Ho boy, do I know at least a couple of regular readers of my BSG posts (one in particular) that were happy to see so much Eight action in this episode. I’ve gotta say, about 30-40 minutes into this one, I was thinking we were in for another dose of ho-hum. But it really did pull together nicely in the end, even though I saw the Thrace reveal coming all the way from downtown New Caprica.
I found it interesting and pretty damn cool that the Cylons are able to sort-of communicate their thoughts and dreams with each other, creating a sort-of virtual reality between them. Not only that, but judging by Tyrol’s run through the house at the end, they can transfer and store those “memories” from others as well.
As for Boomer’s deception, she certainly seemed at one point to be on the fence as to which was more important: Tyrol or Cavil. Otherwise, why would she have hesitated at all to frak Helo in order to achieve her goal? We can all see the writing on the wall now: Boomer is as good as dead before this series is over. The question is, at whose hands?
I’ve got a question about the smaller ships and their FTL’s. Wouldn’t it make a whole lot of sense if each Viper and Raptor automatically communicated their destination coordinates with Galactica before jumping? Really, it makes no sense that that wouldn’t be a frakking requirement for them all! Then ships wouldn’t get lost and they could have considered mounting an attack on Boomer’s location.
Speaking of jumping, how cool was that scene with Galactica getting slammed by the wake of the Raptor’s jump? Sofa King cool.
The Kara Thrace story takes an interesting turn in this episode, with her long-gone dad, Dreilide Thrace, appearing at the bar as a vision only she can see. But it’s that vision and Hera’s help with musical note doodling that helps her find the music she apparently was meant to play. As to what it all means, we still have no frakking idea.
One thing to note — and why I added the picture above to this post — is the name on Mr. Thrace’s music: Live at the Helice Opera House. Now where did we see an opera house before…? Right, I don’t need to remind you. Probably with a good night’s sleep and a morning coffee, I’ll have a “eureka!” moment about what this all means, but for now all I’m coming up with is that Dreilide is really Bob Dylan.
Lastly, Laura Roslin’s situation we were left with was one to ponder, though I highly doubt she’s dead. What does it mean, though, that she could sense Hera left the ship? If Roslin and Kara wind up being straight-on human, then I’m going to be mighty confused as to these strange abilities of theirs. Then again, non-fiction humans have had their fair share of oddities now, haven’t they?
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Feb 27, 2009 @ 23:52 EST5EDT
It was ho-hum. There are only 3 weeks left now and 50 minutes of this one was a bore.
D’oh!
I forgot to bring up the Cylon Hologram, that’s just what this episode needed. lol
I was thinking exactly the same thing – ho-hum – wondering where this episode was going and when the frak it was going to get there. Then it did and it was pretty, well, operatic there at the end. I liked seeing all of the Sixes with the pilots too. I think Boomer did it with Helo to not blow her cover because he thought she was Athena. If she’d put him off, he may have suspected she wasn’t who he thought she was and that would have blown her mission. An okay episode with a great finish!
Boomer – you pernicious, depraved 8! I can’t wait until Athena gets her hands on you!
I had physical pain knowing Hera was in the box. Tyrol – you’re done too, fall on your sword now before Helo gets to you!
I’ll admit I did not see the piano man/daddy vision thing coming. I really liked how it turned out.
Roslin knowing about Hera – She knew that Hera was “the shape of things to come” way back when. They were always linked.
Keith, I like your idea about smaller ships automatically communicating coordinates to the Galactica. That would have come in handy.
Oh next week! More pain! Sam hooked up hybrid style, Galactica in ruins.
Poor Hera. I’m furious.
bsgfan. I understand your anger. Hang in there because I have an explanation for Boomer. I’m just popping in and out here today and will have to be a little late on my review. You and Dorv (I concede) were correct on your prediction but the reasons for it I can mitigate. This episode may very well make all the top lists of all time.
I’m looking forward to this!
Yes, lets she how our friend defends her actions this time :)
Cavil will probably want to bargain. Hera for the 5 so he can get resurrection technology back.
