“Episode #1.1” is part one of the two-part Battlestar Galactica miniseries.
This remake of the old Battlestar Galactica begins with a ship approaching a space station and a man heading into a room and sitting on one side of a desk (where he then reads what look like the technical specs of the original series Cylon Centurion). Text explains that the Cylons were created by man to make life easier in the Twelve Colonies. Until they decided to kill their master. A long struggle ended in an armistice, and the Cylons left to call another world their own. A remote station was built to allow Cylons and humans to meet to maintain diplomatic relations. Every year, the humans send an officer. The Cylons send no-one.
No-one has seen or heard from the Cylons in 40 years. However, the doors at the other end of the room open and two new Cylon Centurions enter and stand guard. Then a woman enters. One who looks human. She approaches the man, examines in and asks if he’s alive. On his stating yes, she tells him to prove it and kisses him. A huge starship is above the station and launches a missile which hits it. The woman says it has begun as the station is destroyed.
On the Battlestar Galactica, a woman runs through a tour as a man is explaining this is the last of its kind still serving. Constructed over 50 years ago in the early days of the Cylon War, there were originally twelve, one for each Colony. This one represented Caprica. A man comes up to another, Commander Adama, and says it was an honour serving. Adama is preparing a speech as the woman, Lt Kara ‘Starbuck’ Thrace, runs up; Galactica is going to become a museum. In CIC, Adama is told that the ship to Armistice Station is overdue. He tells Lt Gaeta (Alessandro Juliani) that they are busy today.
The man leading the tour, Doral, is telling those on it that the ship is odd or antiquated to modern eyes. It was designed to operate against an enemy able to infiltrate and disrupt even the most basic of computer systems. It’s a reminder of a time when they were so frightened by their enemies they looked backward for protection.
Adama arrives on the flight deck to be greeted by Crew Chief Tyrol, who has a surprise. An old Mark II Viper, now restored and operational. Specifically, Adama’s old Viper. And a photo of a young Adam with his two sons.
Colonel Tigh, the XO, is dosing his drink with something from a flask, then joins a card game with Starbuck and others. It looks like the XO and Starbuck have issues, which result in him overturning the table and her punching him in the face, then being told she’s under arrest pending charges.
Adama asks Tigh if he’s really going to press charges. For striking a superior officer? Yes. Adama knows Tigh has been drinking; Tigh doesn’t even remember turning over the table. Adama says Starbuck is one of the finest fighter pilots he’s seen. Drop the formal charges and let her cool off in the brig until they get home.
A woman, Laura Roslin, is waiting in an office in Caprica City, Caprica. A man, who looks like a doctor, enters. He’s afraid the tests are positive. Not a great opening line. Later, Roslin is on some sort of space liner with her aide, Billy Keikeya, en route to Galactica.
In Riverwalk Market in Caprica City, the woman from Armistice Station – now, that’s a sign there’s something odd about her – talks to a woman with a baby. In a very creepy manner. And it looks like she killed the baby whilst the mother was distracted.
Dr Gaius Baltar (James Callis) is being interviewed; he’s a top consultant to the Ministry of Defence on computer issues and has controversial views on AI. The woman arrives. She is definitely not normal.
A Viper, piloted by Captain Lee ‘Apollo’ Adama a hands-on approach, to Galactica. On the ship he speaks to Tyrol. It sounds like he has issues with his father. He’s also told that the ship has no auto landing feature. Commander Adama’s orders. After that, Tyrol argues with Lt. Sharon ‘Boomer’ Valerii about her ship. Then they enter somewhere private and the argument morphs.
This opening part of the episode is primarily introducing major characters.
Apollo is going to have the honour of piloting his father’s old fighter during the decommissioning ceremony. He doesn’t seem that honoured. The female Cylon helped Baltar, and got to poke around the defence mainframe as a result. That is not good. Starbuck and Apollo also know each other, and may have issues too. It seems many of the characters do.
The Cylons are back, and they are not friendly. Galactica is being decommissioned as elsewhere the Twelve Colonies come under attack. The Cylons gained complete surprise. Galactica is old, with obsolete equipment, a crew that seems problematic at times and not in the best state to enter a shooting war. However, the fact that most of its equipment is obsolete means that the equipment is also not vulnerable to the Cylons. Like that of every other Battlestar in existence.
The story continues in the next episode.