“Daybreak Part I”

“Daybreak” is an episode I’m of two minds about.  On one hand, it does a good job of building excitement leading into the second part and two hour series finale.  On the other.  It does so in spite of itself.  Then again, I can’t blame this episode for the failure of previous episodes to lay the groundwork needed for a series finale.  Not a season finale but a series frakkin’ finale.

And that’s why it’s hard to get excited about the end game.  It seems the final battle will be Cowboy Bill Adama leading a group of volunteers to attack the colony of Cylons, gleamed from the on again off again Sam Anders’ mind, all in an effort to save Hera.  Now the series did do a decent job of making Hera seem important, but she drifted off to the background for too long. 

It just doesnt seem like it can end after this.  If they get Hera…so what?  The journey isn’t over.  They’re still not home.  Unless they do a quick cheap cop out of Hera being able to find a new home.  It just doesn’t seem like it can end.  But maybe I’m wrong.

And I’m definitely getting  ahead of myself.

We open by bringing us back to Caprica pre-war and seeing Baltar, Roslin, and Apollo and Starbuck lead their lives.   Roslin deals with the death of her father and sisters to a drunk driver right after giving one of her sisters’ a baby shower.  Like a religious figure she wanders in her robe to a fountain and feels the water splash over her face renewing her.  We see a dinner between Apollo, Starbuck, and Zach Adama which is cool to see as very little was ever truly given to Zach’s relationship with his brother.  Finally we see Caprica 6 and Baltar frolic and meet Baltar’s dad, crotchety old man that he is.    Caprica 6 later helps his father move into a senior home where he is happier.

All this is fine backstory and is actually interesting, but I can’t shake the feeling of “Come on…move on with it.”  There’s just not enough real estate to work with here to waste this kind of time.

Back in present time we are greeted with more of the same.  Subplots that just don’t have a lot of time to playout.  It’s nice to see Bill reflecting as he packs up his quarters for the big move.  It’s interesting to see Helo and jailed Tyrol’s chat about what Hera means and whether you can trust Cylons or not.  And finally it’s also great to see Baltar finally start integrating himself back into being a major player.  But again…too little too late? 

We get a quick peek of Hera and learn of her impending doom at the prodding of Cavil and his men.  Just enough so we don’t forget about her.

Finally Adama finds out the location of Hera and makes an announcement regarding the volunteer attack.  It is here only that the episode really makes any headway.  There is great effect when the chatter spreads throughout the ship like a buzz on what Adama’s planning.  It seems real and it is a quick surefire way to get hits of what all the major characters are feeling about it. 

Finally the line is drawn…physically.  Those who volunteer go to one side, those who don’t stay behind.  I think a moment is missed when they don’t finish what they start.  Earlier in the episode Baltar had an intriguing one on one with Lee Adama where Adama charges that Baltar has never had one single solitary action in self sacrifice.  Everything always comes back to how it can benefit Gaius Baltar.  Baltar realizes it and silently agrees.

Well Baltar is show having his moment.  He almost volunteers but something stops him, but then we don’t get another shot of him, either way when he makes his full decision.  He still could volunteer and it could be something of a redemption for Baltar.   It’s a missed opportunity in my opinion. 

Overall it was definitely enjoyable and there does seem to be some semblance of epicness as we go to the finale, but I still shake my head at the way it keeps getting in the way of itself.

C+

Previous – 4.18

Next – 4.20