Roslin an Hera are linked by blood, literally. Hera’s stem cell blood cured (or at least put Roslin into remission) back in season 2(?). So I think Roslin may be completely human, but still be tied to Hera, and possibly the Cylons in some way.
I hate to say it, BSG, but you’re totally right. The Chief is dead by the finale, hopefully in an act of redemption.
I have nothing to add about the actions of Boomer other than to point back to the post a couple of episodes back where I explained to Tim-1 why I don’t like any of the Eights, and Boomer in particular.
I kinda knew that the pianist was a vision from their first conversation, and had a feeling that Hera’s drawing meant something, but the fact that it was the notes to Watchtower threw me for a loop.
Wouldn’t have someone seen/helped Athena in between her quarters and the ready room?
My Educated Guess, along with my Friend Adam[a]’s, is that Dreilide is actually Daniel (The Last #7, who escaped) and that Kara, like Hera, is a Cylond-Human Hybrid. Roslin is a mere human, the dying the leader. She’ll most likely die before the show is over, So I expect she may be dying this time.
I believe Boomer actually does love the Chief, only she had no choice but to run, why not help her cavil in the process? I dunno. She’s pretty twisted.
Weddle interview –
https://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/02/battlestar-galactica-starbuck-boomer-someone-to-watch-over-me-.html#more
Bsgfan2003….The link doesn’t seem to work for me. If I may ask….could you fill me in on what the gist of the topic was?
A highlight that you might find interesting –
Weddle: Did Boomer really love the Chief? That’s an interesting question and one I don’t have a neat answer to. Boomer is deeply conflicted. I think the process of having false memories planted in her, getting switched “on” as a Cylon, shooting Adama, getting shot by Cally, and her experiences on New Caprica have left her severely disturbed. She was determined to go through with her mission, but in the process of seducing Tyrol she reawakened feelings of love that she thought were dead. I think she experienced real misgivings just before she got on that Raptor, but felt she had gone too far to back down. Wrapped up in that is her perverse envy of Athena, who obtained everything Boomer once wanted, and this festered into a sick desire to strike out at Athena. It’s difficult to say someone who did that loves the Chief, and yet in her damaged way, I think she did and still does love him.
Thompson: Good question. She may not even know the answer. Boomer’s a complicated, damaged individual. Might both be true?
Thank you. It only re-enforces my explanation over at TVS. Thank you again bsgfan. Goodnight my friend.
Ok, I’m going to to all old school with my comments today, just because I haven’t done it in a while.
I thought this episode was pretty good. To say that means that I have the ability to separate my ability to like (or in this case dislike) what happens but still like how the story was told to us. Because I HATED what happened in this episode.
Specifically, Boomer and the Chief. I knew, obviously, based on the foreshadowing and the previews last week that this was the direction that we were going. I posted a long diatribe several weeks ago ( https://www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/02/14/is-starbuck-the-seventh-cylon-anders-explains-almost-everything/comment-page-1/#comment-10661 ) about why I didn’t like the Eights, specifically Boomer. Those words, IMHO, turned out to be dead on.
When the Allied Cylons said that they wanted Boomer for a “trial,” even I was against it. But by the end of the episode, I say burn her down. She’s betrayed the Admiral, she’s betrayed humanity, she’s betrayed her her race, and she’s specifically betrayed her model (which, to me, is analogous to her family). What does she stand for? What can she stand for? She is without worth, the bottom of the barrel. As much as I personally hated Gaeta for his weakness and selfishness, at least he believed in what he was doing.
So the play Cavil made, to basically give up Ellen for Hera, really tells us just how important Hera really is. But important to whom? If Cavil really is intent on recreating Ressurection, it seems that Hera is inconsequential to that goal. Thus she must mean so much to Humanity, or Cylon reproduction…… OR, can Cylon Reproduction and Resurrection not co-exist in the Galaxy at the same time? Maybe why the five couldn’t resurrect above Earth until its destruction? I’m rambling, but I’ve never put a lot of thought into Hera.
A huge development that I think was quickly glossed over was the Cylons getting representation in the new legislative body that’s being formed. Its a MASSIVE jump from the fleet accepting their technology to now accepting them as a viable part of their society. That’s saying a lot, but I think if the Admiral can accept Cylon technology to try to save Galactica, anything is possible.
