Friday, February 06, 2009

Blood on the Scales

Another outstanding episode of Battlestar Galactica tonight. Even the moments not filled with action were filled with tension, and the hour raced by at blinding speed.

It was a very cool exit for the character of Felix Gaeta. He's been one of the most likable minor characters from a long time back, yet his descent into mutiny over the last handful of episodes was completely credible. You hated to see it happen to him, and yet I for one actually found myself hating him at points in this two-parter. In the end, though, I think you come back to the good man he was, and it certainly pollutes any thrill you might have at seeing Zarek executed at last to have Gaeta right beside him. And that final moment, where Gaeta's leg at last stops itching. Perfect.

But there were many more great moments throughout the hour. At first I was thrilled to see Romo Lampkin return, for love of actor Mark Sheppard's performance. Then for a fraction of a second, I wondered if it was implausible that he show up as though he were only lawyer in the fleet. Then I almost instantly decided, A) it didn't matter, because it was cool to see the character again; and B) you might imagine Gaeta specifically asking for Romo to humiliate, since Gaeta lied on the witness stand to see Baltar convicted, but the "slick lawyer" got him off anyway.

And then, of course, it was all worth it to see Romo (perhaps not as crazy as when last we saw him, but still certainly crazy) whip out the pen to take out his guard, and then almost not help Starbuck in her time of need.

The great little scene where Tyrol and the security guard pine for better times.

The odd scene of self-realization where Baltar discovers another layer to his relationship with his "fan club."

But the tour de force, once again, was Mary McDonnell's performance as Roslin. Every beat on her emotional roller coaster was strong. Her confrontation with the rebel Cylons, the moments where she believes she's lost Adama (and her threats that follow), and the scene where she's reunited with the man she thought dead. It stinks that all the awards are too snooty to honor science fiction -- this is only the latest of many times Mary McDonnell has delivered one of the strongest performances on television.

Can't wait for next week!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Zarek wiped out the Quorum! that was brutal! and when Gaeta found out and realized just how deep he was in it, you could tell he just wanted to cry. I thought it was very cool to give Gaeta that last scene where he was talking to his "friend" Baltar. I think if this was not the final few episodes, Zarek would have gotten away somehow.

I thought it was a cool tactic for Zarek to claim, several different times to various people, that characters had been killed. of course he wanted to demoralize his enemies, but it gave us all great character moments instead. Roslin's reaction was the best! I'm coming to get youuuuuuuu!!! it was like what Rambo would say!

oh and we gotta give props to Hot Dog for not blindly following orders.

the mole