“Saga of a Star World: Part 3” is the third part of what was the original pilot movie for the classic series of Battlestar Galactica that is now generally shown in three parts.
In the previous episode, “Saga of a Star World: Part 2”, the fleet arrived at Carillon which seems too good to be true. On Galactica, Tigh visits Adama, who has been looking at the military intelligence on the planet. All they have is the mining report, done by Baltar’s people. According to it, the tylium is too minimal to mine, but they’ve found one of the largest tylium mining operations. There’s no local food, yet oddly more than enough food. There seems to be no connection between the surface resort and the mining operation. Adama does suspect the Cylons. Tigh says there have been no reports of anything odd.
On the planet, Starbuck is talking to Cassiopeia, who leaves to get a room. Then Athena joins him. When Cassiopeia returns, the situation goes downhill, not helped by Starbuck’s desire to keep gambling.
Apollo overhears Sire Uri suggesting that they remain and stop posing a threat to the Cylons by destroying their war machines.
Uri proposes this to the council on Galactica, saying they had no conflict with the Cylons until they intervened with what the Cylons were doing with other nations. Such as, according to Adama, the Cylons attempting to conquer and enslave them. Uri thinks if they mind their own business, they have every reason to believe the Cylons will leave them alone. Adama disagrees and leaves. Another says this should be determined by the people; Uri suggests proposing this at a ceremony to decorate Apollo, Starbuck and Boomer.
Cassiopeia is in the lift with another warrior. It takes them both down to the lower levels.
Starbuck is trying to convince the singers to work with him when Boomer says they need to go back to Galactica for their dress uniforms.
Adama is in a Viper and has Tigh get into another so they can peak without being overheard by Sure Uri’s people. Adama asks what would be the most devastating time for a Cylon attack. When all their forces are on the planet during the celebration according to Tigh. Adama thinks it’s a trap, and wants to get the Vipers closer to the pilots. And for Tigh to fill as many uniforms as he can find with people, as he thinks Uri and others will just count uniforms. Starbuck and Boomer startle Tigh whilst he’s collecting uniforms;’ he claims a flash inspection.
Adama tells Apollo he’s remaining on the Galactica so Tigh can go down. Though Apollo’s decoration is well deserved, Adama thinks it’s a ploy by Uri and he’ll propose they destroy their arms during the celebration. Tigh joins Adama afterwards; Adama couldn’t tell Apollo the truth.
With fake warriors on the planet, Apollo, Starbuck and Boomer start to notice this, and start to investigate. Which leads them to discover other things. Because this is a Cylon trap.