Ep 12 - Kobol's Last Gleaming pt 1

[ernestborg9]

MattLee said:

It also means I was right about the cylons manipulating events right from the start. They let the galactica survive and delivered the raider right into starbucks hands in order to fetch the arrow. Seems the Cylons are quite keen on being led to earth for some reason.

clever clue bit:
every 'act of god' has had cylon manipulation behind it - and just before Thrace found the raider she prays for help - a tip off by the writers.

Course they're manipulating everything: hence the bit at the start wot sez "And they have a plan" ;D

What would be interesting to know, is just how closely does their plan mirror the Colonial's ancient writings (Pythia, etc.), and why they feel the need to manipulate things in this manner.

[MattLee]

well they think they are god, or part of him at least, so maybe they think its just their job to make prophecies happen.

Just to keep the flame alive:
I also noted that yet again Roslyns actions dovetailed with the Cylons plan exactly. _{cylon cylon cylon}

[ernestborg9]

MattLee said:

well they think they are god, or part of him at least, so maybe they think its just their job to make prophecies happen.

I don't see the Cylons as "god".

Just to keep the flame alive:
I also noted that yet again Roslyns actions dovetailed with the Cylons plan exactly. _{cylon cylon cylon}

You could say that about Elosha - she's influencing Roslins's judgement and actions. Has been since The Hand of God, doing a religious number of Roslin the same way as Six did on Baltar.

Doesn't make Elosha a Cylon .

If Roslin is a Cylon, it would undermine things far too much - especially the fact that the Cylons launched an attack on Colonial One when it was to all intents and purposes helpless in space: Lee Adama's Viper was out of commission. It was only by dint of luck and Lee's actions in using the coils from the Galactica to simulate an EMP that save Colonial One.

Or is Lee a Cylon as well?

.

[Basestar]

Safe to put this up.

Kobol’s Last Gleaming part 1

The episode opens with flashbacks to scenes of the Cylon Raider, Boomer on Galactica and Caprica, and the Cylon devices (weirdly some of these flashbacks are to things edited out of the episodes)

These blend into complex intercut scenes of Lee and Adama boxing in the gym; Helo running away on Caprica; Boomer with a pistol in her quarters, and Kara and Baltar making love. BSG Boomer contemplates suicide; Caprica Boomer asks Helo to shoot her – he does. Kara cries out Lee’s name while coming; Adama hits Lee hard in the face “I thought we were just sparring!” says Lee; “That’s why you don’t win” he replies.

Titles and flashforwards

The Fleet. Roslin is being examined by the Doctor while Billy looks on; Later she tells Elosha “I have six months at the outset.” Elosha tells her that she knows Laura will lead them to salvation, to Earth. “Then we better find it soon…” Laura replies.

Cards in the mess. Baltar, Lee and others play. “I always win” says a drunken Baltar – and Six is disappointed in his arrogance. Kara enters to Baltar’s evident interest; “Call me Mr Vice-President please” he says and invites her to sit next to Lee; embarrassed she demurs and leaves.

Roslin is discussing business with Baltar; She tells him that he must be ready to take over if anything happens to her. Goaded by Six he tells her he is finding the role difficult. “I’ve had it. I’m tired of being pushed around” he says to Six/Laura. “You need a break…” Laura suggests.

Baltar is in the bathroom - Six smashes his face in the mirror. “It’s not safe to remain on Galactica” she tells him. “A little surprise is coming…”

Adama is on the bridge as Boomer’s Raptor is ready to jump. Jump! She and Crashdown arrive instantly over a blue planet – too close! It is beautiful and the readings are perfect. “Is this Earth?” asks “No” replies Boomer. “It’s more important than that…

Helo on Caprica, in the rain across from a wounded Boomer, pointing his pistol at her, both are worn out. She tells him he has to understand, she isn’t a Cylon, she really is Sharon too. He fires a near miss. “All I want from you is a way off this planet” he shouts.

In the hangar Kara works on the Cylon Raider. “Going hunting” says Lee? They talk – about Baltar. Lee knows they have had a one night stand. They spar verbally and then trade blows. “Why’d you do it?” he asks. “I’m a screw up” she tells him.

On Colonial 1 they discuss the Raptor’s findings. There is a ruined abandoned city, perhaps 2000 years old. “Around the time the 13 tribes left Kobol” says Elosha as they look at some images from orbit. Suddenly Laura has a vision – instead of the ruins she sees an inhabited city. She describes it and they compare it with drawing of Kobol. It is Kobol – birthplace of mankind. “It’s real” says Laura – “the scriptures, the prophecies, they are all real.”