I loved the stuff with Starbuck and Slick. Personally, I’ve been of the opinion that Starbuck’s father was one of the Daniel models in some way, shape, form, or fashion. That being said, other than an explanation of who or what Starbuck is, I don’t think we’ll get too much more on Daniel. The introduction of Watchtower as A) A song that Kara learned to play as a child and B) Something that Hera could draw the sheet music to is just plain damn weird. Interesting weird, but still weird.
The Chief gets the shaft like its his job. Falls in love and plans a life only to have that ripped away by the war. Oh, and the fact that she was a murderous betraying Cylon. So he moves on and “settles” in his mind on a lesser woman he doesn’t have the same feelings for. Finds out that he is not what he thinks he is (And then thus has something in common with his first love). Has wife murdered. Finds out son isn’t his. Finds first love and gets to experience what that life would have been life, only to be betrayed, and become a part of what’s got to be one of the most horrible thing possible. This episode made it clear to me 1/2 of a prediction I’ll make here in a second.
The cinematography was amazing as usual, but two shots in particular stood out WAY above the rest. The shot of Ellen and Tigh, childless from the beginning, sitting in the day care, and that long slow pull into the room, with them off to one side of the shot, was pretty. The best, however was the overhead of Kara and Slick’s hands playing the keys close up, and the pull back as the music ramped up to powerfully hit us with the familiar chords of Watchtower. Beautiful shot.
(On a side note, I’ve got to comment, just because I know that people here will probably know what I’m talking about, and that I’m a outspoken (read: borderline rude) guy that says what’s on his mind. If you’re a fan like we’re fans, or your a fan like you are paid to review this show, how in the frak can you not recognize that song? More so, be ignorant enough to talk about the music, and wish it was that song? Seriously?)
I still don’t like Cylon projection. Even RDM said it was invented to help with a problem that never really was a problem (making the stark boringness of the interior of the Baseship more interesting to watch).
Here’s what I think I know about the last four hours of Galactica we have left. I think that there’s no way that the Chief and Starbuck are alive when the final credits run. Which means all of my favorite characters will be dead (Or stuck on a post apocolyptic Earth).
A very reflective, thought-provoking post Dorv. Except for those references about Boomer, I enjoyed it. Of course, I covered Boomer’s back in my post at TVS and I think you will find it a good explanation, and should vindicate Boomer for all to behold.
You do bring up some interesting points. For example, a couple episodes ago, Adama wouldn’t even allow the cylons to work on a repair detail. Then….after a no-choice position, he grudgedly allows the cylons to paint the goo in the walls. Now, the cylons are members of the council??? Not to mention allowed to share combat missions. A very quick turn of events indeed. I don’t mind it, but curious considering previous attitudes. I guess we have to allow the writers freedom of swift story movement due to the limited time left.
My take on why Cavil is interested in Hera is because he will use her as bait to destroy the humans and rebels. I know…no great secret there, but who knows what is going through the evil Cavil’s twisted mind.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the joint CAP happened before the repairs. They lost a lot of good pilots in the mutiny. And frankly, joint defense is exactly the kind of burden the Rebels should be shouldering with the Colonials, and is a lot easier to sell to the Fleet than the FTL upgrades. Cylons rummaging around in the guts of Adama’s baby now, that I can see the Old Man having a problem with.
The Cylon Quorum delegate is all Lee’s affair (and technically, Roslin’s). And I think it’s a lot more palatable in the Quorum of Ships than in the Quorum of the Twelve Colonies. It’s harder to argue that the Cylons don’t have a ship in the fleet — look out the damn window.
As I’ve written before, I just don’t think we are going to get satisfactory answers about Starbuck. We are going to left debating what sort of being she is. I don’t mind.
To be honest, there’s only one thing I really need at the end. It’s for Lee and Kara to be together. I just checked the 3rd Lee/Kara Shipper Forum on Sci Fi and theres almost 8,600 pages of responses of folks wanting the same thing. I hope RDM accommodates this desire!
