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BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - Black Market
© Sci-Fi Channel

Mania Grade: A
Episode: Crossroads Part 1
Stars: Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Mary McDonnell, Edward James Olmos, Trisha Helfer
Created By: Ron Moore

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"Battlestar Galactica: Crossroads Part 1"

I hate and at the same time love the last few episodes of my favorite shows.  These are almost always the best of the season but they also end the shows for at least three months and in the case of BSG, possibly as long as nine months.  At any rate in this episode, Baltar’s trial begins.  To be honest I wasn’t actually looking forward to it all that much, but now that it has begun it’s much better than I expected. 

Lee has sided with Lampkin on Baltar’s defense and his vehement belief that he must do this is costing him dearly and it barely seems to bother him.  First his father loses what little respect he had for him and the last argument ends with some of the harshest words between them since the “fat ass” (this has been my nickname for him since that episode) scenario.  The scene ends with Lee turning in his wings and donning a civilian funeral director’s suit to continue working with Lampkin.  His leaving the fleet felt inevitable to me, especially after the death of Starbuck.  I’ve never gotten the feeling that Lee and Bill liked each other that much even though they’ve tried several times to patch things up.  Lee then uses a twist in the show in an underhanded way to discredit Roslin’s testimony in court against Baltar.  The relationship that Lee and Roslin had seemed stronger to me than that of he and his father, more like real family.  He went to bat for her against his father, and against the law many times and now it’s so easy for him to just throw that all away.  He’s putting the law, and Baltar’s trial in front of every other thing he ever cared about.  This somehow just doesn’t fit what we’ve seen so far, and obviously is the start of a new story arc for Lee.  When Dee leaves him over his attack on Roslin he tells her that she doesn’t understand why this is so important to him.  She says she does understand and that’s why she is leaving. I wish she’d clear it up for us.  I’ve never really cared that much for Lee so at least this new turn might make him more interesting to watch. 

The big twist in the courtroom was that Roslin is again taking Kamala root which medicates her cancer, which she admits has returned, and also causes hallucinations.  I have a couple of thoughts on this twist.  First, isn’t it strange that her cancer returns just as they are nearing the nebula that was their last clue to the whereabouts of Earth?  Could she just be taking the kamala to bring back the visions that got them this far?  Also, the prophecy said that she must die to get them to earth, so is it possible that no medication, kamala or cylon/human blood can stop fate?  These are interesting concepts that we’re sure not to get answers to until next season. 

There’s a second plot thread involving strange music that Tigh and Anders are hearing.  This has to be one of the most bizarre subplots we’ve seen on Galactic yet.  I wondered while I was watching if the music might be the result of some tracking device hidden onboard the ship by Cylons or a Cylon device that is there for an even more nefarious reason.  I felt like the solution to the Cylons tracking the fleet came a bit to easy and is far from over regardless of what the music is all about.  

Things are all brimming to a head and I couldn’t be more excited.  Baltar’s trial isn’t going well, at least for the good guys.  Also, many fans have believed that Baltar would end up being like some sort of Jesus figure within the series and they might have been right.  People are coming to him for his blessing and sending him letters, only a few for now but I’m sure the number will grow.  What if Baltar is found innocent and he flees to some ship within the fleet and becomes a powerful religious figure?  Wow, now that would open up some opportunities for scene chewing.  Also, Roslin is having new visions that are coinciding with the approach to the nebula and there’s that crazy music.  This was some top notch BSG and I’m sure we’re in for a heck of a cliffhanger next week!