In her quarters Boomer plays with the pistol again; Baltar enters looking for Kara. “A bad time?” he asks. They talk. Six tells him he knows she’s a Cylon – “The model is weak, but it will carry out its mission.” “Why not sleep with her”, she taunts. Baltar talks to Boomer, tells her “There are worse things than death. Listen to your heart. Embrace the right decision.” He kisses her forehead and leaves. We hear a gunshot…

Examining the map, Adama says it might be Kobol; they should consider permanent settlement here. Send three Raptors to survey. Six tells Baltar to volunteer – he doesn’t want to be on Galactica when it happens... He does and they agree. Roslin asks to speak to Adama privately.

Tyrol visits Boomer in the infirmary – she has a wound to her face. “What’s going on?” “Every day I wake up and wonder who I am, if I am going to hurt someone” she says. “I’m here” he says. “No you’re not” and she dismisses him. He salutes and leaves.

Roslin is talking to Adama: according to the scriptures, the Arrow of Apollo, will open the tomb of Athena and show the way to Earth. “But there is no Earth.” “We were wrong” she tells him. Adama clearly thinks she is deranged – they’re just stories, myths, not reality. Roslin tells him this is reality - the Raider has been fixed, it can jump to Caprica, retrieve the arrow and they can use it. He refuses.

On board the Raptors, they jump – right into the middle of a Baseship and a fleet of Raiders! Combat! Evasive maneuvers! Baltar’s Raptor is hit and descends rapidly. Another Raptor is destroyed and one jumps back to Galactica as the wounded Raptor barrels in… it depressurises and comes in for a crash landing – hot and hard.

Gaeta is examining the Cylon devices – they are IFF transponders, letting Cylons identify each other as friendly. Suddenly - a report that a Raptor has returned. They get details from the crew. To rescue the others they need to nuke the Baseship. Tigh reports Kara has developed a plan to use the Raider on autopilot to get a nuke onboard a baseship. “The Raider…?”says Laura. Lee chews Kara out on the hangar – she does not take plans to the XO without his permission. He won’t allow death or glory missions from his pilots. Sad, she tells him she is sorry…

Billy and Laura argue – “she can’t risk the fleet… for a drug induced prophecy” she finishes the sentence. “Get me Lt Thrace” she tells him. “You can’t be serious” says Kara. “Leoben told you this would happen” she tells Kara. “You believe in the Gods, don’t you? We are playing our part in the cycle of time.” Kara replies “It doesn’t mean my part is to go on a mission against orders.” Laura responds “My part is that I am dying… a dying leader takes humanity to the promised land. If you go to Caprica..” “This is crazy but it doesn’t mean it isn’t true.” No says Kara “The old man will take us there – he knows the location.” “Adama lied” Roslin tells Kara. “Go ask him.”

Adama and Kara talk. “Can I ask a question? How much longer till we reach Earth?” She senses he does not know…

Kara is in flight on board the Raider, ready to test the autopilot…She asks to speak to Adama on a scrambler channel. “I believed you, in Earth.” “What are you doing?” “Bringing home the cat.” “Don’t regret anything you do” he tells her. She jumps away – where to? “Home” says Adama…

To be continued…


Ref the edits - my understanding is that so far they weren't in the US airings either - eg the footage and the duration of the eps is the same UK to US.

[pudge]

Or is Lee a Cylon as well?

That scene with father and son sparring at the beginning of the episode hinted at the possibility. Big daddy Adama made a comment or too about his son's behaviour.

[mattw65]

What would have capped this episode for me would have been an exchanged look of "what the hell?" between Roslin and Billy after Baltar walked out after his rant.

[Crashdown]

I'm posting this without reading anything else (anyone who's read my 'I hate this time' thread will understand why), so I apologise if I'm repeating anyone else, but for me, there were two big yays about what I saw of the episode.

Firstly; lots of Crashdown. There were like, multiple scenes of him without Boomer. Wacky fun.

Secondly; who found Kobol? That's right; Roslin didn't lead them there with her 12 vipers, Baltar didn't lead them there, it was Crashdown all the way. Guy's a big damn hero and I don't want any of y'all trying to give credit to the busdriver; Crash was the one that plotted the jump

Of course, when I finally do see the end of it, or see next week's, I'll probably find out he died in the crash.

[Basestar]

Look at the Gateworld pics and you'll see if you survive or not...

