Bureau 42 | Battlestar Galactica: "Kobol's Last Gleaming," Part 1

Title: "Kobol’s Last Gleaming, Part 1"

Cast and Crew:

Edward James Olmos as Commander Adama
Jamie Bamber as Lee "Apollo" Adama
Katee Sackhoff as Kara "Starbuck" Thrace
Mary McDonnell as President Laura Roslin
Michael Hogan as Col. Tigh
James Callis as Dr. Gaius Baltar
Grace Park as Sharon "Boomer" Valerii
Tahmoh Penikett as Helo
Tricia Helfer as Number 6
Lorena Gale as Priest Elosha
Aaron Douglas as Chief Petty Officer Tyrol
Kandyse Mclure as Dualla
Paul Campbell as Billy Keikeya

Writer: David Eick and Ronald D. Moore

Director: Michael Rymer

Plot:

The Galactica discovers Kobol, the planet of their origin, and Starbuck must make a difficult decision. (and I don’t mean the one about doing Baltar)

On Caprica, Boomer and Helo face each other, while Galactica-Boomer considers suicide.

High Point:

1. We discussed the question last week; this episode doesn’t provide any more of an answer, but only deepens the mystery. Are the prophetic visions and the mission which they have inspired real, a colossal error of judgment, or a calculated Cylon con? Kudos to the show’s creators for raising a question that is not merely a cheap plot device.

2. Hey! An Away Team that makes sense.

Low Point:

So no one’s running the Cylon tester while Baltar does his vice-presidential work? I know that I’m repeating myself, but I’m sorry, that wouldn’t be permitted to happen.

And just how much obvious insanity are they prepared to take from Baltar? (Perhaps that should just be under "Annoying Point." I realize they have somewhat limited options).

The Scores:

Originality: 4/6. This promises to be a strong season finale, with some interesting implications. It remains very similar to the standard American Action Movie Plot: a hero must go against society (direct orders and all logic) in order to save society. Of course, they’ve problematized this premise, because we really don’t know if the hero in this case is correct in doing so, or is heading off on a fool’s errand.

Effects: 6/6. This episode boasts some strong visuals, with Kobol, swarms of Vipers, and a rough forced landing.

Story: 5/6 It’s difficult enough to fairly assess a story in a show that has a strong element of the serial; it’s even harder when they expressly identify an episode as "Part 1." The set up works well, and develops several unanswered, interesting questions. It is, however, a very cluttered Part 1.

Acting: 5/6 We see a less positive aspect of Lee’s personality, believable emotion in the President, and relatively little of Number 6's acting.

Emotional Response: 5/6.

Production: 6/6.

Overall: 5/6

In total, "Kobol’s Last Gleaming, Part 1" receives 36/42

The Timeshredder’s reviews may be found here.

Comments

A thought during the episode

posted by J_W_W on April 3 2005, 10:33 pm

After one scene all I could think of is:

"Baltar's suicide hotline, how may I help you?" Man Baltar's advice to Boomer was amazing in its polar oppostion to what someone is supposed to say.

Not really spoilers, really but sentiment derived from what would be spoilers makes me black this out: To bad she MISSED! I don't know which Boomer will die, just which one I want dead now.