No television show captured the zeitgeist of the 2000s like the re-imaged Battlestar Galactica. Humanity experienced a 911 on an unprecedented scale resulting in a flight from home to escape the Cylons. The show dealt with issues ranging from military tribunals to the role of democracy in a crisis. Every episode resulted in an exploration in the human condition. The focus on humanity in unimaginable circumstances made the show great.
Here are my top 10 episodes in no particular order:
The Miniseries (2003):
Ron Moore reimaged the old 1970s Battlestar Galactica giving it a grittier up-to-date look. He reworked the mythology and made the Cylons a human creation. Rather than a Pearl Harbor-esque attack, the Cylons use a computer virus to disable human defenses. They launch the attack hoping to exterminate humanity. The show echoed events of 911 and took it to a genocidal level.
33 (2005):
The fleet has fled the colonies and the Ragnar Anchorage for deep space. Despite being thoroughly defeated, the Cylons are bent on exterminating the humans and relentlessly attack the fleet forcing them to jump every 33 minutes. The crew has to battle not only the Cylons, but lack of sleep as well. In the end, they are forced to destroy a civilian ship not knowing if it had been hijacked by Cylons or not. The episode won a Hugo and is one of the best, most intense television episodes I have ever seen.
Kobol’s Last Gleaming (2005):
In part one, the fleet discovers Kobol. A survey team crashes on the planet while Roslyn sends Starbuck back to Caprica to find the Arrow of Apollo. In the second part, Adama overthrows Roslyn, Starbuck fights Six, and Boomer admits to being pregnant. The episode ends with Adama being shot by another Boomer.
Flight of the Phoenix (2005):
In a wonderful episode that provided some relief and hope to the beleaguered fleet, Chief Tyrol creates a ship from scratch. The so-called Blackbird is a stealth ship later dubbed Laura in honor of the president. However, before they can celebrate, the fleet has to ward off a major Cylon attack, which they do with Boomer’s help. After she reversed a virus, the Cylon fleet lay defenseless allowing the Viper pilots to destroy them at will.
Scar (2006):
Scar was a Cylon pilot that killed many colonial pilots. The title also represents Starbuck’s unhealed wounds. Starbuck is the best pilot in the fleet when functional. However, pressures and guilt turned her into a shell of her former self. She makes bad choices and is called out for it by Kat. The episode recounts the struggles of some war vets who return home and are never quite the same. In the end, Kat destroys Scar, who is also brandishing his own issues.
Lay Down Your Burdens (2006):
Starbuck is given permission to return to Caprica to rescue Anders and other survivors. Along the way, they discover a planet capable of supporting human life. Once on Caprica, they find Anders and are almost immediately attacked by the Cylons. They eventually escape to the fleet where Cavil is discovered to be a Cylon. Meanwhile, Baltar defeats Roslyn in an election after Gaeta discovers attempts to rig the election Chicago-style.
Exodus (2006):
Humanity fled to what they believed was a safe harbor. The Cylons discovered them and an outnumbered Galactica and Pegasus flee. Colonel Tigh is forced to lead a resistance against the occupation and discovers his wife is a traitor. He poisons her to save humanity. Later, Galactica returns to rescue the survivors in an amazing sci-fi rescue. Unfortunately, Lee is forced to sacrifice the Pegasus to save Galactica and the fleet.
Crossroads (2007):
Tory, Tigh, Anders, Tyrol can’t get “All Along the Watchtower” out of their heads! At the end, they discover they are actually Cylon. Meanwhile, Baltar is tried and acquitted for treason. The music usage could have been cheesy, but Moore and the producers handled it perfectly. I was miffed that Tyrol was a Cylon and had a problem believing Tigh was a toaster.
Revelations (2008):
The Galactica discovers Earth, but it turns out to be a radioactive wasteland. Making matters worse, Tigh admits to Adama he is a Cylon. He is arrested and a frustrated heartbroken Adama rips his office apart. The interplay between Adama and Tigh is one of the most intense and memorable scenes in the show’s run.
The Oath/Blood on the Scales (2009):
An embittered Felix Gaeta sides with Tom Zarek to stage a coup. After the political hierarchy refuses to support him quickly enough, Zarek murders them and then moves on Adama. Gaeta assumes command of the ship and Adama is taken away for execution. He is soon rescued and marches on the C-I-C where the coup collapses. Gaeta and Zarek are later executed. Gaeta emerges as a tragic figure while Zarek proves to be a thug as opposed to an idealist. At the time, Zarek’s brutality shocked me. Although, I probably should have seen it coming!