[ernestborg9]

pudge said:

That scene with father and son sparring at the beginning of the episode hinted at the possibility. Big daddy Adama made a comment or too about his son's behaviour.

Huh?

Don't think so. Adama was point at his son's lack of drive. It's been a continual theme in Lee Adama's development. Going from disillusioned young man to responsible adult.

In this, the comment echoes Adama's admonishment to Lee about chosing sides (Bastille Day, to be later echoed by Tom Zarek) - only for Lee to "pick" his side - literally, going in neither the direction his father wanted or Zarek wanted, but to make his own decisions.

The comment also nicely prequels the thumping session between Lee and Thrace on the hanger deck. One on the nose is precisely what Thrace has been warranting on-and-off for some time now (particularly since the events of "The Hand of God", leave alone her attitude towards the chain of command) - and following his father's words, Lee was in precisely the place to give her the thump she required.

Ergo, no Cylonism involved

[Basestar]

One of the things that interested me very much was how Rymer directed it the opening sequence so as to confuse us about whether we were seeing past, present or future (given reprise and trailer sequences used in this show.) Very cyclical.

Also, sometimes it seemed almost as if we were peeking in on scenes - we got half of them or joined midway through. Very nice, if initially confusing. Better than some of the flat direction of recent weeks.

[MattLee]

I don't see the Cylons as "god".

did you miss the bit where Loeboen specifically refers to himself as god?

[AgentK7]

I don't think the UK eps are going to be cut any differently then the US eps. Maybe a glimpse of skin one way or another but that's it.

The UK runtimes are in the exact time constraints that American shows run on, 41:00 to 43:00. I think the Gateworld pics were done prior to some episodes being cut together. Would definitely explain the mishmash of pictures for Kobol 1 and 2....

Was anyone a little disappointed with the Raider light drive plot device? If they could jump that far so quickly, you'd think the raiders would have been a much worse threat in the earlier episodes....

Also, about the "plan" for Galactica to be on the run from the start. If this is true it really undermines what was accomplished in the miniseries. It also conflicts with the conversation the human models had at the end, about it taking years to find them, etc.

[waerth]

First of all a wonderfull great episode. It had me at the edge of my sofa. I loved it when Roslin and Six answered in choir.

Now to all the comments that people make that the cylons planned this from the beginning ......... Bullocks.

I do not believe that. The plan was to wipe everybody out in the mini.

How could they have planned for those exact ships to survive?

How could they have planned for the Galactica to go to Ragnar Anchorage?

How could the cylons have planned for Starbucks viper to have an accident, have Starbuck survive it and fly back with the Raider?

I don't believe it and there are so many more instances.

Why didn't Sharon bomb the propulsion? Because she couldn't reach it!

Why didn't Dorrall do it? Because he bumped into Tigh and Adama.

Now offcourse if you are faced with your enemy running you need to herd them somewhere. And what better place than Kobol and wait for them there.

I believe that there are Cylon sleepers on the fleet. But I do not believe that the bodies they are in would be equiped with powerfull enough transmitters to tell the cylons where the fleet is, they might have "shortrange" ones though. They would need a ships radio for long range transmissions. That is why they used the Olympic carrier in 33.

As we noticed earlier on Galactica now registers all outgoing wireless traffic ...... (Dualla about Adama making secret radio calls, they got logged). So as soon as strange radio signals would be broadcasted from the fleet the cylon would expose him/herself. That is why it has not happened since.

Now why Leoben. How come he tries to guide them Kobol you ask me ....... well here is my theory.

A receiver has to be less powerfull than a transmitter and would go relatively undetected. So the cylons just make a massbroadcast and their sleepers wherever the hell they are get informed and now what to do. Itsa so simple.

Waerth

[francisdouse]

Can I just add my bit?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH MY FRAKKIN' GODS!!!

OH MY... (fainted)

Back again! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

I LITERALLY had tensed up so much watching it I almost crushed the remote control, SO many questions, SO many answers, SO FRAKKIN GOOD!!!!

Battlestar is the BEST sci-fi series I've ever seen, yes the old one was great, I grew up on it, but THIS IS INTENSE.

I can't wait until next week, then what? 2 years until more? IF EVER? If this doesn't continue, the networks need to be nuked.



Ok, I'm done. I'll make some proper contributions after I've watched it another ten times!!! Thank the Lords of Kobol I've recorded them!!!

[redspine]

I see mr 1 out of 5 has voted again. Sorry dude no way it was the best ep so far. Sour grapes I think.