Dorv, 2 things I really liked from your post.
“OR, can Cylon Reproduction and Resurrection not co-exist in the Galaxy at the same time? ” Interesting, I guess from the spiritual approach, the One True God may not want it…
And –
“The best, however was the overhead of Kara and Slick’s hands playing the keys close up, and the pull back as the music ramped up to powerfully hit us with the familiar chords of Watchtower. Beautiful shot.”
Oh that was a brilliant scene, my eyes liked it, my ears liked it, my heart liked it.
The writers always have drawn attention to Kara’s hands. Mom smashing them in the door, Burned in raptor crash, piano playing, there was more that I’ve noticed over the series, but that I can’t recall now. Not overly important, but when I re-watch it all, I’ll be sure to pay more attention to details like that.
Ahhhh yes….attention to detail is a real strengh of you and Dorv….and the points you mention bring to mind what the BSG writers throughout the series run were very good at….powerful imagery
Yeah, those few seconds really stand out in my mind… The symbolism of using top down shots, if I remember my Film Studies class from college was to imply a god like omnipotence or to reference fate as a theme (or, you know, something else).
I’ve re-watched that scene several times, and it just really speaks to me. How the rest of the music kicks up at the same time just shouts, “Hey, this means something, so put down the damn laptop and pay attention” (which is ironic, as I was watching it off of iTunes on my laptop… The point I’m making, is HOW CAN YOU NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS WATCHTOWER???? Sorry, I’m bitter).
As I’ve unfortunately learned from the Terminator reviews, Brad sometimes… misses things. Of course, I’m little better at music, myself.
What am I going to do after three weeks. No Athena. No Boomer. No eights. No Dorv. No bsgfan. No Akbar. No cress-d. No (Whack!!!) ….sound of wife hitting Tim-1’s head with shoe missle….
Find a new fandom and come here and talk about it. Make it something your wife can get into to (One would assume, that for that to work, it can’t be a project with Grace Park in it).
I know, it will never be the same. Everything about BSG worked for me; the story, the actors, the online community. It’s like a close friend moving far away. I’ll miss it all.
In my normal day to day life, I’ve never met one person who has even watched the show, so it’s been nice to have you all.
Ok, so I’ve demonized Boomer (at least as much as I possibly can). But one of her actions doesn’t necessarily fit in with my scenario (at least not very easily).
Why did she invite the Chief to go with her? Was it her selling the con to Tyrol, it was it some last ditch at obtaining the love that (even cynical old me recognizes) that she, at least, originally had? Or was getting one of the five back to Cavil part of the plan, albeit a low priority?
If memory serves she said, “I can’t do this without you.” Since I’m done thinking charitably in Boomer’s direction (visualize drugged little girl in Boomer’s luggage) my speculation about this statement will have a darker bent. “I can’t do this without you” means – “I need more help getting off this ship, so that I may carry out my nefarious mission”. Also if Tyrol is on board, that’s one more hostage to protect her from being shot at.
Some other things I forgot.
It is refreshing to see the friendship between Helo and Kara. What a swell guy for getting her stuff back!
Also, Sam. Presumably (previews) they plug him in, essentially making him a hybrid right? Some sort of goodness/miracle happens in Daybreak, after that can you imagine the Centurions making a life with the humans and cylon skinjobs? Me, no. So maybe the Centurions take the baseship and Sammy and the Centurions become the new “Guardians” of Sammy. This has happened before and will happen again? Who knows, I guess we’ll see.
My friends
There is one minor detail that maybe we all (including myself) have overlooked. Firstly, we know how the writers are consistently good at “the red herring” syndrom by getting us to think one way while they go at an entirely different direction. There is no need to repeat the logical explanation of what the sinister Cavil did to Boomer to make her act that way. But that explanation covers Boomer ONLY if Boomer actually has untoward motives for Hera and our other protagonists.
