Written by Michael Rymer & Ronald D. Moore
Directed by Michael Rymer
“It’s not enough to survive. You have to be worthy of surviving.”
What a strangely sad, uplifting, torrid and beautiful episode.
Part 2 of Resurrection Ship eschews all of the traditional things we would expect from such a climactic episode. Primarily, you can see this in the depiction of the main battle with the Base Stars and the Resurrection Ship itself — it’s a complete after-thought. It’s beautiful and poetic and artistic, just like all of Galactica’s battle scenes…but it’s simply background noise.
It’s background noise to Lee, at least. His spirit has been shot to hell by the recent machinations and assassination plots, and leaves him at the breaking point. His humanity, always so deeply felt, starts slipping away…and he doesn’t try to grab hold of it. The burden is just too heavy, and he doesn’t believe there’s anyone left to help him carry it. Not his father, not the President…not even Starbuck. It’s heartbreaking to watch…
…especially since the remainder of the episode is such a surprising affirmation of reclaimed humanity. The military leaders of the fleet, all sitting on the knife edge, ready to plunge into anarchy and barbarity…and they choose NOT to fall. It’s a giant exercise in deep, relieved breathing…and the most surprising thing of all is that Admiral Cain joins in! After two plus episodes of hating her on the same level as Kate Vernon’s deliciously bitchy Ellen Tigh…she turns around and shows us that she hasn’t totally lost the grip on what makes her human…
…only to face her death at the hands of the person she treated like an animal — the person on whom she focussed so much hatred and rage and cruelty. The tears in her eyes, as she realizes how she must pay for this barbarity, is deeply touching.
Everyone’s holding back the tears — the episode is such a giant act of catharsis, it’s hard not to be carried along on the waves and waves of non-stop emotion. Not just in the big moments (such as Baltar and the abused Six bonding in the cell), but in the small, finely crafted moments…such as the gorgeous finale, with Adama’s promotion, his steadying hand on Roslin’s elbow…and his (totally ad-libbed) kiss.
My only complaint with the episode is the pacing — I could tell that there was much that was cut for timing reasons: explanations, motivations, even more cathartic moments. The mechanics of hour long television dictated a Daytona 500-paced episode where the emotions batter remorselessly against the viewer. No time to catch a breath…and at some points, it could have used a pause or three.
But it’s a minor quibble against another powerful, operatic outing for Battlestar Galactica. And, once again, the music is astonishing!
9
