Battlestar Galactica, episode 4: "Acts of Contrition"

Fenster

As per last week, I've added a fifth poll option.

secret_squirrel

See title for first comment.

Ok good to see Starbuck getting some much needed character development. Very interesting to see just how close her's and Commander Adama's relationship was. Explains somewhat why she got away with so much even though Tigh hates her.

Definately have prefered the starbuck in this episode to the one-dimension one that has appeared up to now - although thinking back to the previous episode the sniper bit was interesting too.

Not much else stands out about the episode tbh

Fenster

The boot up the arse her character got was good. The new sfx for dog-fighting looked pretty good, although their tendency to intersperse shots from the pilot is a wee bit annoying.

Definately not as good as last week, though.

c0y0te

OK.. my "soon to be patented:)" good bad and ugly review as usual...

The good:-

- "walk out of here while you still can" - nuff said!
- ejection sequence and camera angle
- Incidental music; it's really beginning to 'feel right' at last.
- Callsigns; Chuckles anyone?
- Character development for Starbuck at last


The Bad:-

- Planet side is beginning to drag, and the whole disaster beacon just isn't working for me.
- The fact that its a two parter.. damn I cursed a lot when I realised it was over for this week and didn't get to see what happened next
- Idiots mucking around on the hanger deck... with live ordenance/probes??? cmon!
- If there are 40 vipers (now 39 thanks to Starbuck).. how come there are only 16 - 20 seats in the briefing room?
- No real progress with two of my favourite characters this week; 6 and baltar.

The ugly:-

- Hotdog :mad:


c0y0te

c0y0te

Oh - and a suggestion... you might want to change the title of this thread to 'Act of contrition (Part 1)'

c0y0te

ixoy

Not bad but it was mostly character development and setup for next week. Starbuck, thankfully, seems more real and again I appreciate how Adama didn't go "Ahh shucks, you were in love you didn't mean it" and instead looked like he wanted to flatten her. Good scene that.

The dogfight I like a lot - especially again that whole three dimensional feel we get, as they move all around.

Planetside was boring - there wasn't enough and it didn't go anywhere. I'll assume Six is using Boomer Clone to track them... but to what end. Mere observation of human behavior? I cited this, previously, as a possible reason for the Cylons having not yet pulverised the BSG fleet.

Something to Think On: Isn't it funny how, after all this time, the Cylons suddenly reappear when the test pilots are taking out the Vipers for the first time? That they're there when the Vipers are at their most vulnerable? I'm not ready to attribute this to bad writing and maybe suggest Boomer, or someone, sent them a message...

secret_squirrel

One thing that did puzzle me a bit was the sudden lack of pilots - especially in the funeral and briefing scenes - I know 7 were in hospital but the sudden lack of pilots (in scenes) seemed a bit contrived.

Also meant to mention that I liked the grumpy SOB doctor.

Stark

Planetside was boring - there wasn't enough and it didn't go anywhere. I'll assume Six is using Boomer Clone to track them... but to what end. Mere observation of human behavior? I cited this, previously, as a possible reason for the Cylons having not yet pulverised the BSG fleet.

I was a fan of "28 days later" so I liked the planet scenes. And you don't have to know where it's going straight away, that's where mystery comes in (I know fanboys like to think they know it all ). I remember Farscape made you wait a full HALF SEASON before getting complete closure on the Season 3 cliffhanger.

Something to Think On: Isn't it funny how, after all this time, the Cylons suddenly reappear when the test pilots are taking out the Vipers for the first time? That they're there when the Vipers are at their most vulnerable? I'm not ready to attribute this to bad writing and maybe suggest Boomer, or someone, sent them a message...

Maybe Boomer, maybe bad writing. Why bother attacking the newbies, why not attack when all the ships were out collecting water?

If there are 40 vipers (now 39 thanks to Starbuck).. how come there are only 16 - 20 seats in the briefing room?

Pedantry, I mean dunno.

At least Starbuck is finally going from woman trying to play the role of a male character to a good woman character in her own right.

ixoy

Stark wrote:

Maybe Boomer, maybe bad writing. Why bother attacking the newbies, why not attack when all the ships were out collecting water?