What we have overlooked is a major flaw in the “supposed” plan of that creepy Cavil. How….can Cavil assume that Boomer can execute all this from the brig. Cavil would HAVE to know Boomer would be locked up immediately. Assuming Boomer could talk her way out of jail, then orchestrate all this seems just too much of a stretch to me. Now commenters Dorv and Bsgfan, for example, are good at catching minute details in the story fabric. Case in point, what comes to mind here is the way the writers made a point of closing in on that shot of the box Hera was supposedly in. What if Hera is not in there? What if the writers wanted us to THINK she was in there? What if Boomer has a plan to actually help the humans? The death of the unfortunate eight was entirely Tyrols fault. I may be fishing in an empty pond here but what ever the case, we must remember to keep in mind that even if Boomer is being a bad girl, and no matter what “mind controlled thing” she may do, it is the fault of Cavil and his diabolical manipulations.
I think you’re just trying to find ways to make Boomer innocent, which, I truly don’t believe she is (its the whole being weak thing that seals it for me).
Here’s the deal: If Boomer is incident, I will shove my foot squarely in my mouth, and proclaim to the masses the exquisite beauty of blah blah blah just for you.
(LOL) I am going to hold you to that Dorv!
What would be the point of taking her out of day care and even telling the old man she is there? If it was just supplies, why would she ask the Chief to be careful with the box? Sorry Tim-1, she is in there. The preview for the next episode sealed that as well.
As much as you love the Eights, don’t be too quick to assume the goop-layer was killed. While watching the show, I assumed Tyrol had just knocked her out. The guards were monitoring the video, and they could have noticed if the prisoner wasn’t breathing before Boomer got off the ship. There was no reason for him to commit murder.
Thank you Ryan. I hope that is the case. I hate to see anyone die a senseless death, and of course, especially an eight. I am still reeling over this episode. What an emotion stirrer!
Thank you Akbar. If that is the case, it could only mean my initial explanation is the correct one. The writers have truly created the ultimate wicked villain in Cavil.
I hope the podcast from RDM has something to convince you. Then you can write, “Boomer is a bad girl” ten times for penance.
Lovely bsgfan2003
I respect commenters like you Dorv, Akbar and the others….the very bedrock of BSG fandom. For that matter, in any serious situation that would ever require cause, I would defend you all to the last….until the Sphinx of Egypt turns to dust. I say that with the full acceptence that my friends are at polar extremes with regards to my favorite girl(s). But the real measure of a friend is not only how well you get along when everything is cozy …but how well you weather the storms of disagreement (consider Adama and Saul i.e.). Respect is king and admiration is queen, friendship requires both to thrive, but I digress.
R. Moore may write anything he wishes. It is up to the loyal fans to bail him out on his obvious lack of storyline explanations. Remember….Moore himself averred that some explanations would not be physically forthcoming. Moore should have made clear what Cavil did.
Insert comma after “you” in “you, Dorv, etc.
I apologise for the grammar error.
That assumes that Cavil is the driving force behind Boomers actions.
I see three possible outcomes.
A. She could have been in full cahoots with Cavil. She agrees on all his plans and actions.
B. She did this all on her own realizing it was the only solution to the problem and did it on her own.
C. Cavil is in on the plan but it was all her idea.
Myself, I choose a mix of A and C.
I think its going to be Cavil behind everything (at least on the Cylon side). I think its just too complicated to work something larger out in what we have left.
I think Cavil said get it done, but was light on specifics once she was on Galactica. Boomer is resourceful, and knew she had a chance of duping Tyrol. And the rest is history.
Tim-1. Please understand I like, and identify with Athena quite a bit. I feel like I get her motivations. Remember how everyone jumped down my throat when I said I understood what Athena’s state of mind might be like when she shot Natalie? I still stand by that.
I just want to make sure you know that it’s not irrational 8 hate on my part regarding Boomer. ;)
Of course I understand that bsgfan. And even if you did not feel that way, it would not alter my opinion of you being the elite queen of our BSG commenter universe! I truly believe that you have been a beneficial influence on the atmosphere on these blogs, bsgfan. Even when BSG ends I will probably read the posts you guys write about on other shows (even though I may not know what you’re talking about LOL). I know you guys watch Lost, so I’m thinking about catching up with that show. Oh how I wish Grace Park would do another series TVS or CC would review! I’ll find something. EEK….three episodes left.