Battlestar Galactica Recap: The Oath

And we begin with our usual disclaimer about spoilers. I will say a couple of things in the space. One of the best episodes of this show, I thought. And for BSG, that’s saying a lot. Things like The Final Cylon and the search for a new home are barely touched on here and they didn’t need to be. So much going on, great use of even the minor characters. And the series regulars hit it out of the park as always.

Pictured: (l-r) Aaron Douglas as Tyrol, Jamie Bamber as Lee “Apollo” Adama — SCI FI Channel Photo: Carole Segal

Gaeta was a true puppeteer as the Colonial fleet mutiny spun completely out of control. With him in charge of communications, he could put out the fires he needed to in places and start fires in others.

Bill Adama threatens to place quorum members in the brig with Zarek if they can’t get their ships in line. That is absolutely the wrong thing to do in this situation. But it’s absolutely the Bill Adama thing to do in this situation. President Roslin is starting to get really involved for someone who doesn’t want to be involved in any of this. She counsels Bill on the proper care and feeding of the quorum, noting that Lee’s vote on this is about meaningless. The quorum sees it as an extension of Bill’s wishes and they’re not wrong.

The “hang out with rebel Cylons” idea just isn’t popular in the fleet, but Roslin and the Adamas don’t yet realize how unpopular. Gaeta busts Zarek out of his cell and smuggles him off the ship so he can get to the quorum. When talking to a mechanic doesn’t work, Gaeta busts him upside the head with a wrench.

In the command center Garek’s ship is spotted but Gaeta explains that away as a malfunction. Dance, puppets, dance. Hard to believe this is the same guy that was singing arias in the infirmary a while back. Zarek gets to the quorum and reassumes his spot as VP, allowing everyone to think Bill let him out. Lee, understandably ticked off, tries to reach his dad. But remember who’s working communications.

Sam Anders and Diana have a chat about why Sam wasn’t attracted to her. She’s assumed it must be because he’s a Cylon. I don’t know whether she’s actually that arrogant or she’s just trying to get a reaction from Sam. Seriously, the “toasters” are some of the most notorious sex fiends in space.  Ellen Tigh? The Number Sixes? Brother Cavil? At the rate these Cylons are going, humanity would be safer to reboot the resurrection ships. They’ll outnumber us 2-to-1 soon enough.

But I digress as Sam gets jumped by thugs. They capture Helo and Athena as well, with one of the losers threatening to rape Athena. The airlock is too good for this guy. It’s just like the way riots happen in real life. For every one person that’s doing it for a cause, there are three people who just wanted an excuse to act like the jerks they really are.

The mutineers lock Helo, Hera and the kidnapped Cylons (now with Col.Tigh’s baby mama) up together. Six suspects they’re going to get used as bargaining chips.

Starbuck is teasing Hot Dog about becoming a baby daddy but a fire alarm interrupts them. Starbuck knows something is up and one of the guys tells her no one knows what she is anymore. Gaeta now has folks chasing a phantom fire on the ship. Lee wants answers and heads back to get them, walking right into the newest mutineers, Skulls and Racetrack. They’re about to snuff Lee when Starbuck comes in for the save, guns blazing. Lee notes that they served with these Marines, to which Starbuck responds, “Semper Frakkin’ Fi.” I must apologize again for my initial worries about a female Starbuck. I could never go back to any other Starbuck, sorry Dirk Benedict.

Bill finally sends someone to check on the fire and he reports back that there isn’t one. Gaeta has to play all his cards and calls for Marines to seize control of the bridge. The poor nameless crewman that checked on the fire gets killed in the crossfire before Gaeta stops the shooting. Bill warns that there will be no amnesty and no forgiveness for anyone that goes along with this. He tells Gaeta that the young dead private died honoring his uniform, while Gaeta is disgracing his.

Words really can’t describe this scene. Gaeta calls Bill a soft old man who let his feelings for Cylons get in the way. I know that Bill will be proven to be in the right, but I can absolutely see Gaeta’s point of view. I love this show.

As Bill and Tigh are getting escorted to the lockup, Bill tries to reason with his captors. He taunts one of them, saying he was never much of a soldier. It works as Bill and Tigh break loose and kick butt. Bill lets one of the guys go. I’m not sure yet whether that was a good or bad move.

Lee and Starbuck reach Roslin and let her know what’s going on. Finally, at long last, the Roslin pity party comes to a much needed end. She goes to talk to Gaius Baltar in his love cult. This ep really piled great scene on top of great scene. Roslin trusts that Baltar has a wireless communication device because he always has a backup plan. There are some great moments as Roslin chides Baltar for what Gaeta has become. He reminds her that Tory was no prize either as a presidential aide. Have I mentioned how good this ep was?

Gaeta and Zarek are ready to start pouring Gatorade when Roslin’s voice comes over the speakers, pleading with humanity not to let fear motivate them. This would be more inspiring if her last stirring speech hadn’t been about finding Earth. Baltar calls Gaeta and says he’s an honorable man. Gaeta reminds Baltar he’s not qualified to judge anybody. Baltar talks about a secret coming out. Gaius, if this is about him being gay, we already know. Seriously though, does anybody know what the secret might be?

Adama and Roslin have to split up as she’s leaving the ship with Bill and Tigh staying to make sure they get away. Bill tells Tigh it’s been an honor serving with him as a grenade enters the room. Roslin’s ship gets away, but Gaeta orders it destroyed. Where can we even begin to go from here?