This is what the Frak I am talking about, an episode that moved the story, had some action and starts to bring everything together for the finale. This episode had me sitting up in my bed, excited, and wishing it would not be over as soon as it was. What was so interesting as a viewer was the way we knew everything that was going on and could only be frustrated (in a good way) with characters that just did not understand the overwhelming number of people involved in the mutiny. Many times I was thinking, “Come on, hurry up, figure this out!”, just superb writing and use of tension.
I praise Mary McDonnell for her acting, but I really do not care so much about her and Adama in their love scenes in the beginning of the episode. I understand, they are together, they love each other, but put them in a situation to make that love a little more meaningful to the viewer (which is done at the end of the episode). President Roslin also has to jump back into the political foray during the rebellion, which is good for the character as her roll has diminished so much lately that sometimes I forget everything she has done. Her storyline took a bit of a hit after they found Earth and the prophecy turned out to be false for the time being.
The real meat of this episode is the survival of the commanding regime, where we have a small group of the main players trying to save not only the president, but themselves. It is interesting because we have this whole survival theme within a larger survival theme which becomes a sort of metaphor for the survival of the human race. The Oath shows us some of the best things about Battlestar Galactica from a writing standpoint. Staying true to character, keeping continuity for the viewer, and making past episodes mean something. Starbuck, oh lovely Starbuck, shooting those mutineers on the flight deck without batting an eyelash was so true to character and so fulfilling for the viewer as well. Zarek, hey remember when this guy was on that prison ship? Sure do, and it is seen just how evil he is when he kills the deckhand in cold blood. At the same time that scene also shows us a little more about Gaeta and how he may be in over his head with all the killing. If you have not watched the webisodes I really think people should, it give you a bit more insight into Gaeta. It is funny how when I first saw the webisodes I did not think they would mean as much to the viewer as they do now. Also kudos to the action scenes in the ships corridors, they were close to perfect from both the visual and sound senses. The lighting, the camera angles, and the off scene sound bites were very well done and pulled that whole aspect of the episode together.
I am still a bit confused though about Baltar and his cult though. What is this guy really doing? Just hiding out until they find a place where he can sneak away? I would have liked to see Baltar on Earth, he may have had some answers for us. The cult is just weird, but then again I guess it is just good writing, cults should be weird otherwise they would be religions.
Adama and Tigh at the end of the episode, just great, makes me wish it was already Friday again. Sometimes though it is not even worth watching the scenes for the next episode as you can be ruining a bit of the magic the writers have in store. Then again when was the last time the scenes for next week on any show were not put in to deceive the viewer just a little bit as well. I do have a fear, but a fear based on my selfish desire to see some sort of happy ending. Ok well I have two fears, the first one being that they will start to gloss over the story or end it too abruptly because there are only a handful of episodes left. The second fear being that we will not get to see any of our favorite characters survive this thing. It is this fear which makes Battlestar Galactica a classic. The Oath was one of my favorite episodes of Battlestar Galactica and after last weeks yawn fest the train has gotten back on track.
agreed that this week’s episode rocked balls. i actually shouted “YES!” when starbuck shot the marine, as you say without batting an eyelash. she’s definitely been on the crazy/special destiny train too long. time to get her back to her roots (even her character thought so!). there is a reason my blogger avatar is a pic of her (not sure if you’d bothered to look at that), and it’s because she’s the consummate “when you need to shoot, shoot, don’t talk” character.
it’s funny you say that about roslin/adama. i think in a way they waited too long to put the love between them into the mix. when “fight night” aired in season 3, it was a FINALLY! sort of feeling when it showed them hooking up on new caprica. now it’s…not exactly meaningless, it’s still very poignant and all that, but not as maximized to toy with our emotions as it could have been if developed earlier in the story.
you’ve convinced me to go watch the webisodes.
i wish it was friday again, too!
Yeah I think the webisodes are like the anakin to darth vadar transformation for Gaeta obviously not so awesome though. I dont know I just dont feel any reason for the scenes with Adama and Roslin, I know they are setting it up for a sacrifice and they want it to be more poignant but still its too much, too late, and already understood. Its cooler when its sly. Starbuck just rocks, I am upset at not meeting Katee when she was at Dragoncon
What is an anikin?
Finally is right! Starbuck acting like Starbuck is always a winner.
Now I am excited!