That's about all I can say after the last four episodes of Battlestar Galactica.
There are some who have expressed other opinions about the show, in particular my late friend Andy who used to call it "Battlestar Neurotica," but I really think this season has demonstrated what excellent writers and actors Ron Moore has put together for this show. The first two episodes after the hiatus, "Sometimes a Great Notion" and "A Disquiet Follows My Soul," were very dark and depressing - and rightly so. In these two episodes, we see the aftermath of the fleet's discovery that Earth isn't what they had hoped and dreamed. Imagine the sense of devastation, to be the only surviving members of a civilization, to have lived for four years in the hope of finding a new home where they could start again, only to have those dreams shattered completely. Hell, even the Cylons were depressed about it!
After that, the latest two episodes were almost inevitable. "The Oath" and "Blood on the Scales" show us the logical outcome of previous events. Where the other episodes brought the fleet through denial and depression, now that turns to anger, with people seeking someone to blame and lashing out at those they feel are responsible for the betrayal of their trust.
Let me say, it has been a long time since a television show could get me so emotionally engaged as the two mutiny episodes did. So many things that happened in those two hours resonated very deeply, that I literally was exhausted after watching each of them. From the moment events started to snowball, I was on the edge of my seat almost tense enough to scream. When Gaeta took the CIC, I could feel Adama's anger in my bones - as an officer, to see another, especially someone trusted and respected, betray their oath is absolutely unconscionable, no mater how pure they think their motives are. And as a father, watching Helo try to protect his family, I wanted to jump through the screen and start smashing goons with my fists. And let's not forget Adama and Tigh making their stand at the airlock. Its true, they could have left on the Raptor - there was plenty of time. But on the other hand, there is no way Adama could have left - Galactica is his ship, and to abandon her would mean abandoning the people still loyal to him, almost as admission of guilt to the conspirators, and would have made any hope of retaking the ship nearly impossible. On a deeper level, Adama's anger at what was happening would not permit him to leave either, no more than I would let someone drive me from my home.
So here's a few thoughts about this story arc so far, broken down by the characters:
Cally - so when did she become a slut? And with Hot Dog? Talk about not knowing somebody, I guess. But still - Hot Dog???
Dualla - the writers always throw me for a loop. After her return from Earth, I was afraid that she would do something stupid, but then she seemed to pull it together, even giving Lee a pep talk! And then - blam! I almost fell out of my seat at that, I so did not see it coming. I love D's character, but I can understand why they decided to kill her off - the depths of the despair the fleet was feeling at that point is something most of us can only imagine. To see it so affect someone as close to us as D really drives it home.
Baltar - the man keeps confusing me, really. Having rewatched previous episodes now, I have to say that I think his religious convictions in this season really came from the heart, but the discovery of Earth has given him quite a crisis of faith, so much so that he defaulted to his old "take care of myself" routine in "The Oath." And yet, even as he was justifying saving his own skin, and trying to get off Galactica, he didn't go the path I thought he would. When he picked up the phone in the airlock, I was sure he was going to sell out Roslin for his own safety. But instead, he makes an appeal to Gaeta's better nature, tries to convince him to end the rebellion. Go figure. And later, about the base ship, could it be that Gaius is suddenly developing a conscience? It certainly seems that way, especially at the end, where he seems to be consoling Gaeta as he awaits execution. Hell of a time to grow up, though - could have used that a couple seasons ago!
Lee - ever since Lee decided to go into politics, I've been on the fence about him. It was nice to see him back in action, where he belongs. Also nice to see him mess with Starbuck, puling something she might have ("Would have been funny if you'd thought of it.").
Gaeta - this one's complex. Throughout "The Oath," I had an irresistible urge to reach through the screen and strangle him. Not only did he betray his commander and his shipmates, he then waffles and can't seem to bring himself to fully commit to the path he's chosen! But fast forward to "Blood on the Scales," and suddenly we see a very conflicted Gaeta, who is no longer so sure he has picked the right side. By the end, I was actually feeling sorry for him (although only a little).
Roslin - what can I say. Don't piss her off!
So here's my predictions for what's coming:
1) The planet they found is not Earth. I'm fairly confident in this one - I live on Earth (most days), and I'm pretty sure I'm not a Cylon, so this seems a safe bet.
2) Anders is going to die. My guess is that after being shot, he's probably barely alive in sickbay, and Ellen's return will bring out the fact that the final five can resurrect, so Kara will let him die in order for him to return again.
3) Galactica isn't going to be making many more jumps. I mean, when the ship starts to crack, for frak's sake, you just have to go easy on it...
4) We're going to find out that the reason the final five went to the colonies, and started this whole genocidal cycle, is because the destruction of their world 2,000 years ago was done by the colonists, or possibly the mysterious Lords of Kobol.
Am I right? We'll have to wait and see.