ll be left feeling rather let down.

C-

Previous – 4.16

Next – 4.18


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