'Coz they were skilled pilots. Now the Cylons can seize this opportunity and attack unskilled vipers. Going on the show's consistency, I'm giving them them the benefit of the doubt.

phoenix2181

now correct me if I'm wrong (I know all of you will!)

but towards the end of the esp it reminds me of the esp of battlestar 1981 were starbuck crash lands on a planet with a cylon ship, he repairs one of the cylons & they have a little adventure etc etc

also the planet side storyline I reckon that they are using yer man to weed out any human leftovers, & then just kill him off

all in all not a bad esp but don't forget, all the actors are still trying to get comfortable in the new roles......& my spelling sux ass (damn you to hell MS Word!!!)

Stark

'Coz they were skilled pilots. Now the Cylons can seize this opportunity and attack unskilled vipers. Going on the show's consistency, I'm giving them them the benefit of the doubt.

No my point was the skilled pilots were out collecting water the whole time and Galactica was a sitting duck (as referred to in the episode when Lee explained the dire need for new pilots). The cylons could easily have attacked at this point scoring an instant victory, instead they waited until there were ships in the air.

RuggieBear

well i'm just blaming artistic licence for the newbie pilots being out.....thought that was all very cliched tbh...still enjoyed it but a bit obvious!

Stark

At least we can be happy that they didn't suddenly believe in themselves and become highly skilled pilots taking out cylons with fell swoops (Except for hot dog, but I'm not sure he actually hit anything ).

RuggieBear

Stark wrote:

At least we can be happy that they didn't suddenly believe in themselves and become highly skilled pilots taking out cylons with fell swoops (Except for hot dog, but I'm not sure he actually hit anything ).

actually my bro and myself told each other as soon as the cylons appeared that starbuck would attack and get into trouble needing to be rescued by her proteges....when hotdog turned around...we just groaned!!! Not as bad as it could have been but still!!!

Fenster

c0y0te wrote:

Oh - and a suggestion... you might want to change the title of this thread to 'Act of contrition (Part 1)'

c0y0te

I didn't know it was a two-parter until tonight.

Besides, you could nearly argue that Water and Bastille Day was a two-parter, but I didn't see you complaining about it.

c0y0te

Don't see how you can 'nearly' argue "Water" and "Bastille Day" were two parts of the same story, given that each had conclusions within their story arcs per episode, while still staying faithful to the overall story arc.

c0y0te

Scruff

phoenix2181 wrote:

now correct me if I'm wrong (I know all of you will!)

but towards the end of the esp it reminds me of the esp of battlestar 1981 were starbuck crash lands on a planet with a cylon ship, he repairs one of the cylons & they have a little adventure etc etc

thats exactly what i was thinking too. maybe this time round its starbuck who becomes preggers with the star child.

also the planet side storyline I reckon that they are using yer man to weed out any human leftovers, & then just kill him off

that or that they're waiting for him to try and get in contact with galactica and to give away where its heading or to try and get it to come back.

where have i seen the actor playing the doctor before? its some 80's\early 90's show thats almost on the tip of my tongue. ( i just hope it wasnt battlestar galactica in the 80's!)

[edit] its not the father who ran the aquarium in Danger Bay is it?? [/edit]

[edit2] WOOHOO! i was right!!! http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-1795/
[/edit2]

c0y0te

Actually (eats humble pie :rolleyes: ) I stand corrected.. This isn't a two parter episode. I did a quick scan ahead to check and the next ep is not billed as "part 2 of", they just decided to carry on the story directly after the events of "Act of Contrition".

c0y0te

Cloud

phoenix2181 wrote:

now correct me if I'm wrong (I know all of you will!)

Yes I thought the same thing (on another thread):

cloud wrote:

I think (and I haven't read anything about future episodes, so if I'm right, it's a lucky guess!) we may be in for an "enemy mine" re-enacting of the classic series episode where Starbuck and Cylon are stranded on a planet together.

monkeyfudge

I didn't think there were cylons in those ships. The ships themselves look like they are cylons.

But I too was thinking about the old episode from Galatica 1980 when Starbucks ship went down with the Cylon ship. But she couldn't possibly be marooned for very long, the fleet is sitting right next to the planet.

I loved the doctor too...

It was great when he was giving out to the president over not having a check for breast cancer done in 5 years while he lights up a fag...

