Television: DRADIS Contact: Battlestar 4.18

"Islanded in a Stream of Stars" marks the first episode of Battlestar A.B. , that's after Boomer. The opening of the show deals in the aftermath of Hera's abduction. We learn very quickly of a Cylon colony, that Starbuck is now convinced of Hera's importance, and we witness an accident that leaves the crew in shambles. The rest of the episode shows Adama struggling to let go of the dying Galacatica.

"Stream" was definitely more plot dense than last week and yet I felt less forward movement. It seemed to be moving the pieces around the chess board rather than putting them on the attack. The inevitable abandoning of the Galactica was a welcome development s weas Hera's arrival with into Cavil's waiting arms. I don't really know if I buy Kara's anguish over Sam when she didn't seem to care not too long ago.

Grace Park continues to blow me away. Her one scene as Athena was heartbreaking and her time of Boomer managed to deepen that character as well as our sympathies towards her. Similarly, Helo's confrontation with Adama is a highlight for Tahmoh Pinkett in the entire run of the show.

Why Starbuck ever trusted Baltar I have no idea. His betrayal was one of those clarifying moments in his personality. That he is at his core rotten and warped. It's such a juxtaposition of his reaction to seeing Caprica 6. There he seems open and vulnerable. But in the end she is right he hasn't changed, not really.

We did get the return of several reoccurring themes. "All Along the Watchtower" made an appearance as a Number 8's dying words. The shared dream returned as did the "harbinger of doom." The question I ask myself is, who will she lead to their doom? I'm starting to think it will be the Cavil led cylons.

A few of my favorite moments:

Helo screaming "Look at me!" to Athena.

Lee's reading of the name "Gaius Baltaar!"

Lee's speech to Kara in the halls of Galactica. "This is all that matters" Which seems to be a reoccurring theme of the overall series. The question of humanity and what makes us human.

We are now set up for the epic 3 hour finale of the series. I'm sad and excited all at the same time. Tune in next week!

"So say we all!"

Televison: DRADIS Contact: Battlestar 4.17

"Listen. It may feel like hell, but sometimes lost is where you need to be. Just because you don't know your direction doesn't mean you don't have one."

Friends, Capricans, Cylons lend me your eyes.  This is Bobby checking in with my weekly (for the next 4 weeks anyway) Battlestar Galactica postmortem.  In the interest of full disclosure there are SPOILERS ahead. 

Let's get one thing out of the way right now...Boomer is an evil bitch!  The path of destruction she left if her wake was shattering.  In this episode she manages to destroy the lives of Tyrol, Athena, Helo and cripple Galactica in the span of a few hours. 

Grace Park has never been my favorite performer on the show but she is note perfect here.  She manages to really make me believe Boomer and Athena are two completely different people. The scene in the flight briefing room where a bruised and beaten Athena screams for her kidnapped child shook me to my core. And the look on Tyrol's face when he is told Boomer stole Hera made that character as real and alive as its ever been.

There are few things that melt this reporters cold heart and a Kara Thrace episode is one of those things.  I have been addicted ever Since the first moment her short blond hair and attitude problem graced the screen and in "Someone To Watch Over Me" Katie Sackoff is at her best.  

The advertising for this weeks episode led us to believe we'd discover the mystery behind Starbuck's seeming resurrection.  In fact the conclusion only aided in deepening that riddle. What we were treated to is a psychological examination of the woman herself. 

Her voice over at the start did wonders for showing the rut she is in.  How she keeps moving but not going anywhere.  Every second she interacts with the piano player is emotionally subtle as it is powerful.  The exchange where she tries to make nice by comparing the song to chasing a car is one of those times Sackhoff conveys this vulnerability that makes that character so wonderful to me. 

I've heard the ending referred to as a "Sixth Sense" moment.  That commentary makes me believe people don't understand that movie.  Malcolm Crowe is a literal ghost while the piano player is a psychological projection that Kara uses to face her past. Leaving that behind though I love that we discover the source of Starbuck's distrust and treatment of men.  Her playing "All Along The Watchtower" and that its a song from her childhood really got me excited.

So, we are now set up for a full on Cavil led attack on the human/Cylon fleet.  Galactica is about to break into a million pieces and Gods help Tyrol when Athena and Helo discover his part in Hera's abduction.  Oh and why does Roselyn know when Hera leaves the ship??

Were it not for Lost this would be the best show of its era.  And right now its kicking on all cylinders.  I don't mind that we didn't learn how Kara came back to life because we are only three weeks from knowing the end.  I put my trust in Mr. Moore.