The Ties That Bind

Allison and I were in New York City this weekend to attend the Comicon. On Saturday we had the opportunity to sit in on the Battlestar Galactica panel. Keep in mind, we had not had the chance to view Friday night's episode yet, and fearing some spoilers, we decided to chance it. The panel included three of the final five: Michale Trucco (Anders), Rekha Sharma (Tory), and Michael Hogan (Tigh). Also, on the panel was some executive from the Sci Fi Channel. They were interviewed by one of the writers from Entertainment Weekly, who did let it slip that Tory does something sinister in Friday's show. Not too bad of a slip up, but enough to insight a large portion of the crowd that had also not witnessed "The Ties That Bind". The cast members were fun, engaging, and handle even the most ridiculous of questions with class. All was fine until the Sci Fi exec blurted out that Tory kills Cally. Boy, were we pissed and so was a good portion of the audience. He even went as far to say that it wasn't his fault that we had not seen the episode yet. Yeah, he was a jerk.

Things really start to heat up with this third episode of the fourth season. The biggest event was the aforementioned murder of Cally by Tory. The whole ordeal has some extremely intriguing implications, especially for Ms. Tory Foster. One thing is for sure, this tells us that Tory is a person that will do whatever is necessary to protect herself and her new brothers. She also appears to be reveling in her newfound identity. This seems evident in her conversation with Tyrol at Joe's Bar.

Speaking of the Chief, how is he going to react if and when he finds out that Tory blew his wife out the airlock? Will this cause a split between the Revealed Four? What about little Nicky Tyrol? He's a hybrid child of a human and a Cylon; a Final Five Cylon for that matter. Or is he something more?

It should be noted that Cally Tyrol has been dealing with insomnia and has become increasingly more agitated since the Fleet arrived at the Nebula at the end of last season. This is the same spot where Anders, Foster, Tigh, and Tyrol were activated. She is seen taking medication for her problems, too. Could Cally Tyrol be the final Cylon and only missed the wake up call due to being overly medicated? I've theorized that the Final Cylon will be a woman, and she certainly fits the bill. Also, this would mean that Nicky Tyrol would actually be the first child born of two Cylons, making him more important than Sharon and Helo's little Hera who is half human.

Of course, being shot out the airlock kind of gets in the way of this being developed anytime soon. However, these are Cylons and they've been know to download and resurrect after a while. It would be neat to see Cally show up at the end of an episode near the end of the season. So, Ms. Foster, watch your back.

It looks like Vice President Zarak is going to use newly appointed Quorum member, Lee Adama, as a way to keep President Roslin in check. I get the feeling that he believes that Roslin wants only to do what is right for the Fleet, but wanting to do right and actually doing it, aren't the same thing. If anything, this is a great new direction for Lee as a character. This also allows for more political drama to occur on the show.

Starbuck is now in charge of a ship Demetrius (a sewage ship that now has a couple of Vipers attached to it). In a plot line that seems to mirror that of ancient sailing ships exploring the ocean, Kara has been ordering course correction after course correction. This has left her skeleton crew (consisting of Anders, Helo, Athena, Gaeta, Seelix, and a few others) a bit agitated. It's all heading towards a mutiny at some point down the line.

Back at the Basestar, Cavil approaches Revolution Six with an olive branch in one hand and a grenade tucked away in the other. A meeting turns into an ambush as Cavil and Boomer launch a ton of missles at the Basestars containing the Sixes, Leobons, and other Sharons. I'm looking forward to the eventual uneasy alliance of the humans and the renegade Cylons that should result due to this split.

Best Scene of the Episode: This was a pretty strong episode overall, so it's hard to single out a really standout scene. I've got to admit that when Bill starts reading a pulpy mystery to Laura will she's laying there during her cancer treatment, it was pretty sweet. I'm an ol' softy.

Missing in Action: Baltar, Caprica Six, and Head Six aren't anywhere to be found this hour. At least Tricia Helfer is given some screen time as Revolution Six. Also, it's always odd to see the Cylons debating when a bunch of the models aren't around for the episode. This time Leobon, Simon, and Doral are given the day off.

Big Question: I've mentioned two already: How will Tyrol react to Tory if and when he finds out that she's responsible for Cally's death? and Is Cally the Final Cylon?

If the trailer that was shown at the convention is any indication, things are about to get freaking crazy on Battlestar Galactica and I can't wait to see what happens.

8 out of 10