ButcherOfNog

c0y0te wrote:

- If there are 40 vipers (now 39 thanks to Starbuck).. how come there are only 16 - 20 seats in the briefing room?

You'd never have all your pilots present at a briefing, as then at some point they'd all be asleep. Depending on the situation you'd have a small number of pilots flying CAP, more pilots 'ready for action' and half of your total number of pilots off duty.

Fenster

ButcherOfNog wrote:

You'd never have all your pilots present at a briefing, as then at some point they'd all be asleep. Depending on the situation you'd have a small number of pilots flying CAP, more pilots 'ready for action' and half of your total number of pilots off duty.

Aye, they mentioned they were barely able to maintain the CAP. As well as that they basically have Vipers sitting the launch tube and ready to launch all the time.

Stark

Plus I think the Vipers they have are a mixture of the "in commission" Vipers and "nostalgia" Vipers.

I didn't think there were cylons in those ships. The ships themselves look like they are cylons.

Now that's an interesting thought.

Ivan

RuggieBear wrote:

actually my bro and myself told each other as soon as the cylons appeared that starbuck would attack and get into trouble needing to be rescued by her proteges....when hotdog turned around...we just groaned!!! Not as bad as it could have been but still!!!

Ditto.
I almost wanted to puke.
Then when her ship got disabled, another groan followed..
Finally culminating in her crash landing on the planet with a final, very powerful screem of righteous fury as the words... "to be continued" flashed on my screen.

Fenster

Big ass spoiler below:

They wind up salvaging the Cylon fighter that gets shot down with Kara and use the data on it to stage an attack on a Cylon base in the remake of "The Hand of God"

secret_squirrel

Damn damn damn 'tis a big spoiler.

Damn my lack of willpower.

Fenster

Weakling.

c0y0te

I like the sound of that:)

c0y0te

forbairt

Think we saw from the pilot .. that the ships are cylons didn't we ?? there's just the head attached to the ship or something like that ??

and yeah I think I uttered many ****'s last night as I realised ... **** **** **** its a "to be continued" ARGH!!!!

still I liked that episode ...

hotdog's stunt .. was predictable .. but considering he probably had more training than the others ... ? ... and bloody hell would you let a mate go up against 8 ships ? even though you probably know you'll take an a$$ whooping ...

all in all .. I like this series a lot .. haven't been that excited about a sci fi series in a long time ...

now I'm just curious does this show appeal to the female audience ... I mean they've got scantily clad females to get the male viewers vote ... ...

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

I think the alcoholic second in command is going to have an underwear scene in the next episode...

so that's something to look forward to

secret_squirrel

yummy alcohol sweat jocks - thats something to look forward to - shame my email notification didnt preserve the spoiler tags though

c0y0te

Error9,

To answer your question regarding whether or not the show appeals to females.. my wife loves it:)

She likes the fact that it takes adult themes, and deals with them properly, and that it doesn't always resolve everything with athe usual american propensity for 'there there, everything always works out in the end doesn't it?'. We can only hope some of the main characters get seriously wounded or die in the process to keep that 'reality' feel

She liked B5 but could miss an episode or three without missing a heartbeat, hated Farscape for some reason I can't remember and loves BSG - but cant be arsed with any of the new treks (a trait I share myself) because she worships the original campy ones and never got into SG1 because it was too 'light and pointless'.

I think BSG has a broad appeal because it attempts to do things properly. Lets have more proper physics, decent character development over time, human interest ("not just lasers and explosions" as she puts it :rolleyes: ) issues and some mature / understated acting (Mary Mac doing a great job as pressie, Eddie doing a terriffic job as adama etc.)

She won't miss an episode.. so I take that as a very good sign.

c0y0te

Fenster

Agreed, c0y0te. I was staying with a friend in London last weekend and was caught somewhat off-guard when she sat down to watch Galactica.

(and no you pervs...she's married )

Nukem

c0y0te wrote:

Error9,

To answer your question regarding whether or not the show appeals to females.. my wife loves it:)

Lucky Man!!! Girlfriend wont watch it but she always tapes it for me and is pure understanding when i wanna watch it,she calls me a big kid........................and shes damn right.

But could see why some women like it, the story line is mixed well;love,war &death