Written by Bradley Thompson & David Weddle
Directed by Michael Rymer
“Bitch took my ride.”
Scattered continues from the moment Battlestar Galactica season one ends, with the shooting of Adama, the confinement of President Roslin & Apollo, Starbuck, Helo & Boomer-Cylon on Caprica, and the landing party trapped on Kobol, under fire.
Frankly, it’s a hell of an intense beginning…not much plot, but a lot of atmosphere and tense situations.
What’s Good?
1—Michael Hogan, again giving us a staggering portrayal of Colonel Tigh. He’s out of his depth, he’s lost, on the verge of exhaustion and terror…but he keeps it together as best as he can…and he makes a HUGE mistake that nearly leads to Galactica’s ruin!
2—The situation on Kobol, where going back for a medical kit leads to a straightforward yet nail-biting & terrifying shoot out in the forest. It’s nothing original, yet the suffering on display is terrible and compelling. It’s a mini-Vietnam movie…in a BC rainforest!
3—The direction is again top notch, and a credit to Michael Rymer, who has been with Battlestar Galactica since the mini-series. He knows instinctively how this show works — the beats and shots necessary to convey all the pathos, power, and majesty of the series…sometimes in a single episode!
4—Starbuck, in one scene, reminds us why she kicks so much ass on this show. She’s still in rage-mode from her brawl with Six, and she’s none too pleased with the relationship between Helo & Sharon. That said, her laid back, realist philosophy is embodied in the line I quote above…another Katee Sackhoff showpiece. Can you imagine the original series’ Dirk Benedict ever being this intense?
5—Speaking of showing off in a single scene, watch Kate Vernon as Tigh’s wife, Ellen…who in the span of two minutes manages to remind us what a conniving, hateful bitch of a woman she is! Delicious!
6—The cliffhanger…and the Cylon eyes in the darkness….so very very awesome!
What’s Iffy?
As my friend James mentions in his review, the flashbacks are a double-edged sword. The make up, odd lighting, and intense, loopy performance from Michael Hogan make them eminently watchable…but do they actually mean something? Too many gaps…though I’m wondering if this is going to be expanded upon in future episodes…perhaps even next episode?
So…Battlestar Galactica returns in the same shape it ended last year: magnificently. We can only hope the quality streak of season one is equally matched throughout season two…
…but I don’t have many worries in that department.
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