“Rapture” is episode twelve of season three of the new Battlestar Galactica.
In the previous episode, “The Eye of Jupiter”, D’Anna and Gaius were leading Heavy Raiders down to the planet and Adama gave the order to nuke the place rather than let the Cylons near the temple. The other humaniform Cylons want the Raiders brought back. On the planet, Anders and Apollo are arguing about going to find Starbuck, whose Raptor was shot down. Anders says if Starbuck dies, he’ll kill Apollo; Apollo says if she dies, he’ll let Anders. Apollo checks in with Dee, to see if she can get to Starbuck.
CIC is ready to fire the missiles; the D’Anna on the Cylon baseship says that Adama wants the key just as much as they do and he won’t just destroy it. But the others disagree. Five of the Raiders turn back, but the one containing Gaius and D’Anna does not and the D’Anna on the baseship refuses to call them back, saying Adama won’t launch over just one ship. And he doesn’t.
D’Anna tells the other Cylons she told them so and leaves. Cavil doesn’t think this is a good sign; she defied them and defied the group. It’s not just about the Eye of Jupiter; it’s about her. They may have to do something, sooner rather than later.
Boomer told Athena that Hera was on the baseship and ill. She’s arguing with Helo over doing something; he’s suggesting going to the baseship themselves. She tells him there’s no other way and begs him to do this, to find the courage for both of them. Which, as can be guessed, is to kill her, so she will download on the baseship.
Adama and President Roslin are there as Athena’s body is taken away; they know why Helo did it. Adama is concerned that the Cylons may now have access to what Athena knows about their defences and strategies. Helo says Athena won’t betray them, and that Adama knows that; that’s why he gave her the uniform. Adama says she may not have a choice. Helo says she’ll resist. Roslin is concerned that Helo has put the entire fleet in jeopardy; he retorts that if she hadn’t stolen his baby in the first place, they wouldn’t be here. Roslin hopes Helo’s, and the admiral’s, trust is not misplaced.
Athena awakens on the baseship with Caprica waiting over her. She asks about her daughter and is told she’s getting worse. Athena wants to see her and claims that Galactica has proved that both she and Hera are safer on the baseship.
Apollo’s force is waiting to ambush the Centurions. Dee and the marine with her are about to set off for Starbuck when Centurions open fire on them and her companion is killed. Dee runs. In the temple, Apollo contacts Tyrol, who still hasn’t found the Eye.
Gaius and D’Anna are looking down into the valley. She’s worried; Gaius reassures her she’s been chosen by god to see the faces of the final five Cylons. And how come the other humaniforms don’t know what they look like? Who created the humaniforms? It begs the question as to whether the Cylon god is real in some respects – but is actually another Cylon, directing the others. D’Anna is afraid of success; to know the face of god is to know madness. The Hybrid has seen things and been driven mad as a result. Gaius tells her to put her faith in god and Number 6 tells him that D’Anna’s destiny will party way with Gaius. She isn’t the chosen one; he is.
Apollo’s force ambushes the Cylon lead element, but only kill one with the loss of one of their own. The Cylons retreat, but will be back in force, and Apollo’s group are in a dip. Starbuck is injured and Dee is not exactly thrilled to have been sent to rescue her. Part of the problem with Hera, in Athena’s opinion, is that Cylons have zero experience looking after children. And Gaeta said the star was on the verge of going supernova. There have been a lot of unlikely coincidences; what’s one more?